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| News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies | |
 MINNESOTA VALLEY COMMISSIONERS COMMENT ON ASSEMBLY: Commissioners to the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys commented about their experiences at the assembly in a recent edition of The Valley Bridge, the presbytery's newsletter. Elder Bea Ourada of Willmar wrote, "My experience at General Assembly was amazing. If 'awesome' were not so overused, I would say that. I served on the Bills and Overtures Committee and as a part of that committee experience, I shadowed the nFOG (new Form of Government) committee for a couple of days. On both committees, I was overwhelmed with the dedication and mutual respect shown." The rest of Ourada's comments, and comments from other commissioners can be found at " Minnesota Valleys Commissioners." In the photo above are Ourada, Elder Chuck Moore and the Rev. Scott Prouty. (Photo by the Rev. Pam Prouty.) RUPE ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION FROM WINNEBAGO PRESBYTERY: A brief announcement in News & Notes, the newsletter of Winnebago Presbytery, noted, "The Rev. Lucille Rupe has announced her resignation from the position of executive presbyter of Winnebago Presbytery effective Dec. 31." Rupe began serving Winnebago Presbytery April 1, 1997. The note stated that her "plans include continuing to work toward completing her degree in interior design."  DES MOINES YOUTH WRITE ABOUT TRIENNIUM EXPERIENCE: Emma Williams of Heartland Presbyterian Church in Clive, Iowa, writing about her experience at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in West Lafayette, Ind., wrote, "I would have to say that Triennium 2010 was the best week I have had this summer! It was an experience to see 5,000 other people worship in generally the same way we do. At our church, we will get probably around 100'ish people at every service. But to see 5,000 stand up and praise is truly an awesome thing to see!" The rest of her comments and those of other youth from the Presbytery of Des Moines can be found on the presbytery's blog at " Des Moines Youth" (scroll down at the blog). Additional Presbyterian News Service stories from the Triennium can be found below in "News around the PC(USA)."  OWLS PLAN TO GATHER AT CALVIN CREST IN SEPTEMBER: The Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints - or OWLS - of Nebraska and Iowa will come together for their annual two-day fall celebration at Calvin Crest Camp Conference and Retreat Center, Freemont, Neb., Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 15-16. The event features fellowship, learning, entertainment and worship. The event is supported by Homestead and Missouri River Valley presbyteries, the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation and Eastridge Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, Neb. The theme of this year's celebration is "Living Fully," based on John 10:10. Brochures, application forms, directions and camp information can be found at " Calvin Crest." WINNEBAGO PASTOR ELECTED PRESIDENT OF ECUMENICAL CENTER BOARD: The Rev. Randy Argall, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay, Wis., has been elected president of the Ecumenical Center board of directors. Argall ascended to this position after having served as vice president of the board. Hung Nguyen, executive director of the center, said Argall "brings an incredible wealth of experiences in campus ministry and a deep understanding of social justice issues, one of the cornerstones of our organization." Argall holds a doctorate in Christian origins from the University of Iowa. Before coming to Green Bay in 2008, Argall served on the faculty at Jamestown (N.D.) College.  IOWA, NEBRASKA RECEIVE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDS: The North Central Iowa and Central Nebraska presbyteries have each received $10,000 from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to assist in flood recovery. The funds for North Central Iowa helped those in Wright County who were affected by recent flooding. In Central Nebraska, $6,000 went to the Rural Crisis Hotline, which is responding to individual reqests, and $3,000 went to churches and pastors in need of flood relief. The balance will go to the hotline if no further church requests are received. In North Central Iowa, volunteers are needed to assist the Black Hawk County Community Organizations Active in Disasters in its response to storm damage clean-up relating to the flash flood July 7. Volunteers are asked to contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 319.272.2087. (Information provided by the Weekly E-News of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa and Bob Houser, executive presbyter, Central Nebraska Presbytery.) |
| News about the 219th General Assembly | |
TWIN CITIES AREA EXEC WRITES ABOUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The Rev. Chaz Ruark, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area, blogged about the General Assembly experience this week. He wrote, "When I first came to [the presbytery], the 219th General Assembly was already on the front burner. In the year and a half I have been present it drew closer and closer with both excitement and trepidation. And now it sits firmly in our rear view mirror. First of all, hear and believe, I am incredibly proud of our presbytery for the marvelous way in which we hosted this complex gathering of Presbyterians." The rest of Ruark's comments can be found at " Ruark's Blog."
Q&A FOR NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT: The General Assembly voted to recommend a revised Form of Government to the presbyteries by a vote of 468 in favor, 204 against, and 6 abstentions. The new Form of Government includes Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, the principles that are foundational to government, worship, and discipline for the PC(USA); the Form of Government which spells out the constitutional framework for government of the PC(USA); and an Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures. The complete question and answer story can be found at " New Form of Government." Q&A FOR MIDDLE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION: The 219th General Assembly (2010) has created a Middle Governing Body Commission with the power to act as the General Assembly, upon request of presbyteries and synods. The commission has the power "to organize new synods and to divide, unite, or otherwise combine synods or portions of synods previously existing" (G-13.0103m) and "to approve the organization, division, uniting or combining of presbyteries or portions of presbyteries by synods" (G-13.0103n) upon the request, by a majority vote, of the affected presbyteries and/or synod. The complete question and answer story can be found at " Middle Governing Body Commission." |
| Education: institutions and resources | |
 UDTS IS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARY WITH 'DISTANCE M.Div.:' The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is the first seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to offer a Master of Divinity distance education program. This accredited distance degree program allows students to take the majority of classes from home. Two-thirds of the courses are taught online over a five-year period. The curriculum and faculty for the online program are the same as those in its residential program. Interaction with instructors and other students occurs through email and discussion boards. More information is available at "UDTS."
 JAMESTOWN COLLEGE OFFERS 'PASTOR REFERRAL' SCHOLARSHIP: Jamestown (N.D.) College, one of seven Presbyterian-related colleges and universities within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, is inviting Presbyterian pastors to refer students to the college. The student referred by the pastor would become eligible for the college's Pastor Referral Scholarship - a $500 value for the student's first year at the college. Pastors can click on "Refer a Student" and fill out the form or contact the college's admission office at 800.336.2554 or write admissions@jc.edu. Children of Presbyterian pastors are also eligible for a $500 scholarship for the first year at the college. |
| Board of Pensions news and services | | | PENSIONS BOARD STUDIES GA ACTION ON PARTNER BENEFITS: At its July meeting, the Board of Directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) encouraged management to carefully and thoroughly consider the recommendation of the 219th General Assembly that the board provide domestic partner benefits and bring proposals for discussion to its meeting in the summer of 2011 with the intention of making formal recommendations in the fall of 2011. The board hopes to implement initial changes in 2012. The board of directors was advised that this action will affect many board constituencies and encompasses an array of complex policy, administrative and funding issues that need to be resolved before any changes to current Benefits Plan eligibility are implemented. The complete news release from the Board of Pensions can be found at "Domestic Partners." |
| Conferences, camps and other resources | |  OKOBOJI INVITES VISITORS TO SUNDAY WORSHIP: The Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji, Milford, Iowa, is inviting visitors to the area to join in worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. now through August in the camp's new Lakeview Lodge. An announcement from Ann Ditsworth, the camp's executive director, noted, "Just passing through the area? You're also welcome to stop by to visit the camp and tour the new lodge and our lakeshore camp. This is truly a sacred place for all to come and experience God."
LOCAL CHURCH HISTORY SEMINAR SLATED IN MISSOURI: The Presbyterian Historical Society is planning to conduct a local church history seminar in the Midwest this year, Oct. 21-24, at the Heartland Presbyterian Center in Parkville, Mo. During the seminar, workshops will include Presbyterian history, oral history, writing a congregation history, managing and preserving congregation records, exhibit planning, disaster preparedness, and celebrating a congregation anniversary. A scholarship is available. The Presbyterian Historical Society maintains the national archives of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is the denomination's primary historical research center. Its mission is to collect, preserve and share the story of the American Presbyterian experience with Presbyterians, the scholarly community and the public. Information about the seminar can be found at "Local Church History."
 ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRIES OFFERS EARTH CARE PROGRAM: Environmental Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is introducing the Earth Care Congregations program to encourage churches to care for God's earth and to honor churches that have committed to this mission. The goal of the program is to inspire churches to care for God's earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all of church life. The program, "Earth Care Congregations: A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches," provides congregations with worksheets, resources and instructions for becoming an Earth Care Congregation. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make the commitment to be stewards of God's earth and encourages others to follow their example. Details of the program are available at "Earth Care." |
| News around the PC(USA) | |
TRIENNIUM PREACHER TELLS YOUNG PEOPLE TO RESIST ENVIOUS 'HATERS:' As a young girl, the Rev. Debra Matthews was inspired to "step into greatness" at a Stillman College show. The young adults who were performing weren't much older than the thousands of youth gathered at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in West Lafayette, Ind., last week. Matthews told the several thousand Triennium participants not to doubt their ability to influence people and change the world. Don't settle for mediocrity, but realize that the enemy will tempt you along the way, she said. The scripture reading for July 21 Triennium worship was not read so much as it was acted. Young adults told the story of Jesus' 40 days in the desert, during which Satan tried to tempt him with promises of food and power. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Step Into Greatness."
TRIENNIUM WORSHIPPERS LEARN ABOUT CALL: The Presbyterian Youth Triennium, held on the campus of Purdue University in July, is a place for music. Whether it's at worship, concerts or open-mic programs, music can be heard all over. Music is also a key part of movies, said the Rev. Mitzi Minor. In dramatic, uplifting or scary scenes, music gives viewers an idea of how to feel and what to expect to happen next. "But you're probably figuring out that real life isn't a movie," Minor said. And although the Bible stories being acted out on stage during Triennium worship services are accompanied by music, there was no such background sound when they actually happened. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Learning Call."
BAIRD CALLS YOUTH TO FOLLOW JESUS, NOT PLAY IT SAFE: There are two kinds of people in the world: those who play it safe and those who take risks. So said the Rev. Graham Baird, preaching July 23 at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. "Play-it-safers" don't hang out with unpopular kids, choose profitable careers and marry people who will make them look good, Baird said. But "risk-takers" hang out with those on the margins, choose careers that inspire them and marry those they love. Preaching from John 3: 1-5, Baird spoke about Nicodemus. Jesus told him that he can't play it safe if he wants to be born again. "All the people who followed Jesus were great risk takers," Baird said. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Take a Risk."
GAMC PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PASTORS TO QUESTION, LISTEN, LEARN: The Rev. Marianne Rhebergen has seen many churches that have little or no sense of what they are called to be, and a host of discouraged and even dysfunctional pastors serving them. "So many are living out of old models - models that worked in the middle of the 20th century," she said. "Today, there is a desperate need for our congregations to 'seek the welfare of the city in which they have been planted,' to move outside their doors into God's world." That's one of the reasons why Rhebergen, then interim executive presbyter for Lehigh Presbytery, became a member of the Core Cluster of the Re-Forming Ministry program in 2004. The initiative focused on issues about which she is passionate - such as the renewal of congregations and the reforming of ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at " Question, Listen, Learn." |
| And just a couple more | |  BACK-TO-CHURCH SUNDAY SET SEPT. 12: More than 1,500 churches across the country have committed to inviting people who once attended church - but who don't anymore - to special worship services Sunday, Sept. 12, for national "Back to Church Sunday." Last year, hundreds of churches took part in the first national "Back To Church Sunday," which saw members invite more than 700,000 friends and family. This year, an estimated 1 million "unchurched" and "dechurched" people will be invited to the special day. A survey by Outreach, Inc., a California-based church marketing company supporting the initiative, found that last year's participating churches increased their weekend attendance by an average of 19 percent.
EAGLE RIVER, WIS., AREA PLANS FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS: The Eagle River (Wis.) Revitalization Program "Festival of Flavors" event is inviting Wisconsin churches to participate in the Wisconsin Church Basement Supper Contest Aug. 28 at the Bridgewater Inn of Eagle River. Churches need to put together a team of four individuals to represent the church and create or use heirloom recipes to produce a sample platter, bowl or dish in each of four categories: salad, bread or rolls, hot dish (casserole) and dessert. Wisconsin products must make up at least 50 percent of the ingredients in each recipe. There are more details and those can be obtained from the Eagle River Revitalization Program (errp@nnex.net) or Cindy Meinholz, the event chairperson, at 715.479.8467 or meinholz48@yahoo.com. |
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