Keeping in Touch

SYNOD SCHOOL 2011 IS 'ALL MY RELATIVES:' The first word has gone out from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies Synod School Committee for Synod School 2011, "All My Relatives." The letter, distributed to pastors, clerks of session, Presbyterian Women moderators, enablers and Synod School alumni, listed the convocation speaker and worship leaders for the education event that runs July 24-29, 2011, at the Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. Anna Carter Florence, associate professor of preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga., will be convocation speaker. Evening worship leaders are Susan Phillips, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Shawano, Wis., and Mara Liz Rivera, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Winneconne, Wis. Sara Dickinson, pastor of Mosher-Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Papillion, Neb., will lead evening worship. Synod School 2010 drew 627 participants. Synod School 2011 promotional materials will be distributed in January, and course catalog and registration materials will be mailed in late February.

MEETING, WEBINAR SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH SYNOD: The Web-based programs "Go To Meeting" and "Go To Webinar," both programs of Citrix Systems Inc., are available for presbytery use through the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The "Go To Meeting" program enables collaboration with remote members for committee meetings and provides the cabability of integrating online meetings into a regular meeting schedule. The "Go To Webinar" program enables the presentation of training, orientation and other seminars to all who have online access. Additional information is available at the respective websites. The synod's corporate license enables presbyteries to use these programs. However, only one meeting or webinar may be conducted at one time, requiring a coordinated calendar. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Duane Sweep, the synod's associate for communications, at dsweep@lakesandprairies.org or at 651.357.1148.

EAST IOWA GIRL SCOUTS DEVELOP PLAN TO ASSIST HAITI CHILDREN: Ellen Turner - a member of Bettendorf Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of East Iowa - and fellow Girl Scout Bethanie Blake have been scouting out colleges to attend next year and service projects in which to engage right now. After the earthquake in Haiti last January, Ellen and Bethanie wanted to help the relief effort as part of their Girl Scouts Gold Award project. They researched ideas online and they came up with a plan to put together backpacks filled with school supplies for Haitian children. This complete story and other synod and presbytery news from the Presbyterian News Service can be found at "Backpacks."

Conferences, camps and other resources

APCE event logo CHURCH EDUCATORS CONFERENCE SET IN ALBUQUERQUE IN FEBRUARY: The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators plans to hold its annual event Feb. 2-5 in Albuquerque, N.M., with the theme, "Walking in Balance." The registration booklet and all information is located online - no paper. The "early bird" registration deadline is Dec. 3. The cost is $330 for APCE members and $505 for nonmembers. Registration costs increase $50 after Dec. 3. The 2011 Presbyterian Youth Workers Association winter symposium is "nested" in the midst of the APCE annual event Feb. 3.

THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR ADVENT: The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has provided a collection of worship resources for Advent, including candle-lighting litanies, eucharistic prayers, an order of worship for a service of lessons and carols, a chart with two sets of lectionary readings, and an Advent calendar starter kit. Details about these resources are available at "Advent Resources."

Colleges, universities and seminaries

SDOP SCHOLARSHIP WINNER IS HASTINGS STUDENT: The winner of the Self-Development of People T-shirt design contest is Mark Wong, a senior at Hastings (Neb.) College, one of seven Presbyterian colleges and universities in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The announcement was made during SDOP's 40th anniversary celebration in Philadelphia this fall. Wong, who has also been awarded a $2,000 scholarship for his Hastings tuition, is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Yuma, Ariz. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Hastings Student."

SYNOD HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED AT INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP EVENT: Ten Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, including three from within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, were selected to attend the Interfaith Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22-24. Chaplains and students from Agnes Scott, Carroll, Coe, College of Wooster, Macalester, Mary Baldwin, Marysville, Rhodes, Schreiner and Westminster joined about 100 other delegations from colleges and universities. The event, sponsored by Interfaith Youth Core, the White House and its faith based community initiative office, provided leadership training designed, according to information on the organization's website, "to give student leaders and campus staff allies the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to lead interfaith and community service initiatives on campus." The complete press release can be found at "Interfaith Leadership Institute."

SYNOD'S COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES MENTIONED IN APCU UPDATE: Several institutions of higher education in covenant with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies were highlighted in the monthly Update of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, a newsletter of the organization. Update noted the following: "Buena Vista University extended the life cycle of 100 mattresses by donating them to a volunteer-run service that provides furniture and household items to women when they leave the Children and Families of Iowa, a domestic violence service. Carroll University will launch a Master of Science in physician assistant studies beginning in June 2011. Coe College has received its largest grant ever - $4.7 million from the National Science Foundation - to renovate its 40-year-old Peterson Hall of Science. Construction is scheduled to begin next summer on the $8.7 million renovation project. The University of Dubuque will break ground next May on a $30 million performing arts, worship and campus center and a $27 million housing project consisting of three suite-style student residences."

JAMESTOWN COLLEGE IS HOST TO KENYAN CHURCH LEADERS: Jamestown (N.D.) College recently hosted six ministers and elders (at left) from the Chogoria Presbytery in Kenya, Africa. The guests met with Jamestown College faculty, staff and students to discuss the partnership between Jamestown College and the Clive Irvine College of Nursing in Chogoria. They visited several classes, shared in a Chapel service, met students who will travel to Chogoria in 2011, and heard a performance by the Jamestown College Concert Choir. Chogoria Hospital has proven to be an ideal and meaningful place for Jamestown College senior nursing students to practice their skills immersed in a healthcare environment dealing with tropical diseases, extreme poverty, and a lack of modern technology. February 2011 will see the fifth group of nursing students travel to Chogoria. Building on the success of nursing department trips to Chogoria, the first group of Jamestown College students from other majors will travel to the village in May 2011 to practice servant leadership, learn about another culture, and gain experience in their respective fields of study. A $75,000 grant from F.I.S.H. Foundation, Inc., is supporting the trip as well as the ongoing partnership between the Department of Nursing and Chogoria Hospital.

Board of Pensions

BOP APPOINTS SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY SAME-GENDER BENEFITS: Thomas C. Paisley, chair of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Board of Pensions has announced the appointment of a special committee of the board to consider same-gender benefits under the BOP's healthcare and pension plans. The nine-member special committee will be charged with developing the BOP's response to this summer's action by the 219th General Assembly "to urge the Board of Pensions to extend benefits to same-gender domestic partners of plan members and to the children of those same-gender domestic partners." The committee includes Dr. Paul B. Volker of Boone, Iowa. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Special Committee."

PENSIONS BOARD PLANS TAX-TIPS WEBINAR: A note from the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provided preliminary information about an upcoming webinar on tax-law changes. The note stated, "In contrast to many previous years, tax law has been under discussion and subject to change late into 2010. To include the most up-to-date information, the 'Tax Tips Webinar for Ministers and Churches,' presented by the Board of Pensions, will take place live Jan. 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. CST. This online education event is designed to help active and retired ministers and churches understand what's new for the 2010 tax year." Registration for the webinar will open Nov. 8. The last date to register is Dec. 17.

FALL ISSUE OF 'BOARD BULLETIN' AVAILABLE ONLINE: The fall issue of "The Board Bulletin," a publication of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), covers discussion and decisions of the board of directors at its Oct. 23 meeting in Florida. Highlights include reports on portfolio returns, coverage of vision exams, subscription dues for medical continuation and Medicare supplement coverage, and healthcare reform. The bulletin is online at "Board Bulletin."

News around the PC(USA)

PASTOR ENTERS MISSION FIELD THROUGH PASTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM: As a young girl growing up at First Presbyterian Church, Roanoke, Va. - where she was baptized and confirmed - Susan Hyde Fellows remembers having a visceral response whenever missionaries would come to speak to her congregation. "I had an aversion," Fellows said. "My body was screaming 'no' ... " Fellows eventually came to realize that - like the Biblical prophets - her initial resistance and objections to mission service were simply stages in her acceptance of God's call. Fellows is a member of the inaugural class of pastoral residents in "For Such a Time as This," an innovative pastoral residency program of the General Assembly Mission Council designed to serve small, under-served congregations and develop missional pastors. The complete press release can be found at "For Such a Time." "For Such a Time as This" is currently seeking potential partner presbyteries which are under-served and have difficulty attracting first-call candidates, but which have three to four small churches - 100 or fewer in average worship attendance - that could serve as good learning settings for first call residents. Partner presbytery application forms - due Dec. 15 - as well as further information for presbyteries and pastoral resident candidates for the class of 2011, are available at the program's website.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE CREATED ON AUTHORITATIVE INTERPRETATIONS: Acting on a recommendation approved by the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), elder Cynthia Bolbach, assembly moderator, has appointed members to the Special Committee on Existing Authoritative Interpretations of the Book of Order. The special committee was recommended in light of this summer's General Assembly adoption of a revised Form of Government. Among those named to the committee were Alyson Janke, stated clerk of John Knox Presbytery, and the Rev. Neal Lloyd of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. Both are former members of the denomination's Advisory Committee on the Constitution.The complete story from the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "Authoritative Interpretations."

PUBLIC WITNESS OFFICE UNVEILS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has unveiled an Internship for Public Witness, a new program designed for the formation of servant leaders in public policy ministry. Persons participating in the program will enjoy exposure to a wide range of formative experiences. Working with OPW staff, interns will have the opportunity to follow an issue or issue portfolio of interest through the legislative and decision-making process. In addition, they will also be exposed to other components of public policy ministry, which may include church relations, communications, resource development, and event planning. Churches may also choose to sponsor an intern of their choice. The complete story from the Office Public Witness can be found at "OPW." Interested applicants can find the complete internship description at "Public Policy Internship."

COMMISSIONERS, ADVISERS GIVE 219TH GA HIGH RATINGS: Commissioners and advisory delegates to this summer's 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis expressed high praise for the Assembly's leaders and said their committee work, worship, informal discussions with other Assembly participants and the sense of community they developed during the July 3-10 Assembly were the most meaningful experiences for them. Those findings - from 732 respondents to a post-Assembly survey - were reported to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Oct. 28 by OGA Director of Operations Tom Hay and General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "General Assembly."

MENAUL SCHOOL RECEIVES GRANT FROM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN: Menaul School here has been awarded a "Birthday Offering" grant for "up to $150,000" from the Creative Ministries Offering Committee of Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to support Menaul's boarding program, reinitiated this year after a 10-year hiatus. The money will be used to refurbish existing dormitories and to purchase an activities van to provide transportation for boarding students. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Menaul."

PRESBYTERIAN AUTHOR ISSUES BOOK ON IMMIGRATION: Out of the thorny thicket that is the national immigration debate, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister the Rev. Ben Daniel declares that the issue is not only a political and economic matter, it's a spiritual one. In his book, "Neighbor: Christian Encounters With 'Illegal' Immigration," Daniel makes the case that immigrants - no matter their status - are to be embraced as newcomers who have the potential to bless the community. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Neighbors."

PRESBYTERIANS SAY SPENDING ON PUBLIC ED IS NOT TOO MUCH: Fewer than one-quarter of Presbyterians believe the government is spending too much money on public schools in their community, and only two in five support the idea of government providing financial aid to parents of children who are attending private schools. These findings are from the November 2009 Presbyterian Panel survey on education and other topics. The complete press release from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Research Services can be found at "Presbyterian Panel."

And just one more

TEA PARTY MORE RELIGIOUS THAN U.S., LESS THAN CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS: Americans who identify with the "tea party" are more religious than the general population, but are less religious than conservative Christians, according to a new American Values poll. The survey by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found that 11 percent of Americans say they are part of the amorphous tea party movement, compared to 22 percent of Americans who identify as Christian conservatives. The complete Religion News Service story can be found at "Tea Party."