SUMMARY OF SYNOD MEETING AVAILABLE ONLINE: The Synod Summary, an unofficial report of synod actions published shortly after each meeting of the Synod of Lakes of Prairies, can be found at "Summary." The synod conducted its winter meeting Jan. 16-18. This issue contains information about Self Development Of People grants; a presentation by the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, director of the Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Presbyterian Homes and Services; and a Military Sensitivity Training Initiative.

MINNESOTA VALLEYS EXEC BLOGS FROM PAKISTAN: The Rev. Sue Coller, executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, is blogging from Pakistan where she and others from the presbytery are visiting Presbyterian Education Board schools. On Friday, Jan. 28, she wrote, "Another day in Pakistan, another change of plans.  Remember in my last post I said we were to do a tour of the Old City of Lahore?  Well, due to security concerns, we had to cancel that." The rest of that post and other posts from the trip can be found at "Transforming Followers."

MPR STORY FEATURES LETTERS OF DAKOTA PRISONERS: Elona Street-Stewart, associate for racial ethnic ministries and community empowerment for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, pointed "Keeping in Touch" to a story that ran recently on Minnesota Public Radio. It features the Rev. Clifford Canku of Dakota Presbytery, who teaches Dakota language at North Dakota State University, Fargo. The story opens, "For nearly 150 years, the voices of Dakota men imprisoned after the Dakota Conflict of 1862 went unheard. But the details of their imprisonment are starting to emerge in letters written by those prisoners after six weeks of fighting along the Minnesota River Valley that left hundreds of Indians, settlers and soldiers dead." The rest of the story is at "Dakota."

'GIFTS OF WOMEN SUNDAY' SET FEB. 27: Congregations acrosss the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will celebrate "Gifts of Women Sunday" Feb. 27 and a worship resource for the Sunday, written by Rhashell Hunter, director of racial ethnic and women's ministries in the PC(USA),  includes a call to worship, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, suggested hymns, suggested scripture readings and a litany celebrating the gifts of women. Titled "Beautiful Women Who Do Beautiful Things," it also includes sermon starters, program suggestions and recommended resources for further study. It can be found at "Gifts of Women."

ALBAN, LILLY ENDOWMENT TEAM UP FOR CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCE GUIDE: The new Congregational Resource Guide (CRG), a project of the Alban Institute and funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., serves pastors as well as lay congregational leaders by identifying and pointing them toward resources in the areas of pastoral care, education, worship, leadership, management, outreach, evangelism and more. Deborah Bruce, associate research manager for the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), wrote about the resource guide, noting that it is "practical resources, up-to-date features, and a wealth of useful tools and engaging Commentary - all in one place." Details are available at "Resource Guide."

WEBSISTE OFFERS DAILY DEVOTIONALS: A daily online devotional series, d365.org, created and produced by Passport Inc., a student ministry organization, focuses on creating meaningful experiences and resources for students. Sponsored by three denominational partners, including the Youth and Young Adults Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the free online resource provides a short daily devotional with a "pause, listen, think, pray, go" message. It is written by people who work with and care about youth. The resource can be found at "365."

FESTIVAL OF HOMILETICS COMES TO MINNEAPOLIS MAY 16-20: The Festival of Homiletics is coming to Minneapolis May 16-20. While a complete agenda is yet to come, the Festival's theme is "Preaching in and to a Changing Culture." Preliminary details are available at "Festival."

CONGREGATIONS URGED TO OBSERVE INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders have given their backing to World Interfaith Harmony Week, an effort established by the United Nations General Assembly to promote greater interfaith understanding and cooperation throughout the world. The U.N. set the interfaith harmony observance for the first week in February. In a letter issued Jan. 25 to all PC(USA) congregations and members, General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons and General Assembly Mission Council Executive Director Linda Valentine remind the church that as far back as 1997 the PC(USA) Assembly stated: "In a world of many bitter divisions to which, sadly, religious differences often contribute, there is an urgent call to all people of faith to seek understanding and cooperation. In response to this vocation, Christians should be eager to seek fellowship with people of other religions, work together with them, and celebrate our common concerns and values, all the while being alert to the great sensitivity this practice requires." The complete Presbyterian News Service article can be found at "Interfaith Harmony."