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| News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies | | |
 PLANS ARE BEING MADE FOR SYNOD SCHOOL 2012: Synod School 2012, the next installment of the annual midsummer ministry of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is starting to take shape. There is a theme - "Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land" - and there are dates, Sunday through Friday, July 22-27. It takes place at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Carol Howard Merritt, author of "Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation" and "Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry to a New Generation," will be the convocation speaker. Additional details can be found at "Synod School." (For the more tactile readers, there's a brochure that can be downloaded and printed. And, of course, there is more to come.)
 SILAS KESSLER, FORMER GA MODERATOR, DIES IN NEBRASKA: The Rev. Silas G. Kessler, the senior former General Assembly moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), died Nov. 15 at the age of 100 in Hastings, Neb. Kessler was moderator of the 1963 General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA). Kessler graduated from the University of Dubuque and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Kessler served pastorates in Farmington, Iowa, and Fullerton, Neb., and then in 1940 was called to be pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, where he served until his retirement in 1976. During his tenure in Hastings, Kessler also served as president of the Nebraska Council of Churches, as a member of the board of trustees at Hastings College, as a member of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation Board, and as the first elected moderator of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Additional information is available on websites of Hastings FPC, Hastings College and UDTS. Funeral arrangements are pending.
YOUTH SHOW INTEREST IN 'HANDS-ON' MISSION: Harry Olthoff, general presbyter of the Presbytery of East Iowa, writing in "Reading Between the Times," a newsletter of the presbytery, noted, "During 2009 and 2010 the Cedar Rapids area was focused on recovering from the devastating flood of 2008. It was during these years that campus ministries led numerous groups of students to help in the recovery efforts. In fact, an announcement on Facebook and an email blast to students would result in between 20-40 students appearing for an early morning bus ride to volunteer for the day. Many of these students, and research shows many others around the nation, are passionate about helping people in need. Involving this age group in 'hands-on' mission is a key to connecting them with the church." Olthoff's comments and a column by Rodger Nishioka, that addresses stewardship and young adults, can be found at "Hands-on Mission."
 HILLCREST WEBSITE SHARES STORIES, OFFERS INSIGHT: Hillcrest Family Services of Dubuque, Iowa, a family services center in covenant with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, provides a residential education program that helps children and youth from challenging home situations. One child shared her story on the Hillcrest website, noting, "I am 15 years old. My family is very split up and doesn't talk about things. I've lived with my mom and I've never met my dad. I got addicted to drugs at 13 and would run away a lot. I was either on the run, on the street, or in emergency shelters because I wanted to live life my way. If I wasn't put at Hillcrest I would have died by now ... " Other stories can be found at "Hillcrest."
 STREET-STEWART RECEIVES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AWARD: Elona Street-Stewart, synod associate for racial ethnic ministries and community empowerment, received a Summit Community Empowerment Award earlier this month when she was honored in San Francisco by the Pacific Educational Group at its third annual event, "Summit for Courageous Conversations." The complete story can be found at "Community Empowerment."
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Conferences, camps and other resources | | |
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR PRESBYTERIAN UNDERGRADUATES: The National Presbyterian College Scholarship Program offers need-based scholarship assistance to full-time students entering their first year of college at one of the colleges and universities related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Details can be found at "Scholarships."
 'FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS' PROGRAM SEEKS PARTNER PRESBYTERIES: The application deadline is Jan. 31 for presbyteries to become partners in the "For Such a Time as This" program of the General Assembly Mission Council. The program pairs pastoral residents with smaller churches. The presbyteries of South Dakota and Northern Plains are currently participating in the program. Additional information about the program can be found at "For Such a Time."
 CHURCH EDUCATORS MEET IN MICHIGAN IN FEBRUARY: The 2012 Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Annual Event is planned Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 1-4, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Early bird registration runs through Dec. 2. Event information is available online at "APCE."
 STEWARDSHIP KALEIDOSCOPE SLATED IN NORTH CAROLINA IN MARCH: Titled "Gratitude & Generosity: Living the Faith," the annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope educational event will take place Monday through Wednesday, March 12-14, in Charlotte, N.C. The event includes plenary sessions, workshops and worship. Details are available at "Stewardship Kaleidoscope."
 'UNBOUND,' JOURNAL OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE IS LAUNCHED: The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy launched "Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice" Oct. 20 in Denver, Colo. It is the successor of Church & Society, the journal for 98 years was a prophetic voice in the Presbyterian church, church classrooms and households. Continuing that legacy, and breaking new ground, "Unbound" is an online journal and community that examines, expresses and provokes social justice as inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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| Colleges, universities and seminaries | | |
LPTS GOES TUITION-FREE IN 2015 FOR MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENTS: Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will not charge tuition for students in its master's degree programs in divinity, marriage and family therapy and religion beginning in 2015. Tuition is currently a little over $10,200. "As a result of this bold decision, Louisville Seminary is poised to make not only a difference in the future of this school and in theological education, but also a difference for the future of the church," said Pamela G. Kidd, chair of the board of trustees, following the trustees' vote. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Tuition Free."
BVU PRESIDENT URGES SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS: In a note addressed to students of Buena Vista University students, parents, trustees, faculty and staff, president's advisory council and alumni board, Fred Moore, president of the university, urged support for "saving student aid." He wrote, "As you may know, the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, otherwise known as the Super Committee, is working on recommendations to reduce the federal deficit. ... Not surprisingly, the Committee is reviewing federal financial aid programs for possible reductions. We cannot let that happen." Moore called on students to share their stories through the Student Aid Alliance, a coalition of higher education organizations. |
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Board of Pensions news | | |
 NOV. 18 IS OPEN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE FOR BOP OPTIONAL DENTAL, LIFE PROGRAMS: The deadline for this year's annual open enrollment period for the Board of Pensions' optional dental and life programs runs through Nov. 18. Program details can be found at "Optional Programs."
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| News around the PC(USA) | |
 TASK FORCE TRIES TO DEVELOP COLLEGIATE MINISTRIES STRATEGY: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has struggled in recent years to figure out how to support collegiate ministries. First it eliminated its national office for that ministry in 2009 in a budget-cutting move, then it restored that office when directed to do so by the General Assembly in 2010. Now a Collegiate Ministries Task Force is drafting for the 2012 General Assembly a strategy for reaching young adults on college campuses - recognizing that such work is both difficult and vital for a denomination that can't assume young people will return to the church once they marry and have children. The complete story from The Presbyterian Outlook magazine can be found at "Collegiate Ministries."
PRESBYTERIANS TODAY PUBLISHES 'STORY BEHIND PRODUCTS:' There are a variety of available products that "offer hope for people working toward a better life," according to an article in the November issue of Presbyterians Today magazine. The story highlights a growing number of organizations that Presbyterians support through involvement and purchasing power to break the cycle of poverty and change entire communities. The story can be found at "Presbyterians Today."
WHITSITT WRITES, 'WE'RE GONG TO BE OKAY:' The Rev. Landon Whitsitt, vice-moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), wrote the monthly moderator's column. He began, "In the American psyche, November means 'Thanksgiving.' Most of us travel home and sit around a table of 'comfort food.' We take naps and watch football. Sometimes we go to a movie. Whatever we do, we do it with our family. Sometimes we sit next to our weird aunt during dinner. Sometimes our uncle talks non-stop about his latest interest that no one else cares about. Politics are sure to come up and, sometimes, religion. ... Everyone brings a different flavor. And that's what makes our families, our families." Whitsitt's complete column can be found at "Family."
COLORADO CHURCH USES TECHNOLOGY FOR MISSIONAL, MULTI-SITE MINISTRY: "Our mission field," says Alison Murray, "is no longer primarily about getting on a plane - it really is about going out your own front door to your own neighborhood." Murray is staff leader for what has become the multi-site First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, Colo. Five years ago, the church participated in a ministry master plan that included a vision for reaching out to the city of Colorado Springs through a variety of alternative locations. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Technology for Mission."
PC(USA) SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE ANNOUNCES GRANT RECIPIENTS: The National Committee on the Self-Development of People of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved grants totaling $290,838 to 17 self-help projects. Money for the grants comes from the PC (USA)'s One Great Hour of Sharing offering. SDOP, funded primarily through the OGHS offering, enables members and non-members of the PC(USA) to establish partnerships with economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people in order to help them achieve sufficiency. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "SDOP."
SCOTT ANDERSON PREACHES AT COVENANT NETWORK GATHERING: The Rev. Scott Anderson was greeted by a standing ovation before his sermon at the Covenant Network of Presbyterians' gathering in Durham, N.C., Nov. 3. The first openly gay pastor to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since the ratification of Amendment 10-A earlier this summer, Anderson called members to welcome in a new day for the church, which with the amendment changed ordination standards that once effectively banned homosexuals in relationships. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Anderson."
PRESBYTERIANS ARE CALLED TO STAY TOGETHER, WORK FOR RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT: With changed ordination standards and the adoption of a new Form of Government, 2011 has brought much change to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - a fact that some bemoan and some celebrate. "Is there any way to reconcile and live together with our differences, or are we destined to divorce and divide into like-minded fellowships?" asked the Rev. James C. Davis at the Covenant Network of Presbyterians' annual gathering Nov. 3 in Durham, N.C. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Reformed Reconciliation."
SOCIAL MEDIA BROADEN THE REACH OF TRADITIONAL MINISTRIES: More than 70 Presbyterians interested in how the church is evolving met at Stony Point Conference Center in May for worship, fellowship and exploration. Sixty-seven-year-old grandmother Abbie Watters joined a group that was focused on using social media to "expand and enrich" current programs in the church. "I Facebook and blog regularly and actually have a few older women following me," said Watters. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Being Social."
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT DROPS IN 2011, MINNEAPOLIS IN TOP 10 FOR CWS REFUGEES: U.S. refugee admissions are down about 25 percent from 2010 due to delays related to new U.S. Homeland Security checks introduced in February of this year. Church World Service resettled 5,318 refugees during the 2011 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2010-Sept. 30, 2011), down from 7,055 in fiscal year 2010. The total resettlements of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program - representing all program-sanctioned agencies - numbered 56,424, down from 74,654 in fiscal year 2010. Minneapolis was among the top-10 CWS affiliates in the number of refugees received for resettlement. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Refugee." |
| And just two more | | |
 FOLLOWING PC(USA) ON YOUTUBE: The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), periodically records a video for distribution on YouTube. His current video, which addresses the PC(USA)'s new Form of Government, can be found at "Parsons."
USA TODAY CALLS IT A 'TYPOGRAPHY OF FAITH,' ONE LOOK AT RELIGION ACROSS AMERICA: From the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life comes an interactive look at denominations across the United States as published by USA Today. You can find it at "Typography of Faith."
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