LAKES AND PRAIRIES COM/CPM LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE RUNS JAN. 31-FEB. 2: The Synod of Lakes and Prairies' annual COM/CPM Leadership Conference, this year titled "The Future of the Church: Change, Challenge and Celebration," runs Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minn. The registration deadline is Jan. 13. Keynote speakers for this year's event are Landon Whitsitt, vice moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and synod executive of the Synod of Mid-America, and Mark Sundby, executive director of the North Central Ministry Development Center in New Brighton, Minn. Additional details are available from Diana Barber, the synod's associate executive for leadership development, at 800.328.1880, extension 207, or by email at dbarber@lakesandprairies.org.

KEATON ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE BOARD OF PENSIONS: The Rev. Kevin Keaton, currently executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, will become the Board of Pensions regional representative for the synods of the Sun and Rocky Mountains in January. Keaton's last day in the presbytery will be Jan. 15, and he will begin training in Philadelphia Jan. 16. In a letter to the presbytery, Keaton wrote, "For my part, the decision to accept this new position has not been made lightly nor without prayer and lack of sleep. I have grown very fond of our presbytery. The working relationships I have developed with our leaders and congregations are dear to my heart." He added, "God already has put in place quality leaders who are quite capable of navigating the way as the winds of the Spirit fill the sails to propel this body forward into a hope-filled future."

SOUTH DAKOTA CHURCH IS HOST TO FLOOD RELIEF VOLUNTEERS: During October and November, Oahe Presbyterian Church, Pierre, S.D., served as host to flood relief teams, including four AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps teams from the organization's Iowa campus. The city of Pierre suffered substantial damage from the overflowing Missouri River during the spring and summer. Writing in the December issue of the Plain Song, the newsletter of the Presbytery of South Dakota, Meleta DeJong noted, "Our church has been privileged to befriend the 30-plus individuals from across the United States who are in the Pierre-Ft. Pierre area to help flood victims clean up their homes in preparation for restoration." DeJong's complete story can be found on Page 5 of the "Plain Song."

MILWAUKEE CHURCH TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM INTERFAITH CONFERENCE:The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee will present "The Rev. Herbert Huebschmann Urban Ministry Award" to Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church of Milwaukee's Bay View area. The award is given annually to a congregation or organization "whose involvement typifies projects and outreach that are making significant contributions to the quality of life in the greater Milwaukee area," according to the award description. The ministries of the congregation are many and varied, including a "cold weather ministry to the homeless," leadership in the Wisconsin Council of Churches' Inner City Racism Conversations, and a community garden and Native American Wellness Gardens. The 41st annual awards luncheon takes place Thursday, Dec. 8.

2 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN RECOGNIZED AT 'CIRCLES OF NAMES' EVENT: The Twin Cities Area Circles of Names Gathering, one of several local events held across the country sponsored by the National Council of Churches' Circles of Names campaign, recognized two twin cities Presbyterian women - the Rev. Alika Galloway and Elona Street-Stewart. The event was held in Minneapolis Nov. 17. Described as "crucial to the future of women's ministries," the campaign is an effort to ask "a thousand persons to give $100 in the name of woman who helped shape their faith," according to the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president of the NCC and executive director of the Minnesota council of Churches. Galloway is co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis, a Presbyterian congregation, and Street-Stewart is associate for racial ethnic ministries and community empowerment for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The complete story is at "Circles of Names."

MILLER WRITES ABOUT MISSION TRIP TO HAITI: Writing in the newsletter of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill, the Rev. Matthew Miller, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, Iowa, noted, "This past week our Living Waters mission working group sent a three-person team to Haiti to re-connect with our partners at Trinity House in Jacmel and to check on the status of the water system that was installed by the team that went down to Haiti a little over a year ago. In the subsequent year we have had reports of problems with the system, and have worked with the Living Waters for the World network in Haiti to help address some of those problems. We thought the issues had been resolved, but then got a very troubling communication about a month ago that the system was simply not being used. ... Then, after the long harrowing drive over the mountains to Jacmel, we arrived at Trinity House and realized how much more needed to be done." Miller's complete column can be found at "Haiti Trip."

2012 WINTER PASTORS SCHOOL FEATURES LAURIE FERGUSON: Titled "Fork in the Road Moments: Developing Resilience," the 2012 version of Winter Pastors School runs Monday, Jan. 30, through Thursday, Feb. 2, at Hastings (Neb.) College. The Rev. Laurie J. Ferguson, a Presbyterian minister, professional certified coach and licensed psychologist, will be the featured speaker. Ferguson is currently a senior research fellow for Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, in the area of coaching, and adjunct lecturer at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Va. The Winter Pastors' School is sponsored by the presbyteries of Central Nebraska, Homestead, and Missouri River Valley, with Hastings College and the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation as supportive partners. Details are available at "Winter Pastors School."

 '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. 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."

BOP KEEPS EYE ON FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM DEVELOPMENTS: A changing church. A volatile economic climate. An aging population of plan members. A shrinking dues base. Rapidly increasing medical care costs. The upcoming 2012 and court challenges to federal health care reform that will surely reach the U.S. Supreme Court. These factors and more fueled the deliberations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Board of Pensions at its October meeting. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Board of Pensions."

BOP WANTS MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THEY'VE HAD EYE EXAM: In an announcement recently the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) noted, "If you or any covered member of your family hasn't had an eye exam this year, there's still time. You can get your eyes examined for a co-pay of only $25 when you visit a VSP Choice network optometrist or ophthalmologist." Details of the vision plan can be found at "Eyes."