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. Details can be found in the event brochure and workshop-description list. A registration form is also available.

SYNOD ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS: The Synod of Lakes and Prairies' office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 2, for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, Jan. 3.

SYNOD EXECUTIVE BLOGS ABOUT QUESTIONS: Phil Brown, synod executive, published the first two posts on a recently created Synod of Lakes and Prairies blog. He wrote, "I like questions. I walk with questions - those for myself and those I ask. Good questions seek knowledge and understanding - foundational for Presbyterians. ... These days we seem to have more answers than questions, and we seek company among those who agree with us. And we seem to be living that way as a church - a reflection of the world in which we live. I don't sense faithfulness to Jesus Christ in such behavior." Brown's two posts can be found at "Among Lakes and Prairies."

CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS SEEKS TO LIVE INTO ITS NAME: Less than a decade old, Church of All Nations in Columbia Heights, Minn., a church plant out of the Korean immigrant context, has not only taken root but is already bearing fruit. Not only has it helped to launch three worshiping communities, but the multi-ethnic church that is living into its name to be of "all nations" is also in conversation with two struggling local congregations regarding the potential of a partnership "relaunch." The Presbytery of Twin Cities Area, home to Church of All Nations, is also home to many new immigrant groups. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "All Nations."

PROPERTY SALE DESIGNATED FOR BENEFIT OF AMERICAN INDIAN MINISTRIES: The recent sale of a historic South Dakota property, originally intended for a Native American Presbyterian congregation, has been designated as an unexpected gift to future generations of Native American Presbyterians. The property, located in Bennett County, S.D., was deeded to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on May 27, 1913, by President Woodrow Wilson in order to encourage the development of a Native American Presbyterian church in the area. The complete announcement from the Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries of the General Assembly Mission Council can be found at "Unexpected Gift."

EAST IOWA OFFICERS TOLD SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP REQUIRES SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: Effective elders are humble elders, the Revs. Mark Martin and Gary Burnett told those elders attending Elder 102 training, sponsored by the Presbytery of East Iowa, at United Presbyterian Church in Washington, Iowa, this fall. The two teachers, both parish associates at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, have that on good authority: it's in Peter's epistle. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Humility."

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 free for presbyteries through the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The "Go To Meeting" program enables collaboration with remote members for committee meetings and provides the capability 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.

CLEARWATER FOREST REACHES MATCHING GIFT GOAL: A post to Presbyterian Clearwater Forest's Facebook group noted, "A HUGE THANK YOU to the 107 donors who contributed over $14,000 to complete our matching gift drive! What a blessing!" That post noted the completion the camp's attempt to reach the amount pledged by its board of directors, who offered to match donations up to $14,000. The drive started Nov. 16 on Minnesota's "Give to the Max Day."

PRESBYTERIANS TODAY INCLUDES STORY ON CHURCHES ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE: Several congregations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are attracting more young people. The story can be found at "Presbyterians Today." 

PRESBYTERIANS TODAY OFFERS LENTEN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE: Presbyterians Today magazine invites Presbyterians to "come on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during the season of Lent with this year's edition of Presbyterians Today's popular devotional guide. Scripture comes alive as daily meditations and color photographs take you to the places where Jesus lived and ministered and where followers of three major religions find their spiritual home." The guide can be ordered at "Lenten Devotions." 

 

BOARD OF PENSIONS PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CLERGY COLLEAGUE GROUPS: The Board of Pensions is accepting proposals to support Clergy Colleague Groups in presbyteries. According to an announcement, "The Board has pledged $1,000 in financial support to presbyteries for the first year a new group is formed. This support level is then repeated in the second year if the group continues. This funding is intended to cover 50 percent of the cost for pastors to meet 10 times a year with a professional licensed or certified group facilitator." A brochure describing the program in more detail can be found at "Colleague Group." A form to apply for the grant can be found at "Application."

PRESBYTERIAN LEADER PROVIDES WEB-BASED RESOURCES:The Presbyterian Leader, a source for Web-based resources developed by Presbyterians for Presbyterians, provides connections to resources designed to provide the information necessary to cultivate new congregational leaders and support existing ones, according to its website. While some of the material requires a subscription, a substantial amount of material is available for free.

MISSION CROSSROADS MAGAZINE CONTENT NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE: It's now possible to connect online with Presbyterian World Mission's Mission Crossroads magazine because all the content from the magazine is now available digitally. Mission Crossroads is a free magazine that seeks to inspire, equip and connect Presbyterians in nearly 11,000 congregations to engage in God's mission around the globe. Published three times a year by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the magazine tells stories of lives transformed through the ministry of over 200 Presbyterian mission co-workers in more than 50 countries. The complete press release from the General Assembly Mission Council can be found at "Crossroads."

 '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."

BIBLICALLY BASED MINI-COURSES PROVIDE REFORMED FOUNDATIONS: "Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding" is a series of biblically based mini-courses that provide adults with a foundational understanding of the Reformed faith, according to information provided by the Office of Congregational Ministries Publishing of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Each six-session study - written by well-known and respected scholars - features scripture, a prayer, in-depth commentary, and questions for reflection. Each study addresses its subject from a Reformed theological perspective. Details are available at "Being Reformed." 

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR PRESBYTERIAN STUDENTS: Applications are now available for the National Presbyterian College Scholarship. The Office of Financial Aid for Studies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) revised certain elements of the NPCS in 2010 to promote leadership development and discernment of vocation. Twenty-five to 30 rising freshmen will be selected for the award, which is given to Presbyterian students attending a Presbyterian-related college. Each student will receive up to $1,500 based on need. The application deadline is March 1. Details are at "Scholarship." 

ROBINSON AWARD AVAILABLE TO JUNIORS, SENIOR AT APCU SCHOOLS: The Samuel Robinson Award is available to juniors and seniors at Presbyterian-related colleges. Recipients are required to memorize and recite the Westminster Shorter Catechism and to write a 2,000-word essay on an assigned topic related to the catechism. Up to 20 awards will be given. The minimum award is $2,000; the two students with the highest scores will receive $5,000. The application deadline is April 1. Additional information is available at "Robinson."

BIBLE TEACHING GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR APCU SCHOOLS: Teaching of the Bible Grants support teaching of the Bible at Presbyterian-related colleges and secondary schools. Previous awardees have used the grant to develop new curriculum and experiment with new approaches to teaching the Bible. Programs led by college chaplains have emphasized small group study, community building, outreach and spiritual formation using the Bible. Five awards will be given worth up to $10,000 each. The application deadline is March 1. Details are available at "Grants" and an application is also available. 

BOARD OF PENSIONS SEEKS CONTRIBUTIONS TO 'WHAT'S YOUR STORY' PROGRAM: From the stated clerk to a physician to an everyday plan member, everyone has a health story. That story is revealed, to a large degree, by the results of the tests and other screenings performed as part of, or as follow-up to, preventive care visits. That's why the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provides a preventive care benefit at no cost. The Board is inviting people with a preventive care story to share it by sending an e-mail to WhatsYourStory@pensions.org.

BOARD OF PENSIONS EDUCATION TALK NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE: The current edition of Education Talk, a newsletter of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), contains articles on the Christmas Joy Offering, and healthcare reform and retirees. It also provides multiple tax resources. The publication is at "Education Talk."