Presbytery of Chicago Preview

The Advance Justice Mission Priority Leadership Team would like to bring to your attention a public event through Traffick Free. A panel of local experts will highlight the local issue of human trafficking as well as local efforts to prevent, combat, and provide aftercare for victims. For full details, including speaker information, view their Facebook page.

Opportunities for Trips to the Middle East

Three travel opportunities in the Middle East!

First, Dr. Pauline Coffman and Dr. Paul Parker are co-leading a trip to Israel and the Occupied Territories to explore the six religions of Israel and Palestine in their cultural richness and political reality. The group will meet with Jews, Christians, Muslims, the Druze, Samaritans, and the Bahai. Dates are June 14-27, 2011. Cofman- Parker Israel

Secondly, Pauline will be leading a trip to Lebanon and Syria, October 5-18, 2011. Primarily for those who did their junior year abroad in Beirut, the trip is open to everyone. The first week will focus on Beirut and Lebanon; then we move to Aleppo and Damascus, Syria before returning to Beirut. Coffman Lebanon-Syria

Thirdly, Dr. Garnett Foster is leading a seminar to Israel and Palestine, October 17-28, 2011. She has enlisted Douglas Dicks, PC(USA) regional liaison in the Middle East, to help participants see, learn and understand the conflicts of the Middle East through the eyes of our brothers and sisters there. Foster Israel-Palestine

Big Tent 2011

About examining the new Indiana immigration bill, it has been determined that Big Tent will stay in Indianapolis. To register, visit www.pcusa.org/bigtent.

Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is more exciting, more diverse, and more faithful than you ever imagined. Big Tent has been called "a denominational happening" and "a big Presbyterian family reunion." Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be Presbyterian. June 30 - July 2, Indianapolis, IN

Focus in at one of the nine partner conferences at Big Tent:

Clergywomen's Leadership Institute/Young Women's Leadership Development
Evangelism and Church Growth Conference
Healthy Ministry Conference
National Elders Conference
National Multicultural Church Conference
Peacemaking Conference
Presbyterian Communicators Network National Conference
Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation
World Mission Matters

Announcements:

Worship: A survey of God's gifts among us

The Worship, Music & the Arts Work Group of the Presbytery of Chicago is asking your help in gathering the names of those in our presbytery who are blessed with particular gifts for creating and leading worship; poets and painters, potters and singers, musicians and dancers...and more!

The survey is being circulated to all congregations, clerks of session, clergy, and retired clergy. We'd appreciate receiving your responses by June 15.

What we'll do with the names we receive: Our goal is to create a resource for the presbytery that will connect congregations, other ministries, and groups with persons who have particular gifts for worship. The list will not be published on the presbytery's website; only categories of resources. Thank you for helping us celebrate the gifts of God among us!

Nominate a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD)

Photo by Joseph Williams

It is our great hope that you will take the time to extend an invitation to gifted young people (ages 17-23) in your congregation to apply to be the YAD for Presbytery of Chicago (POC) in 2012, and to follow through with the recommendation process. Application deadline is Friday, July 29, 2011.

Regions throughout the United States continue to be buffeted by a series of storms, tornadoes, floods and wildfires that have caused loss of life and severe damage to homes and property. During April 2011, more than 300 tornadoes were confirmed. Here's how you can help:

GIVE.
PRAY.
ACT. Download a bulletin insert "Clean Up Buckets Needed" to share with your congregation.

Continuing Education Opportunities for 2011 - 2013:

Certificate in Executive Leadership: equips pastors, church staff and lay leaders to meet challenges of leadership in today's church

Certificate in Environmental Ministry and Leadership: provides clergy and lay leaders environmental advocacy tools from science and biblical studies, theology and ethics

Allen Lectures: Professor Emilie M Townes will present the 2012 Allen Lecture on pastoral care on Monday, Feb. 21, 2012

The Congo Education Excellence Project is Appealing for Your Help:

This collapsing school in the Congo is still being used. Due to the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its government's lack of support for education, its 684 Presbyterian Schools are in critical need of durable buildings; books; teacher training programs; scholarships; and vehicles.

A group of U.S and Congolese Presbyterians have joined forces to raise funds for these schools by forming the Congo Education Excellence Project (CEEP).

Please ask your church and civic organization to join this 'war for

quality education':

invite a speaker and video presentation on the children and schools of the Congo;
crochet and sell beautiful necklaces to raise funds; and
donate to the Congo Education Excellence Project.

(Contact Tom or Jan Sullivan, First Presbyterian Church of Evanston -- 847-475-4052 or sull1300@comcast.net).

Adopt-a-Family