Presbytery of Chicago Preview

May 27, 2011

Call for Special Presbytery Assembly Meeting

Please note that Judy Watt has called a Special Assembly meeting for June 7th regarding the sale of 100 S Morgan St. The meeting will be at 4pm at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs. Click here to see the letter.

The (regularly scheduled) Presbytery Assembly

June 21 at Chicago Heights First

Call papers for the meeting will be published on June 8^th. Pre-presbytery events begin at 2:00pm and the meeting will start with worship at 4:00 pm.

General Assembly Moderator Cynthia Bolbach will hold a pre-presbytery forum and will also address the assembly.

Church World Service

Can your congregation bring at least 20 Hygiene Kits to the Harvest...

June 21st Assembly Meeting?

Get the scoop on bringing your kits

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

Synod Offers Scholarships to PC(USA) Event

Big Tent is nine great conferences held in one place with joint worship and keynote speakers plus special tracks for children, youth, and young people. Participants can take workshops from any of the conferences. It is not often that something this big is this close. Don't miss it! June 30 - July 2, Indianapolis, IN

Lincoln Trails will award $100 grants to help defray the cost of attending Big Tent. Download a Big Tent grant application. Alternatively, Church communicators may apply for a Presbyterian Communicators Network scholarship, which will cover the cost of registration. Scholarships are still available even though the deadline has passed, so don't delay!

Announcements:

The Presbytery of Chicago's Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) enters into partnership with people who are oppressed by poverty or by social systems and have decided to do something about it to produce direct, long-term benefits. The Committee normally provides small grants ($500 to $5,000).

The committee on Self-Development of People is now accepting applications for the 2011 grant. Read the guidelines about applying for the grant, or download an application, due back on Friday, June 3.

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

Consider Two Ways to Leave a Legacy to your Church or the Presbytery

IRA Contributions:

Late last year, Congress extended for 2010 and 2011 a popular provision allowing taxpayers over 70.5 to contribute as much as $100,000 of IRA assets directly to a charity. This donation isn't tax deductible, but neither does it raise reported income in a way that might trigger higher social security taxes or Medicare premiums. The donation can count as part of the donor's Required Minimum Distribution, the amount one has to withdraw annually, as long as it is withdrawn first. The gift must pass directly from the IRA sponsor to the charity, which sends a letter confirming the gift.

Estate Planning:

May 1 on the Presbyterian Planning calendar was designated Wills Emphasis Sunday to remind congregation members of the importance of having a will and keeping it current. Reviewing your will and estate plan, its implementation, and its documentation on a regular basis is always a good idea. This is critically important now as new changes have recently been implemented for federal and Illinois estate tax laws. As you do that, please consider including your local congregation, the Presbytery of Chicago, or the Presbyterian Church (USA) in your estate planning.

IRA contributions and estate planning can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come and help support the many ministries of the church and denomination. Because charitable contributions can be complicated as these rules change, you are encouraged to speak with an accountant, financial professional, or attorney or financial professional.

Adopt-a-Family