Developing, Nurturing
& Supporting Leaders
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Mark Your Calendar!
Synod of Lincoln Trails
2013 Meetings
March 22
First Presbyterian Church
Urbana, IL
June 15
Philo Presbyterian Church
Philo, IL
October 26
Philo Presbyterian Church
Philo, IL
Leadership Development
April 29-May 1
New Pastors 21
Geneva Center
Rochester, IN
May 6-10
MALT Interim/Transitional Training
Mercy Center
St. Louis, MO
May 11
CRE ConEd - Pentecost I
Philo Presbyterian Church
Philo, IL
May 13-15
New Pastors 22
Geneva Center
Rochester, IN
August 24
CRE ConEd - Pentecost II
Philo Presbyterian Church
Philo, IL
October 21-23
New Pastors 22
Geneva Center
Rochester, IN
Oct. 28 - Nov. 1
MALT Interim/Transitional Training
Mercy Center
St. Louis, MO
November 1-4
MALT Executive Training
Mercy Center
St. Louis, MO
November 2
CRE ConEd - Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
Philo Presbyterian Church
Philo, IL
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Check our website or contact the synod office for details!
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The Art of Transitional Ministry
MALT Regional Education for Transitional Ministry
 We live in a time of great transition in our churches and culture. Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in or inquiring about the nature of transitional ministry. This includes Temporary Transitional Ministry positions; which may include interim ministry, designated ministry, other temporary ministry or Installed Transitional Ministry positions. Committee on Ministry members and presbytery staff persons with responsibility for congregations in this time of transition will also find the education helpful.
Training dates are May 6-10, 2013 at Mercy Center in St. Louis, MO.
For more information click here. |
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Back by Popular Demand
CRE Continuing Education Opportunities
The "Sacred Seasons" preaching workshops are led by the Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Highland, Ind. Dr. Reason is a nine-time teacher of preaching and worship leadership to Synod of Lincoln Trails ruling elders.
The 2013 workshops are:
May 11 - Pentecost I
August 24 - Pentecost II
November 2 - Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
Cost: $35 per class. Includes lunch and teaching materials.
Classes will be held at Philo Presbyterian Church in Philo, IL from 9:30am - 2:30pm (Central Time).
For more information contact Kristi Miller via email or by calling
(800) 566-5996.
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America Saves Week Focuses on Saving for the Future
 America Saves Week, an annual nationwide effort to encourage saving and taking financial action, is the perfect time to stop, regroup, and rethink your savings strategy. With a little information and an action plan, you can build savings for retirement and other important life events.
When it comes to saving for retirement, one rule of thumb is that you should prepare to save about 85 percent of your pre-retirement income before taxes to maintain your standard of living in retirement. A quick way to estimate this goal is by saving at least 8 times your estimated ending salary through retirement savings vehicles, such as the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), other workplace retirement plans, and IRAs.
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New Tax Guide for Ministers and Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches Available
February 6, 2013
 The Board's annual publications that assist teaching elders and churches with tax-related issues have been updated and are now available. - The Tax Guide for Ministers has been updated for the 2012 tax year.
- The Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches booklet is designed for church treasurers and business administrators.
To help teaching elders and churches understand what's new for the 2012 tax year, the Board has also released new and updated resources in the Tax Resource Centers for members, treasurers and administrators, and mid councils on pensions.org.
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Synod Young Adult Making an Impact in the Church
 | | My Invisible Backpack - 2013 One Great Hour of Sharing |
Abbi Heimach daughter of The Rev. Robert Heimach, Irvington Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, makes an impact on behalf of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
Sharing resources, changing lives
 Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with those in need. Your generous gifts assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed.
Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing support the following:
Most Congregations receive the offering on Easter Sunday, Passion/Palm Sunday or both, while many receive it throughout Lent - however, you can help sustain the important PC (USA) ministries and programs that are supported by the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering by making an online gift at any time throughout the year.
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House Passes Bill to Give Disaster Relief to Religious Groups
 Religious News Service
Caleb K. Bell
Washington
The House February 13 overwhelmingly passed a bill to allow places of worship to receive federal aid to repair their buildings damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
The bill, which garnered strong bipartisan support, is also expected to pass the Senate, and would address what its sponsors consider a discriminatory practice that keeps federal disaster money from religious groups.
more...
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Heartland Region of the Administrative Personnel Association Announces Spring Conference
 "Rooted in Faith"
Heartland Regional Conference
(Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan)
May 17-18, 2013
Louisville, KY
For more information and to register click here.
The Administrative Personnel Association (APA) offers opportunities for professional development and personal growth for those called by God to serve as support staff of the Presbyterian Church.
The members of APA are persons engaged in administrative support work in any local church-related institution, governing body or agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, or any church organization on a full or part-time basis.
For more information on APA click here. |
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March 1, 2013 is World Day of Prayer
Office of the General Assembly
Melissa Davis
Louisville
World Day of Prayer (WDP) is a world-wide ecumenical movement where Christian women come together in prayer around a specific issue. This year the theme of World Day of Prayer is Matthew 25 - I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Those celebrating, recognizing, and praying for the Stranger and society's response to the people who enter our lives. Materials can be purchased and downloaded here.
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Generosity for Every Generation
March 11-13 - St. Louis, Missouri
For elders, pastors, presbytery staff and volunteers
Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
Psalm 79:13
For more information visit the Stewardship Kaleidoscope webpage.
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PDA Responding to Tornado in Mississippi
 Presbyterian News Service
Bethany Daily
Louisville
In the wake of a tornado that tore through southern Mississippi February 10, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has deployed two national Response Teams to Hattiesburg, where a church and the Presbytery of Mississippi office have been damaged. No lives were lost; about 80 people were injured and hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged.
The office of the Presbytery of Mississippi was blown off its foundation and moved six feet. Westminster Presbyterian Church lost its roof and experienced other damage to its building. More... - To donate to Westminster Presbyterian Church click here.
- To donate to the Presbytery of Mississippi click here.
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2013 Pentecost Offering Video Contest
 Presbyterian youth groups from across the country are invited to submit original videos communicating the impact and importance of the Pentecost Offering.
The winning video will be featured online and has the potential of being used as the official 2013 Pentecost Offering video. Winners will also receive three paid registrations to this summer's Presbyterian Youth Triennium or other church-wide event. More...
Entries must be postmarked by March 15.
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2013 Presyterian Youth Triennium
July 16-20, 2013
Purdue University
Lafayette, IN
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Presbytery of Chicago
Job Opportunities
Youth Ministry Coordinator
The Presbytery of Chicago (PCUSA) seeks a Youth Ministry Coordinator to work with Youth Ministry Team to:
- Plan and carry out four Presbytery-wide youth events annually
- Foster a network among congregational youth leaders throughout the presbytery
- Offer advice, counsel, and resources to churches without youth leadership
This is a one year, renewable contract. The position is accountable to the executive presbyter.
For more information click here.
Office Services Assistant (OSA) Position
Presbytery of Chicago is in immediate need of an office services assistant for its administrative office in the West Loop. Applicant must provide high-level administrative support. Duties include but are not limited to reception (receiving visitors, answering incoming calls, etc.), locating and organizing information, setting up conference rooms, handling mail, copying/scanning and maintaining office equipment and supplies. Assist with miscellaneous projects.
For more information click here. |
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Winter News from Pyoca Camp, Conference & Retreat Center
 With winter hopefully wrapping up, we are excited for a busy February and March with plenty of activity which includes: PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) groups coming from Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska for tornado recovery in Henryville, our 10th Anniversary Quilting Retreat, Pyoca Confirmation Retreat, not to mention the TWENTY other events between now and the end of March!
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Find out what's happening within the presbyteries of the Synod of Lincoln Trails. Click on the links below to read the newsletters or visit their webpages.
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Youth Ministry Major Grant Initiative
 The Youth Ministry Grant Initiative of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations is for congregations wanting to develop new and sustainable youth programming opportunities that reflect the congregation's highest claim and commitments, and extend the congregations goals related to providing formational experiences for youth. This program includes financial support, as well as a thorough education component.
This major grant initiative focuses on youth ministry and programming for congregations. Facilitated by Center staff and leaders in the field of youth ministry.
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Center for Congregations
Indiana Statewide Workshops
Essentials of Church Finance
Leader: Vonna Laue
March 14, 2013 in Evansville
Vonna Laue, author of Essential Guide to Church Finances and partner with the accounting firm CapinCrouse...
Historic Preservation for Congregations 101
Leader: Mark Dollase
March 14, 2013 in Indianapolis
An historic congregational building can be filled with rich heritage, unique architecture and memories of times gone by.
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The Clergy Program "Resilient Leadership"
 The Clergy Program offers on-site programs available for the upcoming months of March, April, May and June of 2013 for pastors, church professionals and other church leaders. The five-day intensive Program features daily individual and group consultations, fitness assessment and training, spiritual direction, and professional follow-up coaching.
The Board of Pensions assists pastors offset program costs through the Shared Grant Fund. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has long sponsored pastors affected by trauma.
For more information click here.
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