Synod Meeting Highlights

by Carol McDonald - Synod Executive

Carol McDonald, Synod Executive and Eun Sung Cho, Executive Presbyter of Midwest Hanmi Presbytery

The Synod of Lincoln Trails held its first stated meeting of 2013 on Friday, March 22, at First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, IL. The Synod's Moderator, Teaching Elder Cheryl Montgomery, Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. CDT. Ruling Elder commissioners Brenda Taylor, Presbytery of Chicago, and Bob Song, Presbytery of Midwest Hanmi were welcomed to their first Synod meeting. It was noted that the Presbyteries of Blackhawk, Chicago, and Great Rivers could claim 100% attendance by their commissioners!

The Synod spent about 90 minutes concluding its study of The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. After viewing the Zanders' DVD, small group discussion

David W. Jones, Jennifer Burns Lewis and Cheryl Montgomery

focused on the questions, "which concepts can make a difference in the life of the Synod and what am I willing to do to make this happen?" Total group reflection "mapped" the conversation and a strong common thread of "communication" emerged.

• Installed Teaching Elder Jennifer Burns Lewis, Presbytery of Chicago, as Moderator for 2013, and Teaching Elder David W. Jones, Presbytery of Blackhawk as Vice Moderator for 2013. Out-going Moderator Cheryl Montgomery was thanked for her service.

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Save These Dates: November 21-23, 2013

Synod of Lincoln Trails' New Pastor Program Participants Invited to Reunion

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.

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.

Synod of Lakes and Prairies Announces On-Line Synod School Registration

Registration for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies' Synod School is available on-line. The theme for the July 21-26, 2013 program is "Belonging to God" and will be held at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. A catalog of courses along with information and forms are available on the Synod of Lakes and Prairies website.

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. 

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:

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
• Presbyterian Hunger Program
• Self-Development of People  

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.

2013 Presyterian Youth Triennium

2013 Princeton Forums on Youth Ministry

Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey

April 23-26, 2013

Engaging, reflective, and theologically substantive, the 2013 Princeton Forums on Youth Ministry will focus on Christian discipleship, exploring the breadth and depth of what it means to follow Christ for a lifetime. Today we "follow" the social media feeds of friends, celebrities, or a favorite product with the simple click of a button. Contemporary culture encourages young people to be "disciples" of brands and bands. Into this mix, the risen Christ calls, "Follow me." The first disciples followed Christ on a journey of community, prayer, sorrow, joy, eating with outcasts, healing and ultimately the cross and resurrection. Be part of a gathering of your leaders, pastors, and scholars as we ask, "How can the Church engage young people in the journey of a lifetime, following Jesus Christ?" Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Offers Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders

Everyone Has to Deal with Conflict 

Conflict is normal and inevitable - whether in the home, school community, church or workplace. Leaders in all walks of life often have a responsibility to help others work through their conflicts.

The Medication Skills Training Institute presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.

Who will benefit:

• Pastors and Interim Pastors
• Judicatory Leaders
• Denominational Officials and Church Consultants
• Lay Leaders and Pastor-Parish Committee Members
• Administrators
• Managers and Supervisors
• College and Seminary Students
• Attorneys
• Community Mediation Center Staff and Volunteers  

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. 

• Presbytery of Blackhawk
• Presbytery of Chicago
• Presbytery of Great Rivers
• Presbytery of Ohio Valley
• Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois
• Presbytery of Wabash Valley
• Presbytery of Whitewater Valley  

Center for Congregations

Indiana Statewide Workshops

Making Room: Cultivating Communities of Inclusion with Children and Youth with Disabilities

Leader: Barbara Newman

April 10, 2013 - Austin, IN

April 11, 2013 - Zionsville, IN

Positive Change for Congregations

Leader: Susan Weber

April 10, 2013 - Evansville, IN

April 12, 2013 - Seymour, IN

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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.