Opportunities offered for potential
new worshiping community leaders
A newsletter titled New Church New Way, Vera White, acting coordinator for the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), noted, "I'm thrilled to tell you about some upcoming opportunities for potential NWC leaders to develop and become persons with 'prophetic capacity.'" Among those opportunities are internships, assessments and a pastoral immersion program. Details can be found in "New Church New Way."
PPC solicits applications
for leadership development internship
The Robert W. Bohl Racial Ethnic Leadership Program provides a seminarian the opportunity to explore publishing as a ministry by serving a 10-week summer internship with Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Internship opportunities, based on the interest and expertise of the intern, are available in marketing, editing, production and operations. Service dates are negotiable, but the internship will take place between May and September. The complete announcement can be found at "Internship."
Northern Plains extends invitation
to leadership retreat
Leading well in today's church is especially challenging for clergy. Remaining resilient while retaining focus on God's mission isn't an easy task. With that in mind, the Presbytery of the Northern Plains will be host to a retreat, "Leading Long, Leading Well: Remaining Resilient in Time of Adoptive Change," April 16-17 in Grand Forks, N.D., and the presbytery has extended the invitation to that retreat beyond its bounds. The retreat will explore the notion of resiliency as part of strong leadership, and offer the opportunity to discover what resiliency means for leadership. The retreat will also explore mind, body and spirit practices designed to enhance leadership effectiveness. Details are available in a brochure at "Leading Long and Well."
Growth Summit planned in April in Lincoln
The Growth Project of the Quad Presbyteries - Central Nebraska, Homestead, Missouri River Valley and Prospect Hill - will conduct its annual Growth Summit on Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Neb. Featuring Anna Carter Florence, Bill Tenny-Brittian and William Willimon, the Summit is open to others beyond the Quad Presbyteries boundaries. Other sponsors of the Summit are the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Details and access to registration materials can be found at "Growth Summit."
Foundation to offer Christopher
workshop in Central Nebraska
The Presbyterian Foundation will offer a day-long workshop with Clif Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship, Saturday, May 2, from 9 to 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Wood River, Neb. Christopher is author of "Not Your Parents' Offering Plate." The workshop will address ways to put new vigor into stewardship efforts. Registration details can be found at "Christopher Workshop."
Regarding Ruling elders: speaking ordination
Dee Wade, a teaching elder in Louisville, contributed this month's installment of "Regarding Ruling Elders," a resource distributed by the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Wade writes, "In the presbytery in which I serve, several new faith groups are emerging. One is led by a teaching elder who was ordained to serve her group while it was still being formed. Another is becoming a commissioned ruling elder in order to be his community's pastor. As a former member of the presbytery's committee on ministry, this has gotten me thinking about the purpose and origin of ordination. The church doesn't exist in order to ordain people. The church ordains people that it needs in order to carry out its mission." Wade's complete column can be found at "Ruling Elders."
Presbyterians Today seeks stories
about 'bond with animals'
Presbyterians Today magazine is looking for stories about the bonds developed between humans and animals. An announcement from the magazine solicited stories that are "all about the animals we love and care for." It noted, "Tell us about a pet or service animal that changed your life." Selected stories will be published in the July/August edition. The complete announcement can be found at "Animal Bonds."
UNCO planned at Stony Point in May
The spring edition of the "unconference" - or simply UNCO - is coming in May at Stony Point Conference Center in New York. It's an unconference for church leaders, pastors, families and seminarians, and includes worship and open-space discussion on the church and its future. The event runs May 18-20. Details can be found at "UNCO."
'Being Reformed' now has more than 40 studies
The best-selling "Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding" series now has more than 40 studies to choose from with the recent releases of "Call to Mission" and "Great Prayer of Thanksgiving." The series is biblically based and provides adults with a foundational understanding of the Reformed faith. Each six-session study, written by well-known and respected scholars, features scripture, prayer, in-depth commentary and questions for reflection. Details are at "Being Reformed."
International Peacemakers coming
to United States this fall
Congo, Cuba, Iraq and India are just some of countries from which International Peacemakers will be traveling this fall to visit the United States from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18. The story of visiting International Peacemakers is just one of the highlighted notes in the March issue of the Presbyterian Justice & Peace newsletter. The complete newsletter is at "Justice and Peace."
Mid-Council newsletter offers links to helpful videos
The most recent edition of the Mid-Council Newsletter, produced by the Office of Mid-Council Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), includes links to videos about activities within the church. Sue Krummel, associate for mid-council relations, notes these videos, and other resources linked within the newsletter, help demonstrate why PC(USA) is the right fit for "the joint witness to the saving love of God that we have each experienced in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ." The complete newsletter is at "Resources."
Based on unofficial voting tallies, amendment 14-F of the Directory for Worship in the "Book of Order" has been approved by a majority of the presbyteries. A video message from the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been posted online, along with a written transcript, and can be found at "
Synod School catalog, other
Women set in Minneapolis
This is one of those just-in-case-you-didn't-know things. The Synod of Lakes and Prairies provides financial support to ecumenical media resource centers in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. In Nebraska the synod provides support to the 
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, continuing its long-standing commitment to collegiate ministry, offers short-term funds to help established ministries become self-sustaining and seed money for new ministry initiatives of established ministries. There are also opportunities for leadership development grants and mini-grants for fall- or spring-break activities. Details, grant applications and contact information are at "
'experience apportionment'
The 
degree in Christian leadership
The search for a name for the Pres House basement is done. It will be called Cecil "Doc" Lower Hall - Lower, the Pres House announcement noted, is pronounced "lauer." Lower led the Pres House congregation from 1939 to 1951. Pres House, which is officially known as the Presbyterian Student Center Foundation and located on the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is in covenant with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. A Pres House announcement about the name selection noted, "In common usage the basement will be read as the 'Lower Hall,' which of course is also a nod to the location of the space." The complete story of the Pres House basement, which in recent years had been the home of a Subway restaurant, can be found at "
UDTS professor publishes
The Rev. Beth Hessel has been named the new executive director of the Presbyterian Historical Society and director for church records and history for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She "brings a wonderful combination of a historian and a theologian," said the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly. "She has an engaging enthusiasm that helps people hear what God has done in our past and what God is calling us to in our future." The complete announcement can be found at "
Within this week of all things serious, perhaps there is time for something lighter. Here's a bit from "mental floss" - eight tips for Germans traveling in America. It caught your editor's eye the other day because he and his wife have been hosts to a couple German exchange students. How strange we must have appeared at times. It's at "