Fall Synod Meeting Summary

The Synod met on September 27 and 28. The theme of the meeting was "Faithful Stewardship: All Thriving is Mutual." Click here for the summary of the meeting.

Why 'Presbyterian' Will Never Be a Political Party: A Churchwide Study Series

Introducing a new churchwide study series! Co-Moderators, the Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer, will host a series of three webinars on Fridays throughout October, offering an in-depth look at the PC(USA)'s Social Witness Policy. 

The series will be divided into 3 sessions:

• Session 1: Religious Liberty — Oct. 2 
• Session 2: State and Citizen: Their Mutual Responsibility — Oct. 16
• Session 3: The Church’s Role in Civil Society — Oct. 30

Each session will feature different guests from across the PC(USA) who will join the Co-Moderators in reflecting and expanding on each of these three topics. You can register for each Zoom session by clicking on the links above. Participants are encouraged to read the corresponding sections in this document prior to each session.

This session is for mid council leaders, clergy, church leaders, and anyone else who would like to explore what it means to believe God is the "lord of conscience." Please pass this information along to your leaders and congregations.

“Our Reformed tradition has never required Christians to withdraw from public life. Quite the opposite,” Schondelmeyer said. “Our faith has something to say about justice, peace, poverty, racism, human dignity, violence, care for Creation, immigration, economic life and the use of political power. At the same time, the church must resist allowing the gospel to become captive to any political ideology, candidate, party or nation.” Read the PC(USA) News article.

Follow Kannya's Young Adult Volunteer journey

Kannya Kachu, a member of First Arabic Presbyterian Church, Des Moines Presbytery, has served on the Synod's Committee on Racial Equity Ministry and Self-Development of People Committee. She has embarked on a new mission of service as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) assigned to the Philippines. Kannya is blogging about her experience, follow her journey here.

Presbytery of Northern Plains seeks Executive Presbyter

The Presbytery of the Northern Plains is seeking a relational and pastoral leader to serve as our next Executive Presbyter.

Our ideal candidate is a PCUSA Teaching Elder or Ruling Elder who is compassionate and adaptable, grounded in faith, gifted in relationship-building, comfortable providing administrative leadership, and willing to spend time among our congregations.

We span 51 congregations across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

We are large cities, small towns, and rural communities. We seek not a program architect but a pastoral presence: someone who will travel, listen, build trust, drink coffee in fellowship halls, celebrate what is already happening in our presbytery, and strengthen the connections between us all.

This is a full-time position with a minimum effective salary of $85,000.

Additional details are available in our Church Leadership Connection posting.

The full job description can be found here.

Our Website can be found here.

Questions can be directed to: bmcclure3246@gmail.com

The Value of Rural Congregations: October Innovation Network Gathering

October 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET

Rural and small-town churches contribute more to their communities than many people realize. As mid councils help congregations navigate questions about property and purpose, understanding that community and economic impact matters. Join Emily Sajdak of Partners for Sacred Places for stories from rural congregations, insights into the value they bring to their communities, and time to ask your questions. Join the online gathering.

You have youth. They just aren’t in your pews.

Phillip Blackburn invites rural and small churches to rethink youth ministry — looking beyond Sunday morning attendance to relationships with the young people already in their communities.

Read More

Don’t be caught off guard by disasters

Know your risks and devise a plan before a crisis

LOUISVILLE — Even in biblical times, there was the need to prepare for disasters. 

“Noah built an ark and gathered God’s creatures within it. Joseph prepared an entire nation against famine. Jesus started a feeding ministry rather than turning away thousands of hungry people,” said the Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, Associate for National Disaster Response for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. 

Today, the need for disaster preparedness continues to be important as natural and human-caused crises continue to threaten lives and property, including homes and sanctuaries.

From El Ninos, hurricanes and heatwaves to tornadoes, wildfires and flooding, weather phenomena wreak havoc around the world.

But “disaster preparedness reduces chaos and fear, minimizes stress, and saves precious time” to protect those you love, according to the Family Disaster Preparedness Plan Workbook, a joint publication of PDA and the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

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Pastors and churches should believe in generosity, and talk about it regularly

BALTIMORE — If “stewardship season” brings jitters, maybe it’s time to consider ways to incorporate the giving message into church throughout the year, said the Rev. Dana Waters, Presbyterian Foundation Ministry Relations Officer for the Southeast Region.

In his opening day workshop at Stewardship Kaleidoscope in September in Baltimore, Waters shared how monthly conversations from the pulpit about giving and generosity create a sense of joy. Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference on generosity and giving sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Presbyterian Foundation is a major sponsor. Waters’ workshop was on Monday, September 21.

Seen as a transaction — “it’s that time of year again” — and reminders about dwindling membership, underpaid staff and mounting facility needs, the money issue in church creates fear, guilt and shame, along with a bit of dread.

But, Waters said, flip the script to one of celebration and the mood shifts.

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Highlights from Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network 2026 Conference

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Living Vessels: Music & Liturgy as Storytelling

Join Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation in Kansas City, November 9-12 at the Heartland Retreat Center for Living Vessels: Music & Liturgy as Storytelling. We will be led by Karl Heimbuck, who is passionate about music and creativity in worship as we navigate how the different parts of create a story. Participants will also leave with three fully-prepared special worship services to use.

Board of Pensions 2027 changes

Due to the rising healthcare costs, the Board of Pensions has announced increases in 2027 medical dues for the Congregational Pastors Package and Transitional Pastor's Participation. For ministers enrolled in the Congregational Pastors Package, a new dues subsidy to help alleviate the cost of medical coverage for children will begin Jan. 1, 2027.

You can find resources to assist in decision making here.

Post-Retirement Medical Plan update

Earlier this year, the Board of Pensions announced that the Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO and Prescription Drug plan will not be offered in 2027. Beginning January 1, 2027, coverage will be through the UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage PPO Plan (a passive PPO plan) with Part D prescription drug coverage through Express Scripts. Coverage will be available to individuals currently enrolled in Humana as well as members who retire in 2027. Find more information about the transition here.

Introducing KinMN

A few months ago, a few congregations started receiving letters from churches across the country who wanted us to know we weren't alone during a crisis. We read them aloud in worship as a Pauline-like Epistle. They inspired us!

That experience sparked the idea for KinMN. What if this kind of connection happened regularly?

KinMN pairs ecumenical urgan and rural congregations with a desire to connect across Minnesota. It starts with letters written from one congregation to another. Find out more here.

Presbyterian Women

in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies builds community and affirms women’s calls to leadership and spiritual growth.

Sit & Sip, held via Zoom from 11AM to Noon (CDT). To register contact Kathleen Keefer.

Visit our webpage and be sure to conntect with us on Facebook.

Our newsletter has more information about PW across the synod.