‘How is faith part of repair?’

“God emptied God’s self in the form of Jesus—and it cost God something,” says the Rev. Dr. Bart Roush, pastor and head of staff at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. For Roush, this theological truth challenges Christians to consider what repairing historic harms might cost them. “We’re on board with food pantries and diaper drives,” he says, “but that doesn’t change systems. Repair asks more of us.” Read more

The full video series is available here.

A bedside witness

BOULDER, Colorado — Kay Adams, a longtime social worker who counsels and coaches families of dementia patients, delivered a talk on “The Spiritual Journey of Dementia” Thursday during the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network conference that centered three patients with whom she worked.

“Learning how to remove the accoutrements with which culture dresses us, we may be able to encounter each other’s souls, including those of people living with dementia,” Kay Adams

Read more

SE Wisconsin Flood Recovery --A Call to Service

by Marilyn Stone

The Disaster Preparedness and Response Task Force is helping to connect volunteers and resources to local needs. Contact Marilyn Stone at mmstone52@att.net with questions and ways that you can help.

Click here to find out how you can help.

Polity "Back to Basics"

A Leader Formation Webinar, October 23, 2025,

7:00 - 8:30 (EDT). Registration deadline Oct. 15, 2025.

This webinar will be led by ruling elder Flor Vélez-Díaz, who is an Assistant Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Manager for Judicial Process and Social Witness within the Interim Unified Agency. Register here

Online New Testament Class Enrollment Open

New Testament Course

Meets Mondays, September 29 - November 3

OPSF’s Certificate in Proclamation offers preparation for worship leadership through Old Testament, New Testament, Reformed Theology, and preaching courses. The New Testament course is now accepting registrations.

Learn from online content by Dr. Eric Barreto, Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament, at Princeton Theological Seminary (See the preview below). And join fellow classmates on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM (CST) via Zoom. Check out a preview of the content at the bottom of this email!

This course is for you if:

• You are taking courses toward being a Commissioned Ruling Elder and need New Testament
• You have taken courses from other institutions and are looking to round out your studies with something that fits your schedule

If you take two or more courses from OPSF, you may qualify to receive the Certificate in Proclamation. Space is limited to 12 participants, register now to secure your spot today. Learn more about the full certificate using the links below.

Questions? Reach out to OPSF’s Director of Education, April Davis Campbell (education@opsf-omaha.org).

Click here to Register Click here for Certificate Information

Trauma-Informed Ministry in Everyday Encounters

by Laura Beth Buchleiter and Sarah Lammert.

It had been a long morning, as Sundays generally are for clergy serving in churches. After greeting hundreds of people, delivering two services, and now standing in the coffee hour strategically near the Welcome table, I was happy to meet the new young couple who had attended for the first time that day. I was a bit unprepared for what came next. Read the full article.

Learn more about what trauma is, how to bring a trauma-informed lens into your ministry, and to care for yourself as you engage in this work, join us for two new opportunities:

Trauma & Ministry: A Primer

A free online event with Laura Beth Buchleiter & Sarah Lammert

Thursday, September 25, 1 hour starting at 1 pm ET, noon CT, 11 am MT, 10 am PT

Registration link (free)

Trauma-Informed Ministry Workshop (online)

with Laura Beth Buchleiter & Sarah Lammert

Wednesday, October 1 & Thursday, October 2 (2.5 hours each day)starting at 2 pm ET, 1 pm CT, noon MT, 11 am PT

Registration link ($159)

Project Regeneration

What is God calling your church to do? It’s a big question, and it’s one that takes time, prayer and discernment to answer. An outside point of view is helpful – and that’s why we’re here.

We’ve worked with hundreds of churches just like yours. As church financial experts, we offer a financial analysis, followed by listening sessions. We can share with you how we’ve worked with other congregations. While every congregation is unique, you can learn from the experiences of other churches and ministries.

Whether your challenges revolve around property, giving, membership, or mission, we’re ready to help you write your church’s next chapter.

Read more about Project Regeneration.

Contact Kyle Nolan at kyle.nolan@presbyterianfoundation.org to discuss scheduling the Presbyterian Foundation to come to your church free of charge.

When Words Work
Practical communication stategies for churches

In a rapidly changing world, church leaders face new challenges in reaching and engaging their communities.

Join us on October 1, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET for a 60-minute webinar (with live Q&A!) featuring John Olinger — a former Nike executive turned consultant, speaker, and author who helps organizations and individuals win in the places that matter most.

Who should attend: Pastors, ministry leaders, communicators, and anyone responsible for helping the church’s message reach the right people at the right time. More information and registration is available by clicking here.

Church. Organize. Neighbor. Love.

These are liminal times. The church is uniquely positioned to voice difficult truths, shape difficult decisions, and move toward God’s preferred future.

Yet prophetic presence in our communities can feel dangerous and action can feel hopeless.

You are not alone!!!

The Ministry Lab’s four-panel series invites you into conversation with:

• CHURCH leaders to ground us in our unique doctrines and social statements as they invite us into Christ’s shared call to love our neighbors in new ways;
• urban and rural faith-based leaders who will equip folx to ORGANIZE, partner, and collaborate rooted in the Way of Jesus;
• diverse community leaders who inspire redefining NEIGHBOR as collective action amidst a more expansive sense of community; AND
• ecumenical clergy serving in diverse settings whose examples of LOVE in action will empower new and deeper relationships with non-traditional community partners.

Four panels.

Four Tuesdays: October 7, 14, 21, 28, 2025, 2:00 PM CT - via Zoom

Registration is open!

Attention Christian Educators, CREs and others interesed in education in the church!

Would you benefit from connecting with others who share your interests? Union Presbyterian Seminary is developing cohorts of about eight people along with a facilitator, who will meet for support, education and spiritual growth. The groups meet once a month for a year and are offered a small stipend for their participation. Cohorts meet on Zoom and are made up of folks from around the country. You might wonder what the cost is. Nothing, in fact you will receive a small stipend for participating. Applications for next year’s cohorts are due November 30, 2025. See the flyer for more information.

Presbyterians for Earth Care

Presbyterians for Earth Care is seeking nominations of individuals and groups/institutions for their forward thinking and leadership in caring for God's creation. PEC presents three awards each year, two for an individual and the other to an organization. Nominate your Eco-Justice Champion here.

Visit the PEC website Read the PEC newsletter

On the Road to GA, Issue 3

The 227th General Assembly (2026) will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Click here to read the latest issue.

Presbyterian Women

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

Visit our webpage to find out about our book studies and Sit & Sip discussion group. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook.

Check out our newsletter for more about PW across the synod.