Synod School 2023 - What a week! | |
During the last week of July, more than 500 people attended the 69th Synod School hosted by the Synod of Lakes & Prairies. Amidst thousands of bicyclists participating in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (aka RAGBRAI) and water use restrictions in Storm Lake, Iowa, the exuberance at Synod School could not be quelled. | |
Each day at Morning Song and a Prayer, Rev. Dr. Matt Sauer donned a red cardigan sweater and reminded us about what Mr. Rogers taught us about being good neighbors. (Photo by Mike Ferguson) | |
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, the PC(USA)’s advocacy director, speaks Monday to those attending the 69th Synod School. (Photo by Mike Ferguson) | |
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Synod School: Try It. You'll Like It!
by Pam Saturnia, Pastor at First PC Muscatine, Iowa
reprinted from 'Out & About' the e-news of the Presbytery of East Iowa
Many of you know I spent a week at Synod School. Our Synod (part of our Presbyterian Structure that encompasses Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) sponsors a week long conference for ALL ages each summer in July. We have been doing this for 69 years!
Each year there is a Convocation Speaker and Worship Leader. This year's Convocation Speaker was Rev. Jimmie Hawkins the Director of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Washington, DC Office. There is link to one of his addresses above. Our Worship Leader was Rev. DeEtte Decker, who is the Director of Communications Presbyterian Mission Agency for the Presbyterian Church (USA) who in her first sermon said, "The Bible is not a puzzle to be solved, but a mystery to be revealed." A lot to digest from the two of them.
Each day begins with a Song and a Prayer that was led by Rev. Dr. Matt Sauer who channeled his inner Mister Rogers everyday as we sang the songs of Mister Rogers Neighborhood and as we were encouraged to remember among other things that each of us is supremely good.
This is just the start of what happens at Synod School. There are over 80 classes for adults to choose from that included Bible Study, Lessons from Ted Lasso, Basketmaking to name a few. There are also programs for infants through High School. I taught Middle School Youth in the morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. In the afternoon I took a watercolor class. It is the kind of place where everyone belongs and that to me is a vision of the commonwealth of heaven. It is truly the place where kindred live together in unity.
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2024 will mark the 70th anniversary of Synod School, July 21-26, with scheduled convocation speaker Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, Deputy Executive for Vision & Innovation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Mark your calendars; all are invited!
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbytery of the Pacific respond to deadly fires on Maui |  |
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We learned in July that our application for the Afro-American Charitable Trust has been approved by the IRS! We're thrilled. It's been a long process and receiving word of the approval has us re-energized. This means that we'll be moving things along a little more quickly during the second half of 2023 - gathering trustees and getting ready to make distributions. It also means we have a great road map for moving forward with the application for the Indigenous trust.
We also had a great time at Synod School and got to meet and talk with many of you. Thank you for your good conversations and questions! We're grateful for all of you who continue to be interested in and encouraging of this work. The Synod of Lakes and Prairies' commitment to Restorative Actions has made a huge difference.
If you'd like to keep up with this initiative, please consider signing up to receive our newsletter. We send something out approximately once a month and, of course, will never sell or share your information. You can sign up here.
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Registration Scholarships
To support church leaders in their work and congregational vitality the Synod is offering registration scholarships to the Stewardship Kaleidoscope.
Individuals and groups from churches and presbyteries within the Synod are encouraged to apply. Stewardship Kaleidoscope takes place September 25-27 in Minneapolis. Information about the event can be found here. To apply for a scholarship click on the button below.
Scholarships are made possible by the Transforming Communities/Vital Leaders Committee of the Synod.
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Racial Ethnic Student Scholarships Available
The Committee on Racial Ethnic Ministry is accepting applications for the 2023 Racial Ethnic Student Scholarship.
This fund is an educational assistance program designed to encourage racial ethnic students in their preparation for academic success in higher education.
Applications are due September 30, 2023.
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Celebrate Kick-Off Sunday with a SPLASH!
Kick-Off Sunday (Sept. 10), the traditional beginning to the church programming year, offers us a chance to reintroduce ourselves to the communities we serve. Create a BIG splash to launch this year’s Christian Formation celebration by providing an impactful way for your members and neighbors to connect with others in need. And, what better way to create a BIG splash than with a giving opportunity centered on the global need for clean water?
Here are some great ways to use Kick-Off Sunday to share about this need:
Download and use this bulletin insert to share one story about the difference safe water has made for communities in South Sudan.
Download and use the Jerry Can curriculum, which highlights the one common denominator in all disasters around the world: the need for clean water to survive. Activities for different age groups show how children can be involved with prayer and generosity to make a difference in the lives of people in need.
Download and share one, or all, of these social media graphics meant to raise awareness about the global water crisis. Be one of the first 10 churches to socially share at least one of these graphics, use the hashtag #GiveWaterPGC and tag us on Instagram or Facebook and we’ll send you 10 #makingadifference T-shirts to share with your members.
Although the majority of these Giving Catalog resources are available only in English, to access the Giving Catalog itself in Spanish or Korean, click here.
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Church Financial Leadership Coaching Program
A program for pastors
At the Presbyterian Foundation, we believe it is important to resource pastoral leaders and the congregations they serve in the areas of church financial literacy and leadership. We have established a national coaching network to help address the challenges faced by pastoral leaders and promote sustainability and excellence in ministry.
The Presbyterian Foundation’s Church Financial Leadership Coaching Program is a free, 12-month coaching program for church pastors that will assist you in leading your congregation down the path of financial sustainability to fulfill your church's mission.
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Contact Kyle Nolan, Ministry Relations Officer
(833) 983-1079
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We’ve moved!
Our new address is
1055 N 115th Street
Suite 200
Omaha, NE 68154
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It is our great joy to support congregational leaders as they learn together and on their own, and to sustain the shepherds of our flocks for the work of ministry. Read on for information on three grant/scholarship opportunities for individuals and Presbyterian institutions. Applicants must be from the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation’s thirteen-state service area.
The Marilyn A. Jackson Grant provides awards of up to $5,000 for pastoral leaders (ministers of word and sacrament or commissioned ruling elders). Eligible applicants must belong to a racial/ethnic minority group, serve a church of 100 members or less, and be committed to small-church ministry. Application deadline: October 1.
A couple scholarships of $1,000 are still available for PC(USA) pastors pursuing their Doctor of Ministry degrees. Previous recipients may apply, with preference given to first-time awardees.
The Lifelong Learning Grant provides up to $15,000 to PC(USA) institutions for programs which equip and sustain Christian leaders. Presbyteries, synods, learning institutions, and camps/conference centers are encouraged to apply. Please reach out to our President, the Rev. Shelli Latham, if you’d like a partner to brainstorm your proposal. Application deadline: October 1.
Please reach out to our Communications and Scholarship Administrator,
Alex Duperval, with any question.
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Art of Transitional Ministry
Week 1 training online, October 23-27, 2023
Whether it is a change in leadership or a changing
community, leading a congregation through change ischallenging and rewarding. It takes knowledge,
skill, resilience, and spiritual strength to navigate the waters of change in a way that leaders and congregations thrive. More information.
Schedule: We will meet each day from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-4:30 p.m. Central Time. A detailed schedule will be available for participants by October 1. Preparation information will be in the confirmation email.
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Matthew 25
When we welcome others, we welcome Christ; when we bring together people who are divided, we are doing God’s reconciling work. … there is not just one way to be a part of the Matthew 25 movement.
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You have a Matthew 25 story to share. | |
Let us know how your church is involved with Matthew 25. Email your article or story idea to the editor at office@lakesandprairies.org. | |
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Synod Office Summer Schedule
The Synod will be closed on Labor Day, September 4.
The office is also closed on Fridays from June 2 - September 1.
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The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys is excited about a new opportunity to serve churches within the presbytery. Throughout the denomination, it is taking longer for churches, particularly small rural ones, to fill their pulpits. A complete job description is available. | |
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Six New Things
Thanks to the generous support of the MN Annual Conference UMC, MN Conference UCC, Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, and United Theological Seminary, all of these resources are FREE to member congregations - and some are free for all.
Want to become a subscription member? Learn more and sign up here. That's not free - but it makes all these free resources possible - and more!! And we'd love to welcome you to The Ministry Lab.
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Presbyteries and churches share your news with the Synod! | |
To subscribe email: office@lakesandprairies.org
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