Keeping us Connected

November 2025

Any day can be difficult not just during the holidays. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Speak with someone today, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Fifteen students receive Racial Equity Scholarships

The Synod’s Committee on Racial Equity Ministry awarded scholarships to fifteen outstanding students from across the Synod this year. Recipients represent the Presbyteries of Des Moines, Milwaukee, Northern Waters, Prospect Hill, and the Twin Cities Area. Of the fifteen awardees, fourteen are pursuing degrees at colleges and universities, while one is attending seminary. Committee members noted that this year’s recipients demonstrated strong community leadership and shared thoughtful,

inspiring reflections on their personal values and commitment to equity.

The Racial Equity Scholarship Fund supports racial and ethnic students pursuing degrees at community colleges, tribal colleges, vocational schools, universities, graduate programs, and seminaries. To learn more about eligibility and the application process, go to: www.lakesandprairies.org/scholarship-funds.

Presbyterian United Church of Christ, Le Mars, Iowa, Members Featured on Local News

“92-year-old Clayton Hodgson and 72-year-old Steve Beveridge have spent their entire lives giving back to Iowans. Next week, they’ll broaden their service and give back…” by participating in the U.S.-Mexico border trip. Read or watch the story here.

Small churches, big impact

The Presbyterian Giving Catalog empowers churches of all sizes.

What difference does a church of 50 members make? A big one, it turns out.

At its November meeting, the session of Villisca Presbyterian Church in Iowa found themselves asking a familiar question: Why do small churches feel like they’re too small to make a difference?

“We’ve always had the attitude of ‘whatever we have, we can share,’” said the Rev. Sandy Wainwright Rossander, pastor of Villisca Presbyterian Church. “A small gift is just as significant as a large one.”

Rossander, who once served as moderator of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, has seen firsthand how many congregations underestimate their ability to make an impact. But for her and the Villisca church, located in a town of just 1,500 people, smallness has never been a limitation.

“Even in our smallness, we can still make a difference in the mission of the church,” she said. That conviction has become central to the church’s identity. Read more

Rev. Sandy Wainwright Rossander

Praying for mid council ministries image

The PC(USA)’s Mid Council Ministries director talks about what she heard at the recent leaders’ gathering

After a presentation by the Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes, mid council leaders offer up a moving prayer for the work ahead

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes clearly spent a good part of the Mid Council Leaders Gathering listening. On Wednesday just before closing worship, she reported to mid council leaders what she heard, and what they can expect out of Mid Council Ministries, which she leads for the Interim Unified Agency. Read more

The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness releases updated citizen action guide for times such as these

The digital booklet is designed to move people from holy restlessness to civic engagement

LOUISVILLE — The Washington-based Presbyterian Office of Public Witness has updated its classic “Holy Discontentment” guide for those who want to engage in public life through advocacy, organizing and witness.

The free digital booklet is available for download (under "Resources") by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members or anyone experiencing holy discontentment, which the publication describes as “a faithful discomfort, rooted in hope for something better.”

Grounded in the Reformed tradition and the social witness policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the newly released guide offers both theological grounding and practical tools for individuals, congregations and mid councils seeking to respond to injustice, the booklet says. Read more

Quilt Builds Community

Each Veterans Day, Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington, Minn., holds a special service to recognize and thank residents who served in the military. This year the service included a meaningful new tradition: the presentation of a Quilt of Valor® to a veteran resident.

How it began.

The idea started over the summer when a resident suggested that volunteers within the Presbyterian Homes community create a quilt to award at the annual Veterans Day service. In many cultures, quilts and blankets are used to honor individuals, offer healing, and express respect or gratitude. “We have a lot of veterans in our community, and awarding a Quilt of Valor® would help us build and strengthen community,” the resident shared.

What is a Quilt of Valor®?

A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a high-quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war. The quilt says, unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” (Quilt of Valor® Foundation)

With the support of staff, a group of volunteer sewers was assembled. One resident donated the fabric, a quilt pattern was chosen, and work began. The only expense was the professional quilting, which Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington agreed to cover. Staff selected the recipient, and arrangements were made with Quilter’s Haven, a local chapter of the QOV Foundation, to register and formally award the quilt.

During the Veterans Day service, each veteran receives a red, white, and blue ribbon pin, and all are honored with prayers, speeches, music, and applause. This year’s QOV recipient, a veteran of the Korean War, expressed his gratitude and joked, “I sure could have used that blanket when I was in North Korea.” As the quilt was presented, another veteran in the audience was heard quietly saying, “Now that is just great.”

The warm interactions at the reception following the service made it clear that community building is flourishing among residents, their families, and staff. Many attendees expressed hope that the volunteer sewers will create another quilt for next year’s event.

Presbyterian Homes and Services, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that offers a broad array of high-quality housing, care, and service options for older adults. The organization serves communities in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Quilt of Valor® Foundation

Mission statement: To cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. As of December 2024, more than 401,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded to active-duty service members and veterans of all American conflicts.

Photos: Top, quilt on display. Above, quilt recipient. Top right, wrapping recipient in the quilt. Bottom right, recipient with the sewers. Photos courtesy of Presbyterian Homes.

Special Offerings webinar for church leaders

The PC(USA)'s Annual Giving team invites those holding leadership positions in church councils to join us online to discuss the upcoming changes to the Churchwide Special Offerings. What to expect:

Deep dive into 2026 changes
Discussion of the World Communion Offering grant opportunity
Tips on helping your congregations prepare
Q&A session

December 4, 2025, 2:30-3:45 pm CST

Webinars will be recorded and uploaded to pcusa.org/specialofferings for those who cannot attend. Register here.

WEEK 2 Art of Transitional Ministry Training

March 2-6, 2026, this online training focuses specifically on the leadership of a person in a pastoral role serving in a ministerial context characterized by transition. This can be any ministry that is consciously seeking to work with the change they are experiencing or change that is anticipated (whether in leadership, culture, context, and ministry). More information and registration at: https://lakesandprairies.regfox.com/week-2-of-the-art-of-transitional-ministry

Planning for the 227th General Assembly is well underway

LOUISVILLE — On Tuesday [11-11], presbytery and synod leaders heard from Kate Trigger Duffert, an Associate Stated Clerk and the Director of General Assembly Planning, about what to expect during next year’s assembly, the 227th in denominational history — and the important role mid council leaders have in making the assembly a success.

“The business that comes to GA does not come from some mystical location,” she said, but instead originates in conversations in sessions across the country, from people elected to serve on committees, and from staff. “It all comes together for conversation and discernment,” Kate Trigger Duffert

Learn more

On the Road to GA, Issue 5

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

Click here to read the latest issue.

Presbyterian Women is forming a delegation to attend the 70th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which will be held in person and online March 9–20, 2026.

Minimum participation for delegates is Monday, March 9–Friday, March 13, 2026; ideal participation is between Monday, March 9–Friday, March 20. Delegates are encouraged to attend as many events in person as possible. Attending some events online is also an option. The deadline for application is December 8, 2025. For more information & application click here.

Contemplative Renewal Immersion at Holy Wisdom Monastery

Applications are open for the next cohort of Contemplative Renewal Immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery. This is an opportunity to journey as part of a cohort of pastors from across the country and multiple Christian traditions for two years of contemplative practice and renewal. The journey begins with two immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical Benedictine monastery on the north edge of Madison, Wisconsin. The summer immersion will be held June 22-29, 2026, followed by a winter immersion January 21-27, 2027. Small group online reflection circles will meet through the summer of 2028. This program offers early and mid-career clergy the opportunity to nourish their spiritual center by developing life-long practices of contemplative prayer and covenantal relationships with clergy peers. To learn more and apply, please go to: https://holywisdommonastery.org/ccr/contemplative-renewal-immersions/. Application deadline is January 31, 2026.