Volunteer to help with General Assembly
227th General Assembly, hosted by the Presbytery of Milwaukee at the Baird Center, needs your time and talents. If you are available between Sunday, June 21, 2026 and Thursday, July 2, 2026 please sign up using the google form link https://forms.gle/uZZArcfpSocXum3K8. You will be contacted with more information about where you can help. We will have spots for all capabilities.
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Historic Iowa sanctuary gifted to community care
Presbytery of East Iowa gives former Princeton Presbyterian Church property to the City of Princeton
In an act of true gratitude to the community, the Presbytery of East Iowa has announced the gifting of the former Princeton Presbyterian Church property to the City of Princeton, marking a new chapter in the life of a congregation that faithfully served the community for 170 years.
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Empty Nativities reflect ICE actions
Every Advent, Nativity scenes offer churches the opportunity to engage in prophetic sign-acts for their community. This year congregations display zip-tied baby Jesus, disappeared Mary, and deported Joseph. For Christians these scenes serve as community reminders that Christ was a poor immigrant refugee, and give us pause to reflect on how we would allow Christ to be treated today. The media has noticed. So has DHS.
This article appeared in the Dec. 18, 2025, issue of News for the Common Good, newsletter of the Minnesota Council of Churches
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Governors of Utah and Pennsylvania have an Rx for preserving democracy
Republican Spencer Cox and Democrat Josh Shapiro spoke last week to a packed Washington National Cathedral
LOUISVILLE — They both married their high school sweethearts and both have four children. Both are governors, and both are Gen Xers. Both are recovering lawyers who are people of faith — one a Jew, the other a Mormon.
The main difference between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is the letter designation following their name — a “D” for Shapiro and an “R” for Cox.
With NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie serving as moderator, the two governors spoke last week as part of Washington National Cathedral’s Better Way Initiative in a program called “Toward a Better Politics.” Listen to their conversation and one that preceded it here. Guthrie and the governors begin their discussion at the 46:40 mark.
On the day in September that political activist Charlie Kirk was killed on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Cox spoke to Utahns and to the nation. “When that very dark day happened in my state, the first call I got was from this guy, Gov. Shapiro,” Cox said. “He gave me some advice that changed what I was going to say when I stepped in front of that camera for the first time. He told me to speak with moral clarity and to speak from the heart.” Read more here.
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Is your church's story being told? Share it today in the Mission Yearbook!
We’re collecting stories for the Mission Yearbook website and want to feature yours!
Share how God is moving in your congregation, through ministry, mission, or spiritual growth and inspire others across the Presbyterian community. Find all the details and an online submission form HERE.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at jacqueline.carter@pcusa.org or mark.thomson@pcusa.org.
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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
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On the Road to GA, Issue 6
The 227th General Assembly (2026) will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Click here to read the latest issue.
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ConNext Summit 2026:
Children, youth, and family leaders strive to create places of deep belonging.
Amidst deep division, extreme isolation, and compounding fear, we are called to branch out beyond belonging to bring into the center those systematically and traditionally forced to the margins so that together, we can build a more beautiful community in which all God's beloveds flourish.
ConNext Summit 2026 is an opportunity to network and develop community with other CYF leaders - clergy, staff, and volunteers. Keynote Presenter, Dave 'Agape' Scherer - internationally recognized youth ministry worker, curriculum creator, antiracism trainer, and intercultural competency facilitator - will lead us in building skills and strengthening practices to develop ministries in which children, youth, young adults, and families know a deep sense of belonging in communities where all can thrive.
October 11-13, 2026 / Registration opens in late spring. Learn more here: https://theministrylab.org/connext-summit/.
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From Ash to Action: Even the Stones Cry Out
A Congregational Lenten Toolkit
In preparation for ISAIAH's Palm Sunday Path and/or 2026 EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest: From Fear to Fire: Igniting Community for a Planet in Peril, this Toolkit will equip congregations to organize, advocate, and reshape communities to more fully reflect God's preferred future in which the hungry are fed, the sick are healed, strangers are welcomed, and all creation sings with joy.
Elements include:
- Sermon prep text reflections from Working Preacher
- Embodied organizing practices from David 'Agape' Scherer
- Intergenerational fiery text reflections & discussion prompts from Dn Dr. Diane Jacobson
- Spiritual practices, liturgical elements, and children's book ideas from Rev. Emily Meyer
- Music suggestions from Bret Hesla
Prepare to organize, march, and advocate on behalf of our neighbors along the Palm Sunday Path (March 29, 2026). Advocate for all creation at the EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest (April 18, 2026). Both call on congregations to become organizing hubs for the sake of the Gospel: for thriving communities and a flourishing planet.
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Lead(Her) 2026
The April 2026 conference designed to empower female clergy is being offered by the United Methodist Church
Registration is now open for Lead(HER) 2026: Empowering Female Clergy, happening April 20-22, 2026, at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas.
Lead(HER) brings together female clergy from across denominations for two and a half days of worship, practical skill-building, and authentic community. The expanded 2026 format includes Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon programming, responding to attendee feedback emphasizing the importance of connecting and networking among clergywomen. Find out more.
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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.
Our newsletter has more information about PW across the synod.
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Office closed December 25 - January 1
Next Synod Meeting:
April 26-28, 2026, in person
| | | | Partner Organization Links | | 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. | | | | |
