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We would like you to join us!
Sankofa Pilgrimage
If you are interested in the Sankofa Pilgrimage and/or want more information join us on Zoom for an
Orientation & Information Meeting, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT
Contact Deb DeMeester for the Zoom link.
The Pilgrimage is October 16-20, 2024.
Visiting sites in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Click here to learn more.
Scholarships are available.
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The Deadline is Near
Applications for the Racial Equity Student Scholarship are due September 30, 2024.
The Racial Equity Student Scholarship Fund is an educational assistance program designed to encourage racial ethnic students in their preparation for academic success in higher education.
Students must have a permanent residence within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and be active members in a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. Application awards are based on personal achievement, financial need and recommendations from a pastor and a teacher. For more information visit the website.
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Annual Overcoming Racism Conference
Reparations in Action
Keynote speakers: Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs and Rev. Pam Ngunijiri, co-directors for racial justice, Minnesota Council of Churches.
As a sponsor of this conference, the synod has two free tickets to give away. If you are interested in attending, please contact Elona Street-Stewart.
The conference is Friday, November 8, 2024 at Metro State University, St. Paul, MN
Indigenous/Native persons can always register and participate without payment.
American Descendants of Slavery can also register and participate without payment.
Past attendees have said:
- "Thank you for allowing me to attend. The keynote and workshops were very educational."
- "I took so many notes and learned so much!"
- "Enlightening"
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Save the Date
Synod School 2025!
Mark your calendars for July 20-25, 2025, for Synod School.
Adult Convocation Speaker:
MaryAnn McKibbon Dana, Associate Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon, VA, & Author
Evening Worship Leader:
Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of the Kairos Center and Co-Director of the Poor People’s Campaign & author
Morning Worship Leader:
Matt Sauer, Pastor, Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry
Youth Convocation Speaker:
Pepa Paniagua, Coordinator for Innovation and New Ministry Development, Grace Presbytery
By the way, Youth Triennium is July 28-31, 2005.
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New season for small churches
Are you an educator, volunteer, pastor, commissioned pastor (CRE, CLP), that serves as a leader in a small church (less than 100 members)? Are you a mid-council leader that supports faith formation leaders in small churches?
You are invited to register for this Community Circle, our newest Faith Formation Leader Connection opportunity designed especially for those leaders in small churches. Registration
For additional information Read the PCUSA News article.
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Grants help the PC(USA)’s vital congregations maintain their momentum
Apply for a mini grant by Nov. 1
by Beth Waltemath | Presbyterian News Service
Vital Congregations Initiative announces its Congregational Vitality Grants.
These “momentum grants” are offered directly to congregations who have completed the three-year initiative for vital congregations. The grants are to be used for ongoing ministry work in the areas of revitalization, missional partners and clusters, and re-emergence (death and resurrection).
Learn more
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Native American Day
Celebrated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on September 27.
Since 1994, Native American Day appears on the Presbyterian Calendar as the day to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Native Americans/American Indians to the life of the church and community. Learn more
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Pennsylvania church offers community a ‘Fresh Start’
Peace & Global Witness Offering supports small congregation's laundry outreach program
LOUISVILLE — The local laundromat was Linda’s chapel.
It was where she first shared a prayer concern that had been weighing heavily on her mind — and on her family’s heart — to say nothing of their budget.
Read the article by Emily Enders Odem
The Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro in Pennsylvania operates its “Fresh Start” ministry with help from a grant from the Presbytery of Carlisle. (Contributed photo)
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Check out these opportunities with Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation | |
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Pastoral Leadership Revitalization
New Offering - Individual Registration
Pastoral Leadership Revitalization (PLR) is a program for pastoral leaders (Ministers of Word & Sacrament or Commissioned Ruling Elders) serving congregations in OPSF’s thirteen-state region. PLR supports pastors and their congregations by providing dynamic continuing education and networks of peer and professional support. PLR does this through a three-pronged approach of retreats, one-on-one coaching or spiritual direction, and peer-to-peer learning cohorts. Pastoral Leadership Revitalization takes place within five chapters across our region made up of over fifteen presbyteries: Colorado, Iowa-Nebraska, Kansas-Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
With our new individual access, pastoral leaders outside of the member chapters/presbyteries may join PLR. If you are a pastoral leader serving a congregation in the OPSF region, we invite you to consider PLR. Questions can be directed to our Director of Programs, Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas at programs@opsf-omaha.org. For more information and to apply, visit our website below. Registration is open through November 22.
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Resources for Micro Churches
Are you part of a PC(USA) Micro Church (<25 members, without a full-time pastor)?
OPSF has partnered with A Sanctified Art LLC to provide bundled resources to these congregations at no cost. Check out their beautiful Advent series, Words for the Beginning, as an example of what could be available to your congregation. Click the button below to ‘purchase’ your seasonal bundle!
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ConNext Summit 2024 - Beloved Community: Sharing the Stories of All God’s People
Faith formation leaders are invited to spend two days and nights at beautiful Dunrovin Retreat Center sharing stories, deepening friendships, and developing tools of radical hospitality.
Small-group plenaries - led by Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown, Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy, and Joe Davis - will ground us in the essential welcome of dismantling racism through story sharing and the arts.
What does community look like through an intentionally diversity-aware and diversity-affirming lens?
ConNext Summit 2024 will offer practical ways to shift toward ministries that offer radical welcome through the joyful practice of Story Sharing.
October 13-15, 2024 / Dunrovin Retreat Center
Learn more and register here.
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The Sower
Click here to go to the Presbyterian Women's webpage to access the September issue of The Sower, the newsletter of the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
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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.
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SEEKING OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
We are hiring for an experienced full time operations director who will lead our administrative team and oversee all day to day operations of the Church.
If you are someone who excels at people management, has great business and financial acuity, ensures compliance with processes and procedures, is an excellent communicator who thrives on organization and loves to work on a collaborative team to support them in the achievement of Ministry and Church wide goals, then read the position description to learn more.
Apply online at
https://www.crossroadspres.org/about/staff/jobs-at-crossroads/
Visit us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/crossroadspres316/
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SEARCHING FOR A PASTOR
Community Presbyterian Church of West Fargo has an open position for a designated full-time pastor. The church was established in 1928 and is situated in one of the fastest growing communities in North Dakota with multiple employment and educational opportunities along with year round recreational activities.
This congregation, of approximately 100, enjoys events and fellowship with one another, community organizations and missions outside of the community and abroad.
Their mission statement is: To know God; To be led by the Holy Spirit; To share Christ. If God is calling you to lead and grow a congregation in that mission, the Pastor Nominating Committee asks that you prayerfully consider Community Presbyterian Church.
To learn more about the position and the church, visit
http://www.cpcwf.org or
call 701-282-4135.
Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cpcwf
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Next Synod Meeting, Oct. 6 & 7, via Zoom.
Commissioners, please check your email for the Call to the Stated Meeting sent on September 13.
Sankofa Pilgrimage
Oct. 16-20
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Presbyteries and churches share your news with the Synod! | |
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Keeping In Touch is a monthly publication of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
To subscribe email: office@lakesandprairies.org
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