Let Your Light Shine, Matthew 5:14-16

The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies held their Gathering in Watertown, South Dakota. Over the three day event 100 women participated in worship, plenary sessions, music, workshops, and mission projects. Elona Street-Stewart led worship, Kristi Holler served as music leader, and Fern Cloud was the artist-in-residence. Here are some pictures from the Gathering.

Old Session Minutes & Congregational Records

Advice from Stated Clerk Alyson Janke

What shall we do with those old minutes and roll books?

You may have wondered this, as you have cleaned and sorted dusty storage spaces in your church. Some even wonder why we have all this “old stuff” around and want to throw them away.

Church records have value for many reasons. They show the history of the congregation or council that maintained them. As congregations approach significant anniversaries of their founding many find interesting tidbits about the congregation’s life and its members and leaders searching through those old records.

Session records such as minutes and rolls and registers are also legal documents, which are sometimes used to settle disputes over property or matters of fact. These documents may be called on in either church (ecclesiastical) dispute settlement or in secular legal dispute settlement. Early in my life as a clerk I had several requests for baptismal records for persons who were applying for Social Security benefits. They had no birth certificate and the church’s record of infant baptism could be used as one piece of corroboration of their birth date claim.

Congregational and session records, especially roll books and registers are often used for genealogical searches. People track down birth, marriage, and death records to help them put together family trees and fill in information about their ancestors.

Finally, we hold on to those old records because our PCUSA Constitution requires it. The Form of Government, at G-3.0107, says: “Each council shall keep a full and accurate record of its proceedings. Minutes and all other official records of councils are the property in perpetuity of said councils or their legal successors.” Read more

Unearthing the past: Juneteenth and the Board of Freedmen records

Presbyterian Historical Society archives bear witness to national holiday’s focus on education and the celebration of freedom

June 18, 2025

Juneteenth, celebrated June 19th of every year, marks America’s second Independence Day — an enduring celebration of freedom and the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

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Although for many years Juneteenth was a holiday celebrated solely within the bounds of Texas, today many communities across the country observe Juneteenth, with prayer services being a major part of the celebrations. For example, at the biennial conference of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, which is being held June 19-21 in Charlotte, North Carolina, participants will gather for evening worship and a Juneteenth celebration, “a powerful remembrance of freedom, faith, and resilience,” according to the Rev. Dr. Charles Heyward, NBPC president.

This holiday, which was nationally recognized in 2021, commemorates the announcement of the abolition of legalized slavery in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The reading of General Order No. 3 was offered by Major General Gordon Granger and came two-and-a-half-years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Read the full article by McKenna Britton.

NBPC celebrates Juneteenth and reassures the faithful that their work is not in vain

48th biennial conference inspires with word and song; the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins receives 'Drum Major for Justice Award'

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The National Black Presbyterian Caucus marked Juneteeth Thursday evening with a worship service filled with powerful preaching and singing during a sacred time of gathering, reflection and renewal.

The holiday commemoration — with a sermon by NBPC’s outgoing president, the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward Sr., and songs by the African American Presbyterian Congregations of Charlotte Choir — served as both an acknowledgement of the ancestors whose sacrifices paved the way for the progress and privileges of today and a call to action to continue doing meaningful work that benefits churches and communities. Text Link

The Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes appointed as director of Mid Council Ministries

The Interim Unified Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced this week that the Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes has been appointed as director of Mid Council Ministries. Moore-Nokes has been hired for an 18-month term.

The previous director of Mid Council Ministries was the Rev. Dr. Tim Cargal, who served for almost a year as interim director after the Rev. Jihyun Oh left the role in 2024 to become Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency.

The director of Mid Council Ministries oversees more than a dozen employees who provide ministry support to presbytery and synod leaders in a number of ways, including training and education, call process support, constitutional interpretation, insight on immigration issues and advocacy, and more.



Moore-Nokes comes to the position after nearly two decades of presbytery leadership. She has served in a variety of roles, most recently as general presbyter of the Winnebago Presbytery, which consists of 28 congregations in north central and northeastern Wisconsin. She described her work in presbytery leadership as having given her deep understanding of both the challenges and the importance of mid councils. Read the full article.

Dr. Walter Brueggemann, who published more than 100 books and inspired generations of pastors and scholars, dies at age 92

June 5, 2025

LOUISVILLE — Dr. Walter Brueggemann, one of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time and the author of more than 100 books and numerous scholarly articles, died Thursday at his home in Michigan at age 92. His service is pending.

Brueggemann taught at Eden Theological Seminary from 1961-1986 and at Columbia Theological Seminary from 1986-2003. He was William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Seminary and was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

According to a remembrance by Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr., president of Columbia Seminary, Brueggemann was born in Tilden, Nebraska, on March 11, 1933, and died peacefully Thursday morning. Brueggemann “often spoke of his father’s influence, a German evangelical pastor,” Aloyo said.

Brueggemann was a 1955 graduate of Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) and earned his B.D. (equivalent to today’s M.Div.) from Eden Theological Seminary in 1958. He completed his formal education at Union Theological Seminary in 1961, earning the Th.D. under the primary guidance of James Muilenburg. White teaching at Eden, Brueggemann earned a doctorate in education at St. Louis University. 

Brueggemann “has had a distinguished career as a prominent biblical interpreter, recognized for his contributions to rhetorical criticism of biblical texts,” Aloyo said. “Throughout his career, he delivered lectures nationally and internationally, influencing many across the field.” He is honored in “God in the Fray: A Tribute to Walter Brueggemann,” which celebrates his impact on biblical scholarship. Read the full article.

Exploring Our Heritage

In Honor of National Immigrant Heritage Month

By emilie boggis with wisdom from and gratitude to Luis Antonio Boada Davila, Devon Gayle, Eun Joo, John Chang-Yee Lee and Kara Song.

I (emilie) am lucky enough to spend time at Cross Roads, an ELCA (Lutheran) and Episcopalian camp and retreat center here in New Jersey. Opting for the country roads on my way there, I delight in passing the Romanian Orthodox Church, where 20 Romanian-American families dedicated themselves to erecting a beautiful wooden church designed in the Maramuresian style of their Romanian homeland on American soil. An immigrant congregation, their church is both a symbol of a home left behind and a hope for their future in a new land.

June is National Immigrant Heritage Month. Established over ten years ago, it is an annual invitation for people across the United States to explore our heritage. Yet, be warned: this can feel like a loaded expedition. Exploring American heritage requires us to hold a multitude of ancestral stories together from First peoples to colonists, from immigrants to those forced into migration via slavery. These days the term “immigrant” is also an overly politicized word. As I write this article, there are protests supporting undocumented immigrants. It would be far too easy—and comfortable!—to overlook National Immigrant Heritage Month. But then, I remember the counsel of LeaderWise consultant, Okokon Udo, to “know our heritage.” Honoring this month invites Americans to explore our heritage. Read more

Help navigating your church's future

Project Regeneration is a consultative service provided by the Presbyterian Foundation for churches and ministries. Our Ministry Relations Officers guide congregations through a process of prayerful discernment through a series of meetings, held on site or virtually, to help churches consider a strategic approach for the future. Our approach includes a financial analysis to assess the viability of ministry, followed by a collaborative, innovative process that invites everyone to fully participate. We will provide reading materials, serve as speakers, guide discussions and share stories with you that will help you decide what’s best for your church. There is no cost for this service.

With Project Regeneration, we recognize both the financial necessities and hardships of today’s ministries, and offer personalized solutions to give those ministries new life. If your congregation is striving to find its way during a financial or cultural shift, the path to a meaningful new ministry may begin here.

If you would like to learn more, please contact

Kyle Nolan

810-300-8186

kyle.nolan@presbyterianfoundation.org

Grants & Scholarships Roundup

Have you ever wanted to take part in an OPSF retreat but found it too pricey? Do you have your heart set on some learning opportunity that is outside the capacity of your continuing education budget? Do you worship or serve in a micro church with limited resources?

If you are from the OPSF region and your desire to grow in your Christian discipleship is hampered by funding, check out these opportunities for events, grants, and resources.

Questions? Reach out to OPSF’s President, the Rev. Shelli Latham.

Coaching Directory

The Synod Committee on Transforming Communities/Vital Leaders is compiling a dynamic list and directory of people who are trained coaches and are open to serving more people. This directory will be posted on the Synod website and information will be shared with every presbytery about the availability of coaches for pastoral leaders.

Are you a trained coach who is open to working with more people? If so, we would like to add you to an upcoming directory of coaches that can be used by pastoral leaders in the Synod. Please give us some basic information by completing this form to be included in the directory. 

Presbyterian Women

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

• Facebook
• 2024 Justice & Peace Book Discussion Group
• Sit & Sip
• Web page

The Sower newsletter.

Presbyterians for Earth Care

I Corinthians 4:1 Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) invites individuals and congregations to participate in the growing earth care movement within the PC(USA). PEC is a national eco-justice network that cares for God’s creation by connecting, equipping, and inspiring Presbyterians to make creation care a central concern of the church.

PEC is trying a new thing, offering monthly announcements and creation care tips. We will send these out around the 15th of the previous month, providing a preview of July and a glimpse into August. As a recipient of our routine communications from Presbyterians for Earth Care, we are excited about this opportunity to deliver announcements about our educational and inspirational projects and ways you can care for God’s creation. Please share with your friends, in your church newsletter or bulletin, and within your community. Click here to view our Promo Document for July and August. Visit our website