Keeping us Connected

March 2025

Re-Forming "Normal": Expanding Hope

Get ready for Synod School, July 20-25 at Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa.

This year's theme is taken from 2 Corinthians 3:12, The Message

"With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back!"

Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, convocation speaker, and Rev. Liz Theoharris, worship leader, will help us explore how our personal experiences of hope might expand as we let go, or re-form, our understanding of "normal" in today's world.

"The 'myths of normal' permeate almost every aspect of human experience. These myths don't really serve us well, or fit every individual, family or community." MaryAnn McKibben-Dana

To learn more about Synod School visit our website.

Presbytery leaders at Leadership Summit

This week leaders from the presbyteries in the synod are attending the Leadership Summit. This annual event, sponsored by the synod, provides support and resources to presbyteries in working with pastoral leaders, candidates, and congregations. It is also an opportunity to meet with national staff as well as others doing similar work within the synod.

Please hold these folx in your prayers.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Join with Presbyterians worldwide in sharing God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief from natural disasters, food for he hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed.

This Lenten season, please give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing.

Ways to Give -

Through your congregation

Online at pcusa.org/give-oghs

Text OGHS to 91999 to give

-or-

You can help sustain the important ministries and programs that are supported by One Great Hour of Sharing Offering by making an online gift at any time throughout the year. Checks may be sent to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)

PO Box 643700

Pittsburgh PA 15264-3700

Thanks to your heartfelt gifts, One Great Hour of Sharing currently supports projects in over 100 countries.

If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!

To learn more about how your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference, visit pcusa.org/oghs

Scan this code with your phone to give now.

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering is one of the special offerings of the PC(USA).

The special offerings are a collective witness to Jesus Christ's love for the shole church.

Mr. Rogers Day

March 20th was Fred Rogers' birthday and a special emphasis day in the PC(USA) calendar.

Rogers was an ordained minister of word and sacrament for the PC(USA) and is a notable public figure whose work around peace and reconciliation are worth remembering. Rogers was also a pioneer in the world of Christian education and formation of young children.

While it is after March 20, now is a good time to remind ourselves of what Mr. Rogers taught all of us.

Everyday God-Talk Video about Mr. Rogers with Jeff Eddings

How Mister Rogers' faith shaped his idea of children's television

Mary Ann Lundy dies at age 92

LOUISVILLE — Mary Ann Weese Lundy, 92, died March 11 in Bloomington, Minnesota. Along with her longtime involvement in the Sanctuary movement, she led the Women’s Ministry Unit in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), helped organize and put on the Re-Imagining Conference in 1993, and for four years beginning in 1995 was Deputy General Secretary of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lundy earned a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. She had an expansive career including teaching English, Spanish, music and women's studies. She worked for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and also directed the National Student YWCA in New York. Her commitment to social justice, included being part of the Sanctuary movement sheltering refugees in U.S. churches, resulted in her being named an unindicted co-conspirator in 1986 and being placed under house arrest at her home in Minnesota.

Read the article.

Mary Ann Lundy

Lundy led the PC(USA)’s Women’s Ministry Unit, served the World Council of Churches and is remembered for helping to put on the Re-Imagining Conference

Invitation to the Vital Congregations Initiative

We (PC(USA)) are recruiting congregations for the Vital Congregations Initiative 2.0, designed for church leaders. This program offers growth and connection through group and individual coaching sessions. It supports leaders

in creating clear visions and strategies for their congregations. The initiative provides tailored support, experienced leaders, and monthly meetings to address

unique church challenges. Accessible to all with minimal financial obligations, we invite you to join us. For more information, email vitalcongregations@pcusa.org.

Also available in Spanish.

Advocacy Hour attendees urged to have faith, pray and act

LOUISVILLE — Hundreds of people turned out for the first installment of a new Presbyterian advocacy series in which viewers were encouraged to have faith, pray, and act to counter intolerance nationally and globally.

Catherine Gordon, representative for international issues for the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness, hosted the debut episode, which garnered well over 800 registrants and about 350 attendees online.

Addressing viewers, she said, “We are hoping that these monthly gatherings will help to provide the knowledge and resources you need to take effective and focused action on some of the pressing advocacy issues of our time, as well as nourishment for your spirit, essential connections and resources and community building.”

The Feb. 26 installment included a time of meditation and a chance to meet staff members from the advocacy offices — OPW and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations — who took a moment to explain what they do, from engaging with Congress to speaking out on humanitarian issues to doing gun violence prevention.

Recording of the first episode of the Advocacy Hour.

Presbyterians for Earth Care

Presbyterians for Earth Care (formerly PRC) is a nationwide network that cares for God’s Creation by: Connecting with God and others through biblical and theological reflection, study, and experiencing God in Creation; Equipping members with news and effective tools and resources; Inspiring members through conferences on timely eco-justice issues and Creation-honoring worship.

Visit Presbyterians for Earth Care

The LeaderWise Learning Hour

Each quarter in 2025, join LeaderWise at no-cost to learn from an expert about a topic, to share conversation with peers, and to download helpful resources for your files. We know that ministry leadership is more difficult now than ever and that many leaders feel they are alone.

Learn more

Year-in-Review 2024 & Open Invitation to Conversation

Thank you - from The Ministry Lab.

2024 was a full year of resource creation, collaboration, and consulting. Thank you, subscription member congregations and judicatory members. Your support makes a lot of ministry possible.

Please read and share our Year-in-Review (https://docs.google.com/document/d/158s1wX8IKBSoGnRoB_6acjU4Doilg5p8U8PfHKt4tK0/edit?usp=sharing) with your counsels, committees, and leaders and laity of all kinds. We exist to serve you and are grateful for the work we are able to do together.

We also invite you into conversation in these challenging days. Please find a full invitation to individuals or congregational groups here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR-sw-Z_qTx_6gPdfFNnE59ShWUi1KQ1f5akhqekpyu-2I07elDthtY2zXgRqVjdFxStGvg8dZkY5_Z/pub).

2025 Synod Gathering

Registration Open

The PW Synod Gathering will be held June 12-15 in Watertown, SD. All women are invited to learn about, rejoice in, and embody what is means to “Let your Light Shine” as guided by Matthew 5:14-16. Registration information can be found here.