PNK News/Events

Mark Your Calendars: A Visit from PCUSA

Co-Moderator Rev. Tony Larson

Saturday, May 3rd -- Presbytery Meeting, First Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

featuring the Rev. Tony Larson, Co-Moderator, 226th PC(USA) General Assembly

Sunday, May 4th -- Rev. Tony Larson will preach at Emporia Presbyterian Church

Sunday, May 4th -- PNKS Youth will gather for a chat with the Co-Moderator at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Marysville

May 4th/5th -- General Presbyter Melanie Hancock and PNKS Moderator Ken Weaver will accompany Tony on visits to 4 different communities spread across PNKS. Everyone is invited to attend any of these stops for conversation and to hear Tony's stories.

May 6th -- Pastors' Retreat -- All Pastors serving PNKS Congregations are invited to gather at Acorns Resort (at Milford Lake, North of Junction City) for Time with Tony

WATCH FOR COMPLETE DETAILS COMING THIS WEEK!!

We hope to see you at one or more of these opportunities to connect with each other and with Tony!

The PNKS Moderator is Visiting Congregations

Message from PNKS Moderator Ken Weaver:

My wife Kathy and I would love to worship with you and your congregation and welcome an invitation from you to do this. My email address is knweaver51@gmail.com. I request three minutes during the service to bring greetings from the Presbytery, thank you and your members for supporting the Presbytery, and convey a few key ways PNKS supports your church. If you wish to invite us to visit, just let me know!

Registration Deadline is May 1st!

All applications and requests should be submitted to office@pnks.org

All application forms can be found at https://www.pnks.org/application-forms-event-info

Be sure to check out synodma.org for additional grant opportunities

News From Your PNKS Resource Center

Providing Safe Places with Safe Gatherings Abuse Prevention Program

The Presbytery of Northern Kansas (PNKS) is committed to providing safe places of worship and fellowship to everyone they serve. As part of that commitment, PNKS has enrolled in this program in order to offer Safe Gatherings as a resource for all PNKS congregations.

What is Safe Gatherings?

Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth and vulnerable adults.

PNKS Souper Bowl of Caring

During the months of January and February, churches all across the Presbytery participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is the signature event for Tackle Hunger. 100% of what is raised by local groups stays at local food charities. This effort allows organizations and churches to raise funds and support their local charities - all while celebrating the BIG GAME.

This year, participating PNKS member churches reported collecting 855 individual food items, and over 1657 pounds of food. Plus, over $5000 cash was donated to local food banks across Kansas. Participating churches this year included: Lawrence First, Topeka First, Salina First, Hiawatha First, Minneapolis First, Cottonwood Falls First, Topeka Westminster, Riley First, Potwin United, Emporia First, Manhattan Trinity, Concordia First, Colby First, and Salina Sunrise. If your church participated and is not listed, send your info to Amanda at ALittell@pnks.org.  

THANK YOU for your collections. You are living out the church's mission through your compassion. This event is a great way to honor your Matthew 25 commitment to cultivate economic wholeness when we act to eliminate the destructive influence of poverty on people and communities.

If you'd like to learn more about participating next year, see the Tackle Hunger website! And if you want to learn more about being a Matthew 25 church, contact Amanda, or any member of the PNKS Mission Task Group.

News from Our Congregations

Every Good Gift: The Presbytery of Northern Kansas

Gleaned from the Emporia Presbyterian Church Newsletter

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights

The Presbyterian Church (USA) consists of four levels of governance: the Session, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Emporia Presbyterian Church belongs to the Presbytery of Northern Kansas and the Presbytery of Northern Kansas is one of six presbyteries comprising the Synod of Mid-America (16 Synods total). The Presbytery of Northern Kansas consists of 52 congregations and 4,208 members covering 29 counties including rural, urban, and suburban areas of northern Kansas.

The Presbytery’s Statement of Purpose is

The Presbytery of Northern Kansas encourages, supports, equips, inspires, and celebrates with congregations within its bounds to carry the Good News to the world and to become the hands of Christ to a hurting world. The presbytery is the shepherd/servant to its congregations. The congregations are God’s “mission outposts” in the world. God calls us to work together as congregations and as presbytery, combining energy and vision for being in mission.

The presbytery’s dual role of shepherd and servant to its congregations is its essence. In the shepherd role, the presbytery examines and ordains candidates to become Ministers of Word and Sacrament; prepares members to become Authorized Pulpit Supply and prepares ruling elders to become Commissioned Lay Pastors; ensures that all voices are equitably represented on presbytery commissions, committees, and task forces; presents amendments to the Book of Order for approval; authorizes ruling elders in a church to administer the Lord’s supper; establishes minimum compensation requirements for pastors; and plans four presbytery meetings annually (two in person and two via zoom in 2025) and a biennial Education Day.

Programs and Events

Stewardship Kaleidoscope

Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an ecumenical conference planned by volunteers from the PCUSA and ELCA, is designed for pastors and lay leaders to provide practical tools to strengthen your congregation's stewardship and generosity programs. This year’s conference will be in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 22-24, with an online virtual registration option as well. In-person attendees will be able to choose from dozens of workshops in addition to attending diverse plenary sessions and worship experiences. Virtual attendees will be able to join us for live-streamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to 8 workshops, 4 of which will be available via be livestream. 

Registration rates as are follows:

Early Bird In-Person Registration (through June 30): $360

First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In-Person Registration: $200

Virtual Attendee Registration: $150

After June 30, regular In-Person Registration increases to $385.

Rooms at our event hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans Canal Street, are offered at the discounted rate of $179/night if you book by August 29.

Grants are available through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders to attend the conference. For more information, visit https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/resources/church-financial-literacy-and-leadership-program/grant/ or contact your Ministry Relations Officer, Sherri Finke at sherri.finke@presbyterianfoundation.org.

News From Our Connectional Church