PNK News/Events

2024 Legacy Fund Applications Due

October 1st

Apply today if you have a project that would benefit from a Legacy Fund grant and meets the criteria. Click on the button below for the application or download an application from the Presbytery's website at www.pnks.org by clicking on Documents and Forms and then on Application Forms.

Have questions about applying? Contact office@pnks.org and a member of the Finance Committee will be in touch with you. They are happy to visit with you about this program.

2024 PNK Education Day

Saturday, October 5th

^{9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.}

^{(registration/fellowship begins at 8:30 a.m.)}

First Presbyterian Church, Salina

Cost: $25/person (includes lunch)

Let’s Talk: Deliberative Dialogue

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade

Speaker, Author, Preacher, Professor

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. An ordained Lutheran minister (ELCA) for more than twenty years, Leah has pastored three Pennsylvania congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. She is the author or co-editor of six books, notably, Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), explores how clergy and congregations can address controversial issues using nonpartisan, biblically-centered approaches and deliberative dialogue.  

• Finding the Purple Zone: How Deliberative Dialogue Can Help Build Bridges Across the Divide
• Deliberative Dialogue Forum: The Church’s Role in a Divided Society
• Planning and Implementing the Sermon-Dialogue-Sermon Process in Your Congregation (not just a conversation for preachers)
• How to Facilitate a Deliberative Dialogue

Deliberative dialogue is a form of civil discourse that allows participants from diverse backgrounds to listen deeply about a community issue that matters to them, respectfully discuss the pros and cons of different approaches to the issue, identify shared values, and suggest next steps for moving forward. Rev. Dr. Leah Schade will offer tips and strategies for both pastors and church leaders to effectively moderate a deliberative dialogue forum in their congregation and/or community. These skills are useful and applicable for facilitating discussions in council/sessions/board meetings, small groups, Bible studies, youth groups, and community forums.

You are going to want to bring a TEAM of folks from your congregation – start recruiting now!

News From Our Connectional Church

Migration, Faith and Community in the Mesoamerican Mission Network

A new PC(USA) mission network focuses on migrants leaving Central America for the United States. Anton Ahrens writes about the network's launch. Anton is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Topeka and serves on the Presbytery's Stewardship Ministry Team. This article originally appeared in Presbyterian Outlook.

What are we to do? Should my children and I stay with our family who loves us and is all we know? Or should we follow my husband North?

These questions summarize, for me, the simplicity and complexity of migration. I heard them in a personal story shared at the Mesoamerican Mission Network conference on migration in March.

The American press frequently reports about the U.S.-Mexico border and the trauma migrants suffer as they journey North. But whose voices are we hearing? Do we ever encounter the people who have taken the dangerous and expensive journey in search of safety and economic opportunity or to be reunited with family?

The Mesoamerican Mission Network (La Red de Misión y Migración en Mesoamérica) officially began at a festive launch ceremony on March 20 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The launch celebration included music, dancing and statements from many network partners across Central America, Mexico and the United States.

Celebrating God's Work

YUMMY!!! The Fairview Presbyterian Church women make delicious desserts and the men make and serve homemade ice cream at their annual Ice Cream Social!

PNK Commission on Ministry Liaison Shannon Borgman certainly enjoyed her visit to this congregation. Delicious food and great fellowship was enjoyed by all!!

A Great Summer at Heartland Presbyterian Center!

YOUR church's gifts to PC(USA) Shared Mission help make Heartland Presbyterian Center and the Summer Camping Program POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, PNK CONGREGATIONS!!!