PNK News/Events

2024 Legacy Fund Applications Due

October 1st

The Presbytery's Finance Committee reviewed 3 applications for Legacy Fund grants that were received by the May 1st deadline and all 3 were approved. We were excited about the ways these 3 congregations will further the ministry of the congregations whose funds make up the PNK Legacy Fund as they completed their ministries. After approving those applications, the balance of funds allotted for this grant opportunity for 2024 totals $24,000.00.

Therefore the Finance Committee made the decision to accept another round of Legacy Fund applications for 2024. The deadline for receiving applications is 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.

CONGRATULATIONS 2024 Legacy Fund Grant Recipients

First Presbyterian Church of Hays -- $2,350 for the HUGs for Kids project (Hardly Used Goods)

First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence -- $5,000 for the Solar Power Project

First Presbyterian Church of Topeka -- $5,000 for the Dinner with the Daycare program

You'll hear all about these projects in the coming months so stay tuned!

Congratulations Heartland Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center!

Recently, Newsweek named  Heartland Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center  one of the Best Summer Camps for 2024. Here is a link to that article: https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-summer-camps-2024. Heartland Camp and Conference Center was awarded 5 stars! This is no small feat.

We in PNK are blessed to be in partnership with a successful, thriving camp. Many presbyteries in the denomination today have closed their camps and sold their property. I am so proud of Heartland Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center and of the Presbytery of Northern Kansas, which continues to support this camp. 

Have you registered for camp yet? Have you visited Heartland Camp and Conference Center recently? If not, you should!

Resources

New Resources at the PNKS Resource Center

Welcome to the Public Domain Hymn Project!

While many of our congregations across the USA have been without regular musicians for years, it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that this became more widely problematic. To ease this burden, the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks has embarked on a project to bring all of the Public Domain hymns in our denominational hymnal, Glory to God, to our congregations for a nominal donation. We've started with the hymns for Christmas and will move on to the other public domain hymns in the new year. Working with a church musician, hymns were recorded in MIDI format and then imported into editing software so that lyrics and backgrounds could be provided. Each hymn is available with white lyrics on a black background, or with white lyrics on a colored background.

The Presbytery of Northern Kansas has purchased the FULL COLLECTION of all 237 hymns for use by all our PNK churches. There are currently 52 hymns completed and ready to go. These are Jesus Christ: Advent, Jesus Christ: Birth, Jesus Christ: Life, and Jesus Christ: Passion & Death. Next they will finish with Resurrection and Ascension, then move on to the Lord's Supper, Baptism and Service Music, before circling back to other themes. They hope to have the full catalogue of 237 hymns finished by the end of the year.

IF YOU are interested in obtaining these music files FREE for your congregation's worship services, please contact Amanda at alittell@pnks.org and she'll make those arrangements with you!!

New Resources at the PNKS Resource Center

New Resources have arrived at the PNKS Resource Center, including:

Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Guide to End Homelessness by Kevin Nye

Living God's Dream: Dismantling Racism for Children (Leader & Participant Guide) by Sally Ulrey, Katie McRee, and Malinda Shamburger

Dead Sea Scrolls DVD from The Great Courses

Introduction to Judaism DVD from The Great Courses

The World's Greatest Churches DVD from The Great Courses

Celebrating God's Work

Mission in the Narka and Mahaska Presbyterian Churches Looks Like Paige!

Paige Livingston grew up near a small town in South Central Nebraska. As a Freshman at K-State, she felt she was missing something, even with being involved in a Sorority, various clubs, and being a typical college kid. During her sophomore year she roomed across the hall from “Katie” and Paige saw so much joy, happiness, and peace in her. Katie shared with Paige that all those things came through her love of Jesus. Paige started attending Bible studies and the college ministry at K-State. She learned what it looked like to have a genuine relationship with God. During that time, she saw her need for a Lord and Savior in her life and decided to give her life to Jesus.

Over the next few years, Paige learned what is meant to not only be a disciple of Jesus, but to make disciples of Jesus. During that time, God was also growing her vision for the world and cultivated in her a desire for all people to know Christ. She went to India a few summers ago and it opened her eyes to how God has a heart for people all around the world.

Paige is going to Cape Town, South Africa with Campus Outreach Serve. The plan is to serve there for two years. Each day of her time there will be different. But each day the goals include building relationships and God’s Word with young adults.

The Presbyterian Churches of Narka and Mahaska are blessed to have Paige as a member of our community. We are thankful for the opportunity to witness her passion and support her ministry. She is eager to be a part of how God is reaching the world through the lives of South Africans!

News and Resources from our Connectional Church

GA226 for Observers

A great deal of information is available for the training and preparation of commissioners and advisory delegates to the 226th General Assembly (2024). In an effort to engage other Presbyterians and friends who may or may not be attending the meeting in person, a new web page has been launched in order to provide education and information. Resources curated from PC(USA) podcasts, webinars, and documents on being Presbyterian, how the Assembly works, and equity and inclusion are available. (If the link is blocked for you - type this address into your browser:  https://ga-pcusa.org/observer-ga226-info/)

GA Grants for Congregations & Presbyteries Now Open

The 2024 General Assembly Unassigned Restricted Funds Grant Program application period is now open. Find information on funds available and all application materials. Please note that the final deadline for synods to submit selected applications on behalf of congregations and/or presbyteries in their jurisdiction is September 15. Contact Sarah Dunne Pickrell with questions.

Let Us Preach for You Once a Month -

A Gift from the Synod of Mid-America!

Sign-up to receive Fourth Sunday Sermon emails with preacher bio, sermon title, scripture text, theme, and video links. View past video recordings on our YouTube Channel.

Coming Soon: June 2024 Sermon by Rev. Catherine Neelly Burton

Please contact the Presbytery Office with any joys or concerns you would like to have added to the PNK Prayer List.