March 13, 2025

~Note~

Please click "view entire message" on bottom of this email

if you are not able to see entire newsletter

~2nd Sunday of Lent- March 16, 2025

Celebrate the Gifts of Women

~3rd Sunday of Lent- March 23, 2025

~4th Sunday of Lent- March 30, 2025

~5th Sunday of Lent- March 6, 2025

"Help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit".

HOMESTEAD SPOTLIGHT

Kara

Hillhouse

How Long have you been a Presbyterian member?

I was born into a family that was actively involved in a university-affiliated PCUSA church in Ames, Iowa. I came to Homestead Presbytery from Chicago in 2006, after I completed school at

McCormick Theological Seminary and a Chaplain Residency at an inner-city hospital. I was ordained at Westminster Presbyterian Church in 2009. Homestead Presbytery has supported me from the very beginning in several unconventional ministry settings: first as a Hospital Chaplain, then as a Pastor at a United Methodist Church for 11½ years, then as a Hospice Chaplain and

now as Pastor at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in downtown Lincoln. I am truly grateful that this presbytery has not only “put up with me” in these ecumenical ministries, but has supported me along the way!

What Committees do (have) you serve on?

I served as both a member and Moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry about 15

years ago, and am now Co-Moderator for Companions for the Journey (and thus sit on Steering the Ship and Leadership Committees as well).

What are some of your Outside interest?

I would probably be perfectly content if all of my free time involved a book and a cat (and maybe a glass of wine). But besides reading, I love spending time with my family, being up on Northern Minnesota’s Lake Superior shoreline (this summer will be my 48th year up there), attempting to bake bread and writing my blog, Delighting in the Lord (delightinginthelord.blog).

How do you keep busy in your free time?

Trying to build new, and grow existing, connections with others who are also trying to find joyvalong the journey; laughing with my husband and kids; yoga.

What are you looking forward to in the future with Homestead Presbytery?

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my colleagues in Homestead, after years of not being as involved as I had wished. I look forward to more moments of connection, fellowship, learning and serving. There is a whole lot of good happening in our area, and I’m thankful to be a small part of it.

NEW & CONTINUING BUSINESS

Committee's that fill the Pulpit,

Pulpit supply has been updated. Please throw away your old list.

Some people have been removed due to other obligations or moving.

Scroll down this newsletter to Pulpit Supply section and you can download new list there.

The list is short. We are looking for more people to fill our pulpit supply list. If you are interested or know of someone interested, please contact Jim McNeal at the Wymore Church at (402) 645-5016

Pastors,

Registration for our May 13-14 Pastoral Retreat is now open.

Scroll down to Retreat section where you can get information and register.

Please register soon so Jane can have an accurate head count for rooms and meals.

Churches,

If you would like to share any Easter events in the next edition of our Homesteader, please email to the Presbytery office by April 1st to be included on the April 10th edition.

hpoffice@homesteadpres.org

Anyone wanting to write a Lent devotion,

Rev Jane Holtzclaw is putting together a Lent devotional series for the Presbytery. We can still use additional devotions.

We would like to have devotions as soon as possible.

You can pick your own scripture or one can be provided. Devotions can be brief, on the order of 250-300 words followed by a short closing prayer. If you have questions, would like to write more than one devotion (smile), let Jane know that as well.

Devotions are being sent out by e-mail during Lent with frequency determined by the number of writers.

If you would like to write a devotion please contact

Rev Holtzclaw a soon as possible.

Please send your devotion to Rev Jane Holtzclaw at pastorjane728@gmail.com

(269) 277-4850

Clerks of Session,

Reminder to send names, email address & Phone # of new clerks to the Presbytery office.

Clerks, The Homesteader, the presbytery monthly newsletter is a main form of communication to Homestead Presbytery churches.

Please have secretary of your church, treasurer or person that writes the checks, elders and deacons subscribe to the monthly Homesteader and any additional informational emails.

The link below can be used to subscribe or a link on the Homestead Presbytery website in middle of homepage.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/BxjK4tY

INVITATIONS/REMINDERS

MARCH 2025

APRIL 2025

Dear Homestead Presbytery,

I have been working with a group from different faith communities, called the Omaha Faith Coalition. We are interested in making our community a better place to live for everyone. To that end, we are screening the documentary film “Divisible” on Tuesday, April 8^th at 6:30 pm at the Omaha Conservatory of Music at 7023 Cass St. There is no cost to attend thanks to donations from several churches and denominations.

The Presbytery of the Missouri River Valley is co-sponsoring this event as well as Presbyterian Church of the Cross. I am hopeful you can attend this event and find effective ways to share this invitation with your congregation so members of your congregation can join us to view this important film. The Conservatory can hold an audience of 500 so there is plenty of room.

“Divisible” is a documentary made in Omaha, about Omaha, that explains the history, mechanics, and lasting ramifications of redlining in our city. Redlining began in the last century and is a process of segregating neighborhoods by race. Redlining was outlawed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, but the practice did not end at that time. Redlining not only told real estate agents where people could live, but allowed discriminatory lending for home-buying and neighborhood business development. The result is disparity in generational wealth, education, health care, and access to good nutrition among different sectors of our city.

I would like to provide you with whatever materials you need to publicize this event within your congregation. You can respond to this email or contact me at mooreomaha@yahoo.com. If you’d prefer, call or text me at 402-880-3844. I have attached a flyer with information about the event.

Here is a great website which incapsulates the film’s scope.

https://divisibledoc.com/divisible-documentary or https://divisibledoc.com/main-menu

I look forward to hearing from you so we can talk more about this important opportunity.

Required online registration is set up at: https://bit.ly/OmahaRedlining

Kathy Moore

on behalf of the Omaha Faith Coalition &

Presbyterian Church of the Cross

JUNE 2025

Download Registration Here

Click on button below to get updated list for 2024 for Packing and Sending "Gift of the Hearts" kits.

The Depot for these kits is at Good Shepherd in Lincoln.

Updated PDA Gift of the Heart Kits Info Here

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Hello Friends,

Please click button below for the Spring Edition of the Presbyterian Women of Homestead Presbytery’s Circuit. In it, you’ll read a message from our Moderator Teresa Bartlett, an invitation to the Spring Gathering on Saturday, April 5^th at North Bend, and lots more important information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our officers if you have questions. Their contact info is included in the Circuit. Take care!

Cheryl Scott

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SPRING CIRCUIT

RULING ELDERS/DEACONS

Click button below for training tools, webinar series, spiritual practices and nourishment for Ruling Elders and Deacons

Click Here for Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons

2025 RETREATS/SCHOOLS/TRAINING

MAY 2025-Benedict Retreat Center

JUNE 2025-Hasting College

2025 Compelling Preaching Conference

JULY 2025-Synod School

Save the Date

Synod School 2025!

Mark your calendars for July 20-25, 2025, for Synod School.

Adult Convocation Speaker:

MaryAnn McKibbon Dana, Associate Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon, VA, & Author

Evening Worship Leader:

Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of the Kairos Center and Co-Director of the Poor People’s Campaign & author

Morning Worship Leader:

Matt Sauer, Pastor, Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry

Youth Convocation Speaker:

Pepa Paniagua, Coordinator for Innovation and New Ministry Development, Grace Presbytery

By the way, Youth Triennium is July 28-31, 2005.

JULY-AUGUST 2025-Coloarado

Can We Choose to Respond or Are We Stuck with Reaction?

By Mary Kay DuChene.

Oh the stories I’ve been hearing! Once again (or maybe still), the angst of society is creeping through the doors of our churches. I hear stories of seasoned pastors who were worried, for the first time in their lives, about preaching, because they’re afraid how it will land in the pews. I hear stories of pastors being cornered in their offices by parishioners angry at prayers being said that sound political to them, even though they are the same prayers out of the book of prayer having been said for years.

Finish Reading Article here

Field of Dreams

By Becca Fletcher.

“If you build it, they will come.”

Even if you’ve never seen the 1989 Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams, chances are you’ve heard this iconic line around which the entire plot turns. In the film, farmer Ray Kinsella hears this message whispered to him in his cornfield and is inspired to destroy his crop and risk everything to build a baseball diamond.

Finish Reading Article here

Why Did God Send Me Here?

Spiritual Direction as a First Step in Engaging Conflict

By emilie boggis and Kathy Talvacchia

“I’m leading a dying church,” says a pastor on the introductory call with LeaderWise. “We’ve got 25 members, most of whom are over the age of 80. They called me to their church because I’m a young white male minister under the age of 40. They thought that my mere presence would bring in younger folks who could save their church. At the same time, the church patriarch is terrified of losing control. Nothing I do is ever good enough. We’re constantly fighting with one another. What I want to know: Why did God send me here?”

Finish Reading Article here

March 2 Craig

Prayers are requested for the well being and prosperity of the Craig congregation. May they continue to grow as a caring and nurturing Christian community, as well as individuals, focusing on prayer, Bible study and worship.

March 9 Dunbar

Prayers are requested for the well being and prosperity of the Dunbar congregation. May they continue to grow as a caring and nurturing Christian community, as well as individuals, focusing on prayer, Bible study and worship.

March 16 Fairbury

We request prayers for our confirmation students have formed a group called Mission Possible whose mission is to provide reliable vehicles to local families in need. They gave away their first car last year and are poised to give away two more very soon. Also, our church and community are exploring the possibility of constructing a food and clothing pantry to combat food insecurity and poverty in our town and surrounding areas.

March 23 Falls City

Please pray for the community of Falls City and the members of the Falls City congregation. Our last worship service will be Sunday, March 30. We are planning a day of worship, memories, joys and tears. Our congregation was organized in 1866 and it is very hard to accept that we can longer continue as a viable church. We have been supporters of Falls City during all that time and we hope to continue some programs. Our Community Diaper Closet will continue with the same volunteers and will be located in the First Methodist Church building. We plan to volunteer for the July Bloodmobile canteen and to host a community bagpipe concert during the annual Cobblestone Festival. We hope members of Homestead Presbytery will join us on March 30 for worship, dinner and a reception. We ask for your prayers as we remember our history and look forward to our new church homes.

March 30 Fremont

Fremont Presbyterian Church is asking for prayers in our search for a pastor. Our Interim Pastor has accepted another call. Also, prayers for the general health of the church would be very much welcome. Although we are seeing progress in the clean-up, our building is still suffering the effects of a car crash and fire in November 2023. We are hoping that soon the entire building will be back to pre-crash state. During the reconstruction, a task force has been focused on developing a childcare center. This is part of the 2025 Mission Strategy - in addition to volunteers serving at two Fremont elementary schools, providing dinner at the local homeless shelter (Care Corps) and a program for at-risk youth (Aspire for Greatness) once a month, as well as ongoing support for Calvin Crest Camp. We will continue to host the Summer Lunch Program along with the Backpack Program, both having started in 2012.

2025 Pulpit Supply - Rates change on new list below

Click on button below to get updated Pulpit Supply list.

If you would be like to be added to our

Pulpit Supply list, please call:

Jim McNeal (402) 645-5016 or Sheryl (402)413-2143

Pulpit Supply list updated 03/10/2025

Do you like the information you get from Homestead Presbytery emails?

ONGOING SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Preachers, gather a group of peers and dream together about shared learning and nurture. Cohorts may apply for up to $2,500/person. Qualified applicants include Presbyterian Church (USA) ministers of word and sacrament and commissioned ruling elders. What makes preaching bountiful?

Learn More & Apply Here

THE KESSLER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND

The Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation offers financial assistance for PCUSA pastors or a surviving spouse who is experiencing an urgent financial crisis. Applicants must be an active or retired installed or commissioned pastor who has, or is currently serving, a Nebraska congregation and currently residing in Nebraska.

For more information on the Kessler Fund, please visit our website at www.nebpresby.org

or contact Audrey Richert at arichert@nebpresby.org

or 402-420-9877.

NEBRASKA PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION

AWARDS GRANTS

Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded grants to congregations to help fund outreach projects which enhance or expand their ministry and mission. NPF is pleased to support these projects which reach out to our neighbors in need, projects which find

creative ways to share the love of Christ, and projects which take a bold step in reimaging what church should be.

Grantees and their projects include:

Peace Presbyterian Church (Elkhorn) Support for a new ministry outreach program aimed at young adults to gather outside of Sunday worship to make meaningful connections through their unique gifts and perspectives.
First Presbyterian Church (Grand Island) A technology upgrade grant to improve the quality of livestreamed and recorded worship.

In addition, grants were awarded to human services organizations in Lancaster and Platte counties, including Catholic Social Services, Clinic With a Heart, Columbus Senior Center, League

of Human Dignity, Lutheran Family Services, Madonna, and YMCA of Lincoln.

Two grant cycles annually begin in June and December. We’d love to hear your ideas and projects which take your ministry and mission into your neighborhood, community, and

beyond!

Questions?

Contact Audrey Richert at arichert@nebpresby.org

or visit our website at

www.nebpresby.org.

Apply for a Doctor of Ministry Scholarship  

PCUSA clergy, from the OPSF service region, may apply for a scholarship of $1,000 to support their DMin studies.

Learn about application requirements and how to apply here.

THE PRESBYTERIAN PROMISE

AN $80,000 SCHOLARSHIP OVER 4 YEARS FOR

ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE PRESBYTERIAN.

The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment to you. For more information and to apply, visit our site:

www.presby.edu/presbyterian-promise