Category Archives: PC(USA)

2016 APCE Annual Event

Association of Presbyterian Church Educators

January 27-30, 2016 – Chicago

WHAT’S UP AT THE ANNUAL EVENT …

First 600 to register receive FREE book (When Spiritual but Not Religious Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church)
4 days with others who share your focus and passion for Christian Education with children, youth, and/or adults.
60 workshop opportunities
Lodging in the heart of the Magnificent Mile to enjoy all that the city of Chicago has to offer
3 networking meals included
Marketplace vendors with resources galore
3 inspiring and challenging “Ed Talks”
8 Presbyterian Youth Worker’s Association (PYWA) sponsored Workshops
6 “Ignite Talks” to spark your imagination
FREE online diagnostic and coaching offered by Ministry Architects

Mosaic of Peace 2016

April 4 – 16, 2016

We are called to be witnesses to and for peace in the Holy Land. In faithful and hope-filled response, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Mosaic of Peace conference invites Presbyterians to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and complex current situation, and engage with those who seek its peace.

As participants in the conference, individuals will be:

INSPIRED by the stories of Christian peacemakers in the Holy Land, walk in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace and encounter contemporary Palestinians and Israelis;

EQUIPPED by engagement with Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, experience contextual theology and study peacemaking practices within the framework of PCUSA policy;

CONNECTED with global and local partners to take meaningful action for a just and lasting peace in the region.

Click here to go to the PC(USA) website for more information.

Big Tent 2015

BIG TENT 2015
JULY 30 – AUGUST 1, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CAMPUS
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

Experience that deep sense of community one would expect at a national gathering of Presbyterians—a great big family reunion! Join us for a wide variety of workshops, all under one Big Tent, a conference that will inspire and equip Presbyterians to live missionally.

For more information, visit the Big Tent webpage on the PC(USA) website.

Michelle J. Bartel to head theological education office

The Rev. Michelle J. Bartel, Ph.D., a theology professor and teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has been named the new coordinator for theological education for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

In her new role, Bartel will work closely with the Committee on Theological Education (COTE), the body entrusted with the General Assembly-mandated responsibility for developing and maintaining a comprehensive, denomination-wide plan for theological education.
Read the rest on the PC(USA) site.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2015

Schedule
The conference begins on Monday, March 9th, 2015 at 2 PM. Check-in/registration will begin at noon. The conference concludes on Wednesday, March 11th, 2015 at noon. For a more detailed schedule, click here

Location
The conference will be held at the Hilton Kansas City Airport. For more information about how to make your reservation, please click here

Conference Registration Fee
$240 on or before February 16, 2015 and $265 after February 16, 2015.

Fee includes:

4 plenary sessions
4 workshop sessions (with over 35 workshops to choose from)
2 worship services
dinner on Monday
Breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday

For more information on how to register, please click here

Workshops
This year we have developed tracks for our workshops:

Small Congregations
Planned Giving/Endowments
Theology of Stewardship
Presbyteries and Stewardship
Stewardship in Practice

For a detailed listing of all of the workshops, click here

New Hymnal Publication Celebration Events

Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church (Louisville, KY) is hosting one of the six national hymnal publication events. Join us Mar. 14-15, 2014 for two days of worship, workshops, and lectures. The conference is designed for everyone – pastors, musicians, worship committees, and ecumenical friends. Whether you have adopted the hymnal and want to immerse yourself in the contents, or just want to explore the possibilities within this new songbook, all are welcome.

Martha Moore-Keish and John Wurster will join the members of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) and Hymnal Project staff as presenters. Focus topics will include global music, how to teach a new hymn, the theology behind the notes, liturgy in Glory to God, and much more!

The $35 registration fee includes two meals, a pew edition of Glory to God, and much more. Register online today: www.presbyterianhymnal.org/launch. Mark your calendars now for this important introduction!

Registration will close on March 3, 2014. A small number of walk-up registrations will be accepted. All Hymn Festivals and worship services are open to the public.

Situation Report Update on Fall Tornadoes

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has heard from and is responding to all mid councils engaged in relief and recovery efforts following severe weather that swept through 14 Midwest states on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and straight line winds of more than 80 mph hit the middle Mississippi River Valley, the lower Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley. There were 91 tornadoes, 565 high wind events and 42 hail events, including reports of golf ball-sized hail, according to a preliminary report from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

The hardest hit of the 14 states was Illinois. Seven counties have been declared disaster areas by the governor, and six additional counties are listed as having sustained minor damage. Also affected were Michigan and Indiana. Six persons were reported killed in Illinois and three in Michigan.

PDA Response

At their requests, PDA has sent members of the National Response Team (NRT) to the Presbyteries of Wabash Valley and Great Rivers. We have also been in communication with the Presbyteries of Ohio Valley and Lake Michigan. One Great Hour of Sharing funds are being made available.

Damage assessment and initial rescue and response actions continue in the affected states.

PDA has received a notice from Church World Service that Cleanup Buckets are needed. The first 200 CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets are on their way now to Illinois.

Church World Service (CWS) reports that in recent months, the demands have been great in the United States and across the globe for Gift of the Heart kits, and the CWS warehouse stocks of kits are rapidly being depleted. Additional kits, including Cleanup Buckets, Hygiene Kits, Baby Care Kits, School Kits and Blankets are requested. The most immediate need is for Baby Care Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets.

Generous support to restock the warehouses will help enable a response to current and future needs of disaster survivors.

How You Can Help

You can stand in the GAP for those affected by these tornadoes and storms:

Give. Share your financial blessings by designating gifts to DR000015-Fall Tornadoes. Individuals may give through your local Presbyterian congregation, online, or by mailing a check to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Act. Gift of the Heart kits are often needed following disasters. Because of generous participants in this ecumenical mission through out the year, kits are ready to be distributed immediately when a disaster strikes. Particularly needed following storms like these will be Cleanup Buckets to help families returning home to the daunting task of cleaning up. Find out how to assemble the Cleanup Buckets for United States responseand other kits for responses around the world.

Pray. Please pray that through the response of the faith community, the people and communities impacted by these storms and those offering assistance will be strengthened and reminded of the faithful hope that is found in Christ.