‘Belonging to God’ Synod School 2013

July 21-26
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Synod School 2013, the annual midsummer ministry of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, offers fun and mind-stretching courses, worship and fellowship that will be long remembered.

Claudio Carvalhaes, a theologian, liturgist and artist, will be this year’s convocation speaker, addressing the Synod School theme, “Belonging to God.”

Howard Chapman, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Marion, Iowa, created the artwork on the cover of this year’s catalog and posters (see at left). He has offered the original artwork for a silent auction during Synod School to benefit the scholarship fund.

The Synod School catalog and everything you need to register is available here.

If you would like to speak to someone about Synod School, please call the synod office at 651.357.1140 or 800.328.1880. You can also get your questions answered by sending an e-mail to Diana Barber, associate synod executive for leadership development, at dbarber@lakesandprairies.org.

Gathering info, registration form posted For Presbyterian Women in the synod
Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies have set their 2013 Gathering for June. And the information you need, including leaders, workshop titles and registration form, can be found right here. The gathering takes place Wednesday through Saturday, June 12-15, at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.

What does the synod do? The synod’s narrative budget
To help sessions and presbyteries get a better grasp of the ministry and mission of the synod, the synod’s narrative budget can be found in the form of a letter and as a PowerPoint presentation. There is also a list of services currently provided by synod staff.

Synod administers loan fund for presbyteries, churches
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies administers a $5.5 million loan fund in support of congregation capital and major renovation projects including down-payment assistance to relocating presbytery staff. Congregations are invited to contact the synod when it’s time to borrow for a new capital project. The synod relies on the loan application form of the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program. The loan application can be found on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website.For additional information, contact J. Jay Wilkinson, stated clerk and treasurer of the synod, at jwilkinson@lakesandprairies.org or 651.357.1140 (ext. 205).

Collegiate Ministry in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies continues its long-standing commitment to collegiate ministry and its funding guidelines reflect an inclusive understanding of collegiate ministry that embraces not only campus ministry, but also congregational-based and chaplaincy-based ministry. The funding guidelines are intended to help the synod be a better steward of its resources and reach out to more students. To learn more, go to Collegiate Ministry.

Lakes and Prairies can be found on Facebook, Twitter          
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies is on Facebook and Twitter. The synod’s Facebook group has more than 230 members and there are frequent updates about news within the synod and within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The synod is also present on Twitter, tweeting as @lakesprairies. If you’re on Facebook, please feel free to join the group. If you tweet, please follow.