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PRESBYTERY CONNECTION A Bi-Weekly Newsletter of the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill July 26, 2018

To see North Central Iowa’s calendar of events, please

click here.

To see Prospect Hill’s calendar of events, please click

here.

The Presbyteries of Prospect Hill (top picture) and North Central Iowa (bottom picture) are well represented at Synod School this week!

The Presbytery Connection is a bi-weekly joint newsletter for the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill. If you would like to contribute to the Presbytery Connection, please contact Jeannie Stolee in the Presbytery office at 319-233-1747 or northiowapresby@gmail.com. If you know of someone who would enjoy receiving this communication, please email or call Jeannie. Please consider making copies of this newsletter for your Session and running several copies to make available to your congregation. www.presbynciowa.org www.prospecthillpresby.org

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Prayers of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa Week of July 29 Lakeshore Center at Okoboji – CP Beth Ehlers, Executive Director Harry Gabe, Associate Director Cassie Gabe, Associate Director Don Reed, Site Manager Jean Reed, Head Cook and Maintenance Assistant Devynne Reis, Administrative Assistant Karen Kaiser, Financial Director Week of August 5 First Presbyterian Church, Ackley – CP Diane Martin Week of August 12 Northminster Presbyterian Church, Ames – Rev. Jim DuBois Week of August 19 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Waterloo – Rev. Patricia Jacobs Rev. Daniel Voigt Week of August 26 First Presbyterian Church, Albion – CP Charlie Flick

Prayers of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill Week of July 29 United Presbyterian Church, Auburn – Rev. Rikki Sorensen Week of August 5 United Presbyterian Church, Denison – Rev. Jennifer Olson Week of August 12 Lakeshore Center at Okoboji: CP Beth Ehlers, Executive Director Harry Gabe, Associate Director Cassie Gabe, Associate Director Don Reed, Site Manager Jean Reed, Head Cook and Maintenance Assistant Devynne Reis, Administrative Assistant Karen Kaiser, Financial Director Week of August 19 Westlawn Presbyterian Church, Sioux City – CP Paul Speidel Week of August 26 First Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn – pray for the Administrative Commission

Additional Prayer Concerns Please keep William Wright in your prayers as he recovers from open heart surgery. William is the four-year-old son of Rev. Eric and Kathryn Wright. Please keep CP Bill Crawford in your prayers as he recovers from back surgery. Please pray for Rev. John and Sita Molacek and family on the death of John’s grandmother. Please pray for First Presbyterian Church, Marshalltown, as they minister to the Marshalltown community after the tornado damage. They are providing an evening meal and have established a place for people to receive groceries and some household items through their Gathering Place. Please continue to keep Angie Reemtsma, daughter-in-law of Walt and Jan Reemtsma, in your prayers as she remains hospitalized.

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Churches and Pastors in Transition

The following churches and pastors are in transition: Presbytery of North Central Iowa Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Ames

Presbytery of Prospect Hill Wheatland Presbyterian Church, Breda Elliott Creek Presbyterian Church, Bronson First Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn First Presbyterian Church, Glidden Union Church, Lake City Community Presbyterian Church, Lawton Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake First Presbyterian Church, South Sioux City

Thoughts of Rev. David Feltman, Pastor to the Presbytery,

Presbytery of North Central Iowa

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our prayers are with all Iowans affected by the storms last Thursday, but especially our brothers and sisters in the Marshalltown church. The church was damaged with the loss of windows on the south side of their fellowship hall and many shingles were blown off. The garage from the neighboring Roman Catholic church partially landed on the Presbyterian bus. They report the homes of members were not damaged. The Presbyterians mobilized to put plywood over the windows and they held worship on Sunday morning. By Sunday night they began serving a meal for the community and they plan to offer food every evening in their fellowship hall for the foreseeable future. I have offered our help – volunteers to help cook, serve and clean up. I trust they will let us know when they want to share that responsibility. I’m sure the church would take your donations to help with the meal and recovery. You could send them to First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is sending dollars to help the church with the damage to the building. We have also applied for a grant through PDA to help with the immediate recovery process and we will request further aid when a long-term recovery committee is established in the community. These dollars are available because of your contributions to the ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING offering. When they are ready for outside volunteers to help with the rebuilding we will inform you through the Presbytery Connection. We hold Rev. Rich King, Pastor at Marshalltown, and his family in our prayer as well. You may remember the Kings lost their home to fire approximately four months ago. That is the immediate need in our Presbytery. I offer a bit more for our life together, living in this time. I have been thinking about truth. Many Presbyterians are not aware that the BOOK OF ORDER, the Constitution of our church, offers “The Great Ends of the Church.” The six primary reasons God called the church into existence and why God sustains the church by the Spirit. It begins with “the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind.” Number four is “the preservation of the truth.” The church exists to help preserve truth.

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Rev. Dr. Joseph Small, the former Director of Theology and Worship for our denomination, has been the instructor for our Ruling Elder Cohort. It was my privilege to be his chauffeur for those eight gatherings; our conversations went deeper on the ride to the airport. The denomination came out with six small books back in the early 2000s, study guides for each of the six great ends of the church. Dr. Small reminded me, in our travels, that he wrote the one on “The Preservation of Truth.” I said, “You need to republish it, get it out again!” He said he would have to start all over, back then he could not have imagined what the state of truth would be in 2018 – the social media issues (fake news) and a President and politicians who have such a hard time with the truth. You may think I am writing about politics – I am writing about spiritual issues. Several weeks ago, Rev. Mark Ramsey, the new Executive Director of Macedonian Ministries, wrote about trust in a weekly communication, the central place of trust in the work of the church. When we trust each other, we can move through the failures and mess ups life brings our way. One of the reasons there is much joy in North Central Iowa Presbytery and the reason we can accomplish much together is because the leadership (pastors, commissioned pastors and lay leaders) trust each other. We have spent time together, so we know each other, and we have found each other trustworthy. Can a marriage or meaningful relationship work if trust is lacking? Truth and trust begin with the same letters. It is impossible to move to trust without truth. Years ago, I was given the book A DIARY OF PRIVATE PRAYER by John Baillie. It is one of the few books I have found where I can pray the printed prayers; I want them to be my own. Here is a part of the prayer for the 26th day in the morning. I will use the formal, dated language.

O Thou who compassest the whole world with Thy most merciful favours and willest not that any of Thy children should perish, I would call down Thy blessings today upon all who are striving towards the making of a better world. I pray, O God, especially –

For all who are valiant for truth: For all who are working for purer and juster laws: For all who are working for peace between nations: For all who are engaged in healing disease: For all who are engaged in the relief of poverty: For all who are engaged in the rescue of the fallen: For all who are working toward the restoration of the broken unity of Thy Holy Church: For all who preach the gospel: For all who bear witness to Christ in foreign lands: For all who suffer for righteousness sake.

Cast down, O Lord, of all the forces of cruelty and wrong. Defeat all selfish and worldly-minded schemes, and prosper all that is conceived among us in the spirit of Christ and carried out to the honour of His blessed name. Amen.

With love in Christ, David Feltman

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Poor Richard’s Almanac By Richard Francis, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Prospect Hill This issue of Poor Richard’s Almanac comes to you from Rhonda Kruse, Mission Engagement Advisor for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, covering the Midwest. She was to have been with us at our April meeting, but had to cancel when we had to reschedule due to weather. We hope she can join us

at some future date. In the meantime, here’s an update about a mailing you may have already received:

This is to let you know that at the end of the month Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) will be mailing out to every congregation our 2017 Annual Report and 2018-19 Mission Personnel Guide. These pieces will be wrapped together, along with a summary of the church’s 2017 gifts supporting Presbyterian Mission. Our purpose is to provide each congregation (and mid-council) with a report of its participation in Presbytery Mission, along with two pieces that offer some basic interpretation regarding the impact of those gifts. The wrap also contains a letter from Mission Engagement and Support, inviting churches and mid-councils to consider prioritizing Presbyterian Mission during their budgeting process and stewardship seasons. This is the first time PMA is doing this so it will, no doubt, create questions. Some of them may be answered with the information below:

• This mailing will go to EVERY congregation and presbytery in the PC(USA) whether or not they have gifts on record for 2017

• Gifts will be reported in the following categories:

• Shared Mission Support

• Mission Co-Worker sending and support

• Each of the Special Offerings (One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peacemaking, Christmas Joy)

• Other Ministry Giving (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Giving Catalog, Hunger, etc.)

• Presbytery reports will only include the gifts on the presbytery’s record, NOT a comprehensive report of giving from every congregation in its bounds.

Also, note that there may be mistakes/errors in these reports. The way gifts are received and remitted to PMA is different for every congregation and presbytery. Lots of hands touch every gift at every step. Our goal is to make every giving record as accurate as possible, and we want to work with congregations, mid-councils and our own internal systems to find out where an error might have occurred and do our best to get it fixed. Nevertheless, we report. Why? We want to celebrate what God is doing through Presbyterian Mission with the support of congregations and mid-councils, and encourage support from every level of the system by

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connecting the dots from a gift to its impact. We also want to increase trust and transparency in the denomination; Presbyterians have a right to know where their gifts are going and how they are being used, and we can start by accurately reporting everyone’s generous support. And, of course, we want to take every opportunity to say THANK YOU for faithfully supporting Presbyterian Mission. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me. I’m here to help. Rev. Rhonda Kruse 502-919-1835 rhonda.kruse@pcusa.org

Blessings,

A Word from Donna – Moderator of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month – on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. . . . For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.” Genesis 7:11-12, 17-18. It almost seems like we should be building arks right now. We’ve had lots of rain and weather forecasts continue to talk about more rainfall that may be heavy at times. Up here in Northwest Iowa there are frequent reminders about the dangers of flash floods caused by swollen rivers and streams. All that water has to go somewhere. A few months ago I wrote about my flooded basement. At the time it seemed pretty destructive. Now God keeps reminding me that this was nothing. My miniscule water issues were caused by clean water due to a non-functioning sump pump. Besides having to tear the carpet padding out, dry the carpet and throw a bunch of water logged items, this was nothing compared to all of you who have experienced sewer backups and water in basements that damaged dry wall and property. My heart goes out to all who suffered such damage and I pray for healing as things dry out! I have to admit I was ready to move after my tiny flood, yet through all the recent heavy rains we’ve had here in Northwest Iowa my sump pump worked and my basement continues to stay dry. I still have work to do to get back to where things were before the April rain, but that will come. After God flooded the earth and destroyed wickedness in the world, he gave Noah the sign of a rainbow as a promise that he would never flood the earth again. I haven’t seen too many rainbows in the midst

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of all this rain, but I know God is with each and every one of us as each raindrop falls. And those who experienced inches in just a short period of time, and the resulting flooding that happened during that downpour, can take comfort in knowing that God has never left your side throughout all of this. God cares about you and your life. A note on the lighter side – this was shared with me one morning a few years ago when the sky let down in a big way. We were talking about the possibility of needing an ark when the issue of lighting the ark came up. So think carefully about what kind of lights you’ll have installed. As for me, I plan on installing flood lights. May God continue to be your anchor through floods and downpours. Blessings, Pastor Donna

233rd GA Report

Attending the General Assembly as a delegate is a bucket list item and it was not disappointing. While the weather forecast back home was a heat advisory, for St. Louis it was an extreme heat advisory. We were given a warm welcome in more ways than one. GA was held in the St. Louis Convention Center, an incredibly large complex so that the approximately 2,000 delegates and others had more than adequate space. It was very obvious from the start how well the event was planned and coordinated. It appeared that everything was in its place and functioning well. Friday evening was a Welcome Reception: Come – Meet Us in St. Louis, sampling foods that were introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair. We had the opportunity to briefly visit with four of the six candidates for moderator, co-moderator, or vice-moderator. Each was impressive in their own way and felt that God was calling them to this ministry. We also had the opportunity to visit with one of the outgoing moderators, Jan Edmiston, an outstanding person. GA began on Saturday morning with an incredible worship service. A choir of approximately 150 singers made up from members of area churches was awesome. The service included many participants, with an inspiring sermon done jointly by the co-moderators, T. Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, with communion by intinction. To hear the large gathering sing out was awe inspiring. The afternoon Plenary Session was mainly conducting the ordinary business of GA. The evening Plenary Session featured the election of co-moderators. Each set gave statements and then answered a variety of questions posed by the delegates. It took four ballots before electing new co-moderators: Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, REC (Presbytery of Tropical Florida) and the Reverend Cindy Kohlmann (Presbytery of Boston). In Presbyterian tradition, the election was done decently and orderly (and respectfully). There must have been a rigorous training of the candidates as our new co-moderators were nearly flawless in conducting the business of GA.

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When registering for GA, Sunday morning was set aside to attend one of the many area Presbyterian churches. The Spirit led us to attend Westminster in St. Louis. We were bused to the church, which is a beautiful, large Gothic style church with an impressive pipe organ. It is the most racially diverse Presbyterian church in the greater area sitting on a street that separates a very low-income neighborhood and a very upscale neighborhood. The congregation was very welcoming. The powerful sermon was based on Luke 8:27-39, the story of the man with many demons from the territory of the Gerasenes whom Jesus healed. A delicious chicken dinner followed. The highlight of the meal was their very famous banana pudding. We returned to the conference center for an afternoon plenary session dedicated to reports. Included in this session was Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson speaking on his thoughts on the challenges facing the denomination as we look to the future. Sunday evening had the first meeting of the respective committees of GA. I served on the Mission Coordination Committee, which also met on Monday and Tuesday. I volunteered to work on the audit sub-committee. The committee worked through all overtures assigned to it and all went smoothly until one certain overture was brought up: “To approve the list of colleges, universities, and secondary schools that are related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” A commissioner had an objection to one of the institutions; so much, much discussion took place (at least an hour and another hour or more on Tuesday). Finally, the question was called and the overture was passed with comments. I was impressed watching the committee deal with this overture. Throughout the day much discussion took place on the various overtures. A variety of opinions were shared time and time again. Debate was thoughtful and respectful. All approvals went to the floor of the plenary for final action. Wednesday began with an inspiring Ecumenical Worship Service with Najla Kassah, president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches giving the sermon with the theme of justice. Communion was served to the large gathering by intinction. The work of the GA continued after lunch. Navy Chaplain Margaret Kibben, a Presbyterian, addressed the assembly telling of the important work of chaplains in the military. Reports from the Committees on Ecumenical and Interfaith Issues and Theological and Church Growth Issues were received and handled. The session concluded with a Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts and the PC(USA) partnership. Following supper work continued with the reports from three more committees being acted upon. An interesting item in the Mid-Council report was transferring the Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, Minnesota to the Presbytery of North Central Iowa from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, with both agreeing. Discussion on the proposals was reasonably subdued. It was a productive day. Thursday was a day with a lot of variety and was sometimes emotional. The committee report on Peacemaking, Immigration, and International Issues brought resolutions of support for people of many countries that have problems, including the separation of families. Discussion lasted most of the morning until the time of worship. Floretta Barbee-Watkins gave a wonderful sermon, opening it with an illustration about having (and not having) homemade biscuits when she was growing up and her family dynamics which connected with the gathering. She reminded us that Jesus’ ministry was not done “decent and orderly,” but often was messy. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the most important parts of following Jesus. Most of the afternoon session was spent discussing the various reports of the Way Forward Commission. While there was much agreement, still differences of opinions were shared, sometimes with passion. Approval will bring some major changes in our denomination’s organizational structure to make it more efficient.

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The Friday work sessions began in the morning and did not end until 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning. Lots of passionate discussion was held on Middle East Peace and whether or not to divest all investments in fossil fuel companies. Of the latter, the assembly voted not to divest, but to engage. Saturday’s work included approving the per capita budget and the Presbyterian Mission Agency budget for the ensuing years. The per capita for this year is $7.73. With the approval of overtures that included a financial cost, the per capita for 2019 and 2020 will be $8.95. The closing worship service saw a woman from Des Moines giving the message. She is the Rev. Ekram Kachu, who was just ordained on June 2. She is serving as pastor to a South Sudanese church whose worship services are done in Arabic. She called on commissioners to pray for South Sudan that its violence may cease. The denomination may be declining in numbers, but not in enthusiasm to serve the Lord. Thanks again for making this wonderful experience possible. Bill Crawford Ruling Elder Commissioner Presbytery of Prospect Hill

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The Presbytery of Prospect Hill held its Presbytery Meeting on July 14, 2018. Thank you to Faith United Presbyterian Church, Sioux City, for being such a welcoming host!

Rev. David Koehler welcomes the

Presbytery with Moderator

Donna Gray.

Rev. Jennifer Olson’s worship

message was “Bound Together in

Love.”

Stated Clerk Richard Francis

Rev. David Ullom reported

on the Presbytery Leader

Task Group.

Ken Green of the Board of

Pensions highlighted some

new changes.

Ruling Elder Commissioner

Bill Crawford reported on

General Assembly.

Rev. Jan Christensen gave the

Mission Spotlight on the Mental

Health Initiative.

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AUGUST 10

GOSPEL AT

SUNSET! 6-8PM 6TH AND LINCOLNWAY PARKING AREA IN NEVADA Central Presbyterian Praise Team and Band Present the Second Annual Event at Senior Citizens Center near City Hall in Nevada.

Join the Praise Band and singers from Central to worship through

music. We will sing well known and loved Gospel music. A

program with words will be provided at this free event.

Bring your lawn

chair and

Come Join in the

singalong

────

Special Guest

artists Don and

Karaly Juhl

────

Special Guest

Pianist, Marilyn

Argotsinger

Join Us!

CENTRAL

PRESBYTERIAN

932 5th St, Nevada

382-4998

Centralpresbyterianchurch.org

Call for more infomation

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North Central Iowa

Mission Partnership Grant Applications

REMINDER: August 25, 2018 is the submission deadline for the North Central Iowa Mission

Partnership Grant Applications. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Applications have been sent to all churches in the Presbytery of North Central Iowa. You may also find

the application here.

Available to a Good Home

This Cannon “imageRUNNER” copier/printer is looking for a good home. It is about 9 years old and has served us well. All you have to do is come and pick it up and it is yours. If interested or want more information, please contact Gordon Moen or Martha Monroe at First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson. Our phone number is 515-386-2514 or we can be reached at firstpres@netins.net.

Communion Set Available

First Presbyterian Church, Ringsted, has a pewter communion set available. It includes real glass cups along with two or three bread trays, both with lids. They would be happy to send it to anyone who could use it! If you are interested, please contact Jodie White at jodievern@ringtelco.com or 712-866-1787.

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Blake & Jenna Bolerjack Returning to Burt Presbyterian Church

Blake & Jenna Bolerjack, Christian Music Duo, will return in concert at Burt Presbyterian Church, 204 Elm Street, Burt, Iowa, Sunday night, July 29, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. They will be releasing and singing from a brand new CD at this concert. As husband and wife, Blake & Jenna communicate their faith through music with gentleness and a testimony of love and commitment with their marriage; a chemistry easily seen as they sing and serve together. Singing music that connects all generations, Blake’s soring vocals and Jenna’s sweet harmonies are sure to inspire and encourage. About Blake & Jenna: Blake & Jenna Bolerjack are a husband and wife Christian Music Duo who have traveled for 13 years full time with concert ministry appearing in churches, theaters, festivals and conventions across the United States as well as Canada and multiple tours to Germany. Blake is an award-winning songwriter and they have been featured on TBN and VTN television networks nationwide and have topped the Singing News charts with multiple radio hits. Along with their powerful music, Blake & Jenna share their story of Jenna’s recent battle with cancer at the age of 31 and God’s faithfulness through that journey. Blake & Jenna passionately believe concerts and special music can offer encouragement in a completely unique way; sometimes hearing how others have been through the “fire” and how God was still with them can significantly renew your hope and spirit and that is what they love to do.

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The OPSF Lifelong Learning Program Grant Application deadline is August 15th. (Previously, this was known as the “Continuing Education Program Grant.”) You may review these forms and either mail or email your completed application for 2019 Lifelong Learning Program Grants. Lifelong Learning Links: Grant Guidelines Grant Application Payment Request Don’t forget to save editable forms to your computer before filling out the forms. The forms/guidelines are also posted online at: OPSF Lifelong Learning Website Page

Synod Racial Ethnic Scholarship Application Available Online

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies offers a student scholarship program to encourage racial ethnic students in their preparation for academic success in higher education. Students must have a permanent residence within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and be active members in a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. The synod is committed to partner with students and schools for leadership development and quality instruction of clergy and lay persons for lifelong service. Scholarship awards are based on personal achievement, financial need and recommendation from a teacher and pastor. Details and an application form can be found at “Student Scholarship Fund.”

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More information can be found here.

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JOIN US THIS FALL TO

EXPLORE

MENTAL HEALTH & THE

FAITH COMMUNITY

Responding to Mental Health Needs

• What do you do when a friend, church member or family

member is threatening suicide?

• Have you walked with an individual or family as they seek

help for a family member and keep encountering closed

doors?

• How do you talk about mental health and faith?

This event for church staff, deacons and members will provide a

tool box of responses and resources for addressing mental health

in your congregation and community. In the morning Mental

Health professionals will bring a case study approach to mental

health in general and rural mental health in particular.

Afternoon workshops will include:

1. Join a Community of Practice for Mental Health!

2. Local resources led by Regional Leaders

3. Presbyterians and Mental Health

4. Responding to Mental Concerns in Rural Ministry Settings

Register at (??????)

October 5

Storm Lake, IA

────

October 6

Location TBD

────

November 9

Washington, IA

────

November 10

Jesup, IA

────

9:30-3:30

$10/person

REGISTER WITH

Jeannie Stolee

northiowapresby@gmail.com

319-233-1747

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Meet the Missionaries

Rev. Thomas Goetz – Japan A long-term volunteer, Thomas serves as assistant professor of English on the social welfare faculty at Hokusei Gakuin University, a four-year liberal arts school in Sapporo founded over 100 years ago by Presbyterian missionary Sarah Smith. Thomas also serves as the English-language coordinator at Hokkaido Christian Center.

Home presbytery: Milwaukee E074285

Christi Boyd and Jeff Boyd – Democratic Republic of the Congo As regional liaison for Central Africa, Jeff Boyd facilitates support for the relationships, programs, and activities of PC(USA) partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. He also resources PC(USA) mission personnel and helps connect partner churches with PC(USA) congregations that want to be involved in ministry in the region. Christi serves

as the Regional Facilitator for Women and Children’s Interests in Congo and in three other French-speaking African countries – Madagascar, Niger, and Rwanda – and in one non-French speaking country, South Sudan. She works where African women’s and children’s interests meet Presbyterian World Mission’s critical global initiatives of poverty alleviation, evangelism, and reconciliation. Christi accompanies global partners as they seek to regain their ministry to women and children and remedy the marginalization of women and children in their communities. She also engages with Presbyterian constituencies in the U.S. that wish to come alongside and promote these efforts. Home presbytery: Mid-Kentucky E200314, D506075

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Academy of Artful Leadership

Have you ever wished for a continuing education event that was actually applicable to your real-life ministry? Well your wish has been granted! The Academy of Artful Leadership brings together gifted leaders who are steering congregational change. We provide a series of facilitated peer conversations around major themes in ministry, followed by individual coaching. The outcome is greater clarity and calculated movement toward transformation within a congregation. The Academy of Artful Leadership is an eight-month program consisting of eight 90-minute group sessions designed to spark dynamic conversation around key themes in ministry. In addition, there are six individual one-on-one coaching sessions with a trained coach, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in ministry. It will run from September 2018 through May 2019 and be conducted via video-conference and telephone calls providing you with maximum flexibility. The cost is $880, which is significantly less than the cost of the coaching alone! The cost can be spread between both calendar years for budget purposes. And don’t forget the Continuing Education scholarships available through Presbytery as well as the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation sources. Transformation happens when we take what we learn, consider it in our own context, identify what needs to happen, and put in place specific action steps to achieve the vision. Are you ready to thrive in your ministry? This course truly has the power to help you achieve that and so much more. For more information call Charity Potter at 402-870-1059 or email charitypot987@gmail.com. Or go to here to sign up. Charity Potter (those in Prospect Hill will more likely remember her as Charity Forbes) officially began coaching in 2017 but had been using the coaching techniques for years without knowing it. She is an Ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and will be celebrating 20 years of ordained ministry this year. As a minister in small churches in small towns, Charity has a lot of leadership experience in a wide variety of situations and with many different types and ages of people. In addition, she has a lot of retail experience, has worked as a farm hand (a/k/a farm wife) and enjoys her 8 (soon to be 9) grandchildren. Charity is a graduate of Buena Vista College (BA), Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MDiv), and received her coach training from Auburn Seminary. Her ICF coaching certification is pending.

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Transformation happens when we take what we learn, consider it in our own context, identify what needs to happen, and put in place specific action steps to achieve the vision.

The Academy of Artful Leadership brings together gifted leaders who are steering congregational change. We provide a series of facilitated peer conversations around major themes in ministry, followed by individual coaching. The outcome is greater clarity and

calculated movement toward transformation within a congregation.

The Academy utilizes a “coach approach” process in which the coach helps to mine the collective expertise and internal wisdom of participants, rather than relying on instruction from a teacher

or prescriptions from a consultant.

This “coach approach” process helps gifted leaders discern the God-sized things that need to

happen, develop a plan to get there and celebrate with them when they do.

What’s included?

Eight monthly 90-minute group sessions designed to spark dynamic conversation around key

themes in ministry.

Six individual one-on-one coaching sessions with a trained coach, focusing on challenges and

opportunities in ministry.

When: September 2018 through May 2019

Cost: $880

How: Contact Charity Potter (402)870-1059 or charitypot987@gmail.com ,

https://academy-of-artful-leadership.teachable.com/p/artful-leadership-potter

Local group will be led by Charity Potter, Adjunct Faculty for the Academy, and will be comprised of pastors or commissioned lay pastors in our tri-presbytery region. Spots are

limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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The 2018 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be held August 2-5, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky. 2018 is also the year that PW celebrates its 30th anniversary! Advance registration for the Gathering will close on July 7. Register online or by mail! If you’re not sure if you can attend or can’t convince your friend to join you, no worries! On-site registration will be available, so continue to promote the Gathering and tell your friends they can register there!

Please click here for information on Presbytery of North Central Iowa Ruling Elder Cohort led by Dr. Joe Small.

Please click here for information on The Academy.