2012 Great Plains Small Church Conference
May 1-3, 2012

Holiday Inn Sioux Falls City Centre
Sioux Falls, SD

The purpose of this cofnerence is to inspire, equip, motivate, encourage, and provide rest and refreshment for pastors, CLP’s and leaders of Small Presbyterian congregations.

Registration Deadline: April 1st

Register online, visit www.pfrenewal.org

March 12-13, 2012
10 a.m. March 12th to 2 p.m. March 13th
Saint Benedict Center, Schuyler, Nebraska

Presenter: Dr. Raponzil Drake, DMin., MDiv., BS

Dr. Drake is an
internationally acclaimed lecturer, motivational speaker and presenter on issues of gender equity. She has a particular passion for social justice and equality. Dr. Drake is academically prepared in the liberal arts which have led to an array of experiences. Her education includes studies at Harvard University’s JohnF. Kennedy School of Government, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Christian Brothers University, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry atMemphis Theological Seminary. She served as General Secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women Topics to be addressed include:

-    Cultural and Racial Sensitivity and Related Issues

-     Boundaries, Power and Vulnerability

-      Dating, Friendships, Dual Relationships, Gifts

-      The Pulpit, Transference, Hugging and Touch, Intimacy

-      Social Networking

-      Personal Needs and Self-Care, Red Flags

-        Final Reflections

Deadline for Registrations and Fee Deposit: February 27, 2012.

2012 Ethics-Boundries Brochure

The 2012 Winter Pastors’ School
Fork in the Road Moments: Developing Resilience
With the Rev. Dr. Laurie J. Ferguson
January 30 – February 2, 2012
Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska

In Building Church Leadership – Using Coaching Models, the Rev. J.C. Austin writes, “So what do pastors need to learn the most? In a word, ‘resilience.’ Pastoral ministry right now in the United States is facing a crisis of resilience. A recent study by Duke Divinity School that found that, ‘Even taking into account differences in age, income, employment status, insurance status, and gender, the rates of disease for clergy were much higher for diagnoses of diabetes, arthritis, asthma, and high blood pressure, and the rate of clergy depression is roughly double that of everyone in the United States.’ For a community that’s concerned about the well-being of clergy and taking care of them, this is a crucial issue.” Coaching develops the resiliency clergy need for ministry.

The Pastors’ School will begin with the first presentation at 3:00 pm on Monday, January 30, and will end with a communion worship service before lunch on Thursday, February 2. All classes and meals will be in the Hazelrigg Student Union on the Hasting College campus. Participants will be housed at the Holiday Inn Express. This hotel features a hot breakfast, an evening ‘manager’s reception,’ a heated indoor pool, and a hot tub – all included in the registration price of $165. (This is the first increase in four years.) Please indicate whether you plan to check out on Thursday, or stay overnight and check out on Friday. If you do plan to stay Thursday night, it will be at your expense. You will be able to get the conference rate for your evening’s stay.

Dr. Laurie J. Ferguson is a Presbyterian minister, professional certified coach and licensed psychologist. The focus of her work is at the ‘fork in the road’ moments with people who want to make meaningful changes in their lives. She teaches and consults about developing resilience for leaders and organizations. Dr. Ferguson is currently a Senior Research Fellow for Auburn Seminary in the area of coaching and adjunct lecturer at Union Seminary.

The Winter Pastors’ School is sponsored by the presbyteries of Central Nebraska, Homestead, and Missouri River Valley, with Hastings College and the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation as supportive partners. The cost of this year’s Winters Pastors’ School for participants from the three sponsoring presbyteries is $165 which covers all meals, lodging, and events. An additional $85 fee will cover the cost of meals, lodging, and events for spouses. (The cost for participants from other presbyteries is $265, or $335 with spouse.) The Foundation has a limited number of scholarships (up to $100) available for this event. Please contact Gary Eller at the Foundation.

To guarantee placement at this year’s Pastors’ School at the event rate, please send registration (below) by January 6, 2012. A $25 fee will be added to registrations made after January 6. (Your registration fee can be submitted any time prior to January 30, 2012.)

Please make checks payable to the “Inter-presbytery Committee,” and mail to:
2012 Winter Pastors’ School, c/o Becky Balestri, 851 N. 74th St., Omaha, NE 68114

Name ___________________________________________________________________________
Spouse (If attending): ______________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________ State ___________________ Zip Code ____________________
Presbytery ____________________________ Email _____________________________________
Fax (_____)___________________________ Phone (_____)_______________________________
Non-smoking __ or smoking __ motel room. Thursday morning _____ or Friday morning ____checkout.
Special Needs:

PRESBYTERY MEETING SUMMARY OCTOBER 2011
The presbytery was led in worship by Bruce Whearty sharing stories of is missionary experience in the South Pacific. The offering for Minot flood relief totaled $396.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The presbytery dismissed the administrative commissions to ordain Dan Jessop, commission Brad Jepsen and Dave Irwin and install Stephen Price-Gibson.
The presbytery elected the administrative commission to dissolve the congregation at Ord.
The presbytery heard the report of the session minutes review.
The docket was amended to consider an overture proposal to the next General Assembly to insert – including living either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. The presbytery voted to forward the overture.
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Inserts, bulletin covers, invites and miscellaneous resources for A New Sense of Hope are now available to us on the Homestead Presbytery website.

I have also attached the intro/promotion letter Homestead is using to get the information out to the churches.  We have permission adjust it and use it as a template.

Promotion letter (2)