Looking forward to Synod School 2012: only a few months away

It’s only a few short months before summer returns and that means Synod School 2012, the annual midsummer ministry of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Synod School 2012, with the theme, “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land,” offers fun and mind-stretching courses, worship and singing that will be long remembered, and time for both fellowship and private reflection.

Synod School 2012 runs July 22-27 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. An advance look at plans for next summer, click here.

COM/CPM Leadership Conference runs January 31 – February 2
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies' annual COM/CPM Leadership Conference, this year titled "The Future of the Church: Change, Challenge and Celebration," runs Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minn. The registration deadline is Jan. 13. Keynote speakers for this year's event are Landon Whitsitt, vice moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and synod executive of the Synod of Mid-America, and Mark Sundby, executive director of the North Central Ministry Development Center in New Brighton, Minn. Additional details are available from Diana Barber, the synod's associate executive for leadership development, at 800.328.1880, extension 207, or by email at dbarber@lakesandprairies.org.

You can find details in the event brochure and workshop list. You can also find a registration form that can be completed and then returned via email

Collegiate Ministry in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies is continuing its long-standing commitment to collegiate ministry, and at its May meeting it adopted new funding guidelines to reflect a more inclusive understanding of collegiate ministry that embraces not only campus ministry, but also congregational-based and chaplaincy-based ministry. While the total dollar amount of funding has not changed, the new 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.

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).

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 – in the form of a letter – can be found here. There is also a list of services currently provided by synod staff.

Synod’s Facebook group contains frequent updates          
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies is a group on Facebook and membership has reached more than 200. If you have an interest in the synod, you may want to consider joining the group. If you aren’t a member of Facebook, you will have to join first.