PYT 2010 has Plenty of Time

The joy is that there are two delegations from the Presbytery of Des Moines at Triennium: a group of 30 from Westminster Presbyterian Church, and a more motley crew of 10 of us from several places around south central Iowa. We motleys arrived around 5 p.m., after a nicely benign day of travel in our 15 passenger van. Settling in Wiley Hall and then dinner happened at the Ford dining hall - and then, Oh! Worship!

I was in the second balcony on the Purdue University Hall of Music as it unfolded. The theme for the PYT gathering is "For Such a Time As This." We are all Esther, is the suggestion, of course. A worship troupe led us into the story dramatically. Staging captured eye and accompaniments ear. An ensemble as able as any 5-piece rock band could be, kept 6,000 worshippers on their feet. Former GA Moderator the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, preaching, invited participants to throw themselves into the story.

A bit of late-night recreation, meeting with the adult advisors, and a final check-in with the kids before bed. To sleep, perchance to dream. With a new day hours away.

This is very, very good.

Rev. Steve Bowie, Presbytery of member at-large
Bloomfield Christian Church

Excitement is building for PYT Delegation

Although statistics generated by the Religious Conference Management Association suggested that Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2010 numbers would be at an all-time low due to the economic downturn, more than 4,700 Presbyterian youth will gather this summer For Such A Time As This!

Discover why the energy is higher than ever on PYT’s Facebook or Twitter pages. Find out what is new at Triennium, for example the Ambassadors, a mentor ministry where senior adults and young people will experience and share faith together at Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2010. Also, watch the Des Moines Presbytery’s Blog for daily updates!

Prayers are needed for safe travel and spiritual insight for the delegations going to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT), Purdue University, LaFayette, Indiana.

The Des Moines Presbytery is sending 10 people: Erica Coulter (DM, Westminster); Danielle Cross (DM, Clifton Heights); Kasey Booth (Sharpsburg); Jeff Ewing (Dallas Center, First); Matt Kilian, Paige Klinkenborg and Emma Williams (Clive, Heartland); and Madeleine King (Windsor Heights, Windsor). Adult advisors are: Rev. Stephen Bowie (Bloomfield, Christian Church) and Kim Coulter (DM Westminster).

Others going include: Small Group leader Martie Larsen, CLP (Clive, Heartland), Rev. Rick & Sue Carus and Kendra Allen (Ankeny). Rick and Sue are part of the support staff and Kendra is on the College-Age Work Crew. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines is also taking a church delegation with 19 kids, and four adults.

Mark Your 2010 Calendar: Lunch & Learn Series

The Des Moines Presbytery’s Lunch and Learn Series begins again January 21, 2010 and you’re invited to attend! From Noon – 1 p.m. we’ll offer our communications and educational series to congregations in our Presbytery. If you currently work at a church, either as a pastor, staff member, volunteer or lay leader join us for an informal discussion and information sharing time each month.

Normally, these are held in our office on the third Thursday of the month. And each month a topic has been identified around which the majority of the discussion will revolve. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, samples, and insights related to the topic. In addition, you’ll be able to network with others and share recent projects or accomplishments, or ask those “burning questions”.

For those who live far away, you can participate by Webconference and conference call with the proper computer and a separate phone line. Contact the office to receive the instruction document to see if this is an option for your church.

All lunch sessions are free. Just bring your brown bag lunch and we’ll provide the beverages. RSVPs are recommended, especially if you want to participate by Webconference, (A microwave and frig are available too.) Here are the 2010 Dates and Topics (the 3rd Thursday of the month, except April):

• January 21 – New Regulations for USPS Bulk Mailing, with Des Moines U.S. Postal Service staff member Reggie Bell, elder at Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church, Des Moines.
• February 18 – Christian Education Curriculum – What’s the P.O.I.N.T.? and Is Presbyterian Youth Triennium For You? with Des Moines Presbytery’s POINT Person Sara Lamb, Christian Education Director for First Presbyterian Church, Winterset.
• March 18 – Creative Worship Ideas, with Rev. Suzanne Gorhau, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Centerville.
• April 22 – Recap of Transformation Conference (April 16-17): Plugging in Without Shorting Out or interactive Web site ideas.
• May 20 – Guidelines for Emergency Planning: Everything from snow days to health emergencies.
• June 17 – Language Art Skills: Writing and composition of the important day-to-day messages at church and in the community.
• July 5-9 – Live videocast viewing of the 219th General Assembly in the comfort of our Presbytery’s office conference room.
• July 15 – Survivor Challenge: How to get inactive members to participate once again.
• August 19 – Involve Children and Adults in Mission Projects, with Des Moines Presbytery’s Hunger Action Enabler Nancy Lister-Settle of First Presbyterian Church, Dallas Center and Restoring Creation Enabler Susan Stroope of Central Presbyterian Church, Des Moines.
• September 16 – Stewardship Ideas – We don’t want to scare the people.
• October 21 – Help Wanted: Training of new session members and current elders, with Stated Clerk and General Presbyter Phil Barrett
• November 18 – New Year’s Resolutions: Meditation and Devotions to God. Ideas for designated prayer time for church staff and members.