Recap of Synod School 2011 from the Keeping In Touch News

The following stories are from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies newsletter, Keeping In Touch, August 11, 2011 issue. The story links are found on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s News Service website at www.pcusa.org.

Two of the articles below are of special importance to the Des Moines Presbytery and are about our own Director of Communications Kim Coulter (Clive, Heartland) and another story of a former member of the Knox United Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, the Rev. Burns Stanfield family.

Consider attending Synod School next year at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, July 22-27, 2012. (Thanks to Synod Communications Editor Duane Sweep for permission to repost.)

• Hands down, Mr. Methuselah was the crankiest man at the Synod School held the last week of July at Buena Vista University. www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/3/presbyterian-puppetry.
• Synod schoolers learn about Rock ‘n’ Roll faith connection:
www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/2/not-fade-away.

Synod school teacher demonstrates new media role in evangelism: A short video, a little bit of show and tell, and a lot of discussion – it’s the way Kim Coulter led her class on social media here at Buena Vista University during the 58th Synod of Lakes and Prairies' Synod School. With an opening video that proclaimed, “If Facebook were a country, it’d be the world’s third largest,” Coulter made the argument that social media can play a role in the church. The complete PNS story is at: www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/9/friending-church.

• Synod schoolers learn that science is both theoretical, concrete:www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/5/world-changing-ideas.
• Drama takes many forms, multiple roles in congregations:www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/10/all-churchs-stage.

Presbyterian family share stories of Kenya during Synod School: When Lorraine Stanfield turned 50 last spring, she didn’t want a party. She wanted her family to go with her to Kenya to serve people – and maybe take in a safari near the end of the two-week visit, which the family did. The Stanfields, of Milton, Mass., offered a workshop describing highlights of their trip during Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ Synod School, held during the last week of July at Buena Vista University. The complete PNS story is at: www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/4/teaching-what-they-learned.

• Synod schoolers urged to join ‘Each One Reach One’ anti-poverty initiative: www.pcusa.org/news/2011/7/28/no-more-mommy-voice.

Big Tent Recap: Together in Christ

More than 1,700 Presbyterians gathered in Indianapolis, Ind., July 1-3 for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s second Big Tent. Find reports, videos, and resources from Big Tent. And here are a few stories:

• Innovative models for ministry in the modern world. ‘Come and See.’
• Then and now: read how women are changing the meaning of “role model” in the church.(Article was written by Kim Coulter, director of communications for the Des Moines Presbytery.)
• God will make way: Read how one pastor believes we can become a more cross cultural church.
• Read why Calvin’s 16th-century lessons are vital to our 21st-century church.

(Reprinted from One in the Spirit, a monthly email from Executive Director Linda Valentine strengthening community between the General Assembly Mission Council and Middle Governing Bodies.)

 

The Des Moines Presbytery had a few people in attendance: Rev. Dave Madsen, Rev. Goanar Chol, and Magdy Kago (DM, Cottage Grove Avenue), Rev. Betty Sandy (DM, Clifton Heights), Martie Larson, CLP (Clive, Heartland), Cindy Lou Ray (Windsor Heights, Windsor), General Presbyter and Stated Clerk Rev. Phil Barrett, and Director of Communications Kim Coulter.

Presbytery’s Summer Camp Dates/Times Are Set!

Location for all the summer camps sponsored by the Des Moines Presbytery this year is at the Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center near Indianola.

• PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY CAMP (all ages)........$315.....June 26-July 2 (3 p.m./10:30 a.m.)
• S.P.L.A.T. (Seek, Play, Learn, Act, Teach, ages 6-9).....$189.....June 5-7, June 22-24, & July 27-29
• SUMMER FUN CAMP (4th-8th & 9th-12th grades*)...$340*...July 17-23 (5 p.m./9:30 a.m.)
  *(Cost of attending camp is reduced to$290 for youth leaders – 9th-12th grades.)
• SUMMER FRIENDS CAMP (2nd-3rd grades).............$195.....July 20-23 (2 p.m./9:30 a.m.)

For camp descriptions, brochure, registration materials and scholarship applications, visit the Presbytery’s website at: www.presbyteryofdesmoines.org/resources.htm. Questions? Contact Camp Registrar Dennis Britson, 515-282-9139 or dnbritson@mchsi.com.

Other Iowa Presbyterian camps include:

• Camp Wyoming (supported by John Knox & East Iowa presbyteries)  
• Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji (supported by Prospect Hill & North Central Iowa presbyteries)

P.S. Did you know that you can ‘Follow’ us on Facebook? Search for ‘Des Moines Presbytery Youth’ and ‘Summer Fun Camp’. See old photos and reminisce with others from summer camps going way back!