2011 Lunch & Learn Series is Set!

Here is the line up for our Des Moines Presbytery’s Lunch and Learn Series. We'll be changing to the 2nd Thursday of each month for 2011. The first one was Feb. 10, 2011 and we had two people in the Presbytery Office and two participated via web conference!

Pastors, church staff, lay leaders and volunteers are invited to join us. From Noon – 1 p.m. we’ll offer a communications and educational discussion/training to our congregations. 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.

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 instructions for your church.

All lunch sessions are free. Just bring your brown bag lunch and we’ll provide the beverages (a microwave and frig are available too). RSVPs are recommended, especially if you want to participate by Webconference. Here are the 2011 Dates and Topics:

• February 10 – Social Networking: Making it Work for Your Church. Kim Coulter, director of communications for the Des Moines Presbytery, recently spoke at the COM/CPM training for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and she’ll be recapping her presentation on using social media for church.
• March 10 – Web Sites: How to Make Your Church Presence on the Internet. Kim Coulter will give instructions and tips on creating a Web site or blog from scratch for free or little investment except time.
• April 14 – Transformed by Walking in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in El Salvador Kathy Mahler, the Des Moines Presbytery’s mission co-worker to El Salvador, will give us an update on the ministry of Our Sister Parish and Compañeros.
• May 12 – Advocacy Opportunities for Your Church in Iowa. Nancy Lister-Settle (Dallas Center, First) and Marcia McAdoo (Ankeny) went to Ecumenical Advocacy Days, March 25-28 in Washington, D.C.
• June 9 – Stories from a Nursing Home in Egypt. Denise England, PC(USA) mission co-worker to Egypt, will reflect on her work as a geriatric nurse and with the latest uprising in Egypt.
• July 14 – Iowa Religious Media Services shares some of their best Christian education resources. Executive Director Sharon Strohmaier will also give a sneak peek of the RE:image Conference on Sept. 17.
• August 11 – Session Clerks are the Back Bone of the Church. Polk Davison, clerk of session from the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines is one of the longest serving clerks in our Presbytery. Let’s pick his brain about the responsibilities of being a clerk!
• September 8 – Activate your Faith… what can it look like in your church? Rev. Jan Scott will show us what Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Des Moines has done to encourage their members and friends.
• October 13 – Communicating Multigenerationally. Dr. Matt Bruinekool, professor at Drake University, will talk about the experiences, values and expectations shaping the various generations within your congregation. Learn to take advantage of the opportunities provided in this diverse landscape of people.
• November 10 – What they didn't teach me in seminary: how to moderate the session, and run a congregational meeting. General Presbyter and Stated Clerk Phil Barrett will help us with Roberts Rules tips and more!
• December 8 – How to lead the ministry in administration.
Presbytery Office Manager Betty Dyer and Communications Director Kim Coulter will share what they learned at the recent Synod of Lakes and Prairies Administrative Assistants Retreat.