Presbyterian Mission Agency synod of lakes and prairies Archives

Presbyterians hear ideas about how to innovate around their properties to better serve their communities

Posted November 8th, 2023

Joining the recent Polity, Benefits and Mission Conference via Zoom, the Rev. Mark Elsdon delivered on the message of his 2021 book of the same name: We aren’t broke.

The good, the bad and the in-between as depicted by Hollywood actors and biblical authors

Posted August 7th, 2023

Once the American Film Institute came out with its list of the 100 most memorable heroes and villains, the Rev. Mark Bedford did AFI one better: He paired the top good and bad guys and gals Hollywood has to offer with scriptural passages to promote lively discussions during his “Good vs. Evil 2: The Sequel!” class held last month during Synod School.

Nearly six centuries after being burned at the stake, Joan of Arc reaches forward with lessons for Synod School students

Posted August 7th, 2023

Born more than 600 years ago and burned at the stake for heresy at age 19, Joan of Arc still had a lot to teach a roomful of Synod School students last month — especially with guidance from Dr. Scott Stanfield, Emeritus Professor of English at Nebraska Wesleyan University and a longtime Synod School participant.

Restorative Actions explains to Synod School the work it’s undertaken

Posted August 3rd, 2023

Born in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Restorative Actions describes itself as “a grassroots voluntary initiative for churches, individuals, mid councils and agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as well as ecumenical partners and interested organizations, to take a leadership stance in opposed to racism and racial privilege” by allowing “U.S. Americans who benefit from institutional racism to provide a credible witness for justice by surrendering ill-gotten gains toward the establishment of just relationships with Afro-Americans and Indigenous communities.”

Presbyterian pastor turned Foreign Service Officer outlines current trends in foreign policy during Synod School mini-course

Posted August 2nd, 2023

The Rev. Bill Davnie was a Presbyterian pastor for five years before hearing a different call: he then served 27 years as a career Foreign Service Officer.

Synod School keynoter: Christianity and capitalism don’t get us to the same place

Posted July 27th, 2023

“Y’all responded a little better than I thought you would yesterday,” the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins told Synod School attendees Thursday morning, referring to a talk he delivered Wednesday on whether some symbols belong in church. “So today I thought I’d talk about Christianity and capitalism.”

Synod School worship looks at agreements big and small, from pinky promises to biblical covenants

Posted July 27th, 2023

A time for children during worship Wednesday at Synod School saw about two dozen children make pinky promises before God and the 500 or so people assembled.

A wily serpent and God in three persons lay out the Genesis story of sin and banishment during Synod School

Posted July 25th, 2023

“Hey,” a middle school improv class member playing the serpent in the Genesis 3 account told the Garden of Eden’s first female inhabitant during Synod School worship on Tuesday, “I see you’re interested in that tree over there.”

The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins gives Synod School attendees a primer on what Presbyterians don’t believe

Posted July 25th, 2023

On Monday, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, the PC(USA)’s advocacy director, told the Synod School gathered at Buena Vista University what Presbyterians believe.

Taking her cue from 29,000 cycling enthusiasts

Posted July 23rd, 2023

With a nod to the 29,000 or so RAGBRAI riders who’d arrived in Storm Lake, Iowa, a few hours earlier, the Rev. DeEtte Decker showed up for opening worship at the 69th Annual Synod School on a borrowed bicycle that she pedaled down the center aisle of Buena Vista University’s Schaller Memorial Chapel.