Presbyterian Mission Agency synod school Archives

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

Posted September 26th, 2023

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

Taking her cue from 29,000 cycling enthusiasts

Posted August 23rd, 2023

With a nod to the 29,000 or so RAGBRAI riders who’d arrived in Storm Lake, Iowa, 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.

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.

Synod School class helps nearly 60 participants hear Jesus’ parables the way his original hearers did

Posted August 4th, 2023

Susan Stabile, a distinguished senior fellow at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis and a spiritual director and retreat leader, taught a fascinating and helpful week-long class at Synod School last week, “Jesus the Storyteller: Learning from the Parables.”

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.

The PC(USA)’s advocacy director likens Synod School to a celebrated Marvel Comics nation

Posted July 31st, 2023

Before the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins took to the stage at Schaller Memorial Chapel to deliver the final convocation for Synod School on Friday, the Rev. Dr. Matt Sauer of Manitowoc (Wisconsin) Cooperative Ministry, as he’d done all week, donned a red zip-up cardigan just like another Presbyterian, Fred Rogers, used to. It was Sauer’s duty to remind those attending the 69th annual gathering that not all the world is like the Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ Synod School, which concluded Friday on the campus of Buena Vista University.

Synod School closing worship explores the church’s role as co-creator

Posted July 31st, 2023

Concluding her week-long journey through biblical accounts starting with the letter “c” — Creation, crisis, covenant and Christ came before — the Rev. DeEtte Decker, the preacher during Synod School last week and the communications director for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, concluded worship on Friday with more alliteration: the church as co-creator.

Synod School gathering pauses to celebrate communion

Posted July 27th, 2023

Communion was served to those attending Synod School worship on Thursday. The elements — a small round cracker and a green grape — were distributed in compostable plant starch sandwich bags.