|
Synod Snaps is a weekly electronic source of news from your Synod staff. If you'd like to receive this weekly email, click here to subscribe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CURRENT NEWS and upcoming events
|
|
|
Highlights from the Annual Synod Assembly Meeting, June 11-13
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 (0 reads)
The Synod Assembly gathered in Edmonds, Wash. for its annual meeting June 11-13, 2008 at the United Presbyterian Church of Seattle. The theme focused on “Partnerships: Walking/Dancing Together.” Here are some of the meeting highlights:
 Synod-Trustee Task Force
At the Synod Assembly meeting of 2007, the Assembly voted to have the Synod separately incorporate the Mission Development Certificate (MDC) program as an attached entity of the Synod. At this year’s Assembly meeting the Synod completed that work by adopting the Covenant between the MDC program and the Synod of Alaska-Northwest, and revising the By-laws and Articles of Incorporation. The Task Force recommended that the Synod of Alaska-Northwest be restated as a 501©3 Corporation with a new set of Trustees: the Synod Council.
Synod Corporate Meeting
The following individuals were elected as Corporation Officers:
President Arne Stueckle
Vice President Roger Lee
Secretary Rev. Richard E. Melin
Treasurer Rev. Dean Strong
The following individuals were elected as members of the Board of Directors of the Mission Development Certificate Program: Robert Bangerter, Fred Baxter, Rod Blume, Rev. John Haberlin, Gayle Harris, Rev. Robert McClure, Kevin McHugh, Grayce Oakley, Rev. Eric Peterson, and Robert Pickett.
Peacemaking Committee
The Helen Hamilton Peacemaking Award recipient for 2008 went to Elder Ginny Oakes of St. Maries, Idaho. For the past twenty years, Ginny has been ministering to the needs of others through the Community Warehouse, a program which provides needed items to individuals and families that are struggling to make a new start in their lives.
Per Capita
2009 Synod per capita remains at $5.46.
Workshops
Members of the assembly and guests were invited to attend one of four workshops. Rev. Kelly Hansen, Chaplain for the VA Puget Sound Health Care, discussed the various needs of the different generations of Veterans and how churches can get involved in “Veterans 101.” Renewal Ministries Northwest co-founder’s Dianna Kunce and Denise Easter spoke of their ministry in the North Puget Sound area. Ron DeMiglio, owner of the Camano Island Coffee Roasting Company, gave an enlightening talk on how his company incorporates mission into the way they do business. Rev. Stan and Jeanne Fowler led a workshop from Living Stones, an organization that supports Christians in the Holy Land.
Partnerships
We had the opportunity to hear from seven different partnerships over the course of our 3-day meeting.
• Judy Runion and Dorothy Lindstrom of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, WA, gave a slide presentation and oral report concerning their mission partnership with the Unreached People Groups (UPG) of the Khmer region o f Cambodia.
• Executive Director, John Ortmeyer informed the Assembly of the work of the Samaritan Counseling Services.
• Executive Presbyter Rev. Curt Karns and Elder Misty Jensen presented information on the Yukon’s Village Partnerships, a new program designed to initiate relationships between congregations in the lower 48 and remote village ministries.
• Corbett Wheeler, Moderator of the Self Development of People, introduced representatives of the Tierra Nueva Underground Coffee Project of Mt. Vernon, Washington, who addressed the Assembly and offered their coffees for sale.
• Steve Roberts of the Jubilee Center in Bellevue spoke concerning a partnership that they have with the Bellevue Public Schools and several other outreach ministries.
• Rev. Chuck Jenner, Rev. Dr. Rose Niles and Rev. Dick Leon showed a video and shared information from the Theological Education Fund.
• Becky Fishburn, Assistant Director of Tall Timber Ranch challenged the Assembly to be active in promoting Christian camping for the youth as an important mission ministry. The presentation included a fund raising video.
 Covenants
Three covenants were signed and celebrated at this year’s Annual Synod meeting. We adopted the new Covenant between the Mission Development Certificate Program and the Synod of Alaska Northwest. The Assembly also voted to renew our existing Covenant with Whitworth University, and with Presbyterian Retirement Communities Northwest.
CLICK HERE to download the complete minutes of the meeting!
|
|
Help Children in Zambia through VBS
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 (17 reads)
Are you looking for a mission component for your Vacation Bible School?
The Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church has a complimentary set of VBS materials. The Outreach Foundation and Alliance for Children Everywhere are partnering to provide this years Change 4 Children Vacation Bible School supplement supporting the Crisis Nurseries in Lusaka, Zambia. Zambia has one of the highest percentages of orphaned children in Africa. Nearly 23 percent of Zambian children under 15 have lost one or both parents to HIV. Some of these children have found safety, transitional care and hope at one of these Crisis Nurseries.
This VBS supplement is designed to allow the participants in your program, together with their leaders, to explore opportunities to share God's love with children in Africa. Children in your church will become more aware of what they can do to make a difference in the Zambia. Even a modest amount contributed by VBS students will be a significant help to the children in Africa.
Read More |
|
Khmer Partnerships
Monday, July 14, 2008 (14 reads)
The theme for our Annual Synod meeting this year focused on Partnerships. During the course of our three-day meeting we took a closer look at 7 different partnerships and heard from representatives of these partnerships.
The first partnership presented was the Khmer Partnership, Evangelicals Serving Cambodia (ESC), which consists of four churches who work together in the village of Ton Nik, Cambodia. Two of the churches are Presbyterian: Calvin and Bellevue First PC. Judy Runion and Dorothy Lindstrom of Calvin Presbyterian Church, Shoreline, Washington, gave a slide presentation and oral report concerning their mission partnership with the Unreached People Groups (UPG) of the Khmer region of Cambodia.
Read More |
|
MDC Announces New Small Loan Program
Friday, June 20, 2008 (90 reads)
 The Synod Mission Development Certificate Program has launched a new small loan program for churches in the Synod of Alaska-Northwest.
"I am excited that the program is now offering a small loan program designed specifically to help churches with those small building repairs or improvements," said Dean Mielke, Executive Director of the MDC program.
Churches may borrow up to $50,000 at a low fixed interest rate. The loan can be repaid in 5 years. There are no loan fees or penalties to repay the loan early. This is an ideal option for any church that needs to make repairs such as replacing a roof, repairing the heating systems, or making kitchen improvements. Read More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|