Cultivating Intentional Friendships

Cultivating Intentional Friendships

Happy New Year! Recently I’ve been focusing on the communal nature of Epiphany. Especially after taking a solo trip to Croatia and surrounding countries on my two-month sabbatical last fall (more about that in a different newsletter), I’ve been pondering what it means...
2024 COM/CPM Gathering

2024 COM/CPM Gathering

Register now for Serve with EnergyMarch 10-13, 2024Indianapolis, IN Thanks so much for your service to God through your work at churches and presbyteries. You are appreciated! Our next Synod of Lincoln Trails in-person COM/CPM Summit is happening in March! We will be...
Meet Jennifer Burns Lewis

Meet Jennifer Burns Lewis

Getting to know… Jennifer Burns Lewis Tell us about your call to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley. I must check the calendar all the time to confirm that I’ve served as the Visioning and Connecting Leader for the Presbytery of Wabash Valley since August 1, 2016.  I’m a...
Presbytery of Great Rivers Trivia Night

Presbytery of Great Rivers Trivia Night

The Presbytery of Great Rivers just had our first Trivia Night Fundraiser! Our presbytery leadership has been brainstorming ways to come together and help our communities, but in a geographically broad presbytery it can be hard to focus. Each trivia team played for a...
Benediction from Alan Thames

Benediction from Alan Thames

After 15 years as Executive Presbyter of Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indiana, Rev. Alan Thames is preparing to enter retirement. Last Wednesday was his final Assembly Meeting with the presbytery. Here is the conclusion of the sermon he preached at that gathering....
PGR on the Road

PGR on the Road

Peoria-area Presbyterians gathered for coffee and fellowship recently for the first PGR on the Road adventure. Several new pastors to Great Rivers had the chance to meet colleagues, and Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders who have been around for a while were able to...
Hosting a Matthew 25 Movie Night

Hosting a Matthew 25 Movie Night

I have had the privilege of traveling to multiple presbytery meetings over the past few months – including Chicago, Wabash Valley, and Whitewater Valley – and the question I’m asked most often is: “How do I start talking to my congregation about Matthew 25?” Of...
Synod Connections

Synod Connections

I am excited and energized to be serving the Synod of Lincoln Trails as the new Director of Connectional Relationships! Opportunities to gather together and support each other have changed over the past few years as we’ve taken to meeting remotely and shifted in our...
Meet Terry Epling

Meet Terry Epling

Getting to know… Terry Epling We’re getting to know presbytery leaders from around the synod.  This month, meet Terry Eplng! He is the Stated Clerk for Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indiana. Tell us about your current call. In addition to serving as...
Oasis: A Stop in the Wilderness

Oasis: A Stop in the Wilderness

Pastors and faith leaders, are you looking for a way to ignite joy and find space for rest? The Synod of Lincoln Trails is offering grants to help you restore your soul and regenerate your spirit. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can be a tool to incite joy!...