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21-Mar-96

96106            News of Presbyteries and Synods 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
     ELIZABETHTOWN, N.C.--The March/April issue of "Coastal Carolina 
Connections," the newsletter of Coastal Carolina Presbytery, features a 
story on the Presbyterian Counseling Center in Wilmington, N.C. 
     The center, founded in 1979, "combines the practice of psychotherapy 
with a traditional Christian understanding of healing and wholeness."  It 
is staffed by the Rev. George Slaton, director, and Ann Thacker.  They are 
assisted in the office by Sonya Leonard. 
     Client fees, though low compared to the marketplace, represent 70 
percent of the center's income.  The remaining support and contributions 
for supplementing reduced client fees come from the presbytery, its 
churches, individual contributors and a modest endowment. 
 
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     DES MOINES, Iowa--The Presbytery of Des Moines has established an 
Emergency Loan Fund "to relieve congregations of immediate distress due to 
a demonstrable financial emergency." Money for the fund came from the 
proceeds of the sale of Knox Knolls Presbyterian Church.  That money is 
invested with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation. 
     The loans, at 5 percent interest, will be for a maximum term of three 
years, with the first year interest free and the first payment due 13 
months from the date of the loan. 
     The program will be administered by the presbytery's Budget and 
Finance Committee in consultation with its Congregational Care and 
Development Committee. 
 
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     YATESBORO, Pa.--"The Kaleidoscope of Faith!" is the theme of 
Kiskiminetas Presbytery's "Presbytery Day '96" leadership training event, 
April 21, at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Indiana, Pa. 
     Keynote speaker is the Rev. Andrew Purves, professor at Pittsburgh 
Theological Seminary.  A teachers' workship will be led by renowned 
Christian educator Carolyn Brown.  The event will also include officer 
training for elders, deacons and clerks of session, and a special program 
for children and youth. 
 
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     SEATTLE--The Synod of Alaska-Northwest is celebrating the 40th 
anniversary of its Mission Development Certificate Loan Program. 
     The program was begun in 1956 so that churches that cannot get 
building loans from commercial banks can borrow directly from the synod. 
^From its humble beginnings -- a $750,000 start-up loan from a local bond 
company -- the synod's program has grown into a $5 million operation, with 
$4.5 million currently loaned to churches. 
     Investors may purchase certificates at competitive rates for six 
months, one year, three years or five years.  The money is then loaned to 
churches at interest rates equal to or slightly lower than bank rates. 
Loans range from $25,000 to more than half a million dollars, with a 
majority in the $300,000 range.  Interest paid by churches on their loans 
pays the expenses of the program.  
 
     PULASKI, Pa.--Ten ministers and elders from Shenango Presbytery 
recently returned from a 10-day visit to Sudan.  The visitors, accompanied 
by former missionary and current Washington Office staffer the Rev. William 
Lowery, consulted with representatives of the Sudan Presbyterian 
Evangelical Church (SPEC).  The presbytery and the SPEC are establishing an 
international partnership under the auspices of the Worldwide Ministries 
Division in Louisville. 
     The visit included stops at congregations and preaching centers in the 
capital city of Khartoum as well as in Wad Medani and El Obeid.  Also 
visited was the Nile Theological College, a joint effort of the SPEC and 
the Presbyterian Church in Sudan, the two church partners of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 

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