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23 May 1996 
 
 
96196            News of Presbyteries and Synods 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--Commissioners to the April meeting of the Synod of 
Lakes and Prairies adopted a resolution on human rights in Guatemala.  It 
reads in part: 
     "We call upon the government of Guatemala to do everything possible to 
bring to justice the murderers of the Rev. Manuel Saquic.  We are deeply 
concerned about the continued threats to the life of the Rev. Lucio 
Martinez of Chimaltenango, his family and other members of the Kaqchiquel 
Presbytery of the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala." 
     Letters with copies of the resolution have been sent to the president 
and minister of defense of Guatemala, the U.S. ambassador to Guatemala, the 
Guatemalan ambassador to the United States, President Clinton and 
legislators of states represented by synod commissioners. 
 
KALAMAZOO, Mich.--"Helping Kids Cope" is the theme of a youth leader 
training event sponsored by the Presbytery of Lake Michigan.  The event 
will be held Oct. 4-5 at the presbytery's Camp Greenwood in Gowen, Mich. 
     Participants will learn how to help young people deal with tough 
issues such as smoking, drinking, sex and drugs.  They will also learn to 
help young people build better relationships with siblings and peers; and 
with parents and teachers. 
 
COLUMBUS, Ohio--The Synod of the Covenant is sponsoring a conference for 
lay leaders and     pastors entitled "Encountering the Living Word," June 
3-6 at Skyline Camp and Conference Center in Almont, Mich. 
     The conference is designed to help church leaders revitalize worship 
experiences, develop a deeper relationship with God and strengthen 
relationships with each other.  Keynote speakers are the Rev. Ben Campbell 
Johnson, professor of spirituality at Columbia Theological Seminary, and 
Brian Wren, internationally known hymn writer, theologian and poet. 
 
SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan.--David H. Hintz has been elected executive director 
of Church Development Corporation, the investment and loan corporation of 
the Synod of Mid-America. 
     For the past two years Hintz has served as president of the CDC board 
of directors and for the past three months has served as interim director. 
He is an elder at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kan. 
 
SEATTLE--Miles McPherson, former defensive back for the San Diego Chargers 
of the National Football League, will be keynote speaker for the Synod of 
Alaska-Northwest's youth ministry leadership training event, June 27-30 at 
Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash.  McPherson is pastor of youth 
ministries for Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego. 
     The event, "Pilot Lights and Bonfires...fueling your flame for youth 
ministry," is "about igniting, refueling and spreading the flame that is 
alive in ministry to young people in today's millenium generation."  It 
will include 13 workshops geared to equip youth workers and senior high 
young people for leadership. 
 
SALINA, Kan.--Northern Kansas Presbytery will conduct a continuing 
education event for church leaders, teachers, church officers and staff 
members Sept. 21 at a place to be announced. 
     "Nurturing God's People '96" will feature keynoter Sylvia Washer, 
executive presbyter for Mission Presbytery, based in San Antonio, Texas. 
 
CAMP HILL, Pa.--Kenbrook Bible Camp in Lebanon, Pa., will be the site of 
the 11th annual disabilities retreat sponsored by the Synod of the Trinity. 
     The Rev. William O. Carter, Presbyterian minister, composer and jazz 
musician, will combine music and storytelling to lead participants on a 
spiritual journey of Bible study and reflection. 
 
GOLETA, Calif.--On May 18 Santa Barbara Presbytery chartered its newest 
congregation, the Taiwanese-American Church of Ventura County. 
     The church was begun in September 1992 by organizing pastor the Rev. 
Billy Chang.  Last November the Rev. James H. Peng assumed pastoral 
leadership. 
 
HOUSTON--"Small Churches: The Spice of Life" was the theme of New Covenant 
Presbytery's 13th Small Church Conference in late April. 
     More than 80 participants shared in worship, celebration, stories of 
ministry and discussion of issues affecting small churches.  Keynote 
speakers were the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, director of the Worldwide 
Ministries Division in Louisville, and Diana Stephen, associate for church 
development strategy in the Evangelism and Church Development program area 
of the National Ministries Division. 
     Conferees also celebrated the presbytery's Lay Academy and Lay Pastors 
program.  Founded in 1991, the program has trained several dozen lay 
leaders, including 13 commissioned lay pastors who are currently serving in 
a variety of ministries in the presbytery. 
 
RICHLAND CENTER, Wis.--John Knox Presbytery, along with its Wisconsin 
ecumenical partner, the Southwest Association United Church of Christ, 
welcomed 15 members from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa for a 
three-week visit in late April and early May. 
     An active international partnership has been in place between the 
Wisconsin groups and the Miliwani and Ngong Hills presbyteries of the PCEA 
since 1993.  More than 50 persons have participated in mission exchanges 
and more than two-thirds of the UCC and John Knox Presbytery congregations 
have hosted PCEA visitors since the partnership began. 
 
ELIZABETH, N.J.--More than 100 people gathered at Westfield (N.J.) 
Presbyterian Church on April 28 as Elizabeth Presbytery celebrated the 65th 
anniversary of the ordination of women as elders and the 40th anniversary 
of the ordination of women as ministers in the Presbyterian Church. 
     Sponsored by the presbytery's Justice for Women group, the event 
featured keynoter Letty Russell, renowned Presbyterian theologian and the 
third woman ordained by the Presbyterian Church. She was a candidate under 
the care of Elizabeth Presbytery. 
 
PITTSBURGH--Pittsburgh Presbytery recently hosted a three-week visit by 40 
members of the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 
in Malawi. 
     Thirty-seven of the presbytery's churches participated in the visit. 
The Malawians visited 32 public schools May 13 for "Malawi Day" in the 
Pittsburgh Public Schools and also spent two days in Washington, D.C., as 
guests of the Malawian ambassador to the United States. 
     Pittsburgh Presbytery and the Blantyre Synod have been in a formal 
partnership relationship since 1991.  Exchange visits have sent 160 
Pittsburgh Presbyterians to Malawi and have brought 105 Malawians to 
Pittsburgh, including the president of Malawi, Bakili Muluzi. 

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