From Synod of the Sun, PC(USA) ... "Newsletter, Mid-Month Update"

The Synod of the Sun is is a network of Presbyterians from 11 Presbyteries, approximately 700+ Congregations, in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Over 150,000 members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Synod of the Sun of the serves Christ by connecting, equipping, and empowering Presbyterians for Christ's mission within and beyond the Synod's bounds.

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Synod of the Sun Seeks Applicants for Part-Time Administrative Assistant

Synod of the Sun seeks an Administrative Assistant to serve as a member of Synod staff and assist the Synod Leader/Stated Clerk, Director of Communications, and the Synod Committee Moderators in fulfilling the mission goals of the Synod of the Sun.

This virtual position provides efficient, accurate and effective administrative and financial duties using current and standard software and formats used by the Synod.

Interested parties should e-mail their cover letter and resume to Rev. Jeff Cranton, Personnel Committee Chairman, at jeffbcranton@gmail.com.

Documentation needs to be submitted by December 1, 2023.

• Click HERE to read the job description ...
 

Additional Dates Added for Not-Your-Average Boundaries Trainings

Additional Opportunities for Boundaries Training Offered by Synod of the Sun and Leaderwise in 2024

January 17-18 | 9:00am-Noon* each day
May 7-8 | 1:00-4:00pm each day
August 27-28 | 9:00am-Noon each day
November 18-19 | 5:00pm-8:00pm each day
All programs are held via Zoom
* All times listed are CT

It’s our experience that pastors, church staff, and other leaders who transgress boundaries by-and-large are not predators. In fact, not even close. Most people in ministry who violate boundaries are individuals who know and follow the rules most of the time but whose judgment may be impaired due to an unusually stressful time in their lives.

With that in mind, Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training, offered by Synod of the Sun and Leaderwise, is tailored to focus on strategies to foster mental health, emotional resiliency, and well-being. While this training still covers the requirements—“Don’t sleep with a parishioner unless you’re married to them” and the like —the best prevention is to encourage clergy to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation arises. The program teaches a 3-step strategy to help stop the participant in their tracks before they commit a boundary violation; and participants leave with their own personal prevention plan.

This training is lively and interactive, full of reflection and conversation—and even laughter. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices.

Participants MUST take part in ALL six hours of training in order to receive the certificate of completion.

• Click HERE to read more and register for the event ...


Help ASG Help Councils and Congregations—A message from the Administrative Services Group

congregations and councils to help them create or update their child/youth protection policies, which are required by the Book of Order (G-3.0106). ASG is looking for policies of PC(USA) congregations and councils to include on the webpage as samples. If your council and any of your congregations are willing to allow ASG to post your child/youth protection policies to share with those who need to create or update their policy, please email them (or a link to them) to General Counsel Mike Kirk, Mike.Kirk@pcusa.org. Thank you for your support of this important project.