MINNEAPOLIS ― Chaz Ruark, who departed as executive presbyter for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area July 31, wrote in a farewell and thank-you letter: “I want to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to all those associated with PTCA. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve beside you these 5-plus years.

Click here for Ruark’s complete letter.

SEATTLE ― Seattle Presbytery’s stated clerk, Ruling Elder Kathy Lueckert, has accepted the position of director of finance and administration at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. She and her husband, Don, relocated to Prairie Village in early August.

Kevin Nollette will serve as temporary stated clerk for Seattle Presbytery.

EAGAN, Minn. ― From July 27-Aug. 1, more than 600 people from around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies shared classes on African drumming, Bonhoeffer and Star Trek (to name a few) worshiped together and participated in other community-building activities at Synod School 2014.

The theme of this year’s event ― one of the largest mid-council events of its kind in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ― was “Becoming God’s Next Church.” The focus was on the Holy Spirit, “who brings us together, lives within us and prods us to follow where God is taking us.”

Each evening, worship focused on the Book of Acts to illustrate how the Holy Spirit was central in leading the early church and still is today.

LEXINGTON, S.C. ― Trinity Presbytery’s Trinity Fest Light was Sat., Aug. 23 at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C. This year’s event offered classes for a variety of interests.

INDIANAPOLIS ― The Synod of Lincoln Trails ― serving the presbyteries of Blackhawk, Chicago, Great Rivers, Midwest Hanmi, Ohio Valley, Southeastern Illinois, Wabash Valley and Whitewater Valley ― is seeking a part-time (25 hours per month) stated clerk.

According to the prospectus for the position, “the stated clerk shall be a ruling or teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (G-3.0104). The stated clerk must be knowledgeable of, and experienced in utilizing and interpreting, the polity of the PC(USA). In addition, the stated clerk shall demonstrate skills in organization, written and oral communication and timely and accurate work production.”

Deadline for applications is Sept. 15. Interviews will be held in the synod office in Indianapolis on Sept. 30. Click here for job description.

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. ― Hudson River Presbytery will host a weekend focused on Christian witness and advocacy Sept. 27-28 at Stony Point Center.

The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, director of the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness, and the Rev. Mark Koenig, director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, will help participants think theologically about advocacy and discuss ways Presbyterians can engage government, corporations, the larger church, congregations and individuals through Presbyterian witness.

Go to this link to register and pay online with a credit card. Click here for a FAQ sheet about the weekend.