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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
March 30, 2016
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We are congregations who seek to be a collective expression of the Body of Christ, joyfully participating in Christ's ongoing life and work. "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."
(I Thessalonians 5:11)
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Congregation of the Week of April 3-9:
First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield
Leadership
- Clerk of Session: Bev Driver
- Ruling Elders: Arlyce Dedrickson, Michael Joldersma, Judy Holmes, Shirley Brooks, Sue Berg, Gary Graphenteen.
- Deacons: Julie Rae Pennertz, Amy Viehauser, Harriet Koelln, David Pennertz, Savannah Joldersma, Barb Bremeseth
- Commissioned Ruling Elder: Gordy Pennertz
Prayer concerns
- Thanksgiving for the wonderful celebration of Easter--He is risen, he is risen indeed, Jesus is our hope in trouble and our hope for eternity.
- Thanksgiving for the leadership of our committees and the innovations and outreach being done.
- Thanksgiving for the fellowship and community we celebrate so often here.
- Prayers for emotional and physical healing for so many members right now. We are in a season of great trial in health and in aging troubles, may Jesus walk with us through our valleys.
- Prayers for outreach in our community, prayers for a spirit of cooperation and love in all we do.
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The Presbytery Personnel Committee, Rick Carus, Pam Prouty and Karen Lange are hosting an informal open house on Thursday, March 31, at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate Virginia's 30 plus years with the Minnesota Valleys Presbytery. This is her final day in the office, and we would like to present her with a plaque, serve some cake, and share memories.
Come to the presbytery office on Thursday at 10:00, and let's give Virginia a great sendoff.
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The Word from Rick: Nostalgia
It was a quick, but very profitable trip to Louisville last week. The city was alive with color, the result of the dogwoods blooming combined with the arrival of basketball fans from the Universities of Maryland and of Miami, as well as Kansas and Villanova Universities.
While I was there for conversations related to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the air was filled with talk about NCAA's South Region Finals and the Jayhawks, 'Canes, Terps, and Wildcats. In spite of the temptations to talk basketball - it's a very significant topic in Kentucky, even if UK and U of L aren't playing - I felt that we got a great deal accomplished in preparation for my responsibilities at the Triennium in July.
Read More
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March 30 - Session Meeting, First Presbyterian Church, Pipestone
March 31 - Session Meeting, First Presbyterian Church, Mankato
April 2 - General Assembly Commissioners' Orientation, Willmar
April 3 - Preach at First Presbyterian Church, Litchfield
April 6-8 - Board of Pensions Regional Benefits Consultation, San Diego
April 10 - Minute for Mission, First Presbyterian Church, Willmar
April 12 - Session Meeting, First Presbyterian Church, Osakis
April 17 - Preach at Christ United Presbyterian Church, Marshall
April 17 - Pre-Triennium Gathering, First Presbyterian Church, Redwood Falls
April 21 - Communications Event at Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA Offices, Redwood Falls
April 24 - Preach at First Presbyterian Church, Foley
April 26 - Lay Academy Consultation at Lakeshore Center at Lake Okoboji
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Communications Workshop
Conducted by the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Location: The Southwest Minnesota ELCA Synod Office
175 East Bridge Street, Redwood Falls
When: Thursday, April 21, from 9:00-3:00
This workshop is for church leaders, church office staff and anyone interested in strengthening their congregation's communications efforts.
What do you want your community to know about your church? Are you looking for ways to share God's love through social media? Does your church have a well-thought-out communications plan-for both internal and external audiences? Create excitement and energy in your congregation by using simple, but powerful communications tools. You don't have to have a huge budget or a large staff to effectively tell the story of your work inside and outside the church walls.
This free daylong workshop, conducted by communications professionals on the Presbyterian Mission Agency staff, will give you tips and techniques to better reach your audience. They'll offer insights and guidelines on creating a communications plan for your congregation, discuss the "do's and don'ts of media relations and "pitching" stories to your local media. You'll learn proven techniques for using social media tools like Facebook and Twitter and leave with tips that will make your communications more effective and help increase your reach. Communications Workshop Flyer
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Pre-Triennium Gathering
All Triennium participants are reminded that a pre-Triennium Gathering is planned for Sunday, April 17 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. Information has been sent to the members of our delegation. Please RSVP to Karen Lange at the Presbytery Office!
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Ministry Opportunity
The First Presbyterian Church Osakis is seeking a Pastor to lead them as they live out the visions that have been generated by their New Beginning conversations. If you, or someone you know, has a passion for small towns and energetic small-member congregations, please encourage consideration of this opportunity!
While the primary work is with the Osakis congregation, the pastor of this congregation will also provide pulpit supply and pastoral care for the United Church of Christ in Sauk Centre.
The Ministry information Form for this opportunity is posted on the Church Leadership Connection web site. It is MIF#: 03890.AC0. For more information, please contact PNC Chairperson Shari Maloney at 320.859.3098 or by e-mail -
sharim@alextech.edu
; or Transitional Executive Presbyter, Rick Carus at the presbytery office.
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Every three years, a group of Presbyterian Women travels to another part of the
world to learn about the lives of women in that part of the world and to share faith stories and ministries with each other. It is a global exchange because the following year, a group of women from the same part of the world is invited to attend the
Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women
to tell their stories to their North American sisters.
Marilyn Stone
3915 Lake St
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See what's happening on our Facebook site:
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