The Health Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Saint James is sponsoring a new event - "An Evening Out" the third Tuesday of each month beginning May 17 at 5:00 p.m. The evening begins with a light supper followed by games or entertainment. The first event was sharing travel slides and stories from the well-traveled Maggie Maire, who has experienced, among other experiences, diving in cages, photographing great white sharks, and viewing polar bears and the Northern lights.

The Baby Bottle Campaign at First Presbyterian Church of Fulda began on Mother's Day and ends on Father's Day. Folks are invited to pick up baby bottles at church, fill them with spare change or bills to benefit Helping Hand Pregnancy Center in Worthington.

Check out Rev. Scott Prouty of First Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls recent adventures as shared in the May issue of the church newsletter:  http://fpcrwf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/May-2016-Chimes-Website-Chimes.pdf

The "quiet bags" at First Presbyterian Church of Willmar received a makeover from Abigail Thompson. The bags are all new and feature Abigail's artwork on the front. Each bag is unique, no two are the same, but they are all equally inviting and include a variety of new things to keep the children's imagination active as they quietly play during the worship service.

The fifth Sunday of the month are designated as "Pocket Change Mission Offering" days at First Presbyterian Church of Blue Earth. The Mission Committee has chosen Natalie Huntley as the recipient of this month's funds to purchase needed supplies for students. Natalie left earlier this year for two years in the Peace Corps, teaching English in P íojo, Columbia.

And finally, a history of the First Presbyterian Church of Round Lake, written by Don Mitchell in 1976: "And That Is the Way It Was"

Back in 1915 when I was a boy of ten, I remember Sunday as a day of rest and a day when we always went to church and Sunday School. We didn't have a car, I don't think any of our neighbors had one either so it didn't matter so much. We went to town with a team of horses hitched to a two-seated buggy. In the winter we put the horses in the church barn which many years later I bought for $25.00 and took home and made into a chicken house on the farm.

Sunday School classes were held in church pews with a couple spaces between each class. It was rather noisy with everyone talking. We were expected to have our lesson prepared and often had a test. Our parents were there also, so we gave a report of the lesson to the teacher and then we had a get-together of all the classes, and the superintendent asked us questions about the day's lesson.

We had a pump organ that several of the ladies could play, and a choir of six to eight members as I remember. The ministers were very conservative, preaching mostly from the Bible. They were poorly paid and generally had one of the least-wanted houses in town. People often brought gifts of food, meat, chicken, and other produce from the farm. The preacher did more calling in those days. We often went home with some neighbor for Sunday dinner. There were some good cooks around.

I distinctly remember one pastor who preached when our pulpit was vacant. He was told he could have the day's offering for his wages. One time the offering was over five dollars, so the session met and set a limit of five dollars per Sunday.

Two spaces have become available in our delegation to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, but you must act fast in order to claim them! The spaces are available on a "First-Come, First-Served" basis. One space is for a female participant and one space is for a male applicant. The cost of the Triennium is $595.00. Registrations must be made and fees paid no later than Wednesday, May 25. If there are youth in the presbytery who wish to be a part of this event, this is the last chance to act. Contact Rick Carus at the presbytery office for details!

News from PDA

A member of our presbytery, the Rev. Richard Underdahl-Peirce, H.R., has been appointed to serve on the National Response Team for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Richard will be available to be deployed on behalf of PDA as disaster or crisis situations arise across the nation. We are asked, as a presbytery, to keep Richard in our thoughts and prayers as he engages in this very significant service. 

This 19-month, official PC(USA) calendar (June 2016-December 2017) is an outstanding and well-loved resource for pastors, church leaders, and everyone interested in the life and mission of the church. It features monthly planning and worship suggestions, lectionary readings, a liturgical color guide, foldout synod, presbytery and world maps, plus directories of PC(USA) staff, offices, synods and presbyteries. The wirebound calendar measures 8-1/2 x 11" and is punched to fit a standard binder.

Order copies today!  Individual calendars are $14.95 each; $12.50 each for 10-49; $8.50 each for 50 or more. Shipping is additional. When you order, ask for ISBN 978-0-9858964-8-5. Order online or call (800) 524-2612.

The calendars we ordered at the presbytery office for churches have all been sold, so this is the option if you still would like to buy a Presbyterian Planning Calendar.

POAMN Offers Conference Scholarships

 

If you are attending the POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) Conference in Richmond, October 11-14, 2016, for the first time, or attend a small church (defined as 500 or less in worship on average), you are eligible for partial scholarships to help defer some of the cost to attend. Applications for each scholarship are attached and can also be found at www.poamn.org

Hurry and apply, as scholarships are awarded on a first come first serve basis and are limited to 4 first timers and 12 small church scholarships.

First Time Attendee Scholarship Application

Small Church Scholarship Application