The Valley Bridge
Celebrating Our Congregations Issue
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
July 22, 2016
 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)
Celebrating Our Congregations: From the Session Records Reviews

This year, clerks of session were asked to share celebrations from their congregations to be shared in the Valley Bridge. Here is the collection!

First Presbyterian Church of Ashby:  On April 30, 2016, Rev. Matthew Zelie was ordained by ELCA Bishop Wohlrabe and installed in our shared ministry churches of First Presbyterian of Ashby and Our Savior's Ten-Mile Lake Lutheran of Dalton. This service had church leaders from our Minnesota Valleys Presbytery and the NW Synod of the ELCA.

United Methodist-Presbyterian Church of Browns Valley: We are happy to celebrate 50 years united as a United Methodist-Presbyterian Church.

Cambria Presbyterian Church of Cambria
  • We have new placemats celebrating the history of our church and use them for special events.
  • Sowing Spiritual Seeds - minutes for mission by the Stewardship Committee members included giving seeds to members. They also handed out ketchup packets to remind members to catch up their giving during the summer.
Crosslake Presbyterian Church of Crosslake
  • Creation Day Camp for Kindergarten - 5th Graders from May 30 - August 11 on Thursdays.
  • Mission donation designated for the Heifer Project.
  • Monster Sale with silent and live auctions held bi-annually in June.
First Presbyterian Church of Edgerton: We celebrate our Centennial in June 2017.

Federated Church of Fergus Falls: We celebrate the commissioning of young people: Sarah Bowman to the Peace Corps, serving June 2016 - September 2018; and Austen Tabbut for service in the Navy as a rescue diver.

First Presbyterian Church of Foley: Our Spring Carnival, which is open to the community.

First Presbyterian Church of Fulda: Our youth are going on a mission trip to Indianapolis this summer. First one in a long time!

First Presbyterian Church of Iona: We celebrated our 100th anniversary, and Rick Carus was involved in the celebration. It was in the Valley Bridge.

First Presbyterian Church of Kasota: We participated in a new mission this year--Red Nose Day. It is a program for food and assistance to children. A total of $199 was given to this project. 100% of the money collected goes totally for the children and their needs!

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Crystal: Feast at First, a free dinner served on Thanksgiving Day.

First Presbyterian Church of Lismore: We celebrate Pastor Tom Voigt's ordination.

First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield: We celebrate WINGS, a ministry to 13-18 year olds with drug and alcohol problems. The church has a pancake supper where they are invited; and 2-4 ladies go there to help them make greeting cards once a month.

First Presbyterian Church of Maynard: On August 7, we are celebrating 119 years of service, and are inviting former members to come back to help celebrate our birthday.

First Presbyterian Church of Mountain Lake: 
  • Mission trip to Red Lake
  • 65th Anniversary
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of Renville: Camp in a Van

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Rushmore: We served a banquet in Sioux Falls in March.

First Presbyterian Church of Saint Cloud: We hosted a Kids Fighting Hunger event April 8-9 at our church. 16,780 meals were packed by 28 college students and 22 church members.

Union Presbyterian Church of Saint Peter: To help care for God's creation, our Serve the World Committee constructed and planted two raised bed garden beds on the church's lot. Congregants were invited to contribute to a "plant potluck" of pollinator-friendly species.

First Presbyterian Church of Slayton : We celebrate the commissioning of Ruling Elder David Hollis at the presbytery meeting on May 10, 2016--an exciting day! We are also celebrate our Sunday School and Bell Choir.

Harrison Presbyterian Church of rural Spicer:  We celebrate a successful fundraiser held by youth to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2016.

Hope Presbyterian Church of Spicer: On May 1, Hope Church started a 31-week Bible study, "They Devoted Themselves to the Apostles' Teachings," based on  The Story, which was given to every member family in December 2014. As of May 2, 72 people signed up to participate. Participants have three opportunities each week to attend a class (Sunday morning between services, Wednesday evening or Saturday morning) and Pastor Adams' sermons follow each week's lesson. Those who are unable to attend a class or miss a worship service can access the service online and an online version of the class that includes the study questions where individuals can insert their responses and see the responses of others. Class resources were also furnished to the chaplain of the local nursing home to lead the course for Hope's resident members.

First Presbyterian Church of Windom: Through New Beginnings Program, we are working on community outreach. One suggestion was to move Sunday worship to Sogge Good Samaritan Center - it was a wonderful turnout by congregation members and center residents. Our congregation has the ability (due to size) to offer a full worship service. Great feedback!

First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago: In an aging community and an aging church dynamic, we at First Presbyterian - Winnebago are excited to have had 10 baptisms in the past 16 months--a sure sign that our church is growing, and young and vital families are becoming a part of it.

Westminster Presbyterian Church of Worthington  celebrates the distribution of backpacks to area children.
PS: The presbytery packet for the August 9 presbytery meeting should be posted on the website this afternoon. Don't forget to let Karen Lange know your attendance plans!
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