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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
December 6, 2017
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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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Regular Presbytery office hours are 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday
The office is closed Wednesday - Friday this week.
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Congregation of the week of December 10-16
First Presbyterian Church of Amboy
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Pastor Elaine Boyd
Administrative Assistant Rhonda Martin
Treasurer Shirley Rose
Clerk of Session Nancy Runge
Session: Nancy Runge, Kelly Belgaard, Angela Stevens, Jack Ritter, Rod Boesch, Dean Caldwell, Brad Bair, Nona Pederson, Jody Tenold
Prayer requests:
Health for several members dealing with neck, back, and shoulder pain.
Thanksgiving for a successful and safe harvest.
Thanksgiving for the children, youth, and leaders presenting the annual Christmas program on Dec. 10.
Comfort for those spending this year's holiday without loved ones.
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Christmas Open House - December 11
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Come to the presbytery office on Monday, December 11, to our Christmas Open House from 11:00-2:00. The staff will make lunch. We will visit, sing some carols, and Lynn Miller from Saint Cloud will share some lovely harp music.
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Between memory and hope
An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship(Geneva Press, 2003, 96)
In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice of God's new world, yet we praise God who raised the "righteous branch" to rule with justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land.
Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! In Advent, we are living between the first and the second coming of the Lord. The dialectical tension of maranatha [alternately translated "Come, our Lord!" or "Our Lord has come"] - placing us between memory and hope, past and future - may strengthen our Advent liturgies. Perhaps we need to cling to the ancient cry of maranatha! and its paradoxical meanings so we may freely embrace "the new thing" prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 43:19) that God is doing among us right now. The tension and paradox we find in Advent shapes our celebrations during the season.
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Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
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Prayer concern
We extend our sympathy to Rev. John Lindholm and family on the death of John's dad, Paul. Please keep them in your prayers. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Cards may be sent to:
John Lindholm
2316 Lakeview Drive
Fergus Falls MN 56537
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Seeking Nominations for Women of Faith Award
2018 Theme: Clergywomen Who Challenge Racism and Injustice
Basis for the Theme: Many of us are blessed to know clergywomen who have been advocates for racial and intercultural justice, with a respectful awareness and appreciation for each other's different races, ethnicities, cultures and languages. At the Women of Faith breakfast, we will show gratitude and recognize clergywomen who are "woke" and who challenge systemic racism and oppression.
Purpose of award: This award recognizes clergywomen who challenge racism and injustice.
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Save the Date
We are holding the annual Commission/Committee/Task Force Orientation and Initial Work Day on Saturday, January 13, from 9:00 - 4:00 at the First Presbyterian Church in Willmar. All those serving on presbytery commissions, committees and task forces are invited. More info coming later.
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Steering Congregations to Formational Resources
The Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development exists to resource congregations. We have identified six critical areas: discipleship, evangelism, mission, spiritual leadership, stewardship and worship. Each area has one or two individuals who serve as point persons. The point person's goal is to steer you in the right direction toward valuable resource. Please let us know how we can come alongside of your congregation.
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
The following congregation within the bounds of our presbytery is currently seeking pastoral leadership:
Randall Presbyterian Church, Randall
Ministry Information Form - 03892.AC
First Presbyterian Church, Fulda - Solo Pastor, 3/4 time
Ministry Information Form - 03782.AD
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer - Interim Pastor
Ministry Information Form - 09565.AC
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2018 Per Capita is $40.13
$27.00 for Presbytery
5.40 for Synod
7.73 for GA
$40.13 Total
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Mosaic of Peace Conference
Witnessing for Peace and Wholeness in a Land called 'Holy'
For more information, including a sample conference schedule and information from past conferences, visit
presbyterianmission.org/mosaic
or contact the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program at 800-728-7228 x5805 or 502-569-5805.
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See what's happening on our Facebook site:
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