Presbytery meets tomorrow

at Trinity Presbyterian in Woodbury

When the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area meets tomorrow, Jan. 20, commissioners and clergy will engage in a discussion, facilitated by moderator TJ Parlette, of the mission, vision and priorities of the presbytery. The meeting opens at 9 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Woodbury. Other items on the docket include details about the upcoming presbytery missison trip, matters related to the 223rd General Assembly, and ministry beginnings and endings. Details can be found in the "Call to Meeting."

 

Westminster in Minneapolis opens new

wing as connection to the community

Westminster Presbyterian Church opened its spacious new wing on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, with more than 1,100 people celebrating the connection of their 121-year-old church to a new building full of sunlight and color. But beyond the stone, wood and copper-covered lead that blend this Romanesque church with its modern addition is this congregation's conviction: This space will serve as a ministry tool connecting them to the community. The celebration was aimed not just at the edifice, but at the energy and collaboration it embodies, said pastors of Westminster and two smaller partners, Liberty and Grace-Trinity community churches in Minneapolis. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Joy Powell can be found at "Connecting to Community."

 

Clearwater board announces

resignation of Rich Swartwood

Rich Swartwood, who has been executive director at Clearwater Forest for nearly four years, will be  leaving his  current post and accepting the call to be executive director of a camp in Mississippi, a position he will assume Feb. 5. The announcement came in a statement from Jon Kirschhoffer, president of the Clearwater board. Kirschhoffer noted, "We are grateful for Rich's nearly four years of dedicated service and wish him and his family the very best as he moves to this new opportunity." In his resignation, Swartwood wrote, "This journey has been God-filled and led. This move will allow my family to relocate closer to my immediate and extended family and use my skills in a new setting." The complete letters can be found at "Clearwater Forest."

 

Meeting offers info about 'Move to Amend' effort to reverse Citizens United

The "Move to Amend" effort, a non-partisan movement to overturn the Citizens United decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political communications by corporations and other organizations, will offer ways to participate in the movement at a one-hour luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. According to the invitation to the meeting, "The Move to Amend process ... will overturn Citizens United, help get money out of politics, and restore democracy." The meeting takes place at 11:30 a.m. and $8 is the suggested contribution for lunch. The complete invitation is at "Luncheon Invitation."

 

Presbytery plans mission trip

to Louisiana in April

The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area is planning a mission trip experience to Denham Spring, Louisiana, to assist in recovery, clean-up and rebuilding from the 2016 flooding. Planned in collaboration with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the trip takes place Saturday to Saturday, April 7-15. The cost of the trip is $150 per person, with a $50 deposit due by Feb. 16. Complete details can be found in a note from the Rev. Brenda K. Alexander of the presbytery's Mission and Witness Committee. It's at "Mission Trip to Denham Spring."

 

Jeff's Jottings

Tomorrow, tomorrow ...

 

By Jeff Japinga

Executive Presbyter

 

There's a Presbytery meeting tomorrow. You can find the full Presbytery packet on the Presbytery's website. Our commitment to all of you is that the full packet will always be available at least a week before the stated meeting, so that you can see in advance what we're doing.

 

The complete Jottings are at "Tomorrow."

Super Bowl anti-trafficking committee posts overview of responses

The Super Bowl anti-trafficking committee, led by the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, and Hennepin and Ramsey counties, has posted responses to increased sex-trafficking that often accompanies the Super Bowl. The responses include street outreach, drop-in centers, victim advocacy support for law enforcement and additional emergency shelter beds. Details of these components and the work of the anti-trafficking committee can be found at "Responding to Trafficking."

 

Le Sueur Presbyterian

assembles 'inventory of stuff'

The Presbyterian Church of Le Sueur, which plans to conduct its final worship service Sunday, Jan. 28, has assembled an "inventory of stuff" that other congregations may want. The church's final worship service takes place at 1:30 p.m. Cake and coffee will follow. If any congregation in the presbytery is interested in any of the items on the inventory, they are invited to send an e-mail by Jan. 20 to [email protected]. The complete inventory is at "Available."

 

'Riverside Innovation Hub'

seeks partner congregations

The Riverside Innovation Hub, a five-year project designed to help congregations innovate new connections with young adults at the intersection of their faith and public lives, is looking for partner congregations. The Riverside Hub is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg University of Minneapolis and supported by the Lilly Endowment. "We are looking for congregations to apply to be a part of this project with us," wrote Jeremy Myers, who oversees Augsburg's undergraduate ministry degree program and Riverside Innovation Hub. Information meetings are slated Monday, Jan. 22, at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in St. Paul, and Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Edina. Meetings run 1:30 to 3 p.m. Additional information is available at "Riverside Innovation Hub."

 

Stewart preaches on 'Day 1' next month

The Rev. Gordon C. Stewart, author, public theologian, and teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),  is the featured preacher Feb. 18, the first Sunday of Lent, on "Day 1" with host Peter Wallace. The radio program is accessible online at Day1.org. Stewart has served campus ministries and pastorates in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, and Minnesota over the past 47 years. Stewart is the author of "Be Still! Departure from Collective Madness." His sermon next month is titled "He Was with the Wild Beasts," and is based on the brief account of Jesus' baptism and 40 days in the wilderness.

A retirement celebration for David Van Dyke, longtime pastor at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, is planned Sunday, Jan. 21, with worship at 10 a.m., a brunch at 11:30, and a program at 1 p.m. Reservations are required for the brunch. Details are at "Van Dyke Retirement Celebration."

 

The presbytery is invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Carol Shaffer's ordination at a reception at First Presbyterian Church, 312 Fifth Street SW, Rochester, on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the social hall. A program is planned around 3 p.m. Treats and music will be provided. Those who are unable to attend are still able to share a memory for the celebration by contacting Bill Oehler at [email protected]. Rather than gifts, donations can be made to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) assistance program, to First Presbyterian Church of Rochester, or to Seasons Hospice.