MCC refugee program, successes described; opportunity offered 

Prior to the presbytery meeting last week, Ben Walen, director of refugee services for the Minnesota Council  of Churches, presented a workshop on the extensive work that MCC is doing in welcoming displaced and persecuted persons in need of a fresh start in a safe place. During the workshop, presbytery heard from Walen and Oey Mae Ooh, a Burmese refugee who described the positive effect of the program, and learned about opportunities for individuals and churches to become involved in refugee services. The complete story is at "Displaced and Persecuted Persons."

 

Jeff's Jottings

What gives you hope?

 

By Jeff Japinga

Transitional Executive Presbyter

 

What a good question, don't you think? What gives you hope? It's what the leadership from Oak Grove Presbyterian Church and our Chain of Lakes new church development has asked me to reflect on with them this Sunday afternoon.

 

But rather than tell you my answers here and now (and thus partially spoil the conversation on Sunday), here are three things shaping both my thinking today and my reflections for Sunday:

 

The complete Jottings can be found at "Hope."

POAMN, ARMSS co-sponsor

national event in October

Unified under a theme inspired by John 13:34-35, "Christian Discipleship: People of the Spirit, People of Hope," the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network and the Association of Retired Ministers, their Spouses or Survivors will co-sponsor a national conference for persons engaged in ministry with older adults from Oct. 11-14 in Richmond, Va. Conference participants will have a unique opportunity to engage in fellowship, networking, sharing resources, interactive and participatory workshops, creative worship, recreation, mission tours, entertainment, and an inspiring keynote address by the Rev. Dr. John Carroll of Union Presbyterian Seminary of New York City. Conference details, including registration information, are at "Older Adults."

 

Application season begins Oct. 1

for Young Adults Volunteers

Young adults who are interested in a transformational year of service are being invited to  look over the application process for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The process begins Oct. 1 for the 2017-18 YAV year. The program is a one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. For more than two decades, YAVs have heard God's call to serve alongside partners at sites in the United States and around the world. Details about the program and application procedures are at "YAV."

The First Presbyterian Church of Belle Plaine, Minn., has an opening for a ¼-time pastor. Belle Plaine is a community of 6,600 people located 45 minutes southwest of the metro area on Highway 169. We have an active membership of 34 people, with many other "friends of the church" in attendance. Our official mission statement is "Welcome, Learn, and Serve," but our unofficial slogan is "Small but Mighty." The complete advertisement can be found at "Belle Plaine." Those interested are invited to send their PIF or resume to ep@ptcaweb.org.

 

Valley Community Presbyterian Church of Golden Valley is seeking a part-time director of music for thoughtful, joyful worship. Desire skilled pianist/organist/choir director for weekly traditional service with diverse musical styles. Collaborative position with pastor, worship committee, second service director and hand bell coordinator. Average 15 hours per week. Salary is negotiable, commensurate with experience. A complete position description is at "Director of Music."

 

NETworks Youth Ministries is a unique, cooperative youth ministry among First Presbyterian Church of Hudson, First Baptist, Mt. Zion Lutheran, and St. Paul Episcopal Churches. The board is made up of members and pastors from all four churches. NETworks is currently searching for a new full-time director for its vibrant middle and high school ministries. The position description is at "Director." Applications are being received until the position is filled. Questions can be directed to Ken Wooley, a member of First Presbyterian Church, at NETworksYouthMinistries@gmail.com.

 

Metro Meals on Wheels , an association of 32 Meals on Wheels providers, seeks to open a central kitchen in the twin cities to more efficiently serve more than 4,500 seniors and people living with disabilities in Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota and Anoka counties.  Meals on Wheels would like to enter into a partnership with a local church or nonprofit that has a currently vacant or underutilized commercial kitchen available for a long-term tenant. The complete advertisement is at "Meals on Wheels Partner."

Presbytery of Charlotte issues

call to prayer, witness

In a note to pastors and clerks of session, the Presbytery of Charlotte issued a call to prayer and witness following the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott on Sept. 20. The note stated, in part, "We pray God's comfort on all those who grieve for him this day. We also grieve the subsequent violence that followed." The complete statement can be found at "Call to Prayer and Witness."

 

Lisherness notes 'Season of Peace' program, need for its emphasis

Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace and Justice for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, noted the  church's month-long emphasis on becoming peacemakers through its "Season of Peace" program, and added, I cannot think of a recent time when the emphasis has meant more than it does now. Each day, community after community reports on the latest murder. Countries and cultures are being torn apart by armed conflict and other acts of violence. People are divided on whether to welcome immigrants who have lost everything into our communities. We are witnessing a presidential campaign that has generated so much anger and emotion. We live in troubled times." Her complete column can be found at "A Time for Peace."

 

Nelson casts a vision

for PC(USA) in sermon to PMAB

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson II preached last week during the opening worship of the Presbyterian Mission Agency board meeting, using Romans 8 and 9 as his text to challenge the group to work beyond agencies and silos and be one church committed to transforming lives. A video of his sermon can be found at "Moving Beyond Silos."

 

Presbytery leader training event energizes a larger-than-expected crowd

Leaders from about two dozen presbyteries across the country, including leaders from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 26-27, for the trial run of a new kind of training event. Called "Practical Presbytery Leadership Training: Teamwork for Changing Times," the conference was designed to equip teams of people to meet the diverse leadership needs of their presbyteries, especially presbyteries in the midst of change. "I was hoping for maybe 25 people, and we ended up with 100," says Sue Krummel, director for mid council relations for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Office of the General Assembly, which sponsored the event, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Leadership Training."

 

PMAB concludes fall meeting, hears of 3 Lakes and Prairies Dream Grant awardees

The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) concluded its Fall 2016 meeting last week that featured a new structure and  new members. Interim executive director Tony De La Rosa spoke during the closing plenary session saying today was a year, to the day, since he had been offered his position at the Presbyterian Mission Agency. "It has indeed been quite a year," he said. "The finance committee has indicated we are dealing with strong finances. We are ahead of revenue projections in unrestricted funds from congregations and presbyteries to the tune of nearly one million dollars." The Board's Finance Committee approved recipients of the first-cycle 2016 DREAM Grants. Three projects in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, "HERRB" and "How Does Your Garden Grow?" from the Presbytery of the Northern Plains, and "No Strings Attached" from the Presbytery of North Central Iowa, each received $10,000 grants. The complete Presbyterian News Service stories are at "PMAB Meeting."