ASDIC Metamorphosis sets

workshops at Cherokee Park

ASDIC Metamorphosis, an anti-racism workshop provider based in St. Paul, will conduct two workshops this winter at Cherokee Park United Church. The workshops are designed to challenge white-framed thinking and racism in everyday life.  The first workshop, "Sleight of Mouth," takes place Friday, Jan. 13, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second workshop, "Antiracism Study - Dialogue Circle," is planned Saturdays, Feb. 4 through April 8, with sessions running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The programs of ASDIC Metamorphosis, recommended by the Anti-Racism Advisory Team of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, are noted for their depth of analysis, dialogue and reflection, relationship and community building, and transformative change. Individual workshop details are at "Sleight of Mouth" and "Antiracism Study - Dialogue Circle."

 

Non-violent communication

workshop planned for pastors

A nonviolent communication workshop -- also called compassionate communication workshop -- for pastors is planned Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. The workshop will address ways to communicate in ways that lead to life instead of conflict, that move beyond passive-aggressive conversations and actions, and that offer meaningful ways to connect with congregation, family and neighborhood. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pastors are encouraged to register by Jan. 5 by emailing Risa Anderson at office@ptcaweb.org. The workshop is free and lunch is included. Questions about the workshop should be directed to Jamie Schultz at 952.221.4270 or Carol Reed at 952.473.5419.

 

Clearwater Forest plans to open

summer registration next month

Summer is coming and Clearwater Forest, the Presbyterian camp and conference center in the heart of Minnesota's lake country, plans to open its summer registration Friday, Jan. 6. Rich Swartwood, noted in Clearwater Forest's recent newsletter, "In addition to the usual camp activities, we're pumping it up with a few new programs and twists." The complete newsletter is at "Clearwater Forest."

 

Jeff's Jottings

One more gift from under the Writing Tree

 

By Jeff Japinga

Transitional Executive Presbyter

 

When you go looking under the writing tree, as I have these past few weeks -- part of my annual Advent discipline to seek new perspectives on the nature of this remarkable season -- you sometimes discover unexpected gifts. I never imagined building an Advent Jottings on a secular Christmas legend who has a red nose and can fly.

 

But I found the following reflection intriguing; more importantly, if you scratch away the surface, I think there is also a faithful message for the church in it. Here, then, in the clipped style of Dan Rockwell, from the blog Leadership Freak: "A Leadership Lesson from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

 

The complete "Jottings" is at "Learning from a Legend."

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is partnering with Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church to present a three-part course, beginning in  January, in the history of arts and spirituality in Christianity. The first part, "The Early Church, Byzantine, and Late Medieval Periods," runs Jan. 23-Feb. 13. The second part, "The Renaissance and the Reformation," runs March 6-27, and the third part, "The Modern Period," runs April 3-May 1. The parts may be taken separately. Classes meet Mondays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Details are at " Arts and Spirituality."

Ruling elder resource addresses

ruling elder preparation

The Rev. Dr. Rhonda Myers, pastor of Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in Midland, Mich., is author of the latest edition of Regarding Ruling Elders, a resource of the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Myers addressed the preparation of ruling elders, noting, the church " holds fast to a representative form of government where ruling elders and teaching elders are elected to ordered ministry and share in ecclesial authority as, together, we seek to discern and represent the will of Christ in and through faithful service. To this end, 'congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit' (Book of Order, G-2.0301). Once a new class of ruling elders is elected by a congregation, the session is called upon to prepare these new leaders for service in the church. The responsibility for this time of study and preparation is sometimes delegated to a staff member, such as the pastor. But it is a responsibility of the session, acting as a whole, to prepare newly elected ruling elders for active participation in the leadership of the church." Myers' complete column is at "Preparation."

 

APCE's Annual Event set in January

The 2017 annual event of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators promises to be  a  time of grounding, a place of renewal and rest, and a refuge of peace. The event runs Jan. 25-28 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Speakers include the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, the unconventional Lutheran minister and author of "Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint." Details, along with links to registration information, can be found at "APCE Event."

 

NEXT Church scheduled

March 13-15 in Kansas City

With the theme "Wells & Walls: Well-Being in a Thirsty World," the annual gathering for NEXT Church  is planned March 13-15 in Kansas City, Mo. Keynote speakers are Dr. Rodger Nishioka, the Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah and the Rev. Dr. Linda Mercadante. Conference details are available at "NEXT."

 

Grace, Gratitude newsletter

offers several resources

Writing in Grace and Gratitude, the newsletter of the Office of Theology, Formation and Evangelism, Chip  Hardwick notes, "During Advent we wait for Jesus to break into the world again, to make everything the way that God wants it to be. Sure, we look back to Bethlehem, but we also look forward to the second coming. While we wait, we see glimpses of how the world is already on earth as it is in heaven." The current newsletter offers resources regarding a number of upcoming events, including the disciple-making conference in January and chaplains Sunday in February. The newsletter is at "Grace and Gratitude."