Valley Bridge, May 24, 2017

The Valley Bridge

The weekly newsletter from the

Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys

May 24, 2017

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)

Congregation of the week: May 28 - June 3

First Presbyterian Church of Mankato

Staff

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Nancy DeVries

Administrative Assistant: Nanette Rushton

CE Director: Stacy Grunden

Music Director: Dr. Al Wortman

Treasurer: Jamie Goulson

Bell Choir Director: Cheryl Holicky

Custodian: George Johnson

Youth Choir Director: Madelaine Smith

Clerk of Session: Rhonda Taylor

The folks at FPC Mankato are excited about the "First Fridays at First Church," presenting compelling speakers who consider key issues from an ethical and spiritual perspective. These speakers are monthly. Link to poster for June 2

God Chat Apps: A Life of Prayer

Saturday, October 7, 2017

9:00 - 3:30

Hope Presbyterian Church

Spicer

Email Karen Lange to register. Cost: $10 if preregistered by September 22

Plenary Speaker: Rev. Kara Root

Breakout session topics:

Centering Prayer
Spiritual Practices
Yoga, Meditation & Prayer
Introduction to Prayer
Tech Tools for Prayer

God Chat Apps: A Life of Prayer

Presbytery office hours are 7:30 - 3:30 Monday - Friday.

Thank you from Mindy

I want to thank you for supporting me in my second YAV year in New York City. I have learned so much working both with the PC(USA) and at the United Nations. I am so thankful for this opportunity to learn more about advocacy work and helping all of God's people all across the world.

Thank you again,

Mindy Vande Brake

Discover Presbyterian Mission in Pakistan

During the week of September 4 - 9, 2017, Veda Gill, Executive Director of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan (PEB), will be in Central Minnesota and is looking for opportunities to acquaint God's people with the vital work being done in educating some of Pakistan's poorest children, both Christians and Muslims. This work was started by Presbyterian missionaries in the 1850s and continues to this day. Veda is looking for pastors, mission groups, PW members, or interested church members who could receive initial information about PEB in preparation for a follow-up visit with a larger church group at a later time. If you would like to sit with Veda and hear the good news from Pakistan, please contact Lynn Miller at 320-492-3341 or lynn.miller@friendsofpeb.org.

Celebrating Pastor Al's Ministry and Wishing Him Well on His Retirement

The congregation at First Presbyterian Church of Foley are planning a retirement party for Pastor Al Jergenson on Sunday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. The celebration will be held in our church's fellowship hall.

PC(USA) pastors and commissioned lay pastors encouraged to apply for matching funds to attend financial literacy and leadership events and training

The Presbyterian Foundation is accepting applications for a newly established Church Financial Leadership Grant. Grant applicants must be a pastor, commissioned lay pastor (CLP), or leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Funds are available for those pastoral leaders seeking to gain a better understanding of church financial vitality and management of their congregations.

The application deadline is June 30. More info

Do you hear a call to a new role in church leadership?

In response to a need for accessible educational opportunities for church leaders, the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys along with two other presbyteries and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies have developed an exciting new course of study called "The Academy."

Maybe God is calling you to respond to a specific need for a Commissioned Ruling Elder in your church. Or maybe you feel a hunger for personal spiritual growth. Perhaps you are a current CRE who feels you could benefit by a refresher on certain topics.

Courses may be taken as a series with the goal of meeting the requirements of becoming a Commissioned Ruling Elder, or individual classes may be audited for personal education and growth.

Hurry! The first classes start at Synod School in July, so registrations are being taken now. Check out the link for the brochure or visit the registration website for more information about the courses and the quality teachers. Questions may be directed to the presbytery office, or Academy board members: Rev. Elaine Boyd and Kathy Knips.

To register, go to: https://www.regonline.com/theacademy

For more information: www.thepresbyterianacademy.org

The brochure

PWP Spring Gathering

June 6, 2017 - 9:20 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (8:30 registration)
First Presbyterian Church
240 North St E
Amboy, Minnesota

Registration

No Room in the Library

Rick Carus is downsizing his library and has some books that he would like to see have a good home, in particular, seventeen volumes of the "Interpretation Commentary" by John Knox Press. The volumes (and authors) include:

Deuteronomy (Patrick Miller)
First and Second Kings (Richard Nelson)
Jeremiah (R.E. Clements)
Daniel (Sibley Towner)
Hosea-Micah (James Limburg)
Nahum-Malachi (Elizabeth Achtemeier)
Matthew (Douglas Hare)
Mark (Lamar Williamson)
Luke (Fred Craddock)
John (Gerard Sloyan)
Acts (William Willimon
Romans (Mark Achtemeier)
Philippians (Fred Craddock)
First, Second, and Third John (D. Moody Smith)
Revelation (Eugene Boring)

If you would like to adopt one, two, or all seventeen volumes, please contact Rick via e-mail -- rickcarus@gmail.com

Arrangements can be made for the books to be delivered, or picked up at the presbytery office.

Also, while it may be outdated, Rick also has a five-volume set of the Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible that could use a good home. If there are any takers, please let him know!

Pastoral Leadership Opportunities

The following congregation within the bounds of our presbytery is currently seeking pastoral leadership:

Randall Presbyterian Church, Randall, Minnesota

- Pastor

Ministry Information Form - 03892.AC

The Ministry Information Forms for these opportunities are posted on the Church Leadership Connection web site -- http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/

Additionally, there will be other opportunities arising in the near future. Please keep your eyes open as Fulda begins a pastoral search and Foley will begin seeking an Interim Pastor.