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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
July 15, 2020
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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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Congregation of the Week of July 19-25
First Presbyterian Church of Madelia
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Session Members: Daria McCabe, Mark Blanchard, Brian Anderson, Ron Welp, Bruce Schultz, Ashley Holm, April Garcia, and Chuck Stevensen
Treasurer: Jan Ulmen
Assistant Treasurer: Lynn Schultz
Custodian: Jessica Holm
Pianist: Lorraine Sill
President: Brian Anderson
Vice President: Dave Lehman
Secretary: Megan Anderson
Clerk of Session: Doug Teigum
Pastor: Penny Johnson
Mission activities: Watonwan County Weekend Backpack Food Program, High School Food Pantry, Madelia Food Shelf, Riverside Cemetery
Prayer Concerns: young man in our congregation in a recent accident; those requiring surgeries; several friends and family members with cancer
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I Dream of Summer
Today I invite you to imagine your favorite childhood vacation. Where did you go? Who was there? What made the vacation memorable? Growing up, we made our annual trek from South Carolina to Pennsylvania. Along the way, we made our stops in Durham, North Carolina, to visit my favorite uncle and aunt. Then on to Richmond, Virginia, and finally, we would arrive in Philadelphia back at home. While in Philadelphia, summer also included a trip to Dutch Country, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City. On the way, we would recount the block parties from the years before. My brothers would tell the story of how I thought Shoofly Pie was made from flies. If the truth were told, they were the ones who told me the pies ingredients…brothers.
However, as I remember this time fondly as an adult, I believe there is something to taking a break from the daily grind. There is something healthy and life-giving when we stop and remember God created leisure time as a gift. The Fourth Commandment “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days, the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11.
The Sabbath as a gift brought balance to our understanding of work. It is a gift. Today, leisure, in general, must bring balance to our Protestant Work Ethic. Hard work should be balanced with rest, relaxation, and recreation. I wonder if the words of this prayer would help you enjoy the next few weeks of summer:
God, you are enough for us;
you give us rest in soft fields
and beside whispering streams;
you restore and renew us,
and lead us into life-giving ways;
When death and evil come close to us,
you carry us through,
you protect and comfort us;
when others seek to do us harm,
your grace uplifts and provides for us
in public view;
you fill us with your strength
and we enjoy overflowing abundance;
We have confidence that your goodness and compassion
will fill our days, and we will stay immersed in your life and presence
forever. In Christ name we pray Amen.
Whatever you do this summer, make it life-giving. Take the break you need. God will take care of the rest. So rest and enjoy the wonderful days of summer.
SanDawna
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You Are Invited to Virtual Synod School: July 27-30!
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Virtual Synod School 2020 website is now live!
https://engagingleaders.org/virtual-synod-school-2020/ You can register through this webpage for adult/youth classes or just for the evenings. We hope you will join us! We’ll send out links to the classes and evening events a couple of days before they happen.
It will be great to see as many people as possible!
The Synod School Committee
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August 18 Presbytery Meeting
The next presbytery meeting is Tuesday, August 18, and will be by Zoom. To register, email
Karen
with the names and email addresses of the commissioners and visitors. Zoom instructions will be emailed. The August presbytery meeting will also include communion, so please prepare bread and wine (or crackers and juice - or whatever works for you) for communion.
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Electronic Meetings and More
Submitted by Pamela Prouty, Stated Clerk
This pandemic has changed how we as a church do our business. Many Councils of the Church (Session, Presbytery, Synod and even General Assembly) have been meeting electronically. Electronic meetings are allowed by Robert’s Rule of Order as long as two criteria are met
- They must be authorized in an organizations’ governing documents (Bylaws, Manuals of Operations and so forth)
- The technology employed must allow for “the opportunity for simultaneous aural communication.” This essentially means that everyone must be present, must have the ability of discuss and discern.
I have had many questions about electronic meetings and what to do if the governing documents don’t allow for electronic meetings. So if the need arises for the Session and/or the Congregation to meet electronically and the governing documents do not allow for it, the first item of business at a meeting would be to take action to allow for electronic meetings to occur. Since this action needs to be in the governing documents this would be a congregation decision. All changes to bylaws must be approved by the congregation.
If electronic meetings are authorized, Robert’s Rules of Order, 11
th
Edition advises to adopt additional rules pertaining to their conduct regarding methods for seeking recognition, for taking and verifying votes, for determining quorum, how a person can raise a question or point of order and the type of equipment required and whether the organization must provide such equipment.
The language for the governing documents could be as follows:
“Electronic meetings (telephone, video conferencing or other technology) are allowed for the Congregation, the Session and other committees and/or task forces of the (insert church name) with the following conditions: the opportunity for simultaneous aural (spoken and heard) communication is possible, notice is given and adequate instructions are available for members to participate.
If you would like to talk with me more about best practices for such a meeting, please be in touch.
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From the Minnesota Department of Health
We wanted to make you aware of updates to the Faith-based Guidance under the Governor’s
Stay Safe MN Phase III
plan. These Guidance documents are attached and referenced via their website links below.
There are 3 documents that specifically apply to faith-based communities:
This document describes the type of in-person activities faith-based communities may offer, capacity limits, and guidance regarding social distancing and best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important to consider that large gatherings continue to present significant risk for increasing the spread of COVID-19, and at this time when in-person gatherings are allowed, it is important to consider the values and risk to your community members when planning such events. Persons at higher risk, over 65 years old and those with underlying health conditions, are strongly recommended to stay at home and not attend large events.
This guidance gives social distancing, best practices, and participant capacity limits for gatherings that often occur after weddings, funerals, or other services or celebrations. Please note that the gathering size may be different from your faith-based services and gatherings for a worship service or ceremony.
Thank you for your adherence to these guidelines and commitment to protection of our communities as you make decisions about how to support your members and the larger community.
Warm Regards,
Marge Higgins
COVID-19 Faith-based Outreach
Health Systems Coordinator | Refugee and International Health Program
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control (IDEPC) Division
Please be aware that my COVID-19 responsibilities take priority over my usual projects. Thank you for your patience.
Minnesota Department of Health
Office: 651-201-4034 Cell: 612-521-5241
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In Case You Missed it ...
The Church Financial Leadership Academy is Here!
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Church Financial Leadership Academy (CFLA). The CFLA is an E-learning platform designed to help pastors institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce them to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within their congregation.
The CFLA will enable you to:
- Complete the courses at your own pace
- Use the courses as a resource later
- Share your playlist with other congregational staff
- Access courses and resources at no cost to you
Experience the interactive online educational tool for pastors today. Simply visit
Churchfla.org
and create an account using the registration code: PCUSA
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Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application
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How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going
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How do you lead an organization stuck between an ending and a new beginning—when the old way of doing things no longer works but a way forward is not yet clear? Beaumont calls such in-between times liminal seasons—threshold times when the continuity of tradition disintegrates and uncertainty about the future fuels doubt and chaos. In a liminal season it simply is not helpful to pretend we understand what needs to happen next. But leaders can still lead.
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Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission
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Five Missional Attitudes
Submitted and Recommended by the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development
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Sherron George, former missionary with the PC(USA), wrote a book entitled
Called as Partners in God's Mission in which she identified five missional attitudes. Van Tatenhove and Mueller believe these attitudes are essential for individual congregations to adopt in developing a "Neighborhood Church" for mission.
- Respect. Despite our differences it's important to value our neighbors' dignity and worth.
- Compassion. A partner in mission is able to feel the suffering of others and experience it with them; not to fix it, but to feel it.
- Humility. A partner is able to recognize the limits of our understanding and perspective; and is able to open ourselves to the wisdom of our partner's position in life.
- Observing and participating. A partner learns to balance our doing with being present—not seeing ourselves as having answers and offering predetermined solutions. Listening without doing is essential for cultivating trust and respect.
- Receiving and giving. Too much mission work is a one-way transfer of resources and talent from the haves to the have-nots. This one-way approach destroys real relationships. It is not an appropriate missional attitude (from pp. 51-52).
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Online worship opportunities in our presbytery
Amboy: Weekly video devotions available on Facebook at First Presbyterian Church of Amboy or on YouTube at Pastor Amboy
Edgerton: 10:30 Sunday mornings Worship on church Facebook Page, and 11:30 Sunday mornings Worship Audio Version available on church website
Jackson: Facebook Live - Facebook site is Salem Lutheran Church, Jackson, MN
Sunday 9:30 a.m., Wednesday 5:30 p.m., Holy Week - daily devotions, MT and GF 5:30 p.m.
Lake Crystal: Our church is sending Worship bulletin content and sermon via email and regular mail to our membership for each Sunday. Also recording a service from Sanctuary of myself and musician to be accessed on You Tube on the Friday before the given Sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSDuL79Bte0CjYxgTVor1ng
Lismore: 9:00 Sunday mornings - Worship on church Facebook Page
Litchfield: 10:00 am Sunday mornings and Tuesday morning Bible study by Zoom. Contact
Gordy Pennertz
for instructions.
Luverne: 10:15 am Sunday mornings on Facebook Live. Also carried by local cable company.
SUNDAYS on Facebook
10AM sermon/prayer with Pastor Lindsay
10:20 (ish) Children's Time with Bailey DeVetter
10:30 (ish) Music Selection by Ben Marti posted
Randall: 10:00 am Sunday worship service is on Facebook and
webpage
Redwood Falls: 10:15 am worship on Facebook Live on First Presbyterian Redwood Falls page
Spicer Hope: Facebook live at 10:00, link on Hope Presbyterian Church
website
.
Also services are uploaded there later in the day.
Willmar: Facebook Live at 10:00 am Sunday mornings and at noon weekdays
Worthington: online worship services via Zoom and Facebook live Sunday at 10:00 am. The link for Zoom is on our
website
. For Facebook go to
@WestminsterPresby
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?—Psalm 27:1
Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. It is our hope and goal to equip churches and worshipers with useful information and resources during these trying times. Please check back often for updated information. If you have ideas or resources that might be of interest to the wider church, we invite you to email them to us at
connected@pcusa.org
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Guidance for Faith-Based Communities from the MN Department of Health
Link to guide
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope is moving online!
Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
--Psalm 25: 4-5
These are extraordinary times and while we can’t “do church” the way we are used to, the needs of our communities and our call to be stewards of God’s kingdom has not been put on hold.
This year Kaleidoscope will offer learning over three weeks in the fall to help you respond to the needs of your community, adapt to change, and think about how to engage as a church in new ways. We hope you can join us on three consecutive Tuesdays: September 22, September 29, and October 6 at 11:30am central time.
On September 22nd hear from Eric Barreto of Princeton Theological Seminary on the Acts of the Apostles in the 21st century - imagination, vision, and creativity in responding to our call;
September 29th we will learn with consultant Bonnie Ives Marden about the ways in which faith shapes our financial health, and get practical tools for church financial management;
October 6th Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow will provide perspectives on engaging congregations
across generations, cultures, and ethnicity to imagine building the church for forward thinking funding and functioning.
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Prayer List
- For Rev. Bill Yueill, retired pastor, Zimmerman
- For Rev. John Lindholm, retired pastor, Fergus Falls
- For Rev. Mark Chamberlain, retired pastor, Willmar
- For Rev. Bob Bartlett, First Presbyterian Churches of Brewster & Round Lake
- For Rev. Michael Roys, retired pastor, Winnebago
- For Rev. Elaine and Kent Boyd at First Presbyterian Church of Amboy
Pray for Our Occidente Partners in Guatemala
- Rev. Araceli Itzep from the Occidente Presbytery
- For Bety Cifuentes, the treasurer of the Partnership Committee, beginning new type of chemotherapy
- For the "Men in the Mirror" program. Men from Occidente that MVP supported financially to attend the classes a couple of years ago are sharing the information they gained with different churches in the eastern and central parts of Guatemala. They, along with the chaplains of the national Presbyterian church, are training Christian policemen in what they learned from "Men in the Mirror."
- The Executive Committee met in April, but has not been able to meet since as folks in Guatemala cannot travel between cities. Occidente Presbytery has not met; the projected purchase/buying of buildings is on hold; pastoral elections are on hold; they do hold services via Zoom; the economy is very bad.
- They continue praying for us and ask that we continue to pray for them and for all of the things they cannot get to, and for their living conditions that get more complicated every day.
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
Zion Presbyterian Ch
urch, Ellsworth; Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Rushmore; First Presbyterian Church, Rushmore - Interim Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Fulda
- Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Lake Crystal; First Presbyterian Church, Kasota
- Pastor, yoked parish
Maine Presbyterian Church, rural Underwood
- Solo Pastor
Faith Presbyterian Church, Silver Lake
- Solo Pastor
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer
- Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago
- Interim Pastor
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An Opportunity to Help Fulfill the PW Mission & Purpose
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The Churchwide PW Board held a special meeting to become informed and updated regarding PW finances. The recent pandemic has caused the cancellation of PWP Spring Gatherings, Synod Gatherings, and Circle meetings ... which may be repeated with PWP Fall Gatherings moving online.
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The impact resulting from these cancelled events has had a tremendous impact on PW's income, including the receipts of quarterly payments, individual donations, sale of resources, purchase of Horizons Bible study, as well as declining subscriptions to Horizons magazine itself. Not everything can be blamed on the pandemic itself, although circumstances are such that the Board needed to become informed and take action.
There is always good news and the good news certainly needs to be heard! The good news is that the mission and purpose of PW is very healthy! The program of PW is very strong! So one might say the "engine" is working hard and effectively on our behalf, yet we are in need of "fuel" to keep the "engine" going. We need a boost in PW financial support.
The PW Board is currently focused on our second annual "PW Gives Day" which is July 31st. On this day, individual Presbyterian women are encouraged to "celebrate the many ways that Presbyterian women give to witness to the promise of God's realm" through a gift to PW's ANNUAL FUND. July 31st has been set aside to commemorate the "founding" of a reunited PW in 1988. Each PW is encouraged to support our beloved organization on this day as solidarity for the long history, current work and the future of Presbyterian Women.
The Board is asking PW in synods, presbyteries, and congregations to take on a self-determined PW Challenge to get 100% participation in this giving opportunity. We know that small giving is transformative and huge impacts can be realized if everyone gives "something". Think about Fellowship of the Least Coin and the impact it has around the world with just small contributions.
Contributions can be made online, by phone, or via USPS mail beginning now. Online donations are a minimum of $10 and there is a transaction fee that you can also choose to pay.
To give online:
www.presbyterianwomen.org/give. Select PW Gives Day and your gift amount. Select a gift of $10 or more (and add a bit extra for a transaction fee).
Scroll down to comments box and type "PWGDAY20, your church and presbytery information"
To contribute via phone/credit card:
Contact Carissa Herold by phone (844/PW-PCUSA, ext. 5322)
To mail via USPS:
Presbyterian Women, Inc.
PO Box 643652
Pittsburgh PA 15264-3652
Indicate annual fund and PWGDAY20 in the memo line of your check, along with the name of your church or presbytery.
Individuals or congregations that send in a donation, follow the guidelines above but also send Gloria Rust, Presbytery Moderator, an email, as our Synod Moderator would like the name of the individual and the congregation, so please email that info:
grust49@gmail.com. Any questions, please feel free to text or call Gloria at 507-227-7393. Blessings to all!
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