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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
December 11, 2019
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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 December 15-21
Maine Presbyterian Church of Rural Underwood
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Pastoral Leader: Rev. Ed Morgan
Clerk of Session: Linda Gronner
Treasurer: Lindsey Moe
Session: John Moe, Catherine Barner, Cheryl Barry, Jim Crouse, Kris Hanson,
Marian Wasvick
Prayer concerns:
- We continue to search for a part-time pastor
- Members and friends who are away for the winter
Highlights:
- Sponsored two girls with scholarships for Pakistan school.
- Habitat for Humanity was a summer project
- Maine Fellowship (former PW) made over 50 packets of blankets, toys, dolls, hats, pajamas and books for Richville Church Mission to be used for Christmas gifts.
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Join the next webinar zoom on Monday, December 16, at 1:00 p.m. with Gerald Liu for part two of Preaching in Times of Transition, with a Focus on Advent
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Gerald C. Liu is assistant professor of worship and preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary. He earned his BA in Music at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, his Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (during which time he was also a theological fellow at Georg-August Universität in Göttingen, Germany), and his PhD from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in homiletics and liturgics. He has previously served as a British Methodist Minister in Nottingham, England before becoming ordained in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. Currently he volunteers as a minister in residence at Church of the Village, a United Methodist congregation in Manhattan. His classes and publications explore curiosities about the arts as theological resources and phenomena, Asian American identity, multicultural worship, and the production of believable public Christian witness.
Join Rev. Liu in a discussion about how the biblical canon can shape weekly preaching into an arc of messages rooted in the ever-expanding call to new identities in Christ, adaptive living, and welcoming all people for the glory of God.
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Committee on Representation wants you to help us be the best presbytery we can be!
We have been busy these last few weeks finding folks to serve the presbytery on several commissions, and we are still looking for:
Committee on Congregational Nurture
1 ruling elder to serve a three-year term
1 ruling elder to serve a two-year term
1 ruling elder to serve a one-year term
General Assembly
1 ruling elder to serve as an alternate
Please, if you feel called, or know of someone who would be great on one of these commissions, contact Audrey Knuth at 507-830-0520 or David Lick at 414-334-9385.
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Prayer List
- For the family of Sue Thompson, First Presbyterian Church, Maynard
- For the family of Marie Fischer, Crosslake Presbyterian Church
- For the family of Sara McKay, Union Presbyterian Church of Saint Peter
- For Rev. Michael Roys, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago
- For Rev. Elaine and Kent Boyd at First Presbyterian Church of Amboy
- Rev. Araceli Itzep from the Occidente Presbytery; surgery scheduled for Oct 23
- For Beatriz (Betty/Beti) Cifuentes, the treasurer of the Partnership Committee, who is beginning 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 going to share 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, will also be training Christian policemen in what they learned from "Men in the Mirror."
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Leadership Training for Elders, Deacons, and those serving on Presbytery Commissions
On Saturday January 11, 2020 at the First Presbyterian Church, Willmar we will be hosting a training event for Ruling Elders, Deacons and Presbytery Commission and committee members. Registration will start at 9:30. The morning will start with devotions and a plenary on 2020 Leadership by the Rev. Corey Schlosser-Hall, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of NW Coast. Following lunch, which is provided, Presbytery Commission and Committees will meet to set 2020 goals, meeting dates and other business. At the same time Ruling Elder training led by Stated Clerk Pam Prouty and Deacon training led by the Rev. Leanne Thompson will be held. The day will end by 4:00 p.m. Plan to attend and bring a car full. This event has had positive feedback for the past two years.
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An Invitation to Spiritual Leaders
This is your invitation to submit a short video of yourself offering a meditation of your favorite passage from the Bible for the Presbytery YouTube channel. If you are interested, please contact Steve Tyykila
(
styykila@gmail.com
) or Andy Davis (
revrn1973@gmail.com
). We'll give you more parameters and information, but we are looking for informal (not from the pulpit), personal, short (less than five minutes) videos on your favorite passage that you can record from your phone or computer. Thanks!
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Transformation Testimonies Sought
We are preparing the reporting for the Transformation Going Beyond Change Initiative grants. Please think about how you have been using the information gleaned from these events and email
Karen or
SanDawna a short testimony about how you have benefited.
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Pastor Cohort Groups
We are creating pastor cohort groups for interested pastors. Each group will meet monthly via Zoom. The format will include prayer, a book study, case studies, special speakers, cross-pollination of resources and active listening. Interested? Email
SanDawna
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You are invited to read the book recommended by GA Co-Moderators
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Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018), Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and the Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, invite the church to join them in a literary journey. The Church-Wide Book Study is an opportunity for PC(USA) members, mid councils, and staff members to read, reflect, share and listen, with the help of a variety of resources and conversation-starters provided with each selected book.
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The Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) have selected a new book study for Presbyterian churches. The Reverend Cindy Kohlmann and Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri have selected
Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission
, by Presbyterian leaders Krin Van Tatenhove and Rob Mueller.
Kohlmann says the book focuses on the initiatives that both the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly have lifted up as essential to Presbyterians.
“If our churches follow Jesus as he’s called us to do, we will be in our neighborhoods, pursuing justice for our neighbors. That ties directly to our goal to be a Matthew 25 church. The whole story of the judgement of the nations is about people feeding, clothing, visiting, healing, loving, supporting, and being present to our neighbors,” she said. “Jesus defines our neighbor as anyone whose path we cross. Vital congregations combating systemic racism and poverty, the Hands and Feet Initiative that calls us to be the hands and feet of Christ, all of these things are wrapped up in what it means to be church.”
Cintrón-Olivieri says the book is a “good starting point” for people or churches that don’t know where to start or are hesitant about working and connecting in their neighborhoods.
“One of the things I like about the book is its practical way of guiding individuals and congregations into doing work on what it means to be neighbor. It provides many tools, references to more reading, guiding questions and reflection questions and case studies, examples of what other churches are doing,” she said. “Most importantly, I think the scriptural base of what it means to be church in the context of where God has placed us, is very real in the examples that the authors give.”
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2020 Per Capita
$41.45 Total
$27.00 for Presbytery
$8.95 for GA
$5.50 for Synod
2020 Compensation Policy
link
2020 Per Capita Apportionment and Mission Pledge Form
link
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A Winter Learning Opportunity for Presbyterians (Jan 5-Feb 29)
Join an online group to learn the basic theological understandings of worship and sacraments in the Presbyterian Church (USA). This course will be facilitated by Rev. Elaine Boyd, pastor in Amboy, MN.
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Who should consider this?
- Anyone who wants to grow in their faith and understanding of being Presbyterian
- Worship Committee members
- Church musicians
- Commissioned Pastors/Ruling Elders
- Those who might be called to be commissioned pastors/ruling elders
What will this involve?
- Some reading and reflecting
- Opportunities to talk with pastors about their practices around basic elements of worship including special services such as weddings, funerals and baptisms – how do they prepare? What does preparation entail?
- Two “class meetings” online – one in early January and one toward the end of February
- Access to mini-lessons on worship and the Reformed Theology that informs worship
What is the cost?
- $150 plus some books. For those interested in the whole series of 11 classes in the Academy, there is a discount.
Who is sponsoring this?
- This is a class offered through The Academy, a series of classes for church members designed to deepen faith as participants encounter Christ in a new way. For those who are called or are exploring a call to become a Commissioned Pastor, this is a program that can help that happen.
- The Synod of Lakes and Prairies and the Presbyteries of Minnesota Valleys, North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill are the current sponsors of the Academy.
How do I register?
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Presbytery of
Minnesota Valleys
4055 Abbott Dr
Willmar, MN
Thursday, December 19
11:30 - 2:00
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Unto Us a Child Is Born and
Unto Us a Son Is Given!
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Join your colleagues and friends for a presbytery-wide lunch, Christmas music and a special time of being together. And if you'd like to bring your guitar, flute, horn, kazoo--whatever--and play some carols with us--all the better! Looking forward to seeing you on December 19th!
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From the Presbyterian Outlook:
Bulletin Inserts:
Are you looking for theologically sound, inspiring and affordable Advent devotions for the congregation?
The Presbyterian Outlook has you covered. Download the PDF, print as many as you need and insert them into your weekly worship bulletin. Written by Outlook editor Jill Duffield, each week includes a reflection, daily Scripture readings, suggestions for living out the Bible reading and a short prayer for each day.
Hymns for Advent and Christmas:
Beloved Presbyterian hymn writer, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, has composed hymns set to familiar Christmas tunes and well-loved hymn melodies. Hymns for each Sunday of Advent and Christmas use the lectionary Scriptures to enhance your worship.
And, "
The Candle of Hope
" follows the themes of each of the Sundays in Advent (Hope, Peace, Love and Joy). If you light Advent candles as part of your worship during the season, this hymn is ideal!
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Interested in a Communications Workshop?
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Can your congregation say yes to these statements?
- Our church has a clear and concise goal in mind for its communications.
- Our church maximizes the use of its social media platforms.
- Our church’s website is easy to navigate and tells the congregation’s story
If you’re not sure about your congregation’ s responses to any of these statements, you may want to schedule a communications workshop in 2020.
The presbytery is considering an in-person or webinar for this. If interested, please contact
Karen
.
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Safety Checklist
The end of the year is a great time to think about church safety. Here is a handy checklist from Church Mutual:
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Webinar Zoom for Churches in Transition
Executive Presbyter SanDawna Ashley will lead two Zoom webinars for PNCs and churches in transition on the following dates:
Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m.
Who should attend:
PNCs, Session members, and COL liaisons
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
First Presbyterian Church, Ashby
- Pastor, yoked parish
First Presbyterian Church, Fulda
- 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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The First Presbyterian Church of Willmar was formally organized on August 11, 1870 ... which means we are celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2020! To celebrate the past 150 years of faithful service to the Lord and our community, we invite you and your family to join us in a special anniversary worship service on Sunday, August 9 at 10:00 am followed by a banquet at the Willmar Community Center.
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If you plan to attend the banquet, please RSVP no later than July 7 with your name and head count by calling the church office at 320-235-1263 or sending an email to
fpcwillmar@gmail.com.
In addition to the special worship, we are hosting an ice cream social from 2:00-4:00 pm the day before, on Saturday, August 8 at our church (312 6th Street SW, Willmar). This will be an opportunity to visit and catch up with old and new friends.
We would love to have you join us in praising the Lord for all the He has done and is going to do in the future. Watch the church
website for additional details on both of these events. We're looking forward to celebrating with you!
Pastors Scott and Leanne Thompson
First Presbyterian Church of Willmar
312 6th Street SW, Willmar MN 56201
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Congregations can get up to $50k to help their pastors find renewal: Applications available for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program
from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program | Special to Presbyterian News Service
According to a news release from the program, congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor’s family. Up to $15,000 of the funds are available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away.
Through its religion grantmaking, Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to deepen and enrich the lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.
To this end, National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God’s life-giving waters and for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.
Details and application materials for the 2020 programs are now available. In the 2020 Lilly Endowment
National Clergy Renewal Program
and the 2020 Lilly Endowment
Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations
, eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program.
There is no cost for congregations or pastors to apply; the deadline is April 1, 2020. Congregations will be notified as to whether their proposals are to be funded or not by the end of August 2020. Activities funded by a 2020 grant in the clergy renewal programs may begin anytime in 2021. Learn more by clicking
here
.
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From the Presbyterian Historical Society
Preserve vital church records for free at the Presbyterian Historical Society. Order digital copies at a PC(USA) discount. Join our Church Membership Program and receive further digitization savings. Find out more at
www.history.pcusa.org/records, email
records@history.pcusa.org or call 215-627-1852
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