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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
June 12, 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 June 16-22
First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield
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Commissioned Ruling Elder: Gordy Pennertz
Session: Judy Holmes, Don MacKay, Amy Levinski, Greg Heath, Kay Hanson, and Clerk of Session Sue Berg
Deacons: Barb Bremseth, David Pennertz, Jayne Ackman, Stephanie Rech, Bev Driver and Rosie Graphenteen
Upcoming Events: We will sponsor a dunk tank at Family Fun Night to raise money for our town's Housing for the homeless. At Litchfield's Watercade Celebration, we will have an informational booth on preventing sexual violence in our community. We will join the Willmar "Let's Go Fishing" group on Diamond Lake. Then a trip to St. Cloud to see a Neil Diamond retrospective concert.
Prayer requests:
- A couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in June
- Our members in Hospice
- Farmers still trying to get their crops in
- Our committee planning our 150th anniversary celebration next year.
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Karen Lange is out half of the Fridays during the summer, and in June, she will be gone Friday, June 14 and Friday, June 28.
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Sex and The Church
This week, the New York Times published an article outlining that Clergy Sexual Misconduct is still an issue. Over the years, many believed that the trouble lies in the Roman Catholic Church. The problem of sexual misconduct is broadly an issue across denominations. Oddly, persons with inclinations towards sexual abuse often work in helping vocations. Why? Because vulnerable people are easy targets for those with poor boundaries. Also, helping fields are environments where the lines between compassion and care become grey. In these spaces, leaders who are themselves vulnerable make poor choices to satisfy personal needs in inappropriate relationships.
At a recent synod boundary training, we were challenged to ask people, what do they think about sex? How do they manage being a sexual being? As difficult as it may be to talk openly about sex and sexuality, the truth is that not talking about sex changes sex from being a natural human need to something other than what God intended. Sexual misconduct stems from people who do not know how to be sexual without being inappropriate. I encourage you to talk about these issues, as difficult as they may be. Pastors and those in authority have inordinate power with individuals seeking assistance and spiritual direction. Imagine the influence a person has when they are entrusted with speaking on behalf of God. For example, if there is an attraction to a parishioner that you cannot explain, acknowledge your feelings and remove yourself from the temptation — process with a trusted professional. If you are a member of the Board of Pensions, take advantage of your six free counseling sessions through the Employee Assistance Program. If you are not a BOP member, contact the Stated Clerk or me, and we can help you find a confidential counselor.
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Finally, our response to sexual misconduct is to eliminate the issues by holding those entrusted with the Gospel to higher standards. To be sexual is normal. Being an abuser of sex is not normal! We also want to create safe spaces for victims of sexual abuse. The church should be a place where victims are not shamed for crimes committed against them. We are also committed to full disclosure and not keeping hurtful secrets. Healing begins with accountability and truth-telling. Today, I share with you the New York Times article not to bring up an impolite subject but to start a healing process for so many who are hurting.
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Two new resources are available for your review, the most recent webinar on Leadership and Resiliency and PNC Training.
June 4 - Resiliency: Building Spiritual Fortitude by Laurie Ferguson
LINK
April 4 - PNC Training by SanDawna Ashley
LINK
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Prayer List
Rev. Araceli Itzep from the Occidente Presbytery
Sue Thompson, Clerk of Session at First Presbyterian Church, Maynard
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For Clerks of Session and Treasurers
This year, the treasurers will receive financial training from Presbytery Business Consultant Bea Ourada while the clerks of session are reading session records. So send your clerk and your treasurer (and/or anyone interested in learning more about church finance) to the following training in June:
Monday, June 24 from 4:00-6:00 at the First Presbyterian Church of Windom
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What is a Matthew 25 church?
Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) exhorted the PC(USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.
How the vision unites all Presbyterians
By accepting the Matthew 25 invitation, you can help our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world. We recognize Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious. And we rejoice how our re-energized faith can unite all Presbyterians for a common and holy purpose: our common identity to do mission.
We invite you to join us on this journey!
Become a Matthew 25 church.
From the PCUSA Store:
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Join the movement of Presbyterians in Baltimore for a Big Tent like no other.
The theme, Called to a Movement beyond Institution, will emphasize our hope of the Gospel and its power to challenge institutional conventions. The goal is to come together and live in this moment, immersed in our current cultural context of racial division, gender inequality, and economic disparity to be renewed, refreshed and reformed, so that we may be sent out to affect change in our own communities. Big Tent will provide a place where our Presbyterian polity and identity is the foothold by which we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action and answer the call to discern the will of God together.
Through worship, Bible study, learning opportunities, and active engagement with one another and the community, attendees will encounter the Church participating in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity.
Organizers for this year’s Big Tent celebration have lined up the guest preachers and leaders for the three-day gathering in Baltimore this summer. The Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will be the featured speaker at the
opening plenary
on Thursday, Aug. 1.
“Conversations are taking place about the changes that are occurring in our society, especially in terms of our demographics. Churches are experiencing change, including decline and diversity,” said Rah. “I will touch on those, but I really want to touch base on what the appropriate response to these changes should be.”
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The FPC Mankato invites whoever might be interested to hear Mission Co-Workers in August
Charles and Melissa Johnson, mission co-workers in Zambia, are visiting First Presbyterian Church of Mankato on Wednesday, August 14th. The event will be from 5:00-8:00pm. We're going to have a potluck supper and will enjoy time with Charles and Melissa as they share about God's mission happening in Zambia, how they were called into mission partnership, and how churches might hear their call into mission partnership.
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The Synod of Lakes and Prairies Presents
The Art of Transitional Leadership
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Learning Ministry Skills for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Church
Pastors, Staff, COMs and Congregational Leaders
September 16-20, 2019
Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota
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Track 1: September 16-20, 2019
Whether it is a change in leadership or a changing community, leading a congregation through change is both challenging and rewarding.It takes knowledge, skill, resilience and spiritual strength to navigate the waters of change in a way that leaders and congregations thrive. This training is for individuals who are considering ministry in temporary settings (as an interim, transitional or designated pastor) or are experiencing ministry in these transitional times. Materials presented will include the basics of transitional ministry and will be of value to all congregational pastors regardless of their ministry setting. Best practices in transitional ministry include ways to enter the congregation and community, how to analyze a congregation’s strength and growing edges, and how to assist a congregation in moving toward a vibrant future. This training will delve into navigating change, the pastor as a spiritual interpreter of transition, family systems, mission focus ministry, conflict mediation, and building resiliency.
Track 2: September 18-20, 2019
Congregational leaders seeking to serve God faithfully are invited to Part Two of the Art of Transitional Ministry Event. The Wednesday–Friday training is for ruling elders, deacons, and other congregational leaders. Workshops for this group will focus on the vital role you play in collaborating with pastors to lead congregations through ministry transitions. Participants can expect to learn about core value mission planning, leadership development, congregational systems, stewardship, and creating spiritual energy in congregations.
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Save the date for Boundary Training
Tuesday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls
Boundary Training is required for all minister/teaching elder presbytery members and commissioned ruling elders. The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys will be holding a boundary training on Tuesday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. The Rev. Mark Sundby from Leaderwise will be leading the boundary training. The training will focus on a holistic approach to boundaries, looking at overall resilience and well-being as the best prevention against impaired decision making and boundaries violations. More information will be coming.
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Save the Date: Pastors’ Retreat November 11-13, 2019
Leaning Tree Lodge
Presbyterian Clearwater Forest
16595 Crooked Lake Rd
Deerwood MN 56444
Begins with lunch on Monday and ends before lunch on Wednesday.
Cost: $40, includes meals and lodging
Come and enjoy the fall beauty of Presbyterian Clearwater Forest and spend time with presbytery colleagues. We will reflect on the year of transformation and take a deep breath. The retreat is in the planning stages, but mark your calendars to attend.
Retreat Speaker Rev. Jennifer Hope Kottler is a spiritual director/certified life and leadership coach and yoga teacher in private practice in Florence, SC. An ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with standing in the United Church of Christ, Jen serves clergy and lay leaders who want to deepen their own spirituality and lead their communities with intentionality and grace. Jen facilitates retreats and events for congregations, non-profit organizations, and church leaders. In all her work, Jen incorporates ancient spiritual practices with modern techniques including Energy Leadership Coaching and Conversational Intelligence®. Jen is married to Rev. Gavin Meek, Transitional Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk in New Harmony Presbytery (NE South Carolina) and she enjoys hiking, tennis, cooking for family and friends, and traveling with Gavin.
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Church Staff: Schedule a Day with Karen
Associate for Administration Karen Lange is available to spend a day with church office folks to share tips on setting up bulletins, newsletters, making a Facebook page or to help with any general questions. The cost is Karen’s mileage to and from the church plus providing lunch. Please email
Karen
to schedule.
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
First Presbyterian Church, Fulda
- Solo Pastor, 3/4 time up to full-time
Faith Presbyterian Church, Silver Lake
- Part-time Solo Pastor
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer
- Solo Pastor
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