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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
December 9, 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 December 13-19
Harrison Presbyterian Church of rural Spicer/Atwater
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Pastor: none at present
Clerk of Session: Dennis Peterson
Session: LeRoy Christensen, Kenneth Dahlberg, Alan Dietz, Lori Klose, Jim Nelson, Dennis Peterson Christian Education: Lori Klose
Stewardship: LeRoy Christensen
Worship: Dennis Peterson
Trustees: Kenneth Dahlberg, Alan Dietz, Jim Nelson
Treasurer: Sandra Christensen
Secretary: Loir Dietz
Organist: Cheri Ladwig
Custodian: Shelly Dahl
Prayer concerns:
Prayers as we are in transition and looking for a new pastor. For members who have recently lost loved ones. For members in care facilities, and members with health conditions. We pray for members who are homebound during this time.
We are thankful for our many blessings, for a safe and bountiful harvest season, for the past 2 years of having Pastors Galen and Marcia Sylvester leading our congregation and as they now enjoy retirement and being new grandparents; for baptisms and graduations we have had this past year, and over 30 years with a yoked ministry with Zion/Irving Lutheran Church of rural Hawick.
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This week, the Advent text encourages preaching about hope. The Old Testament lessons are prophetic; they speak to the consistent “now but not yet” thread in theology. In the realm of God time is both Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is chronological or sequential time, while Kairos is divine time. Kairos time for years has prompted the affirmation, “God may not come when you want Him, but God is always on time.” |
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The Epistle text written by Paul to the Thessalonians calls for the people to bear witness to their faith by being those who find hope not in circumstances but rather from an inner well that springs within the soul. The Gospel text is the Magnificat, Mary, the mother of Jesus song. The lyrics are her testimony. Only she fully knows the true cost of her yes to God. Signing on to be an agent for The Almighty comes with great eternal benefits and a price. Mary knew this best. Continuing with Mary’s story, imagine the scandal of her life. Even today, the immaculate conception is hard to believe. However, Mary’s song rings in resistance to what others might think. She sings of redemption, faith, the impossible, and justice. As Protestants, we often shy away from highlighting Mary in an intentional effort to keep theological boundaries. Nonetheless, Mary sings in protest to our carefulness. Mary in Sonata form states, expands, and restates God’s actions of the reversal of circumstances, lifting the lowly, and the exaltation of the humble.
A Christmas card from close friends showed their family walking with the words “We look forward to walking out of 2020.” I would imagine many greeting cards this year with the same message; we are done with 2020. We are looking forward to a better 2021. This Sunday, not only should we imagine next year being a different year than our present experience, let our messages teach how to find hope in the “now” in which we currently live. David Lose said, “Hope, you see, implies circumstances that are dismal and difficult enough to require us to look beyond ourselves for rescue and relief so that we might hear again and anew God’s promise to hold onto us through all that might come.” In Psalm 126, when deliverance came, the people said they were like those who dream. In Isaiah 61:2, the prophet says the Anointed will not snuff out the hope of the people. Instead, the year of the Lord’s favor is to give a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
As we garner the spirit to find hope in this season, ponder the following questions:
Where are you seeing the manifestations of the Divine among us?
What are the connections between the recommended scripture and everyday life?
What are our loss narratives?
What new narratives will we continue to tell?
Throughout Advent, I am reciting Howard Thurman’s poem I Will Light Candles This Christmas.
I will light candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
May you find joy today and always.
Rev. SanDawna Ashley
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2020 Remittances: In order to be counted for the year 2020, remittances for 2020 are due to the presbytery office before January 5, 2021. |
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Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Resources
Updated faith related guidance documents have just been posted. Anything you can do virtually, you should do virtually at this time.
New updated documents are:
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Article from Church Law and Tax |
Last week the US Supreme Court ruled on a case brought by Catholic and Jewish congregations about their inability to worship in New York State based on Gov. Cuomo’s use of orange/red distinctions for the corona virus. |
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The Court overturned the Governor’s rule because it discriminated against religious organizations. (Orange counties could have 25 people in worship; Red just 10 – while businesses were able to be open with more than 10 or 25 people in their buildings as they were regulated based on capacity.) The Supreme Court in two prior votes said that there could be restrictions on churches as long as they were not discriminated against.
Richard Hammar wrote in Church Law and Tax Update:
What this means for churches
What is the practical relevance of this case to churches? Consider the following four points.
First, the central holding of the Court’s opinion is that churches cannot be treated less favorably during a pandemic than “comparable secular organizations.”
Second, comparable secular organizations include those that have similar numbers in attendance for similar periods of time each week, with similar physical interactions among attendees.
Third, a state can impose restrictions on gatherings that treat churches no less favorably than comparable secular organizations. To illustrate, a ban on gatherings in excess of 100 people that applies uniformly to every religious and secular organization would likely not run afoul of the First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom.
Fourth, church leaders that continue to hold worship services in violation of state or local restrictions that treat churches no less favorably than comparable secular organizations must understand that they are exposing their church to potential legal risks should one or more persons become infected with the COVID-19 virus as a result of
church attendance. These risks include:
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Potential personal liability of church board members if their decision to ignore government mandates and recommendations is deemed to constitute gross negligence. Most states have enacted laws limiting the personal liability of church officers and directors. The most common type of statute immunizes uncompensated directors and officers from legal liability for their ordinary negligence committed within the scope of their official duties. These statutes generally provide no protection for “willful and wanton” conduct or “gross negligence”—the same standard typically used as a basis for punitive damages (below). A decision by a church board to continue holding worship services in disregard of government restrictions may constitute gross negligence subjecting board members who participated in the decision to personal liability.
- Reckless inattention to risks can lead to punitive damages, and such damages ordinarily are not covered by a church’s liability insurance policy. This means that a jury award of punitive damages represents a potentially uninsured risk. As a result, church leaders should understand the basis for punitive damages, and avoid behavior which might be viewed as grossly negligent. A decision by a church’s leadership to continue holding worship services in disregard of government restrictions may constitute gross negligence subjecting the church to punitive damages.”
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Prayer List
- For Rev. Bill Yueill, retired pastor, Zimmerman, well on the way to recovery from a serious heart event
- For Rev. John Lindholm, retired pastor, Fergus Falls, health concerns
- 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
Pray for Our Occidente Partners in Guatemala
- For the families of the three Occidente pastors that have recently died
- For those who have contracted the Covid virus
- For the "Men in the Mirror" program. Men from Occidente that MVP supported financially to attend the classes 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."
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
Zion Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth; Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Rushmore; First Presbyterian Church, Rushmore - Interim 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
First Presbyterian Church, Slayton - Pastor
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer - Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago - Interim Pastor
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Pastoral Care
A Winter Learning Opportunity for Presbyterians
February 1-March 8, 2021
Join this class to explore what it means to reflect on what it means to provide pastoral care in a variety of settings and concerns. Rev. Lisa Watson, a long-time hospital chaplain, who currently serves as a Marriage and Family Counselor is the instructor.
Who might want to take this class?
- Deacons who provide pastoral care and make pastoral visits
- Commissioned Pastors who would like to improve their pastoral care
- Those who might be called to be commissioned pastors as it meets the criteria of participating presbyteries
What will this class involve?
This course is designed to introduce you to pastoral care and the issues that commonly arise in this ministry. Our goal is to address topics that are directly relevant and applicable to your ministry work. Through readings, discussion, and self-reflective exercises, you will:
- Increase your understanding of the essence of pastoral care.
- Identify theological, scientific and awareness resources for future use in pastoral care
- Deepen self-reflection awareness and skills needed to provide thoughtful pastoral care. There will be one book to read in advance and two instruments to take prior to the class.
The class runs asynchronously, meaning, you will participate in weekly activities at your own pace, based on your schedule. Each week, you will be expected to complete an assigned reading, participate in a discussion, respond to two of your classmates’ discussion posts, and complete an assignment. We estimate that you will spend about two hours weekly on coursework. There will be two Zoom meetings with the instructor: February 15 and March 1 from 7-8 p.m.
What is the cost?
- $125 for those whose presbyteries support The Academy. $150 for those whose presbytery is not a partner. For those interested in the whole series of 11 classes in the Academy, there is an additional 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, Northern Waters and Prospect Hill are the current sponsors of the Academy.
How do I register or find additional information?
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Formation for Mission: Dipping into the Well of PC(USA) Resources
A Spring Learning Opportunity for Presbyterians
March 13-14, 2021
This weekend class offers participants the opportunity to learn more about the breadth and depth of resources available for Presbyterian church leaders. This course provides the opportunity to interact with a number of national staff people for the PC(USA) and to become acquainted with the resources their offices offer to aid and further the ministry of local congregations.
Who should consider taking this class?
- Anyone who wants to grow in their faith and understanding of being Presbyterian
- Session members and Deacons
- Committee chairs
- Commissioned Pastors seeking a helpful continuing education opportunity
- Those who might be called to be commissioned pastors
What will this class involve?
- Through a series of interactive panel discussions with national staff for the PCUSA, participants will dip deep into the well of resources for:
- Understanding and engaging the Matthew 25 initiative of the denomination and its focus on building congregational vitality, eradicating system poverty and dismantling structural racism.
- Forming lifelong disciples who are grounded in the reformed tradition and equipped for evangelism, equipped to be peacemakers and witnesses to the world, and who engage the reformed tradition to work towards justice and equity for all God's people.
- The Presbyterian Publishing House will share new resources for faith formation of all ages and participants will explore a variety of resources and how they can be used in local congregations.
- This class will meet by Zoom on Saturday 9:00-5:00 and Sunday 9:00-3:00 CT.
What is the cost?
- $125 for participants from partner presbyteries. $150 for participants from non-partner presbyteries. 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, Northern Waters and Prospect Hill are the current sponsors of the Academy.
How do I register or find more information?
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