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A weekly newsletter from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
September 29, 2021
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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 October 3-9
First Presbyterian Church of Pipestone
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Admin Assistant: Allison Quarrella
Custodians: Bruce & Luann Drew
Session: Emily Speer, Gary Vande Voort, Lee Gorter, Shelly Hennager, Duane Shelhaas, Bud Eernisse
Board of Deacons: Lana Eeten, Jan Biever, Debbie Boelter, Mary Evink, Linda Carson, Donna Raatz, Sharleen Ludolph
Prayer request:
for our PNC and leaders as we are searching for a new pastor
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Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
We seek a down-to-earth, collaborative leader to partner with the 51 congregations of our western Minnesota presbytery. We are blessed to live, work, and worship in the beautiful landscape of lake country and rolling farmland, small rural communities, college towns, and resort communities. We are congregations who seek to be a collective expression of the Body of Christ, joyfully participating in Christ’s on-going life and work. We seek an EP who can help us live into this vision by encouraging us to build partnerships and embrace a vibrant future. You can find more information about the position on the CLC website. Or, you can email gmilloy@lakesandprairies.org. Deadline for Application is October 31, 2021.
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Pictures or Videos from Our Presbytery Sought
We are working on a video for our new website, and invite you to send pictures or videos that we might use. We'd like high resolution nature pictures from within our Presbytery. Send links or pictures to Karen Lange.
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Mrs. Veda Shaheeen Gill, Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan, to speak at First Presbyterian Saint Cloud |
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On October 14th at 11:30 a.m., member churches of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys will be hosting Mrs. Veda Shaheen Gill, the executive director of the Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan at the First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Everyone is invited, especially pastors and mission committees and everyone interested in mission. A luncheon will be served so please RSVP to Mark Ford by email, or text or call a response to 218-232-8131.
The Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) is an autonomous Board under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and is supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other churches and organizations worldwide. Its purpose is to provide high quality education rising out of its Christian values and its Christian roots. The scope of the Board extends to primary and secondary schools (including dormitories for Christian children); higher education; and vocational, professional and technical training for children, regardless of race or creed.
The Presbyterian Church in the United States has a long relationship with mission work in what was India and now Pakistan. These schools are the result of those relationships.
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Save the Date!
All clerks and moderators:
The time has come to review Session minutes from 2019 and 2020. We will be doing this on Saturday, October 23 from 10-2 (Lunch will be provided) at the Presbytery office which is now in the First Presbyterian Church, 312 6th Street SW, Willmar. Please fill out the form for your minutes for two years – 2019 and 2020.
On the same day, Bea Ourada will be having a training for church treasurers/church financial people, and Deb Hess (Commission on Leadership co-chair) will be leading a training for personnel committees particularly focused on conducting annual reviews for pastors. So it promises to be a good day of training. Anyone interested is welcome!!
Please RSVP to Karen at the presbytery office how many people are coming and to which training so we can plan accordingly for lunch.
If you are unable to attend the review, please let us know too (you can also send someone if you aren't able to make it). It is important to have your books reviewed.
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Photos from the Special Presbytery Meeting |
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The Great Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys Brownie Bake-Off: Results and Recipes |
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After the Special Presbytery meeting on Monday, we judged two pans of brownies. One pan of brownies was made with buttermilk and the other without. One recipe was Pam’s grandma’s brownies and the other was a recipe from one of Pam’s high school friends. Everyone who attended the meeting was able to try each brownie and then vote for their favorite. Of course some people wouldn’t pick one, but overall the Buttermilk Brownies were the winner (#1 for those who attended). In case you are wondering, Pam will continue to eat and enjoy and make her Grandmother’s brownies….after all, they are famous and the best! 😊
Here are the recipes:
Buttermilk Brownies (#1)
Mix 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of flour and 1 tsp. salt.
Boil for two minutes: ½ plus 2 T. butter, 1 cup water, 5 T. cocoa; then pour over flour and sugar mixture and beat for two minutes.
Add 2 eggs and beat.
Combine ½ cup buttermilk with 1 tsp. soda and let set until foamy. Add 1 T. vanilla and then pour over mixture and beat.
Pour into prepared 9x13 pan and bake 20 minutes at 350 degree oven.
Frosting
Boil for two minutes: 1 and ½ cups sugar, 6 T. butter, 1 T. vanilla, 6 T milk; then add ½ cup chocolate chips mix until smooth. Frost the cooled brownies.
Grandma Harris’ famous brownies (#2)
Cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar. Add 4 eggs and 1 T. vanilla. Beat well. Add 1 ½ cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup cocoa, 1 tsp. salt and 1 cup walnuts (if desired). Mix well and pour into a prepared 9x13 pan. The dough will be very thick. Bake 20-30 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE.
Frosting
Boil for two minutes: 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup butter and ¼ cup milk; remove from heat and add ½ cup chocolate chips, mix until smooth. Frost cooled brownies.
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Support Education for Children in Our Sister Presbytery in Guatemala |
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by Jim Krapf
Our Occidente partners report that school there continues some places in person and other places virtually. Mission Co-Worker Leslie Vogel tells of students climbing the mountainsides to get reception for their assignments and then climbing again to submit their lessons.
The need for scholarships continues. Your donations in the past have made a tremendous difference. Additional contributions will again do so, particularly in this stressful time with COVID complications.
Their next school year begins in January. You can mail your checks made out to the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys and noted for scholarships to the presbytery office (PO Box 431, Kerkhoven MN 56252). Any amount is appreciated; but $250 per student is the goal. You may consider making this more than a one-year commitment.
You might also add 22% of your donated amount. Five percent is given to the national office of the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala as a part of our partnership agreement. This money assists in paying their administrative and program cost at the national level. Seventeen percent is given to our national office of the PCUSA, to pay for promotional efforts and to ensure the funds are used as intended.
Your donations will be in addition to the six scholarships that are provided through our presbytery’s Occidente Partners budget. Our goal for several years has been a total of $4000, providing 16 children with $250 each. Keeping our donations at this level can support more children beyond elementary into middle and high school.
Communications have been difficult and delayed because of COVID, but we hope that donors will eventually receive photographs, academic reports, and thank you notes from the children and/or their parents. Many churches display these to express appreciation and promote further contributions. We do not reveal the names of donors to the recipients to avoid further personal requests for assistance. We have found presbytery-to-presbytery arrangements are a fairer more manageable way to offer assistance. Occidente's Committee on Ministry will continue to select the recipients from among their now 20 churches.
Thank you in advance. Education yields opportunities. It makes a difference for that child’s future.
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People Investing in People
Our Presbytery’s Self-Development of People Committee is now fully composed and qualified to review and decide on grant applications. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to present this opportunity at the August 17 Presbytery meeting.
Our invitation at this time is for congregations and their leaders to identify grassroots groups in their communities who are struggling but want to improve their situations. This is a wonderful way for your church to join God in reaching out to neighbors in need.
The basic criteria to qualify is that the group 1) own, 2) control, and 3) benefit from the project.
The process includes: 1) Groups submitting application forms to committee chair by October 1; 2) Committee reviewing, doing on-site or zoom visit, and deciding by November 1; 3) National office deciding and distributing funds in January. We have $4500 available for our presbytery.
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150th Anniversary at First Presbyterian Church, Windom
On Sunday, October 17 the First Presbyterian Church in Windom will be celebrating 150 years. Former pastors and people who have been ordained out of our congregation, as well as former members and others have all been invited to a worship service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a catered lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a program at 1:00 p.m. “To God be the Glory” is our theme as we reflect and celebrate our past and look forward to our future mission and ministry. You are all invited to join us; please RSVP to bdmuller@mvtvwireless.com.
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The Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Update
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The Academy Offers Hope for the Future
Many churches across America, including here in Minnesota, are finding it difficult to find and/or afford a full-time ordained pastor. Several churches, however, are finding what might even be a better solution: Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs). CREs are commissioned by the Presbytery to fulfill the role of a pastor for a specific ministry or congregation. For classes and more info, check out The Academy
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From Transformation & Development
The Commission on Transformation and Development is working to make sure we are serving you and your churches the best we can in this next year.
The Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development exists to resource congregations. We have identified six critical areas: discipleship, evangelism, mission, spiritual leadership, stewardship and worship. Please feel free to contact any of the members of the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development as to what might be areas that you may be seeking assistance with locating valuable resources. Those currently serving on the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development are: Randy Knuth, chair, Anne Veldhuisen, Michael Hartwell, Darlene Scherbing, Barb Wawrzyniak, Lindsay Jacaruso, Rollin Haynes and Steve Anderson. Please let us know how we can come alongside of your congregation. Please contact Randy Knuth, the chair, at 712-540-8243 or via email at knuthr758@gmail.com.
Having a difficult time finding pulpit supply? Have you considered a virtual sermon?
A Sermon for Every Sunday ( asermonforeverysunday.com) is a website that provides lectionary-based video sermons by America’s best preachers for use in worship, bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes, or individual use. All you do is push the button. If you have a computer and a projector, these professionally recorded sermons can be downloaded and viewed on Sunday mornings. The site features nationally known preachers from multiple denominations. Although donations are accepted, the sermons are free. Check out asermonforeverysunday.com.
Technology Grant
Thanks to the gracious generosity of the Budget and Finance Committee, we are now able to offer technology grants up $750.00 each year, not to exceed ½ of the cost of the total project. So, the total project will have to be over $1500 in order to receive that amount. This is effective May 27, 2021. Again, thanks to the Budget and Finance for graciously increasing these funds that churches may apply for in regards to technology upgrades or new projects. Please use the new form which is specific to the Technology Grant.
The above resources are shared by the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development
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FY22 ACPE Extended Unit Program
VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23) ACPE System (St. Cloud VA Hospital)
We are in a Veteran Administration hospital setting in Saint Cloud. We serve veterans of all ages, sexual orientation, ethnicities, and religious/spiritual preferences. We have long-term care, mental health and addictions, women’s issues, out-patient medical services, and a host of other services for veterans. What is unique about a VA hospital is that it serves our veterans who have served our country in war and in peace time. One experiences the stories of veterans through their military and civilian lives, hears about and has contact with families, works with the interdisciplinary team as a team member, and deals with crises as they arise. Obviously, one brings one’s own life experiences into the pastoral encounter as well. In CPE, one will work to gain self-awareness and then how to use that in ministry to help build the bridge between oneself and others in ministry. Our program will use family systems theories and other theories of human and faith development, theories on aging, grief, etc.
Rev. Dan Duggan is a new member of the Minnesota Valleys Presbytery and lives in St. Cloud.
St. Cloud VA FY22 CPE Extended Unit Program
October 12-2021-April 22, 2022
- Group time: Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Ministry time: An additional 12 hours per week, Monday-Friday, of which 4 hours per week need to be done at St. Cloud VA Hospital, and the remaining 8 hours per week can be spent in one’s own ministry setting. One may do all of their required ministry hours at the VA if desired. Ministry hours are scheduled at student’s convenience.
- One worship commitment on a Sunday
For further information contact Dan Duggan at the information below:
Rev. Daniel R. Duggan, M.Div., BCC, ACPE Certified Educator
Chaplain, ACPE Certified Educator
320-255-6480 x7543
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Transitional Ministry Education for All Pastors—A message from TMEC (Transitional Ministry Education Consortium)
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Prayer List
- For Carissa Cunningham, daughter of Pastor Jason and Annalisa Cunningham (Luverne), who underwent heart surgery on Monday, August 9.
- 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 brothers and sisters in the Occidente Presbytery of Guatemala - for their health, safety, and recovery from the effects of the Covid pandemic
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
Maine Presbyterian Church, rural Underwood - Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Slayton - Pastor
Harrison Presbyterian Church, rural Spicer - Pastor, yoked parish
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago - Interim Pastor
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Synod Newsletter: Keeping in Touch dated Sept 28
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The Ministry Lab and Growing Green Hearts invite you to an ecumenical unveiling of a FREE new Water Where We Live curriculum. This half-day retreat includes ecumenical worship; introduction to the inter- or multi-generational curriculum; and four workshops on Water in Worship; The Curriculum in Context - A Panel of Creators and Implementers; Water, Faith, and Enviro-STEM at Church; and Water, Faith, and Community-Based Justice. Further information and registration forms will be available soon. Mark your calendars now for November 18, 2021; 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM; Luther Seminary. Lunch provided by Shobi's Table!
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