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A weekly newsletter from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
November 3, 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 November 7-13
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Rushmore
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Session Members: Dean Hokeness, Lynel Hokeness, Joyce Jacobs, Randy Jacobs (clerk), Gayle Larson, Matt Larson. and Janet Smid (treasurer)
Interim Pastor: Rev. David Choate
Prayer concerns:
- Pastor Nominating Committee as they search for our next Pastor, shared with Rushmore First and Ellsworth Zion
- Our discussions with Rushmore First as we explore the possibility of uniting the two congregations
- Farmers to safely wrap up harvest
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A Word from Kathy
It seems everyone has an opinion about everything these days ... about politics, the budget, vaccines, mandates, masks, Black Lives Matter, voting ... even about church and how we should be worshipping together (or not together). The problem is not that we have opinions, it's just that as a society we have become less tolerant of any opinions that aren't our own. We want to be right and we want everyone else to know it. We don't have to always be right. And even when we are right we don't need to insist that everyone acknowledge that we are right and they are wrong.
My friends, Jesus doesn't call us to always be right, but we are called to love our neighbors. We can love each other, differences and all. I think one step in acting more loving is to talk less and listen more. Perhaps it easier to love others if we take the time to hear them without interruptions. Next time someone has an opinion that you don't agree with, instead of explaining how wrong they are, ask, 'How did you come to believe that way?'. It's very possible that we still will disagree, but perhaps we can understand and empathize with them. At the very least we will have honored them with our attention and perhaps gotten to know them better.
Thought for the Week
"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new." -- Dalai Lama
Kathy Terpstra
Gap Executive Presbyter
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Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2022
Indianapolis, Indiana
DEPART July 23 – RETURN July 28
A gathering for High School age youth, youth leaders and young adults in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. presbyterianyouthtriennium.org
CLICK HERE for a PDF with more information for our 2022 MN Valleys Presbytery delegation
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Preaching Practicum with Tom Long
A Fall Learning Opportunity for Presbyterians
November 19-21, 2021
Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, Farmington, MN
This weekend class invites participants to explore the craft of preaching from one of the Presbyterian Church’s “master” preachers, Dr. Tom Long. Who should consider taking this class?
- Anyone who wants to grow in their faith and understanding of preaching the Word
- Session members and Deacons who may be called to preach
- Commissioned Pastors seeking a helpful continuing education opportunity
- Those who might be called to be commissioned pastors
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.
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GA #225 (2022)
General Assembly #225 will take place...in two locations in 2022...Louisville, KY and your living room! The format for this General Assembly will be different. Commissioners and advisory delegates will meet in person in Louisville at the Presbyterian Center for committee meetings then from July 5-9, the GA will meet in plenary sessions virtually using Zoom. The GA Committees will be coming in person to Louisville over three sets of days: June 18-23, June 22-26 or June 26-30. We seek applications for commissioners and alternates. For much more information about GA, go the website: 225th General Assembly (2022) | From Lament to Hope (ga-pcusa.org)
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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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Chili Lunch at FPC Litchfield |
Litchfield First Presbyterian Church is hosting a Veteran's Day Chili Lunch on Thursday, Nov 11 from 11:00 to 1:00. $7 for all the chili and fixings you can eat. All Veterans eat free! |
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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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The Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Update
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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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Prayer List
- 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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The Ministry Lab is hosting a "Gentle" Re-Opening - and celebrating with a slew of free resources!
*Meet our new assistant, Bridgette Weber on Thursdays.
*Visitors are asked to be vaccinated and wear a mask at all times.
~Find hidden treasures in our Gently-Used Book Give-Away - Wednesday, November 3.
~Let us soothe anxieties with fresh, new, FREE resources, for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and more!
~AND: the labyrinths are available again! Reserve one for Advent, New Years, Lent, etc., by emailing Emily Meyer.
We look forward to moving gently through the coming seasons with you!
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