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Creator of the universe,
Creator of the heavens and the earth,
Creator of waters, sky, grass and trees,
Creator of creeping things and every animal of every kind,
Creator of every person everywhere,
We give you thanks and we give you praise.
Holy God, for your faithfulness,
For your mercies that are new every morning,
For your grace that finds us along our way,
We give you thanks and we give you praise.
Loving God, who endures with us,
Who rejoices with us,
Who weeps with us,
Who finds us when we are lost,
Who cares for us when we are broken,
Who listens as we pour out our hearts to you,
We give you thanks and we give you praise.
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Righteous God, for your Holy Spirit,
Who refreshes our hearts,
Who fills us until we overflow with abundance of joy, love, and peace,
We give you thanks and we give you praise.
Eternal God, for your Son Jesus the Christ,
In whom you have delivered us,
In whom you have forgiven us,
In whom you have reconciled us and given us life everlasting,
We give you thanks and we give you praise.
| A prayer of Thanksgiving by Letarshia C. Robinson, published Nov. 15, 2022, The Pressbyterian Outlook | |
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Native American Heritage Month
A new book,
Voices From Pejuhutazizi Dakota Stories and Storytellers, Minnesota Historical Society Press, in which the authors share the stories and history of five generations of their family.
The authors:
LaBatte is an artist and storyteller. He is Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota and a member of the Upper Sioux Community. LaBatte graduated from Macalester College, one of the Presbyterian related schools in the Synod, and attends Pejuhutazizi Presbyterian Church.
Peterson is an educator, tribal planner, and writer. She is Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota and a member of the Upper Sioux Community.
"This heartfelt collection of stories follows the great tradition of oral storytellers, as it brings history to life with vivid details, reminds us of our shared humanity, and entertains while offering profound insights into Dakota culture and experience. This book is a rare and generous gift from a family of storytellers as they honor their responsibility to share these stories with future generations." Diane Wilson, author of Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past and The Seed Keeper: A Novel.
Watch the virtual book launch.
Minnesota Historical Society Press.
Postcards, Pioneer PBS, featuring Watter LaBatte Jr.
Making Beauty - Macalester Today News, April 2021
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PC(USA) leaders continue their work dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
‘Everyday God-talk’ episodes on the repudiated doctrine will continue into 2023
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — In response to a referral from the 224th General Assembly (2020) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) for the Presbyterian Mission Agency to develop theological resources for how the church has benefited at the expense of Native American peoples, a consultation was held with Native American leaders at Stony Point Center in New York Sept. 13-15.
Read more
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What we are reading
Join the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies book study. The next selection is
The Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge: A Lakota Odyssey by Joe Starita.
The book study is led by members of the PWS Native American Concerns Committee and is open to interested women and men across the Synod.
Click here to learn more.
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Synod office closed during holidays
Thanksgiving
The office will be closed November 24 & 25.
Christmas
The office will be closed December 26 through January 1.
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Make a difference on
Giving Tuesday -November 29th
Join us in celebrating the collective power of Presbyterian generosity on Giving Tuesday, November 29, as we profess by our actions — and with our gifts — that we can accomplish far more together than any one of us can do alone. We are the Church… together!
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the potential of social media and the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. All gifts given on Giving Tuesday will be directed to Shared Mission/Matthew 25 (25%), Office of the General Assembly (25%), and Special Offerings (50%).
John Knox Presbytery will use Giving Tuesday to raise funds to alleviate medical debt.
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Finding the perfect Christmas gift
Presbyterian Giving Catalog gives families endless ideas
by Emily Enders Odom, Presbyterians Today
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The Meester family in the chicken house circa 1960. Twin Brothers Raymond and Richard stand in front of their parents, Eveline and Calvin.
Although the iconic sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog and its Christmas companion, the Sears Wish Book, are relics of a bygone age, the well-loved tradition of families poring over every one of its colorful pages in search of the perfect gift lives on in the Presbyterian Giving Catalog.
Read the full article.
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Presbytery of Northern Waters
Lake Charles Louisiana Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Work Trip - February 11-19, 2023
Why volunteer to assist Lake Charles? Southern Louisiana experienced extensive flooding in 2016, followed by more damage after hurricane Barry in 2020. In August of 2021 Louisiana was hit once again by hurricane Laura, a category four storm. More information is available here.
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Following the Hope of God
Twelve members and leaders from Covenant Presbyterian Church, Madison, Wisc., spent the latter half of October on a mission trip to Guatemala, learning, working, praying, sing, sharing, and playing together with its Guatemalan connections. This is a portion of their report to the congregation—and to all of us, their Presbytery siblings.
We spent time in Coyolate, helping with a church construction project at the Monte Horeb Presbyterian Church. While not working (it was HOT and rainy), we met with families, visited the school, and played with the kids.
In Santo Domingo we hosted a health clinic for the community. After a few of us measured height and weight, our two doctors (Jane Pearson--pictured left--and Carolyn Lorenz-Greenberg) consulted with over 50 people on a variety of health issues.
Read the full article.
Article from Knox Knotes a newsletter of John Knox Presbytery.
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Harvest Helps MATURA Fight Hunger
The First Presbyterian Church of Corning, Iowa, recently harvested sweet potatoes, white potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes from its Mission Garden. With food security a local issue, the church worked with MATURA and community gardeners to help meet MATURA’s food pantry needs.
Although the harvest has ended, hunger knows no season, and First Presbyterian hosted its drive-through dinner on November 17th to support the Adams County MATURA Food Pantry.
Article from the Presbytery of Des Moines Connection newsletter
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Building Ministry Vitality through Matthew 25
Outward Incarnational Focus:
"Lord, when did we see you?"
Interview with Chip Hardwick, Synod of the Covenant, click here.
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How is your church or presbytery participating in Matthew 25?
Don't have an article to send? That's okay, send us a sentence about the project or event. Contact us here.
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Just in time for Advent: Presbyterian pastor and hymn writer publishes ‘God’s World is Changing: New Hymns for Advent and Christmas’
The latest collection from the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette offers up new lyrics for Advent and Christmas hymns, exploring issues including racism, immigration and poverty
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — God’s world is changing, says Presbyterian hymn writer the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, and her new hymns for Advent and Christmas are designed to, in her words, “help us to make sense of the places where faith and everyday life meet.”
Gillette’s work of more than two decades offering up new lyrics to familiar hymn tunes can be seen here. The new book, “God’s World is Changing: New Hymns for Advent and Christmas,” can be ordered in Kindle or paperback here.
Read the full article
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2022 Daily Devotions for Advent
The Presbyterian Outlook is once again offering accessible and inspiring daily devotions for Advent. Poetry and prose reflections, curated and written by editor Teri McDowell Ott alongside contributing editors Kathryn Lester-Bacon and Arlin Buyert will help readers attend to this sacred season of waiting.
Learn more by clicking here.
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Looking Beyond Crisis:
Redefining Ministry for a Recovering World
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Doctor of Ministry 2023
Led by Rev. Dr. Sara Dingman and Rev. Dr. Skip Shaffer
D. Min. degree designed for pastors who understand that ministering in a changing world requires us to think and serve in new ways as well.
This D. Min. cohort will focus on enabling pastors to explore and examine the crises that have challenged us and shaped our lives and discover new ways for us to live out our faith in the years to come. Our goal is not to get back to normal, but to discover what form normal will take as we share and live out our faith in the future. Click here for a copy of the flyer. For more information, email us.
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Join Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDIC) and The Leadership Center for Social Justice for two clergy specific trainings on Discerning Whiteness: The Unacknowledged Barrier.
Each three hour session will take place over Zoom so participants can engage from anywhere. The sessions count towards 6 Continuing Education hours for clergy members.
Details: 2 sessions over Zoom. January 19, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon CT and February 2, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon CT. Cost: $90.
Registration is located here.
Learn more about ASDIC and their work here https://www.asdicircle.org/.
Reach out to Stella Pearce (spearce@unitedseminary.edu) if you have any questions.
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Presbyterian Women Churchwide
The Justice and Peace Book Discussion Group announces 2023 books. Click here to learn more.
The J&P Book Discussion Group is open to all.
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Leadership Development Workshops & Programs
Learn more
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Our new phone number
651-279-1677
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The Ministry Lab is creating a video reflection
based on Psalm 148
This video will be FREE for member congregations to enjoy as a sermon, contemplative practice, or celebratory opening or closing throughout the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany.
And we'd like to include your photos, images, or drawings!
Help us create this beautiful reflection by sharing your favorite images - inspired by Psalm 148 (NRSV or The Message) - by Sunday, December 4, 2022, here!
The Psalm 148 Reflection Video will be available by Christmas Day!! Learn more here.
Register here to receive the link as soon as it is ready!
BECOME A TIME BOSS - FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Make space for SELF-CARE -
while challenging CULTURAL NORMS -
and creating GRACIOUS BOUNDARIES
Join Rev. Nicole Havelka, a leadership coach and mindful meditation teacher, in a workshop that will help you step back, name your self-care needs and priorities, empower you to manage your time for work-life balance, and introduce you to mindfulness practices that will sustain you through stress-filled times and spark transformation. Learn more here.
Register here to receive the zoom link.
Members: freewill donation
Non-member fee: $25
January 10, 2023; 2:00-3:30 PM CT
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Training Sessions offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Please contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org) with questions about any of our outstanding workshops. Thank you for your commitment to peace and wholeness within the body of Christ!
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Question: How many calls does the Butterball turkey talk line get each year?
Answer: 100,000
So many people roast a big bird just once a year, and understandably need a little help. No question is too silly for the heroes on the other end of the line. In 2016, the company's popular cooking crisis management team also introduced a 24-hour text message line or Butterball turkey talk line for the lead-up to the big day. So if you're wondering why the turkey isn't turning out quite the way you want it – or your oven starts on fire like Taylor's firefighter father-in-law's did one year – don't panic. Help is just a call or a text message away.
From Good Houskeeping - 35 Best Thanksgiving Trivia to Quiz Your Friends and Family on Turkey Day
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