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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
November 11, 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 November 15-21
First Presbyterian Church of Saint James
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Pastor: David Lick
Clerk of Session: Jerry Olson
Choir Director: Jerry Olson
Organists: Patty Brandts & Gloria Lewis
Sunday School Superintendent: Pam Runge
Prayer Concerns:
For those in our congregation recovering from surgery
For those afflicted with or recovering from COVID-19
We are very active in supplying local mission assistance in the form of rent assistance, bill assistance, gas, and groceries.
We have been sending an at-home Sunday school to our children (grades K-6) that encourages parents and children to learn the stories of the Bible and talk with one another about their faith.
We have a very robust board of deacons that assists people with various tasks, including driving to appointments and assisting in grief ministry.
We love music and look forward to a day when we can sing and have choir again!
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The November 14 Stated Presbytery Meeting will be
meeting via Zoom from 10:00 am-12:00 noon.
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Thank you, Veterans
November is the month when we think about Stewardship and when we are reminded of the importance of saying thank you. For those who served in the Armed Forces, we can never say thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made to keep our country safe. Military families also sacrifice traditional family life for many days of separation, risk, and uncertainty. The vocation of military service can be a rewarding experience that yields life-long friendships and meaningful work. Again, thank you! Also, take time to listen to a Vet today, what rich stories they can tell.
Join me in prayer:
We come today with gratitude in our hearts for those who said yes to military service. May you look upon them with kindness for their willingness to travel to foreign countries and learn new skills. We pray especially for those wounded. We pray for those who are afraid, lonely and do not know when they will return home. We pray for those who will miss another holiday with loved ones. Bless them to find community where they are. Allow these relationships to be authentic and life-giving. Bless children who are raised by extended family because their parents are deployed. Look with kindness on the Veterans who return home without jobs. Heal those who suffer from permanent injuries and emotional wounds. Give special grace to military chaplains called to serve on the frontlines in times of trauma, crisis, and tragedy. May they boldly offer the words of Christ.
On this day, let us remember what it means to be American and let the best of who we are overcome the worst of our actions. We pray in the name of Christ, who sacrificed his life so we may have life in abundance. Amen.
Rev. SanDawna Ashley
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Register for Small Church Residency Conversations by Zoom
Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm
Saturday, November 21 at 9:00 am
We are a small and mighty group from the Presbytery inviting you into a new possibility for ministry in your specific contexts. Knowing you are a vibrant congregation seeking pastoral leadership, we are exploring the gifts of early-in-ministry pastors who would love to come and lead and create alongside you in a “Small Church Residency.” This would mean an early-career pastor would be designated for two years at your church for transformation, regeneration, reimagining, and mutual growth in ministry. Through a generous grant from the Presbyterian Mission Agency and Minnesota Valleys Presbytery, resources would be available to come alongside you to support this new minister and help you all rise and change and grow together.
Qualifications for this ministry opportunity in short:
- Small and mighty churches willing and open for change
- Resources (financial and otherwise) to support a full-time pastor call meeting Presbyterian Minimum Guidelines (potential salary assistance up to $5,000)
If you are interested in this exciting new opportunity, we will host ZOOM conversations on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, November 21 at 9 am to answer questions and explore possibilities about what this ministry format could look like. If these aren’t an option for you, but you think your church is up for the adventure in Small Church Residency, do reach out to the presbytery, and we’ll find a way and time to enter conversation with you!
Dreaming into the next phase of ministry with you,
The Small Church Residency Task Force
Rev. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley, Executive Presbyter
Rev. Beverly Brock, First Presbyterian Church of Foley
Rev. Lindsay Conrad, First Presbyterian Church of Mankato
Rev. Randy Knuth, First Presbyterian Church of Fulda
Rev. Paul Snyder, First Presbyterian Church of Ashby
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Reflections from the Book Discussion:
Jesus and the Disinherited
by Howard Thurman
Submitted by Jan Prehn
Next Discussion is scheduled for Tues, Nov 17 at 10:00 AM
Zoom Link:
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From Jan: We know there are books that stand the test of time. I feel very blessed to have recently been introduced to one in our Presbytery book discussion group. Howard Thurman’s book, Jesus and the Disinherited, was first published in 1949 but he speaks as though it was written for us today as we struggle over the longstanding issues of racism, poverty, fear, hypocrisy and hatred. I highly recommend it, invite you to read it, if you haven’t already, and join in our discussion. |
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Movie Discussion via Zoom: Same Kind of Different As Me
November 23 at 10:00 AM
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For those with access to Netflix or another movie streaming service, watch the movie "Same Kind of Different as Me." We will discuss the film on Monday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m. Zoom link will be in next week's newsletter or you may contact Karen Lange for the link to be emailed. |
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Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Resources
Updated November 10: Preparedness Plan Requirements for Faith-Based Communities, Places of Worship, Weddings, and Funerals
Stay Safe Minnesota
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From the Committee on Representation
There is good news to report from the Committee on Representation. As of today, we only have four openings to fill so it would great if we could have a full slate to present for your approval at the presbytery meeting on Saturday, November 14th. We continue to ask for your thought-filled consideration to serve in one of these areas. Following are the list of openings with a brief description of the commission’s or committee’s role.
COMMISSION ON PRESBYTERY LIFE: 2023 (3 year term)
- Plans engaging, informative and celebratory Presbytery meetings, including the Commissioner Briefing and receiving the four church wide offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peace and Global Witness, and Christmas Joy
- Provides vision and strategy for the ongoing life of the presbytery
- Promotes, encourages, and enables congregational participation in, and support of, Presbyterian mission, social justice concerns, and peacemaking initiatives, including but not limited to the presbytery’s current mission connections: Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Lakeshore Center at Okoboji, Occidenté Partnership Task Force, Ethiopia-South Sudan Ministry Network, The Academy (Commissioned Pastor Training)
- Develops presbytery-sponsored events, both regionally and presbytery-wide, to enrich the lives and enhance the ministries of our congregations.
COMMISSION ON PRESBYTERY OPERATIONS: 2023 (3 year term)
Ensures accountability to the councils of the church.
- Between the meetings of the Presbytery, Operations uses delegated authority to take actions on behalf of the Presbytery as necessary
- Provides oversight for the Presbytery's budgeted and designated finances.
- Provides oversight for the Presbytery's property
- Acts as Trustees of the Presbytery in accordance with the presbytery’s Fiscal Accountability Policies
- Provides oversight of the Presbytery staff and implement the presbytery’s approved personnel policies.
- Nominates members to serve on the Committee on Representation
- Maintains communications with the Synod of Lake and Prairies and the General Assembly
- Receives proposed changes to Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Operating Procedures and recommend action to presbytery.
COMMISSION ON LEADERSHIP: 1 opening for 2023 (3 year term), 1 opening for 2022 (2 year term)
- Provides support, resources, and care for pastors
- Works with congregations and pastors in the all areas of their relationships, including pastoral transitions
- Acts on grant requests from individuals seeking support for conferences, workshops, other learning opportunities
- Works with inquirers and candidates on behalf of the Presbytery as they move through the process of preparation for ministry as outlined in the Advisory Handbook on Preparation for Ministry from the General Assembly
- Provides for the training, examination, and nurture of Ruling Elders seeking to be commissioned to pastoral service
- Works with congregations in exploring non-traditional staffing models
Also, COR is working with Jim Krapf who is seeking two additional people of color to serve on the Self-Development of People. Per Jim, “The minimum number required is five members. The majority of the committee must be non-Caucasian. The members do not have to be Presbyterian Church USA members, except for the chairperson. Additional members would be helpful, since we are at the minimum. Our Committee is scheduled to be recertified in 2021 so recruiting members before then would be advantageous.” I’m sure Jim would be glad to talk with anyone who has questions or can suggest someone for him to contact.
Our prayer is that all these terms can be filled in time for the presbytery meeting! Many thanks for your thought-filled consideration. Interest Form
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Prayer List
- For Rev. Bill Yueill, retired pastor, Zimmerman
- For Rev. John Lindholm, retired pastor, Fergus Falls
- 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
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer - Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago - Interim Pastor
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Tending to Ambiguous Losses in Uncertain Times
Nov. 12, 6:30-8:30pm | $20
Online Zoom Class Hosted by
Ambiguous losses are perhaps the most challenging kind of loss. When someone or something is physically absent yet psychologically present, or physically present yet psychologically absent, it’s hard to find clarity, it’s hard to make decisions, and it’s hard to grieve. The physical, emotional, economic, and relational uncertainty resulting from the current pandemic further complicates ambiguous losses. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the nature of ambiguous loss and ways to deepen our resilience in these uncertain times.
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Led by Carla Dahl, Professor of Congregational and Community Care at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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