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The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
September 23, 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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Take pictures! We would love to share photos from all over our presbytery on our new website. As you're out and about this fall, snap a few photos of Minnesota's beauty. Share some photos of your congregation at worship, work and play, in masks or from pre-mask days! Please email pictures to karen@minnesotavalleys.org ASAP. Send the images at actual size, if possible.
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Congregation of the Week of September 27 - October 3
First Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls
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Staff
Pastor: Rev. Scott Prouty
Parish Associate: Rev. Pamela Prouty
Administrative Assistant: Christina Halvorson
Organist/pianists: Elaine Hagen, Karen Speros
Choir Director: Peggy Dolezal
Custodian: Nadia Meyers
Session
Sonya Alexander (Clerk of Session, Nominating Chair)
Rick Hauge(Endowment Chair)
Adrienne Danielson(Mission Chair)
Sue Osborne (Outreach Chair)
Becky Bruns (Christian Education Chair)
Claire Meyers (Stewardship & Memorial Chair)
Scott Kohler (Properties Chair)
Michael Joldersma (Worship Chair)
Deb Hess (Personnel Chair)
Deacons
Leon King (moderator), Dan Tiffany, Julie Reinstra, Julie Fiala, Joleen MacHolda, Nathan Stephens, Scott Goodyear, Lois Davis, Karen Speros, Kathy Peterson, Rhonda Joldersma, Katherine Brozek
Co-Treasurers: Richard Aakre & Rick Hauge
Youth Club: Ann Tiffany
Youth, Faith and Action: Laura Kohler
Since the pandemic began our church started a 24 Hour food pantry at the church and another one in a neighboring city of Morton.
We continue to do Ruby’s Pantry, a monthly pop up food pantry that serves as many as 600 hundred families.
We did our back to school backpacks this year. We also do food backpacks for the community that are sent home with children on Fridays to have food for the weekend.
We are a tithing church so we give ten percent of each offering to international, national, regional and local missions. Recent donations have been sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Beirut and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We support a Presbyterian School for girls in Sudan. We strive to help people in need wherever we can.
Some of our fall events like the Annual Men’s Turkey Dinner and a scheduled mission trip to the inner city of Omaha have been cancelled due to the virus.
Please pray for us as we strive how to do Sunday School and Wednesday night activities safely in times such as this.
COVID 19 has limited us but we shall persevere and let Christ’s love shine.
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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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Yesterday, my sister shared an old recording of a song by the Commodores, “Jesus Is Love.” You may not know the Commodores, but most know Lionel Richie. I shared the link on Facebook. It is an Oldie but Goodie. I struggled when writing my post. I wanted to say something catchy, but I settled with, “I thought it would be good to sing about Jesus this morning.” Ultimately, I wanted to say, "Hello out there. Is there anyone who wants to talk about Jesus?" I preached last week and will preach again on Sunday. I am determined to speak about Jesus. I continue to ask the question, “Who was Jesus, and have we made him too much like us?” |
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Consider the question and spend time with the following quotes from Howard Thurman. I welcome the day when we will be gathered face to face to discuss this vital question.
For now, what are your reflections on the following quotes?
- The basic fact is that Christianity as it was born in the mind of this Jewish thinker and teacher appears as a technique of survival for the oppressed. That it became, through the intervening years, a religion of the powerful and the dominant, used sometimes as an instrument of oppression, must not tempt us into believing that it was thus in the mind and life of Jesus. 'In him was life; and the life was the light of men.' Wherever his spirit appears, the oppressed gather fresh courage; for he announced the good news that fear, hypocrisy, and hatred, the three hounds of hell that track the trail of the disinherited, need have no dominion over them.
- There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathless and beautiful.
- If a man is convinced that he is safe only as long as he uses his power to give others a sense of insecurity, then the measure of their security is in his hands. If security or insecurity is at the mercy of a single individual or group, then control of behavior becomes routine. All imperialism functions in this way.
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Above and beyond all else it must be borne in mind that hatred tends to dry up the springs of creative thought in the life of the hater, so that his resourcefulness becomes completely focused on the negative aspects of his environment. The urgent needs of the personality for creative expression are starved to death. A man's horizon may become so completely dominated by the intense character of his hatred that there remains no creative residue in his mind and spirit to give to great ideas, to great concepts. Jesus and the Disinherited
Each quote speaks to the teaching of Jesus and his desire that we would have life and it more abundantly.
May God give us grace for the journey.
SanDawna
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News from the Board of Pensions and the Commission on Leadership
The Commission on Leadership invited our Board of Pensions Church Consultant, Kenneth Green, to our meeting to discuss some of the new options for participants for 2021. The good news is that the Board of Pensions (BOP) program for installed full-time pastors remains the same, though the percentages for a couple of the components have changed. BOP dues is 37 percent of Effective Salary. New Cafeteria options are available for those who are in temporary pastoral relationships. You can find First Call Pastor benefit options on pensions.org.
The bigger news is the addition of Temporary Disability coverage. That and a new bundle of benefits for Pastors without the medical coverage, “Minister’s Choice” is being introduced as well.
Here are some highlights - the links take you to the pages within the Board of Pension website:
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Minister’s Choice. provides a new benefit package designed for those not in an installed position and not covered under the Pastor’s Participation. New. Watch the video.
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Pastor’s Participation Plan. Beginning January 1, 2021, ministers enrolled in Pastor's Participation will be provided with a new benefit as part of this package. The Temporary Disability Plan provides financial protection in the event of short-term disability for up to 90 days after a 14-day waiting period.
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Temporary Disability Plan. In the event of a short-term disability, this financial protection benefit provides employees with a partial income for up to 90 days after a 14-day waiting period. This plan will be included in the Pastor’s Participation and the new Minister's Choice benefits packages. Watch the video.
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Long Term Disability Plan. This benefit offers financial protection for employees with a long-term disability that extends beyond 90 days, providing them with a partial income throughout their disability. Employers may provide this plan to employees who are not enrolled in the Death and Disability Plan. Watch the video.
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Employee Assistance Program. The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is a confidential resource provided at no cost to employees enrolled in medical coverage through the Board of Pensions or the Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice benefits package. Through the EAP, employees have access to counseling sessions, financial and legal assistance, resources for child and elder care, and more.
We highly encourage session members and ministers to check out this page:
to learn about the theology behind the decision making process for The Board of Pensions of the PC(USA).
The deadline for submitting your Employer Agreement is October 9. You can submit Agreements as often as you want before October 9. The last Agreement submitted by October 9 will determine the benefits you'll offer during annual enrollment beginning October 26.
Christ's blessings!
Bev Brock and Deb Hess
Commission on Leadership, Co-chairs
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Are you called to serve?
The Committee on Representation has the responsibility to prayerfully consider the needs of the presbytery and the gifts of those who desire to serve the church through the presbytery. Below is a link to the Personal Interest Form. Please check those areas where you would feel called to serve in the ministries of our presbytery, and at the end of the form, list the gifts and interest you bring to those areas. For more info on each commission or committee, see the appropriate page on our website. Also see the Committee on Representation page at www.minnesotavalleys.org for info on skills needed and time commitment for each.
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Race and Christianity
Join us for the next conversation on Race and Christianity with Sarah Ruble on Wednesday, Sept 30 at 11:00 AM . In the meantime, watch Episodes 1-4 at sarahruble.com on Race and Christianity in the United States in preparation for the next webinar. Here is the link to Sarah's Sept 9 webinar: https://youtu.be/4nQ7clv5-Z8
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The Academy Offers Hope for the Future
Many churches across America and here in Minnesota are finding it difficult to find and/or afford a full-time ordained pastor. However, several churches are finding what might even be a better solution: Commissioned Pastors (CP), also known as Commissioned Ruling Elders. CP’s are commissioned by the Presbytery to fulfill the role of a pastor for a specific ministry or congregation.
The Presbytery is responsible for training CPs, and the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, working with the Synod, have developed The Academy. The Academy is a series of 11 courses over two years, designed to develop and equip ruling elders to serve in the Presbytery.
I have been the Presbytery’s facilitator for the past year and am extremely impressed with the program, especially the quality of the instructors. Students completing the two-year program are clearly qualified to serve churches.
However, the classes are open to anyone. The classes are excellent Continuing Education for current CPs or anyone desiring to learn and grow as a leader in their congregation. Take a look at The Academy’s brochure.*
The next class is “PC(USA) Polity” taught by the Presbytery’s own Stated Clerk, the Rev. Pam Prouty. The class will be held at the Lakeshore Center at Lake at Okoboji Lake, IA, October 10-11. Contact the Presbytery for more information about cost and expenses for this class or contact me for more general information.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Hartwell
Randall Presbyterian Church
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From our Congregations:
First Presbyterian Church of Mankato - We made this "staying connected in COVID" video for Stewardship, and thought Presbytery would enjoy this video with all the goodness of church packed in as tight as we could manage!
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New Robert’s Rules of Order Edition
“Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, except when it is in contradiction to this Constitution” (Book of Order, G-3.0105). Link to document regarding changes.
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The Presbyterian Action Team addresses Climate Change
by Earl Knutson, First Presbyterian, Willmar
The Presbyterian Action Team was formed in 2015 to inform Presbyterians of harmful changes in the climate. Further, PAT aims to encourage and enable individuals, congregations, and presbyteries in acting to slow or reverse these changes. PAT, along with many denominational action teams, is affiliated with the Citizens Climate Lobby, a 13 year old international organization patiently working to nudge the US and other countries away from fossil fuels. At the 2018 General Assembly, PAT was key in presenting an overture endorsing a specific climate legislation, HR763. The overture was adopted. |
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Support Education for Children in Our Sister Presbytery in Guatemala
by Jim Krapf
Education yields opportunities. We are grateful for your support of this possibility for children in our sister presbytery of Occidente. Donating $250 scholarships provides funds for a student's required uniforms, books, and other expenses for a year. It makes a difference for that child’s future.
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. 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 added 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.
After their school year ends in December, donors will 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. Examples will be on exhibit at the next Presbytery meeting. We do not reveal the names of donors to the recipients to avoid further 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
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Books to Give Away
Linked is a list of books Bev Raske is giving away. Most are from taking the Lay Pastor training. She will ship. Email Bev to arrange delivery.
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From the Minnesota Department of Health
We wanted to make you aware of updates to the Faith-based Guidance under the Governor’s Stay Safe MN Phase III plan.
Thank you for your adherence to these guidelines and commitment to protection of our communities as you make decisions about how to support your members and the larger community.
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Minnesota Grant to improve safety and air quality
Please go to this link for more information about this program:
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ZOOM presentation on COVID 19 by Presbytery of Boston/Northern New England
This was provided for the Presbyteries of Boston and Northern New England, with people joining in from across the country. It’s available both on the Presbytery of Boston Facebook page and here as an uploaded video: https://youtu.be/M9P0gOSqwn0
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SDOP Application Deadline Extended
By Rev. Jim Krapf, SDOP Chair
The deadline for Self-Development of People applications has been extended to September 25.
Our Committee is now complete and meets the requirements to make decisions. Members include Dick Andzenge, Thijin Gatwech and Paula Tift from St. Cloud and Thalia Taylor from St. Peter, and myself from Worthington.
I share the following information as a catalyst for you to consider the needs in your community and how SDOP funds could improve lives
Alonzo Johnson and Margaret Mwale of our national Self Development of People staff hosted a zoom meeting with Mid Council SDOP Committee chairs on Monday, August 31. I attended to represent our interests as Minnesota Valleys Presbytery.
Much of the discussion centered on how we are responding to needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. SDOP is indeed a valued ministry most needed in these difficult times. What we do with the $5966.93 funds available to us can enable us to be a Matthew 25 church with the goals of building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty.
National staff and chairpersons from across the country described possible projects in two crucial areas. One, communities working on policing issues and creating safe communities for everyone. Two, organizing people to help themselves deal with unemployment, evictions, and domestic abuse resulting from the pandemic. In this latter area, families and teachers are considering ways to tutor students and assure Wi-Fi access at home.
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Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
Video links:
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Registration for the Art of Transitional Leadership
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Presbyterian Women News
PW's 2021 Churchwide Gathering is August 5-8, 2021. The PW Churchwide Gathering is now less than a year away! WOOHOO! St. Louis, MO is the place to be to be inspired, energized, and challenged; to grow in one’s faith and to learn from the many knowledgeable speakers. Events will be held at the Grand Marriott and St. Louis Convention Center. Registration books will be available in the next few weeks and registration begins in January 2021! Continue to dream and make plans to attend!
The Board approved 125 grants at $450 each (cost of registration) for financial support to attend the 2021 Churchwide Gathering in St. Louis. A grant application form and three reference letters must be submitted to Churchwide by May 2021.
The Board approved gift cards as a mission project for the Churchwide Gathering. The cards will support work in three areas:
- PW disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico
- USA Mission Experience to the Finger Lakes Region in New York
- Women’s health in the St. Louis area.
Register today to join a book study . . .
A Warrior of the People:
How Susan LaFlesche Overcame Racial and Gender
Inequality to Become America’s First Indian Doctor
by Joe Starita
This book study is sponsored by Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and led by members of the PWS Native American Concerns Committee. It is open to interested women and men across the synod, via Zoom teleconferencing (using computer or phone) There is no charge to participate nor to use Zoom, yet registration is required.
Daytime study begins: Monday, September 28, 2020 at 1:30-2:30 PM (CST)
Evening study begins: Monday, September 28, 2020 at 6:30-7:30 PM (CST)
Groups will meet every two weeks for four sessions
Synopsis: “On March 14, 1889, Susan LaFlesche received her medical degree becoming the first Native American doctor in U.S. history. She earned her degree thirty-one years before women could vote and thirty-five years before Indians could become citizens in their own country. By age twenty-six, this fragile but indomitable Indian woman became the doctor to her tribe. Overnight, she acquired 1,244 patients scattered across 1,350 square miles of rolling countryside with few roads. Her patients often were desperately poor and desperately sick with tuberculosis, small pox, measles, and influenza, families scattered miles apart, whose last hope was a young woman who spoke their language and knew their customs, This is the story of an Indian woman who effectively became the chief of an entrenched patriarchal tribe, the story of a woman who crashed through thick walls of ethnic, racial and gender prejudice, then spent the rest of her life using a unique bicultural identity to improve the lot of her people physically, emotionally, politically and spiritually. A Warrior of the People is the moving biography of Susan LaFlesche’s inspirational life, and it will finally shine a light on her numerous accomplishments. The author will donate all royalties from this book to a college scholarship fund he has established for Native American high school graduates.
Register by contacting Marilyn Stone at mmstone52@att.net and provide the following information: Name, Email address, Phone number, Presbytery, Afternoon or evening study preference
Another Book Study: Justice and Peace Book Study Group (aka Book Club)
Read a book every two months
Receive study guide or questions for each gook to inform your reading
Meet via Zoom for a two-hour discussion
2020-2021 Proposed Books are Waking Up White by Debby Irving, A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves by Jason DeParle, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, Climate Justice by Mary Robinson, The White Devil's Daughters by Julia Flynn Siler, and The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein.
This Book Club will meet by Zoom on October 19 at 12:30-2:30 and 6:30-8:30PM to discuss Waking Up White. Register by contacting Kathleen Keefer at kathleenkeefer20@gmail.com. Read the books which interest you and register for each separately. You don't have to read all of them to be in the book club. The book club is open to EVERYONE. |
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Online worship opportunities in our presbytery
Amboy: Weekly video devotions available on Facebook at First Presbyterian Church of Amboy or on YouTube at Pastor Amboy
Browns Valley: 11:00 Sunday mornings online: www.facebook.com/UMPCBV
Edgerton: 10:30 Sunday mornings Worship on church Facebook Page, and 11:30 Sunday mornings Worship Audio Version available on church website
Holland: uploaded weekly to their YouTube channel
Jackson: Facebook Live - Facebook site is Salem Lutheran Church, Jackson, MN
Sunday 9:30 a.m., Wednesday 5:30 p.m., Holy Week - daily devotions, MT and GF 5:30 p.m.
Lake Crystal: Our church is sending Worship bulletin content and sermon via email and regular mail to our membership for each Sunday. Also recording a service from Sanctuary of myself and musician to be accessed on You Tube on the Friday before the given Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSDuL79Bte0CjYxgTVor1ng
Lismore: 9:00 Sunday mornings - Worship on church Facebook Page
Litchfield: 10:00 am Sunday mornings and Tuesday morning Bible study by Zoom. Contact Gordy Pennertz for instructions.
Luverne: 10:15 am Sunday mornings on Facebook Live. Also carried by local cable company.
SUNDAYS on Facebook
10AM sermon/prayer with Pastor Lindsay
10:20 (ish) Children's Time with Bailey DeVetter
10:30 (ish) Music Selection by Ben Marti posted
Randall: 10:00 am Sunday worship service is on Facebook and webpage
Redwood Falls: 10:15 am worship on Facebook Live on First Presbyterian Redwood Falls page
Spicer Hope: Facebook live at 10:00, link on Hope Presbyterian Church website. Also services are uploaded there later in the day.
Willmar: Facebook Live at 10:00 am Sunday mornings and at noon Wednesdays
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?—Psalm 27:1
Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. It is our hope and goal to equip churches and worshipers with useful information and resources during these trying times. Please check back often for updated information. If you have ideas or resources that might be of interest to the wider church, we invite you to email them to us at connected@pcusa.org.
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Guidance for Faith-Based Communities from the MN Department of Health Link to guide
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Prayer List
- For Beverly Raske, Renville, former Interim Executive Presbyter, broken shoulder
- For Rev. Al Jergenson and family, on the death of his mother
- 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
- For Rev. Elaine and Kent Boyd at First Presbyterian Church of Amboy
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 Bety Cifuentes, the treasurer of the Partnership Committee, undergoing chemotherapy
- 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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From Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center is a ministry affiliate of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (Minneapolis). Just as so many communities of faith and nonprofits are adjusting their outreach in different ways due to the pandemic, we are also thinking creatively about how we continue to foster and encourage individuals and groups to retreat. In addition to now once again welcoming pastors and small church and nonprofit groups for in person retreats, we are also offering online workshops, classes and retreats. Links to upcoming virtual offerings and our complimentary retreat offerings for those who are doing racial equity and justice work to pastors and faith communities.
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