The Valley Bridge
The weekly newsletter from the
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
June 22, 2016
 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)

Congregation of the Week of June 26 - July 2
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of Renville



Elders:  Sheri Bakker,  Tom Bakker,  Carol Beekman,  Todd Broberg,  Dennis Bruns,  Doug Bruns,  Randy Freiborg,  Dawn Hebrink,  Jon Hinderks,  Vern Santjer,  Lenae Wordes (Clerk of Session)
 
Staff:
Rev. Anna Williamson, Pastor
Lou Ann Ahrens, Church Secretary
Pam Kjersten, Church Treasurer
Stacy Broberg, Newsletter Editor (The Voice)
 
In our thoughts and prayers:
*Baby Henry Dolan (Abbott Northwestern Hospital)
*Pat Berends at home 
*Baby John Booth (U of M Children's Hospital, son of Lacey Dworshak & John Booth)
*Steve Bakker (Olivia Healthcare Center)
*McKenya Egge cancer
*Henry Freiborg cancer
*Henry Feldman cancer
*Bruce Raske
*Steven Hebrink (Bethesda Therapy in Willmar)
*Mark Broberg
And many others who are living with cancer.
For all the places of turmoil in the world, either from human acts or environmental.
 
Looking forward to:
Camp-in-a Van coming in July
The older youth heading off to Presbyterian Youth Triennium

On the Road with Rick
June 17-26 - General Assembly - Portland, Oregon
July 1-3 - Wedding in Lincoln, Nebraska
July 9 - The Ordination of Owar Ojulu, Worthington
July 9 - Participating in the Vesper Service at the Old Log Church (Norway Lake)
July 10 - Preach at First Presbyterian Church, Randall
July 12-13 - Lay Academy Strategy Meeting, Lakeshore Center on Okoboji, Iowa
July 16-23 - Presbyterian Youth Triennium, West Lafayette, Indiana
July 24-29 - Synod School, Storm Lake, Iowa
July 31 - Preach at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Renville
A Special Message and Offer from the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development

One of the responsibilities of our Commission is to help provide resources and opportunities for congregations and their leaders that will help equip and empower transformation and change among the saints in Minnesota Valleys.
 
In keeping with our commitment to do that, we want to offer information about the Presbyterian Mission Agency's "BE THE LIGHT" conference, August 8-11, for your consideration, and even more than that, we stand ready to offer three $500 grants to individuals from this presbytery who might wish to attend this conference.
 
If you are interested in attending the conference, we encourage you to first check the conference web site -- http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/evangelism-church-growth/go-disciple-live-be-light/ -- for all the details. Then, submit a Grant Application Form to the Presbytery Office. Please note that upon your return from the conference, you will be asked to report back on what you learned and how that learning will be used in your congregation, and how it will be shared with other congregations and the presbytery. Grants will be made on a "first come-first served" basis, and no more than one conference grant will be awarded to any congregation.
 
If you have questions, please contact Rick Carus at the presbytery office - 320.235.7910.
More information about the conference

The Go Disciple Live  "Be the Light" Conference, formerly known as the Evangelism and Church Growth Conference, is a vibrant gathering of Presbyterians committed to disciple-making, which leads to authentic evangelism, effective church transformation, justice, and church planting through 1001 new worshiping communities. It will be held at the  Trade Winds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

The plenary speakers will include: Casey Fitzgerald, biblical storytelling; Mike Breen, disciple making; and Ralph Watkins, authentic evangelism. These leaders will join with others to provide a time of inspiration, nurture, and equipping, as they explore our theme of "Be the Light" (Matthew 5:14-16).

On-site check in will be open Monday, August 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Welcome and orientation will begin at 5:30 p.m. The conference concludes with worship on Thursday, August 11, at 7:00 p.m.


Ministry Opportunities

The First Presbyterian Church Osakis is continuing its search for a Pastor to lead them as they live out the visions that have been generated by their New Beginning conversations. If you, or someone you know, has a passion for small towns and energetic small-member congregations, please encourage consideration of this opportunity!  The Ministry Information Form for this opportunity is posted on the Church Leadership Connection web site. It is MIF#: 03890.AC0. For more information, please contact PNC Chairperson, Shari Maloney, at 320.859.3098 or by e-mail - [email protected] ; or Transitional Executive Presbyter, Rick Carus at the presbytery office.
 
First Presbyterian Church, Mankato is beginning a search for a well-trained intentional Interim Pastor, who will guide the congregation through its pastoral transition. The Ministry Information Form for this position - MIF# 03792.AD0 -- is now on-line. If you cannot access it through the Church Leadership Connection, please contact Rick Carus at the presbytery office ([email protected]) and he can send you a copy of the form. If you or someone you know would be the right person for this opportunity, contact Rick Carus at the presbytery office.
Ministry Opportunity - St. Cloud, MN

Seeking part-time Children's Ministry Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, MN. This individual will coordinate the ministries related to children and their families. This will include Sunday School and other educational/relational programming to children and younger families. Work hours (+/- 15 hrs/week) may vary based on availability, the time of year, and/or seasonal demands. To learn more about our Congregation, or to view a full job description, please visit: www.fpcstcloud.org
Any Luggage to Spare?

Peter Mann has delivered 100 choir robes to Elizabeth Tot to be delivered during her February trip to South Sudan.  We now need to pack them in large suitcases. No more choir robes are needed, but if you can spare any large suitcases, please bring them to next two Presbytery meetings (August 9 and November 5). Contact Peter Mann with any questions you may have: [email protected].
Camp/Synod School Scholarships Available

The Commission on Transformation and Development wants to be sure that you are aware that there are scholarships available for camps and synod school. Churches may request $75 per camper. Scholarships for $100/person are also available for Synod School.

Scholarships are also available for individuals interested in attending PC(USA)-sponsored conferences or events.

A Ken Stinson Grant is available for churches interested in sponsoring seminars or workshops pertaining to substance abuse/health.

Application is very simple. Just go to the Presbytery web page. Click on Resources. In the drop box, click on forms. Scroll down until you find Loans, Grants, Scholarships. Then click on Scholarship Application Form. Fill it out and submit it to the Presbytery office.

Camp and Synod School forms are usually approved the same day. Other scholarships will be considered at the next monthly meeting.

You are invited to the Annual Summer Supper & Fundraiser at
Harrison Presbyterian Church (East of Spicer) 
on Wednesday, June 22, from  4:30 - 7:00

On the menu: hot pulled turkey on a bun, BBQ beans, salad, homemade desserts/pies, lemonade and coffee. 
Takeouts also available. 
Adults $8.00 / Children 6-10 $5.00 /  Under 5 free
Fundraiser proceeds will be used for youth camp expenses
14110 105th Ave NE; Spicer MN  56288
East of Spicer on County Road 10 (4 miles)
Better Together: Packing Food and Building Community

On  July 28th, at Apollo High School , a coalition of local faith-based and community organizations plans to package over  200,000 meals for local charities, food shelves and disabled veterans' support organizations. Online sign ups to serve at this event will begin in late June. In the meantime, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help purchase food packaging supplies. Financial contributions can be sent directly to  United Way of Central Minnesota at  3001 Clearwater Road, Suite 201, St. Cloud, MN 56301.   Please denote the gift is for the BETTER TOGETHER event! Congregations and individuals may also give online at  https://www.classy.org/feedingourcommunities . We will also accept gifts on the day of the event. Thank you for your prayers and support.
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