Yesterday's presbytery meeting is now in the books, and as I drove to Osakis for their session meeting, I had a chance to reflect upon the day's events.  In those reflections, several events from the day stood out as significant points in our time together.

 

The first significant moment was the examination of Owar Ojulu for ordination. It has been a long journey for Owar, but Owar has been determined every step of the way, and yesterday, his patience, hard work, and faithfulness to God's call reached a high moment. I pray that we will share in the excitement of the Hope Christian Ministry, our presbytery's first official PCUSA "New Worship Community", as they prepare for Owar's ordination and a long, fruitful ministry. I know that many people had a hand in bringing this about -- in the Worthington community and at Westminster Church, across this presbytery, and at the General Assembly level. It will be exciting to watch this new ministry, and its leader, grow together in faith!

 

Next on my list was the commissioning of David Hollis. Another long journey reached a significant moment. Like Owar, David has walked a long road to get to this moment and the people of Slayton have patiently walked it with him. From David's remarks, we heard how much the tutelage of Lynne Matthews has meant to him and the people of the congregation at Slayton. I suspect that a very special relationship will continue into the future!

 

My third highlight was Scott Prouty's sharing of the experiences that he had last month, representing the Presbyterian Church in inter-faith conversations and news conferences in Washington, D.C., an invitation that came as the result of a phone call that he made in doing a reference check. Scott is making plans for an Islamic leader, Dr. Syeed, to come to our presbytery for conversations in the Redwood Falls school and with us this October. Please save October 16 so that you can be a part of what will be planned!

 

In addition to these three moments, there were other important moments that will remind me of our day together:

• Having Beth Ehlers and Rich Swartwood stir up excitement for summer camping at the Lakeshore Center on Lake Okoboji and Clearwater Forest - we are blessed to have two wonderful outdoor setting in our neighborhood, along with two awesome directors;
• Approving a position description for the Director of Presbytery Mission, which will begin on January 1, 2018, along with the Search Team - Candace Adams, Deb Hess, Keith Lohse, Darin Seaman, Ross Stone, and Scott Thompson -- to seek the person to fill that position; and,
• Commissioning our General Assembly Commissioners - Andy Davis and Chuck, Alternates - Deb Hess and Leanne Thompson; and YAAD (in absentia) - Elizabeth Prouty. They have a full week ahead of them . . . and a lot of reading before then!

It was a good and full day, and I want to express my personal appreciation to all who helped to make it happen:

• Pastor Anna Williamson, Clerk of Session Lenae Wordes, the staff, and the people of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, for their graciously wonderful hospitality;
• Moderator Andy Davis and Vice-Moderator Deb Hess for their leadership through the day;
• Owar Ojulu for his message, delivered with great passion and good humor;
• Leanne Thompson for a wonderful and awesome prayer - thanks for including my good friends Harold Armstrong and James Lee;
• Our Stated Clerk Pam Prouty for keeping us safe from any constitution missteps;
• Our Recording Clerk Kathy Terpstra for recording it all; and
• You, the people of this presbytery for your presence and your investment in the mission of Jesus Christ in this part of God's Kingdom. Without you and your congregations, this presbytery is nothing! Blessings to all of you!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Pictures of the meeting taken by Karen Lange

Four members of our presbytery, Owar Ojulu, Rev Jim Krapf, Rev. Galen Smith and Elder Peter Mann, attended the Ethiopia Mission Network meeting of the PC(USA) in Lincoln, Nebraska, in April. Mission Networks from many countries exist within our denomination to educate, support and encourage the work of the church in their specific country.

 

We met Rev. Ding Gach, Synod Executive of the Gambella region of Ethiopia. He shared with us that his Synod has 114,000 members in a region with 600,000 citizens.

 

Reports and presentations were made by Rev. Michael and Rachel Weller who serve as PC(USA) Mission Co-workers in Ethiopia. Rachel is heavily involved with community health evangelism that identifies and addresses issues of clean water, kitchen gardens, improved sanitation, schools, and gender violence.

 

Mrs. Deborah Braaksma, Africa liaison for PC(USA), also made a presentation. She oversees the 81 mission co-workers of our denomination that are located in Africa.

 

We also met and heard from Paul Lindberg of St. Paul who runs a "Talking Bibles" program whereby the Bible has been translated into many languages and dialects and is available to indigenous folks who cannot read but can hear. Tape players are solar powered.

 

Gwen and John Haspels, mission co-workers in Ethiopia, shared their harrowing experience of being hit by a bullet, causing permanent bodily injury, but offered us a real-life analysis of forgiveness.

 

About 30 people attended this Mission Network meeting with about 1/3 Ethiopians and 2/3 white Americans. We came away with a much better understanding of the Ethiopian culture, their issues and a good explanation for why there is unrest in the Western, Gambella region. There are more South Sudan Neur refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia than there are Ethiopian, Anuak citizens.

 

It helps us in our presbytery have a better understanding of where our South Sudan and Ethiopian Immigrants come from. More information can be obtained by contacting Peter Mann [email protected]

The Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts is an annual, four-day mini-retreat for 1) clergy and church leaders to vitalize creative ministries and 2) artists and community members to experience the sacred in their work. Prepare for new awakenings.

Workshops, led by accomplished artists and leaders in their field, meet Tuesday-Friday, where participants learn to:

*  Experience the connection between the arts & spiritual life
*  Expand worship to include different art forms
*  Engage in empowering conversations and connections