Ernest E. Cutting

March 21, 1942 - March 26, 2023

Former Stated Clerk Ernest Cutting passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Ernie grew up in West Concord, Minn. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. From 1993 - 2003 he served as the Synod's Stated Clerk. Ernie is survived by his wife Beth, their children and grandchildren. He was a member of Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul.

I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even thought they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26

Spring Synod meeting

The Synod will meet April 30 - May 2 at Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center, Farmington, MN. This will be our first in-person meeting since 2019.

Commissioners, please check your email for the call to the meeting and registration information.

Presbyterian Women grows its Justice & Peace Book Discussion Group

PW is looking for even more people to join the productive online discussions

by Kathleen Keefer l Special to Presbyterian News Service

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies has had a Native American Book Discussion Group for several years. It has been very successful under the leadership of Marilyn Stone, from Milwaukee Presbytery. Presbyterian Women in this synod has developed a strong relationship with the Presbyterian Women in the Dakota Presbytery — the non-geographic Native American presbytery. Through this group, women strive to understand how to best walk alongside our Native siblings. Read the full article.

For more information on how to join the Justice and Peace Book Discussion Group of Presbyterian Women, go here.

Presbyterians celebrate Triduum and the Easter Vigil

Ancient liturgy deepens faith and builds community

by Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today

The sun was setting as cars pulled into the church parking lot. I walked toward the glowing embers that were being coaxed into flames in a rusty fire pit outside the church doors. It was a welcome sight on a chilly spring night.

Read more.

Hey Presbyterians — have you thanked your pastor?

After years of Covid, appreciation is valued

by Sherry Blackman for Presbyterians Today | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Recently, a pastor confessed, “My congregation doesn’t see me as human.” That’s not a strange comment considering the years clergy have had — having to work harder and adapting to the challenges of being the church in a pandemic that entangled many in a wired and wireless world.

Read more.

John Knox Presbytery raises funds to erase medical debt

The number was announced at the February Presbytery meeting, and it was significant. In our Giving Tuesday commitment, John Knox Presbytery raised and sent $14,245.25 to our mission partner RIP Medical Debt. The result? The forgiveness of $1,925,734.76 in medical debt for 2,594 families.

Read more.

Addressing systemic poverty

We at the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago, Minnesota, have recently entered the Matthew 25 program. Our primary focus has been to address systemic poverty through our efforts at our thrift shop called the Next to New. This shop was established in 1968 by Presbyterian Women to raise money for missions and to provide affordable clothing and household items for the people of the area. This goal has been accomplished throughout the years. However, God works in many ways to reach all of God’s people. We were privileged to help a refugee family from Ukraine who had fled their war-torn country with just a duffel bag of belongings for a family of four. Another way we have been able to help our community has come in an unexpected way. We have been asked by individuals if we accept volunteers who are not associated with our church. Our answer is always “yes.” Any individual who is willing to donate time and effort to our mission is welcome. Their reasons are as varied as the individuals. Find First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago on facebook.

Churches in the presbyteries of Winnebago and Twin Cities Area become Earth Care Congregations

Thirteen churches were certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program, through February 2024. The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to take seriously God's charge to "till and keep" the garden.

This status speaks to the serious commitment these churches have made to care for God’s earth. To become an Earth Care Congregation, these congregations affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.

“305 churches in our denomination chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. The congregations’ activities and commitment bring hope to their communities and indeed to the world. We believe these churches will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Building Ministry Vitality through Matthew 25

The Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd shares how the three practices of assessment, reflection, and adaptation shaped his congregation's work on developing its mission, vision, and core values and how they are living into them in exciting ways that engage the whole congregation. 

Presbytery of Milwaukee

Presbyterian Mission Agency seeks public input on new flagship publication

You have until May to share your ideas via a survey

by Layton Williams Berkes | Presbyterian News Service

For many years, Presbyterians Today has been the flagship publication of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Now, PMA staff are taking a “Sacred Pause” to step back, listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit and dream up what a new publication might look like. During this reimagining process, they’re looking for input from former Presbyterians Today readers and potential new readers too.

Read more.

The Sower

Newsletter of the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes & Prairies, February, 2023 issue.

Click here.

'Spirit Car:

Journey to a Dakota Past'

Join the Presbyterian Women in the Synod for their next book study.

Dates: March 20 & April 3

Daytime study at 1:30-2:30 PM (CDT)

Evening study at 6:30-7:30 PM (CDT)

Open to all interested women and men across the Synod. The groups meet via Zoom on computer or phone. No charge to participate, however registration is required. Contact Marilyn Stone

This book study is led by members of the PWS Native American Concerns Committee.

Returning to Church 5.0: with Patient Endurance

A COVID-19 Update from the Wisconsin Council of Churches

The Wisconsin Council of Churches offers updated and simplified suggestions for keeping communities safer from COVID and other respiratory illnesses. 

Offered in English and in Spanish.

Opportunities

PC(USA) positions - Current openings

Presbyterian Foundation - Work for the Foundation

Worship & Music Conference at Montreat: This intergenerational conference is for everyone who cares about the worship life and practice of the church. This year’s theme is “Thirst No More.” This year’s leadership features conference preacher Larissa Kwong Abazia; liturgist Kendra Buckwalter Smith; musicians, Eric Wall and Tony McNeill; plus class offerings with William P. Brown and David Gambrell. First-call pastors and church musicians are eligible for a free 2023 PAM membership and online conference registration (or discounted in-person registration). The conference is being offered in person and online June 18–23 and June 25–30. Learn more about the offerings here.