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A weekly newsletter from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
December 7, 2022
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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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Merry Christmas from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys Staff
Beth Buckwalter-Miller, Pamela Prouty, Karen Lange and Kali Luther
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Congregation of the Week of December 11-17
Union Presbyterian Church of Saint Peter
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Pastor: Rev. Andrew Davis
Administrative Assistant: Kaci Schneidawind
Choir Director: Jonathan Henke
Organist: Holly Havemeier
Treasurer: Todd Ruble
Custodian: John Dunn
Clerk of Session: Kate Sonsteby
Union Presbyterian Church is a vibrant, inclusive community with members of all ages and active programs for children and families. We meet in our historic sanctuary for worship, learning, and fellowship, and go out in the surrounding community to support our neighbors in need. Find us singing hymns together, laughing over coffee and treats, studying and talking about the Bible, and working for families and organizations in our region. We welcome prayers for those in our congregation with health concerns, or those who struggle during the holiday season.
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Dear Presbytery Family,
This is the season of Advent. I get up early in the morning, when it is still very dark, and I sit down on my couch, with my advent candles on the coffee table in front of me. In the darkness of those early hours I light my candles: candles of hope, peace, joy and love, and I pray for these good gifts to come into our world in great abundance through the gift of the Christ-child, and through Christ’s presence in each of us. I listen to some advent hymns, read scripture, reflect. And when I extinguish my candles, I say aloud that I am “changing the light.” I am changing the light so that the light of hope that was represented in my candle can now live in me, also the light of peace, of joy, of love. This light that was present in the darkness of my living room, may it now live in me and bring light to the darkness in our world. As I watch the smoke rise toward the ceiling, after snuffing out the candle, I think of that light being dispersed in each one of us.
These advent prayers seem particularly significant to me as I reel from recent newspaper headlines about tragedy and abuse in the borders of our own Presbytery. I am referring to the recent discovery that in the JBS meat processing plant in Worthington and in the Turkey Valley Farms plant in Marshall it has been discovered that young, under-aged children have been hired by Packer Sanitation Services to work in the middle of the night cleaning dangerous power-driven machines with caustic chemicals. The stories are painful to read – I would imagine you have seen them as well. Young children, unable to stay awake in school because of their night shift work, some suffering chemical burns, all exploited.
I find myself praying, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.” And in the same breath I remember that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are a Matthew 25 Presbytery, and we are here for such a time as this. It is our duty to bear witness, to speak out, to work for a better world for these children.
This week I can also tell you of a meaningful conversation I had with Elizabeth Tot, pastor of the Sudanese Fellowship, a validated ministry in our own Presbytery. Elizabeth lives in St. Cloud, and her small Sunday afternoon prayer meetings take place at our St. Cloud church that has so graciously made space available to this ministry. Elizabeth told me that she ministers primarily to young, single mothers, some of whom have five or six children. She explained that these Sudanese women are working the night shift in labor jobs and their children are often left home alone all night long. During the day these women must sleep, and it is hard for them to care for their children by preparing meals and helping them with their homework. Elizabeth explained that Sudanese pastors receive no salary for their work, so Elizabeth also works a labor job, then trying to go and help these women any way she can – praying for them, caring for them. Her adult son then told me about the nonprofit organization he is currently forming as he seeks to help provide mental health care for the Sudanese immigrants in our country. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in business and good English language skills her son is bright, savvy, and skilled. He explained that because of language and cultural barriers it is very difficult for the South Sudanese people to access our health care systems, particularly mental health. He told me about the numbers of suicides during the Covid pandemic as people were left to cope with the death of loved ones on their own. The stories were heartbreaking. He told me how language and cultural barriers now exist even within South Sudanese families as children who grew up here struggle to communicate with and understand their parents and grandparents who grew up in South Sudan. Both Elizabeth and her son spoke of also wanting to send money home to their families who are still living in refugee camps in Ethiopia after fleeing South Sudan, and of the problems that plague their homeland.
And so, dear Presbytery, I turn to you. This is our hour! In this season of Advent can we help to bring Light into this darkness? How will we be Christ’s presence to the immigrant communities in our own towns? In the borders of our own Presbytery? There is great need, and there is great urgency. Please ask God to show us how to make a difference individually, as churches and collectively as a Presbytery. May we find the courage, the wisdom, the strength and guidance to act, and somehow bring Christ’s presence to the overwhelming need around us.
I know the language barrier poses some very real challenges. Yes, it can be hard to understand someone who has learned English as a second language later in life. Yes, we have to listen carefully, concentrate, work at it. But my friends, it is worth the effort. These stories must be heard and understood.
I have a song I listen to during Advent. It is happy and upbeat – a song about these beautiful advent candles of hope, peace, joy and love. It reminds us of this great light that grows in the darkness, this light that is ours, that will show us the way forward. I invite you to listen to this song now.
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We must combat deep darkness. We go forth clothed in the light of these candles, the Light that Jesus brought into our world: the light of hope, peace, joy and love. May we shine as brightly as our Savior.
Together in Christ,
With courage, devotion and good spirit as a colleague,
Rev. Beth Buckwalter-Miller
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Presbytery meeting highlights
Presbytery met by Zoom on Tuesday, December 6, led by Moderator Leanne Thompson.
- Anne Veldhuisen shared an Earth Care Advent Devotional.
- Earl Knutson reviewed GA Overtures having to do with the environment. The slideshow is available here. More info at presbyearthcare.org.
- We welcomed first time commissioners and guests - there were several!
- Pam reminded us about upcoming gatherings, both in person and by Zoom.
- January 5: GA Amendment Discussion by Zoom at 6:30 PM
- January 14: Clerks of Session Zoom at 10:00 AM
- January 21: Leadership Training for Commissions, Committees, Ruling Elders and Deacons from 10:00 - 4:00
- February 3: Statistical Reports due for Clerks of Session
- February 18: Stated Presbytery Meeting at FPC Redwood Falls from 10:00 - 3:00 in person only
- Approved the 2023 Presbytery Budget
- Approved the Church Property Sale Policy
- Recognized outgoing commission and committee members
- Approved the Committee on Representation's roster of new commission and committee members
- Reminder to change pastor's terms of call on the Board of Pensions website; it must be done every year. Also, housing allowance for pastors needs to be noted in the session minutes for the IRS.
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The presbytery meeting is on YouTube at https://youtu.be/SHxpVhcVMB0
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Advent Devotional by Zoom
An Advent Devotional group will meet by Zoom on the Wednesdays of Advent. The theme is Mary Had a Baby, and is based on the African American Spirituals, "Mary Had a Baby," "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," "Children, Go Where I Send Thee," and "Go, Tell It on the Mountain." We will look at the coming of Christ through scripture, song lyrics, and the context of the time period in which they were written.
Wednesday Advent dates are December 7, 14, & 21, all at 6:30 p.m. Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83406063275?pwd=dFAzaHRIenlHbzEwbUdsWEdRQ2h6dz09
Questions can be directed to Mark Ford at [email protected] or at 218-232-8131
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Thanks for Serving
Thanks so much to all those who served on our commissions, committees and other groups this year! Together, we are all the presbytery, every one of us.
Moderator/Vice Moderator/Past Moderator: David Lick
Presbytery Life: Lindsay Jacaruso, Jim Krapf, Andy Davis, Judy Oldemeyer
Budget & Finance/Operations: Keith Lohse
Personnel/Operations: Bea Ourada
Committee on Congregational Nurture: Gloria Vande Brake, Herb Rotunda, Terry Coffin, Bill Yueill
Commission on Leadership: Beverly Brock, Gordy Pennertz, Karen Houtman, Scott Thompson, Bob Maharry, Bev Crute
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Pictured here is Beverly Brock, who is more than a little happy to have completed her term as co-chair of the Commission on Leadership. | |
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Coming January 1, 2023: The Next Presbytery Sermon Sunday
The Presbytery will present three virtual sermons in 2023, with the first on Sunday, January 1. I find these services valuable in several ways. It reminds us that we are a connectional church. Churches across the Presbytery will be in worship together that Sunday! It provides a sermon on a Sunday where often pastors need a break. I love the idea that after Christmas Eve and Christmas day service I won’t have to prepare a sermon for the following Sunday, but I will still be able to worship with my congregation. It shows us that there are new and inventive ways to hear and proclaim the word of God!
Michael Hartwell
Inventive Ministries Task Force of the Commission on Leadership
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Save the Date: January 21
Elders, Deacons, Commission and Committee Members
The Presbytery will be hosting our Leadership Training Summit on Saturday, January 21 from 10:00 - 4:00 at the First Presbyterian Church in Willmar. Rev. Deb DeMeester, Director of Leadership Development for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, will be our keynote speaker. Rev. Beth McCaw from Dubuque Seminary will be with us to get better acquainted and speak with churches who may want to utilize the "Circuit Rider Pastor" we hope to hire in the new year. Dubuque Seminary is offering to come alongside those churches to help develop lay leadership that will compliment and support the Circuit Rider. The day will include lunch, and an opportunity for all of our committees, commissions and task forces to have their first meeting of the year. In addition, we will be providing officer training for elders and deacons in the afternoon, if the officers in your church would like to attend. Commission and Committee chairs and co-chairs are invited to come on Friday evening, January 20 for dinner and a special time of vision setting. Hotel accommodations in Willmar will be provided. We will provide additional information closer to the time, but please save the date now! It is going to be a meaningful time, and a great way to launch our new year together!
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Welcome to Kali’s Korner!
Kali’s Korner is where leaders and youth can find out what is going on and stay up to date on the latest and greatest things! If you’d like to add an event or something special to Kali’s Korner for all leaders and youth to see, please send it to: [email protected]
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Minnesota Valleys Youth Retreat
February 10-12, 2023
Registration Form and Info Link Below!
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The Youth Retreat is for current 6th-12th graders and will take place at:
First Presbyterian Church
312 6th St SW
Willmar, MN
Contact Karen Lange to receive the registration form in Microsoft Word.
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Follow the OFFICIAL
Instagram account
@mvp.youth
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Upcoming Events and Happenings
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Pastor Opportunity
It's been a hard couple of years for everybody! Pastors are dealing with all the issues that are related to the pandemic, along with all the normal ups and downs and other parts of ministry. In addition, they are ministering to congregations that are also dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety.
The Commission on Leadership has decided to give those in ministry some help and support in the form of affordable coaching. The Synod has trained coaches to provide the service at a cost of $50.00 per session. The Commission on Leadership has approved paying one half of the cost for one session a month for up to 24 months. If you are already working with a coach or want to use another one, you still can be reimbursed $25.00 per month. This program is available to all pastors, CREs who are serving churches and Christian educators.
We all can use some help and support as we continue to deal with a lot of heavy issues. If you are feeling just a little (or a lot) overwhelmed, please take advantage of this opportunity.
Contact Beth Buckwalter-Miller if you want to get started: 530-513-0592 or e-mail [email protected]
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2023 Per Capita
$44.00 Total
$28.89 for Presbytery
$5.50 for Synod
$9.61 for GA
2023 Presbytery Meeting Dates
Saturday, Feb 18, in-person only, Zoom only if bad weather, 10:00-3:00, Redwood Falls
Tuesday, April 18, Zoom, 7:00-8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 18, Zoom, 7:00-8:30 pm
Saturday, Oct 21, hybrid, 10:00-3:00, Willmar
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Prayer List
- For Rev. Mark Chamberlain, retired pastor, Willmar
- For Rev. Bob Bartlett, retired pastor, Round Lake
- For Rev. Michael Roys, retired pastor, Winnebago
- Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Occidente Presbytery of Guatemala - for their health, safety, and recovery from the effects of the Covid pandemic
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Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
First Presbyterian Church of Mankato - Interim Pastor
More information
First Presbyterian Church of Canby - Pastor
Ministry Information Form - 03775.AD0
First Presbyterian Church, Pipestone - Pastor
Ministry Information Form - 03796.AD0
Harrison Presbyterian Church, rural Spicer - Pastor, yoked parish
Ministry Information Form - 03878.AA0
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago - Pastor
Ministry Information Form - 03811.AA1
Ministry opportunities are posted on the Church Leadership Connection website -- http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/
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The Ministry Lab has two NEW offerings for the New Year:
First, our Psalm 148 video will be suitable to insert as a sermon or prayer for in-person or online worship or other gatherings. We'd love to include photos from around the state in this creation-oriented reflection! Learn more, including how you can submit your own photos, here. Register to receive the video link here. The video is free for members of the UMC, UCC, and PC(USA) across the state.
ALSO free for member churches (i.e., UMC, UCC, PC(USA)): Join Rev. Nicole Havelka for a New Year's investment in self-care, supremacist culture counter-narratives, and healthy boundaries. Learn more and register here.
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