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A weekly newsletter from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
May 12, 2021
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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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Congregation of the Week of May 16-22
Zion Presbyterian Church of Ellsworth
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Pastor David Choate is our Interim Pastor; Darcey Groen is our secretary; Twyla Schilling is the Clerk; Lonnie & Diane Boltjes are our janitors. Our prayer list includes: George Heronimus, Justin Groen, Kim DeBeer and her boys, Cliff Lynn, and Dan Boltjes. Also prayers for our PNC committee. |
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Stated Presbytery Meeting is May 18
Presbytery’s next stated meeting on Tuesday, May 18, via Zoom beginning at 9:30 a.m. with fellowship groups and worship beginning at 10:00 a.m. The day will include communion, so please have communion elements ready.
Commissioners, please call or email Karen at the presbytery office by Monday, May 17 to indicate:
•If you will be in attendance
•If you request to be excused
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Karen Lange is normally available Monday through Friday from 7:30 - 3:30, checking emails until 4:00 or 5:00 (except after 2:00 on Thursday afternoons for banking). |
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Transitional Ministry Education for All Pastors—A message from TMEC (Transitional Ministry Education Consortium)
Change happens. Transition is how we adapt to change.
As we look beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, it is obvious that our communities and the world are not the same as they were in 2019. Even the church has changed, adopting technologies and practices that we may not have considered without the impetus of Covid. In such a time as this, church leaders require special skills and understanding. Transitional Ministry Education, once regarded as training for interim pastors, has become a vital resource for all church leaders.
Did you know that other denominations have looked to the PC(USA) for leadership in managing transitions for more than 25 years? Our Transitional Ministry Education Consortium (TMEC) has offered outstanding continuing education programs since the 1990s, attracting both U.S. and international participants to eleven sites (seminaries and conference centers). Some programs have been interrupted by the pandemic, but TMEC is working to restore as many opportunities as possible this year.
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Reading the Bible With New Eyes
Learning and Practicing Life-Giving Faith in Guatemala
At this Virtual Journey, learn about how a theology based in the love and justice of Jesus Christ is transforming the lives and communities of people in Central America. You will hear testimonies from pastors and laypeople in CEDEPCA's Biblical and Theological Formation program and be led through an eye-opening study of scripture by Dr. Paulo Ueti, Anglican theologian, New Testament scholar, and friend of CEDEPCA.
Wednesday May 19, 2021
4:30 pm Pacific / 5:30 pm Mountain / 6:30 pm Central / 7:30 pm Eastern
Suggested donation $11
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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More News regarding climate
by Earl O. Knutson, First Presbyterian Church of Willmar
Previous notes (Sep 23 & Oct 21, 2020) called attention to our group, Presbyterian Action Team (PAT) aka Presbyterians for Carbon Dividends (P4CD). (PAT emphasizes our affiliation with the Citizens Climate Lobby, while P4CD emphasizes our affiliation with Presbyterians for Earth Care.) These connections were further explained in a recent mailing to the 52 churches in the Presbytery.
The present note presents an initiative of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, namely a convenient method to support a particular climate legislation. This bill, House Resolution 2307, closely matches previous legislation that was endorsed by PC(USA) at the 2018 General Assembly. Presbyterians are invited to visit tinyurl.com/cr26b5hb, which will bring up a statement from the Office of Public Witness AND a fill-in form to send a message to their US Representative. OPW will send that form to the named representative on PC(USA) letterhead.
Final note: as churches begin to plan Adult Sunday School sessions, they are invited to visit tinyurl.com/29tykdwb which brings up an offer by two P4CD members to present a 45 minute zoom lesson about the need for action regarding climate and the PC(USA)-endorsed strategy. |
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The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) is a statewide interfaith legislative advocacy coalition of Christians, Jews and Muslims working to advance opportunities for economic and housing security and social and racial justice for all Minnesotans. The MN Council of Churches is the Protestant partner.
A key 2021 legislative priority seeks support of the provisions in HF336/SF432 that would stop the current practice of suspending a person’s driver’s license for nonpayment of a fine. Far too many Minnesotans have their licenses suspended because they are unable to pay a ticket - not because they are dangerous drivers.
The Gospel calls us to pursue justice, and we appreciate your commitment to this same vision. Stated simply, current law isn’t just – it is unfairly punitive and has a significant and disproportionate impact on low-income Minnesotans and Black, Indigenous and other Minnesotans of color. Please consider calling your state Representative and Senator and urge their support of HF336/SF432 in the Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee. And consider being a part of the JRLC legislative network. You can see their 2021 legislative agenda here. For more information, contact Joan Miltenberger at the JRLC - [email protected], 612-230-3232. |
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Pastors, Christian Educators, Youth Workers,
Sunday School teachers and Youth Committee volunteers
IF YOU COULD
Sharpen your faith-formation ministry’s vision and purpose
Be more efficient in your time devoted to youth ministry
Plan your calendar 12 to 18 months ahead
WOULD YOU SIGN UP FOR THAT?
Announcing: “Plan-It” Wednesday, June 9th
Join us for PLAN-IT - a one-day ZOOM (10:00am-4:00pm) guided planning experience for those responsible for your faith formation ministries. Register as a team or individual.
Pastors – invite key volunteers in your setting to join you!
Children’s Ministry and Youth Workers – recruit your Pastor to join
They will thank you for it!
The June 9th Plan-It event is a Zoom video call
In fact, 3 separate Zoom sessions, scattered throughout the day
Each Zoom session is facilitated by Lyle Griner
individual/team planning time between Zoom sessions
individual/team coaching by Lyle Griner is available that day
Cost: $39 per church* (*see below for Minnesota Valleys discount code)
Minnesota Valleys Presbytery congregations only, choose this option ↴
WED JUN 9, 2021 with an added copy of the book PLAN IT
Then, use the coupon code MINNESOTAVALLEYS for a $25 discount and a free digital copy of Lyle’s book, Plan It, which contains an abundance of tips and tricks for planning your year.
With the coupon code, that lowers your registration cost to $28.95
THANK YOU Minnesota Valleys Presbytery Commission on Congregational Transformation & Development for the discount!
With Lyle and friends, we will review common and best-practice faith formation lenses, planning tools, and potential templates that may work in your setting. Through group Zoom sessions, and some planning time in between Zoom sessions, participants will design a well-balanced, intentional, nine-months-to-a-year framework.
Sounds awesome, right?
You could have your Children’s & Youth Ministry planned for
the entire 2021-2022 year...in JUNE!
For more info, contact:
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From Transformation & Development
The Commission on Transformation and Development is working to make sure we are serving you and your churches the best we can in this next year.
The Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development exists to resource congregations. We have identified six critical areas: discipleship, evangelism, mission, spiritual leadership, stewardship and worship. Please feel free to contact any of the members of the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development as to what might be areas that you may be seeking assistance with locating valuable resources. Those currently serving on the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development are: Randy Knuth, chair, Anne Veldhuisen, Michael Hartwell, Darlene Scherbing, Barb Wawrzyniak, Gerri Mitchell, Lindsay Jacaruso. Please let us know how we can come alongside of your congregation. Please contact Randy Knuth, the chair, at 712-540-8243 or via email at [email protected].
Having a difficult time finding pulpit supply? Have you considered a virtual sermon?
A Sermon for Every Sunday ( asermonforeverysunday.com) is a website that provides lectionary-based video sermons by America’s best preachers for use in worship, bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes, or individual use. All you do is push the button. If you have a computer and a projector, these professionally recorded sermons can be downloaded and viewed on Sunday mornings. The site features nationally known preachers from multiple denominations. Although donations are accepted, the sermons are free. Check out asermonforeverysunday.com.
Technology Grant
The Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development has the privilege of awarding matching Technology Grants of up to $500. However, because of the demand, churches or other entities will not be able to receive grants in two consecutive years. Grants have been used for updating office equipment, purchases to buy or replace computers, or updating audio video equipment. If your church has not received a grant this year or last, take advantage of this grant. Please use the new form which is specific for the Technology Grant.
The above resources are shared by the Commission on Congregational Transformation and Development
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Registration links
Synod School July 25-30
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2022 EVENTS - SAVE THE DATE
2022 PW SUMMER SYNOD GATHERING
Thursday June 16, 4:00 PM - Sunday, June 19, 11:00 AM
Theme: PW BETTER TOGETHER
Place: Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux City Riverfront, Sioux City IA
Final details will be available this Fall. Registration will start in January 2022.
More details to follow.
2022 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
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Anxious? Read this.
John, a counseling client, sat across from me discouraged. He’d signed up for a bowling league to get out of the house and meet new people, bowled poorly his first day in the league, and never went back. He already suffered from a touch of social anxiety, and now, in embarrassment, he could not bear the thought of having the spotlight on him if he returned. This one incident triggered a cascade of anxious feelings and insecurities across several areas of his life, and his body felt constantly tense and his mind continually whirred. Though my recommendation would be hard to receive, it’s based on sound psychological science: He had to go bowling this Saturday. Catching his eye, I shared, “You know, there’s an old adage in psychology, ‘The only way to get over anxiety is to go through it.’” I explained further, “When you dread a situation and then manage to avoid it, you immediately feel relief. It’s powerful stuff, to be relieved of such dread. That feeling of relief greatly increases the chances of avoidance in the future, too. Pretty soon you’re avoiding bowling, and other stressful situations, even potentially positive ones in your life, such as birthday gatherings, wedding celebrations, and evenings out with friends. Your life becomes defined and constrained by your anxiety.”
If you’re feeling anxious about almost any situation, the best tactic is to face it head on. Anticipate the uneasiness and move toward it anyway. The psychological research suggests that half-measures, such as showing up to bowl Saturday and remaining only if you’re on your game, will not work. A decision to leave would only reinforce the tactic of avoidance, which works in the short run but limits your overall life enjoyment in the long run. This is true of dreaded encounters with cantankerous parishioners and contentious session meetings, too. Although you may experience immediate relief when a conflict is postponed, no progress is made in resolving the conflict, and it becomes even harder to address next time. Best to face these difficult church situations, as well as almost all life situations, head on.
How do you wind up the courage to do this? One helpful book is The Mindful Way Through Anxiety: Break Free from Chronic Worry and Reclaim Your Life by Susan Osillo, Ph.D., and Lizabeth Roemer, Ph.D. It’s full of vignettes of people feeling anxious—some of which you might identify with—and practical suggestions based on psychological research to work through them. Another recommendation is to see a licensed counselor. Anxiety is one of the most treatable of mental health conditions, and it really is possible to start feeling better quickly.
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Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Resources
Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates -
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Matthew 25: Congregational Vitality
See how a new worshiping community in Orlando thinks "outside the steeple."
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Prayer List
- 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
- 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, Lake Crystal; First Presbyterian Church, Kasota - Pastor, yoked parish
Maine Presbyterian Church, rural Underwood - Solo Pastor
Faith Presbyterian Church, Silver Lake - Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Slayton - Pastor
Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer - Solo Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago - Interim Pastor
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Worship and Music Conference
June 20-25 - in person at Montreat
June 27 - July 2 - online
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This intergenerational conference is for children, youth, adults, pastors, directors, organists, pianists, guitarists, percussionists, ringers, worship leaders, choir members, and anyone who loves and takes part in the worship and music of the church.
Conference Highlights
- *NEW* Multi-generational Hymn Festival Choir led by Tom Trenney
- Daily Worship Reflections focused on collaborative worship planning for congregations of ALL sizes
- A variety of practical offerings to explore the cultivation of inspirational worship
- Living SCRIPTure: Biblical Storytelling for Middler and Senior High conferees
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A select number of programs will be streamed and available virtually – join us from anywhere!
General Information
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In celebration of the diversity that is drawn into community in the Christian understanding of Pentecost, The Ministry Lab is compiling diverse voices reading Acts 2:1-21 as a worship resource for our member congregations.
You are invited to share a video of yourself reading Acts 2:1-21 in the language of your heart. We will compile submitted videos into a single montage of readers - as depicted in the story being read - expressive of and in celebration of - the diversity of our community.
Videos must be received no later than Thursday, May 13. Submit videos directly to [email protected].
Please complete a submission form to ensure proper credit and representation. |
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Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center’s Living Well, Leading Well series continues in April and May with a focus on health and healing as we transition to the next phase of the pandemic. On May 22, Professor Deborah Hunsinger (Princeton Seminary) will present Healing Collective Trauma. She will share psychological and spiritual tools for increasing resilience and finding hope and joy in our life together. Click on the links above to learn more and register.
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