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A weekly newsletter from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
November 26, 2025
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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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In this issue:
Congregation of the Week
Together in Christ
New Mailing Address
Prayer Corner
MN Paid Leave News
Invite Pastors from Our New Worshiping Communities to Your Church
Presbytery Meeting Dates and 2026 Special Offering Dates and Information
Navigating Your Church's Future
PW Synod of Lakes and Prairies News
Pulpit Supply Information
Per Capita and IRS Mileage Rate Information
Quick Links
Matthew 25 Missional Partners
Earth Care Corner
Pastoral Leadership Opportunities
Links to Other Newsletters
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Congregation of the Week of Nov 30 - Dec 6
Grace First Parish of Russell
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Pastor: Rev. Anne Veldhuisen
Clerk of Session: Melissa Alexander
Church Secretary: Chrissy Hook
Prayers:
- For our Confirmation and Sunday School classes and teachers
- For our What Happens Next Bible Study
- Grateful for the turnout and help at our Election Night Dinner
- For our upcoming Christmas Outreach
- For those with health concerns or who are grieving
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Together in Christ
Dear Presbytery Family,
Last Sunday I traveled to Beaver Creek to worship with our congregation there. While I had visited this church before, I had not been there on a Sunday morning, and it was the most marvelous experience!
To begin with, the church just glowed! Everything was spotless. They had perhaps the cleanest church bathroom I have ever been in! The kitchen, the woodwork, the whole place just looked so lovingly cared for. I learned that church members handle the housekeeping themselves – it was impressive.
This congregation, of about 20 or so good people, radiated that sense of connection and family that is such a hallmark of our smaller churches. People had been worshipping together throughout many decades of life. They knew each other well. When it became clear that people wanted to stay and visit after worship someone put on a pot of coffee and someone else ran to the store for cookies. Fellowship was no problem, and we had such a lovely chat around the table.
The church is staffed by two pastors who share pulpit supply: Rev. Mari Rogers and Rev. Dallas (I didn’t catch his last name). They were both so warm and friendly, going out of their way to introduce me to everyone in the church and to make me feel welcome. Mari and I enjoyed lunch together after worship, and I could see that being a loving and caring presence was in her DNA.
As we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving, I want to express my own gratitude not only for Beaver Creek but for all of our smaller churches. I know that sometimes these churches feel discouraged, wishing for more children, more members, the “good ol’ days” to return. But as someone who has the joy of basking in the cozy light of a Sunday morning worship service in one of these homey churches, I just want you to know how glad I am that you exist. You offer our weary world something desperately needed. A place where every individual counts, is noticed, is missed if not present. You have a sense of the story of your church, your town, each other’s lives, and when I’m with you, for a moment I get to be a part of that story too. It is such a gift. Thank you for faithfully keeping on, for cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen yourself, for finding someone to play the piano or the organ, for cobbling together the money for pulpit supply and caring for your pastors. Thank you for excitement over a confirmation student, parking lot visits after church, and friendship that withstands the test of time. You are making a difference!
Together in Christ,
With courage, devotion and good spirit as a colleague,
Rev. Beth Buckwalter-Miller
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New Presbytery Mailing Address!
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
PO Box 84
Redwood Falls MN 56283
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Prayer Corner
For Rev. Sarah Hoogendoorn, chaplain at the Saint Cloud VA, who is getting married on December 6! You may send your well wishes to her at 1001 Summit Ave N, Apt 220, Sauk Rapids MN 56379.
For the family of Rev. Bill Yueill, who passed away November 15. His wife, Lynn's address is 27202 Carr Street NW, Zimmerman MN 55398.
For the family of Marian Cramer, mother of Rev. Leanne Thompson, who passed away November 17. Revs. Leanne and Scott Thompson's address is 7597 12th Street NW, Willmar MN 56201.
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News from the Synod regarding MN Paid Leave
We have recently learned – and confirmed via email with MN Paid Leave – that pastors are not covered by MN Paid Leave. Pastors pay SECA (Self-Employment Contributions Act) taxes, so MN Paid Leave considers them to be self-employed. Self-employed people are not covered by MN Paid Leave.
A pastor’s wages do not need to be reported on the MN Paid Leave quarterly wage reports. Congregations will not need to pay the MN Paid Leave tax on a pastor’s wages.
We understand that MN Paid Leave is working on a plan to make it possible for a pastor to opt-in to MN Paid Leave as other self-employed individuals can do. For more information please contact: https://mn.gov/deed/paidleave/about/contact-us/
| | Invite Pastors from Our New Worshiping Communities to Your Church | | The video below is from Karen Lange - First Presbyterian Church Willmar. | | |
Did you know that the pastors of our New Worshipping Communities are available to visit your church? This is a great way for your church family to get to know our Matthew 25 Missional Leaders and perhaps to even think of ways you might support or get involved with the good work they are doing. They go places many of us will never go! But they can use our dollars, our prayers, and our support to get there, and so we become a part of their ministry!
First Presbyterian Church in Willmar enjoyed hosting Pastor Elizabeth Tot and the South Sudanese Fellowship on October 12. The South Sudanese Fellowship sang several hymns, Pastor Elizabeth preached, and Thijin Gatwech told about their time in Ethiopia and the work they are now doing there. Following worship, they joined in fellowship and sharing a potluck meal.
To contact Rev. Dr. Candace Adams: (320) 905-5453
To contact Rev. Elizabeth Tot or Thijin Gatwech: (952) 428-8994
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Next Presbytery Meetings
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, by Zoom from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2026, in person at First Presbyterian Church in Amboy from 10:00 – 3:00
Saturday, September 12, 2026, in person at First Presbyterian Church in Saint Cloud from 10:00 – 3:00
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, by Zoom from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Special Offerings 2026
One Great Hour of Sharing — Offering season Feb. 18–April 5, 2026
World Communion Offering — Offering season Sept. 6–Oct. 4, 2026
Christmas Joy Offering — Offering season Nov. 29–Dec. 19, 2026
Changes are coming to the Special Offerings program in 2026.
GA will be going from four churchwide offerings to three special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, World Communion Offering, and Christmas Joy Offering. Below is more information about the change:
The Pentecost offering will no longer be received. If you still have gifts for Pentecost, please be sure to remit those before the books close on 2025. The work supported by the Pentecost offering will be continuing through the Christmas Joy Offering. In 2026, if a Pentecost remittance is sent to GA, they will record it as a gift to Christmas Joy.
The Peace & Global Witness offering will also no longer be received. The World Communion Offering is taking its place and will begin in 2026. In 2026, if a Peace & Global Witness or its predecessor, Peacemaking, remittance is sent to GA, they will record it as a gift for the World Communion Offering.
The World Communion Offering will NOT have a 25%/25%/50% split between the congregation, presbytery, and GA as Peace & Global Witness did. It will be a straight pass-through remittance.
If you have any questions about any of the changes to the Churchwide Special Offerings, you may reach out to the Special Offerings office. You can email them at special.offerings@pcusa.org
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Does your church have 3-7 years left before you might no longer be viable? Would you like some help navigating your future?
The Presbyterian Foundation can help. They have developed "Project Regeneration," which includes a financial analysis of your church, 40 days of prayer and discernment, and taking a look at seven different options for the future of your congregation. The Foundation would send a representative to meet with your church three times. There is no cost for this service.
If you would like to learn more, please contact
Kyle Nolan
810-300-8186
kyle.nolan@presbyterianfoundation.org
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PW News
PW Purpose
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves
To nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
To support the mission of the church worldwide,
To work for justice and peace, and
To build an inclusive caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.
Greetings to all Presbyterian Women! We are using the Valley Bridge to include the PW news, activities, and events. Please print and share this newsletter, or send a copy to women in your church, whether you have an organized group, a Bible Study, a “Circle” or none of the above.
Note the link to The Sower, the Presbyterian Women’s Synod of Lakes & Prairies (PWSLAP) newsletter. Our Synod consists of 16 Presbyteries and PW is very busy. Check out ways to participate. The Sower: On page 17 is information about the next Native American Book Study, "Searching for Savanna: The Murder of One Native American Woman and the Violence Against the Many."
Blessings to all!
Gloria Rust, PW Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
Representative
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Pulpit Supply
The Presbytery through the Commission on Leadership maintains a pulpit supply list which can be found on the Presbytery website or contact Karen Lange. Each person listed has successfully completed a background check. COL just added another name to the list. We are always looking for people to add, if you know someone or are interested yourself, please let the presbytery office know.
Congregations are strongly encouraged to use this list for pulpit supply with the following guidelines:
- Anyone (Minister of the Word and Sacrament or Ruling Elder) supplying a pulpit more than two times in succession must have Commission on Leadership approval.
- Minimum remuneration is $150 if preaching at one service, $200 if preaching at two services on the same day, plus mileage at current IRS rate.
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2026 Per Capita: $47.00 Total
$30.24 for Presbytery
$5.50 for Synod
$11.26 for GA
2025 IRS Mileage Rate is 70 cents per mile
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Quick Links
- Clergy Wellness Grants
- Pulpit Supply and Moderator Information
- Public Domain Hymn Project link
- Template for a social media policy from the Luverne Church is Here
| | Our Matthew 25 Missional Partners | |
Rev. Dr. Candace Adams - pastor of our New Worshipping Community, The Compassionate Way, Candace serves marginalized people in our jails, living in group homes, and in recovery from addiction. Funds will be used for the work she does.
Scattering Seeds of Compassion
November Newsletter
To donate, write the check to Lakes Area Presbyterian Church with The Compassionate Way in the memo line and send to:
Lakes Area Presbyterian Church
Attn: Candace Adams
7761 Excelsior Rd
Baxter MN 56425
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Pastor Elizabeth Tot - pastor of our South Sudanese Fellowship in St. Cloud, Elizabeth serves primarily single mothers in the South Sudanese community who are struggling to make ends meet. She is a pastoral presence to the Nuer people in St. Cloud and Mankato. Funds will be used to help her care for her community here and in Ethiopia and South Sudan. PDF Link
To donate, write a check to First Presbyterian Church with “Pastor Elizabeth Tot” on the memo line and send to:
First Presbyterian Church
340 5th Ave S
Saint Cloud MN 56301
Pastor Elizabeth Tot and Mr. Thijin Gatwech are available to visit your church on a Sunday morning! They will share the sermon, and often a South Sudanese choir will be able to come along too. If you would like a visit, just email
Beth at beth@minnesotavalleys.org or
Thijin at thijingatnyatot@gmail.com to schedule.
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Mr. Thijin Gatwech - leader of the Nuer Professionals Network (NPN) with a degree in business. Thijin lives in St. Cloud and is networked to South Sudanese people throughout the region. He helps his people receive mental health education, as well as move toward financial independence and home ownership.
NPN Links:
https://youtube.com/@nuerprofessionalsnetwork
https://facebook.com/nuerprofessionalsnetwork
https://instagram.com/nuerprofessionalsnetwork
Support NPN Sudanese Ministry (yearly donation receipts sent)
Serving Refugees • Immigrants • Minority Communities
Your gift helps us support issues of family and children in our community, such as mental health and youth identity crisis, for NPN to empower and uplift the Sudanese American community facing challenges of resettlement. To donate, write a check to First Presbyterian Church with “Thijin Gatwech, NPN” on the memo line and send to:
First Presbyterian Church
340 5th Ave S
Saint Cloud MN 56301
OR
Zelle: info@nuerprofessionalsnetwork.org
Cash App: $NPNempowersudanese
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From Presbyterians for Earth Care
2025 Advent Daily Devotional
NOW AVAILABLE
New Daily Advent Devotions based on the Revised Common Lectionary texts from Creation Care Perspectives: We hope this devotional will help preachers, lectionary Bible study groups, families and individuals with new insights on these beloved texts during this special season. We hope the devotions will inspire more people to help care for God's creation in these challenging times. Thank you to all of those who wrote and contributed to this year’s devotional!
PEC has partnered with Red Presbiteriana Para el Cuidado de la Creación as a collaboration with both English and Spanish Advent Devotionals to share. Both translations are available on the PEC website. CLICK HERE or below to view or download your copies in both languages today.
Ten Ways to Help Promote the Creation Care Advent Devotionals:
- Send a link to its online posting to family and friends with a description about it.
- Ask to include the description and link in your church's weekly email.
- Include a sample from it in your congregation's Advent devotional.
- Read a devotion in Sunday worship and/or ask preacher to include it in their sermon.
- Have a week's PEC devotions available each week for those who do not use computers.
- Give printed copies (or email) to homebound members.
- Email copies to college students.
- Share it with local environmental groups in your area.
- Read it at Bible and PW groups.
- Encourage its use by your church's prayer chain.
Link to English Version
Link to Spanish Version
Daily Devotional Email During the Advent Season
Would you like to receive each day’s devotion from our Creation Care Advent Devotionals in your email Inbox? Sign up by CLICKING HERE. Each morning, beginning on Nov. 24th, you will receive the day’s devotions in both English and Spanish.
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