THE VALLEY BRIDGE. September 3, Presbytery of. Minnesota Valleys SEPTEMBER 8: 16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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1 THE VALLEY BRIDGE Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys SEPTEMBER 8: 16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Christian Education Week begins Fellowship of Prayer: First Presbyterian Church of Dawson Senior Minister: Rev. Herbert Rotunda, Church Secretary: Bonnie Miller, Clerk of Session: Stan Menning Elders: Carol Rensberger, Melva Larson, Janet Hall, Joe Bolstad, Jr., Wes Sather Prayers for: Our shared ministry with the Appleton UCC Our prayer partner church in Guatemala The mission of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly of the PC (USA) Our mission to eliminate hunger by support of local food shelves and Heifer International Teachers and students as a new school year begins Favorable weather for food production The health and well-being of all of God's creation IN THIS ISSUE: Pages 2: Around the Presbytery Page 3: Boundary Training; Youth and Young Adult Outreach in St. Cloud Page 4: A Culture of Generosity Page 5: Letter from Gradye Parsons Page 6: Calendar and Gospel reading Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys 4055 Abbott Drive Willmar MN minnesotavalleys.org Monday Friday 8:00 4:30 We re on Facebook, too!

2 Page 2 AROUND THE PRESBYTERY Teaching Elder Anna Williamson reflects on the numerous Bible translations and paraphrases in the News Among the Pews newsletter of the United Methodist/ Presbyterian Church of Browns Valley. Isn t it interesting that thousands of years after the first stories of creation were being shared by people gathered around a fire and trying to understand the Force of Life that created them over 2000 years after the death of a carpenter/builder/rabbi/son of God that we are still studying, digging into, co-opting, listening, trying to understand and being fed by words that began by being spoken aloud to others lived, told and finally written in a variety of languages, shared in letters and still, despite the alphabet soup and varied intentions, speak to us in our lives today? So choose your favorite alphabet soup and be fed. Look at times beyond your favorite to discover what another view of the passage might lend to the understanding, and invite the Holy Spirit in to help give you the nourishment in God s word whatever the language, time or place. It is enough! First Presbyterian Church of Saint James congregation is preparing to welcome their new Teaching Elder Erin Kobs, who will be in the pulpit on September 15. (We ll get an introductory article about her in an upcoming Valley Bridge.) A group of seniors at Hope Presbyterian Church of Spicer has started a group called Chatterbox. They get together the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 for talking, laughing and sharing. Mark your calendars you do not have to have gray hair and walk with a cane you just need a more mature outlook on life. Well, and a great sense of humor. The First Presbyterian Church of Madelia will receive the benefits of Kyle Schultz s Eagle Scout project. He will landscape the area south of the sidewalk and against the front of the social hall and will also landscape around the church sign. Sermon in Song will be held at Crosslake Presbyterian Church of Crosslake on Sunday, September 22, presented by Pastor Kate Stangl and The Last Generation Band. Over the last few years, the band has joined us during worship. Pre-service music will start at 10:00 a.m., so come early so you can enjoy the entire show. The worship service will start at 10:15. Tell your friends and neighbors so we can overflow the sanctuary with Joy and Song as we prayerfully worship our loving God.

3 Page 3 REQUIRED BOUNDARY TRAINING IN REDWOOD FALLS The Presbytery s every third year required boundary training is set for Tuesday, September 24 from 10:00-1:00 at the First Presbyterian Church, 235 East 4 th Street, Redwood Falls. This training is required for all teaching elders and commissioned ruling elders in order to remain in good standing. Retired teaching elders are only required to attend if they have a relationship with a local congregation; for example, if you are leading a Bible Study or do regular pulpit supply. If your congregation has others who want to attend this training, they are more than welcome. The Committee on Ministry will provide lunch, so we do need to know your attendance plans. Please RSVP to Karen Lange in the Presbytery office. If you have questions about this training, please talk with Stated Clerk Pam Prouty or COM Chair LeRoy Ennenga. COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULT OUTREACH IN ST CLOUD Do you know a college student or young adult (18-23 years old) in St. Cloud looking for a church or a group of friends? On and off-campus gatherings including: Bible studies, fellowship events, worship, retreats, group study breaks, game nights, volunteering these are some of the opportunities we can offer a young adult who might be searching for a group of peers to connect with. Contact Mark Giese, Director of Youth & Campus Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud. Phone: , or mark@fpcstcloud.org.

4 Page 4 A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY Thursday, September 12, from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. at Lakeview Lodge at the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji, 1864 Highway 86, Milford, Iowa (712) Guest Speaker: Dave Crittenden Open to all churches, pastors, and church leaders. Cost: $35 per person includes meal and registration fee. CALL THE CAMP BY SEPTEMBER 5 TO REGISTER: What is stewardship and why is it important? Most churches are looking for more dollars. We will spend the day talking about churches that have dedicated themselves to creating cultures of generosity. Cultures of generosity involve the whole financial discipleship journey which is part of our larger lifelong discipleship journey. We will spend time discussing why annual campaigns are good, how they can be improved, and why in a true culture of generosity they are not needed because faith and money are a year-round topic. DAVE CRITTENDEN Dave is currently serving as the transitional executive for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. He has served 38 years in ministry. He served 20 years as pastor of three congregations in Nebraska, Illinois, and Indiana, and spent 16 years on the staff of the Synod of Lincoln Trails of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Dave has always had a passion for stewardship and served most recently as the Director of Stewardship for the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC(U.S.A).

5 Page 5 A LETTER FROM GRADYE PARSONS August 27, 2013 Dear colleagues in ministry, It is an exciting time of the year as we assess the goals and tasks set by the 220 th General Assembly (2012) and look with expectancy toward the 221 st General Assembly (2014) in Detroit. We have much to be thankful for as a denomination, and it is with joy that we engage in our work as a church. One of the important tasks I want to lift up in this season is our commitment to promoting Christmas International House (CIH), a ministry of hospitality for international students during the Christmas holiday. From December 18-January 2 families, churches and civic groups in communities around the country host international student, providing homes for them to stay in and programs of activities. I sent you a similar letter last year at the direction of the Assembly encouraging you to support this effort. CIH has to turn away international students each year from this ministry because there is no room in the inn, so it is imperative that at least one church in each presbytery respond. I challenge each presbytery to communicate this vision of hospitality among its congregations for 2014, with our goal being to set up 200 programs that host at least two students each. Please contact Lisa Majoros at (404) for hosting and program information. The experience is invaluable for international students who participate, and can be equally rewarding for individuals and congregations in your presbyteries as they share the splendor of Christmas. I hope you will take the opportunity find out more about CIH ( and that you share this with your congregations in time for the coming Christmas season. In Christ, Gradye Parsons Stated Clerk of the General Assembly P.S. For your information, the full action of the General Assembly is included with this communication. You will also find it in PC-biz at id=4373.

6 Page 6 PRESBYTERY CALENDAR Wednesday, September 4 Friday, September 6: Karen out of the office Wednesday, September 4: Nominating Committee meets from 10:00 2:00 at the presbytery office Tuesday, September 10: Council meets at the presbytery office from 10:00 2:30 LUKE 14:25-33 The Cost of Discipleship Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.