The sixth annual Missional Church Consultation, “Cultivating Sent Communities – Missional Spiritual Formation,” will bring together pastors, mission directors, scholars and lay congregational leaders Nov. 12-13 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Plenary session leaders are Richard Osmer, professor of Christian education at Princeton Theological Seminary; Christian Scharen, assistant professor of worship at Luther; Karen Ward, vicar and abbess at Church of the Apostles in Seattle; and Dwight Zscheile, assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther. In addition to plenary presentations, attendees will connect with peers in the missional church movement over meals, during Bible studies and in workshops. Registration for the consultation is open, and additional information, including registration materials, is available at “Missional Church.”

• September, 14, 2010, Plymouth Presbyterian, Plymouth, Minnesota
  • Present for study and discussion: Strategic Plan
• November 9, 2010, First Presbyterian, 535 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Continue discussion on Strategic Plan, Vote on Strategic Plan
  • Study and begin discussion on New Form of Government.  Copies will be distributed.
• January 8, 2011, United Theological Seminary, 3000 Fifth Street, NW, New Brighton, MN  55112
  • Continue discussion on New Form of Government (nFog), Vote on nFog
  • Study and begin discussion on changes and additions to Part I of the Constitution, The Book of  Confessions, including the addition of The Belhar Confession.  Study guides will be distributed.   

• March 12, 2011, Valley Community Presbyterian Church, 3100 Lilac Dr., N., Golden Valley, Minnesota
  • Continue discussion on The Book of Confessions, and The Belhar Confession, Vote on the confessions.
  • Begin discussion on the remaining amendments to the Constitution, including amendments to the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, and the Rules of Discipline.  Study guides will be distributed.

• May10, 2011 (to be announced)
  • Continue discussion and Vote on the Amendments to the Constitution.

This schedule will be available on the website throughout the year.  Council is looking forward to becoming better acquainted with elder commissioners from all of the member congregations.  Sessions are encouraged to ensure that each congregation is represented by continuing elders, according to the eligible numbers assigned in January 2010.  If there are questions about this, please call the stated clerk at 612-871-7281, or email statedclerk@ptcaweb.org .

-Nancy Grittman

Preceding the meeting, a Pre-Presbytery event will be lead by the guest preacher for the day, The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Rigby, professor, Austin Seminary, Austin, Texas.  Dr.  Rigby had originally accepted the invitation of the Presbytery to deliver the keynote address at Presbyfest, and agreed to come in September when that event was cancelled.  Her theme will be the Mission of the Laity in a Transformed World.  Her sermon will be delivered later in the evening.

At 3:00 p.m., all new clergy and elders attending for the first time are invited to an orientation of the Presbytery, led by the stated clerk.  Registration will begin at 3:30 in the narthex, and a time of hospitality and fellowship will be hosted by the Plymouth congregation.

The report of Presbytery Council will include a presentation of the strategic plan which was developed by a task force appointed by Council, working with a consultant.  This plan has now been approved by Council for presentation to the Presbytery.  Council and Task Force Members will present it in September, with discussion and opportunities for further study in preparation for a vote in November.

General Assembly voted to send several items down to the Presbyteries for vote during the coming months.  Since these decisions are so important to the future of the denomination, and the Presbytery, Council has made the decision to consider and vote at four Presbytery meetings.  The Bills and Overtures Committee, working with the General Assembly commissioners, and the Council, has developed the following schedule.  Discussion and study on a particular subject will occur at one meeting, and be voted on at the next meeting.  For this reason, it is important that sessions plan to elect elder commissioners who will be present for both meetings, in order to be prepared to vote, and then to report back to session.  Small group discussion time will be dedicated to these items during this time.  The following schedule has been established:

• September, 14, 2010, Plymouth Presbyterian, Plymouth, Minnesota
  • Present for study and discussion: Strategic Plan

• November 9, 2010, First Presbyterian, 535 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Continue discussion on Strategic Plan, Vote on Strategic Plan

•  
  • Study and begin discussion on New Form of Government.  Copies will be distributed.

• January 8, 2011, United Theological Seminary, 3000 Fifth Street, NW, New Brighton, MN  55112
  • Continue discussion on New Form of Government (nFog), Vote on nFog
  • Study and begin discussion on changes and additions to Part I of the Constitution, The Book of  Confessions, including the addition of The Belhar Confession.  Study guides will be distributed.

• March 12, 2011, Valley Community Presbyterian Church, 3100 Lilac Dr., N., Golden Valley, Minnesota
  • Continue discussion on The Book of Confessions, and The Belhar Confession, Vote on the confessions.
  • Begin discussion on the remaining amendments to the Constitution, including amendments to the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, and the Rules of Discipline.  Study guides will be distributed.

• May10, 2011 (to be announced)
  • Continue discussion and Vote on the Amendments to the Constitution.

This schedule will be available on the website throughout the year.  Council is looking forward to becoming better acquainted with elder commissioners from all of the member congregations.  Sessions are encouraged to ensure that each congregation is represented by continuing elders, according to the eligible numbers assigned in January 2010.  If there are questions about this, please call the stated clerk at 612-871-7281, or emailstatedclerk@ptcaweb.org.
The official report of the General Assembly Commissioners will be presented, as will a report from those youth attending Triennium in July 2010.
Dinner for 175, at $7.00, will be available.  Tickets will be sold in the registration area.  There are neighboring restaurants close by, if more meals are needed.
 
Grace and peace,

Nancy E. Grittman

Stated Clerk

Directions to Plymouth Presbyterian Church

For directions to Plymouth Presbyterian Church, please click here.

September 2010 Presbytery Packet

To download the packet for the upcoming meeting, please click here.

Reverend Stewart came to Dayton Avenue Church in 1985 and led the church, well known for its role of ministry in the community, into new and expanded ministry.  A major capital campaign and renovation of the building was completed in 2008.  The original building is a Cass Gilbert design completed in 1886.  The award-winning renovation incorporates original historic features and makes the building totally accessible for community programs.

Dayton Avenue Church is known for its free Clothing Center that is open twice a month for community and refugee services.  It founded People Incorporated, now a $14 million mental health nonprofit based in Saint Paul.  It started Liberty Plaza, a 173-unit low income housing complex in Saint Paul.  It is the present location for Bill’s Pantry, a food program for people who are HIV/AIDS positive.  The church hosts many self-help and community support groups in evening hours.

Reverend Stewart is well known for his active role in the community.  He has been active in

Rondo Land Trust, Saint Paul Area Council of Churches, Liberty Plaza housing, Summit-U Planning Council, Saint Paul Ministerial Alliance, Workers Interfaith Network, Capitol Hill PTA and Anti-Racism study circles.  A native of California, he is a graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles and San Francisco Theological Seminary.  He served churches in Pendleton, Oregon before moving to Saint Paul.

Reverend Chaz Ruark, Executive Presbyter of the Twin Cities Area stated, “In an age of fast turnovers and quick fixes, David Stewart’s 25-year tenure at Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church is a tribute to pastoral ministry. David’s commitment to urban ministry has been a good fit with Dayton Avenue and together they have created a powerful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in their community. Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church is a welcoming congregation that opens its doors and works for justice, two hallmarks of a vital congregation. David’s service and faithfulness is reflected in those qualities. To maintain such a high level ministry over 25 years is a strong testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in David Stewart and Dayton Avenue Church. Thank you David for your faithful ministry and thank you Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church for your example to the church of Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless you both.”

The 25th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 12 with a worship service at 10:00 a.m. including a re-installation of ministry.  A lunch and program for congregants and friends will follow in the church Fellowship Hall, with a free-will contribution.  People who are interested in attending should contact Chuck Neve at 651-227-7389.

Reverend Stewart lives in Saint Paul with his wife, Elona Street-Stewart.  They are parents to Shekinah, Clinton (Autumn), Deacon and Cole and have three grandchildren.

Late Summer, along with the month of January is a very typical time for groups to do retreats. Whether it be a Session, a staff, a judicatory, or even an individual, getting away from the usual surroundings and the everyday activity of offices is an important part of renewing and focusing for a new season. Your Presbytery Council just returned from a retreat at Clearwater Forest Presbyterian Camp. It was beautiful there the second weekend of August. The Council spent some time doing necessary routine business, but they also spent time doing some training on just what is the role and function of Council, (especially important for new members elected at the May meeting of Presbytery) The Council even managed to get some time around a camp fire, and do some fun group building exercises. The largest block of time was spent interacting with the visioning group discussing a strategic plan for Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.

          As I am writing this article the Council is still in the process of fine tuning       the work done so far in order to make a presentation at the September meeting of Presbytery. (September 14^th at Plymouth Presbyterian Church) What I can report at this point concerns the process that has been followed. The Visioning group and the Council listed strengths and weaknesses of the Presbytery, discussed lessons learned from our failures and talked about the values we share. This led to the establishment of a major focus and some general goals for 1 to 3 years. The objectives and plans for meeting those goals is an ongoing process that (if passed by Presbytery) will occupy Council and Presbytery for the months ahead. One sentiment that has emerged in this process is the desire to enhance our relationships and trust level in order to work together better fulfilling our mission in the world.  

          The work of the Visioning group was well received by the Council and feelings of optimism, excitement, and hope prevailed throughout our time together. It was an excellent retreat as we stepped back from the routine to look ahead to the future. Your Council is working hard and will present a good plan to you in September. Please watch for the details that will be posted soon and let us all seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we prepare to move into a changing world.

This September, the Twin Cities Area Presbytery will elect two Minister Commissioners, two Elder Commissioners, and one Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the Synod of the Lakes and Prairies.  We give thanks for the service of those currently serving: 

            Ministers: 

• Tammy Rider, Member-at-large,      class of 2010
•   Stephanie Anthony, Hudson, class of 2011

            Elders: 

•  Florian Gutzmer, Coon Rapids, class of 2011
•  JoAnn Simser, Macalester Plymouth, Class of 2012

            YAD: 

• Jose Chipoco, Familia de Fe, class of 2010

At this time the presbytery’s Nominating Committee is seeking applications from MINISTERS who would like to serve beginning in January 2011 for a 3 year term, replacing Tammy Rider who is completing her second term and not eligible for re-election.   We are also looking for  applications from YOUNG ADULTS, age 17-23, willing to serve for a 1 year term.  Elections will take place at the September presbytery meeting.

The Synod meets 3 times a year, usually in Farmington, MN- just south of the Twin Cities.  The meetings run from Sunday evening through Tuesday noon.  2011 meeting dates will be:  January 16-18, May 1-3, and October 2-4.  Travel, room and board are paid for by the Synod.  Each commissioner or YAAD will serve on a Synod committee which meets during the time of these meetings; only a few committees have additional meeting times.

Application forms can be accessed by the following links.

http://presbyterytwincities.org/committees/nominating-committee/

Please complete and return to the presbytery office, 
PTCA, 122 W. Franklin Ave, #508, Minneapolis, MN 55404 or to nominations@ptcaweb.org  as soon as you can.  We look forward to hearing from you!

• Sept. 23: Congregational Church UCC, Detroit Lakes
• Sept. 30: United Church of Christ, New Brighton
• Oct. 21: St. Paul’s UCC, Henderson
• Nov. 11: Emerson Congregational UCC, Richfield

Workshops will be held from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Advance registration will cost $150 ($175 if registered less than two weeks before the workshop). Access the announcement here, and get a hold of the registration form here.

A note to PTCA ministers and church workers: if you plan on attending one of these events, please contact the church office at communications@ptcaweb.org.

Recently,  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty made a statement about an Islamic civic center and mosque that is planned for lower Manhattan. Because the proposed center happens to be two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center, Pawlenty called the construction “inappropriate”, and said a mosque would “degrade or disrespect” the “hallowed ground” of Ground Zero.
 
We cannot understand how it is disrespectful or degrading to build a house of worship in the same neighborhood as the site of this great tragedy. The attack was an attack on Americans, and Muslims were among the innocent citizens who died there.  There is hurt and anger still about that attack, for all of us, but most of us know it is misdirected to lay that horrendous act of violence at the feet of all American Muslims. It is not right to hold all Muslims, or the religion of Islam, responsible for the attack, and it is not right to ask American Muslims to atone for the act of foreign terrorists. That’s like equating all Christians with the vicious acts of Timothy McVeigh in Oklahoma.
 
Since the day of the attack Muslims organizations, scholars and individuals, including local Imams and organizations, have spoken out against terrorism. Most Muslims take offense at the way their religion has been twisted by Muslim extremists into a justification for violent action. In contrast to the extremists Cordoba House is being founded as a place to increase understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims and is just the kind of place that should be encouraged. It is through increased interfaith understanding that we will be able to create a more peaceful world.
 
It is even more troubling that the Governor’s remarks come at a time of numerous protests of mosque construction around the country, and protests by Christians at Muslim weekly Friday prayer in several locations. Americans enjoy a constitutional right to practice religion, and the fact that the religion is Islam does not take away that right. Freedom to practice religion, even a minority religion, is one of the freedoms that Americans, and we assume Governor Pawlenty, hold very dear. Since the Governor has no authority to approve or deny the building of the New York mosque his remarks just serve to inflame the situation further.
 
We were pleased to work with Governor Pawlenty’s office to organize two interfaith prayer services after the collapse of the 35W bridge. And we worked with Governor Ventura before him in that fateful September to bring that same diversity to the capitol for the state’s gathering of remembrance. There was an Imam there that day and he spoke with grief and pain and denounced the violence in the name of Allah. The diversity in faith expression was essential to how meaningful these services were. Events such as these remind me of the greatness of our nation and our respective faiths.

Other activities for the day include A Traders’ Market (bring food for the local food shelf and barter for an “attic treasure”), music by Langer’s Ball, 12-00-1:00 P.M., Piper, Anthony Howe, and Celtic musician, Laura Mackenzie, Clan Tartan Historical Encampment, a bake sale and craft booths, kids activities and Highland games for All. Admission is free. First Presbyterian is located at 1901 Vine Street in Hudson.

Attention Church Leaders, Christian Educators, & Pastors: Do you have any young people from your church who are attending Iowa State University this fall?  If so, we’d love to contact them and invite them to participate in Collegiate Presbyterian Church’s university ministry programming.  Hopefully, together, we can continue to nourish these young adults as they continue on their faith journeys. 

Collegiate Presbyterian Church is a loving and active congregation that was established 100 years ago with the mission of ministering to Iowa State University students.  We are located just on the western border of campus at 159 N. Sheldon Ave. in Ames, Iowa.  Throughout each week, there are several ways to get involved, including:

• Traditional worship: 9am, Sundays
• Contemporary worship: 11:15am, Sundays, followed by a free, home-cooked lunch.
• Sunday evening programs – a free, home-cooked dinner followed by fellowship, outings, games, discussions, etc.
• Monday evening Bible studies
• Tuesday lunches in Campus-town
• Wednesday evening volunteer opportunities with our afterschool program, “Club CPC.”

We also offer an overnight retreat each semester, local mission projects, an “adopt-a-student” program with church families, holiday parties with international students, movie nights, and a spring break mission trip.

You can learn more about our programs and our church at www.cpcames.org.  We are also on Facebook.  You can find us by searching for “Collegiate Presbyterian Church (CPC) University Ministry.”

If you have names to share, please email these names and their contact information to jesse.larson@cpcames.org.  Or you can mail this information to:

Collegiate Presbyterian Church

159 N. Sheldon Ave.

Ames, IA 50014

Please note that we will keep the information you share secure and only for the purpose of inviting students to participate in our programs.

If you have any questions or would like more information, do not hesitate to contact our campus minister, Rev. Jesse Larson at jesse.larson@cpcames.org or 515-203-1994.