Call to September Presbytery Meeting

In accordance with Book of Order, Form of Government G-11.0200, and the Bylaw of the Presbytery of  The Twin Cities Area, Article I, the Presbytery will meet in Regular Stated Session on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Plymouth Presbyterian Church, 3755 Dunkirk Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota, 55446, at 4:00 p.m.

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.

Category: Presbytery News