CLPC Taking Applications For Instructors For Lay Pastor Training Program

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:19:54 +0000

The Commissioned Lay Pastor Committee is taking applications for its new training program approved at the November meeting of the Presbytery of The Twin-Cities Area.

Specifically, the CLP Training Program offers a structured learning process that provides a customized training based on past training/experience with future needs related to the specific commissioning of the candidate.

The Training Program consists of up to fourteen – 12-hour modules of learning that include: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation – Hermeneutics; Old Testament Survey & Interpretation; Introduction to Reformed Theology; Presbyterian History and Polity; Sacraments: Theology and Practice; New Testament Survey & Interpretation; Introduction to the New Testament; Church Development and Leadership; Personal Evangelistic Witness; Spiritual Formation and Ministry; Church Based Evangelism and Ministry; Homiletics; Spiritual Gifts and Pastoral Ministry; Introduction to Multi-Cultural Ministry in the 21^st Century; Stewardship; and Teaching.

Methods of instruction will vary depending upon the individual learning style/and or cultural challenges each CPL candidate may have. Many teaching situations will be one-on-one experiences.

Qualified instructors (teachers, clergy, missionaries and lay persons) are invited to apply at the Presbytery of the Twin-Cities Area website.

For more information, go to the Commissioned Lay Pastor Manual. You can also email the Commissioned Lay Pastor Committee Chair at: clpc@ptcaweb.org .

Advent and Christmas Activities in the Presbytery

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:32:09 +0000

Many Churches are hosting events during this Advent and Christmas season that are open to the public. If you have an event to share, please contact the Presbytery office at communications@ptcaweb.org.

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington
2200 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431

December 13: Children’s Christmas Pageant, 10:30am

December 20: “Canticle of Joy,” a Christmas Contada written by Joseph M. Martin, 10:30am.

First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul
535 20th Avenue North, South Saint Paul, Minnesota 55075

December 20: Blue Christmas Service, 4pm.

December 24: “Christmas Around the World” Christmas Eve Service, 5pm.

December 24: Candelight Communion Service, 10pm.

Presbyterian Church of the Apostles, Burnsville
701 E 130th St, Burnsville, MN 55337
December 20: The PCA Choir presents a Christmas Cantata: Emanuel by Eugene Butler

Narratives and beautiful music to inspire us for the Christmas Season, 10:30am.

December 20: “A time of Christmas Quiet” Enter into a peaceful, candlelit setting for music played by Paul Berry and Sue Carlblom. 3pm.

December 20: A brief reflection on the Christmas story, 4:30pm.

Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina
6901 Normandale Road, Edina MN 55435

December 24: CPC Family Christmas Services; Identical 50-minute Christmas services designed especially for families with young children. 3pm and 5pm.

December 24: Christmas Eve Communion Service; A traditional service featuring music by a string quartet and soloists, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. 7pm.

December 24: A Service of Lessons and Carols; A service featuring Scripture readings, carol singing, and special music by the Chancel Choir. 9pm.

December 24: The Table/Contemporary Worship; A contemporary service including the Sacrament of Holy Communion. 11pm.

Chain of Lakes Presbyterian Church, Lino Lakes
Meeting at the Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN

December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. Children are encouraged to worship with parents. Toddler/Infant care available. 5:30pm.

Hope Presbyterian Church, Richfield
7132 Portland Ave S , Richfield, MN 55423

December 24: Family Drama Service featuring the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” 2 and 4 pm.

December 24: Candlelight Service with Hope’s Choirs and Orchestras. 10pm.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis
1200 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Free Parking for Sunday services and on Christmas Eve in the Orchestra Hall Ramp at 11th Street & Marquette Ave.

December 10: Celtic Christmas Service; Join Celtic musicians Ann & Charlie Heymann in a candlelit liturgy. 7PM.

December 13: Advent Service of Lessons and Carols. Youth Choirs and Scandinavian musicians will take part. 8:30 and 10:30AM.

December 20: Christmas Festival Sunday; Westminster Handbell Ensemble, the Westminster Choir, and violinist Michael Sutton. 9 and 11AM.

December 24: Family Christmas Eve Service and Christmas Pageant. 4PM.

December 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Services with the Westminster Choir. 8 and 10PM.

Central Presbyterian Church, St. Paul
500 Cedar St, St. Paul, MN 55101

December 13: TUBAChristmas! A concert and sing-a-long with over 100 tubas and euphoniums. Bring a tuba and join in! For more information please go to: http://cpcstpaul.org/events/tubachristmas.html. 4PM.

December 24: Twilight Service, 4PM.

December 24: Christmas Eve Service, 10PM.

Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis
1620 East 46th Street Minneapolis MN 55407-3699

December 10: Sanctuary open for quiet reflection and meditation. Brief service of readings at 7:15. Service begins at 6:30PM.

December 17: Blue Christmas Service. Service of remembrance and healing. Christmas can be a difficult season when our lives don\’t reflect the celebration of the culture. Come for a time apart, a time of acknowlegement and calm. Brief service is followed by the continuing Advent Meditation. 6:30PM.

December 24: Christmas Eve Service. Remember the birth of Jesus the Christ in calm and candlelight. 11PM.

First Presbyterian Church, Rochester
512 3rd St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902

December 13: Service of Lessons and Carols. 8:30 and 11AM.

December 20: Children’s Advent Program. 10AM.

December 24: Christmas Eve Services, 4 and 11PM.

First Presbyterian Church, Hudson
1901 Vine St, Hudson, WI 54016

December 21: Longest Night Service, 7PM

December 24: Family Worship Service, 4:30PM

December 24: Candlelight Worship Service, 6PM

Associated Church, Owatonna
800 Havana Rd, Owatonna, MN 55060

December 13: Choral Celebration: This spirited service has all choirs joining together for an uplifting service. Associated Choir, Cornerstone, The Cross and everybody’s favorite, the Church School Singers, will all be in fine voice for this service. 9AM.

December 20: Instrumental Celebration: Service begins with the Associated Church Orchestra performing an extensive prelude with Christmas carols and other favorite carol music. The Orchestra and the Handbells will continue toplay throughout this joyous service. 8:45AM.

December 24: Service of Lessons and Carols, 5PM. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service, 11PM.

Familia de Fe Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis
2647 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55407

December 19: Familia de Fe’s “Fiesta de Navidad” will include a dinner and Latin American music. A freewill offering will be taken to help Galdys and Delfin Lluveres, members of the Minneapolis New Church Development, pay for the costs of adopting a child. 7PM.

Your Skills Are Needed for General Assembly!

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:00:14 +0000

By Paula Sanders

Planning for the 219^th General Assembly is gaining momentum. GA is meeting July 3-10, 2010 at the Minneapolis Convention Center and we expect 8,000 people to attend some part of it. The presbyteries of Northern Waters and Minnesota Valleys are joining with us as hosts. To plan and carry out such an event will require many willing workers. The Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) has organized into five major committees and 22 work groups.

We are now at the place where we need folks to fill out these committees and work groups. We hope you will be one of them. To volunteer, please contact COLA Executive Coordinator Paula Sanders, 612-839-7465, paula.sanders@pcusa.org. Here is a listing of committees, workgroups and their leaders:

Worship Committee – Ann Foote, Plymouth

Opening Worship – Alika Galloway, Kwanzaa; Tim Hart-Andersen, Westminster
Daily Worship – Barbara Anne Keely, United Theological Seminary
Liturgical Space – Ward Sessing, Presbyterian Church of the Way
Prayer Chapel – Rebecca Fletcher, White Bear Lake

Special Events Committee

Moderator’s Reception – Holly Holmes & Sue Payne, Plymouth
YAAD Event – Meghan Gage-Finn, Westminster
Mission & Cultural Tours – Caroline Wanga, Kwanzaa
Gift Project – Ann Rock & Jane Hallman, Presbyterian Women

Hospitality Committee – Margaret Thomas, Westminster

Airport Welcome – Ed Martin, Westminster
Hotel Welcome – Barb Day & Sue Goodspeed, Lake Nokomis
Convention Center – Meg Newswanger, Maple Plain
Special Guests – Bill Young, Frontier Fellowship
Special Needs – Linda Wold & Joanne Shingledecker, Presbyterian Church of the Way
Departure Arrangements – John Silliman, North Como

Media & Communications Committee – Margo Abramson, Christ Presbyterian

GA Welcome Presentation
Press Relations – Sandy Sweep, Church of the Apostles
Church & Governing Body Communications
Website – Susan Dray, Westminster & Vince Gin, Hudson
Information Center – Stephanie Anthony, Hudson

Volunteer Committee – Jack Hougen, Hope

Volunteer Recruitment & Training – Lisa Meyer, White Bear Lake; Deborah Isabelle, Kwanzaa
Volunteer Hospitality – Mary Anne Bennett, Church of the Apostles
Congregational Contacts – Cindy Ray, Presbyterian Homes

Paula Sanders is the Executive Coordinator for the Committee on Local Arrangements for the 219the General Assembly.

Longest Night Worship at First, Hudson

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:55:54 +0000

\”The Advent and Christmas seasons are often marked by festive parties and jovial celebrations, but this time of year isn’t always joyful for everyone. Among us are friends, family members, and acquaintances who may be finding it difficult to enjoy this holiday season as they mourn the loss of a loved one or an important relationship in their lives, worry about finances, battle depression, or struggle with other seemingly hopeless situations. If this is the case with you, or if you are willing to sit in prayer with those for whom this is true, join First Presbyterian Church of Hudson for worship on The Longest Night, the winter solstice, Dec. 21st at 7:00 p.m.

This contemplative worship service will honor the difficult experiences of those around and among us and speak again the enduring words of hope and light in the midst of darkness.

Worship begins at 7:00 p.m., but all are also invited to share fellowship and a soup supper that begins at 6:30 p.m.. This service, as all others, is open to the public, so please share this with your friends and neighbors who may need some comfort this holiday season.\”

It\’s TubaChristmas at Central Presbyterian!

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:45:50 +0000

Imagine over one hundred tubas festively decorated playing \”Joy to the World!\” The 22nd annual Minnesota TUBACHRISTMAS Concert and Sing-a-Long, directed by Carol Jensen, will take place Sunday, December 13th at 4 PM in the historic sanctuary of Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street, downtown St. Paul. Tubas and euphoniums of all shapes and sizes will fill the historic sanctuary, playing holiday favorites and accompanying the audience in a sing-a-long of traditional carols. TUBAChristmas concerts are held throughout the world and have achieved a sort of cult status.

All tuba, sousaphone, euphonium and baritone players are warmly invited to join in the event. Decorate your instrument and bring a folding music stand! Registration is at 2 PM, with a rehearsal at 2:30 PM. Registration is $5 and music books are $15. Central’s organist Kathrine Handford will make a guest appearance for a few of the arrangements. A free-will offering will be received. Additional information about TUBAChristmas can be found at www.tubachristmas.com.

A chili supper, made by Central\’s gourmet chef Barb Westman, will be served after the concert in the Dining Room for $6.00.

Presbyterian Women: Meet Our Sisters In South Dakota in 2010

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:47:38 +0000

A group of Presbyterian women will travel to South Dakota in 2010 for a second USA Mission Experience. Participants will encounter challenges to God’s promise of a beloved community and witness to the faithful work being done by our Native American sisters.

PW’s 2010 USA Mission Experience will provide the opportunity to meet with Presbyterian sisters living on reservations in Sisseton, Flandreau, Chamberlain and Pine Ridge, South Dakota. We will hear their stories, learn more about significant events in their history and build relationships.

Our journey will begin in Sioux Falls on September 9 and will end in Rapid City on September 16.

Cost for the trip is $1600. not including travel to and from South Dakota. Each participant is responsible for her costs, but it is hoped, synods, Presbyteries, congregations will offer financial assistance to their participants.

January 15, 2010, is the deadline for applicants to send applications to PW Synod moderators. More information and applications will be available on the PW web site (www.pcusa.org/pw ).

-Heide Buettner, Roselyn Peterson Co-Moderators, PW-PTCA

Oak Grove Presbyterian, Bloomington Honored

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:38:14 +0000

The Bloomington, MN congregation will be honored on December 7 with the 2009 Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award by the Bloomington City Council. In a letter of recommendation by the city’s Human Rights Commission Oak Grove was described as “an outstanding community organization with a long history of working with community partners to improve the lives of the diverse residents of Bloomington.” Associate Pastor Dries Coetzee thanked the congregation for all their hard work. “I want to thank you for your support as you made this milestone happen for Oak Grove,” he wrote in the December church newsletter. “As a church we are humbled by this award, as the work we do is mostly collaborative in nature and we are very thankful to all our partners in our pursuit of justice and freedom for all. Congratulations to all members of Oak Grove and thank you!\”

Pastors’ Social Media Boot Camp

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:50:28 +0000

December 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Solomon’s Porch, 100 W 46th St., Minneapolis. The advent of social media has the ability to transform ministry. Social media veterans and pastors, Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones, will teach you the basics of blogging, Facebook and Twitter, and introduce you to a powerful social media browser called Flock. Cost: $95 (lunch included). For more information and to register go to www.jopaproductions.com/events/bootcamp .

Adult Ministry Advent Series @ First South St. Paul

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:47:48 +0000

Adult Ministry Advent Series

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Advent and Christmas: Season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, heralds good news of great joy to all people. But it is also a time of reflection and preparation and in the world around us, a lack of peace and often difficulty feeling the joy during difficult times. As we enter into the busyness and contradictions of this time, adult classes will focus on an intentional recalling of what the season is all about using the four general themes of Advent. How do we take time to experience all these things, in a way that lets us live in this place of contradictions while still feeling the healing, peaceful, joyful unconditional love of God?

November 29 – Hope: Hope is about as vital to our well-being as are air and water. With hope, so much is possible; without it, so little is. Many things can threaten our hope; on the other hand, hope is an ever renewable resource, often buoyed by the fruits of spiritual life. Julie Neraas, Associate Professor in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at Hamline, spiritual director, ordained Presbyterian minister, author of “Apprenticed to Hope: Sourcebook for Challenging Times” was Theologian in Residence at FPC some years ago.

December 6 – Peace: Our life experience can be terrifying, but the season of Advent is a time to receive the grace that is forever present and available to each of us. Come and hear ways we can welcome God’s grace and set a course to transform our lives and that of the world. Carol Rennie, OSB, a spiritual director and a teacher of teachers, is a member of the monastic community of St. Paul’s Monastery and is an adjunct to the Benedictine Center in St Paul.

December 13 – Love: Love is connectional, communal, individual. How do we live in this place and season when we may not be feeling loving or loved? How can we truly experience the love of God and use it for healing in ourselves and others? Gregory A. Plotnikoff, MD, MTS, FACP, Medical Director of Abbot Northwestern Hospital’s Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, will engage all gathered for a dialogue on Love as the universal healing power. He strongly believes that we are all called to be healers. He will share practical insights that apply to everyone from his clinical practice, the latest medical research, Presbyterian spirituality as well as his six years at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan.

December 20 – Joy: Holiday time is a joyous time. However, about 10% of Americans are experiencing mental illness, numerous others have encountered the loss of jobs, loved ones or relationships and feeling the grief of those losses during this time of celebration. Today we will look at including those who are hurting and honoring them in their pain during our celebrations and discuss how to include everyone at the joyous holiday table. Rev. Ross Aalgaard is a psychotherapist, Pastoral Counselor, Licensed Graduate Social Worker with Westminster Church Minneapolis Counseling Center. In his words “whether you choose to acknowledge God or the spiritual realm in some other way, your spirituality can be a genuine resource for your life and well-being”

December 20 – Blue Christmas Service: Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer all make the holidays painful for many people. To honor the needs of people who are blue at Christmas we will gather at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 20 for a special worship service. This service will be more reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.

First Presbyterian Church

535 20^th Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN 55075

651/451-6223 www.fpcssp.org

Roseville–Area Church Needs Volunteers for Project Home

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:17:08 +0000

Galilee Lutheran Church in Roseville, the second overflow shelter site for Project Home in December, is a small congregation in dire need of volunteer help. To be precise, we still need 27 Evening Shift Volunteers and 36 Overnight Volunteers! The Evening Shift at Galilee is from 5:30pm to 8:30pm and the Overnight Shift is from 8pm to 7:30am (weekdays) and 9:30am (weekends).
This beautiful little church located at 145 McCarrons Blvd. North in Roseville (on the NW corner of Rice and McCarrons). Galilee Lutheran offers guests the privacy of their Sunday School classrooms downstairs for sleeping and a wonderful play room/family room space upstairs.
All volunteer shift openings at Galilee are listed below. If you can help on any of these days, please call June at (651) 253-0375 OR Christena at (651) 785-8730 OR you can send an email to them at archergirl2003@yahoo.com.

EVENING and OVERNIGHT Volunteers NEEDED:

Wed., 12/2 – 1 Eve. &1 Overnight

Friday, 12/4 – 1 Evening

Sat.,12/5 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Monday, 12/7 – 2 Overnight

Wed., 12/9 – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Fri., 12/11 – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sat., 12/12 – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sun., 12/13 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Mon., 12/14 – 2 Eve. & 1 Overnight

Wed., 12/16 – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Fri., 12/18 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sun., 12/20 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Mon., 12/21 – 2 Overnight

Wed., 12/23 – 1 Eve.

Friday, 12/25, Christmas – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sat., 12/26 – 1 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Mon., 12/28 – 2 Overnight

Wed., 12/30 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Fri. 1/1, - 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sat., 1/2 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight

Sun., 1/3 – 2 Eve. & 2 Overnight