Author Will Talk on “The View From Delphi” at St. Luke

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:41:56 +0000

Jonathan Odell will talk about his experiences with racism growing up in Mississippi and the power of personal story to heal and transform relationships as he introduces us to his historical novel, THE VIEW FROM DELPHI
Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 pm
St. Luke Presbyterian Church

Set in pre-Civil Rights Mississippi, The View from Delphi is the story of two young mothers, Hazel and Vida, one wealthy and white and the other poor and black, who have only two things in common—the devastating loss of their sons, and a deep and abiding loathing for one another. After drunkenly crashing her car into a manger scene, gunning for the baby Jesus, Hazel is sedated and bed-ridden. Vida is hired as a maid to keep tabs on Hazel. Spending time together with no one else to rely on, the two women find they have more in common than they thought, and together they turn the town on its head.

The View from Delphi is the story of a town, a people, and a society on the verge of great changes—and great changes begin with small things, like friendship.

About the Author

The day author Jonathan Odell was born in 1951 in Laurel, Mississippi, Willie McGhee, a black man, was being lynched at the nearby courthouse to the cheers of more than a thousand white citizens. Several blocks south, a young Leontyne Price could be found regularly helping her aunt to clean a mansion, until the white lady of the house heard her sing and got her into Juilliard. His novel, THE VIEW FROM DELPHI, is Jonathan Odell’s attempt to explain how such contradictions could exist side by side.

He started writing, he says, “when the inconsistencies of my life caught up with me.” He sold his house, left his partner, gave away the dog—went to the jungles of Costa Rica—and three months later he came back with the resolve to write a novel and embarked upon rediscovering his home state. “Along the way I discovered my own people, and the mysterious, unspoken history we share with that other race.”

The event is free and open to the public.
Books will be available for purchase at the event. Jon will return for discussion on the book in September!

Fundraiser for Habitat at Church of the Way

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:37:28 +0000

Presbyterian Church of the Way in Shoreview is taking part in a fundraising event to support Holy Hammers, a coalition of 13 congregations that builds homes as a part of Habitat for Humanity. The benefit includes a spaghetti dinner and a concert by the Cedar Lake 7 Gospel Ensemble.

The event takes place Friday, May 14 event from 5:30-8:15 p.m. at Church of the Way located at 3382 N. Lexington Avenue in Shoreview.

Pre-General Assembly Concert at Westminster

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:34:32 +0000

Enjoy a cool evening of some of Minnesota’s hottest music at Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis. All are invited to this free program in the Westminster sanctuary. One of the nation’s premier bluegrass bands, Monroe Crossing, will perform (www.monroecrossing.com), as will Cantus, considered by many critics to be the nation’s top male a capella ensemble (www.cantusonline.org).

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!\”