april2012

WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK?

COME AND CATCH THE SPIRIT!

CREATING SPACE

a discussion about privilege and oppression

spirit-filled youth active in maple plain

creating space for young adults

inprint

a publication of the presbytery of the twin cities area

April-May 2012

Christian Education Issue Bringing People To Full Maturity In Jesus Christ PROVOKING THE GOSPEL bringing storytelling back to the church

From the Editor

Christians are Made, Not Born.

It’s Christian Education that helps form people into dedicated followers of Jesus.

By Dennis Sanders

“Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Acts, Romans, two Corinthians…”

That’s the song I’ve heard in my head for about 30 years, every time I get ready to find a piece of Scripture in the New Testament or Christian Scriptures. I learned it during a Christian Education class and it’s been with me ever since.

After a far too long hiatus, InPrint is back with an issue all about Christian Education. I happen to believe that Christian Ed has been overlooked if not forgotten for more exciting ministries like evangelism or preaching. That’s sad, because as my song indicates people remember what they learned in a Sunday School or Vacation Bible School class than what they do from a sermon. It’s Christian Education that helps form people into dedicated followers of Jesus.

Over the last few years, a group of Christian Educators have met monthly to learn from each other and in turn, enrich their congregations. You may have seen Christian Educator Martha Rockenstein set up a small table at Presbytery meetings with Christian Education resources.. In this issue of InPrint will give you a glimpse of what’s going on in PTCA churches and hopefully, give you ideas on how to improve your Christian Education ministry.

Our next issue is scheduled for July and it will focus on new churches and new ministries. If you have any idea for a story, please drop me an email at communications@ptcaweb.org.

Finally, you are probably wondering what’s up with these odd looking squares like the one on the right. They are called QR codes and they will be used more in upcoming issues. I want to make the newsletter more interactive and friendly to those with mobile devices. If you scan the square with your smartphone, it will lead you to more information on the web.

Go and be church, folks!

Dennis Sanders IT/Communications Specialist

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Contents 2. Notes from the Editor Words from Dennis Sanders.

4-17. Cover Stories-Christian Education: Bringing People To Full Maturity In Jesus Christ Find out about the Christian Education ministries taking place across the PTCA.

16&25. Presbytery Life and Times Art and Faith at Hope, Richfield; Faith, Minnetonka celebrates 125 years; Westminster, Minneapolis launches new ministry in Uptown. Updates on Teaching and Ruling Elders.

18. Presbytery News News from the March 2012 Stated Meeting; Nominee chosen as next PTCA Stated Clerk.

24-26. Profiles A Labyrinth at Calvin, Long Lake and a chat with a storyteller.

Inprint is a publication on the mission and ministry the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (PTCA). It’s published five times per year. Recipients include congregations, minister members, other members, committees, and friends. Please send submissions and e-mail corrections to Dennis Sanders, editor, at denniss@ptcaweb.org .

Next issue: July-August. Due Date for submissions July 1, 2012.

Editor: Dennis Sanders

112 W. Franklin Ave. Suite 508 Minneapolis, MN 55404 Phone: 612-871-7281 Fax: 612-871-0698 E-mail: info@ptcaweb.org Web: www.ptcaweb.org

Presbytery Staff Chaz Ruark, Executive Presbyter: Nancy Grittman, Stated Clerk Risa Anderson, Office Manager Dennis Sanders, IT/Communications Specialist Front Cover: Flowering of the Cross, Randolph Heights Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, MN.

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Christian Education Issue

Christian Education as a Vital Ministry of a Congregation Through Christian Education, the people of God become more aware of The Holy within themselves.

By Martha Rockenstein You enter a congregation for their “Christian Education hour”. You might hear children singing, laughing, and talking. You smell bread baking and a smell you can’t quite define. You see beautiful banners, whimsical artwork, and adults walking a labyrinth. This is just a small sampling of the many aspects of Christian Education ministry. Each congregation’s Christian Education ministry looks different. Christian Education Ministry is not just for children. It is a vital multigenerational ministry within a congregation.

Christian Education Ministry can be defined in many ways. The Book of Order defines Christian Education (they use the term “nurture” instead of “education”) as “a process of bringing [people] to full maturity in Jesus Christ” (W-6.1003). I believe Christian Education can also be defined as any activity that enhances a person’s understanding of their faith and helps them become more aware of The Holy (God) within and around them. As congregations and individuals we are called to worship God and serve God by serving others. Christian Education enhances, informs, supports, and shapes worship and mission and service in congregations and individuals.

“I believe Christian

“[Christian] nurture...[is] one way in which Christians minister to one another” (Book of Order W-6.1003). Christian Education ministries help people become aware of God around them. This awareness of God leads Christians to become more fully engaged in ministries of pastoral care, mission, and service. They engage in activities that inform and transform their views of the world around them. They experience the transforming love of God and are called to share this love with all of Gods children. Christian Education ministries are vital in shaping the mission and service of a congregation.

Education can also be defined as any activity that enhances a person’s understanding of their faith and helps them become more aware of The Holy (God) within and around them. “

Through Christian Education ministries the people of God become more aware of The Holy within themselves. When they become more aware of God within them they become more fully engaged in worshiping God. Through Bible studies they learn about the ways God works in and through people and how God works within them for transformation. They learn about the how and why of worship. They are able to engage in worship in creative ways. Christian Education ministries are vital in shaping the worship life of a congregation.

Ministries of Christian Education provide experiences that nurture our awareness of God within and around us. Christian Education ministries are embodied in many ways. They all look and feel different because each congregation has a different ethos. However, all ministries of Christian Education seek to enhance, inform, support, and shape individuals and congregations in the ministries of worship and service. Christian Education is a vital to the overall ministry of a congregation.

Martha Rockenstein is the POINT Representative for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. Photo: Picture of Chain of Lakes (NCD) Vacation Bible School in 2010.

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Christian Education Issue

Get to the POINT As the POINT (Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching) representative for the Presbytery, Martha Rockenstein can PTCA congregations as they strive to develop strong educational ministries for all ages by providing Christian education support in a variety of ways. She can meet with a church’s education committee, is available at presbytery meetings with a display and answering quesAre you looking for a new way to engage tions, and help a teacher, an elder, or pastor interpret and select resources to your young people? A fresh idea for youth meet their congregation’s educational goals. ministry?

Here are some specific things Martha can do in the Presbytery and for your congregation:

 Provide face-to-face consultations to evaluate the Christian educa    

tion ministry of a congregation Interpret and evaluate educational resources with church leaders Provide basic training for volunteer teachers Connect the local congregation with other educators through Christian education committees, resource centers, and local, presbytery, regional, and national events Contact churches to introduce the POINT ministry, give availability for consultation, inform of workshops that may be helpful, and obtain feedback about needs and resources Articulate needs, share ideas, and offer feedback about educational resources and ministries of the greater church through Congregational Ministries Publishing.

Contact Martha by email at martha.rockenstein@gmail.com.

Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT) is a network of educators who offer Christian education expertise and curriculum interpretation skills to churches in their area. These volunteers, appointed by each presbytery and equipped through the General Assembly Council, lead the way in assisting churches with their educational ministry.

Find out more by going to www.pcusa.org/point.

Ministries with Youth is pleased to introduce Quicksheets. Quicksheets are simple, singular ideas and articles, focused on the essentials of youth ministry, written by veteran educators, youth workers and professionals.

Quicksheets are perfect for your volunteer youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, CE committee, parents and youth.

The first 13 Quicksheets feature topics such as prayers for parents of youth, how to set up a youth ministry budget, working with adolescent girls and boys and staying connected with college students. Because your time is limited, but ministering to young people needs frequent infusions of energy, information and prayer, Quicksheets are perfect and free.

http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/ youthministry/

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Christian Education Issue

What’s In Your Backpack? leading youth into a discussion about privilege and oppression

By Cathy Kowley

That’s the big question that is going around the North Como Presbyterian Youth Group. What’s in your back pack? It is a question that is leading our youth into a discussion about privilege and oppression. What’s in your backpack? It is a question that is leading our youth into a dialogue that will give a language for, and a constructive understanding of, their own social location, and will help them understand things like systemic oppression, classism, racism, and a host of other “–isms” that plague our world today.

Over the course of six weeks, the youth group is first going to look at what is in their own backpack (i.e. their own privilege) and then how privilege can get you ahead or keep you behind. The youth group is going to explore the ideas of privilege/oppression through the contexts of current issues such as immigration, human trafficking, poverty, slavery, and political agendas. By the end of the six week study, the NCPC youth will have thought about some of these important questions:

What’s in your backpack? It is a question that is leading our youth into a dialogue that will give a language for, and a constructive understanding of, their own social location, and will help them understand things like systemic oppression, classism, racism, and a host of other “–isms” that plague our world today.



Have you ever thought of a birth certificate as a privilege?

A driver’s license? Your own room?



What resources have you inherited from your parents that give you privilege in the world? What are some privileges you have earned on your own?



What does the backpack metaphor look like in high school? College?



How do the media manipulate perspectives to foster the cycle of oppression?



What things can we do to fight against the systems of oppression?

For more information on the What’s in Your Backpack curriculum, contact Cathy Kolwey at cathyk@northcomochurch.org Cathy Kowley is the Coordinator of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville, MN.

www.facebook.com/presbyterytwincitiesarea

www.twitter.com/ptcaweb

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Christian Education Issue

“Come and Catch the Spirit!” youth at Maple Plain serve God and are active in the daily life of the West Metro congregation.

By Julie Mass-Kusske

At First Presbyterian Church of Maple Plain you will find the youth serving God and active in the life of the church family.

Teaching Sunday school, serving as liturgist, using and sharing their gifts as part of the praise band, volunteering in the nursery, and serving on the nominating committee are just a few different ways. We embrace the concept that “doing” is truly one of the best ways of learning and that one of our goals is that the youth see the church as place where they can use their gifts to work for the Lord, no matter what their age is.

During the school year weekly Sunday school is offered for children and youth. Youth group for 6th -12th graders meets biweekly for a time of food, fun and a relevant youth topic to study.

Monthly social and or service opportunities are available for the youth; such things as: bowling, game night, random act of kindness, etc. On May 5th we will be partnering with Group and participating in the Big Day of Serving in Minneapolis.

First Presbyterian of Maple Plain may be a small congregation but the spirit is alive and active and we invite you to “Come and Catch the Spirit.”

Youth Ministry doesn’t stop in the summer although we do spend most of our time away from church in ministry. Children and youth are invited and encouraged to spend a week making memories at summer camp at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest. Eleven of our youth have said “yes” to go and serve in Milwaukee, WI this June for a week on the Youth Works mission trip. We are really looking forward to partnering with Plymouth Presbyterian, Calvin Presbyterian of Long Lake and Presbyterian Clearwater Forest to offer Camp-in-a-Van this July; this will be a great opportunity for children to be exposed to “camp” and for the youth to serve alongside the camp counselors.

First Presbyterian of Maple Plain may be a small congregation but the spirit is alive and active and we invite you to “Come and Catch the Spirit.”

Julie Mass-Kusske is the Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Maple Plain, MN.

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Christian Education Issue

Summer + Fun + Imagination=Ministry!

House of Hope in St. Paul finds ways to keep Christian Education going even when school’s out for summer.

By Jan Snell

Vacation Bible School. Vacation Church School.

Phrases that bring to mind images of churches filled with children, enjoying the efforts of volunteers who have spent hours preparing and planning. More volunteers spent 5 mornings teaching Bible stories, leading games, leading craft time, and teaching catchy songs to enthusiastic children. A good time was had by all.

Each one of these is fee-based, and while some volunteers are participating, what we offer is not volunteer dependant. If your church has willing volunteers, enlist them with praise and enthusiasm!

I remember leading those programs. For some, those images still reflect what happens at church in the summer. For many though, those days are long over.

Children are participating in a wide range of activities and programs, or else they are in day care all summer. Those volunteers are now at work, or too busy to make the time commitment required to really do a VBS/ VCS well.

And remember, you can still use traditional VBS curriculum as a basis for your summer program curriculum if you do not have the people to create the curriculum. The key is to provide a different model for what happens in the summer.

 Mini- Day Camp for preschool-

Summer is still an important time to keep children and families connected to the church. It is a season that is ripe with possibilities for reaching out to the neighborhood, and for a local congregation to provide high quality, fun, and exciting activities that hold God at the center.

ers. 4 mornings, from 9. a.m. -12 noon. We choose the theme and incorporate lots of music, along with Bible stories and crafts. Really, it is VBS with a different name! There are so many great ways to teach young children about God, God’s people, and God’s world! An emphasis on creation, water, or animals is a perfect fit for summer. Staffing: children’s choir director, school music teachers, college students/music majors, church choir members, etc.

So what to do? Summer is still an important time to keep children  MANNERS Camp. This has been a and families connected to the church. It is a season that is ripe with possibilities for reaching out to the neighborhood, and for huge hit, and one that we offer every year for young children. a local congregation to provide high quality, fun, and exciting There is a curriculum that can be purchased called OOOPS! Your Manners are Showing, (http://www.oopsgroup.com) activities that hold God at the center. which has all the Bible stories and activities included, or you can create your own. Please make sure that materials used or At the church where I serve , our building is still alive with chil- purchased are theologically compatible with your congregadren, and ministry happens during June, July and August. What tion. follows is what has worked for us, and hopefully will provide Full- Day Camp for K-6. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Again, this is fee some ideas from which to create your own creative summer based, but our program is ½ the cost of many of the day camps ministries that will reach out and serve the families in your conoffered in our community. We offer our day camp during one gregation and community. of the weeks when the local school district’s day care program

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Christian Education Issue shuts down. Activities have included: Parable Playhouse (dramafocus on a parable or Bible story), music, dance, sports and games, carpentry, sewing, ecology/care for God’s world, etc. Church members who are willing to come and lead something for a morning or afternoon, but cannot commit for a whole week, participate and enjoy the experience. We hire some people who have a particular expertise, such as a drama leader, and we call on some of our older adults who enjoy carpentry or teaching sewing. An important focus is serving others, so the sewing project involved making drawstring bags and filling them with small items to give to children at the local shelter for battered women. Use your imagination, and brainstorm a list of people you know in your church or community who have a talent to share.

Things to Consider: 

Scholarships! (or subsidize through donations)



Background checks for all volunteers and leaders



Use middle and high school students as assistants.

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When you have a leader for a program, recruit a team of volunteers who can participate for one day, or one half of a day. It is much easier to find help that way.

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Offer volunteers’ children reduced price or a “free” day.



Not enough children? Join forces with other churches!

Now is the time to start to “Think Summer!” and make plans for those wonderful warm days to come!

Jan Snell is the Director of Children’s Education at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.

Summer Christian Education Options Summer doesn’t have to mean giving Christian Education a break. Here are some more curriculum ideas from the Presbyterian Church (USA).

We Believe Summer: Awesome Adventures God's People on Mountains and SeasSeas- Anna and Jake will take your class of adventurers over mountains and across, beside, and sometimes in water, to explore the stories of people in the Bible learning to follow God no matter where they were.

We Believe Summer: Awesome Adventures God's People on the MoveMovePacked with kidkid-friendly lessons, taketakehome comics, and activities, this broadly graded summer curriculum encourages children to explore Old and New Testament stories of God’s people on the move. Anna and Jake will lead your group of adventurers as they hit the road with Abram and Sarai, journey on the path out of Egypt, travel with the disciples as they encounter the risen Christ, and more!

We Believe: Mission Stories for Children -This thirteenthirteen-session, downloadable curriculum features a Bible Study prepared by mission personnel in each session. Leaders will be able to access photos and videos from each featured mission site. This curriculum parallels the Summer youth and adult curriculum: We Believe Mission Stories for Youth and Adults.

You can find these and other resources at http://store.pcusa.org/.

You can also check out the Resource Center for Churches located in the Minnesota Church Center in Minneapolis. Check out their online catalog by going to www.resoucesforthejourney.org.

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Christian Education Issue

Hands-On Mission Projects

The Valley 45ers

Community Presbyterian, Rochester

Valley Community Presbyterian, Golden Valley

The youth and congregation at Community Presbyterian

Preschoolers are adorable, kindergarten and

Church have a unique mission project we call “Hands On Missions”. On the third Sunday of each month our youth pass coffee cans during offering time, collecting spare change from the congregation. This is a fun and boisterous time that results in generous contributions to our youth mission projects. This collection is then used by our youth as they participate in mission activities that involve their time as well as their money.

first graders love to learn and are full of energy, second and third graders enjoy getting to know one another and still find cheesy craft projects fun. Then there are the fourth and fifth graders or the “tweens” as they have been so named by the mysterious “those” in popular culture. They are smart, energetic, fun and ready to skip right on to youth group were it not for the fact that their maturity level is not quite there. They want to be challenged, to be accepted, to share some of their amazing talents and have a finely tuned sense of hearing only what they want to hear. We love them, yet we have trouble at times figuring them out. Enter Valley volunteer, Scott Dobovosky. Scott gets youth and he gets the tweens. He has amazing patience and a toolbox full of team building games and ways of journeying with these tweens and teens from years spent in youth ministry. This year, Scott started a mid-week program at Valley with our 4th & 5th graders. They meet every other week for an hour and a half getting to know and doing a variety of fellowship, service and faith development activities geared towards this age group. Prior to proposing this group, Scott did research that showed that to grow in their relationship with Christ, preteens need special attention, customized programming, and opportunities to question and be challenged. They also need: Strong Adult Mentors, Personalized Faith, Positive Experiences, Leadership Challenges, Spiritual Development and Social Development.

We average at least one project each month that involve youth of all ages. We may be serving Noon Meals to homeless people in Rochester, grocery shopping for Ronald McDonald House, purchasing school supplies and packing school bags for United Way’s “Running Start for School” or packing shoeboxes for “Operation Christmas Child”. Our youth also volunteer at United Way during their Winter Outerwear Coat Drive and Distribution days as well as sort school supplies and escort families during the “Running Start for School” campaign. We walk as a group during the fall “Crop Walk” as well as donate funds. We sponsor a contest between the adults and youth at church on “Souper Bowl Sunday” to see who can bring in the most cans of soup. No matter which group wins bragging rights each year, the clients at our Channel One Food Shelf are the true winners. We also sponsor a young boy in Bolivia through “Compassion International”.

In January, we started “skimming off the top” of the Noisy Collection funds by setting aside all the quarters from that month’s collection. We will choose a special project to fund using just the quarters collected throughout 2012. The last time we did this, we were able to purchase a heifer through Heifer Project International for $500. Just goes to show that “quarters count” and “hands-on” mission projects are a sure way to get your youth involved in mission work both locally and abroad.

Denise Swinbank is the Director of Youth Ministry at Community Presbyterian in Rochester, MN.

“Preteens want to feel older, yet they’re still kids. They don’t want to be in elementary anymore; they want something special, just for them.” ([1] Ministering to Preteens: The Preteen Zone by Christine Yount Jones). Along with volunteer seminarian, Laura Twedell, Scott has developed the biweekly “45ers” (a name the tweens selected by themselves) into an experience that has attracted and kept a group of 10 tweens coming back for more.

Wendy Fields is the Christian Education Director at Valley Community Presbyterian in Golden Valley, MN.

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Christian Education Issue

Christian Education in a small church Small congregations are not in a position to develop and sustain elaborate church programs for each age group. But for Lake Nokomis Presbyterian in Minneapolis, this limitation became their freedom.

By Kara Root

We learn about life (and faith) in our families, in both intenencounter in worship, and the children “teach” us what they tional and accidental ways – through our “practices” and rhythms (e.g., traditions and celebrations, meal times, bedtime learn each week when we all gather together. Prayers that the kids write during Sunday school are part of each week’s worprayers, reoccurring themes in arguments and conversations, ship service. Then the practices within worship etc). We are shaped by more helped us all unpack and experience the stothan what is directly imparted ries and themes we are exploring in Sunday to us and accepted by us. In school. other words, we “learn” all the time. And the context we’re in and encounters we Last year our confirmation students began have shape what we learn as reading Douglas John Hall’s Why Christian?, so much as (or more than) the our adults joined in. For several months our information we’re taught. adult education classes (which include our Belonging precedes belief. confirmands and their families) discussed the And in our experience and chapters that the young people had been dipactivities of participation and ping into when they met for confirmation. This belonging, we come to gave us a common language and experience deepen in our faith and our In a time when people are agewith some ideas that then shape our commurecognition and understandsegregated in almost every other nity and our own lives and conversations of ing of God’s presence and faith. And when our confirmands reached the area of life, we have found great activity in our lives. joy (and great challenge!) in being time to examine our Reformed tradition, the adults joined them in that as well. Using Sparkchurch together, young and old, house’s re:form curriculum, we dedicated a few At Lake Nokomis Presbyterian weeks together to go through the history and Church, we seek to integrate readers and non-readers, floorbeliefs of our tradition as a whole church comas much of our life together sitters and wall-standers. munity. as possible with our worship and “family practices.”

Shared meals and shared This summer will feature our second (annual) worship and shared prayers Intergenerational Vacation Bible School. All anchor our life together, and ages will gather together for story, music, shared themes guide us. The crafts, cooking, and other explorations of a children’s Sunday school partheme in our shared life of faith. It’s a delightallels Adult Ed, which interful experience for kids to be in VBS with their acts with the worship scripgrandparents, and for single people or those tures each week. So, for exwith grown children to share in the excitement ample, in Sunday school, and energy of learning and exploring with chilboth the children and adults dren. explore the text that we’ll

inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 11

Christian Education Issue As a small congregation, we are not in a position to develop and sustain elaborate church programs for each age group. But this limitation has become our freedom. Instead, we find ways to learn and grow and support one another across multiple boundaries. In a time when people are age-segregated in almost every other area of life, we have found great joy (and great challenge!) in being church together, young and old, readers and non-readers, floorsitters and wall-standers.

As a pastor and certified Christian Educator, I am often forced to let go of the “shoulds” that shape good programs, or the pangs of wishing I have when I see what other, bigger churches can do with their education programs that simply are not realistic for us. But when I do let those things go, and embrace who we are and what God is doing within us here and now, I am amazed at how blessed we are to do church in this way. Education happens in all that we do. When we lean into the real life questions, doubts, joy and pain, and bring those to our conversations and shared life of faith, incredibly rich learning occurs. And being a small congregation, we have the capacity to react and interact with these things adeptly.

A question about how to read scripture comes up in Adult Ed? How about we read a book together about what the Bible is and how we understand it, and let that shape our sessions for the next few months! That study was extremely fertile and made us want more of the story? How about we take this year and go chronologically through the Old Testament as a whole church in our worship and Sunday school?

As a pastor and certified Christian Educator, I am often forced to let go of the “shoulds” that shape good programs, or the pangs of wishing I have when I see what other, bigger churches can do with their education programs that simply are not realistic for us. But when I do let those things go, and embrace who we are and what God is doing within us here and now, I am amazed at how blessed we are to do church in this way. Education happens in all that we do.

Our lives of discipleship are shaped by our wonderings and our doubts, our crises and celebrations, and embraced by our practices and rhythms as a community and our relationships with those similar and very different from ourselves. What a joy to be church together, and to “learn” the faith in all that we do.

Kara Root is pastor of Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.

In Our Next Issue: Changing Church, Changing World The July-August issue of InPrint will have as its theme “Changing World, Changing Churches.” We will see what new and innovative ministries are taking place within the PTCA, as well as find churches seeking to renew and transform themselves to do mission and ministry in a new time.

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Christian Education Issue

Lighting a Fire at Lake Woebegon Presbyterian Let's help the Lake Wobegon Presbyterian Church light a fire under its Christian education program. Maybe this will help other Christian education programs. Maybe even yours.

By Pat Channer, Jan Noller, and Kathleen Waugh Editor’s note: the following are excerpts from the manual “Help! we need to organize the education program”. Original book published by the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area, Minneapolis, MN, Witherspoon Press, and the authors: Pat Channer, Jan Noller, and Kathleen Waugh.

this particular Sunday a couple of elders at the coffee hour are moaning and groaning about the church school. Why do so few attend? Why is it so hard to get teachers? Finally, in exasperation they say, "We want to light a fire under our Christian education program. What can we do? Where do we start?"

The above story is pure quill myth, created in the imagination just as surely as Lake Wobegon is created in the wonderful, hometown, the town that time forgot and decades cannot im- creative genius of Garrison Keillor's mind. But even though this story is made up, the same scenario has no doubt been played prove. Garrison has seen most everything in Lake Wobegon, like Ralph's "Pretty Good" grocery store, where if Ralph doesn't out at countless other churches at some point in their history— have it you can probably do without; the Catholic church, Our maybe even yours. So let's help the Lake Wobegon PresbyteLady of Perpetual Responsibility; and, of course, the Norwegian rian Church light a fire under its Christian education program.

Lutheran Church, where he seems well acquainted with Pastor Maybe this will help other Christian education programs.

Ingvist.

Let's drop in on Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor's fictional

But I don't think Garrison has found the Presbyterian Church in Lake Wobegon. I can't blame him—the church is tucked away on a side street, and there's no sign on the main highway that goes through Lake Wobegon telling visitors where the church is.

The folks are friendly at the Lake Wobegon Presbyterian Church. No one could call them God's frozen chosen. And they're proud of their minister, whose prayers are eloquent and who regularly quotes Niebuhr and Brueggemann in sermons. But still there seems to be some unrest floating around in the congregation. Oh, they have church school on Sunday morning, but not many attend. It's hard to get teachers, even harder to keep them. The classrooms are furnished with an eclectic array of hand-me-downs from the congregation. No one is quite sure what curriculum is being used or why it was selected. Teachers can be heard in the hallway on Sunday morning asking, "Wonder who I talk to in order to get a roll of butcher paper?" or "Where can I get a video on Moses?" or "Who took the glue I brought last week?"

Once in a while, two or three parents can be heard bemoaning the fact that their youth are attracted to the fun activities at the Luther League at Pastor Ingvist's church. And three men talk a lot about the independent Bible study they attend in town. On

"We want to light a fire under our Christian education program. What can we do?

Where do we start?"

Maybe even yours.

What Not to Do As a means of emphasizing the organizational task, let's clarify what not to do. Sometimes sessions or pastors appoint an elder for education or enlist a Sunday school superintendent.

There's nothing wrong with making these assignments as long as it doesn't stop there. If one person does all the work of getting the education program designed and up and running, that individual is usually overloaded quickly and is soon burned out.

Not only is this unfair, but it becomes doubly hard to enlist a replacement. Furthermore, having one person organizing the education program doesn't build broad ownership and support for the program.

inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 13

Christian Education Issue Therefore, it is important to have an education committee, with each member having defined tasks. In small churches, three persons may be enough; large churches may need somewhere between eight and fifteen members on their committee.

your congregation will influence the direction you will want to go. The ones you would like to attract to your congregation and the type of area in which your building is situated may also help you decide your direction.

What Are Your Priorities for Education?

Nurture

Each congregation has its own assumptions about the reasons for an education program. It is important to gather information from a representative sampling of the membership and include those ideas in formulating a statement about your education program. After this statement is approved by the session, it can be used as a basis for designing the program, selecting curriculum, promoting the education program, orienting teachers, and informing prospective members. ..

Teachers and leaders need encouragement and support all along the way. Not only do they need someone with whom to talk to work out a problem, but they also need to be fed spiritually in order to teach out of fullness, not out of emptiness. The caring and feeding of teachers can include the following:  encouragement to go to workshops  teacher and student dedication service  phone calls to check in  teachers' communion service Most congregations—even our fictional Lake Wobegon Presby remembering teachers in public prayer terian Church have some form of education program going on.  personal notes Sometimes, however, it consists of many pieces, with little vi a small gift or a flower sion of the whole. This may be the result of many small groups "doing their own thing," with each group having little idea of These ideas are just suggestions. Each congregation should use what "thing" the other groups are doing. Each of the pieces may have been created out of individual or momentary needs, its own creativity in finding ways to nurture its teachers. Here is or simply because someone thinks, "we ought to be doing a word of caution. Teachers are using the talents and gifts that something!"

God has given them to volunteer in the education program of the church. Many others in the congregation use the differing Our problem then is that "we can't see the forest for the trees"! gifts that God has given them to volunteer in other areas of Each of these pieces may very well be good when considered congregational life, such as evangelism, stewardship, and outseparately, but when the "trees" are pulled together, the reach. So when showing appreciation to teachers, the educa"forest" may not be exactly what we want it to be. In order to determine the pluses and minuses of our educational program, tion committee should be careful to mention that teaching is we have to look at those individual trees. We need to know one of many ways. why they were "planted," which ones we want to encourage to grow, and which ones need to be thinned out so the forest can Photo by Matt Green. thrive.

What Is Reasonable for Us to Tackle?

No congregation can cover all fronts. The size of your congregation will determine how much you can offer or what needs you can reasonably fulfill. The kinds of people who make up

Resources Available to Download Your church may be starting a ministry from scratch and discovering the basics of organization. Thanks to the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Witherspoon Press and the authors of Help! We Need to Organize the Education Program, chapters of the outof-print text are available. You can go to http://www.pcusa.org/resource/help-weneed-organize-education-program/ or simply scan the QR code to your right.

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Christian Education Issue

Creating Space: Christian Education with Young Adults Christian Education is not an easy fit with busy Young Adults. Teaching Elder Joann Lee says educating this population is more about creating space than it is about planning programs.

By Joann Lee

Christian Education is a lifelong pursuit to study Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life, and yet, too often, as we cross the threshold from child to young adult, that piece of our faith gets left behind. Too often, as we grow and develop into adulthood, our understanding of our faith changes and grows, but our understanding of Christian Education remains stagnant. As such, we cannot reconcile what “Christian Education” meant to us as children with who we have become as young adults.

as a pail of water would.

So building fires requires attention to the spaces in between, as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build open spaces in the same way we have learned to pile on the logs, then we can come to see how it is fuel, and absence of the fuel As an Associate Pastor for Family together, that make fire possible. and Young Adult Ministries who We only need to lay a log works closely with each stage of lightly from time to time. development, I witness first-hand A fire how Christian Education must grows change, adapt and adjust to suit I have learned that I cannot plan out simply because the space is there, the different stages of our faith openings the year in advance and hope and ex- with journey. In the Presbyterian in which the flame pect people to show up, for so much that knows just how it wants to burn Church (USA), the term “young adult” is ordinarily used to catego- of young adult ministry is mutual. It is can find its way. rize those between the ages of eighteen to thirty-five. Within this not about me choosing and laying I see my role as one who helps create already vast age range, includes down the logs, but making space for space for young adults and who is people from all different stages of to pay attention to those young adults to discover which logs called life, faith, family and work, and “spaces in between.” needless to say, there is great di- they have the passion to pursue and versity among those whom we to create, as the poem says, “openings As a natural planner, my preference label “young adults.” is to schedule out an entire year’s in which the flame that knows just worth of curriculum and to set a Within this great diversity, howhow it wants to burn can find its way.” Christian Education plan and ever, I have consistently found agenda for young adults, piling on that Christian Education with and packing in the logs too closely, Young Adults is best summed up if you will. I must, however, reign in for me through a poem by Judy Brown entitled “Fire”: that desire and pursue, instead, to create space.

What makes a fire burn is space between the logs, In fact, I have learned that I cannot plan out the year in ada breathing space. vance and hope and expect people to show up, for so much of Too much of a good thing, young adult ministry is mutual. It is not about me choosing too many logs and laying down the logs, but making space for young adults packed in too tight to discover which logs they have the passion to pursue and to can douse the flames create, as the poem says, “openings in which the flame that almost as surely knows just how it wants to burn can find its way.”

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Christian Education Issue In this way, Christian Education with young adults is not something separate from ministry or fellowship with young adults. Rather, it is an extension of sharing our lives with one another, for it is through these more casual, open-ended forums where ideas and passions for learning about our faith may be sparked and catch fire.

When space is made for young adults to lead and take ownership of their faith, Christian Education is shaped through their questions, passions and curiosity. It becomes a response to what is most real, relevant and immediate in the life of a young adult. And, perhaps most rewarding of all, the teaching and the learning is done mutually and in partnership. “What makes a fire burn is space between the logs, a breathing space,� and when that space is tended to and carefully fostered, the fires of faith and life-long learning can be properly kindled and burn for a lifetime.

Joann Lee is the Associate Pastor for Family and Young Adult Ministries at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN.

Around the Churches Artist at Hope, Richfield: Matthew Nelson,the Artist-in-Residence at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, will speak to a Sunday School class at Hope Presbyterian in Richfield on the intersection of art and faith on April 15 at 10AM. "I want God to be in my art," Nelson says, "but it took me years to figure out how to do that."

to our worship and performance experiences. On any given Sunday, you might hear banjo, bongos, or harmonica along with violin, trumpet, or piano! One of our long-standing favorite musical offerings is fellowship through Christmas caroling to our shut-ins (thanks to our deacons). Anyone in our church family is welcome to participate." Find out more.

Lead for New Uptown Ministry to Start 4/15: The Elders of Grace-Trinity Community Church in Uptown Minneapolis and the Session of Westminster Presbyterian in Downtown Minneapolis chose Daniel Vigilante to serve as the lead for the new Uptown Ministry that will take place at GraceTrinity. Vigilante served as Director of Ministries with Youth and Young Adults at St. Mark Presbyterian Faith, Minnetonka Celebrates 125: Church in Newport Beach, CA since 2004 and is a graduate of 2012 marks 125 years of active minis- Princeton Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree. Vigilante try at Faith Presbyterian Church in was introduced at the March 2012 PTCA Presbytery meeting.

Minnetonka. Faith in Action, the con- In the February 17 edition of Westminster News, Westminster gregational newsletter will be lifting Teaching Elder Tim Hart-Andersen described Vigilante's ministry at Grace-Trinity: up the various ministries of the church and how they have changed "...Dan will plan worship and preach at Grace-Trinity, teach Bible over the years. In the Spring issue we learn about Faith's Art and Music Ministries. Here's a snippet talking about the range study, welcome new members, and care for the congregation and community. He will spearhead the effort to rebuild a thriving minof music in worship: istry in Uptown. Under Dan's guidance Grace-Trinity, with the partnership and support of Westminster, will grow into a new, "Numerous other musical opportunities have been part of life at exciting future; a future in which we pray and trust that God's Holy Faith. We have had a series of talented organists dating back to Spirit will be seen and felt." our Czech founders, and we currently get to hear our pipe organ during traditional services (at a time when some churches have eliminated organ music.) We have always had talented musicians Vigilante will start in his new position on April 15.

- playing a diverse range of instruments - who contribute mightily

He found his style in modern art and simple lines, squares and vibrant colors. He will be bringing some pieces of his art, as well as describing his statement of faith. When he's not in his studio on campus, he is working on his Master of Arts degree in congregational mission and leadership, and on his ordination for diaconal ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). (from the Hope Alive Newsletter)

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Christian Education Issue

Seven Ways to Involve Children in Worship Worship and Christian Education are considered separate categories, but Sean Johnson reminds us that kids learn what it means to be a Christian during worship.

By Sean Johnson

squirms. Sometimes in order for children to sit still, they have to move…something. For me, If I had to sit still, I was of worship and expect them to go into the adult space when kicking my feet or fidgeting. I was paying attention and they are adults. I have never looked at actual data about how sitting (still?), but I may have been disturbing the people in many young adults move to the adult worship space when front of me. This is another reason to get the parents and they grow up. However, this sounds like an awful idea. Parents children all in the same area. Parents are more forgiving of and other adults should be showing & teaching the children this behavior. what we do in worship. For example, in a more ‘traditional’ set- 5. In Church School and Choir, teach the hymns and songs ting, we typically stand for prayers and we should show & teach that will be sung in worship. If they know the songs, they the children this habit. will be excited to We should expect chilsing them! Also, Have children participate in the dren to do the same as teach the parts of leadership. This can be as a lector, worship so they adults. Oddly, this is biblical! “Train a child in know what’s goacolyte, crucifer or communion the way he should go, on. If worship server—whatever your tradition ing and when he is old he is not foreign to will not turn away from allows. If children see children as the younger, they it.” ~Proverbs 22.6 leaders, they will realize that they are more likely to participate. are part of the worship service Here is a non-exhaustive 6. Use the list of ways to get or too.

Church School to keep children involved participate in in worship. reading lessons.

When I was in 6th grade, I learned a 1. Have children sit pseudo-rap to (with their parent’s) Micah 6.8.

Every time that came up in the lectionary I paid closer to the FRONT. This is counter-intuitive, but somemore attention.

If we teach something to the kids, like that times the kids aren’t interested in what’s going on because rap, use it as part of the reading.

Have a lector read Micah they can’t see. If they cannot see, they don’t feel compelled 6.1-5, then the kids start their rap. to worship. Also, if you need to leave the worship space, people will understand and not judge. So one of the rea7. Sing music with repeating choruses so that children can sons for staying in the back is moot. easily learn the chorus and sing on that part. We should teach the verses too, but this will be a nice way for the kids 2. Have children participate in the leadership. This can be as a to learn more about worship with little effort on the part of lector, acolyte, crucifer or communion server—whatever the leadership! your tradition allows. If children see children as leaders, What have you done to get young people involved in worship? they will realize that they are part of the worship service What’s worked, what hasn’t? too.

3. Get rid of the children’s bulletins! The only REAL purpose they serve is to keep the kids quiet. I know that there is Sean Johnson is the Music Ministry Director and some biblical stuff in there, but that part of the bulletin is only useful after they are literate. After they are literate Communications Specialist at North Como Presbythey should be actively participating! If you feel like you terian Church in Roseville, MN. need to have something for the children, incorporate that into the regular bulletin.

4. Make the culture of your congregation accept peeps and

Many churches, for whatever reason, pull the children out

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Presbytery News

Highlights from the March 2012 Presbytery Meeting It was hard to focus on Presbytery business with 60-degree temps, but business did get done at the March meeting.

By Dennis Sanders state of Presbytery finances. “With only two months data in, January and February, there is not enough information to make Saturday morning, temperatures jumped into the 60s on March broad judgments,” the Honorably Retired Teaching Elder said.

10, which made it very had to be inside conducting business of “However, recognizing that, I have some anxieties and observathe Presbytery. But the business did get done as the Presbytery tions about what I see.” Martin noted the following: of the Twin Cities Area met in regular stated meeting on Saturday, January 14, 2012, in the sanctuary of Oak Grove Presbyte income from Per Capita rian in Bloomington, MN . is seriously behind anticiThe items up for considpated income and more eration at this Stated importantly, way behind Meeting included the apthat of a year ago. Only proval of three inquirers $61, 300 has been given in for Ministry to become the first two months of candidates as well as look2012, against $124.5k last ing at a proposed overture year. That is $63,000 differto the 220th General Asence! We are at only 8% of sembly. budget.

Spring came early to Minnesota. After a cool start on a

 General Mission giving Executive Presbyter Chaz also is running behind anRuark spoke about the ticipated income as well as season of Lent, and the behind last year: $20,600 importance of selfhas been contributed; reflection. Ruark re$12,000 less than a year minded those gathered ago. This is also a single that God is with us, and digit percentage of budget gives us all that we need – 9%. to continue in the work to Three Inquirers were presented as being ready to  Presbytery committees which we are called. He also reminded people that be advanced to the role of Candidate: Tara Parrish have begun their work as expected, though several everyone is invited to ( Kwanzaa, Minneapolis) ; Jermaine Ross (Church of have yet to incur any exprayers at the Presbytery penditures. Mission and All Nations, Columbia Heights, pictured above) office each Tuesday at Witness and Church Devel10:00 a.m. Ruark gave the and Hanna Kim (Church of All Nations, Columbia opment represent the largPresbytery Council and est expenditures: $31,800 Heights).

All three were approved by the Presbythe Presbytery high praise and $15,7000 respectively. for the hard work that has tery.

Personnel and office exbeen put in on the Grapenditures continue at excious Separation policy. The original plan was to vote on the pected levels. proposed policy at the March meeting. The Presbytery did break into small groups to discuss the policy, but action on the  because of the discrepancies between income and expenditures a significant short-fall has been created. At the proposed Gracious Separation Policy will take place at the May end of the second month of 2012 Presbytery has a $74k Stated Meeting in order to give the Council time to refine it deficit. after hearing all the feedback.

Martin urged the Presbytery to pay their Per Capita and General Mission pledges as soon as possible.

PTCA Treasurer Ed Martin expressed concern at the current inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 18

Presbytery News Dan Lindh, the CEO of Presbyterian Homes came forward to ing Elder Stan Martin (Peace, St. Louis Park) were approved by talk about this very important ministry which has become a the Presbytery to serve as alternate delegates to the 220th major provider of services for the elderly in the Upper Midwest. General Assembly this summer in Pittsburgh.

Three Inquirers were presented as being ready to be advanced to the role of Candidate: Tara Parrish ( Kwanzaa, Minneapolis) ; Jermaine Ross (Church of All Nations, Columbia Heights) and Hanna Kim (Church of All Nations, Columbia Heights). All three were approved by the Presbytery.

The Bills and Overtures voted, by a majority vote, to present an Overture to the Presbytery for approval to send on to 220th General Assembly, 2012. Called On honoring Christ in our relationships with one another, the proposed overture was approved by the Sessions of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis and The House of Hope Presbyterian in St. Paul. The overture acknowledges the differing views within the Presbyterian Church (USA) regarding same-sex relationships and asks that Presbyterians “commit ourselves to continue respectful dialogue with those who hold differing convictions, to welcome one another for God’s glory, and not to vilify those whose convictions we believe to be in error. We call on all Presbyterians to join us in this commitment.”

The Committee on Ministry brought before the Presbytery a motion to transfer the ordination of Rev. Julie Gebbengreen from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Gebbengreen is the co-pastor at Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church in St. Paul with her husband, Phil Gebbengreen, an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbytery approved the transfer and welcomed Julie as a newly minted Presbyterian.

The overture was discussed, but the Presbytery ultimately voted to postpone discussion and vote on the overture until the May Presbytery meeting.

The Presbytery also voted to refer the motion back to the Bills and Overtures Committee for further discussion, taking into consideration the comments made on the floor of Presbytery.

After lunch and communion, all Elders and Deacons who died in 2011 were honored. These include three teaching elders: Robert Chalmers, Robert Boehlke and Myra Carroll-Pezella.

The Committee on Ministry brought before the Presbytery a motion to transfer the ordination of Rev. Julie Gebbengreen from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Gebbengreen is the copastor at Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church in St. Paul with her husband, Phil Gebbengreen who is an ordained Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbytery approved the transfer and welcomed Julie as a newly minted Presbyterian.

The Presbytery also voted the sale of the House of Faith property in Northeast Minneapolis to the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Minnesota.

The group purchased the property for $300,000. Net proceeds to the Presbytery after deductions for realtor fees and closing costs would be approximately $275,000.

Normally, the proceeds from the sale of Presbytery property would go towards new churches. Teaching Elder Tim Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis put forward an amendment to the House of Faith sale asking that the proceeds go towards urban ministry. The amendment was approved as well as the sale of the building.

The meeting was closed with prayer and the members of the Presbytery went out to enjoy a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The next meeting of Presbytery will be Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester , MN. Nancy Grittman and Meg Newswanger contributed to this report.

Ruling Elder Barbara Freeman (Trinity, Woodbury) and Teachinprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 19

Presbytery News

Meet the Commissioners to GA-220 Get to know the 9 folks from the PTCA who will be commissioners to the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) taking place this summer in Pittsburgh, PA. At the January 2012 Stated Meeting, the Presbytery approved a slate of 4 teaching elders, 4 ruling elders and one Young Adult Advisory Delegate to attend the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh June 30-July 7.

Get to know the people representing the PTCA this summer:

Teaching Elders

church setting, he believes it is important to have representation from congregations of all sizes and locations. Ministry is a second/third career for him. He was a Social Worker for 17 years, then Elementary School Principal 12 years before entering seminary. In his former careers he served as a union representative as a social worker and as secretary to the Minneapolis Forum of Principals; then elected to the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association, state wide. Has also been elected a Council Member for Ward Two of the Robbinsdale City Council, involved at state & national levels in the Minnesota and National Leagues of Cities. In the PTCA he serves on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry as secretary, and has read national Ordination Exams for 3 years. He has been involved in the Wee Kirk conferences yearly, attended the Fellowship Gathering last August as an observer, and served on the Hospitality Committee at the Convention Center for the 219th GA here in Minnesota. He believes that being involved as a commissioner to GA would give him a broader perspective in ministering to his congregation, his service on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and his ability to moderate sessions in vacant churches as he now does at Church of the Master in Coon Rapids.

William Davnie, Parish Associate, Valley Community, Golden Valley : Bill brings a quite varied background, having served as a parish pastor in a rural community and then 27 years as an American Foreign Service Officer, living abroad, also working and serving in a variety of church settings, serving on local congregational councils, seeing the Church in varied cultural and denominational contexts, from both the pulpit and the pew. He brings pastoral knowledge and expertise on issues of Christianity and international and ecumenical relations. His secular work involved understanding how organizations work and how they might work better, finding his Presbyterian roots Joann Lee, Associate Pastor, The House helpful, understanding that it is not only what we do, but how of Hope Presbyterian, St. Paul: Joann, as we do it as important. He is currently chair of the PTCA Comthe daughter of Korean immigrants, recogmittee on Preparation for Ministry, a Presbytery Council memnized the church as the place where her ber, and the presbytery representative on the Minnesota Counparents had always been treated with full cil of Churches Committee on Unity and Relations. As a Parish humanity and dignity; this fostered within Associate he leads workshops, teaches adult classes, and supher a deep love for the church which has ply preaches as requested. He has taught at Synod School and grown and matured through the years. As an observer at the at various other churches and community groups, service he 218th and 219th General Assemblies, she believes that we, the expects to continue by interpreting the GA to Presbytery and in church, are at our best when we discern together the will of congregational settings.

God, believing that the Holy Spirit is indeed at work in the midst of our gatherings. As a youth she served on the national level through youth councils and conference design teams, Donald Genereux, Pastor, First Presbylearning about our connectional system and also how broad terian, Belle Plaine : Don has interests and diverse our church actually is; she has learned to navigate and skills and a track record in various and even celebrate diversity, and also when it is important to settings of being involved in the organilisten and when to speak up, believing her experiences and her zations of which he is a part; he firmly journey lend her a unique perspective and voice to speak on believes in servant leadership. In the inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 20

Presbytery News behalf of the marginalized. She is the Associate Pastor for Family & Young Adult Ministries at the House of Hope Church, a member of Advocates for Integrity in Ministry Committee of the PTCA, a member of the Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns of the GA, a Board member of the Korean American Presbyterian Clergy Women, and a member of the Nominating Committee of McCormick Theological Seminary's Alumni Council.

Mary McNamara, Honorably Retired: Mary has extensive experience in the field of theological education, having recently retired as president of United Theological Seminary here in Minnesota, following many years at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She is currently Treasurer of the Association of Theological Schools. She is interested in improving communication across theological differences within and across denominations, and between religions, concerns that will be addressed in Pittsburgh.

served as part of the facilities planning team. He has been a commissioner to presbytery for 6 years and serves on the PTCA Committee on Ministry. On COM he has served on a visitation sub-committee, visiting more than 20 sessions, finding a desire for greater connections and a more nurturing presbytery. He served on the envisioning committee which led to our presbytery's Strategic Plan. As a former high school teacher, he volunteers as a teacher's assistant in the local school system. He hopes his experience at GA can be shared with others to encourage more connections with the wider church.

Paul Harkess, Community Presbyterian, Rochester: Recently retired from a position as development officer at the Mayo Clinic, Paul is anxious to once again serve in the larger church, having felt the hand of God guiding his service to Him throughout his life. Observing the 219th GA increased this desire. He has been a Presbyterian some 46 years, since meeting his then wife-to-be in a Presbyterian Church in Chile. He attended one semester at Princeton Theological Seminary. He has been both Deacon and Elder in his home churches, also a In the 1980's she served as staff to the General Assembly Miscommissioner to Synod of the Northeast when living in Princesion Council and to the reuniting GA Council, gaining knowlton. He has been a commissioner to presbytery here in the edge and understanding of a broad range of issues, policies, and viewpoints of the Presbyterian Church. In the PTCA she is a PTCA, and served a term on our Finance Work Group (pre Board member of the Committee on Ministry, a committee she served of Trustees). In his home church he as led worship and guided on for many years in her former presbytery. She is particularly stewardship campaigns. He served on the Evangelism Committee while Community PC was a New Church Development interested in learning more about how the new Form of Government is affecting the work of presbyteries across the coun- and is currently prayer liaison to the Chain of Lakes NCD. His profession as development officer has been characterized by try, especially how it enables new ways of organizing for mission and ministry, information she believes would better equip interest in others, compassion and good listening skills. He has followed the discussions of many issues in the PCUSA over the her for service here in the future. years and is good at synthesizing information to present results Ruling Elders and decisions to others which he would do after returning to Gerald Ganfield, Associated Church, the Twin Cities Area.

Owatonna: Jerry found the format and business of the 219th GA in MN inspirBarbara Lutter, Arlington Hills Presing during some riveting floor discusbyterian, St. Paul: Barbara has felt sions and debate, feeling it was imporcalled anew to be a part of the church tant to really listen to individual's rain the past year, called to step forward tionale and consider how each proand serve. As an Overture Advocate posed to represent the will of Christ, for our presbytery at the 219th GA, she and so was motivated to apply as a found participation in the committee commissioner this year. He has served on the Council of his process exhilarating, and amazed at what she felt to be the home church as moderator, historian, and on the Adult Minis- Spirit of Christ in the Convention Hall, and in her own heart. try Team; has sung in the choir, played in the bell choir, delivShe was ordained an elder at North Como Presbyterian in Roseville and served several terms on session there as well as being ered home communion, been co-chair of a fund-raising team presbytery commissioner. Similar service continues at Arlingto remodel the sanctuary and expand the youth area, and

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Presbytery News ton Hills Presbyterian. Between them she has served on Personnel, Building & Grounds, Nominating, Christian Ed, a Capital Campaign, and the Eastside Children's Summer Program committees. She has taught church school and Wednesday Kids Club. In the PTCA she has served 6 years on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and is currently our Vice Moderator. A practicing attorney, she has served on an Investigating Committee and a Committee of Counsel. Trained as a mediator, her nature is to listen and consider all sides and points of view, keeping lines of communication open and looking for ways for all voices to be heard; it is important for her to be aware of the implications of proposed changes, as well as motivations and interests of those proposing change, and that her heart and mind be open.

a steering committee of parents and taxpayers to continue negotiations to resolve a 6 week strike; after the strike ended both sides thanked them for their efforts and praised their neutrality.

Young Adult Advisory Delegate

Rachel Hagen, Plymouth Presbyterian, Plymouth: Rachel enjoys connecting with people and listening to their ideas even if they differ from hers, feels she comprehends difficult ideas and is able to make compromises, suggesting that the ability to work closely with other Presbyterians from Katherine Martin, Westminster Presbyterian, Minneapolis: across the country would allow her to learn more about others' personal beliefs and ideas and help her grow in her own faith.

Kitty has attended many GAs with her husband, and volunteered in 2010 on the Hospitality Committee, welcoming folks With the Plymouth Youth Group she has volunteered at Interat the Minneapolis Airport and helping them at departure. She faith Outreach and Community Partners, Feed My Starving Children, People Responding in Social Ministry, Maple Grove looks forward to the chance to serve on a committee that Hospital, and the 363 Days organization; also in Youth Extendwould be considering issues that affect the life of the PCUSA. As an elder at Westminster, and in her previous congregation in ing Services through her high school she has helped coordinate an elementary school winter carnival, and worked helping Pennsylvania, she has served as a Presbytery Commissioner. socialize therapy dogs. She works part time in a pet food store.

Her local church service has included membership on the Social Justice Ministry Team (chair 4 years), and the Faith & Action She has taught at Plymouth's VBC four years, has been on two Council, and choir member. She was on the planning commit- youth mission trips with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance--to Iowa City and to Nashville, both doing flood repair work; these tee for the 2002 Covenant Network Conference which met at Westminster. In Redstone Presbytery, PA, she was chair of the mission trips have had a large impact on the evolution of her faith. She runs cross country and track, likes to play the guitar, Church & Society Committee which developed a groundbreaking Emergency Mortgage Assistance program to allocate piano, read, and talk with friends. She feels that through a GA 20% of Presbytery unrestricted Funds to be allocated for mort- YAAD experience she would be better equipped for her service as a Deacon; she will be ordained in January 2012. gage relief, without consideration of the recipient's religious affiliation. She is a writer, keeping attention to details, and ed- -Teaching Elder Elizabeth Raitt compiled the information for this ited a community newspaper when in Indiana (circulation article.

2000). When in Pennsylvania she was encouraged to organize

Learn More About GA-220 Learn more about the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh by going to the GA-200 website: oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/. Here you can register, learn more about Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, get a docket of events, attend a webinar and track the progress of proposed overtures. You can go to the web address or use the QR code on your right.

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Presbytery News

William Davnie Nominated as Next PTCA Stated Clerk -Nominations should be reported to the sitting Stated The Nominating Committee will be nominating The Rev. WilClerk as early as possible prior to May 8th liam F. Davnie will be nominated for a three year term as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area at the -Anyone making a nomination must have the permisMay 8, 2012 Annual Meeting of the PTCA in Rochester. The sion of the nominee to place his/her name in nomination Search Committee included members of both the Nominating and Personnel Committees. Davnie is currently chair of the -at least 150 copies of a resume and a statement by the PTCA Committee on Preparation for Ministry, a Presbytery nominee describing her/his desire to serve as Stated Clerk Council member, the presbytery representative on the Minnemust be placed on the table with other docket material at sota Council of Churches Committee on Unity and Relations least ½ hour before the start of the Presbytery meeting and a Commissioner to the Read Bill Davnie’s Cover Letter and Resume (copies may be made at 220th General Assembly in the Presbytery office Pittsburgh. by going to www.presbyterytwincities.org without charge)

or by scanning the QR code below.

Davnie served as a parish -Nominees must be pastor in North Dakota from either teaching or ruling 1976-81 and then served as elders eligible for mema Foreign Service officer for bership in PTCA. 27 years, serving in various places around the world, -Nominees must be including Hong Kong, the present at the meeting. former Soviet Union and the Middle East. Davnie is currently Current PTCA Stated Clerk Nancy Grittman, a Ruling Elder at a Parish Associate at Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, MN stated she would Golden Valley. As a Parish Associate he leads workshops, not seek a third term as Stated Clerk in January 2012. She has teaches adult classes, and supply preaches as requested. He served since 2006. has taught at Synod School and at various other churches and community groups, service he expects to continue by interpreting the GA to Presbytery and in congregational settings.

If there is anyone who wishes to make a nomination from the floor at the May 8, 2012 meeting please note the following conditions:

Next Presbytery Meeting May 8, 2012 First Presbyterian Church Rochester, MN 4-8PM

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Congregational Profile

Calvin Presbyterian Church– Long Lake ,MN Pastor Carol Reed tells the story of Calvin’s Labyrinth. more with the gardens and also with an interest in labyrinths, or at least a curiosity. We had a number of different "field trips" exploring labyrinths around the metro area - at churches and built through the efforts of many devoted members of the religious institutions, as well as in parks and public places. In church and friends from our neighboring communities.

Though the Labyrinth is new to Calvin and this community, it is time we decided there was sufficient interest in the project and got the Session's approval to go ahead. It was a process of an ancient, sacred symbol found in many religious traditions. working with some very talented gardeners, artists, and a landVarious styles of labyrinth patterns can be found in cultures scape designer from all over in the church to the world, Fast Facts: look at options dating back Name: Calvin Presbyterian and then come 5,000 years.

Church up with a deThis means of sign, size, preLocation: Long Lake, MN devotion has cise location on been used Members: 161 the church since the first grounds, and Pastor: Carol Reed days of Chrischoice of matetianity. Early Founded: 1957 rials for our Christians labyrinth.

Wesbite: calvinchurch.net took a vow to

The Labyrinth at Calvin Presbyterian Church was

The bricks for visit the Holy Little Known Fact: Calvin was City at some chartered in December 1957, by our labyrinth were donated point in their the Presbytery of Minneapolis, lives, but through uniting the former Long as was the use We find many people in our neighborof the equipduring the Lake and Crystal Bay Presbytement to cut the Middle Ages hood make use of the labyrinth, in fact I rian Churches. sod. The landthe Crusades suspect it is used more by the community scape designer made travel than the congregation.

There have been mapped out to Jerusalem wonderful stories I have heard of people our design, a unsafe. Inmodified fivestead, Chris- finding it a healing place in a time of crisis circuit Chartres tians built or need, and those are only the stories we Cathedral style labyrinths in have heard! labyrinth on the floors of the front lawn, the cathedral entrances. By walking the path of a labyrinth, Christians found centered in front of the sanctuary, and just off the front parking a safe means to fulfill their sacred pilgrimage vows. The center lot where it would be accessible to the larger community.

Church members of all ages came out on a very hot weekend in of the labyrinth symbolized Jerusalem for these early Christians, and walking the labyrinth became an important spiritual August in 2008 to help dig and lay bricks. It proved to be a community building project and even those who were skeptipractice. cal about what this labyrinth thing was, came out to see what There are a number of avid gardeners at Calvin some of whom was happening. On May Day in 2009, we had a dedication of had hoped for some time to have a labyrinth. When I arrived at the labyrinth and gardens and invited the community to join us the church, I saw a big expansive lawn of grass and thought on what turned out to be cool but very festive celebration. what a great place it would be to have a labyrinth! I put out a In time we added memorial prayer gardens that follow the concall for people in the church who were interested in doing inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 24

Congregational Profile tours of the labyrinth. We also added a pergola and bench that provides a shady spot to sit and pray. We find many people in our neighborhood make use of the labyrinth, in fact I suspect it is used more by the community than the congregation. There have been wonderful stories I have heard of people finding it a healing place in a time of crisis or need, and those are only the stories we have heard! We are pleased to be hosting a World Labyrinth Day event, in part to continue to invite more of the community to discover our labyrinth and use it on their journey of faith.

Carol Reed is the pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Long Lake, MN.

Thin Places Thin Places is an ecumenical newsletter produced by Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis with a particular interest in the contemplative spiritual journey (which is mailed free to all who request to receive it). Current and back issues are also available www.ewestminster.org/thin_places.

As many will remember, “thin places” is an early Celtic Christian metaphor for those times or places when the boundary between the sacred and the everyday feels “thin,” when God’s presence is more strongly felt.

We particularly welcome the opportunity to mail copies of each issue to all who ask. Now in its thirteenth year, over 2,000 readers—ranging from Mennonites and Quakers to Episcopalians and Catholics, including many clergy and religious—receive Thin Places in this way or via email (both are free).

Transitions Rev. Kim Goodman gave birth Monday, January 30 to a Benja- Deaths min Theodore Goodman at 9:22pm (2 weeks early), 5 lbs, 18 in.

Rev. Phil Gebbengreen, the co-pastor of Edgcumbe PresbyRev. Andy Lindahl, the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of terian in St. Paul. Phil's father, Wen Gebben died on Sunday, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, MN accepted a April 1. new call in the Presbytery of the Cascades (Oregon).

Rev. Karen Kennerly’s daughter-in-law, Robbie, died on Rev. Annika Lister-Stroope, Associate Pastor at Westminster March 24.

Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Annika has been called Rev. Don Milloy died in early January. A memorial service reas Pastor at Federated Church in Columbus, Nebraska. membering Don was held on Tuesday, January 10 at WestminRev. Eily Marlow gave birth to Louise Elsbeth Wallraff on Janu- ster-Minneapolis. ary 13.

Rev. Sung-Joo Park was installed as the Senior Pastor of Korean Presbyterian Church in Minnesota in Brooklyn Center, MN on Sunday, February 26.

Christian Educator Joanne Shingledecker, the Director of Children’s Ministry at Presbyterian Church of the Way in Shoreview announced her retirement effective May 31, 2012.

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Spotlight

“Stories tell us who we are.”

Meet Lutheran Pastor Richard Swanson and his attempt to bring storytelling into the life of the church. they are poked, and that we learn something important from such interaction. Too much biblical interpretation begins by assuming that we already know everything about what Jesus said, and everything about what he might have meant. We begin by setting aside that assumption and take on the task of exploring the scenes fresh. One of my actors calls this the SGNB (pronounced “signib”) principle: we begin by exploring the scenes as if the lines were spoken, not by JESUS (who comes to Sunday School all the time), but by Some Guy Named What got you interested in storytelling the Bible in the first Bob (SGNB). This yields all manner of surprises. place?

The real answer is you should blame my grandmother. She was It looks like the project attracts people from various backgrounds. How does someone who majors in say, pre-med is an astonishing storyteller. My sisters and I used to snuggle down into her lap and she helped by taking part in this project? would tell us stories. I still remember her telling me the story of Daniel in the den of Nurses and Pre-med folk bring a rich awareness of bodily reallions. She told the story so powerfully that I ity, of the importance of logical analysis and scientific thought I could smell the lions. I’m still trying proof. They bring a healthy skepticism to our discussions and to figure out how she did that. explorations. People studying International Relations bring a larger awareness of the world, which helps make real-world Why is storytelling so important in our sense of the political realities surrounding the ancient stories society and why is it important in the life of the church? that we interpret. Linguists bring the gift of close attention to Stories tell us who we are, and how we can live. Stories protect texts and words, close attention that really only comes with us against cheap cynicism. Stories give a vision of what it can serious word-nerds. English majors bring a developed sense of mean to live as a part of God’s beloved creation. Stories also how stories work, and how they connect to each other as they provide a way for people of faith to think more deeply about are studied and read. the problems and promises that make up our faith.

Editor’s Note: First Presbyterian Church in Rochester hosted a Storytelling Seminar on April 14. Communications Specialist Dennis Sanders spoke to religion professor and seminar participant Richard Swanson about the importance of storytelling and how it can enhance faith. In addition to being an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, Swanson is a Professor of Religion/Philosophy/Classics at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and leads a storytelling project called, “Provoking the Gospel.“

Many of the stories we find in the Bible began as oral stories before they were written down. Is something lost between the telling and the reading of story?

These stories need to be performed just like music needs to be played. Imagine how much we would miss if Mozart were only read off a page, but never heard. Imagine how poor the world would be if we had never heard Paul Simon, or Carole King, or Bob Dylan, or Merle Haggard. Live stories, like live music, can move, shake, scare, and delight people the way stories stuck on a page cannot.

Have you heard from other congregations that have taken part of workshops like this? How have the churches been changed by the process?

I hear several things. I hear that people discover that the inside of these old stories is more interesting than they ever had imagined. I hear that people find it transformative to learn to play the stories, because biblical stories are not simply so much information: they are engines of transformation. And I hear from pastors that having a group involved in this shared exploration of biblical stories changes their preaching. For one thing, when they stand up to preach, they find themselves in The title of the event is “Provoking the Gospel”, which is the company of people who also know the inside of the also the title of book you wrote. On your website you story. For another, they find (as I have) that the Bible is best write, ”In order to interpret a story, sometimes you have to studied with partners who both lead and follow the explorapoke it a little, provoke it some, challenge it to a fight, just tion. After a dozen years of working with a group of actors and to see what happens.” What do you mean by that? What storytellers, I can no longer imagine studying the Bible without does it mean to “poke” a text that was written (and told) so such a group to provoke me, to challenge me, to lead me into long ago? new discoveries.

It means, first of all, that working with stories requires remembering that they are alive and will respond to provocation. My Read the entire story by going to www.presbyterytwincities.org. actors and I have found that biblical stories poke back when inprint/presbytery of the twin cities area/ april-may 2012 26