PRESBYTERY MINUTES
 
 
 

Stated meeting of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys

November 27, 2007

Those present included:

 Minister Members

Candace Adams (101) P               Aaron Alfred (108) P

John Anderson (299) E                 Karen Anderson (797) E

Jon Armajani (634) E                   Denis Audet (299) E

Lance Barker (299) E                   Robert Bartlett (111) E

Arthur Bayley (299) E                  Robert Bellin (151) P

Christina Berry (101) P                Daniel Billings (101) P

Susan Guyer Birch (105) P           Burton Blair (299) E

Steven Boots (105) P                   Frank Brown (299) E

George Buchin (299) P                 Donna Buell (501) E

Dawn Carder (101) P                   Mark Chamberlain (797) E

Sue Coller (302) P                       Robert Conklin (299) E

Don Crissinger Clark (101) P         Janet Crissinger Clark (701) E

Deborah Crusan (797) E               Beverly Crute (701) P

William Davis (111) P                   Isabelle Davis (797) P

Susan DeNio (797) E                    Douglas Dent (121) P

Jerry Dirks (299) E                       Jean Claude Duncan(108)P

Phillip Durkee (299) E                   Merle Elrod (299) E

Tom Gard (121) A                        William Gilbert (116) P

Edward Godshall (761) E              Roger Grussing (299) P

Leah Mason Hauser (123)P           Chris Herring (105) E

Edward Hoag (299) E                    Kenneth Honius (299) P

Allen Jergenson (101) A                Dwight Johnson (299) E

Penny Jo Temple-Johnson (111) P  Robert Kemper (158) P

Ruby Kleymann (105) P                 William Kleymann (111) E

James Krapf (101) P                     Celeste Lasich (101) P

Dawn Linder (101) P                     John Lindholm (106) P

Glenn Lord (156) P                        Randal Lubbers (151) P

Robert Maharry (101) P                 Vern Maxa (299) P

Michael McCallum (797) E              Hugh Miller (299) E

Beverly Modlin (105) P                   Michael Moore (741) E

Ed Morgan (191) P                        Terry Morse (101) E

Terry Olthoff (797) E                     Don Ottenhoff (562) A

David Poppen (155) P                    Harold Preston (299) E

Pamela Prouty (303) P                   Scott Prouty (101) P

Wayne Purintun (299) E                 Robert Raedeke (299) P

Charles Reid (299) E                     Herbert Rotunda (156) P

Bonnie Sue Roys (797) A               Michael Roys (101) P

Robert Springer (795) E                 Norma Spurgin (101) E

Stacey Steck (797) E                      Harold Tongen (101) P

Richard Underdahl-Peirce (101) P    Harold Utzinger (299) E

Amy Vaughn (797) E                      Andrew Vaughn (634) E 

Dean Williams (299) E                    Leslie Winters (299) E

William Yueill (299) E

Commissioned Lay Pastors

Keith Carey A                           Chris Conlin A

Bruce Drackley A                      David Erickson A

Anna Mae Handevidt P              Deb Klaassen-P

Gordon Pennertz P                   Joann Petersen E

Daniel Smith P                         Kathy Terpstra P

Betty Thorson P

Leadership for the Development of Ministry Graduates

Peter Anderson A                    Jean Bauer A

Norma Bergquist A                  Deb Boesch A

Troy Christensen A                  Joan Engstrom E

Diane Gravley E                       Karen Houtman P

Darlene King P                        Kathy Knips P

Cindy Matthews-Rosa E           Stanley Menning A

James Merritt A                      Sheila Sjerven E

Iris Stevens P                         Wayne Taintor A

Marion Teigum A                    Terry Wheeler A

Candidates/Inquirers

Chris Conlin E                        Ruth Goldthwaite E

Jeremiah Knabe E                  Sara Stegemann E

Council Members

Bob Bartlett E                         Dan Billings P

Dawn Carder P                       Nancy Chamberlain E

Dale Champ A                        LeRoy Ennenga P

Roger Grussing P                    Pat Kunze P

Dawn Linder P                        Rallah Madison A

Grayson Osteraas A                Connie Seltz P

Arlen Sjerven E                      Norma Spurgin E

Carol Stiles E                         Penny Jo Temple-Johnson P

Kathy Terpstra P

Committee Chairs

COM-Richard Underdahl-Peirce P       COR-

CPM-Donna Buell E                           Nominating-Vern Maxa P

SAM-Randal Lubbers P                     CG&D-Shirley Luhmann A

CR-Elder Deb Klaassen P                  PW Mod-Elaine Ressmeyer P

Churches

Amboy – Iris Stevens                        Ashby-Evansville – Robert Hutchins

Beaver Creek – Harvey Taubert         Blue Earth – A

Brainerd, First – Lynn Olson               Brainerd, SLL – Kristina Kemper

Brewster – E                                    Brooten – Barb Hanson

Browns Valley – Ronelva J. Dauer       Cambria – A

Campbell, First, Doran-A                    Campbell, Lawrence- Roger Kube

Canby – Marge Frazeur                      Crosby/Ironton – Gary Kimble

Crosslake –Greg Johnson                    Currie – A

Dawson – Sharilyn BatesB                   Edgerton –Scott Tauelier

Elbow Lake – A                                  Ellsworth, Zion – E

Fergus Falls, Federated-Connie Seltz    Fergus Falls, Western – E

Foley –Brent Carlson                            Fulda – Dennis Miller

Holland- E                                           Iona – Harold Hart

Jackson – Allen J. Kreji                         Kasota – George Warrant

Kerkhoven – Erv Kallstrom                    Lake Crystal – A

Lismore – Lorne Van Der Linden            Litchfield – Dottie Madson

Luverne – E                                         Luverne – E

Madelia –E                                          Mankato – Gary M. Owens

Mankato – Dena Fischer                       Marshall – A

Maynard – Marv Parks                          Milroy – Patricia Rosa

Mountain Lake – E                               Osakis – Rod Mitchell

Pipestone –Richard Scholten                 Randall – Carol Saxton

Reading – A                                        Redwood Falls – Sonya Alexander

Renville – Wendell Bakker                     Round Lake – Larry Leith

Rushmore, Emmanuel – E                     Rushmore, First – Joyce Engelkes

Russell – A                                          St. Cloud – Grayson Osteraas

St. Cloud – Jeanne Duinick                    St. James – Mary Shupe 

St. Peter – Lois Peterson                      Silver Lake – Alice Paul

Slayton – Warren Hanson                     Spicer, Harrison-Bessie Klose

Spicer, Hope – Howard Jones               Tracy – A

Underwood, Maine – Darlene King         Westbrook – A

Wheaton – A                                       Willmar – George Christensen

Wilmont – Daryl Behrends                     Windom – Carol Jensen

Winnebago –Dan Rind                           Worthington- Charles Moore

The Stated meeting of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys was called to order with prayer at 10:00 a.m. by moderator, Elder Kathy Terpstra.

 The Call to Worship and the Prayer of Invocation was led by Marv Parks.  We sang the hymn “The Church of Christ in Every Age.”

The Rev.Richard Underdahl-Peirce welcomed the Presbytery on behalf of the First Presbyterian Church of Willmar, Minnesota.

A quorum was established.  First commissioners were introduced.

PRESBYTERY VOTED to seat the following as corresponding members:  The Rev. Steve Doughterty from the Lake Michigan Presbytery.

There were some minor changes to the  proposed agenda so PRESBYTERY VOTED to approve the agenda.

The Consent Agenda was presented as follows:

CONSENT AGENDA

FOR THE

MINNESOTA VALLEYS PRESBYTERY

November 27, 2007

1.             Receive the Report of the Council, items of information and to approve the recommendations (Appendix A)

2.             Approve the minutes of the September 15, 2007 Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys.

3.             Receive the Committee on Ministry report, items of information and to approve the recommendations. (Appendix B)

4.             Receive the Stated Clerk’s Report (Appendix C)

5.             Receive the Executive Presbyter’s Report (Appendix D)

6.             Receive the Session Records Report (Appendix C)

No items were removed from the Consent Agenda so PRESBYTERY VOTED to approve the Consent Agenda.

The Rev. Pamela Prouty presented an oral report as Stated Clerk’s report.

The Rev. Vern Maxa, chair of the Nominating Committee placed the slate of officers into nomination (Appendix G).

We joined in the prayer of confession and the declaration of pardon led by Andrew Crandall, seminary intern at Hope Presbyterian Church, Spicer.  We sang the Gloria Patri and shared the peace of Christ.

Karen Woehler, a short term mission volunteer gave an oral report about her experiences in Occidente Presbytery in Guatemala.

Peter Mann, chair of the Clearwater Forest Board came forward to present the amended by-laws of the Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Inc.

PRESBYTERY VOTED to approve the Clearwater Forest Board, Inc. By-laws.

The Rev. Steve Doughty led us in an educational piece on the Worshipful Works.

The prayer of illumination, Scripture of Deuteronomy 6:4-8 and 1 Peter 2:9-10 and a meditation entitle “Shocked Divines – and Us!”

The Rev. Rob Bellin aka “an old white haired and white bearded man” shared about the Christmas Joy offering.  The offering of $622.75 was received.  The Doxology sung and a prayer of dedication and grace for lunch were shared.

Presbytery broke for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

We reconvened at 1:00 p.m. by singing the hymn “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation.”

A time of Speak Out! and announcements was held.  Students are still being sought for the Leadership Development for Ministry for the next term which begins in March.  A survey was included in this Presbytery packet which needs to be returned to the Congregational Resources.  An officer training event will be held on March 1, 2008 from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Windom church; everybody is invited.  At the Federated church they will be hosting an educational piece and worship service for World AIDS Day on Saturday from 1:00-4:00 p.m.   John Lindholm talked about a picnic which the Doran church hosted this summer for their community, and they have some new members joining.  Also in Mankato there will be a worship service on World AIDS day at the UCC church.  Gary Woehler, chair of the Self Development of People committee, shared that this committee continues to seek groups who need grants for their projects.  First Presbyterian Church, St. James burned their Synod loan this past Sunday.  Michael Roys from the Winnebago church shared about the food shelf at that church.

Anna Mae Handevidt, Commissioned Lay Pastor and the Rev. Susan Guyer Birch from the Leadership, Care and Encouragement Ministry Action Team recognized those who terms have ended in 2007 and served on committees, task forces and ministry action teams.

Elder Bev Raske and the Rev. Scott Prouty gave an oral report (in the form of a Romeo and Juliet skit) about the past Synod meeting.

 

The Rev. Steve Doughty brought forth some more information about worshipful work.

Peter Mann and the Rev. Vern Maxa gave a report via power point from the Olive Grove.  They went on trip to Israel and Palestine to help pick olives.

Elder Lynn Olson, the clerk from the Sartell Administrative Commission and the Rev. Roger Grussing member of the Sartell Administrative Commission. The final report is found in Appendix E.  They turned over their official records to the Presbytery.

PRESBYTERY VOTED to dissolve to the Administrative Commission to work with the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sartell, MN with thanks.

Roger Grussing led us in litany prayer.

The Rev. Sue Coller gave an oral Executive Presbyter report.  She thanked all those who came to the informal Presbytery gatherings which were held all over the Presbytery this summer.  The Gulf Coast Mission Blitz we have 45 people from 11 churches who are going on this trip.  If you are still interested in going, please contact the North Central Presbytery who is handling registration.  Sue asked all of us to keep this group in prayer and gave congregations other ideas for how they can support this trip.  Certificates were handed out to congregations who have fulfilled their mission pledges.  The Presbytery was reminded to get their dinner reservations for Presbytery meetings in by deadline.

Richard Underdahl-Peirce, chair of the Committee on Ministry gave an oral report.  He talked about minimum compensation and all the factors included in the terms of call.  He introduced the Rev. Anna Williamson who is serving the Brown’s Valley church and Jean Claude Duncan who is serving the Wheaton congregation.

Vern Maxa chair of the Nominating Committee gave a report.  The floor was opened for nominations.  PRESBYTERY VOTED to close the floor to nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for the slate of committee members and Presbytery officers.

The Rev. Roger Grussing, chair of the Council gave an oral report.  He shared that following the recommendations of the Sartell commission, Council has spent a lot of time on how we can better be in partnership with congregations in the Presbytery.

The names of the Rev. Bob Maharry and Elder Dale Botzek were placed into nomination for the Nominating Committee.  The floor was opened for nominations.  PRESBYTERY VOTED to close the floor to nominations and a unanimous ballot was cast.

LeRoy Ennenga, co-chair of the Budget and Finance Committee came forward and pointed out all the budget reports included in the packet.  Also he brought forward a request from the Holland church to replace carpet in the Sanctuary, vestibule and basement with a total cost of $17,295.07; funds are on Hand to support this project of $103,700.00.  PRESBYTERY VOTED to approve this project.  LeRoy reminded the Presbytery that congregations need to receive approval from the Presbytery if loans are taken out.

The Rev. Jim Krapf, chair of the International Partnerships gave an oral report.  The next water project is going to happen, maybe in February or April or May; there are two openings to go on this project.  One of our mission co-workers from Guatemala is in the USA now and may be able to be in our Presbytery next Spring. He also shared a bit of how things are going in Worthington following the ICE raid last December.

The Rev. Dawn Linder shared the pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer. 

Moderator Kathy Terpstra installed the 2008 Presbytery moderator, the Rev. Dawn Carder and vice-moderator Elder LeRoy Ennenga.

The Presbytery sang “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”

Moderator Dawn Carder shared the benediction.

The next Presbytery meeting will be February 5, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Holland, MN.

The parliamentarians were the Rev. Candace Adams and the Rev. Bev Crute.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela R. Prouty

Stated Clerk

APPENDIX A

COUNCIL REPORT

To the

PRESBYTERY OF MINNESOTA VALLEYS
November 27, 2007

Items of information

  1. M/S/P Council approves up to $1,500.00 to reimburse expenses for Dave Thomas (PCUSA Missionary) from Council line item 1210.  If needed, this cost may be shifted at a later date.
  2. M/S/P Council received Profit and Loss Budget Performance, Per Capita General Mission Giving to Date, September 27, 2007, Report to Budget and Finance Per Capita as distributed.
  3. M/S/P The Leadership Team shall appoint a Task Force to study the understanding of call in the relation to the nomination for General Assembly, Commissioner, and Presbytery Officers.
  4. M/S/P Council elects Rallah Madison, who has agreed to serve, to fill the Budget and Finance vacancy until the end of 2007.
  5. COUNCIL APPROVED the following people to serve on a task force for how to use the proceeds from the sale of the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sartell:  Darlene King, Maine, Underwood, Herb Rotunda, Dawson, Bev Modlin, Amboy and Gloria VandeBrake, Brainerd (she is also on the Sartell, Administrative Commission).  Sue Coller will resource this task force.
  6. COUNCIL VOTED to ask the chair of Council to convene a group for the process of drafting the guidelines for the nominating process of Presbytery officers and General Assembly Commissioners.  This group would return their report to Council for final review by the January 2008.  The committee would include one person from Nominating, two from Council and one from Committee On Representation.  Grayson Osteraas and Rallah Madison will serve on this task force from Council.
  7. COUNCIL VOTED to conduct an outside audit any time there is a change of Executive Presbyter or Financial Manager; this would be in addition to the every five years which is already in the Manual of Operations.  This will go in the Manual of Operations.
  8. COUNCIL VOTED to receive the Profit and Loss Budget Performance, the Balance Sheet, the Per Capita and General Mission Giving to date reports with the date of October 31, 2007.