Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys

Presbyterian Mission: The Mission of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, is to seek and discover the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to be in partnership with congregations as they engage in God's ministry and the mission of Jesus Christ. February 5, 2002

Committee Mission:

Committee Met: 1/26/2007

Minutes: Over-Arching Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Members Attending:
Merrilyn Arndt, Rev. William Yueill, Jan Prehn, Harold Kampa, Rev. James Krapf

Members Not Attending:
Rev. Paul Collier, Rev. Stacey Steck, Karen Woehler, Lynn Yueill, Carol Stiles, Dena Fischer, Gary Woehler, Diane Gravley, Gladys Ratzlaff, Edith Alvarez, Rev. Richard Underdahl-Peirce

Ex-Officio Attenders:
Rev. Paul Collier- Previous Chairperson
LeRoy Ennenga - Recent visitor to Occidente

Actions Taken:

Opening Devotions: Jan Prehn and LeRoy Ennega
Minutes for 11/013/06 approved as mailed
1. 1/26/2007 - Voted to send LeRoy Ennenga to Clearn Water U. $1,200 was authorized from L5075
2. 1/26/2007 - Voted to use $1600 for water project from L5082
3. 1/26/2007 - voted to receive financial reports. L5075 Partnership T.F. 4698.20, L5082 Water Proj travel $2056.27, L 5085 Water Proj. Supplies $747.04
4. Next Meeting: April 13 Friday after Easter.

Actions Pending:
OLD BUSINESS
1. Follow-up on requests (Internet Radio, Recording accompaniment C.D.s for worship)from the Occidente at 10/06 meeting will be in further communication with Ozell
Merrilyn A will check with Dee Frier on MVP PW's potential visit to Occidente P.W. in 2/08 and report back to Jim K. and Bill Y.
2.Wholeness Workshops by MVP women in conjunction with Occidente women- Jan P. will check with Karen on the status and report back to Jim K & Bill Y.
3. Invitation for new member to Int Partnership Min. Act. Team. Kathy Terpstra. Spread membership among more congregations. Interests additional to waterprojects. Harold K. has a list. Alana Grbowski. Criteria for trips as follows: physical mobility. Spanish is helpful. Ability to raise ones own funds to get there (600-1000). Be a member of the IMPAT for at least a year. Occidente provides housing, travel in country. Higher priority goes to existing team members. Those who go to Clean Water Un. commit to 2 years on water projects.
4. Mission Workers visit to MVP 10/07 - Maybe the Wisemen couple. 5 events added for Jan to check out with Karen for updates.
5.Recorded history of MVP/ Occidente partnership - Edith & Karen. Jim & LeRoy have Pix from 1/10&11/07 trip. Suggestion: An Intern Partners page on Presbytery webb site for history / pictures.
6.Hispanic Ministry initiatives in MVP - On hold. It will likely be an individual or couple to staff development of Hispanic ministry in M.V.P. Alma Lili is eventual possibility for a job yet to be designed. Thought has been given to finding options should this materialize.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Living Water U. offering - abrochure is in the works encouraging training at Clean Water U by the Synod. High light an offering for this purpose to be received in several congregations in M.V.P.
2. a. Immigration Issues is the '07 focus of Social Action Ministry Teams goals. Educational material. for communities in MVP. How can IPMACT be in relation? This will be on Feb 13 docket as will Presby Disaster Assist. in the Worthington upheavel and following familiy crises. This relates to our Hispanic initiative. b. Lilly Foundation has funds for pastors to take a part time Sabbatical on cross cultural projects and studies.
3. Jim K & LeRoy E. report on visit to Guatemala 1/10 & 11/07 at Monte Sion retreat center which is spacious and rustic. A mosque can be seen on the opposite mountain. National Office in Louisville paid airfare which came through committee budgeted funds. Trip Purposes: A. $70,000 sent from various Presbyterian sources in the USA to the national offices of the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala has disappeared. $1963 was from MVP., Carlos Ortiz was treasurer. Carlos Laura, Secretary signed 2 signature checks and gave the blank checks to Ortiz and therefore may be implicated. Lara has been hired by the PCUSA in Louisville. New officers are Carlos Estrada (Treasurer), Evan Paz (Permanent Secretary) and Lawrence Barrios Cifuentes (Moderator). Replacing the corrupt officers seems the extent of Occidente action. No funds to go to national offices of the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala until clearer accountibility is set up. For future money sent through Central Receiving Virginia will get a reply that $ was received. Another Guatemala network meeting next April in Baltimore.
LeRoy and Jim visited the 2nd water project at Fuente de Luz and found water is given free to members and community people (not yet licensed to sell water publically) and members pray with people when they come for water. Water projects help people to have healthier lives. Harold K took $719 in cash for material to purchase material for Fuente de Luz.
4. Water Project upcoming at San Pedro/SanMarcos. Lawrence will purchase a pump in Mex. at 1/2 price. A new test kit ($100 approx) is needed so Occidente people who have trained at Clean Water U (Pedro,AlmaLili, Lawrence) can run the tests. Water quality is adequate. Date: March 19 is best. Those going: Gary W., Jan P., LeRoy E., + 2 more.

Actions Pending: