Presbytery of the Northern Plains

08/25/2026

Another great opportunity that is happening next month.

CALLING ALL WHO WORK IN MINISTRY!
When you spend so much time caring for others, it’s important to make space to REST • RESTORE • RECONNECT.

Join us for the Ministry Leadership Retreat, September 20–23 at Clearwater Forest in Deerwood, MN!

This retreat is designed to encourage, refresh, and equip those who serve in ministry. Together, we’ll explore:

Self-care with self-care expert Joy Hensel
Opportunities to experience Forest Therapy
Respectful Conversations with Jerad Morey of the Minnesota Council of Churches, a licensed Forest Therapist
Worship and music-focused workshops led by Carol Meier
Meaningful learning, reflection, connection, and renewal in God’s creation

All who work in ministry are invited!

📅 September 20–23
📍 Clearwater Forest
16595 Crooked Lake Road, Deerwood, MN 56444

Cost:
$430 — Single occupancy
$325 — Double occupancy
$200 — No lodging

Come take a breath. Step away from the demands of ministry. Connect with others who understand the calling—and make space for rest and renewal.

REST. RESTORE. RECONNECT.

Share this with a ministry leader, pastor, church staff member, or ministry volunteer who could use a little time to be refreshed and renewed!

08/25/2026

All are invited.

Come join us!

08/14/2026

Ministers of word and sacrament, commissioned pastors, and church staffers with regular preaching responsibilities are welcome to apply for the Bountiful Preaching Cohorts.

These are groups of 5-7 members who self-design a two-year program which nurtures their preaching capacity and their spiritual health. Each cohort is eligible for up to $2,500 /person toward their program activities.

All cohort members are also encouraged to attend the Preaching with Compassion (Denver, October 5-8) with all travel, lodging, and registration covered by OPSF.

Find more information here:

Bountiful Preaching Cohorts are small communities of preachers gathered for nurture and learning to cultivate preaching practices that position pastors and and their congregations to bear a fruitful harvest in worship, work, and witness. Selected cohorts will embark upon a shared two-year journey, w...

08/06/2026

I Spy one of our churches being highlighted by the Presbyterian Giving Catalog today. Wonderful work, Mendenhall Presbyterian Church kids!

This , let's make some noise for the youth of Mendenhall Presbyterian Church in East Grand Forks, MN!

This congregation of nearly 80 members may be small, but their youngest members show up big all year long, volunteering their time and talents and helping with fundraisers whenever possible.

What’s one of their favorite fundraisers? A monthly Noisy Offering!

On the last Sunday of each month, the youth pass buckets through the pews, collecting loose change. Then, at the end of the Sunday school year, they calculate the total and vote together on items to support through the Giving Catalog.

Last July, their first Noisy Offering was enough to support Presbyterian mission partnerships through six Farming Tools, six Sewing Machines, three Hygiene Kits, three School Supplies for Displaced Students, a Fishing Kit, five Families of Chickens, a pair of Goats, a Piglet and a Jerry Can.

But the noise didn’t end there! This May, they raised enough support for a Community Garden, a Rainwater Catchment System and three more Farming Tools.

We’re grateful for the joyful generosity of Mendenhall’s youth, and the proof that even loose change can make global impact. Help us cheer them on by dropping a 🐓 in the comments!

Presbytery of the Northern Plains

07/31/2026

The Rev. Dan Billings, HR; Donna Preston, CRE Candidate and PNP Mission Pod Leader; Rusty Bender, PNP Moderator; The Rev. Mary Jo Dahlberg Holtey, HR; and Scott Halstead, CRE Candidate enjoyed their week at Synod School.

07/28/2026

Reminder: The Congregational Vitality Grant Application is now Open!

Several churches have already applied. How can we help YOUR church with your mission within your community??

https://forms.gle/MPR6f2rQra4UeByH6

07/28/2026

Our Summer Newsletter, Pt 2
https://mailchi.mp/158e1816924b/summer2026part2

06/19/2026

What an opportunity! Check out this $5,000 technology grant being offered by the Presbyterian Foundation and get your application in before July 13th.
https://mailchi.mp/999116445f67/april2026newsletter-6750310

06/17/2026

An update on Pastor LeAnne (Bismarck) and the link to her GoFundMe (in comments below).

We ask all to keep Pastor LeAnne in their thoughts and prayers.

"Prayers, please. for Pastor Leanne who is having a bone biopsy today at Mayo Clinic to see if she qualifies to be part of a new study for a cure. As you may rknow, her stem cell transplant did not put her into remission, and she did not qualify for a different study. So, please put your hands together and give Leanne an extra boost today for good results. She will also have more expenses with these tests and her stay, so if you can, please help her meet those expenses. Thank you, dear friends. Becky"

06/12/2026

Come be part of the conversation, the fellowship, and the shared work at our Fall Presbytery Meeting, Saturday, October 10th at First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead, MN