Around the Presbytery
 Artist to speak 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."
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)
 Faith, Minnetonka Celebrates 125: 2012 mark 125 years of active ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka. Faith in Action, the congregational newsletter will be lifting up the various ministries of the church and how they have changed over the years. In the Spring issue we learn about Faith's Art and Music Ministries. Here's a snippet talking about the range of music in worship:
"Numerous other musical opportunities have been part of life at Faith. We have had a series of talented organists dating back to 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 - playing a diverse range of instruments - who contribute mightily 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 Grace-Trinity. Vigilante has served as Director of Ministries with Youth and Young Adults at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA since 2004 and is a graduate of Princeton Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree. Vigilante was introduced at the March 2012 PTCA Presbytery meeting. In the February 17 edition of Westminster News, Westminster Teaching Elder Tim Hart-Andersen described what Vigilante's ministry at Grace-Trinity:
"...Dan will plan worship and preach at Grace-Trinity, teach Bible study, welcome new members, and care for the congregation and community. He will spearhead the effort to rebuild a thriving ministry in Uptown. Under Dan's guidance Grace-Trinity, with the partnership and support of Westminster, will grow into a new, exciting future; a future in which we pray and trust that God's Holy Spirit will be seen and felt." Vigilante will start in his new position on April 15.
 Order the 2012-13 Planning Calendar: It's that time of the year: time to order your 2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendars. Each year, the Presbytery offers to consolidate orders in order to give you a better price. We receive a price break with an order of at least 50 calendars then pass the savings on to you. Find out how to order through the Presbytery office.
 Presbytery Seeker Seminar Set for June: The Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) will host a one day "seeker" seminar for individuals exploring a sense of call to Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley, MN.
This seminar provides a structured way of meeting with and orienting seekers to the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead should they pursue a formal relationship with the CPM... Read more...  Respectful Conversations 4/29 at Oak Grove: Minnesotans will go to the polls in November to vote for President, as well as other federal, state and local candidates for public office. They will also be voting on a proposed amendment to the state Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Minnesotans are not of one mind on this issues and neither is the church. How do we talk and listen to each other even when we disagree? The Minnesota Council of Churches in conjunction with the Bush Foundation created the Respectful Conversations Project as a way to explore the issue of marriage and to foster discussion among people with differing opinions. A series of conversational gatherings are taking place throughout the state and one of those gatherings takes place April 29 at Oak Grove Presbyterian in Bloomington. Find out more and how you can get involved. Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering:  The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will have their Spring Gathering on April 21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin. The focus for this year's meeting is "Mission Possible: Projects Serving Those Near and Far."
For more information or to register, read on...
Clearwater 2012: Clearwater 2012, a biennial conference supported by the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and the presbyteries of Minnesota Valleys, Northern Waters and Twin Cities Area, runs Friday through Sunday May 4-6 at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, a camp in Minnesota lakes country near Deerwood, MN . Read on for more information and to register.
Presbyterian Women on Facebook: The PTCA Presbyterian Women now have a page on Facebook! Don't forget to "like" them to join the conversation!  Common Prayer: As many of you know, the staff of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area gathers daily for prayer and devotions. Join us every Tuesday at 10AM to pray! Called "Common Prayer" we will come together as we discern God's message for us and lift each other and the whole world in prayer. Join us at the Presbytery office for Common Prayer. We are located at 122 W. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.
Find out what's happening in the Presbytery and the wider church by going to the PTCA newspage: www.presbyterytwincities.org/news. | 
