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The Weekly E-Newsletter of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area
| April 25, 2013
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Prayer RequestsApril 28, 2013
 We now have a new weekly prayer email that arrives in your inbox on Tuesdays. Click here to find out this week's prayer concerns or go to Presbytery website to get a monthly printable version of the prayer calendar.
If you have a prayer concern you'd like to share with the wider Presbytery, please contact us by email at communications@ptcaweb.org .
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A Little Bit More ForgivenessA PTCA Pastor Explores Forgiveness Through Interfaith Dialogue.
The recent bombing at the Boston marathon and the subsequent capture of one of the suspects has brought up the question of forgiveness. Can you forgive someone who had a role in killing four people, injuring over 200 and placing a major metro area under lockdown? Should we forgive? Why?
Teaching Elder Dean Seal has been exploring the role of forgiveness as part of the human condition for a few years now. Through his art-based ministry, Spirit in the House, Seal has used plays and video to foster a discussion on the topic and how we can learn from others how to offer mercy and grace to each other.
TPT Public Television has produced a special on forgiveness featuring Seal's ministry. Marrieta: A Story of Forgiveness features
Marietta Jaeger Lane speaking on the hard experience of devastating loss, and the equally hard but important work of forgiving the kidnapper of her daughter Susie. The special aired on TPT earlier this month and will be shown again on the channel in June. You can go here to check for dates and times, but you can also watch the episode at the Spirit in the House website. You can also watch it by clicking on the YouTube link below.
 | | Marietta: A Journey Of Forgiveness |
Here are some more resources on forgiveness:
Big Tent 2013Ten Conferences. One Place.
Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is more exciting, more faithful, and more diverse than you have ever imagined. Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be a Presbyterian. The event will be celebratory, diverse, and participatory, with intergenerational activities.
Under one roof, the 2013 Big Tent will combine 10 national Presbyterian conferences and a single theme: "Placing God's First Things First" (Matt. 6:33-34). It will take place August 1-3 at the Kentucky International Convention Center and nearby hotels in downtown Louisville.
For more information or to register, please click here.
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Planning for Fall? Disability Concerns Can Help.
Disability Concerns Taskforce is ready to help churches with various resources.
We might have just had our last (we hope) snowfall of the season, but many churches are already starting to plan for fall.
The Presbytery Disability Concerns Taskforce is ready to help congregations in several ways. They can arrange for one program or a series, one speaker or a panel, adult education, study groups, or fellowship groups and will work with you to design what you need.
Here are a few examples of their services:
- Faith and disabilities
- Learning to live with a disability
- Ways to include people with disabilities in your church
- Preparing for the gray tsunami
- Veterans and their families
- Mental illness and your church
- Friendly visits with at-home adults
- Help for caregivers
For more information call Bebe Baldwin, Chair of Disability Concerns
TaskForce, at 612-343-8388.
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Dismissal Policy Draft Released
How to allow congregations to be dismissed to other denominations.
A draft policy that explains the process of allowing a congregation to be dismissed to another denomination was released in late March. We hope you and your congregations will take the time to study the document and also take advantage of the comment period to share your concerns.
To download the draft policy and introductory letter, please go to the Gracious Separation page on the Presbytery website.
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Reports Needed for Presbytery Meeting
Due date is May 6.
In preparation for the Annual Stated Meeting on May 14, we ask that Committees and Taskforces have their written reports for the Presbytery in to the office by Monday May 6. Reports can be emailed to Office Manager Risa Anderson at office@ptcaweb.org.
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Have You Given to General Mission? Support PTCA Mission.
Each member and congregation in the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area has a unique role to play in living out the great ends of the church. Working together allows us to work together to advance God's mission. Mission offerings from congregations and individuals go towards supporting New Church Developments like Familia de Fe and Chain of Lakes, support for the training of future pastors, offering aid to those in need after a disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and several other important functions of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Has your church made its 2013 pledge?
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Glory to God!
Order the New Presbyterian Hymnal by June 1 for a discount.
 Time is running out for the chance for Early Order savings! Order by June 1, 2013 to get price saving.
Disability Concerns Speaker's Bureau
Invite a Resource Person to Come to Your Church.
Are you interested in learning more about autism or mental illness? is your congregation trying to be more welcoming of persons with disabilities? Who do you talk to?
CPM Summer Gathering
June 24 in South St. Paul.
 The Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) is hosting a Summer Gathering for individuals exploring a sense of call to Teaching Elder in the PC(USA), including Seekers, Inquirers, Candidates, Pastors and Session Liaisons . The event will take place Monday, June 24, 2013 4:00pm to 9:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul, MN.
If you are a pastor or church member who has been in conversation with a member of your church who has expressed an interest in becoming a Teaching Elder, or if you know of someone in your congregation that you believe may have gifts and skills for ministry as a Teaching Elder, please share this invitation with them and encourage them to register for this event. For more information or to register, please click here.
Is This Heaven? No, It's Iowa.
Time to Register for Synod School
Registration for Synod School continues to run and the numbers for the popular mid-summer education, leadership and family-fun event is trending high. Synod School 2013 runs July 21-26 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The
Synod School Catalog - along with all the information and forms necessary to get registered - is online. The theme of annual midsummer ministry is "Belonging to God."
If you're just the least bit curious about the enthusiasm surrounding Synod School, check out the Facebook group - Synod School
- "Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa!"
Synod Women's Gathering
This June in Storm Lake Iowa with Theresa Cho.
 | | Theresa Cho. |
The registration booklet, including a list of workshops and the registration form, for the 2013 Gathering of the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, set Wednesday through Saturday, June 12-15, is on the
synod website.
The gathering, featuring the Rev. Theresa Cho, a leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who has been active in youth, women's and peacemaking efforts throughout the church, takes place at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The Rev. Sara Dingman-Lavigne, interim presbyter of Missouri River Valley, will be the worship leader, and the Rev. Sarah Dickinson, pastor of Mosher-Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Omaha, will lead Bible study.
Are You Called to Plant a Church (or new ministry)? Church Planters Academy in Minneapolis this August.
The Church Planters Academy
August 15-17, 2013
Solomon's Porch
Minneapolis, MN
For anyone in the process of starting a new faith community -- or dreaming of starting one -- there is no better use of time than gathering with others who share those dreams. Join us in Minneapolis, August 15-17, for three days of inspiration, challenge, and coaching. Learn from the successes and failures of experienced church planters:
- Doug Pagitt (free-range)
- Bruce Reyes-Chow (PC(USA))
- Maggie Mraz (Vineyard)
- Debbie Blue (ABC/ELCA)
- Micah Witham (Evangelical Covenant)
- Mike Baughman (UMC)
- Rich McCullen (DOC)
- Tim Conder (free-range)
- Mike Stavlund (free-range)
- Russell Rathbun (ABC/ELCA)
- And more!
Let's Get It Started!
National Evangelism and Church Growth Conference this September in Florida.
September 16-19, 2013
St. Pete Beach, Florida
The conference theme, "Let's Get It Started," reflects much of what's happening in the church today. From the 1001 Worshiping Communities initiative to programs focusing on church renewal and disciple-making, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is embracing opportunities to define the church in new ways. The conference theme was inspired by Isaiah 43:19: "Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it?"
(The Message)
Click here for more information and to register.
Find out what's going on in the larger world of the Presbyterian Church (USA) by reading the latest stories from Presbyterian News Service. Click here to read new and recent articles.
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News of the Kirks
What's Happening in PTCA Churches.
Organ Concert Series at House of Hope April 28 ( more) Monthly Contemplative Worship Service at Westminster-Minneapolis April 27 ( more) Documentary on Women and the Media at St. Luke May 5 ( more) Member of Peace, St. Louis Park profiled in Star Tribune ( more) Dialogue and Discussion between the LGBT community and the Church at Christ Presbyterian starting April 14 ( more) Aldrich Avenue and Church of All Nations Team up to create the Garden worship service ( more) Westminster-Minneapolis Looking for Director of Communications ( more) First, LeRoy looking for Interim Pastor ( more)
Looking for a job or open pulpit? Visit our employment page to see our job listings. |
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 EMerge is a weekly publication from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (PTCA). Recipients include congregations, teaching elders, ruling elders, church members, committees, and friends. Please send submissions and e-mail corrections to Dennis Sanders, editor, at communications@ptcaweb.org . Usual distribution: Thursdays. You can find out more at the PTCA website: www.presbyterytwincities.org
122 W. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area
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