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EMerge is a newsletter of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. Through most of the year it is published weekly and distributed to congregations, teaching elders, ruling elders, church members, committees and friends of the presbytery. Please send submissions and address corrections to [email protected].
January 15, 2016
  
Presbytery news  
 
Presbytery plans stated
meeting Jan. 23 at Valley Community
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will conduct a stated meeting Saturday, Jan. 23, beginning at 9 a.m., at Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley.
 
Presbytery Logo The presbytery will examine Sarah Bigwood for ordination as a teaching elder, respond to Matthew Voytek's statement of motivation to become a candidate for ministry, and learn more about the mission and ministry of Houses of Hospitality.
 
The presbytery will also consider a policy document on the use of funds from departing or sold churches, and act on final terms of separation for Faith congregation.
 
Speaking at the meeting, the Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, associate professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul and an ordained Baptist minister, will address "A People for God's Name: Race, Ethnicity, Theology and the Acts of the Apostles." Barreto will begin teaching this fall at Princeton Theological Seminary as the Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament.
 
Additional information about Barreto can be found at ericbarreto.com. He's also on Twitter @ericbarreto.
 
The complete call to meeting can be found at "Stated Meeting."
 
Presbytery seeks applicants
for treasurer post
Presbytery Logo
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area is seeking a treasurer.  Ed Martin has decided not to seek a third term.  The treasurer is the chief financial officer of the presbytery and is elected for a three-year term.
 
While many of the financial records and services are provided by the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, the treasurer must have a good understanding of those procedures and maintain good communication with the synod and presbytery staff.  The treasurer reviews reports from the synod and interprets them to the Board of Trustees and the presbytery, assists in preparation of the annual financial review, and serves as a member of the Budget Task Force.
 
The Treasurer has traditionally served as a member of the Presbytery Leadership Team and Operations Committee, and attends meetings of the Board of Trustees and the presbytery.
 
The position has an annual stipend.
 
A complete position description can be found in theManual of Operations on the PTCA website.  If interested contact Manley Olson, chair of the Nominating Committee at 651.644.2848 or at[email protected].

 Jeff's Jottings
Living our faith by heart
 
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
 
Jeff Japinga Two brief thoughts on this Friday, both borrowed, offered at the end of a busy week and the beginning of a January weekend framed by the holiday that comes at its end and the cold we'll endure in getting there ... what may be the coldest weekend of the winter ...
 
The complete column can be found at "Faith by Heart."

Registration for summer programs
at Clearwater Forest is underway
Registration for summer programs at Clearwater Forest, a Presbyterian camp and conference center in the heart of Minnesota lake country, is now underway. But before summer arrives, Clearwater Forest is also host to Winter Chrysalis, women together nurturing body, mind and spirit, slated Feb. 26-28. This year's Chrysalis theme is "God's Word is Our Prescription for Healing." Details are available in the Clearwater Forest presbytery notes for January.
Activities in the presbytery
Galloway preaches
at Westminster on Sunday
Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Ralph Galloway, co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis along with the Rev. Alika Galloway, is the Martin Luther King Jr. leader for 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Galloway will preach at both Sunday morning worship services at Westminster. The Macalester College African Music Ensemble, directed by ethnomusicologist, composer and master drummer Sowah Mensah from Ghana, West Africa, will perform during the 10:30 worship service. Details are at "Westminster Bulletin."
 
United Seminary is host
to art exhibits on current events
Faith inaction artwork How are faith communities establishing their convictions and response to the Black Lives Matter movement? And what about the women who are caught up in violent policing tactics? The Center for Arts, Faith & Culture at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is partnering with Intermedia Arts and Obsidian Arts to present two complementary, juried exhibitions - "Faith [In]Action" and "Hands Up Don't Shoot -- HER."Art forms include paintings, photography, digital and paper collage, video, poetry, music, digital printing on fabric, embellished art-wear, sculpture and more. The exhibits run Jan. 28 through April 16. Details are at "Art Exhibits."

Cherokee Park United plans
2nd annual Mardi Gras Celebration
Cherokee Park United Church has planned its second Mardi Gras annual Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 7 to 11 p.m. The event features a full spread of Cajun, Creole and Brazilian food; live Dixieland music along with Brazilian Mardi Gras and carnival music; and dancing, door prizes, stage humor - and costumes and masks. The celebration's details are at "Mardi Gras."
 
Like-new Presbyterian hymnals
Blue hymnal available as donation
More than 80 Presbyterian hymnals from 1990 (the blue hymnal), a compilation of hymns and spirituals, are available as a donation for a nursing home, congregation, or choir. "We're happy to donate them to various places or just one place -- depends on the need," wrote Lili Korbuly-Johnson of Andrew-Riverside Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis. Information can be obtained by contacting Korbuly-Johnson at 952.200.9248 by Feb. 14.
 
Annual Bread for the World
workshop set in March
Bread for the World The annual Bread for the World workshop, set at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington on Saturday, March 5, will address the issue, "Child and Maternal Health and Nutrition." The program runs 9 a.m. to noon.
In memoriam ...
Ann Rock, a longtime active leader in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, died Jan. 13. A memorial service is tentatively scheduled Sunday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. A complete obituary can be found at "Ann Rock."
Conferences, resources 

 

Presbyterian Outlook sponsors
webinar on retirement
Ed Zinkiewicz Ed Zinkiewicz left a successful 40-year career as a software engineer to become an author, speaker, workshop facilitator, interviewer, blogger, and coach -- popularly known as "the retired guy." He will lead a Presbyterian Outlook sponsored webinar on retirement Tuesday, Jan. 19. Zinkiewicz is the author of the "Retire To" series and a contributor to Mature Years, Ministry Matters and S.A.G.E. He also facilitates AARP Life Reimagined Checkups and speaks to groups on issues related to retirement. Details are at "Retirement Webinar."
 
Still time to register for spring
UDTS Logo classes at UDTS
There's still time to register for two online continuing education classes this winter and spring for ministers and commissioned ruling elders at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. "The Christian Imagination: Exploring Faith in Literature," taught by Timothy Slemmons, runs Feb. 8 through March 13, and "The Brain, The Body and Spiritual Disciplines," taught by Susan Forshey, runs March 28 through May 1. Registration information is available from Bridgett Boone by telephone at 563.589.3691 or by email at [email protected].
 
Openings remain
for conference in Bethlehem
Faith in Empire Face The deadline to submit applications for an April leadership conference in Bethlehem, Palestine, has been extended to Jan. 29. The conference, "Faith in the Face of Empire: A Leadership Program in Palestine," is sponsored by the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Raheb and Gideon Levy are 2015 winners of the the prestigious Olov Palme Prize for "courageous and indefatigable fight against occupation and violence, and for a future Middle East characterized by peaceful coexistence and equality for all." The conference, which will focus on Raheb's recent book, "Faith in the Face of Empire," runs April 11-23. Doug Mitchell, from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, plans to attend and can be contacted for details at [email protected] or at 612.332.3421.
 
Discernment, prayers, practices
classes slated at St. Catherine
St Catherine logo Two classes, "The Art of Discernment" and "Prayers and Practices in the Christian Tradition," are planned for this winter and spring at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. "The Art of Discernment" runs Feb. 11 through May 5, and "Prayers and Practices in the Christian Tradition" runs Feb. 4 through April 28. Details are at "The Art of Discernment" and "Prayers and Practices in the Christian Tradition."
 
Applications sought for OPSF Apollos Scholarship Program
Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Applications are now being accepted for the Apollos Scholarship Program of Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. The Apollos Program derives its name from the young man from Alexandria who was fervent in the scriptures and eloquent in proclaiming the gospel but who needed additional education. Fortunately, he had two friends who were interested in helping him. They arranged for his further education so that he could proclaim the whole truth. The Foundation provides scholarships to gifted students attending one of the 10 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries. Details are at "Apollos."
 
NEXT Church annual national
gathering features Allan Boesak
NEXT Church 2016 The NEXT Church National Gathering, set Feb. 22-24 in Atlanta, features three days of worship, testimony and new ideas. Gathering highlights feature a keynote by Allan Boesak, a leader in the effort to end apartheid in South Africa; more than 40 workshop options on topics from worship and arts, to engagement in diverse communities; and childcare for children age 8 weeks to 4 years old. Registration information is at "NEXT Church."
 
35th annual Rural Ministry Conference planned in March in Dubuque
Wartburg Theological Seminary and the Center for Theology and Land will conduct the 35th annual Rural Ministry Conference March 6-8 in Dubuque, Wartburg Seminary Iowa. This year's theme is "Life Changing Ministry in the Small Membership Congregation." The information will also be useful for larger congregations.  Scholarships are available for those who have served in a rural/small town ministry for less than five years. Details are available at "Rural Ministry."
 
'Recovery from Religion' conference planned in Twin Cities in April
Religion Recovery Religion plays a major role in the lives of millions. Sometimes this formation is positive, but far too often it can be rooted in theological systems that foster trauma or abuse. That's what promotional material for the conference, "Recovery from Religion," points out. The conference, sponsored by MICAH, the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing, will address toxic theology, post-traumatic stress disorder and the road to healing. The conference is designed for healthcare professionals, clergy and anyone whose life has been touched by a negative religious message. Details are in a flyer at "Recovery from Religion."
 
Presbyterians Today publishes
2016 Lenten devotional
Lent Be Holy Lent is a holy journey with God, but what does it mean exactly to be "holy"? In "Be Holy," Presbyterians Today magazine's new Lenten devotional for 2016, pastor and author Brian Coulter has penned a series of brief daily reflections, paired with a short, ancient form of praise and petition called a breath prayer, to explore what holiness means for Christians today. Bess Reynolds' original artwork brings the Lenten journey to life. Ordering information is available at "Be Holy."
 
Synod School ads posted to website
2016 Synod School Synod School ads designed to promote this summer's longstanding annual event at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, have been posted to the synod's website. Synod School draws more than 550 participants each year to the weeklong ministry that offers mind-stretching courses, worship and fellowship amid time for fun and reflection. Synod School 2016 runs July 24-29. Synod School is a leadership development ministry of the synod with support from the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. In addition to the ads, information about this year's convocation speaker -- John Bell -- and worship leaders can be found at "Synod School."
 
Synod PW posts registration booklet, moderator meditations
Presbyterian Women logo The registration booklet for the Gathering of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies has been posted online. The booklet provides detailed information about the Gathering that takes place June 15-18 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The booklet is at "Program and Registration."
 
Presbyterian Mission Yearbook goes exclusively online
Mission Yearbook As of Jan. 1 the 120-year old "Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study" is available exclusively online. A Presbyterian Mission Agency press release issued in August said, "This move broadens the reach of the book's audience by sharing its inspiring content in a timelier manner and also demonstrates good stewardship of church resources." Over the past 15 years, as readership of the publication declined, the cost per book increased dramatically. In 2000, 79,108 units of the printed "Mission Yearbook" were sold at a single-copy unit cost of $7.50. That same year, bulk orders of over 100 copies sold to churches and other institutions at a cost of $3.50 per copy. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Mission Yearbook."
 
Current Presbyterians Today issue addresses modern slavery
Presbyterians Today magazine Presbyterians Today magazine unravels the chains of modern slavery, investigating what the U.S. State Department has described as the fastest growing crime on the planet: human trafficking. The January/February edition takes a look at the 21 million people worldwide currently living and working in conditions of forced labor, many of them victims of trafficking. The magazine describes what human trafficking is, why it happens, and how Presbyterians and their global partners are working hard to end it. The lead story in the issue is at "Human Trafficking."
News of the wider church

 

De La Rosa, Rada address
Presbyterian Mission Agency impending changes
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met via conference call last week to receive a first-month report from interim executive director Tony De La Rosa and to hear an update on the church-wide survey from Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly. De La Rosa began his remarks noting he had now been at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville for exactly one month, saying the amount of information he has been presented in that time was like "drinking from a fire hose." The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "PMAB Presentation."