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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].
March 11, 2016
  
Presbytery news  
 
Presbytery meets March 12
at Grace-Trinity in Minneapolis
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will meet in stated session at Grace-Trinity Community Church presbytery meeting in Minneapolis tomorrow, March 12, at 9 a.m.
 
The presbytery will act on final terms of separation for the Stadium Village congregation, receive an update on the work of the Eden Prairie Administrative Commission, and act on other business.
 
The presbytery will also receive the one-page annual report of the Minnesota Council of Churches, which notes the welcoming of 408 refugees from nine countries, the participation of more than 2,300 Minnesotans participating in 85 "Respectful Conversations," outreach and education presentations, and more.
 
The complete call to meeting can be found at "Meeting Call."
 
Ruling Elders needed
for presbytery committees
When the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area meets May 10, the presbytery will elect officers for the coming year.  It will also elect people to serve on Presbytery Logo various presbytery committees.  The Nominating Committee is seeking about 40 people to fill existing and upcoming vacancies.

While there are opportunities for teaching elders and ruling elders on most committees, the greatest need at this time is for ruling elders on the following committees:

    Committee on Ministry
    Committee of Preparation for Ministry
    Mission and Witness Committee
    Nominating Committee
 
Details are available from Manley Olson, chair of the Nominating Committee, by calling 651.644.2848 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 
Jeff's Jottings
Creating safe space
 
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
 
Jeff Japinga Diversity.
 
Barriers.
 
The sheer busyness of life.
 
As I've reflected with you these past few weeks on the Belhar Confession and the challenge of fostering a commitment to unity among Christians, I've named these three realities both as obstacles to and opportunities toward a sense of unity in Christ and common purpose as a presbytery. I've come to believe that we cannot live as intended in the body of Christ without coming to terms with, and in fact embracing, the diversity of the communities in which we serve; the barriers we too easily find (or construct) between us; and the sheer busyness of life that diverts us from collaboration.
 
Today, I want to add this fourth side to this foundation of unity: creating safe space in which to do this work.
 
The complete column can be found at "Safe Space."
 
Important dates coming up
Youth Triennium for Youth Triennium
Wendy Griffin, the presbytery's coordinator for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, has announced several important upcoming dates for this summer's event scheduled July 18-23 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. The Adult Leader Team will meet Sunday, April 10, at New Life Presbyterian Church in Roseville, and the first Pre-Event Gathering is planned Sunday, April 17, at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. Registration forms and deposit are due at the first Pre-Event Gathering. Additional planning details, including all forms for the registration packet, can be found at "Triennium."
 
Presbytery still takes
applications for treasurer post
Presbytery Logo The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area is still accepting applications for its treasurer position. The position requires a commitment of about five hours per week. The treasurer is accountable to the presbytery through the Presbytery Leadership Team. The complete position description and application procedure can be found at "Treasurer."
Activities in presbytery   
 
Central Presbyterian presents documentary on Sudanese refugees
Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul will present the movie, "God Grew Tired of Us," Friday, March God Grew Tired of Us 18, at 7 p.m. The award-winning documentary addresses the challenges faced by three young Sudanese children who flee their war-ravaged homeland and ultimately end up in the United States. Presenting the film is part of the congregation's effort to provide education and awareness regarding refugee issues. A speaker from Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights will participate in the discussion following the movie.

Cherokee Park plans
open house for Tim Johnson
Cherokee Park Called "Just Desserts for Pastor Tim," the congregation of Cherokee Park United Church of West St. Paul will celebrate with a community open house April 9 the retirement the Rev. Tim Johnson after 35 years of ministry with the congregation. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Details are available at "Just Desserts."  
 
Spirit of Life Church
dedicates indoor labyrinth
Spirit of Life Labyrinth Apple Valley's Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church recently dedicated its new indoor labyrinth and is inviting the community to use it as a tool for meditation and contemplation, especially during Lent. According to one expert, a "labyrinth engages the body, mind and spirit through the focused attention needed to walk its twists and turns. Labyrinths are used for calming and releasing distractions." The church offers a generous schedule for open use. The complete announcement can be found at "Apply Valley Labyrinth."
Service opportunities ...   
 
Community Presbyterian Church of Rochester, Minn., is seeking a part-time Christian education director who will work with its Christian education committee in planning, developing and supervising the Christian education program of the congregation. The complete position description is at "Christian Education."
Prayer requests ...   
 
Please pray for the Rev. Rob Smith of Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley as he recovers from pneumonia.
Conferences, resources 

 

'Recovery from Religion' conference

planned in Twin Cities in April

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 Religion Recovery 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, runs April 6-9 at the Open Book in Minneapolis, and 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."

 

United Seminary offers community

class in backyard beekeeping

New United Seminary Logo As the loss of the honeybee population rises to crisis proportions, there is a growing interest by individuals and organizations to raise their own bee colonies. Community Education at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities offers a three-session course for people interested in environmental stewardship around those hard-working pollinators. "Hands-on Beekeeping" runs two Thursday evenings, April 28 and May 5, and the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, at the seminary. More information and registration details are available at "Beekeeping."

 

Enneagram workshop planned

in May at Lake Nokomis

Enneagram A follow-on workshop to last fall's introduction to Enneagram, an ancient system that combines psychology and spirituality for the purpose of personal transformation, is planned May 27-28 at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Led by the Rev. Phil GebbenGreen, who was trained by the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Institute, will facilitate the workshop. GebbenGreen is pastor of Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church of St. Paul. A workshop flyer is available at "Enneagram." Registration is available at "Workshop Registration."

 

Synod School features John Bell

John Bell as convocation speaker

John Bell, the world renowned lecturer, preacher and teacher, will be the convocation at Synod School this summer. Bell is a member of the Wild Goose Resource Group, an autonomous project of the Iona Community in Scotland. Synod School, which runs July 14-29 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, is a widely known education ministry of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Each year about 600 people participate in the courses, worship, fellowship, fun and relaxation. Details are at "Synod School."

 

Recent editions of Insurance Board newsletter posted online

Insurance Board From protecting confidential information, to water damage, to operating a church van, to tips for claim submission, the winter edition of The Stewart, a publication of the Insurance Board, covers them all. The Steward typically addresses insurance concerns for churches. The winter edition is available at "The Steward." Additional back issues of the newsletter can be found at "Insurance Concerns."

 

Board Bulletin, Board Connections issues address experience apportionment

Board of Pensions Connections Current editions of The Board Bulletin and Board Connections, both newsletters of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), are available online. The issues address an experience apportionment and the 2017 Benefits Plan. The BOP board of directors approved a 2 percent experience apportionment for the Pension Plan effective July 1. The Board Bulletin can be found at "Bulletin" and Board Connections is at "Connections."

 

Board of Pensions plans

to launch new portal for employers

The board of directors for the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met recently to board of pensions report on the financial status of the organization, discuss the 2017 benefits plan, and preview its new online portal for members and, for the first time, employers. The employer portal, scheduled for a July launch, will allow employers to configure benefits packages offered to employees, facilitate employee contribution calculations and provides flexibility for a variety of ministry contexts. No longer an "all or nothing" benefits plan, employers can select a variety of options for their employees. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Employers."

ans plan commemoration of Self-Development of People March 13

Each year, on a Sunday during Lent, Presbyterians across the country take time to celebrate Self-Development of People, a ministry of One Great Hour of Sharing. Now in its 46th year, SDOP focuses on poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people by establishing partnerships with low-income community groups domestically and around the world. Since the ministry began in 1970, SDOP has provided support to more than 5,600 community projects in 67 countries. Working with its national committee, 25 presbytery and three synod committees, SDOP provides grants to communities struggling with social justice and economic issues.  March 13 has been designated as SDOP Sunday this year and church leaders are hoping congregations will take note. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "SDOP."

https://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/2/16/presbyterian-churches-commemorate-sdop-sunday-marc/

 

Synod School catalog published, distributed, placed on website

The Synod School 2016 catalog has been published, been placed in the mail, and been posted on the Synod of Lakes and Prairies website. The website also includes all the details and forms necessary to register. Registration opened this week. John Bell, the world renowned lecturer, preacher and teacher will be this summer's convocations peaker. Bell is a member of the Wild Goose Resource Group, an autonomous project of the Iona Community. The synod's annual week-long summer ministry runs July 24-29 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Each year about 600 people participate in the courses, worship, fellowship, fun and relaxation. Details are at "Synod School."

http://www.lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool

 

United Seminary's art exhibitions continue to April

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."

http://www.unitedseminary.edu/initiatives/center-arts-faith-culture/in-the-gallery/

 

Summer Pastors School runs in early June at Hastings College

Summer Pastors School, a program of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, runs June 5-11 at Hastings (Neb.) College. Speakers include Thomas G. Long, Bandy professor of preaching at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta; James Ayers, renewal pastor at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kan., and professor at Fuller Seminary in Houston; Nancy Ramsay, professor of pastoral theology and pastoral care at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas; and Mark Sundby, executive director of North Central Ministry Development Center in New Brighton, Minn. Early bird registration runs through April 20. Details are at "Summer Pastors School."

http://omahapresbyterianseminaryfoundation.org/2016-Summer-Pastors'-School.html

 

PC(USA) offers resources for designing church website

In this day and age it is extremely important to have a presence online. However, just having a website isn't always enough. The website's layout and content play a huge role in its effectiveness. Among the vital statistics: 85 percent of users leave websites due to poor design, 40 percent never return because the content was hard to find, 83 percent of users leave because there were too many clicks to find what they wanted, and 75 percent of visitors admit to making judgments about a company's credibility based on their website's design. More details are available at "Website Design."

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/communicate/news/

 

Youth ministry is topic of current Presbyterians Today issue

"It was a hot August night, and Atlanta's Buckhead Theatre had been reserved for a special gala to honor 15 remarkable teenagers. With the help of GivingPoint, a leading youth philanthropy organization, these youth had launched nonprofit organizations that were addressing significant social problems such as homelessness, teen pregnancy, poverty, and inadequate education." That's the way the lead story by Chanon Ross opens in the current edition of Presbyterians Today. The magazine's March/April theme is youth ministry. The complete story, along with other stories from the current issue, can be found at "Youth Ministry Guide."

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/

 

Workshops announced for 2016 Advocacy Training Weekend

The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness has released workshop titles and descriptions for Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day, held annually in Washington, D.C. The 2016 training date is Friday, April 15. Attending Presbyterians can then join the larger ecumenical community for the next two days in plenaries, worship and discussion as part of Ecumenical Advocacy Days, which brings together more than a 1,000 people within the Christian community for its annual national gathering. The event culminates Monday, April 18, when attendees can lobby their local congressmen on important social justice issues. The complete story can be found at "Advocacy Training."

https://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/2/19/workshops-announced-2016-compassion-peace-and-just/

 

Conference plannedon bi-vocational ministry

Titled "Bi-Vocational Ministry in the 21st Century," a conference slated April 15-16 at Saint Simons Island in Georgia will offer information important to those serving or seeking to serve in a bi-vocational ministry context as well as others who work with ministers who serve in such contexts. The Rev. Dr. Robert Grove-Markwood, right, director of the BTS Center, mission successor to Bangor Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker. A complete brochure can be found at "Serving in the 21st Century."
News of the wider church

 

Rada asks New York audience for input on financial priorities, structure
Thirty participants joined Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), at Auburn Theological Seminary in Rada in New York New York City, for discussion and input on the future of the denomination. New York was Rada's third stop on a five-city conversation tour. Two previous meetings took place in Atlanta. The conversations are follow-up to Rada's "Call to the Church" issued last summer and are meant to complement information collected by a Committee on the Office of the General Assembly survey. Results of these conversations, along with other data collected, will be forwarded to the 222nd General Assembly of the PC(USA) this summer in Portland, Ore. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Rada Conversations."
 
Advocacy group asks 'why wait?'
on fossil fuel divestment
Fossil Free PCUSA In a rare moment of dissent at the February Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meeting, one group took exception with the Justice Committee's affirmation not to divest from fossil fuel companies. The Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment, part of the Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry and responsible for recommending action to the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), opted instead to recommend further engagement on climate change with all companies, including those in the energy sector. It's a recommendation that Fossil Free PCUSA feels kicks the can down the road and fails to meet the General Assembly mandate. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Fossil Fuels."
 
Mission Agency completes
voluntary separation program
Presbyterian Mission Agency Twenty-six of 46 eligible employees of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have taken voluntary separation packages as part of cost-savings measures instituted earlier this spring. The program, announced Jan. 7, was offered to PMA staff members at least 60 years of age with at least five years of continuous service at the PC(USA) at the end of 2015. The deadline for participation was Feb. 29. In an email to staff Feb. 26, De La Rosa said, "we gladly and gratefully honor the commitment of our colleagues who have served Christ's church faithfully and well," adding there are concerns in the organization about the loss of the institutional knowledge of these employees as well as how their integral work will be distributed among the remaining staff. The complete Presbyterian News Service announcement can be found at "Separation."
 
Dana receives top Presbyterian
McKibben Dana Writers Guild award
The Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, a writer, pastor, conference leader, and highly sought-after speaker, has been named the recipient of the 2016 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award by the Presbyterian Writers Guild.  Dana, author of "Sabbath in the Suburbs," a Chalice Press bestseller for two years running, has a robust presence on social media, and has been commenting on life, ministry, theology and culture on her blog, The Blue Room, for more than 12 years. She will receive the prestigious award at the Presbyterian Writers Guild's General Assembly luncheon June 23 in Portland, Ore. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "David Steele Award."
 
Easter reminds us
of the oppressed, disenfranchised
Justice Peace News Sara Lisherness, director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of Compassion, Peace and Justice, notes the need to "open our hearts to those who have been oppressed, disenfranchises and driven into situations of need." Writing in Presbyterian Justice & Peace, a PMA newsletter, she writes, "In the midst of my reflections during this Lenten season, I am at once heartbroken for the relality of our fractured humanity, yet hopeful and humbled by Jesus' death and resurrection." The complete newsletter is at "Justice and Peace."
 
Grace & Gratitude addresses
grace for Holy Week
Grace Gratitude News Writing in the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Grace & Gratitude newsletter, Chip Hardwick,  director of the Office of Theology, Formation and Evangelism, writes of grace during Holy Week. He noted, "In only two weeks we'll be celebrating Good Friday, indeed the ultimate example of this grace in Jesus' taking our place on the cross. Then on Easter, we celebrate the unearned gift of eternal life! What wondrous love is this?" The complete newsletter, which includes several resources, is available at "Grace During Holy Week."