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].
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Immigration forum planned this Sunday
at Shepherd of the Hill in Chaska
Families are separated at the border and marches take place across the country. It's all about immigration, the complex issue that could drive the  outcomes in elections across the nation this fall. On Sunday, July 22, four people who work closely with the immigration issue will present information on several elements of the huge issue when they lead an immigration forum at Shepherd of the Hill Church in Chaska from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Speakers are Michele Garnett McKenzie, deputy director and director of advocacy at Advocates for Human Right; Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of American Islamic Relations; Ben Walen, director of refugee services at the Minnesota Council of Churches; and Steve Kraemer, director of Conversations with Friends. Sponsored by EmpathyWorks and Indivisible MN03, EmpathyWorks founder Gail Anderson will moderate the forum. While the forum is free, registration is encouraged.
Retired ministers plan
September gathering
The fall gathering of retired ministers, spouses and guests is planned at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, in St. Paul from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Jeff's Jottings
Changing patterns and practices
 By Jeff Japinga
Executive Presbyter
Last week, I wrote that I wanted to think with you in this column about two things:
-- What does it look like to be the church in the 21st century?
-- And how should we be measuring our impact and effectiveness? (Hint: It's not with traditional metrics of membership and collars.)
Those two questions were prompted by a front-page article in the July 8 Star Tribune on declining churches, and the reality that patterns and practices of church life in the 21st century look different than before. (Hmmm ... what patterns and practices for anything look the same as they did 50 years ago?)
The complete Jottings are at "Patterns and Practices."
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Garage sale is running now
at Spirit
of Life Presbyterian Church
 Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church is conducting a "huge" Garage Sale right now through Saturday morning. Sale hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 20, and 8 a.m. to noon on July 21. The church is located at 14401 Pilot Knob Road in Apple Valley. Items for sale will include toys, dolls, clothing, household items and more.
First of Farmington plans worship
during Dakota County Fair
 While First Presbyterian Church in Farmington closed several years ago, the congregation will conduct a worship service in the
Vermillion Presbyterian Church in Dakota City on the Dakota County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Aug. 12, during the Dakota County Fair. Jean Greenwood, former pastor of the Farmington church, will lead the service that begins at 11 a.m. Additional information is available from Phyllis Kelly at [email protected] or 651.463.8864.
Responding to gun violence, Buffalo Presbyterian screens 'Trigger'
Responding to ongoing gun violence in the United States, Buffalo Presbyterian Church will screen "Trigger: The Tipple Effect of Gun Violence" on  Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. A time for discussion will follow the screening.
"Trigger" was produced in part as a response to a General Assembly resolution to shed light on the gun violence issue. A result of a collaborative effort of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and the Compassion, Peace, and Justice Ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), "
Trigger" shares the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by gun violence. Light snacks and beverages will be provided at the screening. Details about the documentary are at "Trigger." Questions about the screening can be directed to Brian Entz at [email protected].
Israel as ancient symbol, contemporary reality is focus of preaching seminar
 A seminar, designed to help preachers understand and challenge biblical interpretation that benefits one group at the expense of another, is planned at
Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul Sept. 26. It is, according to the seminar announcement, "at the theological heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict." Reading materials will be provided prior to the seminar. The seminar is a Hosanna Preaching Seminar sponsored by the Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). To register, contact John Anderson by e-mail at [email protected], including name, e-mail address, and mailing address. Additional seminar details are at "Hosanna Seminars."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Regarding Ruling Elders:
 'It's not all about us'
Joan Gray, minister, author and former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), writes the current installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a resource from the Office of the General Assembly. Gray notes, "In his book, 'Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation,' Parker j. Palmer writes about functional atheism, the belief that God is distant and the ultimate responsibility for everything rests on us. Functional atheism confesses on Sunday morning that God is the sovereign Lord of creation, while acting during the rest of the week as if it's really all about us and what we do." Gray's complete column is at "Regarding Ruling Elders."
Board Bulletin notes no increase
in 2019 for pastor's participation
 The summer edition of The Board Bulletin notes there will be no dues increase in 2019 for pastor's participation in the Board of Pensions' healthcare plan, holding dues steady for medical coverage at 25 percent of effective salary. The Bulletin, published by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), reports information from and actions taken at the summer meeting of the Board. The newsletter also notes the Board intends to keep the cost of Medicare supplement coverage unchanged for a second consecutive year. The complete summer edition can be found at "Board Bulletin."
Applications accepted for Presbyterian Women's 2019 USA Mission Experience
A group of Presbyterian women will travel to the Finger Lakes Region of New York in July 2019 for the  fifth USA Mission Experience. They will explore the history that Presbyterian women have in the women's and civil rights movements, and will also have the opportunity to learn more about themselves and about some of the issues that confront the people of the Finger Lakes Region, including migrant workers and Native Americans. Applications to participate are being accepted until Aug. 15. Details are available at "
2019 USA Mission Experience."
Applications being accepted for OPSF
Lifelong Learning Program Grants
The Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation is accepting applications through Aug. 15 for its  Lifelong Learning Program Grant. Through the years, the Foundation has provided more than $1 million to support many educational events, workshops and seminars that cover a wide range of topics and serve anywhere from 10 to more than 200 people. Teaching elders, commissioned pastors and lay leaders all benefit from lifelong learning events. Details are available at "
Lifelong Learning Events."
Stewardship Kaleidoscope planned
in St. Louis in September
 This year's Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an annual conference offering speakers, workshops and networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity, is planned Sept. 24-26 in St. Louis. Diana Butler Bass, an award-winning author and internationally known public speaker, and Chick Lane, pastor for stewardship and generosity at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota, will be the keynote speakers. Details about the conference can be found at "
Stewardship Kaleidoscope."
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Service opportunities ...
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The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area is looking for an office administrator to replace the retiring incumbent, Risa Anderson. Full time, full benefits. Office located in Eagan, Minnesota. A complete job description is at "Office Administrator." for more information or to apply, please contact Jeff Japinga, executive presbyter, at [email protected]. The application deadline is Aug. 6.
Central Presbyterian Church
in Saint Paul is seeking a children and youth ministry coordinator to help create and oversee a program for children and youth that is dynamic, age-appropriate, multi-cultural, connected to worship and mission, and supportive of the church's goal to grow our membership. This is a part-time (10-20 hours per week, average) position that requires an energetic presence on Sundays from at least 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Other hours are flexible depending upon the varying weekly needs of the church program. Interested individuals are asked to contact the Rev. David Colby at [email protected].
Chain of Lakes Church
in Blaine is searching for a director of youth and family ministry. The individual will build and nurture relationships with families and children at Chain of Lakes, and in the wider community by planning and implementing ministries and events. This person will provide support for Children's Ministry (primary) and Youth Ministry (secondary). This is a part-time position, 15 hours per week, that requires a presence on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. Other hours are flexible. Interested individuals are asked to submit a resume to Paul Moore at
[email protected]. Additional details are available by calling 763.208.8049.
Wildwood Presbyterian Church
of Grayslake, Illinois, is seeking a full-time director of Christian education. The congregation is seeking an experienced Christian educator who will work with all ages of youth, from toddlers to high school, and their families, directing multiple programs including Sunday school classes, vacation Bible school, and children's worship. The director will work with dedicated middle- and high-school coordinators, and a nursery supervisor on staff, and will have the support of more than 70 volunteer teachers and leaders. The complete position description and application procedure can be found at "
Christian Education Director."
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Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley has a Duplo Commercial Office Folder on sale for $400. The unit folds 8.5-by-11 inch through 11-by-17 inch paper. It has been serviced twice a year and is in excellent, like new, condition. Interested parties should contact the church at 763.588.0831 by July 31.
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PDA responds to fires in Colorado,
Utah, Southern California
 More than a dozen wildfires have been burning across Colorado and parts of Utah and California in recent weeks, leaving a path of destruction that includes nearly 300 homes and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that firefighters appear to have gained the upper hand in most of the fires. "The past few weeks have been very impactful for Presbyterian communities dealing with wildfires," said Jim Kirk, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance associate for national disaster response. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rick Jones can be found at "PDA Responds."
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