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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Presbytery Committees Need Members
Committees of the presbytery are to have equal numbers of clergy and of church members and/or ruling elders. We need more church members and  elders. At the annual meeting in May, the Presbytery will elect persons to fill about 70 positions on a variety of committees. While some of these positions will be filled by persons who have agreed to serve a second term, most need new people to fill them. Details are available by contacting Manley Olson, chair of the Nominating Committee, by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 651.644.2848. The complete announcement is at "Committee Members Needed."
Presbytery asked to continue
advocacy for gun control reform
In a note to EMerge, the Rev. Brennan Blue, senior pastor at St. Luke Presbyterian Church, wrote about the continuing effort for gun-control reform and next steps in advocacy. He wrote, "Last month's 'March for Our Lives' gathering was an inspiring testament to the power of community in the pursuit of justice and peace. Several [presbytery] congregations were represented at the March and after so great an outpouring of energy and impact, many may be wondering, 'what's next?'" Part of "what's next" is a gathering Wednesday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the Minnesota Church Center in Minneapolis, conference room 1, to consider how the presbytery "might continue an organized ongoing advocacy effort to pursue comprehensive gun-control reform in Minnesota and beyond," Blue wrote. Those interested in the effort but unable to attend are invited to contact Blue at [email protected].
PTCA Congregational Development
Grant applications due May 18
Congregational Development Grant applications are available for churches and worshiping communities to encourage or expand ministry supporting innovative, and perhaps risky, initiatives at the congregational level. Anyone in a congregation who may have an idea for making use of such a grant is invited to complete the application process. Applications will be accepted until the May 18 deadline. Applications require session approval. Cooperative projects among and between congregations and worshiping communities can be submitted. The application form is at "Congregational Development." Once complete, the application can be mailed to the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, 2115 Cliff Drive, Eagan, MN 55122. Applications can also be submitted online at "Congregational Vitality." Questions can be addressed to Mike Quady, chair of the Committee on Congregational Vitality, at [email protected] or Jeff Japinga, executive presbyter, at [email protected].
COM issues query
about sabbatical experiences
Have you, as a pastor, experienced a sabbatical during your call in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, or in a previous call? Have you, as a member of a PTCA congregation, experienced a sabbatical while your pastor was away? The Committee on Ministry would like to hear about those experiences. Responses can be submitted to COM members Sue Goodspeed at [email protected] or the Rev. Cader Howard at [email protected]. The complete request can be found at "Sabbatical."
Women clergy in presbytery
invited to April 17 potluck
Inspired by the autumn conversation with Co-Moderator Denise Anderson, the Revs. Heidi Bolt and Dr. Karin Craven are inviting women clergy of the Presbytery to a potluck at Craven's home on the evening of April 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Her address is 1539 Blackhawk Lake Drive in Eagan, Minnesota. The invitation notes, "We conspired because we sensed the need to hear one another's voices and stories. We envision an evening where the mutual telling and listening create a shared breathing space where the particularity of our leadership experiences may be received with care and understanding." RSVPs requested to Heidi Bolt at [email protected]. The complete invitation is at "Women Clergy Invitation."
Rev'd Up plans luncheon gathering
in Minneapolis April 17
Rev'd Up, a gathering of retired Presbyterian clergy, their guests and others who are a part of our retired Presbyterian community, has planned a luncheon gathering Tuesday, April 17, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. A tour is planned of the church's recently opened expansion, and after lunch, the program, "I'm Retired. Now What?" will address the life of being retired. The lunch and program are $12. Registration information can be completed at "Now What?" The complete announcement is at "Luncheon Gathering."
Jeff's Jottings
The things we do with love
By Jeff Japinga
Executive Presbyter
 Are you a follower of the Presbytery's Facebook page? (If not, maybe become one?) If so, you know that a good number of our pastors and members were present in St. Paul the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend for the Twin Cities version of the March for Our Lives, the student-initiated demonstration in support of tighter gun control, gun safety, and vigilance against gun violence. Out of their experiences, a number of our pastors and congregational leaders will come together next Wednesday, April 11, to talk about next steps. There's an announcement about this in a separate EMerge article this week.
About a week later, on April 19, the Minnesota Council of Church will hold an informational meeting about inviting participation in the Minnesota Poor People's Campaign, a part of a national re-commitment to pick up and expand the work that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was doing 50 years ago.
The complete Jottings are at "With Love."
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Boundary training offered
in April
at First Presbyterian of Stillwater
 The presbytery's Committee on Ethics will be host to a Level 1 Boundaries training on Monday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. Titled "To Bless the Space Between Us," the training will address negotiating interpersonal boundaries, ethics, power dynamics, confidentiality and self-care in a ministry context. The training is required for all teaching elders when they join the presbytery, and is also appropriate for other church leaders. Registration can be completed at "Boundaries Training."
Synod plans Leadership Summit
on mental health, ministry
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies' annual Leadership Summit, formerly known as the COM/CPM training  conference, will take place Tuesday through Thursday, April 24-26, at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota. This year's conference theme is "Mental Health and Ministry." Keynote speakers are Mark Sundby, executive director of LeaderWise, and Caroline Burke, staff psychologist at LeaderWise. Heidi Bolt, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Red Wing, Minnesota, will lead worship. In addition, numerous workshops, led by church leaders throughout the synod and the broader church, will address a variety of topics related to church leadership. Details, and a link to online registration, can be found at "Leadership Summit."
Luther Seminary is host to event
on challenges to women in ministry
A one-day event, featuring a diverse line-up of pastors, scholars and activists, will address the  unique challenges women face, both theologically and culturally, in ministry. The event is planned Friday, April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Speakers and panelists include Dr. Cameron Howard, assistant professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, Dr. Mary Streufert, director for Justice for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Rev. Denise Dunbar-Perkins, retired Abbott Northwestern Hospital chaplain and one of the founding members of Liberty Community Church in north Minneapolis. Details can be found at "Empowering Women."
Rochester First Presbyterian
will
be host
to 'Soul Shop' workshop
First Presbyterian Church of Rochester will be host Saturday, April 28, to the "Soul Shop" workshop that provides training and support for faith  communities to help prevent suicidal outcomes for people experiencing suicidal desperation. The Soul Shop Movement addresses the need of desperately hurting people to be heard, noticed and seen within their faith communities. The workshop, sponsored by the Southeast Minnesota Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, begins with check-in at 8:30 a.m. A light breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be served. Event registration is at "Suicide Prevention."
Healing Minnesota Stories
sets next sacred-site tour April 28
Healing Minnesota Stories, an initiative of the St. Paul Interfaith Network, is offering Sacred Sites Tours  through the coming spring, summer and fall months. The next open tour is planned Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tours center around the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, what the Dakota refer to as Bdote, or "meeting place of rivers." The tour stops include Fort Snelling, the site of the Dakota internment camp following the Dakota-U.S. War, and Pilot Knob Hill, a traditional burial ground. Tours meet at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota, and proceed to sites from there by auto caravan. A donation is requested. Additional information, along with registration information, is at "Sacred Sites."
Conflict transformation workshop
is set in Twin Cities on May 16
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Lombard, Illinois, an organization that offers resources for churches of all denominations on biblical peace  and justice issues as well as conflict transformation skills training, is sponsoring a one-day workshop May 16 in Minnetonka, Minnesota, that looks at the challenges presented by rising levels of anxiety in churches today. Titled "Leadership and Anxiety in the Church: A Family Systems Perspective," the workshop also addresses the role that self-differentiated leadership can play in calming anxiety. Participants will learn practical skills in defusing anxious situations. The interdenominational workshop takes place at Minnetonka United Methodist Church. Workshop details are available at "Conflict Transformation." Online registration, including discounts for groups and early registration, is available at "Attending. A group discount coupon is available at "Discount."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Webinar offers insights into 'holy
work
of gun violence prevention'
 Co-sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, a 90-minute webinar April 16 will address "engaging in the holy work of gun violence prevention," offering practical resources for congregations and their leaders for education and action. The workshop is scheduled at 1 p.m. Details can be found at "Gun Violence Prevention."
Applications still sought
for Young Adult Volunteer Program
 Applications are still be sought for the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Young Adult Volunteer Program, an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people, ages 19-30. The final round of applications is open until June 1 and only national sites are available. Program benefits include a regular stipend, housing, transportation and student-loan repayment options throughout the duration of the service year. Details can be found at "Young Adult Volunteers."
Synod School registration
continues to climb; surpasses 500
Although registration for this summer's Synod School opened only five weeks ago, the number of registrants for the midsummer ministry has climbed past 500,  according to Deb DeMeester, director of leadership development for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Described as "a learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages," Synod School runs July 22-27 on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. This year's program features Jason Brian Santos, mission coordinator for Christian formation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, as convocation speaker. Jana Childers, dean of the seminary and vice president of academic affairs at San Francisco Theological Seminary, will lead evening worship. The complete catalog and a link to online registration can be found at "Synod School."
Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference
begins April 30 in Nebraska
 The 2018 Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference is planned Monday through Wednesday, April 30-May 2, at Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center near Fremont, Nebraska. The conference includes worship, communion, workshops fellowship, relaxation and renewal. This year's plenary speaker is the Rev. Chris Walker, teacher, coach, pastor and principle writer for Evangelism Coach. Conference details are at "Great Plains Wee Kirk."
Older adult ministry conference
takes place June 5-8 at Zephyr Point
 The 2018 conference of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network is planned June 5-8 at Zephyr Point Conference Center in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. Keynote speakers are John Holton, visiting associate professor of gerontology and director of the Center for Gerontology at Concordia University of Chicago, and Lawrence P. Greenslit, who retired as a captain in the U.S. Navy chaplain corps, and is the former director of the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel. A complete conference brochure is at "POAMN Details." Online registration is at "POAMN."
Washington Island Forum
planned in June in Wisconsin
 The 2018 Washington Island Forum, a 40-year tradition sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches and The Christian Century magazine, features Anna Carter Florence, a former convocation speaker at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies' Synod School, as its primary speaker. Florence, who will speak on the theme, "Reading the Verbs: Finding the Script in the Scripture," is professor of preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. The Forum takes place Monday through Friday, June 25-29, on Washington Island, just north of Door County, Wisconsin. Details are at "Washington Island Forum."
Presbyterian Women make
plans
 for national gathering
The church-wide gathering of Presbyterian Women is planned Aug. 2-5 in Louisville, Kentucky, with the theme "Arise, shine, your light has come!" Participants will engage in workshops, tours, forums and resource gathering, plenary sessions, worship and more. Initial plans for the gathering can be found at "National Gathering."
BOP issues latest issue
of Board Connections
 Board Connections, a newsletter from The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), highlights recent Board news and information. The current edition offers an opportunity to preview 2019 benefits, explore theological values that shape the benefits plan, and ask questions of Board leadership. The newsletter can be found at "Connections."
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Service opportunities ...
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Central Presbyterian Church
of St. Paul is seeking a custodian/sexton. Primary responsibilities include keeping a large, historic church facility clean, secure and set up for an active program schedule. Averaging 23 hours per week, including Sunday mornings. Flexibility in scheduling needed. Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds. Background check will be conducted.
Open to and interested in possibility of job-sharing with another area church.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter in person or by email to [email protected], with the subject line "Custodian/Sexton." The complete job description is at "Custodian/Sexton."
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Presbyterian Church of the Way
in Shoreview is seeking a set of the "Six Great Ends of the Church" banners. The Rev. Dr. David Parker noted, "I was thinking of preaching on those this year and I know that at one time patterns for these banners went around the country and many presbyteries [and churches] made some." Those who have a set they would be willing to lend are invited to contact the church at [email protected].
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Chantal Atnip taps Ken Hockenberry as vice moderator running mate
Chantal Atnip, a ruling elder from the Presbytery of Carlisle, who announced last fall she is standing for
 Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly (2018), has named the Reverend Ken Hockenberry, a pastor in the Presbytery of Chicago to be her Vice Moderator running mate. Atnip said she recently circulated the GA223 commissioners list to friends and supporters "and the one common denominator among all the responses was Ken Hockenberry." She said when she approached him about being her running mate, "I half expected him to laugh at me but he didn't. As we talked over the ensuing week, we found we have similar views and similar senses of humor, which is very important." The complete story by Jerry Van Marter for the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Hockenberry."
2 overtures offer 2 approaches
to global climate change
What is the most faithful and effective Christian response to global climate change? The Immigration and Environmental Issues Committee of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will consider this question when they start meeting on June 19. At issue are competing ideas about the most faithful and effective response to climate change. What is not at issue are the beliefs that global climate change is happening and that fossil fuels and carbon emissions are at least partially to blame. Every overture related to the environment and brought before this committee starts with those core beliefs. Where the overtures diverge is in how Christians are called to respond. The complete story by Greg Allen-Pickett for The Presbyterian Outlook can be found at "Climate Change."
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