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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 office@ptcaweb.org.
May 19, 2017
  
Presbytery news  
 
Written report of Eden Prairie
Admin Commission made available
When the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area met May 9, the Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission gave an oral report of the Presbytery Logo status of litigation between the church and the presbytery. In the Commission's desire to be in full communication with the presbytery, the Commission's report is available in writing at "Administrative Commission."
 
Jeff Japinga Jeff's Jottings
Deck chairs on the Titanic
 
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
 
Now that the joint PLT/TEP report on Presbytery practices going forward has been approved, I've Charlie Brown Titanic heard the inevitable from a few folks: re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic again, I see.
 
That's a common assessment of efforts to re-form or re-structure long-standing institutions: that of an ultimately hopeless set of mundane actions in the midst of crisis. Too often, it's also accurate; we spend so much time shoring up structures and traditional practices that we miss, or ignore, the gash below the waterline.
 
The complete Jottings are at "The Deck Chairs."
Around the presbytery

DeYoung chosen to lead
Minnesota Council of Churches
Curtiss DeYoung "I am eager to join the Minnesota Council of Churches in their important work of building the common good as agents of unity in the faith community and moral voices for a just society," said the Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, who was approved May 16 by the MCC board to be the organization's new CEO. DeYoung will replace the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, who is retiring from leading the Council after 22 years. DeYoung will begin his service July 17. The complete announcement can be found at "Curtiss DeYoung."
 
Dayton Avenue offers
invitation to banner dedication
Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Dayton Ave. and Mackubin St. in St. Paul, plans a dedication Sunday, May 21, of its banner that proclaims "Peace be with you" in four languages. Its announcement states, "The banner is an assurance to all our neighbors, particularly the Jewish, Islam and Spanish-speaking communities, that we seek peace and stand with them in this time of hostility and division." The sign is in the languages of English, Hebrew, Arabic and Spanish. The dedication takes place at 11:30 a.m.
 
Davnie addresses 'Islam
for Christians' May 24 at Spirit of Life
Looking ahead to the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan -- which starts May 27 -- Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley will be host to Spirit of Life Apple Valley Bill Davnie, who will address "Islam for Christians," on Wednesday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Davnie, stated clerk of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, will base his presentation on his work experience in Muslim-majority countries. The event is free and open to the public. The complete announcement is at "Islam for Christians."
 
Arlington Potluck AHPC plans next reunion,
potluck in Woodbury
Former congregants of Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church are planning a reunion and potluck Sunday, June 4, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Woodbury. Participants are asked to bring a salad, side dish, casserole or dessert. Sandwiches will be provided.
Resources, conferences ... 

 

Outlook plans webinar
on welcoming people with disabilities
Presbyterian Outlook Logo The Presbyterian Outlook will conduct a webinar, presented by Evelyn McMullen, on welcoming people with disabilities to Christ's church. The webinar is planned Tuesday, May 23, at 1 p.m. CDT. The 90-minute webinar will address changing attitudes and actions that have made some churches more inclusive. Details can be found at "Welcoming People with Disabilities." Six scholarships for this webinar have been provided by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. Questions regarding these scholarships should be addressed to Jana Blazek at jblazek@pres-outlook.org.
 
POAMN offers congregation track
at aging, spirituality conference
Presbyterian Older Adult The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network will offer a congregational track at the seventh International Conference on Aging and Spirituality planned June 4-7 at Concordia University in Chicago. Members of the Presbyterian organization are able to register under the church workers rate. Conference details are at "Conference on Aging and Spirituality."
 
Luther, United seminaries
offer 'Perspectives on Luther'
Luther Seminary of St. Paul, and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities are sponsoring "Contemporary Perspectives on Luther" Aug. 18-19 in Northwestern Auditorium of Luther Seminary. The program offers an opportunity to hear and converse with theologians as they address Luther's reforming insights across a range of current topics and issues. The event is free and open to the public. Details, including a schedule, can be found at "Contemporary Luther."
 
Stewardship Kaleidoscope annual conference set this fall in Florida
The annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope event, an annual conference offering speakers, workshops and networking opportunities, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is planned Sept. 25-27 this year at St. Pete Beach, Fla.  Among the keynote speakers this year is Adam Copeland, a member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and director of the Center for Stewardship Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship across many dimensions. Event details are available at "Kaleidoscope."
Service Opportunities
 
Associated Church of Owatonna, Minn., a welcoming, inclusive, intergenerational faith community of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Church of Christ, seeks a full-time director of children and youth ministry. This position has responsibility for the overall education and spiritual formation of children and youth in support of the congregation's mission, vision, and values. Details and contact information can be found at "Children and Youth."

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church is seeking a half-time director of youth and young adults, both single and married. The position is open to both ordained or not. Resumes should be sent to Russ Snyder at rsnyder@genpak.com. Questions may be addressed to Pastor Bill Chadwick at bchadwick@oakgrv.org . Details are at " Youth and Young Adults ."

First Presbyterian Church of St. Croix Falls, Wis., and First United Presbyterian Church of Baldwin, Wis., are seeking a full-time designated solo pastor. This is a yoked congregation and the person will serve both churches. Interested individuals are asked to contact Kathryn Breitbarth, designated pastor task force chair, at kbreitbarth@comcast.net. The complete announcement is at "Designated Pastor."

Shalom Hill Farm, located  in southwestern Minnesota, educates and advocates on behalf of small-town and rural culture, community, ministry, God's creation, the common good, and provides a place of retreat and renewal for groups and individuals. It is seeking an executive director. The complete position description, along with application procedures, can be found at "Executive Director."
Available to non-profit
 
A Lowry Grand Royal (electronic) organ with a custom bench is available to a non-profit organization from Central Presbyterian Church of St. Paul. Excellent condition. Contact Bill Zopfi at 651.224.4728 or billz@cpcstpaul.org.
News of the wider churh  

 

Way Forward Commission meets, brainstorms, sets next steps
The Way Forward Commission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) concluded its two-day meeting on the PCUSA logo campus of McCormick Theological Seminary this week, brainstorming possible structural solutions for the denomination in anticipation of producing its midterm report. The final report of the commission will be presented to the 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis. Subgroups will continue to meet, including groups focusing on mid-council relations and engaging diverse voices, while other subgroups will be added to take on the topics of constitutional research and creation of a midyear report for the group. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "Way Forward."
 
Apprenticeships are vital
part of 1001 program
"All church planting movements require an on-ramping process for new leadership," wrote Nick Warnes, pastor of Northland Village Church in Los 1001 Worshiping Communities Angeles, in New Church, New Way, the newsletter of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 1001 New Worshiping Communities effort. " Over the past five years, the apprenticeship program has been a central framework for creating this ramp for 1001. Leaders from across America take part in either a 10-week or nine-month apprenticeship where discernment, training and innovation are all prioritized. The result has been dozens of highly trained leaders and new worshiping communities across America" Warnes' column, and the newsletter, can be found at "New Church New Way."