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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.
October 13, 2017
  
Presbytery news  
 
Mission Celebration
takes place tomorrow
Mission Celebration 2017 takes place tomorrow with the theme, "Concerns of God's  mission ptca Heart." Organized by the Mission and Witness Committee of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, the event takes place tomorrow, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. Complete details about the celebration can be found in the announcement at "Mission Celebration."
 
Federal judge strikes down tax-free housing for clergy, BOP responds
A federal judge in Wisconsin has struck down as unconstitutional a law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances, in a ruling that could have far- Board of Pensions reaching ramifications for religious leaders who have fought for years to keep the substantial financial benefit. Under the federal law passed in 1954, a "minister of the gospel" doesn't pay income taxes on compensation that is designated part of a housing allowance. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, argued that the law discriminates against secular employees. The complete story from the Associated Press is at "Judge Strikes Down."
 
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) responded this week, noting, " The Board of Pensions is deeply concerned by this ruling. If upheld on appeal, it would substantially impact the congregations and ministers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Board believes that it is inconsistent to exclude manse housing from income and not treat a comparable cash allowance in the same manner." The complete announcement from the BOP is at "BOP Responds."
 
Jeff Japinga, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, wrote that the presbytery " will continue to monitor this case. At this point, congregations should still pursue their usual designation of housing allowance for 2018, until more from the legal process is known."
 
Nominating Committee still seeks GA commissioners, young adult delegate
The Nominating Committee is still looking for ruling elder and teaching elder commissioners and a young adult advisory delegate to the 2018 General Assembly that runs June 16-23 in St. Louis.
General Assembly 223
The committee will begin conducting phone interviews with applicants on Oct. 25.  Applications received after that date may or may not be considered at the discretion of the committee. The election will take place at the November presbytery meeting.
 
Additional information can be obtained by contacting Manley Olson, chair of the Nominating Committee, at 651.644.2848 or manleyolson@gmail.com.
 
Bills & Overtures Committee
plans listening session Oct. 21
The presbytery's Bills and Overtures Committee has scheduled a listening session on Saturday, Oct. 21, to present information and discuss a proposal concerning the "Citizens United" decision of the U.S. Presbytery Logo Supreme Court, and a possible overture to the 223rd General Assembly addressing victims' rights. The session begins at 9 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul.
 
The listening session will address an updated proposal from Oak Grove Presbyterian Church -- supported unanimously by its session -- to support amending the U.S. Constitution to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court decision, commonly referred to at "Citizens United," that offers freedom of speech protection to corporations.
 
And the session will address a potential overture to next summer's General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to reinstate victims' rights to the process added to the "Book of Order" last year addressing procedures when former ministers, accused in disciplinary cases, have renounced jurisdiction of the church and then later apply to work again for or within the PC(USA).
 
Questions regarding the listening session can be directed to Peter Soulen at bando@presbyterytwincities.org.
 
Conversation
on achievement/opportunity gap
set at Valley Community
The Liberty Church Ministry of the presbytery's Mission and Witness Committee, with an event Saturday, Nov. 4, is calling the church to explore ways to close the achievement/opportunity gap between students of privilege and students of color. The event, titled "The Opportunity Gap: A Critical Conversation," runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Valley Community Church in Golden Valley. Speakers include the Rev. Dr. Alika Galloway, co-pastor at Liberty Community Church; the Rev. Sarah Bigwood, associate pastor at Valley Church; Dr. Ross Roholt, a youth specialist in the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work; and youth from Liberty Community's 21st Century Academy. The complete announcement is at "Opportunity Gap."
 
'Teaching Fish to Walk,' a Peter
Steinke workshop, coming up
Today's culture offers us both great challenges and opportunities for ministry. Easy answers won't cut it; we need to change and adapt. That's hard work. Peter Steinke But there are people who can guide us. "Teaching Fish to Walk: Church Systems and Adaptive Challenge," will draw on the deep and long experience of Dr. Peter L. Steinke, author and internationally respected church consultant. The workshop will begin with lunch at noon, Monday, Nov. 13, and conclude at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Mt. Olivet Conference and Retreat Center near Farmington, Minn. The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 23. Sponsors include the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area, through its committees on Ministry and Congregational Vitality, and the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. Seats are limited. The complete announcement is at "Teaching Fish to Walk." Registration can be completed at "Going to Teaching Fish."
 
Jeff's Jottings
What a difference a tragedy makes
 
Jeff Japinga Jan Edmiston and Denise Anderson are the co-moderators of the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Rev. Anderson will be with us at the Monday, Nov. 6, meeting of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (more about that in the weeks to come, including how you can participate). The Rev. Edmiston lends her voice to us today (and regularly to the church) through her regular blog. Her words are both timely and challenging to us today; words we need to hear.
 
What a Difference a Tragedy Makes
 
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. -- Matthew 6:10)
 
A friend of mine is dealing with a terrible chronic illness and it has changed the way she parents her child.  Big things are bigger.  Little things are essentially unimportant.  Crisis reorients the way we live.
 
Our nation and world have experienced enough crises over the last two months to bring us to our knees over and over again:  storms, fires, earthquakes, The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History (until next time).
 
Edmiston's complete post can be found at "Tragedy."
Around the presbytery   
 
Deb Demeester receives Emmy
Award for the Convenings
Winning an Emmy was never on Deb DeMeester's bucket list but the Director of Leadership Development for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies received the Governors Award Emmy on Oct. 7 for her  Deb DeMeester volunteer work with the Convenings. The National Academy of Television Arts & Science - Upper Midwest Chapter Board of Governors Award is the most prestigious Regional Emmy Award in the Midwest chapter. It honors visionary, long-standing relationships that creatively and effectively use corporate, non-profit and broadcast resources to showcase the power of broadcasting to advance a mission or message. The Convenings is a multi-year effort to help Minnesotans talk about late-life planning and living as fully as possible until the end of life. The complete story is at "Winning an Emmy."
 
Trinity Presbyterian sets installation service for April Davis Campbell
April Davis Campbell Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area are inviting the presbytery to the installation of the Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell as Trinity's pastor on Sunday, Oct. 29. The service at Trinity Presbyterian in Woodbury begins at 3 p.m. The complete announcement is at "Installation."
 
Presentation of 'Body & Sold'  planned Oct. 27 at Trinity in Woodbury
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Woodbury will be host to a documentary play about juvenile sex trafficking on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. "Body & Sold," an effort  Body Soul of Chain Reaction Theatre Project, is based on interviews with sex trafficking survivors in five major U.S. cities, including those of Twin Cities' youth, giving voice to victims, and inspiring discussion and action. Other performances are slated Oct. 14 through Nov. 2 throughout the Twin Cities. Details can be found in a complete announcement at "Body & Sold." Additional information, including tickets, can be found at "Chain Reaction."
 
St. Catherine University plans hope through spiritual direction workshop
St Catherine logo The spiritual director certificate program at St. Catherine University of St. Paul turns 20 years old this year and to celebrate the university is offering a free, one-day event, open to the public and focused on spiritual practices to support people in troubled times. The event, planned Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., features well-known Catholic sister Elizabeth Liebert. Details can be found at "Nourishing Hope through Spiritual Direction."
Resources, conferences ... 

 

YAV applications now accepted
for programs 25th year
Young adult volunteers Applications are now being accepted for the 2018-2019  Young Adult Volunteer  (YAV) class of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This is the 25th anniversary of a program that is helping to shape the next generation of globally aware, faithful and passionate leaders.  About 92 percent of YAV alums say their YAV year directly influenced their current vocation. Seventy-nine percent of alums now regularly attend worship, 63 percent report additional participation in congregational life, and 32 percent go on to ordination or pastoral leadership. To date, there  are more than 1,700 alums of the program. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Kathy Melvin can be found at " YAV Applications."

Registration opens for NEXT Church
gathering in February
NEXT desert Registration for the 2018 NEXT Church national gathering is open. Titled "The Desert in Bloom," the event takes place Feb. 26-28 in Baltimore. The gathering features  church leaders, both pastors and lay people, sharing stories of their experiences of ministry, new ideas, and conversations about ministry in today's environment. Creative worship centers us around God's presence. Details and a link to registration can be found at "NEXT Church 2018."
 
1-day veteran awareness workshop
for clergy planned Oct. 19
VA Training The U.S. Veterans Administration is offering a free day-long clergy training event Oct. 19 at the Canadian Honker Events complex at the Kahler Apache in Rochester, Minn. The training, intended to equip and train community clergy to be a knowledgeable resource to military and their families as they deal with numerous issues resulting from deployments, post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury. The training is free and open to all faith groups. Additional information is available at "Veteran Awareness." Registration can be completed at "Training Registration."
News of the wider churh  

 

religion dispatches Disaster pastor advises:
Open wallet, not closet
Barely a day after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, at the start of this year's devastating run of natural disasters, I saw the first of many appeals pop up on social media. Please contribute stuff: clothing, bottled water, canned food, cleaning supplies, diapers. Drop it off at the collection point we've set up. Help us fill the truck!  This is standard operating procedure in a consumer culture: We've got to send stuff! Because, you know, survivors have lost their stuff. So, quick: help us get them more stuff!  It's a beautiful, generous impulse. But so often, it's not what's really needed. The complete column by Carlos Wilton in Religion Dispatches can be found at "Wallets Not Closets."
 
Committee considers
General Assembly procedures
Meeting this week in St. Louis, the All Agency Review Committee of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) took  General Assembly 223 up the issue of how certain topics are introduced at the denomination's General Assembly and the ramifications of decisions made on the work of the agencies, often without input from the agency staff. Following a two-and-a-half hour closed executive session at the beginning of the day to discuss property and personnel matters, the group gathered to consider the work of the General Assembly. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "Procedural."
 
All Agency Review Committee hears reports from questionnaires
we are pcusa The All Agency Review Committee heard reports at its meeting this week that began to give the group a vision of "the church as a whole" as it was asked to do by the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Responding to the same set of questions, each of the six denominational agencies presented a status update on their mission, work and collaboration across the church. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "Hearing Reports."