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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8 congregations recommended for grants through presbytery's grant program
The grant review committee for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area's Congregational Development Fund has recommended to the presbytery's Committee on Congregational Vitality that eight congregations receive grants through the fund. The grant review committee received applications from 20 congregations requesting a total of $305,000. Only $100,000 was available during the grant cycle. The complete report from the committee can be found at "Grants Awarded."
Committee on Congregational Vitality plans retreat for pastors, elders
The presbytery's Committee on Congregational Vitality is planning a retreat, "What's Good About the Good News? Rethinking Evangelism," Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-20, at Clearwater Forest, the Presbyterian camp and conference center near Deerwood, Minnesota. Congregations are invited to send a pastor and an elder to the retreat. Others are also welcome. The retreat is an opportunity to re-think evangelism in a post-Christian world. Details can be found at "Evangelism Retreat." Additional information is at [email protected].
Boundary training offered
in October at Oak Grove
 The presbytery's Committee on Ethics will be host to a Level 1 boundaries training Oct. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. This training is required for all teaching elders in the presbytery, and is also appropriate for youth directors, Christian education staff, music staff, ministry volunteers, and people serving on church personnel committees. The training provides basic foundations and frameworks for healthy and safe Christian communities in terms of ministry relationships, finance, social media and confidentiality. Registration can be completed at "Boundaries Training."
EMerge will not be published next week
 It is still summer in the land of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. It is a time for vacations. Next week EMerge will take its last summer hiatus from publication. EMerge will resume its regular Friday publication on Aug. 17.
Jottings
Well ... no ...
There will be no Jottings this week as Jeff Japinga, executive presbyter, takes time away from the office -- in Michigan really -- to attend the wedding of his daughter.
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Responding to gun violence, Buffalo Presbyterian screens 'Trigger'
Responding to ongoing gun violence in the United States, Buffalo Presbyterian Church will screen "Trigger: The Ripple 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].
Scotland pilgrimage is planned
for May 2019; spots available
Have you ever wanted to visit Scotland? The Rev. Julia Carlson, associate pastor for spiritual life and care at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, is  leading a group pilgrimage to Scotland in May 2019. There are two options on the trip. Group 1 and 2 will visit historic, religious, and natural sights in and around Edinburgh, St. Andrews, and Inverness. Group 1 will then visit Iona and Mull and make their way back to Glasgow. Group 2 will stay on Iona on a four-night retreat and then also return to Glasgow. The pilgrimage will engage Reformation history as well as the modern day Celtic theologians. The dates of the trip are May 6-13 for Group 1, and May 6-15 for Group 2. Registrations must be in to House of Hope by Aug. 15. Pilgrimage information is available at "Scotland Tour." A registration form is at "Registration." Questions can be addressed to Carlson at [email protected].
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.
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.
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."
Mediation skills workshop planned
in October in Minnetonka
 Minnetonka United Methodist Church in Minnetonka will be host to a "Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders," a program of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, that runs Oct. 1-5. The workshop is designed to equip pastors and other church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational and other forms of group conflict. The daily sessions emphasize hands-on skills training and real-life role-plays based on the kinds of conflicts faced by participants. Details can be found in a brochure at "Mediation Skills"
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Resources, conferences ...
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Webinar offered to address myths,
misperceptions about Muslims
The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is inviting participation in a webinar  that will address myths and misperceptions about Muslims in congregations and communities. The webinar is facilitated by Shoulder to Shoulder,
an interfaith organization dedicated to ending anti-Muslim sentiment
. The webinar, the first in the "Faith over Fear" webinar series, is scheduled Thursday, Aug. 9, at noon CST. Registration details are at "Faith over Fear."
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 House of Hope Presbyterian Church
in Saint Paul is seeking a part-time lead infant caregiver to share God's love by creating a safe, clean, dependable, nurturing environment and providing age-appropriate care for children, birth through 18 months old. A complete position description can be found at "Lead Infant Caregiver." Interested individuals are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest to Anne Mitchell at [email protected].
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].
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.
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From ages, stages of ministry
to intergenerational ministry
For the first time ever, representatives from the five "ages and stages" ministry associations that work in Christian formation were in the same room, at the  same time, with the same goal: to figure out how they might more collaboratively work together with the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Ministries represented were the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, Presbyterian Youth Workers Association, UKirk Network-PC(USA) Collegiate Ministries, Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association, and Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network. Each group was invited to send representatives to Stony Point Center for a two-day gathering organized by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Christian formation team, which is led by the Rev. Dr. Jason Brian Santos. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Paul Seebeck can be found at "Intergenerational."
Iowa church is haven
for tornado-ravaged community
A dozen tornados slashed through Iowa recently, leaving behind extensive property damage in their  wake. Marshalltown, a community of about 25,000 residents, suffered catastrophic damage to its downtown area. While not unscathed from the EF-3 tornado that tore through town last Thursday evening, the city's First Presbyterian Church was more fortunate than most. In the storm's aftermath, it's focused on rebuilding and healing through worship and community service to those affected by the disaster. "Our community is in rough shape," said Jon Rottink, youth and families ministries director at the church. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Scott O'Neill can be found at "Iowa Church Responds."
Churchwide Presbyterian Women
event celebrates 30 years
 Presbyterian Women from across the country are gathering in Louisville Aug. 2-5 to celebrate the 2018 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women. Susan Jackson Dowd, executive director of Presbyterian Women, said she is pleased the triennial PW Gathering is back in Louisville for its 30-year anniversary. Jackson Dowd added that "the organization, the oldest and largest mission partner of the PC(USA), is 230 years old, but 2018 marks 30 years since church and women's organization reunion." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gail Strange is at "Presbyterian Women."
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