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.
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Presbytery seeks
synod representatives
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area needs a ruling elder commissioner and young adult advisory delegate to the Synod of Lakes and Prairies starting Jan. 1, 2017. The ruling elder term is for two
 years and the YAAD term is for one year, but can be renewed. The synod meets in the spring and fall, and meetings run from Sunday evening through Tuesday noon at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center near Farmington. The 2017 meeting dates are April 30-May 2 and Oct. 1-3. Questions and expressions of interest can be addressed to Manley Olson at 651.644.2848 or
manleyolson@gmail.com.
Jeff's Jottings
Here, there and everywhere ...
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
Here, there, and everywhere ... five random thoughts from my week ...
What stunningly gorgeous weather last weekend for us here in Minnesota. But for our brothers and sisters in the southeastern United States, and across the central Caribbean, last weekend was anything but beautiful, in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. The devastation, difficult and compelling in so many places, is especially so in Haiti
, where 145 mph winds and driving rains left the island devastated, killing over 1,000 people and displacing tens of thousands.
I urge you to go to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance website for ways you can give, act, and pray, and to urge your friends to do the same.
+ + +
I watched Sunday night's presidential debate, as many of you did, and I flinched, often, at what I heard. My Facebook feed has for months swarmed with commentary and advocacy, as yours likely did has well. Every day, the headlines trumpet the latest election charges and countercharges, and the airwaves remain full of combative words of political advocacy.
To read the complete Jottings - with commentary about the campaigns, the presbytery, pastor appreciation and even the Cubs - go to "Everywhere."
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Around the presbytery ...
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House of Hope Sunday Series asks:
'What's going on with this election?'
Ezra Klein, editor-in-chief of Vox.com, a general news website he founded to offer contextual information on  current world events, will present the Sunday Series at The House of Hope on Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. His presentation is titled "What's Going on with This Election?" According to the presentation's announcement, Klein "gives audiences an unvarnished look at the intersection of today's domestic and economic policy-making, coupled with a political system that has major impacts from Wall Street to Main Street and around the world." The presentation is free and open to the public. Details are at "This Election."
Maple Plain congregation plans
2nd McCulley Fall Festival
First Presbyterian Church of Maple Plain will be host to its second McCulley Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15. The annual event features a horse-drawn  hayride on the church's 14-acre property. There will also be a free dinner, bonfire, and games for children and youth. Everything is free to all, and the congregation hopes the event will draw the community into the life of the church. The festival is named in honor of deceased elders of the church, Doug, Merna, and Mark McCulley. The food, hayride and games run from 5 to 7 p.m., with the bonfire continuing to 9 p.m.
Glennon Doyle Melton to speak
at Westminster Town Hall Forum
Glennon Doyle Melton, founder of Momastery, an online community where hundreds of thousands of  followers meet daily to respond to her funny, inspiring and honest essays on marriage, motherhood, faith, addiction and recovery, will speak Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Westminster Presbyterian's Town Hall Forum. Westminster's Women's Ministries, is collaborating with the Town Hall Forum to present Doyle Melton, the author of The New York Times' bestselling book, "Carry On, Warrior," and the recently released memoir, "Love Warrior." Her appearance is co-sponsored by Hennepin County Library and MinnPost. Details are at "Town Hall Forum."
 Arlington Hills plans
fall potluck, reunion
Arlington Hills Presbyterians still get together. Those who were members of Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church, which closed in December 2013, will gather for their fall potluck and reunion Sunday, Oct. 23, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Woodbury. The event runs 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and the meal starts at 4 p.m. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided, but alumni are asked to bring a salad, side dish, casserole or dessert.
Leaders from 4 faith traditions to discuss change, conflict within their communities
 Religious leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist traditions will be panelists in the program, "Change and Conflict Within Religious Communities," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at St. Luke Presbyterian Church. The program, sponsored by the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, is free and open to the public. "The impetus for this program is the book, 'Change and Conflict in Your Congregation,' by St. Luke's pastor Anita Bradshaw," said John Merkle, director of the Jay Phillips Center. While the book was written with Christians in mind, Merkle said, "The issue of change and conflict has to be confronted by communities in all faith traditions." The complete story is at "Change and Conflict."
Penumbra Theatre RACE Workshop
planned Nov. 5 in Minneapolis
Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis has worked along with five other south Minneapolis churches to sponsor a Penumbra Theatre RACE Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, at  Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis. The workshop is an exploration of race in America, using monologues from artists and offering opportunities for participants to use theatre as a way to problem-solve and model. The workshop celebrates difference, recognizes cultural nuance and invites everyone to participate in the dialogue. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is only open through Oct. 17 or until space is filled. Details are at "RACE Workshop."
Holiday Fair Trade Market set Nov. 5-6
to benefit artisans worldwide
 Handicrafts and food items from fair trade artisans and food producers around the world will be featured at the annual Holiday Fair Trade Market on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Life Presbyterian Church in Roseville. The event features handmade goods including jewelry, knit products, home décor, crafts, toys, and food items, while providing marginalized artisans a fair price and an opportunity to earn vital income. Soup and snacks will be available in the café. Additional details are available by calling 651.488.5581.
Author Griffith Lund to keynote
mental health conference
 First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Minneapolis will be host to the Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund on Nov. 11-12 for the second installment of its conference series, "VOICES: Addressing Issues that Affect the Church and Wider Community." The conference takes place at SpringHouse Ministry Center, 610 W. 28th Street, Minneapolis. Griffith Lund is the author of "Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church." Details about the conference are available at "VOICES." Registration can be completed online at "Register."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Winter Pastors School planned
in February in Nebraska
 The Rev. Dr. JC Austin, vice president for Christian leadership formation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, will be the featured speaker at the 2017 Winter Pastors School planned Feb. 6-9 at Hastings (Neb.) College. Austin works with faith leaders across the country through a range of programs and consultations to develop the personal resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and practical wisdom needed to lead social and congregational change. Details are available at "Winter Pastors School."
PC(USA) issues guidelines on election activities for religious organizations
 The legal counsel of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has issued a set of guidelines for pastors, congregations and mid-councils during the election season. As tax exempt organizations, the guidelines prohibit PC(USA) entities from campaigning for or against a candidate but allows promotion of or lobbying for or against issues. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Election Activities."
Latest Board Connections contains
info on open enrollment
 Board Connections, the newsletter for the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), highlights recent Board news and updates and information. The current edition notes that open enrollment to change benefits coverage will run Oct. 17 through Nov. 11. Benefits Connect offers the opportunity to enroll for coverage online. Details are in "Board Connections."
Annual Disciple-Making Church Conference calls to 'abide in Christ'
As part of its ongoing mission to foster a culture of discipling -- central to Christian life and practice -- the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of Evangelism
announced plans for its annual Disciple Making Church Conference Jan. 16-19 in St. Pete Beach, Fla. The 2017 conference, based on John 15:4 and titled "Abide in Me: A Spiritual Purging," is designed to introduce participants to a variety of spiritual practices and help them live fuller mental and spiritual lives in order to bear more fruit for Jesus Christ and Christ's church. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "
Making Disciples."
Current Presbyterian Giving Catalog offers opportunities to change lives
 The current Presbyterian Giving Catalog is available online and offers opportunities to change lives. The catalog presents numerous possibilities at one website for donors to peruse. The catalog can be found at "Giving Gifts."
Stewardship season approaches
for many congregations
Writing in the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Grace and Gratitude newsletter, Chip Hardwick, director of  the Office of Theology, Formation and Evangelism, notes, "Stewardship season is coming soon for many congregations, and I want to lift up the preaching possibilities around grace and gratitude. When we anchor our financial appeals in God as the giver of all good and perfect gifts, we can then move naturally to a response of gratitude in giving back to God." Hardwick's complete column and several other stewardship-related posts can be found at "Grace and Gratitude."
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Service opportunities ...
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Trinity Presbyterian Church
in Woodbury is looking for an administrative assistant. The job requires 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Applicants must exhibit excellent communication skills, proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and ability to support pastor and Christian education/youth director, update website and compile newsletters. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter Trinity Presbyterian Church, Attention: Marie Skinner, 2125 Tower Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
First Presbyterian Church of Maple Plain is seeking a faith-centered, youth-loving, fun person to lead youth ministry programming for grades 6-12. The youth director will lead Wednesday night programming, youth activities, and annual mission trip, as well as discipling individual youth in their walk with Christ. Good organization and communication skills needed. Part-time salaried position, 10-15 hours per week. For full job description go to "Catch Our Spirit," or contact the church office at 763.479.2158. Send resume to pastor@catchourspirit.org.
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Woodbury is looking for a part-time pianist/music coordinator. The position requires from 12-15 hours per week with a monthly stipend. Anyone interested should send a resume to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Attn: Marie Skinner, 2125 Tower Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
The First Presbyterian Church of Belle Plaine, Minn., has an opening for a ¼-time pastor. Belle Plaine is a community of 6,600 people located 45 minutes southwest of the metro area on Highway 169. We have an active membership of 34 people, with many other "friends of the church" in attendance. Our official mission statement is "Welcome, Learn, and Serve," but our unofficial slogan is "Small but Mighty." The complete advertisement can be found at "Belle Plaine." Those interested are invited to send their PIF or resume to ep@ptcaweb.org.
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Cleanup begins in Haiti
following Hurricane Matthew
Days after Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti, authorities are still trying to determine the extent of  damage left behind. According to the latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 350,000 people are in need of assistance in Haiti. More than 15,000 people were displaced and hundreds are known to have died in the storm itself. "The southern part of Haiti suffered the most," said Luke Asikoye, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance associate for international disaster response. "The homes were not very good to begin with, mostly shacks which just compounded the situation. Most of the crops that people depended on for their livelihood, were washed away." The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Hurricane Matthew."
Justice & Peace newsletter addresses elections, Syria, Advent
 "Syria faces a humanitarian crisis," writes Sara Lisherness, director of the Office of Compassion, Peace and Justice in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. "You can read a
first-hand account of the challenges confronted by refugees. ... If your congregation is interested in refugee resettlement or humanitarian aid for Syria, download 'Holy Discontentment: Advocacy and Action for Syria.' Lisherness' complete column, which also includes comments about voting rights and the upcoming Advent season, can be found in "Justice and Peace."
Unconventional Lutheran pastor draws
300 to Milwaukee presbytery meeting
For Nadia Bolz-Weber, "letting go" is important for individuals and for the church - letting go of who we  try to be and what the church has been.
But she reminds everyone to hang on to the gospel -- the grace, the forgiveness and salvation.
Bolz-Weber, the unconventional Lutheran minister who's been known to keep her audience tuned in with humor -- and an expletive now and then -- spoke Sept. 27 to more than 300 at a meeting of the Presbytery of Milwaukee in the auditorium of that city's Art Museum.
Craig Howard, the presbytery's executive director of strategic partnerships, noted, "The event actually sold out and we had to create a wait list." The complete story can be found at "Grace and Salvation."
Presbyterian World Mission
announces transitional leadership
World Mission, a ministry of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, has announced a transition plan effective Oct. 14, when Hunter Farrell leaves his position as director. He has accepted a call to serve as the director  of the World Mission Initiative of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, which includes teaching mission at the seminary. PMA interim executive director Tony De La Rosa announced the two current associate directors of World Mission, Tamron Keith (left above) and Rachel Yates, will jointly lead the department until a new director is hired. Keith serves as associate director for administration and Yates as associate director for program. The complete announcement from the Presbyterian Mission Agency is at "Transitions."
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