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 plans stated
meeting
Nov. 15 at House of Hope
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will gather for a stated meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15, at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. While  the meeting starts at 4 p.m., there will be an opportunity during a pre-meeting event starting at 3 p.m. to learn more about church employees and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Changes in the regulations implementing this act take effect on Dec. 1. During the stated meeting, presbyters will receive a budget recommendation for 2017, examine Dana Caraway for ordination as a teaching elder, question Ben Masters for enrollment as a candidate, and act on the report of the Administrative Commission for Chain of Lakes Church. The complete meeting call is at "Stated Meeting."
Grant fund application
forms now available
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area has created the Congregational Development Fund (also referred to as Bucket #1) to provide funding support for congregations seeking to explore new and innovative ministry initiatives.
The PTCA's Committee on Congregational Vitality is ready to begin accepting applications for Congregational Development grants beginning immediately, with an application deadline of
Jan. 15, 2017
. Applications will be evaluated after that date, with funding decisions made on or about
Feb. 15, 2017
, in consultation between CCV and the Presbytery Leadership team.
Awarded funds will available by the end of February. Grant application forms can be accessed at "Application."
Forms can be completed online and submitted by clicking the "Submit" button. Form
s can also be printed for completion offline. Completed forms can be emailed to Risa Anderson at office@ptcaweb.org. When emailing forms, applicants should put "Congregational Development Fund Application" in the subject line.
Jeff's Jottings
And then the election happened
 By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
I wasn't going to write a Jottings this week; I thought maybe you and I could both use a week off.
And then the election happened.
If we've listened, we've heard the raw emotion of the last 72 hours: from people who look like us and those who do not; from those who hold a faith like ours or one different than our Christian beliefs; from those who live near us and those who don't; from those who belong to or ally with the LGBTQ community or the immigrant community or those with disabilities.
Clearwater Forest seeks contributions through 'Give to the Max Day'
The annual "Give to the Max Day" is coming Thursday, Nov. 17. Clearwater Forest, the Presbyterian camp and conference center located in the heart of  Minnesota lake country, is seeking donations during the online philanthropic event. The scheduled giving period for "Give to the Max Day" is already underway and all gifts made through GiveMN.org now through Nov. 16 will be processed on Nov. 17. Contributions to Clearwater Forest in this event can be made at "Give to the Max."
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Around the presbytery ...
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History, public service scholar
to address election at Town Hall Forum
Timothy Naftali, associate clinical professor of history and public service at New York University, will  address "We Have a New President: Now What" in the Thursday, Nov. 17, Town Hall Forum at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. The event takes place from noon to 1 p.m. An award-winning author, his publications focus on national security, intelligence policy, international history, and presidential history. Details can be found at "Town Hall."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Board Connections: Today is
final day of enrollment
Time is running out for annual enrollment into the benefits plan of the Board of Pensions of the  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Connections notes, "
You must submit your 2017 benefits elections by midnight ... even if you will be enrolled in pastor's participation, you are not making any changes for 2017, and/or your employer is paying 100 percent of your monthly benefits costs." Details are in "Connections."
Crowdfunding platforms offer
opportunity to expand network
Faith & Leadership, the online magazine of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School, carried an article in July that can be important to  Presbyterians today. Featuring Adam Copeland, a teaching elder member of Twin Cities Area Presbytery
who teaches practical theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, the article noted, "Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and GoFundMe offer congregations a chance to reach beyond their usual network of church donors, expanding the congregation's focus and impact." The article goes on to quote Copeland, "Usually, congregations are supported only by members of the congregation -- typically, only a subset of the congregation, but many folks support intellectually the mission of our congregations. Crowdfunding offers the opportunity to expand giving beyond those who attend worship." The complete article is at "Crowdfunding."
Presbyterian Publishing releases
2 new Advent books
 Two holiday books for the Advent season are now available from Westminster John Knox Press. Evoking the beauty and importance of the season, "Names for the Messiah" and "Songs for the Waiting" allow allow the reader to experience Advent and Christmas in a new way. Christians have claimed from the beginning that Jesus was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. Best-selling author Walter Brueggemann examines the four royal titles given in Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Brueggemann explores how Christians interpret Jesus and whether or not he fulfilled those titles. The complete announcement from Presbyterian Publishing can be found at "Advent Books."
Disciple-making church conference
set Jan. 16-19 at St. Pete Beach
Carrying the theme, "Abide in Me ... A Spiritual Purging," the Disciple-Making Church Conference of  the Presbyterian Mission Agency takes place Jan. 16-19 at St. Pete Beach, Fla. The conference will
explore the spiritual concepts of St. Ignatius: interior freedom, disordered attachments, and spiritual indifference. Conference details are at "Abide in Me."
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
set to gather Jan. 19-21 in Texas
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians have planned their winter 2017 gathering Jan. 19-21 at University Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. The gathering will offer opportunities for professional renewal, a chance to recharge batteries after the Christmas rush, and a hymn festival led by Eric Wall. Details can be found at "Musicians Gathering."
APCE's Annual Event set in January
 The 2017 annual event of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators promises to be a time of grounding, a place of renewal and rest, and a refuge of peace. The event runs Jan. 25-28 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Speakers include the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, the unconventional Lutheran minister and author of "Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint." Details, along with links to registration information, can be found at "Annual APCE Event."
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. Winter Pastors School is sponsored by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. Details are available at "Winter Pastors School."
NEXT Church scheduled
March 13-15 in Kansas City
 With the theme "Wells & Walls: Well-Being in a Thirsty World," the annual gathering for NEXT Church is planned March 13-15 in Kansas City, Mo. Keynote speakers are Dr. Rodger Nishioka, the Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah and the Rev. Dr. Linda Mercadante. Conference details are available at "NEXT Church."
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Service opportunities ...
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Westminster Presbyterian Church
in Minneapolis is seeking a full-time director of educational ministries who will, in partnership with lay leaders, pastors and church staff, lead the development of inclusive educational programs for all ages. Details can be found at "Educational Ministries."
The First Presbyterian Church of Claremont is seeking an organist to serve as a worship leader on Sunday mornings and occasional other traditional worship services. This is a part-time position. The ability to work with a small choral group is welcomed but not required. Pay is on a per diem basis and the church is open to the possibility of job sharing. Those interested are asked to contact Pastor Jonathan Zielske at 651.247.2826 or prjzielske@gmail.com with a resume or for more information.
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2 PC(USA) protestors arrested
at North Dakota capitol
Following an interfaith solidarity gathering of more than 500 clergy and lay people at the Oceti Sakowin camp on the northern border of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation near Cannon Ball, N.D., last week, a group of approximately 70 faith leaders and "water protector" activists traveled to Bismarck to stage a sit in at the Capitol building's judicial wing. Capitol police arrested 14 protestors inside, closed the wing and directed the others out of the building at 4:30 p.m. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "Protestors Arrested."
Fall edition of Board Bulletin
notes portfolio return
 After each regular meeting of the board of directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the organization publishes The Board Bulletin, which reports key information presented and actions taken at the fall meeting. The current edition noted a balanced investment portfolio return of 7.2 percent for the nine months ended Sept. 30. The complete issue is at "Board Bulletin."
Presbyterian Mission Agency says
'save the date' for Big Tent
 The Presbyterian Mission Agency is asking Presbyterians to save the date for Big Tent next summer. It's planned July 6-8.
Big Tent features a variety of workshops and speakers -- all designed to inspire, equip and connect Presbyterians with their faith and faith communities. Next summer's event will take place at Washington University. Details will be updated at "
Big Tent."
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