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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Next step in being presbytery:
We need to hear from you
At the January meeting of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, the Presbytery Leadership Team (PLT)  chair the Rev. Denise Dunbar-Perkins and transitional executive presbyter Jeff Japinga provided a joint report and update on the work the team has been doing together toward a way of being presbytery together in the 21st century. The next step, they said, is engaging the presbytery with the foundations of a model built on relationships and neighborhoods that has the potential to support congregations and equip leaders in new and effective ways. The PLT is making plans to schedule these conversations. The complete announcement, along with last month's report, can be found at "Next Steps."
Eden Prairie Administrative
Commission provides update
The Minnesota Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Feb. 1 in the presbytery's appeal of the Hennepin County District Court decision that the trust clause in the Book of Order does not grant the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area any interest in the property held by Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church. The Court of Appeals has 90 days to consider and decide the issues on appeal in this case and the decision is expected around May 1. The complete update from the Administrative Commission for the Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church can be found at "Eden Prairie Update."
Presbytery meeting offers
opportunity to learn together
The March 11 Presbytery meeting will be an opportunity for all the people of the Presbytery to  learn and grow in faith together. How so? The presbytery welcomes the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to bring a message of inspiration and challenge in gathering worship, and as a panelist in a deeply relevant discussion on living our faith in the public square. There will also be a dozen workshop sessions on a variety of topics, both for personal growth and for congregational ministry. Registration for the meeting begins next week. The complete announcement is at "Opportunities to Learn."
Bills and Overtures plans listening
session regarding Oak Grove effort
The Bills and Overtures Committee has planned a listening session Saturday, Feb. 25, to consider a proposed motion from Oak Grove Presbyterian Church to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would overturn the 2010 Citizens United decision. The session opens at 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul. Two documents accompanied the session announcement, including Oak Grove's "Move to Amend Resolution" and another titled "Should Oak Grove Take a Stand Regarding Money in Politics." Questions regarding the session can be addressed to Peter Soulen at bando@presbyterytwincities.org.
 Jeff's Jottings
Our work is moral
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
My friend Bonny is a pastor in southern California. She grew up in the same Dutch enclave in west Michigan as I did, and like me, at a point in her life heard a call to ministry. She has a deep devotion to the people and neighborhoods she serves through her church.
Over the years Bonny has battled cancer and significant family struggles and a denomination that took far too long to recognize God's gifts for church leadership in women. Still, she persevered. Two weeks ago, Bonny put a plaintive plea for prayers on Facebook. But not for herself. Bonny's husband Jahan ("a man of integrity, wisdom, strong work ethic, determination, perseverance, love, and great humor") is a political refugee from Iran.
The complete Jottings can be found at "Called to Respond."
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82nd annual Ham & Cherry Pie
Dinner set at Lake Nokomis
Called a "south Minneapolis tradition of church-basement yumminess since about 1935," the delicious  event takes place at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The meal features ham, Swedish meatballs, cheesy potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, relishes, and, of course, cherry pie. Details are in the flyer at "Ham and Cherry Pie Dinner."
Spirit of Life invites everyone
to Valentine Cabaret on Saturday
Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley is inviting everyone to its annual Valentine Cabaret  on Saturday, Feb. 11, featuring dinner, a silent auction and entertainment. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the youth group's mission trip. The church is located at 14401 Pilot Knob Road in Apple Valley. Additional details are available at "Valentine Cabaret."
Mardi Gras, ASDIC Fundraiser
planned Feb. 25 at Cherokee Park
Cherokee Park United Church in St. Paul is inviting everyone to its Mardi Gras on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 7 to 11 p.m. The event also serves as an ASDIC fundraiser. An all-ASDIC Community Gathering takes place at 6 p.m. The evening features a feast of Cajun, Creole and Brazilian food, along with line dancing, mask-making and games for kids. The event flyer is at "Cherokee Park Mardi Gras."
'Day on the Hill' planned
 by JRLC on Feb. 23
The Minnesota Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's annual Day on the Hill will take place in the newly renovated capitol Thursday, Feb. 23. Lisa Sharon Harper, chief church engagement officer of Sojourners, will be the keynote speaker. Harper leads training and helps mobilize clergy and community leaders around shared values for the common good, with a focus on racial justice. People are invited to gather at 8:30 at the St. Paul RiverCenter. Later in the day, those attending will be bused to the capitol and meet with legislators. Registration for the event is at "Day on the Hill." The complete story is at "Advocating."
Bread for the World workshop planned March 4 at St. Stephen Lutheran
 The 2017 Bread for the World workshop in the Twin Cities is planned Saturday, March 4, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington. This year's workshop is highlighting Bread for the World's effort to advocate for needy children. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. The complete flyer is at "Advocating for Needy Children."
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Resources, conferences ...
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1001 New Worshiping Communities
program accepting applications
Residency and apprenticeship applications are due by March 1 for the 2017-2018 program of the 1001 New  Worshiping Communities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Apprenticeship programs include 10-week summer apprenticeships, and nine-month part-time apprenticeships.
The program also offers five nine-month, part-time residencies in collaboration with new worshiping community campuses in Ontario, Calif.; Chicago; Philadelphia; and Charleston, S.C. The complete announcement can be found at "1001."
NEXT Church scheduled
next
month;
Nishioka to speak
 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."
Advocacy training day set
April 21 in Washington, D.C.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day is planned April 21 at New  York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Elona Street-Stewart, executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, will be one of the panelists during the day's program. The training day is followed by Ecumenical Advocacy Days April 21-24, when about 1,000 Christian advocates come together for a weekend of workshops, lectures, and concrete actions to address the issues facing the nation. The theme of this year's event is "Confronting Chaos, Forging Community: Racism, Militarism and Materialism." Details are at "Training Day."
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Service Opportunities ...
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Valley Community Presbyterian Church of Golden Valley has more than 200 glass communion cups to give away free to a church or individual that needs them. Those who want to know more or those who would like to schedule a pick-up are invited to call the church at 763.588.0831 or send an e-mail to office@valleychurch.net.
The House of Hope Presbyterian Church
is seeking a director of children and family ministry. This is a position of both vision and detail, of enjoying the rhythms of life in the church while creating space to imagine the new. The House of Hope is seeking someone who will love and serve the congregational family with joy and engagement, who will nurture faith formation of children, and who will encourage a culture of care and welcome within the congregation. Details can be found at "
Director of Children and Family Ministry."
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Presbyterian caucus
speaks
out against travel ban
The National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus has written an open letter to President Trump opposing the ban on immigrants imposed on seven predominately Muslim countries. Enforcement of the executive order was halted by a Washington state judge last Friday and is currently under judicial review. The NMEPC letter states, "We note that the ban on legally vetted refugees, students, business people, and visitors because of ethnic, national origin, and religious affiliation is a stark reminder of oppression and discrimination of past evils the U.S. must pledge never to repeat. For we as a nation have inflicted enough death and destruction and visited enough evils on native tribes and African peoples as well as many other migrant populations. Both the Christian faith and the constitution of the United States of America prevent us from singling out nations such as the ones banned by your directives, as we see in such a demonizing and dehumanizing the 'other' based on fear and unfounded threat of terror." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gail Strange can be found at "Speaking Out."
Way Forward Commission
receives updates from sub groups
The Way Forward Commission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met this week via conference call to  discuss its members' progress and continue mapping strategies for evaluation of and recommendations on the denomination's structure. Commission Moderator Mark Hostetter said the group was in the initial "Culture Shift" phase and would move into an analysis of "Short-Term Structural or Organizational Changes" as it approaches its April meeting in Atlanta. The final phase of the proposed working process is a "Comprehensive Review of National Structure with Recommendations for the Way Forward," upon which the commission will act and/or make recommendations to the 223rd General Assembly in 2018. The complete
Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke is at "Way Forward."
MRTI 2017 focus will be
on engagement with oil, gas industry
The past year has been a busy one for the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment, from saying goodbye to long-time coordinator Bill Somplatsky-Jarman to watching events unfold in  Standing Rock, N.D. New lead staff Rob Fohr says they'll be busy again this year, adding they are always challenged by the number and variety of issues on which they and their partners engage, with publicly traded corporations. "More specifically, our directive from the 222nd General Assembly on focused engagement with the oil and gas industry will challenge the committee as we develop strategies for effective engagement and standards for measuring progress in those discussions." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rick Jones can be found at "MRTI."
Office of Interfaith Relations uses
Facebook Live Feb. 16 to address issues
In its ongoing efforts to engage the wider church in more intentional and open dialogue with persons of other faith traditions, the Presbyterian Mission Agency's office of Interfaith Relations is launching a monthly series using Facebook Live, the live video service introduced last year by the popular social networking service. The work of interfaith relations -- especially building and fostering relationships with people of other religious traditions -- is an integral part of the work of Theology and Worship. On Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. CST, Rick Ufford-Chase, the PMA's associate for interfaith formation, will host "Welcoming the Stranger: A Conversation about Leviticus 19 and Matthew 25 for Our Time" on the denomination's Facebook page. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom is at "Interfaith Live on Facebook."
Theological Conversations launches celebration of Reformation 500
As Reformed churches across the globe start a yearlong observance of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation -- precipitated by Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the doors of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on Oct. 31, 1517 -- the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has entered both the celebration and the conversation. "'Theological Conversations' will celebrate Reformation 500 by continuing the conversations that Martin Luther himself started 500 years ago," said the Rev. Michelle J. Bartel, coordinator of theological education and seminary relations for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom can be found at "Celebrating 500."
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