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 meets tomorrow, March 11, at Oak Grove in Bloomington
As you've heard, this is a much expanded presbytery meeting. The featured speaker, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will bring a message of inspiration and challenge to the gathering worship, in a workshop, and as a panelist in a deeply relevant discussion on living our faith in the public square. Fifteen workshops are scheduled, and lunch is a great time to meet others from the presbytery and hear their stories of ministry and mission.
Nearly 150 people have registered for this meeting. Registration is now formally closed, but if somehow you missed the opportunity to register, there will be a few same-day lunch tickets available. Workshop leaders have all been advised to plan for a few additional people.
So come be a part of the energy, education, and inspiration that will be the March meeting of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. We look forward to seeing so many of you.
Jeff's Jottings
 A Prayer to (Dis-) Connect
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
Have you ever had one of those weeks? You know, the kind where -- how best to say this -- life happens fast and furious? If you've experienced that recently, you'll perhaps resonate with today's offering in our EMerge Lenten discipline to pray together through Lent. But even if it doesn't apply directly to your week, the idea of disconnecting from the noise around us as a part of a spiritual discipline to more intentionally connect with God hearkens back to Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness.
The complete Jottings can be found at "Disconnecting."
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PTCA Presbyterian Women set Spring Gathering April 22 in Stillwater
The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will hold their Spring Gathering on  Saturday, April 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The theme for this year's event is "Caring for Yourself and Caring for Others." The keynote speaker will be Carolyn Klaver, a registered nurse and community dementia care specialist from Lyngblomsten, a provider of healthcare, housing and services for older adults in the Twin Cities area. Gathering details are available at "Presbyterian Women."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Board of Pensions sets session
near Chicago on understanding benefits
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is planning a one-day seminar May 9 at  Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst, Ill., to give church leaders the opportunity to learn about the theological values that shape the benefits plan, ask questions during a Q-and-A with Board of Pensions leadership and staff, and enjoy fellowship with other benefit decision-makers. Details about the event can be found at "Understanding Benefits Plan."
Synod School registration
 runs online this year
Yes, the catalog for Synod School 2017 is posted online -- and online registration is available. The catalog, and even more material, are posted online. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will be this year's convocation speaker, and Cláudio Carvalhaes, a well-known speaker and worship leader, and a former Synod School convocation speaker, will lead evening worship for the midsummer event. Beyond those two items are the 70 classes listed in the catalog. Synod School runs July 23-28 at Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. Details, including everything necessary for registration, can be found at "Synod School."
Lakeview Agape Mission Project
in New Orleans seeks church groups
The Lakeview Agape Mission Project (LAMP) in New Orleans is looking for church groups to participate in its week-long mission program this summer. The week-long mission combines education with implementation, according to Patrick Long, coordinator of the program. The complete announcement can be found at "New Orleans LAMP."
Webinar planned on equipping
families for faith journey
Rebecca Kirkpatrick,
associate pastor for mission and adult education at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in  Bryn Mawr, Pa., and author of "100 Things Every Child Should Know Before Confirmation," will lead a 90-minute webinar Tuesday, March 28, titled "Confirmation: Equipping Children, Parents and Congregations for the Journey of Faith." The webinar begins at 1 p.m. CDT. Designed for pastors and Christian education leaders, the webinar will address ways to equip and inspire parents and grandparents to take an active role in teaching the basics of the Bible and the Christian faith to children. Details are at "Confirmation."
Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference
takes place in May at Calvin Crest
 The Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference is planned May 1-3 at Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center near Fremont, Neb. The theme of this year's conference is "Overflowing with Hope" and the plenary speaker will be the Rev. Eunice "Junior" McGarrahan, a minister, author and speaker. Conference details can be found at "Wee Kirk."
Sarimiento to lead worship,
address plenary at 1001 Gathering
The Rev. Juan J. Sarmiento, associate director for mission with The Outreach Foundation, will preach  opening worship and give the Tuesday morning plenary address at "Living, Dying, Rising," the 2017 national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities. The gathering will be held August 7-10 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Fla., and outlines the story of the life of Christ and the life of the church. A native of Venezuela, Sarmiento served as organizing pastor for Portuguese and Spanish congregations, and as the evangelism catalyst for the Presbyterian Mission Agency before assuming his current position at The Outreach Foundation. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom can be found at "1001 Gathering."
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Service Opportunities ...
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Community Presbyterian Church of Plainview, Minn., is seeking a coordinator of music. The coordinator will director musical leadership for the adult choir and praise band, and support for all other musical groups of the congregation. The complete position listing can be found at "Coordinator of Music."
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Research Services: Tracking progress of new worshiping communities
Writing in New Church, New Way, a newsletter of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities effort of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Angie Andriot of PC(USA)'s Office of Research Services, notes, "We are  now four years into our 10-year plan to create 1001 New Worshiping Communities. ... So, how are we doing? Recent findings from Research Services show NWCs stand out because of (1) who they are reaching, (2) how they are reaching people, (3) the diversity they bring to the denomination and (4) and their emphasis on mission. The people in these communities are younger than the typical Presbyterian, are more racially and ethnically diverse and speak more languages. Some 46 percent of new worshiping community participants are people of color, compared to only 9 percent in the denomination as a whole." The complete article, and complete newsletter, can be found at "New Church New Way."
Van Marter named interim communications director for OGA
The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, former coordinator for the Presbyterian News Service of the Presbyterian Church  (U.S.A.), has been invited by the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II, stated clerk of the General Assembly, to serve as part-time, interim communications director in the Office of the General Assembly. Van Marter succeeds the Rev. Toya Richards, who has accepted a new position as senior communications associate for The Night Ministry, a faith-based, social service agency in Chicago. "As a lifelong Presbyterian, I've learned that when the stated clerk calls, you answer," said Van Marter, who retired as news services coordinator in December 2014. The complete announcement from the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "Coming Back."
Nelson signs on to ecumenical declaration on behalf of refugees
J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has signed on to the "Ecumenical Declaration: Protecting Welcome, Restoring Hope," a document declaring  support for refugees. The document states, in part, "We representatives of Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican communions in the United States, Church World Service and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States ... seek to join our efforts to those of other religious communities striving for the same sacred purposes, and officially declare our strong opposition to the executive order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals." The complete statement can be found at "The Refugee."
Way Forward Commission completes 'Affirmation of Approach' document
The Way Forward Commission wrapped up its second face-to-face meeting this week on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. Following its initial day of deliberations, the group finished its edits of the "Affirmation of Approach" document describing its work and hoped outcomes. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "Way Forward."
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The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area meets tomorrow, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at