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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PTCA Presbyterian Women set
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."
Presbyterian Calendars
available
through presbytery office
The new edition of the Presbyterian Planning Calendar for 2017-18 can be ordered through the presbytery office at a substantial discount from the individual retail price. An order form is available. Risa Anderson, office manager for the presbytery, is asking churches to place their orders as soon as possible. The announcement letter and order form can be found at "Planning Calendars."
Heikkila serves mission call in Ghana
 Josh Heikkila, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s mission co-worker in Ghana since 2009, was highlighted by the PMA this week. Heikkila, who also is the PMA World Mission's regional liaison for West Africa, had served as an associate pastor of The House of Hope Presbyterian Church before beginning his work with PMA's World Mission. Additional information about Heikkila's call and his service are available at "Josh Heikkila."
Jeff's Jottings
Being attentive to God ...
By Jeff Japinga
 Transitional Executive Presbyter
I've been away this week, taking a brief breather from the work of the presbytery. Time to re-charge: to listen to one's body; to listen to words and tunes and ideas that too often get crowded out in the press of daily life; and to listen to God's call on our lives.
In the midst of this time and space for renewal, it was impossible not also to listen to the world around me.
The complete Jottings can be found at "Being Attentive."
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Didier Seminar: 'How race
still
enslaves the American soul'
Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., chair of African American studies at Princeton University and popular talk-show guest,  will address Friday and Saturday sessions of The House of Hope Presbyterian Church's Didier Seminar. Sessions are planned from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on April 7, and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 8. The seminar takes place around the title "How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul." On Palm Sunday, April 9, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will preach at the 10 a.m. worship service. A flyer can be found at "Didier Seminar."
Spirit of Life Church plans special
services during Easter season
 Apple Valley's Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church will present special services on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The church will also hold its final Wednesday evening Lenten service April 5, beginning with a meal at 6 and followed by a short devotional at 6:30. Complete details can be found at "Easter Services."
Conference on faithful LGBTQ+
inclusion set at First Christian
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Minneapolis will be host to Nicole Garcia, self- identified transgender Latina, speaker, advocate and counselor, on Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, for the conference titled "Let Justice Flow Like Water: Refreshing our Commitment to Faithful LGBTQ+ Inclusion." This is the third installment of FCC's conference series "VOICES: Addressing Issues That Affect the Church and Wider Community." The conference will bring together faith leaders, congregants, and secular and faith-based partners to refresh their commitment to faithful LGBTQ+ inclusion inside churches and ministry settings, especially amid the recent changes in our government and culture. Information and registration can be found at "Let Justice Flow Like Water."
Compassionate communication
training retreat planned at Bay Lake
During a three-day immersion experience, beginning Monday, May 22, and ending Thursday morning, May 25, participants in a compassionate communication - or nonviolent communication - training retreat for pastors at Bay Lake Camp near Deerwood, Minn.,  will discover ways to communicate more effectively. Titled "Empathy & Honesty: A Compassionate Communication Training Retreat for Pastors," the retreat will offer the opportunity for participants to discover compassionate communication as a means of connecting to God, self and others. There are 12 spots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, at a cost of $150. If the spots do not fill up by May 14; they will be made available to clergy from other denominations for the full meal and accommodation rate of $300 per person. The retreat is sponsored by the PTCA's Committee on Ministry as part of its mission to support clergy, and underwritten by a generous grant from the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. The complete announcement is at "Compassionate Communication." Details, including registration, can be found at "Empathy and Honesty."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Omaha Seminary Foundation
accepts Apollos applications
 The Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation is accepting applications through April 17 for its Apollos Scholarships, a scholarship of up to $3,000 per semester for gifted students attending one of the 10 affiliated seminaries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Eligible students are those who are members of a PC(USA) congregation, under care of a presbytery as an inquirer or candidate, enrolled full time in a Master of Divinity degree program, and possess the qualities for excellence in ministry. Details are at "Apollos."
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."
Registration continues
for Summer Pastors School
Registration is underway for the 2017 version of Summer Pastors School that runs June 4-9 at  Hastings (Neb.) College. An event of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, the School's featured speakers are the Rev. Dr. Gary Neal Hansen, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Hamilton-Poore, and Dr. Anna Case-Winters. Dr. Marcia McFee will lead worship. Details, including biographical information on the speakers, can be found at "Summer Pastors School."
Big Tent registration open;
 event runs July 6-8
This summer's Big Tent conference takes place July 6-8 in St. Louis and registration recently opened. The theme of this year's conference is "Race, Reconciliation and the Reformation." The event features plenary events, Bible study, workshops and worship. The three-day event, held on the Washington University campus, will provide a variety of opportunities to engage with the issues facing the church and society today. The complete news release is at "Big Tent."
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John "Jack" Reddan Jr.
, a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of White Bear Lake and an active participant in the Presbyt
ery of the Twin Cities Area and Familia de Fe, died Friday, March 24. Reddan was serving as chair of the presbytery's Board of Trustees at the time of his death. He had served as moderator of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and on the synod's finance committee. A memorial service is planned Saturday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake. A more complete obituary can be found at "
Jack Reddan
."
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Anthony Jermaine Ross Allam
, who currently serves half time at both Liberty Community Church (formerly Kwanzaa) in Minneapolis and Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, has been admitted into the doctoral program of Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He plans to study theology and social ethics. He and his wife, Cherech Ross Allam, plan to move later this summer. He is a 2012 graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Robert and Carol Brightman live in Bradenton, Fla., and are seeking a 2017 summer residence in the Twin Cities. Robert is a retired Presbyterian minister who served in the Twin Cities. Carol notes, "If you are planning an extended vacation, sabbatical or a worry-free summer at the cabin, you may like the idea of having your home occupied while you're gone." For details, the Brightmans can be contacted at 941.405.4014.
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Service Opportunities ...
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First Presbyterian Church of Maple Plain
is seeking a part-time office administrative assistant. This person will manage the church office, perform general office and secretarial duties, and support the staff and church ministries. Requires proficiency in Microsoft Office and other computer programs, along with strong people and organizational skills. Those interested are invited to call 763.479.2158 or send email to office@catchourspirit.org.
Plymouth Presbyterian Church
of Plymouth is seeking an office manager. The part-time position provides administrative and clerical support services, providing reception, communication and basic referral services about the church to members and the community at large. The individual selected will operate with a high degree of independence, with general work direction and support provided by the teaching elder. This position requires the highest level of confidentiality and discretion. Experience working with a pastor or top-level executive preferred. The individual selected must be multi-task oriented, and possess a positive, professional attitude. Resumes should be sent to
annefisher@plymouthpc.org.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
in Eagan, Minn., is seeking a faith formation-communications coordinator who is energetic, passionate, creative and organized individual with strong communication skills to join their ministry team. The church is also seeking a welcoming administrative assistant with strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail. Position details, along with contact information, are available at "
Mount Calvary Positions."
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Governance Task Force, Way Forward Commission animate PMA meeting
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board concluded its spring meeting earlier this month, looking ahead to further discussion on the structure of the board and  its relationship to findings and recommendations of the Way Forward Commission. Board chair Ken Godshall noted the many changes underway in the denomination. "We need to take this opportunity to seize changes that are long overdue," he said of the PMA, the largest and most visible agency in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the one most affected by declining membership. "We need to be very clear about the purpose of the Mission Agency," he said. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke and Rick Jones can be found at "PMA Meeting."
Collaboration between OGA, PMA
is noted at COGA meeting
The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) began the third and final day of its March 21-23 meeting "still riding a lovely high" from the previous night's service of
worship," in the words
of the Rev. Wilson Kennedy, COGA's vice moderator. After members shared joys and concerns and debriefed for a full hour on the joint "Community Conversations" in which they had engaged on the morning of March 22, the body took an unexpected turn. Anticipating -- and ultimately modeling -- the very deliberations in which they would engage, the team departed from its prescribed structure and agenda in favor of being church by fostering relationships and building community. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom can be found at "
Collaboration
."
Young Adult Volunteer newsletter highlights information from YAVs
A recent newsletter published by the Young Adult Volunteer program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) highlights information about the program and stories  from the volunteers. The program is a one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. For more than two decades, YAVs have listened for God's call in their lives, while serving alongside partners at sites in the United States and around the world. The complete newsletter, and more information about the YAV program, can be found at "Volunteers."
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