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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Contributors still needed
on presbytery committees
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will elect its new officers and members of presbytery committees at its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 9. There are  still opportunities for participation on most presbytery committees, and include key needs for the Board of Trustees (finance or legal experience) and the Committee on Ministry (especially ruling elders). Also needed is a Young Adult Advisory Delegate, age 17-23, to the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
Presbytery committees hold an important role in supporting the life and health of the congregations of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. Bring your skill and passion to the table. Contribute to our shared ministry. If you are interested, contact Manley Olson at 651.644.2848 or manleyolson@gmail.com.
We need you. More importantly, the ministry of our churches needs you. Come join.
PTCA Presbyterian Women set
gathering Saturday 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."
Jeff's Jottings
 Hearing my story told
By Jeff Japinga
Transitional Executive Presbyter
Every year, on Easter Sunday, surrounded by family and finery, flowers and frills, we read the same incredible, uplifting, miraculous story of the resurrection of Jesus. We sing our familiar hymns, proclaim our festive alleluias, and most of all we marvel, as the women at the tomb did, at the wonder of it all.
It never gets old, and it never gets dull. Well, until this Sunday. The pews are emptier again, energy is down, and the text? Always the same, too, and hardly inspirational. Like he does every year, good old "Doubting Thomas" will again say to his fellow disciples, I won't believe until I see, and at some point we kind of all roll our eyes and say, Can we just get on with it?
The complete Jottings are at "Hearing My Story Told."
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'Tuesday Dialogues' in Chaska
addresses 'Bullying in Our Back Yard'
 The "Tuesday Dialogues" at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska will feature two guest speakers who deal with bullying. The event takes place Tuesday, April 25, at the church from 7 to 8:30 p.m. While the Dialogues are not religious in nature, they deal with ethical issues common to all faiths. Details can be found at "Bullying in Our Back Yard."
Cherokee Park Art Fest will
be part of St. Paul Art Crawl
Cherokee Park United Church will sponsor its Spring Art Fest April 28 through June 4, and its opening will  coincide with the St. Paul Art Crawl planned Friday and Saturday, April 28-29. The Art Fest exhibit is titled "Healing Spirit; Hidden Wounds" and features the work of Alice Savitski and Ellie Leonardsmith. Savitski's presentation is mixed media, while Leonardsmith's project is titled "What We Hide" Both artists will talk about their art on Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. The exhibit will be open Sundays and by appointment through June 4. A flyer is available at "Healing Spirit."
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."
Tour of Dakota sacred
sites planned May 13
Jim Bear Jacobs and Bob Klanderud, of Mohican and Dakota tribes respectively, will lead a tour of Dakota sacred sites around the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour provides history from the American Indian perspective. During the past two years more than 500 participants have gone on the tour. Details can be found at "Sacred Sites."
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 April 24; 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."
MCC presents opportunity
to support its refugee work
An article in the newsletter of the Minnesota Council of Churches offers an opportunity to support its work in support of refugees. The article noted, "
Thanks to  the actions of a federal judge in Hawaii, refugees are continuing to arrive to the United States at least through the month of April as we await further information about Trump's executive order. MCC Refugee Services plans to welcome 14 new refugees from Congo, Somalia, and Burma this month." Noting that financial support is vital to the Council's work with refugees, the article added, "We will continue to welcome new refugees and to serve those who have already made Minnesota their home." Financial support can be made at "Refugee Services." The complete Council newsletter is at "For the Common Good."
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Resources, conferences ...
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Annual Earth Day to be
celebrated this weekend
Presbyterians will join other interfaith, ecumenical and environmental leaders across the world this weekend, to commemorate Earth Day, an annual
 event to show support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it is now recognized in nearly 200 countries and coordinated by the Earth Day Network. Earth Day is actually April 22, but Presbyterian churches will also be celebrating
Earth Day Sunday
April 23, utilizing resources such as hymns, scripture and other materials provided by
Environmental Ministries. "With the prevalence of an ethic of caring for God's creation throughout scripture, Reformed Theology, Presbyterian hymns, liturgies and tradition, we don't need a particular designated day for earth care in our churches," said the Rev. Rebecca Barnes, coordinator for the
Presbyterian Hunger Program. The complete Presbyterian News Service by Rick Jones can be found at "
Earth Day."
White Privilege Conference
planned April 27-30 in Kansas City
 The annual White Privilege Conference is scheduled April 27-30 in Kansas City, Mo. The conference theme is "Organizing. Strategizing. Taking-Action. Deconstructing the Culture of White Supremacy and Privilege: Creating Peace, Equity and Opportunity in the Heartland." Details can be found at "White Privilege Conference."
Ruling elder resource addresses
'Children of the Covenant'
 The Rev. Dr. Diana Nishita Cheifetz, a spiritual director serving lay leaders and clergy in the San Francisco Bay area, writes this month's install of Regarding Ruling Elders, a resource provided by the Office of the General Assembly. Nishita Cheifetz writes, "When our daughter and son were young, as we tucked them in at night, I would make the sign of the cross on their foreheads. I wanted them to know that they were sealed in Christ. Many years later, during my ordination service as a teaching elder, our daughter, speaking with our son by her side, shared about that bedtime ritual of their childhood. And then she made the sign of the cross on my forehead." The complete column can be found at "Children of the Covenant."
'Theological Conversations'
releases '3 Fulcrums for Reform'
"Theological Conversations" -- a series of papers designed to invite congregational leaders in the
 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) into theological conversation wherever they gather as sessions, presbyteries or for adult education in congregations -- began as a way to create space for conversations accessible to all church members. Each paper is a study resource with accompanying questions for conversation or reflection, suitable for use by individuals and groups. The latest paper, "Three Fulcrums for Reform" was written by the Rev. Dr. Tom Trinidad, pastor of
Faith Presbyterian Church
in Colorado Springs. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom can be found at "
Fulcrums."
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."
POAMN offers congregation track
at aging, spirituality conference
Synod School reaches 550 registrants
Earlier this week the registration total for Synod School had reached 550, according to Deb DeMeester, director of leadership development for the Synod of  Lakes and Prairies. But there's still room for more. The week-long program typically draws more than 600 participants. 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. But beyond those two leaders, there are more than 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."
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 registration site is at "Big Tent."
UDTS offers 3 online courses
 for CREs this summer
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary will be offering three online courses for commissioned ruling elders this summer. The courses are "Reformed Theology," taught by Gary Eller; "Introduction to New Testament," taught by Grant VanderVelden; and "Presbyterian Polity," taught by Scott Nesbitt." The summer term runs June 5 to Aug. 25. Details can be found at "Summer Courses."
Stewardship Kaleidoscope annual conference set this fall in Florida
The annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope event, an annual conference offering speakers, workshops and networking opportunities, is  planned Sept. 25-27 this year at St. Pete Beach, Fla. Among the keynote speakers this year is Adam Copeland, a member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and director of the Center for Stewardship Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship across many dimensions. Event details are available at "Kaleidoscope."
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Service Opportunities ...
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First Presbyterian Church of St. Croix Falls, Wis.,
and First United Presbyterian Church of Baldwin, Wis., are seeking a full-time designated solo pastor. This is a yoked congregation and the person will serve both churches. Interested individuals are asked to contact Kathryn Breitbarth, designated pastor task force chair, at kbreitbarth@comcast.net. The complete announcement is at "Designated Pastor."
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Way Forward Commission looks
to outcomes, common elements
Beginning with advice from the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, stated clerk of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Way Forward Commission met via video conference call last night to
 hear updates and plan its strategy to tackle what it sees as necessary changes for the denomination. The three hour call began with a 40 minute closed session conversation with Nelson to discuss specific structure and personnel matters pertinent to the work of the commission, along with details of his
Advisory Opinion
issued on the scope of the work of the Way Forward Commission. Mark Hostetter, moderator of the Way Forward Commission, summarized the Advisory Opinion saying any "changes or implementation of any of our vision [that] involve missional or structural changes must be brought to the General Assembly in the form of a recommendation." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at "
Way Forward."
Committee seeks input
on PMA executive director search
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board committee that is searching for a new executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency wants to hear from all  Presbyterians. The committee is seeking input not only from board members, mid council members and agency staff; it also wants input from those who teach Sunday school, deliver sermons, serve on committees and attend church services. The committee wants to know the characteristics that Presbyterians think are necessary to lead through this time of dynamic change. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Melody Smith can be found at "PMA Search."
Mission Matters addresses move
from sacrifice to resurrection
 In this month's Mission Matters column, titled "Coming Down from the Cross," Rachel Yates, associate director for program in the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of World Mission, writes about Presbyterians' role in God's mission and why it moves beyond sacrifice to resurrection. Yates' complete column and other World Mission information can be found at "Down from the Cross."
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