emerge

october 2010

Jin S. Kim, Chair of Council and Pastor of Church of All Nations Presby-
terian in Columbia Heights, presents the new Strategic Plan along with
Phil Gebbengreen, co-
co-pastor of Edgcumbe Presbyterian in St. Paul at
the September Presbytery Meeting. Photo by Dennis Sanders.

a publication of the presbytery of the twin cities area

The following was written by Paul Moore, “fearless”

pastor of Chain of Lakes Presbyterian
Church in Lino Lakes about the September
Presbytery meeting held at Plymouth Presby-
by paul moore
terian Church on September 14, 2010. It
originally appeared on his blog, Chain Link on September 15.

Yesterday afternoon and evening I joined other Presbyters at the Plymouth Presbyterian Church for the September meeting of the
Presbytery of Twin Cities Area. Besides the “train ride” of a special meeting called in July, this was the first time the Presbytery had
met since May. With all of the preparations involved in hosting General Assembly in July, I’m glad we didn’t have a regular meeting in
July.
After I arrived I found a small space at a table and began hawking the recent newsletter from Chain of Lakes Church. Until our New
Church Development charters, I plan on having some sort of display about Chain of Lakes at every Presbytery meeting. I enjoyed
meeting and talking to many colleagues, sharing the recent successes we’ve experienced at Chain of Lakes, and in particular talking
to some of the saints from Community Presbyterian in Plainview.
The meeting got interesting to me when Andy Lindahl, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, shared his experience of
serving on the Presbytery’s Strategy Task Force—a group on which I also served. He very honestly and tactfully shared his skepticism
about serving on the group. He admitted that he had not recently been involved in Presbytery work and was very tired of the infighting
within the body. He compared his thoughts about serving to “the last session before a couple divorces.” He then told us that his partici-

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 1

Cover story, continued
pation on the Strategy group had connected him to the Presbytery again. He was excited about the document that our group had pro-
duced and was looking forward to seeing what came of it.
A little later David Lenz, pastor of Hope Church in Richfield, shared almost
the same message. While serving on the Presbytery Council he had partici-
pated in a Retreat where the work of the Strategy work was shared. He
shared that he felt welcomed into the process. He also honesty and tactfully
shared the pain he had experienced from the Presbytery and then shared
his hope about the future.
I was moved by both presentations—not “cut to the heart,” but most cer-
tainly moved. Experiencing the truth spoken in love with tact at Presbytery
is a sign that life within our Presbytery is changing.
After dinner I moderated one of the small groups that discussed some of
the Strategy Task Force’s work.

Our group of about 25 generally approved of the document that they read.
Andy Lindahl, Senior Pastor of West- The document received some push back by folks concerned about the lack
minster Presbyterian, Austin speaks of articulation about participating in the world. Some other folks were a bit concerned
at the September 14 Presbytery Meet- about the use of the word, “fearlessly” in the New Vision statement that the Strategy
ing. Photo by Dennis Sanders. Group brought forward. Our statement was, “We fearlessly follow the Holy Spirit into a
changing world.” The word “fearlessly” is my favorite word in the document. For me it
articulates the essential need for the Presbytery to take risks. Risk is something that
many religious bodies have difficulty, something I’ve never understood for our leader, Jesus Christ, was one of the most fearless lead-
ers in the history of the world. Having said that, I could see changing the word, “fearlessly” to “courageously.”
I’m encouraged by the positive energy that is slowly percolating within our Presbytery.

In addition to the introduction of the new strategic plan,
the following items of note also took place at the Sep-
tember Presbytery meeting:
 Executive Presbyter Chaz Ruark
gave a “final report” on the re-
cently concluded 219th General
Assembly held in Minneapolis in
early July. Elder Manley Olson of
North Como Presbyterian Church
in Roseville and Elder Sandra
Hawley of Plymouth Presbyterian
in Plymouth were honored for the
work as co-chairs of the Commit-
tee on Local Arrangements.
Other Highlights of September Presbytery Meeting
efforts to gather and prepare the PTCA
delegation.
 Candidate Karin Kraven was exam-
ined and approved for ordination. Kraven
is a member at Westminster Presbyterian
Church in Minneapolis and will be or-
dained at the church on October 17. Cyn-
thia Wunder of Lake Nokomis Presbyte-
rian in Minneapolis and Dan Franklin of
Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis
were both enrolled as Inquirers.

 Honorably Retired pastor Ed

Martin was installed at the new
Treasurer for the Presbytery. He PTCA Moderator Vince Gin (center) holds up a
was approved by the Presbytery platter from General Assembly thanking the
at a July special meeting. presbytery for hosting the 219th General As-
sembly while Manley Olson (left) and Chaz
 Representatives of the Presby- Ruark (right) look on. Photo by Dennis Sand-
tery delegation to the Presbyte- ers.
rian Youth Triennium gave a re-
port to the Presbytery of their experiences of the late July
event. Registrar Scott Dobovsky was recognized for this

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 2

contents
“going, going, green!”
News from Arlington 3 -by lynn pham
Hills, St. Paul

Proposed PTCA Stra- 4 Oh how time flies when Exciting new partnerships with ECSP were also created this year,
tegic Plan including the Minnesota State Arts Board. Their new funding al-
you’re having fun!
lowed us to hire two guest artists: Helen Stringfellow worked with
Five-and a-half weeks of pro- our students in creating community and turning simple two dimen-
The Birth of Kwanzaa, 5
gramming flew by in a blink of sions to more complex three dimensions. All grades incorporated
Minneapolis the science theme and systematically created a 3D model of their
an eye. The 2010 Eastside
Children’s Summer Program community. Additionally, Danielle Daniel completed her residency
Roots of Faith 7
was a huge success thanks to with the summer program by incorporating drama and dance
participants, funders, commu-
with our science theme of, “Going, Going Green!”
nity members, collaborative
Knox, Minneapolis 8 partners, staff, and volun- Another new partner, Campfire USA, was able to give our stu-
Goes to Haiti teers. With the help of the dents the opportunity to go on field trips by providing transporta-
supporters with a similar vi- tion and admission to places such as Cascade Bay Waterpark,
Small Church Pastors 10 sion of creating a cohesive Minnesota Zoo, and enjoy a Mississippi River boat ride. Students
community, the program has were also able to plant trees with staff from the Big Urban Woods
continued nature trail at Duluth and Case in St.
Stan Martin on Cats 11 to thrive Paul.
since it
and God Finally, Saint Paul Community Educa-
began in
2007. tion assisted in granting our teen pro-
PW Fall Report 12 gram a chance to explore the arts
Thank you through cooking, dancing, and drama.
Arlington
PC(USA) by the Num- 14 Hills Pres- The summer program was a success
because of the dedication from return-
bers byterian
ing AHP volunteers, who were: Paul
Church for
Transitions, Ordina- 15 your gen- Oppelt, Dave Peterson, Deanna Dick,
erosity in Marlyce Johnson, and Betty Brandt
allowing Passick.
Open Positions, 16 the pro- Also, thanks to those who bought
Events gram to ECSP T-shirts and who donated items
rent the from the 2010 ECSP Wish List, includ-
space for a nominal amount this summer, and ing: Marlyce Johnson, Paul and Connie
thank you Pastor Rick, who made staff feel Oppelt, Adijah and Jude Aborungong,
welcomed, supported and encouraged. Rick Wollenberg, Becky Lyon, Jeanne
This space provides a safe environment for the Anderegg, Joan Laine, Donna Hamp-
children in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, ton-Maki, Dave Peterson and John
and the ECSP program has earned the respect Hanno.
of these families, as well. For the first time, the Kindness is contagious. Thank you to
K-5th grade was at capacity the very first day those who have been genuine advo-
(48 children). For the second year in a row, the cates of our program. We are all work-
program had a wait list (15 children). The teen ing toward the goal of planting the
program had 21 registered. The staff and children of the ECSP ex- seeds to create great role models and
tend a warm “thank you!” to AHP for community leaders in our neighbor-
Programming ran from Monday through Thurs-
day, 12:00-3:30 p.m., and each day began with again providing space and volunteers hood — and world.
family-style lunches, which were a hit (families for the 2010 program. Photo courtesy Lynn Pham is the Executive Director of
of participants were welcomed every day to Arlington Hills Church. the Eastside Children’s Summer Pro-
join us)! gram, a ministry of Arlington Hills Pres-
Table manners and conversation starters are a great way to byterian Church in St. Paul. This arti-
teach respect for one another. cle and photo originally appeared in the September 2010 issue
of the Heirloom, Arlington Hill’s monthly newsletter.
The theme of, “Going, Going Green!” taught students how they
affect the earth. Further, students learned the importance of re-
ducing, reusing, and recycling.
The ECSP is grateful for these continuing partnerships created
throughout the four years of programming from 2007-2010.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 3

Below is the proposed Strategic
Plan for the Presbytery of the Twin
Cities Area. The proposal was
presented at the September 2010
Presbytery meeting and will be
voted on at the November 2010 “recognize each other's humanity”
Presbytery Meeting.
-ptca strategic planning team
3. Form a task force to listen to and learn from the needs and
GUIDELINES experiences of young people in order to present a plan by May
 Worship God in Christ, and recognize each other's humanity 2011 for how Presbytery can meet and continually adapt to
changing needs.
 Consistently acknowledge, confess, lament and celebrate
4. Establish a culture in which controversial issues are consis-
 Nurture relationships and risk trust
tently addressed in an honest, civil, respectful, healthy, mutually
affirming manner.
5. Encourage relationship build-
NEW VISION
ing and improve communication
We fearlessly follow the Holy in order to increase participation
Spirit into a changing world! and representation.
6. Institute a new nominating
process that encourages per-
OUR VALUES sons with vision, passion, and
unique gifts to serve in a capac-
 Supporting congregations ity that best fits those qualities.
and ministers 7. Encourage 10 churches to
 Honesty in success and launch new, distinct faith com-
munities in the following 3 years,
failure
and welcome new faith commu-
 Discerning and adaptive nities into fellowship of Presby-
leadership tery.
8. Facilitate and/or initiate mis-
 Diversity in our life together sional collaboration among con-
gregations for local and global
 Cultivating discipleship in
Ron Grittman, a member of Buffalo Presbyterian in Buffalo, ministry.
every generation
shares his views during a small group time at the September 9. Institute a process to regu-
MAJOR FOCUS 14 Presbytery meeting at Plymouth Presbyterian Church in larly review committees and
structures for effectiveness and
 Mutual support of congre- Plymouth. Photo by Dennis Sanders. relevance, and adjust as neces-
gations and ministers sary.
10. Empower the natural formation of groups that offer mutual
GOALS FOR 2011-13 support and fellowship.
1. Facilitate a sense of connection among congregations and
ministers.
2. Effectively assist congregations and ministers with transitions.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 4

 According to Ivers, one committee
member said, "That's what we're

a bequeath and a legacy about." And then the work started.

Ivers said, "We later referred to
-duane sweep this period of our idea evolution as
the Caterpillar stage." But he re-
The Rev. Alika Galloway always has the words “bequeath” and
membered, too, that "the time from vision to actuality is a long
“legacy” on her mind.
period of time."
The two words recall the beginning of Kwan-
It involved a period of study, including a survey of the neighbor-
zaa Community Church, the church she
hood that "verified what we were seeing." It showed, he said, resi-
serves with her husband, the Rev. Ralph Gal-
dents were seeking ways to make the area a better place to raise
loway, in Minneapolis.
children and that families were focused on security.
Kwanzaa Community Church, a Presbyterian
Highland Park ultimately received a new church development
Church (U.S.A.) congregation, is in the
grant and received funds from both the Synod of Lakes and Prai-
church building that once housed the now-
ries and the General Assembly. Ivers said the request for the
dissolved Highland Park Presbyterian congre-
grant was "carefully crafted to have the dual purpose of forming a
gation.
John Ivers. new congregation and also strengthening community outreach
It's a story of bequeath and legacy — a be- efforts."
Photo by
queath that allowed one congregation to grow
Duane Sweep. During this time Highland Park continued its community ministry,
out of another and a legacy of community
expanding it by housing a non-profit agency that ran an after-
service.
school tutoring program and other family-support activities. "We
It's also the story Alika Galloway and Elder John Ivers shared also kept the building in good repair to the extent that our re-
here earlier this month in the workshop, "The Revitalization of an sources would allow," he said.
Older Congregation: The Kwanzaa Story," at the 2010 convention
With the approval of the new church development grant, the call
of the Association of Retired Ministers, their Survivors or Spouses
went out to the Galloways.
(ARMSS).
Ivers recalled that the last worship service of the Highland Park
Ivers had been a member of Highland Park, the aging Minneapo-
congregation took place Pentecost Sunday in May 1999. It hadn't
lis church with declining membership that created a Ministry Alter-
been a swift turnaround, Ivers said. "The
native Committee to determine how the church could "stay on the
elapsed time from the vision proclamation
corner and continue to work."
stage to the start of service of the new con-
Ivers asked, "How many of you have a will? Does your will have gregation was approximately eight years."
some specific directions or expectations of what will happen?" He
For Alika Galloway, the move to what is now
added, “Let me tell you how privileged I and many of my church
Kwanzaa Community Church wasn’t swift
friends were able to go through this complete process even to the
either.
witnessing of the outcomes.”
Growing up as what she calls a "Navy brat"
Ivers recounted that Highland Park, which had existed for more
and following her family from one duty station Alika Galloway.
than 125 years into the 1990s, had done well but "as the condi-
to another, she didn't worship in a Presbyte- Photo by
tions around us changed faster than we realized, we realized that
rian congregation until she was 14. She had Duane Sweep.
our individual cultural backgrounds limited our ability to serve the
been attending a church with a lively worship
area in as meaningful."
service and good food. Recalling her first
Highland Park had become a more inner city neighborhood. The worship service with a Presbyterian congre-
predominantly white congregation was now in a predominantly gation, she said, "The music wasn’t so great and we had donuts."
African American community.
But she was inspired by something she learned about the Presby-
The congregation made attempts to adapt, participating in picnics terian church — the six great ends of the church, including the
and choir concerts with neighboring churches. It used its educa- promotion of social righteousness. It was that end that really
tional wing for a drop-in center. It even joined a four-church parish caught her attention. Later, after she met and married Ralph, she
to share staff and office space, which, Ivers said, "didn't expand decided to attend seminary. When Ralph was called to Minnesota,
ministry as much as simply conserve resources.” she said, "I told him, 'If you go, I will go with you.'"
When the Ministry Alternative Committee met at Ivers work place, When she came to Minnesota and attended her first meeting of
a Caterpillar factory, he showed members a "new machine we the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, she recalled looking
were developing." The machine was "designed to grind up an old around and seeing that she was the only African American
road surface, inject some new asphalt cement, place the material woman in the room.
back down on the foundation bed and compact it so that the road-
Yet she saw Kwanzaa as a "great opportunity for community en-
way could continue to be utilized for another 20 to 30 years."

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 5

 developing contemporary positive messages.
She spoke with pride when she talked about
Kwanzaa's newest project, the Northside
bequeath and legacy, continued Women's Space, which she described as a "drop
in center for women who trade sex." She added,
"We already have 75 women who have said they will come in
gagement." She thought about the bequeath and legacy.
when we open."
And she remembered a Presbyterian minister where she wor-
It's a product of Galloway's community involvement. She learned
shiped as a teen who offered to give her a ride home from school
of the work of Lauren Martin, a University of Minnesota researcher
She accepted the ride but asked the minister to park several
who was studying prostitution in north Minneapolis. The average
blocks from the school so other teens in the turbulent '60s would-
age for entering prostitution, Galloway learned, was 13.7. She
n't see her getting a
learned, too, that many women
ride from someone
engaged in prostitution "want to
in "the establish-
be in the church, but don’t know
ment."
how to be a part of it."
She was convicted
Rather than waiting for women to
by the minister, one
come into the church, Galloway
who would walk
took the active approach, reach-
those extra blocks in
ing out to the women trapped in
the heat, who would
prostitution. "We are to support
do that and then
social righteousness to usher in
listen to her.
the kingdom of God," she said.
From that, Galloway
And it speaks to the early efforts
said she learned to
of the now-dissolved Highland
listen and in her first
Park congregation to be involved
days at Kwanzaa
in the community. "We always
she "walked the
have that obligation to honor the
community" so she
bequest and legacy," Galloway
could listen.
said. "We always keep that in
"We had to be gang mind."
Members of Kwanzaa Community Presbyterian Church pose for a
neutral," Galloway
Galloway will continue to walk in her
said, because of the photo after receiving the Whole Gospel Congregation Award at
the Presbyterian Voices for Justice lunch during the 219th Gen- community. It's her way of remember-
high proportion of
ing what she learned from a pastor
gang membership in eral Assembly in July. Photo by Dennis Sanders.
when she was in her teens.
the community sur-
"Sometimes you have to park the car,
rounding the church.
walk in the desert and just sit – and mostly listen," she said.
Kwanzaa's neighborhood also posts high proportions of prostitu-
tion, single parents and teen pregnancies. Duane Sweep, associate for communications for the Synod of
Lakes and Prairies, is a frequent contributor to Presbyterian
"I learned how to embrace the non-profit community and write
News Service.
grants," Galloway said. She also learned how to develop partner-
ships in service.
Today Kwanzaa has about 275 members and it has partnerships
with 10 congregations.
When PC(USA)'s 219th General Assembly took place in Minnea-
polis this summer, Presbyterian Voices for Justice honored the
congregation with its Whole Gospel Congregation Award for
"commitment to living out the radical, liberating good news in our
society and the wider world."
Kwanzaa works in innovative ways. Galloway cited Kwanzaa's
"Freedom School," a multi-week intergenerational summer pro-
gram that provides an educational experience for young children
through those in their teens. She also spoke of Kwanzaa's
"recording studio in a closet," a reference to the Kwanzaa studio
that allows neighborhood youth to put their creative power to work

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 6

For the Rev. Barbara Anne Keely
the Christian's journey can be de-
scribed through an analogy with
trees — trees she grew up around root connection
in the northwest and others she
watched in winter at Montreat Con- -duane sweep
ference Center in North Carolina.
Keely, associate professor of
The trunk reminds her, too, of the commandment to "love your
Christian education and congregational spirituality at United Theo-
neighbors as yourself." But she added, "Sometimes those of us
logical Seminary of the Twin Cities in New Brighton, Minn., deliv-
who are ministers forget the last part of the phrase." And that
ered keynote addresses here Sept. 10 and 11 at the 2010 con-
brought Keely to another aspect of trees. "We need each other to
vention of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Association of Re-
lean on," she added, pointing out the ability of strong,
tired Ministers, Their Spouses or Survivors
healthy trees — and others — to provide support.
(ARMSS).
"A tree is kept alive," she said, "by a strong, healthy trunk
Beginning with the root system and moving outward
and a deep root system."
and upward, Keely used trees as a metaphor for
Christian life. Healthy trees also have the ability to be resilient. Keely
recalled the trees she saw in winter at Montreat. She de-
Keely said a tree's root system represents the rela-
scribed how the tree branches dipped downward under
tionship with God. "We must be intentional in our
heavy snow, dropped the snow and then bounced back up,
rootedness in God so that we will survive the heat
Keely said, "Sometimes we need moments of passionate
and droughts of life. … Without being rooted, a tree
renewal."
will die," she said. Barbara Anne
Keely. Photo by An ordained Presbyterian minister and an oblate of the
Another aspect of tree roots — spreading as "broad
Duane Sweep. Order of St. Benedict, Keely said the trees branches are a
as the reach" of the tree above ground — is the
"manifestation of us reaching out."
interconnectedness of root system. She pointed out
that the loss of one tree's root system can damage And that’s where Keely's presentation, "Growing Our Rela-
nearby trees. tionship with God: Going Deep and Reaching Wide," spoke to the
convention’s theme, "Called to a Lifetime of Service – God's Plan
The complementary relationships of the root systems exhibit the
or Ours."
need for community among Christians.
She pointed out the tree's value to the world "is to produce some-
She said she was disturbed by some who use the "battery" as an
thing of value to the world, be it fruit or foliage." And she added,
analogy for their life's journey. Batteries require charging but then
"We live not for ourself, but for the purpose of God in the world,"
work independently from the power source, she said.
working toward the "salvation of the world through our service."
"Why do they choose to get charged up and then disconnect from
Just as a tree, Keely said, "We need to be deeply rooted to draw
the power source?" Keely asked, arguing that a well-rooted tree
our strength" while above ground we are "empowered by the Holy
stays connected.
Spirit."
Above ground, she said, "The trunk of the tree gives it both defini-
Duane Sweep is associate for communications for the Synod of
tion and substance." While all trees have "much in common in
Lakes and Prairies and a frequent contributor to Presbyterian
many ways," she said they are — just like people — all "very
News Service.
unique."

Approved by the Presbytery at the September 14,

2010 Stated Meeting: 2011 Per Capita
$6.50 for General Assembly
$4.90 for Synod
$19.06 for Presbytery

$30.46 total per member

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 7

Editor’s note: The following is an article by Pete
DellaSantina, the pastor of Knox Presbyterian
Church in Minneapolis. In August of 2010, sev-
“God perfectly timed this
eral members of the congregation went to Haiti to
spend time at an orphanage called “God’s Littlest trip”
Angels.” Below, is there story.
By pete dellasantina
Pete DellaSantina, pastor of Knox
Presbyterian in Minneapolis, hold
For one week, ten child from God’s Littlest Angels
members of Knox orphanage in Haiti. Photo courtesy
served the children and Pete DellaSantina.
staff of God’s Littlest
Angels Orphanage in the
Kenscoff Mountains just
outside of Port-au-
Prince.
We witnessed firsthand
the devastating conse-
quences of the earth-
quake. There are people
sleeping in the streets.
There is rubble and
trash everywhere. Diesel
trucks belch black
smoke. Men stand on
street corners idle,
watching us suspiciously
as we pass by. Women
cling to their babies as
they cook corn or
chicken on the curb in
makeshift food stalls. Only the children acknowledge us. Their emergency supplies from Canada and the U.S., which had sat in
wide-eyed, warm smiles and friendly gestures bring tears to our port for months until money could be raised to payoff the port au-
eyes. There are families thority to release the sup-
living under flimsy make- plies. We sorted mountains
shift lean-tos on high- of clothes, dry food, hygiene
traffic mediums. Toddlers and medical supplies in a
are shoeless and un- newly constructed pull-barn
clothed playing amidst on the grounds of the Or-
broken bottles, exposed phanage’s new compound.
rebar and crumbling cin- We completed essential
derblock. Seven months welding projects and other
after the earth shook, vital construction. The team
there is only a slight sem- also cared for infants and
blance of order and com- played with toddlers at the
merce in the chaotic, filthy Orphanage. We witnessed
city. Little evidence of a the union of an orphaned boy
functional government with his new mom and big
can be seen except for brother, also adopted from
military-style police check GLA four years ago. Sunday
points, UN peacekeepers, church service was espe-
and ambulances rumbling cially meaningful as we were
by whose sole destination invited to worship in Petion-
is the morgue. ville, a golf country club that
God perfectly timed this was converted by the U.S.
trip. GLA is understaffed and overstretched by the relief effort. Army Corp of Engineers into a tent city. It is now home to 55,000
The team arrived just in time to unpack a trailer truck filled with displaced Haitians. Pastor Pete was invited by their pastor, Rev.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 8

Sincere, to preach to the packed Spirit-filled congregation under a circus tent, with translation provided by our host Rev. Brandon Jor-
dan.

Brandon is a native of Kansas. He is a big, friendly young man who taught himself to speak fluent Creole. His wife, Niki, a lovely sister
with southern hospitality, is a native of Louisiana. They moved their young family to Port-au-Prince six years ago. For four and a half
years the Jordans worked with Haitian Christians to plant a church right in the middle of the city. Six months before the earthquake,
having trained nationals to take over each area of the church including their new lead pastor, they stepped out of the church com-
pletely.

After the earthquake the Jordans moved up into the mountains and began working with God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. They host
mission teams and currently hold six Bible studies in the area. In October they plan to launch another church. Our team voted to send
a financial offering to help them in their efforts.

Brandon says, “God has blessed us and we have seen His hand in amazing ways. We consistently stay busy presenting the precious
story of Jesus Christ while sharing the love of God through the means which God gives. The fact remains that the more means avail-
able, the more that can be and will be done. It is a pleasure and a privilege to serve God in this very needy place. Please continue to
pray for the Jordan Family as we continue to serve the Almighty God here in Haiti.”
.

PRAY:
That people would get the help they need as quickly as
Ways You Can Help
possible.
For GLA staff’s physical, mental, and emotional welfare as
looked at many different options in how we could help our
they face many challenges.
immediate staff families as well as the thousands of others
For the children of Haiti and who have lost homes. We are starting now by
God’s Littlest Angels Orphan- using an engineer to construct a couple of
age, who bear the brunt of the basic model homes for two of our ladies who
devastating consequences of are already in possession of land. If we are
this natural disaster wors- satisfied with the quality of the home we will
ened by human wickedness. then continue to build homes for our staff
starting with those who have land. We then
For the church to rise up in
will be looking into the purchasing of a piece
Haiti and for the Gospel to be
of property where we can build a small com-
proclaimed.
munity of homes sharing septic/power source/
For wisdom in determining and water source.
the most effective response
The homes we are building are approx. 200sq.
to this disaster.
ft. block homes engineered to new earthquake
specs with tin roofs. They will have two rooms, a large din-
ing/living room, a bathroom, kitchen, w/ front and back porch
GIVE: area. The homes will be septic prepared, electricity prepared,
Please join Knox in providing permanent shelter for earth- and have guttering to catch rain water. The cost for these
quake victims in Haiti. We invite our sister congregations, homes will be between $8,000 and $10,000 per unit. We have
sessions and mission committees and individual brothers searched for a few months now weighing out different ideas -
and sisters to contribute financially toward the GLA Building our goal is to be able to give our people something better
Project (see below). You may send your check to Knox Pres- than they even had before the quake. We looked at some
byterian Church, Minneapolis and we will forward all the cheaper options such as wood framed structures - however,
funds to GLA and report back on their progress. The hope is we would like to do more. We feel like the cheaper route just
to break ground and complete at least one new home before to get people out of tents, is simply moving them from one
the one year anniversary. temporary situation to another temporary situation. We feel
that this style of home is what they are accustomed to, they
will last longer, and they can easily be added on to.”
Building Project: from God’s Littlest Angels (GLA)
“GLA has over 75 Haitian staff members - most of whom
have lost their homes due to the earthquake. We have

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 9

When the Rev. Marcia Clark Myers spoke of
God's call to leave country and family in order
to enter a land of risk and promise, her allu-
“Go to a land I shall show you”
sion reached far beyond the example of -by Beth Furkin, Presbyterian News Service
Abram and Sarai deep into the contemporary
landscape of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), where out of nearly 2,300 PC(USA)
ministers and candidates seeking new calls,
few are willing to consider a church of 100
members or less.
Rev. Steve Minnema, executive presbyter for the Presbytery of
Myers' message here on Saturday, September 11, was directed Northern Plains.
to the inaugural class of six pastoral residents, who – having al-
ready risen to the challenge of being called by God to unknown, "Our presbytery might be approximately 65 churches, and of
remote places – gathered from Sept. 8-11 with their presbytery those, probably less than half are served by called and installed,
leaders, mentors and members of the PC(USA) national staff for a ordained Presbyterian clergy," said Minnema. "The issues for us
comprehensive orientation program for For Such a Time as This, are preserving a sense of Presbyterian identity and building up
an innovative pastoral residency program designed to serve the role of the elder in those churches served by non-
small, under-served congregations and develop missional pas- Presbyterians.
tors.
Our challenge is to try to help the leadership of our churches to
In her sermon entitled, "Go to a land I shall show you," delivered claim the gifts in our heritage, in particular the office of elder and
during the orientation’s closing commissioning service, Myers – the role that can be in the life of the church. It takes some people
director of the Office of Vocation for the PC(USA) – emphasized with some familiarity with our heritage and commitment to it to
the concept that all ministry today is "unknown help us do that. We're hoping that this
land." To prepare for the challenges of their program can bring another person in to
new calling, orientation participants worshiped the life of the presbytery with some
together, built community, and were briefed seminary training and some commit-
on a broad variety of topics and ministry re- ment to being Presbyterian as they go
sources, including small church dynamics, about the ministry in our midst."
nurturing practices of spiritual disciplines,
coaching skills for presbytery leaders, and the In that hopeful spirit, Minnema will be
PC(USA)'s church-wide initiative, Growing welcoming Trudy Dumont, a graduate
Christ’s Church Deep & Wide. In addition to of Fuller Theological Seminary, who
Myers, leaders from the staff team included will be serving the Presbyterian Church
Marilyn Johns, the residency program’s coor- of Rolla, N.D., and St. John Presbyte-
dinator, Quinn Fox, associate for theology, rian Church. Minnema described
and Philip Lotspeich, coordinator for church Rolla/St. John – which is one church in
growth. two buildings and two communities –
Participants in the “For Such a Time as as a vital congregation with a good
"Especially at this time in history," Myers said, This” Pastoral Residency Orientation youth program and a good interest in
"God calls us to ministry that will unfold before Gathering. —Photo credit: Mark Crowner. mission.
us and which will call us to adapt, to improvise
along the way, using what we know and learn- "The exciting thing to me about this
ing as we go." program relative to Rolla/St. John is
that that church has had a history of
In the program's first year, six recent seminary graduates have some estrangement from the presbytery and even more so from
been paired with small churches in a two-year pastoral residency the General Assembly," Minnema said. "In the course of their
relationship during which they will be supported and guided by a participation, the chair of their committee told me that they never
network of pastor/mentors, presbytery, seminary, and national felt any closer to both the presbytery and the denomination than
church leaders. Four presbyteries – Heartland, St. Andrew, they have as they’ve made connections and gotten support
Northern Plains and South Dakota – representing congregations through this program."
in Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota will pro-
vide the initial group of ministry settings for 2010. In the coming Another of the six residents, Jason Ku, who immigrated to the
months, all six pastoral residents will be ordained as ministers of United States from Korea in 1979, expressed not only delight but
the Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) to serve their respective surprise that his first call was to an English-speaking congregation
churches as designated pastors. in Holden, Mo.

"Any ministry – Missouri to Malawi, Brooklyn to Biloxi, Willow Lake "One of the challenges I started seeing in seeking my first call was
and Grenada – is challenging, scary, and a venture into the un- that most churches were seeking ministers with a number of years
known," Myers said, referencing several of the program's first of experience," said Ku, a second-career pastor and a 2007
ministry settings. "Yet you go not alone. You go with God. You go graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. "I knew, too,
to minister with Presbyterian leaders who know Christ and have that my background as an immigrant and speaking English as a
deep faith formed over a lifetime. You go surrounded by the wider second language would make it hard for me to get into an Eng-
church, who minister with you and support you in that place." lish-speaking congregation.

Among those presbytery leaders looking forward to both the im- I am so grateful because if I can do my first ministry successfully,
mediate as well as the long-term impact of the program is the my Korean-American associates and the younger generations will

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 10

be able to see the vision and the hope that can widen their oppor-
tunities to serve in the future.”
Two of Ku's four sisters who still live in Korea – along with his 83-
year old mother – will be flying in for his ordination by his home
presbytery, the Presbytery of Sacramento, on Sunday, October
10, where they will be joined by a host of other relatives. "It turns
out to be my big family event," Ku said. "I thank God for that."
The Rev. Charles Spencer, executive presbyter of Heartland
Presbytery – of which the First Presbyterian Church of Holden,
Mo., is a member – described the congregation as "very hopeful."
Prior to Ku’s arrival, the 26-member church had been over a dec-
ade without a full-time resident pastor.
"We're very excited," Spencer said, "the Committee on Ministry
and the presbytery as a whole. We have a lot of churches watch-
transforming congregations
Transformation might seem like a broad topic for a confer-
ence, but that open-ended description is fitting, said one or-
ganizer.
"The church is going to look very different
depending on what it's called to be," said the
Rev. Philip Lotspeich, coordinator for Church
Growth for the ministry area of Evangelism
and Church Growth.
The 2010 Transformation Conference — Oct.
18-22 in Fort Worth, Texas — will attempt to
address these different "looks" for churches
undergoing a transformation, Lotspeich said.
The conference is framed around the goals of
igniting, inspiring and equipping participants:
igniting their passion for Jesus Christ, inspir-
ing them to be the church and do what it is called to do, and
equipping them to be the church in the 21st century.
Church growth is moving away from a cookie-cutter ap-
proach and is now about encouraging churches to engage
with what the Holy Spirit is doing in their communities,
Lotspeich said.
Rather than offering several discrete workshops, the confer-
ence is organized into six tracks that will give participants
the chance to delve deeply into one area of transformation.
The tracks:
 Cooperative ministry
 Transformation in multi-ethnic congregations
 Evangelism and disciple making
 Nuts and bolts of congregational transformation
 Leader development
 Spirituality
The conference was designed to work for all churches,
emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 11
ing. There were churches that couldn’t quite be moved to partici-
pate this year, but they are watching."
###
The For Such a Time as This program is currently seeking poten-
tial partner presbyteries which are under-served and have diffi-
culty attracting first call candidates, but which have three to four
small churches – 100 or fewer in average worship attendance –
that could serve as good learning settings for first call resi-
dents. Partner presbytery application forms – due December 15,
2010 – as well as further information for presbyteries and pastoral
resident candidates for the class of 2011, are available on the
program's Web site (http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/vocation/
such-time/).
Lotspeich said, adding that while about
80 percent of congregations in the Pres-
byterian Church (U.S.A.) need to be in
some sort of transformation, 100 per-
cent of congregations would benefit from change in some
way.
"Once you stop being transformed by the spirit of
God, you're dying," he said.
Lotspeich said he is especially excited about the
conference's leadership and speakers. Kevin
Miller, chief visionary officer of TAG Consulting, is
author of the book Transforming Church, which
Lotspeich called an essential read. Rex Miller is a
futurist and author of the book The Millennium
Matrix: Reclaiming the Past and Reframing the
Future of the Church.
Lotspeich also emphasized that the conference
isn’t about getting congregations to conform to the
world, but is rather about connecting in a new con-
text to build the church.
"Where churches start getting in trouble is when they start
trying to work against their DNA, the core of who they are,"
he said. "We hope people leave with a reignited passion for
Jesus Christ … and hopefully they'll leave with some tools."
To register for the conference, go to
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/church-
growth/congregational-transformation-conference/ .
There are a limited number of scholarships available for
small-church pastors and leaders. Contact program assistant
Sherry Britton (sherry.britton@pcusa.org) to learn more.
-Bethany Furkin, Presbyterian News Service
 "I want… I want… I want… I want..." -

Relentless generosity Norman D. Cat

By Stan Martin We have two felines who choose to

family in our home. They are not re-
lated. They do not look the same. They
certainly behave in different ways. Be-
yond the fact that they are both males,
they are quite distinct. Yet…they
somehow get-along very well. But
‘getting-along’ is not want I want to tell
you about…although that would be a
good message. No…I want to share
with you a behavioral trait that has
been parabolic to me.

Robert is the younger of the two cats

and acts like a real baby: He hugs, he
pouts, he kisses, he cries, he laughs.
He also can be a little of a conniver as
he uses his lovingness to get both in
and out of trouble.

On the other paw there is Norman.

Norman is just a little older than Robert
but a world apart in behavior. He does
not hug – he curls up. He does not
pout – he endures. He does not kiss – he kneads. He does not cry or laugh – he wants. And its Norman’s wanting that provides me
with a parable.

When Norman wants something he is relentless. He never gives up until what he wants is what he gets. Neither reason nor scolding
does anything. When he wants to be on your lap he will keep getting back in it even if you (gently) throw him off. When he wants his
“beef shreds” (a favorite food from Friskies) he will continue to meow (an annoyingly loud ‘meow’) and rub against your leg and then
start jumping and scratching your leg – until he gets his beef shreds. No matter what approach you may use to abate his desire
(ignore, firm speech, reasoning, loving kitty talk) nothing will cause a cessation of his relentlessness. He keeps coming back.

Now – this may sound like a similar parable in the Bible - one you may be familiar with. In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a parable about a
woman pursuing justice from an unjust judge. First the judge dismisses her, but the woman hangs in there to the point of annoyance
and the judge finally grants her request.

The parable Jesus told was not a call for people-of-faith to engage in annoying behavior, but it was a call to behave in the same kind
of relentlessness that the woman showed the judge and Norman demonstrates to his human family. And if this relentlessness could
be tied to spirit-gifts, we can only imagine the transformation that would occur.

Think of what the spaces we live in would begin to resemble if we practiced a relentless generosity.

 Our spirit-talents excelling: (more confession & forgiveness; increased love & honesty; greater hope-giving and peace-
making.)

 Our spirit-time transforming: (more time for friends & family; increased spaces for compassion & service; enlarged mo-
ments for faith-life & divine-presence.)

 Our spirit-treasures freeing: (more stewarding instead of hoarding; increased opening of the heart instead of closing of
the mind; enlarged moments of letting go instead of holding on.)
As we think of an economy that continues to struggle, the needs of many around us, and the call to be a presence of blessing, it may
be difficult to stress a relentless generosity. Yet, it is in giving that we receive and the more relentless we are in doing it, the greater
the transformation will be. And perhaps our relentless generosity of talent, time and treasures will not only transform us – but will posi-
tively impact our neighbors and the world, as well.
Stan Martin is the pastor of Peace Presbyterian Church in St. Louis Park, MN. Above is a picture of cats Robert and Norman.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 12

Editor’s Note: The following are excerpts from the fall
2010 edition of PW Connection, the newsletter for
Presbyterian Women of the PTCA.
Presbyterian Women
General Assembly Gift Project
Fall Report
In the spring of 2009, COLA (local arrangements)
directors invited Presbyterian Women in the Presby-
tery of the Twin Cities Area to suggest Gift Project
ideas for the 219th General Assembly to be held in Minneapolis
First, Stillwater First, Church of All Nations, and Westminster-
July 3-10. Their invitation was accepted and it was decided that
Minneapolis.
delegates and observers would be asked to bring new socks and
underwear for men, women, and children in shelters in our pres- There were many dynamic speakers, including Jerene Mortenson,
bytery as well as in the presbyteries of Northern Waters and Min- mother of Greg Mortenson (THREE CUPS OF TEA), who updated
nesota Valleys. us on schools being established in Afghanistan and Pakistan and
how these schools have changed lives, and Phyllis Cole-Dai, who,
PW contacts in eight churches in various areas of our presbytery
with a colleague, lived voluntarily for 47 days on the streets of
selected shelters in their areas, determined their needs, and were
Columbus, Ohio. She wrote of this homeless experience in her
responsible for delivering items received at the end of the Assem-
book THE EMPTINESS OF OUR HANDS.
bly. The contacts were Belinda Breit
(Calvin Presbyterian, Long Lake), Judi We heard about many mission projects of the
Shaughnessy (Central Presbyterian, St. church, including:
Paul), Cindy Skjeimeyer (Church of All Na-
1. Rahab's Rope, a women's center in Banga-
tions, New Brighton), June Herling (First
lore, India, which was a 2009 Thank Offering
Presbyterian, Red Wing), Marcia Doller-
recipient. They work with commercial sex work-
schell (First Presbyterian, Rochester), Bar-
ers to rescue, to rehabilitate, to restore, and to
bara Horness (Oak Grove Presbyterian,
help with skills for re-entry. A new center will
Bloomington), Shirley Hinrichs
open in Goa, a city known for sex tourism.
(Westminster Presbyterian, Austin), and
Linda Tellefsen (Westminster Presbyterian, 2. The Mustard Seed Program. This is a mis-
Minneapolis). sion to the Maasai tribe in Kenya. They work to
improve children's health, to provide basic
Sixteen shelters in our presbytery as well
school supplies, to provide financial assistance
as shelters in the presbyteries of Northern
to orphans/needy children so they can go to
Waters and Minnesota Valleys received
school, and to provide Maasai language Bibles.
items. Target Corporation approved a
$1000 grant to PTCA and we received fifty An offering of $5567 will be divided among
$20 gift cards from them. Each shelter received gift cards along these projects:
with the socks and underwear.
1. Support for Denise England, a registered nurse who is serv-
The Gift Project was very well-received. Donations surpassed our ing as a consultant for Geriatric and Nursing Services at Cairo
expectations. Our initial goal was 1500-2000 items; actual dona- Evangelical Medical Centre, Cairo, Egypt,.
tions totaled 7200! In addition $910 in checks and cash was re-
2. Mattresses for hospitals in the Congo.
ceived. Additional gift cards were purchased and the designated
shelters received additional cards. There is also money to buy gift 3. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church Sudanese
cards for additional shelters in the presbytery. People saw a need Kitchen Project. This church in Des Moines, IA has become a
and were generous in their donations. It was a very rewarding place of worship, gathering, assistance, and social life for a com-
experience and it is hoped that churches near these shelters will munity of Sudanese refugees and immigrants. The kitchen, used
become more involved with them if they are not already involved. to prepare many meals, is not adequate.
Thanks to all who made this project successful. The next Synod Gathering will be held in 2013.

Synod Women’s Gathering

"The Wonders of God's Promises" was the theme for the Synod of
Lakes and Prairies Gathering of Presbyterian Women at Buena
Vista University, Storm Lake, IA June 16-19. Eleven women from
our Presbytery attended. Churches represented were Rochester

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 13

Something to Think About  The number of congregations without
pastoral leadership decreased.
-by General Assembly Mission Council
 There was an increase in the number of
female ministers and the number of congrega-
tions with a female head of staff, solo pastor,
or co-pastor.
Even casual observers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are Comparative Statistics 2009, released recently, is an annual
likely aware that the mem- publication of the Research Services
bership of the denomina- Christ, Edina Third in PCUSA office that tracks trends for the de-
tion has decreased stead- nomination in the areas of member-
ily for quite some time. ship, ministers, and financial data for
However, not all of the congregations. The resource sum-
news about the PC(USA) marizes this information for the de-
is bad news. Consider Christ Presbyterian in nomination and often by synod and
these findings from the Edina is the third largest presbytery.
recently released Com- congregation in the Pres-
This year’s edition features an intro-
parative Statistics 2009. byterian Church (USA) in
ductory easy, “Membership Change
membership according
 There were 20 new the 2009 Comparative
in the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A): Trends in Gains and
church developments in
Statistics from the Gen- Losses,” by Jack Marcum, coordina-
2009.
eral Assembly Mission tor of Research Services of the Gen-
 Membership in- Council. In 2009, Christ eral Assembly Mission Coun-
had 5,289 members, up cil. Referring to the overall member-
creased in 13 presbyteries
ship loss for 2009, Marcum points
(North Puget Sound, 190 from the previous
out that many Presbyterians were
Northwest, San Juan, year. The two congrega- working last year to increase gains
Twin Cities Area, Midwest tions larger than Christ or to reduce losses in member-
Hanmi, St. Andrew, Atlan-
are Fourth Presbyterian ship. He notes that “one more gain
tic Korean-American, Bos-
in Chicago with 6,102 or one fewer loss for every 34 mem-
ton, Eastern Korean, East-
members and Peachtree Presbyterian in Atlanta with 8,989 bers would have completely elimi-
ern Oregon, Kendall, Sac-
nated the net loss in 2009.” That
ramento, and Hanmi).The members.
certainly should give Presbyterians
numbers of racial ethnic
Overall , the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area gained 201 something to think about.
candidates for ministry
increased. members in 2009 being the only presbytery in the Synod of Comparative Statistics 2009 can be
Lakes and Prairies to do so. accessed online (pcusa.org) or or-
 Investment income dered from Presbyterian Distribution
increased. Services by calling (800) 524-2612
and requesting PDS #02056-09033.
 Asian membership increased.
 There was an increase in Asian leadership (elders, deacons,
and active clergy).

Resources Available from the Disability Concerns Taskforce

Are you looking for challenging programs for adult education, youth gatherings, or
other church events? The Disability Concerns Task Force can help you plan a single
program or a series. Samples of our offerings include programs on the Bible and
disability, living with mental illness, and living with a disability such as blindness,
mobility, autism, and PTSD.
Each of our speakers has personal or professional experience with disabili-
ties. Our programs challenge the stereotypes and barriers that label some of us as
“outsiders” and that prevent people with disabilities from offering their gifts to the
church and our communities.
You will find a complete list of speakers and contact information on link at:
http://presbyterytwincities.org/ministries/disability-concerns/

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 14

 Community Presbyterian Church
in Rochester celebrated it’s 25th transitions
anniversary on September 26 with
Executive Presbyter Chaz Ruark taking part.

 George Knierieman, honorably retired pastor, died on September 25 after an illness. A celebration of his life took place at North
Como Presbyterian Church on September 30.

 Gene Orr will be come the new Interim Pastor at Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley. He was the Stated Supply at
Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Paul until June of 2010.

 Sung Chul Park, has retired from active ministry. now Honorably Retired, Park’s ministry was celebrated at the September 14
Presbytery Meeting.

 Deborah Wilkinson, a candidate in the PTCA, was ordained September 26 at 3:00PM at Presbyterian Church of the Way in
Shoreview. She will become the Temporary Supply Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington in the Pittsburgh Pres-
bytery (Pennsylvania).

 Karen Craven, a candidate in the PTCA, was approved for Ordination at the September 14 Presbytery meeting. She will be
ordained on October 17 at 3:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis.

 Matthew Skinner (10/16/2005 )

ordination anniversaries
 H. Allan Talley (10/16/1962 )

 Jong Hyeong Lee (10/1/1971 )  Gale W. Robb (10/17/1993 )

 David L. Williamson (10/1/1973 )  Suzan Ireland (10/20/1996 )

 Meghan Gage-Finn (10/2/2005 )  Teresa Roberts (10/21/1984 )

 Edna Mae Carlson (10/3/1982 )  Jon W. Galloway (10/22/1978 )

 Richard G. Douse (10/3/1952 )  John M. MacFarlane (10/24/1965 )

 Bebe L. Baldwin (10/4/1981 )  Douglas W. King (10/25/1960 )

 C. Richard Knowles (10/4/1960 )  Max R. Maguire (10/25/1958 )

 Margaret M. McCray (10/4/1981 )  Bruce D. Ervin (10/27/1985 )

 Larry Alderink (10/5/1975 )  Kathleen D. Macosko (10/27/2002 )

 Paul E. Capetz (10/6/1991 )  Paula Sanders (10/29/2006 )

 J. Scott Cartwright (10/7/1996 )  Mary J. Leisman (10/30/1983 )

 Sandra Stuart Gray (10/7/1990 )

 Judith C. Ritchie (10/9/1983 )

 T. Ewen Holmes (10/10/1982 )

 H. Lyle Rozeboom (10/12/1969 )

 Todd Allen (10/13/2002 )

 Herbert Frey (10/15/1978 )

 Tammy J. Rider (10/16/1994 )

 Gene Sipprell (10/16/1988 )

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 15

For more information on the positions listed below, please go the
PTCA website at www.presbyterytwincities.org/jobs. positions available
 Volunteer Writer/Journalist, Familia de Fe NCD, Minneapolis

 Worship Director, Aldrich Avenue Presbyterian, Minneapolis

Do you have a church staff position that needs to be filled? Send in your job announcements to Dennis Sanders at commu-
nications@ptcaweb.org. For more information on interim pastor openings, please contact the Committee on Ministry at
com@ptcaweb.org. (Oh, and let us know when you fill the position, so we can remove it from the job listings.)

that we can turn things around this planet very quickly by em-
events bracing a model for sustainable abundance.
A national leader in the Natural Step Framework, with its funda-
mental needs component rooted in the Human Scale Develop-
Truth-Telling Forum at Cherokee Park: A “Truth Telling Forum ment theory of Chilean philosopher-economist Manfred Max-
– Justice and the Indigenous People of Minnesota and St. Paul” Neef, Terry has trained corporations, cities, congregations and
will be held on Mondays, October 4 & 11, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at NGOs in this model of sustainability here in the Twin Cities area
Cherokee Park United Church, 371 W. Baker St., St. Paul, MN and across Minnesota, as well as other countries.
55107. In this two part forum Dakota leaders will speak about the
impact of colonialism and white supremacy on Indigenous People Shepherd of the Hill is located at 145 Engler Blvd. in Chaska.
and what it means to become allies in working for justice.
Remember Niger: The fundraiser for expanding education in
 Monday, October 4: Preserving, Protecting and Promot- Niger will be held October 17 at the from 4 - 8 p.m. Oak Marsh
ing Dakota Culture for Mother Earth- Presenter is Jim Ander- Golf Club, 526 Inwood Ave. N.
son, an activist for sacred site and preservation of Dakota Oakdale, MN, The event includes a silent auction of items like art
Culture and the Cultural Chairman for the Mendota Mdewa- pieces from Niger, useful donations from local businesses, raffles
kanton Dakota Community. for Ipod and Kindle and live auction items such as African safari
for four people and five other special things.
"Remember Niger" is a new organization founded by a former
 Monday, October 11: Unraveling Minnesota’s Distorted PCUSA missionary to Niger. The purpose of the non-profit group
History – Presenters are Dr. Chris Mato Nunpa and Mary is to build, equip and maintain elementary schools in Niger, pro-
Beth Faimon. Dr. Mato Nunpa is a Wahpetunwan (“Dwellers vide for teacher training and scholarships for children.
In The Leaves”) Dakota from the Pezihuta Zizi Otunwe
“Yellow Medicine Community.” Now retired, he served as an Rated as the least developed nation in the world by the U.N. Hu-
Associate Professor of Indigenous Nations & Dakota Studies man Index , Niger's populace has an extremely low literacy rate,
at Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minne- few natural resources to pay for public education and a lack of
sota. Professor Mary Beth Faimon is recently retired from the infrastructure.
Social Work program at Southwest Minnesota State Univer-
sity, Marshall. The deadline for reservations is October 6. For more information
and to register for the event go to www.rememberniger.org or call
Ruth Jones, 651-275-3700 or Pat McKisson 651-773-5107.
Registration: Please register in advance if you would like a meal
Fall Conferences for Communicators: The Presbyterian Com-
or child care, which are available upon prior request. There will
municators Network is offering two Communicators Conferences
be a free will offering for the meal. No charge for either presenta-
this fall focused on web-based media for churches and middle
tion. Register by contacting 651-227-4275 or
governing bodies. The theme is "Plugging In Without Shorting
email cpuc@usfamily.net .
Out." Each conference will include a variety of plenary speakers
First Tuesday Dialogue at Shepherd of the Hill: Terry Gips, and workshops. The conferences will be held at Crestfield Con-
President of The Alliance for Sustainability and CEO ference Center, Slippery Rock (near Pittsburgh), Pa., Oct. 18-20,
of Sustainability Associates, comes to Dialogues at Shepherd of and at Zephyr Point Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Oct.
the Hill Presbyterian Church in Edina on October 5 at 7PM as the 25-27. Additional conference information and registration materi-
keynote speaker for the series. Former White House and Con- als can be found at http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/comnet/.
gressional Aide, Cargill grain merchant and Aveda Corporation
Director of Sustainability, Terry is startlingly positive in his belief

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 16

Cedar Lake Seven to
Perform: Men’s gospel
choir Cedar Lake Seven,
events, continued
an outreach ministry of
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, will host a two hour-long fundraising
concert to benefit a suburban Hennepin County homeless youth outreach program. 112 W. Franklin Ave.
The concert will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at Wooddale Lutheran Church, Suite 508
4003 Wooddale Ave. South, in St. Louis Park. Minneapolis, MN 55404
The Suburban Host Home program is a community initiative involving local schools,
faith communities, local government, service providers and the greater suburban Fax: 612-871-0698
Hennepin County community. The mission of the program is to address the housing E-mail: communications@ptcaweb.org
needs of homeless youth by connecting them with adults from their own community Web: www.ptcaweb.org
who are willing to provide safe housing and support. Twitter: www.twitter.com/ptcaweb
The concert will be hosted by SPARK, a collaboration of Lutheran Churches in St. Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Louis Park and a strong supporter of the Suburban Host Home Program. presbyterytwincitiesarea

Festival of Song at Calvin: A Festival of Song will be held at Calvin Church in Long
Presbytery Staff
Lake on November 14 beginning at 4PM. The hymnsing will be led by Paul Wester-
meyer, the Cantor and Professor at Church Music at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Chaz Ruark, Executive Presbyter:
You can be the first to sing a number of new, contemporary hymns being considered
ep@ptcaweb.org
for the new Presbyterian Hymnal. Singing begins at 4 with a dinner afterward. The
event is free but please RSVP if you are staying for dinner. Please consider an $8 Nancy Grittman, Stated Clerk: stated-
suggested donation for dinner. To RSVP for dinner, please contact the church at
(952) 473-5419 or Sandy@calvinchurch.net. Calvin is located at 177 Glendale Ave-
clerk@ptcaweb.org
nue, Long Lake. Risa Anderson, Office Manager: of-
Retreat Dates at Clearwater Forest: Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Deerwood, fice@ptcaweb.org
Minn., has released its retreat dates for 2011. Junior and Senior High Snow Camp
runs Jan. 21-23, Women's Chrysalis Feb. 11-14, Confirmation Retreat March 18-20, Dennis Sanders, IT/Communications
Senior High Spring Retreat April 8-10, Women's Chrysalis Aug. 17-21, Senior Adult Specialist: communica-
Retreat Aug. 22-26, Middle School Retreat Oct. 14-16, Senior High Fall Retreat Oct. tions@ptcaweb.org
28-30, and Confirmation Retreat Nov. 11-13. Additional details can be found
at www.clearwaterforest.org.

Missional Church Consultation at Luther- The sixth annual Missional Church Con-
sultation, "Cultivating Sent Communities - Missional Spiritual Formation," will bring "EMerge:Monthly," is a publication
together pastors, mission directors, scholars and lay congregational leaders Nov. 12- from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities
13 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Plenary session leaders are Richard Osmer,
professor of Christian education at Princeton Theological Seminary; Christian Area (PTCA). The mission is to share
Scharen, assistant professor of worship at Luther; Karen Ward, vicar and abbess at brief highlights with links to re-
Church of the Apostles in Seattle; and Dwight Zscheile, assistant professor of con- sources and news. Recipients include
gregational mission and leadership at Luther. In addition to plenary presentations, congregations, minister members,
attendees will connect with peers in the missional church movement over meals, dur-
ing Bible studies and in workshops. Registration for the consultation is open, and
other members, committees, and
additional information, including registration materials, is available at http:// friends. Please send submissions and
www.luthersem.edu/mission/consultation/consult_overvw.aspx . e-mail corrections to Dennis Sanders,
, editor, at communica-
tions@ptcaweb.org . Usual distribu-
tion: Thursdays.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 17

Minnesota is known for its thriving theatre scene. The state boasts
some great venues such as the Guthrie in Minneapolis and the Ordway in All the church’s a
St. Paul.
stage
Maybe we
should add
Community -dennis sanders and leroy haynes
Presbyterian
Church in
Plainview as
well.

Community Presbyterian Church hosted the Plainview Com-

munity Theater as they rehearse and present "Cinderella." The
play will be performed Oct. 5-8 at 7:00 PM with the final per-
formance pm Saturday Oct. 9 at 2:00 PM.

Using a church sanctuary to stage a play means transforming a

worship space into a theatre space. That’s just what Community did, as
the front of the church will be covered by a large stage. Interim Pastor
LeRoy Jones says the congregation is thrilled to have this performing art
take place in their building. It might be good news for Jones as well
since it means the pulpit is about three feet higher than normal.

The musical is made up of people from the whole community but many
are Presbyterians. Plainview is also the home of the "Jon Hassler" thea-
ter presently performing a comedy.

emerge/presbytery of the twin cities area/ october 2010/ 18