EMerge: The Blog tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1586028 2008-08-20T14:42:50-05:00 The Blog of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. TypePad 1556524http://www.feedburner.com Travel to Greece and Turkey tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54473748 2008-08-20T14:42:50-05:00 2008-08-20T14:43:02-05:00 Tom Watson, a pastor at First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul, wanted to share the following: Join Revs. Tom & Lisa Watson on a journey to Turkey and Greece this April 25-May 6. The program themes include Apostle Paul,... Dennis Sanders

Tom Watson, a pastor at First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul, wanted to share the following:

Join Revs. Tom & Lisa Watson on a journey to Turkey and Greece this April 25-May 6. The program themes include Apostle Paul, Byzantium and the Modern World with visits to Istanbul, Troy, Izmir, Pergamon, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini, Corinth and Athens. The tour is comprehensive with airfare from the Twin Cities, seven nights hotel, two nights on a Greek Island cruise and professional guides throughout.

For a brochure and details contact: Tom Watson at First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul: 651-451-6223 or tomw@fpcssp.org.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tom Watson

http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/travel-to-greec.html Remembering Rev. Ronald McDuffie tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54473504 2008-08-20T14:36:39-05:00 2008-08-20T14:36:52-05:00 The following was sent by the Rev. David Bierschwale, pastor of Presbyterian Church of the Master in Coon Rapids: We give thanks to the Lord for the Gospel ministry of His faithful servant, Rev. Ronald McDuffie, who passed away on... Dennis Sanders

The following was sent by the Rev. David Bierschwale, pastor of Presbyterian Church of the Master in Coon Rapids:

We give thanks to the Lord for the Gospel ministry of His faithful servant, Rev. Ronald McDuffie, who passed away on Sunday, August 17 in Wisconsin after a lengthy illness. Rev. McDuffie served as Pastor of Presbyterian Church of the Master in Coon Rapids from 1966 to 1981. He continued in ministry as a member of Winnebago Presbytery, serving the UCC congregation in Three Lakes Wisconsin for about 10 years until retirement. During retirement, he again served as Pastor--of the Phelps and Ely (Land o' Lakes) UCC congregations in Wisconsin for about 10 more years until his permanent retirement a few years ago.

He is survived by his wife, June, by 3 sons (Bob, Ben, and Bill), daughter Becky, and several grandchildren.

There will be 2 memorial services, one in Wisconsin, and one in the Twin Cities, as follows:

  • WISCONSIN: Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21st, 4pm-7pm at: Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home at 304 Division St. Eagle River, WI 54521. The Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22nd, at 1pm at: Ely Memorial Congregational Church Land O'Lakes, WI with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.
  • MINNESOTA: Funeral service will be held on TUESDAY, August 26th, at 12:30pm at: Presbyterian Church of the Master 789 Northdale Blvd. Coon Rapids, MN . THERE WILL BE A VISITATION 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE SERVICE. A luncheon will take place following the service and you are welcome to join us at the interment which will immediately follow the service at: Morningside Memorial Gardens University Ave, in Coon Rapids, MN. Those at the interment will be returning to the luncheon in progress at the church.
http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/remembering-rev.html The Vice Moderator's Blog tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54401118 2008-08-19T10:04:32-05:00 2008-08-19T10:04:44-05:00 Did you know that Rev. Byron Wade, the Vice Moderator of the PC(USA) has a blog? Read about his visits and his musings on various issues by going to http://presbyterian.typepad.com/vicemodblog/. Dennis Sanders <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Did you know that Rev. Byron Wade, the Vice Moderator of the PC(USA) has a blog?&nbsp; Read about his visits and his musings on various issues by going to <a href="http://presbyterian.typepad.com/vicemodblog/">http://presbyterian.typepad.com/vicemodblog/</a>.</p></div> http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/the-vice-modera.html Open Letters to Three Friends tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54400818 2008-08-19T09:58:55-05:00 2008-08-19T09:59:10-05:00 Jack Harberer, the editor for Presbyterian Outlook, has written three editorials to three "groups" within the Presbyterian Church (USA) regarding human sexuality and ordination standards. It's worth a good long read to look at all three articles. An Open Letter... Dennis Sanders <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Jack Harberer, the editor for Presbyterian Outlook, has written three editorials to three &quot;groups&quot; within the Presbyterian Church (USA) regarding human sexuality and ordination standards.&nbsp; It's worth a good long read to look at all three articles.</p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.pres-outlook.com/opinion/editorials/7758-an-open-letter-to-my-conservative-evangelical-friends.html">An Open Letter to my Conservative-Evangelical Friends</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.pres-outlook.com/opinion/editorials/7808-an-open-letter-to-my-centrist-ecclesiast-friends.html">An Open Letter to my Centrist-Ecclesiastical Friends</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.pres-outlook.com/opinion/editorials/7782-an-open-letter-to-my-liberal-progressive-friends.html">An Open Letter to my Liberal-Progressive Friends</a></li></ul></div> http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/open-letters-to.html Missional and faithful? PGF Conference ponders the future of the PC(USA) tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54400260 2008-08-19T09:46:57-05:00 2008-08-19T09:47:13-05:00 “It is not about getting the world into the church, it is about getting the church into the world,” said Rob Weingartner to the closing session of the third annual PGF Inside Out Conference that concluded Saturday (August 16.) Throughout... Dennis Sanders

“It is not about getting the world into the church, it is about getting the church into the world,” said Rob Weingartner to the closing session of the third annual PGF Inside Out Conference that concluded Saturday (August 16.) Throughout the three-day conference in Long Beach, California, that sentiment was intertwined with a question explored in the Friday night session, “Can We Be Faithful in the PC(USA)?”...

...Throughout the conference participants were asked to provide feedback on comment cards. Co-host Pastor Mike McClenahan of Solana Beach (Calif.) Church, said one recurring question from the cards was whether or not the Presbyterian Global Fellowship was going to address what many evangelicals in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consider to be pressing issues. “That’s why we are affiliated with groups such as PFR and the Outreach Foundation,” said McClenahan. Those groups, he suggested, are working on issues of strategy, while PGF realizes that “we cannot ignore the health and the focus of the church.”

Continue reading more about the Presbyterian Global Fellowship at Presbyterian Outlook.

 http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/missional-and-f.html Moderator's Musings tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54092714 2008-08-12T12:11:15-05:00 2008-08-12T12:11:33-05:00 The latest from Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow's Blog: Greetings all! I hope you are well and enjoying the summer months. I write this note in the midst of one of my annual continuing education events in beautiful Pacific Grove, CA. This... Dennis Sanders <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The latest from Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow's Blog:</p> <p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=144,height=216,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/12/reyes_chow_2.jpg"><img title="Reyes_chow_2" height="225" alt="Reyes_chow_2" src="http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/images/2008/08/12/reyes_chow_2.jpg" width="150" border="0" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px" /></a> Greetings all!&nbsp; I hope you are well and enjoying the summer months.&nbsp; I write this note in the midst of one of my annual continuing education events in <a href="http://www.reyes-chow.com/2008/08/loving-the-natu.html">beautiful</a> Pacific Grove, CA.&nbsp; This is an event that I have been coming to pretty much every year since I was ordained and is one that anchors my journey, not just in my ministry in this denomination, but as a child of God, striving to be faithful every day.&nbsp; One of the best parts of this event is that the people here are made up of an amazing array of ministry and personal contexts and experiences.&nbsp; I am always moved by the stories of service that are shared, not just because people are DOING great things in the name of Jesus Christ, but because people, year after year after year continue to be energized and inspired to BE the hands, hearts and minds of Christ in the world.&nbsp; This morning as we were engaged in the academic segment of our day, I couldn't help but to think about the gift it is to be in a place where we could listen to these stories of faith that each of us brought.&nbsp; Their stories in some ways become my stories, mine become theirs and in the end we have a deeper understanding of who God may indeed be for each of us.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>This is the posture that I am taking as your Moderator.&nbsp; To listen.</p> <p>Read more about Bruce's willingness to listen by going to <a href="http://www.mod.reyes-chow.com/2008/08/moderator-monda.html">his blog</a>.</p></div> http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/moderators-musi.html Grayde Parsons Undergoes Sucessful Heart Surgery tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54045462 2008-08-11T12:44:33-05:00 2008-08-11T12:44:47-05:00 Stated Clerk will recuperate for a month by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service The Rev. Gradye Parsons CLEVELAND — The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), underwent successful open heart... Dennis Sanders

Stated Clerk will recuperate for a month

by Jerry L. Van Marter
Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Gradye Parsons

CLEVELAND — The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), underwent successful open heart surgery on Aug. 7 at the Cleveland Clinic here.

The surgery — to repair an aortic aneurysm that was first diagnosed several years ago but which had worsened in recent months — took five hours. Parsons

Parsons is scheduled to remain hospitalized for five to seven days and then return to his home in Louisville to recuperate for the remainder of August.

Messages can be sent by email.

http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/grayde-parsons.html News from the Minnesota Council of Churches tag:typepad.com,2003:post-53900172 2008-08-07T15:47:09-05:00 2008-08-07T15:51:05-05:00 Prayer at the Fair -Sundays, August 24 & 31, 2008, 9:15 – 9:45 AM, State Fair Bandshell Skipping worship on Sunday August 24th or 31st? You don’t have to! Come to the Bandshell for an uplifting, spirited worship service that... Dennis Sanders

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Prayer at the Fair -Sundays, August 24 & 31, 2008, 9:15 – 9:45 AM, State Fair Bandshell

Skipping worship on Sunday August 24th or 31st? You don’t have to! Come to the Bandshell for an uplifting, spirited worship service that celebrates the abundance of life. Sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches, the casual service contains both the familiar forms of church including hymns, prayers and a sermon and also gets into the fun spirit of the Fair with our “bulletins on a stick." Celebrants represent the many denominations that make up the Minnesota Council of Churches, making the service a celebration of Christian Unity. For more information contact Gail at (612) 230-3210.

Minneapolis CROP Walk to Benefit Refugee Services Sunday, October 12, 2008, 2PM beginning and ending at Augsburg College

Join the fight against poverty by participating in the Minneapolis Metro CROP Walk. Sponsored by Church World Service, proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services and other international and local disaster relief, refugee assistance and long-term self-help development programs. Click here to learn more about an August 21 recruitment rally, registering online and more, or call Kristin at (612) 230-3219.

Darfur: Where is Our Moral Compass Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 5 – 6 PM, State Capitol Grounds This non-partisan event will create international awareness about Darfur, focusing on current conditions and what can be done to improve the situation. The event will include an interfaith prayer service, Camp Darfur (a reenactment of what life is like in Darfur), stories from survivors of genocide, and speakers. For more information click here or contact Lynne at (612) 230-3211.

Interfaith Service a Meaningful Commemoration Over 1,000 people gathered at the Basilica of St. Mary on August 1, 2008 for an interfaith prayer service in commemoration of the 35W bridge collapse year anniversary. The Service was organized by the Minnesota Council of Churches and the Basilica of St. Mary with cooperation of the office of Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mayor R.T. Rybak. View photo gallery online.

http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/news-from-the-m.html Skill Bank Forms Now Online tag:typepad.com,2003:post-53851116 2008-08-06T15:20:38-05:00 2008-08-06T15:20:51-05:00 Are you interested in serving on a committee or task force? If so, consider filling out a skill bank form which is located on our Forms and Policies page. Dennis Sanders <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Are you interested in serving on a committee or task force?&nbsp; If so, consider filling out a skill bank form which is located on our <a href="http://www.ptcaweb.org/RESOURCES/presbytery%20resources.html">Forms and Policies page</a>.</p></div> http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/skill-bank-form.html PTCA Now on YouTube tag:typepad.com,2003:post-53831788 2008-08-06T10:02:52-05:00 2008-08-06T10:03:04-05:00 The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area now has a page on YouTube. Hopefully we will be posting more videos here in the near future. Dennis Sanders <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area now has a page on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ptcaweb">YouTube</a>.&nbsp; Hopefully we will be posting more videos here in the near future.&nbsp; </p></div> http://ptcaweb.typepad.com/emerge_the_blog/2008/08/ptca-now-on-you.html