Emerge June 2010

In this issue:

June 2010Volume Four, Issue Six

EMerge: Monthly

A Publication of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

New PTCA Moderator Installed

Elder Vince Gin speaks toPresbytery shortly after be-ing installed as Moderator ofthe Presbytery of the TwinCities Area on at the AnnualPresbytery meeting, heldMay 11 at Hope Presbyte-rian Church in Richfield. Ginis an elder at First Presbyte-rian in Hudson, WI. Also in-stalled was Rev. Cindy Rayas Vice Moderator.

Working Towards Barrier-Free GA Presbyterians Reflect on Oil Spill

By Chaz Ruark

Hosting General Assembly is a big deal. As a result almosteveryone I talk with these days says; “You must be swampedgetting ready for GA!” In point of fact there is a lot o work in-volved, but the OGA staff, executive committee, work groupleaders and participants are working so well and so hard, thatmy part is pretty manageable. But the biggest item that nowlooms on the horizon calls forall of us Presbyterians in theMinnesota/Wisconsin area tostep up. That item is volunteer-ing for specific duties the weekin which GA takes place. It’seasy to think, “Oh yeah, thatcould be fun and informative,I’ll be sure to sign up, firstthing tomorrow.”Ouch!! Therein lies the prob-lem, there aren’t too manytomorrows left until the start of our family get together.I hope that all who readthis will take the 5-10 minutesit takes to register and do sotoday! I am writing this blogimmediately after filling out myvolunteer dance card. BecauseI tend to be an outgoing personwho enjoys talking to people, I have signed up to:1)greet guests at the Hotel (Thur)2)greet guests at the airport (Fri)3)work the registration desk (Sat) &4)work at volunteer check in desk (Tue)In addition to these tangible tasks, knowing the importance of keeping centered on our work as a church, I have also volun-teered to be a prayer partner, which means I will be randomlyassigned to a commissioner and I will pray for that person eachday during the Assembly. These combined with the other re-sponsibilities I will have will keep me quite busy, but I amlooking forward to it with great anticipation.I have attended enough GA’s over the years that I trulyenjoy the atmosphere and the friendships that are celebrated inthis gathering. I know that any of you who give some time forthis big event will also enjoy it very much. I encourage you tosign up today, there are a wide variety of opportunities, mychoices were greeting people, youcan also sing, set up and tear downmeetings, assist committees, usher,participate in worship, or PRAY.Remember just one volunteer shiftentitles you to free access to all ple-nary sessions if you’re the type thatwants to watch how the meetingsunfold. Believe me it is well worthyour time and I’m willing to bet afteryou’ve served one shift, you’ll offerto take a second or third shift aswell. Almost everyone does. Theclock is ticking, don’t wait too longand miss a great opportunity.Chaz

Chaz Ruark is the Executive Presby-ter of the Presbytery of the TwinCities Area.

Inside Note

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“The biggestitem that nowlooms on thehorizon calls forall of us Presby-terians in the Minnesota/Wisconsinarea to step up and volunteer forGeneral Assembly.”

-Chaz Ruark.

Congregational Mission Grants

The 2010 Congregational Mission Grants provided by the Mission and Witness Com-mittee of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area are now available. CongregationalMission Grant funding exists to encourage PTCA congregations to develop innovativeministries in the local communities.The Mission and Witness Committee is looking for applications between March andSeptember of 2010. If your congregation is interested in applying, please go to thepresbytery website ( www.presbyterytwincities.org

) and download the application or contact committee chair Walter Chuquimia atmission@ptcaweb.org.

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Page Four

Highlights from the AnnualStated Meeting of the Presbytery.

Page Eight

Get to know Paula Sanders, PTCAMinister Member and ExecutiveCoordinator of the Committee onLocal Arrangements for the GA219.See the Dead Sea Scrolls andother sights during General As-sembly.Inside Note Page 2Presbybriefs Page 7Transitions Page 14-15Events Calendar Page 16 Jobs Page 18

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Contents: June 2010

Page Nine

Youth groups are invited to volunteerat General Assembly.