EMerge: The Blog

Level One Sexual Misconduct Training Offered

The Advocates in Ministry Committee (formerly the Sexual Misconduct Response Committee) is offering a Level One training event.  It will be held, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. April 10, at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies office.  Ron Willson and  Sandra Stuart Gray will lead this training.  There is a $50 fee which will include lunch and materials.

Peacemaking and Congregational Mission Grants Available

The Connectional Ministries Workgroup is offering two Grants to help congregations and groups committed to social change.  Congregational Mission Grants are available to encourage congregations to create innovative opportunities to share the gospel in their communities.  For more information or to apply please go the Connectional Ministries page.

The Peacemaking Grants originates from the Presbytery's share of the proceeds from the annual Peacmaking Offering, which is collected on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October. Peacemaking Funds are available for use by individuals , congregations, work groups, task forces and committees to address conflict in the secular and religious community. Applications are due in by the 15th of the month before each monthly meeting of the Peace and Justice Task Force. For more information or to apply, please go to the Peace and Justice homepage.

If you have any questions on either grants, please contact Walter Chuquimia at connect@ptcaweb.org.

Environmental Share Fair @North Como

From Carole Rust, Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Task Force:

We want to really encourage EVERY church to come to send representatives to our first big event, an Environmental Share Fair on Sat., Feb. 16 at North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville from 9:30 - 12:00.

If you don't have an environmental group at your church send a member of the staff, Session, Education Comm., or other reps so you will not be left out of this fantastic opportunity for your church to network with other Presbytery churches, get resources, learn about the General Assembly's 2006 Resolution 09-22 "On Calling All Presbyterians to Take Positive and Immediate Steps to Live Carbon Neutral Lives", as well as hear a great panel of speakers which will include:

• 
  
  Lisa Herschberger who is a board member for Congregations Caring for Creation, and research scientist who is qualified to provide info on the report by the Governor's MN Climate Change Advisory Group. She will point us toward actions we can take and let us in on some things currently going on.
  
  


• 
  
  Cheryl Miller is Project Coordinator of the Minnesota Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Initiative, a scientific-public policy forum designed to improve understanding and management of carbon stocks in the state's forests, agricultural areas, and natural areas. Her interest is in Green House Gas emissions as they effect the environment and she will discuss a new report from the U of M and ideas for funding multiple-benefit sequestration activities locally and in the state.
  
  


• 
  
  Sean Gosiewski, Executive Director of the Alliance for Sustainability will be on hand to talk about some future opportunities for action and learning including a gathering at Augsberg College and legislative action . 
  
  

Churches will have a chance to share what they have been doing and plan to do environmentally and we encourage people to bring both ideas and resources to share! We'll have light refreshments if you haven't had time to eat breakfast that morning. Hope to see you on Sat Feb. 16th!!