Firs t Presby terian C hurch of South St. Paul

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1 Tower Views Firs t Presby terian C hurch of South St. Paul Volume 31, Issue 1 We strive to be a vibrant Christian community that is loving, nurturing, open, sustainable and renewing, and one that inspires people of all ages to live in the Christian faith and serve the world. Page 1 January 2019

Page 2 Volume 31, Issue 1 For Your Information Office: (651) 451-6223 Fax: (651) 451-3866 www.

Your reports are needed early so that we can compile them into a booklet and have it ready to

Reports can be emailed to Eleta in the church office, (eleta@fpcssp.org), or delivered in person.

org Eleta Pierce Church Administrator eleta@fpcssp.

com Cynthia Mortensen Organist Cynthiamo.mortensen@gmail.

com We had a fabulous celebration of our heritage and history at the Historic Concord Exchange

Paul Eger's Red Rock Swing Band was marvelous; the food was great; the holiday cookies and

2 Page 2 Volume 31, Issue 1 For Your Information Office: (651) Fax: (651) All Are Welcome Here Eleta s Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pastor Katie off on Mondays; Pastor Tom off on Fridays A C!!"" R"$%!& N""("(! All committee reports are due into the church office no later than Sunday, January 20. Your reports are needed early so that we can compile them into a booklet and have it ready to distribute prior to the meeting date of February 3. Reports can be ed to Eleta in the church office, (eleta@fpcssp.org), or delivered in person. Thank you! Addresses: Pastor Katie Estes katie@fpcssp.org Pastor Tom Watson tomw@fpcssp.org Eleta Pierce Church Administrator eleta@fpcssp.org Linda Kachelmeier Director of Music & Hand Bells lindakachelmeier@yahoo.com Cynthia Mortensen Organist Cynthiamo.mortensen@gmail.com Eli Sanchez Youth Director eliaszsanchez@gmail.com We had a fabulous celebration of our heritage and history at the Historic Concord Exchange on December 9. Paul Eger's Red Rock Swing Band was marvelous; the food was great; the holiday cookies and treats display was phenomenal and the amazing desserts that were auctioned off by our magnificent auctioneer Dave Hanson, were outstanding. We had a great silent auction of big ticket items and a really fun time with a gift card tree. All in all, we raised close to $7,000 in just three hours. First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul Like and Share our page! Scan this QR Code for an easy way to donate!

Tower Views Page 3 January Worship Services January 6 Epiphany 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship January 13 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 20 Sliding, Sledding, and Slurping is on the agenda for Kids Club this month!

This hill is appropriate for all ages, and tubes are provided. $4.00 per person over 42 tall; under 42 free with a paid adult. After tubing we ll stop in to a nearby spot for hot cocoa to warm up.

Clearwater Forest Snow Camp We re very sorry to say that the annual snow camp at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest in Deerwood, MN did not get enough registrations to be held this year, but we ll

3 Tower Views Page 3 January Worship Services January 6 Epiphany 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship January 13 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday Communion 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 1:15 p.m. Timber Hills Worship January 27 8:30 a.m. Education for All 10:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship Kids Club! January 20 Sliding, Sledding, and Slurping is on the agenda for Kids Club this month! Join other kids and families on Sunday, January 20, at Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill in Eagan for a slippery fun time. We ll gather after worship and have lunch, then go sliding for an hour or so. This hill is appropriate for all ages, and tubes are provided. $4.00 per person over 42 tall; under 42 free with a paid adult. After tubing we ll stop in to a nearby spot for hot cocoa to warm up. Sign up on the kiosk to let us know you re coming. Clearwater Forest Snow Camp We re very sorry to say that the annual snow camp at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest in Deerwood, MN did not get enough registrations to be held this year, but we ll certainly find a date to have some snow fun ourselves yet this season! Who wants to go tubing at Badlands? Or do we want to set up a ski day? Talk to Eli with your ideas! Holiday Party, Finally! January 13, 4:30 pm We know it s late, but have we got a party for you! All youth will gather at 4:30 pm at church for dinner and our annual gag gift exchange, then we ll hop in cars and head over to Theater in the Round on Cedar Ave S in Minneapolis for Sunday Night Magic featuring Nick Diffatte. The show is at 7:00 pm and we expect to be back at church between 8:30 and 9:00. Eli has scored *free* tickets for us because of his connections, and Nick Diffatte is a top-name comic magician who has headlined in Las Vegas, appeared on the Late Late Show with James Corden, and performed at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood. For the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift (white elephant or new, valued less than $10) with no tag and we ll have some fun fighting over the best one(s). RSVP to Eli or Pastor Katie to reserve your seat for the show and help us plan for transportation. Project Phoenix January 20, 11:15 am Join us in the youth room after worship this day for a light lunch and continuing conversation about Project Phoenix. No, this is NOT about where the high school mission trip will be going next summer! All youth are welcome and encouraged to participate, but parents and other church members are not allowed in on the secret yet! We ll wrap it all up by 1:00, and can provide a ride home if that s helpful.

Page 4 Volume 31, Issue 1 Men s Study Group 8 am Thursdays in the Truran Library Was Jesus born of a virgin? Did he know he was the Messiah? Was he bodily resurrected from the dead?

In the book The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions two leading Jesus scholars with widely divergent views go right to the heart of these questions and others, presenting the opposing visions of Jesus that

4 Page 4 Volume 31, Issue 1 Men s Study Group 8 am Thursdays in the Truran Library Was Jesus born of a virgin? Did he know he was the Messiah? Was he bodily resurrected from the dead? Did he intentionally die to redeem humankind? Was Jesus God? In the book The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions two leading Jesus scholars with widely divergent views go right to the heart of these questions and others, presenting the opposing visions of Jesus that shape our faith today. In alternating chapters, Marcus Borg, the most popular revisionist voice on Jesus and a member of the Jesus Seminar, and N. T. Wright, the most prominent standard bearer for the traditional stance and an outspoken critic of the Jesus Seminar, present their views of who Jesus was, what he taught, and what he did. Candid, spirited, and thoughtfully debated, this compelling discourse will stimulate fresh ideas and intense dialogue among anyone concerned with what it means to be a Christian today. Beginning in January, you are invited to join the Thursday Morning Men s Group as we read and discuss this thought-provoking book on Jesus. 8:30 a.m. Sundays, Knox Room Wednesday Study Groups 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. in the Truran Library The Wednesday morning bible study group will begin a new book on Wednesday January 9--On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old by Parker Palmer. This book of reflections is described as a primer on what we can learn as we all move closer to the brink of everything. Drawing on eight decades of life -- and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist -- Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. "Old," he writes, "is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows. But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It's not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life, refracting new light at every turn. From beginning to end, the book is laced with humor as well as gravitas. Come join our table of folks from their 50s to 80s as we discuss a chapter or two a week. We meet each Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 am in the library. Contact Pastor Katie for a copy of the book. The Wednesday evening bible study group has not decided on a book for January at the time of this publication. Watch the Sunday announcements and Wednesday for our next book. January 6 Carols, a Highlight of the Christmas Season with Cal Ross We love them, cherish them, and look forward to them every year, but have you ever wondered where they come from? Join Cal in singing favorites such as O Holy Night, The Holly and the Ivy, We Three Kings, Silent Night, Ave Maria and many others while learning their origin stories and exploring their meaning for us today. January 13 Justice and Climate Solutions with Claudia Egelhoff, Citizens Climate Lobby With all the negative news on the climate and political scenes, it is understandable to feel discouraged. But hopelessness is not a strategy for making a difference and neither is acting alone. This presentation will discuss a proposal addressing climate change that protects human health, boosts the economy and reduces the likelihood of catastrophe from global warming. CCL is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit organization working to create the political will for climate solutions. January 20 Building Dementia-Friendly Communities with Wendy Fields Wendy is a part of the Disability Concerns Ministry of the Twin Cities Presbytery and will teach us the types of dementia, how to support those with dementia and their caretakers, and what it takes to be loving and caring to those living with dementia by helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia. January 27 Theology Through the Years Join a panel of honorably retired ministers as they speak on their experiences in these rapidly-changing times, reflect on changing theologies, growing knowledge, shifting social customs, and how these have affected their ministry.

Tower Views American Red Cross Blood Drive January 14 Give life! Blood donations save lives. You never know if that person will be you or a loved one. Giving is easy, quick and convenient.

1:00-6:00 p.m. For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org, enter zip code 55075. If you have any questions, contact Rex Boutelle at 651-343-3894.

After lovingly growing veggies for the Sunday Market for 5 years, Heather Marschinke is hanging up her shovel to devote time to the church's youth!

Some of you tell horror stories of being forced by your parents to spend hours in the hot sun weeding and watering. Ours is a modern garden.

We need a concentrated effort in the spring to lay the fabric, plant, set up trellises and cages and lay out the irrigation hoses.

It is a lovely place to spend time it is quiet and peaceful. Birds sing, herons fly overhead and butterflies go through the whole life cycle.

5 Tower Views American Red Cross Blood Drive January 14 Give life! Blood donations save lives. You never know if that person will be you or a loved one. Giving is easy, quick and convenient. If you have given before you know how easy it is. If you haven't, please give it a try. A Blood Drive will be held at FPC-SSP in Fellowship Hall on Monday, January 14, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. For an appointment call RED CROSS or go to enter zip code If you have any questions, contact Rex Boutelle at What a great way to start the new year! Page 5 The Farmer's Market Needs You! After lovingly growing veggies for the Sunday Market for 5 years, Heather Marschinke is hanging up her shovel to devote time to the church's youth! Without helpers to replace her, Julie will need to dramatically scale back the effort. (No purple carrots, no zucchini, no kohlrabi.) Our garden is not like those of your childhoods! Some of you tell horror stories of being forced by your parents to spend hours in the hot sun weeding and watering. Ours is a modern garden. We cover the soil with fabric to prevent weeds from growing and have an irrigation system. We need a concentrated effort in the spring to lay the fabric, plant, set up trellises and cages and lay out the irrigation hoses. After that, we need to care for the plants, harvest 2 times a week and do the fall cleanup. You could either volunteer for certain tasks or adopt a row or two. It is a lovely place to spend time it is quiet and peaceful. Birds sing, herons fly overhead and butterflies go through the whole life cycle. If you can help, please contact Julie Close at Climate - Time for Action! Every week, it seems there is a new report or disaster that confirms climate change has devastating consequences - flooding, fires, droughts, threats to animals. The latest report from the United Nations says that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, the temperature would warm by about 2.7 degrees by 2040 intensifying drought and poverty. There would be food shortages, more wildfires, and coral reefs would die at an alarming rate. This summer, the 223rd General Assembly passed two policies affirming our responsibility to protect God's creation. The first policy encouraged the church to "express its profound concern about the destructive effects of climate change including the disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and in the least developed countries" by advocating carbon pricing that is fair and just, especially for the poor. Another policy called "The Earth is the Lord's" encourages "the whole church to raise a prophetic voice regarding the urgency of healing the climate of the earth...for the future of all life, human and non-human." It calls on Presbyterians to lead by making energy choices with integrity. Here are two things you can do: 1. Attend the Adult Ed class on Jan 13th to learn about the carbon pricing plan that was endorsed by General Assembly. Claudia Egelhoff will explain how Citizen's Climate Lobby and Presbyterians can make a difference. 2. Join the Earth Care Committee and dream up ways to support church members protect God's beautiful creation. (The committee became inactive after getting the Earth Care Congregation certification. It is time to resurrect it.) For information, contact Julie Close or Pastor Tom.

Page 6 Volume 31, Issue 1 A Great Year A Great Future By Lois Glewwe, Financial Secretary and Chair of Finance Committee Happy New Year!

Pledges for 2019 You may recall that a year ago at this point we were very concerned at the number of households, many of whom had been regular pledgers for years, who suddenly decided not to pledge.

Pledges are now nearly $6,000 over last year and 143 households have turned in a 2019 pledge card as opposed to 134 last year. Thank you! If you haven t pledged for 2019 you can still do so.

6 Page 6 Volume 31, Issue 1 A Great Year A Great Future By Lois Glewwe, Financial Secretary and Chair of Finance Committee Happy New Year! Your Finance Team, Bill Doyle, Denny Gehler, Neal Hubbard, Jodee Paape, Andy Tourville and I are busy wrapping up 2018 financials and we have good news to report. Pledges for 2019 You may recall that a year ago at this point we were very concerned at the number of households, many of whom had been regular pledgers for years, who suddenly decided not to pledge. That meant that we had to plan a budget that was $50,000 less than we would normally have been able to support. This year is another story. Pledges are now nearly $6,000 over last year and 143 households have turned in a 2019 pledge card as opposed to 134 last year. Thank you! If you haven t pledged for 2019 you can still do so. Pick up a pledge card in the office or just contact me at lglewwe@hotmail.com or and let me know what you d like to do. Legacy Fund and Anniversary Fundraiser The Legacy Fund is the account where we put bequests and special gifts. We use the Legacy Fund for unbudgeted expenses that we need to cover during the year and to balance the operating budget. As we faced that drop off in pledges in 2018, we realized that we needed to replenish the Legacy Fund. And many of you have helped make that happen! So far, we have received $10,000 for the Legacy Fund plus $4,100 in proceeds from the wine raffle, treats, gift card tree, silent auction and dessert auction. Our goal is $25,000 so we are only $10,900 short of our goal as this Tower Views goes to press. Our prayer is that additional significant gifts will come in and push us over the top. The Legacy Fund will continue to be an ongoing giving option throughout the year. When you have a special family event, an anniversary, a birthday, a graduation, make a gift to the Legacy Fund in honor of your own legacy in this place. Online Giving Thank you for so enthusiastically embracing our new online giving opportunities. Dozens of people used a credit or debit card or went online themselves to buy tickets, make donations, or pay for holiday treats with our new system over the past few weeks. Remember this doesn t end with the party. We can all download the Vanco app and pay from our phones or tablets at any time. We can also go to the church website, and click on donations and make any of our contributions that way, whether it s a regular weekly or monthly pledge payment or a special gift to the fund of your choice. Special thanks to everyone who also chose to pay the transaction fee up front. Questions about any of this? Contact Bill Doyle, our on-line giving coordinator, at wadoyle3@gmail.com or And What s Next? On October 28, 2018, we introduced a five-year plan for accomplishing several things that we must do in order to maintain our building and create some new spaces to accommodate the needs and direction of ministry for future generations. This month you will receive a letter and pledge card explaining this Building Fund with a detailed list of projects and the proposed timeline. We are joining together to raise $186,000 over the next five years. From 2016 through the end of 2018, just 63 households raised that same amount, $186,000, for the 3R s, Repair, Restore and Reroof Fund. Now we are hoping for the same amount but also praying that many more of our 200-plus households will step up and be a part of caring for our facilities over the next five years. Again, watch for the Building Fund letter that hopefully will answer all of your questions. We are asking everyone to return a Building Fund pledge card at the Annual Meeting on February 3, Are We Asking Too Much? Well, we re asking a lot but is it too much? It is unfortunate that several things happened in 2018 which required us to come up with additional resources to meet our obligations. It s probably happened to all of us who ve ever owned a home. First, you save to replace the roof and then a few weeks later, the furnace stops working and suddenly the water heater springs a leak. That is the kind of challenge that we faced in the past year. In an ideal world, we wouldn t have to ask for everything right now but in the long run, we are trying to be good stewards of our facility and plan ahead so we can be prepared for future needs. Thank you again for your faithful generosity, your enthusiasm, and your belief in our legacy, our future and our church home is going to be a great year!

Tower Views Page 7 Prayers for those who have had surgery, been hospitalized or ill in recent weeks, including: Joan Maze, John

Prayers for those who have recently lost loved ones, including Elaine Quinn on the passing of her sister.

Often that effort goes uncredited beyond the church office walls, but their contributions are an enormous part of what keeps this

Thank you to Lois Glewwe for all of the work that you did to make the 125th Anniversary a success!

Thank you to Brad Ribar for donating the Sanctuary Christmas tree and the wreath in the Memorial Garden.

The Mission Committee would like to thank Jim Vasseur for cleaning up our adopt a road along Wentworth Avenue. Thanks Jim!

Are you interested in fair-trade coffees, teas and cocoas?

7 Tower Views Page 7 Prayers for those who have had surgery, been hospitalized or ill in recent weeks, including: Joan Maze, John Marien, Pete & Arlene Veldman, Becky Kalbler & Dustin Fischer and baby Carter, Lois Kroll. Prayers for those who have recently lost loved ones, including Elaine Quinn on the passing of her sister. In this section we recognize those who go the extra mile for the church family. Often that effort goes uncredited beyond the church office walls, but their contributions are an enormous part of what keeps this family and house functioning well. Thank you to Lois Glewwe for all of the work that you did to make the 125th Anniversary a success! Thank you to Charlotte Hubbard for providing delicious Christmas cookies for Fellowship Hour and other meetings this past month. Thank you to Brad Ribar for donating the Sanctuary Christmas tree and the wreath in the Memorial Garden. Thank you also for continuing to support our Youth Group in the many ways that you and your family do. The Mission Committee would like to thank Jim Vasseur for cleaning up our adopt a road along Wentworth Avenue. Thanks Jim! ON SALE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE Helps Support Small Farmers AND Missions of FPC-SSP! Are you interested in fair-trade coffees, teas and cocoas? Our church sells (and serves) Equal Exchange products and your purchases of these fairly-traded items not only give more to the small farmers who grow the products by dealing directly with them and their co-ops, it also gives to our church s mission budget, allowing us to give more to our own outreach efforts. Stop by the office on Sundays, or weekdays during office hours, and see our flavorful selection of coffee, tea and cocoa! There is a variety to choose from: organic, spicy, decaffeinated, herbal, flavored, whole bean and ground. Prices range from $4 to $9.

Page 8 Volume 31, Issue 1 First Presbyterian Church of South St.

fpcssp.org Education for All at 8:30 a.m. Worship Celebration at 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship at 11:00 a.

156 Tower Views is a monthly publication of the First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul, MN Rev.

8 Page 8 Volume 31, Issue 1 First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul All are Welcome Here th Avenue North South St. Paul MN Phone: (651) Education for All at 8:30 a.m. Worship Celebration at 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship at 11:00 a.m. Address Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID South St. Paul, MN Permit No. 156 Tower Views is a monthly publication of the First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul, MN Rev. Katie Estes Rev. Tom Watson Pastors Eleta Pierce Church Administrator Tower Views Deadline January 15 For events taking place in February FEBRUARY 3, 2019

Happy 125 th Anniversary!

Happy 125 th Anniversary! First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul Page 1 Volume 30, Issue 12 December 2018 We strive to be a vibrant Christian community that is loving, nurturing, open, sustainable and renewing, and one that