Tidings. Music is good for your health. Inside this Issue. Youth and Young Adults. Learn, Live and Share God's Word. Live longer!

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Tidings Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church Volume 18 Issue 8 September 2018 Inside this Issue Pastor s Pen............... 2 Attention Women of Mt. Carmel.. 3 Legacy Partners brunch....... 3 Deaths.

........... 5 A friendly reminder.......... 5 Good Fruits Bible study........ 5 Forget-Me-Not............. 6 Hospitalizations............ 6 From the President.

) Choir practice begins Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. All are welcome! Lower your blood pressure!* Bell practice begins Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the balcony.

1 Tidings Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church Volume 18 Issue 8 September 2018 Inside this Issue Pastor s Pen Attention Women of Mt. Carmel.. 3 Legacy Partners brunch Deaths Our sympathy Stay Up-to-date A friendly reminder National Night Out Adult forum resumes Sept Stay Up-to-date A friendly reminder Good Fruits Bible study Forget-Me-Not Hospitalizations From the President Music is good for your health Live longer! Research shows that people who sing are happier, live longer and are generally healthier. (So says Google.) Choir practice begins Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. All are welcome! Lower your blood pressure!* Bell practice begins Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the balcony. Let Megan Crosby know if you are interested in playing bells. (She needs to know numbers in order to pick music so that all can play.) We have a great time playing bells, mistakes and all! *Disclaimer: playing bells during church sometimes leads to high levels of adrenaline in the system, especially when playing rhythmically difficult and fast music. Youth and Young Adults Youth in sixth grade through college are invited to join the Youth and Young Adult group for our regular monthly events. Second Sunday Serving. On the second Sunday of every month the youth and young adults share in Mt. Carmel s hospitality by serving coffee. Third Thursday dinner and a movie. Join us at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month for dinner, conversation and a movie. Sunday morning YAYA. Every Sunday morning during the education hour (10:45-11:45 a.m. when Sunday school meets) we will meet in the youth room for conversation, Bible study and games. FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. You don t have to be a member of Mt. Carmel to join us for any of these activities, especially movie night. Join our Facebook group to know what s going on, groups/mtcarmelyaya/. Questions about YAYA? Contact Jenni Lathrop at jennifer.lathrop@gmail.com or FIND US ONLINE! mountcarmelmpls MountCarmelMpls Learn, Live and Share God's Word

2 PASTOR S PEN In praise of introverts This summer I ve been reading a book entitled, Quiet, by Susan Cain, with the subtitle The power of introverts in a world that can t stop talking. The author observes that in American culture, with its predisposition to outgoing, larger-than-life personalities, extraversion is held up as the ideal personality temperament. Often, introverts are treated as lacking what extraverts have namely, the ability to sell oneself, make oneself known. But the good news is: with some training and effort perhaps by attending a Tony Robbins retreat or reading the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, introverts can become more like extraverts. But Cain s book underscores the fact that in reality, introverts are actually just as successful as extraverts in just about every field and form of leadership, sometimes more so. This is the case because introverts can often see things extraverts may not see. While extraverts often feel the need to be talking, introverts are often listening, processing, allowing space for others to express themselves. The point of this is not to be critical of extraverts. The world clearly needs them. The point is that the world needs introverts, too just the way they are! The same can be said of other personality types. Being more intuitive and reading emotional undertones in a room is not better or worse than being sensate oriented and remembering specific facts and information from a meeting. We need both type people! Being more persuaded by thoughts, ideas and logic is not better or worse than being persuaded by feeling and emotion. We need both. Being the kind of person that values closure and takeaways is not better or worse than the person who values openness and good process more than closure. Again, we need both. What does any of this have to do with Mt Carmel and your faith life? Well, you see, it takes all kinds! We ve heard that phrase before, usually a reference to a weirdo of some kind, and it s normally a grudging acknowledgement that there must be a place even for those who seem strange to me. But when I read about how the body of Christ works, it s very clear that there is value placed on every part of the body (you, me and our neighbor) because there are many functions that need to happen, many roles that need to be filled. So everyone in this body better be prepared to not only accept the fact, but even celebrate that it takes all kinds for the body of Christ to work. For the church to work. At Mt. Carmel, we are currently emphasizing how important it is that we followers of Jesus assemble with one another in small groups to practice our faith together. By that I mean, spending time in scripture, praying with and for each other, sharing our faith journeys, learning about what is doing in the world. But I wonder sometimes if this small group strategy makes introverts uncomfortable. I realize that not everyone is at their best in a group. Many people prefer to work or learn alone or with one other person. What does that mean for us in the church? Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church 1701 St. Anthony Pkwy, NE Minneapolis, MN Fax: Office Hours Summer Office Hours 8:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. M 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. T-F Pastor John Strommen pastorjohn@mountcarmelmpls.org Director of Music/Organist Megan Crosby stonme01@luther.edu Director of Faith Formation Nicholas J. Ralston faithformation@mountcarmelmpls.org Church Administrator Steve Robertson office@mountcarmelmpls.org Maintenance Engineer Steve Panning building@mountcarmelmpls.org Tidings Jenni Lathrop jennifer.lathrop@gmail.com Financial Secretary Susan Feist smfeist@gmail.com Mt. Carmel Child Care Brenda Wetzel childcare@mountcarmelmpls.org The mission of Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church and its members is to Learn, Live and Share God s Word. Ministry Affiliates: Minneapolis Area Synod/ELCA; Northeast Senior Services, Inc.; Little Kitchen Food Shelf; The Sheridan Story; Eastside Meals on Wheels; Plymouth Christian Youth Center; Mission Northeast and Casa de Oracion a las Naciones. The Mt. Carmel facility is shared with the following community groups: Boy Scout Troop 132, Venture Crew, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous. Pastor s pen, continued on 5 2 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church

3 Attention Women of Mt. Carmel What is a Circle?? In the past, women of the church often met monthly in small groups called circles to carry out the following functions (though not limited to any or all of the below): Spiritual growth (prayer, Bible study, enlightenment, carry out functions of the larger church) Support group (to each other, to young moms, to seasoned moms, to non-moms, for grief, for a shoulder to lean on, to laugh, to cry, to provide sunshine with our offerings) Study group (Bible, selected books, church wide topics, retreats) Service group (planners and doers, serve meals, clean, outreach to our neighborhood near and far, raise funds for charity, make baptism towels, quilt) Social group (serve yummy treats, sponsor and serve banquets, attend events together, have fun with one another) At one time Mt. Carmel had six to eight active circles, each named after special women in the Bible. Circles have changed as the church has, but not their core function. Our remaining Circle has also changed and evolved and continues to do so. Continuing this fall, Eunice Lois Circle will meet the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. (This time is not written in stone.) Goals and purposes remain the same as the past, but have evolved to meet the current needs of the church and in particular the women of the church. All the women of Mt. Carmel are members, EVERYONE IS WELCOME. The group is not age specific. Instead of defined book or Bible study, we will ask for volunteers to lead a time of discussion with current topics of their choice (news article, podcast, devotion, etc.) tying them into a spiritual context. Our service events and other activities will bubble up from joint concerns and needs. Volunteers will also serve as hosts and provide refreshments if they wish. There will be no pressure to attend every meeting or lead a discussion if that isn t your calling. Come and participate as the Holy Spirit guides you. Following in the footsteps of our vision for the future for Mt. Carmel, we will evolve into what is best to help us as women learn, live and share God s Word. See you Sept. 25 in the Fireside Room at 7 p.m.! LEGACY PARTNERS BRUNCH The board members of the Mt. Carmel Foundation will be hosting the annual Legacy Partners brunch right after the church service on Sunday, Oct. 28 in Fellowship Hall. Come and learn what it means to become a Legacy Partner and then enjoy brunch together. There is no cost for this event. We hope to see you there! DEATHS Aug. 2 Robert Harold Spiess (funeral held Aug. 13) OUR SYMPATHY Tim Quinlan on the death of his mother Pat on July 31 STAY UP-TO-DATE Watch for updates in the Candle, our weekly e-newsletter. Not receiving the Candle and would like to? office@ mountcarmelmpls.org to add yourself to the mailing list. A FRIENDLY REMINDER Please kindly turn off all lights in the building if you use the building in the evening and are the last person to leave. Thanks! Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church 3

4 Thank you Thank you again to the congregation and Foundation for supporting the children of Mt. Carmel to grow in their relationships with each other, with the larger Lutheran community and in their personal faith journey. Left, the fifth grade cabin; right, Nik and Henrik Nordeen during a field game. National Night Out 4 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church

5 Adult forum resumes Sept. 16 On Sunday, Sept. 16, Pastor John will be the initial presenter of the season. In this session, participants will look at the strategic plan and how we can live into it as members. This will be an opportunity to examine how we can better form community with each other, cultivate our gifts and regularly cross boundaries into the neighborhood. The next two Sundays (Sept. 23 and 30) will be led by Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl. Her topic is Reforming Perceptions, Theology and Language about Mental Illness. In describing this topic she wrote: One area in need of reform in the church and society today is around mental illness. Awareness and understanding of mental illness and people who experience mental illness has grown in recent years, however, misunderstanding and unfamiliarity still persist. How might one begin to reform perceptions, theology and language about mental illness in congregations? The first session will provide a theological framework in which to begin the reformation. Her second session will offer ideas for conversation and resources for action. Both sessions will provide opportunities for questions. Pastor Holt-Woehl is an adjunct professor at Luther Seminary. She regularly conducts workshops on this topic for pastors and other professionals. You are welcome to one or both of these sessions. Come to explore one area where we as church need to continue to reform! Pastor s Pen, continued from 2 Dave Olson I think it means that we remember to equip members on their private journeys as well as the time spent with others. The truth is, everyone can benefit from a private prayer/reflection life, even extraverts! Even when they can t wait to move on to where the action is. And private faith experience, or perhaps with one s family members, might be exactly what an introvert desires and needs. Vice versa, whereas many extraverts love groups settings and lively conversation, that may not come as easy to introverts. Even so, being in a group with others and being allowed/affirmed to be who you are is a really good and vital thing for just about everyone, I think. Soon you will hear about an invitation and challenge from some of our members to nurture and grow (to practice!) your faith at home. We will share a wonderful devotional book that gets you in the Bible and reflects with you about your own faith journey. Along with this, we will equip you for opportunities to practice faith with your family through regular rituals and activities. Some of you may be much more comfortable learning new faith practices in the privacy of your home and by yourself. That s great! Maybe at some point, you will be interested in gathering with others to compare notes on your faith journeys, maybe not. The point is, we want to equip and feed all of God s people, introverts and extraverts alike! STAY UP-TO-DATE Watch for updates in the Candle, our weekly e-newsletter. Not receiving the Candle and would like to? office@ mountcarmelmpls.org to add yourself to the mailing list. A FRIENDLY REMINDER Please kindly turn off all lights in the building if you use the building in the evening and are the last person to leave. Thanks! GOOD FRUITS BIBLE STUDY Anyone who s interested is invited to the Good Fruits Bible study to meet at Silverwood Park (2500 County Road E W, Saint Anthony) weekly on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. We meet for an hour, there is no long term commitment, no book to purchase and no limit if you want to attend just once or only when your schedule allows. All are welcome. If the weather is nice, we ll most likely be outside. Join us! You can bring your own beverage or purchase a beverage or snack at the Silverwood snack counter. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Leona Olson or Jenni Lathrop. See you at church! Peace, Pastor John Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church 5

6 FORGET-ME-NOT Birthday greetings to each of the members listed below who will reach or surpass the 80th milestone in this month. We pray that God bless you on your special day and in the year to come. Sept. 22 Bev Lerold It is the policy of Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church to not publish the phone numbers and addresses of members. If you wish to call or send a card to these individuals, please refer to your church directory or call the office. HOSPITALIZATIONS Did you know that because of privacy laws, hospitals and nursing homes do not call us to report if a parishioner has been admitted, or if a person s condition has worsened? That means we rely on family members and friends to keep us informed. Please call the church office, , if you or someone you know of is hospitalized. FROM THE PRESIDENT The strategic plan. You remember that, right? There s been some confusion about it: What does it mean? What do we do? Who will lead us through it? Part of what I want to do is play cheerleader and highlight those activities that support the plan. You may not have noticed, but we ve had some clear, big wins that are directly connected to the strategic plan. Just look around and recognize the energy that s being generated by many in our congregation. Let s see what s been happening at Mt. Carmel in just the last few months: There was the summer picnic with Casa. That served the Porous Boundaries part of the plan by reaching out and actively engaging with a group that couldn t be closer to us. And yet, we ve nearly been strangers for the years they ve been using that space. We are called to get to know them. We are called to help their church to grow and help them serve their congregation and community. Getting to know each other on a personal level through the picnic was an outstanding way to start that ball rolling, and the ongoing work and relationship being built by the partnership team will only help to push that forward even further. Mt. Carmel hosted a National Night Out event. It was simple, but we made an impression on those who stopped by. Who we are isn t about what we do in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, it s about who we are in our community. If we re closed off and isolated, that s how we ll be seen. If we re welcoming and open, people will see that. We ll continue to be open and inviting to our community with Caramel Fest and our Rally Day worship. And Caramel Fest goes a step further by supporting Sheridan Story and our own elementary school students at Waite Park School. Helping us cultivate faith practices is another part of the plan. The Good Fruits group saw a need and added a Bible study opportunity. Pastor John has talked at length about developing faith practices and working on them in our home and not just at church on Sunday mornings. We can t be a strong church community without becoming more connected with one another. The Group of JOY and Youth and Young Adults groups have continued building connected communities within their ranks with regular events. We ve changed how we handle homebound care and have periodic young family gatherings. We re also creating a database to share with the congregation allowing people to share skills and interests with the congregation. Finally, recall that unleashing our gifts training, recognizing and empowering lay leadership was a core component of our ministry site profile in the call process. Pastor John has worked hard to create the GPS course to unleash our gifts as members. Part one was offered over six weeks this past spring. Part two is coming this fall and part one will be offered again to help everyone recognize our gifts and put them to use in our community. That s how we can serve the tenets of the strategic plan. And do good works within and outside of our walls. Got questions about any of this? Ask me, Pr. John or anyone from council. There s something that everyone can do to continue pushing Mt. Carmel forward as we live into the strategic plan. Remember that you are the leader when it comes to making these projects happen but if you need help or guidance, talk to us and we ll make sure you get whatever assistance you need. 6 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church Paul Lathrop, Council President

7 Non-Profit. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit #93097 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church 1701 St. Anthony Parkway NE Minneapolis, MN Address Service Requested Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church Fax: Pastor John Strommen Office Hours 8:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Sunday Worship & Nursery 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion (nursery provided) 10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 10:45 a.m. Education Hour 11 a.m. Adult Forum Mini-bus Transportation Call to be added to Sunday s list. Mt. Carmel Child Care Jeanette Burmeister Saturday, Sept a.m.-3 p.m. Join us for a day of food, live music and games to benefit the Sheridan Story. The day will feature grilled brats and hot dogs, chips and all things caramel. There will also be free live music and a bouncy house for the kids. Caramel Fest will take place rain or shine. All are welcome! caramelfestnordeast Food Caramel Free live music and bouncy house

Tidings. Congratulations grads! Inside this Issue. Group of JOY. Learn, Live and Share God's Word. Tuesday, June 19 FIND US ONLINE!

Tidings. Congratulations grads! Inside this Issue. Group of JOY. Learn, Live and Share God's Word. Tuesday, June 19 FIND US ONLINE! Tidings Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church Volume 18 Issue 6 June/July 2018 Inside this Issue Pastor s Pen............... 2 Child Care News............ 3 Baptisms................. 3 Deaths.................. 3