Call of Faith. [ÉÄç jxx~ fv{xwâäx. Church News. April 2013 Edition

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Call of Faith April 2013 Edition Faith United Methodist Church Telephone: 612-781-3167 2708 33 Avenue N.E. St. Anthony Village, MN 55418 Web: www.faithumchurch.

m Service & Special Music March 31 Easter Sunday 9:00 a.m. Both Services: Trumpets, 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Choir, Faith Praise Band, and Faith Praise Singers The Day He Wore My Crown Celebrate Easter

Jesus is the cornerstone Came for sinners to atone Though rejected by His own He became the cornerstone Jesus is the cornerstone.

1 Call of Faith April 2013 Edition Faith United Methodist Church Telephone: Avenue N.E. St. Anthony Village, MN Web: Faith is Handicap Accessible [ÉÄç jxx~ fv{xwâäx Church News March 24 Palm Sunday 10:30 a.m. Palms for all March 28 Holy Thursday 6:00 p.m. Meal 7:00 p.m. Service & Communion March 29 Good Friday 7:00 p.m Service & Special Music March 31 Easter Sunday 9:00 a.m. Both Services: Trumpets, 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Choir, Faith Praise Band, and Faith Praise Singers The Day He Wore My Crown Celebrate Easter again on April 7th The choir will bring you the passionate story of Jesus journey from Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus is the cornerstone Came for sinners to atone Though rejected by His own He became the cornerstone Jesus is the cornerstone. If you need nursery care for your children during Adult Christian Education on Sunday morning please contact the church office at by Wednesday. We will happily arrange for childcare! Worship Schedule Sundays: 9:00 AM Adult Christian Education 10:00 AM Fellowship Time Worship Service Christian Education for Children and Youth Church Contacts Pastor Rev. Leigh Brown Director of Music Jo Halvorsen Director of Faith Formation Rev. Susan Mullin (Hours: Tues. Wed. Thu. 10:00-4:00) Communication & Facility Kristin Erlandsen Administrator (Hours: Mon. 9:00-4:00, Wed. & Thu. 9:00-3:30) Finance & Membership Janet Olson Administrator (Hours: Tues. & Wed. 8:30-3:30, Fri. 8:30-2:30) Organist Treasurer Marie Kuglin Rod Long In This Issue Page Around the Parish 8, 9 Church Calendar 10 Church News 1, 4, 6 Community Connections 5 Educational Opportunities 7 Extend and Serve 7 For the Beauty of the Earth 3 Over the Coffee 2 Youth Arcade 6 Call of Faith Page 1

2 Over the Coffee by Rev. Leigh Brown Εach time we say Yes to something, we say No to something else. What choices do we make in our lives? I recently wrote these words in my journal: Act Your Priorities. Sometimes our priorities are unconscious to us, born out of our habits and our overwhelming schedules. What we think we stand for and what we actually do can be very different things. I have a professor who once said to our class, Show me your checkbook and I ll tell you what you believe. I think we could just as easily say show me your calendar and I ll tell you what you believe. Homework or a television movie? Exercise or coffee and the paper? Salad or cheeseburger with fries? Prayer time or nap time? Worship or pancakes and CBS Sunday morning? Another cashmere sweater or a gift to the homeless shelter? In our culture we want immediate results. But discipline, effort and tough decisions are required to live a whole and holy life. We must avoid those things that separate us from God and from living well, and follow through on spiritual practices such as prayer, conscientiousness and strong relationships with other people of faith. Saying Yes and saying No means paying attention to consequences and taking on responsibilities, for ourselves, our families and friends, and our community. We have so many choices today. But paradoxically it is often the exercise of discipline that brings the most freedom to our lives. Some of us find it easy to say Yes and difficult to say No. We are overwhelmed by the number of things we take on. We acquire more possessions than we need, and then have to make certain choices just to maintain those possessions. We overindulge and then face the consequences later. Eventually, we can become exhausted and resentful. Others of us find it easy to say No and difficult to say Yes. We miss opportunities for service and for building relationships. We hoard our resources instead of setting them free to do God s work in the world. We become rigid and pessimistic in our thinking. Eventually, we can become indifferent and disconnected. To what do we say No? To what do we say Yes? Saying Yes to life in Christ means saying No to that which harms. We are saved by grace, but we are obligated to live our lives as morally as we can for the glory of God. Our spirituality is integral to the way in which we live our lives. It is about the reality of who we are and the possibility of who we will be. Who are we becoming? Who are we not becoming? Easter is about new beginnings in the early church the 40 days of Lent were a time for those new to the faith to prepare for their baptism. As we look toward our own resurrection, now is a good time for self-discernment. Saying Yes and saying No is about choice, not deprivation. It is the awareness that allows us to struggle, to grow and to transform. To be awake; conscious of our world views and indeed our very lives. Call of Faith Page 2

3 For the Beauty of the Earth by Rev. Susan Mullin Ι have been pondering the question of limits. It is clear that we need to limit our use of fossil fuels in order to maintain a climate in which humanity can continue to thrive. If we burn all of our coal, oil and gas reserves, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise, and our climate will continue to warm, with disastrous consequences. But we aren t very good at limits! In one of our creation stories, Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil the only tree which is forbidden to them in the Garden of Eden. And afterwards, Yahweh drives them out of Eden, saying Look these humans have become like one of us, knowing both good and evil. They must not be allowed to take in their hands the fruit from the tree of life as well, or they will eat of it, and live forever. Winged creatures with fiery, ever-turning swords were placed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 2). We are not gods. We will not live forever. We are mortal. We are taken from the earth, we tend the earth, and we return to the earth. We have limits. What happens to the earth happens to us. Over the past year or so, there has been some controversy in the United States over the Keystone XL Pipeline. This is a proposed 1,179-mile (1,897 km), 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline beginning in Hardisty, Alberta, and extending south to Steele City, Nebraska. It would carry crude oil from the tar sands of Alberta. The tar sands contain bitumen which is like soft asphalt. It takes more energy to extract and process this bitumen into crude oil than most other sources of crude oil. More energy means more greenhouse gas emissions. A recent environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline says that crude oil from Alberta would emit an estimated 17 percent more greenhouse gases than the average barrel of crude oil refined in the United States in This is the reason why groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, 350.org, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Interfaith Power & Light (our partner in mission) oppose the pipeline. It is also opposed by Native peoples who live in areas affected by the waste products from this extraction. And yet, the environmental impact statement goes on to say that approval or denial of the proposed project is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the rate of development of the tar sands. They believe that Canada would simply build other pipelines to the east and west, or would rely on rail shipments into the U.S. Hence my question about limits. We humans are opposed to limits. If the fruit is there, we are going to figure out how to eat it. God figured that out long ago and resorted to winged beasts with fiery, ever-turning swords! So I worry about the fate of humanity. Somehow, we have to figure out how to set limits on ourselves. It certainly won t be easy. Good first steps include denying a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, increasing renewable energy standards, and de-commissioning older, inefficient coal-fired power plants. But eventually, we will need to put a price on carbon that matches the heavy price we are paying now and will continue to pay in the future for climate catastrophes. For more information check out the Calendar of Events on our website: Church office hours are generally: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Call of Faith Page 3

4 Church News (continued) Easter Offering In this season when we remember the great self-giving of God for us, may we also give beyond ourselves to strengthen the lives of others. Your gift helps make possible the ministries of Faith United Methodist Church, and a portion will also support the ministries of La Puerta Abierta United Methodist Church. Checks can be made out to Faith UMC (write Easter offering on the envelope.) There will also be Easter offering envelopes in the Easter Sunday bulletin. You may place your gift in the offering plate or mail it to the church. Thank you! April Faith Forum April 7 We re a Reconciling Congregation So (Now) What? C. Kristian Clauser-Reconciling Ministries organizer in Minnesota and chair of RMN s Transgender Extension Ministry. Becoming a Reconciling Congregation is not the destination of a church s welcoming journey. Instead, it is the beginning of an expanded ministry for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people - and their families, friends, and colleagues. In this session we ll discuss how Faith UMC and individual members can foster positive relationships with the LGBT community, support the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) at the local and national level, and become champions for full inclusion. April 14 Volunteering for Hospice Faith member Nancy Nielsen Nancy Nielsen has volunteered with Health East Hospice for the past 16 years. She will share her experiences with us including: providing care/companionship for patients, giving respite for caregivers, serving as a grief support facilitator, sitting with dying patients, assisting at memorial services, and helping with mailings and special reports. April 21 People to People in Cuba Faith members Kay and Dan Kramer The Kramer s will be speaking about their recent trip to Cuba through a program known as Global Volunteers People to People in Cuba. The objective of this program is guided travel in Cuba with the goal of learning about the country and life in Cuba today from their citizens, teachers, judges, nurses, pastors, medical people, etc. April 28 RECLAIM-support for LGBT youth Janet Bystrom Janet Bystrom founded Reclaim and serves as the primary therapist and executive director to this young organization. Janet grew up as a member of Faith United Methodist church, and we are very proud of what she has accomplished with this important work. Janet and a youth member of the organization, James DeWitt, will present on RECLAIM s work supporting queer and trans youth mental health. Call of Faith Page 4

Community Connections LEAF's Is Looking for New Board Members! Park Avenue Youth & Family Services Presents: "Music of Our Lives" Friday, April 12 6 p.m. Social Hour 7 p.m. Concert 2751 Hennepin Ave.

5 Community Connections LEAF's Is Looking for New Board Members! Park Avenue Youth & Family Services Presents: "Music of Our Lives" Friday, April 12 6 p.m. Social Hour 7 p.m. Concert 2751 Hennepin Ave. S. #12 Minneapolis Feed your body, mind and spirit at Life Enrichment Adult Forums. You will meet and hear authors, musicians, Bible scholars, health experts and more! Because of changing circumstances of the current LEAF's planning committee, all but three of the committee members have elected to retire after the 2013 Spring series. LEAF's is looking for new board members for this very rewarding opportunity. More than 50 different congregations have been represented in the past. Many classes take place at Christ the King Lutheran Church and Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. If you would consider volunteering your time please call Adult Education programs are offered on Monday mornings - The Spring 2013 series begins on Monday, April 8th. Once again they are offering an outstanding program consisting of a variety of classes, convocations, fellowship times and lunches! Check the bulletin board in the Commons for a complete list of all their Spring offerings! Anoka County Senior Expo "Celebrate Healthy Living" Saturday, April 20 9:00 - Noon Location: Lord of Life Church Nowthen Blvd. Ramsey, MN This is a free event for senior citizens and their families. Activities include information booths, free pancake breakfast, blood pressure checks, mini-massages, entertainment and information on Health Care Directives. Store To Door needs Volunteer Order Takers Enjoy the telephone? Are you comfortable with online computer work? Store To Door is a nonprofit grocery shopping & delivery service for homebound elderly serving the 7-County Twin Cities metro area. They need your assistance as a Volunteer Order Taker. As a Volunteer Order Taker you will take a client s order over the phone and enter into Store To Door s online database. Online and group training is available. Time commitment: About one hour a week, working with two clients each week or four clients total. Please consider this a one year commitment. This helps you know the client s grocery interests while providing stability. For every Volunteer Order Taker we are able to take on four additional clients. For more information or to begin the volunteering process please contact Store To Door s Volunteer Coordinator at or volunteers@storetodoor.org. Learn more by watching a video on their work & volunteer opportunities at Store To Door needs Volunteer Shoppers Shoppers check in with our Volunteer Coordinator at the Cub location. They are given a client s order and they go up and down the aisles shopping the order, and then get in line, check it out and box it into totes. Our paid drivers load the totes into the Store To Door vans and deliver them to clients. This position requires no driving. Cub Foods Shopping Locations, Mornings 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. St Paul. Midway - Tues. through Friday Shoppers Needed Crystal Tues, Wed and Thursday Bloomington Tues, Th, and Friday Shoppers Needed St Anthony - Tues, Wed and Friday Maplewood Wed, Th, and Friday Chanhassen - Wednesday For more information or to begin the volunteering process please contact Store To Door s Volunteer Coordinator at or volunteers@storetodoor.org. Learn more by watching a video on their work & volunteer opportunities at Call of Faith Page 5

Church News (continued) Operating Income Average Attendance February 110 Year to Date 114 Budget Actual February $ 26,398 $ 22,306 Year to Date $ 52,796 $ 47,873 ASP at Cub Foods! Don't forget!

Contemplative Services in April & May Come and worship on Wednesday evenings during the joyous season of Easter! Come worship the Christ in whom all things are made new.

We sing songs, listen to scripture, pray and meditate. For many people, the period of silence is the best part of the service.

Youth Arcade Servant Heart Day Camp for Middle School Youth: We are excited to offer a summer camp for youth entering grades 6, 7, and 8 this summer!

6 Church News (continued) Operating Income Average Attendance February 110 Year to Date 114 Budget Actual February $ 26,398 $ 22,306 Year to Date $ 52,796 $ 47,873 ASP at Cub Foods! Don't forget! ASP will be bagging groceries at Cub Foods on March 30th from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Members of the congregation (and your friends and relatives) can help by shopping at Cub on March 30th from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and also by donating to ASP! Contemplative Services in April & May Come and worship on Wednesday evenings during the joyous season of Easter! Come worship the Christ in whom all things are made new. Chef Michelle Weiser will once again prepare dinner for us at 5:45, followed by a contemplative service from 6:30-7:00. Contemplative services are informal. We sing songs, listen to scripture, pray and meditate. For many people, the period of silence is the best part of the service. Everyone is welcome to join us for this simple service of worship on Wednesdays from April 3 through May 15. Youth Arcade Servant Heart Day Camp for Middle School Youth: We are excited to offer a summer camp for youth entering grades 6, 7, and 8 this summer! This program is run by Servant Heart Ministries funded by the Minnesota Annual Conference. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors. What: A Christian camp that works to build servant hearts by following Jesus call to serve others (James 2:17-18). Where: We will meet at Faith UMC each day and travel to work sites in Northeast Minneapolis and other metro locations. We are collaborating with Community UMC to offer this program that will include devotions, service, teambuilding, and reflection. When: Tuesdays from 8:30-4:30, June 25 through July 30 How to Sign Up: Contact Susan Mullin. Registration forms will be available soon. Cost: $120 per student. Scholarships are available! Please contact Susan Mullin or Pastor Leigh. Movie Night for Youth in Grade 6-12 Northeast United Methodist Church Friday, April 26th This is an event for all youth from Community, Faith, Fridley, and Northeast UMCs. We will fire up the popcorn machine, pour some pop, and watch and discuss a movie. Bring your friends! April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 May 1 Confirmation Classes World Religions - Islam Encounter - Islamic Center World Religions - Buddhism World Religions - Hindu/Others (Taoism, Shinto, American Indian) Pizza Party/Game Day The Call of Faith is the newsletter of Faith United Methodist Church, St. Anthony, MN. Next deadline is Monday, April 8, Please include information through May. Contact Kristin Erlandsen at , or to Kerlandsen@faithumchurch.com. Call of Faith Page 6

Educational Opportunities Tour of Museum of Russian Art Tuesday, May 7 th Tour of Bachman s 12:30-3:00 PM We will carpool from church at 12:30, take a tour beginning at 1:00, and plan to return to

7 Educational Opportunities Tour of Museum of Russian Art Tuesday, May 7 th Tour of Bachman s 12:30-3:00 PM We will carpool from church at 12:30, take a tour beginning at 1:00, and plan to return to church by 3:00 PM. Their current exhibit Concerning the Spiritual in Russian Art, , explores the way many Soviet and Post-Soviet artists transcended the antireligious stance of the government by basing their art upon forbidden religious themes. The museum has elevators available. The cost is $7 for seniors and $9 for other adults. Please sign up in the Commons. Thursday, April 18 Carpooling from Faith 10:30 a.m. Go behind the scenes at Bachman s flagship store on Lyndale Ave the original site of the Bachman family farm. We will visit the call center, the design areas where they create bouquets and centerpiece plants, and the greenhouses. There is no charge for the tour. We will stay for lunch at Patrick s Bakery & Café located inside the store. All tour-goers will receive a discount coupon good for purchases made that day. Please note: The tour goes up and down two flights of stairs and no elevator is available. Those who cannot climb stairs will miss about half of the tour, but are welcome to come for part of the tour, shopping and lunch. Reconciling Process Coach Training This FREE training will empower Reconciling United Methodists to shepherd churches through the Reconciling process. The training will include skills building around topics common in the Reconciling process: complex identities, framing, steps of the Reconciling process, graceful engagement, and conflict management. (Child care and host housing available by request.) WHEN Friday April pm: Session I (Followed by dinner, which is provided) 7-9 pm: Gathering & Dessert Reception (Open to all area Reconciling United Methodists, even if you are not part of the training.) Saturday April 20 9 am - 3 pm: Session II (Breakfast and light lunch provided.) WHERE Woodbury/Peaceful Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Rd, Woodbury, MN LEARN MORE & REGISTER (Register online by Friday, April 5, 2013.) CONTACT Helen Ryde, Regional Organizer, North East Helen@rmnetwork.org (508) Support this training with a gift: Children s Sunday School: We will be learning about the parable of The Sower from Matthew 13:1-9, God s word is sown like a farmer sows seeds. What a great parable as we move into spring and look forward to planting gardens and watching new growth! Children will have an opportunity to plant seeds as they learn about God s word. Call of Faith Page 7

8 Church Calendar - March 2013 Date Event Time Mon. 4/1 Cub Dens Wed. 4/3 Pastoral Staff Meeting Organist Rehearsal Meal 5:45 PM Contemplative Worship Confirmation Sanctuary Choir 7:15 PM Handbells Choir Coffee 8:30 PM Thu. 4/4 Lectionary Group 12:00 PM Sun. 4/7 Adult Christian Ed 9:00 AM Fellowship 10:00 AM Worship & Choir Cantata C&Y Christian Ed Mon. 4/8 Call of Faith Information Due Cub Dens Wed. 4/10 Mary Martha Circle 9:30 AM Pastoral Staff Meeting Organist Rehearsal Meal 5:45 PM Contemplative Worship 6:15 PM Confirmation Encounter - Islamic Center TBD Kids Bells Sanctuary Choir 7:15 PM Handbells Thu. 4/11 Lectionary Group 12:00 PM 500 Cards 1:00 PM Board of Trustees Sat. 4/13 Men's Breakfast 8:00 AM Sun. 4/14 Adult Christian Ed 9:00 AM Fellowship 10:00 AM Worship C&Y Christian Ed Cub Pack Leaders Date Event Time Mon. 4/15 Cub Dens Tue. 4/16 Communications & Marketing Wed. 4/17 Pastoral Staff Meeting 10:30 PM Organist Rehearsal Meal 5:45 PM Contemplative Worship Confirmation Kids Bells Sanctuary Choir 7:15 PM Handbells Thu. 4/18 Men's Work Group 9:00 AM Adult Ministry trip to Bachmans Lectionary Group 12:00 PM Scout Leaders Sun. 4/21 Adult Christian Ed 9:00 AM Fellowship 10:00 AM Worship C&Y Christian Ed Mon. 4/22 Cub Dens Outreach Ministry Team Tue. 4/23 Finance Ministry Team Wed. 4/24 Mary Martha Circle 9:30 AM Mom's Club 9:45 AM Pastoral Staff Meeting 10:30 PM Organist Rehearsal Meal 5:45 PM Contemplative Worship Confirmation Kids Bells Sanctuary Choir 7:15 PM Handbells Thu. 4/25 Lectionary Group 12:00 PM 500 Cards 1:00 PM Fri. 4/26 Youth Movie Night at NE UMC Sun. 4/28 Adult Christian Ed 9:00 AM Fellowship 10:00 AM Worship C&Y Christian Ed Mon. 4/29 Cub Dens Bradley Childbirth Classes are held in the Nursery on most: Sundays Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 PM 6:00-8:00 PM Classical Music Academy is held on most: Mondays 7:00-9:00 PM in room 218 Tuesdays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM in rooms 116, 121, 218 Thursdays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM in rooms 116, 121 Call of Faith Page 8

Praising God, Living the Way of Jesus, Building the Beloved Community

Peace United Church of Christ Narrative Budget ~ 2014 The mission statement of Peace United Church of Christ is Praising God, Living the Way of Jesus, Building the Beloved Community. Following is a narrative