P ALANCA PRESS News of Unidos en Cristo, Minnesota Vol. 24, No. 2 March 2007 Support Unidos en Cristo #221 and #222 Rosemount United Methodist Church 14770 Canada Avenue West, Rosemount 55068 651-423-2475 Men s UEC #221 March 15-18, 2007 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me. John 10:14 Rector: Jim Adsem 952-474-2663 Kitchen: John Titus 507-744-2770 Palanca: Rich Schmid 952-443-3448 4th Day: Scott Sauter 651-463-3327 Directions to in the SE metro just NW of CR 42 and S. Robert Trail (Hwy 3): From the west: take 35W or Cedar Ave (77) to CR 42 in Burnsville/Apple Valley; go east on 42. Go left at water tower onto Chippendale Ave. W; right onto 147 th St. W; right onto Canada Ave. W From the east: get to CR 42 (Rochester, north on 52; Hastings, west on 55; Stillwater, 36 to 694 becomes 494 to 56, south on 56.) Go west on 42; turn right at water tower onto Chippendale Ave.; continue as above. From the north (St. Paul, Eagan, Inver Grv Hts): Go south on S. Robert Trail, right onto Lower 147 th St. W; turn left onto Canada Ave. W. Serenades Agape Dinner: open to Team and their guests. Sunday Morning: open to Sponsors only. Sunday Dinner: open to 4th Day Community, 4:30 p.m. Sponsors, please arrive early. Weekend Prayer Vigil Prayer is critical. Please sign up at www.unidosencristo.com (click the Palanca button on the left side of the home page.) Prayer tips are provided. Brief arrow prayers may be offered whenever God brings the weekends to mind. Women s UEC #222 March 22-25, 2007 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 Rectora: Rhonda Pavelka 952-939-0304 Kitchen: Sandy McElhose 651-633-1100 Palanca: Deb Gorrill 763-315-8771 4th Day: Lori Kestila 507-281-3228 All About Palanca How many items should I provide? We anticipate five men s tables and six women s. When sending Palanca for the Rollo Room, please include 48 items for the men, 56 for the women. Food Palanca: Men s requests: Catawba juice; pork loin; lasagna for 60; 120 wild rice brats / buns; fruit, veggie, or cold cut trays. Please contact John Titus at jtitus@truth.com or 507-744-2770. Women s requests: 130 uniform chicken breasts; 25# cooked, cubed chicken breast; 10 doz. eggs; 200 sausage links; 130 croissants; 9# mozzarella; 12 # apples; 10# coffee; 10# decaf coffee; 3# flavored decaf coffee. Please contact Tricia Rhodes at 952-835-1996 or jazzqn@netscape.com Helping Hands Palanca: Offer to help cook, serve, or wash dishes for the Kitchen Teams. Help 4th Day Teams set up on Thursdays, before or after Saturdays Agape dinners. Help Sundays with tear down and cleaning. Paper Palanca ~ letters ~ arrive for each UEC weekend from around the world! Send yours to: Men of UEC #221 or Women of UEC #222 c/o: Gordy Nagel, 514 Del Rio Dr., Chanhassen, MN 55317 or email: nagel@unidosencristo.com
UEC #221 Men s Team Roster Jim Adsem Nick Folwick Jon Riggs First Congregational UCC, Frmnt Bill Slack Faith Presbyterian, Mtka David Brown St Croix Valley UMC, Lklnd Carleton Peterson Lyle Jensen Colonial Church, Edina Fred Toenniges Pilgrim UMC, Plymouth Rector/a Asst. Rector/as Spiritual Directors Music Directors UEC #222 Women s Team Roster Rhonda Pavelka Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Pat Kiesling Fridley Covenant Norma Lund Carole May Hastings UMC Rosemary Wood Faith Deliverance Holiness Andrea Roles in transition Gail Karlgaard Don Landin Bethlehem Baptist, Brnsvl BridgePointe Covenant, Eagan Dave Eckart Jeff Franke Doug Groen Dick Hamblin Kerrie Quam Wooddale, Eden Prairie Hosanna! Lutheran, Lkvl Christ Community, Excelsior Rollistas Janet Blommer Lisa Boldenow Karen Davis Dorothy Lee Lynette Varverakis Hosanna! Lutheran, Lkvl UMC of Peace, Richfield Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Todd Bader Mike Eggers Mike Galle Nathaniel Jones Mark Scholle Del Van Batavia Grace Fellowship, Bklyn Pk Evangel UMC, Rochester Hope Presbyterian, Richfield Hopkins UMC Table Leaders Patti Christie Deborah Eggers Jackie Hall Sharon Kephart Karen Klekner Kelly Lindblom Dawn Ziegler Hosanna! Lutheran, Lakeville Evangel UMC, Rochester Evangel UMC, Rochester Brooklyn UMC, Bklyn Cntr Hope Presbyterian, Richfld John Titus Anibal Velarde Dan Cochran Robert Hawkins Dave Kibler Don May Phil Nordick Chad Olinger Bill Olson Gerry Tucker Bill Wallace Dave Webb Glendale UMC, Savage Glendale UMC, Savage Eaglebrook Ch, Lino Lakes Hastings UMC First Presbyterian, Albert Lea Cross Winds UMC, Mpl Grv Minnetonka UMC Kitchen Rector/a Asst. Kitchen Rect. Kitchen Team Sandy McElhose Brooklyn Park EV Free Susan Weestrand Woodridge Ch, Medina Ann Blein Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Matilda Ellis Peace Presbyterian, St Louis Pk Susan Gilmer Park Ave UMC, Mpls Diane Hawkins Cindi Johnson People of Hope Luth, Rochstr Millie Lasserre Brooklyn Park EV Free Diane Martin Grace UMC, Brnsvl Tricia Rhodes Normandale Hylands UMC Mary Jo Savage Blmgtn Christine Stepan Hastings UMC Diane Swaback Hastings UMC Rich Schmid Christ Community, Excelsior Steve Tycast Lake Harriet UMC, Mpls Phil Mather East Immanuel Lutheran, St Paul Jay Anderson Gary Christian Bill Hughes Colonial Ch, Edina Bruce Krueger Shalom Baptist, Hutchinson Mark Laidlaw First Baptist, Grv City Steve Mach Christ Community, Excelsior Steve Martin Grace UMC, Brnsvl Tim McCoy First Baptist, Grv City Matthew Wyatt Christ Community, Excelsior Palanca Rector/a Asst. Palanca Rector/a Palanca Spiritual Dir. Palanca Music Dir. Palanca Team (4th Day teams on next page) Page 2 Deb Gorrill Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Lynne Loewing First Presbyterian, Shakopee Linda Bergeon First Baptist, Hudson Debby Treece Wayzata Community Jeanette Anderson BridgePointe Cov, Eagan Donna Dowd Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Susan Florman Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Gail Hall First Presbyterian, Shakopee Mary Knebel Lydia/Zion UMC Janet Kolb Barb Laidlaw First Baptist, Grove City Jennifer Lee Christ Presbyterian, Edina Linda Shirley Hosanna! Lutheran, Lkvl Kathy Schmid Christ Community, Excelsior
UEC #221 Men s Team Roster Scott Sauter Stuart Edeal BridgePointe Covenant, Eagan Clay Bollin Litchfield UMC Pat Crilly BridgePointe Covenant, Eagan Lynn Fowler Chris Maness SouthCross Community, Brnsvl Eddie O Brien Faith Covenant Carl Rock 4th Day Rector/a Asst. 4th Day Rect. 4th Day Team UEC #222 Women s Team Roster Lori Kestila Evangel UMC, Rochester Trudi Greaves Kari Caldwell First UMC, Lindstrom Cheryl Carlson BridgePointe Cov, Eagan Julia Clark East Immanuel Luth, St Paul Nikol Delzer Dodge Center UMC Jen Hull Evangel UMC, Rochester Ann Jensen Eden Prairie Presbyterian Linda Montgomery Mary Prechel Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Donna Sauter Lisa Gillaspie in transition New Churches We joyfully welcome two new congregations to the UEC Community. Weekenders of #221 and 222 will include three pastors and at least one lay couple from Grace UMC, Burnsville and Lake Harriet UMC, Minneapolis. The churches current UEC communities are very small so you are encouraged to write Palanca notes of welcome. From GUMC: Rev. Mary Hurmence, Ken and Carol Frank From LHUMC: Rev. Lyndy Zabel and Rev. Judy Zabel (Check in 4th Day room for names of lay couple.) Help Is Available Do you want to invite a friend to go on a weekend but you don t know how? Is it hard because you don t know how to answer the questions, being honest but not revealing too much? Even harder, you can t because his/her church is not part of the 4 th Day Community? Have you found a new church home that doesn t know about UEC? Do you wish that your church had a stronger, more active or more meaningful 4 th Day Community? Church Liaisons Meeting March 25 3:00 p.m. Open to everyone! Let s talk about Ultreyas. How do you plan one? What do you do at them? Please bring suggestions; we ll share. Not all churches have a designated Church Liaison while some have designated Co-Liaisons. If you are interested in strengthening your church s 4 th Day Community, please come to the meeting; you do not make a commitment by revealing an interest. Specialized communication pieces were designed to help: UEC brochures: they re new, with pictures. They answer lots of questions so it s easy to say, Here, read this! Then talk to me! New Church packets: invite a whole church to UEC Church Liaison packets: strengthen your community Get this info at Clausuras, or call a Council member (pg 7) for other options. You are also encouraged to attend Church Liaison meetings ~ good ideas are readily shared. In Loving Memory We joyfully celebrate the life and resurrection of each friend-in-christ who has entered the Fifth Day. Gale Benson: UEC #71, Peace Presbyterian, St. Louis Park (Maxene) Gail Davis: UEC #202, Faith Covenant, Burnsville Rev. Wayne Kinion: UEC #115, church home unknown (Bonnie) Mac Troost: UEC # 217, Wayzata Evangelical Free (Sonja) A memorial has been received to honor the life of Bruce LaMar. Fifth Day Memorials given in memory of Cursillistas may be sent to the Unidos en Cristo Council Treasurer, and will be acknowledged in the Palanca Press. Please send memorials to: Bill Scarff, 3489 Fairway Dr. Minnetonka, MN 55305. If you know of a Cursillista who has entered his or her Fifth Day, please email information to the Palanca Press editor (sundeen@unidosencristo.com) for inclusion in the newsletter. Others in the Fourth Day Community may have no other way of knowing that their friends-in-christ have entered His presence. Page 3
Weekend Watch Weekend Dates Host Church Rector/a Spiritual Directors #223 / Men June 2007 14-17 Faith Presbyterian Minnetonka Paul Mullen 1/15-2/16 #224 / Women 21-24 Kim Hunnewell 1/15-2/16 Application Dates Team Wkender 4/12-5/8 4/12-5/8 #225 / Men Nov 2007 8-11 St. Croix Valley UMC, Lakeland 6/4-7/6 #226 / Women 15-18 6/4-7/6 9/6-10/2 9/6-10/2 All About Weekend Applications Weekender, Sponsor/Clergy, and Team forms are available from your Church Sponsor Liaison (CSL) and online at www.unidosencristo.com; see the 4 th Day page. The Weekender application fee is $30.00. Applications will be accepted after the dates in the table, if openings exist. If you have a weekender that could attend an upcoming weekend, but it s after the posted application date, your CSL should contact Don Henrich (henrich@unidosencristo.com) to learn if space is available. Weekender applications should be sent by your CSL to: Don Henrich, Allocations 4113 W. 45 th St. Edina, MN 55424 Think about this viewpoint: Your UEC weekend began before you were invited. It ends when you enter the 5th Day. The three days are just a small part of the Unidos en Cristo experience. Get In with Action A password is needed to view the 4 th Day area of our website. We have established action as a long-term password to ensure your hassle-free access while protecting private information. Appearing on the site is a password hint that reads, The password is the third leg of the stool, i.e., piety, study,. Please Advise Your Internet Server To prevent UEC messages from being blocked by your server s filter, please add unidosencristo@comcast.net to your approved sender list. Friends in the Cursillo Walk Singles Ultreyas: Held at various churches throughout the metro area on the second Saturday of each month, 5:30 p.m. For more info, visit www.mnviadecristo.org/news. Charis: Serve those in prison. Go to info@charismn.com. Teens Encounter Christ (TEC): Sponsor youth, grades 10-12, or serve as an Adult Leader on a Cursillo-like weekend. Visit www.unitedtec.org (metro area) or www.southerntec.org (southern MN) for information. Tres Dias: An international ecumenical movement that is new to Minnesota/Wisconsin. Visit www.tresdias.org. Via de Cristo: Visit www.mnviadecristo.org. Now ecumenical, this began as Minnesota s Lutheran Cursillo. Walk to Emmaus: Sponsored by the Upper Room, info on this ecumenical movement is at www.mnemmaus.org. Web Watch www.unidosencristo.com Read the Palanca Press Online! Get UEC news faster. Print your own color copy. Honor our anniversary; save UEC some silver. There were a few snafus with the online version of the last issue of the Palanca Press, but so it can go with a major overhaul. We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced; we believe the problems have been corrected. We appreciate all those who have chosen electronic notification of UEC news. You can join the other fish in the stream...request conversion to email notification by sending an email to database@unidosencristo.com. Your address will be used only for UEC communications. Page 4
Silver Highlights 25th Anniversary Celebration Church of the Open Door, Maple Grove I am God s image bearer. Arise, come to your God! Sing Him your songs of rejoicing. Cry out with joy to the Lord all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before Him singing for joy. Give glory to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord, to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts. Arise, come to your God! Sing Him your songs of rejoicing. Prayer for the Gift of the Holy Spirit Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by that same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked. How can I, (the eunuch) said, unless someone explains it to me? So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Tell me please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:30b-31, 34-35 What if your purpose is to be a blessing? What if your purpose is to be a light? What if your purpose is to be an agent for the kingdom of God? We are called to a life in Christian community. We are called to give it away. We are silver in more than one way. Ask the 20 and 30 year olds (to attend a UEC weekend). I, for one, would welcome the return of waiting lists. From the Rollo, Rev. Trace James, UEC #109 Faith Presbyterian, Mtka Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2:8-11 We are called to bring Christ to all areas of our life. The refiner watches constantly; the silver is done only when it reflects his image. May I be the image bearer. We sharpen ourselves, like iron, with other Christians. Where did you first see God? How much refining has occurred since then? It is because of God s grace and love that we aren t left in the fire too long. From the Communion Message, Rev. Janice Knight, UEC #202 Church of the Open Door, Mpl Grv Other Silver Moments Bible Enthronement. Historic Visions: How weekends have changed since 1981. Entire JOG designated to local and international ministries. Bible Dethronement. Coventry Cathedral Prayer. Doxology; slow and reverent. Piranha Feed. More abrazos. Christ is counting on us. Be a witness. Here I am, Lord. Page 5
Council s Quarters Six Cursillistas submitted a total of 37 designs in last year s contest for a new UEC logo. There were many good designs, and most of them shared important elements. The collection was a rich blessing that made our final selection a challenge. The winner is a rainbow cross for use alone or, as shown on the cover and in the return address of this newsletter, with a choice of phrases. We thank Edy Barber, Lyle Jensen, Glen Karlgaard, Kirsten Miller, Barb Paul and Kathy Walker for sharing their creative talents with the Community. Logo Contest Four voting Council members will complete their three-year terms this spring. We seek nominations of 4 th Day persons who can begin serving in September. Openings are in: Leadership Development (2 positions) Liaison Coordinator (1 position) Communications/Palanca Press Editor (1 position) One support (non-voting) position, Historian, is also open. If you have an interest in maintaining the physical records of our 25 years of ministry, please let us know. You may contact any Council member [see phone numbers on the next page, or email (last name)@unidosencristo.com] if you have questions about various roles or to learn specific duties. We re Open for Council Nominations Inspiration for Meditation Guidance is a word that can remind us how to be in relationship with God. According to an internet circular, G is for God, followed by u and i ; God, you and I dance. The analogy was supported in several ways: When dancing, two bodies flow as one with the music If both dancers try to lead, nothing feels right; one must be willing to surrender When one dancer is allowed to lead, gentle clues are given and received Grace-filled relationships with God require: Willingness to let go and Surrender understanding that God s ways are higher than ours Attentiveness the ability to pay attention Receptivity the ability to favorably receive gentle clues Guidance is also a word that can remind us how to be in faithful relationship with each other. Add a simple comma God, you, and I dance and you take your relationship with God to the community. It is a dance that we perform or enjoy together. Where, in what part of our lives ~ at home, at work, in ministries at church and with UEC ~ is God asking for willingness and surrender? Are we paying attention? Are we receptive? Let s dance with God. Convenor s Corner We are in the midst of Lent, the period of 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. (Sundays aren t counted; Christ arose on Sunday, making it more appropriate to celebrate His resurrection for our salvation on Sundays than to fast and reflect upon our sins.) Lent originated in the very early days of the church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. Forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion, and preparation in the Bible. In the days of Noah, God made it rain for forty days and nights; the Jews wandered forty years traveling to the Promise Land. Jonah, in his prophecy of judgment, gave the city of Nineveh forty days to repent. Most importantly, prior to undertaking his ministry, Jesus retreated into the wilderness to pray and fast for forty days to prepare for His ministry. It is fitting that we imitate our Lord with this forty day period of self-examination. Further, that we should empty ourselves of false pride so that we can focus on our need for God s grace and our individual relationship with God. Then we can appreciate that God s grace is an unmerited gift. This time of preparation is to celebrate God s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians. In the past, Lent was also marked by fasting of both food and festivities. (Lent means fast in some languages, spring in others.) Today, some remember this tradition by giving up something they particularly enjoy, like chocolate or desserts, for the period of Lent. Regardless of whatever else you deny yourself, it is the time to give up our old self-centered ways. As you observe this Lenten period, I pray that you recall the Stations of the Cross that led to Jesus demonstration of His Calvary love for you and His glorious resurrection on Easter morning. Serving Him together, Clark Duffey, Convenor duffey@unidosencristo.com Page 6
UEC Council 2006-2007 Convenor Clark Duffey ( ** ) 715-386-2543 Co-Convenor Dick Hamblin ( ** ) 952-949-0779 Secretary Kathy Walker 952-891-4660 Treasurer Bill Scarff 952-932-0074 Allocations Don Henrich 952-922-4918 Leader Developm t Dick Hamblin** Lee Peterson** 651-423-3718 Leader Training Kory Everson 612-866-7606 Tod Paulson 320-252-7210 Susan Stevens 952-937-0483 Liaison Coordinator Leanne Bondhus** 612-382-9112 New Churches Darla O Flanagan 763-675-3960 Palanca Gordy Nagel 952-934-2033 Communications** Nancy Sundeen 612-798-1681 Site Selection Kathy Nelson 952-937-2016 Supplies Brian LaLuzerne 952-440-3794 Clergy Don Eslinger 952-896-1136 Pam Jensen 952-937-2024 Kent Slavik 952-448-5500 FROM: Unidos en Cristo Council TO: 4th Day Community Your help is needed in soliciting nominations for the 2007-2008 Unidos en Cristo Council. Serving on the Council is another way to see God s wonderful grace working in and through this lay-led renewal movement. The criteria for a prospective candidate includes: Has attended a UEC weekend Has UEC team experience as part of leadership Enjoys active support of the 4 th Day Community Is a member in good standing of a UEC church Is an active participant in the life of his/her home church Can commit to monthly meetings September through June plus the duties of the position for a three-year term. We ask the support of the entire 4 th Day Community as we work to select a Council from a wide range of UEC churches. Please prayerfully consider whether you, or someone you know, should be considered for a Council position. Questions may be addressed to Clark Duffey at 715-386-2543 or duffey@unidosencristo.com For consideration, all nomination forms should be submitted no later than April 15. Please send your nominations to: Clark Duffey, Convenor 865 Willow Ridge I Hudson, WI 54016 Name of Nominee Address Home Phone Work Phone Email Church Unidos weekend attended Unidos/Cursillo team experience Council Position of Particular Interest Nomination submitted by Phone (Please make additional copies of this form as needed.) ** These persons are completing their own or another s three-year term on Council; the positions they currently hold are considered open for nomination. ( ** ) Though open, the Co-Convenor traditionally moves into the role of Convenor and a current Council member becomes Co-Convenor, thereby assuring a smooth transition due to full knowledge of recent and current Council actions and concerns. Page 7
9709 Colorado Rd. Bloomington, MN 55438-1740 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit #2712 Return Service Requested Dated Material: Please Do Not Delay Contacts Need information? Want an application form? Have an address change? www.unidosencristo.com unidosencristo@comcast.net Please remember: you may contact any UEC Council member by email: (last name)@unidosencristo.com Editor: sundeen@unidosencristo.com Print your own color copy! Sign up at our web site to receive the Palanca Press via e-mail. Calendar March 15-18 Men s Weekend ~ UEC #221 March 22-25 Women s Weekend ~ UEC #222 March 27 April 12 April 24 May 8 May 9 May 22 June 4 Council Meeting 6:45 p.m. ~ Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina Weekender applications open for June weekends. Council Meeting 6:45 p.m. ~ Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina Deadline for Weekender applications, June weekends. Late applications will be considered if space is available. Deadline for Palanca Press submissions, June issue. Council Meeting 6:45 p.m. ~ Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina Team applications open for Nov. weekends.