The Mirror

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September

2017

2017

The Congregational Church of Excelsior thecongregationalchurchofexcelsior.org infoccoe@aol.com (952) 474-5919

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor 1

From the Moderator 2

Board of Christian Education 3

Board of Deacons 4

Board of Growth & Membership 4

Board of Missions 5

Music Note 6

From the Pastor

Way back in mid-July, one of our very own, Jeannie Handley, celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends, including many of her friends from our church family. Everyone who came had a wonderful time as Jeannie and her life were lifted up. But the celebration isn’t over! To continue the party, I would like to pass along a few of Jeannie’s “Words of Wisdom” as she shared them with me at coffee hour a few Sundays ago, about what she has learned about life and how to live it, which is no doubt an important part of the secret to her longevity, from which we all can take a cue. She has three, beginning with the funniest:

“Always make your bed every day” (usually after breakfast…it’s okay to go back to bed, just so long as you make it again, if necessary), just because it feels good to jump into a fresh bed at night. I totally agree!

Switching gears, next is one of a serious nature that have I never thought of, (and definitely wouldn’t think of on my own in a million or so years), and is brilliant:

“Always smile at a person in a wheelchair, and keep looking at them until they smile back at you,” because the reaction you get will always surprise and amaze you once they realize that you see them as a full human being.

And finally, what could be called a “principle” that needs no further explanation:

“You are responsible for making your own happiness; don’t be dependent on others to make it for you.”

Now, with a new school year on the horizon and fast approaching, that got me to thinking about what school teaches us (or should) about how to be fully human. And that led me to remember back to the early 90’s and Robert Fulghum’s (by the way, a Unitarian Universalist minister) famous (and disarming) “words of wisdom” which he summarized in a few short paragraphs under the title of “ALL I EVER REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN

KINDERGARTEN.” So, whether you are literally entering kindergarten (in which case you probably can’t read this yet, but if you can, you can probably afford to skip a few grades), or are actually going back to school post-kindergarten, or are an “adult” with a diploma(s) in hand, and have already learned this, I think a “remedial course” may be in order (I know it is for me!). So, here goes for our edification, both as individuals and as a society desperately in need to relearn (or learn) how to be truly civilized (or, as Mahatma Gandhi said when asked what he thought of Western Civilization replied, “I think it would be a good idea.”):

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

And these are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry, and mean it, when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some, and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. (Sounds like he consulted Jeannie!).

(Continued on page 2)

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Pastor, from page 1

Take a nap every afternoon (and don’t forget to make your bed when you get up!). When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder (there is Jeannie again!). Remember the little seed in the plastic cup the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish, hamsters, white mice, and even the little seed in the plastic cup all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you earned, and the biggest word of all: LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.

Think about what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then laid down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

All welcome back to the “School of the Heart” known as church, particularly if you have been away. Now is an excellent time to learn, and relearn, the essentials of who we belong to and how God wants us to be and live. Rally Sunday is our traditional “kickoff.” Join us on Sunday, September 10th, at 10am, as we again worship outdoors (weather permitting this rainy summer), as we celebrate our children as they begin a new Sunday School year too.

Blessings,

Rev. Tom

From the Moderator

From the devotional Jesus Calling:

Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm - your Peace in My Presence - need not be shaken by what is going on around you. Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity. When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you. Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.

A 'messy day'...do you have those messy days, messy weeks, and messy months? Sometimes our hold world feels shaken by the messiness that occurs. In those moments (days, weeks and months), I am thankful for this church, for all of you, and that God is here for us, to guide us through our troubles toward His Peace.

Many of you may already be aware from prior communication, Kara; our CE Coordinator has accepted a dream job in her field of choice. After much thoughtful discussion and prayer regarding her role and responsibilities here, as well as the need to maintain balance in her career and personal life, she will be reducing her role here. She will stay on with CCoE in a limited capacity focused solely on leading our confirmation group through their journey. This will be a blessing for our youth in confirmation! In the immediate future, the CE board will be working to fulfill the remaining responsibilities as the personnel committee works to reach out and advertise to fill this position. This change is effective September 1st. Confirmation begins mid-September, and classes occur in the evenings. So if you see Kara here, at church, sitting in the pew, know that she is here because this is her church home. She won't be up front giving the children's message, but has hinted she'd love to sneak away on occasion to Dunn Brothers for some great conversations about God and faith with our youth.

Blessings,

Tina Rogney, Moderator

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Christian Education

The Christian Education Board is getting ready for a fabulous fall for the children of CCOE.

A new season of Sunday School kicks off on Rally Sunday, Sept. 10. Sunday School is planned for the first, second and fourth Sundays of the month. The September Kick It event is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The youth are invited for dinner, fun, and active activities! Confirmation starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, with Kara. Contact her for more information. We are continuing our youth bio series with the awesome Amelia Wennerstrom. Please check out Amelia's activities! If you have suggestions for the CCOE Christian Ed. board, please share them with any of us. Blessings, Chair Janet Holler, Carley Kregness, Karla Wennerstrom and Danielle Wishard-Tudor

Amelia Wennerstrom: 13 years old and starting 8th grade

What school do you attend? Pioneer Ridge Middle School

What are your favorite subjects and interests at school? Math, art, band, choir (Amelia has participated in Honor Band and Honor Choir), middle school musical

What activities are you involved in? (Sports, activities, jobs, other) Mountain Biking Club, tennis, archery, swimming, snowboarding, soccer, piano, Girl Scouts, reading.

What is your favorite memory of Kick-It or a Church activity? I ate a lot of marshmallows at the Old Testament Olympics.

Where do you see God in your life? With my friends and family.

TreeHouse Upcoming TreeHouse suppers for 2017-2018 school year. If you want to help again or for the first time, jot the dates on your calendar to confirm later:

Tuesday, September 19, 2017 Tuesday, November 14 Tuesday, January 19, 2018 Tuesday, March 20 Tuesday, May 18

TreeHouse is a faith-based program that helps troubled teens in our area get through rough times.

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Deacons

From a memoir entitled Choices the actress Liv Ullmann comes this story.

“A long time ago I played in Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle. My name is Grusha.

I am sitting beside a baby whose mother has abandoned it. I am very poor and very frightened. As I bend down to pick up the child, wrapped in silk and velvet, precious materials I have never touched before, I am filled with doubts. The child will be a hindrance in my life. I barely have food and clothing for myself. I walk away.

But then I stop. I return. Reluctantly, I sit down close to the infant again. I look at it and then look away.

Finally, I pick it up. Rebuke it for the difficulties I will now be faced with. Laugh to it because it is so pitiful and helpless.

I am the one who passed by and was able to help.”

In these times of serious trouble in our world, we can be encouraged by this story. Many times, we may feel overwhelmed thinking the problems are too big and we can’t make a difference. But what we can do is be aware of people and situations that come into our paths and offer to do whatever we can do.

“I am the one who passed by and was able to help.”

Sally Deke

Board of Growth & Membership

Pastor Tom blessed 19 dogs and one horse (photo) during our Blessing of the Animals on August 13. Church members and visitors also enjoyed the outdoor service. In keeping with Pastor Tom’s sermon on Noah and the ark, the weather changed from a light drizzle at the beginning to a lovely morning with a cool breeze and moderate temperatures. One by one, each animal and pet owner approached the pulpit to be blessed and receive a St. Francis medal inscribed “Bless and Protect My Pet.” We have a few extra medals, so if your pet could not attend, and you would like a medal, please let us know.

Summer is flying by quickly and your Growth and Membership team is working in conjunction with other boards on upcoming fall events starting with Rally Sunday on September 10. This service will also be held outdoors, a make up for our rain- out in June. Everyone is encouraged to donate items and help with the Good Stuff Sale on Saturday, September 16, followed by our annual boat cruise fundraiser on Sunday, September 17. Check your bulletins and weekly updates for details.

We also plan to continue our book signing series into fall and winter, so if you know a local author we should invite, please let us know.

Thanks from your G&M team, Julie Boden, Jenny Chappa, Margaret Demshar, Jeannie Handley and Janet Krueger

MarySue Krueger, Chair

Simpson Shelter We will be serving food at the Simpson Shelter at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Volunteers are always needed. If you are unable to volunteer, monetary donations are welcomed. Contact Gary Larson for additional information.

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Missions

Summer is usually slow-down time, but we on the Missions Board feel we’ve done some pretty good things, with your help, of course.

July’s Noisy Offering, which went to Simpson Shelter, amounted to $181.20, so we thank you for your generosity. What with that offering, our once-a-month meals there coordinated by Gary Larson and Ross Rogney, and Sophia Rogney’s project of collecting towels, bedding, underwear, and socks for the organization, we’ve really made a splash there recently!

All during September, we’ll be participating in the annual UCC-wide Neighbors in Need (NIN) campaign. It supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United Sates, including the Council for American Indian Ministries and many specific projects funded by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries. You’ll find some flyers about the campaign in your Sunday bulletins during the month, and there are special envelopes in the pew racks for your donations (or just write NIN in the memo line of your check and place it in the collection plate any Sunday).

Our August ICA theme was canned fruit. We don’t have a total yet at this writing, but the nice, heavy cans are sure to give a bump to our church’s total for the year, not to speak of the comfort they bring to client families who shop at ICA. For September, we’ll focus on cleaning supplies—anything from shampoo to laundry detergent! Bring your donations to the grocery basket in the narthex and we’ll happily deliver them. Thanks much. And during this time of harvest, remember that if you have fresh produce from your garden, or if you love shopping at the farmers markets in the area, ICA loves to get fresh items too. You can deliver them to the ICA location at K-Tel Drive off Shady Oak Road, or contact Marty Swain and she’ll arrange to get them there.

Speaking of ICA, the organization will be holding their 4th annual The Great Taste event on Thursday, October 5. There will be tastings from local restaurants, complimentary wine and locally brewed beer, games, and surprises, and a live auction emceed by KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen. You can go to just the tasting, but if you’d like to, you can also be squired by limo to one of several restaurants in Excelsior, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Long Lake for dinner later in the evening. Tasting only is $65, and the full evening is $150. Check www.icafoodshelf.org/taste/ for details or ask Marty Swain. Tickets need to be purchased in advance.

Happy early fall from your Missions Board

Marty Swain (chair), Sharon Graef, Mark Krueger, Ross Rogney

Boat Cruise Fundraiser Our annual Boat Cruise Fundraiser is Sunday, September 17 from 3-6 p.m. Make a $100 contribution per person and come aboard the SeaNote yacht for an afternoon of fun and fellowship on Lake Minnetonka. Our own Captain Hank will be at the helm and Lydia at the keyboard. See the poster in the narthx for details and to sign-up!

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Music Note

"Whatever is true, whatever is beautiful, think on these things." We each give beauty and love in our own way with our "God-given talents". If you would like to be in a choir or add music to our services at CCoE, please know your gift will be much appreciated! Wednesday, September 6, Bell Choir begins at 6:30 and Chancel Choir at 7:30. This month of September, I want to share dear Jennifer Wizbowski's words (about my teaching and all of our "keeping time" in the world) in July's Parent magazine. I give thanks for all ministries at CCoE, and pray for God's blessings on our historic church on the hill and new journeys this fall. Lydia

Keeping time We live in an age where we’re always on the move. And that societal rhythm affects the heightened pace we keep as a family. As a mom, I know I’m the metronome in setting the tempo for our kids — maybe even more so than their dad is. And as you may have heard me mention before, I prefer a normal walking speed as opposed to that uncomfortable, walking-but-trying-not-to-run speed we regularly try to keep. If I’m feeling frustrated, it’s usually from this speed of life we keep. How I wish we could slow it all down!

Affrettando Italian is the language of musical terms. Composers will often use one-word descriptors above the few first few measures of a piece, so the director or conductor and musicians understand the pace that was originally intended. Affrettando means hurried; in music, it’s a “rushed, nervous accelerando” or “to hastily increase the tempo in an impatient manner ”It’s not that I don’t love my kids’ involvement with sports, music lessons and choirs. It’s just that all of the practice schedules, games and concerts seem to conflict with my idea of having some unscheduled time. Time unscheduled means time to roll with it. Time to make a decision and do what I want to do — even if it’s a bit of work or pulling weeds in my yard. But isn’t there something amazing about those days you can stay in your jammie pants an extra hour or take a longer walk on the trail, just because you knew you didn’t have to be anywhere? I want my kids to have that, too. What ends up happening is that my role as Mom becomes being a constant reminder bell of when things start — and how much time they have before they must get ready to go. On top of that, I talk myself out of doing some of these extras because I don’t feel I have the energy to squeeze it in between our many activities.

Legato Legato describes a smoothness; in music, it’s a “flowing manner, without breaks between notes. ”When we aren’t being constantly pressed by life’s demands, I sometimes get the chance to really talk to my teens — and to sit and listen to them. And the tick-tock — of the few years of high school left on the clock — beats less loudly. My 14-year-old daughter takes piano. She has a wonderful, energetic, loving piano teacher she meets with once a week for lessons. Over the course of three years, her teacher’s outgoing spirit has nurtured the inward expressions of my daughter’s heart with rhythms, finger placements and chords. She introduces art or other songs that connect to my daughter’s interests or help explain a new piece she’s learning. I’d like to say their personalities make great music together. They are the right and left hand, playing in sync. Did I mention they’re about 60 years apart? Isn’t it fascinating that when a soul connects to another, it doesn’t matter that shell of its carrier is a different age or from a different background?

Andante She’s taught my daughter to keep that tempo that I long for (and that I’d hope to teach her) — andante, “a moderately slow tempo.” It’s like the burden of sharing that lesson has been shared with me; and the result is a multi-faceted gift of acceptance, honesty and self-expression. She also has my girl name the flowers growing outside of her door; and my daughter brings them to me to display in a small vase I keep out just for them. Sometimes she just walks alongside her as she walks to the bus stop and reminds her of all the beauty around her. She teaches my girl, and reminds me that andante, walking speed, is a pace I can keep.

Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior with her husband, and their teenage daughter and son. Send comments, questions and story ideas to jwizbowski@mnparent.com.

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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September 7

“Spiritual Practices for Those Who Mourn” presented by Pastor Valerie Strand, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church

September 14

“The courage to Ask: Embracing help on the Path to Healing” presented by Ted Bowman, Educator, Change & Transition

September 21 “What’s Left?

presented by Bob Bartlett, Therapist

September 28 “Journey Following Father’s Death”

presented by Kelly Tabara

Good Stuff Sale, Saturday, September 16, on Excelsior Apple Day!

Unpack your treasures and bring them to church starting Sunday, September 10. Antiques, collectibles, vintage and new clothing, fashion accessories, jewelry, art and crafts, new and coffee table books, and small furniture and home accents wanted. NO ELECTRONICS, SPORTING GOODS OR TOOLS, PLEASE! Bring donations to the downstairs conference room on the days and times below. Sunday, 9/10: 9AM – Noon Mon-Thurs, 9/11-9/14: 9AM – 2PM and 7PM – 8:30 PM Friday, 9/15: 9AM Set-up and price sale items Saturday, 9/16: Good Stuff Sale 9AM – 3PM Let sale co-chairs know how you’d like to help. Sally Deke, H. 952-474-5104, C. 952-212-8157 MarySue Krueger, C. 612.716.4829, H. 952.937.0973, marysuekru@gmail.com

We need people to do publicity, set up, pricing, check out and cashiering, and as friendly ambassadors of our congregation. Let’s make this a successful fundraiser for our church and local charities

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior 471 Third Street

Excelsior, MN 55331

952-474-5919

We’re on the web: www.thecongregationalchurchofexcelsior.org