The Mirror

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May

2019

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior www.excelsiorcongregational.org

infoccoe@aol.com (952) 474-5919

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor 1

Board of Christian Education 3

Board of Deacons 2

Board of Missions 2

Musical Notes 4

From the Pastor

I love when I receive an email from someone (generally), especially one that is an interesting spiritual reflection or poem for my edification (although some of them though always well intentioned, can be corny, which to be honest, I delete once I’m done reading them). But some the rare few (like birds & people), are so profound that I am so moved and excited, that I can’t wait to share them with all of you for your edification as well. And the one I’m about to share with you now fits the description. It came to me a few weeks ago from Lydia (who, by the way, passes along a lot of material to me, all of which she has found spiritually inspirational and thought provoking). I say all this and pass this reflection authored by John O’ Donohue along to you, as a way of encouraging you to share the “nuggets” you find with me so I can, in turn, share them with the whole congregation. St. Augustine so wisely observed that mature Christian faith is not mindless as captured in the old term “blind faith,” but involves engaging the mind. To wit: “True faith is for those who believe in thinking, & think in believing.” So get ready to think a bit. It’s in the form of a quasi-poem & it’s entitled appropriately for us all: “For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing.”

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic, Time takes on the strain until it breaks; Then all the unattended stress falls in On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,

The light in the mind becomes dim. Things you could take in your stride before Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit. Gravity begins falling inside you, Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out. And you are marooned on unsure ground. Something within you has closed down; And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time. The desire that drove you has relinquished.

There is nothing else to do now but rest And patiently learn to receive the self You have forsaken for the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken And sadness take over like listless weather. The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground; Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight, Taking time to open the well of color That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone Until its calmness can claim you. Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit. Learn to linger around someone of ease Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself, Having learned a new respect for your heart And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

--John O'Donohue, from "Blessings

Yes, there is such a thing as “spiritual genius.” Enough said. I’m speechless. Now, go meditate.

Blessings,

Rev Tom

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Missions

Spring has sprung, so let's greet the new season with

grateful and giving hearts! After all, the stated vision of

the UCC, is "To inspire donors, through purposeful

engagement about the importance of philanthropy and

stewardship within the UCC and its churches, to be active

participants in transforming the world around us!

Our ICA theme for May is Potpourri—in other words,

the choice is up to you and the sky's the limit! How about

seeing where the spirit moves you as you prowl Costco or

Cub? Anything from nonperishable canned goods to baby

food to hygiene or household products. Maybe you'll see

a 2-for-1 ad in the paper for an item you can get during

May. And as always, monetary donations (checks made

to church with "ICA" in memo line) are very welcome as

well.

One more thing: Don't forget as you plant your vegetable

garden for the summer or as you begin visiting farmers

markets that ICA can now take fresh produce!

The next UCC-wide fund-drive is Strengthen

the Church. Proceeds go toward imagining

and building the future of the UCC through

support of youth ministries and full-time

leaders for new churches in parts of the

country where the UCC does not have a strong

presence. They also provide support for existing

churches' new initiatives. The final day for giving

to this campaign will be Pentecost Sunday, June 9,

which occurs 50 days after Easter and

commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in

the form of flames to the Apostles, as recorded in

the New Testament in Acts, 2. More information

will be forthcoming during May.

Yours faithfully,

The Missions Board

Marty Swain (chair), Sharon Graef, Mark

Krueger, Ross Rogney, Kathy Sherwood

Board of Deacons

Thanks to all who provided flowers for Easter

Sunday. The Sanctuary looked and smelled

beautiful!

There are some fun events in the planning stages: a

Game Night with supper, a cheese tasting featuring

some elegant locally made cheeses, an evening at the

Old Log Theatre. Feel free to tell a Deacon of any

ideas you have for a fun event or to improve your

church experience.

Sign up on the bulletin board to be an usher, a lay

reader or a coffee host! Thanks!

Your. Board of Deacon,

Sally Deke, Nancy Benson, Julie Bowden,

Betty Kuechle, Valerie Stuessi, Judy Wise

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Christian Education

Best May wishes to everyone!

We presented Bibles to our confirmands Katherine Kregness, Ian Wagner and Amelia Wennerstrom on Palm Sunday, April 14. During the Children's Message, Pastor Tom, Mandy Little and John Benson shared stories of their own special Bibles, some gifts at their own Confirmations, and the important role these Bibles still play in their lives.

During April KICK-IT, we were able to make sandwiches for the homeless again, a truly rewarding experience for our young people.

The next KICK-IT event is set for May 19.

Easter featured our annual Egg Hunt for the children. Thanks to all who helped with April programs and events!

We plan to celebrate this year's graduating seniors, Noah Kregness and Breanna Tudor, on June 2.

We are also looking forward to Summer Kick It outings. We have tentatively planned a pool party, beach outing and game night. Watch for more info on that soon!!

We will have Confirmation classes starting up in the fall, led by Kara Hartman. If you know of a young person who might be interested in joining us for Confirmation, let us know!

We are excited to announce we were awarded the Ashley Micro Grant for a Bible memory program next year. We will receive $300 for supplies and to set up the program. Great job applying, Janet!!

Thanks to everyone as always for your support of our youth programs!

Images are from Sunday School and Kick It.

Blessings,

Chair Janet Holler, Janet Chambers Krueger, Carley Kregness and Karla Wennerstrom

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Music Notes

"Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace in all you do. I give to you so you can give to others too. To share God's love is why I came, to show God's kindness without end. Go now, my friends, and do the same..."

This Ray Repp song from 1967 is in our hymnal (#249) and will have been sung on the last Sunday in April. May our church be alive with the spirit of Jesus Christ risen from the dead and "no more fear to live" as Tom preached on Easter!

Albert Schweitzer the German/French theologian, missionary physician, Nobel Peace Prize recipient - AND amazing organist - said, "Something within us does not pass away, something goes on living and working wherever the kingdom of the spirit is present. It is already working and living within us, because in our hearts we have been able to reach life by overcoming death."

Peace to you as we rejoice and sing in this Easter season!

Lydia

A TRIBUTE TO KAY CARLSON

(Since there wasn’t a memorial service for Kay Carlson, several members requested I share this tribute from Gretchen Larson (Gary Larson’s Daughter) read at our informal gathering.)

⸎ ⸎ ⸎

There are two distinct memories I have of kindergarten that pertain to Kay. First, when it was your birthday Miss Carlson would put on her fantastically bright pink Wet and Wild lipstick and give you the biggest smackeroo on your cheek first thing in the morning so that for the rest of the day you got to walk around with her kiss print on your cheek for all to know it was your birthday! She also let you pick out a book off the clothesline for your gift.

The second memory I have of Miss Carlson is my mom (Heidi) and I went to her house in the summer to play cards. In my memory (which my bother Hans says is NEVER right...usually about him pulling my hair!), she had set up a card table in the driveway and we sat outside playing kings corner and drinking lemonade. To a 6 year old, this was the best day of my life!

Lastly, a more recent memory was when Kay surprised me at work a few years ago. She showed up at my kindergarten door and asked to read a book. She told me she had stopped by once but I was not there and wanted it to be a surprise and Gary had told her I would be delighted to see her, and I was! She had brought a book to read and treats. I loved every second of it. I teach in a school that has a high Muslim population and a NO TREAT/CANDY rule.....Kay brought a book called the Christmas Mouse and handed out suckers) It was a perfect moment of my childhood and adulthood crashing together.

As, I told my girlfriends (whom had Kay) about her passing last Monday night, the first memory they recalled was the Wet and Wild Birthday lipstick. Now, I am sure that Kay taught us our alphabet and numbers but more important than that she taught us we were special, welcomed and loved. In her many years of teaching, I can only imagine how many tubes of Wet and Wild she went through but more importantly how many kids remember that one special smackeroo!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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West Suburban Grief Coalition

www.westsuburbangriefmn.org

Our church supports the West Suburban Grief Coalition. Many have found their programs to be helpful in dealing with the grieving process. The meetings are held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Refreshments and registration start at 4:00 p.m. The location rotates among area churches. The Spring meetings will be held at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, 600 Hopkins Crossroad, Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952-546-5433). Our coordinator for this group is Kathy Sherwood.

May 2nd

“My Personal Story: Enduring Child Loss”

presented by Cindy Anderson

May 9th

“Is It Grief or Something Else?”

presented by Dr. Mary Harlow

May 16th

“Child Loss”

presented by Chris Lewis

May 23rd

“Grief: What Helps / What Hurts”

presented by Dr. Nancy Slothower

May 30th

Group Sharing

participants

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/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.excelsiorcongregational.org