weekly e-pistle june 21, 2016 lane, edina, mn 55424-1851. sally nelson and her family following the...
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Union Congregational United Church of Christ
A Just Peace, Open and Affirming Church
From the Pastor
Joys and Concerns
Important News
Faith Formation for All Ages
Youth Groups
Adult Education
Family Worship
Faith Formation & Membership & CG
Everyday Stewardship
Small Groups
From the Benevolence & CO Board
Other Activities and Events
Assisting Next Sunday
This Week at Union
INDEX
Click on any underlined title in the index below to go directly
to that section. Hit the “home” key anywhere in the
document to get back to the this title page!
Weekly E-pistle June 21, 2016
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pastor Barbara Martin Church Office Cell number: (507)263-0342 Hours: M-Th. 9am - 2pm
Office Hours: M-W (Appointment preferred) Phone: (952)929-8566
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
http://unionslp.com
Leah Springer UCC COMMAntary
Director of Faith Formation Cell Number: (612)280-8588
Office Hours: M, W, Th.
Email: [email protected]
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Union Church, connect using the password:
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From Pastor Barb
Please note:
Pastor Barb will be on vacation from June 27 to
July 19.
If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact
Helen McEvoy-Freese at (952)200-2854.
What an unexpected surprise. Paul and I put up a ‘Blessed Ramadan’ sign from MN Council of
Churches in our front yard on June 8th. I was unsure about what kind of feedback we’d receive from
our neighbors, but I never expected this – the very next morning, our neighbor down the street
inquired about where he could get one, too.
Here’s another story. After I signed up as pastor of Union church for the Elmwood
neighborhood group nextdoor.com, a very interesting story was posted about the ‘Blessed Ramadan’
signs.
“To the blonde woman in a green shirt who felt compelled to remove the sign in our yard
that wished our Muslim neighbors a blessed Ramadan, I am saddened that you felt the need
to do so. An unspeakable tragedy has taken place in Florida, but it is not the work of all
Muslims. Ramadan is a month of fasting and prayer. Your grouping all Muslims into the
terrorist category is small minded and far from peaceful.”
Dozens of people responded to this message with agreeable remarks, while another went to the
Council of Churches office and purchased a dozen signs to deliver to her neighbors. Some people
who couldn’t put a sign in their yard, printed one out and put it in their front windows. Many people
replied that this was one of the reasons they love living in St. Louis Park. I agree … totally! Why?
Because we are a community who can disagree with respect and compassion. Union church is very
much like this and that’s why I love you, too!
When Jesus laid on us the greatest commandment, ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ there were
no cliff notes about it being easy, convenient, non-controversial, or even a bit daring. But it is.
Loving people (not necessarily liking or agreeing with, etc.) is the hardest job we have been given.
But it’s the ONLY way the world can be whole … the only way we will stop killing each other …
the only way to co-create with God the kin-dom on earth that God wills.
Shalom, Pr. Barb
Joys and Concerns Please hold in prayer:
Shirley Upham who fell and injured her wrist; now back at home. 14505 Minnetonka
Drive, #224, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Kathy Hunter's family following the death of her father. 5918 West 39th Street, St. Louis
Park, MN 55416-2840
The Abramson’s following the death of one of their twin granddaughters, Ava. We
continue to pray for surviving twin, Kaia, and her parents. 27880 Island View Road,
Shorewood, MN 55331.
Mary Lee Pratt’s husband, Tom Kvaale, who is recovering from hernia surgery. 4500
Nancy Lane, Edina, MN 55424-1851.
Sally Nelson and her family following the death of her daughter, Laurie Borreson.
720 Orchid Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447
Faye Battisti who is receiving treatment for fractured vertebrae. 11333 Fairfield Road,
#113, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
Barb Courts - Park Shore Place, 3663 Park Center Boulevard #304, St. Louis Park 55416.
Betty Jean Hahn who is having health issues. 3935 Joppa Ave, St. Louis Park, 55416.
Harvey Arvidson who continues to recover. 1900 Central Ave. NE, #401, Minneapolis,
55418.
Tom Holzer is living at Bethel Care Center, 420 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, 55102;
(612) 423-0452.
Penny Goodyear’s sister-in-law, Kimm Pray, as she battles Breast Cancer and
chemotherapy. Penny’s address, 7011 West 113th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438.
Ann Picken’s daughter, Becky Meyer, who is being treated for breast cancer. Ann’s
address, 3600 Wooddale Avenue, #318, St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2477.
We ask for continued prayers for Bent Paulsen, and Dan Moriseth.
As ministers of Union Church, called to ‘ad-minister’ God’s extravagant love,
You are invited to send a card to these friends. If you know them or there is contact
information provided, please plan a visit or make a phone call.
You can make someone’s day.
Thank you!
A Simple and Convenient Way to Give
Important News
Consider automating your regular donations with our new electronic giving program.
Union Congregational United Church of Christ relies on the financial support of the
congregation and electronic giving offers an easy way to give on a
recurring basis. Visit the Union Congregational United Church of Christ
website at http://unionslp.com and click on Donate, or on your
smartphone use a QR reader app and scan this code.
Scan this code
Faith Formation for All Ages
bible study
Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
in the Library
All ideas welcomed and respected.
It will get your mind working
so you’ll get more out of worship!
Adult Education
Sundays, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
in the Library
Continuing study of John Shelby
Spong's new book Biblical Literalism:
A Gentile Heresy. In this book, Spong
uses the Gospel of Matthew as a guide
to explore the roots of Jewish culture,
symbols and tradition that shaped our
Christian beginnings. He shows that
the later development of the fully
Gentile church led to the belief that all
Gospel events were history and thus
distorted the essential message of our
faith. Come every week or once in a
while. ALL welcome! ALL points of
view respected!
Coffee will be ready!
Family Worship The first Wednesday of
every month at 5:30 p.m.,
all year ‘round.
Join us as we play, sing and
create our way through worship
designed with children in mind.
Everyone is welcome!
On July 6, Family Worship
begins at 5:30 with a story and
ends with a simple meal at 6
p.m. Hope to see you on the
front lawn by the rain garden.
Come join us!
Faith Formation and Membership & Church Growth
SUMMER FUN June 22 TOMORROW!! Open Eye Theatre Driveway Tour, 7:00 p.m.
GIVE IT A TRY on Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 pm, on the church lawn (weather permitting) for
an intergenerational worship experience, a puppet show for all ages, “The Adventures of Juan Bobo.”
We are excited to host a Driveway Tour performance from Open Eye Figure Theatre for a second year.
The world is upside down in The Adventures of Juan Bobo—and he is going to do
something to turn it right side up! Inspired by Puerto Rican folk stories, the show
combines puppetry, music, Spanish and English in a delightful tale of riddles, silly devils,
a missing pig and a village in need of a hero.
We’ll be serving popcorn, lemonade and ice cream. Bring blankets
or lawn chairs. We’ll pass the hat for donations to help support this program of Open
Eye Figure Theater. In case of rain, the show will be performed inside the church.
This event hosted by Faith Formation and Membership and Church Growth Boards
with funding from the MN Conference Ashley Grant. All events will be outside by the Rain Garden,
weather permitting. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 26 T HIS SUNDAY!! All Church Picnic after worship!
Bring a salad or dessert to share. Hot dogs, burgers (vegetarian too) and buns
provided by Membership and Church Growth Board.
Saints Game
Everyday Stewardship (It’s not just about $$$)
We Are Accountable Categories of ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ are alien to Christianity or any other religious tradition. There are no ‘rights’ in the Bible. Life is a gift and so, for that matter, is human freedom of choice. Redefining the issues in this way does not make them simpler, but it should change the way we approach them. The context of all virtue in the great religious traditions is relationship—relationship with God, practical love in families, partnerships and communities, care for the ‘other.’” (Krista Tippett, producer and
host of National Public Radio’s “Speaking of Faith”).
The psalmist declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (24:1). Everything and everybody in life belongs to God who calls us to account for how we relate to these precious blessings. “Give me an account of your stewardship,” says Jesus (Luke 16:2). Stewardship is about our relationships to God and one another. “Steward” comes from the Greek word, oikos, which means house. Stewardship is relating well to household matters. A related word is oikonomics from which we get the word “economics.” Stewardship is taking care of money matters that God has entrusted to us. Still another related word is oicology from which we get the word “ecology.” Stewardship is taking care of the earth that God has entrusted to us. During times like ours, which so value freedom of choice, we’re called to remember that accountability is the price of freedom—and “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded” (Luke 12:48).
How am I partisan or possessive in ways that keep me from being more open and generous in my relationships with others?
How well does what I give express my accountability to God?
Small Groups
Book Club
Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club gathers on the third
Thursday of each month. Join us next on Thursday,
July 21 at 9:00 a.m. at Perkins on Highway 7
and County Road 73. It’s a fun way to start
your day!
The Book Club gathers on the third Monday of each month.
For the month of July we are each reading a book of our choice, then
we will get together and share what we've read.
Join us on Monday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Bruegger's Bagels,
5400 Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park.
The Breakfast Club
gathers on the third
Thursday of each month.
Join us next on Thursday, July
21 at 9:00 a.m. at Perkins on
Highway 7 and County
Road 73. It’s a fun way to
start your day! Pastor Barb
will be there!
From The Benevolence and Comm. Outreach Board
STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program)
LOOSE COIN
Refugee Services
There is a large blue, plastic bin in the Narthex with a Refugee Services sign. Donations are given to the
Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services program for distribution. Furniture is needed, but MCC is
unable to pick up. Independent transport must be arranged. For further information,
contact Melody Ward at [email protected], or at (612) 230-3219.
Some essential items for newly arriving refugees are silverware, dishes, pots and pans,
bath towels, dish towels, sheets and blankets, shower curtains, cleaning supplies,
brooms and dust pans, mops and buckets, vacuum cleaners, lamps, furniture. (Please
donate only the listed items. Thank you!)
MEADOWBROOK COLLABORATIVE
The collaborative serves the residents of the Meadowbrook Manor Community, which has been a
naturally occurring affordable housing development in St. Louis Park. Union
UCC has had an on-going relationship with the collaborative since its formation
in 1993. Meadowbrook is under new ownership and all 551 units are subject to an
increase in rent on an average of $100 each. Other possible changes include:
criminal background checks, and a need to reapply regardless of longevity of
residence. People face the possibility of eviction or non-renewal of lease.
Already, the Collaborative has negotiated an extension for residents with children
to complete the school year without fear of eviction.
Union is partnering with other faith communities, city housing and government agencies to
educate and otherwise assist the residents in dealing with new requirements, coping with stress,
and establishing dialogue and positive outcomes with the new management. The Collaborative is
the on-site community resource providing the education and actual information to the residents.
The month of June signals an end to the school year and the beginning of a long summer with the kids home. Therefore, STEP's request this month
is for cereal. Any and all kinds would be greatly appreciated!
Also, please also keep the toilet paper coming! STEP always needs it! It is one of those items that cannot be purchased with food stamps.
Thank you!
Other Activities and Events
RE-NAME RE-UNION SUNDAY
Up for a challenge?
We’re having a competition…...The Diaconate Board is looking for a new name for what has
traditionally been called Re-Union Sunday. Re-Union Sundays are in September when the
congregation gets back into the swing of things after summer activities are done, and school starts
(this year September 11).
Re-union Sunday … no wait … Open House Sunday … well? What clever, friendly,
welcoming name can we call that second or third Sunday in September when we want to begin the
new program year? “Re-Union Sunday” is a great play on words, but reunions are
typically closed events for family members only. Not quite the ‘ya’ll welcome’
message we want to convey. “Welcome Back Sunday” sounds like you should
have been gone all summer and now you’re supposed to be back in church <with
upward-pointing-swaggering finger>. “Open House Sunday” sounds like the
building is for sale. SO … you all are creative thinkers … THIS IS A CONTEST!
Prizes? Celebrity? Infamy? Hmm …
We need YOUR help! Put your thinking caps on and submit your creative ideas
for a new catchy name for this fun and eventful day to Lori Yalch by August 5.
Call (763)588-0074 or email her at [email protected]. To us, the word
“reunion” means that a group of people who already have a relationship, such as
a family or class, are getting back together. However, we’d like that September
Sunday to be more welcoming to people in the neighborhood or those who may
be visiting us for the first time!!
Wanna dance?
Membership and Church Growth is thinking of putting on a dance this fall. We want to
see if people are interested in coming. We are looking at Hopkins West Wind Swing
Band which consists of 12 members and two vocalist. If you would be interested in
coming please e-mail [email protected]. If there is enough interest we will
set a date.
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
Tues., June 21 7:00 p.m. Executive Council Discipleship Room Wed., June 22 10:30 a.m. Bible Study Library 7:00 p.m. The Adventures of Juan Bobo Rain Garden Thurs., June 23 7:00 p.m. ACIM (A Course in Miracles) Library Fri., June 24 Office Closed Sat., June 25 12:00 p.m. Garcia/Walker Wedding Sanctuary Sun., June 26 8:30 a.m. Adult Ed. Library 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary
After Worship 6:00 p.m. AA I Fellowship Hall 7:30 p.m. AA II Fellowship Hall Mon., June 27 7:30 p.m. Monday Night Step Group Library 7:30 p.m. Al Anon Basement
Assisting Sunday and This Week at Union
Fellowship Hosts Team #1 (Wentworth)
Ushers Ann Pickens, Gavin Shoger
Reader Paul Martin
Money Counters Jean Daniels and Mary Krafft
Assisting Next Sunday
This Week At Union