eNews for Thursday, February 11, 2021
Words About Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, February 17, begins the Christian season of Lent. We will spend the coming forty days journeying within the Jesus story. As the story begins with a baptism and continues with a time away in a deserted place, so too for us the call comes to remember our baptism and take time away from settled routine to listen for the still, small voice. Some have adopted the custom of giving something up. Others take something on. However, you mark the season it begins with the ashes of Ash Wednesday.
On the evening of Ash Wednesday, we will offer the imposition of ashes in our parking lot, in a safe and sanitary way, from 6:00-6:30 pm, weather permitting.
The Ash Wednesday Service itself will be available to view starting at 10:00 am on our YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The service offers time for reflection as we examine our own lives and prepare us to receive the ashes that mark our acknowledgement of our Christian walk. The ashes which remind us of our mortality and the assurance of God's grace. This service will be the first in a series of Lenten Vespers that will be available to view each Wednesday through March 24.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Judith
Second Hour Presentation
Sunday, February 14 | 11:15 am
After worship on Sunday, February 14, join Denny Falk, Bob MacLean, and Deb DeVaney for a Second Hour Zoom presentation on two large projects that have been underway the past few months. Bob and Denny will describe the plaster and masonry construction project on the arch over the pulpit in the Sanctuary. Deb will explain how the new audio-visual Production Booth and accessories will enhance our ability to stream services and other events from the sanctuary.
The hosts will share the progress on these projects as well as answer questions. Video of the Zoom meeting will be posted to YouTube and Facebook for those who can't join in.
Join us on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82669974841?pwd=NmljUEk0MWtydjQ4cG14cTlHUlpPQT09
Meeting ID: 826 6997 4841
Passcode: 337231
Sanctuary Update
One of the new pocket panels in the platform floor!
CHUM News
Bring It Home, MN
Housing Stability for All Minnesotans
Together with Beacon Interfaith, we're building momentum for "Bring It Home, MN"
550,000 Minnesotans live in households struggling every single month to pay the rent. One financial crisis—a hospital visit or the car breaking down—could tip them over the edge and into eviction. Families are barely hanging on. This instability of home is a crisis for our state. When only one in four people receive the federal help they qualify for, we need more assistance with housing solutions today than what we had in the past.
Here are the ways you can make a difference:
Email your state legislators. Let them know you're excited that "Bring It Home, MN" legislation (House File 40 and Senate File 333) has been introduced. We need to keep "Bring It Home, MN" front and center in their minds! To find the contact information for your Minnesota representative and senator, click here.
Register for March's "Rent is Due: Day of Action." In just a few short weeks, rent will be due AGAIN for hundreds of thousands of families struggling to make ends meet. Be part of our monthly action in solidarity with them by taking part in our "Rent is Due: Day of Action" on Monday, March 1 from 8:30-9:00 am. RSVP by clicking here.
Watch and Share the hearing. If you weren't able to join us or you'd like to hear some of the great supportive points again, click here to watch the hearing of HF40. Our portion begins at the 42-minute mark.
With our state in crisis and our families suffering, we can't let up on the gas. Together we are creating a Minnesota rooted in fairness, community—and hope.
Lenten Family Toolkit
From the Minnesota Conference, this weekly Lenten toolkit provides content for home and community practice from Ash Wednesday (February 17) through Palm Sunday (March 28). Check out the thoughtfully focused and curated video reflections, spiritual practices, readings, creative/art activities, games, community service projects, justice and advocacy opportunities, and more.
See week one, for Ash Wednesday.
If you would like to receive a direct email each week, please email Sandy Kellen.
Seeking Racial Justice in Minnesota
The Minnesota Conference Board recently approved a $25,000 gift to support the Minnesota Council of Church’s (MCC) Truth Telling and Reparations Initiative.
The ambitious 10-year initiative, the first of its kind in the nation, is focused on addressing the historic harm done to African American and Native American communities in Minnesota. Its three-pronged approach calls for truth telling about systemic racial injustice, including complicity by faith communities; education to equip denominations and congregations through anti-racism and cultural competency training; and reparations in Black and Indigenous communities.
“The work of racial justice and reparations is enormous in scope and significance,” says Minnesota Conference Minister Rev. Shari Prestemon. “It is not work the Conference can do alone so it makes good sense to collaborate with other partners. Joining with the Minnesota Council of Churches gives us more scale across the state and puts us at the table with a far more diverse group of people racially, which will root and inform us in very important ways. The MCC is also a long-time and trusted partner of ours, and we know solid relationships are critical to advancing work that is so challenging.”
All 25 denominations in MCC’s coalition are supporting the initiative, according to MCC CEO Curtiss DeYoung. He says that once the initiative officially launches, leaders will explore connections with the Roman Catholic Church and broaden the effort to be interfaith.
Beyond the Conference’s $25,000 grant, DeYoung says MCC has received gifts from the ELCA-Minneapolis Synod, Westminster Presbyterian Church, four foundations, and numerous individuals.
“We see this gift as an act of reparations on our part and a demonstration of the commitment we made when the Conference passed the Resolution Calling for Justice through Reparations in 2019,” said Prestemon.
MCC is currently accepting applications for co-director of the initiative. Read more at the Minnesota Council of Churches.
How Then Shall We Live?
Putting Faith Values into Earth Practice
Creation Justice Series Returns February 18
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm with Buff Grace, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
REGISTER
Christian faith like other religions calls us to live in harmony with the planet and peace with one another. But how exactly do we do that in our daily lives in the society in which we live? How do we choose our next steps amid the myriad of “green” options? What makes the most impact? What practice can we sustain? What deepens our growth and relationships? Whether you have been responding to the climate crisis for years or are just beginning, this session will help you take the next step. LEARN MORE
Valentine Project
The youth will be creating original art Valentines. Some of the Valentines will be used for Pilgrim and others will be delivered to Aftenro Home and others to North Shore Estates. The Valentines are due to Cindy Grindy by February 5. Call (218) 349‑9611 or email Cindy for more information.