Christian Courier

May 28, 2011 Inside the Courier:

A Look at the Brite Side, page 2 A prayer for storm victims, page 3 June Calendar, page 4 Board Notes, page 5 Construction update forum, page 5

On the Web:
First Christian Church website Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

College Graduates: Alison Creighton, Truman State University Deb Murphy, United Theological Seminary
Congratulations!

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First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

FCC Graduates celebrate and look to the future

ourier
Wes Creighton graduates from Robbinsdale Cooper High School, and will attend Iowa State next fall. Athena Carlson graduates from St. Louis Park High School, and will attend Grinnell College in Iowa.

Sean Cackoski graduates from Main Street School of Performing Arts, Hopkins, and will attend Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University in New Jersey.

Quintin Johnson graduates from Main Street School of Performing Arts, Hopkins, and will attend Dunwoody College of Technology.

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A Look at the Brite Side

Meeting the challenges of many storms

to do the same in the next couple of weeks. Meteorologists/climatologists are beginning to say that this more active weather pattern might be what we will be facing for some time to come. Oh, joy. Human life is definitely full of storms, weather-related and otherwise. Physical storms that leave us having to rebuild, relational storms that sometimes have us doing the same, healthrelated storms that test our ability to cope, economic storms that have us doubting our ability to cope the human journey is frequently a journey through such storms. It is also frequently a journey through sunshine and Sonshine. What the spirit of Christ calls us to do with the former is to learn from them that we might grow as souls; what that spirit calls us to do with the latter is to taste the power of joy in our midst that can help us at all times, stormy or not. Each day for me presents a challenge to work through, and blessings (sometimes strange ones) for which I am called to give thanks. Sometimes the challenge that I work through one day is the same challenge again the next. Yet responding to the challenges is what allows me to grow, and growing is what makes us fit for the eternal journey. Its always important to keep in mind where the journey ultimately heads. Id like to see YOU on Sunday, Bob

Pastor Bob Brite

Thereve been a lot of storms this spring, havent there? The ones that clobbered the south a few weeks ago, and the ones over the past couple of weeks here, and especially over the weekend that clobbered Joplin, MO, and Minneapolis. Last week I went to my insurance adjustor to go over the hail damage to my car from two weeks ago. Lots of folks in north Minneapolis are having

In our prayers
Gracious God, we lift up these persons in our prayers, asking the blessing of your Grace and outpouring of your Love upon them.

We pray in sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones, especially Karen Kandik, who lost her father Alfred John Kandik, for Dorothy Stegner, who lost her nephew, the fourth family member Dorothy has lost this year, and the family of Don Wharff, former member of FCC who passed away recently; in celebration with all those graduating from learning institutions and with Joyce Swenson and Mark Carlson who celebrated their 30th anniversary; for those recovering from recent illnesses, including Belinda Flanagan who had surgery recently, Gigi Lowy, June Andrix, who is adjusting to assisted living, Mike Hesano's uncle Sharkey Hesano, who is experiencing complications from surgery for lung cancer, Kevin Berkey, suffering from skin problems, and Sharon, sister-in-law of Kirsten Cackoski, who is fighting cancer; for all those afflicted by storms and tornados, especially our neighbors in North Minneapolis; for all our homebound members, including Elaine Moe and Dorothy Becker, Amen.

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A prayer for those affected by natures storms

The tornado that struck North Minneapolis on Sunday, May 22, went through Pastor Dennis Sanders neighborhood, but luckily, his house and the houses on the block were not hit. However, all around was devastation: trees blocking streets, houses and businesses damaged, and great difficulties getting around. Rev. Sharon Watkins, general minister and President of the Disciples of Christ, offered a prayer through her blog for all those around the country suffering from natures blasts, from flooding along the Mississippi to fires in Texas to tornadoes in Alabama, and Missouri.

This tree is a block from Dennis Sanders home in North Minneapolis.

Gracious and loving God, we do come to you as a gracious and loving God even at these times -- in fact, especially at these times of concern and worry and fear and loss. We ask that we would be fully aware of your presence at this time, O God; that we would know your loving embrace, that we would sense the strength that you give to us, that you would give us creative and compassionate response. Be with each of those who are in the way of rising water or blowing winds or raging fire. Give neighbor the strength and compassion to reach out to neighbor. Give the agencies of government and civil organizations the preparedness to gather people ready to respond well and fully. We give you thanks, O God, for the ministries of the church, for the ways that we attempt to be the hands and the feet and the voice and the heart of Jesus in these times. Give us strength, O God, that in the face of the power of nature we will know the power of your love. In fact, we will be the power of your love: the witness, the testimony of how much you love each one of your children. Be with each one now who is facing loss, who is needing courage and hope. For we pray it in Jesus name, Amen.

A church in Montgomery, Alabama, jumped to action when tornadoes hit. A good way to help is to donate to Week of Compassion, which posts updates about relief work around the country and around the world.

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May 28, 2011

Summer Worship Hours

June, 2011 First Christian Church

1 6 pm Bible Study

9:00 Spiritual Formation Classes 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship Time in Lounge
2 9 am Handcrafters 3 4 9 am- Mens Group 10 am Carter Circle Brunch@ Pat Dunlops 11 9 am- Mens Group

5 Summer Worship Schedule begins Raymore, MO Youth Choir in worship Construction Forum, noon at Intermedia Arts 12

7 7 pm Worship Committee

8 6 pm Bible Study

9 9 am Handcrafters

10

13

14 7 pm Property Committee

15 5:30 Finance Committee 6 pm Bible Study

16 9 am Handcrafters

17

18 9 Mens Group 10 am Laura Lynne/Naomi circle 6 pm Serve dinner at St. Stephens 25 9 am- Mens Group

19 Food Pantry Sunday

20 Creation Care Day Camp

21 7 pm Board Meeting

22 6 pm Bible Study

23 9 am Handcrafters 7 pm Ministry Center Board Meeting 30 9 am Handcrafters

24

26

27

28

29 6 pm Bible Study

Elders

Worship Leader

Childrens Moment Dennis Sanders Deb Murphy

June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26

Janice Brady Mike Brady Barb Creighton Dean Creighton Val Dunham Janice Brady Mike Brady Barb Ceighton

Karen Kandik Sandy Morgan Mike Hesano Don Cain

Bob Brite

Diacoaconate Even Team Even Team Even Team Even Team

Bus Drivers

Greeters

Garry Hesser 612-721-4905 Mike Hesano 651-645-6758 Mike Morgan 612-926-9384 Garry Hesser

Karen Kandik Valerie Dunham Ardie Armstrong, Shirley Draine Karen Kandik

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Board Notes
Nine board members and two staff members attended the May 17 meeting of the General Board. The major items addressed at the meeting were the following: The construction budget was set at $1.5 million, to encompass the projected $1.33 construction costs plus costs for moving the organ. The Pastoral Call Committee will have eight members. They will get input from the region, think through criteria for a new minister, hold congregational discussions, and then set a timeline for the search and hiring of a new minister. Board agreed that the candidate should be a pastor re-developer one with specific skills to turn a church around. Board voted to accept the organ design contract of $6,000 submitted by Charles Hendrickson of St. Peter, MN. Transition Funds will be used for this contract. Board voted to apply for a Board of Church Extension bridge loan to cover construction costs until the closing of the building sale to MIA. We will apply for an interest-only, one-year ARM loan of $800,000 at 5 % on a draw down basis. The total cost of vandalism to the Fellowship Hall and lounge windows, including video surveillance, replacing broken windows and doors, and overnight security, will be about $14,000. Elders, deacons and all others participating in a worship service are reminded to meet at 10:20 (or 9:50, summer schedule) in the choir room for a moment of prayer.

Thanks for Helping Thanks to everyone who braved the rain to join in our Spring cleaning on Saturday. Much-needed cleaning/decorating was accomplished along with wonderful fellowship. Both FCC and SoSSCC members contributed to a productive morning. We finished off with a lunch repast from Bobs Gourmet Pizza (many thanks, Bob!). from the FCC Property Committee

Keep pledges updated The finance committee reports that we are currently $8.000 behind on pledges. If you havent given your pledge yet, please consider doing so as soon as possible to support the mission and ministry of First Christian. Thank you and God bless you in your giving! Summer Worship Schedule begins June 5 Our summer worship schedule will go into effect on Sunday, June 5, with worship at 10:00 am and Sunday school (for those that have it) at either 9:00 am or following worship. The Breakfast Club will be in hiatus over the summer worship schedule

Construction forum on new Ministry Center on June 5 will include slide show and Q & A with contractors
A construction show and tell forum will be held at noon, Sunday, June 5, at Intermedia Arts. Slides showing schematics and drawings of the Ministry Center interior and exterior will be shown on a big screen. Vivid illustrations will help viewers have a better idea of what the new building will look like. Following the slide show, architect Kim Forsberg, contractor Doug Carlson and owner representative Paul Livdahl, member of Salem Lutheran, will be on hand to answer questions.

Creation Care Day Camp still taking registrations Kids from age 4 through 6th grade still have time to register for Creation Care Day Camp, a joint summer project between FCC and several other churches. The camp will be held June 20 24, from 9 am until 3 pm each day at Zion Lutheran, 33rd and Pillsbury as well as other locations, including the Blaisdell YMCA.

Bi-Weekly Calendar
Sundays at First Christian Church
Sunday Worship at 10:30 am (10:00 am starting June 5) Before Worship After Worship

Reflections on the Word

from readings for Pentecost 6.12.11 In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.... Acts 2:17 quoting Joel 2:28ff With the tornadoes the day after the supposed rapture, we get real questions of why God permits suffering, and indeed seems to want to destroy the world at some scary but unknown future date. What is going on? We cannot know the day and hour, but why does there have to be a day and hour? Why does God comfort with one hand and seem to afflict with the other, seeming to cause acts we call of God? Great and mighty God, you are the seat of power in the Cosmos. See us through times of trial, as you promise this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen. Chris Wogaman

Breakfast Club 8:45 am Spiritual Formation Classes 9:15 am This Week at FCC
Sunday, May 29 Graduate and Camper Recognition Monday, May 30 Memorial Day; church office closed Wednesday, June 1 Bible Study Thursday, June 2 Handcrafters Saturday, June 4 Mens Group Carter Circle Brunch at Pat Dunlops

Fellowship Time 11:45

Next Week at FCC

Sunday, June 5 Summer Worship begins Raymore, MO Youth Choir Tuesday, June 7 Worship Committee Wednesday, June 8 Bible Study Thursday, June 9 Handcrafters 9 am 10 am Saturday, June 11 Mens Group 10 am

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A Thoughtful Church in the Heart of the City Ministry Team

All Members of the Congregation Robert Brite, Interim Minister Dennis Sanders, Associate Minister of Diversity and Mission Chris Wogaman, Office Manager Rick Bowman, Building Manager Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual Formation & Community Ministry James Baumgartner, Interim Music Director Bryon Wilson, Interim Organist Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant Martha Harris, Courier Editor Telephone: 612.870.1868 Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984 Christian Courier is published bimonthly. Send items and ideas to church office or to Martha Harris harrismartha@mac.com by Sunday, June 5th, for the next issue.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MINNEAPOLIS (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404

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