Christian Courier

July 30, 2011 Inside the Courier:

A Look at the Brite Side, page 2 Connection with early FCC members family, page 3 August Calendar, page 4 Board notes and FCC family news, page 5

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

Join Ernie on August 14 at the Church Worship Service and picnic! Details, Page 3

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First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

Plaster House transforms lives of children

Children with cleft palates, skeletal Before surgery the children often first deformities and serious burns literalhave to have their strength and health built ly have their lives transformed when up so they can tolerate the surgeries and, they are able to have what Western afterwards, they need time to recover and medicine considers fairly simple surhave post-operative care. gery. Amy and Steve Dunlops Unless the childpresentation durren are breasting worship on feeding, their July 17 demonfamilies stay bestrated how work hind. While at being done at Plaster House, Plaster House in they are cared for Tanzania is givby 2-3 adults. ing hundreds of During Amy children new life Dunlops stay at and hope through Plaster House, such medical she helped orAmy Dunlop with children at Plaster House care. ganize recreational and educational activities for the Plaster House, an orthopedic care children. center in near Arusha, Tanzania, is part of the Orthopedic Institute of Currently Plaster House has 18 beds and Selian Lutheran Hospital. Children can accommodate up to 40 children at a from 30 area villages come to Plaster time, although they have had as many as House to prepare for and then recov93 kids at once. Funds are currently being er from the various types of orthoraised to build a new Plaster House with pedic and plastic surgery offered by 40 beds to for 80-100 children. Another Selian Hospital. According to Steve, goal is to hire a full-time teacher. the surgeries cost $200-$300, and families pay what they can, but many The target fundraising goal is $400,000. can only contribute a few dollars at FCC is in the middle of a drive to raise most. $2000 by August 15. You can write a check and put the words Plaster House Steve also explained that children on the memo line or donate online by generally acquire these disabilities in going to the FCC website. three ways: from birth defects, from injuries caused by traffic accidents More information on Plaster House and on and falling into open cooking fires, fundraising opportunities is available at and from environmental conditions. http://www.plasterhouse.org.

ourier

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July 30, 2011

A Look at the Brite Side

Get your exercise!

The Good News translation of one of Pauls letters (I cant recall which one at this point) talks about the importance of spiritual exercise as well. I know that last year one of the Sunday School classes engaged in a study of Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. The work and the fun of spiritual exercise is growing in the awareness of Gods presence in our lives. Please note that Im putting the emphasis on our awareness rather than Gods presence. God is always present in our midst; the work part is in the arena of increasing our awareness. The strongest, most illuminative souls on our planet are those whose relationship with God is constantly worked on, just as the top musicians in our world are constantly practicing. As the summer months move on, I would commend to you working into your daily routines both physical and spiritual exercise; itll do your whole self some good! Id like to see YOU on Sunday, Bob

Pastor Bob Brite

One of the things I try to do each day is exercise. Whether its walking, biking, weights, or tennis, I usually spend part of my evening engaged in some sort of physical activity. Ive found that it helps me to feel better, and it definitely assists in my continual hobby of trying to keep my weight at acceptable levels, considering the fact that I can look at food and put on weight.

The disciplines such as prayer, study, fasting, meditation, worship, and so on can be regarded as spiritual exercise much in the same way that my above list of sports are forms of physical exercise. Just as physical exercise stresses the body in such ways that it strengthens the body, spiritual exercise stresses the soul in such a way that it strengthens the soul. Just as physical exercise is both hard work and good fun, spiritual exercise is the same.

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 with joy to have welcomed long-time friends of FCC Wally and Avis Carlson, and Ron and Judy Anderson who worshiped with us recently; for blessings to Grace and Leah Callahan and Ali Hesano, and other young people building spiritual lives and community as they attend church camp; in deep sympathy for the citizens of Norway enduring the trauma and shock of terrorism, and in sorrow over the perversion that hatred creates; for Velma Fancher, who is hospitalized; for Greg Merkels parents (and Kathy Merkels in-laws), Ardyce & Jim Merkel; in concern for Jay Hillestads brother Scott who is looking for work and exploring a new vocation and for Pat Carter and The Wolvertons, who had to deal with flooding in their homes due to recent hard rains; in gladness that Nancy Currys sister is home from hospital and doing well and Karen Kandiks health has been pronounced perfect after her final post-operation checkup; for all the FCC folk involved in 14 working groups as we move forward in building and rebuilding; for all our home-bound members including Lois Swenson and Dorothy Wilkins, Amen.

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Archival book reconnected with FCC family from early years

story and photos by Chris Wogaman

All-Church Worship and Picnic

Sunday, August 14 North Mississippi Park 9:15 Sunday School Classes 10:00 Worship 11:30 Potluck Picnic Wading Pool and Playground Beverages and paper products furnished

First Christian Church has lately been inventorying its archives in advance of the move to the Ministry Center at the beginning of next year. In amongst our archival holdings are several books and boxes of family pictures that have been given to the church over the years. One very interesting volume of writings is by one of the first members of our church, Frank Hamilton Mellen (1855-1940). Through a bit of genealogical detective work, we were able to track down Mr. Mellen's living grandson, Hugh Greenwald of Oceanside, CA. And on Friday, July 8, Mr. Greenwald came through Minneapolis on some travels and was able to take this volume for his family's historical archive. "He was a blue collar worker who was very intelligent," Mr. Greenwald said of his grandfather, who died when Mr. Greenwald was a child. Mr. Mellen was deeply involved in this church, and was also an outspoken advocate for prohibition, running for US Representative in 1904 and Minneapolis Mayor in 1910 on the Prohibition Party ticket. Of the memorabilia in Mr. Mellen's writings that relate to the church, all of which has been scanned for future consultation, there exists one Sunday School manual from 1892 that is possibly the first mention of "First Christian Church" applying to our church.

Directions: I-94 north to Exit 226. Go towards 53rd Ave. N, then turn slightly right onto Lyndale Ave. N. Follow signs to park

FCC History book needs stories!

Deb Murphy and Becki Whitaker are compiling a book of stories and recollections on FCCs history. They are conducting video interview sessions at the church, or can visit homebound members if needed. Topics Deb and Becki are exploring include former ministers and music directors, youth trips to Hazelgreen Academy, Paraguay and other locations, former social and mission activities, and many more. Written reflections are also welcomed. Bus transportation is available. A signup sheet is in the lounge. Contact Becki (becki@sporga.net) or 651-686-6571 or Deb (murphy.deb.@gmail.com) or 612-807-2287 if you have questions or would like to set up a time to talk.

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July 30, 2011

Summer Worship Hours

August, 2011 First Christian Church

1 2 7 pm Worship Committee 3

9:00 Spiritual Formation Classes 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship Time in Lounge
4 9 am Handcrafters 5 5:30 Open Table Cookout 6 9 am- Mens Group

9 7 pm Property Committee

10 5:30 Finance Committee

11 9 am Handcrafters

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13 9 am- Mens Group

14 Worship and Allchurch picnic at North Mississippi Park

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16 7 pm Board Meeting

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18 9 am Handcrafters

19

21 Food Pantry Sunday Backpack Collection begins 5 pm Elders Mtg 28

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25 9 am Handcrafters 7 pm Ministry Council

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20 9 am Mens Group 9-11 am Feed My Starving Children 6 pm Serve dinner at St. Stephens 27 9 am- Mens Group

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30

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Elders August 7 August 14 (at North Mississippi Park) August 21 August 28 Ardie Armstrong Tom Curry Janice Brady Mike Brady

Worship Leader Kirsten Cackoski Max Hurlocker

Childrens Moment Dennis Sanders Steve Rusinak

Diaconate Even Team Even Team

Bus Drivers Garry Hesser 612-721-4905 Garry Hesser

Greeters Valerie Dunham Ardie Armstrong, Shirley Draine

Barb Creighton Ardie Armstrong Tom Curry Janice Brady

Pat Carter

Bob Brite

Even Team

Mike Hesano 651- Karen Kandik 645-6758 Even Team Mike Morgan 612- Valerie Dunham 926-9384 Note: Please call drivers by Saturday for Sunday bus ride.

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July 30, 2011

Board Notes Board Notes

The FCC General Board held met July 19 to hear reports and discuss current actions. Eleven board members attended, joined by three staff members and one guest, Bill Stump. Highlights of the meeting include the following: Staff Items: Deb Murphys contract was extended until Dec. 31, 2011, and Jim Baumgartners position was changed from Interim Music Director to Music Director. Finance Items: Total income is about $10.000 under budget, and expenses are slightly under; Trustees contributed $10.000 for security expenses. Payments totaling $696,050 have been made to the Ministry Center, and were applying for a bridge loan to cover future payments. Pastor Search Committee: Four people have agreed to serve & more are being sought to help search for a new permanent pastor. Organ: A bid of $117,000 was submitted for moving, reconditioning and installing the organ in the Ministry Center. Discussion is ongoing about how to set up the organ in the new space. A motion was made and passed to make the organ enclosed in the new south sanctuary.

General Assembly highlights available online

Sharon Watkins and other Disciples leaders onstage for Commissioning Service

Bob Brite may have been our only delegate this year to the General Assembly, but a wealth of information about the speakers, programs and music is available online. Summaries of presentations by such leaders as Fred Craddock, Brian McLaren and Marian Wright Edelman, as well as photo galleries can be found on the Disciples of Christ webpage: www.disciples.org.

News from FCC families

Ron and Judy Anderson were in town to worship with us on July 24, and shared photos of their newest grandchild, Joanna Michelle Lynch, who was born in April to Katie and John Lynch. Susan Morgan, daughter of Sandy and Mike Morgan was recently honored with the 2011 Young Alumni Award from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. Susan currently lives in Cambridge, MA, where she is senior project architect with Bruner/Cott & Associates. Details about her award can be found at http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22238.aspx

Church vandal confesses

The Minneapolis police contacted Pastor Bob Brite recently to say that the person who was throwing bricks at FCC since the first of the year had confessed to the spate of vandalism against FCC, after having been charged with similar vandalism in the neighborhood. According to the police, this person has a history of emotional issues and confessed that he was angry with God. He confessed to all but the most recent rock-throwing. Plans are for the person to go to a half-way house in northern Minnesota for some time for treatment.

Backpack collection coming soon

Newspapers are already carrying ads for back to school sales. Our backpack drive begins August 21, so everyone is encouraged to contribute school supplies for community children in need.

Bi-Weekly Calendar
Sundays at First Christian Church
Summer Worship at 10:00 am Before Worship After Worship

Reflections on the Word

from readings for 7.31.11 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. --Matthew 14:13a This oft-stated, oft-overlooked detail begins the famous telling of the feeding miracle. Jesus needed rest, as we all do. And although he didnt always get to rest, he did his best to take care of himself. The heat of summer is often an opportunity to take rest and refreshment. And this rest and refreshment can empower your own ministry to others. Sabbath time is blessed. You rested, O God, on the 7th day, and your creation was very good. We pray for rest and refreshment for our bodies and souls, that in resting, we might gain great power to do your work and tell of your love for our world. Amen. --Chris Wogaman

Spiritual Formation Classes 9:00 am This Week at FCC

Tuesday, August 2 Worship Committee Thursday, August 4 Handcrafters Friday, August 5 Open Table Cookout Saturday, August 6 Mens Group 7 pm 9 am 5:30 pm 9 am

Fellowship Time 11:15

Next Week at FCC

Tuesday, August 9 Property Committee Wednesday, August 10 Finance Committee Thursday, August 11 Handcrafters Saturday, August 13 Mens Group 7 pm

5:30 pm 9 am

9 am

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 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 August 14 for next issue.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MINNEAPOLIS (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404

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