Christian Courier

Certain Beautiful Places

August 20, 2011 Inside the Courier:

A Look at the Brite Side, page 2 FCC in the community, page 3 September Calendar, page 4 Regional Retreats, page 5

On the Web:
First Christian Church website Regional Retreats Sharon Watkins blog Pastor Questor blog

Lifting Voices in Song at Worship in the Park

a dn a emiTk ciuQ rosse rpmo ced .e rut cip siht ees ot dedeen e r a

First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

ourier

Certain beautiful places can do many things Places of earth can connect you to the world but also to heaven These are the Godly places, Where you are close to God These places are different for everyone My heavenly place is found in the serenity of the desert The knowledge of how to persevere, I learn this from the flowering cacti who with no water and under scorching heat remain the most beautiful plant in the world. Survival from the desert animals who fight off heat and dehydration to live Beautify from the desert sunset Just north lies a place where water flows freely over rocks who whisper stories of things in the past Birds of bright colors fly I stare up to the sky and smile Because these are places that connect me to God. By Caleb Callanan NOTE: Caleb created this collage and poem while at ADAM arts camp in Newton, Iowa, this summer.

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August 20, 2011

A Look at the Brite Side

On having a Promised Land Experience

We almost have a site inventory done and can start to decide what to move, sell, toss, or store. Lots of people are in meetings that are held almost every night of the work week to make those 3000-4000 decisions that have to be made. One of the things that continues to amaze me is just how smoothly the process is going; yes, its exhausting in a lot of ways, but energizing as well, as three peoples come together in partnership to do ministry in cooperation with one another. Most of the falls Old Testament lectionary readings cover the journey of the Hebrew people in the Promised Land in the exodus from Egypt. These readings will be the focus of our worship life during the fall as well. We may not have to face plagues, walk through seas, face hunger and thirst in the wilderness, or have to wander in that wilderness for 40 years (I hope we arent worshipping any golden calves either!). Nor is the journey were making through hundreds of miles of harsh landscape; its only about a mile and half. Nevertheless it is a journey of significance, and it is my hope that youre looking at it as a Promised Land Experience. We are very much a people on the move both physically and spiritually. Its an honor to be your pastor as we face these changes with faithfulness. Id like to see YOU on Sunday, Bob

Pastor Bob Brite

This week were having a meeting to work on the timeline for moving into the Ministry Center once its completed sometime in November. (And yes, at this point construction is on schedule.) The organ, assuming well continue the decision to move it, will come out of the sanctuary probably in October sometime to undergo about 4 months of rehabilitation before being installed at 28th and Garfield.

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 with the family of Velma Fancher whose memorial service was held August 6, and especially for her daughter Beverly Decker and Richard Decker, and also for Kathy Merkel whose friend Mary passed away recently; in fellowship with Rev. Mary Ann Glover, now Regional Minister for the Northeast Region, and with John Carter both of whom were in worship recently; in joy and celebration with John Mark Holland who is returning from Afghanistan, for Emily Williams ordination Aug. 14 at Glen Oak Christian Church, Peoria, and with Dorothy Stegner who recently celebrated her 90th Birthday; for continued healing for Jim Baumgartners friend Maria, 30 year old scientist who recently had a heart transplant and is recovering at home; for the wellbeing of all our homebound members, including Bob Risinger and Helen Smith, Amen.

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Mission Notes from Pastor Sanders

FCC at work in the community

Even though we are busy as a congregation getting ready for the impending move to the Ministry Center, we are still very involved in social justice and mission projects. Here are some updates on how First is trying to be Christ outside the walls of the church: The old Outreach Team has been reformed and revived. Special thanks to Pat Dunlop, Deb Murphy, Kirsten Cackoski and Brenda Flannigan who have heard the call to serve on the committee which has been renamed Mission and Witness. The new committee will meet on the third Tuesday of the month before the monthly board meeting and will take on not only mission and social justice issues, but evangelism and hospitality topics as well. First Christian will go to Feed My Starving Children on Saturday, August 20, at 9 a.m. We have invited folks from Salem Lutheran and Lyndale UCC and hope to have a good time working together to help feed starving children around the world. The congregation will take part in its annual Backpack Drive starting August 21 through September 11. We will be collecting school supplies for Central Lutherans Restoration Center. You can pick up a copy of what supplies are needed in the lounge at church or go to the church website (fccminneapolis.org). While the two planned workdays with Community Emergency Service did not work out, the Mens group did make some hygiene kits for the South Minneapolis agency in late July. We plan to make more kits during the fall. The Minneapolis Metro Crop Walk will take place on October 9. Half of the monies raised will support local charities such as Community Emergency Service and North Minneapolis Tornado relief. Please consider taking part in this

worthy event. More information will be provided. Sunday, September 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that struck New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. While there are many events taking place on that weekend, please be mindful of the following: -Free Commemorative Concert at The Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, Saturday, September 10, 8 pm. A chorus of 100+ singers from many area religious and other singing groups plus orchestra will perform Bernsteins Chichester Psalms, two Stephen Paulus compositions, Aaron Coplands Fanfare for the Common Man, and other selections. -Minnesotans Standing Together Sunday, September 11, 2 4 pm. The Minnesota Council of Churches encourages communities of faith to gather at the Capitol Mall in St. Paul for a community observance of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The event will honor the ideals of freedom and democracy, lament loss, offer healing, and create hope and inspiration for greater cooperation in our diverse state and nation. Additional details available online, Minnesotans StandingTogether.com. Finally, gather and celebrate the history of the city of Minneapolis by touring three prominent downtown congregations. Join the Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH) on a tour of houses of worship along Hennepin Avenue on Saturday, September 17. The tour begins at Temple Israel at 4:30pm, moves to Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church at 5:45pm, and ends at St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral at 6:45PM. Learn about the sanctuaries and the work the congregations are doing in the city; enjoy delicious food and beautiful music from the traditions of these communities; and join others to raise money to continue the fight to end homelessness. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, go to www.dceh.org or contact Heidi Johnson McAllister, Heidi@dceh.org, or 612.242.4670. See you there! Go and be church! Dennis Sanders

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August 20, 2011

Regular Worship Hours 8:45 Breakfast Club

September, 2011 First Christian Church

9:15 Spiritual Formation Classes 10:30 Worship (starts Sept. 11) 11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge
1 9 am Handcrafters 2 3 9 am- Mens Group

4 Summer Worship Hours (Worship 10 am; Classes 9 am) 11 Regular Worship Hours begin 8:45 Breakfast Club Begins 10:30 Worship 9/11 Gathering at Capitol 2-4 pm

5 Labor Day

6 7 pm Worship Committee

7 6:30 Bell Choir 7:45 Choir

8 9 am Handcrafters 6 pm Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus Auditions

10 9 am- Mens Group 7 pm - 9/11 Concert at Basilica 17 9 am Mens Group 10am Laura Lynn/ Naomi Circle 4:30 pm Downtown Churches Tour 6 pm Serve dinner at St. Stephens 24 9 am- Mens Group

12 7pm- Carter Circle @ Sandy Morgans

13 12n Disciples Ministers 7 pm Property Committee

14 5:30 Finance Committee 6:00 Lectionary Bible study 6:30 Bell Choir 7:45 Choir

15 9 am Handcrafters

16 6:30 pm Christian League dinner

18 Food Pantry Sunday Board Meeting following worship 25

19

20 7pm FCC Board

21 6:00 Lectionary Bible study 6:30 Bell Choir 7:45 Choir

22 9 am Handcrafters 7 pm Ministry Council

23

26 7 pm Book Club @ Morgans

27

28 6:00 Lectionary Bible study 6:30 Bell Choir 7:45 Choir

29

30 Womens Retreat Begins

Elders

Worship Leader

Childrens Moment Dennis Sanders

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25

Dean Creighton Val Dunham Russ Griffin Martha Harris Arlene Hillestad Dean Creighton Val Dunham Russ Griffin

Ardie Armstrong Martha Harris

Bob Brite Garry Hesser Caleb Callanan

Diacoaconate Odd Team Odd Team Odd Team Odd Team

Bus Drivers

Greeters

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

Ardie Armstrong, Shirley Draine Karen Kandik Valerie Dunham Ardie Armstrong, Shirley Draine

Note: Please call drivers by Saturday for Sunday bus ride

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FCC News in Brief

Breakfast Club starts up Sept. 11
Hungry? Consider joining us for the Breakfast Club at First Christian Sunday mornings at 8:45am starting Sunday, September 11. The idea started in a Worship Committee meeting a few months back as we tried to talk about a ministry to Young Adults. As the discussion progressed, what came up is that for parents with children it can become quite difficult to get the kids ready for church on time, especially when you have to feed the little ones breakfast. What if the church could offer to make breakfast so the parents didnt have to? With that, the Breakfast Club was born. A number of folks on the Worship Committee decided to step up and either cook or bring in food on an appointed Sunday at 8:45am. Folks would come to Lounge and eat, have a cup of coffee and fellowship until 9:15am when Christian Formation begins. Being that First Christian is a small congregation, the Breakfast Club is not going to be limited to those under 40. All ages can come and have a good breakfast, but the focus is to specifically invite those under 40 to come and fellowship, get a good meal and grab a good cup of coffee. So, please join us Sunday mornings in the Lounge at 8:45am starting September 11. Lets see where God leads us.

Regional retreats set for fall

The Disciples of the Upper Midwest have a full schedule of retreats for people of all ages and interests: Great Awakening! is the theme for this years annual School for Congregational Learning on Saturday, August 27 at the West Des Moines Christian Church. Pastor Dennis Sanders will be presenting a workshop at this years event. Renew Your Mind is a Senior Adult Retreat scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at the Christian Conference Center in Newton, IA. As we live longer lives, how do we keep our minds fresh? Join us as we learn together about the brain and aging, life long learning, spiritual practices, and the tools of technology we can use today. Be still and know I AM is the theme for the Silent Retreat to be held Sept. 23-25, also at the Newton Conference Center. According to the brochure, the retreat begins on Friday evening with a gathering and guidance on silent living for this retreat. How we experience the following hours of silence is up to each one of us individually. Resources of spiritual practices and a labyrinth will be available, as will the leaders, for guidance if wanted. Sunday morning worship will help us re-enter into our backhome living. The annual Womens Retreat in Paynesville, MN, is titled Through a New Lens: A Change of Heart. Rev. Gail Thiessen is the leader for this retreat to be held from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. More information and registration materials are available online at the Christian Church of the Upper Midwest website. Our office can also help you obtain materials if you are interested.

Brooklyn is Sept. Book Club read

Author Colin Tobins novel Brooklyn is the September selection for FCCs book club. New members are always welcome. Well meet at Sandy Morgans home on Monday evening, Sept. 26 at 7 pm. Call Sandy or the office if you need directions.

Bi-Weekly Calendar
Sundays at First Christian Church
Regular Worship at 10:30 am Before Worship After Worship

Reflections on the Word

from Readings for 8.21.11 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18 This famous line that Jesus speaks to his disciple, Peter, contains a pun not clear in English, for Peter, or Petros in Greek, means rock. But Peter doesnt prove himself always to be a rock, does he? Peter denies Jesus not once, but 3 times. Yet God founds the church on Peters shifting foundations. God sometimes realizes our adequacy even when we dont. God, you see great things in us that we cannot see. Bring us into those places and relationships that most need what you have given us to share. Make us your holy rocks to a world in need. Amen. --Chris Wogaman

Spiritual Formation Classes 9 am This Week at FCC

Sunday, August 21 Food Pantry Sunday Back Pack Collection Elders Meeting Thursday, August 25 Handcrafters Ministry Center Board Saturday, August 27 Mens Group

Fellowship Time 11:45 Next Week at FCC

Sunday, August 28 Back Pack Collection

5 pm 9 am 7pm

Thursday, September 1 Handcrafters Saturday, September 3 Mens Group

9 am

9 am

9 am

School for Congregational Learning, Des Moines, IA

A Thoughtful Church in the Heart of the City Ministry Team

All Members of the Congregation Robert Brite, Transitional 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, 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 August 28 for next issue.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MINNEAPOLIS (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404

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