September 29, 2023

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

View this email in your browser CLICK LINK TO GO TO THE SECTION This Week  I   Worship  I   Serve  I   Community   I  Save Date "Do you want to be made well?" Jesus of Nazareth (John 5:6) Grace and Peace to you! I have returned from a couple days away with colleagues and friends from the Minneapolis Area Synod. Once a year the synod creates space for rostered leaders to step away. We explored a variety of spiritual wellness practices as well as opportunities for deeper theological conversations. We sat at the feet of an amazing elder, Dr. Catherine Meeks from Atlanta, Ga. She came to Alexandria, MN to teach through stories and wisdom. The title theme for this gathering was, "Searching for the Sound of The Genuine As We Heal Our Divides." Dr. Meeks spoke to us, "There are so many voices competing in all of our heads for a chance to be on the center stage. How can we determine which ones to heed? Which ones really belong to us? Which ones are genuine reflections of who we are trying to be? How do these voices keep us divided?" In our time together will engaged in a conversations with these questions and others, like the quote at the top: "Do you want to be made well?" That was a question we were asked to hold and uncover whether we really wanted to find the answer.  This work is crucial to healing some of the divisions which are caused by the gift of our great diversity. How might we try to answer this for ourselves, turning inward to do work, being made well. Are we feeling rested, creative, able to be our full self? Are we listening and addressing what we need?  This is a journey I honestly do not do well most of the time. Caught up living someone's story most the time, the expectations and demands, the worries of letting people down or not succeeding. Oh, Dr. Meeks is right about us having to face those voices that throw tantrums from within or paralyze and hold us captive. Personally, I don't want to go back to before 2020, it wasn't a healthy time. This is a lesson that I know I don't want to loose sight or track of because WE, people at all ages and stages need to keep being made well. When talking about "being made well" that might look like: resting more, therapy, moving your body, therapy, being in nature, therapy, breathing practices (meditation, yoga), playing games, gardening, baking, journaling, being with a friend or family, painting, writing, biking, reading......   Wellness looks like listening to what your heart, body and mind needs to live fully into our potential, our humanity. May we continually learn how to travel daily so that we thrive, imagine, create, love and sustain ourselves and our communities. When we care for ourselves we are more able to care for one another and work together.  Try this: Ask yourself, what is one thing I can do for myself today that makes me well? Then ask, what is one thing I can do for someone? Peace & Blessings,  Pastor Jen Collins (she/her) (Below: Esther Sinapar, Kris Bjorke, Amy Koopman, Jen Collins, Christine Belfrey Johnson, Dr. Catherine Meeks, Deanna Kim) BIBLE BLESSING - FAITH MILESTONE Sunday, October 1 during worship at 10:30 am Sunday we will honor one of our baptismal promises "to place God's word into their hands." Join us as we recognize and bless our young people as they grow in faith. Thank you to Mary Boll for creating a special gift for each of the Bible recipients. Are you able to sponsor a bible? Average cost is $20-25. Please make a sponsorship donation online here. *Note for Bible Sponsorship. COFFEE TIME WITH PASTOR JEN  Sunday, October 1, 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Library Open for anyone to join, an opportunity to sit and talk about faith and life. This is an opportunity to connect and communicate together in community. See you there, please bring a treat or food to share - Pastor Jen will make the coffee. NEXT MONTHLY COMMUNITY NIGHT MEAL  Wednesday, October 4, 6:00- 8:00 pm Menu: TBA INVITE & BRING A FRIEND!  Welcome Rachel Carmichael, Salem Lutheran Church Staff member as Redeemer's NEW COMMUNITY MEALS COORDINATOR. Say hello to Rachel when you see her, get to know her more as you volunteer chopping! This opportunity will fund and continue to support Redeemer's mission to be a Beacon of Hope for the Harrison Neighborhood, N. Mpls and beyond. We will offer monthly meals, beginning September 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm. Sign up to volunteer to prep, serve and be a community host (greet and connect people). Monthly Meal Volunteering REGISTRATION OPEN - Women of the ELCA (WELCA) FALL GATHERING NOV. 4th, 2023  9:00 to 5:00 pm  DISCOUNT FOR REGISTERING BEFORE OCTOBER 15th, sliding scale for fees. We cordially invite you to join us for a remarkable day retreat focused on empowering women, fostering love, and leaving a lasting positive mark on our community! Mark your calendars: Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  Coffee & Lunch • Childcare Enjoy a delicious coffee and a scrumptious lunch prepared with love. We have childcare services available, so you can fully immerse yourself in the day's activities. Location: First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, inspire, and make a difference! Visit MplsWomenOfELCA.org for more information and registration details. Let's come together and create a better world, one act of love at a time. Questions or Help Registering contact: mary.m.britt@gmail.com or 612/245-0366 Register for Minneapolis Women's Gathering CONGRATULATIONS & ORDINATION CELEBRATIONS Ordination, Sunday, October 8 at 5:00 pm with reception to follow We would like to congratulate Amy Koopman, Redeemer's Interim Office Administrator on accepting her first call as Associate Pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran in Hopkins, MN. We are so grateful for all the commitment, passion, gifts and talents shared with the Redeemer community over the years. We give thanks and send Amy, Paul and Eli with love. Redeemer will host, as we are Amy's home congregation. Contact Pastor Jen to volunteer to help coordinate the reception and/or serve as hospitality.   Ordination Volunteering SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Join us for worship! As always, our Sunday worship will be streaming on Facebook Live for those who are unable to join us in person. View the worship bulletin here. (Due to internet instability, we are no longer hosting worship on Zoom. Please reach out to Pastor Jen if you need help with digital accessibility.) Weekly Worship Bulletin. Live Stream. Past Services. WORSHIP HELPERS NEEDED: Greeter, Usher, Communion Setup & Serving, Readers If you are joining us this Sunday, please sign up here, talk with Roger Mikelson (651-332-6849) or let Pastor Jen know.  Here are the roles:  Greeter Usher Communion Server Kids Message (1-2 per month) Readers Sanctuary Clean up   Worship Volunteering INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY WORSHIP Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 am During our worship time we will recognize, honor, and celebrate Indigenous People and continue re-framing the narrative of American History as we once knew it.  ECCUMENICAL THANKSGIVING WORSHIP Honoring Sacred Living Waters Tuesday, November 21 at 6:30 pm Join and support All Nations Indian Church, United Church of Christ (UCC) Location: 1515 East 23rd street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 5:30 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Worship followed by pie* During worship the story time is Nibi (water) Play by Ikidowin Youth Theater ensemble. An offering will be collected for All Nations Indian Church.  DONATIONS: boots, wool socks, coats, mittens, scarves, and hats will be collected and distributed by All Nations to unsheltered relatives living in encampments and on the streets. (Can be dropped off at Redeemer Office until November 19th)   *Please bring a pie to share. COMMUNITY HEALTH UPDATE: Reminders as we seek to care for the most vulnerable in our communities. The new Covid variant is circulating and appears to be more infectious (but not more serious) than those previous (like influenza which changes each year and needs a new vaccine). The symptoms are the same and may appear within a couple of days from the time of exposure. However, it can take up to 10 days to show up. The other difference is that the Covid antigen (over the counter) tests may not turn positive for a few days even in those that are symptomatic. If you get Covid, ask your provider about Paxlovid which reduces the severity and length of illness and risk for long Covid.   For our community well-being: To minimize your risk of infection, use masks around those with Covid (cold) symptoms.  To minimize spreading Covid to others, mask in public for 10 days after an unprotected/unmasked exposure to Covid - since Covid is transmissible up to 2 days before you have symptoms or a positive test.  If you get Covid:  isolate at home until symptoms are improving, are without fever (off medications that bring fever down) and test negative for Covid.  mask in public until 10 days from the onset of symptoms or the positive Covid test (which ever is first - though the day count starts over for those asymptomatic with a positive test if they then develop symptoms) UPDATING BREEZE CHURCH DIRECTORY It has been awhile since we have updated our Breeze Church Directory, which means that we have a lot of out of date information! Please help us update you and your family’s information by filling out this Google Form. (Even if your contact and family information has not changed, please fill the form!) If you prefer to provide your information in person, please contact the Church Office (612-886-1468). Please reach out to Sarah Stadie, Mike Tarras, or Maggie Dexheimer Pharris, if you have any questions or concerns! Financial Updates: August Income: $27,735.33 August Expenses: $29,590.20           End of August Balance: -$1,854.87 Dear friends, members, and visitors, The Redeemer Church Council wants to thank YOU for all the ways you give! When we work as a team, all things will be blessed! Thanks again or your generosity. Stewardship Letter FAITH MATTERS NEWSLETTER Please find attached our Summer/Fall 2023 Faith Matters Newsletter.  This Newsletter includes Fall Save the Dates and more!  As always, the newsletter may also be viewed online here.    Faith Matters Newsletter HARRISON CLIMATE + INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ORGANIZING MEETING Monday, October 9 at 6pm in Upstairs Conference Room Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) is organizing a meeting with people to advocate for climate change and indigenous rights with their legislators. We are hoping community members can attend. Guest Senator Bobby Joe Champion will be planning to be in attendance.  COMMUNITY BOOK READS  Beginning October thru End of year Learning is an important part of our journey, we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves through their voices and experiences in the stories they share. We also acknowledge we hope that connecting through relationships, conversations will move us into next steps toward action. These specific books are meant to be an inspiring, a place for reflection, awareness and motivation to strive to do more with what you will have experienced. Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer Books available thru grant by October 15th*  Once you have your copy, begin reading and we will gather together November 4 at 6:30 pm  during the community meal November 4, Group Dinner + Conversation at Redeemer at 6:30 pm *Pick up a free copy in Redeemer Church office, while supplies last. Also found as an audio book, and local stores    We are Water Protectors, Written by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Michaela Goade Books available thru grant by October 15th*  Community Book Read, Activity and Conversation, TBD Join for Nibi (water) play by Ikidowin Youth Theater during the Eccumenical Thanksgiving Worship on Nov. 21 at 6:30 pm at All Nations.   Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color Books available thru grant beginning November 1* Once you have your copy, begin reading and we will gather together December 6 at 6:30 pm  during the community meal (online conversation options TBD) December 6, Group Dinner + Conversation at Redeemer at 6:30 pm  *Pick up a free copy in Redeemer Church office, while supplies last. Also found as an audio book, and local stores LECRAE CONCERT Lecrae - The Final Church Clothes Tour: Part II - with special guest Hulvey Saturday, October 21, 2023 07:00 pm Grace Church - Eden Prairie, MN Interested in going, reach out to Redeemer member, Jaclyn Heim HARRISON TOWNHOMES Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and City of Lakes Community Land Trust are building 17 affordable townhomes in the Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis! Click here to learn more about the Harrison Townhomes. FREE LEGAL CLINIC at HNA The Harrison Neighborhood Association is working with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid to provide free legal help every TUESDAY and THURSDAY from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm. They are able to help with family law, consumer, public benefits, housing, tax, and immigration problems. Walk-ins are welcome, however, appointments are preferred. Call 612-352-9778 or visit www.mylegalaid.org for more information. (1501 Glenwood Ave. Suite A, Mpls MN) COMMUNITY LEARNING OCT. THRU NOV.  Find a learning path that fits for you, stay tuned for more information. Over 8 weeks Redeemer will be partnering with various organizations and leaders to explore social justice, intercultural development focused learning. Here's a preview to some of the upcoming opportunities:  Community Reads: Braiding Sweet Grass Call to Allyship We are Water Protectors Community Meal + Conversations Prayer Vigil honoring Boarding School Children Indigenous People's Day Celebrations, Oct. 8 + Nov. 21 SOUL FOOD DINNER + VACCINE CLINIC Sunday, October 29th after worship   Get ready its happening... Join in to help plan and create a wonderful time of gathering, sharing food, stories and music! Connect with Mary Britt to get started with planning this time together.  After worship catch up on your vaccinations, flu shots and Covid-19 vaccines offered in partnership with Fairview.  OCTOBER 1- Faith Milestone: Bible Blessing, Kids & Youth receive a bible 4- Food & Faith Night, Wednesday Meal (6-8 pm) & Bible 101 (begin at 6:30 pm) 8- Indigenous People's Celebration Worship 29- Soul Food Sunday & Vaccine Clinic NOVEMBER 5- All Saints Sunday, beginning Oct. 22 bring your memories to build the community memorial table.  19- Partnership Sunday, Pastor Jen will be preaching at Christ the King + Pastor Sarah Anderson will be preaching at Redeemer 21- Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship at All Nations Indian Church 22-24 Church Offices CLOSED 26- First Sunday for Advent Worship at Redeemer DECEMBER 3- Advent Baking after worship (3 Sundays/ 3 Wednesdays - register to choose time) 9- Christmas store at Redeemer 16- Christmas store at Salem 24- Christmas Eve worship at 10:30 am (Family Style, pajamas optional)  24- Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 7:00 pm 25- Christmas Day Copyright © Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 1800 Glenwood Ave. Minneapolis, MN 5540 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.