Twin Cities District
Connecting United Methodists in Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Transforming Lives
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Liz Lopez, Superintendent
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December 2009
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Pamela Pettit, Editor
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In This Issue
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Learnings from Liz . . .
"RE-THINKING CHRISTMAS"
It seems in this last year the word "re-think" has been become part of our vocabulary in the church. I find myself using it as I speak about church, leadership, vision, strategic planning, discipleship, stewardship, and well… the list is endless. What I find with this word is that it has come to mean, at least for me, that we cannot do things like we used to.
As I shared in the congregational ministry trainings we live in a "post-Christian" world and culture. In the post-Christian world the need of outsiders becomes more important. Ministry is more like missionary work with a renewed emphasis on the message and mission of Jesus. The role of pastor is to lead the church in its mission and equip members to understand and live out the message and mission of Jesus outside the church. The members then go out into the world. In the post-Christian world only the healthy, missional church will prosper. (David T. Olsen, 2009)
As I think about this in this Christmas season I cannot help but go back to Mike Slaughter who for the last five years has developed the mindset among the congregation at Ginghamsburg UMC that "Christmas is not your birthday." In the November/December 2009 issue of Interpreter Magazine, he says that "Christmas is the number one self-focused consumer day in America. At Ginghamsburg church we focus on our work in Darfur and sacrificially raise funds for the coming year. We are no longer about a feel-good, holly-jolly, Santa Claus Jesus who leaves us isolated from the needs of the world—needs about which the church has been compliant for far too long.
He continues to say, "In this season of peace we are called to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers who stand silently and close our eyes in indifference, in essence participating in the atrocities of evil simply by our refusal to speak or act. We are called to be part of a world-changing, Spirit-empowered community of action!"
This concept of Christmas is not your birthday has had an impact on my life. I consistently ask—how do I take the mission and message of Jesus out into the world in this season? For the last three years Fritz and I have been "re-thinking" Christmas. We spend time naming the ways in which we have been blessed throughout the year even with the challenges we have faced. We then send a Christmas letter to our families and friends sharing our blessings and that our gift to them this year is through the church, a food bank, an advanced special, a special mission asking and other local church ministries we know about. We also ask them to give to these special askings instead of giving to us so that we all make a difference. It has been a slow process but one which is making a difference.
God has blessed us with more than we can ever imagine. The blessing comes to us once again in this season, in the child Jesus, who reminds us that we are God’s beloved children. He is the most important and true "gift" of all. I hope that you will spend some time "re-thinking Christmas" this year. We have more than enough resources to make a huge difference in our local church to make a difference in the world!
Pam and I wish each of you a blessed and expectant Advent and a Christmas where through your gifts you are making a difference in the world!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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United Methodism's Four Foci for the Quadrennium
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Developing Congregations
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Strengthening Clergy and Lay Leadership (Equipping Leaders, Transforming Existing Congregations, Teaching the Wesleyan Model of Forming Disciples of Jesus Christ)
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Global Health and Connection (Ending Malaria and HIV/AIDS, Global Outreach, Transforming the Lives of Children)
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Eliminating Poverty in Community with the Poor
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Someone said, "If you don't know where you're headed, any road will do." We hope our churches and pastors aren't living life that way! Because we live in a new day and time of social networking, and a culture where only 17 percent of people show up for church on Sunday, it's time to "rethink" church.
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Find-A-Church: As of Oct. 7, 67% of the churches in the Twin Cities District had updated their profile pages since March 1. Nice job! Add ministries to your profile at www.Find-A-Church.org. Consultants are available at (800) 251-8140.
Impact Community Grants: Beginning in 2010 UM Communications will be offering partnership grants for media and marketing for community outreach ministry events. Visit the UMCom web site for details.
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Caring and Sharing
Sympathies to
- the family of Rev. Tom Brennan who died Nov. 17.
Prayers for
- Rev. Tom Walker who is having some tests done.
Congratulations to
- recipients of the 2009 Emma Norton scholarship including Mikyoung Park of Centennial UMC and Erica Sigauke of Hennepin Avenue UMC.
Join in our connectedness by praying with our district superintendent for the following churches, their pastors, parish, and leaders:
- Christ
- Good Samaritan
- North
- Pilgrim
- Riverview
- St. Paul's
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Structures of Care for One Another
New prayer guide: Becoming a Praying Congregation: Church-wide Leadership Toos, by Bishop Rueben Job (book and DVD published by Abingdon Press). Includes contributions by Bishop Sally Dyck and Rev. Steve Richards.
Ethnic Young Adults Summer Internships: May 30-July 31, Washington, D.C. For ethnic-minority young adults (age 18-22) to work with social justice issues and learn more about the UMC. Apply by Dec. 15. Visit the General Board of Church and Society web site for further information or contact Rev. L.A. McCrae at (202) 488-5644.
Spiritual Growth Groups for Clergy: North Central Ministry Development Center in New Brighton is offering a small group opportunitis for clergy for the purpose of mutual encouragement and support along the spiritual journey. To learn more call (651) 636-5120.
Clergy Supervision Groups: Groups will be led by North Central Ministry Development Center staff for the purpose of creating a safe place for pastoral leaders to respectfully and openly exchange thoughts and reactions regarding the challenging roles of ministry in our cur current time. For further information call (651) 636-5120.
Thank you from the 2009 Minnesota Annual conference Love Offering recipients! Bulletin inserts are available on the Conference web site under Missions. Look for Love Offering Resources.
UMVIM offers new services: The North Central Jurisdiction of UM Volunteers In Mission now offers background checks and medical insurance for international UMVIM trips. Information is available under the Resources menu at www.umvimncj.org.
Safety Resources Available: Church Mutual offers resources for free. These resources include a DVD entitled Crime-Proof Your Worship Center (a copy is available for loan from the district office), Reducing the Risk Of Sexual Misconduct: A Guide For Pastors And Staff Members Who Work With Adults, and much more. visit www.churchmutual.com for a full listing or call (800) 554-2642.
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Social Media Boot Camp: Dec. 10, Feb. 4, or May 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Solomon's Porch, Minneapolis, led by Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones. $95 includes lunch. Cover tweets, blogs, facebook, and more; bring yourself and your laptop and learn how to dramatically increase your communication. Register on line.
Hospitality: the unopened gift: recognizing and receiving the gifts of all. Jan. 5-7, Comfort Inn, Collinsville, Ill. Best practices for/of Urban and Town and Country Ministries. Bishop Gregory Palmer will be preaching and Rev. Vance Ross, Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship, will be the keynote speaker. Register by Dec. 18. Sponsored by the North Central Jurisdiction Town & Country/Urban Network.
Creative Church Conference: Jan. 12-14, Disney World, Orlando, Fla. Creativity in the local church will be led by people of faith from Walt Disney World, Sea World/Busch Gardens, and more. They will guide you in the principles of being creative and show you how to transfer the concepts and ideas they use into more effective church ministries. Register by Dec. 10 for a reduced rate. Sponsored by Leadership Nexus.
Worship Workshop: Jan. 30, Good Samaritan UMC, Edina. Learn from Marcia McFee how to make worship a vibrant opportunity for people to meet God and prepare to care for the world. Contact Rev. Becky Sechrist for more information.
Leading Worship 101 for Lay People: Feb. 1-26, (approved by the GBOD as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries). See www.beadisciple.com for information and registration on this online course.
Church and Cultural Change: Feb. 9-11, Willowbrook UMC, Phoenix, Ariz. George Barna and Phyllis Tickle will offer insights into our culture and how we can respond. Register by Jan. 10 for a reduced rate.
UMYs: University of God: Feb. 12-14, St. Cloud Holiday Inn and Suites, for grades nine through 12, $130. Register before Jan. 12.
Passion for Ministry: Feb. 26-28, Lake Koronis Ministries, Paynesville. For adult, youth, children, and camping ministry leaders and volunteers. $60. Contact the camping office at (612) 230-2267 for further information or visit www.campminnesota.org.
2009 Q3 Ministers' Conference, Ministry Celebrates the Wonders of God's World: March 9-11, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY. Join together with a team of scientists, pastors, and theologians to deal with Biblical responses to issues of science and faith. Register by Feb. 1 for $49. ($99 after Feb. 1.) For information and registration call Ginny at (877) 776-3646
Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today's World: April 7-10, Chicago. Connect with communicators from around the world at the 2010 Religion Communication Congress. Hear from internationally acclaimed speakers, learn from skill building workshops, and join in discussions. Register by Jan. 15.
Horizons of Faith—Justice for the Common Good: March 12-14, First UMC, Omaha, NE, featuring Emilie Townes and Tex Sample, $45 before Feb. 19 ($65 after). For further information and registration contact Sue at (402) 556-6262.
Let Your Light Shine: April 15-18, Orlando, FL. Featured speakers will be barbara Bruce—Keeping Your Mind, Body, and Soul Healthy in the Workplace, Vicki Wallace—Rethink Church, and Beanie Rankin of GCFA—Every Member Counts and We Count Every Member. The 28th Annual Conference of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) will also include an outing to Sea World Orlando and an optional visit to Kennedy Space Center. Join with other UMC office workers from around the nation and learn together and from each other. Register by March 1. PAUMCS is an organization under the General Council of Finance and Administration that provides guidance and consultation for continuing education of church secretaries.
Assembly 2010—Faith, Hope, and Love in Action: April 30-May 2, St. Louis, MO. Celebrate, lift up, learn, and return to your communities better equipped for mission. Speakers include Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders, Lila Downs, Anita Phillips, Erica Williams, CeCe Winans, Judy Woodruff, and Bishop Joaquina Nhanala. Register on line.
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Upcoming Fellowship Events and Celebrations
The Sweetest Christmas Ever: Invite your group, staff or special friends to an old fashioned holiday wonderland either Dec. 9 or 10 at noon, or Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. for a holiday meal, carol singing, stories, and boutique. $17. For further information and reservations contact Carolyn at (612) 578-6676.
Minnesota Boy Choir Concert: Dec, 19, 7 p.m., Hamline UMC.
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Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?
This may be the year to move beyond Santa Claus, tinsel and excess shopping and search the deeper meaning of Christmas. Focus on Christ, spend more time in prayer, praise, and reading God's Word, have family devotions, simplify gift giving, do something for someone else.
How about giving a gift in your loved one's name to enable others with little to have a more healthy life? Your church recently received a mission packet with Alternative Christmas materials or go to the Minnesota Conference website www.minnesotaumc.org, click on the mission and ministry page in the top right. You'll find Alternative Christmas Giving under the resources on the right. Cards can be downloaded and sent. Suggested United Methodist Advance Specials are listed. One hundred percent of your gift goes to the project you name.
Spirituality and Mental Illness: Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m., Portland Avenue UMC. Ron Keller, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and certified Temperament Therapist, will be the speaker for this session of the compassionate and responsive congregation series sponsored by the interfaith Network on Mental Illness. Lunch is included. RSVP to MJ at (651) 645-2948, ext. #107.
Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative Assembly, July 21-26, Berlin, is now accepting legislation. Submission deadline is Dec. 31.
Parish Nurse Preparation Course: March 8-12, Luther Seminary. For information and registration call (218) 299-3893.
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Outreach Opportunities
Flood Recovery volunteers needed:
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Focus 4: Eliminating Poverty in Community with the Poor
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Dignity Center Ministry invites churches into partnering for ministry
2009 was a year of incredible growth for the Dignity Center ministry, located at Hennepin Avenue Church. The ministry supports our city's impoverished people to regain stability. The program has developed a unique, comprehensive model to support clients on their path to regain stability by focusing goals in several key focus areas. The ministry goes beyond providing people with meals, transportation or warm hats and gloves. Our program helps people get back on their feet by providing referrals to community programs and services and offers an ongoing relationship with an advocate to work on goals to regain stability.
The Dignity Center is looking for people interested in volunteering in this ministry and in developing partnerships with other United Methodist Churches to help provide some of the resources needed for the ministry, such as sandwiches, toiletry kits, and cash to purchase bus transportation. More than ever, the Dignity Center needs financial support from other local churches. Why? We have nearly doubled the number of clients served in 2009 and the demand for bus transportation has tripled! For more information or to arrange for a speaker contact Ann, Director, at (612) 435-1336.
Homeless Memorial March: Thursday, Dec. 17 (information available on the Simpson Housing web site)
Honor those who died while experiencing homelessness this past year.
- 5 p.m.—March and Silent Vigil: Starts at the Hennepin County Government Center (3rd Ave. S . and 5th St. S., Minneapolis), follow 5th St. west to Nicollet Ave. and proceed south to 28th St. (shuttle busses from K-Mart on Lake St.)
- 6:30 p.m.—Service of Remembrance: Simpson UMC
- 7:30 p.m.—Community Meal
Brass, Bronze, and Wood: Dec. 20, 11 a.m., Hennepin Avenue UMC. A Christmas concert to benefit The Dignity Center featuring Copper Street Brass, the Hennepin Chime, and Andrew Hackett at the organ.
Steeles Benefit for Dignity Center: April 24, Hennepin Avenue UMC.The Steele family of singers will perform songs focusing on social justice issues. Tickets will be available at HennepinChurch.org after the new year.
Human Relations Day Offering: Jan. 17, your special offering goes to help with issues of aleviating poverty and working with criminal justice through programs funded by the General Board of Global Ministries. Give through your local church noting "Human Relations" in the memo of your check. For worship materials, posters, special envelopes, and other information visit the UMC giving web site.
Peace with Justice Grants are available from the General Board of Church and Society for programs that seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. Churches must apply before Feb. 12. For information and application contact Marvlyn at (202) 488-5643.
Today Is The Day: Educate, Energize, Empower: Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hennepin Avenue UMC (511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis). Building Social Action Ministries, sponsored by the Church and Society Ministry Team. Bishop Sally Dyck will be preaching and Jim Winkler will be the keynote speaker. Workshops include: Social Principles, Immigration, Eco-Justice, Minnesota Without Poverty, Advocacy, and How to Talk About Controversial Issues. $15/person, includes lunch ($60/parish maximum). For further information call (651) 523-2032.
UMC Individual GBGM Volunteer Training: April 15-18, Camp Kingswood (7301 Kingswood Rd, Mound). This is a special training by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) for those seeking two-month or longer UMC service opportunities. Contact Lorna at (605) 692-3390 for further information.
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Liz's Calendar: (off on Fridays)
December:
| 6 |
Faith: St. Anthony, 9 a.m. |
| 8-11 |
Cabinet |
| 13 |
Korean of MN, 11 a.m. |
| 14 |
Normandale Hylands, 6 p.m. |
| 15 |
dCOM |
| 17 |
District Clergy Open House, Hennepin Avenue, 1-4 p.m. |
| 20 |
Living Spirit, 10:30 a.m. |
| 22-31 |
Off |
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Cultivate Spiritual Vitality!
. . . in our United Methodist Churches
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