first christian courier-october 1, 2011

8/3/2019 First Christian Courier-October 1, 2011

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October 1, 2011

Inside the Courier:

A Look at the BriteSide, page 2

Ministry CenterNotes, page 3

October Calendar,

page 4

Grande Sale Count-down! Page 5

FCC Board notes,page 5

Author Armstrong toread, page 5

On the Web:

First Christian Church

website

Christian Church (Dis-

ciples of Christ)

Sharon Watkins blog

Disciples Lectionary

blog

QuickTime and adecompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Editors Note: Sharon Watkins (pictured below) was elected to her

second term as General Minister and President of the Disciples of

Christ at the General Assembly this summer. Below are excerpts

from her address to the assembly on July 11, following her election.

Note how her message ties in with messages from our pastors in this

issue.

Watkins Vision for the Next Biennium

ReconciliationOffering Oct. 2

Sometimes we mis-

take the nature of thechallenge that is be-fore us. Sometimes weslip into thinking theproblem is that somany of our congrega-tions are in decline, orwe are structuredpoorly or our fundingsystem is broken . . .Of course all of that is

real and must be faced.But:

None of that is the fundamentalchallenge for us as Disciples of Chr-ist.

The challenge for us today is thatso many of our neighbors do notknow the love of God. The need ofour neighbor is what needs to breakour hearts and preoccupy our board

meetings. The people we see on thestreet every day or on our computermonitors, brother and sister humanbeings, do not know that they arepreciouseach and every oneinGods sight.

And how would you know, if youwere hungry, diseased, teeth aching,

and you couldnt tell that anybody cared?

How would you know you

are a precious child of Godwhen you live in your car?Or in a mud hut? Or yourhouse just blew away alto-gether? How would you feellike a beloved child of a liv-ing God, when you are bul-lied or abandoned or disres-pected or neglected?

A Disciples leader from

the Congo named Dr. JeanBokeleale, once said to me:(he was making a word play in French)instead of focusing on the salvation oflame (the soul) we should concern our-selves with the salvation of lhomme (thewhole person). In English we might say:Jesus calls us to focus less on the soul of aperson, and more on the salvation of thewhole person.

We love Godwhollywith all our

heart, soul, mind and strength. But as IJohn says, if we cannot love a brother orsister whom we have seen, we cannot loveGod whom we have not seen.

The full text of President Watkins re-

marks can be found atwww.disciples.org,

on Sharons blog under the title My vi-

sion for the Next Biennium.

Christian CourierFirst Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)
http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/SharonsBlog/tabid/758/Default.aspxhttp://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/SharonsBlog/tabid/758/Default.aspxhttp://doclectionarygroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-one.htmlhttp://doclectionarygroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-one.htmlhttp://doclectionarygroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-one.htmlhttp://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://doclectionarygroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-one.htmlhttp://doclectionarygroup.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-one.htmlhttp://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/SharonsBlog/tabid/758/Default.aspxhttp://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/


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Page 2

Pastor Bob Brite

On being a witness for Christ in the world

October 1, 2011

As Ive mentioned several

times here and there, the eldersof the church are grappling

with the issue of the churchsfuture ministry. I want to usemy column this week to talkabout that a bit. FCC has al-ways had a strong commitmentto mission. We support in ourchurch budget and special of-ferings a variety of causes, in-cluding: Disciples MissionFunding, regions, colleges anduniversities, new church starts,

and anti-racism initiatives. Wealso support Feed My StarvingChildren, Community Emer-gency Services, Habitat for

Humanity, Groveland FoodShelf, St. Stephens Human

Services, Heifer International,Church World Services, theAliveness Project, PlasterHouse in Tanzania, and Down-town Churches Ending Home-lessness. We support streetpeople with bus passes, and areworking to get out to GLBTyouth in the community thatFCC is a place where they canexpress their spirituality safely

and without judgment. All ofthese groups and causes getannual support and energy fromus, as well as funding fromspecial projects and emphases.We dont lift this up enough;its something to be humbly

proud of.But at the same time, is this

support the mission and minis-try of the church? My response

to that would be: No. Its asmall part of FCCs missionand ministry. Our essentialmission and ministry is to be a

witness for Christ in the world;if we dont have that focus in

our community, we dont havethat central purpose and all theoutreach we do doesnt meanmuch.

Being a witness for Christ inthe world means being a com-munity of hospitality AND acommunity of evangelismletting the world know thatFCC is a special place whereChrist lives!

One of our elders in a meet-ing not long ago said that it hadbeen a long time since hes

heard FCC members tell theirown faith stories. In our Un-binding the Gospel series of acouple of years ago we weresupposed to learn to do justthat. I would like to you thinkabout what your faith story isand how it could impact anoth-

er person. Thats at the core ofwhat the churchs future minis-try needs to be.

Id like to see YOU on Sunday!Bob

A Look at the Brite Side

In our prayers

Gracious God, welift up these persons

in our prayers, ask-

ing the blessing of

your Grace and out-

pouring of your Love

upon them.

We pray for peace and wholeness around the world, and for all those who hun-ger, especially the starving people in Somalia; in sympathy with the families

who are grieving the recent deaths ofRalph Morehouse, Dorothy Wilkins andSharon Cackoski; in happiness that Gigi Lowy and Evelyn Lawson wereback in worship and are recovering from recent health problems, and that bothMike Hesano and Caleb Callanan are healing well and having physical thera-py; in joy with Nancy Curry that her son John has started new job and daugh-ter Tara is beginning nursing program, and also in hope that her sister Marilynwill overcome health issues; in agreement with Kevin Berkeys prayer forharmony in Congress so that government can get problems in the country fixed;for sister congregations and institutions that are struggling in this economy, es-pecially Camp Walter Scott in Illinois facing closure; for the well-being of allour homebound members, including Elaine Glore and Elaine Moe, Amen.


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Christian Courier Page 3

In search of a Mission Statement

Ministry Center Board Notes

What does First Chris-

tian mean to you? Howwould you describe thiscongregation to friendsand family?

As we prepare to move into the Ministry Centernear 28th and Lyndale, there has been a lot of talkabout how First can differentiate itself from itsecumenical partners, Salem Lutheran and LyndaleUnited Church of Christ. The Elders have beentaking a second look at the Mission Statement andVision Statement and discerning what congregationis all about. A small gathering of members arecoming together to create an ad campaign. In eachcase, people are asking the same questions aboutour identity.

From the 1950s and through the 70s, First Christian

was known for its recovery ministry and strongpreaching. In the last decade or so, weve beentrying find out who we are now.

So, over the next month I am asking members, visi-tors, and long time friends, to answer the questionsabove. What does this church mean to you andhow would you describe the congregation to peopleyou know? Your answers will help the elders andother groups fashion a new mission statement andultimately a new identity for First Christian.

Send me your answers by October 30 to my emailaddress:[email protected] ordrop it off at the church office.

Each month, the Ministry Cen-ter Board meets to make deci-sions about the construction,organization, and opening ofthe new Ministry Center.

Each church has four repre-sentatives on the board, con-sisting of two members of eachchurchs governing body

(which in our case is the Gen-eral Board), one additionalmember plus one clergy. Thusthe full board is 12 members.

FCCs current board members

are Tom Curry, Martha Harris,Val Dunham (or Bobbie Hall)and Pastor Bob Brite. Pat Dun-lop is an alternate. Any mem-ber of any of the churches canattend board meetings, but onlyofficial board members vote.

Financial issues often make upa good part of the discussion atboard meetings. For example,at the September meeting, theboard decided to create a sepa-rate operating account in ad-dition to the construction ac-count, because the MinistryCenters accountant had drawn

attention to the fact that a num-ber of bills were being paid thatwere not in the constructionbudget, such as lawn care bills,boiler expenses, and accountingservices.

Also, the board examined awish list of possible con-struction features and decidedthat a wood floor in the northsanctuary and carpeting in thedownstairs gathering area werepriorities.

A Note of Thanks

To Dennis and everyone atFirst Christian,

Thank you so much for thebackpacks and school sup-plies you donated to the Res-toration Center at Central Lu-theran Church! We get quitea few requests for thesethings each week!

We started to give out yourdonations on Wednesday andthey were a big hitwellcontinue today and then againon Monday. What a blessingto the community!

Blessings,Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer

Director of Community Minis-try, Central Lutheran Church

Mission Notes from Pastor Sanders
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Page 4

Elders Worship Leader ChildrensMoment

Diaconate Bus Drivers Greeters

October 2 Jay Hillestad (p)Skip Woverton (a)

Don Cain Dennis Sanders EvenTeam

Mike Hesano651-645-6758

Ardie Armstrong,Shirley Draine

October 9 Val Dunham (p)Ardie Armstrong (a)

Lu Griffin Janice Brady EvenTeam

Mike Morgan612-926-9384

Karen Kandik

October 16 Ardie Armstrong (p)Janice Brady (a)

Dean Creighton Bob Brite EvenTeam

Garry Hesser612-721-4905

Valerie Dunham

October 23 Ann Wolverton (p)Tom Curry (a)

Karen Kandik Caleb Callanan EvenTeam

Mike Hesano Ardie Armstrong,Shirley Draine

October 30 Skip Wolverton (p)Ann Wolverton (a)

Sandy Morgan Deb Murphy Mike Morgan Karen Kandik

Note: Please calldrivers by Saturday for Sunday bus ride

October, 2011First Christian Church

Regular Worship Hours

8:45 Breakfast Club

9:15 Spiritual Formation Classes

10:30 Worship

11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge

1

9 am- Mens

Group

Womens Re-

treat

2

Reconciliation

Offering

Womens Re-treat

3 4

7 pm Worship

Committee

5

9amNikkei (FH)

6:00 Lectionary

Group

6:30pm Bell Choir7:45pm Chancel

Choir

6

9 am Handcrafters

7 8

9 am- Mens

Group

9

Crop Walk

Grande Sale

sorting

10

Carter Circle @

Val Dunhams

11

7 pm Property

Committee

12

5:30 Finance

Committee

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 Bell Choir

7:45 Chancel choir

13

9 am

Handcrafters

12-7PM Grande

Sale

14

12-7PM

Grande

Sale

15

9am- Mens

Group

9-12p Grande

Sale

6 pm Serve St.

Stephens

Shelter meal

16

Board MeetingFollowing

worship

Food Pantry

Sunday

5 pm Elders Mtg

17 18

9 am Mpls Re-tired Teachers

Luncheon

19

9amNikkei (FH)6:00 Lectionary

Group

6:30pm Bell Choir

7:45pm Chancel

Choir

20

9 am Handcrafters

21 22

9 am- MensGroup

23

Boulers Baby

Shower

30

24 Book Club

@ Creigh-

tons 7pm

31

25 26

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 Bell Choir

7:45 Chancel choir

27

9 am Handcrafters

7 pm Ministry

Council

28 29

Fall Share-the-

Care 9am-

1pm


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Board NotesFCC Board Notes

Grande Sale countdown begins

Page 5The Christian Courier

The final days of collecting, sorting and prepar-ing goods for the Grande Sale are just around thecorner.

Donations will be collected through the first dayof the sale. Please check the posted signs for dona-tions that are not acceptable. (Drapery rods, dirtyor torn clothes, mattresses, large appliances, etc.)

In addition to signup sheets in the lounge, volun-teers can sign up online by visitingwww.mysignup.com and entering

"[email protected]" in the email field.Becki Whitaker reports that cashiers and floorworkers are needed during the sale, as well as set-up and clean-up help. We're also looking for

people to provide food (main dishes, side dishes,desserts, snacks) on set up and sale days.

All volunteers are invited to shop the sale earlyon Thursday, Oct. 13 from 3-4pm. The sale willrun Thursday, 4-7pm, Friday, Oct. 14 from 12-7pm, and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9am to 1pm.

Author Armstrong to give readingsDoug Armstrong, son of longtime member

Emma Armstrong, will give two readings from the

book he wrote recently about his mothers earlylife,Even Sunflowers Cast Shadows.Doug will read at Common Good Books, 165

Western Ave. St. Paul, at 7:30pm on Tuesday Oct.4, and again at The Heathers (Emmas home), 3000

Douglas Ave. No, Crystal, at 3:15, Wednesday,Oct. 5.

Emma is hoping to see some FCC friends whoare able to attend!

CROP Walk still taking sponsorsRev. Sanders and Garry Hesser will walk for

Team First on Oct. 9 in the CROP Hunger walk.The funds raised will support global needs throughChurch World Service as well as local needs suchas helping victims of the North Minneapolis torna-do, St. Stephens Human Services and Simpson

Housing Services.Donations can be made online at

www.fccminneapolis.org, or by check to FCC withthe words Crop Walk in the memo line.

Regional Assembly on October 15A Regional Assembly of the Christian Church inthe Upper Midwest is scheduled for Saturday, Oc-tober 15, at West Des Moines Christian Church.This is the first Assembly under a newer, more cre-ative regional structure, where people will be en-

couraged to engage in the regions ministry undertheir own areas of gifts and interests.FCC Minneapolis needs two representatives to par-ticipate. If anyone is interested, please contact Pas-tor Bob as soon as possible.

The September 20 meeting of the FCC Board wasanother sparsely-attended meeting, with six mem-

bers plus the three clergy members, but the busi-ness proceeded as usual. Highlights are as follows:

The Bridge Loan was finally approved, and wereceived our first requested payment of $125,000for construction expenses at the new Ministry Cen-ter.

The Search Committee has begun working andconsists of six members: Max Hurlocker, KirstenCackoski, Mike Hesano, Sandy Morgan, Dean

Creighton, and Serena Carlson.

Pastor Brite reported that Spirit of St. Stephens isin conversation with Minneapolis Institute of Artsabout staying on after we vacate the building.SoSSCC is also interested in purchasing furnitureitems we dont need when we move. A MinistryCenter committee is also working on figuring outwhat furniture will be needed in the new building.


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Address Service Requested

Sundays at First Christian Church

Regular Worship at 10:30 am

Before Worship After Worship

Breakfast Club 8:45 am Fellowship Time 11:45Spiritual Formation Classes 9:15

Bi-Weekly Calendar

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

OF MINNEAPOLIS

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55404

A Thoughtful Church in the

Heart of the City

Ministry TeamAll Members of the Congregation

Robert Brite, Transitional Minister

Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversi-

ty and Mission

Chris Wogaman, Office Manager

Jim Baumgartner, Director of Music

Bryon Wilson, Organist/Pianist

Rick Bowman, Building Manager

Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant

Martha Harris, Courier EditorTelephone: 612.870.1868

Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984

www.fccminneapolis.org

E-mail [email protected]

Fax: 612.870.1860

Christian Courieris published bi-monthly. Send items and ideas tochurch office or to Martha [email protected]

b October 9 for next issue.

This Week at FCC

Sunday, October 2Reconciliation Offering

Tuesday, October 4Worship Committee 7 pm

Wednesday, October 5Nikkei 9 amBible Study 6 pmBell Choir 6:30 pmChancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, October 6Handcrafters 9 am

Saturday, October 8

Mens Group 9 am

Reflections on the Wordfrom readings for Oct. 2, 2011

Jesus said to them, Have you nev-er read in the scriptures: The stonethat the builders rejected has be-come the cornerstone?.

Matt. 21:42

What do the builders know, if theygo and reject the stone that willbecome the cornerstone? Some-times those in the know overlookthe most obvious and best solu-tions, because their attention isfixed too intently on a small point.Have you ever felt rejected, put offto the side, like your experienceand wisdom mattered for nothing?Perhaps, like Jesus, your observa-tions could turn out to be the key.

Glorious God, keep our eyes onJesus and our minds broadened outto the majesty of your love. Giveus eyes to see when the worldsdeep need meets our deep gladness,and send us to those who can makethat connection possible. Amen.

--Chris Wo aman

Next Week at FCC

Sunday, October 9

CROP WALKGrande Sale sorting begins

Monday, October 10Carter Circle @ Val Dunhams 7pm

Tuesday, October 11Property Committee 7 pm

Wednesday, October 12

Finance Committee 5:30 pmBible Study 6 pmBell Choir 6:30 pmChancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, October 13

Handcrafters 9 amGRANDE SALE 4-7 pm

Friday, October 14GRANDE SALE 12 7 pm

Saturday, October 15

Mens Group 9 am

GRANDE SALE 9 am 1 pm

Serve St. Stephens Dinner 6 pm
http://www.fccminneapolis.org/http://www.fccminneapolis.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fccminneapolis.org/

first christian courier-october 1, 2011

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