Upcoming Events and Meetings
- Walker Church Events & Meetings all at Walker unless noted otherwise.
- Events & Meetings of other groups that will be held at Walker and are open to the public.
- The calendar on our website walkerchurch.org lists events & meetings further into the future.
- For more information on any of the events contact the Walker office office@walkerchurch.org
Solstice Celebration: Sat, Dec 17, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Margo McCreary and her puppet friends. Music and dancing with Eisner’s Klezmorim. Refreshments meet and greet friends—old and new. Fun for all ages. The event is free. FFI Margo or www.eisnersklezmorim.com
Sunday Celebration, December 18
Greetings by Don Browne & Mary Burns
Communal Singing led by Janet Skidmore
Communal Reading: Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.
Opening: Invoking the Directions by Al Hildenbrand
4th Sunday of Advent Reading & Wreath Lighting by Linda Berglin, Maria, and Kaleb
Reader: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David” (Luke 2:1,3-4).
Reader: Today we remember Joseph, worn-out traveler and worried husband, doing what was necessary for the sake of his family, the burden of poverty stifling his hope in the promise of God. There was no room for him, yet he knows to whom he belongs.
People: Today we give thanks for the Josephs among us, migrating far from home when there is no choice, fiercely devoted to the ones they love, unwavering in their belief that there is room for all in the kin-dom of God.
Reader: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of Joseph, who knocks at the door, ready to take his place among royalty. (Light two purple candles, the rose candle, and the last purple candle.)
Solstice performance by Bonita Blumenauer
The Song of Mary Luke 1:46-55 followed by 5 minutes of silence.
My soul proclaims the greatness of our God,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
who has looked with favor on this lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
You O God have done great things for me, and holy is your Name.
You have mercy on those who fear you in every generation.
You have shown the strength of your arm, and have scattered the proud in their conceit.
You have cast down the mighty from their thrones, and have lifted up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things, and the rich you have sent away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise you made to our ancestors, to Abraham and Sarah and their children forever.
Welcome, Announcements & Offering
Special performance by Joe Hesla
Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 by Anne Hamre
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.
Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart
Walker Singers “Santa, Santa Claus” by Howard Ashby Kranz, solo by Howard Ashby Kranz.
Circle with Joys & Concerns & sharing of bread & juice brought by Linda Berglin
Hospitality Time with treats brought by ____________
I Need a Witness! : Mon, Dec 19, 7 to 8 pm. Using the Open Stage format, participants will sign in to do a reading when they arrive and the first 6 will read that evening. Each reader will have 10 minutes. read stories, journal entries, diaries, memories from your own life…to share these tales with others, thus bringing witnesses to validate your experiences; to open others’ consciousnesses to alternate realities; to help you to deal with your own past! So whether you have dozens of dusty journals in the closet or whether you need to sit down and scrawl a few paragraphs to share, or whether you only want to participate as an honored Witness, PLEASE join us! FFI Mary Parker or Tony Wentersdorf
Winter Solstice Sun Candle Ritual: Wed. Dec. 21, 6 pm. Walkerites and friends are welcome to meet at Mary Burn’s house. Gather at 6 pm and Solstice Candle Ritual from 6:30pm–7:45pm. On the Winter Solstice we gather to celebrate the rebirth of the Sun in our lives. We will honor the quiet beauty of Winter and bless the Sun by lighting candles to represent what brings light to our lives. Candles will be provided. FFI–Bonita Blumenauer or Nancy Gehrenbeck-Miller.
Ukulele Yuletide Ball: Tues, Dec 20, 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary. Dancing, Singing, Elvis, Santa, Howard Kranz, A Ukulele and Tuba Waltz, Fireroast Mountain Boys, Stone Arch Jazz Band.. Bring your friends. No cover. FFI contact David West
Come early for the Free Community Meal served from 6 to 7 pm in the dining hall.
Blue Christmas Service: Thurs, Dec 22, 7 pm at the fireside. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart.
Christmas Eve Celebration & Potluck: Sat, Dec 24, Celebration at 4 pm. Potluck at 5:30 pm. Bring a dish to share. Walker will cook two hams. Led by Pastor Walter Lockhart and David West
Christmas Day Sun, Dec 25 there will be NO celebration at Walker. You are invited to the 9:30 am Christmas Day Service at Simpson United Methodist Church, 2740 1st Ave So. FFI Walter.
Ongoing Walker & Walkerite Groups
Circle Gathering: Sundays 9 to 10 am. We welcome all who feel a need for a spiritual discussion group!
We will meet through December 18. We will not meet on Dec 24 or Jan 1. We will start again on January 8 and will be discussing meditations by Shakti Gawain. FFI Mary Parker & Tony Wentersdorf
Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 E Lake St. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Community Meal: Tuesdays 6 to 7 pm. Free, everyone welcome!
Walker Singers Rehearsals: Tuesdays 6:45 to 8 pm led by Jim McCreary
Initiates: One Sunday each month 8:15 to 10:15 am. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz
Men’s Potluck Brunch: 2nd Saturday of each month. FFI Jim Feldman
Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Lulu Philips
Mama’s Group: Every other Thursday, 2-4 pm for new mothers. FFI Willow Cordes-Eklund
Open Flow Forum: 1st Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm. A free informal group for artists with disabilities. FFI Tara Innmon or Kip Shane.
Health & Wellness Services by Walkerites
Alice Browne’s Simple Song Music Therapy & Sound Healing: Thursdays and Fridays by appointment for lessons in beginning piano, guitar and fiddle and all levels for voice and sound healing, a massage of sound vibrations for intentional healing of mind, body, and spirit. Contact Alice 612-860-6644 abmermaid@gmail.com
Sarah Dagg Massage Therapist: Two days each month between 9 am to 5 pm by appointment. Contact Sarah 218-831-9570 sdagg@crosslake.net
Other on-going groups meeting at Walker
Rosen Movement: Wednesdays 9 am to 10 am for simple and effective movement with music. Open to all, come any week, cost: $5 to $10. FFI Phyllis Wiener wienerphyllis@gmail.com
Yoga Flow Class: Wednesdays 6 to 7 pm taught by Julia Starr. Free, make a donation if you wish. Beginners welcome, bring a yoga mat. FFI https://www.facebook.com/starrhealthco/
Ecstatic Movement: Wednesdays 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm. Free style movement inspired by music and conscious breathe. Cost: $10-15. FFI Facebook Ecstatic Movement
Hoop Twin Cities: Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary. Free hoola hooping for all ages FFI hoopjeans@gmail.com
The Story Worship Celebration: The 1st, 3rd (and sometimes 5th) Sunday of each month at 4 pm. FFI thestory.mn.
Private Queer Birth Project: 2nd Saturday of each month 10 to 11:30 am. An LGBTQ new parent group FFI Walker office
Private Transforming Families Group: 2nd Saturday of each month 1 to 3 pm. Support gruop for families with transgender children. FFI Walker office
Autoharp Jams: 2nd Sunday of each month 3 to 5 pm. FFI Tony Wentersdorf
Bluegrass Jam Sessions Last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm. Free, come to jam or listen. Sponsored by MBOTMA (Minnesota Old Time & Bluegrass Music Association) FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com
Political Prisoner Letter Writing: 1st Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm. A small group meets to write letters to political prisoners.
Neurodiversity Group: 2nd Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm led by Paul Johnson. Free emotional support group for adults on the autism spectrum. Pljohnson46@yahoo.com
