Upcoming Events and Meetings
- Walker Church Events & Meetings are all at Walker unless noted otherwise.
- Events & Meetings of other groups that will be held at Walker and are open to the public are also listed.
- 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
Sunday Celebration, December 4, 10:30 am
Greetings by Jan DeNoble & Greg Garman
Communal Singing led by Conrad deFiebre & Dianne O’Donnell L Cohen’s Anthem
Communal Reading: Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.
Invoking the Directions by Al Hildenbrand
2nd Sunday in Advent Reading & Wreath Lighting by the Gehrenbeck-Miller family
Reader: “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel from heaven stood before them, and the glory of the divine shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people'” (Luke 2:8-10).
Reader: Today we remember the shepherds, workers for the common good, steadfast watchers isolated and alone, far from the warmth of home, doing the job no one wants. And yet God saw them, God valued them, and God declared the greatest news of all to them alone.
People: Today we give thanks for the shepherds among us, back-breaking laborers on whom our economy stands, those we overlook or rarely see, yet rely on for our very survival, the ones who have much to teach us about watching for God in the darkness.
Reader: On this second Sunday in Advent, we light the second candle as a symbol of the shepherds, agents of the gospel and redeemers of the world. (Light two purple candles.)
Lao Tzu # 49 followed by 5 minutes of silence
The Master has no mind of her own, she works with the mind of the people, she is good to people who are good, she is also good to people who aren’t good. This is true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy, she also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy. This is true trust.
The Master’s mind is like space, people don’t understand her, they look to her and wait, she treats them like her own children.
Lyric Poem Crazy Jane Talks to the Bishop, by W B Yeats sung by Howard Kranz
Welcome, Announcements & Offering
Scripture: Amos 5: 11-12, 18, 20-24 read by Janet Court
Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from them, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them. You have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them for I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
Woe to you who desire the day of judgement! For what good is the day of judgement to you? Is not the day of judgement darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?
God says “I hate, I despise your feast days and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened doves as peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Sermon: The Holy Dove by Deb Ramage
Special Guest Performance: Barb Tilsen will perform six new verses to “Which Side Are You On?” written for the Standing Rock Water Protectors. The congregation is invited to sing along.
Walker Singers Performance “O Day Full of Grace” by F. Melius Christiansen conducted by Jim Feldman.
Circle with Joys & Concerns & sharing of bread & juice brought by Kay Seelhoff
Closing Song Barb Tilsen will teach us & lead a “peace” version of the traditional song Deep Blue Sea.
There will be a Special Offering for an immediate need for Water Protectors Local craftspeople are sewing together tents for the Water Protectors to use for this cold winter season. These tents need stoves to provide life giving heat. Walker Community UMC is raising the $1200 needed to purchase safe stoves for these tents. Please send checks to the office or use the special envelops in the offering plate to give your donation to this cause. FFI Walter Lockhart Revwalt@juno.com 651-263-0578
Hospitality Time with treats brought by Kay Seelhoff
Walker Band rehearsal: Mon, Dec 5, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. FFI Kent Eklund or Janet Skidmore
Haiti & Cuba Hurricane Recovery Fundraiser: Fri, Dec 9, 6 to 8 pm. Please join us for a silent auction and free Caribbean dinner. There is a critical need for funds for relief and recovery for Haitians and Cubans who have been devastated by Hurricane Matthew which hit both countries in October.
Sponsored by: Haiti Justice Committee of Minnesota, Haiti Connection, Minnesota Cuba Committee
Initiates: Sun, Dec 11, 8:15 to 10 am Dennis Wynne’s home 3320 1st Av So. FFI Howard Kranz or Lou Tofte.
Sunday Celebration: December 11, 10:30 am: With music led by Janet Skidmore this will be an all holiday music celebration with congregational singing led by Janet as well as performances by various individuals and groups and a sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart. If you would like to perform a holiday song, contact Janet by Sunday, Dec 4.
Walker Church All Church Conference and Council meeting: Sun, Dec 11, 12:15 pm. There will be an All Church Conference for the election of 2017 church officers followed by a Church Council meeting.
Square Dance for Standing Rock: Sun, Dec 11, 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Please join us for a square dance benefit for Standing Rock! Let’s dance, be together with friends, and raise some funds to support the Standing Rock Sioux and the water protectors as they prepare for winter. All dances will taught and called by Monday Night Square Dance callers to LIVE music from twin cities musicians. No experience is necessary, anyone can come join in. Families welcome. All proceeds will go to Standing Rock winterization, medical, and legal efforts.
Suggested donation $5 to $20- or whatever you can give. FFI Thea@MN350.org RSVP on facebook here
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, 10:30 am. The Celebration will be led by Pastor Walter Lockhart who will give the sermon. FFI Walter
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 Ball: Tues, Dec 20, 7 pm. FFI David West
Christmas Eve Celebration: Sat, Dec 24, 4 pm. 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 Groups
Walker 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. FFI Mary Parker & Tony Wentersdorf
Walker Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 E Lake St. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Walker Community Meal: Tuesdays 6 to 7 pm. Free, everyone welcome
Walker Singers Rehearse: Tuesdays 6:45 to 8 pm led by Jim McCreary
Walker Initiates: meet one Sunday each month 8:15 to 10:15 am. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz
Walker Men’s Potluck Brunch: 2nd Saturday of each month. FFI Jim Feldman
Walker Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Lulu Philips
Other Announcements
Joyce Preschool EL FESTIVAL: Saturday, December 3, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Windom Elementary (5821 Wentworth Ave S, Minneapolis) Please join us on Saturday to celebrate our growth as a community and our special Joyce culture which has blossomed over the past 50 years! Tickets for sale to purchase food: tacos, beans and rice, and other delicious dishes from local restaurants Peace Coffee available for purchase, by the cup or by the bag (whole bean or ground) We have a bake sale, you can donate and purchase cookies and cake There are Joyce t-shirts available to buy You can bid on items in the silent auction Raffle tickets for purchase, too! All proceeds support Joyce Preschool scholarships!
Community Sing: Sun, Dec 4, 2 pm to 3 pm at Faith Mennonite church, 2720 E 22nd St, Mpls. An event for everyone, with songs to support and build on our community spirit led by Bret Hesla and Mary Preus, www.mnsings.com
Other on-going events at Walker
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
Rosen Movement meets every Wednesday 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 meets every Wednesday from 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 meets every Wednesday 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm. Free style movement inspired by music and conscious breathe. Cost: $10-15. Come at 7:15 to check in and warm up. Facebook Ecstatic Movement
Hoop Twin Cities meets every Thursday 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary. Free, fun & informal 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: This LGBTQ new parent group meets 10 to 11:30 am the 2nd Saturday of each month. FFI Walker office
Private Transforming Families Group: 2nd Saturday of each month 1 to 3 pm. Support for families with transgender children. FFI Walker office
Autoharp Jams: are held the 2nd Sunday of each month from 3 pm to 5 pm. FFI Tony Wentersdorf
Bluegrass Jam Sessions are held the last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm. Open to all, 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: A small group meets to write letters to political prisoners meets 7 to 9 pm the 1st Thursday of each month and is open to new participants.
Neurodiversity Group: meets the 2nd Thursday of every month from 7 to 9 pm led by Paul Johnson. Free emotional support group for adults on the autism spectrum as we learn our identity and how to live with autism and open to those who don’t have autism but want to learn more about it. Pljohnson46@yahoo.com
Open Flow Forum: meets the 1st Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 pm. A free informal group for artists with disabilities. FFI Tara Innmon or Kip Shane.
