Walker Events and Meetings
All meetings and events listed are at Walker Church unless noted otherwise
- See our website Calendar walkerchurch.org for happenings further into the future.
- For more information please contact the Walker office office@walkerchurch.org
Blue Christmas Service: Fri, Dec 22, 7 pm by the fireplace. Time to reflect on the real trials, pains and challenges of the holiday season. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Solstice Celebration: Sat, Dec 23, 7 pm to 9 pm. Join friends and neighbors to welcome back the sun.
Klezmer Music by New Strings-Judith Eisner and Gretta Hunstiger, violin, Beth Albertson, cello, Stu Janis, tsimbl. A ritual with Elizabeth Zimmermann. Refreshments served.
Free, all donations will go to the Walker Church Community Meal.
Christmas Eve Day
Sunday, December 24
4th Day of Advent Sunday Celebration at 10:30 am
Greetings by Carole Megarry & Jan Werness
Communal Singing led by Howard Kranz
Communal Reading: Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.
Opening by Al Hildenbrand
Lighting of the Advent Wreath by Cheryl & Barbara Kramer
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.)
Lao Tzu # 35 Witter Bynner followed by 5 minutes of silence
If the sign of life is in your face
One who responds to it
Will feel secure and fit
As when, in a friendly place,
Sure of hearty care,
A traveler gladly waits.
Though it may not taste like food
And one may not see the fare
Or hear a sound of plates,
How endless it is and how good!
Poetry Reading by Howard Kranz
Welcome, Announcements & Offering
Special Performance by Kent Eklund
Scripture reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-1 by Jesse Watkins
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion– to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations
Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart
Walker Singers: Santa, Santa Claus by Howard Kranz
Circle with Joys & Concerns & sharing of bread & juice brought by Kay Seelhoff
Hospitality Time Thanks for set-up by the Hospitality Committee
Potluck Sunday December 24 at 12:15 to 1:30 following the Celebration.
Littlest Angel Christmas Pageant Sunday December 24 at 2 pm.
Written by Tony Wentersdorf and directed by Janet Skidmore, featuring a plethora of angels, including Mary Buckley, Kent Eklund, Nancy, Julia, and Jane Gehrenbeck-Miller, Howard Kranz, Sally Kuehn, Marcia Seelhoff, and Jim McCreary and the Walker Singers.
Community Meal & Food Giveaway: Tuesday, Dec 26 Doors open & food giveaway at 5 pm. Meal served 5:30 to 6:45. Free, everyone welcome. Volunteers are needed. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
The Ukulele Yuletide Ball the Boxing Day Edition Tuesday December 26, 6-8pm Come for the Community Dinner and stay for the Fireroast Mountain Boys, Stone Arch Jazz Band, Elvis Presley, Santa (on her day off no less). All free. Bring your ukulele and play along. See how many ukuleles and tubas we can get together for a waltz. Dance the Holiday Blues Away. Less Holiday music this year and more fun. See David West 612 419 6849 for more details or ukulele charts.
Other Announcements
Please remember Walker Church when you do your holiday giving. Gifts postmarked or received by Sunday, December 31 will be a huge help meeting our 2017 expenses. FFI: KC Bretzke, Finance Committee Chair.
Seeing All God’s Children: An Interfaith Service Embracing Immigrants and Refugees
Sun, Jan 7, 1 to 2 pm at the Basilica of St Mary, 88 N 17th St, Minneapolis. An interfaith service with special music will be provided by Mundus, the Basilica’s resident world music ensemble (guest singers welcome) and community singing will be led by Ahmed Anzaldua from Border CrosSing.
Ongoing Walker & Walkerite Groups
Sunday Celebration & Children’s Sunday School: Sundays 10:30 am
Chalice Circle: Sundays 9 to 10 am in the Meditation Room. We listen to music, meditate, read a passage on the subject of spiritual growth, and use the circle method to discuss our thoughts and feelings. All are welcome! Come once or many times!
Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 E Lake St. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Community Meal & Food Giveaway: Tuesdays, Doors open & food giveaway at 5 pm. Meal served 5:30 to 6:45. Free, everyone welcome. Volunteers are needed FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Walker Singers: Tuesdays 7 to 8 pm led by Jim McCreary
Initiates: 3rd Sunday of each month 8:15 to 10:15 am in the conference room. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz
Men’s Potluck Brunch: one Saturday of each month at someone’s home.
Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Lulu Philips
Open Flow Forum: 1st Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm. A group of artists with disabilities FFI Tara Innmon or Kip Shane
Health & Wellness Services at Walker by Walkerites
Alice Browne’s Music Therapy & Sound Healing: By appointment. 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 that are open to all
East Lake LOL AA: A mixed, open AA group that meets every Wednesday 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Rosen Movement: Wednesdays 9 am to 10 am for simple movement with music. Open to all, come any week, cost: $5 to $10. FFI Phyllis Wiener wienerphyllis@gmail.com
Aware Dance: Wednesdays 7:15 to 9:15 pm Free style movement with music. Cost $10-15 FFI Facebook Aware Dance & Movement
Hoop Twin Cities: Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 pm Free hoola hooping for all ages FFI hoopjeans@gmail.com
Queer Birth Project: 2nd Saturday of each month 10 to noon. LGBTQ new parent support group www.queerbirthproject.com
Bluegrass Jam: Last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm. Free, come to jam or listen. FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com
Neurodiversity Group: 2nd Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm led by Paul Johnson. Free emotional support for adults on the autism spectrum and their family & friends. Pljohnson46@yahoo.com
Northern Mississippi Prisoner Support Group: 3rd Thursday of each month 6 to 8 pm. Open to all, a letter writing night to build and sustain relationships with prisoners in Minnesota and beyond. FFI Bailey Riley
