Weekly Announcements
In chronological order: Walker Events & Meetings-all at the church unless noted otherwise.
& Public Events organized by others that will be held at Walker
Sending Reyna to Europe! Chili cook-off fundraiser: Sat, Dec. 6, 3-7pm. Artisan crafts, treats & music. Everyone welcome! FFI Leah Seelhoff
30th Annual Tannebaum Party: Sat, Dec 6, 7 pm until whenever at Dianne’s and Conrad’s house located at 4600 East 34th Street in Minneapolis. Bring a dish to share and a blessing/wish for the household for the coming year.
2nd Sunday of Advent Celebration December 7, 2014
Greetings by Carole Megarry, Greg Garman & Nancy Larsen
Communal Singing: led by Conrad deFiebre and Dianne O’Donnell
Communal Reading: Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.
Opening Smudge
Advent Wreath Lighting by Sarah, Peter & Hannah Zacher
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.'”
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 # 12 Stephen Mitchell followed by 5 minutes of silence
Colors blind the eye. Sounds deafen the ear. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart. The Master observes the world but trusts the inner vision. We allow things to come and go. The heart is open as the sky.
Creation Dance by Janet Skidmore with dancers Sally Kuehn, Bonita Blumenauer, Tony Wentersdorf, Nancy, Julia, Janey, & Nathan Gehrenbeck-Miller, Hannah Zacher, Qyeanna Cross. Emily Peabody, Jim Stark, Margo McCreary and Kim Lewis with Doug Rosenquist as the reader.
Poetry by Allyson Hayward
Welcome & Introduction of Visitors, Announcements & Offering
Scripture Reading Mark 1:1-8 by Beth Richards
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart
Special Performance by the Walker Singers
Circle with Joys & Concerns & sharing of bread & juice brought by Brent Bender
Thanks for: Hospitality set-up by Barbara Hager and food brought by Carole Megarry
Help is needed with clean-up.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Meeting: Mon, Dec 8, 6:30 to 8 pm. Meet the 2nd Mon of each month. FFI Deb Ramage deborama@gmail.com
Community Meal: Tues, Dec 9, 5:30 to 6:45.
Nautilus Music Theater: Tues, December 9, 7:30 pm. Musical storytelling from the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network. Tickets: $5 or pay-as-able
Finance committee meeting: Wed, Dec 10, 3 pm
Trustees meeting: Wed, Dec 10, 6 pm
Membership Task Force meeting: Thurs, Dec 11, 7 pm in the conference room. This task force will spend 4 meetings over 8 weeks to listen to walkerites about membership and develop our membership statement. “What does it mean to be a member of Walker Community UMC?” All are welcome.
Walker Men’s Group (2nd Saturday): Sat, Dec 13, 9:30 am in the conference room. FFI Jim Feldman
Walker Church Silent Auction & Community Get-Together: Saturday, December 13, Auction 6 to 7:15 pm. Dinner served at 6:30. Lasagna, Rice Pilaf, Garlic Bread, Salad, Beverage, Dessert. Adults $12, Children 8-18 $4, under 8 free. Donated items already include: Massages at Walker, English trifles by Lou, a weekend at the Feldman house, homemade dinners for four…and more to come. It’s a lot of fun, so come on over! RSVP to Lulu Philips 612-281-3778 or juliajtp@gmail.com
Celebration committee meeting: Sun, Dec 14, after celebration. FFI Mary Parker
Community Meal: Tues, Dec 16, 5:30 to 6:45. Prepared by the Kitchen Cabinet
Bioneers: Wed, Dec 17, Potluck at 6:30 pm. Movie at 7:15 “Journey of the Universe-The Epic Story of Cosmic, Earth, and Human Transformation” produced by Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim, and Brian Swimme
Solstice circle meditation & discussion at 8:15. Free and open to the public
Blue Christmas Service: Thurs, Dec 18, 7 to 8 pm. An informal gathering around the fire place for conversation and mutual support as we live with the realities of Joy and Sorrow in this season. All are welcome.
Initiates: Sun, Dec 21, 8 am to 9:45 am in the conference room. FFI Howard Kranz
Winter Solstice: Sun, Dec. 21. Gather at 4 pm, Solstice Candle Ritual from 4:30 to 5:45 pm. On the longest night of the year 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.
Following the Winter Solstice Candle Ritual–around 5:45pm– those who wish may transition from the ritual into the sanctuary, where a short drum circle with Drum Superior will segue into an evening with songwriter Lojo Russo, who has played solstice events at Walker in past years. Lojo will be joined by storyteller/musician Rachel Nelson. Welcoming the Light ceremony free; suggested donation for the concert $7. All are welcome. FFI Bonita Blumenauer
Community Meal: Tues, Dec 23, 5:30 to 6:45.
Christmas Eve Celebration: Wed, Dec 24
Walker Women’s 4th Saturday Brunch: Sat, Dec 27, 9:30 am in the conference room. FFI Lulu Philips
Walker Men’s Group (4th Sat) : Sat, Dec 27, 9:30 am in the home of a group member. FFI Jim Feldman
MBOTMA Bluegrass Jam: Mon, Dec 29, 7 pm
Community Meal: Tues, Dec 30, 5:30 to 6:45.
On-going weekly events
Walker Sundays: Prayer & Meditation Circle 8:15-9:30 am. FFI Nancy Larsen,
Celebration 10am. Sunday School 10:30 am.
Shabach Tabernacle Service Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 pm. FFI Pastor Daniel Turner
Monday Morning Coffee Gatherings10 am at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 East Lake St.
Aztec Dancers Mondays 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Open to all.
Walker Singer Rehearsals Tuesdays 6:45 to 7:45 pm. FFI Jim McCreary.
Rosen Movement Class Wednesdays 9 am to 10 am. FFI Phyllis Weiner
Why we do the Creation dance 3 times:
With a big production that takes a lot of rehearsal, like the Creation dance performance, often we only get to present it once. Then all the dancers have gone their separate ways and it would be hard to get them all together again for another performance. I feel that dance can be treated like a beloved hymn. We revisit it from time to time. Just because we have heard “Appalachian Spring” once doesn’t mean we can’t understand or enjoy more of it a second or third time.
The first time many of us see a dance, we are simply getting used to the new medium. The second time we may recognize some of the movements. It takes a third time, I think, before we might be able to give some meaning to those movements. Let us know what meanings you are seeing in the movements of our Creation dance. Thanks! Janet Skidmore
Other Announcements
Massage therapy by Sarah Dagg is available in the meditation room, by appointment only. The rate is $45 per hour for Walker members and staff, $60 per hour for all others. Times available are usually Mondays.
Room for rent: $425, includes gas and elec. Please call Char Kane 612-251-9935, for details.
