Walker Community UMC

 In chronological order:  Walker events & meetings (all at the church unless noted otherwise)

& Public Events organized by others that will be held at Walker.

 

Women’s Potluck Brunch:  Sat, Nov 28, 9:30 am at Kristine Smith’s home,  FFI Kristine

Men’s Group Potluck Brunch: will not meet on November 28.

 

First Sunday in Advent Celebration

November 29, 2015

Greetings by Lulu Philips

Communal Singing led by Conrad deFiebre & Dianne O’Donnell

Communal Reading:  Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.

Advent Wreath Lighting
Reader: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined… For a child has been born for us, an heir given to us; authority rests upon their shoulders; and the name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Nurturing Mother, and Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6)
Reader: Today we remember the prophets of old, who demanded to be heard, who dared to speak of a child to come, unexpected liberator of the people, vulnerable incarnation of the Holiest of Holies, a new name for God.
People: Today we give thanks for the prophets among us, who bring to us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who show us a future we never anticipated.
Reader: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us of what may be. (Light a purple candle.)

Opening Smudge

Lao Tzu # 35 Witter Bynner followed by 5 minutes of silence

If the sign of life is in your face
We who respond 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 we may not see the fare
Or hear a sound of plates,
How endless it is and how good!

Poetry by Cheryl Kramer

Welcome, Announcements & Offering

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 by Greg Garman

Grace to you and peace from God our Loving parent and Jesus Christ.  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind–just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you–so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our God’s Love.  God will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Peace.  God is faithful; by God you were called into community with all of creation.

Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart

Special Performance by the Walker Singers “Holy Child” by Jim McCreary

Communion with music led by Janet Skidmore and bread & juice brought by Maggie Rozycki

“Communion Song”

“One Bread, One Body”

Lifting Up of Names

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

 Thanks for Hospitality set-up by the Hospitality Committee

Hospitality treats by Lulu Philips

 

Bluegrass Music Jam:  Mon, Nov 30, 7 to 9 pm.  FFI Roy Vanderwerf

Community Meal:  Tues, Dec 1.  Meal 5:30 to 6:45 coordinated by David West

Charge Conference & Church Council meeting: Tues, Dec 1, 7:45 or 8 pm (after Walker Singers)

Holiday Art Class-Ojibwe Beadwork:  A Path to Understanding:  Sat, Dec 5, 9 am to noon

Instructor:  Julie Boada. Spend a cozy morning sipping cider and learning the basic techniques of applique bed work.  You will create a simple project and leave with the skills to continue beading you dreams.  This beautiful art form reflects the traditions, costumes, culture and history of the indigenous people of the area. Materials fee:  TBD. Appropriate for adults and children age 12 and up.  Cost:  $ 30 + materials fee. FFI Anne Sawyer-Aitch bronte@bitstream.net

Tannenbaum Party:  Sat, Dec 5, 7 pm at Dianne O’Donnell’s & Conrad deFiebre’s home.  Bring food to share.

Community Meal:  Tues, Dec 8.  Meal 5:30 to 6:45 coordinated by Walter.

Finance committee meeting:  Wed, Dec 9, 5 pm

Trustees meeting:  Wed, Dec 9, 6 pm

Men’s Group Potluck Brunch:  Sat, Dec 12, 9:30 am at church.  FFI Howard Kranz

Mystic Messiah Sunday Celebration:  Sat, Dec 13, 10:30 am.  Mary Parker performs a mystic’s interpretation of selected songs from Handel’s Messiah.

Autoharp Jam:  Sun, Dec 13, 1 to 3 pm.  FFI Tony Wentersdorf

Community Meal:  Tues, Dec 15.  Meal 5:30 to 6:45 coordinated by the Kitchen Cabinet.

Solstice Celebration-Klezmer Music for Meditation:  Fri, Dec 18, 7:30 pm.  During the darkest time of the year, people of all faiths contemplate earth’s cycles and the rebirth of the sun.  For hundreds of years mystical Yiddish music played on violin, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, and bass has been a deep source of spirituality and a way of quieting the mind. Please join Eisner’s Klezmorim for an evening of music, meditation, friendship, and refreshments.  Free will donation

Walker Winter Solstice: Sat, Dec 19.  Gather at 4:30, Candle ritual to bless the returning light at 5 pm, followed by music & storytelling.  FFI Bonita Blumenauer

Initiates: Sun, Dec 20, 8:15 to 10:15 am in the conference room.  FFI Lou Tofte

Blue Christmas Service:  Mon, Dec 21, 7 pm

Community Meal & Ukelele Yuletide Concert:  Tues, Dec 22.  Meal 5:30 to 6:45 coordinated by Walter, Concert follows.

Christmas Eve Celebration & Potluck:  Thurs, Dec 24.  Celebration at 4 pm followed by a potluck.

Women’s Potluck Brunch:  Sat, Dec 26, 9:30 am at a home TBA.  FFI Lulu Philips

Men’s Group Potluck Brunch:  Sat, Dec 26, 9:30 am at a home.  FFI Howard Kranz

Bluegrass Music Jam:  Mon, Dec 28, 7 to 9 pm.  FFI Roy Vanderwerf

Community Meal:  Tues, Dec 29, Meal 5:30 to 6:45 coordinated by Walter.

Walker Kitchen Cleaning:  Sat Jan 2, 9:30am – 1pm.  Help clean and organize kitchen shelves, equipment and inventory.  Many hands make light work!  Lunch provided. Contact Sarah Elizabeth 612 386-4517

 Other Announcements

Tony Wentersdorf has just completed his new CD entitled  CLASSICAL AUTOHARP IN RAG TIME.  It features autoharp arrangements of some of his favorite classical melodies, as well as some ragtime tunes thrown in for good measure.  The CD is for sale for $15.00. FFI Tony

Janet Skidmore will be in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Holiday Musical presented by Minnetonka Theatre.  Everyone’s favorite flying car comes to life in the musical adaptation of the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, which features an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins).  This is one family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious”.  December 5-20; tickets $15 – $23.  15% discount for groups of 15 or more.  Tickets available at minnetonkatheatre.com, or by calling the box office at 952-401-5898.

 LULLABY SONGS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES: Saturday, December 5, 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the Instinct Art Gallery, 940 Nicollet Mall.  Singers wanted, audiences welcome!

As part of Humanly Possible: the Empathy Exhibit Nooshin Hakim, Pedram Baldari and Andreea-Sorina Koch will be recording anyone willing to sing a song of comfort, compiling these songs and sending them to groups of Syrian Refugees.

They will be joined by five more Iranian musicians and artists, Katayoun Amjadi, Aida Shahghasemi, Qais Munhazim, Ali Mahdavi, Saeed Hashemi to perform music and tell stories based on their experiences living through war in Iran.

Featured artist in the exhibition Catherine L. Johnson will also read her I/ThoU poem with Lars-Erik Olson on percussion.  FFI http://www.instinctmpls.com/upcoming/

 HOW TO HELP WITH DONATIONS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES COMING TO MINNESOTA

Minnesota is one of the states that’s accepting Syrian refugees. There are refugees (from all over the world) on their way to MN as we speak!
The International Institute of Minnesota is helping to coordinate their arrival and gathering items that will make it a tiny bit easier.  If you’re here in the Twin Cities and you’re interested in helping, here’s what they need:
ADDRESS (just west of Snelling & Como)
International Institute of Minnesota
1694 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Drop off times: 8:45am – 5pm Monday-Friday

Baby Items: Diapers (Only New) Wipes (Only New) Baby clothes	Winter Clothing: Coats Boots Gloves, Hats, Scarves
Household Items: Dishes Glassware Silverware Tea kettles Garbage cans (Only New) Garbage bags Bed linens (laundered) Blankets (laundered) Towels (laundered) Dish towels (laundered) Vacuums Laundry baskets	School Supplies: Pencils Calculators Pens Notebooks Folders Crayons Backpacks
	Other Items: Maps of the City Gift Cards (only to Cub Foods, Target, Goodwill) Bus Cards

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN WORKING MORE CLOSELY WITH A REFUGEE FAMILY:
Check out International Institute of Minnesota‘s refugee mentorship program: http://www.iimn.org/get-involved/volunteer/refugee-mentor
IF YOU’D LIKE TO SHIP DONATIONS You can ship donations directly from your home to the International Institute’s offices.
You can also ship donations from Amazon.
Shipped donations should be addressed to:
Bridget Ehrman-Solberg
International Institute of Minnesota
1694 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE MONEY
You can do so here: https://www.givemn.org/organization/International-Institute-Of-Minnesota
If you know other Minnesotans who are interested in helping, please share this information.