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Grace & Peace to you.
I am stilling sitting with intentions this week.
As we move into the second week of January 2024, the church moves out of Christmas and into Epiphany. It's time to take down the decorations. Some traditions would have you burn your evergreens as you celebrate, open gifts, host a party!
In our christian traditions it is revisiting the revealing of God to the nations - Immanuel - with us, where the Magi from afar encounter Jesus, the Light of the World (Matthew 2:1-12)! We are now in the season of lights. Another new tradition I did not know about until recently is an invitation to bless your home. So that, all who enter may be received as Christ Jesus, in this new year.
It is my hope you are finding time to explore, to (re)center yourself as we now live into 2024. As I had said, "go at your pace, it's ok to move at a different pace - more gentle and focused inward. It's ok too if you are ready to go, burning with joyful energy." Again, I invite you to wonder: what are YOUR INTENTIONS this 2024 year?
If you are still pondering, or seeking a way to kick start your intentions. Give this blessing a try, a prayer set with intention as we strive to WELCOME those who enter our homes with blessings.
Epiphany House Blessing
Supplies: Chalk
Mark your doorframe with the phrase "20+C+M+B+24"
Meaning: The numbers represent the year; CMB represent the magi's initials as well as "Christus mansionem benedicat" (in latin) "Bless this House"
Sending Lots of Love,
Pastor Jen Collins (she/her)
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CHURCH CLEAN UP - TOMORROW
Saturday, January 6 from 10:00 am to 12 noon
Join us transition from Christmas into our next season. Show up to help put the trees and decorations away until next year. Bring the family and invite a friend!
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NEXT MONTHLY COMMUNITY NIGHT MEAL
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 6:00- 8:00 pm
INVITE & BRING A FRIEND!
Welcome Rachel Carmichael, Salem Lutheran Church Staff member as Redeemer's NEW COMMUNITY MEALS COORDINATOR. Say hello to Rachel when you see her, get to know her more as you volunteer chopping!
This opportunity will fund and continue to support Redeemer's mission to be a Beacon of Hope for the Harrison Neighborhood, N. Mpls and beyond. We will offer monthly meals, beginning September 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm. Sign up to volunteer to prep, serve and be a community host (greet and connect people).
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SUNDAY FORUMS - ANNUAL REPORT
Hosted by Redeemer Council
Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 (downstairs classroom)
Sunday, January 21 after worship (Fellowship Hall downstairs)
Annual Reports will be made available beginning Wed., January 10th. Printed copies available as requested. Online version will be available on website and in an upcoming email. Join in to ask questions about Council Leadership elections, Synod Elections (Conferences on February 10 + Synod Assembly in May) proposed budget, and reflections on 2023.
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REDEEMER CENTER FOR LIFE
Sunday, January 14 at 12:30 pm
Church Fellowship Hall (downstairs)
On behalf of Redeemer Center for Life, Board members invite anyone to join this listening session. Youthprise an organization in the Twin Cities, will be giving a presentation on a proposal to potentially purchase an RCFL property. Come and listen, there will be a time for questions following presentations.
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REDEEMER ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 28
Annual Meeting will be called to order at 12:30 pm
Potluck immediately after worship, bring a dish to share. Happening online and in-person. Zoom information to come.
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WORSHIP HELPERS NEEDED:
Greeter, Usher, Communion Setup & Serving, Readers
If you are joining us this Sunday, please sign up here, talk with Roger Mikelson (651-332-6849) or let Pastor Jen know.
Here are the roles:
Greeter Usher Communion Server Sanctuary Clean up
Kids Message (1-2 per month) Readers
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UPCOMING Worship Guests + Holy Days:
January 7- Baptism of our Lord
January 21 - Guest Preacher: Rev. Melissa Melnick Gonzalez, Pastor at Tapestry in Richfield
February 14- Ash Wednesday
February 14- March 24 (Lent Season)
March 28-29 - Holy Week (Maundy Thursday + Good Friday)
March 31 - Easter Sunday
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NEW MEMBER RECOGNITION
Sunday, January 14 during worship at 10:30 am
Whether you have attended twice or two hundred times, we welcome you. You are welcomed at Redeemer exactly as you are. Whether you are a first-time visitor or you have been with us a long time, know you are loved by God and appreciated in this community of faith.
Did you know in the ELCA's tradition there is an "official" membership process? What does that mean?
As stated above, people are welcomed in faith communities and may participate fully in a variety of ways. People may already show up and participate in worship and other congregational life opportunities, provide tithing and living generously in so many ways. Many consider themselves to be a member. This process and the language used to define members varies from place to place, organization to organization. Being a "member" has morphed and changed over the years, especially when we as people strive to define and discover belonging and finding meaning in life.
Redeemer is reimagining membership and striving to reengage with one another, we want to recognize those who never had the opportunity in last 2-3 years or New and interested in deeper level of learning and connecting with Redeemer community. We need people who love this community, who love one another and are willing to step deeper into participation so that, we can keep creating a place for people to experience the love of Jesus and find a place to belong.
When you say "yes" to being recognized as a member officially, whether during worship (like on January 14) or in conversation with the Pastor. It's an affirmation of your engagement to the life of the faith community, it's a part of honoring our Baptismal Promises. It's affirming we are on the way together.
As a non-profit, religious organization we also need to have "official members" per the church's governance (constitution + bylaws). SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? Saying "yes" is an opportunity to engage by adding your vote when the church needs to make official decisions (i.e. budgets, calling rostered leaders, larger missional priorities). This also opens up opportunities for you to serve in larger leadership roles (council, synod council, churchwide assembly representative). We prayerfully hope you will consider being "officially" recognized as a New Member on January 14th. Your voice matters, may God lead and guide you.
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEKEND
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE + LEARN:
Saturday, January 13th
Redeemer Volunteer Day: Saturday, January 13th + 20th
Time: 10 am - 2:00 pm
Location: 1922 N 4th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Our neighborhood food shelf at Minneapolis Central Church of Christ (MCCC) is in need of diapers for distribution. Remember Redeemer drops off our collected diapers on 3rd Saturdays. If you can help deliver or volunteer, reach out to Sally Ankerfelt or Pastor Jen. Please bring boxes of diapers of any size (sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the most requested) to church on Sundays or drop off during office hours Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays are food distribution days, where over 200 families are served, come meet our community neighbors and join in the work.
Sunday, January 14th
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday of Service
Location: Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, MN
Time: 1:15 to 4:30 pm
All are welcome: to celebrate and connect, to love, to uplift and teach, to honor, and to remember Together. Join Sweet Potato Comfort Pie in honoring Martin Luther King’s 95th birthday and our 10 years of Origins. We are looking forward to coming together and sharing stories – uplifting one another through our shared commonalities and differences, all while enjoying a delicious catered meal and a slice of sweet potato comfort pie. This year’s theme is "Our Origins Travel Onward". Mark your calendar for this free hybrid event! We recommend registering soon, as seats will fill up fast! Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.
Monday, January 15th
Powderhorn Recreation Center, 3400 15th Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55407
Powderhorn neighborhood’s family-friendly, 2-hour artist showcase featuring storytellers, visual artists and performing artists, art activities, lunch and giveaways. FREE event. 10am-2pm. Learn more here.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE NORTHSIDE + HARRISON MLK OPPORTUNITIES.
At Your Own Pace
Location: 1256 Penn Ave. N, 4th Floor Minneapolis, MN
Regular hours: Tues-Fri 1-5 pm; Sat. 10am-1pm
The permanent exhibit, UNBREAKABLE: Celebrating the Resilience of African Americans in Minnesota, explores African American history in MN from the settlers and pioneers through the world wars. Stop by the Children's reading section for a story break.
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WHAT'S YOUR COMMITMENT?
Each year the church sets goals for our budget, we think about why we are doing the work we're invested in (intention) as well as how we plan to accomplish our goals. Every person in a community has a role to play, your commitment helps guide us in discerning the HOW we plan to accomplish our ministry goals. We need to hear from you, what is your generosity plan?
If you've never made a generosity plan before, let's do this together. Think about your goals and how you'd like to engage within the Redeemer community? What energizes you and how can you commit to being a part?!
Example of Generous Time Opportunities:
- Worship Volunteering to be a reader, join worship or audio tech team
- Cooking + Serving Community meals
- Northside Parish Partnership
- Church Leadership
- Advocacy (work with partner organizations and Synod)
- Eco+Faith
- Racial Equity
- LGBTQIA+
- Immigrants/ Refugees / Local Mission Developments
Generous Financial + In-Kind Gifts
- $1 per week amounts to $50 per year! Every age, every person can create significant change, helping meet goals.
- Diaper Donations once a month, provides a family with $35-40 saved for other resources needed
- $135 per month from each family* would help Redeemer to sustain, retain and hire new staff, musicians and contractors; also striving to prioritize providing a fairer and more equitable wage.
- $40 per month from each family* would help maintain our building as an asset for the community
- $250 gift allows community engagement opportunity like Summer Cookout or Community Meal to happen
- $1k month sustains affordable housing
*We understand and acknowledge everyone is at different economic places and has very different needs. We want you to discern and give what you can, in the ways that you can knowing we appreciate every moment of time and every penny received. It is a blessing to be stewarded in order to work toward the common good for Redeemer, Harrison and beyond. Your participation and engagement in the life of this community is what is truly desired. THANK YOU for being here, we value and appreciate you!
DECIDING WHAT TO GIVE...
Led by the Spirit and with prayerful consideration, each individual and family is invited to determine what faithful commitment they will make to community of Redeemer Lutheran Church for 2024. The chart below shares a framework to get you started. Even the smallest amount contributes to supporting this faith community and our neighbors in BIG WAYS! Above are just some of the examples to use the skills, passions and love you have for the sake of your neighbor. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about the ways in which your generosity creates impactful ministry.
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Northside Residents Redevelopment Council
Youth Spaces at Harrison Park: Spark'd Studios at Harrison Park!
Game Night: Fridays from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Spark'd Studios at Harrison Park now has Nintendo Switches! Come hang out with us as we end the week playing games such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Nintendo Switch Sport! There are also 4 computers that have access to Roblox and other cool games! Drop-in is available or register here. This is for youth ages 8-18.
Open Studio: Tuesdays from 3:00pm-6:30pm and Thursdays from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Drop into Harrison Park's new creative space, and work on any technology that you want with Spark'd Studios Specialist Kuamutsua Xiong. Students ages 10-18 can either work independently on laptops, or collaboratively with the studio equipment.
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HARRISON TOWNHOMES
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and City of Lakes Community Land Trust are building 17 affordable townhomes in the Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis! Click here to learn more about the Harrison Townhomes.
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FREE LEGAL CLINIC at HNA
The Harrison Neighborhood Association is working with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid to provide free legal help every TUESDAY and THURSDAY from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm. They are able to help with family law, consumer, public benefits, housing, tax, and immigration problems. Walk-ins are welcome, however, appointments are preferred. Call 612-352-9778 or visit www.mylegalaid.org for more information. (1501 Glenwood Ave. Suite A, Mpls MN)
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JANUARY
10- Community Meal 6:00 pm
10- Church Forum: 2024 Annual Report + Budget, 6:30 pm
13- MLK Day of Service at MCCC Food Distribution
14- New Member Recognition
14- RCFL Church + Community Listening Session at 12:30 Fellowship Hall
21- Church Forum: 2024 Annual Report + Budget, after worship
28- Annual Meeting at 12:30 pm
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