​Letters of the Bible: The Challenge and Encouragement of the Epistles"
This year our weekly Sunday morning Bible Study will be broken into mini-series.  Our first series is entitled "Letters of the Bible: The Challenge and Encouragement of the Epistles."  In this mini-series we will explore some of the Christian Epistles (letters) written to and from Christians in the Early Church.  Each week, Pastoral Intern Alissa will give a brief introduction to the original context, author and audience of the letter we are exploring.  Then we'll spend most of our time considering how we are being encouraged and challenged by the letter.  All are welcome for Bible Study which meets in the Library from 9:00-10:00am each Sunday morning.  Swing by for one week of this series, or all four!  
 
Busy Bags
We have had a generous donation of “busy bags” of activities for children to use during the church service. We have 10 bags, located at the back of the sanctuary. We ask that bags be returned at the end of the service, in order for other families to use them the following weeks.
 
Mark your calendars for Carnival de Resistance
Carnival de Resistance will be at Redeemer starting September 13th until September 26th.
Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event. They have 33 artists and activists coming from all corners of the US, Mexico and Honduras and they are partnering with dozens of local groups.
 
Carnival de Resistance Volunteers Needed
The Block Party was a huge success because of all the behind the scenes volunteers who made it happen. In 3 weeks, the Crew de Resistance Crew will be building a Carnival world in our back lot and offering two weekends of festive events. They need volunteers to help out with building the Carnival world, and volunteers on each of the productions nights. The Carnival especially wants Redeemer folks in the role of "greeters" or "community caretakers/ hosts" on the production nights. If you have any interest in volunteering, go to http://carnivalderesistance.com/support/volunteer/ for description and a link to sign-up.
 
Items needed for Carnival de Resistance
As we are getting closer, the Carnival is beginning to look for supplies for their time at Redeemer. Some of the items will be used in the village for the performers/volunteers while other items will be used in the performances. Listed below are the top two iteams from the needs list. Notice that some items are asked to be borrowed and returned, while other items will NOT be returned.
 
To Borrow:

1. untreated 1 by 1s or 1 by 2’s
2. bicycles

 
To get out of basements (NOT returned):

1. house paint
2. 5 gallon buckets

 

Block Party Huge Success!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this years Block Party a success! Whether it was donating items, inviting your neighbors, helping move a chair, or even just attending, you were an important part of this beautiful community event! 

Welcome our new intern, Alissa Kretzmann
Redeemer’s new pastoral intern, Alissa, arrived to Redeemer this week, just in time for the Block Party! We are very excited to have her be apart of the Redeemer community this year. Alissa’s first Sunday will be this Sunday, August 21st.

Waconia/Redeemer Fishing Trip
On Saturday, August 20th, Faith Waconia will be hosting Redeemer on an annual fishing trip. Meet at Redeemer at 8:00a.m. to caravan down to Lake Waconia. They will have all of the supplies (rod, reel, and bait), but you can bring your own gear also. We will be back at Redeemer by 1:00p.m.

Busy Bags
We have had a generous donation of “busy bags” of activities for children to use during the church service. We have 10 bags, located at the back of the sanctuary. We ask that bags be returned at the end of the service, in order for other families to use them the following weeks.

Upcoming Skill Shares with Gardening Matters
Calling all gardeners and food enthusiasts! The Living Room will be partnering with Gardening Matters to host two skill shares on food preservation. Both skill shares are free and open to the public. All participants will meet in the Living Room and walk over to use the Redeemer kitchen for food preparation. Participants are welcome and encouraged to bring their own produce to can and their own knowledge to share. Canning materials and extra produce will be provided by Gardening Matters for participant use. Please contact Helen at 612-374-4139 or helen@redeeemercenter.org to register.

Events
Tomato Canning Skill Share: Saturday, August 20, 10am-1pm
Pickling Skill Share: Saturday, September 3, 10am-1pm

Mark your calendars for Carnival de Resistance
Carnival de Resistance will be at Redeemer starting September 13th until September 26th.
Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event. They have 33 artists and activists coming from all corners of the US, Mexico and Honduras and they are partnering with dozens of local groups.

Carnival de Resistance Volunteers Needed
The Block Party was a huge success because of all the behind the scenes volunteers who made it happen. In 3 weeks, the Crew de Resistance Crew will be building a Carnival world in our back lot and offering two weekends of festive events. They need volunteers to help out with building the Carnival world, and volunteers on each of the productions nights. The Carnival especially wants Redeemer folks in the role of "greeters" or "community caretakers/ hosts" on the production nights. If you have any interest in volunteering, go to http://carnivalderesistance.com/support/volunteer/ for description and a link to sign-up.

​Our Annual Block Party  will take place on Wednesday, August 17th from 6:00-8:00PM. We will be looking for food, supply, and volunteer donations from the congregation in the coming week. If you would like to donate your time or supplies, contact the Sarah in the church office at 612-374-4139 or admin@redeemermpls.org.
We will be having a choir singing at the Block Party this year. Rehearsal will be after worship on Sunday.
 
Interfaith Service to Disarm Hate
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Catherdral will be hosting a service on Sunday, August 14th from 6:30-8:30p.m. The service is being organizaed through Protect Minnesota in order to #DisarmHate. The interfaith service will include a Native American smudging ceremony, organ, Gospel music, poetry, prayers by a Jewish cantor, Christian, Muslim, and Zen Buddhist clergy and the tolling of a bell for those killed by gun fire. After the service all are invited to a presentation about the Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety and what people of faith can do RIGHT NOW to encourage our congressional leaders to pass universal background checks after the summer recess.
 
Internship Committee
Are you looking for a new way to engage at Redeemer?  I have an opportunity for you!  Every year, Redeemer provides a support committee for our pastoral intern.  With our new intern, Alissa, starting on August 16th, we are looking for some additional committee members.  As a committee, we provide support via monthly meetings with the intern, including feedback on what they are doing at Redeemer (sermons, worship leadership, other projects, etc.) and being a confidential sounding board for any topics the intern may need help with.  I am looking for 3-4 additional members, and would love some representation from the youth of Redeemer.  If you are interested, or know someone who may be, please get in touch with me, Jess Swanson, jess_p_swanson@yahoo.com.  Thank you!
 
Waconia/Redeemer Fishing Trip
On Saturday, August 20th, Faith Waconia will be hosting Redeemer on an annual fishing trip. Meet at Redeemer at 8:00a.m. to caravan down to Lake Waconia. They will have all of the supplies (rod, reel, and bait), but you can bring your own gear also. We will be back at Redeemer by 1:00p.m.
 
Training at Luther Seminary
There is an upcoming training at Luther Seminary on August 18th from 8:00am-9:30am, entitled Practicing Bad Stewardship: Jesus' Reign and the End of White Supremacy.  
"How are white Christians to respond to the United States' present racialized society while understanding that it is shaped by 400 years of history? More specifically, how might following Jesus lead toward faithful in our post-Ferguson moment? Drew Hart, theologian, author, and former pastor, will explore the idea of white privilege and why it frequently fails to provide a robust framework which aids white people towards authentic repentance. That is, merely naming white privilege doesn't necessarily gesture towards any new way of life in resistance to racialized hierarchy and oppression. And at worst, it has the potential of recreating the problem of white supremacy, but with a more benevolent manifestation. Instead, while considering the significance of Jesus' life, Hart will consider how a kind of reckless stewardship of whiteness can potentially provide an unconsidered path forward towards the new humanity in Christ.
 
If you are interested in attending, please register at http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/events/default.aspx. The training is free and open to the public. 
 
Churchwide Assembly
This week the Annual ELCA Churchwide assembly has been taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana. We have multiple Redeemer members going to the assembly, including Babette Chatman, Naomi Lewis, Mario Locust, Maren Hulden, Mark & Ione Hanson, and Rachel Birkdal. We thank them for the contribution of their faith and leadership at the assembly.
We also celebrate Cheryl Chatman being elected to the ELCA Church Council.
 
Mark your calendars for Carnival de Resistance
Carnival de Resistance will be at Redeemer starting September 13th until September 26th.
Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event. They have 33 artists and activists coming from all corners of the US, Mexico and Honduras and they are partnering with dozens of local groups. They asked me to put a call out and share some of the personnel resources that we are looking for.
They are looking for a local firefighter who might volunteer some hours at their fire show each of the two Sat nights. If you know a firefighter who might be willing, let us know.  
 
Announcements
We ask that detailed announcements be submitted to Sarah in the office to put in Friday announcements and newsletters. This will help keep the worship service announcements concise. Send all detailed announcements to admin@redeemermpls.org or call (612) 374-4139.

​YOUNG LEADERS MARCH - A UNITY OF COMMUNITIES
On Thursday, August 11th from noon to 2:30, come and take part in a march and rally to recognize and uplift our young leaders! The event includes sign-making, a march around the Harrison neighborhood, a community meal, live music, and a chance to share your thoughts, hopes, and passions for the youth in our community.
 
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! We are looking for adults to come on the march to serve as security, as well as those who can help to serve food after the march.
 
Contact Elisabeth at coatse@csp.edu if you are interested!
 
The Annual ELCA Churchwide assembly will be taking place next week (August 8-13th) in New Orleans, Louisiana. We have multiple Redeemer members going to the assembly, including Babette Chatman, Naomi Lewis, Mario Locust, Maren Hulden, and Rachel Birkdal. We pray for safe travels and strength, as they gather to discuss and make decisions about how to go about God’s work as a whole church.
 
 
This week’s Summer Cookout will take place on Wednesday, August 10th from 6-8pm. Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park will be providing the meal this week.
 
Our Annual Block Party  will take place on Wednesday, August 17th from 6:00-8:00PM. We will be looking for food, supply, and volunteer donations from the congregation in the coming week. If you would like to donate your time or supplies, contact the Sarah in the church office at 612-374-4139 or admin@redeemermpls.org.
 
Announcements
We ask that detailed announcements be submitted to Sarah in the office to put in Friday announcements and newsletters. This will help keep the worship service announcements concise. Send all detailed announcements to admin@redeemermpls.org or call (612) 374-4139.