Redeemer Announcements & Prayers of Intercession | June 26, 2020

Redeemer Celebrates God’s LGBTQIA+ Beloved // As we come to the close of Pride Month 2020, Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrates our LGBTQIA+ members and neighbors as we strive to become an ever-more inclusive community that affirms and honors how God is revealed and God’s Kingdom made manifest through all genders, orientations, expressions, and races, most especially in our Black Trans neighbors.

RCFL Welcomes New Executive Director Veronica Hawman! // Redeemer Center for Life is thrilled to introduce their new Executive Director, Veronica Hawman! Veronica has spent her career working in nonprofit development. Earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Hamline University, Veronica is an experienced and skilled leader and fundraiser passionate about racial justice. We are so excited to have her at RCFL! 

Volunteers Needed // In light of the May 25th murder of George Floyd, we at Redeemer want to show up and do our part for our community. Siri Fiebiger (Redeemer Church Council President) and Mali Jensen (Dir. of Volunteers & Partnerships) are working together to make this happen and need your help! If interested in becoming part of Redeemer’s team of volunteers who receive ongoing calls to action, please contact Siri and Mali with your availability, flexibility, and areas of interest. Some ways volunteers can help are through making phone calls for current needs, cleaning the kitchen after an event has taken place, donation supply management (receiving, storing, distributing), voter registration, and being available for distribution events. 

Faith-Based Community Organizing Training // We are seeking a team of people interested in receiving training in faith based community organizing through funding granted by the Augsburg University Riverside Innovation Hub (RIH) that Redeemer has been part of for the last two years. The training event primarily delivered in a Zoom format will occur in January 2021 hosted by the organizing staff with special guests in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If you are interested in becoming part of Redeemer’s Riverside Innovation Hub Team and receiving this training, please reply to Amy or Pastor Kelly no later than June 30th so we can welcome you to the Team, introduce you to the project and its expectations, and so we can submit the proper information to Hub directors at Augsburg! 

Climate Justice Voter Training: Relational Organizing for Transformational Change - Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light // Join Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light to learn how you can be a Climate Justice Voter Champion. During these 90 minute trainings, you will learn about the importance of this year’s election for our climate. You will also get trained in the Empower app, a digital organizing tool that allows you to share messages and connect with the people in your network. Virtual trainings will be held throughout the summer and fall. Currently, trainings are scheduled for Monday, June 22, 7-8:30 pm, Tuesday, July 7, 7-8:30 pm, Wednesday, July 8, 12-1:30 pm, Tuesday, July 21, 7-8:30pm and Thursday, August 6, 4-5:30 pm. Visit mnipl.org for more information. Register for the July 8th training here. 

Celebrate Bill Nord’s 95th Birthday on June 28th! With his assisted living facility on total lockdown, there is no way we can celebrate with him in person. He has been completely isolated since March. Understandably, he’s feeling lonely. Please help us remind Bill how much he is loved and valued by sending him a birthday card or letter sharing a happy memory of him. Use REALLY big type, like 28 point, because he's going blind. You can also call him at 763-540-1967, but you may have to shout into the phone for him to hear you. Please send cards to
       William Nord
       5800 St. Croix Ave N, Apt W302
       Golden Valley, MN 55422

ZOOM FELLOWSHIP @ 9:30am Sundays // Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30am for fellowship and prayer. Follow this link to join open the Zoom app and enter the following:
Meeting ID: 853 1810 2674 | Password: 557820 or call in by phone to (312) 626-6799.

SUNDAYS IN THE GARDEN, 1-4pm // You are invited to join us each and every Sunday in Redeemer Community Garden from 1pm-4pm. We're planting, watering, tending, and growing so much life. Do you have extra hostas or other plants? Bring them to Redeemer and plant them around the perimeter of our properties! By mowing less and planting hostas around Redeemer, along with ongoing tending to plants and clearing of rubbish and litter, we reduce our carbon footprint. Come on over and help us plant new seeds, tend growing ones, and keep the garden free of garbage so it's a healthy and welcoming space for our neighbors, all while enjoying each other’s company safely. See you there!

MENTAL HEALTH CONNECT (MHC) // Mental Health Connect is a local non-profit based out of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis offering free, non-biased support for anyone seeking mental health resources. Visit their website to learn more, or contact Mali, Redeemer's MHC ambassador.

HELP US MAKE MASKS! // As this pandemic continues amidst reopening, summer life, and the current Uprising for Justice, the need for cloth masks is growing! If you or someone you know is able and willing to help sew masks for ongoing distribution, please contact Redeemer's minister of service and advocacy, Holly De Souza. 
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Health Commons @ The Living Room continues to provide services to the Harrison and North Minneapolis community! You can stay updated on their schedule of services and events, including virtual nurse consultations and Zumba classes, via their facebook page!

Readings & Gospel:  Jeremiah 28:5-9 | Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 | Romans 6:12-23 | Matthew 10:40-42

Intercessor: Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world -- a brief silence --

God of companionship, encourage our relationships with our siblings in Christ as we give thanks for Bill Nord celebrating his 95th birthday. Bless our conversations in seeking a pastor for shaping our shared future and enlarging hearts eager to join in festal and faithful shouts of praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great
 
God of mercy, inspire authorities, judges, and politicians to act with grace-filled compassion for citizens and our environment. Teach us especially in Minnesota to overcome fear with hope, meet hate with love, provide for all in need, and welcome one another as we would welcome you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
 
God of care, accompany all who are in deepest need. Comfort those who are sick, lonely, or abandoned especially Sarah, recently hospitalized, and those resting heavily on our hearts and minds. Strengthen those who are in prison or awaiting trial. Renew the spirits of all who call upon you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
 
God of love, you gather in your embrace all who have died including Joe, brother of Zoe, the sister of Trina, Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon. Keep us steadfast in our faith and renew our trust in your promise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
 
Pastor: Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

image: "The Teacher" by Elmer Yazzie, Navajo Artist