Call of Faith · Call of Faith Page 2 Over the Coffee by Rev. Leigh Brownby Rev. Leigh Brown LLLLast week I attended a leadership conference with 50 Minnesota UMC clergy.One morning

Call of Faith Page 1

Call of Faith Faith United Methodist Church Telephone: 612-781-3167 2708 33 Avenue N.E.

St. Anthony Village, MN 55418 Web: www.faithumchurch.com

Faith is Handicap Accessible Email: [email protected]

October 2013 Edition

In This Issue Page

Christian Education 5

Church Calendar 7

Church News 1, 3

Community Connections 6

Over the Coffee 2

Senior Activities 4

Sustainability Opportunities 4

Church Contacts

Pastor Rev. Leigh Brown [email protected]

Director of Music Jo Halvorsen [email protected]

Director of Faith Formation Rev. Susan Mullin [email protected]

(Hours: Tues. Wed. Thu. 10:00 - 4:00) Communication & Facility Kristin Erlandsen [email protected]

Administrator (Hours: Mon., Wed. & Thu. 9:00-3:00)

Finance & Membership Janet Olson [email protected]

Administrator (Hours: Tues. & Wed. 8:30 - 3:30, Fri. 8:30-2:30)

Organist Marie Kuglin

Church News

If you need nursery care for your children

during Adult Chris�an Educa�on on

Sunday morning please contact the church

office at 612-781-3167 by Wednesday.

We will happily arrange for childcare!

Worship Schedule

Sundays:

9:00 AM Adult Christian Education 10:00 AM Fellowship Time 10:30 AM Worship Service

10:30 AM Christian Education for Children and Youth

Lectionary Scripture Readings

Oct. 6 Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 1 Timothy 6:6-8, 17-19

Luke 16:19-31

Oct. 13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Oct. 20 Jeremiah 31:27-34; Luke 18:1-8

Oct. 27 Joel 2:23-32; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Lectionary Group has a

new meeting location!

Everyone is welcome on

Thursdays at noon. Please join them at:

85 2nd Ave. SE

New Brighton, MN 55112

(just off 1st St. between Cleveland Ave. and New Brighton Rd.)

Faith Forum : Faith Forum takes place every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

October Hi-lite: Join us on October 27 as we hear a presentation by Safe Passage. This is an organization lobbying for children with the legislation for the protection of children in foster home settings and those going through the criminal justice system.


Over the Coffee by Rev. Leigh Brownby Rev. Leigh Brownby Rev. Leigh Brownby Rev. Leigh Brown

LLLLast week I attended a leadership conference with 50 Minnesota UMC clergy. One morning when we walked into

the room the chairs were arranged in a circle and drums were everywhere – hand drums, conga drums and djem-be drums. We were each told to choose one. All the conga and djembe (goblet-shaped) drums were taken – alas – so I chose a small hand drum that could fit on my lap with my stubby little legs and found a seat in the circle. Now a drum circle has the potential to be a bit hippie-dippie. All apologies to hippies but as a Generation X post-hippie I was concerned. I hate the smell of patchouli. Holding hands and singing kum ba ya or participating in drum circles is not my style. But I opened my heart to the possibility of a bit of levity to break up all-day meetings.

When all were seated we were introduced to our leader for the morning, a young woman who had spent time in Africa studying and playing drums and who clearly had experience in leading large groups. (This was a good thing, because getting 50 clergy to follow instructions is akin to herding cats.) It didn’t take long before I under-stood the value of the drumming exercise. Drumming is an excellent way to illustrate good leadership and how to work together as a community. It is simple, grounded in the moment, and visceral – moving learning and memory from head to heart/body. It is a co-creative process in which everyone can participate – those with a good sense of rhythm and those who are rhythm-impaired. No one has practiced beforehand.

I found myself inspired by the young woman’s leadership style. She seemed to effortlessly embody confidence and grace, using tools such as these:

Invitation: Our leader welcomed and invited all who entered into the circle. Because it was a circle, all were present in an equal way – no front or back of the class, and no cliques. When we were all settled, the leader would play something, setting the example, and then invite the group to follow. If as leaders we value and make room for all who are present, we create a safe and uplifting place where people want to be.

Consistency: Our leader was consistent in setting the direction and patient in achieving the desired outcome. She would play and then we would play, repeating and repeating the process until everyone under-stood, moving us together from chaos to order. At times we played different parts. She was smooth and fluid in her conducting, lifting up some parts while quieting others until we achieved balance and rhythm. No one was criticized for making mistakes. If as leaders we are consistent, patient and supportive, others will follow us.

Collaboration: At one point we were asked to form teams of 6 and create a drum sequence to suggest the image of a burning fire. As a team we tossed out ideas, listened to each other and tried new things. We practiced and we laughed. If as leaders we believe that each person present brings gifts and graces, and we give each person freedom to explore those gifts and graces, we create a positive and collaborative process.

Encouragement: Our leader encouraged us through her love for drumming, her belief in her ability to lead, and her belief in our ability and willingness to participate. She shared responsibility, at times inviting one of us clergy to lead the group with whatever beat we wanted to play – lifting us up with her conviction that each of us was creative and each of us could be a leader.

But observing good leadership in practice was only one part of the drumming experience. Each person present had choices to make as well, if we were to have a positive experience and make beautiful noise. There was po-tential for either harmony or disaster. Here are some of the things we learned as participants:

Humility: Any of us could have walked out of the room, choosing not to be vulnerable and risk appear-ing silly, uncoordinated or undignified. Only through our presence, persistence, good humor and sense of ad-venture could we move from discord to mutual trust.

Sharing: Any one person could have taken over the experience, questioned the leader, insisted that they have more input than others, or ridiculed others. Rather than shifting and flowing with the whole group each person could have been rigid and unchanging, insisting on his or her own way and creating dissonance.

Listening: In order to find harmony, each person needed to hear the rhythm of others and adjust her or his own rhythm accordingly. Sometimes it was necessary to stop playing and listen for a bit, before finding one’s place again in the whole.

The drumming circle strikes me as an excellent analogy for being church. Whether we are leading or participating – and ideally we have opportunities to do both – at the heart of any healthy community is trust. If our church is to be a safe and sacred place where we can grow in faith and reach our ministry goals together, trust is essential. Trust that we all have good intentions, even when we make mistakes. Trust that each of us brings something wonderful to give to the whole. Trust that others will offer us love and respect if we but offer the same. Trust that we will survive if ever these things prove not to be true, and that growing in faith is worth the risk. Trust that God is guiding us in all that we do, and that with time we will together find the synchronicity and purpose that can only come through God’s presence.


Church News

Wednesday Nights – Come for dinner and stay for worship!

Meals at 5:45 PM in Fellowship Hall Contemplative Worship from 6:30-7:00 in the sanctuary

Chef Michelle Weiser has once again volunteered to prepare our Wednes-day evening meals. There is no charge for the meals, though we appreci-ate a donation of $5 or more (to cover our costs) from those who are able to pay. So invite a friend or neighbor and join us for dinner.

Much of our Protestant tradition is focused on words. We read sacred words from scripture, listen to the words of the preacher, pray words to-gether, and sing the words of the hymns. In contemplative worship, we also sing, and listen, and pray= but the center of the service is a time of silence in which we simply allow ourselves to sit in the presence of God. Many of us lead very busy lives where we go from the gym to work or school and to evening activities, snatching dinner somewhere along the way. Come and see how a short period of silence calms your worries and helps you feel closer to God.

Fireman’s Museum

Saturday, October 19th

Meet at Faith UMC at 1:00 PM to carpool

The Adult Ministry team is planning a trip to the Firefighters Hall and Museum located at

664 22nd Avenue North in Minneapolis. They have a special exhibit, “Eighty-One Minutes:

After the Bridge Collapsed,” which chronicles the astonishing rescue in the eighty-one

minutes following the 35W bridge collapse. The museum also features over 12,000

square feet of historic items from Minnesota fire departments dating back to the 1860′s.

There are fire trucks, fire equipment, historic photos, and interactive displays for children.

Bring your grandchildren! The cost is $3 for children (age 3-12), $5 for seniors (65+), and

$6 for adults. There is a sign-up sheet in the Commons.


Senior Activities

Sustainability Opportunities

Sustainability Opportunities:

Citizens for Sustainability of St. Anthony Village will host a forum on Satur-

day, October 12 from 3:00-5:00 PM in the Community Center Council Chambers. The speaker will be Jon Freise, the co-founder of the GROWS Transition Initiative of the Corcoran Neighborhood in Minneapolis. Jon works throughout Minneapolis to raise awareness of the need to transition from fossil fuels and to help develop new initiatives, locate funding, and connect people passionate about transitioning to a new energy fu-ture.

Prospect Park UMC is hosting a series of conversations called “From Fear to Faithful

Action: Building Resilience in a Time of Climate Change.” This series will plumb our faith tra-

dition for sustenance, political savvy, and practical instruction for life on a threatened planet. Join this com-munity exploration and begin to put your faith to work for God’s beautiful creation. The series will take place from 6:30-8:00 PM on the 3rd Sunday of the month September through March at Prospect Park United Meth-odist Church, 22 Orlin Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. On October 20 they will be discussing “Beyond partisanship to the politics of empowerment: lessons from the Israelite’s years in the wilderness.”

Be the Spark: Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light Fall 2013 Workshop Series

Sundays from 4:00-7:00 PM on October 6 & 20 and November 3 & 24

Location to be decided: Twin Cities Metro Area

Register at www.mnipl.org

This series is for members of faith communities interested in deeply engaging their congregations on climate change issues and for those interested in offering programming, support and leadership in the larger interfaith community. Four dynamic sessions will provide organizing tools, presentation skills and content to give partici-pants a broad and adaptive palette from which to draw as leaders in the growing interfaith climate movement.

Register online at www.mnipl.org or contact Erin Pratt at 612-716-3336.

Threads of Connection, works by Deidre Scherer

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (3000 5th St NW, New Brighton)

Opening Reception Thursday, October 3 at 6:00 PM, presentation by artist at 7:00 pm

Deidre Scherer has dedicated her thread-on-fabric art to making visible the lives, needs and gifts of the elderly. She uses fabric for her paint and “draws” with scissors to tell the end-of-life story. She has received awards for her thought-provoking investigations of our society’s view of aging, reflections on life and death, family relationships, and the welfare of future generations. For more information and gallery hours, go to www.unitedseminary.edu or contact Renee Flesner at 651-255-6138.


Christian Education

Sunday School News:

Receiving Bibles – Third and eighth grade students will be receiving Bibles in worship on Sunday, October 6th. Please plan to attend on this important day for your child/youth.

Elementary – Sunday school is off to a great start with a lively group of children learning how they are a unique part of God’s creation. They have been working on life-sized self-portraits. Look for them in the downstairs hall-way. In October, they will be learning about the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis 3:1-24. Ask your child about the story. It would be a great time to have a conversation about God’s love and forgiveness. When have you done something you knew was wrong? Did you ask for forgiveness? Was it easy or hard to do?

Middle School – Students will be assisting in worship on the first Sunday of October. The remaining Sundays of the month they will be studying the Old Testament stories about God providing for the Israelites while they were wandering in the wilderness, Samuel’s call, and the anointing of Saul. Sharon Parrill and Paul Vijums are sharing teaching responsibilities for this class.

Senior High – Senior High students attended a planning meeting with Carroll Vance and Kent Reed on Rally Day.

They decided to have class at 10:30 on the first Sunday of each month, and to assist with the Northeast Meal on

the third Saturday of each month, beginning in October. All senior high students and friends are invited to attend

the first Sunday class and the third Saturday meal preparation at Northeast UMC. Carroll will bring the doughnuts

each first Sunday.

JUMYs (Junior United Methodist Youth) Youth in Grades 5-8

November 8-10

Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd MN

JUMY's is designed for youth in grades 5-8 and their adult chaperones. We gather together for worship, fellowship, workshops and most important - FUN!! Each large group session will focus on a different aspect of our theme – Helping Hands. We have 4 great speakers com-ing to share with you. Cragun's Resort in Brain-erd MN offers everything under one roof!!! Lodging, meals, large group, workshops, and FUN will all take place in the Lodge. The cost is $140 per student (Contact Susan Mullin or Pastor Leigh if you need financial assistance). Friends are welcome. The deadline is rapidly ap-proaching. Please contact Susan Mullin as soon as possible if you are interested in going as a student or adult chaperone. We will need at least one (and preferably two) adult chaperones for each room.

Youth Group (for grades 6-12)

Wednesdays 6:15-8:00 PM

Various locations

Several parents have told me that they wish

we had a youth group experience with dis-

cussion and fun activities for our youth. And

now we do! Faith UMC youth and friends are

invited to join youth from Community and

Northeast UMCs for youth group each

Wednesday evening from 6:15-8:00 PM. In

October, youth group will meet at Commu-

nity UMC. In November, the group will meet

at Faith UMC. Confirmation students are

welcome to join the youth group from 7:15-

8:00 after confirmation class. Come earlier if

you want dinner - starting at 5:30 at Com-

munity UMC in October, and

5:45 when youth group is at

Faith UMC in November. Call

Susan Mullin if you have any

questions.


Community Connections

Two Events on Celtic Spirituality with John Philip Newell, poet, peacemaker,

scholar of Celtic spirituality, and minister of the Church of Scotland:

A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul

Tuesday, October 29, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Carondelet Center, 1890 Randolph Ave., St. Paul $65, includes lunch

Join Rev. Leigh and Susan for this day of presentation, reflection, meditation, music and conversation. As nev-er before in the history of humanity, we are becoming aware of the interrelatedness of life. The question is whether we can bring the treasures of our Christian household to this movement and translate this emerging consciousness into transformative action so that we and the world may be well. Come seek transformation in our lives and the world by remembering life’s sacredness, addressing life’s brokenness, and learning to serve earth’s oneness.

One Foot in Eden: A Celtic View of the Stages of Life

Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis

$35, includes beverages and pastries

A morning of ritual, music, and exploration of the stages from birth to death and the thin places that bridge these junctures on the eve of All Souls, Halloween, and All Saints Day. Register for these events with the Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality online at www.wisdomwayscenter.org or by calling 651-696-2788. These events are co-sponsored by the Wesley Center for Spirituality at Hamline University and by Hennepin Ave United Methodist Church.

Grief Support Group

Dates: Tuesdays, beginning October 1 for six sessions

Time: 10:00 - noon

Location: Faith United Methodist Church

When you lose a cherished relationship with a spouse, friend, home or pet - it hurts. If you are looking for a place to share your loss with others, be guided through the grieving and look at possibilities for the future, then Northeast Senior Services in-vites you to be a part of the Grief Support Group. This is a small group experience. Space is limited. Call NE Seniors at 612-781-5096 to reserve your place. Let us know if you need a ride.

The Call of Faith is the newsletter of Faith United Methodist Church, St. Anthony, MN. Next deadline is Monday, October 14, 2013. Please include information through November.

Contact Kristin Erlandsen at 612-781-3167, or email to [email protected].


Church Calendar - October 2013

Date Event Time

Tue. 10/1 Grief Support Group 10:00 AM

Administrative Board 6:30 PM

Wed. 10/2 Pastoral Staff Meeting 10:30 AM

Organist Rehearsal 4:00 PM

Meal 5:45 PM

Confirmation @ Community 6:15 PM

Youth Group @ Community 6:15 PM

Contemplative Worship 6:30 PM

Sanctuary Choir 7:15 PM

Handbells 7:30 PM

Thu. 10/3 Lectionary Group 12:00 PM

Cub Den 6:30 PM

Fri. 10/4 Planet Home School 8:45 AM

Set-up for Seniors Dinner 1:00 PM

NE Seniors Dinner 5:00 PM

Sun. 10/6 Adult Christian Education 9:00 AM

Fellowship 10:00 AM

Worship 10:30 AM

Children &Youth Christian Ed 10:30 AM

Mon. 10/7 Cub Dens 6:30 PM

Scout Leaders 7:00 PM


Adult Ministry Team 4:00 PM

Wed. 10/9 Mary Martha 9:30 AM

Pastoral Staff Meeting 10:30 AM


Meal/Fellowship Hall 5:45 PM





Handbells 7:30 PM


500 Cards 1:00 PM

Cub Den 6:30 PM

Board of Trustees 7:00 PM


Sat. 10/12 Men's Breakfast 8:00 AM

ISLA 9:00 AM


Fellowship 10:00 AM

Worship 10:30 AM


Mon. 10/14 Call of Faith Information Due

Cub Dens 6:30 PM

Scouts 7:00 PM


SPR 6:30 PM

Comm. & Mktg. Team 6:30 PM

Wed. 10/16 Servant Heart Ministries All Day



Meal 5:45 PM



Date Event TimeTt



Handbells 7:30 PM

Thu. 10/17 Servant Heart Ministries All Day

Men's Work Group 9:00 AM

Lectionary Group 12:00 PM

Cub Den 6:30 PM


Fri. 10/18 Servant Heart Ministries All Day

Sat. 10/19 Servant Heart Ministries All Day

Art & Soul 9:00 AM

NE Community Meal 6:00 PM

Sun. 10/20 Laity Sunday

Adult Christian Education 9:00 AM

Fellowship 10:00 AM

Worship 10:30 AM



Scouts 7:00 PM


Finance Ministry Team 7:00 PM




Meal 5:45 PM





Handbells 7:30 PM


500 Cards 1:00 PM

Cub Den 6:30 PM


Sat. 10/26 Benefit for Gross Family 3:00 PM


Fellowship 10:00 AM

Worship 10:30 AM




Outreach Ministry Team 7:00 PM


Mom’s Club 9:45 AM



Meal 5:45 PM





Handbells 7:30 PM


Cub Den 6:30 PM

Call of Faith · Call of Faith Page 2 Over the Coffee by Rev. Leigh Brownby Rev. Leigh Brown LLLLast week I attended a leadership conference with 50 Minnesota UMC clergy.One morning

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