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THE ADVENT FAITH COMMUNITY

June 2017

Advent UMC

A Publication of Advent United Methodist Church 3945 Lexington Ave. S. Eagan MN 55123

“Heroes without capes”

Ernest Hemingway said “As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of

necessary.”

Hemingway’s words are true for me. While I enjoy a good super hero fantasy movie as

much as anyone else, I don’t give them a hero role in my life. I am also able to expect that

my role models are flawed. I admire John Wesley, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and

Mother Teresa even though I am not blind to their quirks and failings. When it comes to

heroes, I get concerned that sports figures and celebrities get as much attention as they

do. Do you have any personal heroes in your life?

But do we need heroes? It is sort of necessary. We need stories that can inspire, teach and

demonstrate our best values. We need stories of people who make good choices even

when it’s hard. We need real people stories of bravery, courage, sacrifice and compassion.

We need stories of faith, hope and love. Can the Bible give us those people and stories?

Can we add our heroes of the faith into the formation mix of our children’s lives? Our

Vacation Bible Camp theme is “Hero Central, Discover Your Strength in God.” The summer

Faith Builders class is also looking at Bible heroes with heart, courage and wisdom.

Starting last Sunday, and into a few Sunday sermons ahead we, too, will look at some of our

heroes of the faith and the qualities we value in them. Our Bible heroes were certainly not

flawless either. Looking ahead, we might also borrow some of our pop culture super hero

language. Do we have any “super” powers? (See Acts 2.) Do we have a cause? (See

Matthew 28: 18f.) Do we face any enemies and challenges? How about our weaknesses?

Do we have any tools to help us? Do we have others along side of us? (As many super

heroes do!) Let’s play with some of those images. For home work this month, watch for the

news stories that use the word “hero.” Heroes without capes!

Thurs., June 15

6:30pm Finance Team Meeting

Fri., June 16

7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting

Sun., June 18 - Father’s Day

9:30am Prayer Point

10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders

7pm Celtic Contemplative Worship

Mon., June 19- Annual Conference

4:30pm Yoga

6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at Dunn

Bros

6:30pm Boy Scouts

Tues., June 20 - Annual Conference

6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera

Wed., June 21- Annual Conference

10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory

Thurs., June 22- Annual Conference

Fri., June 23

7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting

Sun., June 25

9:30am Prayer Point

10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders

11am Celebration for Grant Spencer

Mon., June 26

9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp

6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at Dunn

Bros

6:30pm Boy Scouts

6:30pm Boy Scout Committee Meeting

7pm NAMI Meeting

Tues., June 27

9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp

2pm Newsletter Deadline

6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera

6:30pm MACS Burger Quest

Wed., June 28

9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp

10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory

Thurs., June 29

9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp

Fri., June 30

7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting

Thurs., June 1

1pm Prayer Shawl Gathering

Fri., June 2

7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting

10:30am Advent Retirees Connecting Bike Ride &

Lunch

Sun., June 4 - Pentecost & Love Offering

9:30am Prayer Point

10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders

11:15am Church Conference

11:30am Advent Ambassadors

11:30am Mission Trip Meeting

Mon., June 5

4:30pm Yoga

6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at

Dunn Bros

6:30pm Boy Scouts

Tues., June 6

6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera

12:30pm Ladies Lunch Bunch at Cameron Bay,

Burnsville

7pm SPRC Meeting

Wed., June 7

10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory

Fri., June 9

7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting

Sun., June 11 - Transition Sunday & Graduate

Recognition

8:30am Hospitality Task Force Meeting

9:30am Prayer Point

10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders

11:30am Parent Info Meeting

Mon., June 12

4:30pm Yoga

6:30pm Boy Scout Philmont Meeting

6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at

Dunn Bros

Tues., June 13

6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera

1pm Advent Cares Day planning meeting

7pm Trustees Meeting

7pm Outreach Team Meeting

Wed., June 14

10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory

6:30pm Care Team Meeting

Events ...

3

Love Offering on June 4 The Love Offering for Missions is gathered within Minnesota United Methodist churches and delivered to

annual conference session. It benefits international, national, and Minnesota missions. The conference

Missions Promotion Team determines the annual recipients. Mark “Love Offering” on your donations.

Donations to the 2016 Love Offering totaled more than $96,000. The Minnesota Council of Churches

Refugee Services received 40 percent of that total, the United Methodist Committee on Relief re-

ceived 10 percent to cover the cost of shipping more than 13,000 health kits that Minnesota churches

assembled and prepared, International Child Care in the Dominican Republic received 40 percent,

and Volunteers in Mission scholarships received 10 percent.

The 2017 Annual Conference theme is "Encounter the Spirit: Live Expectantly" and funds from this year's

Love Offering will to go three projects:

United Methodist University of Sierra Leone—School of Applied Health Sciences—Recipient of

60 percent of 2017 Love Offering

Sierra Leone has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, and one in

every five children die before their fifth birthday. The vast majority of the

country’s citizens don’t have access to health services, and there is an acute

shortage of trained health professionals. This portion of the Love Offering will

be used to expand United Methodist University of Sierra Leone by creating a

School of Applied Health Sciences in the city of Bo. Funds may be used for

rehabilitating an existing classroom building, hiring staff, preparing a

curriculum, and purchasing materials. The school will be adjacent to United

Methodist-affiliated Mercy Hospital, where students will receive practical,

hands-on training. Midwives, nurses, community health officers, and

technicians who graduate from this new institution will significantly improve

the accessibility and quality of health care throughout Sierra Leone.

Emma Norton Services—Recipient of 30 percent of 2017 Love Offering

Emma Norton Services helps women, children, and families achieve victory

over homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency. The Twin Cities-

based nonprofit provides safe, affordable housing through Emma Norton

Residence, which supports 50 women in transition at any given time, and

Emma’s Place, which houses 13 families on a permanent basis. In addition to

housing, Emma Norton Services provides case management, peer and individ-

ual support programs, youth programs, life skills and out-of-poverty training,

mental health support, and advocacy for women with disabilities. Through

Emma Norton Services, families receive resources and coaching to equip them

on their path toward stability.

Volunteers in Mission Scholarships—Recipient of 10 percent of 2017 Love

Offering

Mission trips transform the lives of participants by giving them an

opportunity to grow in faith and gain a new perspective of the world.

Through the United Methodist Church’s Volunteers in Mission program,

teams spend up to two weeks working on mission projects domestically

or abroad. Most teams from Minnesota are engaged in hands-on

projects that build infrastructure to ensure that nutritional, medical, and

educational programs in developing countries become sustainable and

locally run. Team members pay their own way, and the Love

Offering helps offset the cost for first-time participants.

4

June 4

is Pentecost Sunday -

Wear red!

Notice of Church Conference on June 4 Advent Church will have a brief Church Conference on Sunday, June 4, at 11:15am for election and

membership actions.

All 12th graders are invited to join us for worship on June

11 when we are planning to recognize our graduating seniors

during worship. If you'd like to be included in the special bulletin

insert for June 11, please send a senior picture and a few short

sentences about what you'll be doing after graduation

to shelley@advent-umc.com or you can drop them off at

church no later than Sunday, June 4. We’d love to let our

congregation know what you are all up to even if you are

unable to make the service on June 11.

Graduate Recognition

is June 11

As you well know, developing and maintaining a strong faith is

an on-going journey. It starts from the day we are born and

continues through our entire lives. As faith formation leaders,

we are always striving to help you and your family continue to

grow in your love of God and Jesus in new and interesting

ways. Please join us after worship on Sunday, June 11, at

11:30am for an important parent meeting. We are planning

some big and exciting changes for all children from

birth-Grade 12 that we’d love to share with you.

Pastor Cindy, Grant & Cathi

Important Parent Info

Meeting on June 11

5

Sign Up by June 19 for Hero Central Vacation Bible Camp

Hero Central takes kids on awesome adventures alongside some of their

favorite Bible heroes. They’ll discover the qualities that make us truly heroic

in God. Hero Central uses epic music, spectacular science, crafty crafts,

heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids (and leaders)

discover their strength in God!

Deadline to register is June 19, 2017.

Who: Age 2 1/2 (potty-trained) - kids entering Grade 4 (Fall 2017)

When: June 26-29(M-TH), 9am -noon

Performance & picnic: Noon, Thursday, June 29

Cost: $15/child. Register and pay online at www.advent-umc.com.

Before and After care available for an additional fee.

Before Care $5 per child per day: 8-9am (light breakfast available)

After Care $15 per child per day: noon-4:30pm for students entering

Grades 1-4 in Fall 2017 (bring bag lunch)

Ladies Lunch Bunch Update

Join us Tuesday, June 6, at 12:30pm at

Cameron Bay in Burnsville for our next Ladies

Lunch Bunch. Then on Tuesday, July 11,

we’re going to the Fireside Restaurant in

Rosemount. If you’re interested in coming to

lunch or want more info, please contact

Sheryl Buss at SBussphoto@aol.com,

651-454-5524 or stop by Connection Point.

Join us the first Tuesday of the month to meet

and visit with new women and get better

acquainted with those you have already

met while trying out a different restaurant

each month.

May lunch at Fiesta Cuncun

Transition Sunday is June 11 With another school year coming to an end, there is a lot to celebrate! But this end is also

a beginning. The end of the school year marks not only the beginning of summer but also the beginning

of what is to come in the fall: a new grade level in school, new teachers, new friends, etc.

If your child will be in the 5th or 6th grade this fall, it also means the end of Faith Builders for them and the

beginning of a brand new Sunday morning class designed especially for them called Zone 56 (more in-

formation to come). But before they start this new class, we feel a little recognition is in order! It is tradition

here at Advent to celebrate our children’s transition from Faith Builders to Mid-High. We would like to in-

vite you and your rising 5th and 6th graders to attend worship on June 11th for Transition Sunday.

If you wish for your child to be a part of this special worship service, please contact Pastor Cindy or Grant

Spencer for more information.

6

Be a Super Hero this summer at Advent UMC. Dates and events are listed below. More details and

registration information is available online at advent-umc.com.

Sundays June 4-August 27: Summer Faith Builders

for ages 4-Grade 2

June 26-29: Hero Central Vacation Bible Camp

for ages 2 1/2 (potty-trained)-Grade 4

in fall 2017—deadline to register

is June 19

July 10-13: Eco-Kids Camp

for students entering Grades 3-7 in fall 2017

August 8-10: Camp MSP (Mission-Service-Purpose)

for students entering Grades 5-7 in fall 2017

August 13-18: Music, Arts & Drama (MAD) Camp

for students entering Grades 4-10 in fall 2017

July 1—Tech registration deadline

Sign Up for Super Hero Fun This Summer!

HilIary Sass dropped off

our check to Ronald

McDonald House

(RMH), one of the

recipients of our

special Easter offering,

and said they were

very grateful!

Hillary also wants to

thank us for choosing

this charity for part of

the offering and is so

glad more families will

be able to benefit from

it!

Thanks from RMH & the Sass Family

7

Superhereos & Popsicles on June 25 6:30-8:30pm

Cascade Bay Waterpark

In conjunction with our Hero-themed Vacation Bible Camp, one of our mission projects is Superheroes &

Popsicles to support childhood cancer research. It’s a two hour event on Sunday, June 25, from 6:30-

8:30pm at Cascade Bay Waterpark. There will be two coordinated games (a rubber duck race in the

lazy river and one other). It’s just a fun event to come, swim and have a good time. There will be food

and music as well. It is not like a typical Relay, so there won’t be coordinated walking or anything like

that!

Registration fees go towards Pediatric cancer. To register, visit www.superheroesandpopsicles.org.

Registered attendees will receive a duck for the duck race, a superheroes and popsicles branded item,

and more!

All proceeds support Pediatric Cancer efforts with the

American Cancer Society.

$20 for individual tickets

$50 for a Family Four Pack

$10 Tribute (honor a loved one)

Register today at www.superheroesandpopsicles.org

Summer Spiritual Growth Activities

As part of our Connect Groups, we offer Walking with the Psalms. This is a self study/reflection for pairs

or small groups. Pick up a set of cards from Connection Point in the lobby and gather at your favorite

walking path. Read the Psalm and reflect. There are questions to discuss as you walk, an opportunity

for silent reflection and a closing prayer. When you are done with the cards, bring them back to

church. Also available will be three shorter reflections based on Justice, Love and Peace.

You're invited to a celebration in honor of Grant Spencer’s

commissioning as a Provisional Deacon within the Minnesota Annual

Conference. Please join us Sunday, June 25, after worship for cake

and refreshments as we celebrate this step in Grant's ministry.

Celebration for Grant Spencer on June 25

8

Save the date for Advent Cares Day

Mark your calendar for our 5th Annual Advent

Cares Day on Saturday, August 19 from 8:30am-

noon. If you have project and/or organization

ideas, please contact Shelley Plumb.

Volunteer signup for Advent Cares Day

starts in July!

Advent UMC Scout Awards Advent UMC has a long history of sponsoring Cub

Scouts and Boy Scouts Pack & Troop 449.

We have been awarded the 2017 Charter Partner of

the Year by Chief Black Dog District for excellence in

relationship.

Pastor Cindy Yanchury, who serves as the charter part-

ner representative, also received the Spark Plug Award

for her extra spark and enthusiasm given to the Chief

Black Dog

By Meryl Martorano

The following are the totals for Undie Sunday:

Men's undies: 189

Men's socks: 14 pr.

Men's undershirts: 42

Women's undies: 116

Bras: 5

Thank you to everyone who donated. A total of 366 new underwear items

were delivered to Simpson Shelter.

Undie Sunday Recap

9

By Jerry Fenner

Work has been completed on a new roof for the Methodiste

Church in Bois Neuf Malor, Haiti. The new roof was needed as

the result of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated the area in

SW Haiti last October.

The Advent family had generously contributed over $20,000

for the ongoing school project at Bois Neuf Malor, but work on

that project was interrupted by the hurricane. It was decided

to take some of the funds to repair the roof first. Doors and

windows will also be added to the church building. There will

be funds left to continue work on the school at a later date.

We are currently investigating returning to Haiti this fall with a

Short-Term Volunteer in Mission Team to work on the school.

Thanks again for all of your support.

Generosity Task Force Update

We Raised A Roof!

Brad Briggs, Generosity Task Force Chairman

A Generosity Task Force (GTF) was established in fall of 2016 after the memorial gift from the William and

Dorothy Babb Estate. The unrestricted gift totaled $100,000. Meetings were held in late 2016 and early

2017 to make plans. The first step was to brainstorm ideas at GTF meetings then later the congregation

was asked at large for their input at two listening posts in February. During the GTF meeting in April, the list

of ideas were sorted and divided up into 3 categories: Capital Improvement, Outreach, and Financial. It

was further decided that only a few projects would be funded immediately and no more than 70% of the

gift would be used at this time leaving the remaining funds for additional projects to be determined later.

It was thought that some of these projects could be partially funded by the gift and the remainder would

be opportunities for the congregation to contribute towards thus extending their reach.

For the capital project ideas, GTF discussed a proposal to replace the Advent sign next to Lexington and

adding powered actuators to the entrance doors next to the sanctuary. There was also a proposal for a

new sign for Advent to replace the existing one at a cost of $42,000. The new design features a two line

electronic display and an overall appearance that accents Advent's building. Placement of the sign

would require additional expenditures for a concrete foundation and underground electrical service tak-

ing the total cost to approximately $50,000. The other project to add door actuators is completed and

cost under $4,000 to make one set of the doors handicap accessible. Both of these ideas were approved

by the GTF and Trustees Committee was given permission to move forward.

For Outreach, GTF has decided to tithe 10% of the Babb gift to Advent's Outreach committee and leave

it up to their discretion on how it should be spent.

For financial project, the idea is to contribute 5% or $5,000 towards the mortgage. While there was

majority support of this, no decision was made in April about when to implement it and it was

tabled until a future GTF meeting.

10

Youth Night Wraps Up With Barbarian Feast By Grant Spencer, Youth Ministry Assistant

Another year of youth ministry has come and gone and, as is custom, we concluded our year with

the annual Barbarian Feast. During this, the youth (and adults) tried their hands in jousting, spear

throwing, hunting, a great tug-o-war, belching and costume contest (with prizes!) and even tried our

hands laying do-do eggs! And all of this in front of a roaring, digital fire (thanks to the uncooperative

weather!) Finally, we FEASTED (after singing a wonderful rendition of the Wesley Table Grace which,

sadly, was not recorded). A HUGE thank you to the adult leaders, Jean and Shawn Schow for organiz-

ing this and a HUGE thank you for all the food donated by the parents and our adult partners in

ministry.

11

This Year’s Barnabas Award Winners Congratulations to Joni and Jerry Fenner, our

2017 recipients of the Barnabas Award. Joni’s

involvement at Advent includes leading

Emma’s Circle and coordinating Feed My

Starving Children packing dates for Outreach.

Jerry’s service includes acting as Chair of

Outreach in addition and coordinating the

Advent Retirees Connecting group. They are

both involved in coordinating our mission trips

to Haiti.

The Barnabas Award is a tradition going back

to Advent’s founding. A collection is taken in

honor of a person(s) who serves “behind the

scenes,” often unnoticed. A gift to benefit the

church will be given in their honor.

Congratulations 2017 Confirmands

On Sunday, May 7, Advent UMC welcomed the following confirmands into our church family:

Rachael Annika Andersen Kyle Robert Berg

Lauren Olivia Gamme Anders Robert Kronkvist

Ben Keasley Kupinski Chloe Helen LaPlant

Thomas Stephen McDermott Miles James McGuire

Ryan Donald Quaintance Isaac Jacob Swenson

Daniel James Tschida Karlie Marie Vrieze

Photo Credit: Sheryl Buss

Advent UMC Staff

Rev. Rory Swenson, Lead Pastor

Rory@advent-umc.com

Rev. Cindy Yanchury

Minister of Faith Formation

Cindy@advent-umc.com

Jim Anderson

Director of Music Ministries

Jim@advent-umc.com

Heather Wright

Business Manager

Heather@advent-umc.com

Cathi Stapf

Family Ministry Assistant

Cathi@advent-umc.com

Grant Spencer

Youth Ministry Assistant

Grant@advent-umc.com

Shelley Plumb

Communications

Shelley@advent-umc.com

Julie Adams

Office Assistant

Julie@advent-umc.com

Cathy Lutz

ADVENTure Kids Director

adventurekids@advent-

umc.com

Weekly Worship

Sunday 10am

Phone: 651.454.3944

Email: info@advent-umc.com

Newsletter and Bulletin Items:

Shelley@advent-umc.com

AdventUMCEagan

ARC Nature Walk & Picnic July 6 Advent Retirees Connecting (ARC) will meet at the

picnic shelter of the Jensen Lake Trailhead in

Lebanon Hills Regional Park at 10:30am on

Thursday, July 6, for a 2.5 mile nature walk around

Jensen Lake. Walkers are expected to return to the

picnic area at 11:30am, so anyone who doesn’t want

to talk can meet for a picnic then. Please bring a

salad or dessert to share.

Youth Mission Trip July 15-21 We have 20 youth and 4 adults set to go on our

Mission Trip July 15-21. We even have a theme!

"I have come that they may have life and have it to

the full." (John 10:10)

We are going to Red Lake Nation, which is on the

shores of Red Lake, MN. Youth will serve through

work projects in addition to planning and leading

kids programming in the community. More details

are available at this link.

Eco-Kids Camp July 10-13

Learn about caring for God's creation through art,

science, and fun. Most of each day is spent outdoors

exploring our environment, and every day also in-

cludes an afternoon field trip. Daily devotions focus

on our roles as caretakers of the earth and all living

things. Campers bring a zero-waste lunch--one

where containers can be recycled or reused.

Who: Students entering Grades 3-7 (fall of 2017)

When: July 10-13; Monday-Thursday; 9am –4:30pm;

Before Care: 8-9am available for $5/day

Where: On-site with afternoon field trips off-site

Cost: $65 per student

CAMP REGISTRATION is through the Camping Office

of the annual conference. Register at

www.campminnesota.org.

Eagan’s July 4th Funfest Advent UMC is one of the “I Love Eagan” sponsors for

Eagan’s July 4th Funfest this year. If you attend the

festivities July 3-4, you may see our logo. Our logo

and a link to our website will be on the Eagan Funfest

website through the end of the year. We are proud to

support this community event.