The Mirror

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July

2019

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior www.excelsiorcongregational.org

infoccoe@aol.com (952) 474-5919

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor 1

Board of Christian Education 2

Board of Growth & Membership 3

Board of Missions 4

Music Notes 5

Musical Notes 4

From the Pastor

In our everyday lives, it seems like we are always searching for something--actually, many things. We search for the place where we lost the car keys. We search for the remote control. We search for family members--children and spouses, when dinner is ready to be served (if we are so lucky as to eat together these crazy days). We search for a convenient parking space when we go to Ridgedale Mall. We search for enough time during the day to complete all the tasks on our “To Do,” or our “Honey Do” lists. And after consuming the latest traumas both near and far on the evening news, we may even decide to search for a moment of peace

So, as you can readily see, by necessity and nature, we are a searching people. And since we are, doesn’t it make sense that we should add some other things of which we have lost sight and for which we need to search, especially “things” of a higher order--that is, things of a spiritual nature? And given that, don’t you think that one of the primary “things” we should add to our lists--and perhaps even put at the top, is grace? But then again, perhaps it’s not that we need to be searching for grace so much as to be acknowledging its presence in our lives already. And when we just open our eyes, I’ll bet the first thing we see is that grace hasn’t gone anywhere and is--in fact, staring us in the face!

But the sad truth is that--if you’re anything like me (and I’ll also bet you are!), few of us stop in the middle of what we are doing, look up (or inward) to heaven, open our arms (literally or figuratively), and exclaim with awareness and thanks, “Now (believe it or not), this is grace!” More often than not, the realization of the presence of God’s grace--if it comes to us at all, occurs afterward, once we we’ve taken the opportunity to put our minds to the task of reflecting on what just happened to us.

And if we choose to take it a step further--provided we have the luxury of time to do so, we may even ask this simple but essential question, namely, “What is this thing called grace? Then, if we are really in-tune, the answer, which invariably comes back to us, is that grace is that wonderful, unique, mysterious, and healing “thing” from God that is truly a gift. It’s just there. It just exists. It just happens. It’s what happened to the disciples in the upper room on Pentecost when they felt the movement of the Spirit through wind and fire, only to rightly conclude that, “it blows where it will, and you do not hear the sound of it”). So yes, grace is a gift from God because it is freely-

-and often unexpectedly, given. That is, nothing we do makes it happen, nor prevents it from happening.

And if we dig even deeper, we also discover that we didn’t do anything to deserve it, nor is there anything we have to do except to be open to receive it--and then to accept it for the precious gift that it is. But while grace does not make us do anything, it makes us want to do something--which is to want to extend it through both our words and actions. Grace is God’s creative expression of his own extravagant love, thus making us both creative and generous in loving in the manner of Christ ourselves.

So, when we finally “let go and let God”--as that wonderful old pietistic saying goes, we then are freed to grasp the truth that we are given Gods’ grace just we are--and as we are, we are God’s beloved. As theologian, Frederick Buechner wrote: “A good night’s sleep is grace, and so are dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of spring is grace. Someone loving you is grace--and loving somebody is grace. In face, all those things in our lives that come from our own doing are the result of God’s grace which enfolds us.”

So, as we travel about this summer and do even more (if that’s even possible!), let us put it in our heads to always be on the look-out for God’s grace--the very grace which sustains us, as it surrounds us, every moment of our lives. And in our relentless search for new adventures, do not forget to pause frequently to listen to the stirrings of the Spirit. Then as you ride off into the sunrise (at least until September), keep a song in your heart, for as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans used to say I say to you, “Happy trails to you….keep smilin’ until then”

Blessings, Rev. Tom

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Christian Education

We hope you are all having a fantastic summer!

On June 9, Sophia Rogney joined us after completing her first year of college to lead a sermon about her faith journey. She shared her experience as an English major in her World Religions class and other classes. She discussed how she learned to understand and evaluate extensive readings using examples from The Odyssey and Descartes' theories to the Bible. She shared that faith is less about being right or wrong, and more about being open and taking comfort that we're not alone when questioning aspects of our faith.

We celebrated this year's graduating seniors, Noah Kregness and Brianna Tudor on June 2. Congratulations to you both!!

Upcoming events

We would still welcome a few more volunteers for the Fourth of July parking fundraiser. The group will meet at the church at 4 p.m. for snacks first.

We are looking forward to the rest of our Summer Kick It outings, including a game night in July and pool party on August 11.

A reminder that Confirmation classes will be starting up in the fall, led by Kara Hartman. If you know of a young person who might be interested in joining us for Confirmation, let us know!

The kids will also participate in a Bible memory program this fall during Sunday School and coffee hour.

Blessings,

Chair Janet Holler, Janet Chambers Krueger, Carley Kregness and Karla Wennerstrom

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Growth and Membership

Mark your calendars for our three outdoor summer services.

Sunday, July 14

Sunday, August 11

Rally Sunday, September 8

Outdoor services are a great opportunity to invite young families to visit, with plenty of room for kids to run and play.

Plan to join us!

Adopt-A-Garden

We have 10 garden and landscape areas around the church that can use a little TWC (Tender Weeding Care). Two have already been adopted.

1. The Breezeway Garden, lovingly tended by Sylvia Jenness-Coklas and Margaret Schreirer.

2. The Flagpole Garden cared for by Kathy Sherwood and Jeff Ersbo

We thank Sylvia, Margaret, Kathy and Jeff for their dedication to keeping our church grounds looking beautiful. We also thank Tom Tallakson who took out the tired old yews that blocked our lovely library bay window, and who does the heavy lifting of taking away our weed and branch brush piles in back

Join this hard-working group by adopting one of the following:

3. The Lily Hill on one or both sides of the steps up from Third Street.

4. The Tree and Hedge garden outside the main entrance to the church.

5. The Brick Garden outside the breezeway entrance.

6. The Hedge Garden that lines the CE and rental wing.

7. The Hosta Garden beside the rental entrance (after the mother duck and her babies move out).

8. The Back Walkway Rock Garden.

9. The Back Hill Lily and Sedum garden by the Montessori sign

10. The Rose and Hosta garden beside the municipal parking lot stairs

Get your tools, grab a buddy, look for a garden that needs your TWC and go to work. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in just one hour a week. When you’re done working, separate your weeds and larger branches and put them on the weed or branch brush piles in back of the church for easy removal.

Thank you from your Growth and Membership team.

Margaret Demshar, Jeannie Handley, Janet Krueger MarySue Krueger, Chair

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Board of Missions

Happy summer from your Missions Board!

We'll be sending $170 shortly to our UCC conference as our

donation to the Strengthen the Church campaign. As the

STC materials state, our offering "will help the UCC fulfill its

commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new

ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of

local communities." Thanks to those who participated.

Our theme for ICA food donations in July is kid-friendly

lunch foods—canned soups, beans & wienies, spaghetti,

tuna, etc, plus peanut butter and low-sugar prepared fruits,

applesauce, and juices. Maybe you and your kids have some

ideas of your own for what out-of-school kids might like to

have for lunch. Remember, there are many kids whose main

source of nutritious food is school breakfast and lunch

programs, so anything we give to help families when school's

out is most welcome. Funds are always appreciated too—

checks can be placed in the offering plate on Sundays or

sent to the church, with "ICA" noted in the memo line.

On May 17, nine women from our church (see photo)

attended the annual Women of Hope Luncheon in

Bloomington, an annual celebration, information

session, and fund-raiser for the Tree House

organization. Over 1,000 people were there from all

over the Twin Cities, and spirits were high. We heard

from Tim Clark, head of the organization; a current

high school participant and her Tree House mentor;

and from Becca Stevens, who founded Thistle Farms

in Nashville, Tennessee, where women who have

survived trafficking, prostitution, and/or addiction can

reside, heal, and develop job skills. Tree House's

goals for the youth they serve are that they graduate

high school, plan for and engage in an educational or

career path after high school, decrease negative

behaviors, and develop hope for their future.

No one at our table won the day's door prizes, but oh

well, we have a lovely and inspiring time.

Have a lovely July.

Your Missions Board,

Marty Swain (chair), Sharon Graef, Mark Krueger,

Ross Rogney, Kathy Sherwood

CCoE women attend Women of Hope Luncheon in support of TreeHouse. Front row: Kathy Sherwood, Val

Stuessi, Lydia Holsten; second row: Joan Hillis, Sue Bonthius, Sharon Graef, Marty Swain, Betty Kuechle, Tina

Rogney.

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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Music Notes

"We could take a lesson from the trees. We could take direction from the breeze. We could take a moment to see everything is as it should be..." There are verses, one at end of this piece, to this Michael Monroe chorus that you can listen to on his website. As I walked in our lush green gardens this morning with coffee cup in hand, I gave thanks for how God/Nature takes over and gives such abundance after our small efforts in planting before we left for our D.C./NJ vacation! I give thanks hearing about the June 10 meeting and the hope and love expressed to keep our historic "Church on the Hill" alive! I give thanks to Ann Winegar and Anne Hawkins for their music on June 9th and to Becky Janes' family and students who filled the front pews on Father's Day with youthful songs played and sung!

"Growing side by side with no fear of who is standing near. Our roots are intertwined. What's yours is mine. We're all just reaching for the stars and one they named Sol, the sun on this earth, we all draw our life from, S/He sees us all below as one - boundaries none! Life and light for all!"

Thanks to Michael Monroe for this song in my heart today and to each of you planting love and hope in our world.

Sing or play your song on any Sunday this summer! Let me know the date!

Love and blessings on your July. Lydia

Thank You!

The check ($750) enclosed is from the Lake Minnetonka Triathlon. Thank you so much for helping out during this event. Events like this one

are nothing without great volunteers and help from the community.

With your help, we were able to raise $10,000 to the YMCA Camp Christmas Tree Scholarship Fund. This fund helps send kids to camp who cannot afford it. This camp has been around for generations and is designed to build self-esteem while practicing the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at 320-293-4807 or by e-mail at kendra@lakeminnetonkatriathlon.com.

Sincerely,

Kendra MInser Race Director

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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West Suburban Grief Coalition

www.westsuburbangriefmn.org

Our church supports the West Suburban Grief Coalition. Many have found their programs to be helpful in dealing with the grieving process. The meetings are held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Refreshments and registration start at 4:00 p.m. The location rotates among area churches. The summer meetings will be held at St. Barnabus Lutheran Church, 15600 Old Rockford Road, Plymouth, MN 55446 (763-553-1239). Our coordinator for this group is Kathy Sherwood.

July 4th

Holiday

No Meeting

July 11th

“The Mind Body Connection”

presented by Lorry Lundborg

July 18th

“A Grief Journey”

presented by Charlie Brown

July 23rd

“Wellness During Grief”

presented by Phyllis Bruce

The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior/The Mirror

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The Congregational Church of Excelsior 471 Third Street

Excelsior, MN 55331

952-474-5919

We’re on the web: www.excelsiorcongregational.org