WestminsterNEWS

Westminster Presbyterian Church | 1200 Marquette Avenue | Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612.332.3421 | westminstermpls.org

MARCH 2018Vol. 52 • No. 3

Community Open House

2018 Lent, Holy Week, and EasterLentSundays | March 4, 11, 18 8:30 & 10:30 amInterfaith dialogue sermon series on Hope

Wednesdays March 7, 14, 21Centering Prayer: 11 amWorship: NoonSimple lunch: 12:30 pmChildren’s Lenten service: 6-6:10 pmThe Clearing, Contemplative Worship: 6:30 pm

Holy WeekPalm Sunday, March 258:30 & 10:30 am

Maundy Thursday, March 29Worship: noon & 6 pmDinner: 5:30 pm

Good Friday, March 30Worship: Noon

Holy Saturday, March 31Quiet Worship: 9 amEaster Vigil: 8 pm

Easter Sunday, April 1Worship: 7, 9 & 11 am

Westminster opens its doors on Saturday, March 3, from 10:30 am–12:30 pm for a community open house showcasing the new expansion to its historic building on Nicollet Mall.

A short program at 11 am features architect James Dayton, Minneapo-lis Councilmember Lisa Goodman, senior pastor Rev. Tim Hart-Ander-sen, and a sing-a-long with the Jus-tice Choir in the new Westminster Hall. Volunteer tour guides will be

on hand to lead visitors throughout the beautiful new spaces. Light refreshments will be served at the event, which is free and open to the public. Please contact the church to volunteer.

The evening before the community open house, Friday, March 2, Cantus brings its brilliant sound to the new Westminster Hall. Tickets for the 7 pm concert are available at cantus-sings.org.

This year as part of our Holy Week journey, we will have the opportunity to move together

through an Easter Vigil on Holy Satur-day. A traditional Easter Vigil is the first celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and is held from sunset on Saturday until sunrise on Easter morning. In some practices the faithful are baptized and catechumens receive their first communion.

For our practice, we will move through the hours of settling darkness, begin-ning at 8 pm in Westminster Hall, and

share in the promise of the coming light. Together we will prepare the wor-ship space for Sunday morning, even as we prepare ourselves to receive the promise and hope of Christ’s resurrec-tion for us and for the world. We will break bread and share the cup in a Eucharistic feast, celebrating Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We will remem-ber and hear again the story of God’s love from the beginning and woven through Scripture for all God’s people, and we will bless and light the Christ

Easter Vigil Saturday, March 31 by Meghan Gage-Finn, Executive Associate Pastor

VIGIL continued on page 9.

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2018 Stewardship ResultsNancy Etzwiler and Jock Donaldson, Stewardship Co-Chairs, and Mary Hess, Director of Stewardship

The Stewardship Ministry Team hosted a thank you coffee on February 11, where young and

old enjoyed special chocolates and cel-ebrated a strong financial foundation for 2018. Thanks to your generosity, the congregation has met the goal of a 6% revenue increase!

This sets the stage for a transforma-tive year of ministry, outreach, mission, and new opportunities in brand-new spaces. Virtually every-thing that happens at Westminster is made possible by members’ support, which in turn helps bring God’s promise of joy to the world. Thank you!

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…Psalm 16:11.

Dr. Carmel Tinnes Tuesday, March 20 | 6 pm | Woman’s Club of Minneapolis

Beyond Sunday Connections invites women of all ages to come together to meet new people and reconnect with old friends while sharing a meal and discussion about the way faith influences our daily lives. Carmel Tinnes, Westminster’s Director of Educational Ministries, is the next featured speaker.

Carmel grew up on a northern Minnesota farm, earned a doctorate in education at Union Presbyterian Seminary, taught at universities and seminaries, and served as an educator in several churches before coming to Westminster in March 2017. An avid reader, she also paints, draws, and writes poetry. Carmel will speak about childhood influences on her adult faith.

Beyond Sunday Connections meets at The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. The evening begins at 6 pm with an informal social hour, followed by dinner at 6:45, the speaker’s presentation, and small-table discussion. Reservations and payment ($28) are due by Tuesday, March 13. Register in Westminster Commons on Sundays or contact Deb Wagner, dwagner@wpc-mpls.org. If cost is a concern, ask about the New Connections Fund created to enlarge our circle of friends.

Beyond Sunday Connections by Ruth Drolsum, Beyond Sunday Connections Committee

Open Doors Open Futures Participation by Mary Hess, Director of Stewardship

Open Doors Open Futures continues to come to life as the con-gregation lives into its new spaces, which opened with joy in January. The generosity that has made this possible is incred-

ible. Nearly 500 families have pledged their financial support to the promising vision of the campaign and its impactful mission work.

In addition to meeting the financial goals for the campaign, one equally important goal is that everyone has a personal stake in its success. Some have not yet had the opportunity to make a generous, five-year pledge, and so another invitation to do so will take place in coming weeks, leading up to the exciting All-Church Celebration on May 5. In the meantime, you may get a jump by pledging online in the Open Doors Open Futures section of the website (westminstermpls.org/odof). Your support is important and appreciated!

Dear Friends,

I write this missive at the start of Lent, a season of reflection and spiritual renewal – a good time for each of us to take stock of our lives.

Traditionally, Lent calls believers to enter into a time of penitence. That’s a word we don’t hear much these days. It means to conduct self-exam-ination, to look within, to discern where our lives need change.

It is not easy in our world, with its incessant flow of distraction from the outside, to turn to the inside. Yet, that’s what this sea-son asks of us. Lent is an invitation to re-balance our lives. It’s not as simple as “giving something up” for the 40 days. It involves a far deeper searching of how we are living.

Prayer is a Christian discipline that helps us enter into introspection. Wheth-er it’s for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, when we pray we silence the world out-side in order to pay attention to the inner work of the Spirit. Many of us find it hard to pray because it’s difficult to pry ourselves away from the sources of outer stimulation. Our inner lives have atrophied.

To regain spiritual balance, we need a clearing of sorts, an emptying of the clutter of our lives that clogs us spiritually. During Lent at Westminster we have launched a new worship service, called “The Clearing”. Every Wednes-day at 6:30 in Westminster Hall we gather for quiet reflection, sung prayer, extended silence, and the beauty of candlelit space.

The 30 minutes will not instantly sweep away the spiritual detritus of our lives, but over time, the weekly practice of communal silence and quiet re-flection will go a long way to righting the imbalance so many of us feel. That is, perhaps, a 21st century way of penitence.

I invite you to join us at The Clearing in Westminster Hall on Wednesday evenings – and/or at noon during Lent, when we will be treated to 25 min-utes of beautiful music to guide our reflection during the season.

Free parking will be available in the underground garage for these services

See you in church.

Grace and peace,

P. S. Speaking of parking, if you’re attending the early service and education hour on Sundays at 9:15, please try to exit the garage by 10:15 so those coming to the 10:30 service can access parking.

Clergy & StaffFrom Our PastorStaff Leadership Rev. Dr. Timothy Hart-Andersen, Senior Pastor Rev. Meghan K. Gage-Finn, Executive Associate Pastor Janice Teliczan, Executive Assistant Rev. Daniel Vigilante, Associate Pastor, Outreach, UptownCongregational Care Rev. David Shinn, Associate Pastor Deb Wagner, Administrative AssistantCongregational Life Rev. Sarah Brouwer, Associate Pastor Sheila Delaney, Events Manager Deb Wagner, Administrative Assistant Kristin Kieft, Communications Coordinator Vanessa Uzong, Wedding Coordinator & ReceptionistEducational Ministries Dr. Carmel Tinnes, Director of Educational Ministries Barbara Mauk, Librarian Drew Smith, Administrative AssistantFaith in Action Rev. Matthew Johnson, Interim Associate Pastor Vanessa Uzong, Administrative AssistantFamilies, Youth, and Children Jim Cochrane, Interim Director of Youth Ministries Marie Kruskop, Coordinator of Early Childhood & Family Ministries Kasey Collver, Nursery Coordinator Drew Smith, Administrative AssistantMusic and the Arts Dr. Melanie Ohnstad, Minister Music/Arts, Organist Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Director of Choral Ministries Dr. Rodney Allen Schwartz, Director Gallery & Archive Barbara Prince, Program Assistant; Director Global/ Chamber Choirs Brad Ollmann, Dir. Early/Middle Childhood Music Ryan LaBoy, Director, Youth Music Mark Kieffer, Director, Handbell ChoirFinance & Stewardship Julie Champ, Director of Finance Kienan Mick, Accounting Manager Mary Dolan, Accounting Assistant Mary Hess, Director of Stewardship Anna Gram, Stewardship AssociateOperations Dennis Alfton, Director of Operations PJ Eichten, Director of Facilities Chris Brown, Todd Bushy, John Seagard, Richard Wilder, Facilities StaffEmeriti Rev. Elizabeth D. Heller Rev. Byron Thompson Rev. Katherine S. Michael Rev. Douglas Mitchell Samuel G. CookeParish Associates (Volunteer Clergy) Rev. Dr. James Brasel, Rev. Denise Dunbar-Perkins, Rev. Judy Allen Kim, Rev. Judy Landt, Rev. David Liddle, Rev. Dr. Margaret McCrayWestminster Camp Ajawah Sofia-Bella Vitale-Gill, RegistrarWestminster Counseling Center Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray, LMFT, Director Peter Bruhn, MA, LADC Sherri Dunham, MA, LPC Laurel Severns Guntzel, M.Div, MA, LPCC Ben Thompson, MA, LPCC Rev. Susan Thornton, M.A., M.Div., LP Jennifer Aden, Office ManagerWestminster Town Hall ForumSusan McKenna, Director

March 2018 | westminstermpls.org 3March 2018 | westminstermpls.org

Ukrainian Egg Workshop Reminder Sign up for a workshop to make a beautiful Ukrainian Egg. We welcome adults and youth grades 3 and above (minors must have a parent or guardian at the workshop with them). All materials will be provided. Each workshop lasts two hours. Contact Drew, dsmith@wpc-mpls.org to reserve a spot.

Wednesday, March 14: 11 am, 2 pm, or 8 pm Thursday, March 15: 1 pm or 5:30 pm Friday, March 16: 9 am, 1 pm, 5 pm or 8 pm Saturday March 17: 8:30 am, 12 noon, 3 pm or 7 pm

Palm Sunday Re-enactment Sunday, March 25 This year our Church School re-enactment experience will be different from past years. Tour guides will bring smaller groups of classes through the events of the last week of Jesus’ life, leading to a final stop at the empty tomb. Scenes will be set up around the building. Each scene will be inter-preted for the participants by individuals who were present.

Holy Saturday Quiet Worship March 31 | 9 am | Garden Room Holy Saturday is a quiet day, a day of waiting. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are past. But for us it is not a dark day—as it must have been on that first Saturday—for we know the rest of the story, that Easter morning will dawn. For us, it will be a day of quiet but joyful anticipation of the light that is about to come. Tim and Beth Hart-Andersen lead worship.

WOW & WestConnect During Lent & Holy Week Now through March 28 WOW Bible Study for men and women will meet Wednesdays for fellow-ship at 10 am, and formally meet from 10:30-11:30. We are doing this with the hope that you might stay for Lenten worship at noon, and our simple soup lunch following.

WestConnect Young Adults are encouraged to attend Lenten worship together at 6:30 pm in Westminster Hall. Informal pizza and a short Bible Study will follow. Questions about either program? Contact Sarah Brouwer, sbrouwer@wpc-mpls.org

Annual Women’s Retreat Save the Date Friday April 27 to Sunday, April 29 | Clearwater Forest Mark your calendars for the Annual Women’s Retreat. We will take a bus up to Clearwater on Friday, share in fellowship, learning, and worship, then bus back home early afternoon on Sunday. Not an event you want to miss! More details to come. Questions? Contact Cindy Vekas at cvekas@msn.com.

WPC Happenings Daily PhoneDEVOTIONS

612.332.7087March 1 Exodus 20:1-172 Psalm 193 1 Corinthians 1:18-254 John 2:13-225 Psalm 846 Hebrews 9:23-287 Mark 11:15-198 Numbers 21:4-99 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-2210 Ephesians 2:1-1011 John 3:14-2112 Exodus 15:22-2713 1 Corinthians 10:6-1314 John 8:12-2015 Jeremiah 31:31-3416 Psalm 51:1-1217 Hebrews 5:5-1018 John 12:20-3319 2 Corinthians 3:4-1120 Acts 2:14-2421 Haggai 2:1-922 Isaiah 50:4-9a23 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-2924 Philippians 2:5-1125 John 12:12-1626 Isaiah 42:1-927 Psalm 71:1-1428 Hebrews 12:1-329 John 13:1-17, 31b-3530 Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-931 John 19:38-42

BIRTHSJacqueline Patricia

Anne Snyder January 30, 2018

IN MEMORYThomas Payne

January 23, 2018

Marilyn Scapanski February 1, 2018

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2018 Meisel Scholar Applicationsby Meghan K. Gage-Finn, Executive Associate Pastor

Applications for 2018 Meisel Scholar Grants are now being accepted. This endowed program encourages young people from Westminster to share their talents, follow their convictions, and expand their education outside of the traditional classroom setting. Additionally, students are paired with an adult mentor in the congregation who walks alongside them, offering vocational guidance and opportuni-ties for reflection.

Meisel Scholar experiences in the past have included exploring clean water ministry with our partners

in Cuba, an internship in rural medicine in Montana, serving the Russian immigrant population in the Twin Cities, and supporting marketing and communications efforts for a Minneapolis non-profit.

Interested students may contact Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org, for questions and conversation. An application can be found on the church’s website (bit.ly/2CvOovK ) and materials are due in early March.

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An American Abroad in a Post-American World Thursday, March 22, noon

Suzy Hansen is an American journalist and editor. After receiving a journalism fellowship from the Institute of Current World Affairs in 2007, she moved to Istanbul to write on Turkish politics and global affairs. Since then, she has traveled to Libya, Greece, Egypt, Afghanistan, Kuwait, India, Kenya, and beyond to research and reflect on socio-political issues.

She is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, London Review of Books, Bloomberg, Vogue, and Businessweek. Her first book, Notes on a Foreign Country: An American Abroad in a Post-American World, is a memoir exploring her assumptions about America's role in the Middle East and its standing in the world.

Music precedes the forum, and a public reception, book-signing, and small group discussion follow. Free and open to all. For information, contact Susan McKenna, smckenna@wpc-mpls.org.

Westminster Town Hall Forum: Suzy Hansen by Susan McKenna, Director, Town Hall Forum

“Super” Hospitalityby Sheila Delaney, Events Manager and Matthew Johnson, Interim Associate Pastor

We have seen the phrase “extrava-gant welcome”

brought to life in the actions of so many Westminster members. More than 20 members shared their time and spirit to enthusiastically greet visitors in Westminster Commons during Super Bowl week.

We witnessed members listen for hours with obvious interest and care to people experiencing homelessness. Our members were supported by staff and were also fortu-nate to receive support from various street teams whose job it is to be proactive and reach out to people in need throughout Minneapolis. Those teams included The DID (Downtown Improvement District) Livability team, St. Stephen’s Outreach team, and YouthLink outreach workers.

It was a privilege to witness this coordinated effort. We’re filled with hope by these demonstrations of welcome and love. Thank you to all who generously shared your time and talent.

FEAST Returns to Westminster by Elaine Wilson, FEAST Team

After 18 months of holding FEAST away from Westminster through the generous hospitality of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, we are back to serving our monthly meal for those

in need in our own space. Thank you to our volunteers and guests who were so very flexible through this creative time.

We have some new, ongoing volunteer opportunities back in our home space, including several that can be done on FEAST Sunday morn-ings—a way to be involved without a separate trip to Westminster. Each can be done before worship, between services, or after worship. Each can be done by one or two people or a family.

Cake/dessert maker: Mix and bake the afternoon’s dessert. The cake will cool and then be frosted by afternoon volunteers. Thanks to Pam and Mike Sunderman who baked our cakes for many years.

Condiment filler: Prepare/refill salt, pepper, sugar, sweetener, and creamer containers. Thanks to Dale Thompson who prepared condi-ments for many years.

Tableware resets: Prepare tableware re-sets (knife, fork, spoon, napkin) so that meal volunteers can quickly reset places for our guests. Thanks also to Dale Thompson who also prepared the resets for many years.

Anyone with interest or questions about these opportunities, please contact Elaine Wilson, wilson.elainem@gmail.com.

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On Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 pm, Westminster will host more than 150 youth from across the Twin Cities Metro for ComMUSICation’s 3rd Annual Youth Song Share. ComMUSI-Cation—a choral youth-development program serving St. Paul’s most vul-nerable children—was co-founded by Ryan LaBoy, Westminster’s Director of Youth Music.

This exciting event, co-hosted by the Twin Cities Girls’ Choir, will also feature the Minnesota Boychoir and Minneapolis Youth Chorus. Addition-ally, our very own Westminster Ab-

bies (middle- and high-school sing-ers) will join forces with the Youth Choir from Plymouth Congregational Church to present music under the baton of Plymouth’s Director of Youth Music, Siri Keller. As part of this col-laboration, Westminster has also in-vited seniors from our congregation and from the Magnet Senior Center to attend a mid-day dress rehearsal and lunch with the singers on Satur-day, March 10.

The March 15th event is free and open to the public. Come and be charmed by some of the best young

singers around as they fill the halls of Westminster with hope and song! You can also hear the Westminster Abbies and Plymouth Congregational Church’s Youth Choir at 10:30 wor-ship on Sunday, March 18.

Sing to Me: ComMUSICation’s 3rd Annual Youth Song Share

Strike, Spare, or Gutter Ball? Parent-Only Bowling Eventby Marie Kruskop, Coordinator of Early Childhood and Family Ministries

All parents are invited to a potluck dinner and bowling on Saturday, April 14, 6-9 pm at the St. Francis Bowling Center in St. Paul (426 Osceola Avenue). Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or not won’t matter much when you join other parents for a fun night of bowling. After one game to warm up, our second game will be filled with a variety of approaches; each frame means a different method of bowling. You’ll be asked to bowl backwards, with your non-dominant hand, with your eyes closed—and more! We’ve rented the entire bowling alley (six lanes) and have space set aside for a potluck dinner, too. Join us for sure-to-be-fabulous food and loaded-with-laughter fun and fellowship for just $15 per person. RSVP (along with your potluck contribution) by April 12, to Marie, mkruskop@wpc-mpls.org.

Thanks in large part to the generous donations received at Coffeehouse Cabaret, the middle-school and high school youth will be going on mission trips this coming summer!

The middle school youth will be travelling to Fergus Falls and the Fargo-Moorhead area during the week of June 25-29. While there, we will pack food, set up commu-nity food gardens, and learning about the rich history of immi-grants in northern Minnesota.

The high-school youth group will use its mission trip to work with nonprofit groups to address homelessness and poverty in Buffalo, New York for the week of July 14-22. There will be more information in the coming weeks regarding trip registration and pre-trip meetings. If you have any questions about either of the trips, please contact Jim Cochrane at jcochrane@wpc-mpls.org.

New York and Fargo Mission Trips – Oh My! by Jim Cochrane, Interim Director of Youth Ministries

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New Magnet Senior Center to Open March 5 by Carol Greenland, Westminster Member

The Congregational Care Council, with the pastoral support of David Shinn,

created a team to discern and assess the viability of a downtown senior center. The team proposed and received Session approval to form a partnership with Hennepin County Library to expand the hours and programming of the Magnet Senior Center.

Beginning March 5, seniors can visit the Magnet Senior Center four mornings per week (an expansion from the current two): Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am to noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, in the Heller Commons; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to noon at Minneapolis Central Library at 300 Nicollet Mall. Individuals over the age of 50 and of all faiths are welcome at both locations.

The Magnet Senior Center offers older adults a place to gather for coffee, conversation, and cultural and educational events. An advi-sory board comprised of library staff, church members and seniors has formed to plan programs, rang-ing from chair yoga and healthy diets to board game competitions and book discussions. The program is drop-in; no reservations are required.

The Minneapolis Central Library opened the Magnet Senior Center in July 2017 in response to the closing of the Skyway Senior Center last March. Due to budget constraints, the center was open only two mornings a week for two and half hours. A Westminster member and frequent Skyway Center attendee approached church leaders about the need for seniors to have more options for a place to go for social support and learning.

“By combining and leveraging our resources, both the Library and Westminster can better serve the seniors in our community,” said Dillon Young, service manager at Minneapolis Central Library. Rev. David Shinn, added, “The Library has wonderful programming expertise but has space and budget limitations. Westminster can provide financial support, meet-ing space our building, and free parking.”

We invite all seniors to stop by the center at either location.

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The Westminster Gallery has been a member of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) for many years. The organization has several thousand members in the USA, most of them artists. I have been attending the biennial conference for over a decade. While most of the programming is targeted for these artists, there is occasionally some special program for those of us working with art who do not create it. I always describe my work as telling stories with other people’s art.

In January, I had the privilege of being invited to be one of the 13 members who attended a nine-day retreat in Orvieto, Italy, specifically for curators and collectors. We stayed in a restored monastery and took day trips to Florence, Sienna, and Assisi. Our study centered on art in the location for which it was made. This experience of art in situ is significant in that it is still in the intended context, unlike most art

which has found its way into museums or other locations different than the original site.

We held long and deep discussions on art and the varying relationships between artists and patrons, and how the commissioning process affects an artist’s work. I also had the opportunity to get to know Sandra Bowden and Ed Knippers better. Both are collectors and artists, and we have examples of their art in the Westminster Collection.

Following the retreat, I enjoyed three days in Naples and Sorrento in the guise of a mini-vacation. Of course, my visits to churches and museums continued and made this into a busman’s holiday. Naples is known for wonderful crèches made from terra-cotta bodies that are dressed with layers of fabric and glue. You may be certain that I acquired one for Westminster! It will make its debut in the Advent exhibition later this year.

A Curators’ Retreat in Italy by Rodney Allen Schwartz, Director, Westminster Gallery and Archive

Congregational Nominating Committee Seeks RecommendationsRecommend someone (or yourself!) to serve as an officer at Westminster. Deacons are the caring arm of the church and serve in areas of hospital-ity, service, and compassion. Elders serve on Session and are the decision-making body of the church, while also serving on various committees and in pro-gram areas. Trustees serve the financial areas of the church. If you feel called to serve, or know someone who may be seeking God’s call to serve, recommend him or her to our nominating committee by filling out the form on our website or pick up one on the literature table. You also may email Sarah Brouwer, sbrouwer@wpc-mpls.org.

Troop 100 now claims five brothers as Eagle Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank. Only four percent of Boy Scouts are awarded this designation. To gain the prestigious honor Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout Spirit, leadership, and service. Additional requirements include an Eagle Scout Service Project where the Scout must further demonstrate service and leadership. Pictured from top left to right: Xinxai , Paul, Mark, Asia, and Song Yer. Their parents, seated in front, are Cha Thao and Tria Vang. Xinxai is the most recent Eagle Scout. He received this honor on January 20, 2018.

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Come to the Table: A meal and worship experience for Maundy ThursdayWestminster continues the tradition of a family- and child-friendly mealand worship experience on Maundy Thursday. As Christ did with his dis-ciples, we will gather for a supper, serving one another. The meal will be framed by the elements of worship—hymns, stories, and communion—in a candlelit Westminster Hall. As we share food, fellowship, and worship, we will encounter the story of the Last Supper.

Join us on Thursday, March 29. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6 pm, ar-rive as you are able. Worship will begin at 6:15 pm. Price is $7/person/$20 family max. RSVP to Deb Wagner, dwagner@wpc-mpls.org.

To highlight the renewal of Westminster’s BeFriender ministry— a listening ministry for lay caregiv-ing— the logo was refreshed. As you can see above, the symbol of life-giving water represents refreshment, clean-ing, and healing. From the Gospels, we learn that after Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus went forth in public ministry to proclaim the saving power of God and to offer a healing and compassionate presence. All are called to ministry of sharing love and care.

Each year our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering raises funds for important Presbyterian Mission

initiatives that provide assistance for people recovering from disaster or facing hunger or poverty. Projects are spread around our nation and the world; several are even right here in our state.

In South Sudan, the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction promotes food, nutrition and income security of Junior Farmer Field and Life School members and their families. In Cameroon, a network is carrying out a campaign against land grabbing. In Palestine, the Improvement and Devel-opment for Communities Center works to boost agricultural productivity and sustain Palestinian land and natural resources. Each of these efforts is sup-ported through the Presbyterian Hunger Program (pcusa.org/hunger).

In Cuba, assistance has been provided in the recovery effort following Hur-ricane Irma by Presbyterian Disaster

Assistance, which responds to national and international disasters and cata-strophic events. To learn more, visit: pcusa.org/pda.

Here at home, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the South Sudan Cultural/Language Camp promotes language and cultural education and exchange between two generations. Parents learn English and the U.S. culture. Children learn the Nuer language and culture. The project helps to facilitate effective communication between two generations and assists the elder generation with interpret-ing at medical appointments, paying bills, completing job applications and securing drivers’ licenses. This initiative is supported by Self Development of People (SDOP): pcusa.org/sdop.

Please give generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Palm Sunday, March 25. Offering envelopes are included in this mailing and are available at church.

One Great Hour of Sharing by Matthew Johnson, Interim Associate Pastor

candle. We will raise our first alleluias, exclaiming our belief in the power of life over death, light over darkness. Concluding at 10 pm, we will depart into the last waiting hours of Holy Saturday night, as individuals and as members of the Body of Christ, embracing the already and not yet of the coming of Easter morning.

VIGIL continued from page 1.

Recently, I have been try-ing to help my young son address bullying behavior

from older children. It breaks my heart to imagine him being the target of another child’s need for power and control. It also breaks my heart to realize how many children need to prey on smaller children in order to feel a sense of power and control. Adults are not so different. The patterns of manipulation and control simply begin in childhood and, without intervention, become more in-grained and perfected as we enter into adulthood.

Psychologist Dr. Laura Markham, PhD, of Ahaparenting.com teaches parents how to effectively address their children’s needs through con-nection versus control. In the case of bullying, Dr. Laura reminded me that the best way to help my son deal with bullying behavior is to help him not be a target in the first place. That means I need to do a better job of connecting rather than controlling so that he doesn’t feel the need to succumb to the pressures of others. How we treat our children is how they expect to be treated by others in childhood and adulthood.

Recognizing our methods of gain-ing power and control over others, including our children, can be elusive: we compliment people to make them feel good; we threaten

Connection Versus Control by Sherri Dunham, MA, LPCC, Westminster Counseling Center

Encountering the Heart of the People through Art: A Festival

of Palestinian Art & Culture May 17 - 19, 2018

• Exhibition of visual art by Palestinian artists• Musical performances and workshops, featuring the

Georges Lammam Ensemble• Film: shorts and feature length; discussions/talks with

filmmakers• Palestinian cuisine tasting, cooking classes and

demonstrations, featuring Sameh Wadi of World Street Kitchen

• Authentic Spice Market• Iftar: break the Ramadan fast with people of all faiths

All events at Westminster Presbyterian Church Visit windowsintopalestine.org for more information. Interested in

volunteering? Contact windowsintopalestine@gmail.com

Windows Into Palestine is a collaboration between Bethlehem Lutheran Foundation, Bright Stars of Bethlehem, Christmas Lutheran Church of Bethlehem,

and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

our children with negative conse-quences unless they listen to us; we say “yes” when we mean “no”; we give gifts and expect appreciation. This isn’t our fault; we’re just doing what we learned in childhood to feel safe and loved in our environ-ment and we’re doing what was modeled to us. The good news is that by compassionately connect-ing with our own feelings (usually

fear and pain) and recognizing our underlying motivations (to feel less fear and pain), we can consciously seek connection versus control and build the bonds of trust and love.

• Please fill out the bottom section of this form and mail it or return itto the church office in the enclosed envelope by Friday, March 9.

• An offering of $30.00 per designated name is suggested.

• Your gift will help to decorate the sanctuary and provideflowers that will be delivered on Easter Monday toWestminster members and friends who are sick or homebound.

• Designated names (not donors) will appear in the bulletin on Easter, April 1.

Thank you!

Designated Names—PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

IN MEMORY OF

Donor InformationName:

Address:

Phone:

Please return this form by Friday, March 9!If you have questions, please contact Deb Wagner,

612.332.3421 or dwagner@wpc-mpls.org.If you’ve printed this form online, please return to

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Attn: Deb Wagner1200 Marquette Ave, Mpls, MN, 55403

We invite you to participate inthe 2018 WestminsterEaster Flower Program