We don't change the message. The message changes us. |
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Sunday, November 22, 2020 - 9:55am
Worship Service with Communion.
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Pastor Ed's last Sunday
preaching at TLC
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Altar Flowers
Flowers this week are given by Louise and Jerry Olson in honor of Pastor Ed, who has served Transfiguration for over 10 years. We wish him many blessings and success in his new ministry.
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Christ the King Sunday:
and We Give Thanks for Pastor Ed!
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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When planning worship services I always go to the preaching pastor to ask for the scriptures they would like to have us read, and if they have any hymns that they would like us to sing to help amplify the message in their sermon. For this coming Sunday, Pastor Ed’s “Finale,” I asked him if he had any favorite hymns that we should sing, and he said he just wanted to keep the focus on Jesus and Christ the King Sunday, but as it turns out, two of his favorites also tie in with those themes, so, led by Organist Karen Daniels and the Socially Distanced Quartet (Jill Reid, Mary George, Rob Reid, Kevin Erickson) we will sing “Beautiful Savior” and “Lead On, O King Eternal,” and we will hear a heartfelt anthem recorded last year by the Chancel Choir “O, Christ, Surround Me.” So… yes, “most” of the service will focus on Christ the King as requested by my supervisor, but… this IS our one chance to celebrate these past 10 years of Pastor Ed’s Ministry with us, so… we WILL have a few fun surprises, too! 😊
Do tune in about 9:50am this week to see the first surprise, and then pay attention during the Live Stream Worship for a couple more, and THEN:
Stay with us at the completion of the service (shortly after 11:00am) for the Zoom Farewell for Pastor Ed - and the Virtual Ice Cream Treats provided by Pete Erickson – how DOES he do that! Wow! All for a Good Celebration!
See You on Sunday!
Peace,
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Farewell Reception for Pastor Ed |
Please join with others as we greet and say farewell to Pastor Ed online via Zoom this Sunday after the worship service completes (shortly after 11:00am). Join the Zoom meeting here or...
If you have Zoom installed:
Meeting ID: 992 161 5891
Passcode: 374272
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, November 15, 2020
374+ total YouTube Viewers
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187 Media Devices Linked
to TLC Live-Stream on Sunday
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Wednesday Evening • 7:00pm
Thanksgiving Day • Continuous, starting at 10:00am
The service includes a very special video produced by confirmation student, Breanna Latzke. It features TLCer's greeting us and giving thanks for something or someone in their lives.
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Altar Poinsettia Orders Online
Deadline: December 7
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It's time to order Poinsettias again to adorn the altar space during the online Christmas Services. Each Poinsettia plant is $12.00 (you may order as many as you wish), and you may include a personalized sentiment with each order, such as: In Memory of..., In Honor of..., or Merry Christmas from..."
You may click the above link to order now, or visit tlcmn.com later and look for the Poinsettia Order menu tab.
Because our Christmas services will be pre-produced prior to Christmas and live-streamed Christmas Eve, you may pick up your Poinsettia plant(s) before Christmas Eve. Date and time to do so will be announced in upcoming weeks.
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Meet Our New
Part-Time TLC Staff
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Pastor Melanie Heuiser Hill |
Pastor Melanie Heuiser Hill is here on an interim, three month period to support interim Youth Minister, Pete Erickson with Sunday morning programming for Sunday School age children. Pastor Melanie has served four Twin Cities congregations in her 23 year ministry. She is also a children’s author and is currently on-leave-from-call finishing one novel and starting another. Her most favorite thing in the world is storytime with kids. She’s very excited to work with kids and families at TLC during these unusual times. She has a website at this link.
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My name is Jordan Zahrte and I live with my husband, Tim, and 2 year old daughter, Brekken, in Bloomington. We have been members at TLC for a little over a year. We knew TLC was our church home when we saw how welcoming the congregation was towards families and especially towards young children. My professional background is in education, programming and community engagement. I will be assisting TLC in a part-time capacity to support social media. I will also work jointly with existing adult groups to fulfill existing adult education commitments and create new opportunities for adult education in the TLC community.
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Opening in the TLC-ELC Infants Room |
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—By Barb Wigstadt, ELC Director
The COVID Pandemic has brought a rare opportunity for some family. TLC-ELC has an opening in it’s infant room. The infant room is called the "Turtle Room" and is for children who are generally 6 weeks – 9 months old in September. Translated into today’s terms, children who were born between January and August 2020.
There usually are never openings in this room (we already have six on the waiting list for the Sept 2021 class), so this is a rare opportunity. TLC-ELC is committed to providing a high-quality program and this starts in the Turtle room. There are low staff to child ratios (1:3), as well as a small group size (6). Our teachers focus on the best ways to help each child develop and learn by:
- Establishing and fostering positive relationships with the children and the families.
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Setting up an environment that supports each child’s learning and development.
- Allowing for time for each child to explore and play.
- Providing consistent routines that address their individual needs and help them to feel secure.
- Always being aware of the importance of health and safety for each child.
Babies grow and develop at different rates, the teachers at TLC-ELC are aware of this, so they create and carry out activities with the individual needs of each child in mind. Goals are set for each child that focus on their different developmental levels. Staff also work with parents as a team to provide the routine that best suits each child.
If you have a little one who falls within these age parameters, or know of a family who does, please give Barb a call at TLC-ELC (952-884-7955) or send her an email (bwigstadt@yahoo.com). This is a wonderful opportunity for someone.
TLC-ELC recognizes that every family and every child is unique, and we respect that. At TLC-ELC we invite you to join your family to ours as we provide the close, trusting, safe relationship that is needed for each child.
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PLEDGING IS STILL OPEN
Your 2021 Stewardship pledge card should have arrived in your USPS mailbox. Please complete the card and mail back to the church using the enclosed return envelope. Or, you can click here to access our online pledge card and complete it right away.
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Dear Beloved Church,
The TLC Church Council, at the recommendation of the TLC Covid Response Team, and after consulting the recommendations and established guidelines by the State of Minnesota, Center for Disease Control and Bloomington Public Health, have decided to continue to keep the church building closed (except the ELC) and continue online programming for worship and program ministries through the end of December. This decision is consistent with the Bloomington School district. We will continue to monitor the case numbers and revisit our approach to worship and programming in January.
In the meantime, we encourage you to participate in the online worship, resources, and programming that Transfiguration Lutheran Church is providing. We hope that they are providing support and encouragement for you in these days. Pastor Arthur and the TLC Staff continue to be available by phone, email and video conference for pastoral support and other needs as they arise.
As we consider how to be the church in these unusual times, we are guided not just by public health directives, but also by the multiple commitments of our faith. There can be in tension with each other at times. For example:
- Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Therefore, out of love for one another and concern for the well-being (particularly of the most vulnerable) we will take every precaution and follow state recommendations to ensure the health and safety of all.
- We worship a God who chose to become flesh and dwell among us. God came to us “in person.” As the Easter story reminds us, this movement of God to dwell with us was not without risk. Jesus tells us that when two or three are gathered together, he is with us. Gathering together is essential to who we are as the body of Christ. Therefore, we will establish clear plans to resume in-person gathering as soon as state guidelines permit.
For the most updated information about the status programming and building use, please visit the front page of our website and click on “ COVID19” or call the church office. We pray that you stay safe and well.
Your TLC Council & COVID Response Team
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We could look up the word, but we know talent when we see or hear it, and the only other meaning that would fit in Pastor Arthur's sermon [last Sunday] would be “unit of money” commonly used in the Bible, even silver and gold.
Transfiguration has talent in so many ways.
The sad message, “Death Announcement from Transfiguration” keeps coming up on my e-mails. Lately we, and especially Birdman, have been sad about losing two wonderful guys from TLC's Thursday Workmen. If you never heard of that group, it's simply the bunch of guys that formed a crew to finish up the final touches of our building's improvement, way back in 2004. They saved the church a lot of money by using our own “talents.”
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Photo of the Thursday Workmen from a March 2019 TLC Weekly story.
Clockwise from bottom left (green shirt): Roy Shemanek, Don Jacobson, Keith Olson, Bob Dahlof, Church Administrator Michelle Reber, Doug Ball, Vern Christenson, Daryl Ulferts, Chuck Knilans, Norm Johnson, Pastor Ed.
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When we read that Doug Ball had passed, Birdman told me all the things he could do so well... carpentry, painting, cleaning carpets and even taking recyclable things to that center to be re-used in other ways. Not only that, he would show up every Thursday ready for whatever needed doing.
The next blow came just a couple of days ago, when we read that same dire announcement on my email. This time it was Daryl Ulferts.
The men got so well-acquainted after seeing each other every Thursday and meeting in the Conference Room to find out from Michelle Reber what the jobs for the day would be... They would sit in the same spot, and Birdman mentally went “around the table” naming each one in order upon reading about Daryl.
It is now worrisome about more men from the group just getting too old to climb a ladder, or not having the energy they once had. I'm sure they miss seeing each other each week while the virus continues to plague even Minnesota more than some other places. What to do? They have invited younger guys to join, but that didn't seem to work . Ideas are glady received if you know of anyone who wants to “soon we hope” help out with the projects at church. There is always coffee and goodies, even a book exchange—almost like a traveling library.
Women seem to form groups easier than men do; don't know why exactly. Let's be thinking of the future and what will happen when the guys don't do a lot of things that can cost a lot to get professionally done. Someone figured out what has been saved already by doing our own work when possible... it was quite a lot!
I have a cute story to tell about Thanksgiving and this year's sort of “iffy” get-togethers. My cousin has a large family, and when groups are supposed to be under ten, or funerals under fifty people, what should happen? She said one relative decided they would just “Have a funeral for the turkey” and solved the problem immediately!
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Caution about Unsubscribing from TLC Marketing Emails |
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Sometimes your email box becomes filled with unwanted or junk email. You can mark it as “junk” mail and maybe, if your email software is nice to you, no longer be bothered by it; or “unsubscribe” through a legally required option on the email itself. The same is true with TLC marketing emails, such as these issues of the TLC Weekly, Hope for the Week, Pathways to Justice, and Death announcements.
However, in unsubscribing from just one of TLC’s marketing emails, you will be unsubscribing from ALL of TLC marketing emails. Because of the Federal CAN-SPAM Act, TLC cannot re-subscribe you by request without a somewhat complicated process involving authorizations with your participation.
While we hope you enjoy and benefit from our e-publications, important announcements and other timely information, we don't want you to miss out because you’ve unsubscribed from one that was not of interest.
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By Pete Erickson
Interim TLC Youth Minister
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College Planning 101 – December 6th at 6:30PM
Dreaming of college? Your path to graduating with less debt starts here. Join us for a FREE College Planning 101 workshop. Learn how to save on the cost of college and avoid excessive debt.
- The value of college and having a plan.
- Tips and tricks to lower your college costs.
- The basics of college financial aid.
This workshop will be held at Zoom: code 819 251 7181 Password 393992, Sponsored by TLC Children Youth, and Family Director, Pete Erickson and Thrivent Rep. Durk Peterson on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 6:30PM.
No products will be sold.
TLC SUNDAY SCHOOL (Pre-K thru 4th Grade) will meet EVERY WEEK on Zoom STARTING THIS SUNDAY
A Zoom link and potential activity materials list will be sent to families each week for their age group.
Meeting ID: 832 1747 0428
Passcode: 696867
If you have questions about Sunday School or would like to help provide leadership one time a month, please contact Pete (perickson@tlcmn.com).
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR US?
-a continuing series-
By Pastor Al Dungan
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The Church's
Half Year
Christ the King Sunday
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**Note to all the readers of this column: I have been writing now for over a year and have decided to take some time off to recharge my batteries. I will begin writing a regular column after the first of the year. I have enjoyed this time sharing my thoughts with you about what it means to worship and of the Church Year which is so rich in meaning and symbolism. I hope it has provided new insights into what it means for you to be a worshipping Lutheran Christian.** |
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This coming Sunday brings us to the end of the church year and it is designated as CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY.
The Gospel lesson for that day (Matthew 25: 31-40) is one of my all-time favorite passages in Scripture because it shows the significance of what it will be like at the end of time.
In my Bible (NRSV), this passage is designated as The Judgement of the Gentiles which completely changes how I have understood what this passage says and it gives a new and interesting meaning to this end of time passage in Scripture.
Up to this point, my understanding had been that The Son of Man was sitting in judgement over all people, not just those who we might consider unbelievers (in Matthew’s time the Gentiles). And for me, that gives this scenario an even deeper meaning than it had before.
Here are those who were considered to be outside of the traditional Family of Faith. However, and this is a BIG however, God surprises us with an awareness that even these people will stand in judgement based on how they have treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger (read immigrant/refugee), the naked, the sick and the prisoner.
Even not knowing the God whom we claim, those on The Son of Man’s right hand have done the right thing, the just thing, the caring thing for society’s vulnerable; while those on the left have not.
Those on the right are surprised to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God. They were just doing the right thing for the vulnerable of their world, not expecting any other reward than recognizing that there were those who were in need of basic assistance.
“As you did it to ‘the least of these’ you did it to me”. They didn’t do any of these helpful things because they recognized Christ, they just did it because it was the right thing to do.
Those on the left are just as surprised because they didn’t see anything wrong with ignoring “the dregs of society”. They lived with what has been called a “bootstrap mentality”. Their belief was since they had made it “on their own” so should everyone else. Not true, but that was beside the point. Giving a hand-up was perceived as giving a hand-out. And you know the results of giving a hand-out—lazy, good for nothings, welfare queens, etc., etc.
To those the Son of Man says these words, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Since they had lacked any caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger (read: immigrant/refugee), the naked, the sick and those in prison, their reward was to be eternally removed from the presence of God, which is what Hell is.
As we close out this Church Year, we also need to ask ourselves how we have perceived and treated the vulnerable in our world? And, we might also ask ourselves how will the Son of Man see us on the day when He returns in His power and glory?
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Minnesota Seniors is a FREE resource service for seniors as well as family caregivers who have questions and need answers:
Visit the website, MinnesotaSeniors.com, and find a comprehensive Business Directory, Senior Housing Directory, Aging In Place and Health Care Directories, plus Community Events, Getaways, Book Picks, Senior News, Employment, Volunteer Opportunities and so much more. Find most everything you need and even things you don't need.
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The National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival comes to audiences FREE in a virtual, multi-media format on December 11. The Incarnation: For the Healing of the World brings music from around the globe announcing the birth of Christ with messages of peace and joy that nothing – not even a pandemic – can take away.
Friday, December 11, 2020 – 8pm (CST) @ NLCA.com
This online presentation is FREE for all. For a Virtual Subscription to exclusive content ($10/month), visit NLCA.com
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Now through December 30
FREE Meals for ALL of the
Bloomington Community
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We're now offering grab and go meals for adults in our community through Dec. 30, thanks to a grant! All adults are welcome, whether or not they have school-age children. Meals can be picked up from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday - Friday at Kennedy High School, Door 5.
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A great gift Pastor Grace shared with TLC was her “Hope for the Day” devotional. I for one found it very enlightening and healing during this Pandemic. I found myself looking forward to receiving and reading it daily. I so enjoyed the different writings penned by different TLC family members!
I have been asked by Pastor Arthur to keep a form of this devotional going. We have agreed to make it a weekly [e-mailed] publication called “Hope for the Week”. If you would be willing to share an inspired devotional(s) going forward with your TLC family, please contact me at weeyin57@aol.com. I’d love to hear from you! Blessings,
Norma R. Macdonald-Ockwig
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Hello fellow TLC members! Allow me to introduce “Pathways to Justice,” a new weekly short article e-mailed every Thursday morning. Pastor Arthur has asked me to take the lead with members from the Racial Justice and RIC teams assisting with writing. We will tackle and explore -in small chunks- ideas that may be new to some of us. In doing so, we will be allowed opportunities to ask ourselves and each other how we really actively can, as Micah 6:8 states, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” Please feel free to let me know if there are any topics that you would like addressed and please do consider contributing your own thoughts on what it means to be on a Pathway to Justice. I look forward to hearing from you!
Shelley Smith
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Strong, Nimble and Steadfast are the three words to describe GHM's vision for the footprints they want to leave after navigating through 2020 and the next chapter of Covid-19 in 2021.
Even though our volunteer team is taking a "time out' from in person volunteering, our members and Global Health are still doing ministry all over the world.
- Beautiful newborn hats and blankets are lovingly knit by our own Marilyn Erickson and Marilyn Rundberg for the newborn kits that are shipped overseas.
- GHM has provided PPE to protect health workers in 13 countries.
- GHM is meeting the challenge of Covid with teleconferencing to communicate and educate local health care workers. A big project was setting up hand washing stations in the communities.
- A hospital in Northern India received a piece of medical equipment that enables them to perform laproscopic surgery.
"Because all people should have access to a healthy life."
Mary Mahre - TLC/GHM coordinator
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The Church office is OPEN, with staff members Marilyn Erickson and Michelle Reber available Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. You need to call ahead for an appointment, wear masks, use hand sanitizer (available at the entrance to the office) and practice social distancing during your visit.
Please call: (952) 884-2364
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Committees - Ministries - Small Groups
WRITE YOUR OWN ARTICLE
FOR THE TLC WEEKLY
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Thanks to the Faith, Fact and Fiction Book Club, the K3P3 group, Stephen Ministry, Welcome Diversity Team, Global Health Ministry, Coffee and Conversation, and the Nutty Knotters (TLC Quilters) for submitting photos and stories to the TLC Weekly.
Other committees, groups and ministries, we want to hear from you! Share your stories with the TLC community.
Are you meeting?
How have you adapted your meetings to keep everyone safe?
What projects are you working on?
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Send a story and some photos to tlcmedia@tlcmn.com and we will share your news in the TLC Weekly. Be sure to provide names of people in your photos.
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Since 2012, loved ones who had their funeral or memorial service at TLC now have a place and a webpage on our TLC Memorial Garden website. Please visit these saints, honor and remember them; read their obituary, the bulletin and homily, watch the live-stream archive of their service, browse their personal photo album, and, if so inclined, leave a personal message on their page.
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Do you ever need an extra prayer for yourself, a loved one, a world situation or a dear friend? TLC has a prayer team that is waiting to pray with and for you. Your prayer needs are sent on to the Prayer Team and kept confidential – just between you, the pray-ers, and God. If you have a prayer request, or if you would like to join the prayer team, please contact Marilyn Erickson at merickson@tlcmn.com or on the TLC website here.
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Back Issues of the TLC Weekly
including this issue (Today!)
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[CLICK HERE] to visit the TLC web page where you can choose to read from the past 24 months of weekly E-newsletters from Transfiguration Lutheran Church. This is also a great way to share TLC Weekly with those that don't receive it in email. Tell them to visit tlcmn.com/tlcweekly
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ONLINE GIVING HELPS SUPPORT TLC
It’s important to know that we can depend on financial support from TLC members. Online giving is fast, secure, and reduces administrative costs, allowing more of every dollar to support the important work we are called to do. You can give anytime, anywhere to specific funds with our GivePlus Mobile app (free from the app store). You can also schedule and manage recurring donations by visiting our website and clicking on TLC ONLINE GIVING icon at the top of any page, or [Click Here] to start the process, or contact the church office. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
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Free Subscriptions, sign up to be a volunteer,
request care ministry and more!
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Subscribe a friend to this newsletter, TLC Weekly, or subscribe yourself and others to the TLC publication, Transcripts. Interested in TLC membership? Sunday school? Our renowned TLC music program, volunteering and more are choices on this easy online TLC Request Form. Just [Click Here] or the "Sign Me Up" button on the left.
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A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
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A Culture of Diversity and Inclusion |
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