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Sunday Schedule
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Worship
10am
Nursery
9:30am - 11:30am
(ages 3 and under)
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Financials
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Click here to see the April 2019 financials.
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Save the Date
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Sunday, June 2
Communion Sunday
Mission Trip Commissioning
Choir for a Day
Molded
Sunday, June 9
Pentecost Sunday
WEAR RED!!!
Sunday, June 16
Worship
Sunday, June 23
Emily's last Sunday with a Send-Off Celebration, after worship
Sunday, June 30
Worship
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Publications Deadlines
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Bulletin and weekly email: Tuesday, 10am, every week
July 2019 Here and Now: June 17, 3pm
*Leave any community notices for the hallway bulletin board in Ginger's mailbox.
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Lost and Found
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Have you lost some jewelry? Ginger has some single earrings and a couple of rings that have been turned in.
Please contact her in the church office!
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From Rev. Adam Blons
As June hits and summer vacations begin, the pews seem a little emptier at church. It makes sense. We want to get out and enjoy the gifts of summer, especially after the winter we endured. Perhaps not going to church is an opportunity to think about being the church.
I recently read about the members of a house church community. Without attending a church, their attention shifted from "going to church" to "being the church." Of course, they are still going to a house church gathering, but their comments are a good reminder of what it means to be the church even for those of us who still go to one.
"For the first time in my life as a Christian, when I think of "my church," I now think of the people in it. Not the building or the pastor."
"No matter where I am or what I'm doing, the Spirit of the Living God is alive in me and that's where 'Church' can happen."
"All my life at other churches I was always on the outside of that mysterious inner circle of leadership, but now I'm one of the many other contributing members of the Church. Suddenly my voice counts for something. My gifts are relevant. My family is truly known and loved. This is what Church is all about!"
Some people need to leave the church to find it. Others return to church because that is where they find the inspiration and support to be who God is calling them to be. Either way, being the church is about finding God in community. While you are enjoying the gifts of summer, remember to be the church wherever you are. Share your life with people you enjoy. Organize people to help those in need. Learn something new and tell someone about it. Celebrate life's milestones. You can do these things wherever you are this summer. And, that is what you will find going on at our church when you return. Have a blessed summer!
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From Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis
It was such a joy to attend the Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis this May. The week-long conference features a diversity of preachers from many backgrounds and traditions, all sharing their perspective on the craft of preaching in our complex world. Each workshop was exciting in its own way - I'd love to talk with you more about it if you're interested - but the one I'm still chewing on more than a week later is Rev. Dr. William Barber's message. Barber is the leader of the Poor People's Campaign and his sermon was about our need for a revival of moral consciousness. This is the phrase I'm still working through: our preaching - our faith - ought to cause a quarrel with the world.
We're Minnesotans, so quarreling, especially with the entire world, is not our most comfortable mode. But there's a lot to quarrel with, I don't need to tell you that. And a resistance to quarreling can lead to complacency: acceptance of what is without an imagination for what might be.
How do we open ourselves up to quarreling? How do we get our moral imaginations going? The preachers at the Festival of Homiletics shared a few ideas:
- Science fiction! Brian McLaren made a case for sci-fi to expand the "dome" of our imaginations. The utopias and dystopias of literature and film give us new frameworks for what a more just world might look like - and the pitfalls we might come up against.
- Evolution! And not just the scientific kind. Yvette Flunder reminded us that we don't seem to question new innovations in academia, technology, and music, so why should we be afraid of new innovations in our theology?
- Reclaiming our scripture. As we approach Pentecost, the birth of the church with tongues and wind and fire, William Barber proclaimed our need for a moral Pentecost. It's not sacrilege to reclaim these Bible stories for our times. Indeed, it's what these stories were intended for.
So, friends, let's get quarreling! Uncomfortable? Sure. But it might just spark our imaginations.
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From Ginger Schneider
I will start my summer office hours on June 7.
Monday - Thursday; 7am-3pm
Fridays - the office will be closed.
Another reminder that the Good News Room and the Library doors need to stay unlocked...these are meeting spaces used by church and outside groups.
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Face to Face Sermon Series
When Jacob wrestles with God in the Jabbok River, the writer tells us he meets God "face to face." We often think of sacred moments as peaceful or quiet, but that's not always true, and it certainly wasn't true for Jacob. Meeting God face to face is hard and messy and conflicted, but it leaves us transformed.
Throughout the summer, we will hear sermons from congregation members who have met God face to face and experienced transformation. Grappling with illness, finding meaning in a life of service, encountering the brokenness of the world and deciding to do something about it - the challenges of life hold within them such tenderness and such possibility. The Weekly Forecast will let you know who the next several preachers will be. In June we look forward to hearing from: Juan Parker (June 2), Participants in Opportunity St. Paul (June 16), and John Slettom (June 23).
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A Celebration for Emily!
 By now you have perhaps heard the news that our accompanist/organist Emily Rudquist has been accepted into the Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy program at the University of Oklahoma.
Preparations have begun for a celebration to honor Emily's work at MPUC and the next exciting chapter in her musical career. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 23. There will be special music during the 10am service and a reception following.
Come congratulate Emily and wish her great joy for this new adventure. Monetary donations are now being accepted for Emily's scholarship gift. If you would like to contribute, make checks payable to MPUC and write "Emily's Scholarship" in the memo line and drop off your donation in the offering plate or the church office. We have the option for "Staff Gift" for anyone wishing to use text/online giving. Looking forward to seeing you at the celebration!
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Worship Highlights in June
June 2 Mission Trip Commissioning
In worship on Sunday, June 2, we will be commissioning the senior high mission trip participants before they head to Houston from June 9-15. Please come to bless them in their hurricane relief work!
June 9 Pentecost--Wear Red!
June 23 Emily Rudquist's Last Sunday
June 30 ARK Peace Builders Lead Worship
We look forward to welcoming young adults attending ARK's Peace Building Summit to lead worship on Sunday, June 30. ARK (Architects - Relationships - Knowledge) seeks to connect young adults from diverse backgrounds around the UN's Millennium Development Goals.
Coming from Armenia, Guatemala, Iran, Lithuania, Malawi, Palestine, Pakistan, and the US, this group of Peace Builders will meet at Macalester College's Institute for Global Citizenship for their summit and will share their musical and liturgical gifts with us in worship. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. Cornell Edmonds, Interim Pastor at Church of the Covenant (PCUSA) in New York City. For more information,
visit
arkforpeace.org.
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Sunday, June 2, 2019
Join our Chancel Choir on Sunday, June 2 for Choir for a Day. See what it's like to rehearse and sing with the choir. Fun and familiar music. No Wednesday rehearsal. Musicians of all experience levels are welcome.
All those interested should come to the sanctuary for an 8:45am rehearsal before the service. We would love to have you participate! Please come and invite friends and family members. It's a fun and engaging way to experience worship at MPUC. Questions? Contact Brad at music@macalester-plymouth.org.
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Pew Cushions are available.
Yes, the pews are hard, but the deacons have a solution! We have a few chair cushions available in the Narthex for those who would like a cozier, more comfortable worship experience. Please try them out and let us know what you think; two versions are available to sample. We will stock more cushions if people like them! You can give feedback to any deacon, or email Anne Elstrom Park at aelstrompark@yahoo.com, or call Janet Humphrey at 651-695-9584.
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Molded
Molded is inspired by Humans of Minneapolis,
a storytelling project by local artist, Stephanie Glaros. Molded explores the life journeys of 18 Macalester Plymouth congregation members who shared
the ways in which their life experiences
have helped "mold" them into who they are today. Come to the Social Hall to read their stories
June 2 through June 23.
by Maria Soroka, YASC Intern
Over the last few months, I had the great honor of listening to the life stories of fellow congregation
members. As I reflect on the time spent interviewing for Molded, I can't help but think about the privilege it
is to simply be present and listen to another person's journey. How often do you get the chance to sit
one-to-one with someone and catch a glimpse of what brought them to where they are today? The time I
spent engaged in all of these winding life journeys has showed me what the incredibly beautiful and
complex concept of "being molded" really means.
Interview after interview, people who barely knew me placed into my hands the precious gifts of honesty
and vulnerability. I experienced the pain of stories told with a heavy heart, and I beheld with wonder the
stories shared with a nostalgic smile. I listened to stories that testified to a present God, and I listened to
stories that questioned whether God was even real. I watched as themes across stories unfolded before
me and how shared events like the Vietnam War, or a distant parent, could shape individuals in radically
different, though just as powerful, ways.
The ways in which our lives have shaped us looks different for everyone. Though some of my personal
experiences and opinions differed from the stories I heard, I was humbled at the thought of perhaps
observing these stories not through my own judgmental lens that may unfortunately come too naturally
at times, but rather through God's lens: a lens with overflowing acceptance of where one is at any point in
life, a lens of unwavering support no matter the circumstance, and a lens of radical love where one is
loved not for what they do, but just for who they are. It was through looking at these stories through this
lens that left me in awe of just how much God loves us to come alongside us in each of our stories and
meet us in ways only we can discover ourselves.
My hope is that as you read excerpts from each story, you may enjoy the adventure of connecting pieces
of it to "being molded," and I encourage you to try on this new lens not only when reading these particular
stories, but when reflecting upon your own, as well.
My sincerest thanks to all who met with me and led me into the histories of their lives. Your enthusiasm,
openness and thoughtfulness has truly molded me in ways I will never forget.
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Staff Changes
We welcome to the staff Tanner Chambers who will be the church's new Communication Specialist. Tanner has experience in graphic design, marketing, and web development. He most recently was a Communication Specialist for the Lakeville Area Schools. When he is not working at MPUC, he is working in Communications in the University of Minnesota's office of residence life. We are excited to add his gifts and skills to a great staff.
With this hire, the office staff responsibilities are being reconfigured. We have let go of our outside bookkeeper, Mary Johnson, shifting the accounting work to Ginger. Producing the church's communication pieces (bulletin, weekly email, Here and Now, website and social media) is shifting from Ginger to Tanner.
Ginger
is excited about these changes. She
has done some church accounting before and recently took a class in Quick Books to get up to speed. These changes will be taking place throughout the month of June. Please have patience as new routines are established and everyone gets up to speed. Here is what you need to know about whom to contact to get things done.
Need to reserve a room?
Ginger
Need to publicize an event?
Tanner
Need a check cut or reimbursement? Ginger
Put something in the Weekly Email?
Tanner
Need to know a committee's budget? Ginger
Not getting the Here and Now? Tanner
Contact Info:
Call the church at 651-698-8871 or email:
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Congregational Survey
It has been more than 5 years since the church conducted a church-wide survey. As the Elders on Session lead us towards a congregation-wide focus on church growth, it seemed important to get a snapshot of congregational life and a way to track our progress. Church growth is more than just increasing membership. We want to try to measure spiritual growth, a sense of connection, and the impact of the church on our lives. This survey attempts to do that. We need everyone to participate to get an accurate picture.
Please click on this
link to begin the survey. Note: We recommend doing the survey on a computer or tablet rather than a mobile device. All responses are anonymous.
The deadline for completing the survey is June 16, 2019.
After completing the survey, you will be automatically taken to a separate, very brief skills survey created by our operations committee. Your name is required on this one, but not linked in any way to the online survey. Operations will use this information to invite your help with projects around the church.
Finally, if you would rather complete a paper version of the survey, they will be available to pick up and return to the church office.
Thank you for your help,
The Teaching Elders of Session
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No Summer Farmer's Market
We reached out and invited Ly Lee to return with her family to sell vegetables at their farmer's market table this summer.
However, Ly wrote back saying, "Unfortunately I will be unable to provide produce this year for the church. My grandsons are both going to college and my kids are not able to help out." We have expressed our gratitude to Ly for her family's amazing service to our church and for keeping us well fed these past few years.
If you have any ideas or leads on someone who might be interested in running a similar market next year, please let someone on MSJ know. Molly Redmond and Janeen McAllister are co-chairs, or you can put a note in the MSJ mailbox in the office.
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Summer Social Hall Improvements
 This summer, the last of the Brick by Brick Capital Campaign projects will be completed: painting and re-carpeting the social hall. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the congregation, we accomplished all of our campaign goals with just enough money left to do this one remaining priority. The social hall is one of our most well used and important spaces. It is often the first room people see and an important gathering space for many groups. The painting will happen first and we are doing it ourselves. The painting will happen July 7 through July 14. Volunteers are needed. Details to follow.
The carpet installation will begin on July 15. The carpet being installed is commercial grade, highly durable and cleanable. It also aligns with our commitments to environmental justice:
- 100% recyclable and is made from some post consumer recycled material
- Certified Green Label Plus: Products with this certification meet the requirements of California's 01350 and are among the lowest VOC emitting in the market.
- NSF 140 Certified Gold by the National Center for Sustainability Standards for meeting a range of sustainability benchmarks.
Once completed, the social hall will be ready to host the next 20 years of potlucks, celebrations and community events.
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Church Movie Nights
Summer nights are for R&R with friends and family. You're invited to three church movie nights! Titles and details to come, but save the dates:
June 26, 7pm
July 24, 6pm
August 22, 7pm
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Nursery Care
Nursery care will be offered this summer for children age 3 and younger each Sunday from 9:30am - 11:30am except July 7.
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Come to Synod School
at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA July 21-26, 2019
The Synod School theme for this year is "Cultivating Civil Community."
Synod School is a week-long summer learning, play, worship and fun opportunity for all ages,
infant-2, preschoolers, elementary age, middle school, high school and adult.
Families stay in dorms that have air-conditioning and great meals.
There is something for everyone at Synod School.
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 Summer Camp at Clearwater Forest
Progams for all ages, including Family Camp, overnight camp for grades 2-senior high, Grands Camp for grandparents and grandchildren, opportunities for adults, all in a beautiful setting not too far from home. Check out their
website
!
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Ramadan ends June 4.
Taking Heart Ramadan Iftars
Get to know your Muslim neighbors at a Taking Heart Ramadan Iftar near you. This year we have announced sites throughout the Twin Cities and in Mankato, with locations in Duluth and Faribault coming soon. Register for one of these events to observe evening Islamic prayer, enjoy a breaking-the-fast meal, and join in fellowship with your neighbors.
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The dates for our Habitat for Humanity project have been set for this year, June 3-7 and June 10-14, 2019
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We work as a part of Interfaith Builders, the 10-congregation consortium (Immanuel Lutheran · Gloria Dei Lutheran · Holy Spirit Catholic · Macalester Plymouth United · Mount Zion Temple · Olivet Congregational · St. Anthony Park Lutheran · St. Paul's UCC · St. Thomas More Catholic · Temple of Aaron) that has been working joyfully together for many years.
The house construction we will be working on is located at 1025 Seminary Avenue in St. Paul, just south of Pierce Butler Road and east of Lexington. Macalester Plymouth has historically provided major volunteer time to this annual project. I hope we can equal or exceed our previous involvement! Please remember that prior experience or skills are not necessary to volunteer. There will be a variety of tasks and ample guidance in how to complete them.
Click here
to sign up!
Jack Schaffer
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A Mixed Review
We are happy to announce another successful Loaves and Fishes experience on May 19 for Macalester Plymouth United Church volunteers.
Shoppers Louise Cameron, Lydia Crawford, Margo Dickinson, Tim Donovan, Todd Driscoll, Heather Finden, Krys Fischer, Emily Gurnon, Penny Heubach, Connie Lindberg, Jim Lundy, Pam Nelson, Gail Roberts, and James Stanway were top notch at providing dinner ingredients.
Cold Prep was excellent: Pam and June Nelson chopped vegetables in advance off-site and Anne Simpson, Todd Driscoll and Connie Lindberg handled remaining cold prep activities on site turning in great performances.
Concurrently, a trio of real experts managed Hot Prep: Leading lady Marn Frank, along with co-stars Joe Frank and son Aaron, created a hot dish and veggies to write home about.
And the Servers: Well, top honors are in order for: Scott Spencer, Sue Snyder, Anne Simpson, Connie Lindberg, Jeff Hall, Todd Driscoll, John Driggs, Bonnie Driggs, Dan Craig, and Louise Cameron.
These folks turned in performances resulting in food for 250 people. But the reviewers came in - all 258 of them - a record crowd (not the usual 180-190). They had something to say, and the food was stretched so all had an opportunity to eat. But final reviews were mixed - when are we going to pull the curtain on the hunger show?
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Women's and Men's Breakfasts
Each month there are breakfasts that you can be a part of! On the first Saturday the women gather at 8:30am, and on the third Saturday the men gather at 8am. Each group meets in the Social Hall.
If you would like to be a part of either of these breakfast opportunities, please notify the church office at (651) 698-8871 or by
email to get your name on our email list.
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Craft Afternoon
Looking to connect with fellow crafters? Need some accountability on a big craft project you've been working on? Just want to have some relaxing fun on a Saturday afternoon? Usually every third Saturday of the month, beginning at 11am, Craft Afternoon meets in the Social Hall. Bring your supplies and a snack to share. For more information, contact Penny Heubach at
penny409@gmail.com.
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Finance Committee Updates
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Have you heard about "per capita" or "OCWM" (Our Church's Wider Mission)?
  These are the support programs for our Presbyterian and UCC denominations respectively. Each year, our church contributes to both providing basic support for the ongoing mission and ministries of our denominations. We contribute a certain amount based partly on the number of members we have, so we often use the term "per capita" to refer to our overall denominational support. Each year, we ask congregation members for contributions to help offset this denominational support. Our budgeted goal is to raise $4,000 in 2019 toward the overall required amount of $10,872.
Similar to last year, we thought we should have some fun with this! The Finance and Stewardship Committee is once again planning an after church event on Sunday, August 4 to raise awareness of the need for each of us to contribute our slice of the pie to our denominations ($26 per member). In fact, we're inviting everyone to bring a pie to church as well as your per capita financial contribution to the cause. You can be creative! Pizza pies, quiches, and other round treats are welcome.
 And, last but not least, contributors will have the chance to dunk Adam, our Lead Minister in a dunk tank! But that's not all! This year Corinne is planning on being dunked also! So, mark your calendars for August 4 and don't miss this fun and important event.
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 Online Giving
Do you appreciate the convenience of online bill paying? Do you like to put your regular obligations on auto pay?
The Finance and Stewardship Committee has been working to make giving easier with the introduction of online giving. You can set up a schedule for regular giving by automatic payment or a one-time contribution by visiting our
website. You can also give to some of our special offerings and programs such as the Food Shelf or the Youth Mission Trips on this site. The special giving options will change throughout the year.
Online giving provides an easily accessible electronic record of your donations for you and ultimately reduces the volume of counting and depositing of cash and checks that must be done after each Sunday service by church volunteers. Reduced use of paper is also better for our environment.
NEW! Online Giving Cards are now available in the pews. Whenever you contribute online or at another time besides Sunday, you may put one of these reusable cards in the offering plate. It is another way to show your faithfulness and to ask God's blessing on your gift. We encourage everyone to try online giving!
Dwight Johnson
for the Finance and Stewardship Committee
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Transition of Named Funds to Matching Designated Fund or Endowment Distribution Category
One of the ways to give to the church is to endow a particular named fund, and have that fund slowly pay out according to church purposes specified by the fund.
However, over time, the principal in these funds is slowly reduced to the point where use and management of these funds become administratively impractical. At that point, it makes sense to transition the resources in these funds from their own separate account into other designated fund or general endowment fund accounts, matched to the purposes of the original named fund.
For the following funds, we plan to transition their funds, by adding them to the best possible match with either a designated fund account, or the best possible match with the current MPUC endowment distribution categories. These funds are the Elizabeth and James Keith Memorial Endowment Fund; Bernadine Brown Memorial Endowment Fund; Elizabeth Edison Memorial Endowment Fund; Janett and Eugene Grafstrom Endowment Fund; Alfred Heckman Memorial Fund; Floyd Wright Memorial Fund; Schaller Memorial Fund; Mildred and Ted Rudberg Fund; Harvey Rice Memorial Fund; Robert Behler Memorial Fund; and the Restricted Fund of Maude and Harry Brashares, Frank T. Lund, Gertrude Neimeyer, Edna Tyler, and Bernice Rockney (donors to the former Merriam Lexington Presbyterian Church).
Finance Committee and the Session have expressed their ongoing appreciation and gratitude for these endowment funds and the assistance they have provided for all of us. Later this year, we plan to offer some educational ideas for people who might want to consider planned giving for future generations in our church.
Please contact the Treasurer, Dale Thompson (651-698-3472, DBT108@yahoo.com) if you have any questions or concerns about this.
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Tom & Monica Liddle - East Timor
Check out the Liddles'
blog!
You are welcome to connect with
Monica
and
Tom
via Facebook--feel free to send them a friend request!
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Rochelle & Tyler Holm - Malawi
Read the Holms' most recent
update for our church.
You can also check out the Holms' blog or email
Rochelle or Tyler.
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Do you know a senior who could use some help?
For thirty-five years, the nonprofit Help At Your Door has helped older adults in the seven-county Twin Cities area maintain their independence and continue living in their homes by providing essential services. Ordering and bringing groceries, basic home help (chores and light repairs), and even rides to and from appointments or social events are some of the resources that are available.
Are you looking for ways to give back to your community?
Help At Your Door offers a variety of both paid and volunteer opportunities, flexible scheduling, social interaction with a welcoming community, and most of all, hands on activities.
If you are interested in requesting a service or learning more, visit our website. | 651-642-1892.
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