Rev. Adam Blons
Do Denominations Still Matter?
I just finished a month of attending a Presbytery of the Twin Cities meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. All three were spirited gatherings focused on worship, renewal and the prophetic witness of the church in these difficult times. Underneath the outward enthusiasm are the realities of shrinking church and denominational affiliation.
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The real question for both denominations is the same: Do denominations still matter?
Connecting with the wider church in these ways always lifts me up. I experience the Holy Spirit in these gatherings. I am reminded that we are not alone in our questions and struggles and that there are more resources and opportunities when we work together. There is much to learn from one another. And, our witness on matters of social justice are so much stronger when we join our voices together. Below are some videos that might help you feel a sense of this connection and perhaps your own answer to the question, Do denominations still matter.
Let me know what you think!
Adam
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Presbyterian Church (USA)
The PCUSA has launched a new initiative to plant 1001 new Presbyterian Churches over the next 10 years. This comes out of the recognition that the church is changing and won't look like it always has.
Visit this page
and check out the stories of a few of them, like the worshiping community that sprang up in a coffee shop employing people affected by disabilities.
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United Church of Christ
Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the UCC, was the keynote speaker at the MN UCC Annual Meeting. He answers the question, "Why the UCC?" Why does the UCC matter today, when mainline denominations are in decline?
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Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis
Every two years, the United Church of Christ meets in a configuration called General Synod, where representatives of the church from across the country and world come together to worship, serve, and pass resolutions on behalf of all of us. Though I’ve identified with the UCC for over 20 years, this June was my very first General Synod! The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) requires and funds our attendance as part of the program, so in addition to the January core training events in Arizona that I’ve shared about previously, I had the opportunity to witness the ways one of our two denominations functions on a national level as 3,000 of us met in Milwaukee, WI.
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Personally, the week was one of integration and connection. Members of the church in which I grew up were present in force, as were folks from the congregation I served in Des Moines, IA before coming to Mac Plymouth. I reconnected with my seminary internship supervisor and many friends from that chapter of my life. The Minnesota Conference brought a large delegation including many youth (and Adam was there for part of the week!). As always, being with my NGLI cohort was energizing. And Phoebe came along with my sister Amanda serving as babysitter-in-chief. How often does a person have the chance to be in one place with so many significant mentors, colleagues, and friends? What a gift.
But you are probably more interested in what this gathering means for our congregation. The way UCC polity functions, the General Synod speaks to us, not for us. Resolutions passed at this gathering do not bind us to any particular action, but encourage our prayerful discernment around a variety of issues. This General Synod passed resolutions supporting the abolition of private prisons, the discontinuation of Styrofoam use, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, the use of non-binary gender language in our denominational bylaws, and the human rights and dignity of immigrants and asylum-seekers.
This General Synod passed resolutions deploring religious bigotry, racism and white supremacy, sexual violence and its stigma, and nuclear war. Alongside activists and people of faith from Milwaukee, we marched to the ICE office in the city, 1000 strong, to call for an end to the dehumanizing policies and practices of our immigration system. We heard compelling stories from pastors starting new churches and doing innovative ministries within existing congregations, all to shepherd the church into the future with strength and hope. In short, the UCC as a national body cares about much of what we care about as a local congregation, and we can look to these resolutions for encouragement and resources in our work together.
Every two years, delegates are selected from congregations across the country to be part of this resolution process. I would encourage you - yes, you! - to consider serving in this way. In a world full of much chaos, the positivity and hope springing forth from this gathering was a wellspring of joy for me. Want to know more? We’ll be posting detailed information about the General Synod resolutions to our website and Facebook page.
Corinne Freedman Ellis
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From Ginger Schneider
The Communications job shift with Tanner has been a challenge for me – I miss the process of bulletins, emails and newsletters, which was part of my day for over 20 years in the three churches where I worked. Now I have to create a new routine with the accounting tasks.
One fun part of my job is the facility calendar and sometimes it is like a puzzle to make all the meetings/gatherings fit!
Please remember to call or email me if you need a meeting space. I will work my magic! Boy, do I love a challenge.
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My student residents, Cassie and Mike, are staying on for another year. They have been a great team to work with and I look forward to continue to work with them.
During each summer, I take advantage of the lower church/outside activity to schedule the annual carpet cleaning and later this summer the floor maintenance for the tile floors will be done.
The carpets in the Conference Room, nursery rooms, and preschool have been cleaned late June. The church office suite and lower level will be scheduled next. The Plymouth Room will be the last.
The renovation of the social hall begins July 7 with painting! The new carpet will be installed the week of July 15. Please be aware that we will be moving tables and chairs out for this process. We plan to temporarily store these items in the preschool rooms so they will still be accessible.
Another reminder… the two wood fire doors at the west end of the social hall need to be closed when you are done in the space. It helps contain the AC and we are not wasting energy by cooling the long west hallway, as well as complying with the fire code.
Ginger Schneider
Office Administrator
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Sunday Schedule
Worship
Sundays at 10 a.m.
Nursery
(ages three and under)
9:30-11:30 a.m.
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Financials
Click here
to read the financial report for May 2019.
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Looking Ahead
July 4-5
Office Closed
Sunday, July 7
Communion Sunday
July 7-14
Social Hall Painting
July 10-13
Junior High Justice Camp
Sunday, July 14
Worship
July 15-19
Social Hall Carpeting
Sunday, July 21
Worship
Sunday, July 28
Worship
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Publication Deadlines
Bulletin,
Forecast
Weekly Email
Every Tuesday, 10 a.m.
Here and Now
Monday, July 15, 3 p.m.
Submit your content for publications to
Tanner
.
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Please deliver notices for the hallway bulletin board to Ginger's mailbox.
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Lost and Found
Have you lost some jewelry? Ginger has some single earrings and a couple of rings that have been turned in. Please
contact Ginger
in the church office!
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Worship Highlights
Sunda
ys This Summer:
Face to Face
Sermon Series
July 7 - Morgan Ward
Morgan is a recent graduate of the Highland Park High School, heading to St. Olaf College in the fall. He will share about his experience of God's expansive, gender-inclusive love.
July 14 -
Serving with Loaves & Fishes:
Adair Anderson, Randy Nelson, and John and Bonnie Driggs
Members of our congregation volunteer at Loaves and Fishes each month, preparing and serving meals to folks at the Dorothy Day Center, but we don't often hear how this ministry transforms those who volunteer. Our preachers will share stories about their experiences.
July 21
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TBA
July 28
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Sigi Leonhard
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Justice Camp
July 10-13
The junior highers of Mac Plymouth have designed their own Justice Camp around the issue of hunger. From July 10-13, they will be learning about food justice here in Minnesota as well as nationally and globally, and they will volunteer with organizations here in the Twin Cities that fight hunger in hands-on and systemic ways. On August 4, they will join the high schoolers in sharing their experiences in worship. Please pray for the learning, serving, and connecting these young people are setting out to do!
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ISAIAH One-on-One Training
Wednesday, July 31
6:30 p.m. in the Social Hall
As we reflect upon the recently completed session of the MN State Legislature and work with ISAIAH on new goals and strategies for completing unfinished business (driver’s licenses for immigrants, paid family leave, health care for all, and 100% clean energy, to name a few) AND gearing up for the 2020 elections, the MPUC ISAIAH Core Team invites your help. It is time to connect and listen.
We would like to invite you to help us with a listening campaign.
On July 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Hall a leader of ISAIAH St. Paul will conduct a training for our team in the practice of doing “one-on-one” conversations. “One-on-ones” are a listening process that enables people to talk about the things they care about and surface their hopes and dreams for multi-racial democracy and a caring economy in Minnesota.
The MPUC ISAIAH Core Team needs your help to implement this process for empowering civic engagement. If we each talk to a handful of people, then we can widen our reach and deepen our discernment. Thank you for your continued support as we explore the spiritual practice of civic engagement together.
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Liturgist Training
Every Sunday following a prelude and introit, the first spoken words in worship come from a member of the congregation, our liturgist.
If you have ever thought of serving as a liturgist or if you have led for many years, you are invited to participate in an orientation to this ministry. Background to these elements in our worship, tips for speaking understandably and clearly with our sound system, and suggestions for engaging with the congregation will be offered by Corinne and Adam.
All are invited to explore with no obligation to commit to this ministry. Please contact Corinne or Adam with questions.
No need to RSVP.
Sessions
- Sunday, July 14 - 11:15 a.m.
- Sunday, August 25 - 11:15 a.m.
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Pew Cushions 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!
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SignUpGenius
Just a reminder that everyone - yes, you! - is invited to use
SignUp Genius
to volunteer to make our worship happen.
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During the summer, when schedules are less predictable, be sure to use the SignUp Genius tool to note when you will be unavailable and find a substitute if necessary.
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Staff Updates
We welcome Tanner Chambers as the church's new communication specialist, bringing experience in graphic design, marketing, and web development. We are excited to add his gifts and skills to a great staff.
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Accounting
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.
Communications
Production of the church's communication pieces, including the bulletin,
Forecast
weekly email,
Here and Now
, website, and social media, is shifting from Ginger to Tanner.
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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.
Contact Info:
Call the church at (651) 698-8871 or email:
Who should I contact?
- Need to reserve a room? - Ginger
- Need to publicize an event? - Tanner
- Need a check cut or reimbursement? - Ginger
- Put something in the Forecast weekly email? - Tanner
- Need to know a committee's budget? - Ginger
- Not getting the Here and Now? - Tanner
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Welcome Ken Latham, Interim Organist
Join us in welcoming our interim organist.
Ken will be with us through the beginning of September while the search committee works to hire a permanent accompanist. Please feel free to introduce yourself and say hello to Ken.
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“I am Ken Latham, your interim organist for the summer. I retired in 2009 after teaching chemistry for thirty-five years in the Minnesota Community College system.
Besides a career in science, I have also been involved in music activities for many years, including thirty years as organist at Arlington Hills Presbyterian, until it closed in 2013.
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I keep busy in my retirement volunteering with science organizations, participating in music groups, enjoying taking adult education classes, and traveling. I have been in thirty-five countries, with more on my wish list. I look forward to meeting and talking with MPUC members this summer.”
Ken Latham
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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.
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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.
Painting
The painting will happen first, and we are doing it ourselves, July 7 through July 14. Volunteers are needed. All are welcome, and we need varying abilities, including experienced painters who can "cut in." We will be moving furniture, patching walls, filling holes, taping, removing outlet covers, painting walls, painting the ceiling, cleaning up, and installing corner guards. Get in touch with
Mark Dickinson
if you want to join the crew for an hour, a day, or the full week, July 8-13.
Carpeting
The carpet installation will begin on July 15. The carpet being installed is commercial grade, highly durable and cleanable.
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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 - don’t miss out on our two remaining church movie nights!
Save the Dates:
- Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. (kid-friendly) - WALL-E
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WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he’s more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE, a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy.
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- Wednesday, August 21, 7 p.m. - TBA
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Nursery Care
Nursery care will be offered for children age 3 and younger from 9:30-11:30 a.m. each Sunday this summer with the exception of July 7.
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Summer Chair Yoga
Roberta Olson will lead a one hour chair yoga class on the second Tuesdays of the month this summer. Using intentional, slower movement, we explore seated and standing poses to improve flexibility, balance and strength, emphasizing safety in movement. People of all abilities are welcome!
Tuesday, July 9, and Tuesday, August 13
12:30 p.m. in the Plymouth Room
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Loaves & Fishes
Next Serving Date: Sunday, July 21
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"It was very hot outside, and it was really busy inside, but with the help of many friends and members of Macalester Plymouth, 281 people had a chance to sit down for a few minutes in the cool dining hall for an evening meal last Sunday."
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From a thank-you to Loaves & Fishes volunteers, July 2006
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Join us this month to continue this important service!
The hungry are still waiting, and we need your help again to assist with shopping, cooking, and serving.
Shopping
- Choose from the grocery list and bring the item by the morning of Sunday, July 21.
Food Prep
- Hot Prep - Cook pasta and vegetables at Chester Street Kitchen near Plato Avenue.
- Cold Prep - Prepare fruit and sandwiches at Mary Hall near Xcel Energy Center.
Serving
If you have a couple of hours and are at least 16 years old, you're right for the job. Sign up details coming soon!
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Prep
Chester Street Kitchen, 341 Chester Street, Saint Paul
Serving
Mary Hall, 438 North Main Street, Saint Paul
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Men's Breakfast
Men's Breakfast
July 20, 8 a.m.
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Craft Afternoon
July 20, 12 p.m.
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 11 a.m., Craft Afternoon meets in the Social Hall. Bring your supplies and a snack to share. For more information, contact
Penny Heubach
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Finance Committee Updates
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Dunk Tank and Pie Sunday
August 4
Have you heard about "per capita" or OCWM [Our Church's Wider Mission]?
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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.
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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! 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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Tom and Monica Liddle
East Timor
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Rochelle and Tyler Holm
Malawi
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Macalester Plymouth
United Church
1658 Lincoln Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
Phone
651-698-8871
Email
Web
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Summer
Church Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday
Closed
Social Media
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