MARCH | 2020
WHAT DOES "BELONGING" MEAN TO YOU??
Maybe there is nothing more important than to know where, to whom, and with whom we belong. This is why belonging will be our main theme for Lent at Vinje.
The researcher and storyteller Brené Brown distinguishes between fitting in and belonging. Fitting in entails wanting to conform and get the approval of others, even at the price of pretending and selling out. Belonging, on the contrary, means daring to stand alone and to present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world. True belonging, Brené Brown argues, is not something passive. It is a practice that requires us to brave the wilderness.
Brené Brown reminds us in her book Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone that the wilderness has a key role in the Bible. For instance, John the Baptist used to reside in the wilderness, and he started his ministry in the wilderness. People went into the wilderness to hear him and to be baptized by him, and Jesus was among those people. Jesus, in turn, was led by the Spirit in the wilderness and was tempted there by the devil before he began his public ministry. The “wilderness” in the Bible is not only a hot, dry, sandy region with little or no rain or water. The wilderness is, as Brené Brown says in her book, a metaphor that represents “everything from a vast and dangerous environment where we are forced to navigate difficult trails to a refuge of nature and beauty where we seek space for contemplation.” She adds that all wilderness metaphors have in common “the notions of solitude, vulnerability, and an emotional, spiritual, or physical quest.”
We probably associate church and worship more with a space of refuge than with a dangerous environment, but it is and should be both. If we take seriously the fact that worship puts us face to face with God and with people who are different from us, then we have to admit that it will also make us vulnerable and expose us to uneasiness and uncertainty. In our time of anger, fear, and polarization, it is uncommon to do what we do when we come to church at Vinje. We break bread, share peace, and sing with people who do not believe in the same way, and people who we occasionally would want to punch in the arm.  
During the five Sundays of Lent, we will study precisely Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone in a book study group. And during the Wednesday worship services of Lent, we will lift up our main faith practices, such as belonging proper, and some of the practices that show and strengthen belonging, like prayer, peace-passing, generosity, and service. Please come and take part. It might be a little scary at times, you might feel vulnerable, but it will also be rewarding and a lot of fun.
During the five Sundays of Lent, we will study precisely Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone in a book study group. And during the Wednesday worship services of Lent, we will lift up our main faith practices, such as belonging proper, and some of the practices that show and strengthen belonging, like prayer, peace-passing, generosity, and service. Please come and take part. It might be a little scary at times, you might feel vulnerable, but it will also be rewarding and a lot of fun.
MARCH IS FOOD SHELF MONTH
During March, we’ll be collecting monetary contributions as well as non-perishable food items for the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf. Please join us in supporting this important resource for our community. Monetary donations are appreciated as they can be used to access matching grant funds. Also, due to partnerships with food banks, your $20 donation can be used to purchase close to $200 worth of food. Checks can be written to Vinje with “Food Shelf” in the memo.
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, MAR 28 | 11AM-1PM | LAKESIDE, GLENWOOD
MONDAY, MAR 30 | 2PM | RIDGEWOOD VILLA, GLENWOOD
Myra Breden’s family would like to invite all Vinje members to celebrate the 100th birthday of long-time Vinje member, Myra Brenden at one of two celebrations! You are invited for lunch at Lakeside (180 Lakeshore Dr. N., Glenwood, MN) from 11-1 pm on Saturday, March 28tH. Or, join Myra for cake and ice cream at Ridgewood Villa Senior Living (7 4th Ave SE, Glenwood, MN) on Monday, March 30th at 2pm. Please RSVP to Kayla Brenden at 218-234-5347 or kaylabrenden16@neco.edu. If you’d like to send a birthday card, Myra’s address is:
Ridgewood Villa Senior Living
7 4th Avenue SE
Glenwood, MN 56334
WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT
SATURDAY, MAR 14 | 9 AM-1 PM | EAGLE LAKE LUTHERAN
Join us for a morning of music, poetry and reflection on God’s faithfulness. Cost is $15. Register by calling 320.220.4011.
We welcome your donations of Easter Flowers and contributions for the Food Shelf. Your contributions can be given in memory of a loved one who has passed away, in honor of someone who is living, or in thanksgiving for a person or circumstance in your life. Donations for the food shelf should be made by March 25th in order for the food shelf to receive matching funds. All other contributions should be submitted by April 1st in order to be listed in the Easter bulletin. Forms are available at the Welcome Desk or in the Church Office.
MOVIE: 3RD-5TH GRADERS
SUN, MARCH 8 | 3:30-7 PM | REDEEMER
Join Willmar Area Churches for a fun movie night! Pizza and games too! What’s the movie? Watch the bulletins for clues...guess the movie and you could win a prize! Email Melissa to sign up.
VINJE COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
February Council Highlights...
Columbarium Discussion
Welcome New Council Members & Election of New Officers
Council Installation: March 8
Update on Intern
Update on Potential Loving Arms Expansion
Want to know more? Contact a member of council.
LOVING ARMS UPDATE
Thanks for checking in! To learn more about our day to day fun, check out our Facebook page !


SUMMER CARE FOR SCHOOL AGE KIDS
Loving Arms will once again be offering a fun and age-appropriate care option for
kindergarten through fifth grade children for summer 2020! 
There will be an off site “main event” activity each afternoon {pool days, parks, field trips, and more!}
Please contact Chris (235.7271) for more information or to reserve a spot!
FREE FELLOWSHIP MEAL!
SUNDAY, MARCH 15 | 5:30 PM | VINJE
Please join us for fellowship and a delicious St. Patrick’s Day themed meal! You won’t want to miss it. Bring a friend!
WOODBURY CHORUS & ORCHESTRA
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 | 4 PM | VINJE
You are invited to a concert featuring uplifting choral and orchestral music will include a variety of pieces, ranging from “Joyful, Joyful” from the film Sister Act 2, to Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and more. 100% of the freewill donation will go to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf.
SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | 10:30 AM
Vinje will be hosting a pancake breakfast after worship to support students attending ELCA camps this summer. All proceeds will defer the costs for campers as they enjoy a faith-filled, fun experience. Please come enjoy pancakes and support our youth!
PALM SUNDAY BAKE SALE
SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | 10:30 AM
Vinje youth are hosting a bake sale! Bring goodies to donate (wrapped and ready for sale) or buy goodies to enjoy! Your free will donations support youth mission trips! Donated cookies, bars, breads, cupcakes or pies would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off before the service on Sunday, April 5th.
Weary hands in joy shall rise, Trembling knees grow steady,    
Trees long dead with leaf surprise, ev’ry eye be ready, courage shall be reinforced,
restless blood more calmly course, fear and sorrow vanish!
New year song, our hearts consume! May our gladness flower!
Then the wilderness shall bloom like a rosy bower!Birds shall sing and water flow,
Lebanon and Carmel glow, Sharon’s two-fold glory!
From Isaiah 35, translated by Edward Broadbridge

Some ways contaminants can get into our water include:
Products we use, including medicines, personal care products, lawn and Garden products and household cleaners Farming practices such as fertilizers and pesticides, large scale animal farms and irrigation and drainage systems Industrial waste disposal, past and present Water pipes and plumbing can lease lead and copper into the water, and leaks and Spills of gasoline, oil and other products
(from the MN Dept. of Health) 
Once upon a time there was a church where people gathered every Sunday morning for worship, following the service order printed in the front section of the hymnal. Every Sunday’s routine was exactly the same, with liturgy and hymns sung from the hymnal, accompanied by the organ. God was present there; the Holy Spirit inspired and people had a sense of mission.
What about today? Have you noticed the rich variety of worship experiences available at Vinje? Each week, people gather – but not just on Sunday. Sometimes they meet on Wednesday night or on Sunday morning (or both!) to worship. The service order is not always the same. New confession & forgiveness statements are used. Sometimes leaders chant a Kyrie. Sometimes drummers keep the beat going. The organ may be used, or you may hear the piano and guitars. Worship music may be drawn from the hymnal or from current Christian artists (“hot off the press”) and sometimes from sources that remind us of other times and places in our lives.
But what is the constant? God is here, among His people, rejoicing as they gather to praise and worship Him. The Holy Spirit still inspires us, and we are sent out in mission.
The moral of the story: In worship, give thanks for the gathering of God’s people and His presence among us. Everyone has a preferred worship style, and there are great variations in those preferences, but the wonderful news is that God is present. Give thanks to God for the richness of worship that we have today as His people!

Join the Vinje Easter Choir! The Vinje Choir is now rehearsing music for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Come join us for Sunday morning rehearsals at 8:15 am in the Choir Room. Bring a friend!
QUILTERS MEET THIS MONTH
The Vinje Quilters will meet this month on March 12th and 26th! 

VINJE ON THE GO!
Vinje’s service is broadcast live each Sunday on KWLM, 1340 AM. You can also watch each service live on YouTube (go to youtube.com and search Vinje Willmar). 
To view/listen to past services, click here .