CATCHING ON TO THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
I have warm sunny memories from my childhood of fishing with my Grandpa Darold. He had an unimpressive, worn, faded red Lund boat with a trolling motor which would putt-putt-putt us across Lake Darling. I remember his patience as he taught me about baiting a hook. I remember watching with eager anticipation the little floating bobber dance on the waters’ surface. I remember my pride in the first catch, holding it up for a picture on the end of my orange Snoopy fishing pole. And then squeamishness I felt having to get the flopping, slimy fish off the hook. I’m pretty sure I squealed. The fish, just as surprised as I was, jumped off the hook before teaching me about the smoothness of its sides, and the spiky slap of its fins. It landed with a little plop back into Lake Darling.
For years, I would fish with my grandpa in that old Lund boat. When I got a little older, I got cooler, or so I thought. I outgrew my orange Snoopy fishing pole. But I would still join my grandpa in the putt-puttering of the boat. Sitting on the hot, aluminum bottom of the boat, picking cobwebs off my knees, I would read (ironically) “How to Eat Fried Worms” while grandpa silently cast his line into the cool waters. His patience and quiet presence were one of the many ways I knew my grandpa loved me. When I think of him, I think of fishing on sunny days on Lake Darling.
Now, I know the recreational fishing my Grandpa Darold and I did was nothing like the fishing Peter and Andrew were doing for their livelihood. Lake Darling is a far cry from the Sea of Galilee. I do love this story from Matthew 4:18-20: “As [Jesus] walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people. Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew away from their fish and gives them a new focus: people. It’s not just that Jesus called them to a new occupation, though that also happens, he calls them away from making a living and into making a life. With an invitation to participate in the work Jesus is up to—that is, redeeming the world through “catching” unto the power of God’s love. The brothers will now share Jesus’ work. Not fishing for a living, but loving people for the sake of living. New life was beginning for the brothers, a brand-new adventure was starting for them as they began to follow Jesus into love for this world.
I can’t think of fishing without thinking about love. About how my grandfather, in his quiet, patient way loved me through sunny summer days spent together on the Lund boat. It wasn’t really about the fish. It was about love. And resting. And being together. So whether you are fishing this week with a reel and rod; or if you are “fishing” with love for those you are with, may it be a blessing and a balm to your soul today. May you catch the wideness, the wildness, and the relentless love God has for you. And, here’s hoping that you share it, following the example of Simon, Andrew, and my Grandpa Darold.
Pastor Erika
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VINJE COLUMBARIUM COMING!
The columbarium project will break ground this summer! Click here to view the brochure and other related information! Call the church office to have a member of the Columbarium Committee reach out to you if you have questions. Thanks.
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SAVE THESE DATES FOR SUMMER FUN!
SUN, JULY 23 @ 5:05 PM | STINGER’S GAME OUTING
Join us for a fun night of baseball! Tickets are $20 each and include a meal voucher for a burger, brat, or hotdog, chips and a soda along and seating in a private suite along the first base line. To purchase your tickets, please call or email the church office.
WED, AUGUST 16 @ 6 PM | BEER & HYMNS
More details coming soon!
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SUNDAY MORNING HELP NEEDED!
We are in need of ushers and communion servers! We truly cannot run worship services without volunteers...and although the pastors are willing to recruit from the pews on Sunday mornings, it’s much easier for all of us involved to know in advance that you’ll help!
We are also in need of new members of our “tech team.” These are the individuals who run the slides and camera for the live stream. No experience or special talents required...training will be provided!
As they say, “many hands make light work,” so the more of you that can help, the less often we’ll need you! If you’re willing to help us out with any of these important tasks, we’d greatly appreciate it! Please email [email protected] or call the church office.
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FAMILY PROMISE OPEN HOUSE
TUESDAY, JULY 11 | 11 AM-1 PM, 4 PM-6 PM
Vinje members have been working with Family Promise to prepare their new shelter located at 545 Pacific Ave SW, Willmar! The new Family Promise shelter will provide temporary housing for families as they are working to get back on their feet. The Family Promise staff and volunteers are very excited about this new space and all the families that it will soon help! Please come and see it for yourself during their open house!
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VINJE QUILTERS ON SUMMER BREAK
Vinje Quilters will meet in the fall!
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WE’RE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR TOYS & GAMES
We are always on the lookout for “new to us” toys and games for our centers! If you happen to have any cars or trucks, dolls and accessories, dinosaurs, magna-tiles, games, balls/outdoor toys or other items that you’re no longer using, we’d be thrilled if you’d consider donating them to us! Donations can be dropped off in the church office. Thanks!
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The proposed copper mine in northern Minnesota is a potentially grave threat to a beautiful environment. A recent study by Macalester College and a Minnesota electronic-recycling company has found that if Minnesota would increase its recycling of e-waste, it would have the potential to generate:
- 1730 direct jobs (Which could replace lost mining jobs in northern Minnesota)
- 78 million pounds per year of valuable metals (And keep them out of our ground water) Enough copper annually for 155,000 electric vehicles Enough silver annually for 441,000 solar panels
- $2.8 billion in annual revenue
Maybe we don’t have to dig these metals out of the ground; maybe they’re available from a more environmentally-sensible source.
It’s something to think about.
Need to get rid of old cell phones, computers or other electronics? Recycle them at SW Recycling (3701 Old Highway 12 W, Willmar). They will recycle cell phones, laptops and computer towers for free! Call 320.235.9323 for more information.
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EXPLORING VINJE'S HISTORY
The last time Pastor Andrés visited with Marvella Isaacson, she told him so many things about her involvement with Vinje that he decided to bring a notebook on his following visit to take some notes and feature her memories of Vinje in this column about Vinje’s history. Unfortunately, that following visit never happened because Marvella died on May 13th, just before his planned visit. In honor of her life, Pastor Andrés decided to ask Phyllis Coleman to share some memories about Marvella. After hearing what Phyllis had to say, he decided to share her words with you about Marvella and how she faithfully served God at Vinje and in her life. We hope that as you read Phyllis’s remembrances of Marvella, it will bring up memories of your loved ones who have died and what they meant to you. We also hope that Marvella’s servant heart is a reminder of how God calls us all to be good and faithful servants in our own lives.
Learning of the death of Marvella Isaacson, memories of that sweet lady filled my mind. Having met her years ago, she had a servant’s heart, and was willing to say “yes,” or to join in whatever was asked to make life easier for others.
She had sewing skills, so I asked her if she would hem baptismal blankets which Vinje gave to young families who were having their child baptized. She of course said, “Yes!” I purchased a bolt of flannel, cut it into the appropriate size, and then proceeded to bring the flannel pieces to her home. Not too long after, I received a call. “Come and get them,” she told me.
Marvella offered her time with quilting, as well. Marvella grew up in the era when re-using or repurposing was common. She made homemade soap out of used oil, which we often received from school kitchens where we worked.
On occasions, I would visit Marvella and Calvin in their homes. They completed each other. He was a fisherman and loved sharing stories about the catch. She cared for him in the most challenging time of life, old age, and she did it with honor. Moving to Bethesda, she had yet another address to call home. Having visited her there and having enjoyed worship with her along with two other Vinje members, Carol Baker and Joan Nelson, at the Bethesda Chapel, are still rich memories for me.
Memories get sweeter over the years. I feel blessed to have joined Marvella Isaacson for a short time on this journey called life. Well done good and faithful servant.
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AN UPDATE FROM YOUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Happy Summer! We truly hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and warmth that Minnesota has to offer us all!
The council continues to meet monthly, review and discuss many topics of interest for the entire congregation, and would like to give a brief update:
- Roof – We will be assessing plans to redo the roof in the next few years and different funding and grant options that may be available. These will include major repairs, and we are planning ahead so that we can finance them.
- Columbarium – A concern was raised about the heated concrete possibly creating some “ice dams” in the winter months. It was recommended to continue with project without heated concrete, and we are excited to announce that we are planning to break ground mid-July!
- Childcare – Discovery Hill will be opening in July and ready to take children! “Soft opening” was on June 26th with two infants. The plan is to open full swing by mid July.
- Custodial position – We are beginning the search for a custodian to help with both cleaning and maintenance at Vinje. This position will help ensure that routine cleaning is done in a timely fashion and that we are keeping up with maintenance around Vinje’s building and grounds.
- Worship – We have enjoyed the variety of worship styles this summer. Lily has been working diligently to find people to fill out a band for the modern worship services. While we would like to have more musical leaders working with her, this has been extra difficult in these summer months. We appreciate your patience as we try to provide worship experiences that speak to a variety of ages and musical preferences.
- Summer Gatherings – We heard your requests for events that bring congregation members together and planned three fun summer gatherings! We had a great time at “Love Your Neighbor Night” in June and are looking forward to the next two events as well! Please join us!
Your council is very happy to serve you all! Thanks for those who have reached out with comments or questions and have either met in person or via phone calls. Feel free to continue to reach out to me or to any of your pastors or council members with questions or comments. Take care and happy summer!
Lynn Stier
Vinje Council President
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Make a one-time contribution or set up reoccurring giving here. Need help? Call the church office!
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VINJE ON THE GO!
RADIO Listen on Sundays at 9:30 am on KWLM, 1340 AM.
INTERNET Watch anytime! (go to YouTube and search Vinje Willmar).
TV Watch local access channel, 180 Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Tuesdays at 8 am and 5 pm.
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