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Register at www.mountcalvary.org<br />

May 2017<br />

Available on our website:<br />

www.mountcalvary.org/<br />

newsletters<br />

NEXT ISSUE:<br />

June 2017<br />

THE CALLER<br />

YOU’VE GOT MAIL<br />

I recall one Advent some years ago here when we<br />

collected a long list of names from the<br />

congregation. We started with our own<br />

homebound, care-centered, widows and widowers<br />

and then expanded it by asking members to give us<br />

names of others to whom we could send<br />

personalized Christmas greetings. We also received<br />

names from folks in the community and came up<br />

with hundreds of names and addresses that we<br />

compiled on sheets of paper and then cut into individual listings. We put large baskets of<br />

these names, each person named multiple times, in the narthex and asked the congregation to<br />

pick out a name and send a note or a card wishing Merry Christmas to someone they did not<br />

know.<br />

I will always remember one call that came from a woman who lived a long distance away. I<br />

learned that she had received cards handmade by children, some family Christmas photos<br />

and Christmas letters, a few store-bought cards: all from people she did not know. I learned<br />

that she was very much alone and that, in fact, these were the only Christmas greetings she<br />

received. She was very confused why we had picked her and what this was all about. I had no<br />

idea who submitted her name or what the connection might have been: she knew no one<br />

who lived out here. When I explained the project, she listened. And then, she went on to say<br />

that she had arranged all the cards together so she could see them from her favorite chair. She<br />

said she had read each one several times, studied the photos, tried to picture the people who<br />

sent them. More than her curiosity, her delight at what these cards and notes had brought<br />

her led her to track down Mount Calvary in Excelsior and make her call.<br />

Our theme through most of May (and the end of April), our Easter season theme, is “A Time<br />

to Embrace.” The visual for our theme looks like a postcard from some exotic locale and we<br />

have in fact turned it into postcards that we will be making available throughout Easter. At<br />

times, we will have specific requests to make of you as to whom you might send one of these<br />

cards, and at others we will simply ask you to think of those you could bless by a card<br />

“embracing” them with thanks, well wishes, prayers, forgiveness, or whatever you choose.<br />

The Bible verse on the address and note side of the card will read “You yourselves are our<br />

letter, written on our hearts; written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.” (2<br />

Corinthians 3:2)<br />

As Ecclesiastes 3:5 reads, “There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.”<br />

In these polarized, divisive and angry days, perhaps a first step towards being community is<br />

embracing our sisters and brothers. Making connections where there have been disruptions.<br />

Seeking healing where relations are broken. Offering prayers and thoughts into another<br />

person’s isolation or loneliness. Such has always been a key message of Jesus and as I say<br />

frequently, our task is to stay on message and not be conformed by the spirit loose in the<br />

world. Find a way, send a note, make an overture, swallow a pride, extend a hand or a hearty<br />

thank you, and embrace one another with the love of Christ.<br />

1<br />

Pastor Dave


State of the Church<br />

SAM SENIOR<br />

ADULT MINISTRY<br />

SAM 2ND<br />

WEDNESDAY EVENT<br />

May 10, 2017<br />

Coffee - 11:30am<br />

Lunch - noon<br />

Program - 1:00pm<br />

Cost: $10<br />

Author/Naturalist and Wildlife<br />

Photographer Stan Tekiela will<br />

be speaking about Cranes,<br />

Herons & Egrets: The<br />

Elegance of our Tallest Birds<br />

We will continue the<br />

celebration of Cinco de Mayo<br />

with a Mexican themed<br />

luncheon. You get to make<br />

your own choices from the full<br />

taco bar which will include<br />

beef, chicken, tortillas, salad,<br />

and all the fixings. We will end<br />

the feast with a traditional Tres<br />

Leche Cake. Sombreros are<br />

optional!<br />

Sign up is at the Welcome<br />

Desk or by emailing<br />

SAM@mountcalvary.org<br />

YOUTH LEARNING LIFE<br />

Mount Calvary’s calling is, “to make, build-up, and send out disciples of Jesus Christ.”<br />

Nothing demonstrates that more than the Rite of Confirmation taking place at Mount<br />

Calvary on May 21.<br />

This year Mount Calvary will confirm a record 130 young people. It is a moment of pride for<br />

our entire congregation. For our confirmands, their parents, guardians, friends, teachers, and<br />

staff, this represents the culmination of many years of dedication, time, and creative Christian<br />

instruction.<br />

The significance of their accomplishment far exceeds the ‘day-of’ smiles, hugs, gifts, and<br />

parties. We have made, built-up, and sent out the flowers of our congregation rooted in<br />

Christian morals, values, and discipline. If our efforts were successful, we have unleashed 130<br />

giving, accepting, loving, joyful ‘forces for good’.<br />

The journey centers on Wednesday evenings when Mount Calvary becomes ‘THE’ destination<br />

for member youth and their friends. Imagine a sanctuary filled with singing, cheering, middle<br />

school kids rocking out to the strains of Christian pop music. Using a curriculum of our own<br />

design, a teen worship service is followed by a pastoral presentation and mentored peer group<br />

discussions.<br />

Of course, the education extends beyond our Wednesday walls as exemplified by the recent<br />

Urban Immersion event held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, our new North Minneapolis<br />

partner. Fifty-two 8th graders, pastors and adults committed 4 hours of their Saturday to<br />

spreading 60 cubic yards of mulch, raking yards, collecting litter, serving lunch, manning the<br />

food shelf, cleaning bathrooms, and befriending community residents.<br />

The participants were surprised to learn how much a family can do with so little. They<br />

discovered the tough, daily trade-off decisions that must be made. The kids saw that, though<br />

plagued with guns and gunfire, the neighborhood was not the anticipated ‘dark side’. Our 8th<br />

graders came to recognize the residents are much like themselves, though with far tougher<br />

challenges.<br />

As for the residents’ perspective, the community was astonished to find so many young people<br />

willing to reach out to their neighborhood. Gethsemane’s Pastor Jeff noted the heartfelt<br />

goodwill.<br />

Pastor Aaron’s highlight was the kid’s stepping beyond the normal day-to-day to experience<br />

God at work.<br />

In the end, our young adults realized the day was not about landscaping and cleaning, but<br />

about listening to stories. It was a time for humility and taking in the moment. It was about<br />

learning life.<br />

Congratulations to all our confirmands on reaching this significant milestone.<br />

Write me at CouncilPresident@MountCalvary.org.<br />

Doug Affinito<br />

Council President<br />

2


Worship, Music & Learning<br />

SERVICE TIMES<br />

AT A GLANCE<br />

Wednesdays 6:15pm<br />

The Current<br />

High School Youth Director Ben<br />

Richter leads the rockin’<br />

ConfirBand in this service that<br />

welcomes confirmands and their<br />

families, high schoolers, and the<br />

young-at-heart.<br />

Saturdays 5:00pm<br />

Join us Saturdays for an informal<br />

service of song and sacrament<br />

focused on community in<br />

communion with one another.<br />

Mark Abelsen, on piano, leads the<br />

Saturday Worship Band.<br />

Sundays 8:00am<br />

Join us for a traditional service of<br />

holy communion. For early risers<br />

looking for a worship experience<br />

that offers something a little more<br />

familiar/traditional and without the<br />

busyness of our later services –this is<br />

the place for you! Using a familiar<br />

liturgy from our green hymnal<br />

(complete with chanting), we<br />

welcome you to this lovely service of<br />

contemplation, peacefulness and<br />

restoration where you will be fed<br />

with music, proclamation, praise<br />

and holy communion each week.<br />

Plenty of parking and one-on-one<br />

time with pastors and staff. ALL<br />

ARE WELCOME!<br />

Sundays 9:00 & 10:30am<br />

Join us on Sundays for a liturgy<br />

created by the worship team. Music<br />

is led by Principal Organist Jeremy<br />

Haug, Mount Calvary choirs and<br />

instrumental ensembles, and<br />

soloists.<br />

Communion is offered and nursery<br />

is available at all weekend worship<br />

services every week.<br />

NOTE: Sunday Summer<br />

Schedule Begins May 28 –<br />

worship at 9:00 & 10:30am only!<br />

Sat/Sun, May 6/7<br />

Sermon: Pastor Aaron David Werner<br />

Text: John 10:1-10<br />

Music: Songbird Young Women’s Choir<br />

(9:00/10:30)<br />

Sat/Sun, May 13/14<br />

Sermon: Pastor David Olson<br />

Text: John 14:1-14<br />

Music: Cantate Choir & Young Voices<br />

(9:00/10:30)<br />

WORSHIP IN MAY<br />

Sat/Sun, May 20/21<br />

Sermon: Pastor David Olson (Sat)<br />

Pastor Brenda Legred (Sun)<br />

Text: John 14:15-21<br />

Music: Chancel Choir (9:00/10:30)<br />

Sun, May 27/28<br />

Summer Sunday Schedule Begins:<br />

9:00 & 10:30am<br />

Sermon: Pastor Aaron David Werner<br />

Text: John 17:1-11<br />

UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS AT MOUNT CALVARY<br />

MOUNT CALVARY HANDBELL CONCERT<br />

Sunday, April 30 3:00pm<br />

Join us for a special Schöne Reise (Bon Voyage) Concert on Sunday, April 30th in the<br />

sanctuary. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear much of the bell choir’s repertoire for<br />

their upcoming Germany trip. We would love to see a full sanctuary!<br />

AUGSBURG ORCHESTRA & AUGSBURG CHOIR CONCERT<br />

Thursday, May 4 7:00pm<br />

Mount Calvary is pleased to host this 50-voice a cappella choir, under the direction of<br />

Mark Sedio, and the chamber orchestra, under the direction of Benjamin Klemme.<br />

This concert is free and open to all. A freewill offering will be taken at the door.<br />

Lift-Off !<br />

PRESENTS “PETER PAN JR.” – SUMMER THEATRE CAMP!<br />

Monday-Friday, July 10-21 from 9:30am-3:00pm<br />

Auditions: June 11 & 12<br />

Performances: July 20 & 21<br />

Come explore the world of theatre over the course of two weeks in this educational<br />

program. We welcome kids going into 4th-8th grades. Limit of 30 kids, so don’t wait<br />

to register! Pick up the registration form at the Summer Camp Table in the atrium or<br />

contact Jill Cowan with any questions at jill.cowan@mountcalvary.org. Deadline for<br />

registration is May 31!<br />

3


Adult Ministries and Benevolence<br />

LINKED IN PRAYER<br />

A prayer from Jesus: “My<br />

prayer is not for them alone. I<br />

pray also for those who will<br />

believe in me through their<br />

message, that all of them may<br />

be one, Father, just as you are<br />

in me and I am in you. May<br />

they also be in us so that the<br />

world may believe that you<br />

have sent me. I have given<br />

them the glory that you gave<br />

me, that they may be one as<br />

we are one—I in them and<br />

you in me—so that they may<br />

be brought to complete unity.<br />

Then the world will know that<br />

you sent me and have loved<br />

them even as you have loved<br />

me. (John 17: 20-23)<br />

How does this scripture speak<br />

into your life? Take time to<br />

talk with someone else about<br />

this text. Listen for new<br />

insight. How is God's love<br />

shining through this day?<br />

Almighty God, your Son Jesus<br />

Christ is the way, the truth,<br />

and the life. Give us grace to<br />

love one another, to follow in<br />

the way of his<br />

commandments, and to share<br />

his risen life with all the<br />

world, for he lives and reigns<br />

with you and the Holy Spirit,<br />

one God, now and forever.<br />

Laurie Erickson<br />

LITCHICKS<br />

As one season comes to an end, another begins. So it is with LitChicks. We close out<br />

our current season on May 11th with When Breath Becomes Air, a memoir by the late<br />

neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. We are pleased to announce our selections for our<br />

2017-2018 season. Some of these books have a waitlist at the library, so make your<br />

requests soon!<br />

July 13, 2017<br />

Still Life With Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen (a love story, romantic comedy of<br />

manners)<br />

September 14, 2017<br />

Faithful by Alice Hoffman (a young woman’s struggle to find her way after a tragic<br />

accident)<br />

November 9, 2017<br />

Homegoing by Yaa Gyaasi (follows the lives of 2 Ghanaian half sisters and their<br />

descendents, from slavery to contemporary America)<br />

January 11, 2018<br />

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick (widower embarks on lifechanging<br />

adventure)<br />

March 8, 2018<br />

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (2 sisters in WWII France)<br />

May 10, 2018<br />

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (courtroom drama explores race and prejudice)<br />

LitChicks is a fun and easy book club for women. We meet every other month on<br />

the second Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm in the Fireside Room. Anyone is welcome to<br />

come to any meeting, and no commitment is needed—just come when you can.<br />

More information is under our listing in the Small Groups section of the Mount<br />

Calvary website.<br />

MEN’S MINISTRY STADIUM TOUR!<br />

US Bank Stadium Tour is rescheduled—we’ll be going on Saturday, May 20<br />

The tour will start at 10:00am. We’ll start tailgating at church around 8:00am, and<br />

leave for downtown around 9:15am. We’ll be renting a bus. This event is limited to<br />

40 guys, so make sure you sign up now! To sign up or get more information, contact<br />

Chris Anderson at chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.<br />

4<br />

GOT RIBS?<br />

We are creating a fun new ministry at Mount Calvary—BBQ Ministry! We will be<br />

sharing the talents of our members by providing excellent BBQ meals to those in our<br />

community. Some of our activities will include providing food for others, such as our<br />

Community Meal and organizing fundraising events for different groups such as the<br />

ICA food shelf. We’ll also offer classes and instruction from local BBQ pros such as<br />

Tony from Qtopia, host friendly competitions, and enjoy social gatherings to share<br />

food, recipes, methods, and ideas. To find out more, or become involved, contact<br />

Chris Anderson at the Welcome Center or chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.


Adult Ministries and Benevolence<br />

NIGERIA+BALI+SCRABBLE=PERSEVERANCE<br />

This is Mount Calvary’s 25th year of partnership with our<br />

sister church in Jimeta, providing financial support to native<br />

Nigerian missionaries who serve in remote areas.<br />

Nigeria is also the number one scrabble country in the world,<br />

according to recent NPR and Wall Street Journal articles.<br />

"Nigerians are very determined and dogged people," says<br />

Angela Osaigbovo, a 10-year old Scrabble winner, in a NPR<br />

interview. "And once we set our minds to something, we<br />

achieve it."<br />

We here at Mount Calvary certainly know this to be true of our Nigerian friends who<br />

persevere in all facets of life. After nearly three decades, the Bali missionaries known as<br />

Aikkaku, continue to farm, teach, heal and bring God’s love within rural communities<br />

far from government help. Nigerians see hope and perseverance in these Aikkaku<br />

families who stay in their adopted villages in spite of local unrest, inflamed in recent<br />

years by the Boko Haram.<br />

Joshua Abu, our friend and the chairman of the Bali Committee in Jimeta, Nigeria<br />

wrote in April, “Let me say how grateful I am having had the opportunity of working<br />

with you and your colleagues in the past and in the years ahead, as God will allow.”<br />

Mount Calvary is highlighting Nigeria’s recent Scrabble championship with our annual<br />

fundraiser for Bali. Please look for the Scrabble display in the atrium April 29 – May<br />

14. Help yourself to a bookmark when you pick up an envelope for your donation.<br />

ALL of the money you give will go toward paying the Aikkaku’s salaries. Our<br />

friends and partners in Nigeria are so grateful for your continued support.<br />

HELP LOCAL STUDENTS FIGHT HUNGER WITH MH-MM<br />

Many Hands Many Meals packs life-saving<br />

meals throughout the year. We have our big<br />

packathon every November – but this year<br />

we’re having another event for local students<br />

in May.<br />

More than 800 students from area schools<br />

will come to Mount Calvary to pack meals on<br />

May 25-26. Teaching kids about hunger and<br />

empowering them to make a difference in the<br />

world is a core part of our mission. We're so excited about this opportunity! But we're<br />

asking for help from our community in two ways.<br />

• Volunteering: We'll need help with setting up tables and equipment, moving and<br />

loading supplies, acting as team leaders during the event and helping with clean up.<br />

• Donations: Our ingredients are not free but must be purchased. For this event, the<br />

supplies will cost more than $21,000, so donations of any amount are greatly<br />

appreciated.<br />

You can view opportunities to get involved and ways to donate at mh-mm.org. Thank<br />

you so much to our amazing community for supporting local kids and for helping us<br />

fight hunger around the world!<br />

NEW FRIENDS<br />

COMMUNITY GARDEN<br />

Hopefully by the time this Caller<br />

arrives in your mailbox spring will<br />

really be here! That means we'll be<br />

working on the garden soon, after a<br />

fantastic year last summer (over 500<br />

lbs of produce given to the ICA<br />

food shelf!). This year we will need<br />

more help from our members and<br />

friends, both with working the<br />

garden and in supporting us. If you<br />

would like to help with planting,<br />

upkeep, or harvesting, are interested<br />

in sponsoring parts of our garden,<br />

or are interested in finding out<br />

more, contact Chris Anderson at<br />

952-474-8893, ext. 102.<br />

5


Children, Youth & Families<br />

6<br />

MAY<br />

CONFIRMATION<br />

CORNER<br />

Wed. April 26<br />

8th Grade Confirmation<br />

Class Photo 6:45pm in<br />

Sanctuary (Guides<br />

included)<br />

Wed. May 3<br />

6th-8th Grade<br />

Confirmation 6:15pm<br />

Wed. May 10<br />

6th-8th Grade<br />

Confirmation 6:15 pm<br />

Wed. May 17<br />

Final Confirmation<br />

Celebration Bar-BQ and<br />

Guide Appreciation Night<br />

6:15pm<br />

Fri. May 19<br />

8th Grade FINALE Night<br />

(Mandatory)<br />

5:45 – 10:15pm Guides<br />

included. All Faith<br />

Projects due.<br />

Sat May 20 &<br />

Sun May 21<br />

Confirmation Services<br />

5:00pm Saturday and<br />

1:00 & 3:00pm Sunday as<br />

assigned<br />

For questions, contact<br />

Brenda Lund at<br />

brenda.lund@mount<br />

calvary.org or call<br />

952-474-8893, ext. 118.<br />

GRADUATION BACCALAUREATE<br />

Sunday, June 4, 2017, 9:30am<br />

Baccalaureate services have a strong<br />

tradition at Mount Calvary. We are<br />

inviting all graduating seniors and their<br />

families to a special Sunday morning<br />

community baccalaureate worship service<br />

with a breakfast reception beginning at<br />

9:30am in Luther Hall. This is a wonderful<br />

opportunity for seniors to be recognized<br />

and honored by their faith community, in<br />

the presence of family and friends who<br />

have raised them to be a faithful people. Families with a graduating senior will soon be<br />

receiving information in the mail. If you have a senior who would like to participate in the<br />

worship experience (reading, music, prayers, etc) please contact Andrea Fieldhouse at<br />

andrea.fieldhouse@mountcalvary.org. Both the 9:00am and 10:30am services will include a<br />

recognition of seniors. Families can pick either service to attend. The continental breakfast will<br />

be offered beginning at 9:30am to accommodate families at both services. The Worship will<br />

include a recognition, a gifting and a blessing. Information and invitations will be coming in<br />

the mail in May. Please RSVP to attend on the Mount Calvary website:<br />

mountcalvary.org/register-for-events.<br />

SUMMER REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE FAST APPROACHING!<br />

Family Camp (Luther Park)<br />

June 9-11, 2017<br />

Deadline: June 1<br />

VBS - Preschool<br />

June 19-22, 2017 9:00-11:30am<br />

Deadline: June 9<br />

VBS - Daycamp<br />

June 19-22, 2017 9:00am-2:00pm<br />

Limit: 120 spots<br />

Deadline: June 9<br />

Theatre 301 LIFT-OFF<br />

July 10-21, 2017 9:30am-3:00pm<br />

Deadline: May 31<br />

Arts Camp<br />

July 24-26, 2017 6:30-8:30pm<br />

Deadline: July 14<br />

Confirmation Camp<br />

August 1-4, 2017 at Luther Park - bussing provided, $100 deposit required w/registration<br />

Deadline: July 14<br />

Pre-Confirmation Camp<br />

Monday, August 21, 2017 11:00am-4:00pm<br />

Deadline: August 15<br />

Full Program/Camp Descriptions and Registration Forms can be found online at<br />

mountcalvary.org or at the Summer Program table near the Welcome Center in the atrium.<br />

Questions can be directed to Brenda Lund at brenda.lund@mountcalvary.org.


Children, Youth & Families<br />

SUMMER READING<br />

ADVENTURE CAMP<br />

Mrs. G's Reading Adventures<br />

Camp for kids entering<br />

kindergarten through grade 3<br />

will be held at Mount Calvary<br />

August 7-11 from 9:00am-<br />

2:30pm each day. Cost is $175<br />

per student. To sign up or for<br />

more information contact<br />

sarahgrindstaff@yahoo.com.<br />

CONGRATULATIONS ON CELEBRATING FIRST COMMUNION<br />

Mikey Berchild<br />

Jude Lineer<br />

Ryan Berchild<br />

Emerson Maass<br />

Audrey Burton<br />

Alex Mattson<br />

William Christenson Dylan Mraz<br />

Lucas Diebel<br />

Ryan Muehlberg<br />

Lonne Gilbert<br />

Henry Olson<br />

Hallie Hoffman<br />

Stella Scott<br />

Hunter Hoffman<br />

Easton Spehar<br />

Addison Hoy<br />

Mark Turcotte<br />

Tryggve Irene<br />

Reese Ulett<br />

Mikayla Kangas<br />

Madeline Viera<br />

Grace Lenk<br />

Charlotte Wakefield<br />

Savannah Lenk<br />

Piper Wheeler<br />

Ruby Lenk<br />

SENIOR HIGH<br />

We wrap up our program year<br />

on May 17 with our traditional<br />

Points of Light service! Come to<br />

the last The Vine of the school<br />

year!<br />

We have a service outing on<br />

Saturday, May 13 from 1:00-<br />

4:00pm. Details coming soon!<br />

YOUTH SUMMER<br />

VOLUNTEER<br />

OPPORTUNITIES<br />

There are a variety of summer<br />

volunteer opportunities for<br />

youth entering Grades 6 and<br />

older. Volunteer details and<br />

application forms are available at<br />

the Summer Camp table in the<br />

atrium or online at<br />

mountcalvary.org on the<br />

Summer Camp page. Deadline<br />

is May 26. Sign up NOW - our<br />

positions fill up fast! Any<br />

questions, contact Brenda Lund<br />

at 952-474-8893, ext. 118 or<br />

brenda.lund@mountcalvary.org.<br />

7


Making, Building Up & Sending Out Disciples of Jesus Christ<br />

8<br />

Epiphany Gallery continued<br />

What inspires you?<br />

H: To get ideas I usually find<br />

photography I enjoy or do it<br />

based on previous assignments.<br />

B: I'm inspired by both the<br />

natural beauty God has created<br />

on this earth and people<br />

themselves. I love taking pictures<br />

of subjects that tell a story.<br />

What does art bring to your life?<br />

H: Art is an outlet in my life. It<br />

allows me to express thoughts<br />

and feelings that are hard to put<br />

into words.<br />

B: I really enjoy macro<br />

photography because it reveals<br />

details too small for the human<br />

eye to see. I use this to bring<br />

common things like moss and<br />

bark to life by capturing their<br />

textures and enlarging them.<br />

What are your plans for next year?<br />

H: Next year I am planning to<br />

study architecture at the<br />

University of Oregon, the major<br />

may change a couple times, who<br />

knows!<br />

B: Next year I will be attending<br />

Iowa State University's college<br />

of design.<br />

Can you share a fun or interesting<br />

story about something to do with<br />

your art?<br />

H: I did a drawing for the<br />

Memory Project. They give<br />

people photographs of kids to<br />

draw and then the portraits are<br />

given to those kids who are<br />

orphans or refugees so they can<br />

have a possession that is all their<br />

own since they've lost so much.<br />

B: I often find things that I<br />

really want to photograph when<br />

I don't have my camera, so I use<br />

my phone to snap a picture. If<br />

my phone doesn't do the scene<br />

justice, I write down where I<br />

took the picture and revisit later<br />

with my DSLR.<br />

EPIPHANY GALLERY<br />

by Anne Groton<br />

The day began with taking down an exhibit of pastels done by an artist who is in the sixth<br />

decade of her life, a senior citizen. She had foot surgery and is experiencing a slow healing<br />

process. Crutches and pain disable her from doing the things she wants and needs to do.<br />

We moved at a slower pace in our planning, taking down, and packing up of her exhibit.<br />

Patience, care, support, and understanding were the words of this morning.<br />

By noon, the pace changed significantly. Now working with seniors of a different<br />

demographic, our high school seniors. I realized I needed some information from these two<br />

artists to write what you are now reading. A text with several questions was sent to each…<br />

exuberant replies were returned within minutes! The words of the afternoon made a swift<br />

shift to momentum, enthusiasm, empowerment, and promise!<br />

If we look at that list in aggregate: patience, care, support, understanding, momentum,<br />

enthusiasm, empowerment, and promise, I<br />

believe we see the fundamental qualities of art<br />

and artists, regardless of age, gender, or<br />

background.<br />

As we celebrate the confirmation of our youth,<br />

the graduation of our seniors and days dedicated<br />

to honoring mothers and fathers, we are thrilled<br />

to feature two student artists in the Epiphany<br />

Gallery! Hannah Gerton and Bennett Johnson<br />

are our featured artists in this year’s Senior Show.<br />

Hannah and Bennett are seniors at Minnetonka High School. Both have been involved in<br />

our youth programs and have served on our summer mission trips multiple times. Hannah<br />

has a gentle, insightful spirit; her art is as lovely as she is! Bennett is full of the joy of life;<br />

his photography captures that joy with creativity!<br />

Now onto those exuberant replies!<br />

When did you start creating art?<br />

H: I've been drawing ever since I was young! I've always enjoyed crafts and art but got<br />

more into drawing and painting in middle school.<br />

B: My interest in photography began when I got my first camera for my 10th birthday. I<br />

fell in love with the ability to capture moments and memories before they were lost to time.<br />

Do you take classes for your art or are you exploring on your own?<br />

H: I have taken classes almost every year in the past but I am not currently taking any art<br />

classes.<br />

B: In high school, I have taken drawing, painting, video production, and digital imaging 1-<br />

3. After I had found my passion for creative expression in these classes, I've branched out<br />

and begun to draw, paint, and especially take pictures as a hobby.<br />

How do you make your art i.e. materials, approach?<br />

H: I make drawings mostly with pencil and/or colored pencil and prefer acrylic and canvas<br />

for my paintings.<br />

B: When drawing or painting, I usually brainstorm ways to convey an idea or message<br />

through my work and sketch it out until I'm happy with the design. With my camera, I<br />

tend to take many pictures of subjects that interest me, especially nature. I then select my<br />

favorite photos and make corrections in Photoshop/Lightroom if necessary.<br />

Epiphany Gallery continued in side bar


Adult and Family Ministries<br />

MOUNT CALVARY ACADEMY ARTIST RECITAL<br />

Sunday, May 14 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary<br />

Mother’s Day Harp & Flute Recital with Reception<br />

Come for a beautiful Mother’s Day Concert with exquisite harp and<br />

flute featuring music of France, China, The Song of the Lark and a<br />

Serenade. “The kind of performance that sparks wild standing<br />

ovations. Definitive” is how the American Record Guide speaks of<br />

flutist Linda Chatterton. Both artists are award winning,<br />

internationally touring musicians. A reception follows in the atrium.<br />

Harpist Dr. Rachel Brandwein<br />

Dr. Brandwein is on faculty at Luther College, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s<br />

University, and Mount Calvary Academy of Music, and teaches at two summer harp<br />

programs for adult learners. She frequently performs with various ensembles throughout<br />

the United States, and has performed concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra and debuted<br />

in Hong Kong and Chiayi, Taiwan, with flutist Linda Chatterton. Brandwein enjoys<br />

concertizing with trombonist Dr. David Peterson as the Branderson Duo in programs of<br />

original and arranged works. She is currently writing a work for organ and harp,<br />

commissioned by the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN, which will be<br />

premiered on their Chamber Music Concert Series in 2017.<br />

Dr. Brandwein’s goal as a teacher is to help her students appreciate and fulfill their artistic<br />

potential with confidence, creativity, and dedication. Visit her website:<br />

www.rachelbrandwein.com for more information.<br />

Flutist Linda Chatterton<br />

A Yamaha Performing Artist, Ms. Chatterton has performed in New York City, was a<br />

featured recitalist on the prestigious Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago, and has been<br />

heard throughout the US many times on National Public Radio’s Performance Today.<br />

Ms. Chatterton has performed with numerous groups including the Minnesota Orchestra,<br />

and she tours regularly as a duo performer with both harp and piano. In addition to her<br />

concert schedule, Ms. Chatterton is highly regarded for her insightful master classes, and<br />

she has served as a mentor to music students at the University of Minnesota's College of<br />

Liberal Arts.<br />

Ms. Chatterton often can be heard giving her “It Sounded Better at Home!” workshop<br />

series based on her extensive work on the psychology of optimum performance. “It<br />

Sounded Better at Home!” will soon be released as a book. Ms. Chatterton has recorded<br />

on the CBS Masterworks, Innova, and Gothic labels, and has also independently released<br />

six compact disc recordings.<br />

SEEING YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU: DON'T LET LIES BE<br />

YOUR TRUTH<br />

Wednesday mornings May 17- June 7<br />

9:15-10:15am at Mount Calvary<br />

Join us for this new 4-week Bible study facilitated by Heather<br />

Durenberger.<br />

This book is a devotional guide to invite God into healing misbeliefs.<br />

Learn to see with greater awareness how God is ever-present and<br />

resonating in your life. Remember who God created you to be. We<br />

look forward to celebrating God's gifts within you!<br />

MOUNT CALVARY<br />

ACADEMY OF MUSIC<br />

Mentoring students in musical skill<br />

and sensitivity as a means of<br />

personal development, creative<br />

expression and service.<br />

Spring term lessons run<br />

through May 26. Group lessons<br />

or private lessons are offered on<br />

piano, voice, guitar, ukulele,<br />

harp, string, and woodwind<br />

instruments. Suzuki violin for<br />

ages 3.5 and up is also offered.<br />

All ages are encouraged to<br />

consider lessons, whether<br />

beginners or brushing up on<br />

lessons from years ago!<br />

Summer term lessons begin<br />

June 12, offering up to 11<br />

lessons through August 25. A<br />

flexible number of lessons are<br />

allowed for summer registration.<br />

It’s easy to enroll online. Visit<br />

our website at www.mcaom.org<br />

or call 952-474-8893, ext. 111<br />

(Mary) or ext 116 (Jill) with<br />

questions. Email<br />

mary.lechelt@mountcalvary.org<br />

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES<br />

Spring Term Recitals in<br />

Heritage Hall<br />

Thursday, May 18<br />

7:00pm<br />

Saturday, May 20<br />

3:00pm & 7:00pm<br />

Sunday, May 21<br />

5:00pm & 6:30pm<br />

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Adult Ministries<br />

TWO BIKE-A-THON<br />

FUNDRAISERS FOR<br />

LUTHER PARK<br />

June 3-4 and July 14-15, 2017<br />

Hello all of you biking enthusiasts!<br />

We are looking for bicyclists to join<br />

in one, or both Bike-a-thons as<br />

fundraisers for Luther Park.<br />

Bicyclists will be asked to find<br />

sponsors for the 120-mile ride from<br />

the Minneapolis area to Luther<br />

Park in Danbury, Wisconsin. Why<br />

would you want to join other<br />

dedicated bicyclists on this<br />

fundraiser? Because a church camp<br />

experience provides a wonderful<br />

faith journey in a young person's<br />

life. Every camper at Luther Park is<br />

subsidized, and many receive<br />

scholarships. Funds raised through<br />

the bike-a-thon will help make it<br />

possible for everyone to come to<br />

camp!<br />

Please contact Joel Legred at<br />

jlegred@lutherpark.com or Lori<br />

Wright (Luther Park Board<br />

Member) at lori.wright@<br />

mountcalvary.org if you have<br />

questions, are interested in<br />

participating or would like to<br />

contribute/sponsor a bike rider. For<br />

further information regarding<br />

participation details, please see the<br />

Luther Park website:<br />

www.lutherpark.com<br />

HIS HOUSE<br />

Recycle. Repurpose. Reclaim. Recover. These are all words used<br />

to reclaim an item that might have outworn its original<br />

usefulness, and reuse it for something or someone else.<br />

At His House we have been doing that with clothing, sofas,<br />

and mattresses for about 9 years at our Minnetonka store and<br />

for 2 years through our warehouse partner RAK (Random Acts<br />

of Kindness). We pick up a sofa from one person and deliver it to<br />

someone who doesn't have a sofa.<br />

In this article I wanted to share a similar program at His House that we do all those<br />

same things but with food from our local food shelf and local churches. ICA food shelf<br />

does a wonderful job of serving the needs of our community through food. Their<br />

mission "to offer hope as we provide assistance to our neighbors in need." When ICA<br />

has perishable food products that have almost reached their expiration, His House picks<br />

them up and delivers it to local families that may not have been able to get to the food<br />

shelf.<br />

Every other Saturday, His House volunteers share nearly expired or perishables at our<br />

Minnetonka store with 29 local families that have a barrier to food sustainability. It can<br />

be a single mom with small children without a reliable car, it can be a family where<br />

mom and dad are both working, and it can be a family that regularly go to the food<br />

shelf but need just a little more.<br />

His House always assists people to get to the food shelf...we just want to share food that<br />

might be called waste (reclaim, repurpose, recover).<br />

His House volunteers also pick up food at Mount Calvary and many local churches,<br />

"leftovers" from funerals or weddings. We immediately distribute these "leftovers" that<br />

day due to its expiration or being perishable. We notify our families that struggle with<br />

food security to meet us at our Minnetonka store. We open the store for free shopping<br />

and make sure the families that live in the margins have what they need.<br />

Yes, we reclaim, recover, repurpose food from a funeral to a family of 7 that is hungry.<br />

Is that repurposing, reclaiming?<br />

At His House we just call it sharing.<br />

Martha Brannon<br />

His House and RAKthrift<br />

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Stewardship<br />

MAY 31 MARKS THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR<br />

Mount Calvary’s fiscal year runs from June 1-May 31. This is your opportunity to<br />

provide a special gift before the end of May to help us end the year well. You can<br />

provide your gift online. Just visit our website: www.mountcalvary.org.<br />

YOU CAN GIVE YOUR OFFERINGS WHILE ON SUMMER<br />

GETAWAYS<br />

You may be away, but we are still here. You can share your offerings through<br />

automatic bank or Visa withdrawals. You may begin anytime and discontinue anytime.<br />

Your automatic giving helps Mount Calvary’s cash flow remain steady and saves you<br />

the hassle of writing weekly checks. It’s a great way to stay current with your giving. If<br />

you are interested, contact Michele Tighe at michele.tighe@mountcalvary.org. All she<br />

needs is a copy of a blank check or your credit card number and signature.<br />

HOW TO MAKE A GIFT OF STOCK<br />

It’s easy to make a gift of stock to Mount Calvary. You can transfer your stock to one<br />

of two accounts:<br />

• Schwab—Mount Calvary Lutheran Church account #64991248 and DTC #0164<br />

• RBC Wealth Management—Mount Calvary Lutheran Church account #309-<br />

66842- 16 and DTC #0235.<br />

Let Michele Tighe know when you have gifted stock at michele.tighe@mountcalvary.org<br />

so she can be watching for the transfer.<br />

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS SUPPORT MOUNT CALVARY<br />

If you are a Thrivent policy holder, consider designating your choice dollars for Mount<br />

Calvary. It’s a wonderful way your investments can benefit your church. If you did not<br />

receive information about your eligibility in the Thrivent Choice program, visit<br />

www.thrivent.com or call 1-800-THRIVENT.<br />

MARRIAGE COUNSELING<br />

Your pastors are available to meet with couples and individuals experiencing challenges<br />

in relationships. Valuable tools include communication, conflict resolution, roles,<br />

personality issues, and financial management. You can also request names of<br />

professional counselors serving our community. Feel free to contact any of the pastors<br />

with your requests at 952-474-8893.<br />

IN MEMORY<br />

Christian love and sympathy are<br />

extended to all who have suffered<br />

the loss of a family member or<br />

friend.<br />

Marlin F. Reedstrom<br />

July 7, 1928 - April 22, 2017<br />

May Christ’s resurrection bring<br />

them hope and comfort.<br />

GRIEFSHARE<br />

Mondays, 11:00am-12:30pm<br />

July 31-October 9<br />

(No meeting on Labor Day)<br />

Cost is: $25<br />

GriefShare is a friendly, caring<br />

group of people who will walk<br />

alongside you through one of life’s<br />

most difficult experiences.<br />

GriefShare sessions, over 10 weeks,<br />

will include new video messages<br />

from nationally-respected grief<br />

experts. Alexandra Wold, MA,<br />

LAMFT, will lead the sessions. She<br />

is a licensed mental health<br />

professional with a warm approach<br />

and deep understanding of life’s<br />

challenges. Call Pat Kamerud in the<br />

church office to register at 952-474-<br />

8893, ext. 103. The group is open<br />

to all.<br />

11


Mount Calvary Lutheran Church<br />

301 County Road 19<br />

Excelsior, MN 55331<br />

952-474-8893<br />

www.mountcalvary.org<br />

Non-Profit<br />

U.S. Postage<br />

PAID<br />

Excelsior, MN<br />

Permit No. 38<br />

PASTORS<br />

David Olson<br />

pastor.dave@mountcalvary.org<br />

Brenda Legred<br />

pastor.brenda@mountcalvary.org<br />

Aaron David Werner<br />

pastor.aaron@mountcalvary.org<br />

Postmaster: Please deliver by May 3, 2017<br />

Lane Doerring<br />

Orville Olson<br />

In case of emergency, call<br />

952-474-8893 any hour of the day.<br />

EDITOR<br />

Diane Eidsmo<br />

diane.eidsmo@mountcalvary.org<br />

Register at www.mountcalvary.org<br />

12

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