May2017letter
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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 />
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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 />
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