Our guest for adult faith formation Sunday, Feb. 23, is Zafar Siddiqui, co-founder and past president of the Islamic Resource Group. He will speak at 9:30 a.m. on the nonprofit IRG’s mission to build bridges of understanding between Muslims and the greater Minnesota community through outreach, and education and interfaith dialogue.

Zafar is also the chairman of the board of Al-Amal School in Fridley. He serves on the advisory board of the Muslim Christian Dialog Center at the University of St. Thomas and is a member of the Minnesota Multi-faith Network. He was a community blogger for the Star Tribune in its “Your Voices” blog from 2010 to 2015. Zafar has a master’s degree in computer science. He is married with four children and currently resides in Blaine.

Our annual Christmas giving drive starts now. Christmas is coming fast, so don’t delay!

You can make the holidays brighter for elders in long-term care, neighbors in need of food, kids in need of warm clothing, and LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.

Check out the details below, and please give generously!

 

Christmas gifts for seniors

We’re collecting money and gift cards to help purchase gifts for seniors at Lyngblomsten Care Center. The Lyngblomsten staff will use your donations to buy gifts for their residents. Suggested cards include Amazon, Target, JC Penney, Visa and Kohl’s, and can be purchased at the Scrip table during coffee hour. Please make checks payable to Lyngblomsten Foundation. Leave donations in the designated box in the church lobby. Donations and cards will be taken to Lyngblomsten on Dec. 8.

Hats and mittens for kids

FHC will again collect warm hats and mittens for children and youth, to be distributed by the Department of Indian Work at Interfaith Action in St. Paul.

Hang your gifts on the hat and mitten tree in the lobby by Sunday, Dec. 15.

 

Buy a blossom to restock the food shelves

Help our neighbors in need by purchasing a silk poinsettia blossom for our Gathering Room Christmas tree. All proceeds will go to restock the Keystone Community Services food shelves. Checks can be made out to Falcon Heights Church. Please buy your blossom by Sunday, Dec. 22, or get your check to the office by Monday, the 23rd.

Support homeless youth

For 25 years, Avenues for Homeless Youth has supported its clients ages 16-24 including LGBTQI+ individuals. Whether a young person needs someplace to stay for just one night, or a year and a half, Avenues empowers youth to find their path out of homelessness. Their team of professionals do that by providing a stable home, building trusting relationships, and navigating the youth’s education, career, health and wellness and housing goals.

Supporting Avenues through Christmas giving can help to make the season so much brighter for the young people who are served through their programs. Either an offering-plate monetary donation or an item from the Avenues Holiday Wish List will be welcomed.

A decorated donation box will be in the church entrance Dec. 1-22 for unwrapped gifts you would like to purchase and bring to church.

 

 

Falcon Heights Church will host a community Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. Also participating will be New Life Presbyterian Church and Como Park Lutheran Church.

A combined choir, clergy and lay leaders from the three churches will lead worship. Fellowship will follow the service, with coffee, hot cider and pie. All are welcome!

Don’t miss our advent musical offerings in December. They’re free and open to all ages.

• Be sure to invite friends and family to worship on Dec. 8, when our choir and a professional orchestra will present Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” under the direction of Joel Johnson.
• On Sunday, Dec. 15, our annual children’s pageant will be presented in worship. Margot Olsen directs “‘Buon Natale’ from Circo Piccolo,” with accompaniment by Patti Holmes.