Help make blankets for Project Linus

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Kids and adults are invited to help make no-sew blankets in an all-ages service project Sunday, Jan. 14. This activity is part of our monthly “Super Sundays” during our 9:30 a.m. First Hour faith formation classes. The blankets we make will go to other children in need of emotional comfort from a soft, warm covering.

Project Linus brings people together to “provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers.'”

All materials are provided. Learn more about Project Linus 

Two water buffalo and counting

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Last month our Sunday school children collected money for Heifer International. Heifer gives farm animals to families in poor areas of the world, offering them a sustainable livelihood and a chance for a better life.

Our congregation donated $935.18–enough to purchase two water buffalo, with money left over to buy additional animals or support other projects for farmers and communities. Read more about Heifer

Thanks to everyone who gave to this project!

Leadership opportunities for young adults

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The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ will offer two leadership programs in 2018 for young adults 19 to 35 years old. The programs are in partnership with the national UCC.

Both YASC and SCOS help young adults to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. At the same time, they foster community and promote justice. Applicants can select from the sites in Minnesota and others around the country.

The application for each program is open now. The selection/interview process will begin in late February 2018.

Training for healing, restorative justice

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Want to learn what you can do in your work and personal life to bring healing and peace to our communities? Consider signing up for the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute’s one-day training Jan. 12 in Minneapolis. This session, called “Star-LITE,” focuses on psychological trauma healing, resilience, restorative justice and nonviolent conflict transformation.

We’re hoping to take a group of church members to this multicultural, multi-faith training. And we’re thinking it could provide an avenue to move forward in our church’s racial truth and reconciliation work. We encourage you to learn more and sign up by Jan. 5 (space is limited) at www.sljan122018.eventbrite.com. There is a $99 fee.

The one-day “STAR-Lite” session is a condensed version of the institute’s Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience training. It builds on restorative justice principles and practices to help people:

  • break free from revenge
  • heal trauma
  • reconnect with others to satisfy our basic human needs for justice
  • become agents of positive change.

Epiphany celebration Jan. 6

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Read more

Worship with us Christmas Eve

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On Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, come and experience the joy of this holy season. Join us for one (or more) of three worship services celebrating the coming of the Christ child:

  • Morning worship at 10:30 a.m., with special music and a Christmas message.
  • Our family-friendly 4:30 p.m. service, with stories and songs suitable for all ages.
  • A candlelight service at 10 p.m., with our Chancel Choir and “Silent Night” sung in the darkened sanctuary.

 

 

 

 

 

Ring in the new year with our bell choir

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If you’ve always wanted to try playing in the bell choir but were afraid to try, now’s your chance!

We need quite a few ringers to fill out a choir again. So when you join, you’ll be in good company with other newbies.

Contact Carol Meeter if you’d like to learn more (651-647-4430, [email protected]). You can also leave a message in the box in the church office.

Buy a blossom to help the food shelves

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Help our neighbors in need by buying a white silk poinsettia for our Gathering Room Christmas tree! All proceeds from these sales will go to restock local food shelves.

Rather than offering live poinsettias for sale this year, we recognize that many people in our communities are struggling to make ends meet. So we’ve decided to redirect the money that would have been spent adorning the sanctuary to helping those who are food-insecure.

The silk blossoms are $15. Tell us who you’re honoring or remembering with your blossom by filling out the attached order form. Pay at the Scrip table during coffee hour through Sunday, Dec. 17, and hang your flower on the tree. Or you can send the form to the church office by Monday, Dec. 18, and we’ll hang a blossom for you.

Make checks out to Falcon Heights Church UCC and include the notation “Ornament.”

Along the Borderlands

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Read Rev. Rick King’s blog about racial divides and reconciliation in our community.

December donations for Dept. of Indian Work

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During December, we will collect cleaning products for the Department of Indian Work. Clients of the agency need kitchen, clothing, dishwashing and general use cleaning products. Government assistance does not cover these items.

We also continue to collect low-sugar cereal, instant oatmeal packets and granola bars for children at Falcon Heights Elementary School. These breakfast items go home with students on the weekend.

Please bring donations to the church lobby.