Sue Gramith has been leading faith education classes for our children for the last couple of years. On Sunday, July 23, she shared a heartfelt Moment for Mission about the satisfaction and spiritual growth she has experienced from nurturing and guiding these “sometimes silly, sometimes wild, but also loving and wise children” and getting to know their young families. And she extended an invitation to adults of all ages to take a risk and join her in this core ministry of Falcon Heights Church.

Please prayerfully consider becoming involved in our Sunday ministry with children, whether as a regular teacher or occasional helper. Speak to Sue if you are interested or have questions.

Read Sue’s witness about children’s ministry:

Moment for Mission July 23

Our supply pastor, the Rev. Jacob Kanake, has been a member of the Falcon Heights Church congregation for the past 12 years. He has served on the Executive Board and on several ministry teams, and this month he was a delegate to the United Church of Christ General Synod.

But his story begins in Kenya, where as a youth he was already active in church leadership and felt a strong call into the ordained ministry. His parents initially discouraged him because of the poor pay for ministers. But in he writes: “I would say the call is bigger than what one does for a living; for me, my call defines the God’s intention for my life. The way I talk and interact with others ought to promote that call. Church ministry has its challenges but God promises to be with me; what is impossible to humans is possible with God.”

Rev. Kanake was ordained in the Methodist Church in Kenya. After completing his theological education, he was stationed in Methodist circuit parishes, and established six new churches as well. He also held several senior positions in the synod, and his superiors began grooming him for higher leadership. He came to the United States in 2001 for further study to enhance his leadership skills, intending to return to Kenya to serve the church there.

But “my life has transformed from one thing to another,” he said, and he believes God has now called him to serve in America. Rev. Kanake went on to earn advanced degrees at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and Asbury Seminary in Kentucky, and he completed his doctorate in pastoral care and counseling at Luther Seminary in 2014.

Rev. Kanake is also a pastoral counselor who has worked in chaplaincy for the past 10 years, including at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and currently at Oak Meadows Senior Living. He worked in clinical care to acquire advanced skills to assist Christians with mental illness and families affected by alcoholic and drugs. He has been a longtime volunteer in many settings, including service as a Certified Emergency Community Responder for the cities of Lauderdale and Falcon Heights.

As supply pastor, he writes, “I pray to move the current church energy forward and prepare the church for a seamless transition.…I believe we have developed a significant uniqueness about who we are, in our mission, vision and values at least internally. We are an open church. We are an empowering church. I sense we sincerely like each other and want the best for each other and for the church.”

He adds: “Knowing that we could do so much better in many ways, also draws me to this church. I think this can be done even with continued growth. I am attracted to how we can become even better than we are now. With the mission and vision we have, there is great hope!”

Videos from the July 8 Service of Prayer and Recommitment are now online at YouTube. You can view all nine of them here as a playlist, or go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOoJSJzmgg2gd5qAM5exRuQaoj9voA8zK

 

By Lynne Bradbury, moderator

We have been traveling a three-month-long “road” in our search for a supply pastor to lead us in our ministry during the interim period between Pastor Anne’s retirement and the calling of a new pastor. The route has figuratively been one of twists and turns, road construction, looking out the window at scenic locales we want to visit, prayers behind the wheel and white-knuckle driving.

Over the past two weeks, the Spirit moved us toward a “green light” in our journey, for which we are grateful. The Supply Pastor Position Committee (Lynne Bradbury, Peter Duddleston, and Kyle Roeckeman) held interviews with two very strong supply pastor candidates last week. We were pleased to extend the offer to the Rev. Jacob Kanake and he has accepted the supply pastor position. Pastor Kanake’s clear understanding of the congregation’s work during this intentional interim period, coupled with his excitement for where we are headed, made him a unanimous choice. We are confident in his varied spiritual skills and gifts.

Pastor Kanake has already begun with preparations for worship this Sunday, July 2 (which will be led by Jacob’s spiritual mentor and professor, the Rev. Robert Albers), and for the July 8 Service of Prayer and Recommitment (see the article below).

We pray for Pastor Kanake as he attends the United Church of Christ General Synod as a clergy delegate on behalf of the Minnesota Conference from June 29 through July 3. Wednesday, July 5, will be Pastor Kanake’s first day in the office and in the role of supply pastor.

We acknowledge that this is a time of transition for each of us. And that likely there will be more twists and turns as well as pleasant scenic surprises along the way. Please pray for the congregation and for Pastor Kanake as we travel this section of road together as “seekers and servants growing in God’s transforming love.”

During the summer worship hour this summer, the Children’s Ministry Team will lead a nine-week program on “Food and Faith.” Kids will explore how food production and distribution connects with wider social justice issues for us as Christians.

They’ll learn about food growing and hunger realities here in Minnesota, as well as in five different regions around the world. Kids will join us in worship up through the children’s message, then gather for guided activities all about food through the rest of the worship service.