introducing mary kay sauter, sabbatical supply...

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1 Introducing Mary Kay Sauter, Sabbatical Supply Pastor While Jane is on Sabbatical (May 1-August 1), Mary Kay Sauter will be serving our congregation as a half time supply pastor. She will cover the basics – preaching, worship planning and leadership, urgent pastoral care needs, and basic administration. If you are curious about what Jane will be doing on sabbatical, the description she wrote for the original grant proposal is available. Printed versions can be obtained available from Sarah Tittle. I was born at Fairview Hospital in 1945 (the bill was $84) and lived with my parents on Spruce Place near Loring Park. I’m told, that if it was too hot people from all the apartments would take their blankets and pillows and sleep in the park. My dad, Bill Huntley, was in seminary at the time. He served churches at Holdingford, MN, Mondovi and Ladysmith, WI and then for twenty years was an army chaplain. My mom Joyce, brother David, and I traveled everywhere with him except Korea. We lived in Maryland, Guam, Kansas and England while I was in Jr. and Sr. High and college. It was a great life. Wilys Claire Nelson matched [my husband] Orv and me up and took delight in reminding us of that. Orv was at seminary at the time. We met at Fifth Avenue Congregational UCC while Charlie Leck was the pastor and we now attend church with him at Plymouth Congregational Church. Next year Orv and I will have been married 50 years and are still really good friends. We have two daughters—Carrie and Mikkii. Carrie and her husband Mike have two daughters, Phia (12) and Rowyn (10), who are the delights of our lives. After graduating from Bethel I worked in the Franklin Ave. area of Minneapolis with Native American kids who taught me more about God than anyone up to that point and then suggested that they were okay that we should go and straighten out our own people. We ended up in Grand Forks, ND where I worked at the state employment office with youth programs, got my MBA from UND and taught management there for a while. I ran for and won a seat in the North Dakota House, then later moved to Minnesota, sold college textbooks, and then went to seminary at United Theological Seminary. I didn’t know what interim ministry was when I went; I just knew I was called to finally go to seminary and by the end knew I was called to interim ministry. With my upbringing and other life experiences I am very comfortable going into new situations and I love doing so. I have done interims in nine different settings including the MN Conference of the UCC. (contiinued on p. 4) March 2017 Volume 79 Number 3

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Page 1: Introducing Mary Kay Sauter, Sabbatical Supply …files.constantcontact.com/83b4eb2f001/d784795d-40a1-4823...Introducing Mary Kay Sauter, Sabbatical Supply Pastor While Jane is on

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Introducing Mary Kay Sauter, Sabbatical Supply Pastor

While Jane is on Sabbatical (May 1-August 1), Mary Kay Sauter will be serving our congregation as a half time supply pastor. She will cover the basics – preaching, worship planning and leadership, urgent pastoral care needs, and basic administration. If you are curious about what Jane will be doing on sabbatical, the description she wrote for the original grant proposal is available. Printed versions can be obtained available from Sarah Tittle. I was born at Fairview Hospital in 1945 (the bill was $84) and lived with my parents on Spruce Place near Loring Park. I’m told, that if it was too hot people from all the apartments would take their blankets and pillows and sleep in the park. My dad, Bill Huntley, was in seminary at the time. He served churches at Holdingford, MN, Mondovi and Ladysmith, WI and then for twenty years was an army chaplain. My mom Joyce, brother David, and I traveled everywhere with him except Korea. We lived in Maryland, Guam, Kansas and England while I was in Jr. and Sr. High and college. It was a great life. Wilys Claire Nelson matched [my husband] Orv and me up and took delight in reminding us of that. Orv was at seminary at the time. We met at Fifth Avenue Congregational UCC while Charlie Leck was the pastor and we now attend church with him at Plymouth Congregational Church. Next year Orv and I will have been married 50 years and are still really good friends. We have two daughters—Carrie and Mikkii. Carrie and her husband Mike have two

daughters, Phia (12) and Rowyn (10), who are the delights of our lives. After graduating from Bethel I worked in the Franklin Ave. area of Minneapolis with Native American kids who taught me more about God than anyone up to that point and then suggested that they were okay that we should go and straighten out our own people. We ended up in Grand Forks, ND where I worked at the state employment office with

youth programs, got my MBA from UND and taught management there for a while. I ran for and won a seat in the North Dakota House, then later moved to Minnesota, sold college textbooks, and then went to seminary at United Theological Seminary. I didn’t know what interim ministry was when I went; I just knew I was called to finally go to seminary and by the end knew I was called to interim ministry. With my upbringing and other life experiences I am very comfortable going into new situations and I love doing so. I have done interims in nine different settings including the MN Conference of the UCC.

(contiinued on p. 4)

February 2017 Volume 79 Number 2

March 2017 Volume 79 Number 3

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From Jane McBride, Principal Minister “Holy Conversations” Dear friends, During this year's Lenten season, we will reflect on how our life of faith is an ever-unfolding dialogue. In a climate of fear and hostility, how can encounters with God and neighbor be genuine? As we listen and respond, listen and respond, we rarely stay the same, nor does the one with whom we speak. Often, out of conversation, something entirely new is born. We will have several opportunities this Lent to take part in holy conversation. Our Gospel lessons are dialogues, deep exchanges between Jesus and ordinary people. Tradition might say that God is present in the words Jesus speaks. But I wonder if God is more fully revealed in the creative tension between Jesus and those he encounters. In our worship, while readers present the verbal dialogue, a storyteller puppet will hold that silent space between the words. We are also invited to adopt a shared, community-wide Lenten discipline this year. The simple spiritual practice called The Examen is a daily “holy conversation.” Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, introduced the Examen in his Spiritual Exercises.The purpose of The Examen is to reflect prayerfully on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern God's leadings. Members of the worship planning team are preparing journals to guide us in the examen process. These notebooks will be available to all at the Ash Wednesday service and on Lenten Sundays. For those who use Facebook, we will also be inviting you to join a Lenten reflection group, a private space where we can share our thoughts and prayers with one another throughout the season. Together, let us keep Lent as a time of holy conversation. Even with death and destruction all around, may we be faithful in nurturing the possibility of new life.

Peace and blessings, Jane

Lenten Small Groups Lent is a time of spiritual discipline and deepening. Joining a Lenten group is a great way to be part of that. Dates and topics are below. Groups meet weekly for five weeks. To sign up, please contact the church office or add your name to the lists in Pilgrim Hall. Group 1: “Immigration 101.” Root causes of the system, biblical perspectives on immigration, and the teachings of the UCC on these issues. Led by Jane McBride; meets at First Church on either Sundays at 8:30 a.m. or Mondays at 7 p.m. (please specify your preference) Group 2: “Civil Disobedience through an Immigration Lens.” Civil disobedience has played an important role in achieving justice for the oppressed from biblical to contemporary times. This group will examine unjust immigration laws, why civil disobedience is a faithful response; knowing your rights; and what to expect in a civil disobedience action. Led by Daniel Romero; meets at Spyhouse Coffee Whittier, 2451 Nicollet Ave. S on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. starting March 9. Group 3: “Immigration Detention.” Immigrants are the fastest growing population in American jails. Through the lens of our faith this group broadens FCC’s racial justice work beyond Black and White and includes an examination of county jails and for-profit prisons, with an emphasis on five Minnesota jails. Led by Vicki Snowden; it meets at 2429 32nd Ave. S on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. starting March 7.

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From Daniel Romero, Minister for Faith Formation Noisy Offering We heard a joke the other day: A little boy and his mother went to church and during the service, the mom whispered to her son, asking why it was important for all the children to be quiet during the worship service. The boy said, “Because everyone is sleeping!” At First Church, we like to make noise…don’t we? And, speaking of noise, our monthly Noisy Offerings are going great! Our next one will be March 12. At the Family Gatherings, the kids voted that every quarter our Noisy Offerings will be donated to four organizations: the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital, a local homeless service program, the Qurdoba Grammar School in Hebron, Palestine, and the Heifer Project. With Qurdoba Grammar School, we will also develop a pen-pal relationship and perhaps organize a Skype teleconference with them. On February 11, Confirmands, parents and Mentors visited the Masjid Al-Huda Cultural Community Center and Mosque. We received a tour of the building, observed the noon prayer, and had a great discussion with several staff members. During our conversation in the Imam’s comfortable office, we shared tea, dates, and other snacks. As our visit concluded, we invited their community to join us here at First Church for a lunch or some other event where we can extend our hand in solidarity and continue to build our relationship. We will keep you posted when this gathering is scheduled. Our thanks to Imam Shaaban Aboubadria and Director Ahmed Abu Atieh for their wonderful welcome and hospitality.

“Mischief II”, the Feb. 2-3 Lock-In for 4th-6th graders, was a smashing success! Soren, Ian, Suki, Trevor, Emily, Jack, Malcolm, Maggie and Shannon ate pizza, ice cream, candy and played sardines, monkey in the middle, dodgeball, went on a scavenger hunt, and watched The Pacifier before crashing out. Jack won at dodgeball and Malcolm won the scavenger hunt and the Minister for Faith Formation refused to divulge his favorite sardines hiding place. In the morning, Kyra made us a wonderful breakfast of yummy bacon, eggs, and fruit. Young Adults Mia Infante and Salomón Garcia were a great help in making sure everyone was safe and warm and it was an extra special blessing to have John Steiner stay late and for Lou Dzierzak to spend the night. Thank you kids, parents and Young Adults…you rock! SAVE THE DATE – On June 19-23 the South Minneapolis Day Camp Coalition will hold their annual Summer Day Camp at Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 4120 S 17th Ave, Mpls. This year’s theme is “Blessed 2 Be” and is based on the Be-attitudes. Get it? Registration will open soon for day campers who are entering Kindergarten through those entering 8th grade. 9th-12th graders are eligible to serve as Young Adult assistants. Are you listening, Gabe Murphy? More information will follow. Last February 12 many of you were present for our worship service that featured “Cardboard Testimonies,” when five FCC’ers gave powerful and concise testimonials on poster-board that contrasted who they were and who they are. The sermon focused on God’s invitation to “Get Closer” by risking our human vulnerability with each other and with the world around us. Our thanks all to those who shared.

Paz. Daniel

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From Joy Gullikson, Moderator From Chaos to Calm As some know, I left my law firm last year to take a more stable position with state government. I am a telecommunication analyst, and given the new regime, I am now not so sure how stable my job actually is, but I am employed today and Jim and I have health care today. We are exceedingly grateful. I live my workday in a cubicle, surrounded by congenial colleagues. I have two pictures in my cubicle: the first is a photograph I received from my son-in-law. He recently came into possession of a photo via his mother. No one is sure of who the subject is, or where or when the picture was taken, but I love looking at this photo and trying to figure out what is going on. Perhaps the picture was taken at the turn of the last century. Perhaps the gentleman in the picture is the owner of a general store. The floorboards are wide, the cans are neatly stacked. The desk looks to me as though someone is less fond of paperwork than of stacking cans, but somehow the chaos seems controlled.

The other picture is a wax relief painted by my mother’s best friend, who lives in Peebles, Scotland. I never get tired of looking at the figure by the stream. The painting is quite abstract, but I believe it shows a person sitting in contemplation. Upstream is chaotic—downstream there is calm and order. I think that by being still, the sitter has calmed the waters. I make no claim to understanding art, and I may have misinterpreted my pictures, but it seems to me that out of chaos we can still calm ourselves. If we

focus on love, and if we are still, the frantic movement around us may settle into something manageable. We are gathering, and listening, so we may speak and act. These days there is much chaos. We can cope.

Joy Gullikson Mary Kay Sauter (continued from p. 1)

As Orv says, I keep flunking retirement and do so with great fun. Currently I serve on the Conference Development Committee, the Racial Justice Task Force at Plymouth Church and am chairing the newly reorganized Re-Imagining Community. Because of our current political situation I find I am going back to an activist’s life hoping for a better world for more people. God’s call to all of us is to love all of God’s creation and to care for it, seeking justice, loving-kindness and walking humbly with God, as we love God with the whole of our being and our neighbors as ourselves. I look forward to sharing in God’s ministry with you.

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Board Report In a show of their commitment to our Church, the Board met on Valentine’s Day! We started our meeting with reflection on each Board member’s current thinking about Sanctuary, and how we address the crisis. We approved the proposal to hire Mary Kay Sauter as Supply Pastor during Jane’s sabbatical (May 1 - August 1). We also set the Annual Meeting date as April 30, to allow for our important vote on whether to become a Sanctuary Church before Jane leaves for her sabbatical. We are pleased to approve the action of asking the Conference that Daniel be licensed, to assist him in his role as our Minister for Faith Formation. We also set our nominating task force—so please be thinking about how you can help with the leadership of our Church! We are also finishing up the proposed Constitution for congregational consideration. Our Capital Campaign is moving along and you will be hearing more soon. Please let me know your thoughts and concerns about anything to do with the Church.

Blessings, Joy Gullikson

Annual Reports Yes it’s that time again! Sarah Tittle will be sending out reminders about annual reports to those responsible for writing one. She is asking everyone to have their report submitted to her by Tuesday March 28. The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday April 30. If you received a reminder and don’t think you should have—or if you did not receive a reminder and you were expecting one—please let Sarah know. Thank you!

March Update on Minnesota Historical Society Grant Project The building is looking better and better on the outside as the work to restore it moves forward. Brief update at this point in the year: ! The roof work is completed. ! The scaffolding has been removed. ! All other work will wait until spring to

complete. ! Everything is going well and is under control. If you have questions or comments, please let either of us know. Thanks for your support and encouragement and patience with the work. Jean Chagnon & Maggie George

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Refugee/Sanctuary issues: alternatives and risks As a Church, we are in a discernment process relative to Sanctuary and Refugee issues and what we should or should not do in this domain. This has been a challenging, wrenching, and emotional process for many of us in the Church. The need for prayerful, respectful dialog is of utmost importance as we consider what we should do and who we should be as Christians. Personally, I have had some deeply conflicting feelings about our response to a newly installed Administration that to me seems out of control and capricious on immigration issues. Nevertheless, our response needs to be grounded in compassion AND wisdom. Wisdom includes many dimensions, and in my view, prudence is one of them. On Sunday March 19 as part of our discernment process, Bill Seeley and I will host a 2nd Hour presentation expressing a point of view that has been de-emphasized. Namely, the risks as expressed in the UCC General Counsel’s opinion letter relative to Sanctuary status. We will also explore immigrant welcoming steps in collaboration with the International Institute which we can undertake that minimize the risks of serious criminal penalties for leaders and potentially members of the Church.

Hoping to see you at 2nd Hour on March 19. Bill Lindberg, First Church Board Member

Capital Campaign update We are now in the planning phases of our capital campaign. We are working with the James Company, a professional stewardship consulting group founded in 1986. They have served more than 1000 congregations and faith-based organizations over these years, and come highly recommended by other UCC congregations. Joy Gullikson and Melissa Harl have agreed to serve as campaign co-chairs. This spring we are recruiting leaders for the core group that will guide the campaign and also laying the groundwork for the active phases of the campaign this fall. The core group will be identifying others who can assist with the campaign

in a variety of ways. We hope many people will get involved in this important process. Ash Wednesday, March 1 Between 5:30-6:30 p.m., we will serve a simple meal. During this time, we will also provide an opportunity for families with kids to learn more about Ash Wednesday and to receive the ashes (if they are unable to stay for the service). The Ash Wednesday service (at 7 p.m.) is a time to pause and take stock of our lives. On this day, we make confession, naming all that keeps us from truly engaging God’s vision of love for ourselves, for our neighbors, and for our world. And we repent—that is we turn: toward God, toward each other, and toward practices of faith that will lead to a renewal of our hearts, minds and spirits. We receive the sign of the cross in ashes, acknowledging our own fragility and mortality, and our constant reliance on God’s life-giving breath. After the service, our confirmation class, parents and mentors will gather to reflect on the experience together.

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Time Management – an exploration of core values

On February 20 we welcomed Wanda Walker, a Personal Growth Consultant who led us (BeFrienders and members of the congregation) in an exploration of how to better align our core values with our available time, so that we can achieve greater satisfaction with our lives.

All of that in an hour and a half! Wanda very effectively used a number of images to help us think creatively about our energy and our time. The image of a pitcher of water that was overflowing was especially striking—Wanda urged us to think of our time and talents as the water—only when we are filled up and overflowing can we effectively serve others. If we try to serve from a half-filled pitcher, we become depleted and then wonder why we are so exhausted. Regularly re-assessing how we spend our time (and our money) and being willing to face the fact that perhaps our values of five or ten years ago might have changed, was a good reminder for all of us. If we wonder why we don’t have energy around a topic that once excited us, perhaps it is because it is no longer particularly important to us. If it isn’t important, then drop it as a goal or as a way that you spend your time. Focus on your true priorities—don’t let little distractions pull your energy away from what is really important. I will close with a couple of Wanda’s many good quotes: Don’t let life happen to you; you need to happen to life! We do a better job if we limit the number of things we are trying to do.

Kris Felbeck

A BeFriender’s perspective (Note: This is a transcript of a presentation Linda Kelsey gave to the Congregation on February 19.) Today I’ve been asked to offer a few words about a dimension of our healing ministry here at First Church that is not always visible. I am going tell you a bit about my experience as a BeFriender. As many of you know the BeFriender Ministry is primarily one of companionship and listening. When we enter in a relationship with someone in our congregation, we don’t come with casseroles or flowers. Instead, we come with compassion, and the willingness to just “be there” for someone who is going through a time when they could use support. It could be a significant loss, or illness, or a time of isolation. BeFrienders aren’t therapists, and we’re certainly not the pastor, but we’ve been trained, quite extensively actually, to listen. Because we do this with confidentiality, we’re pretty invisible at church, but trust me, we’re here. And like every volunteer experience, being a BeFriender has probably given me as much or more than I’ve given. I think I speak for all of to say that because this is a relationship of sacred trust, I’m humbled by it every time I meet with a BeFriender. I have no details to share because of confidentiality, but when I think about the BeFrienders I often wish more people would take advantage of our presence at church. I know I share the tendency, which is probably very “Minnesotan,” of wanting to be sturdy and take care of myself by myself. But I know there have been times in my life when I could have used a BeFriender, and likely there will more. And I know I’d want to say, “Oh thanks, I’m handling things fine,” even when I’m not. But I hope I’ll have the wisdom to say, “Thanks. I could use some support right now. Do you suppose there’s a BeFriender available?”

Linda Kelsey

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Worship in March

March 1 Ash Wednesday Community Meal 5:30-6:30 p.m. Worship 7 p.m. March 5 Lent 1/Communion (pews) 10 a.m. Worship Jane McBride preaching: “Restless”; Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 2nd Hour Sanctuary Listening Session 11:30 a.m. March 12 Lent 2 10 a.m. Worship Daniel Romero preaching; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17; Noisy Offering! 2nd Hour U.S. Immigration System 11:30 a.m. March 19 Lent 3 10 a.m. Worship Jane McBride preaching, “Thirsty” Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42; Healing Prayer; March 26 Lent 4 6 p.m. Worship Jane McBride preaching, “Visible” Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41; Special offering for OGHS 2nd Hour Immigrant Voices Panel 11:30 a.m. Sign up for Easter flowers! This year you can purchase a tulip or hyacinth for $9.99 and lilies for $12.99. Please see the sign-up sheet in Pilgrim Hall. Deadline for ordering your flowers is Sunday March 26. March Special Offering: One Great Hour of Sharing On Sunday March 26 we will be receiving this UCC Special offering, through which UCC partners with many other organizations to support refugees, disaster recovery, education, and development efforts around the world. Every year as more and more people are displaced from their homes due to war, famine, or natural or manmade disasters, support of the kind that OGHS provides becomes increasingly important. Please make your check out to First Church with “OGHS” in the memo line—we will be accepting your offerings any time during the month of March. Thank you!

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Sanctuary discernment process (Please note there has been a schedule change for MN Conference Immigration Team Sessions) Listening Sessions Sundays March 5 and April 2, at 11:30 a.m., in the parlor. Members of the Sanctuary Discernment Team will facilitate these sessions. They will be a time of prayerful speaking and listening. Please come to offer your thoughts, feelings, and questions about this issue and to hear from others. 2nd Hour Presentations, Sundays at 11:30 • March 12: MN Conference UCC Immigration

Team presents on how our immigration system is broken and why undocumented immigrants come to the U.S.

• March19: Sanctuary and Refugees: Risks and an alternative view with Bill Seeley, Bill Lindberg and a representative from the International Institute of MN. *See Bill Lindberg’s description of this presentation on p. 6

• March 26: MN Conference UCC Immigration Team presents a panel of immigrant voices.

Chimes marches on . . . March 2017 75 Years ago 1942

• Congratulations to the following young people of First Church: Jean Grismer was elected President of the Women’s Self Government Association of the U of M. Bob Pomeroy received the Minneapolis Journal Award for being the best all around student at Marshall High School. Bill Thorpe, captain of the Marshall High Swimming Team, won the state championship in the 220-yard freestyle event.

50 Years Ago 1967 • OCWM (Our Christian World Mission) donations total nearly $6700, exceeding First Church’s by about $165. First Church members also stood near the top in per person mission giving among Twin Cities churches.

25 Years Ago 1992 • Longtime church handyman, boiler operator, and finder of the lost Tiffany window Addison Harris says goodbye to the boiler and dies peacefully at the age of 87.

10 Years Ago 2007 • “Prayers for Peace - Marking Four Years of War in Iraq,” Friday March 16 at 6 p.m. Special guests are the Bell Choir of Community of Peace Academy in St. Paul.

Sunday, March 5 8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

Tuck into a First Church tradition. The meal features really, truly, excellent

pancakes, sausage (veggie/meat), fruit, and juice.

Hosted by the Chancel Choir and Music

Ministry Free Will Offering

Proceeds support special musical events at First Church

and the Choir’s extraordinary programming.

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Family Gatherings continue Our first series of family gatherings focused on families navigating “big conversations” related to faith (grief & loss; giving & sharing; race & racism). Our second series will begin Sunday March 12 at 11:30 a.m. and will focus for four weeks on Baptism and Communion. Family gatherings include a meal, and time for kids and adults to learn together and separately. We are finding that this model is creating new connections among families and between families and others in the congregation. We are grateful to all the volunteers who are pitching in by preparing meals, washing dishes, gathering supplies, and facilitating learning activities. Please let Jane know if you would like to join our team! Kitchen support needed Gathering in community to share meals is an important part of our Lenten season at First Church. We are seeking people to coordinate these meals and to help with them in a variety of ways. Please let Jane know if you can pitch in. • Maundy Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. On the evening of Maundy Thursday, our worship is a meal intertwined with worship, as a remembrance of the Last Supper. We are looking for a coordinator for the meal and for others who can help to prepare and serve the meal. • Easter, April 16. On Easter Sunday, we serve coffee hour/breakfast between 8:45-9:45, after the service at the bridge and before our 10 a.m. worship in the sanctuary. We are looking for a coordinator and helpers for this important expression of hospitality.

Doctrine of Discovery film showing We are invited to join with other UCC congregations for a showing of Sheldon P. Wolfchild’s The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking The Domination Code on Wednesday March 22, from 7-9 p.m. at SpringHouse Ministry Center, 610 W 28th St, Minneapolis, 55408. The producers describe this film as “A story of historical truth, spirituality, and resistance, told on behalf of the original nations and peoples of Great Turtle Island, and elsewhere on Mother Earth. We are still here, and still rightfully free.” After the screening, there will be guided discussion and reflection on the implications of Christian communities repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery, and on what kinds of solidarity actions we might be invited to undertake. Reflecting on 1st Sundays & First We will not be holding a first Sunday concert in March. On Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m., there will be a gathering with those who have been organizing our 1st Sunday concerts. We will be reflecting on our larger goal of opening the church, evaluating our efforts to this point and making decisions about the future. All are welcome to be part of this conversation.

But please mark your calendar! On April 2, at 7 p.m., we will be hosting a concert featuring Jim Reilly on piano and Suzanne Kennedy, mezzo-soprano.

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Please keep in your prayers Long-time First Church member Barbara Nussbaum died peacefully at home on February 21. A memorial service will be held at First Church, with the date to be announced. Long Range Calendar April

9 Palm Sunday 13 Maundy Thursday 14 Good Friday: Joint Service, location TBA 16 Easter Sunday 30 Annual Meeting of the Congregation &

Jane’s Sabbatical Send-Off (she returns Aug. 1)

May 8-10 Finals Study Hall

June 4 Pentecost Sunday 9-11 MN Conference Annual Meeting 19-23 Joint Summer Day Camp 30-7/4 UCC General Synod in Baltimore

July 7-9 Pilgrim Point Weekend

JRLC Day on the Hill Maggie George, John Steiner, and Jane McBride attended the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill. At this year's day on the hill, meetings with state legislators focused on one key issue: strengthening the safety net for low-income families and children. The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) provides critical, temporary assistance to 25,000 families across the state, including 70,000 children. Seven of ten MFIP participants are children, and of those, half are under the age of five. MFIP is Minnesota’s state version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. MFIP was designed to support families in crisis as they work to exit poverty for good. Families who participate in the program are required to meet stringent work, job training, education, and other work-related activity guidelines. In return, they receive help with childcare, some food assistance, and a small amount of cash assistance. With the cash portion of the MFIP grant, families are expected to pay for housing costs, transportation, utilities, and other basic needs. The cash grant for MFIP has not increased since 1986 (31 years), while the cost of living has doubled, and the maximum grant for a family of three remains just $532 per month. As a leading member of the Prosperity for All coalition, JRLC is requesting a $100 per month cash grant increase for families accessing MFIP. While this $100 will not resolve the erosion in the buying power of the cash grant, it will significantly help families across the state who are most in need. As people of faith, we are called to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to basic needs. MFIP is an important piece of this puzzle, and is a program that needs to be strengthened so that more families can work toward permanent economic stability. Please consider calling your state senator and representative to join in expressing the support of our faith communities for increasing the amount families can receive from MFIP by $100 a month.

March Birthdays 2 ________________________ Teresa Dyar 3 __________________Carrie Higinbotham 4 _______________________ Peter Dahlen 8 _________________________ Bryan Fate 10 ___________________Susan Gunderson 10 ______________________ Sue Rohricht 11 ______________________Clyde Steckel 11 _____________________ Linda Lincoln 13 ______________________ Tom Lincoln 14 ________________________ Lori Janies 18 ____________________ Amelia Raether 19 _____________________ James Scoville 21 ___________________ Beth Adamowicz 24 ____________________ Libby Corcoran 24 ______________________Maggie Miles 25 _________________________ Ann Fate 28 ______________ Carey Seeley Dzierzak 28 __________ Nathan Knatterud-Hubinger 28 ___________Joshua Knatterud-Hubinger