St. Paul Journey | May 20, 2011
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Interfaith
conversations #1: ‘The Faith Club’ group study #2: The bus trip on Aug. 19 Our church has committed to an intentional search for deeper interfaith understanding during 2011. It’s a complex world. A quest for peace begins with each of us. Be part of this interfaith summer, designed in two parts — #1: The Faith Club is an amazing book. It’s a Saturday-morning gathering at St. Paul, followed by a scattering of interfaith group conversations around town. The trailblazing book, inspired by search for understanding by three women (a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew), is the focal point for part one. We begin on Saturday, June 11, 9-10:30 a.m., in the Library Commons with great coffee, encouraging words from Pastor Peter Marty, and the book, The Faith Club. After the June 11 launch, we continue for four weeks with small discussion groups around town at places of your own choosing — in coffee shops, eateries, parks, or homes. Have a conflict on June 11? Yes, you can still be part of these interfaith conversations. When you sign up, you’ll be placed in a group. The book will be the springboard for interfaith understanding. (The book is available in the Book Corner and St. Paul Library.) #2: The bus trip: Friday, Aug. 19, is the date for a day trip into the heart of Chicago to visit a mosque, a synagogue, and a Christian city church.
News flash: Jewish friends. Rabbi Tamar Grimm of the Tri-City Jewish Center is in conversation with our own Joel Moore. Her hope is to encourage some members of the Jewish congregation to join us in conversation. News flash: Coffee friends. The new Dunn Bros Coffee is happily furnishing morning brew and pastries for our June 11 gathering. News flash: Bus friends. Two buses are officially booked for the Aug. 19 trip. Other details are in the firming-up stage. Watch the June 3 issue of the Journey!
Interfaith sign-ups Sign up at church or online:
www.stpaulqc.org/news/627 The Faith Club: Sign up for interfaith conversations by June 8. The bus trip: Sign up in June. Joel Moore, 326-3547 ext. 224, joel@stpaulqc.org
Thanks Expressions of thanks have been received from Barb and Jerry Hansen, Alice Reddy, and Sylvia Morse.
house or in another person. What’s his first instinct? Fix it. Sometimes, he’s learning, it’s better to just take off the tool belt and relax. “I don’t have to accomplish everything in a day.” Still, this is a guy who finds relaxation with a good construction project. His juices start to flow in the aisles of a big home improvement store. Heidi calls Steve’s trips to Menard’s “going to the candy store.” Steve has problem-solved his way through just about every aspect of home construction, including laying sewer line, fixing electrical wiring, pouring concrete, hanging drywall, plumbing, and carpen-
JuneFest! Sunday, June 5 »» Outdoor Open Spirit worship at 11 a.m. »» JuneFest lawn party, 12:15-2:30 p.m.
People. Sun. Food. Music. Grace. What could be better? Outdoor worship: Open Spirit contemporary worship moves outdoors at 11 a.m. Bring to the north lawn your lawn chair, your shades, and your Open Spirit. JuneFest joy: Right after outdoor worship, let the party begin! St. Paul people and central-city neighbors will gather for good food and congregational spirit. The potluck feast: Sizzling on the Hy-Vee grill wagon will be burgers, pork, and hot dogs. Your free-will donation will help defray the sandwich cost. Bring a dish to share for 10 to 12 people. If you last name begins with A-L, dessert or chips; M-Z, a salad or veggie. Meet Superfly Samurai, an up-andcoming local band. Activities galore: Balloon artist Zany Janie, face-painting, a double bounce slide, and fun for all ages. Make plans to be part of this great day!
try. He’s taken his talents on the road to building missions in Guatemala, Portugal, and the Gulf Coast. If you recognize Steve some Saturday at Menard’s, he may be your best go-to guy. “Once, I saw this St. Paul man who I barely know. He’s in deep conversation with someone in the plumbing department. I come back later and he’s still looking, trying to figure something out.” “Here, why don’t you do this?” said Steve, grabbing the right parts. Do-it-yourselfing is a way to connect, in serving and in relationships. Like plumbing, says the poet, every pipe is joined to every other.
Steve’s first instinct is to fix things that are askew or in disrepair. But life with God is not a do-ityourself project.