Inspire: Generations

INSPIRE

G E N E R AT I O N S

a m a g a z i n e f o r t h e s t. p h i l i p t h e d e a c o n c o m m u n i t y

When Your Adult Children Leave the Church • Ryan Saunders: Finding My Own Path • Young At Heart • Thinning Our Lives • Praying Attention spring <¤<¤

i

IN EVERY ISSUE

3 Editor’s Letter

4 Scripture Connection

5 Read, Watch, Listen

6 Ref lections on Faith

Rocky Railway JUNE 8 – 11 Vacation Bible School for ages 3 (as of Sept. 1, 2019) through completed 4th grade. All are welcome! Register by May 1st to reserve your spot! spdlc.org

30 Modern Day Pilgrims

32 Out & About

34 Giving Thanks

35 Calendar of Events

36 Familiar Faces

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St. Philip the Deacon

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F E AT U R E A R T I C L E S

SEEN

K NOWN

L OV E D

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12

22

Devoted Living: Forgiveness

Do This, Not That! When Your Adult Children Leave the Church

Praying Attention

10 When Our Neighbor Stumbles

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24 Thinning Our Lives

Ryan Saunders: Finding My Own Path

14 Through the Generations

20 Young at Heart

26 Good Inside: Food & Recipes

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INSPIRE

Vol. 2, Issue 3, Spring 2020 Published by St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 475-7100 editor in chief

Tim Westermeyer m a n ag i n g e d i t o r

Amanda Berger design

Malley Design s ta f f w r i t e r s

Public conversations where faith comes to life.

JOIN US FOR A SERIE S O F TA L K S A B O U T B E I N G AND BELIEF

The Faith & Life Lectures are open and welcoming public forums where members of the TWin Cities community can hear nationally known speakers ref lect on how Christian faith intersects with different dimensions of everyday life. We invite you to join us for the 2019-2020 series of lectures.

TOD WORNER

March 5, 2020 R YA N S A U N D E R S

May 14, 2020 All lectures begin at 7:00 p.m.

Free and open to the public. faith-and-life.org

Cheryl Mathison, Kate Sterner contributions

Cindy Carlson, Leslie Crane Photography website

spdlc.org/inspire email editorial

aberger@spdlc.org o n t h e c ov e r

Photo by Simon Wilkes Š2020 St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church. All rights reserved.

submissions

Do you have an idea for a story or love to write? Contact our managing editor with your submission, but please keep in mind the following guidelines: (A) Your article may be edited for length and content. (B) Articles must fit in the larger themes of our publication and reflect the mission of St. Philip the Deacon. (C) All submissions will be reviewed by our editorial staff to determine the suitability for our publication.

While we would love to include all submissions, space and cost limit our ability to do that.

Submissions will not be returned.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

DEUTERONOMY 6:4 -9

Despite having spent 17 years working in the church, and most of those in youth ministry, figuring how best to model faith with my own child has been incredibly challenging. Even for a family who makes it to worship more weekends than not and takes advantage of all the support our church has to offer, I still wonder, “Is she getting it?”

Our world is increasingly unfriendly toward faith and religion—and not just Christianity. To believe in anything bigger than ourselves is viewed with skepticism. Our culture doesn’t even have to be outrightly hostile to make it hard. School and work schedules, extra-

curricular activities and all the demands of modern life create an atmosphere where having the chance to slow down, have real conversations, and create space for prayer and worship has become nearly impossible.

Modern life is noisy. Everything competes to be heard, to be number one in our lives, and it is therein that we find the rub: In the presence of a God who simply wants to hang out with us, to be in relationship, everything else comes across as more demanding and as having larger negative consequences should we choose to ignore them.

In this issue, we tackle some of the harder issues of nurturing faith in the next generation. What does faith look like today? What do I do when my kids abandon the faith in which they were raised? What’s next for us as Christians in an ever more frantic world?

There aren’t easy answers, but my hope is that we can inspire conversation around these topics and encourage you to consider the legacy of faith that you show those nearest to your heart, whom you encounter every day. I was inspired

by Pastor Mathison’s article, “Praying Attention,” in that, if nothing else, there is incredible power in praying out loud for those whom we love.

One of the greatest gifts we can offer the next generation is to see them, to know them and to love them, for this is exactly what God does: God sees you; God knows you; God loves you. May this issue of Inspire help you to tune in to your own story, to see more clearly where God has stirred up your heart and informed your actions through faith, and to know that your witness makes a difference here within our faith community and in the generations of Christians to come.

Pax Christi,

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SPD BOOK CLUB

SCRIPTURE CONNECTION D E C R E A S E T H E O B S TA C L E S TO RE ADING THE BIBLE

Our book club meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month for a staff-led discussion of a book featuring topics of faith.

All are welcome—whether you finished the book or not!

MARCH 17

The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler. Discussion led by Amanda Berger.

APRIL 21

Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher. Discussion led

by Susan Path.

With Lent just a round the cor ner , now is a good time to consider w h at discipline you might pr actice in or der to observ e the 40 -day season. While there is no requirement in the Lutheran church to give up or take on something, many people do. For example, some give up meat like our Catholic brothers and sisters or they give up things like coffee, sugar or chocolate. Others take on something like daily devotion, a new prayer practice, or acts of service.

Fasting during Lent has its origins in the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). The purpose behind a Lenten fast is to prepare for our celebration of the resurrection throughout the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. We do so by remembering the great sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

This year our Lenten midweek worship will take shape around the book 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole. This book looks at traditional Lenten fasting in a whole new way, suggesting we decrease 40 different things like jealousy, regrets, criticism, comparison and avoidance.

Here’s an idea that is not in the book but that would make a great practice for Lent. How about decreasing obstacles to regular Bible reading? What follows are four common obstacles and four ways to work around them.

The Gospel of John, a thrifty $1.79 on Amazon.

The ESV Scripture Journal Series includes individual books of the New Testament with a page opposite the text for note taking. The Alabaster Bible each individually bound and with beautiful images throughout. At $100 this is a commitment, but so beautiful they might be worth the investment.

2 . I DON ’ T LIKE THE TR ANSL ATION I HAVE

It is so helpful to have access to a variety of translations, but investing in more Bibles isn’t always an option. Nevertheless, sometimes a passage is made clearer in one version and other times the contrast between versions can invite interesting reflection. Check out Bible Gateway at biblegateway.com, a free website with multiple translations. You can even select a screen to show multiple translations side by side for comparison.

3. THE TE X T IN MY BIBLE IS TOO SMALL TO RE AD OR I CAN NO LONGER RE AD

It is so frustrating when your eyes change and the print is no longer crisp and clear or when you lose the ability to read at all. But don’t despair! Check out The Bible App; you can download it for free on your smart phone. Or try the Bible by Olive Tree. Not only can you enlarge the font to a size that works for you, but you can also listen to an audio version of many of the translations.

4 . I DON ’ T UNDERSTAND

M AY 1 9

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb.

Discussion led by Pastor Mark Schmid.

1. I DON ’ T HAVE A BIBLE TO

WHAT I RE AD IN MY BIBLE

CARRY WITH ME

This is likely the most frequently cited obstacle to regular Bible reading. There is no need to be intimidated by what is in the Bible. Remember, these are God’s words, and they are written for you! Nevertheless, sometimes a little help is necessary. Check out EntertheBible.org, a great, free Bible commentary for when you get stuck or want to dig a little deeper.

Yes, the Bible is a big book, so throwing it in your bag when heading out for the day isn’t always practical. But don’t let that get in the way of your reading! Did you know that you can buy some of the books of the Bible individually? They come in paperback versions that are lightweight and manageable for toting around. Check out:

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Read T H E LOS T BOO K OF THE GR AIL

By Charlie Lovett— Charmingly British, this book follows Arthur Prescott, devout bibliophile and literature professor, who is obsessed with the history of his beloved Barcester Cathedral. In a race against

Faith & Life TOD WORNER T H U R S D A Y, MARCH 5 7:00 P M

Tod Worner, a practicing internist, teacher and writer, joins us for a conversation about the state of medicine today. How can physicians and patients reclaim the soul of medicine and once again make it a meaningful engagement between a healer and a patient, rather than a business transaction driven by efficiency and utility?

The Faith & Life Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

All are welcome!

For more information visit faith-and-life.org

time, Arthur seeks to uncover the truth about the cathedral’s origins and its mysterious connection to the holy grail. Along the way, Arthur finds not only love, but a little bit of faith as well.

Watch BUILDING T H E G R E AT CAT H E D R A L S Gothic cathedrals are a wonder of beauty and engineering. Watch this fascinating episode of “Nova” as they follow engineers,

architects, art historians and computer scientists as they search for clues to help preserve cathedrals on the brink of collapse.

pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/building-the-great-cathedrals

Listen M US IC FO R L E N T & PA S S I O N T I D E This album contains over an hour’s worth of beautiful traditional Latin choral works

by The Lay Vicars of Chich-

ester Cathedral, especially chosen for the season of Lent and Holy Week.

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BY TIM WESTERME YER

M

y three siblings and I recently hosted a major milestone birthday party for our parents. The party was, in a very real way, a celebration of the theme of this issue: Generations. Being surrounded by family members—some who were older than me, some who were my age, and some who were younger than me—reinforced this theme of generations in a powerful and visceral way.

And, importantly, the event reinforced the theme not only through my actual family, but also through the family we call the church. Many who attended this party were dear friends from the two churches that have been most central to my mom and dad in their adult lives—one from a suburb of Chicago, where I grew up, and the other from a church in Roseville, where my parents moved after I graduated from college.

The presence of friends from these churches was no accident, since the church, of course, is also a family—and, like all families, is also made up of generations.

A helpful reminder of the generational nature of the church comes through a word that sometimes get a bad rap, namely, “tradition.” Far from implying something that is old and tired and irrelevant, the word in fact refers to something that is active and alive. Literally, the word tradition means “handing on,” and it underscores the truth that the church is an ongoing, living community that is in the business of connecting one generation to another: Those who have gone before us have handed on God’s love to us, and—as recipients of that love—we have the privilege and responsibility of handing on this same love to those who will come after us.

Seeing this truth about the church—recognizing the connections each generation has with the generations before and after them—strikes me as a healthy exercise, because it helps us to see and recognize the specific “place” or “location” we each take up in a complex network of loving relationships that span both space and time.

Among other things, seeing more clearly our place in the generations of the church gives us a sense of perspective.

It allows us to acknowledge with gratitude what our predecessors have accomplished; it challenges us to pick up the responsibility we have to hand on and share God’s love in our own place and time; and it also forces us to live in hope by humbly accepting that we will never be able to “finish” this work—that we need to trust that those who come after us will be able to take it up as their own.

At that party for my mom and dad, I was glad to be surrounded by so much love—between and among multiple generations. Here at St. Philip the Deacon, I feel the same way. As you reflect on our wonderful faith community made up of so many generations, I pray that you can continue to take up your own important place in this family. When you do, you allow all of us to more fully receive the love passed down to us over the centuries, and—with God’s help—to hand it on to those who will come after us.

With Gratitude for Your Place in the Family,

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M E D I TAT I O N

“One loses, as one grows older, something of the lightness of one’s dreams; one begins to take life up in both hands, and to care more for the fruit than the flower, and that is no great loss perhaps.”

W B Y E AT S

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DE VOTED LIVING

“If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped.”

PSALM 130:3-4

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THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS

Let t ing g o of pa st hu rts a nd w rongdoings i s one of t he most dif f ic u lt ch a llenges a n y of us face . For som e of us, t hose hu rts h a ppen in t he cou r se of a f ight, a slight or a m i su nder sta nding.

Or you m ay be t he v ic t i m of deeper t r au m a .

We pray every week in worship, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us,” in the hope that this may be true in our lives and that we can break cycles of sin and hurt, in the hopes of becoming healthier in our own body, mind and spirit.

In the case of everyday wounds, being honest and talking through the hurt can be helpful. Hurtful words, a misunderstanding or a fight can often be resolved with honestly offering the chance for an apology and may even help to deepen the relationship.

Then, there are things that feel unforgivable—physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect or being a victim of a crime—and these are huge. It may take a lifetime to resolve that kind of trauma. “Forgive and forget” is a common platitude that has little resonance in cases of such deep hurt and there are no excuses. Persons who perpetrate these acts are responsible for their behaviors, but it can also be helpful to understand that those who commit these hurtful acts were often victims of abuse themselves.

While it may feel good or righteous to hold on to anger, the physical, emotional and spiritual effects of holding on to that anger are devastating, and often perpetuate further cycles of hurt.

Recognizing that forgiveness is more important for the one who was hurt to give, than for the wrongdoer to receive, can open the whole self to healing and resolution. If we consider our God to be a God who breaks chains and frees us, then forgiveness is one of the most important steps in finding freedom and peace. It releases the cycles of anger, guilt, anxiety and fear that often accompany the deeply wounded.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it is deeply important work and is a part of our growth as people of God. Forgiveness takes time and effort, but is so essential to finding peace within our lifetimes.

This four-step method was condensed from a more in-depth 20-step process developed by Dr. Robert Enright, founder of the Forgiveness Institute. For more in-depth information, check out internationalforgiveness.com.

1.

Uncov er your anger. Our instinct is to hide and tamp down anger until it explodes. Consider using a journal to identify your anger, considering who, what, when and where that anger comes from. These can be recent experiences or distant, unresolved wounds from your past.

2.

Decide to forgiv e. On a head level, you decide to be ready to let go of anger and make the decision to forgive. Do consider that this forgiveness is more about you than the one who has injured you. Unresolved anger unleashes our body's stress response, possibly even making us feel physically, mentally and emotionally sick.

3.

Wor k on forgiv eness.

Sometimes this means reframing the original offense. If the injury was minor, but hurtful, perhaps the person didn’t mean it the way it sounded or was experiencing a lot of stress themselves. Maybe a conversation needs to happen to resolve the hurt feelings. In the instance of a larger trauma, that may not be possible, but as the victim, the need to process and heal from traumas often means deciding that you are more than and not defined by that abusive experience.

4.

Find r elease from your emotiona l pr ison. You are not alone in your suffering. Others have also experienced deep hurt. Finding a support group may be helpful. Consider how these experiences have shaped who you are, and how God may turn them for good in your life.

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When Our Neighbor Stumbles

BY K AT E S T E R N E R

T

wo decades have passed since Sandy Dockter was first asked to help lead St. Philip the Deacon’s participation in Beacon Interfaith Housing’s program, Families Moving Forward. At the invitation, she was dubious and said, “I just don’t know if I will have the time.” But taking a step in faith, Dokter said yes to what has become a very clear call to service.

Three times each year since then, Dockter has skillfully shepherded the program. She organizes SPD members as they sign up for a variety of Families Moving Forward tasks. She works closely with the Beacon staff, monitors and advises during hosting week, and contributes feedback reports to help with Beacon’s grant-seeking process. Dockter is also a local legislative advocate, attending city council meetings and speaking with elected officials and representatives for expanded affordable housing options in Plymouth and the surrounding area.

“Many families fall on hard times through no fault of their own, or through events that they cannot control,” says Dockter. “It’s important to me to stand with those who struggle with unemployment, illness, loss of transportation, loss of a family member, or any number of factors that put them and their families at risk for homelessness.”

The Families Moving Forward program has a very high success rate. It is very satisfying to know that the program is designed to set participants up for success. Families are directed into Beacon’s program through various application steps. Priority is given to people with children, and who are employed or employable. If applicants have drug and alcohol issues, they are directed into other applicable programs. “These are people ready to stand on their own feet. They just need some extra help and encouragement.”

Host sites—mostly church congregations— provide rooms and bedding for each family for one week. During a hosting week, children attend school or daycare while their parents are either at work or working hard to find employment. They attend classes and workshops which cover job seeking guidance and skills training. In the evenings the families return to their host site, where volunteers provide meals, evening activities, conversation and encouragement.

“When I think of what I have been given, by the grace of God, I know that I have a need to help others,” says Dockter. “If my heat were to go out, I can just bundle up in some blankets and wait for the repair crew to come and fix my furnace. But what if I didn’t have the resources to pay for that? This is something I can do for someone else. Anyone can help this way. It doesn’t take a bunch of money; just some of my time. I just want to help.”

Opportunities to Serve Our Neighbors Sharing your time and talents makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors. It will make a difference in your own life, too!

Sharing and Caring Hands Serve a nutritious breakfast to those who rely on it. First Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

Messiah Food Pantry Extra hands are always welcome on the second Friday and the fourth Saturday of the month, both at 8:30 a.m. We help keep the pantry shelves stocked and ready for visitors.

Our Saviour’s Shelter Five times a year, a crew from SPD will gather at Our Saviour’s Shelter in Minneapolis where we prepare and serve an evening meal to those struggling with homelessness.

Meals on Wheels There are opportunities for SPD members to deliver meals to homebound neighbors during the months of March, July and November.

To get involved with any of these opportunities, contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.

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DO THIS, NOT THAT! W H E N Y O U R A D U LT C H I L D R E N L E AV E T H E C H U R C H

BY P A S T O R C H E R Y L M AT H I S O N

A

s the Teaching Pastor I am asked all kinds of questions ranging from “What does the Bible say about (fill in the blank)?” to “Can you recommend a book about (again, fill in the blank)?” to “Where in the Bible does it say (once again, fill in the blank with part of a Bible verse or, for an extra challenge, fill in the blank with a mashup of parts of several verses from several different books)?”

Questions come to me via email, voice mail, in conversation, and on notes scribbled on scratch paper slid under my door or left in my mailbox.

One of the questions I am asked most frequently basically goes something like this: “My adult children don’t go to church. What can I do?”

As parents who brought their kids up in the church worshiping regularly, learning about the Bible and Christian life, serving and enjoying rich relationships in community, it is one of life’s greatest disappointments when adult children leave the faith community. And, as parents who have carried their children to the baptismal font promising to bring them to the services of God's house and to teach them the Lord’s Prayer, The Creed and the Ten Commandments, it is painful to acknowledge that their adult children are no longer part of a church.

Under these circumstances it is not uncommon for parents to experience a deep sense of loss, failure, worry or fear.

And at the same time, it is evident whenever the question is raised (What do I do about my adult children who don’t attend

church?), that it is prompted by deep love, care and concern.

While I cannot provide a checklist of things to do that will guarantee your kids will return to church, I can help you navigate this complicated relationship between you, your adult children and your faith and theirs.

Perhaps you are familiar with the Eat This, Not That! weight management books. The author suggests healthy food swaps for not-so-healthy foods we love to eat. For example: eat this (baked potato chips) and not that (fried potato chips).

We can also apply that method to your relationship with your adult children who don’t worship; as in: Do This, Not That.

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DO

DON’T

1.

DO know that it is not your fault. Give

DON’T beat yourself up for the

2.

DO find comfort in Scripture. For example,

DON’T fear that your adult children

3.

DO seek to understand your adult

DON’T assume that they have no faith

4.

DO share your faith and how it sustains you.

DON’T argue, debate, shame or apply

5.

DO take the long view. They may not be wor-

DON’T give up. Ever.

6.

DO pray for your adult children. Entrust

DON’T neglect interceding on

7.

DO recognize that you are not alone.

DON’T let guilt and shame keep you from

yourself a little grace and know that you have done your best in sharing your faith.

the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin remind us how deep and certain God’s love is for every single one of his sheep. Psalm 139 proclaims there is no place we can go where God is not. It reads in part: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

children and their faith. Listen attentively when the topic comes up.

Let your faith speak for itself.

shiping today, but there is always tomorrow.

them and their faith to God’s care.

Many faithful parents have grown children who no longer worship or participate in a faith community.

decisions your adult children have made about the church.

have been abandoned by God because they are not part of a faith community.

and furthermore, don’t assume that you know why they are not active in a church.

pressure to your adult children in hopes of getting them to go to church.

their behalf.

sharing this heartache with other people you love and trust. They may also be willing to pray on behalf of you and your child.

Finally, please remember that your worth as a person is not dependent upon your child’s faith life. You are of value because you belong to God, who loves beyond our understanding. And the same thing is true for your children.

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THROUGH THE G E N E R AT I O N S

BY AMANDA BERGER

I

remember seeing my mom, tucked up in the rust-colored recliner in the early mornings, with a cup of coffee in her hand and her Bible open across her knees. I can still picture my home church, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Sunday mornings filled with familiar faces in the pews and my dad ushering. I remember the kindness of Mark, my youth director in high school, inviting me to sing with the youth choir and serve as a youth leader at middle school events. I remember occasionally attending mass with my grandmother on Saturday evenings, watching her fingers work the decades of her rosary as we waited for the service to begin.

Each of these memories are just tiny pieces of the story of how I came to know and love God. They are the follow-up to a baptism where those around me promised, on behalf of a tiny, helpless infant, to bring me to the Lord’s house, to teach me the Ten Commandments and the creeds, to provide me with all of the tools and encouragement to grow in faith.

It is the work of one generation to the next, sharing the practice of faith, while God is simultaneously at work in every generation. I never really thought about it until now, but each of these people, as they were modeling their faith to me, were still on their own unique and intimate journeys with Jesus. They didn’t have all the answers. They were still growing their own spiritual practices, and yet, in

powerful ways they showed me what it looked like to mature and live in faith.

It is easy to look at our modern world and despair the power of an increasingly secular culture. To feel nostalgic for a time when Wednesday nights were blocked out for church activities and where on Sunday morning, nearly everyone you knew was attending church somewhere.

This is no longer the world we live in, and we can lament and wish for the “old days” or we can come to terms with what it means to be a person of God, living our faith in the world as it is today. There are those who are panicking at dire predictions of the decline of the church—in particular, the decline of the ELCA—and there are those who choose to believe that a new

age is dawning and we, as God’s faithful people, have a role to play in furthering the Gospel.

Most people want their lives to have purpose and to be rich with meaning. As Christians, we find that meaning within the story of who God is in our lives. As we mature in our own faith, we do not give faith to the next generation; instead, we help them uncover their own story of God. We need the interaction between those who are a little further along on their faith journey to serve as models of what a life of faith looks like.

The church is, importantly, one of the few places where we see interactions between and amongst people of many generations.

Currently, seven different generations worship within the pews of SPD each week. There is great beauty in these shared patterns of worship, which have not altered much in 2,000 years. Interestingly, the word “tradition” means “to hand on” or to “pass on” and these familiar patterns of traditional worship are often a great draw for the young families within our congregation.

While there may be some tension between generations in how each practices their faith or “does church,” none of the expressions of faith are better than or more important than others, as our practice

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of faith is often defined by the time of history in which we grew up. Sometimes, these differences can cause a sense of loss or grief, or even blaming between generations, but there have always been points of tension and transition in faith practices. (Anyone remember when women were not allowed to be pastors?)

“In the past our congregations grew because we gave birth to more Lutherans.

That is not and has not been the case now for several generations,” said Linda Staats, an expert in intergenerational faith at ELCA Churchwide. “Due to the mass mobility in our society, beginning with the Boomer generation, there is a decrease in the number of families who attend the same church, and trace their membership and grave markers back three, four, five or more generations in the same cemetery.

This mobility affects household faith practices and passing on of religious traditions and sense of family religious identity.” Children and grandchildren do not necessarily see and hear how their extended family experience God and the practice of faith in everyday life, simply due to distance.

“Churches are one of the few remaining communities that can bring all generations together for meaningful interaction and where a sense of belonging and identity is formed as a people who know God’s Story and live with purpose—a gracefilled, Jesus way-of-living, that goes beyond any boundary or difference of age or stage in life. Regardless of age or generation, I believe every person is looking for community and sense of belonging and purpose in living,” said Staats.

In big and small ways, our faith community at SPD models this faithful life daily. As we engage in worship, Bible study, prayer and service, we show where God is at work in individual lives and in the movement of our larger community. This is the story that we model and reveal, day in and day out, as we embody the faith in which we live, move and breathe.

G E N E R AT IO N S AT A G L A N CE

Each generation is shaped by the culture around them. Here are some of the key generational differences we find among those who we encounter every day. Dates indicate birth years.

The Greatest Gener ation (1901-1926) Faith derived from knowledge and experience and know hymns by heart. Believe that every generation will be better off than the one before it. Live lives rooted in sacrifice for the good of others and are civic minded.

May have fought in WWII. The Silent Gener ation (1927-1945) Faith comes from knowledge and involvement, also know hymns by heart. Believe that hard work can accomplish anything. Save their money and try not to use credit. Shaped by the Depression, WWII and Industrial Revolution. Believe in tradition, loyalty, hard work and not wasting resources. Trust institutions and leaders.

The Baby Boomer s (1946 -1964) This group was taught that the church was in charge of passing on the faith. Lives were shaped by television and social-political change, space exploration and assassinations of religious and political leaders. Tend to be suspicious of institutions, hierarchy and authority. Work hard to play hard and use credit. Also sandwiched between caring for parents, kids and grandkids.

Gen X (1965-1980) The first generation to truly be “latch-key” kids where majority of both parents work outside of home. Shaped by computers, the Cold War, the AIDS crisis, divorce, and concerned about making ends meet. Accepting of diversity and committed to care for the environment. This group is searching for purpose and meaning; often lack loyalty to particular church denominations.

Millenni al or Gen Y (1981-1996) A renewed interest in civic responsibility and public service. Spent their formative years in childcare and preschools, they are wired for technology. Looking for authentic relationships, they are upbeat and confident, but often stressed about financial situation. Very open to change.

Gener ation Z or iGener ation (1997-2012) Born into the rise of the information age, they communicate in real time across the whole world. This group is marketed to by advertising nonstop; Kids are viewed as “getting older younger” (forced into more mature roles and behaviors earlier than previous generations). Fear of school shootings a part of daily life.

Alph a Gener ation (2013-2025) Completely born into and immersed in technology, they will become global citizens.

Expectations will be of completely customized approaches to everything. Greatest life expectancy of any generation.

Generational data and additional resources provided by Linda Staats, ELCA Churchwide coordinator for The Generosity Project, who shared with me her expertise and passion for understanding intergenerational ministry.

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FINDING MY OWN PATH A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H R YA N S A U N D E R S

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

Ryan Saunders, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves since May of 2019, is a graduate of Wayzata High School and the University of Minnesota, where he was a walk-on with the U’s Golden Gopher basketball team.

He began his professional coaching career with the Washington Wizards, where he developed a reputation for player development and the early use of analytics to help teams make better game-time decisions. The son of former Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders, who died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2015, Ryan has always understood that he can only lead authentically and effectively as himself, and that he shouldn’t try to be anyone else—even his dad. In this interview, he answers some questions about family, basketball and what it means to lead as a servant.

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The theme of this issue of Inspire is “Generations,” so I’ll start with the fact that you and your wife, Hayley, welcomed your first child, Lucas Philip, in June last year. How has becoming a father impacted or changed you? It’s brought new light to what life really is and how you can feel and see that decisions are not made only for yourself, but now for my son, too—and, of course, they continue to be made for my wife, as well. I am also more aware of how many blessings God gives, especially when times are tough. [God] has helped me navigate through so many tough times.

Your son’s middle name is also your father’s name (“Flip” was a nickname for “Philip”) so clearly there’s an intentional connection of the generations there, too. What qualities of your dad’s would you hope that your son exhibits as he grows up? I hope he grows into a human being that treats people right. Someone who stays positive through tough situations and knows that nothing

will just be given to you—you have to work for what you want in life. A strong work ethic is very important to me.

important. You know that even the bad days are not just bad days because God is with you. That’s really important.

Between your appointment as the youngest head coach in the NBA in 2019, the birth of your son in 2019, your marriage to Hayley in 2017, and your father’s death in 2015, you’ve had a whole lot of major life transitions in the past few years. Can you share a bit about how your faith has impacted how you have experienced and understood those events and experiences? It’s impossible to process any of those experiences without my faith.

Both the good and the bad are better understood when my faith is strong. Over the last four years, after my dad passed, my faith was critical to navigating through that experience. If I didn’t have something to fall back on, something to hold me up, I wouldn’t have been able to fully experience any of those things—the grief or the joy. I’d just be going through the motions.

Having a faith-based life clarifies what’s

There is a lot of pressure in professional sports for coaches to be instantly successful, giving little grace for growth and building a team. How do you respond to that demand and try to remain balanced in all aspects of your life? I just try to take everything in stride.

Pressure and expectations are usually formed through outside forces, if you stay true to your own expectations and process of how you do things, it’s easier to deal with those outside expectations.

Describe a typical day in your life. What does it look like in your world to balance being an NBA head coach and a dad? Days vary throughout the week. One thing I’ve learned is that however you plan your day, it will not end up as planned. That is where my faith comes in. Being an NBA head coach is just my occupation—how I

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lead my life as a man, a father, a husband, a son and a brother is what matters most.

This is my dream job, but being all those other things help me balance my thoughts, even if the time given to my career is demanding.

Does your faith play a role in your work as a coach? If so, how? My faith informs how I’ve developed my coaching philosophy, incorporating servant leadership. I believe in that. You serve the people around you before you serve yourself or your own needs. You help those around you before you help yourself. It’s a big part of my coaching philosophy.

A couple of questions about the “generations” of the game of basketball itself, and how the game has developed and changed over the years. Let’s start with the impact of analytics on the game—something you were instrumental in introducing to the game, as I understand it. First, how would you describe what analytics is? Analytics is used everywhere in the game now. I use analytics every day as a coach. As a team, we’ve been doing things with analytics for a long time because the numbers don’t lie.

It’s important with players that you are able to reinforce common themes. You can show that your decisions are based on the numbers, which helps people be more open to change and to embrace and accept my decisions. Analytics is trying to find

the most efficient way to do something, using numbers to get there. That’s a basic way of looking at it.

How has analytics changed the game?

It’s changed the game greatly. All of the coaches make decisions based on numbers and probabilities, seeing possible outcomes and scenarios. Analytics puts you in a position where you can make educated decisions and not just have to rely on your gut instincts and feelings.

Still on that vein of how the game has changed: Is today’s game in the NBA more about individual stars? Or is the team approach still important? Individual stars may look like they run the NBA, because that’s what gets a lot of press, but it’s still a team game. The most successful stars are team-oriented guys. That’s a big thing in this league, having a group that will not just buy into a system, but come to believe in each other.

You’re currently the youngest NBA coach.

How does that impact your coaching style?

What opportunities does that create, and what difficulties does it present? I’ve never really thought about my age as positive or negative. I just think of myself as a basketball coach. If I dive deep into it, I’d say there are plenty more positives than there are negatives, because at the end of the day, I share a lot of common interests with my players. We like similar music.

We like to go to movies. Or we might just be hanging out, talking about our lives.

That’s something that comes easily to our group. I think that my faith and my faith journey has also helped me connect with several players, which has gotten us to a deeper place relationally.

What attributes or qualities allow you to be most effective as a coach? My skills for organization, honesty and having a genuineness in how I do things help me to be effective. At the end of the day, people only follow you if they know that you care about them and that you believe in them, and that you are genuine in how you deal with them.

I know you’re close to your mom. What has it been like for her to watch you become the head coach of your dad’s former team? I’m sure it’s bittersweet in a lot of ways. She misses him every day. So, I’m sure that seeing me out there brings back a lot of memories. She knows that there’s a lot of tough times that come with this job, but I know she’s proud of me. It’s got to be a thrill for her to have our family feel so welcome around the arena.

If your dad were still around, what advice do you think he would have for you? He would tell me to be myself. That’s the biggest thing—don’t try to be anyone else—even him. At the end of the day, when you’re in a position of leadership, players and other people can read right through you if you’re not who you say are.

You’ll be with us on May 14 for our Faith & Life Series. If people come to that event, what can they expect to hear? I’ll be talking about faith and perseverance, and they can expect to hear a casual conversation about my faith and where it has led me, the ups and downs through my life. They’ll hear how my relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that I can point to and say was bigger than all the challenges I faced.

So why stop now? If you stop believing when things get hard, what does that say about you as a person of faith?

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Young at Heart

BY K AT E S T E R N E R

What does it take to maintain a healthy heart? What things can put your heart health at risk? How can you make changes to your lifestyle to stay “young at heart”?

Dr. Greg Path, M.D., a member of St. Philip the Deacon and a cardiologist with the Allina Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Institute, admits, “There is a lot of good information available to guide us [in heart health], but it is constantly being updated, and that can cause some confusion.”

The primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor physical fitness, stress and a family history of cardiovascular disease.

The more risk factors present, the higher the risk. However, even small lifestyle changes can radically decrease the risk.

The biggest lifestyle change that cardiologists recommend to heart patients is an improved diet. There are many diet change options available, and the best ones for heart health are plant-based.

General guidelines include eating more fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains and seafood over red meat, as well as calcium rich dairy products and polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Guidelines also recommend eating less processed foods, refined grains, red meats, meats processed with sodium and nitrates, trans fats, sweetened drinks and salt. These general rules can be summed up by author and nutrition activist Michael Pollen’s simple credo: “Eat real food. Not too much.

Mostly plants.”

Among the most recommended diets is the Mediterranean Diet, with its traditional dietary patterns from populations bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Studies begun in the 1960s found these populations to have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. Olive oil is a

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main source of polyunsaturated dietary fat. Meals are comprised of a high proportion of plant foods: fruits and vegetables, potatoes, legumes, nuts and seeds. Animal foods, such as dairy products, fish, poultry and eggs, are consumed in low to moderate quantities. Red meats are eaten only a few times a month and in small amounts. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean Diet is linked to lower risks of heart attack, stroke and heart failure, and is associated with lower incidence of diabetes, lower blood pressure, favorable cholesterol levels and lower body weight. This diet also is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory foods and had favorable effects on gut health.

A more specifically prescribed diet recommended by doctors is the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). This approach to nutrition has been proven to lower blood pressure by up to 10-15 points, which can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack. The primary DASH dietary components include low sodium, plant-based foods, low fat dairy foods, moderate amounts of whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts, and low amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats. Though similar to the Mediterranean Diet in several ways, it places a greater emphasis on sodium restriction, low fat intake, and lean proteins in addition to fish.

The Daniel Plan is also recommended to people who wish to improve their heart health. The Daniel Plan is a Christian-based lifestyle program that emphasizes peer support, prayer, nutrition and healthy practices. The pillars of the program are the “Five Fs”: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus and Friends. The primary components of a Daniel Plan meal begin with non-starchy vegetables, followed by whole grains, lean proteins, low-glycemic fruits and water or herbal teas. The Daniel Plan also places a premium on non-processed foods. (SPD offers a group for those

interested in The Daniel Plan, offering encouragement and support.)

The Ornish Program is a lifestyle program developed by Dr. Dean Ornish M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, and the program and resources may be found at Ornish. com. The program aims to identify and reduce health risks, and reverse damage already done to the body. Based on a vegetarian approach, the methods described in the Ornish Program have been proven to reduce the risk of heart attack.

Any regimen aimed at improving heart health should include more physical activity and regular exercise at any level. Exercise can reduce blood pressure, body fat and triglycerides; improve HDL (“good”) cholesterol and blood vessel function; and reduce the chance of blood clotting and heart stiffening that comes with aging. Improved fitness can measurably increase how efficient your body is at delivering and using oxygen, which not only safeguards the heart but improves cognition, among other benefits.

For anyone wanting to improve their heart health, the overriding and determining factor is what is motivating the person to change. Human beings are creatures of habit. Habit may keep us ingrained in unhealthy lifestyle practices, and unfortunately it may require a significant event or crisis—to self, a spouse, relative or friend— that causes a person to become motivated to change. The good news, says Dr. Path, is that everyone has significant control over their health, and even small changes can make a difference and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. “It can be overwhelming, for example, to contemplate losing 50 pounds; but losing even 5 or 10 pounds can produce a significant benefit,” says Path. “Small changes add up, and it is never too late to start.”

At the Heart of Care Long before Dr. Path entered medical school he was interested in the heart.

“I have always been interested in the sciences since I was a child, and my interest in the mechanics of the heart grew as I studied for my undergraduate degree in physiology.” The heart was always going to be Dr. Path’s area of interest.

As a cardiologist, Dr. Path’s patients are people who have already had something serious affect their health.

His role is to guide these people and help them understand their chronic condition. “It doesn’t need to be in the form of detailed medical knowledge, but I do help them understand how their choices—diet, activity, medications, attitude—can affect their ongoing health. Knowledge is a way people can have more control over a chronic condition.”

Information empowers people to take care of their overall health as much as possible. Those who adjust best to their “new normal” after a significant health incident are those who have a good understanding of what is happening within their own body. “I help them focus, not on what they can no longer do, but on what they are able to do.”

“It’s important to help people to feel encouraged,” says Path. “Many people have an innate ability to stay positive, but even those who are still learning how to remain positive can be helped to see new ways to cope with and accept their challenges, and to accommodate new and healthy lifestyle changes.”

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TIPS

P R AY I N G AT T E N T I O N

BY C H E R Y L M AT H I S O N

The follow ing story comes from Walt Wangerin, Luther an Pastor, professor, author. I read it years ago and though I cannot remember the book I read it in, I have never forgotten it. So, here is my telling of the story as I recall it: Walt and his wife were lying in bed one night, lights out, ready to go to sleep when his wife, Thanne, observed: “You are a pastor and you pray all the time, in all kinds of situations, and yet we never pray together. I think we need to begin to pray together for our marriage, for our family, for each other.”

What could he say? She was right. Beyond table grace, they didn’t have a practice of praying together for each other. So, of course, he agreed readily, and being the “professional” he even offered to go first.

So, lying in the dark, he prayed for his marriage, his family and his wife. His prayer went something like this: “Dear God, I give you thanks for my wife, Thanne, and the bond we share. I am grateful for all the ways she loves our family and takes care of us. I am thankful that she loves you and is such a good model of faith for our children. God bless each of the children, granting them your protection and grace. Amen.”

Thanne thanked him. And as he closed his eyes, she began to pray: “Dear God, thank you ...”

Wangerin describes her prayer as deeply personal and intimate. He was moved by the fact that clearly she had been paying attention to all the things he had mentioned to her the past week: his worries about a project, his concerns about a staff member, his hopes for ministry, etc. ... and she named them one after the other and lifted them to God asking for protection, clarity, discernment and care. She asked forgiveness for where she stumbled in their relationship.

She prayed paragraph after paragraph. She prayed effortlessly and easily with honesty and integrity.

Tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, wetting his pillow beneath his head, as her prayer washed over him. He writes how no one, ever, had prayed for him like this. He writes how beautiful it was to be so well known by someone, to have been heard and seen and loved, to have his needs lifted to God by another in his presence.

He concluded the story by saying that was the beginning of their prayer life together, one that has continued to grow richer over the years.

There is such a need for us to slow down enough to pay attention to those we love, to take note what is troubling them or what they are celebrating or what they are hoping for and then offer it up to God in prayer. I call this: PRAYING ATTENTION.

o n e . Practice by praying aloud when alone. Get used to hearing your voice. t w o .

Start with your closest family member or friend, someone you both love and trust. t h r e e .

Pay attention throughout the week to what your loved one is revealing about their concerns, worries, hopes and dreams. Use the PRAYING ATTENTION WORKSHEET to make notes. f o u r . Give yourself permission to ASK your loved one what they would like you to pray for. f i v e . Use your own voice, the one God gave you and LOVES to hear. No need to try to pray like others or show off your theology. Just pray your words from your heart to our good God. s i x . Remember who is both amplifying and emboldening your prayer: the Holy Spirit! And with sighs too deep for words!!!

BENEFITS o n e . Deepens the relationship and increases intimacy. t w o .

Draws you into the practice of deep listening which may make you a more compassionate person. t h r e e . Merold Westphal in article on prayer titled "Not About Me" writes that prayers of praise can result in a “decentering of self.” So also for the practice of PRAYING ATTENTION. f o u r . Reminds you that God is fully present and active in the relationship. f i v e . Helps you “find your own voice” in prayer by using your own words. s i x . For the recipient: a profound sense of being heard, seen, loved and held.

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Identify a person whom you love and for Write their name here:

whom you would like to pray.

Consider and identify the things for whic h you might pray by using the prompts below.

This week my loved one shared with me

these things:

I give thanks for this relationship because

In the context of this relationship forgive

:

me for:

Stir up in ___________ these things:

Strengthen our relationship by:

Invite your loved one to share the gift of prayer together and pray aloud for the concerns noted above.

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THINNING OUR LIVES

BY AMANDA BERGER

Since the earliest days of Christi an pr actice, fasts h av e been pr acticed as a means of decreasing the self to m ake space for God. In fasting, w e are in v ited into a deni al of the self th at allows for God’s holy strength to break in, ch anging us from the inside out.

In the prologue of her book, 40 Days of Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole writes, “… God was not absent. The challenge was that self was so very present. Though I had purposed to live simply, clutter was collecting around my faith … but achievements—even in small doses—can make us vulnerable to sins of addition: adding niceties and luxuries to our list of basic needs, adding imaginations onto the strong back of vision, adding self-satisfaction to the purity of peace.”

40 Days of Decrease provides the framework for this year’s Lenten practice and meditation at St. Philip the Deacon. If you join us for our Wednesday evening Lenten worship services, you will hear our pastors lift up themes from 40 Days. However, it’s hard to condense a book designed for a 40-day journey into a few short sermons.

While popular Lenten fasts often include denying oneself rich foods or chocolate, or committing to working out for 40 days, our journey through Chole’s book invites us into nontraditional fasts, centered more on relationships and emotional baggage. The few fasts noted here are just a “teaser” of all that 40 Days of Decrease tackles, and different topics will resonate more deeply with different people. If you join us for our Lenten worship services, you’ll hear the pastors present on five different fasts.

D AY 8 : F I X I N G I T

Our instinct in the face of heartbreak or crisis is to do everything in our power to fix it. We want to offer the right words and engage in the right actions in order to ease the pain of a hurting heart. We want miracles and we desire for them to be repeated. Chole writes, “Once raised, we want Lazarus to live forever. But he cannot. … It seems to me that miracles are less of a promise for tomorrow and more of a manifestation of God’s love and power for today.” In day eight, we are encouraged to “let the broken be broken for a day—be that a tool or a heart.”

D AY 1 2 : I S O L AT I O N

When we read stories from the life of Jesus, we often see them as stand-alone experiences. We neglect to realize that the ministry that Jesus was doing was with individuals in small communities in a relatively small radius of travel. We don’t notice that the odds of the various people in the stories knowing each other is high. Bartimaeus and Zaccheus live in the same town. Did their lives intersect? Was Zaccheus’ role as a tax collector connected to blind Bartimaeus’ poverty? We often forget just how many lives our own has touched, and what seemingly ordinary interactions may have been everyday miracles in the lives of those we encounter. Day 12 asks us to fast isolation, “purpose to link and be linked, to need and be needed, to see and be seen. Refuse to discount your inf luence, especially in seemingly small acts, and intentionally nurture your God-given web of relationships.”

D AY 2 1 : P R E M AT U R E R E S O L U T I O N

How often we try to circumvent the process! We long for life to be tidy and clear—each next step defined. But life isn’t tidy. It’s messy and confusing, and full of moments that require us to simply trust the next step in the process because the ending is still veiled in fog. Chole makes clear in day 21 that to be troubled does not

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necessarily point to a crisis of faith. Even Jesus, as he saw the road to the cross ahead of him, experienced the wholly human process of hurt, betrayal and soul-deep angst. “Holy can feel troubled,” and on day 21, we are invited to live into the mess and uncertainty.

We are called to resist skipping over the hard part, for the “muddy middle of the process of obedience-in-the-making” is an invitation into partnership with God. D AY 3 2 : A D D I T I O N

Jesus suffered injury and his blood was shed long before he was nailed to the cross. After his arrest, he is beaten and rejected multiple times. It is this blood, this sacrifice, that begins the work of our redemption and Jesus’ death on the cross finishes it. Once and for all, we are freed from our sins. On day 32, we are encouraged to fast addition—the addition of anything: materials goods, striving for perfection, etc.—as a symbol that there is NOTHING else that we need to add in order to receive full forgiveness. It has all been done and the work is complete.

D AY 3 8 : E S C A P I S M

Following Jesus’ death, his disciples are grieving, disappointed and afraid. Like anyone experiencing those difficult emotions, it is natural to try to do anything humanly possible to escape those feelings. Everyone has methods for coping with moments of crisis and sometimes mental and emotional escape is necessary, but today, you are invited to fast escapism. Instead, we are invited to allow ourselves to stay present in the difficult feelings; instead of ignoring them, to tune into those emotions and to bring them, in full surrender, to the feet of God. During this season of Lent, as you join with millennia of Christians who have used many different methods of honoring Jesus’ death and resurrection, may you experience the fullness of God’s complete forgiveness. Through your Lenten journey, may you find bodily, mental, emotional and spiritual freedom. May the blood of our Savior cleanse and renew your spirit. Amen.

“We thin our lives to thicken our communion with God.” ALICIA BRITT CHOLE

I S FA S T I N G D U R I N G L E N T B I B L I C A L?

Well, the short answer is no. Lent was not observed as a season in the Christian calendar until well past the era of the Biblical authors. Even in the early Christian church, the season of Lent was not regularly observed until Christianity became legal in 313 A.D. In the early church, many observed a 40-day fast prior to baptism which often happened at Easter. Eventually, this prebaptism fast became synonymous with the period of Lent. Scholars acknowledge that this was not practiced everywhere, and in fact, its foundations are not as firm as once believed. During the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., mention is made of a period of fasting to be observed during the 40 days prior to Easter, with more intense fasting observed during Holy Week. Today, many Christian scholars question the practice of Lenten fasting.

For a more in-depth look at the origins of the Lenten Fast, we recommend Chole’s book 40 Days of Decrease, as it takes a deep dive into the origins and history of the Lenten fast.

Regardless of the accuracy of its origins, if observing a Lenten fast serves as a way for you to connect more deeply with God and adds meaning to your Lenten experience, then it is a worthy expression of faith.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.â&#x20AC;?

H I P P O C R AT E S

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GOOD INSIDE PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOOD

BY AMANDA BERGER

We all know that our bodies function better when we are giving them good fuel. God blessed the earth with an abundance of foods which contain nutrients, minerals and antioxidants that support our cells in incredible ways. Enjoy each of the following recipes and enjoy the benefits of food that not only looks good but is good for you!

For food in a world where many walk in hunger; For faith in a world where many walk in fear; For friends in a world where many walk alone; We give you thanks, O Lord.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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SHEET-PAN ASIAN GLAZED SALMON WITH ROASTED BROCCOLINI AND ASPARAGUS Wild-caught salmon is packed with good things: antioxidants to reduce DNA and sun damage, anti-inflammatory Omega-3s, and tons of minerals to support healthy skin, hair and nails. Deep green veggies, like the broccolini and asparagus, contain glutathione, a powerful anti-aging and detoxifying antioxidant. Used with permission from Danielle Walker’s website, againstallgrain.com. Makes 4 servings.

THE BROCCOLINI & A SPA R AGUS

10 ounces broccolini, trimmed 10 ounces asparagus, trimmed and

cut into 2-inch pieces 1 tbsp coconut aminos* 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ½ tsp apple cider vinegar ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp red pepper f lakes

THE SALMON

4 6-ounce fillets of salmon, boneless 3 tbsp coconut aminos* 1 tbsp fish sauce ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp minced garlic pinch of sea salt and fresh cracked pepper

Combine the coconut aminos, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the fish.

Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400� F. While the salmon

marinates, prepare the vegetables. In a large bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Toss broccolini and asparagus into the olive oil mixture.

Remove salmon from marinade, reserving liquid. Place salmon on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread the vegetables around the salmon on the same baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until f laky, basting the fish every 5 minutes with the reserved marinade.

Garnish with sliced green onions and drizzle with toasted sesame oil, if desired. *You may substitute soy sauce for the coconut aminos for those not avoiding soy.

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SLOW COOKER COCONUT QUINOA CURRY Inflammation and free radicals contribute to the effects of aging on the body.

Turmeric, which contains the antioxidant curcumin, naturally counteracts those free radicals and helps to reduce inflammation, easing sore joints and tight muscles.

Makes 8-10 servings.

1 medium sweet potato peeled + chopped (about 3 cups) 1 large broccoli crown cut into f lorets (about 2 cups) ½ white onion diced (about 1 cup) 1 15 oz can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes 2 14.5 oz cans coconut milk (either full fat or lite)

1/4 cup quinoa 2 garlic cloves minced (about 1 tablespoon) 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger 1 tbsp freshly ground turmeric 2 tsp wheat free tamari sauce 1 tsp miso or additional tamari ½ - 1 tsp chili f lakes 1 ½ tsp salt 1 tsp curry powder Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, starting with 1 cup of water. Stir until everything is fully incorporated. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for 3-4 hours until sweet potato cooks through and the curry has thickened. (Or cook on low 6-8 hours.) Serve over basmati rice.

PISTACHIO STUFFED DATES Dates are high in fiber and are a healthier alternative to inf lammatory sugary desserts. Pairing dates with nuts provides a sweet and satisfying snack! Makes 20 stuffed dates.

1/2 cup raw unsalted pistachios 20 large Medjool dates 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 pinch fine sea salt 1 tbsp honey Slightly dry-roast the pistachios in a skillet over low heat for about 3 minutes.

Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.

Pit the dates by making an end-to-end cut deep enough to remove the pit, but not so deep as to cut the date into two halves.

Pulse the pistachios in a food processor until roughly chopped. Transfer to a bowl and add cinnamon and salt. Mix. Add the honey and mix until the pistachio pieces stick together.

Stuff each date with approximately ½ tbsp of the pistachio mixture. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days.

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BY AMANDA BERGER

RUN

Rachel’s first marathon in 2015, Madison Garden, WI

At the Disney Marathon in 2018, Orlando, FL

Many people get great joy out of running, just the pavement or trail and their feet hitting the ground. But for Rachel Arends, running has become a spiritual practice.

“When I run, it brings me a peace and sense of accomplishment that I do not find anywhere else in my life,” says Arends. “I rarely run with music or headphones, allowing myself to be immersed in God’s amazing creation and be in tune with the great machine that is my body.” Running has also become a spiritual discipline as she incorporates prayer and mindfulness into each step.

Arends ran her first race in 2013, the Monster Dash Half Marathon, which was also a fundraiser for World Vision. “I heard about the opportunity to run in support of World Vision. The donations were going toward wells for the children in Eastern

Africa. My passion for both children and global missions came together for this first race.” Those first 13.1 miles has turned into over 600 miles in just races alone—not counting any of her training runs!

While many people run for exercise and enjoyment, choosing to run multiple marathons is its own kind of crazy, which Arends readily admits. “They provide a canvas for a spirit of encouragement, challenge and fun. The 26.2 miles are often filled with strangers holding entertaining signs, shouting encouragement, and ringing cow bells. These simple acts bring out the best of the human spirit,” said Arends. She has been amazed by

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AWAY!

Rocky Run and Italian Stallion Challenge, Philadelphia, PA 2019

the outpouring of support from fellow runners, friends, family and even strangers whose encouragement has kept her going toward the finish line when her body was exhausted.

Arends also combines running with one of her other great passions, travel. “I rarely repeat a race because I love the adventure of a new place and route,” said Arends.

“I have two major goals to accomplish in my running. I’d love to be a part of the 50 States Club.” Meaning that she would complete either a half marathon or full marathon in each of the 50 states. She also dreams of completing the Great Wall Marathon on the Great Wall of China.

Twin Cities Marathon and Looney Challenge in 2019

“I have always been fascinated with this Wonder of the World and would love to take on the intense challenge of its stairs, stones and steep inclines.”

Of the marathons that she’s run, Arends loves the Walt Disney World Marathon the best. “The excitement and energy in that space is fun, joyful and motivating,” said Arends. “During the marathon, the course goes through each of the four theme parks.

The course is lined with Disney characters as well as screens with video clips and lots of music. I love the over-the-top extravagance of this whole experience, even the toy soldier drill sergeant shouting and demanding push-ups as we trudge up the

Disney Marathon, Orlando, FL 2018

hill in mile 21. The race starts with Mickey counting down and fireworks and the numerous corrals totaling 15,000 runners.

In each of the theme parks, the staff lines the course, cheering us on and giving high-fours (Mickey only has four fingers).

As the slogan says, Every Mile is Magic!”

For the foreseeable future, Arends will keep running. “When I run, I am a better person physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I enjoy and even seek out the challenge of the grit, determination and dedication it takes to lace up my running shoes and get out there as I look forward to the next race or training session.”

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OU T & A B O U T

Grace Kyllo and Marit Francis volunteer to help families make Happy Birthday Jesus kits for Trinity First School in Minneapolis.

J oy of S e rv i ng The afternoon of Sunday, December 8, found 150 participants engaged in sharing Christmas joy as they made various service projects.

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Dozen cookies were decorated to be given to the residents of Mission Homes

Fleece hats were made for clients of Interfaith Outreach

Dental kits were packed for clients of Interfaith Outreach

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Happy Birthday Jesus kits were assembled for families of Trinity First School

Calendars for 2020 were decorated for some of our most elderly members

Bags of necessities were packed for people experiencing homelessness or mental health issues

Gifts were made for our lay ministers to give to our shut-ins

INSPIRE

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St. Philip the Deacon

Participants decorated calendars to be delivered to elderly members of our congregation.

Signe and Anne Christianson work together to make the family craft.

Deb August shows off a beautiful tray of cookies decorated by children.

The SPD Singers sang Christmas carols as they walked throughout the building.

Aric and Kelly Buckles and their daughter Madeleine make fleece hats for Interfaith Outreach.

GIVING THANKS

IVING THA

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During the holiday season we support many different ministries at local shelters. The gifts are received with great joy and thanks. These words of thanks show just how much your gifts make a difference in our community.

“Wow! What a fun time we had delivering all the trays of cookies you gave us yesterday! Many expressed their gratitude to us and we told them [SPD] were the ones providing the festive sweets. So, from all of our residents, THANK YOU. This is a busy time of year. And for many, it also is very difficult.

Women and children living at the shelter are going through trauma; those in our chemical dependency programs are as well— some more acutely than others. With the support of St. Philip the Deacon, we are able to make the holidays a little better for many residents. It means so much to them to know that others think of and care about them. Happy holidays from all of us!”

F R O M VA R I O U S S H E LT E R R E S I D E N T S

“Thank you so much for your self less act of kindness and for bringing joy to me this Christmas. Holidays are very hard for me because I lost my family when I was 11. This year I was so blessed … I plan on using your example and paying it forward.”

—Kelli H. “Thank you so much for the goodies and the gift card. … This has been the first holiday in several years I have received a gift, and it made me feel special.”

—Kristin Rigg, Missions Inc.

—Clay

“What an amazing group of people. So many smiles, kind words, hugs and genuine hearts all in one place. The choir got everybody involved and was so uplifting. I was even singing (quietly and off-key)! The guys love their gifts, they were still carrying them around the next day. What a fun sight to see!

“You have no idea how grateful I am for the gifts and the time you spent on it. It continues to amaze me, just when I think human beings are cruel, something like this happens. I figure it’s God working through people like you.”

The most important gift that came without ribbons or bows was the overwhelming amount of love and compassion! I am humbled and grateful. Thank you.”

—Linda O’Brien, Mission Nursing Home

—Missy

INSPIRE

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St. Philip the Deacon

T H U R S D AY MARCH

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ENCOUNTER: C H U R C H E S O F S T. P A U L

SPRING CALENDAR

The guest speaker at The Conversation in March is Doug Ohman, a photographer, historian and storyteller. He will provide a photo journey that explores the history of many of Minnesota’s oldest churches. On this Encounter trip we will have the opportunity to tour St. George's Orthodox Church in St Paul and the Cathedral of St. Paul. We will have lunch at Cafe Latte.

T U E S D AY APRIL

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T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N

S U N D AY, M A R C H 8 AN E VENING OF L AUGHTER

A congregation-wide event: We will begin with pancake supper in Fellowship Hall, followed with a show of your choice: either a comedy improv show or a Disney-style movie. For the “little ones,” there will be childcare available during the show. Register online.

Kathy Tiede of Lutheran Social Services will be our guest speaker. She will share about the mission and ministry of Lutheran Social Services in the Twin Cities.

F R I D AY M AY

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 0 T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N : M U S I C O F

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THE 1950 AND ’60S

Mike Henry will be back as the guest presenter with Moments to Remember, featuring clips and hit records from the early days of rock and roll in the mid-1950s going through Woodstock in 1969.

T U E S D AY, M AY 1 2 T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N

In the year of the Summer Olympic Games, our guest speaker David Jones will help us look back at the 1936 Berlin Games.

A N E V E N I N G AT TA R G E T F I E L D

Join us as we go to watch the Minnesota Twins play the Kansas City Royals.

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FA M I L I A R FA C E S TR ACY KL APHAKE

1.

Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry.

Growing up at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, attending church camp, going to Gustavus Adolphus College, and teaching preschool and first grade at Christian schools, ministry has been part of my life for many years. I may not have planned on going into ministry, but I seem to end up there and am so thankful that’s where I have landed. When I was asked to consider taking the office administrator job at SPD, I knew it would be a wonderful fit. I had been saying, “I wish there was a job where I can help and serve people while doing other tasks.” I have always been passionate about and drawn to people, helping and serving others while connecting and creating deeper, meaningful relationships.

I get to do this every day, working alongside wonderful people. I am so thankful.

Any time you stop by the church or call the office, you will likely encounter the smiling face and warm presence of Tracy Klaphake, our office administrator.

Tracy joined our staff in 2017 and has brought a deep compassion and cheerfulness to this role.

2.

What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? Besides working at SPD, I teach Water Exercise three days a week at the New Hope YMCA. I’ve enjoyed teaching for 15 years, helping members become healthy physically and emotionally. I think it makes you want to come back if you’re having fun! We certainly laugh a lot. Occasionally, we even sing in harmony while we exercise—it’s important to fill the soul. I think we should take our show on the road!

3.

What are three things on your lifetime to-do list?

Traveling and whale watching. Someday moving to a new home with a screened porch and room to entertain. Watching my kids grow up, seeing where God leads them.

4.

How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry?

I start the day with daily devotions and prayer, I try to exercise each day, spend time with family and friends, and find joy in small, daily moments.

5.

What are you passionate about right now? I am passionate about the Enneagram, learning how to more deeply connect with and understand people. I am fascinated by severe weather and have even been certified as a Skywarn Weather Spotter and love thunderstorms! Growing up in a musical family, I have always loved music, especially singing.

LENTEN MID-WEEK WORSHIP With Holden Evening Prayer Begins March 4 Soup Supper begins at 5:30 pm Worship at 7:00 pm

EASTER W O R S H I P AT S T. P H I L I P TH E DE ACON First Light of Easter Saturday, April 11 5:30 pm Easter Worship with Holy Communion Sunday, April 12 8:15 am, 9:45 am & 11:15 am Monday, April 13 7:00 pm

17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every generation inherits a world it never made; and, as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after.â&#x20AC;?

ROBER T K ENNEDY

V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT S P D L C .O R G