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Young at Heart
BY K ATE STERNER
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
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.”
PR AYING ATTENTION
BY CHERYL MATHISON
The following 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.
TIPS
one. Practice by praying aloud when alone. Get used to hearing your voice. t wo. Start with your closest family member or friend, someone you both love and trust. three. 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. four. Give yourself permission to ASK your loved one what they would like you to pray for. five. 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. six. Remember who is both amplifying and emboldening your prayer: the Holy Spirit! And with sighs too deep for words!!!
BENEFITS
one. Deepens the relationship and increases intimacy. two. Draws you into the practice of deep listening which may make you a more compassionate person. three. 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. four. Reminds you that God is fully present and active in the relationship. five. Helps you “find your own voice” in prayer by using your own words. six. For the recipient: a profound sense of being heard, seen, loved and held.
Identify a person whom you love and for whom you would like to pray.
Write their name here:
Consider and identify the things for which 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.
THINNING OUR LIVES
BY AMANDA BERGER
Since the earliest days of Christi an pr actice, fasts h ave been pr acticed as a means of decreasing the self to m ake space for God. In fasting, we are invited into a deni al of the self th at allows for God’s holy strength to break in, changing 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.
DAY 8: FIXING IT 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.”
DAY 12: ISOL ATION 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 influence, especially in seemingly small acts, and intentionally nurture your God-given web of relationships.”
DAY 21: PREMATURE RESOLUTION 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
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.
DAY 32: ADDITION 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.
DAY 38: ESCAPISM 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.
ALICIA BRITT CHOLE I S FA S T I N G D U R I N G LENT BIBLICAL?
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.
HIPPOCRATES
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
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.
T H E SA L M O N 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
T H E B ROCCO L I N I & ASPARAGUS 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 flakes
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 flaky, basting the fish every 5 minutes with the reserved marinade.
Garnish with sliced green onions and drizzle with toasted sesame oil, if desired.
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 florets (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 flakes 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 inflammatory 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.
BY AMANDA BERGER
RUN
Rachel’s first marathon in 2015, Madison Garden, WI
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.
At the Disney Marathon in 2018, Orlando, FL
“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
AWAY!
Rocky Run and Italian Stallion Challenge, Philadelphia, PA 2019
Twin Cities Marathon and Looney Challenge in 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. “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.”
OUT & ABOUT
Grace Kyllo and Marit Francis volunteer to help families make Happy Birthday Jesus kits for Trinity First School in Minneapolis.
Joy of Serving The afternoon of Sunday, December 8, found 150 participants engaged in sharing Christmas joy as they made various service projects.
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Happy Birthday Jesus kits were assembled for families of Trinity First School
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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
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Dental kits were packed for clients of Interfaith Outreach
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Calendars for 2020 were decorated for some of our most elderly members
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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
Participants decorated calendars to be delivered to elderly members of our congregation.
Deb August shows off a beautiful tray of cookies decorated by children.
The SPD Singers sang Christmas carols as they walked throughout the building. Signe and Anne Christianson work together to make the family craft.
GIVING THANKS 34 GIVING THANKS
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!”
FROM VARIOUS SHELTER RESIDENTS
“Thank you so much for your selfless 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.
“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!
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
—Clay
“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.”
—Missy
SPRING CALENDAR
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 AN EVENING OF LAUGHTER 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.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 THE CONVERSATION: M US IC O F 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.
TUESDAY, MAY 12 THE CONVERSATION In the year of the Summer Olympic Games, our guest speaker David Jones will help us look back at the 1936 Berlin Games.
THURSDAY MARCH
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ENCOUNTER: CHURCHES OF ST. PAUL 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.
TUESDAY APRIL
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THE CONVERSATION 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.
FRIDAY MAY
8
AN EVENING AT TARGET FIELD Join us as we go to watch the Minnesota Twins play the Kansas City Royals.
FAMILIAR FACES TRACY KLAPHAKE
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.
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. 1.
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! 2.
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. 3.
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. 4.
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. 5.
LENTEN
MID-WEEK
WORSHIP
With Holden Evening Prayer Begins March 4 Soup Supper begins at 5:30 pm Worship at 7:00 pm
EASTER
WORSHIP AT
ST. PHILIP
THE DEACON
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
ROBERT KENNEDY
VISIT US ONLINE AT SPDLC.ORG
