INSPIRE
By Amanda Berger
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
ATthe beginning of 2025, the word “less” chose me as my word of the year. I say it chose me, because it didn’t feel like there were other options. Plus, it felt like the natural next step in exploring my interest in Benedictine spirituality, which values simple living. So, for me, it’s become something of an experiment. I’m often asking myself: What would be simpler? How could I get by with less?
Along with my official word of “less” there have also been some supporting words: calm, release, and … simplicity. For me, simplicity feels like the action part of less. And that’s led to some intentional clearing of cluttered closets and junk drawers, a commitment to a “no buy month” each quarter, and an experiment with fasting as a prayer practice. Each of these has been a physical, embodied way to experience less.
When I think about simplicity, what first comes to mind is minimalist design and uncluttered closets. As I have begun to live simplicity, what I am experiencing is less physical and more mental and emotional. It is feeling less overwhelmed and less desire for material goods and a busy calendar. I’m also noticing an interesting dance between the concepts of “more” and “less.” Even though I’m only halfway through the year, I’m already noticing:
The MORE I restrict shopping and running errands, the LESS I want to spend my time that way and the LESS things I actually want or need.
The MORE space in my calendar, the LESS I want to add and the MORE present I am to the activities and relationships I am committed to.
The LESS time I spend on my phone scrolling social media, the LESS I want to
be in that space and the MORE I realize its negative impact on my mental health and relationships.
And those are just a few examples—there’s so much more richness to this practice of simplicity than I even realized!
As we started thinking about this summer issue of Inspire , the invitation I felt from the Holy Spirit was, “What if this summer was the one where we did less? What if we don’t have an aspirational bucket list, but instead focus on what’s essential and cut back?” So, we quickly settled on simplicity as our theme. It seemed obvious that our movement through this issue would follow the flow of the day. Morning is the space for awakening to God’s presence and noticing what’s essential. We move to midday, savoring the people we are with and places in which we find ourselves. And finally, at the close of day emphasizing rest, and particularly the practice of retreat.
By the time you read this, your summer might already be pretty full. But my prayer for you is that there might be one or two ideas here that feel like God’s nudge for you to do a little less and to notice what might benefit from simplicity. And in the practice of less, may you find more—more peace, more joy and more of the good life in Jesus.
Pax Christi,
WHAT I’M READING:
Renee Putnam
You’ll often find members of our staff with their noses in a book. This issue, we asked Renee Putnam (Engagement & Service) about what she’s been reading. Here are her recommendations:
What is one book that you love? What If It’s True? by
Charles Martin
What are you reading right now? Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother’s Life by
Kao Kalia Yang
What book has challenged you? Think Again by Adam Grant
SCRIPTURE CONNECTION
BY AMANDA BERGER
The National Day of Simplicity falls on July 12, chosen because it is Henry David Thoreau’s birthday. Thoreau advocated for a simple life, saying, “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million, count half a dozen and keep your accounts on your thumbnail.”
Though Thoreau was not Christian, he did draw upon Christianity—among other spiritual pathways—to inform his way of being in the world. He embraced values like voluntary poverty, connection with nature, focusing on the present moment, and resisting materialism and consumerism. Whether or not Thoreau drew these values from Jesus, they are very much in alignment with traditional Christian practices.
In Matthew 6:19 Jesus preaches, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus tells us not to put our trust in worldly goods. His bigger invitation is to look beyond the things of this earth, so that our treasure and our hearts may be in the same place—namely, the Kingdom of God.
This kingdom life is so foreign to us that it’s hard to even imagine such a radically different orientation. Jesus, with no home and few possessions, lived in the homes and at the tables of other people. Few of us can imagine what it would be like to live that kind of voluntary poverty (and we might not want to), but what freedom might exist if we lived as unencumbered as Jesus did!
Jesus also mentions money and possessions (over and over again) as the main thing that keep people from following him. Not because things and money are necessarily bad (they’re not), but because of our attachment to them and the power that they have to enslave us. Most of us want to trust in Jesus’ reminders of God’s abundance; but it can be hard to turn over the desire for control over security, status and achievement to God.
As you hear Jesus say, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” what do you hear? How do you receive his words? What might your invitation to simplicity be? If you struggle to release control and preoccupation with material things, perhaps the following prayer may be a resource for you:
God of abundance, help me to see and know what is enough in my life. Inspire my generosity, so that I might see and give to those truly in need. Help me to remember that less of myself means more of you—and in that promise may I find contentment. Amen.
BY TIM WESTERMEYER
Simplicity brings to mind concepts like focus, clarity and lack of distraction.
For me, it also brings to mind a favorite quote from C.S. Lewis: “We live in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” That line comes from an essay of his called “Membership,” which he wrote in 1945. In that essay, he cites the still relatively new technology of the “wireless”— the radio—for stealing solitude and silence from us.
When I’ve reflected on that line, I’ve tended to compare it to the world we live in today. “Well,” I think, “if Lewis thought it was bad in 1945, he should see what it looks like now. With cell phones and the allencompassing presence of social media, there’s even less silence in 2025 than there was in 1945.”
All of which is true, I suppose. The world probably is louder and noisier today than it was when Lewis wrote that essay, which means there are more ways to be distracted. It is worth noting, though, that the genuine and real problem of distraction isn’t only about the external world in which we find ourselves. It is also about our interior world. And perhaps part of our calling as Christians is to curate enough solitude, silence and privacy in our lives that we can discover our true selves before God—and, through that discovery, develop more authentic relationships with others.
the self—that compromised the very commitment to concentrating on things that were important and good. For Christian monks, distraction wasn’t just a potential interference. It had already breached the walls and made itself at home.”
Another writer, drawing on insights from monk John Cassian, writes, “Because distraction stemmed from inner turmoil, it could not be corrected simply by avoiding certain stimuli. Monks had to tackle distraction systemically, and they saw it as their moral responsibility to do so.”
Medieval monks didn’t have the wireless. And they didn’t have mobile phones or social media. And yet, apparently even they struggled with the perennial problem of distraction. Even they struggled, in the words of C.S. Lewis, to find solitude, silence, and privacy.
Far from depressing us, this should be a reminder that we aren’t alone in working, with God’s help, to clear the clutter of our lives to become more focused on what really matters—regardless of the world in which we happen to find ourselves. And maybe an emphasis on simplicity—the theme of this issue—can allow us to be present to God more fully.
Another way of saying all of this comes from author Howard Rheingold, who writes, “Attention is a limited resource. So pay attention to where you pay attention.” To which I say, simply, Amen.
I got to thinking about this when I discovered a book called The Wandering Mind: What Medieval Monks Tell Us About Distraction by Jamie Kreiner.
Kreiner writes: “Distractedness was a kind of preexisting condition—internal, nonconscious, and entangled with
Undistractedly Yours,
MEDITATION
“The beautiful simplicity of our faith is that it distills down to the exact same bottom line for both the brilliant theologian and the five-year-old child: love God and love each other—period.”
RICHARD STEARNS
These words are the traditional opening to morning prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient practice of pausing for prayer many times a day. To begin the day with God’s praise on our lips invites us to also put the rest of the day into God’s hands. Which seems beautiful and poetic and, well, ambitious.
Many of us have a less than serene start to the day: a blaring alarm, text messages and alerts, and children or pets or our work waking us up with their demands. Our phones are often in our hands, stealing our attention and disturbing our peace even before our first cup of coffee.
Is that really how you want to begin each day? If the answer is “no,” it’s possible that you need to do something to change how you enter the day. Ultimately, the best time to pray and spend time with God is whenever it works in your schedule, but there is some wisdom to giving God the first part of your day. This may mean you have to set some firmer boundaries or wake up earlier, and it may take some time to adjust (both for yourself and those around you), but the result may be that you reclaim your life.
As with any change in habit, start small. Your morning prayer time doesn’t have to be long; the intentional way of beginning the day is the important part. If you are looking for more guidance on what to pray for or how to pray, might I suggest my book? Right Here, Right Now: Prayers, Poems and Practices for Young People is a simple starting point for anyone looking for more guidance for their life with God. Books available at the church welcome center or online at spdlc.org/register under “products.”
Start with the heart you want to carry through the day.
If you want a day that is rooted in gratitude, peacefulness and being awake to the movement of God in your life, then you must start there. When we begin our days rushed and reactive, that is how we’ll continue until we fall into bed, exhausted.
Listen for God’s guidance.
We live complicated lives, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. Is it possible that God might have something to speak into that space? Whether you listen for guidance in silent prayer or by slowly reading scripture, we can awaken to God’s voice which may offer some guidance for how we move through the rest of our day.
Know that you don’t go into the day alone.
We don’t actually have as much control over our lives as we’d like to think we do. Stuff happens—the good, the bad and the horrible. When we begin our day in God’s presence, we are reminded that we aren’t facing what’s ahead all by ourselves. This doesn’t mean that everything will go well, but it can help us to respond from a place of faithfulness and hope.
Strengthen your relationship with God.
The best way to grow in deeper relationship with God is to take time to be with God. And the truth is, even with the best intentions, if we leave time with God for the end of the day or try to fit it in between our other commitments, it will often get postponed or forgotten.
A Companion for the Journey: Spiritual Direction
BY AMANDA BERGER
My first experience of spiritual direction came in 2005, alongside my mom’s diagnosis of lymphoma. An astute co-worker in a previous congregation, Diane, observed that with everything going on in my life, perhaps a companion who could help me notice and respond to God’s presence might be beneficial. As a student in a spiritual direction certification program, Diane referred me to a classmate who needed a “practice” directee for her practicum. This worked for me—I was happy to be practiced upon, with the benefit of receiving direction at no cost, which suited my tiny, inner-city church salary perfectly.
I didn’t really know what to expect, but as I met with Sherry in our first few sessions, I found a person who was a non-anxious presence, who was attentive to exactly who I was and where I was in my life, without judgment. Her patience and kind-
ness soothed my spirit, and her wisdom in asking questions opened me up to seeing the presence of God in the world around me.
After our first year of “practice” direction ran out, I recognized the value of investing this small amount of money into my mental and spiritual health. Sherry accompanied me through my mom’s illness and eventual death. We wondered together about my call to ministry. She helped me to notice what God was up to in my life as I navigated all the activity and angst of early adulthood and encouraged my spiritual growth. Sherry and I continued to meet for about four years, until I felt it was time to be done.
For years, this positive experience stuck with me, and I sought opportunities for spiritual direction at retreats and conferences. Eventually, I longed for that regular
relationship again and began working with my current director, Carroll Lane. We’ve been together for a few years now, and during that time I perceived a call of my own to train as a spiritual director to accompany others.
Each month as I come to my own sessions, I am amazed at what comes out of my mouth. Things I didn’t know I was thinking or feeling come pouring out. Carroll Lane doesn’t judge or advise, but instead she receives these things with grace and compassion. And then she trusts the Holy Spirit’s presence, as together we explore my life at the soul level.
Depending on the context, you may find people who may or may not be familiar with spiritual direction. The following are some of the most common questions:
BY JEN GALLEY
EVERY PERSON IS BEING FORMED SPIRITUALLY.
And, if we aren’t choosing to be intentionally formed, then we are being unconsciously formed by the world around us. In Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard explains, “The human spirit is an inescapable, fundamental aspect of every human being; and it takes on whichever character it has from the experiences and choices that we have lived through or made in our past. That is what it means for it to be ‘formed.’” 1 As Christians, this leads us to ask, how am I being formed? Am I becoming more like Jesus, or something else?
Afew years ago, our family visited the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit in Minneapolis. This art show was hosted in a warehouse featuring two large rooms without windows and the ceilings were painted black. Detailed digital projections animating Vincent Van Gogh’s work filled the space from floor to ceiling. Familiar paintings like “The Starry Night” and “Sunflowers” were paired with mood-setting music. Video images moved almost constantly across the walls as bright colors and thick brush strokes appeared and melted away before I had a chance to fully process what I was seeing. Beautiful and sometimes unsettling, I was fully enveloped in a visual story that spoke to my heart and emotions even before my mind could process it.
Much like the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, we stand in the middle of a culture swirling with images and ideas that press
LEARN MORE
If you want to learn more about the transformation of the heart and spirit that comes through intentional spiritual formation, we recommend the following books:
Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation
By Dallas Willard & Jan Johnson
Practicing the Way
By John Mark Comer
You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
By James K.A. Smith
in on us from every side, shaping our vision of what we should want most in life. Sometimes we notice these messages, but perhaps more often, they blend into the background and quietly shape our view of reality. These ideas come to us through various environments and forms of media, as well as our relationships.
Some of the cultural messages that may be influencing us include: “Be true to yourself,” “Hurry,” “Wealth, knowledge, and friends will open the world to you in the future,” 2 and “Consume as many goods and remarkable experiences as possible.” 3 We often believe these things will lead to a fulfilling life. What messages would you add to this list?
Our vision of what makes life meaningful informs our daily choices and behaviors. These actions shape us little by little. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis puts it like this, “Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different than it was before … all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into … either a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself.”4
Routine choices eventually become outsourced to our bodies. Much of life is lived through habits we engage in without thinking. This is helpful if our habits are healthy and aimed toward values that are truly worth desiring. On the other hand, operating on autopilot can lead to an entire life filled with unexamined actions and routines.
Jesus offers good news to our anxious, hurried, competitive and lonely culture. Another kind of life is available, and we’re invited to turn toward Jesus (Mark 1:14-15) to find rest (Matthew 11:28-30) and discover “life that is really life” (1 Timothy 6:19). God alone transforms our hearts, but how might we become more aware of the state of our inner life?
With each new day, may we be shaped by the grace and love of God. Here are two simple practices that can help.
LITMUS TEST
In his book Invitation to a Journey, Robert Mulholland offers a litmus test for spiritual growth. He suggests we ask, “Am I more loving, more compassionate, more caring, more giving, more forgiving than a year ago?” This question is not inviting us to focus on outward behaviors. Rather, it invites us to examine our inner life with the help of the Spirit. Mulholland defines Christian spiritual formation as a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.5 The question is really, “Am I slowly becoming the type of person through which God’s love, compassion, grace and generosity can flow?”
LIFE AND HABIT AUDIT
At the end of the day, take a few moments to notice how your time and resources were spent—including automatic behaviors, such as scrolling through social media or watching the news. Reflect on these questions:
• What activities did I engage in today? Why?
• Which institutions or environments did I visit? How did these spaces impact me?
• Did these activities lead me toward— or away from—loving God, myself, others and creation?
1 Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. NavPress, 13.
2 Taylor, Charles. The Ethics of Authenticity. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992, 41.
3 Gorrell, Angela. Always On: Practicing Faith in a New Media Landscape. Theology for the Life of the World. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2019, 102.
4 Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York: Macmillan, 1960, 86-87.
5 Mulholland, Robert M. Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press, 15, 42.
Lessons Little Ones
BY MAKAYLA DAHLEEN
IN
January we held a brunch for everyone who was baptized at SPD during 2024. Toward the end of the event, as parents were wiping crumbs off their children’s chubby cheeks and sticky fingers, I went around the tables greeting each family. One little girl, who was around the age of 2, pointed at the stage and whispered, “Dance?”
She led me by the hand up onto the stage and we twirled around as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Suddenly, a few other girls ran up onto the stage shrieking, “Dance Party! Dance Party!” Kathy Hagedorn (Early Childhood Ministry) cued up some classic songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and the whole room was bouncing along with the beat. I could not have planned a more joyful way to end our gathering if I tried!
Our dance party was spontaneous and joyous. We danced because in the mind of a 2-year-old, stages with colorful lights are meant for dancing. It wasn’t a performance. We danced simply to dance, to wiggle with happiness and glee.
Children are much better at doing what they feel is right in the moment than
adults. They love to dance and move their bodies without being self-conscious. They can turn dish towels into superhero capes and run around the house without a care in the world. These little ones teach us not to take ourselves too seriously.
Over the years of parish ministry and becoming a mother myself, I have learned valuable lessons from children and youth. As a parent, I am constantly teaching my child new words, skills and behaviors and in return he is teaching me patience, confidence and gratitude.
I will always have more to learn from the littlest among us, but the following three lessons are especially important to me right now:
Be Bold Being You
It’s inspiring how kids dance and sing simply because they can’t help themselves. They have to move along with the music. They may not be on the beat or in the right key, but they don’t care. They are content to follow the beat of their own drum. Their confidence encourages me to be assured of who I am and how I show up in the world.
When I first moved to the Plymouth/ Wayzata area, I was not sure I was going to fit in. It was probably my own insecurities, but it felt like everyone around me was so flawlessly put together while I was the conductor of the Hot Mess Express. However, seeing how my son jumped right into his new daycare classroom and loved to play with the new friends at church and in our neighborhood encouraged me that I belonged here, too. Not because I looked or dressed like everyone else, or had the same life experiences, but because
I had something to offer just by being me, whether it be my leadership in ministry or my friendship to new neighbors. I am thankful that children remind me to be unafraid to be myself.
Delight in the Mundane
Children help us find joy and wonder in the ordinary, everyday parts of life, like a simple carpeted riser turned into a stage. My son helps me enjoy the little things. He doesn't get tired of reading the same book five times in the same sitting. Nothing makes him happier than a glass of milk at mealtime. I love seeing his little face light up when he sees a neighborhood cat or a beetle on the sidewalk. His appreciation for the simple things in life reminds me to do the same— something ordinary can become extraordinary with imagination and gratitude.
Celebrate Small Victories
Our society is great at celebrating big accomplishments, such as graduations or sport championships. Children help us remember to celebrate small wins. The first time our son slept all the way through the night, my husband and I leaped out of bed and had our own little dance party. Kids also develop at their own pace, reminding us that comparison kills joy. To help us foster a posture of gratitude and joy in our household, we love Meta Herrick Carlson’s book Ordinary Blessings for Parents: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Family Life These blessings help us celebrate simple moments like a belly laugh or the first bites of a new food. Celebrating little everyday moments help us feel at peace, reassuring us that life is worth living and that God is with us through all the ups and downs.
May God bless the little ones as they provide big blessings and lessons to us. And may we, in turn, become like these little ones, responding to Jesus’ invitation to become like them:
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.”
MATTHEW 18:3, THE MESSAGE
Savor the Greatest Gift
AN INTERVIEW WITH TROY REDING
BY TIM WESTERMEYER
Over the years, St. Philip the Deacon has gotten to know Troy Reding, a local restaurateur and owner of Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth. Rock Elm has provided accompaniments to our Pigs & Pigskin and Boars & Baseball events, as well as hosted Beer and Hymns events. Recently, Pastor Tim Westermeyer had a chance to connect with Reding about faith, food and what it means to serve others through hospitality.
For people who aren’t familiar with you or your restaurant, can you give us a quick sense of your own history? Where did you grow up, and what was your educational background like? I was born and raised on a farm in Morgan, Minnesota, a small community 100 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. I moved to the Twin Cities in 1983 and attended Minnesota School of Business for Electronics Technology and worked delivering medical supplies to put myself through school. Upon graduation I got a bartending job at TGI Friday’s in Bloomington and a year later started taking classes at the University of Minnesota focusing on a major in Computer Science. I met my wife Jeannice at TGI Friday’s before she started law school. We got married and then I made the decision to pursue a career in hospitality.
How did you get into the restaurant business? I spent 25 years at TGI Friday’s moving up from bartending to management to multi-unit management. To keep growing, I left Friday’s and joined Blue Plate Restaurant Company, a local independent restaurant group, as their VP of Operations. I spent the next four years helping them grow from five restaurants to nine: opening Scusi, The Lowry, The Freehouse and The Blue Barn at the MN State Fair. I left Blue Plate in 2014 and started to explore starting my own restaurant group.
I partnered with my good friend, Brad Sorenson, with a goal of opening five to six restaurants. Our first venture was Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth which we opened in September of 2015. After a successful first year, we started to look for the next opportunity focusing on a second Rock Elm location in Maple Grove. While exploring sites, I was contacted by another friend about an opportunity at the St. Paul airport. The airport commission wanted to have a restaurant in the historic terminal building prior to Super Bowl LII that was being played at U.S. Bank Stadium. We forged an agreement and opened Holman’s Table at Holman Field in January 2018, two weeks before the game, which was an incredible experience.
In September of the same year, we opened our second Rock Elm in Maple Grove. In January of 2020 we opened Sugar & Spice Sweetery, also in Maple Grove. Six weeks later the COVID pandemic forced us to close all of our restaurants. We did takeout at both Rock Elm locations, but closed Holman’s Table for the next year and permanently closed the Sweetery in July of 2020.
One of the three sub-themes of this issue of Inspire is “Savor.” What does that word mean to you—either in terms of the restaurant business, or your faith, or both? Savor means enjoyment. That feeling you get when you
“God gave us the gift of life and means for us to enjoy it. It’s our duty to appreciate it and share our joy with all that we encounter.“
slowly experience something and all its nuances. God gave us the gift of life and means for us to enjoy it. It’s our duty to appreciate it and share our joy with all that we encounter. Give to those that have less than you and share the blessings the good Lord has bestowed on you. If you do that, you will savor the greatest gift of all: God’s love. That is what I believe.
A long time ago I read a wonderful book by a famous New York restaurateur named Danny Meyer— Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business . Would you agree that hospitality is central to your work? If so, what are some key lessons you’ve learned about the art of hospitality over the course of your career? Danny Meyer is an icon in the restaurant community and his perspective of hospitality is spot on. To be successful in this business, having a sense of service is imperative. The work is incredibly demanding, the hours are long, and the profit margins are razor thin. If you don’t find joy in serving others, there is no point in doing what we do.
People walk into the restaurant for many reasons and in many different moods. We have the opportunity to make their days brighter by celebrating a special occasion with them, or in giving them a reprieve from their pain or sorrow or just exceeding their expectations; every interaction is an opportunity to make someone’s day. I don’t take that lightly and try to instill that in my employees, by treating them with respect and caring. If someone walks out of my restaurants unhappy, we’ve failed. Even when something goes wrong, we try to fix it by employing the LAST theory: Listen— to what the guest is telling you without assuming you know the problem; Apologize—say the words I’m sorry and mean it; Solve—solve the problem; Thank—let them know you appreciate them giving you the opportunity to serve them.
How do you approach developing the menu for a restaurant? How do you know if or when to make changes? A
There’s More Time Here
BY AMANDA BERGER
Irecently heard one of my favorite podcasters say something to the effect of: “Jesus loved to eat; he was always either at a meal, going to a meal or coming from a meal.” And the podcaster wasn’t wrong—the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was true. Jesus was always eating with people!
GATHER AROUND THE TABLE
BY AMANDA BERGER
Whether a high-top with bar stools, or low and surrounded by cushions, or two sawhorses with a few boards thrown on top, tables show up everywhere in human life. Nearly every home you enter has a table. With seating for 16 or a simple TV tray—it’s a place to be fed. Tables are a symbol of connection and provision.
The table is central to our lives together as Christians, both as the centerpiece of our worship as we gather for the Lord’s Supper or in the more casual meals that anchor our life together as a church—pizza for youth, community meals alongside our fall classes or our Lenten soup suppers. There is something about eating together that solidifies our relationships and builds up our community.
From Jesus transforming a few loaves and fish into a feast, to the invitation to “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34), food is mentioned over 1,200 times in the Bible. So clearly there is a deep connection between food, being fed and encountering God.
As I was thinking about this connection, it occurred to me that summer, maybe more than any other season, invites us into a different kind of relationship with food. We’re experiencing the flavors of seasonal favorites—like sweet corn, tomatoes and watermelon—from the farmer’s market or even our own backyard. We can watch sunlight and water transform a zucchini blossom into a beast the size of a baseball bat seemingly overnight. We reel in panfish, taking them from lake to table in just a few hours.
The evidence of God’s provision and bounty is so evident in summer. Even the harvest of my tiny 3-foot by 5-foot garden is too much for my family, begging to be shared. I trade my abundant cucumbers for my neighbor’s Tulsi tea leaves, as tomatoes go from the vine right into our children’s mouths.
Whether you grow your own or visit a farmer’s market or subscribe to community supported agriculture, do you see each of these offerings as a reminder of the bounty of God’s earth? Or, as you gather friends and family around the table on a long summer evening, eating and drinking and enjoying your relationships, how do you savor and share the abundance?
BBQ CHICKEN ZUCCHINI BOATS
This is a favorite summer recipe that makes the most of this season’s abundance. You can make this meal on the grill to keep the heat out of the house. A great way to use the zucchini harvest!
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Small Yellow Onion, diced
2 Cloves Garlic, minced BBQ Spice Mix (See Below)
12 Oz. Package Pulled Chicken, cooked
1 Cup BBQ Sauce
1 Cup Monterey Jack Cheese, plus more for topping, shredded
4 Medium Zucchini
To make spice mix combine ¼ tsp of each of the following: paprika, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, sugar, pepper, cumin, thyme, oregano, coriander and dry mustard. (Don’t have all these, don’t worry about it. Use what you have of the above.)
For the slaw, stir together the following and set aside:
2 Cups Shredded Red Cabbage
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Pinch of Kosher Salt
Pinch of Granulated Sugar
Two Green Onions, thinly sliced
A Generous Handful of Cilantro, roughly chopped
DIRECTIONS
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When hot, add yellow onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onions begin to caramelize (5-7 minutes). Then, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add half spice mix, stir for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Then, add the chicken and BBQ sauce and cook until heated through, for about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of cheese; cover and set aside.
Heat the grill (or a grill pan) to medium-high heat. As it heats, slice the
Recipe and image adapted from Lund's & Byerly's Nourish July 2024
zucchini half the long way and scoop out the center/seeds with a spoon, creating a cavity. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining spice mix. Once the grill is hot, grill the zucchini until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from grill.
Fill the zucchini cavity with the chicken mixture and sprinkle with additional cheese. Turn off half the grill and turn the other half down to low. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the grill and return the zucchini to the grill. Cover grill and cook for about 7 minutes, until warmed through and cheese is melted. Top with cabbage slaw, green onions and cilantro. Serve immediately.
A PRAYER FOR THE TABLE
God of abundance, in this summer season remind us to slow down, to taste and see your goodness, to savor the relationships of those who gather with us and stir up within us gratitude for your gracious gifts of friends, family and food. Amen.
OUR INVITATION AND EXAMPLE FOR RETREAT COMES FROM JESUS HIMSELF. BEFORE HE BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY, HE SPENT 40 DAYS IN THE DESERT PRAYING AND FASTING TO PREPARE FOR HIS IMPORTANT WORK AHEAD (LUKE 4:1-13). THEN, DURING THE TIME OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY, HE INVITED HIS DISCIPLES TO “COME AWAY BY YOURSELVES TO A DESERTED PLACE AND REST A WHILE” (MARK 6:31). JESUS OFFERS US THE SAME INVITATION—TO COME AWAY AND REST. ONE OPPORTUNITY TO RETREAT WITH OUR SPD COMMUNITY EACH SUMMER IS THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT AT ST. JOHN’S ABBEY.
BY VALERIE STRAND PATTERSON
UNDER THE BELL BANNER
Some find the silence they’ve been craving.
Throughout the day, time in the Abbey Church is a blessing. Its massive walls, made of steel-reinforced concrete, speak of permanence and stability. Inside, light floods through the honeycombed stainedglass wall, which reminds one of the liturgical seasons.
In the evenings, our group enjoys dinner together and then joins the monks for evening prayer. We sit in choir stalls behind the altar, with the monastic community, where a host helps us find our way through the many prayer books. During this time, we may ask God to help us listen for a word “meant just for me,” to savor as we pray the psalms with the community.
One evening after prayer, we are given prayer prompts and the opportunity to go to several places in the Abbey Church or
around campus. Like a prayer scavenger hunt, we silently spend time in prayer and contemplation, then we return to the group, sharing our insights.
Later at night, some of us still say goodnight to the bell banner.
Jesus teaches us that it is a good thing to get away, to intentionally and devotedly listen for God’s voice, to open ourselves to God’s love for us, and to be renewed in God’s purpose for our lives. Maybe we learn a little something that opens the eyes of our hearts. For a time, we settle ourselves and become still—a target for divine love. For a few days, we sit with God, face-to-face, savoring sacred time to just be.
If you would like to join the 2025 St. John’s Retreat, held July 24-27, visit spdlc.org/ register to learn more about this year’s retreat theme and schedule, as well as reserve your spot.
FOR A TIME, WE SETTLE OURSELVES AND BECOME STILL— A TARGET FOR DIVINE LOVE.” “
Retreat At Home
BY AMANDA BERGER
Attending a retreat where someone else does all the planning, leading and cooking can be such a blessing for our mind, body and spirit. But sometimes, it’s not feasible to get away due to limitations on time, energy or finances. That doesn’t have to keep you from retreating, though. Use the following suggestions to craft a retreat right in your own home.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD: A RETREAT WITH ELIJAH
BY AMANDA BERGER
Use this companion guide to craft your own three-part retreat with the prophet Elijah. These suggestions for scripture, prayer and experiences will help you to slow down and find rest for your soul . This could be used for a solo retreat or in a small
group of friends. Another possibility could be to invite your whole family to join you, retreating together for a weekend.
It’s entirely up to you to decide how you want to designate the time, though our suggested rhythm is for the three parts to be spread out over an evening, the next whole day and a final morning (for example, Friday evening through Sunday
at noon). If your time is limited, you could also do a 24-hour retreat, breaking it up as morning, afternoon and evening.
As you begin, say a prayer to God asking for guidance. Invite the Holy Spirit to make clear to you during your retreat what you are meant to receive and what you are meant to let go of.
PART I: REST
READ: 1 KINGS 19:3-9
[Elijah] came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.
Reflection: Often, the busyness of our days is an overabundance of good things and most of us are way more tired than we even realize. We struggle to sit still and turn off our racing thoughts. When the prophet Elijah, worn out from ministry and miracles, pleads for death in the wilderness, God instead invites him to rest and be fed with angels attending to him. So, before it gets to the point where you want to totally quit your life, could you allow yourself rest and nourishment?
Your invitation from God right now is to disconnect and rest. God gives us permission to stop our work and to be still, to rest. Can you give yourself the same permission?
Experience: Put away your phone. Turn off the notifications. Avoid vegging out in front of the television (it’s distracting, but not restful). Instead, go to bed early. Sleep in. Take a nap. Even if you are not sleeping, consider how you can be at rest: lie on the floor and close your eyes, settle into a hammock and listen to the birds, sit by water somewhere and watch the sunset.
Notice: What do you experience in your physical body? Do you feel fidgety and restless? Or are you able to slow down, be still and rest?
PART II: EAT
READ: 1 KINGS 19:5B-9
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank.
Reflection: Twice the angel comes to Elijah and asks him to get up and eat and drink. Part of Elijah’s restoration is through attentiveness to the basic needs of his body—rest, nourishment and refreshment. When we feed and water our bodies with nourishing, whole foods and plenty of water, we are honoring our bodies as God’s creation and as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Scientists estimate that about 75% of adults experience chronic dehydration. Many of us snack through our days or eat on the run, which keeps us from fully experiencing our food and noticing how our bodies respond. No wonder we’re depleted; we keep trying to run on an empty tank!
You invitation from God, right now, is to be fed. Imagine that one of your meals today is from the angel of the Lord.
Experience: Stay hydrated today. Then, attentively prepare a simple meal, sit down without distractions, and eat with intention. Try to eat foods that come from the earth—seasonal fruits and vegetables, grains and beans. As you prepare and eat, gives thanks for the way that God renews us through the gifts of the earth. Set the table beautifully, even if it’s just for yourself. If you are retreating with others, be sure to pray together and linger over the meal with conversation.
Notice: How is your relationship with food and drink? Do you experience food as a gift or a necessary, but inconvenient, part of life? Are you able to slow down, savor and be fed?
PART III: LISTEN
READ: 1 KINGS 19:8-13
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Reflection: Now that Elijah isn’t distracted by his hunger and thirst and exhaustion, he is ready to be attentive to God’s presence. Pastor and author John Ortberg says it this way: “We are so used to spiritually mediocre days—days lived in irritation and fear and self-preoccupation and frenzy—that we throw our lives away in a hurry.” Most of us would agree that we don’t want to throw our lives away, and we would like spiritually meaningful days … so what would that look like for you?
Your invitation is to listen for God’s “gentle whisper.” What do you hear God saying to you right here, right now?
Experience: Give yourself at least 20 minutes of quiet time for prayer and reflection. You may want to use these prompts: What in your life would you like to do differently? What nudge are you feeling from the Holy Spirit? What do you hear in God’s gentle whisper? What needs to change to allow more space for what you are feeling?
Notice: How are you and God right now? Do you feel like BFFs or barely acquaintances? Are you able to slow down, reflect and hear from God?
As you end your retreat, say a prayer of thanks to God for meeting you in this time and place. Notice how you feel and what you want to hold on to from the experience. Linger as long as you can in your retreat time and allow yourself a slow re-entry into real life.
LOVE + SERVE + GROW
CELEBRATING SERVANT HEARTS
COMPILED BY RENEE PUTNAM
Contact Renee Putnam at serve@spdlc.org for information on how you can go and do likewise. If you have an experience to share, Renee is all ears!
astor Tim often says, “Our young people are not just the church of the future, our youth are the church of today!”
There are countless ways the youth of St. Philip the Deacon serve, more than we could count here! Their inspiring dedication and servant hearts light up our community. And, yes, the church of today fills us with immense hope for the future!
Though we have many graduating seniors at SPD, we invited three of them to write about the ways that they serve in our community. We asked them to tell us about one area in which they serve, how they got started and their favorite part. We also invited them to share how they think others might join them in being a part of what God is up to in our community and the world.
y most memorable moments during high school transpire when I volunteer at Kindness, Courage, and Respect Retreats where I spend a full day with elementary and middle school children singing, talking one on one, and in group activities. I have been introduced to so many extraordinary younger people who have impacted me in remarkable and unexpected ways.
My volunteer journey began in the summer of 2021 at an all-day kids’ camp for the City of Plymouth. After
“I wanted to help the younger generation further their faith life and watch them grow as people.”
teach confirmation classes for 6th and 7th graders at SPD. I teach them about the Bible and Jesus and answer any questions they have. I started serving this way because I wanted to help the younger generation further their faith life and watch them grow as people, enjoy
helping others, and learn about God. I would say others can join this route and become a confirmation guide. Another way is helping the younger generation get out to volunteer by joining them in picking up a park or volunteering at Feed My Starving Children.
COVID-19, I witnessed people throughout my community on a local and global level who were stepping up, becoming leaders, and volunteering. [I was motivated] to start helping others and serving my community.
For people who are looking to make a difference through service, first look around for problems in your community that you feel passionate about, find an organization that supports what you believe in and start volunteering there. Also, remember that volunteering comes from the heart and its the quality of service that matters the most.
ne way I serve is with the Special Olympics Bocce Ball team as a volunteer assistant coach. For the past three summers this has been a great way to stay involved with the community outside of school. My volunteering mainly consists of scoring practice games and being a partner for the game if someone needs one.
I love meeting the athletes and working with the other volunteers. It’s so fun to form those connections
with others and make an active difference in the community.
Consistent, recurring commitment is the easiest way to get involved and stay involved, whether that is working with Interfaith Outreach, a hospital or an animal shelter. There are so many service opportunities in our area, you just have to be proactive and know where to look!
SARAH PIEPKORN
NICHOLAS SARGENT
KATHERINE BIXBY
SUMMER
CALENDAR
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
8:45–11 a.m. Four days of adventure-filled learning at VBS “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” There will be music, stories, games, experiments, friends, learning and growing. Kids 3 years old through 4th grade welcome.
MIDSUMMER LAWN BOWLING
6:30 p.m. Brookview Golf Course, Golden Valley Enjoy a summer evening of lawn bowling. It is not difficult to learn and it is tons of fun! No experience is needed, and all equipment is provided. This is an event for all adults—singles and couples.
KIDS’ ADVENTURE WEEKS
Jam-packed weeks of fun and adventure. Each day will have its own theme and activities.
JULY 14–17
Week One (completed grades 2-5)
JULY 28–31
Week Two (completed grades K-5)
AUGUST 11–14
SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. NEW! Kicking off a vocal music camp led by Celina Kobetitsch and Samuel Grace. Activities will include singing, games, musical performances and a field trip. The choir of campers will help to lead the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 17.
Event Registration
Scan the provided QR code and navigate to the event of your choice to register.
MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL
The Minnesota Twins will take on the Boston Red Sox this evening. Our seats will be in the Legends Landing, which is on the third base line. Our reserved seats include the tickets, transportation and all-inclusive ballpark fare.
FAMILIAR FACES
MAKAYLA DAHLEEN
1. 4.
Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry. The Holy Spirit first whispered to me when I was about 9 years old when I witnessed a woman preaching for the first time. A voice in my head said, “I didn’t know girls could do that. I’ll do that.”
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? My favorite way to exercise is kickboxing.
What are three things on your lifetime to-do list? Raise my child to be thoughtful, just and follow Jesus. Drink tea in Morocco. Dance with my husband on every anniversary of our wedding.
How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry? I love going for walks with my family and dancing with my son to music that grounds me in God’s presence. I meet monthly with a spiritual director and leadership coach. I have regular conversations with colleagues and monthly virtual calls with “The Luther Ladies,” a group of friends from Luther College.
5. 2. 3. Makayla Dahleen joined the SPD staff in the fall of 2024 as Pastor of Family Life. Her presence in the pulpit and enthusiasm for ministry with young families have been a blessing to our community, and we are excited to see how she will continue to develop this new pastoral role. Enjoy getting to know her a little more here—and be sure to introduce yourself when you are at church, as she’d love to get to know you as well!
What are you passionate about right now? Reading works by Minnesota authors, especially Marcie Rendon and J. Ryan Stradal.
17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me— watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30 (THE MESSAGE)