Inspire: Love

INSPIRE

LOV E

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

What’s Your Love Language? • A Life Worth Living: An Interview with Kevin Ward • Love Is … • Grandparent Love • I New York summer 2022

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GUIDED KAYAK TOUR

EVERY ISSUE 3 Editor’s Letter

Sunday, Aug 14 1:30-7:00ish Cost $75 per person

Register spdlc.org/register

Join us for a guided tour of the Mississippi River from Brooklyn Park to downtown Minneapolis led by Twin Cities Kayaking. All skill levels are welcome.

4 Scripture Connection

5 Read, Watch, Listen

6 Ref lections on Faith

8 SENIOR HIGH BONFIRES

Show up. Hang out. Connect.

Wednesdays, beginning June 15 8:00-9:30 pm (no bonfires July 6, 13 & 27) No registration necessary. Questions?

Contact Clay Thomas at cthomas@spdlc.org

Devoted Living

30 Modern Day Pilgrims

33 Giving Thanks

34 Out & About

35 Calendar of Events

36 Familiar Faces

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St. Philip the Deacon

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

AG A P E

PHILIA

STORGE

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Love, Love, Love ...

That’s What It’s All About

Whole at Home

Love Starts at Home

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A Life Worth Living: An Interview with Kevin Ward

Grandparent Love

12 Love Is ...

20 What’s Your Love Language?

26 Sippin’ Up Summer

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INSPIRE

WORSHIP WITH US WHEREVER YOU ARE!

Vol. 4, Issue 4, Summer 2022 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

Cheryl Mathison, Kate Sterner contributors

Charlotte Berger, Nancy Carlson website

spdlc.org/inspire email editorial

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

Photo by Adam Gonzales ©2022 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:

LIVESTREAM SUNDAYS AT 9:45 spdlc.org/livestream

(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

For the past 6 months, I have been taking a course called the Spiritual Direction Primer. It is designed to help those who may be interested in pursuing certification in spiritual direction discern if this is where God is calling them to invest their time and energy. A spiritual director is someone who accompanies others on their spiritual journey—either one-on-one or in group settings—asking questions, actively listening, guiding prayer practices and meditation, and praying for their directees. The class is an introduction to these skills, but even more so, an opportunity to be a recipient of spiritual direction practices.

I was surprised by our beginning. We didn’t start with the history of spiritual direction or with seven steps for active listening, but rather we started with love. We started with understanding our own role as God’s beloved, because it is not possible

to hold space for others to discover divine love without first knowing that love for ourselves.

One of the books for my class is Surrender to Love by David Benner, in which he writes, “Gravity may hold planets in orbit and nuclear force may hold the atom together, but only love has the power to transform persons. Only love can soften a hard heart. Only love can renew trust after it has been shattered. Only love can inspire acts of genuine self-sacrifice. Only love can free us from the tyrannizing effects of fear. There is nothing more important in life than learning to love and be loved.

Jesus elevated love as the goal of spiritual transformation.”

Our own Lutheran tradition echoes this sentiment, in that we are loved sinners and the goal of our spiritual lives is not to work toward holiness, but to recognize that there is nothing more to do to earn God’s love. We can just

be within God’s love and respond to that love by loving others. Within our hearts and minds we know that this is the key to everything else we long for—to hope, to justice, to peace, to living a life of contentment and purpose. And yet, each day, we struggle to love ourselves and love others in the way that Jesus showed us. Working on this issue of Inspire and taking the Spiritual Direction Primer at the same time, prompted me to consider my own ideas about love (of God, of self and of others) and how I live love in my everyday life.

Our Love issue asks us to consider our ideas about love. First, Pastor Cheryl Mathison explores the different biblical words for love in the Scripture Connection, words that give us a deeper, more nuanced idea of what scripture is talking about with the word love. We also welcome two new writers to our magazine this issue: Nancy Carlson, a recently retired chaplain, writes about love at the end of life and Charlotte Berger tells us firsthand how the children of our congregation can share their gifts of love with one another and throughout our community.

This summer, as we connect with family and friends, as we feel the sunlight on our faces, as we rest and play, work and learn, may love be our way.

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SPD BOO K CLU B The SPD Book Club does not meet throughout the summer months, so here are three interesting books that will challenge your mind and engage your faith. Perfect for those lazy afternoons in the hammock or by the lake!

SCRIPTURE CONNECTION

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

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ur English word love covers a multitude of relationships. We use it to speak of the love of God, neighbor, spouse, friend, as well as our pet. We also use the word to give voice to the way we feel about something, like a movie, a season or a color.

The Book of Longings

By Sue Monk Kidd

In Greek, the language of the New Testament, there are four different words for love, with each one speaking to a very particular way of loving. Unfortunately, when translated into English, they are all translated as love so the nuanced meaning can be lost on the reader. The four types of love found in scripture are: storge, philia, eros and agape. is best understood as familial love. It is different from friendship and speaks to the expressed love shared from parent to child, child to parent and between siblings. In Romans 12:10, where it reads, “Love one another with brotherly affection,” the Greek word used is storge.

STORGE

A Thousand Acres

By Jane Smiley

Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers & Fresh Food Makers

By Margaret Feinberg

P H I L I A refers to the love shared between friends. In the Bible, evidence of this type of love is characteristic of those who follow Jesus like his disciples, and Paul and Timothy. The Pennsylvania city Philadelphia takes its name from this word and that is why it is known as the “city of brotherly love.”

E R O S is closest to the way we most often use our word love. It is romantic and passionate love shared between two people.

A G A P E is unconditional love. It is

love without any strings attached—undeserved and unmerited. Pure. Perfect. In the familiar John 3:16, agape is the word used to describe God’s love for us: “For God so loved the world.” This type of love is always reaching beyond self to the other, for the other. The Apostle Paul uses the word agape in the most famous chapter in scripture addressing love. In I Corinthians 13 he writes: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” That is agape.

If, in truth, Christians are known by their love, then it is helpful to have a deeper understanding of these words, as they are found in scripture and as they guide us in living out our relationships with God, one another and the world. If you are interested in digging deeper into these definitions of love and their place in Christian life, we recommend C. S. Lewis’ book The Four Loves.

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Faith & Life While we take a break from our Faith & Life Lecture Series during the summer months, it does give you the chance to catch up with past lectures— or listen again to one that inspired you many months ago. As we approach its 20th season, we’ve had the chance to hear the stories of faithful people from all walks of life in subjects as diverse as science, literature, health, sports and so much more.

Faith & Life curates a video and audio library of lectures with past speakers, going all the way back to 2008. If you missed wonderful lectures by people like Naomi Tutu, Chris Heuertz or Becca Stevens, you can hear their lectures at your own pace, from downloadable podcasts and video recordings.

Catch up with these inspirational voices as you drive to the cabin, walk along the lakeshore or putter in the garden. Archives and podcast links: faith-and-life.org/medialivestream You can also visit our YouTube channel and subscribe at YouTube.com/ faithandlife

Read MISS TIZZY

By Libba Moore Gray. Though the neighbors find her eccentric, the children love Miss Tizzy and she loves them. This tender children’s storybook reminds us of

what it means to love in a childlike way and to care for one another. The beautiful watercolor illustrations are a delight!

Watch THE ELECTRICAL LIFE O F LO U I S WA I N Prime Video (PG-13) Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, this true story depicts the life of early 20th century artist Louis

Wain. Share Wain’s joys and heartaches in this moving exploration of love, loss, creativity and mental health.

Listen E V E R YP S A L M

By Poor Bishop Hooper. An ambitious project: to record a psalm-based song each week for three years. By publication, this duo from Kansas will have about 130 psalms recorded. You can

stream on your favorite music platform or find the archives and the new release each week on their website, everypsalm.com.

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BY TIM WESTERME YER

A couple of days before w riting this piece, I conducted a w edding for a young couple. It is, of cour se, something pastor s do routinely.

And, as usual, there were a couple of readings from the Bible chosen for this particular wedding—each of them about love.

I’m not trying to be unromantic. Feelings are a part of romantic love—no question. But feelings aren’t durable. They don’t last. And as a result, they can’t be the basis for a long-term relationship built on love. I don’t think that’s unromantic—I think it’s realistic and honest. And, as it happens, biblical.

One was from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8—perhaps the most famous and most-used reading at wedding services— which begins, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude,” and goes on to say that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

The best definition of love I’ve ever heard comes from Thomas Aquinas, a well-known theologian and brilliant thinker from the 13th century. “To love,” he wrote, “is to will the good of the other.”

The other reading was from 1 John 4:16-19, which includes the famous line “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them,” and also “we love because he first loved us.”

Other passages frequently used are similar. Colossians 3:14 reminds us to “clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” In Romans 12:10, Paul reminds us to “love one another with mutual affection.” And in the Gospel of John, Jesus himself tells his followers, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.”

One thing that strikes me about all of these is that they suggest something active. They suggest a choice. A decision. An act of the will.

What none of them describes is an emotion or a feeling.

Not one.

That’s it. Not a feeling. Not an emotion. But an act of the will—a desire for what is best for the person you love.

And that, by the way, is what God wants for you: only what is best for you.

The tricky thing is that we have our own ideas about what is best for ourselves—which may or may not always line up with what God knows is best. You could say that the life of faith is, in fact, getting our own understanding of what is best for ourselves aligned with God’s deepest desires for us.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love,” God tells his people in Jeremiah. There is no question that God loves you with that same everlasting love today. I pray that in receiving that love, you may better understand what is good and right for you. And I pray that—in willing the good of the others you know and love—you might also help them to become more fully the people God wants them to be.

Lovingly,

And yet, in today’s culture, “feeling” is how most people would likely describe love. As in, “When I’m around my true love, I feel complete.” Or “I feel excited.” Or “I feel butterf lies in my stomach.”

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M E D I TAT I O N

“Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”

C.S. LEWIS

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DE VOTED LIVING

Fellowship

BY AMANDA BERGER

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St. Philip the Deacon

In a recent conversation with a colleague, we wondered what makes something “fellowship” and not just an event? Are we just supposed to have fun together, is that what the Bible means by fellowship?

Truthfully, it depends. Our directives for living together as Christians come from the authors of the New Testament Book of Acts and through the epistles that follow. They use the Greek word “koinonia,” which we translate as fellowship, and it typically refers to sharing, close association or communion. Within the New Testament, this word shows up in three different contexts, pointing us to what it means to engage in Christian fellowship.

The Bible talks about fellowship in these three ways:

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We have fellowship with Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 reads, “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Like the metaphor that Jesus uses in the Gospel of John, Christ is the vine, we are the branches, and we find shared life and sustenance from our connection to Jesus.

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Shared life in one another. This form of fellowship denotes sharing or helping other Christians—it’s just what we do.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in aff liction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:12-13) We are called to care for one another as members of the body of Christ.

3.

Living with a common purpose.

Biblical fellowship is also indicated by unity in belief, practice and direction.

Acts 2:42-44 says it this way: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders

and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

Interestingly, the word “love” does not show up as a part of any of these examples. Love is the given—that if we are in Christ and in communion with God, who is love, then love is what f lows through us and underscores all actions of fellowship.

If those examples from scripture are our markers of what fellowship is, how are we doing? Where do we find genuine biblical fellowship within the church? Some of what we call fellowship may just be enjoying one another’s company—and there isn’t anything wrong with that. Relationships are critical to who we are, and it’s wonderful to be supported, encouraged and spend time with those who share some common ground.

But when we gather in the Fellowship Hall, drinking coffee and eating doughnuts, it may not actually be fellowship. It might just be coffee and conversation.

BUT, if in that conversation we learn about the need of a fellow believer, then, we find a way, together, to provide for that need, and then we surround that action with prayer—ah! Now we have fellowship.

Life together, with direction, toward a purpose, united by Christ.

Fellowship is indicated by a connection and purpose that is greater than whether or not we like each other or want to hang out together. It is how we are in relationship with one another as the body of Christ.

Fellowship is about seeing people’s needs—whether physical, mental or spiritual—and finding ways to be community around those needs. Fellowship is truly the embodiment of Christ’s love among fellow believers.

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Love, Love, Love ...

That’s What It’s All About

BY CHARLOT TE BERGER, AGE 10

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St. Philip the Deacon

Have you ever been to a We Can Help Wednesday? Vacation Bible School? Or gone camping at Baker Park?

You know what all those things have in common?

They’re all Children’s Ministry activities for the summer!

We know that summer can be busy, full of sports, vacations, camps and activities, but you are going to want to make some time for summer at SPD. You’ll get to have fun outside, learn about God and Jesus, help others in need, and make all kinds of new friends. All these summer adventures are led by Trisha Ragner, Director of Children’s Ministry—Special Events. These are all reasons you should participate.

First, you get to be outside. After being cooped up at school all year, you’re finally free! Being outside is awesome because it’s healthy for us. We get vitamin D from the sun, and we get fresh air. It’s a great way to decrease your screen time. It just feels so good to be outside, running and staying active. “I LOVE having the kids outdoors,” said Ragner. “It is my favorite place to be, and I hope to instill some love of God’s great outdoors into kids as well.” Trisha loves to camp and knows a lot about being outside. It makes me feel safe and I feel comfortable trying new things I’ve never done before, like the really long bike ride at Baker Park during the camping trip.

Another way to get outside is to join us under the gigantic tent for Vacation Bible School (VBS). VBS is a day camp that teaches you about God and Jesus.

“VBS is just so impactful. It might be the only exposure that some kiddos get to God’s great love, so that week is always so exciting!” said Ragner. By doing different games and activities you learn about how

you are loved and protected by God and Jesus. We also sing songs and learn some dance moves that represent God’s love. It makes you excited to learn about the Bible and who God is. Lots of people—the children and youth ministry team, parents, high school students and volunteers from SPD—help to lead groups, teach and make it fun.

We also have fun at We Can Help Wednesdays (WCHW). At WCHW we spend half the day doing a service project and then, after a sack lunch, we go have fun!

For service projects, WCHW has done candle cleaning and other jobs around the church. You get to help, and it makes you feel important. They’ve also gone to Feed My Starving Children, Oakwood ballfield cleanup, Second Chance Ranch, worked at local parks and gardens, and many other projects. Doing service projects allows you to feel like you have an impact on what’s happening at church. It makes me feel important because you feel included in what the grown-ups are doing. Jesus asks us to help people, and by giving our time, we do that.

You may be thinking, “This all sounds great, but I don’t know anyone.” Sometimes it can be hard to try new things and you might be nervous about not knowing anybody. Maybe your whole family is new to St. Philip the Deacon or our town.

You don’t have to be worried because you will always be welcome. I go to a school in Minnetonka, so I hardly know anyone at church. People are introduced and you don’t only meet them, but you make friends with them. Trisha is kind and is always interested in what you have to say. Trisha knows who you are and remembers your name—making you feel like you belong. “Regardless of what we’re doing, I want kids to always know that they are deeply loved, uniquely made, and oh-so-important! We are all children of God! I want them to feel connected to SPD and to our amazing God!” Ragner said.

Ready to sign up? Head over to spdlc.org/ register. I can’t wait to see you there!

Summer 2022 features a full schedule of offerings for Children’s Ministry. “The programs offered are of a wide variety, so I always love meeting with kids of all ages and interests. I am also looking forward to full attendance in programs again,” said Ragner. Visit spdlc.org/register for all the event details and registration information.

VAC AT I O N BIBLE SCHOOL June 13-16, 9-11:30 a.m.

WE CAN HELP W E D N E S DAY S June 29, July 13, August 10

BOOK CLUB IN T H E B AC K YA R D July 12, reading The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp A DV E N T U R E IN THE ARTS July 20

K I D S C A M P I N G AT B A K E R PA R K July 24-25

All events require advance registration with deadline typically two weeks ahead of the event date. Space is limited for many activities, so sign up today!

PL E AS E N OT E :

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Love Is ...

B Y C H A P L A I N R E V. NANCY CARLSON

A couple I knew, I’ll call them Steve and Fran, were married for 70 years.

When they met, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but it became love at every sight soon after. Love carried them through many years of marriage and all the ups and downs of life. Their love bridged the distance when Steve was stationed in Europe during World War II. That love kept Steve going even when enemy fire erupted right behind him. That love kept Fran going when she wondered if he’d make it home alive. After the war, they raised five children who were busy as can be in sports, scouts and other activities. Their faith was another important factor in keeping their love alive.

They went to church regularly, prayed together without ceasing, and tried to live a loving, spiritual life.

When Fran needed more care, she moved to a care facility. Steve would visit every day and Fran’s face would light up when he walked in the room. They would have a special lunch in the care center dining room, which Steve lovingly elevated to be called “The Green Room” because of the green wallpaper. It made Fran feel special when they ate in there as it felt like a date. After several years, Steve joined Fran in the same care center, different room.

Whenever Fran was having a rough day, Steve would visit and immediately the smile would return to her face. Steve, too, would be comforted in Fran’s presence when he was having trouble. They were regular worship attendees until the day they died.

They would sit next to each other, wheelchair to wheelchair, holding hands. Even though they sometimes fell asleep, they rested in the love of Jesus and the love of each other.

Now as is true for most people, their love and marriage weren’t perfect. They were one of the fortunate couples whose love lasted as long as their lives. What was their secret? I’m not sure exactly, but I think their love mostly resembled what the Apostle Paul wrote about in his first letter to the Corinthians. Their love was usually patient and kind. I saw that when they needed to be patient with each other and their aging bodies as it took them longer to do things they wanted to do or go where they wanted to go. At times, they each insisted on their own way, especially when they were frustrated with their aging bodies. They could be irritable and resentful with each other. But most of the time, they were kind with each other and shared that kindness with those around them. Their love endured a lot of things over the years and they believed that their love would last. Through their faith in Jesus Christ, they had hope for the future, even when the present looked bleak. Their love was unending, and, as Paul says, was the greatest of all gifts.

Love is a gift, something we receive first from God, who loves us and the whole world, and then through Jesus who showed us how to love. Love is not only a gift, love

is the new commandment that Jesus gives us. Yet, sometimes it’s hard to love. We don’t feel like it—we’re tired, busy or irritable.

Sometimes it’s hard to love because we’re grieving the aging process and the slow decline of someone we love. I imagine it was hard for Steve and Fran’s kids to show love at times, especially when faced with their parents’ declining bodies and forgetful minds. There were times when Steve and Fran needed space from each other, that’s why separate rooms were helpful.

How do we continue to love when it’s hard?

First of all, take a deep breath. Pray for your heart to open to love. Try to be patient or kind; or, try for just one right now if it’s too much to do both. Remind yourself to take it one day at a time. Remember what love is and what it isn’t. Let Jesus help you love one another; after all, if that’s his command, he will help us do it. Know that your love will change and grow and adapt over the years. Believe that your love will see you through. Listen to one another, just pause and listen. Enter into someone else’s world, even if it doesn’t make much sense to you. Remind yourself that your aging parent, spouse or loved one isn’t doing things to bug you; it could be a side effect of a disease or the process of aging. Similarly, your children, spouse or friends aren’t trying to irritate you but maybe are having a rough day, experiencing the pain of growing or the difficulty of adulting. Just for one day, try to be as loving as you can—to others and yourself—and see if anything changes.

Perhaps you can sing this song to yourself, “I’m my beloved’s and he (Jesus) is mine, his banner over me is love.” Picture Jesus’ banner of love over you, wrapped around you and your loved ones. Trust in the promise that love covers a multitude of sins, love carries us through whatever we face, and when we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. Even after we die, the love that we shared continues and we trust that we will be held in the loving arms of Jesus forever and ever. Right where Steve and Fran are now. May it be so!

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BY AMANDA BERGER

FIG. 2

FIG. 1

FIG. 3

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St. Philip the Deacon

Did you know that in Minnesota, there is a shortage of nearly 94,000 units of affordable housing?

This is housing th at is avail able to those w ho are in the most extreme of t h e l ow-i ncom e c at eg ory of r en t er s, e a r ni ng a n av er age of u n der $2 4 , 0 0 0 a y e a r . These are the people who are most likely to sacrifice other things—like healthy food or healthcare— for the sake of providing themselves or their families with shelter. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, about 89% of these households are made up of people who are in low-paying jobs, single caregiver households, live with a disability, or any combination thereof. While living in Minnesota has lots of benefits, affordable housing is not one of them.

In SPD’s current capital appeal, we are joining with mission partners who are working toward providing more resources for this incredible need. Rise Early Learning Center and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative are two organizations with big dreams to provide more than just shelter, but a stable home, excellent childcare and long-term support for these families.

Rise Early Learning Center is part of an initiative started by a partnership between CommonBond, an affordable housing developer, and Westwood Lutheran Church to provide a space that combines 120 units of affordable housing with an excellence-driven early childhood education center. In a recent interview with Rise Early board member Jim Vos, he explained, “We are partnering with CommonBond to create a space that supports low-income families with affordable housing, exceptional early childhood

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Our second mission partner is education, and parent support. While it Emerson Village, an initiative of Beacon seems like such a no-brainer, no one else Interfaith Housing Collaborative, which is doing anything like this.” will create 40 new apartment homes The building designed by Commonin North Minneapolis, with the goal of Bond will feature a childcare center on the permanent housing for families which ground level, with space for 62 children. provides for a stable, connected neighborHalf of the spaces will be subsidized and hood for the future. half will come from those paying market Beacon is the organization that operrate. St. Philip the Deacon, a major ates the Families Moving Forward program, supporter, is coming alongside Westwood with whom St. Philip the Deacon has been Lutheran and 10 other community orgaa partner for a long time. “Ultimately, our nizations, including two synagogues, to goal is to get the families in the shelter provide financial support for this project. program (Families Moving Forward) into “When we talk about high quality homes,” said Linda Sandvig, SPD member childcare, we are looking to recruit and and dedicated Beacon Volunteer. pay real, four-year degree professional Beacon plans to break ground on the educators,” said Vos. “And we will pay them project in 2023, where alongside affordable comparable wages as St. Louis Park school housing, Beacon will also provide residistrict kindergarten teachers. We want dents with individually tailored support this so we recruit the best people for these services—think education, healthcare, kids. We’re not just looking for babysitters.” financial support and other services which The need is about $4 million to carry Rise help families to gain assets and become Early through its first 10 years. more financially secure. “Homelessness is a A third partnership will also occur source of trauma,” said Sandvig. “Providing within the Rise Early project, that of 100% support services, tailored to meet each wraparound parent support, provided by family’s individual needs, is something that Way to Grow, an existing nonprofit, who very few developers do. Once [the families] equips parents to nuture their children are there, there’s no specific timeline for at home, providing support for nutrition, how long they can stay. They’ve experienced literacy, and preparedness for kindertrauma and need these resources. You can’t garten. Research has shown that this put a timeline on that healing.” kind of support in early childhood sets Our current capital campaign desires children up to be successful in school and to meet the whole needs of individuals and throughout the rest of their lives. families. From our mental health initiaAccording to Vos, Minnesota Federal tives to providing safe Reserve Chair Arthur affordable housing and Rolnick, who has a “When we quality early childhood passion and commitment education—we are doing to early childhood educatransform the just that. This is truly tion, has weighed in on lives of these what being made whole is the project. Rolnick said families, we all about. that if this project works If you have already as the organizers hope, it transform our made a commitment to will become a model for communities.”

Being Made Whole, thank other cities and projects you. If you would like to and could transform give a gift to the appeal, visit spdlc.org/ how we support low-income families with egiving. To learn more about each of these young children in our communities. When mission partners, you can visit: riseearwe transform the lives of these families, lylearningcenter.org and beaconinterfaith. we transform our communities. org. For information specifically about CommonBond will break ground Emerson Village, visit rb.gy/p9wwj4. on the project in summer 2022, with an expected opening in November 2023.

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A Life Worth Living

AN INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN WARD

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

Interfaith Outreach’s Executive Director is Kevin Ward. He brings a broad and outstanding record of service that encompasses more than two decades of experience in business, ministry, nonprofit leadership, association management, coaching and executive leadership. Mr. Ward has held leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies and is the founder of The Forward Group, an executive coaching and leadership development company. Most recently, his leadership in a faith-based nonprofit serving teens and families resulted in new partnership growth. Lived experience and studies in human potential and divinity inform his work and life. His personal motto is “A life of service is a life worth living.” This is certainly evident in his recent interview with Pastor Tim Westermeyer.

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In the end, our work together with all stakeholders will reduce suffering in our community. Our dream remains consistent: to build a vibrant community where everyone counts and all sectors and systems work together for the good of all.”

You recently began work as the new Executive Director of Interfaith Outreach. For those who haven’t had a chance to meet you or get to know you yet, can you give a quick overview of how you got here? I have a diverse background, including corporate America, entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership. Before coming to Interfaith, I was vice president of a youth nonprofit.

My role was to help expand and grow the mission nationally by establishing franchises across the nation. Before that, I was president of an association management company managing midsize associations within professional trades.

My current role at Interfaith allows me to bring all of my experiences together in one position.

I know your past includes some pretty impressive credentials in the world of football. What kinds of things did you learn on the gridiron in college and the NFL? Sports have played an essential role in my development.

Teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of a process and a system to produce consistent results are things I learned in sports that inform my leadership philosophy today.

I know you’re working on a new strategic plan for Interfaith. Can you say a bit about that? What will it mean for Interfaith Outreach and the community you serve? Our Overarching Goal is: to get those we serve what they need when they need it.

We will accomplish this through careful assessment of our work. We will make sure we are using the right technology for the right purpose, look carefully at our core services so they align with what clients are telling us they need. We will continue to refine how we use information and communications to improve understanding all while engaging this generous community in advancing the mission and building resources.

Related to the question above, what are your dreams for this community and Interfaith Outreach? In the end, our work together with all stakeholders will reduce suffering in our community.

Our dream remains consistent: to build a vibrant community where everyone counts and all sectors and systems work together for the good of all.

The Resale store has expanded to now accept and sell furniture and more household goods. How is that going? It’s going well. The Resale Select store has expanded to occupy additional space in our building. We are calling that new space Resale2 which offers household goods, electronics and furniture. The community has been very generous in supporting this expansion with the necessary and top-quality donation items.

St. Philip the Deacon is a longtime partner of Interfaith Outreach.

What kinds of things would you like churches like St. Philip the Deacon to know as it relates to Interfaith Outreach? How do you see congregations as part of your work?

Faith communities are foundational to Interfaith. This fact remains as true as ever. As we assess our programs and services this year, there may be things

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St. Philip the Deacon

we stop doing, and there may be new things we start doing. There may also be things our partners take over from us.

We want all of our faith partners to be open to new ways of meeting community needs. So many volunteers, essential to our work, come to us because they heard about Interfaith through their faith community. Keep doing what you are doing! Keep praying, connecting as volunteers, bringing food and goods, and providing financial support. These are all the resources we need. Thank you for helping to carry out our mission forward.

Your background includes work in ministry. How did that work prepare you for what you’re doing now? I was the executive pastor of a large multicultural church in Ohio while attending seminary. I understand the importance of faith formation on a personal and community level. Ministry allowed me to understand what servant leadership and loving your neighbor is all about.

As we’re doing this interview, we appear to be moving into a new phase of COVID—lower infection rates, fewer hospitalizations, and relaxed protocols and policies communitywide. What is your sense of what we’ve learned, having gone through the last couple of years as

About Interfaith

it relates to COVID-19? I try not to take anything for granted. Life is so precious and a gift. The little things matter in ways that may not have been as clear before COVID-19. I believe some good things have come from the pandemic. Organizationally, our doors remained open the entire pandemic. We are an essential service. And, we delivered our services differently—we are more agile in our work now than before the pandemic. As a community, we stood tall to ensure our neighbors who experienced COVID-19 in more profound ways had the support and resources they needed.

Finally, we learned how to be in community differently.

We also want all our partners to know that the families we work with are hit extremely hard by COVID-19. The effects of the pandemic on their lives will be deeply felt for years to come.

The theme of this issue is “Love.”

How do you think about love as it relates to the work you’re doing at Interfaith Outreach, the work of the church, or your own life? As believers,

Interfaith Outreach is a human service nonprofit serving families and individuals in eight Twin Cities west metro communities. Interfaith Outreach rallies resources and ignites the community so that basic human needs are addressed.

Together with the community, Interfaith lives out the values of collaboration, inclusion and integrity so its mission, to strengthen our community by meeting basic needs and equipping individuals and families for ongoing stability, can be realized. Interfaith has been serving the west Hennepin County region since 1979. For more information, visit iocp.org.

we are commanded to love. John 15:12, “Love each other as I have loved you.” I want to help create a community where there is no us vs. them. One community with many differences loving and caring for one another. We get to love even when it’s inconvenient or challenging.

At Interfaith our dream is “to build a vibrant community where everyone counts and all sectors and systems work together for the good of all.” Each year 2,000 families access our services, with over 10,000 food shelf visits as well as employment, childcare and so many other supports during difficult times.

I love being here in this community and I believe in the power of faith communities. Together with clients, donors, supporters and partners, everyone is counted. Together “love” becomes a verb as we take action.

I/we sincerely appreciate the support and generosity of this community. At the heart of our work together is to keep going and growing forward. We could not be more grateful for your partnership as we grow forward together.

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What’s Your L ve Language? C

💘

BY K AT E S T E R N E R

After years of counseling couples who were struggling with their marriages, Gary Chapman, an evangelical pastor and therapist, began to notice some similarities in the complaints that spouses made toward each other. One spouse might firmly assert that they were doing everything they could to make the marriage relationship work, while the other insisted that they feel unloved. As Chapman began to dig into the reasons why a person would feel unloved, he asked them to explain what it would take to help them feel loved again.

hapman looked for commonalities in his research that would help him design methods and tasks for couples to try out at home. As he analyzed his data, he identified five different styles through which people communicated their love for their spouses.

These five styles also seemed to indicate how they, themselves, could feel love. He called these styles the Five Love Languages.

After he began to share his findings with his clients and weave them into his counseling sessions, he found that couples who reexamined their styles of communicating love to one another were having significant success in repairing their relationships. Chapman felt he was really onto something and decided to write a book to share his ideas with others. The first of many books promoting this new concept was The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, published in 1992.

The book found tremendous success, remaining on The New York Times Best Sellers list for years. Chapman has adapted and reissued his book several times, with emphases for couples, singles, children, teenagers, and even for military families who often experience significant periods of separation from loved ones stationed around the world. The book has been translated into more than 40 languages and maintains a broad cross-cultural appeal.

So what are Chapman’s Five Love Languages?

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Words of Affirmation

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Some people feel most loved when they receive unsolicited compliments or words of appreciation. They may not be convinced that they are cared for until they receive verbal expressions that affirm their value, and pointedly mark the other person’s affection for them. Sincere compliments that affirm things that are intrinsic to a person’s character can be especially powerful: “You’re so creative.” “No one works harder than you do.” “You are such a kind person.” “You’re a really good leader.” And finding ways to tell someone how much you care for them can fill their heart. “I’m so proud of you.” “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” “I don’t know how I could ever manage without you.” “I’m so in love with you.”

😘

Physical Touch To someone with this love language, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate physical touch. Perhaps they grew up in a very huggy family, and a loving pat on the back is all they need to feel comfortable and cared for. A fist bump between buddies, a joshing light punch to the shoulder along with a smile, a pat on the hand or shoulder, holding hands while on a walk, or a long cuddle on the sofa are all examples of loving physical touch.

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St. Philip the Deacon

Acts of Service For some people, actions speak louder than words. You might say that you love your special someone, but do you back that up by demonstrating your appreciation? Doing something to help them out can show that you are paying

attention to their needs. Are they stressed by having too much on their plate? Pick up some of their chores so they have less to worry about. Are they struggling with a task they aren’t good at? Help them out— sometimes two heads are better than one.

Or show them you care by making them a snack or bringing them a beverage, unasked.

🕖

Quality Time This language is all about giving someone your undivided attention. If your person feels you don’t spend enough time together, this need won’t be satisfied by just being in the same space or watching the TV together. It means eye contact, listening, sharing stories and jokes, problem-solving, and learning from one another. Sometimes it means becoming interested in something that you normally wouldn’t gravitate toward.

This can be especially good for parents who are trying to show their teenagers that they care. Maybe you never cared much for heavy metal music before, but your teenage son might notice—and secretly feel cared for—if you learned about his favorite band and try to understand its attraction for him.

🎁 Gifts

There are people who don’t really recognize how much you care about them until they receive a thoughtful gift from you. Such a gift says that you are thinking about them, and you notice the things that are meaningful to them.

People who make gifts by hand for others usually also enjoy receiving them, because they know the effort that went into such a gift. Gifts don’t have to be expensive, but the thoughtfulness of the item is especially telling. What mother of a 3-year-old doesn’t love receiving a bouquet of cheerful yellow dandelion buttons?

📚

Learning More

There are quizzes that you can take online to help you identify your own love language. Try the one at Gary Chapman’s website, 5LoveLanguages.com. Some couples find that taking the quiz together and discussing the results can yield tremendous benefit to their relationships.

You can pick up one of Chapman’s books online or at your favorite bookstore. His first book has not been out of print in 30 years! I’m not married, so I picked up a copy of The 5 Love Languages: Singles Edition. I hoped it would help me figure out what my friends’ love languages might be, so that I can communicate my affection with a more sincere-to-them impact. For example, after reading the book, I realized that my sister, who lives far away, almost always brings little gifts whenever we get together. After finding that her love language may be gifts, I also started bringing thoughtful gifts whenever we meet, and I can really see how much it means to her.

I have a friend who loves long phone conversations that never seem to end. I used to try to wrap up these conversations quickly, but now I realize that quality time may be his love language. So, I have reframed my view of these calls, and I plan on spending a good 45 minutes to an hour with him, so that he can feel I care enough to spend time with him.

Does the concept of the Five Love Languages resonate with you? Do you know what your love language might be? You can have an interesting conversation with someone you care about and learn more about what makes them feel loved. Sharing with them your own love language can help them understand what makes you tick.

In addition to the books and website, you can find dozens of videos of Chapman on YouTube.com. You can also sign up for Chapman’s weekly email newsletter on his website, 5LoveLanguages.com.

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I L O V E S TA R T S AT H O M E

BY AMANDA BERGER

t’s not a new phenomenon, and it certainly existed prior to the pandemic, but if you’ve noticed an uptick in the unkind way that your family responds to one another— short fuses, snipe-y responses, completely ignoring one another as they zone out on devices and feelings of frustration—you’re not alone. Many of us recognize that we use up our best selves with our friends, colleagues and classmates, often leaving us depleted when it comes time to interact with those that we truly love most: our immediate family.

In general, we go through our days with kindness. We offer please and thank-you to store clerks, smile at strangers, and hold the door for those with their hands full entering the same building. We might even allow a stranger with only a few items to go ahead of us in the checkout line. Some days we offer grace to harried servers or nail technicians or home repair people, even when we’d prefer it all to be quicker and less expensive. We all have bad or grumpy days, but, usually, we’re compassionate, polite and patient.

So how strange is it that these same qualities show up less within the walls of our own home? Assuming you’re not on the verge of divorce or putting your kids up for adoption, we are talking about managing the everyday frustrations of being a family. It should be easier, not harder to bring our best selves to our partners and children. Yet, we take the unconditional love and abundant forgiveness of our families for granted. We lash out, knowing that forgiveness will come. We know the best and the worst of each other, we love one another anyway. It’s a give and take, but that doesn’t mean it never runs out.

Especially in the past couple of years, our baseline stress level has been higher.

Our ability to process and interact in the world around us has been put to the test and we are all tired. We have compassion fatigue and may be battling other issues like anxiety and depression or burnout. Most of us are doing the best we can with what we have, just trying to make it through the day.

So, how can we cultivate more compassion, gratitude and love within our homes?

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St. Philip the Deacon

1 . IM AGINE LOSING S O M E O N E YO U L O V E

This isn’t meant to be morbid or inviting a death wish, but psychologists have found that when we vividly imagine losing someone we love, our minds respond with more gratitude and kindness for those around us. Imagine the loss in detail. Visualize what it would look like to see an empty bed or chair; never taking a road trip together again; being completely in charge of trying to get the kids where they need to go on your own. This exercise invokes deep emotions and promotes relief and gratitude that it’s not true.

5 More Ways T O P R O T E C T YO U R FA M I LY F R O M YO U R WORST SELF

1.

Keep work at work. Yes, it might feel good to be able to come home and vent about the day’s frustrations—and sometimes we need to do that. However, it can also bring more negative feelings into your home (which your family didn’t really need to be exposed to) and YOU end up reliving it again. Just be done with it when it’s over in real time.

2 . A N T I C I P AT E N E E D S OF OTHERS

There’s a lot of “me first” in the world, both consciously and unconsciously.

Sometimes we don’t mean to be rude, we are just distracted or forget. So, consider tiny ways that you can support and serve your family. For example, if your spouse has been at the grocery store and you hear the car arrive, pop out to the garage to help carry in the bags of supplies. Sure, they could do it themselves, but having help feels good. Maybe taking out the trash is usually your child’s job, but you’re going out to the garage anyway, so take the trash with you. Yes, your child learns responsibility by doing their own chores, but they also learn spontaneous acts of service when they receive it from you. Sometimes, it just makes everyone feel better to know that you are all partners in making your family life function—from cleaning to shopping, food prep to relaxing.

3 . G E T A W AY F R O M T H E M A N D TA K E A B R E A K

We all know the great relief of coming home when we’ve been away—to see their faces, hear their voices and to be enveloped in hugs and greeted with smiles. With less travel and more working/learning from home, we just don’t get as many breaks as we used to. So take time if you need it. They will survive without you for a couple of days (even if all they eat is box mac ‘n’ cheese) and you can rest, reset and remind yourself of why you love being with your family in the first place.

2.

Pray for those you live with, specifically. Ask God for the grace to be with them in loving, kind ways. Pray for the things they are going through at work or school or in activities. When we do this it increases our compassion for what they are experiencing and allows us to act more empathetically toward them.

3.

Get the self-care you need. This is not about massages or spa trips, but get the sleep you need, eat real food at regular intervals and take breaks from work and technology, and do what you need to burn off your stress.

You will not respond to others in a loving way if you are not providing yourself with your most basic needs.

4.

This isn’t preemptive, but ask for forgiveness. In the moments where you’ve (inevitably) exploded at your child, just apologize.

Model humility by admitting you weren’t at your best, and ask their forgiveness.

5.

Adjust your expectations.

Given the stress we are all under, are you expecting too much from the people around you? What could you let go of? If something is important to you, have you made that clear to them or just expected them to know it?

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Grand Parent Love BY CHERYL M AT H I S O N

Grandparents and grandchildren share a special type of love and there is nothing quite like it anywhere in the world.

W

hen my daughter was 2, her grandmother gave her a t-shirt that read on the front: “When the going gets tough ...” and on the back: “the tough go to grandma.”

And go to grandma she did ... when she needed a hug, or wanted a book read, or was asking for a special treat she knew we would object to, or when she desired to escape even the gentlest reprimand from us as her parents!

While we were busy parenting and discipling and teaching and training our kids, grandma was busy being available.

Available to hold, to snuggle, to comfort, to play, and to unconditionally love, forgive, and accept our children for who they were, tantrums and all.

Here are some ref lections from four sets of grandparents, all at different stages of grandparenting.

Ron and Janet Schutz are brand-new grandparents. They have at this writing all of four weeks experience and are finding grandparenting to be one of the most joyful blessings of life. Janet explained that one of the things she most loves is sitting with Sophie and looking at her little face while she sleeps. And she has also taken delight in watching Grandpa Ron let out his “goofier” side!

Ref lecting on life as a grandma, Janet said, “The biggest difference between parenting and grandparenting is the vast amount of patience I have now. I could spend hours holding Sophie, but when my children were little, there was always something else I thought needed my attention.”

Looking to the future Janet said, “I want to be as immersed in my grandchild(ren)’s lives as their parents will let me! I want to take them on adventures and provide a safe space for them to talk about life— things they may be hesitant to talk about with their parents.”

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St. Philip the Deacon

Beth and John Jacob are proud grandparents to Duke, 6 months. They “absolutely love every little inch” of their grandson.

Before Duke began daycare, they took care of him for several weeks while his parents returned to work. Duke arrived each day with a big smile of which John said, “We get paid in smiles.” Beyond that, they love watching their daughter and son-in-law as parents. “It is wonderful to see how they have so smoothly entered into their new world of parenthood.”

Beth has observed that “being in the moment” is one of the biggest differences between parenting and grandparenting.

There is not the hurried feeling of being a new parent balancing marriage, parenting, work, leisure, etc. That perspective comes with “recognizing that time goes so quickly and wanting to soak up and enjoy all of these little moments with my grandchild as they happen.”

Bob and Barb Paulson have one grandson, Carter, age 4, and a second is on the way.

When asked about the biggest surprise of grandparenting, Barb said, “The prevalence of the different technologies being used in every aspect of their lives from sound machines to video monitoring and the role that ‘instant everything’ has on parenting techniques.”

She and Bob particularly enjoy the lack of fear and second guessing that comes with life experience. Whereas new parents worry about doing the wrong thing or not doing the right thing at the right time or feel anxious about making mistakes, grandparents often find themselves far more relaxed.

Jean and Craig Stoermer are the most seasoned grandparents of the group with eight little ones to love. They range in age from 8 years old to 4 months, and every single one of them lives within biking distance from the Stoermers!

Jean said that she loves the very different personalities of each one and seeing their faces light up when they learn something

new. Each one is “the most amazing and beautiful little being and such a miracle! I thank God every single day for our eight little miracles.”

After every visit, as the grandchildren leave to go home, Jean makes the sign of the cross on each of their foreheads and says, “Blessed Child of God, you are loved.”

It is not unusual for some of the kids to stand and wait in line for their turn. To be sure, you can never tell a child too often how much they are loved.

Proverbs 17:6 reads, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” Indeed, each of these grandparents would agree.

Whether you are a seasoned grandparent, a new grandparent, or are eager to grandparent (so many children would benefit from your unconditional love!), check out the book, Nanaville: Adventures in Grandparenting by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and best-selling author Anna Quindlen.

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St. Philip the Deacon

SIPPIN’ UP SUMMER

BY AMANDA BERGER

A st r i ped st r aw. A t i n y pi nk pa per pa r a sol . Chu nk s of f r esh f ru it m i ngli ng w it h ice c u bes . There’s nothing as refreshing as a fun summer drink—and never more so than when they are good for everyone in the family. (It’s not fair that adults get to have all the fun!) These alcohol-free options are perfect for sunny lake days, neighborhood parties a nd 4t h of Ju ly fest iv it ies. Or just because it’s Tuesd ay.

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CARDAMOM LIMEADE This simple and quick variation on limeade is tart and cooling— with a surprise hit of refreshing cardamom. Made with just a small amount of coconut sugar, compared to the syrupy sweetness of limeade concentrates, you don’t have to reserve this drink for special occasions only. Serves 2.

3 cups Water, plus 1 tbsp ¼ cup Lime Juice (the juice of 2-3 limes) ¼ tsp ground Cardamom 1 tbsp Coconut Sugar* In a small bowl or juice glass, dissolve coconut sugar in hot water.

Combine all ingredients in a small pitcher or 32-ounce jar. Whisk to combine. Serve over ice and garnished with a lime slice. *You may substitute regular sugar and adjust the amount to your preferred sweetness.

PIÑA COLADA SMOOTHIE Starting this smoothie off with frozen fruit makes it extra cold and creamy, but you can also use fresh banana and pineapple as well. You’ll feel like you are in the tropics, whether you make this for breakfast or a snack! Serves 2.

1 ½ cups frozen or fresh Pineapple Chunks 1 frozen or fresh Banana 1 cup unsweetened light canned Coconut Milk 1 handful Ice Cubes 1 tbsp shredded or toasted Coconut, optional Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Divide equally between two glasses. Top with shredded or toasted coconut, if desired.

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St. Philip the Deacon

STRAWBERRY MINT MOCK-JITO

Fresh, sweet strawberries and mint combine to refresh body and spirit. This drink looks much fancier than it is to prepare—making it perfect for a party or a quick post-lawnmowing pick-me-up.

And, without too much sugar or alcohol, it’s completely guilt free!

Serves 2.

1 cup fresh Strawberries, sliced 20 fresh Mint Leaves 2 Limes, juiced 1 tbsp Sugar, divided Ice Cubes 16-20 oz. Club Soda or Strawberry Sparkling Water In each of two 16 oz. glasses, split the strawberries, mint leaves, lime juice and sugar. Using a muddler, crush the ingredients in each glass. Muddle until the berries and mint have released their juice/oil, and the mint is chopped, but not too fine.

Fill the glasses with ice cubes and top off with club soda or sparkling water. Give it a little stir to gently combine. Garnish with additional mint leaves, strawberries or mini umbrellas, if desired.

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I NEW YORK

BY

NYC

AMANDA BERGER

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St. Philip the Deacon

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO JULIE AND KAYLEN LEONARD RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A VISIT TO MANHATTAN. LONG TIME SPD MEMBERS, THEIR SON AND BROTHER CHARLIE RECENTLY RELOCATED TO NEW YORK, GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO EXPLORE EVEN MORE OF THE “CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS.”

They both said not to miss taking the ferry out to Ellis and Liberty islands. Both offer walking audio tours that are so affordable and totally full of fascinating information.

“Riding the ferry gives you amazing views of New York,” said Kaylen. “You can take as long as you need at each island or take a picnic and look back at the gorgeous skyline.” The Ellis Island National Museum is another quick ferry ride from Liberty Island, and also features an audio walking tour. It houses a research center where you can reserve time and look up relatives who may have immigrated through Ellis Island.

One morning, they got up at 5 a.m. and made their way to the “Today” show. “We did a shout out and waved with the crowd.

It’s not hard to get into or as busy as it looks

NYC

J

ulie has been to New York a couple of times, but this was one of their most in-depth tourist trips and Kaylen’s first experience of New York. “In New York, you don’t rent a car, you take the subway and walk everywhere. We walked over 20,000 steps each day!” While they were only there for a long weekend, New York is the kind of place where you can do a lot in three nights and a couple of days.

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on TV,” said Kaylen. Julie commented that, “It’s all prerecorded and directed. There are multiple takes and they tell you what to say and do. Such a fun experience to see the process of TV production. You can meet the cast, shake hands or get a selfie—we saw Al Roker and said hello to him.”

One of the most moving sites to visit is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It is created on the footprint of the Twin Towers, a memorial to the courage and sacrifice of those whose lives were lost during the terrorist attacks of 9/11. “To see all the names of people at the 9/11 Memorial brings you back to real life—just knowing what all these people went through,” said Kaylen. “They place a white rose at the person’s name on their birthday. It’s not just a one and done memorial—they are still being remembered.”

Julie said, “It’s a very surreal moment—it’s quiet—you stand there and look at it. You see all that is still standing, what they went through and how they survived and what they rebuilt. There’s a synagogue next to ground zero that is in the final stages of rebuilding—after 20 years.”

This particular trip also included walking through Central Park, visiting Chinatown and seeing the Chinese New Year’s parade, a visit to the Empire State Building, seeing the Broadway musical “Come From Away” as well as stops at some fun restaurants—including the oldest pizza place in New York, Lombardi’s. For Julie, visiting Strawberry Fields where John Lennon was assassinated was also a very tender and meaningful moment.

It’s fun to note that former Wayzata student Amy Scherber is a baker and owns Amy’s Bread in New York City. A former student of Julie’s husband, Chuck Leonard, they made a point to Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea and Brooklyn—you might pop in for coffee and a treat at this neighborhood favorite.

NYC

visit. With three locations—

The Leonards know they’ll be back many more times. “You don’t have to do the same thing every time—there’s always something else to see,” said Julie. “There are tons of museums—we didn’t even get to that or the Bronx Zoo or the botanical gardens this time.” They plan to go with even more family this summer, taking in more of the sites that the kids will enjoy.

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St. Philip the Deacon

01.

g n i Giv nks!

Tha In May, we celebrated 26 years of devoted ministry by Linda Armstrong, our Director of Music Ministry. Though words cannot adequately encompass her many years of service and the beauty of the music she has provided and fostered within our congregation, these words from the many who have received her gift of music speak for all of us. Thank you, Linda, for your music and faithful ministry!

“

Thank you so very much for your engaging, fun, accurate musical leadership for nearly 26 years at SPDLC. While I participated about six or seven years in Sanctuary Choir, your guidance has been a tremendous musical pleasure. You rate #1 in my history of leadership in schools, churches and professionally in the Municipal Opera in St. Louis, Missouri.

May God continue to bless you and your talent as he upholds you and you move forward. Thank you for your ‘talent shared’ as well as your joy!!” —Bonnie Hana

“

[My grandchildren] love choir and have come a long way in feeling comfortable with ‘performing.’ I want to thank you for what you have given not only to my three [grandchildren] but all the children who have been in choirs. My best wishes for you ... you will be very hard to replace.” —Barbara Willis

“

I knew this day would come but I didn’t think it would be this soon!

I have been in the choir for 15 years and have loved every moment of it! I always looked forward to Wednesday [rehearsals] and Sunday mornings and all the other times the choir sang on special occasions, including Germany and Carnegie Hall. I’ve had the greatest experiences because of you and have met so many wonderful friends …

All this to say, I feel honored to have sung under your direction.” —Grace Korlath

“

Congratulations, Linda, on your upcoming retirement! We have been exceedingly blessed by your musical leadership, but even more so by your spiritual leadership with our children. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us and with them. I know you have had a meaningful impact on countless lives!” —Debbie Maymir

“

Through services, weddings, funerals, small groups, and volunteer events, I could never have asked for a more accomplished musical partner. I am so grateful for the important relationship Linda and I have built.

Congratulations and thank you for 26 years of indelible memories! You will be missed.”

—Norah Long

02.

03.

04.

05.

01. Linda Armstrong. 02. Armstrong was devoted to providing opportunities for children to share their gifts with our community, directing three children’s choirs: Dynamic Deacons, Chancel Choir and the SPD Singers. 03. Several times during her tenure, Linda Armstrong organized a Men’s Chorus to provide special music for Sunday worship. 04.

In 2007, Armstrong guided a tour for a group from the Sanctuary Choir to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 05. Linda collaborated with Amanda Berger to take the SPD Singers on a joint choir tour and mission trip to Chicago in 2010.

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OUT & ABOUT On April 16, 60 children joined us for our annual Easter egg hunt. Trisha Ragner began the morning talking about the Easter story and hope of Jesus’ resurrection before sending the kids out to find the 1,300 Easter eggs hidden around the St. Philip the Deacon property.

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St. Philip the Deacon

M O N D AY JUNE

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S U N R I S E YO G A FA I T H

SUMMER

June 20, July 18, & August 29 at 6:30 a.m.

Join us at Wayzata Beach for a sunrise slow f low YogaFaith practice. No registration needed, freewill offering. All levels welcome. Contact Amanda at aberger@spdlc.org for more information.

CALENDAR

M O N D AY JUNE

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M I DS U M M E R L AW N B OW L I N G

T U E S D AY, J U N E 1 4 T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N

6:30 p.m. Enjoy a summer evening with others from SPD as we try our hand at lawn bowling at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley. No experience needed, and all equipment provided.

This event is for adults, singles or couples. Register at spdlc.org/register.

1 p.m. Minnesota’s own historian and storyteller Doug Ohman will be our guest speaker. Through his photography he brings Minnesota history to life.

W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 3 L AKE MINNETONK A LUNCH CRUISE

11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a summer afternoon on Lake Minnetonka with friends from SPD. We will depart from the Wayzata Dock for a three-hour private cruise which will include a BBQ lunch. More details at spdlc.org/register.

M O N D AY, A U G U S T 1 5 M I N N E S O TA T W I N S V S K A N S A S C I T Y R OYA L S

The bus will leave SPD at 5:15 p.m. with a 6:40 p.m. start time. The cost is $28 per person, which includes the game ticket and bus transportation.

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S T. J O H N ’ S R E T R E AT

Join Pastor Strand Patterson and Dr. Michael Chan, Executive Director for Faith and Learning at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, for a weekend of laughing and learning as we explore Holy and Hilarious: A Study of the Old Testament’s Funniest Stories. Sign up by July 14 at spdlc.org/register.

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FA M I L I A R FA C E S MARK SCHMID

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What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? I love baseball. I love the smell of fresh-cut grass; the crack of the bat on a warm summer’s day; the cloud of chalk that dances up from the ground when a ball is laced down the line; I love a beautifully turned double play; a well-executed, fundamentally sound sacrifice or bunt; and of course the roar of the crowd responding to my team hitting a walk-off home run.

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Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry. As I look back, my “call story” occurred with countless experiences and people (my parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, friends, pastors, church members, Sunday school teachers, youth directors, college professors and a Bible camp director) all playing an important role in my life and faith.

But in the end, it was my wife, Liza Anderson Schmid, who encouraged/pushed me to listen to God’s voice and visit seminaries.

If you asked her, she would tell you I talked about seminary with some frequency while we were dating, but I assured her “there was no way in hell” I was going to seminary.

After all, I was planning to get my graduate degree in psychology, not divinity. I started seminary 10 months after we were married.

Growing up in Bismarck, North Dakota, I cheered passionately for two teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers (my dad grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and subsequently they became my team, too) and the Minnesota Twins.

3.

What are three things on your lifetime to-do list? This is tough. Can I have more than three? Aside from all things family ...

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Travel to the Holy Land Visit every U.S. National Park Participate in a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip

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How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry? From the time I can remember, there has been something

special and meaningful about being present in the outdoors. The mountains, rivers and lakes are my “happy place.”

It is in these moments when I distance myself from the “noise” and seek to be still, listen to, watch and feel the rhythms of God’s creation. The outdoors is therapy and refreshment for my body, mind and soul and provides me with rest, renewal, growth, inspiration and re-creation.

5.

What are you passionate about right now? Habitat for Humanity—I received my first toolkit when I was 3 or 4 years old and I have had a passion for building, woodworking and DIY projects ever since.

I am in no way a master builder, electrician, plumber, painter, etc., but sharing my love for this work, when it intersects with an important need and hunger for affordable housing and home ownership in our community, is a calling, a privilege and a blessing.

SPD Outdoors—I have long believed that powerful, profound and lifelong transformational experiences occur in our faith and life when we venture into, play, listen and live in God’s creation.

Since our first winter fishing retreat in January of 2015, I have watched with joy and thanksgiving countless members and friends of St. Philip the Deacon participate in one of our many SPD Outdoors adventures.

Mental Health & Addiction—Working in Adolescent Mental Health and Chemical Dependency prior to becoming a pastor had profound impact in shaping my ministry. For every one person aff licted, countless others are affected.

Mental Health Disorders and Substance Abuse Disorders do not discriminate. It is vital as communities of faith we create greater awareness about these disorders in the hopes of stemming the tide of the countless stereotypes and marginalization toward those aff licted and affected.

SPD ORGAN R E C I TA L SERIES Wednesdays in July at 12:15 p.m.

Reception to Follow Open to All Freewill Donation

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Matthew Haider MM, Organist Director of Music/Organist Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Chicago, IL

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Christopher Wallace DMA, Organist Director of Music/Organist Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Edina , MN

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Karen Black DM, Organist Professor of Organ/Church Music Wartburg College Wav er ly, I A

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Kraig Windschitl MM, Organist Associate Director of Music St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church ELCA P ly mou t h, MN

17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

AUGUSTINE

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