Inspire: Experience

YOGA @ SPD

Each of our yoga classes include movement, prayer and scripture as we seek to connect more deeply with our bodies and with God.

Mat-Based Classes For All Levels

With Amanda Berger

in-person class:

Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the CFL online classes:

Mondays at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Chair Yoga Classes For All Levels

With Kathy Hagedorn

in-person classes:

Mondays at 11:30 a.m. in the CFL

Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. in the CFL

For more information contact Amanda at aberger@spdlc.org or Kathy at khagedorn@spdlc. org. Current class schedules and special events are noted in our weekly SPD e-newsletter.

We think we have the best staff in the whole world and we are so thankful for all of their service to St. Philip the Deacon. We are especially grateful to those who have faithfully served for 15 years or more.

Amanda Berger

Cindy Carlson

Kathy Hagedorn

Joan Harper

Norah Long

Cheryl Mathison

Trisha Ragner

Valerie Strand Patterson

Tim Westermeyer

Thank you for being such a blessing to our congregation and for your commitment to our mission and ministry!

Public conversations where faith comes to life.

2023-2024 SEASON

The Faith & Life Lectures are open and welcoming public forums where members of the Twin Cities community can hear nationally known speakers reflect on how Christian faith intersects with different dimensions of everyday life.

MARK BIRCH

October 26, 2023

TORI HOPE PETERSEN

November 16, 2023

MARGARET FEINBERG

February 8, 2024

ALLEN HILTON

March 7, 2024

KEVIN O’CONNELL

April 18, 2024

All events scheduled will be offered both in-person and via livestream. All lectures begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.faith-and-life.org

INSPIRE

Vol. 6 , Issue 1 , Fall 2023

Published by St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 475-7100

editor in chief

Tim Westermeyer

managing editor

Amanda Berger design Malley Design staff writers

Cheryl Mathison, Kate Sterner contributors

Cindy Carlson, Nancy Carlson, Mark Schmid, Valerie Strand Patterson

website spdlc.org/inspire

email editorial aberger@spdlc.org

on the cover

Photo by Annie Spratt

©2023 St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church. All rights reserved.

submissions

Do you have an idea for a story or love to write? Contact our managing editor with your submission, but please keep in mind the following guidelines:

(A) Your article may be edited for length and content. (B) Articles must fit in the larger themes of our publication and reflect the mission of St. Philip the Deacon. (C) All submissions will be reviewed by our editorial staff to determine the suitability for our publication.

While we would love to include all submissions, space and cost limit our ability to do that. Submissions will not be returned.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

riences (good or bad) for what they teach us about ourselves, about others and the world.

In this issue, we are blessed to hear from many about their own experiences in the world. An interview with Jo Rimmereid explores her call to love and service of our neighbors through Meals on Wheels, as she prepares to retire and pass the torch to another SPD member, Susan Little. Retired pastor and member Nancy Carlson writes about her experience of marriage and how she shares that knowledge with those preparing for marriage. And an incredible interview with Faith & Life speaker Mark Birch gives us an inside glimpse into the working life of one of the most iconic churches in the world.

Olsen was born as I was graduating from high school. He’s into camping and marathons and cycling. Those definitely aren’t the way I’m spending my time! And his interest in books, art and yoga will probably never be like mine. We’re different people with vastly different experiences of the world.

Olsen has never lived in a world without the internet. I remember my grandparents’ rotary phone.

He’s from a big family. I have just one sister.

My lifetime days in the wilderness probably don’t equal Olsen’s time at Holden Village.

And yet, as we work together within the church, we are sharing life and ministry together in a way that’s unexpected and beautiful. We both care passionately about sharing faith and the faith formation of others. We’ve been called to leadership and service in the church; and though our

interests are diverse, we probably have more in common because of this calling than we don’t. The experiences we have each had benefit both of us.

The church is one of the few places where people of all ages and diverse backgrounds might come together and can share their life experiences with one another. This sharing provides rich compost for our growth throughout life, for wisdom comes only from experience.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, the author writes about the value of wisdom— something which is learned by living with a healthy respect for God, affecting all areas of our life. Will we always handle everything perfectly? No. But we can learn from all of it—the successes, and maybe even more importantly, from the failures. The awareness of these moments is what leads us to wisdom—cherishing our expe -

Albert Camus, French philosopher, said, “You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.” I believe that we undergo experience each day, as God recreates us even more in the image of Jesus. We cannot live our lives in our heads, in our imaginations or in theory, but only as a practice in word and action each day. And as Christians, it is imperative that our lived experience revolves around understanding and sharing the Gospel.

So as fall begins and we enter a season dominated by change, consider your own experiences: of God, of the world, of relationships. What value have these experiences provided for your own life and how might you be called to share them in the service of the Gospel?

Recently, I was thinking about how my own path and that of our Director of Senior High Ministry, Olsen Pancoast, would never have crossed without the church.

SCRIPTURE CONNECTION: EXPERIENCE PROVERBS

Book club will meet both in-person at SPD in the Fireside Room and virtually at 6:30 p.m. Find the Zoom link in our most recent e-newsletter or by contacting social@spdlc.org.

SEPTEMBER 19

Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout. Discussion led by Cheryl Mathison.

OCTOBER 17

Coronation: A History of the British Monarchy by Roy Strong. Discussion led by Tim Westermeyer.

NOVEMBER 21

Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding

Faith and Family Through Foster Care by Tori Hope Petersen. Discussion led by Mark Schmid.

BY CHERYL MATHISON

PROV•ERB noun.

01 A short popular saying, usu. of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; adage; saw. 02 . A person or thing commonly regarded as an embodiment or representation of some quality; byword. 03 A profound Biblical saying, maxim, or oracular utterance requiring interpretation.

One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the Old Testament book of Proverbs:

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 24:3-4 | NIV

Like Job, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs, the book of Proverbs falls into the category of wisdom literature. But unlike those books, Proverbs is written in a very practical manner intended to provide the reader with concrete skills one might apply to everyday life issues in order that they might live well in God’s world.

The book of Proverbs is largely attributed to King Solomon. When Solomon became king, God came to him in a dream and said, “Ask me what you wish me to give you.” He asked for wisdom which, in turn, the Lord granted to him. Solomon’s reign is notably marked by his wise guidance, counsel and leadership. The writer of 1 Kings puts it this way:

Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt … Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:30, 32–34

While remarkably practical, Proverbs is not necessarily an easy read. It begins with an introduction followed by 10 speeches from a father to a son; next you’ll find four poems by Lady Wisdom (wisdom personified). Chapters 10-29 include proverbs about just about every topic imaginable. Then, chapters 30-31 form a conclusion.

Within this general structure, the proverbs themselves take a variety of forms. There are lists and acrostics. There are also two liners that establish either contrast, similarity or consequence. Recognizing these forms is helpful to make sense of the message.

Additionally, it is important to note that the proverbs are guiding principles and not law. Sometimes they describe life not as it is, but rather as we might long for it to be. Other times, they are simple observations made by King Solomon on how life works. In other words, the proverbs are not formulas for success, nor do they come with any guarantee or promise.

There are 31 chapters in the book making it a great selection to read during a month with 31 days, like October. Try reading a chapter a day and notice what ways this ancient wisdom mirrors your own experiences of the world.

For more information, a useful overview of the book of Proverbs by the Bible Project can be viewed at bibleproject.com/ explore/video/proverbs/.

Faith & Life

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16

7:00 PM

Tori Hope Petersen joins us for a conversation on “Faith & Social Media: Being a Light in the Digital Darkness.”

Tori Hope Petersen is the bestselling author of Fostered and sought out national speaker, inspiring audiences to be resilient, suffer well, and change the world with what they have, right where they are, by loving the people in front of them. Tori is a leading advocate in foster care, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Essence, and many other publications sharing her story about being a former foster youth and overcoming to serve others. She also founded the Beloved Initiative, a nonprofit where in community people learn how to become professional lovers of people, while helping survivors share their stories to help and heal audiences.

The Faith & Life Lecture Series is free and open to the public. All are welcome!

Read

A RHYTHM OF PRAYER: A COLLECTION OF MEDITATIONS FOR RENEWAL

Edited by Sarah Bessey. This collection

of meditations and prayers is written by authors, pastors, artists and activists from around the world. Embracing God’s call

Watch

THE CHOSEN

Free; various streaming platforms. If you haven’t watched it yet, now is the time. This is the first multiseason television show dedicated to showing the life

Listen

By Sarah Kroger. Catholic singer/songwriter Sarah Kroger

to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God, these writers offer words of comfort and inspiration for weary hearts.

of Jesus Christ. This global hit is an intimate look at the Gospel story, through the eyes of Jesus’ closest friends and disciples.

multicultural trio

Village

offers

live

recordings from her repertoire of solo albums. Also part

of

the

Lights, Kroger’s experience as a worship leader shines through songs which reveal a heart of gratitude and praise.

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

His point, of course, is that a ship is made to leave port and go out on the high seas. To explore. To carry cargo. To move people from place to place. Ships are made for a particular job, and it doesn’t make sense for them to avoid that job for the sake of self-preservation.

Aquinas’ point wasn’t only about ships, though. His point was to extend this metaphor to our lives. In the same way that a ship isn’t built to protect itself by staying in port, God calls us to lives of adventure and service. God calls us to lives that bring us out of our comfort zones to learn and grow and discover new things. Lives in which we are always listening to the voice that calls us into the future for the next chapter God is authoring for us.

As I write this, I’m thinking of a couple of recent adventures which my wife, Amy, and I have just completed.

First, we dropped off our youngest son, Andrew, to begin studies at West Point. That would have been an emotional and challenging drop-off under the best of circumstances, but travel delays and complications made it far worse. If you’ve seen “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” it was kind of like that, but worse. He did arrive safely in the end, and all is well, but boy, getting him there wasn’t pretty.

After that experience, we completed a long-planned trip to the UK. Unlike the journey to West Point, that trip went

very smoothly. We saw incredible sites, met with wonderful people, and—after the joy and excitement and adventure of travel—were delighted to return home again.

In each case, these experiences have left us with memories which will last for the rest of our lives. And in each case, these experiences have changed us.

Life does that. Like ships, we go out on the adventures God calls us to; and as we discover and learn and grow, we’re changed—hopefully becoming more fully the people God has made us to be.

Frederick Buechner, in his definition of the word “grace,” talks about how—amid the adventures and experiences God calls us on—God always promises to be with us. Here’s what he says:

“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It’s for you I created the universe. I love you. There’s only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.”

Blessings to you, my friends, as you embrace the gift of your life and experience all that God intends for you.

Adventurously Yours,

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship,” Thomas Aquinas wrote, “he would keep it in port forever.”

“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”

RANDY PAUSCH

DEVOTED LIVING

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

BY AMANDA BERGER

Christian spirituality is inherently relational. We are intimately connected to an incarnational God, and we live out our faith in relationship to this living God and one another. Spiritual formation is the process of how we are formed and transformed into the image of Christ. Because of this intimate relationship we have to Jesus, and the ongoing transformation that we are undertaking as God’s beloved, everything in our lives is open to God and how we experience God’s presence within any given moment of our lives.

Small Group Spiritual Direction Ministry

This fall, under the guidance of Amanda Berger, we will be launching a small group spiritual direction ministry. After piloting some small groups over the summer, we are expanding this ministry and new groups will be added this fall. These groups will begin the week of October 8. For more information, you are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m

Our spiritual formation may look different throughout the years of our lives—as we gain knowledge and experience in the world, we may find that the ways in which we connect with our Creator change as well. It can be disturbing to “grow out of” a prayer practice that used to be so life-giving or to feel unfulfilled by our current expressions of faith. We may long to go deeper in our relationship with God and with other Christians. But how do we do that?

St. Teresa of Avila said, “We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can—namely surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.” In order to know ourselves and to discern God’s will for us, the following questions may prove helpful:

1. What do you desire?

2. What’s holding you back? Or creating barriers?

3. How do you sense God inviting you into something more?

To go deeper in your journey with God, it may also be useful to have a companion for the journey. Though there are a few different options for this companion, one option is to engage a spiritual director—someone whose role is to listen attentively to both you and to the Holy Spirit. In that listening, their work is to help you notice God’s presence within your life.

In spiritual direction, you meet either one-on-one with a spiritual director or in a small group setting where participants act as directors for one another. Regardless of its structure, in this relationship there are three players: the directee, the director(s) and the Holy Spirit. The director listens intently for the presence of God within your story, asking questions to enhance your own reflection, and perhaps offers some guidance on prayer or prayer practices. Traditionally, one has a spiritual direction session once a month, for 60 minutes. In group direction, participants take turns in the roles of directors and directee. Both experiences can be deeply enlightening for the spiritual journey. Though spiritual direction can be supportive in any season, it can be especially valuable as you navigate seasons of life transition, questions of faith, exploring prayer, or personal relationships.

If this sounds like the kind of relationship you might find meaningful for your own faith journey, you are invited to reach out to Amanda Berger, who can share resources with you about spiritual direction and how to find a spiritual director.

READY TO SIGN UP? Contact Amanda at aberger@ spdlc.org. Amanda will begin offering one-on-one spiritual direction in mid-2024, as she completes her certification program.

Herald Music Series

BY AMANDA BERGER

about the origin of Herald Music Series’ name?

It would have been easy to call the new series “The St. Philip the Deacon Music Series.” However, there was a desire to give the series its own identity, similar to the Faith & Life Lecture Series. Herald works well as a title because it is connected to musical instruments—a fanfare trumpet is also called a “Herald” trumpet—and because it has to do with communicating a message—as in “herald of good tidings,” from the book of Isaiah.

As a congregation, we are called to be heralds or ambassadors of the good news—the Gospel—of Jesus, and a series like this is one way we can do that through the arts. You can learn more at heraldmusic.com.

“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in all the world.”

MARTIN LUTHER

Concert Schedule

Our inaugural season will feature some of the preeminent musical ensembles in the Twin Cities. Ticketing for each event is as noted below.

Tickets required, visit cantussings.org

Sunday, October 15 3:00 p.m.

Friday, December 15 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 24 3:00 p.m.

Tickets required, visit thespco.org

Friday, December 8 7:00 p.m.

Free; no tickets required

Sunday, January 28 4:00 p.m.

NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR

Tickets available at nlca.org

Sunday, February 25 4:00 p.m.

St. Philip the Deacon has long treasured music as a gift from God with a deep commitment to edifying and inspiring music in our worship. This fall, we will expand that treasure for the enjoyment of a broader community by introducing a new concert series.

“We’ve hosted all kinds of wonderful instrumental and choral ensembles over the years, but they’ve always been ‘one-off’ events—they haven’t been organized together under the umbrella of an ongoing and consistent series,” said Pastor Tim Westermeyer. “When Sam Grace started as our Director of Music last year, he and I talked explicitly about beginning a series like this.”

This kind of series allows our congregation to highlight our commitment to exceptional music and provides a platform for us to reach out to the community around us. Featuring both instrumental and vocal music forms, from a variety of performers, we expect the series to be wide-reaching and diverse. It gives our faith community an opportunity to live into our values of hospitality, generosity and creativity as we share this gift of God with others. “The ensembles

No tickets, freewill offering received Sunday, April 21 3:00 p.m.

we have engaged with are not only among the most talented in the Twin Cities—they also reflect varied musical styles and ensemble types including choral chamber music, chamber orchestra and brass ensemble,” said Grace. “The music is catered more specifically to audiences interested in classical and contemporary classical music.”

One of our first season partners commented that the West Metro lacks reliable venues to host large musical events. “SPD’s sanctuary and building are well-equipped to host large events of this kind. We hope that the new series will engage audiences in the West Metro and beyond, as well as connect new people to visit our space,” said Grace.

Pastor Tim Westermeyer reflected on the vision of this series, stating, “The series allows us to celebrate our commitment to exceptional music here at St. Philip the Deacon—whether that is in the context of worship week in and week out, or in the context of a concert series like this. And, as the name suggests, it allows us to be a herald or ambassador for something good and beautiful in our community, inviting people into a part of the life of this amazing congregation.”

CANTUS

ST. PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

ST. OLAF BAND

UPTOWN BRASS

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

EATING AS A PRAYER PRACTICE

BY AMANDA BERGER

During the harvest season, it is especially appropriate that we take time to experience fully and give thanks to God for the food which nourishes our bodies. The following meditation invites us to spend a mealtime with God, savoring the food that we eat and being mindful of the source of our abundance. Ideally, this meditation is practiced on your own, but could also be done around the table with your family.

To begin, set the table as if you were dining with a beloved guest. Regardless of what you are eating, consider using your best dishes, cloth napkins and real glassware. Light a candle as a reminder of God’s presence with you. You may even consider setting another place for Jesus.

Arrange your food on your plate so that it looks beautiful—as if you are the guest of honor. Move slowly and notice the way the food looks. Notice the colors of each item on your plate. Observe your beverage of choice as you pour it into your glass.

Placing the food on the table before you, sit down and then pause. Get comfortable in your chair and close your eyes. Take a couple of deep breaths, inhaling the aromas of your food. See what scents you can identify and notice how your body responds.

Begin to eat, chewing slowly. Notice the taste and the texture of each food. As you eat, consider all the people involved in the preparation of your food. Who planted the seeds? Who harvested the crop? Who prepared it?

Give thanks for these people, asking God to bless them.

Many people are involved in making sure that we have food. Someone grew it. Someone cared for the crop—weeding and watering. It was harvested by even more hands. Then, another person drove it to the store, a grocer placed it on the shelves. A cashier helped you to purchase it. Someone prepared it for you. Or, if you cooked it yourself, acknowledge those who taught you how to cook. Above all, acknowledge the way the earth provides for our nourishment.

As you continue to eat, savor each bite. Recognize the miracle that it is to be well fed.

Thank God for the way that our bodies work, turning food into energy to sustain and nourish us.

Continue to eat slowly and mindfully, in silence if possible.

When you’ve finished your meal, continue to sit for a few more minutes. Notice the sense of fullness within you and recognizing the grace of God’s provision. Close with prayer:

“Our dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this food. Feed our souls on the bread of life and help us to do our part in kind words and loving deeds. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.” —Author Unknown, Meal Prayer

MEET ME AT

THE JAMBOREE!

BY AMANDA BERGER

There’s nothing like a great big party to kick off a new season of life together at St. Philip the Deacon—it’s time for our second annual SPD Jamboree!

Started in 2022, the Jamboree is a great opportunity to gather our faith community together for fun and fellowship—and a perfect opportunity to invite those we may know who are looking for a church home. Cindy Carlson brought the idea to the SPD staff, and everyone got excited about the idea. “[Because of the pandemic] there had been such an absence of being together,” said Carlson. “We wanted to have a fun event that allowed us to gather, invite others to join us and to celebrate being together as community.”

The first Jamboree was a big hit. There was a “happy buzz” in the air with conversations, connections and community being reestablished. “It was a wonderful autumn afternoon filled with familiar faces (without masks!), children’s laughter, bingo and music, the smell and tastes of mini donuts, popcorn and ice cream,” said Carlson. For this year we have lots of games, prizes, live music, food trucks and even minnow racing.

Carlson offered this invitation, “I always look forward to a festive celebration, but most importantly I look forward to being together in a multi-generational way—to connect with little ones, parents, teens and adults. There is something for everyone, so it is also a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend or a neighbor to experience this community. All are welcome.”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1

3:30-5:30 P.M.

3:30 P.M.

Event opens: Bingo, Carnival Games, Minnow Races, with Ballade music and Danish Folk Dancing

3:30 P.M.

Food Trucks open and Service Project Donations accepted

3:45 P.M.

Jolly Pops Performance

5:30 P.M.

Event Closes

Food options include Minnedonuts, Honey & Mackie’s Ice Cream, Wingman Matt’s and Brick Oven Bus (Pizza) and popcorn.

3,000 Acts of Kindness Donation Drive 2023

Homelessness is growing in the Twin Cities and impacts individuals of all ages. Coated In Love hosts 3,000 Acts of Kindness, a one-day event in December each year. This year, it will be on Dec. 11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It will be a wonderful opportunity to provide a day of hope and dignity to 3,000 homeless individuals in the Twin Cities. The goal is to provide each homeless individual with a meal, haircut, necessities (i.e., toiletry kits, winter jackets, hats), access to agencies who can help, and the opportunity to pray with a volunteer and learn about Jesus.

There is more info about the 3,000 Acts of Kindness mission and volunteer opportunities at coatedinlove.org

In conjunction with the SPD Jamboree, there will be a collection of the following items to help with the 3,000 Acts of Kindness event.

CLOTHING ITEMS

The donated items should be NEW and are needed for both men and women, in all sizes.

• Winter Gloves

• Winter Hats

• Socks

• Underwear

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

• Toothbrushes

• Toothpaste (Travel Size)

• Shampoo/Conditioner (Travel Size)

• Nail Clippers

• Combs

• Chapstick

• Deodorant

• Kleenex (Travel Size)

• Feminine Products (Small Packages)

God’s Love Made Visible ART

AT SPD

BY INSPIRE STAFF

As a church, our mission is to communicate the power of God’s love for the world. We do that in many ways—in word and action—and through what people encounter when they come to our church home. We believe that encountering beauty through art is one of the ways that God’s love can be experienced.

Art uses the power of visual image to ignite the imagination, to evoke emotion, and to inspire faithful reflection. We are grateful for each piece of art that graces our building and for the stories that these pieces tell. From the stained-glass windows that surround our worship center to the St. John’s Bible prints that line the wall in the narthex, each piece enriches our faith experience.

Statue of St. Philip the Deacon

The statue of St. Philip and the art-glass installation located in the Chapel were designed, sculpted and fabricated by Russian-born artist Alexander Tylevich, and installed just before Easter in 2014. Though a stained-glass installation had been under consideration for some time, when the congregation approached Tylevich for the project, he advocated for a more three-dimensional installation in this space. The result is a brass statue and integral stand sculpted specifically for the chapel, cast using the lost-wax process by Casting Creations of Minnesota in Howard Lake.

Standing behind the sculpture is a seven-panel glass installation, designed by Tylevich and fabricated in Germany by Glasmalerie Peters Studios, who used multiple techniques—including slumping, airbrushing, sandblasting and silverstaining—to create these panels to the artist’s specifications.

STAINED GLASS

The Biblical Story

The stained-glass windows which surround our sanctuary were designed by Nicholas T. Markell of Markell Studios in St. Paul, Minnesota. The windows recount the Biblical narrative from Genesis through Revelation, beginning east side above the organ console. The windows continue clockwise around the sanctuary. A detailed brochure describing each window can be found at the welcome center in the Atrium.

ICONOGRAPHY

St. Philip the Deacon

Our church takes its name from St. Philip, whose ministry and witness are described in Acts 8:26-40. Philip’s story is told visually in three icons by iconographer Ann Chapin. Icons come from the Byzantine and Eastern Christian church and feature paintings of Jesus Christ, or another holy figure, used as an aid to devotional practice. You can find them on the west wall, just inside the worship center doors. A small plaque posted by each icon explores the details of each piece.

BRONZE SCULPTURE

Kirsten Malcolm Berry

Calligrapher Kirsten Malcolm Berry produces watercolor images drawn from scripture, often including the original Hebrew or Greek. Her beautiful calligraphy and imaginative illustrations never fail to draw one in. She paints images of the Bible that translate the abstract into the tangible. Four prints hang on the East end of the narthex and a second set is displayed on the hallway outside the pastors’ offices. In addition, there is a single piece hanging in the Nook.

ORIGINAL PAINTINGS Ann Chapin & Amanda Berger

Artist Ann Chapin says of her work: “I’m interested in creating paintings that bring forth deep feeling for the viewer.” We are blessed to have two original paintings by Chapin of the face of Christ. Each one, in its own way, evokes all kinds of emotion while inviting deep reflection. One hangs in the hallway just outside the pastors’ offices and the other on the east wall in the Center for Faith and Life.

We are also proud to include in our collection an original mixed-media piece by our own Amanda Berger. These mixed-media panels were created for Lent 2013, each panel representing different aspects of the tension between faith and doubt. Though each panel can stand alone, when combined they form a large installation that forms the face of Christ. “I can only credit God’s inspiration for this piece,” said Berger. “I’ve not really created anything like it before or since.” The rich variety of textures, words and images continue to surprise and inspire even upon multiple viewings. This piece is also found in the Center for Faith and Life, south wall.

PRINTS St. John’s Bible

In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. The Smithsonian Magazine calls the result “one of the great undertakings of our time.”

We have five prints hanging in our narthex: the Front piece (or title page) from the Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each illumination—a text supplemented with art featuring gold leaf—overflows with imagery and story. A plaque posted near each will help you navigate the meaning attached to the rich artwork.

These illuminations are not illustrations. Rather, they are spiritual meditations on a text. The illuminations allow scripture to speak to us in new ways. Saint John’s Abbey and University and calligrapher Donald Jackson, in collaboration with many from the wider community, wanted to produce a Bible, a work of art, that would ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world.

CARVING Prayer Wall

Displayed in the southeast corner of the Sanctuary is a work of wood carving by Tim Sheie. It is an ancient prayer, found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship on page 68, IX, a prayer of Thanksgiving at the Table.

“Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God. The universe declares your praise: beyond the stars; beneath the sea, within each cell, with every breath.”

“Generations bless your faithfulness: through the water; by night and day; across the wilderness; out of exile, into the future.”

“We give you thanks for your dear Son: at the heart of human life, near to those who suffer, beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now.”

“Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit in your church, without end.”

CARVING Pilgrim’s Hymn

Displayed in the atrium is a striking black walnut wood carving, also by Tim Sheie. The text by Michael Dennis Browne is chiseled into the wood and painted in gold. The poem reads:

Even before we call on Your name To ask You, O God, When we seek for the words to glorify You, You hear our prayer; Unceasing love, O unceasing love, Surpassing all we know. Glory to the father, and to the Son, And to the Holy Spirit. Even with darkness sealing us in, We breathe Your name, And through all the days that follow so fast, We trust in You; Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace, Beyond all mortal dream. Both now and forever, And unto ages and ages, Amen

On reflection of this piece, artist Tim Sheie said, “Our place is in the arms of a loving God and we live in endless grace— Pilgrims’ Hymn captures that relationship with God so perfectly and walnut displays it beautifully.”

FOUND OBJECTS James Quentin

Young

A Christian artist from the Twin Cities, Jim Young taught art in the public schools for many years. He specialized in creating art from old wood, metal and found objects. His skill in restoring furniture, his study of jewelry making, and an MFA in painting are combined to create beautiful and provocative works of art. Young demonstrated his Christian faith with the cross as the primary symbol of his work. Using discarded and broken items, he portrayed Christ’s acceptance of our flawed and rejected lives and the transformation through his death and resurrection. Young’s works can be found in several locations around the church: the office, the office hallway, the atrium, and throughout our mid-level hallway and Fireside Room.

We invite you to use the descriptions above to explore the art of St. Philip the Deacon, enriching your own faith experience through the visual arts.

WOOD

WOOD

WORK, PRAY & LOVE

BY NANCY CARLSON

“Experience helps in a marriage to, like golf, remember the good things and forget the not-so-good things.”

Experience is about practice, understanding, know-how, doing something over and over, and living through something together. My husband and I have been married for 37 years so you might say we have some experience with marriage. I also lead a Pre-Marital Retreat for couples who are getting married so you might say I have some experience helping others get ready for marriage. So, how does experience help in a marriage?

Experience helps in a marriage to, like golf, remember the good things and forget the not-so-good things. It can help us forgive and forget so that we can keep on loving each other.

When you go through life with someone, scripture can be grounding and give a lens through which to experience things. The Apostle Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians what love is: patient, kind, rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. He also writes what love isn’t: envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, wanting its own way, irritable, resentful, rejoicing at wrongdoing. When we experience what love really is, we can get

better at knowing what love isn’t. Then our actions can align with what love is.

Love does not mean that we never experience negative feelings or frustration at our partners, but that we find ways to work through it. During the pandemic, when my husband and I were both working from home full time, we started to get on each other’s nerves a bit. One tool that I’d heard about from a friend was to create fictional characters to live with us, on whom we could blame everything. So, we created “Fred and Ginger” to “live with us.” For instance, Ginger always leaves tissues in her pockets so when I do the laundry, I’m constantly having to deal with all the shredded tissues! Fred likes to leave cabinet doors open and sometimes he hits his head, forgetting they’re open. Having Fred and Ginger to blame for our annoyances was a great tool for helping us vent our frustration—but not at one another.

This light-hearted example demonstrates how all marriages go through seasons. Some seasons are easy, gentle and joyful. Other times, it feels like we are being thrown more than we can handle. We may be overwhelmed or lack the experience needed to weather these more difficult seasons. That is the perfect time to seek

outside help—such as a counselor.

Like any support role, a counselor needs to be the right fit. I’ve sat in counselors’ offices when they talked more than I talked. I’ve talked to counselors who seemed to be sleeping while I was talking (never a good sign!). I’ve also talked with counselors who get me, who seem to understand exactly what I’m going through and who have helped me so much. If you’re not happy with the first counselor, try another one until you are.

An experienced counselor will be able to provide tools to help you learn about yourself and about your relationship. Tools like the Enneagram, Genogram, Love Languages, tools for budgets and spending plans are very helpful. They help us to know and understand ourselves— and each other—better so that we can be a stronger unit in marriage together. The more we experience and know how to use various tools, the more they can help us when things get hard.

My experience has shown me that it takes work, countless prayers and attention to scripture, vulnerability and openness to have a loving marriage. Sometimes it takes counseling and additional tools. It always takes love, support, caring and forgiveness. With experience, love, caring and forgiveness, your marriage just might be a home run or a hole-in-one!

Nancy Carlson is a retired chaplain and ELCA pastor. She provides a one-day pre-marital retreat via Zoom for anyone planning to marry at SPD, typically in the spring of each year. For more info you can contact Nancy at njcarlson@comcast.net.

I have lots of experience playing golf but that doesn’t necessarily make me a better golfer. Experience, though, helps me to remember the good shots and forget the bad ones. Experience reminds me that I can do this; practice and know-how help me get the ball in that little hole with a few less strokes—on a good day! On the other hand, I have little to no experience playing baseball, so it would take a lot of coaching and practice (and maybe even a miracle) to ever hit a home run.

ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2022, QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIED AFTER REIGNING AS BRITAIN’S MONARCH FOR 70 YEARS. That event set in motion not one but two major events in the public life of the United Kingdom: first, Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, held on September 19, 2022; and, second, the coronation service of the new king,

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

AN INTERVIEW WITH REVEREND MARK BIRCH BY TIM

WESTERMEYER

Charles III, held on May 6, 2023. Both services were held in Westminster Abbey in London, and both were planned and coordinated by the same person—the Reverend Mark Birch. Canon Birch serves as Precentor of the Abbey, making him responsible for the worship life of this historic and sacred place. In this interview, I had a chance to learn more about what went into the preparations for those historic events, and what life at the Abbey is like generally for one of the priests there.

Your title at Westminster Abbey is “Precentor.” That isn’t a title most of us in the States are familiar with. Can you explain what that means and what your responsibilities are? The Precentor is literally “the one who leads the singing” and is a title that goes back to the monastic foundation of the Abbey. These days the Precentor is responsible to the Dean for the Abbey’s worship, leading a team of clergy and administrative colleagues and working closely with the Organist and Master of Choristers. Although most Cathedrals have a Precentor who fulfils a similar role, nowhere has quite the range of services found at the Abbey: from quiet, [spoken] services of Morning Prayer, to the glories of Choral Evensong; from the consecration of Bishops to the splendour of great State occasions.

I think of Westminster Abbey as one of the most iconic churches in the entire world. What is it like to serve in such a historically important place? In important ways the Abbey is a church, like any other; we say our prayers daily, we preach the Word and celebrate the Sacraments, we offer pastoral care to those who make up the Abbey Community. However, we do so in the middle of Westminster, with Parliament across the road, and Buckingham Palace across the park. Our tagline is “Faith at the heart of the Nation,” and that is no idle claim. We offer our prayers in this place where difficult debates and decisions are

being made, with a constancy and stability that we owe to our Benedictine ancestors. In the eight years I have been at the Abbey there has been great political turmoil, especially over Brexit and responses to the pandemic, and we have tried to pray through all the noise of protest and all the rancour of division. We pray daily for the King and for the Royal Family, and the challenges they face in their work and the (sometimes contentious) role they play in our national life.

We are also privileged to pray in one of the best-known churches in the world, and a focal point of tourism in the city. We pray alongside people who are gazing open-mouthed at the architecture, or communing with the luminaries in Poets’ Corner, or feeling a brush with genius at the graves of Newton and Darwin. Amidst the comings and goings of up to 6,000 visitors a day, we offer worship that is at times simple and intimate, at others elaborate and exuberant, with organ and choir making the old stones sing. The logistics are often challenging but negotiating our way around one another is a key part of our mission. There are few places where there is such an opportunity to welcome people into this rich atmosphere of prayer. We hope that whether people come to us as visitors or pilgrims, they leave with the knowledge that God is with us and calling us to life in all its fullness.

Finally, we pray surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. One of my favourite places in the Abbey is the space behind the high altar screen, where a horseshoe of royal tombs surrounds the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor. St. Edward is the reason that Westminster and the Abbey are what they are today. His Shrine remains at the heart of the nation’s political (and royal) life. Praying in that space gives an unparalleled sense of historical continuity, but also urges us toward the Kingdom that Edward and all the Saints longed for, and that we are called to serve today.

Related to the above, how does a priest in the Anglican church get chosen to serve on the staff of Westminster Abbey? Is it something you apply for? Are you appointed? When you began your life as a priest, was serving there something you would have anticipated or expected, or was the opportunity to join the staff completely unexpected? The days of being tapped on the shoulder and asked if you think God might be calling you to a particular role are more-or-less gone (perhaps for the better), and just about every post in the Church of England involves applications and interviews.

Eight years ago, I applied to be “Minor Canon and Chaplain” of Westminster Abbey, at a time when I was feeling very unsure about where I had got to in ministry, and where I might be called. At that point I was balancing running a small but complex parish in Winchester with chaplaincy to a specialist school for students with complex learning and physical disabilities. While this made for a rich and varied ministry, it was exhausting and unsustainable. Something appealed about an opportunity to continue a pastoral ministry whilst also reconnecting with the kind of beautiful choral liturgy that I had experienced as a seminarian in Cambridge. Eight years later, with two changes of role, and I find myself overseeing some of the world’s finest choral liturgy. I couldn’t have anticipated or even imagined any of this. Thanks be to God!

I presume that—as in every parish—there is an annual rhythm and flow to the worshipping

life of Westminster Abbey which is somewhat predictable. Over the course of the last year, though, you hosted a couple of historic events which were anything but routine: the funeral service for the longest-service monarch in British history, and the first coronation since 1953. Can you say a bit about how you go about planning and preparing for those monumental services and state occasions? I’m guessing that is not the kind of thing you study for in seminary. It helped that I had been working at the Abbey for a number of years before being faced with these State occasions. One of the privileges of working here is the opportunity to collaborate with some seriously talented people, not only within the Abbey but also in the Royal

The State Funeral (codename London Bridge) had been in planning for decades, and there was a 10-day plan (from demise to funeral) that had been regularly reviewed and updated. There was an order of service that had been agreed with the Palace and with the Archbishop of Canterbury. For the Coronation the plans were far less advanced, and there was an enormous amount of work to agree the liturgy, music and ceremonial.

Were there any surprises at either of these services for you—either in the planning, or the preparation, or the leading? When I became

Precentor in 2020 and took over the London Bridge file, I was amazed to see that the Precentor was listed as saying one of the prayers. This was not just any prayer, but one written by the 17th century priest and poet John Donne. It is a beautiful piece of prose concerning the hope of heaven (“Bring us O Lord at our last awakening ...”). As you can imagine, there is always a large number of important people clamouring for speaking parts in services like these, and I presumed that, when it came to it, I would be politely but firmly told that the prayer would be said by someone else. When Her Majesty died, the order of service was duly sent to the Palace for final approval. Some changes were made, but, to my great surprise, the Precentor’s prayer remained.

When I stepped up to the microphone, faced with a full Abbey (including a President of the United States) and goodness knows how many viewers the world over, my simple prayer was “please don’t let me mess this up!” The Lord was good to me.

At both the state funeral and the coronation, you’re obviously both a professional, focused on preparing and leading these services, and also a British citizen, participating up-close in hugely important historic occasions. Does Mark Birch the priest experience these kinds of events differently from Mark Birch the private citizen? On both occasions there was a big job to do, requiring constant attention and managing complex and sensitive relationships, but there were wonderful moments when the sense of occasion, of history, of being part of something extraordinary and holy would break through. We in the Abbey are incredibly privileged to provide the space for these national moments, and to contain these moments in Christian liturgy is an honour that we (and the wider Church of England) do not take for granted. To be in the middle of that responsibility to Church, to Monarch, and to Nation is humbling and overwhelming. I love my country (not uncritically, I hope), and I long for the Kingdom that Christ proclaimed. If I have been able to play some small part in bringing the one closer to the other, then what more could I ask as a priest or a citizen (or “subject”!)?

Household, the wider Church, Government, Parliament, Military and the BBC.

If I’m not mistaken, following the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, you were granted membership in the Royal Victorian Order, which recognizes distinguished personal service to the monarch. In our correspondence you noted that—as of this writing—you “haven’t yet collected” this. First of all, how do you go about “collecting” something like this honor? And, second, what does adding “MVO” [Member Victorian Order] after your name mean? I am still waiting for the invitation. I believe it will involve a ceremony at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle with a senior Member of the Royal Family (either The King or The Prince of Wales), and I hope there might also be a cup of tea and a scone afterwards!

My family think it’s hysterical that I am being “decorated” in this way, although I think they are also proud (in an understated British kind of way). For me, it will be a reminder of the privilege of being involved in two moments in our nation’s story, when I hope we lifted our heads just a little bit, and remembered something of the Gospel, and the faithfulness of God toward us and all people.

I believe Westminster Abbey welcomes something like one million visitors every year. What do you think surprises people most when they visit? Or what is their biggest takeaway once they’ve been there? Most people say, “It’s not as big as it looks on TV!”

The BBC do an amazing job to make the place look even loftier and more spacious than it already is. The best view is from the Galleries in the triforium, way up at the east end of the building. I think it feels like being inside the ribcage of an enormous dinosaur!

One of the best bits of the job is standing at the west door saying farewell to people after services. Some pass by with a smile, others are craning their necks to take everything in before they leave, others make a point of saying thank you for the prayers or the music. Often people will talk about the connections they have made here, and with the people buried or otherwise remembered within the walls. The Grave of the Unknown Warrior is a particular place where connections are made, not just with servicemen and women, active or veteran, but with those whose grandparents or earlier ancestors served in the Armed Forces. Musicians connect with those buried in the north Quire aisle, scientists with those gathered around Isaac Newton, writers with Chaucer and his companions. A proud moment for me was when we buried the ashes of the theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, and invited students from the school where I was once Chaplain. They lined up, in their wheelchairs, to have photos taken next to his stone. This was a chance to feel connected to a man who was a hero and champion to them.

So I hope that people take away a sense of connection with the Abbey, whoever they are and wherever they come from; that this place tells a story in which they are all included; the story of a whole creation, and the God who makes and redeems it.

We’re looking forward to hosting you on October 26 for the Faith & Life series with your talk on “Faith & Coronation.” When people come to that event, what can they expect to hear? I am very excited to be coming to St. Philip the Deacon and sharing some of my reflections on the Abbey and the Coronation. I hope what we did last May wasn’t just about one man who was born to be King, but about what we are all called to be in Christ—a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people. Preparing the service was quite a journey, with big ups and downs, and I look forward to sharing some of that, although some of the individuals involved may have to remain anonymous.

NO EXPERIENCE WASTED

BY MARK SCHMID

Auguste Rodin, the French sculptor considered by many to be the founder of modern sculpture, said, “Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”

This quote is about learning from your life experiences, good or bad and everything in between. It’s about being vulnerable enough to take an honest look at not only your successes, but perhaps more importantly your failures. It’s about recognizing that every experience has something to teach us if we allow it.

In his book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Franciscan priest, teacher and author Richard Rohr said,

“Setting out is always a leap of faith, a risk in the deepest sense of the term, and yet an adventure, too. The familiar and the habitual are so falsely reassuring, and most of us make our homes there permanently. The new is always by definition unfamiliar and untested, so God, life, destiny, suffering, have to give us a push—usually a big one—or we will not go.”

SPD member Dave Wendling has years of experience, good and bad, and he knows firsthand what it’s like to “fall upward.” Dave’s story is one of loss, constant change, unyielding perseverance, a deep and profound faith, and a God-given push into the unfamiliar and untested.

At the turn of the century, Dave graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, with a degree in Communications. Finding gainful employment was tough. Dave’s first job out of college was working as an independent contractor for a wedding videography company. The work was rewarding, but suddenly the world changed, and Dave’s world changed, too. The United States and much of the world was rocked by the coordinated terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Shortly after 9/11, Dave’s mom passed away from cancer and his dad was diagnosed with a lifelong, debilitating illness and his work as a videographer ended.

After losing the first job, Dave worked with a staffing firm and landed a sales position at a local industrial supply company in Aurora, Illinois. It was during this time that he and his fiancé, Karrie, were married. Eleven months later, he was transferred to Minnesota to manage one of the supply company’s local branches. It was also during this time that Dave and Karrie came to St. Philip the Deacon after receiving a “welcome” postcard in the mail. They have been here ever since. After working six and a half years as a manager and making Minnesota his home, Dave was laid off. He quickly found a job as a manager with a car rental company overseeing nine

of their local branches, but then the worst economic disaster in the United States since the Great Depression occurred. As a result of the Great Recession, Dave, along with 800 other employees, was laid off. He’d now been laid off twice in one year.

Over the next several years, Dave sold life insurance and worked for a funeral home. Eventually, Dave and Karrie decided he would stay home and be a full-time dad to their kids, Ben and Natalie. This was a wonderful experience! To help make ends meet, Dave delivered newspapers at night and on the weekends he bartended for a local catering company. After staying home with his kids for three and a half years, Dave returned to sales. He worked for a high-tech firm that he really enjoyed, but they eventually closed after losing their private funding. He worked for a crane service company selling custom rigging and other crane supplies. Work was going well, then COVID-19 changed everything. Dave, along with half of their employees, was laid off.

“The new is always by definition unfamiliar and untested, so God, life, destiny, suffering, have to give us a push—usually a big one— or we will not go.”

Metro of Minneapolis and St. Paul. And those 20+ years working in sales—those experiences, good and bad—were not wasted. “The first half of my adult life taught me about people and how to connect with a wide variety of personalities. I learned more by listening and less by sharing. Trust me, everyone has a story and needs to be heard ... but you must really listen as well,” said Dave.

We all know change can be downright scary. It was for Dave, too. He said, “I literally equate change to being stuck behind a box truck on the road. You can’t see around it until you make the decision to change lanes. Then and only then can you see the potential and possibilities ahead. Of course, changing lanes can be risky, but sometimes you just need to go. That said, I try to minimize my risk by analyzing the situation, but I know eventually I’m going to take that risk because I want to realize all my potential.”

Motivated by the frustration of being unemployed again, Dave said, “I began to intentionally focus on what I could control in my world and then leave everything else to God.” After 20+ years in sales, a resume chock-full of experience, and daily conversations with God, Dave decided working for others was not what he excelled at and was not what God was calling him to do. With a deep faith, the support of his family and a little (or maybe a big) shove from God, Dave started his own business, My Guy of Minnesota, LLC (www.myguyofmn.com).

Today, Dave works as a handyman, using his skills and knowledge to provide a wide range of handyman services in the north

Dave’s years of experience and falling upward has helped him realize his true potential and has led him to where he is today, the proud owner of a small business. “It’s gratifying to work with my hands, to see what I can repair or build, to receive compliments from people. All of this has improved my attitude, my belief in myself, and created a happier home life for everyone under our roof,” said Dave. “Through God’s help, I’ve realized what I’m capable of and persevered through all the challenges, struggles and pain of the past.”

Perhaps it is a good reminder to us all, that in those moments of struggle, suffering and failure, God enters the very messiness of our lives and often uses those experiences to do God’s most amazing and transformational work. Perhaps like Dave, you too will discover that no experience, good or bad, is wasted. Then, hold on tight because God may be pushing you into an unfamiliar and untested new adventure

Love to Go

BY AMANDA BERGER

Tadvertising for about a month with no interest,” said Rimmereid. “But then, I got the call from Susan, who began that conversation with, ‘I’ve been prayerfully considering this for about a month.’” At their first meeting, they talked about the role of program director and the ministry of Meals on Wheels, and both acknowledge that it was completely a God-moment of knowing this was the perfect fit, both for Little and for the Meals on Wheels program.

shine through this work.”

Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program, which then provides services through local chapters. These chapters provide low-cost meals to anyone who needs them—regardless of age, situation or income. While there is a minimal cost for receiving Meals on Wheels, there is also generous support from local church congregations and donors to make sure that if someone needs financial support, it’s available. “One of the

things that working for Meals on Wheels has taught me is seeing our community in a different light—trying not to judge people,” said Rimmereid. “It isn’t just for the poor, elderly, or homebound people. For whatever reason, they need this help—this is a way to love and serve them.”

At Meals on Wheels the role of program director (the only paid employee in this chapter) is wide-ranging. It includes overseeing volunteers, new client meetings, ordering meals and coordinating delivery routes, among the more administrative tasks of any nonprofit organization. When Rimmereid took over the role, it wasn’t very well defined, so she spent time streamlining and focusing the chapter management. Rimmereid set up a board of directors, solidified relationships with the five area congregations who support their work, and created a solid network of volunteer drivers, so that there is seamless provision for the people served each week.

Rimmereid’s hard work over many years will make for a smooth transition to Little’s leadership. As the two have worked together, they commented that it feels like they’ve been friends for years. Though they’ve both worshipped at SPD for years, this ministry was their impetus for meeting, and it feels completely Spirit-led.

More Information

VOLUNTEER

Meals on Wheels Wayzata serves around 50 people each week, delivering fresh and frozen meals on Mondays and Thursdays, which are then delivered throughout Wayzata, Medina, Hamel and Southwest Plymouth (other chapters serve the other areas of Plymouth). Currently, the Wayzata chapter is fully staffed, but they never like to turn away someone who wants to volunteer to drive or serve. There is always a need for substitute drivers, and so anyone interested in

SENT TO SERVE: CHRISTMAS CARE

BY VALERIE STRAND PATTERSON

St. Philip the Deacon has a long tradition and commitment to sharing our blessings with others, as is particularly evident during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The Christmas Care Ministries serve several shelters in Plymouth and Minneapolis, including Smith Lodge, Mission Lodge, Hart House, Mission Nursing Home, Our Saviour’s Housing, Home Free Shelter, Home Free Community Program and Anishinabe Wakiagun.

Through this ministry, each of the shelter recipients receives a festively wrapped gift with a personalized note. It is through these individual gifts, purchased and wrapped with love, that a sense of genuine care is both expressed and received. We also pledge to pray for those we sponsor throughout the holiday season. Michelle Presley of Hart

House shared, “Your Christmas ministry is so meaningful and provides our clients with a sense of love and validation that people do really care about them. Many times, this is the first time our clients celebrate or receive gifts for Christmas, even as a child.”

Barb Ellis of Anishinabe expressed the gratitude and joy of the recipients, echoing the same sentiment that “for many these are the only gift they receive throughout the year.”

The Christmas Care Ministry provides encouragement, prayer and care for those who often feel forgotten and alone. If you would like to participate in this ministry, you will find the residents’ wish lists and shopping information in the narthex and/or online at spdlc.org/register by mid-November. Please drop off the gifts at church by Dec. 10.

OTHER WAYS TO SERVE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS

For more than four decades St. Philip the Deacon has partnered with Messiah Lutheran Church to share your blessings by helping provide food baskets to families in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Donations to purchase food may be given by check or online. Note “Food Basket” on your check. A gift of $50 will purchase food for two families; however, any amount is greatly appreciated. You may also give a gift at spdlc.org/giving and indicate “food baskets.”

MESSIAH BOOK DRIVE

As part of the Christmas Food Baskets ministry, families receive books for their children. Our goal is 700 new books for children, infant to teens. Books of nonviolent, multicultural content are appreciated. Please include only new books or bookstore gift cards. Due date is Sunday, Dec. 10. If you are ordering books online, they may be sent directly to the church:

St. Philip the Deacon

Attn: Christmas Care Ministry

17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447

“You have no idea the impact you make on our clients. Especially the personal Christmas cards with prayer they receive. Many times, this is the first time our clients celebrate or receive gifts for Christmas, even as a child. … Your Christmas ministry is so meaningful and provides our clients with a sense of love and validation that people do really care about them.”

MICHELLE PRESLEY HART HOUSE

Greece

AEGEAN SEA

Crete

“We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts have their roots in Greece.”

CHARLES-ÉDOUARD JEANNERET, LE CORBUSIER

Turkey

Ephesus (Kusadasi)

Santorini (Thira)

Rhodes

Sounda Bay

Nafplio

Athens (Piraeus)

Volos

Cruise Port

Thessaloniki

Modern Day Pilgrims

Walking Ancient Pathways

Amention of Greece evokes hillsides covered in white houses with blue roofs rising above the sea or ancient ruins of toppled columns littered with broken statues. And while Greece certainly has these things, there is so much more there to see and experience.

Kirk and JoAnne Johnson spent two weeks in April 2023 cruising the Mediterranean, visiting sites in Greece and Turkey, with ports of call that included Athens, Volos, Thessaloniki, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Crete and Nafplio.

They started with four days in Athens and the surrounding area before embarking on the cruise ship—time to simply explore and get acquainted with Greece and her people. “We like to experience something truly local,” said Kirk. In this case, they visited a family-owned restaurant just a few blocks from their hotel. The matriarch was cooking, daughters and daughters-in-law serving the food; the children were clearing tables—the whole family working together, as grandpa sat outside welcoming everyone to the restaurant. “We got to know them a little bit since we ate there multiple times.”

A hop-on/hop-off tour was a great way to start their trip as well, visiting the Plaka (old town) of Athens, where the tour guides were wonderful in sharing the rich history

and mythology of Greece. Departing Athens, they then spent 10 days cruising clockwise around Turkey and the Greek islands. They visited an enormous ancient theater in Ephesus, where the acoustics were astonishing. Used only for classical Greek theater, you can stand in the center and simply talk, but the sound carries all the way to the back rows of the theater.

“I thought I’d be sick to death of ancient ruins after the first few,” said Kirk, a retired engineer. “But each site was, in its own way, fascinating. Some of the ruins date to at least the fourth to sixth centuries B.C. They’re just awesome. Ephesus is a whole city of ruins, and they’re still excavating.”

Though all the ports of call offered incredible sites, JoAnne had her favorite. “I was enchanted with Rhodes,” she said. “There’s a grand palace there that was originally constructed before the time of Christ, which was destroyed and then reconstructed— they reproduced the original. The layout of the city is so clean and the sea is right there.”

It’s difficult to capture the scope of such a trip in

just a few words, but both JoAnne and Kirk stressed two points: who you travel with and the guides you learn from. The Johnsons often travel in a group with one or two other couples who have been close friends since college days at the University of Minnesota. On this trip they were with two other couples. These adventurous and easy-traveling companions add to the joy of their travels. They also recommended taking planned tours. “Every port had a tour for us, guided by professional guides. (Greece requires professional licensed guides.)” The guides’ knowledge of geography, history, mythology and culture are not things that you understand just by visiting a place—not without a lot of research. “You get so much out of it on the tours—you go to places you might not see otherwise, specially arranged and with more interaction with the culture,” said JoAnne.

“Many different civilizations have lived in Greece: Pagan, Christian, Muslim,” said Kirk. “There’s so much influence of so many cultures. All the influences of the different cultures—the Byzantine, the Greek Orthodox—there is a reverence for what we were looking at. I was awestruck at the engineering and by what we saw.”

JoAnne commented on the wonder of this ancient world, “Realizing that the Apostle Paul has been there, walked these same grounds.” She expressed how it changes the way you hear the scriptures and imagine their setting.

“We’ve always had such wonderful travels; I feel like there’s some blessing and protection over that.”

OUT & ABOUT

Groups from St. Philip the Deacon cheered on the Minnesota Twins at Target Field twice this summer. We love these outings as a way to connect with one another, have some fun and be present in the larger Twin Cities community. Thanks to all who joined us. We look forward to our next fellowship event, Christmas Tea at the Arboretum on Dec. 6.

FALL CALENDAR

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA CHURCH TOUR

We will visit several churches in southern Minnesota to see a number of different architectural styles. One of our stops will include Gustavus’ Christ Chapel in St. Peter, Minnesota, where Kraig Windschitl will play the organ.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 PIG & PIGSKINS

Time to fire up the smoker! The 10th Annual Pigs and Pigskin event at St. Philip the Deacon. Come join us for fellowship and football. Vikings vs. Atlanta—kick off at noon. Registration online.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

METROPOLITAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra will once again be performing their fall concert at St. Philip the Deacon. Tickets are not needed. A freewill offering to support the MSO will be taken at the concert.

MONDAYS

OCTOBER 2

THROUGH

NOVEMBER 6

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT CLASSES

Class begins at 6:30 p.m. Join Tim and Amy Westermeyer for a six-week course about marriage. We will use Timothy and Kathy Keller’s book The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God . Register at spdlc.org/register. Childcare will be provided.

MONDAYS

OCTOBER 16

THROUGH NOVEMBER 20

FOUR GOSPELS, ONE JESUS

Join Pastor Mathison for a six-week study of the four gospels, where we will explore what makes each Gospel account unique and important as we seek to understand Jesus more deeply. Registration required, spdlc.org/register.

SUNDAY OCT 29

FALL FESTIVAL

There will be a family Fall Festival which will include Trunk or Treat (a safe Trick-or-Treating option for children). Families can come to SPD and “trunk or treat” in the parking lot out of people’s cars. In addition to Trunk or Treat there will be food, fall crafts, bounce houses and games for the whole family. Registration online.

to-do list! I didn’t have one before, and you’ve inspired me!

FAMILIAR FACES NORAH LONG

1.

Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry. I think all arts are a form of ministry, and I’ve known the arts were my calling since before I can remember. But in terms of formal church ministry, I began attending church for the first time in 10th grade and by that time I knew the arts would be my profession, so using those talents in service of my newfound faith seemed a given. I’ve been a part of worship leadership ever since.

2.

What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? I never listen to music in the car! Or at home, for that matter. Maybe because I’m always learning music for projects, listening to music feels like work instead of relaxation? It’s true that when I listen, I go right into work mode: How would I arrange this song? Could I sing it? What could I use it for? So, for me, silence is much more relaxing!

3.

What are three things on your lifetime to-do list? 1 . Travel more on a regular basis, to as many places as possible and to places as far away as possible. (But, warm places, please! Antarctica is a hard pass.) 2 . I’ve written a lot of music over the years which I’ve never tried to publish, so: finish a few of my original pieces and take the leap to get them “out there.” 3. Create a lifetime

How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry? Participation in a community of faith and in worship is a vital part of activating as well as satisfying spiritual hunger, so just showing up is a big part of it. The moment I stand up to sing in church, that work of staying spiritually healthy is happening! I also find that if I’m not in a good place emotionally, opening my mouth to sing creates an immediate reframing. I journal, track dreams, practice daily meditations, allow for plenty of alone time, and have a strong network of friends to talk with, as just a few examples of my emotional self-care regimens. In terms of physical health, in the past year I have become much more mindful about what goes into my body. These bodies that we have been given are miraculous, and taking care of them mindfully and attentively during this one finite lifespan is an important way of doing right by the gifts we’ve been given and honoring the giver.

4. 5.

What are you passionate about right now? I’ve been blessed with a wonderful performing career and have been teaching theater and music at the collegiate level since 2015, which I love; to be able to pass on some of my passion for the arts and train up a younger generation is exciting. Now, here at St. Philip I’ll be working with our littlest ones in Faith Creek to help them begin to find their musical walking shoes and participate with us more actively in worship! That’s beautiful and exciting, and it’s going to be so much fun.

Norah Long has served our congregation as cantor with her beautiful voice for 29 years. She continues to engage and inspire through music and the arts, expanding her role this fall to include leading music with our Faith Creek participants.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

We offer opportunities to meet new friends and learn about Jesus for children preschool through 5th grade.

FAITH CREEK (SUNDAY SCHOOL)

Learn about God and the Bible. Music with Norah Long once a month. Offered Sundays at 9:30 & 10:45 worship services beginning September 10.

CHILDREN’S TUESDAY STORYTIME

Begins September 12 at 5:00 p.m.

VERSE 5

Youth group like faith formation for 5th Graders. Wednesdays at 6:00 .pm. Begins September 20.

FIRST COMMUNION WORKSHOPS

Recommended for children grades 2-5. Pre-register at spdlc.org/register.

Saturday, September 30 at 9:00 a.m.

Monday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

Begins September 12.

Dynamic Deacons (K-2)

Tuesdays from 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Chancel Choir (3-5)

Tuesdays from 5:35-6:05 p.m.

The Childcare Center for children 6 weeks through entry into Faith Creek is offered every Sunday during worship services.

is a vibrant part of our ministry at St. Philip the Deacon, and fall is the perfect time to get involved!