Inspire: Play

INSPIRE PLAY

ORGAN CONCERT SERIES

Wednesdays in July at 12:15 p.m.

JULY 5

Kraig Windschitl

JULY 12

Chad Winterfeldt

JULY 19

Sarah Garner

JULY 26

Christopher Stroh

INSPIRE

Vol. 5 , Issue 4 , Summer 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

Susan Path, Mark Schmid

website spdlc.org/inspire

email editorial aberger@spdlc.org

on the cover Photo by Johnny Cohen

©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

One of my favorite things about being a mom has been listening in to my toddler child playing. As Charlotte talked to herself and spun storylines, speaking for the dolls or doctored her 150 stuffed animals, it gave me such insight into what she was thinking, what she was curious about, the feelings she was trying to understand. My husband and I would laugh so hard over things we’d heard her say that were funny, but also strangely wise. We were witnesses to the gift of imagination, curiosity and whimsy.

I also struggled with Charlotte’s invitations to me to play with her. I could easily do arts and crafts, cook or bake, or play board games, build Legos, or go for a nature walk, but playing American Girl Dolls or Barbies was hard! Anything that required me to think up a storyline instead of having instructions or steps was tricky. Especially, when after eight minutes of playing together, Charlotte would turn to me and say, “Okay. You can go. I just want to play by myself now.” Clearly, I wasn’t doing it right.

As adults, relearning how to play can be a challenge. We may have hobbies or participate in sports, but are you truly coming

to those activities with a playful spirit or a sense of obligation or competition? I love art journaling and sitting down to plunk out some pieces on the piano, but still, not quite play.

Play is frivolous. It is without purpose. It is simply done for the joy and absurdity and creativity of it. And it is a God-given gift. Children work out problems, learn about relationships and process emotions all through play. Perhaps this is part of Jesus’ invitation in Mark 10:15, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a

little child will never enter it.” To be like a child, full of curiosity, willing to be silly, able to play and participate in the world with no purpose except to just be, may be part of Jesus’ invitation. Perhaps, one element of the kingdom of God is made known in our ability to not take ourselves quite so seriously.

In this issue of Inspire , we reflect on all things play. Discover the playful ways to pray on pg. 8. Or, delight in the ways our members step away from their jobs and engage in activities that move body, mind and spirit in creative ways, bearing witness to the playful side of God (Baseball, pg. 12; Interview with Bryan O’Neil pg. 26).

Do you sense an invitation from God to lay down your work and responsibilities and simply have fun? What is play for you? How does God grow your relationship and faith through play? Share the ways you are playing this summer by sending your photos to social@spdlc.org.

SPD BOOK CLUB

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

SCRIPTURE CONNECTION: HOLY LEISURE

BY CHERYL MATHISON

Dr. Stuart Brown, psychiatrist and founder of the National Institute of Play, defines play as any activity that brings a sense of pleasure and enjoyment. Play is doing something for the sheer joy of doing it; it is engaging in both wonder and delight.

While play is often associated with children, there are benefits to play no matter what age or stage of life. For example, play has been shown to develop emotional intelligence, relieve stress, improve creativity, as well as to aid brain development. And, there’s more: play also supports our mental health, improves our ability to relate to others, and increases our drive and hope for the future.

seriously. At any rate, the Lord plays and diverts Himself in the garden of His creation, and if we could let go of our own obsession with what we think is the meaning of it all, we might be able to hear His call and follow Him in His mysterious, cosmic dance.”

In my own life, just as our 10- and 12-year-old daughters were growing out of some of the magical things of childhood, our third child arrived. His birth allowed us, as a family, to reclaim some things we didn’t realize we had given up or lost—like play. Maybe as you moved out of childhood and into adulthood you too left play behind.

In his book Heaven All Around Us: Discovering God in Everyday Life, author Simon Carey Holt suggests three ways that play moves us deeper into the way of Jesus; three ways that our souls may be fed and nourished, shaped and formed by play.

Play is an act of pleasure. Play is participation in the divine: “a way our spirits return home to God.”

Play is an act of surrender. Play can be the means by which we offer our lives to God and open ourselves to the transforming work of God’s spirit.

Engage in play in whatever form suits you: a round of golf or a game of tennis, board games, lawn games or field games, jigsaw puzzles or crossword puzzles, cards or dice games, independent play or group play ... whatever tickles your fancy, and enter into a time of what Merton called “holy leisure,” allowing yourself to be rested and refueled. 1 . 2 . 3 .

Play is an act of reclamation. Play draws us into freedom and liberation.

Thomas Merton wrote in New Seeds of Contemplation: “What is serious to men is often very trivial in the sight of God. What in God might appear to us as ‘play’ is perhaps what He Himself takes most

PSALM 37:4

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler.

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker.

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Faith & Life

We take a break from our Faith & Life Lecture Series during the summer months, which gives you the chance to catch up with past lectures—or listen again to one that inspired you many months ago. Our 20th season featured brilliant speakers—Arthur Brooks, Michael Chan, Dave Robison, Cole Arthur Riley and Bishop Michael Curry— which we invite you to revisit. With our media archive, 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 can be found at faith-and-life.org/ media-livestream/.

Read

CHASE THE FUN: 100 DAYS TO DISCOVER FUN RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE

By Annie F. Downs. Remember fun? If you can go days without fun, then this book is for you. In her trademark invitational style, Downs makes a case that fun is

Watch

essential, because it leads us to joy. In just 100 sweet devotions, discover how you can have more fun with what you already have all around you.

THE JESUS MUSIC

PG-13, Amazon Prime. This 2021 heartfelt and honest documentary explores the roots of Contemporary Christian Music from 1970s Jesus Music to the artists of today. Interviews with Amy

Listen VACATION

1982, by The Go-Go’s. When asked about his all-time favorite album, Kraig Windschitl (SPD’s organist) didn’t hesitate a moment, “‘Vacation,’ by The Go-Go’s.”

Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Michael Tait and Kirk Franklin (and so many more) share their stories, their struggles and their God moments.

The whole album offers a peppy summer soundtrack bringing you right back to the insouciance of the 1980s. Just goes to show, life doesn’t have to be all Bach toccatas.

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

When we came up with the theme for this quarter’s issue—“Play”—I immediately thought of a passage toward the end of C.S. Lewis’  Mere Christianity which is connected to the theme.

I’ll quote the passage in full here and, appropriately, would like to play a little game with you as you read it: I’d like to ask you how Lewis is going to conclude the passage. What will be the final word? And no reading ahead to find the answer!

Here’s the passage, in which he’s talking about how Christianity makes us “new people,” and how some of these people are already here, walking around with us even now:

Already the new [people] are dotted here and there all over the earth. Some, as I have admitted, are still hardly recognisable: but others can be recognised. Every now and then one meets them. Their very voices and faces are different from ours: stronger, quieter, happier, more radiant. They begin where most of us leave off. They are, I say, recognisable; but you must know what to look for. They will not be very like the idea of ‘religious people’ which you have formed from your general reading. They do not draw attention to themselves. You tend to think that you are being kind to them when they are really being kind to you. They love you more than other people do, but they need you less. (We must get over wanting to be NEEDED: ... that is the hardest of all temptations to resist.) They will usually seem to have a lot of time: you will wonder where it comes from. When you have recognised one of them, you will recognise the next one much more easily. And I strongly suspect (but how should I know?) that they recognise one another immediately and infallibly, across every barrier of colour, sex, class, age, and even of creeds. In that way, to become holy is rather like joining a secret society. To put it at the very lowest, it must be [BLANK].

So, what word do you think Lewis is driving toward to conclude this passage? Perhaps “meaningful”? Or “powerful”? Or maybe “exciting”? “Profound”? “Serious”? “Inspiring”?

Any of those could easily work, I suppose. But no. As Lewis draws to the end of what is quite possibly the most important Christian book of the 20th century, he concludes this passage with this sentence: “To put it at the very lowest, it must be great fun.”

Great fun. Would you, in a million years, have expected those words to conclude this line of thought? If not, perhaps it’s because we sometimes take our faith too seriously. And, as the various articles in this issue so helpfully remind us, our faith is supposed to be connected to fun and to play. They are not just “add-ons” or “extras,” but instead are important parts of the life God has blessed us with. As Jesus reminds us in John 10:10, he came that we may have life, and have it abundantly.

That means God not only wants us to “get by” or to “survive” this thing called life. No, God wants us to flourish. God wants us to thrive. God wants us to experience joy. God, as Lewis suggests, wants us to have fun, and therefore invites us to live lives filled with play.

What better time of year to consider this than right now, as we move into summer months after a cold winter and a slow, dreary spring. And so, I pray that you, in the months ahead, might allow God to direct you toward moments of play, and that, with C.S. Lewis, you might recognize all the ways we are invited to have “great fun” in this life.

Playfully,

MEDITATION

“Play is at once intense … and liberating. We are freed from our compulsion for right answers, freed from the need to acquire and achieve, freed from anxiety by the transitory nature of play. With imagination as the generous supplier of raw materials, we can be rich beyond belief. Everything matters tremendously—and not at all.”

DEVOTED LIVING

Prayers

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.”

MICAH 6:8, THE MESSAGE

children, we’re taught to pray by folding our hand, closing our eyes and getting quiet. And while this is certainly one way to pray, it is not the only way to pray. Learning to talk to God in prayer can also involve engaging our God-given gifts of creativity, imagination and movement, leading us to prayer that feels, dare we say, playful.

PRAYINGIN COLOR

June 22, 2-3:30 pm or 6-7:30 pm. If you can doodle, you can pray in color! Join Pastor Valerie to learn about Praying in Color, a technique that allows our hands to wander across the page as we lift our prayer concerns to God. No art experience necessary!

God created us with exuberance and joy, delight and curiosity all of which we can offer back to God. Consider using the following ideas for yourself or with your children to invite a playful attitude into your prayer life this summer.

1.

Paper Airplane Prayers

Grab a piece of paper and write your prayer concerns on it. Then, folding it into a paper airplane, “send” your prayers to God.

3.

Coloring or Drawing

Coloring or drawing can invite us into a posture of prayer that is both colorful and calming. It can be as simple as grabbing some paper and markers, crayons and colored pencils and doodling away your prayer concerns. Or, you can also search “Bible verse coloring pages” for free and easy to print coloring sheets inviting you to color and pray a particular verse. Another beautiful and fun way to experience this type of prayer is Praying in Color (See Sidebar)

2.

Bubble Prayers

If you haven’t had a chance to blow bubbles lately, you are missing out! Surprisingly meditative, imagine your breath carrying your prayer concerns as you blow into the bubble wand. As the bubble forms, releases, and travels into the sky, envision those prayers being lifted from you to God.

5.

4. Create a Prayer Tent

Walk Around Your Neighborhood

As you pass each house, offer prayers for those who live there. If you know them and their concerns, pray specifically. If you don’t know them, pray anyway and consider if God is inviting you to introduce yourself and make a new friend.

Seeking refuge and shelter in God, take a few sheets or blankets outdoors and create a tent using your patio furniture, clothesline or trees. Crawl inside and imagine yourself within the tabernacle, a place of deep intimacy, meeting God face-to-face. Invite the Holy Spirit to dwell with you and share what’s on your heart.

PLAYBALL!

BY MARK SCHMID

Iwas born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, just one block south of the state capitol building where my dad worked for 31 years. As a child, my dad and I participated in a daily ritual that started as soon as winter gave way to spring and lasted until fall reluctantly gave way to winter. Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (Wednesday was church night) just after 5 o’clock in the evening I would fetch my dad’s baseball glove, a Roger Maris Spalding Model 42-335. That ritual in and of itself was sacred to me for two reasons:

First, Roger Maris was “one of us.” He grew up in North Dakota, and in 1961 he broke Babe Ruth’s single season home run record, which stood until Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs last season. (I proudly wore a t-shirt that said, “The Record is Still 61” during the MLB steroid era.)

Second, my dad’s glove was perfect—it was perfectly broken-in—the leather and stitching were soft, the pocket well-formed and it perfectly hugged his left hand. It was unmistakably his glove, and I hoped my baseball glove would be like his someday along with all the stories to go with it.

With my dad’s glove in hand, I would race outside and watch intently for him to appear from the far end of the block, as he walked home from work. Once he arrived, he would set down his briefcase, remove his suit coat and take off his tie and then he was ready to play ball!

My dad and I played catch hundreds, if not thousands, of times throughout my formative years. As a young child, I would try and emulate a spectacular play I had seen on television the day or night before. There was the over shoulder catch on a deep fly ball to straight away center field, or fielding a sharply hit ground ball, deep in the hole, forcing me to make an acrobatic backhanded play to retire the runner. And of course no childhood would be complete without pretending it was Game 7 of the

World Series, your team down by a run, with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, when you step into the batter’s box. With a runner on first base, the lively crowd on their feet, you crush a 3-2 fastball into the stadium lights (just like Roy Hobbs in the 1984 movie “The Natural”) and win the World Series!

Those days playing catch with my dad in the front yard became a conduit for all things baseball. I played Little League and American Legion ball. And I cheered passionately for two Major League teams—the Los Angeles Dodgers (my dad grew up a Dodgers fan and so they became my team, too) and the Minnesota Twins. We celebrated when our teams won the World Series in 1981, 1987, 1988, 1991 and 2020.

It was also at a young age that baseball cards began to take up real estate in my parents’ house. And though I haven’t collected baseball cards since graduating from high school, my collection stirs up wonderful memories of wax packs and bubble gum, hand collating complete sets, memorizing players stats, and getting that elusive “error” card. Of course, there were a few regrets along the way too, like putting rookie cards and older cards (that eventually became valuable) in my bike spokes so I could pretend my Schwinn was a Harley.

I love baseball. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and that unmistakable scent of pine

tar. I love the crack of the bat, the cloud of chalk that dances up from the ground when a ball is laced down the line. I love a beautifully turned 4-6-3 double-play; a well-executed, fundamentally sound sacrifice bunt; and of course the roar of the crowd when my team hits a walk-off home run. I love pitchers’ duals, historic rivalries and the chess game that unfolds between managers. I love the intimacy of Spring Training and the thrill of a downto-the-wire pennant chase. But mostly, I love the memories upon memories, forever stacked up in the passage of time, of watching and playing this magical game with my dad.

The phrase “play ball” is synonymous with baseball. It’s an emphatic directive to “play, not work.”

In 1972, Jürgen Moltmann, a German theologian and professor, wrote about the importance and significance of play in his book Theology of Play. Fifty-one years later his words are as true today as they were then. Moltmann reminds us:

Play foreshadows the joy of Jesus’ coming again, where all manner of drudgery and disease and decay and death will be left behind. It is not useless activity.

Play is a celebration of life lived to its fullest.

In play we emulate God’s actions who did not create the universe because it was a necessity. God is playful. God enjoys creating and playing.

Play relativizes our “over-seriousness” toward life, filling us with a spirit of joy and delight that carries over into all aspects of our existence.

3. 4. 5.

Play is not time out from work, and it is not rest time either. It is kingdom foreshadowing. It is a momentary escape into the future reality that God intended for us all.

As we grow older, and our lives become filled with greater responsibilities and commitments, it is easy to lose sight of the importance and significance of simply playing. I hope and pray this summer you can escape and experience God’s love and grace found in the gift of play. This is your permission slip to play—play in the garden, play on the water, play in the mountains, play in the parks, play golf, play tennis, play with your children, play with your grandchildren, play with your friends, play with your dog, play catch, play together.

May you create lasting memories upon memories and experience a foretaste of the feast to come in the joy and delight of simply playing. Play ball!

Life Played Out on a Field

INTERVIEWS CURATED BY MARK

Tom Abrahamson

Minnesota Senior Baseball League

St. Louis Park Bees

Why do you play baseball? What do you love about the game? Baseball is a game that brings me back to my youth—I can still play it in my 60s. I love the camaraderie with teammates who are just happy to be putting on a jersey and enjoying the outdoors while playing a fun yet still competitive game as we did in our youth. I have teammates who are in their mid-70s still playing the game, and it would surprise you how they can still hit, field and play the game.

Favorite baseball memory as a player or fan? Coaching my teenage son through his pre-high school years while living in Florida, because we could play almost year-round. Taking those kids to a weeklong tournament as 12-year-olds in Cooperstown, New York (home of Baseball Hall of Fame), was a highlight, where we got beat in the finals in a game that ended at midnight.

Favorite Player? I’ve had many over the years, but in this era, I’d have to say Byron Buxton of the Twins. He has yet to fulfill his tremendous potential, but I appreciate the way he has carried himself through adversity and keeps striving to be the best he can be. I think this is the year we see him become a true superstar!

SCHMID

Mark Berger Federal League

Red West Legends

Why do you play baseball? What do you love about the game? I know this is a simple answer, but I play baseball because it’s fun to play. The game itself is fun, of course, and I enjoy both hitting and pitching, but it’s also fun because it’s a team game. On the majority of teams I’ve played on, the camaraderie with my teammates (both on and off the field) has been just as enjoyable as the game play itself. There are also some really nice ballparks here in Minnesota that are fun to play on.

What is your favorite baseball memory as a player or a fan? I attended Game 6 of the 1987 World Series (the Kent Hrbek grand slam game), but I was in kindergarten and don’t remember it too well. As a player, it would be when I got the game winning hit in our high school section final playoff game to send our team to the State Tournament.

Favorite player? Why? I don’t really have a favorite player now, but growing up my two favorite players were Gary Gaetti and Cecil Fielder. Gaetti was my favorite Twin; I liked his gritty style of play and he had a great nickname (the G-Man!). I liked Cecil Fielder because of his home runs—he was such a big dude with a powerful swing, and when he got ahold of one it was fun to watch.

St. Philip the Deacon members Tom Abrahamson, Ted Fust, Mark Berger and Sam Westermeyer all play amateur baseball or Town Ball. For all of them, baseball has been a lifelong game —started in childhood and continued today. They shared some of their reflections on America’s pastime . Although all interviewees were asked the same five questions, interviews have been edited for length.

Federal League Red West Legends

Why do you play baseball? What do you love about the game? The simple answer is that it is FUN!!!! There is more to it though. I can go out with a bunch of guys who have been playing since we were young children and play a GAME. We can relive our youth, try to outwit the other guy/team with strategy in a competition, get some badly needed exercise, meet new friends, maintain existing friendships and camaraderies and get to play with my son in certain tournaments. Also, despite my body wearing out after 50+ years of organized ball, I am still able to play effectively.

Favorite Memory: In September 2021, I was invited to join a bunch of my teammates and other local players in the Legends of Baseball, senior men’s baseball tournament in Cooperstown, New York. It was a tournament for men 30+ but youth could play, too, if they were 18. My son Willie (26 at the time) joined. The ultimate highlight was in the semifinal game. We were beating a team handily. In the 6th inning, Willie was catching and I went in to pitch. I put the opponent down 1-2-3. Not many dads get to play with their own sons and to be able to pitch to him—priceless. This will be a lasting memory for both of us.

What is your favorite baseball movie and why? “The Sandlot.” It brings most ballplayers of my generation back to our youth. A bunch of kids would get together and go play ball. It didn’t matter if we had four guys or 10 guys or a regulation field. We would go to the closest empty lot, backyard, park, street or alley and play a game. We would modify the rules depending on how many players we had and where we played.

Why do you play baseball? What do you love about the game? To be honest, I play baseball because it is something that I was pretty good at from the day I was born. That being said, as I’ve played more and more, I’ve realized it is more of a game than it is a sport. Your mind always has to be alert thinking about the next possible sequence of events. It also never hurts to strike somebody out with some high heat.

What is your favorite baseball memory as a player or a fan? My favorite baseball memory was throwing a no-hitter in college. Unfortunately, it was during COVID and we were playing at US Bank Stadium with no people in the crowd, so it did not feel very festive during the moment. However, I soon realized that what I was able to accomplish was a pretty rare achievement and I had been lucky enough to throw one. I can think of a number of different events (hitting my first home run, throwing 198 pitches in a Town Ball game, or watching the Cubs win the World Series for the first time in over 100 years) but the no-hitter definitely stands out.

What is your favorite baseball movie and why? “Moneyball” is hands down my favorite baseball movie. The story is fascinating and the acting is top-notch. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of a lot of baseball movies, mainly because I think they’re corny and the actors typically do not know how to “play” baseball, but this movie really stood out for me as something different and better in the baseball movie universe.

Ted Fust

Sam Westermeyer Lakewood League Hamel Hawks

CHECK IT OUT

A quick search on YouTube with the words “bees play” will yield some short videos of cute little bees rolling around a ball, just for the sake of play.

ALL GOD’S CREATURES PLAY

BY KATE STERNER

If you’ve had the opportunity to participate in an Easter Vigil worship service, you may recall the chanting of The Exsultet, a centuries-old song of praise and thanksgiving to God. In this song are words that I wait with delight to hear each year:

“We sing the glories of this pillar of fire, the brightness of which is not diminished even when its light is divided and borrowed. For it is fed by the melting wax which the bees, your servants, have made for the substance of this candle.”

I love hearing about “the bees, your servants.” I imagine these busy, fuzzy little insects, working together to accomplish a task in service to their creator. But of course they can’t be knowingly serving God, can they? They’re just doing what bees do, by instinct. There’s no thought involved, is there?

Recent research into bee behavior has shown that perhaps their inner life is a little more complex than previously thought. Researchers at the Queen Mary University in London have been studying how bees change their behaviors in response to rewards. But during their experiments these scientists noticed that their subjects seemed to be actually “goofing off” sometimes. How could they account for such strange, playful behavior?

To learn more, the scientists devised new experiments to remove factors that would account for food-gathering, nest-building, rearing of young, mating and defense. To their surprise and delight, they found that bees, indeed, just play sometimes. And if bees can be found capable of play and

amusement, what other thoughts/feelings might they be capable of?

Although we are not accustomed to thinking of insects playing, plenty of other animal species also engage in playful behavior. Any pet owner will tell you that play is one of their animal companion’s basic needs.

Dogs are one of humanity’s first companions. When we play with a dog, they can bounce around in silly postures, with a big open-mouthed grin. They may bring us a toy or stick to play tug-o-war with. We might throw something for them to run and fetch, repeatedly. Between themselves, dogs will take turns play-fighting and growling.

Cats love to play at hunting. The pupils of their eyes open wide to watch us fling a favorite toy around the room. Their attempts to catch play objects are remarkably swift and accurate. They can launch themselves into the air several feet to catch their “prey.” Cats, too, play-fight with one another.

What about reptile pets? Indeed, reptiles play, sometimes play-wrestling with each other, but often they enjoy interacting with objects such as balls, old shoes, blocks and rings. Turtles can enjoy a game of tug-o-war with their human friends or nudging a ball around in the water.

How about fish? Do they play? It may be a little more difficult to tell with fish, but generally biologists agree that fish will engage in playful behavior, such as nudging objects around their environ -

ment for no particular reason and playchasing each other.

More complex and intelligent animals, such as birds—crows and ravens are great examples—and ocean-going mammals like whales and dolphins, engage in complex play and communication with others of their own species, as well as with human beings.

Dolphins, for example, are well-known for their curious, gregarious nature. They form tight bonds with other members of their groups. (Tellingly, a group of dolphins is called a society.) They can be trained to do tricks for rewards of tasty fish, but they will also just play for their own amusement. They enjoy blowing bubble rings and plunging through them like a hula hoop. They love to swim fast and twirl like a corkscrew and jump through the water’s surface and splash down again.

So, since all these creatures play instead of just engaging in survival-based behaviors, what purpose do these behaviors have?

Biologist Gordon Burghardt* at the University of Tennessee found that “play is an integral part of life that may make a life worth living.” It is integral for social, physical and cognitive development, but it also prepares animals for the unexpected, so that they can deal successfully with challenges in their environment or threats to their survival. It is no wonder then that even the bees just play sometimes.

*Burghardt, Gordon, Defining and Recognizing Play, The Oxford Handbook of the Development of Play, January 2012

Faith & the Next

AN INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA BERGER

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

About five years ago, Amanda Berger and I had one of our usual monthly meetings to discuss a wide range of topics. Among them was a recent survey showing that Americans were attending church with less frequency, while still feeling invested and interested in the work of their congregations. That prompted a mini brainstorm session, during which Amanda brought up the idea of creating an actual print magazine for the church. The idea was to mirror what colleges and universities do to communicate their work and build culture among a broad and diverse community, even if the people who make up that community aren’t regularly at the actual campus.

That conversation prompted more conversations with, among other people, Jay Novak—a member of St. Philip the Deacon whose career included magazine publishing. Along with his good counsel, Novak introduced us to friends who gave us helpful advice about this possible project, and we also had multiple discussions about the idea with the Church Council and Executive Team. In the end—no surprise, since you’re now holding the 20th issue—we made the decision to try the idea out. And I think it’s fair to say that it has been a resounding success and an important part of how we share stories about what makes St. Philip the Deacon the wonderful place that it is.

Since we’re now celebrating our fifth anniversary, I thought it was appropriate in this space to have a wide-ranging interview with the person who not only came up with the original idea, but the person who ensures that each of these issues is as thoughtful and engaging and faithbuilding as they are.

Fall 2018

Gratitiude

Winter 2018 Peace

Spring 2019 Mercy

Summer 2019 Gatherings

Fall 2019 Invitation

I presume you recall the conversation I just cited in the introduction. Does the way I described it sound accurate to you? How do you remember it, and why did you think a magazine was a good idea for St. Philip the Deacon? I remember this conversation so vividly—and some of the less awesome ideas that you brought to the table. (Laughing.) As you talked about your desire for a better way to engage those who weren’t here in person as often, I responded, “It sounds like what we need is a better way to tell the stories of who we are … what if we made a magazine?” I remember your initial response was, “That sounds awesome—and expensive.” (My best ideas usually are! Haha.) But I couldn’t get the idea out of my head! I went home that evening and started cutting up magazines to create a mock-up of what I thought this kind of publication could be. That was a Thursday. I remember coming in on Monday morning with the mock-up and saying, “If we’re going to do this, I want to be the editor.” I felt so certain this was the Holy Spirit moving us in a new direction.

Can you say a bit about the process for creating the content for each issue? How do you come up with the ideas, and how does it all come together? It’s truly a team effort! While there are issues where the theme has come to me directly, mostly it’s a collaboration between myself and other members of the Inspire team—you, Cheryl Mathison and

Kate Sterner. Given that the magazine is quarterly, and the long timeline needed for production, we are usually working 4-6 months ahead of the current issue when we begin the process.

Once we’ve had our brainstorming session, I work to narrow the list to 7-9 articles ideas. Most of the story ideas are chosen by the writers themselves—they feel passionate about a topic and decide to run with it. Sometimes I invite other people to write based on how their interests create a natural fit—for example, Pastor Mark writing about baseball in this current issue. I try to balance a variety of voices and topics, even as they relate to the same theme. Knowing that I will be the one to write any article that the other writers don’t pick up, I sit with the ideas for a few days and see what I feel a prompting to spend time with. For me, the writing process doesn’t go as well if I’m trying to force it, and there is definitely something to letting God lead here: I trust that God uses Inspire to connect with people and that God is intimately involved in the creative process.

What’s your favorite part about creating this publication every quarter? There are a lot of things I love about it, but my favorite moment is when I open the first proof from the designer. We work with an outside firm, Malley Design, to pull together all the elements of the

magazine. I always catch my breath a little to see the way the words, photographs and visual concepts turn into a magazine. Even though I’m in on elements of the design process, this is always a magical moment. It’s the point where each issue begins to feel “real.”

Have there been any surprises along the way? What have those been? When we started, I anticipated doing interviews as being both tedious and anxiety-producing— you know, reaching out to people I don’t really know and working around schedules to be able to connect. But this has become one of my favorite parts—I’m never NOT interested in what someone has to say. We

Winter 2019 Creativity

Spring 2020 Generations

Summer 2020 Community

Fall 2020 Healing

Winter 2020 Embodiment

all have stories that are worth telling. The only downside is that Inspire never has enough space to print everything I learn in each interview!

I mentioned in the introduction that the magazine has been a “resounding success.” I do think that’s true—and assume you do as well—but how would you quantify that success? Are there recurring responses you hear from readers that follow a particular theme? I love when an issue’s theme really resonates—where people tell me how every article in the issue spoke to them. I think the biggest compliment is from people

who receive our magazine but aren’t deeply connected to our community (personal friends or colleagues in other churches). They comment on the quality of the production, but even more so how the stories and articles resonate with them in meaningful ways. There are many people who live out-of-state who love this publication and may never visit SPD in person. This is their way to connect. I also hear over and over, “I received the new magazine and sat down and just read it cover to cover. I loved it!”

On a personal level though, success feels more like sustainability. Am I still excited about it? What stories need to be told? In what ways is God using this publication to edify and build up God’s kingdom? Even though we’re on our 20th issue, I still get excited about the next one—it feels new every time.

We talk a lot about the reach and importance of our digital campus— something that is certainly true, and something we are committed to continuing to build in the years ahead. Given the amount of attention social media and the internet get today, why do you think this “counter-trend” approach of an old-school, printed magazine has been so powerful and so

well received? What’s the attraction given that so much of our lives today are lives in the digital sphere? Though we can’t argue digital media’s efficiency, cost and reach, I believe there is still a longing for physical connection with things in our world. There’s something so grounding about print media—I love my e-reader for travel, but it is nothing like wandering the shelves at a library or bookstore. It has a feeling of permanence and history to it that digital media doesn’t have.

I think part of Inspire’s appeal is that we recognize this need to slow down, to find ourselves a little outside the pressures of time. God certainly works that way. We know that slowing down is important for our spiritual growth; in fact, it’s one of the few areas in life we can’t force or speed up. So, I think the very act of holding the magazine in your hands, maybe making time to savor each story over a cup of tea or coffee, brings us into a different mode: we’re more receptive to what we read and how it might affect us.

It is also such a joy to receive something beautiful and thoughtful in the mail— simply the way it feels and looks invites your attention in a different way. I love when people tell me that they can’t bear to throw it in the recycling and continue to leave it sitting on their coffee table because of its visual appeal.

Editing this magazine has been just one of the roles you’ve played during your tenure at SPD. You joined the

staff as the Director of Middle School Ministry, then transitioned to running Soul Sisterhood—a retreat ministry for young teen girls focused on creative arts—and from there have gone on to edit this magazine and oversee our social media efforts. More recently, you became certified in YogaFaith and are now becoming certified as a Spiritual Director. My own view is that this ongoing transition for you has been a case study in an individual following where God is leading them and trying to be responsive to that. How do you think about those transitions, and SPD’s part in continuing to evolve with the roles you have had?

I have been able to evolve as a person and in my ministry without ever leaving St. Philip the Deacon—and I fully recognize and am grateful for how rare that is. I don’t think that I would have stayed here so long without that evolution. Sometimes things evolve together— marriages, friendship, and in this case, work—which creates something even better and stronger than where we started. How sad if we never had a chance to be something more than what we envisioned when we were 20 or 30 or 40. I pray that God continues to evolve and grow me as a person and a leader for a long time!

Typically, my changing roles have overlapped, something new beginning at a point where I was maybe starting to experience

some burnout or desire to move on. Often, I have had a sense of what that might be next, but not always. In fact, with Inspire, I had had a sense that Soul Sisterhood was coming to a conclusion, but I had no idea what the “next thing” was going to be. I was just trying to keep myself open and receptive. So, when the initial conversation with you came up, it was an immediate “Yes! That’s the next thing.” When this overlap has happened, there has often been a transition period where I was ending one thing with intention as well as on-ramping for the next.

Right now, I am in the middle of a two-year program to become a certified spiritual director, which is the result of following another prompting from God. I’m not entirely sure how that will take shape, but it is already impacting my ministry at SPD. I can see ways that being able to offer spiritual direction and associated growth opportunities like prayer practices, retreats, and group spiritual direction within this community may have a place at St. Philip the Deacon.

You’ve been at St. Philip the Deacon now for 17 years. What’s your favorite thing about this congregation? What do you love about it? And what do you envision for our future? One of the things I appreciate about SPD is that while we take God seriously, I think we hold the practice of our faith lightly. What I mean by that is there is a commitment to excellence, but not necessarily a clinging to the past or “doing things the way we have always done

it” that can inhibit forward movement in the church. There’s an openness and a generosity that allow for true creativity and innovation. For me, that creates fertile ground—both for staff and members.

Anything else you’d like to share about the magazine or your work at SPD? There are times I need the rest and distance that a vacation provides, but I don’t think I’ve ever said, “I don’t want to go to work today.” Recently, someone was praising me for the writing I do. I was grateful for their words and so blessed to receive that act of kindness, but it also moved me to say in response, “I have always been a writer, but how I think and write about God has a lot to do with St. Philip the Deacon. This community has shaped me and my faith.” I’ve worked here since I was 26 years old—so young! So much of me has been formed by being here. So, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that Inspire and my role have been a true calling from God, deeply supported by the love of a faithful community. I wouldn’t be exactly who I am without all of you. For that, I am truly grateful.

PLAY THROUGHOUT LIFE

BY CHERYL MATHISON

During a recent series of visits to a local Transitional Care Unit, I observed the following play— Bingo, balloon volleyball (net and all), trivia, jigsaw puzzles, cards and a variety of circle games. Those participating were in various stages of healing—some in wheelchairs, others with walkers or canes. I couldn’t help but notice that there was always laughter and a keen sense of energy in the room. It was obvious to any observer that the physical healing gained from occupational and physical therapy was directly enhanced by the emotional and spiritual healing that came from play.

One woman told me that during her stay in transitional care she had won enough prizes at Bingo to give to all her great-grandchildren. The snow globe, stuffed animals and bag of candy were proudly displayed on the dresser in her room, and she showed them off with pride.

While many senior housing facilities advertise a wide range of activities and events, only a few include a drop-down menu for the importance of play in their programming. One facility stated: “We believe enjoyment and fulfillment should extend throughout a person’s life ... there are many physical and mental health benefits of play for seniors ... including stress relief, improved brain function, deepened relationships, and greater compassion and empathy.” Another noted: “By playing, you improve your reaction speed, critical thinking, and your communication skills if you are playing with others. These all are important to keep the mind sharp.”

Play has been used to reduce stress by therapists and counselors for their clients, as well as by athletes and leaders as a way to focus before an event. Soccer player David Beckham says he plays with Lego bricks to calm himself. A writer at a conference mentioned playing with clay to focus and turn attention to the task at hand. Senior Pastor Tim Westermeyer plays with a yoyo before worship on the days he preaches.

Science has proven that play triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, leading to a sense of wellbeing. A recent article in Forbes magazine stated: “Playfulness creates joyful experiences stimulating dopamine, the hormone helping us to make sense of new information and strengthen memories. Dopamine helps to enhance neural activity that correlates with creative thinking.” In his TED Talk “Play is More than Just Fun,” Dr. Stuart Brown states, “Nothing lights up the brain like play.”

According to pioneer play researcher Brian Sutton-Smith, the opposite of play is not work—it is depression. He urged, “It’s time we started to appreciate play for what it does for our mental health. ... Play is the opposite of depression.”

He went on to explain: “When we play games, we’re immediately and constantly focused on a goal. Whether it’s to solve a puzzle, find hidden objects, reach a finish line, or score more points than other players, the goal focuses our attention and creates a sense of motivation and determination. As we anticipate our potential success, our reward pathways light up.”

Prioritizing play and reclaiming time allowed for it may be one of the most significant things you can do to age well. It can be as simple as each day engaging in an enjoyable activity such as working a puzzle, playing a board game, or playing fetch with your dog. If you are physically able, you might consider picking up a new hobby like golf or pickleball or bocce.

You might also consider finding someone to play with. There are many members of our faith community who are homebound and would welcome your company as well as a round of cards or a game of checkers. Our Parish Nurse, Susan Path, can be helpful in getting you connected with someone. Alternatively, The Waters, Amira Choice, Summerwood, Trillium and Folkestone are not far from church. Consider checking in with the activities director at any of these facilities (or one closer to your home) and ask about volunteer opportunities to support those who reside in assisted living.

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

ComeOut Play AND

BY SUSAN PATH, RN, FCN

Play is innate in humans and other mammals. It is as important for adults as it is for children, bringing substantial and varied benefits to each. Stuart Brown’s book Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul defines play as “the state of mind that one has when absorbed in an activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of sense of time.” So, anything from playing sports or collecting stamps to creating art or writing stories can be play. How do you like to play and be absorbed?

Research describes the benefits children gain from play as a form of learning, and it is essential to a child’s growth and development. It cannot be underestimated. The many benefits of play for children include: stimulates brain development, improves intelligence, sparks creative thinking, and improves communication, vocabulary and language. It also promotes impulse control and emotion regulation, as well as grows social competence and empathy.

All that said, children are not the only ones who benefit from play. Although adults no longer need play to develop social or emotional skills, it still performs an important role in our physical and mental health. In adults, play can:

Relieve stress.  In the fun and frolic of play, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, endorphins, can be released. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and have been known to temporarily relieve pain.

Improve brain function. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help prevent stress and depression.

Stimulate the mind and boost creativity.  Both children and adults are

known to learn better when they are having fun. We learn a new task better when it’s fun and we are in a relaxed and playful mood. Your imagination can also be stimulated by play, helping you adapt and solve problems.

Improve relationships and your connection to others.  Sharing laughter and fun can promote empathy, compassion, trust and intimacy with others. Play can also be a state of mind and not just an activity. Developing a playful attitude can help you loosen up in stressful situations, reduce tension in new situations, make friends, and form new relationships in business.

Keep you feeling young and energetic.   Play can boost your energy and even improve your immune system, helping you function at your best and healthiest.

You will find “play” in many of our programs at SPD. From games nights to kayaking to Bible art journaling, we see play as an important means to connect with one another, stimulating us to be more creative and relieve stress. The church is one of the few places in our world where we can experience intergenerational play, which promotes respect and connections between all ages of people. This summer, you are invited to find your inner child—and come out and play!

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

SUMMER

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Elite 8 Hymn Sing JUL 16 SPD Kayaking AUG 13

Have a backyard camp out. Catch fireflies. Ride your bike to get ice cream. What other activities invite a sense of whimsy and more play into your summer? Use the space above to create a “Summer Bucket List” of items to invite more play into your world this summer!

Perfect Summer Parties

BY AMANDA BERGER

While a lot of the pressure of a party is on the host, here are some of Kalsey’s best tips for attendees:

Don’t arrive early, as your host is likely scurrying around with last minute details. Or, if you do, offer to help.

Take pictures. Hosts are usually too busy, so will appreciate your snapshots from the event.

Show your gratitude with a host gift or a handwritten thank you afterwards.

If you have a food allergy, let the host know ahead of time and offer to bring something that works for you.

“Post-pandemic, events are back and people are just grateful to be in community again,” said Beach. “Invitees are hungry to be together with others and delighted to be invited—so hosts don’t need to be too hard on themselves.” She also went on to say that it is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous about hosting, because that means the people and event are important to you. But to help put you at ease, Beach offers the following tips for planning your perfect summer party.

1. Choose a theme. “Themes can be subtle, like a certain color, or obvious, like a beach party—but they help to give shape and structure to your planning,” said Beach. It becomes easier to weed out what’s too much and gives you a starting point for choosing decorations, food and beverages, and activities.

2. Enjoy being the host. Really! “Event planning as a career is ranked #5 or #6 as

the most stressful job, so it’s not unusual to be stressed as the host!” joked Beach. “But to help you out, consider what can be outsourced or adjusted to ease the burden of the host.” For example, she recommends doing what you can well before the party. Things like creating food labels, choosing dishes or platters, blowing up balloons or gathering yard games can all be done ahead. Beach also emphasized that there is no shame in outsourcing. Hire a house cleaner. Can a family member or friend not associated with the celebration take care of details in the kitchen? Purchasing deli sides or desserts at your favorite grocer is perfect—just put them in your own bowls or on platters to make it look nice. “Be the host; enjoy greeting your guests, mingling and connecting. It’s not about what you serve or how clean your house is,” assured Beach.

3. Surprise and delight. What aren’t guests expecting that may bring a smile to their face? “Little touches, like yard signs or sidewalk chalk on the driveway, or a bathroom toiletry basket, are small touches that can really delight your guests,” said Beach. Consider if the guest of honor has a favorite beverage or send guests home with the recipe for a favorite dish you served. Another great way to delight your guests, if children are invited, is to hire an older kid to serve as their playmate or helper, allowing parents to be more present to their own experience. “Also, I’ve never been to a party where they ran out of food,” Beach said. “So delight your guests with containers to take home leftovers!”

4. Be intentional about seating. Beach finds it to be especially welcoming to guests if they know where they are

meant to go. “Whether you choose formal place cards or indicating on the invite that they should bring their own lawn chairs, I want to know where I’m supposed to sit.”

5. Make it accessible. “Summer is busy, so six weeks is a reasonable timeline for sending out invites for a more formal event. And you can do printed or digital invitations—both are acceptable, even for dressier occasions,” said Beach. You may also want to consider serving a signature non-alcoholic beverage (welcoming for those who don’t drink alcohol, but also fun for kids). Food allergies are also very common, so taking that into account when planning the menu is a thoughtful gesture.

Overall, Beach urges you to make the event your own and be creative. Consider avoiding July 4th or Labor Day weekend when people often have family commitments, and instead celebrate Summer Solstice (June 21), Ice Cream Day (Sunday, July 16), or Watermelon Day (August 3). Look to your own backyard for decorations—from your own flowers to herbs, sticks or pretty rocks. You’d be surprised what’s right at your fingertips.

Whether you choose a more formal evening cruise on Lake Minnetonka or a spontaneous backyard game and bonfire night, remember that the point of throwing a party is to celebrate our lives together, feeding both body and spirit and creating memories to last a lifetime.

Summer provides many reasons to celebrate, giving us a chance to offer hospitality and joy to family, friends and neighbors. I recently sat down with SPD member Kalsey Beach, president of Do Good Events, to talk about what makes for an amazing party.

All the World is a Stage

BY AMANDA BERGER PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRYAN O’NEIL

Bryan O’Neil remembers his breakout role—the one that made him fall in love with performing.

As a seventh grader, O’Neil was one of the 12 children in the musical “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Throughout high school and college, and up to the present, O’Neil has continued to immerse himself in this magical world, stepping into roles onstage as well as work behind the scenes in all arenas of tech—from sets and props to publicity.

O’Neil describes his involvement in community theater as “an artistic pursuit,” though it is clear from the light in his eye and the enthusiasm in his voice that this love of theater is so much more than a hobby. “For me, it’s a lot of work to do it well and there’s always room for more improvement, and I like that challenge,” said O’Neil. “There are

all these pieces that come together to create the whole—it’s such a unique art form; everything starts out in its silo and then slowly comes together to create the whole. All the pieces are important—costumers, set design, painters, performers—all these different skill sets that come together to create the magic of theater. It’s a team sport.”

In his day job, O’Neil has spent 25 years working for Wells Fargo. Currently, as a Senior Strategist, he helps leaders understand the complex in a simple way so they can make good decisions. Participating in theater transformed the role his career played in his life. Prior to 2013, O’Neil credits most of his self-satisfaction coming from work. But in light of his involvement in community theater and music, he has found other ways to find joy, purpose and fulfillment. He even feels that participating in theater has influenced his work. “It informs how I show up back at work. On

“It’s such a unique art form; everything starts out in its silo and then slowly comes together to create the whole.”

stage, you are much more aware of what’s going on around you, what you are doing, what other people are doing, and that has helped me to be a more calming influence and better consultant. I’m reading people in a different way.”

One of O’Neil’s favorite roles was as Mr. Banks in “Mary Poppins.” “For me, it’s all about figuring out how the character changes through the story—who’s he being influenced by? I try to steer away from the movie version, because I want to create my own version of the character,” said O’Neil. “For something I do know super well, like Mr. Banks, I just figure out how I make it my own. I need to be something different from what people know [from the movie], because I can’t be that person—and that’s usually achieved by bringing some element of myself to it. I think there is always some element of who you are that’s in a character you create.”

When asked about his dream role, O’Neil was quick to answer that although he has been in “My Fair Lady” before, he was too young to play Dr. Henry Higgins, a role that he would love to try.

On stage is not the only place that O’Neil shares his gifts. He is also a member of the Sanctuary Choir at SPD and has always been a part of some choir since he was just 5 years old. “Singing is one of many gifts I’ve been blessed with,” said O’Neil. “For me, being able to be a part of the ministry of music is not only one way that I give back, but one way of being in service to God—to show honor for what I’ve been given.”

Though this baritone takes honing his craft seriously, even studying private voice at MacPhail Center for Music, O’Neil is quick to point out that community theater has a place for everyone, whether

you have experience or not. For many years, O’Neil has served on the board of directors at Cross Community Players, located in Maple Grove. He stresses the importance of many different types of gifts—for acting, singing and dancing, but also in arenas of costuming, set design or working as sound or light technicians on a show. “Just go for it!” encourages O’Neil. “Community theater is very approachable, and we live in a metro area with a lot of theater opportunities. If you haven’t done it before, there’s always room in the chorus. Just do it.”

This summer, you can see O’Neil perform in “Footloose” with the Cross Community Players. Performance dates are June 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m., June 18 at 4:00 p.m., June 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Maple Grove Town Green Amphitheater. Purchase tickets at crossplayers.org.

SENT TO SERVE: HAMMER ON!

BY MARK SCHMID

Since 2016, members and friends of St. Philp the Deacon have contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours on seven weeklong new home construction and home renovation builds with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller where they envisioned a world where everyone has a decent place to live. They sought to give a tangible expression to the love and mercy of God through the work of eliminating poverty housing by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Sometime before his death in 2009, Mr. Fuller said, “For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other.”

Today, Habitat lives out their mission in all 50 states and in more than 70 countries and has helped millions of people achieve strength, stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable shelter. Habitat has been present in Minnesota since 1977 and in that time has built more than 2,700 homes statewide. Habitat for Humanity Minnesota builds approximately 100 new homes and repairs 200 homes every year.

Join us this August for our 8th Annual Habitat for Humanity weeklong build and work alongside other adults and high school students from St. Philip the Deacon as we live out our faith in love and service. Volunteers must be 16 years old or older. No experience necessary, just a willingness to participate, learn, grow and of course have fun!

Stay tuned, more information on the August weeklong build dates coming soon. Hammer on!

“Frederick Buechner said, ‘The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ I am in no way a master builder, electrician, plumber, painter, etc., but sharing my love for this life-giving work with Habitat, 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.”

PASTOR MARK SCHMID

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Modern Day Pilgrims

To See Your Life

Unfold

BY AMANDA BERGER

Asthey boarded the ferry to cross the fjord back to their hotel in the blue light of a Norwegian summer midnight, David and Norma Porter couldn’t help but glow with delight. Happy, but tired, they’d just celebrated the marriage of their eldest daughter, Sarah. This beautiful blending of families and cultures had been postponed three times—so in July 2022 in Oslo, Norway, there was both joy and relief as this much longed-for day came to a close.

Following eight years attending Skogfjorden Concordia Language Village, Sarah Porter spent a gap year in Norway, studying at the Skjeberg Folk High School. David and Norma remember getting a photograph from that year of Sarah cuddled up with a young man, Joar, and knowing right away that this person was important to their daughter. After her gap year, Sarah and Joar dated long

distance for five years while she studied at the University of Cincinnati. Following graduation, Sarah returned to Oslo, finding an Interaction design consulting job with a Norwegian company.

When David and Norma arrived the week before the wedding, they knew they were going to be providing support for at least one wedding crisis: the bridal shop had lost Sarah’s dress. Norma provided calming support and David ran errands, both a huge help to their daughter who was graciously providing hospitality and fun to the couple’s out-of-town guests. In the end, it all came together beautifully—David overjoyed as he watched his beautiful, beaming daughter walk toward the doors of the church.

“Getting married in a church is unusual [in Norway]—people usually go to city hall,” said Norma. But both Sarah and Joar felt this was important and chose the Paulus Kirke for their day. They even had their corgi, Gingko, as the “ring dog”!

Photo A: Waterproof Norma ready for the Fjord Safari.

Photo B: Norma, David, Sarah, and Joar in front of the Paulus Kirke. Photo C: David and Norma giving their speech and sharing the slideshow at the wedding reception.

“I was there to hear your borning cry …”

Music was also an important part of the service. Sarah wanted the hymn “Borning Cry” because it means so much to her family—sung at her own baptism, confirmation and David and Norma’s wedding. Joar’s family loved the hymn so much, they even found the Norwegian version! The wedding program, in both English and Norwegian, honored both sides of the family. The Widor “Toccata” served as the recessional, also honoring Sarah’s parents. “The smile on her face when that was playing,” said David, “it was tremendous for us and for her as well. At that point everything had worked.”

Following the service, they boarded a ferry to cross the fjord to the reception site. The vegetarian meal continued to blend cultures—including Minnesotagrown wild rice. David and Norma had their big moment sharing reminiscences and a slideshow.

While David’s goal for the trip was to spend as much time with Sarah as possible, he did manage to fit in a couple of touristy things. “I went to Vigeland Park, a sculpture garden featuring art from all the different phases of life, from birth to death.” This park is home to over 200 sculptures by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland.

David and his younger daughter, Erica, departed the day after the wedding; but Norma, who has Norwegian heritage, stayed on for another week to tour Norway with her brother. “We did a Norway in a Nutshell tour. These tours are self-guided, traveling through the mountains and UNESCO World Heritage protected fjords.” They spent several days hiking and viewing the gorgeous scenery, traveling by bus, train and Hurtigruten cruise ships. David and Norma anticipate more trips to Norway in their future and many more adven tures in the stunning country that has become their daughter’s home.

Photo D: The vegetarian meal featured Minnesota wild rice. Photo E: Lefse hot dog! Photo F: Heddal Stave Church

OUT & ABOUT

On March 24, we hosted our first Bingo and Trivia night at St. Philip the Deacon. It was a great night with Pastor Mark Schmid emceeing the Bingo and Trivia. Trisha Ragner led the group through some Minute to Win It games. Our next event for adult fellowship is Lawn Bowling at Brookview Golf Course on June 26. Reserve your spot at spdlc.org/register

Macaroni & Cheese with Corn

RECIPE & PHOTOGRAPHY

BY AMANDA BERGER

It’s cookout season! If you are looking for a crowd-pleaser that’s hands off enough for you to still be able to enjoy the festivities, this is the perfect dish. Receiving rave review from adults and kids alike, the slow cooker does the work so that you can play!

Macaroni & Cheese with Corn

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained

1 can cream-style corn

1 cup uncooked macaroni

2 tbsp butter, cut into small cubes

1 cup Velveeta, cubed

8 oz  pepper jack cheese, shredded

Serves: 4-6

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on high for 1 hour. Stir and turn to low, cooking for 2 more hours, stirring occasionally. It’s ready when the cheese is melted and the macaroni are soft.

To make a double batch for a larger group, plan just a little more time. Allow 3 ½ to 4 hours total cook time, still cooking on high for the first hour.

MONDAY

SUMMER CALENDAR

LAWN BOWLING

6:30 p.m. at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley. It’s the second annual lawn bowling competition. This event is for adults—singles or couples alike. No experience is needed, all equipment is provided. Registration required, spdlc.org/register.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

LYNDALE PARK PEACE GARDEN

We will travel by bus to the Lyndale Park Peace Garden. We will tour the garden with the head gardener, sit by the Spirit of Peace Sculpture and explore the ancient healing art of origami cranes and the story of Sadako Sasaki’s 1,000 Cranes. Register at spdlc.org/register

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

EXPERIENCE THE ARTS

This is a day for anyone who is interested, children and adults! SPD has very talented members and staff with a wide array of interests and experience in the arts. Enjoy a day of an organ demonstration from Kraig, musica divina with Norah, handcrafts with Kate, Bible art journaling with Pastor Mathison, Spirit Beads with Pastor Valerie, handbells with Kraig, journaling with Amanda and all things musical with Sam.

JULY 10-13

KIDS ADVENTURE WEEK

A jam-packed week of outrageous adventures. Each day will have a theme, with some activities at church, and then taking a bus to others. The themes include Farming, Vehicles, Fun at Church and Sport. Open to kids who have completed K-5th grade.

MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH

Stop by the SPD tent at our community’s annual summer celebration! Music by the Minnesota Orchestra and fireworks.

JULY 27-30

SAINT JOHN’S RETREAT

Join us at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where our guest presenter will be Dr. Michael Chan, Executive Director for Faith and Learning at Concordia College. Sign up at spdlc.org/register.

FAMILIAR FACES OLSEN PANCOAST

race in California called the Western States 100. I would love to do that. Trail running is something that I really got to explore while I was at Holden. And similarly to being in the mountains, I would say that running is a spiritual practice for me and pushing myself to that race would certainly do that! And, finally, after working at Christikon for five summers I’ve always wanted to bring a group and be “on the other side of things,” and I’m now so excited to be able to do that this summer.

Olsen joined the SPD staff in the fall of 2022 as our Director of High School and Young Adult Ministries. Coming to us after serving at Holden Village, Olsen’s passion for nature and commitment to outdoor ministry is a blessing to our congregation.

Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry. It wasn’t something that I had always thought I would do. Both of my parents are ELCA pastors and there wasn’t any pressure at all to go into ministry. I went into college with a business major. But after my second summer working at Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp, I felt pulled more toward ministry. My time at Holden Village was also a great time to reflect and discern more about what I was called to do, and I’m so glad to have ended up here at SPD!

What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? I have lived in four states! Five, I guess if you include all my summers at Christikon while I was in college. I lived in Wisconsin (Go Packers!) until I was almost 10; then in Minot, North Dakota, until I was 14; then Becker, Minnesota, before heading to Moorhead for college; and finally Washington at Holden Village last year.

1. 2. 3.

What are three things on your lifetime to-do list? There’s a lot! And a lot of them deal with being outside and exploring creation. I would love to climb Grand Teton someday. It’s such an iconic mountain and spending time in the mountains is such a spiritual thing for me. There’s an incredible trail

4. 5.

How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry? Like I mentioned earlier, being outside really does it for me. It “fills my cup” in every sense of the word. When I run, I don’t run with any headphones or music and I’m usually by myself. It’s a great time for prayer and noticing the little things. Being in the mountains, especially the ones that I have deep connections with like the Christikon or Holden area, also really gives me the perspective I need from time to time. I’m reading a book right now, Church of the Wild by Victoria Loorz, and she talks about “thin places” where it seems like heaven and earth are actually touching. The mountains in those two areas, and spending time around those “thin places,” definitely keeps me going.

What are you passionate about right now? Outdoor ministry! If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m so excited about all our trips this summer! Our North Shore hiking trip, the Christikon trip, as well Camping with Clay, Camp Wapo, and all the other stuff going on this summer. Outdoor ministry gives people the chance to really explore their relationship with themselves, creation and the Creator in so many unique ways. I love how committed SPD is to outdoor ministry and I’m so glad to be here!

CONNECT YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER

We have something for everyone this summer! To register, visit spdlc.org/register

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School

June 12-15

We Can Help Wednesdays

June 28 & July 19

Kids Adventure Week

July 10-13

Kids Camping with Trisha

August 16-17

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

VBS Volunteers

June 12-15 mornings

Camping with Clay

June 19-21

High School Bonfires

June 14, 21; July 12, 19;

August 2, 9, 16

17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

JOHN MUIR