Son Times Fall 2020

SON TIMES ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

FALL 2020

RESILIENCE

Resilience

Helping One Another To Be Resilient A few weeks ago, I gathered together with 7 of my dear friends to spend a week together that we have dubbed, “Sommer Ro.” Turns out, this was our 20th anniversary of our time together. Usually around the same week in the summer, the 8 of us meet at the same cabin, with the same people and we catch up, listen, talk, share, laugh and cry together. All 8 of us are graduates of Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

In other words, all 8 of us are “called and ordained.” However, 6 of us are pastors in congregations, while two are professors of theology—one at Luther Seminary and the other at Augsburg University—“Yeah, Auggies!” (class of 1986, b.t.w.)

Long story shorter. We have all grown old together. We vividly recall the time when all of us were single and attending graduate school. Now, we talk about how many kids we have in college and out of college. There was a time when we reminisced about our first or second call in the ministry. Now we talk about leading and/or managing people, places and things.

Throughout time, life has certainly changed. There have been, over the years, times when one or more in the group 1

has had a really, really hard rough patch.

And, in the one week, my oh my are we about the task of helping and loving that person in any way we can. And then, once we leave and go home, we make it a point to keep loving on that person until that person is in a better place.

This year, although it looked and felt quite a bit different—COVID— we still made the trek to the state that is directly east of us—that is known for cheese. It was, as always, an oasis for me.

I got to hang out with people who are like-minded. We all love Jesus. We all have a huge heart for the church. We all strive to be faithful and loving disciples of Christ. We all ask God to help us be loving and caring spouses, dads, friends, and neighbor to all.

I asked my friends if they would give me a few thoughts of what Sommer Ro means to their life: “Next to my marriage and our dear children, gathering at Sommer Ro is next in line. In my 25 years of ministry, there are petty church fights; countless gut-wrenching tragedies and funerals a catastrophic flood; a less than ideal staff relationship that demanded entirely too much time and energy and treatment for depression … all the support, encourage-

ment, prayers and brotherhood of those with whom I have continued to gather at Sommer Ro for 20 years has given me peace, energy, strength and perseverance.” – Pastor Mike Pancoast “The 20th year of Sommer Ro reconnected us to the reason we got together in the first place. And that was we needed to gather strength from others while sharing our own pain. Steel strengthens steel and one friend sharpens another.”

– Pastor Tim Martenson “As a seminary teacher, I have read scholarship about the value of student cohorts for improving both student learning and student resilience. Each year, we gather for a week of professional reflection, study, prayer, laughing, crying, and love. We have walked with each other though cancer, the death of parents, massive community crises, personal losses and turmoil, and occasions when we were near to leaving ministry. Through it all, the Holy Spirit has used this annual week to heal, renew, and guide us. Praise God.” – Pastor Rolf Jacobson “This group of friends has meant the world to me, in times both trying and joyous. We have studied together as men, friends, pastors. We have weathered storms together. The cabin where we have

Leadership met these last twenty years was built by my great grandfather in 1904. His last name was Roe, and he loved word play, so he named his cabin Sommer Ro, by which he meant both some er ro, “that is Roe” and sommer ro, “summer rest.” In other words, it is the Roe place, where they get their summer rest.” – Pastor Karl Jacobson “Martin Luther once described the spiritual support that Christians offer one another as “mutual conversation and consolation.” Luther even ranked this particular kind of support right up there with Baptism and The Lord’s Supper!

I’ve experienced this “mutual conversation and consolation” in Christ countless times over my lifetime. And for the past 20 years, I’ve mutually conversed and consoled with a cohort of Luther Seminary graduates each summer. I thank God for these annual “Sommer Ro” events and for my partners in the Gospel —my friends who make Christ present.”

– Pastor Hans Wiersma Above is a picture of the group. In this case, I am more than honored to be judged by the company that I keep.

Here’s to the next twenty years. And, here’s to the group of people who are “your people.” The people who are the ones who help you weather the storms of life—and—help you celebrate the many blessings as well!

Be well. Be safe.

God bless!

Pastor Lillejord Senior Pastor

RESILIENCE Sundays | 9:00 & 10:30 AM

The Bible is filled with story after story of God embracing God’s people in the worst situations imaginable. As these current days grow more and more complex and challenging, the Biblical stories become seemingly more relevant to us than perhaps they have ever been. God’s promises still stand to us: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37), “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love…” (2 Timothy 1:7) and, in Jesus’ own words, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ( John 16:33). This is the power of God’s Spirit working in and through us. This is resilience.

Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18

Resilience is Expecting God to Always Be Faithful Resilience is Knowing You Don’t Have to Go It Alone Resilience is Trusting That God is Always Present in Suffering Resilience is Thinking Creatively During Hard Times Resilience is Believing That God’s Grace is Enough Resilience is Living Like Death Is Not the End

Livestreaming at standrewlu.org 2

Resilience

Church Anew

Being Church Today: Community Resilience in the Face of Adversity When Church Anew’s planned in-person conference Master Class in Communication featuring Rob Bell and Peter Rollins had to be postponed until May, 2021, our team faced the question, “How can we set the table for mutual learning in this moment?” As we face crises of public health, racial inequality, and economic fallout, Church Anew sought to help pastors, church leaders, and congregation members harness resilience to respond to this moment.

We found an answer in our first virtual event, Being Church Today, presented online on Monday, August 17. The event gathered a diverse set of nationally recognized thought leaders to speak, in short form, to how the church can lead in a time like this.

We featured speakers such as Rev. Emmy Kegler of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis who called on us to push our boundaries: So for a moment, I want you to reflect: how are you willing to be uncomfortable? Then I want you to hear, don’t do that. Because we have been following our wills and where we are willing to be uncomfortable for far too long.

Instead, the question I want to commission you with is where does God’s world need you to be uncomfortable?

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Nationally-renowned author and friend of Church Anew, Brian McLaren challenged us to be more inclusive: Jesus was constantly making trouble.

In honor of John Lewis, good trouble, right? Constantly pushing back the barriers, the boundaries to include people on the margins.

Tyler Sit of New City Church reminded us there is resilience in sustaining and nurturing the energy necessary to bring about positive change in your community: What we wanted to prevent was this bump of reactive energy that fizzled out and then everyone just went back to normal . . . Christians are particularly positioned as people of resurrection, to have a hope that on the other side of discomfort, there’s a new world that God is making for us.

Another eight distinguished speakers as well as local artists and leaders spoke to the challenges we face and the actions we can take in this moment. As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church said in his talk, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We will either learn to live together as

brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools. The choice is ours: chaos or community.”

Church Anew is drawing upon the wisdom and mutual learning from our communities to forge resiliency and the courage to take action. By equipping leaders and community members with tangible ways to address grief, division, uncertainty, we can move closer toward God’s beloved community.

If you wish to hear more from the event, on-demand access to the recording is still available for $30 for St. Andrew members. Contact Deb Hetherington for details. Keep an eye out for upcoming virtual conferences as well as our blog to strengthen our relationships with each other, ourselves, and God. Alyson Brinker Church Anew Marketing Coordinator

Church Anew is for YOU! Find us at churchanew.org

Resilience

A More Just World

A More Just World: Close to Home When we look back to 2020 sometime in the future, what will we remember? Certainly, the emergence of a global pandemic has shaped this year like none others in our lifetime. The other event that simultaneously has shaped this year is the death of George Floyd.

I have come to believe that the death of George Floyd has become a catalyst for reflection on how Americans view race. Why? Yes, it was the graphic video footage going viral around the country and world. Yes, he was our neighbor in Minneapolis. This happened so close to our home. Yes, it was Floyd’s statement “I can’t breathe” that resonated so deeply with many members of our society. Yes, we are shaped by the call to ‘do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6:8). We could list other reasons. My point is that the reaction to this difficult event feels and looks different. Don’t you agree?

One case in point came in early June when Pastor Gail and I invited St. Andrew to read and discuss with us Jennifer Eberhardt’s Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think and Do. In the seven summers I have been at St. Andrew doing summer programming, we have tried to read books, share video series, go bird watching, etc. You name it; we have tried it. We have had good but modest response. On the other hand, our Biased book study and discussion without question has generated the highest participation of anything I have been associated with summer programming at St. Andrew!

My sense is that we want to learn. We want to listen. We know something is not right. We understand God seeks for healing and wholeness in the world. And, I can be a part of this change. We are poised for something new. To this I say two things. First, thanks be to God. And, second, join us.

A More Just World: Close to Home continues this fall with initiatives for your involvement.

First, small groups can form up on the topic of race and society using St. Andrew’s Church

Anew conference video materials. Watch a thought provoking video and discuss with a small group of people.

Second, you are invited to participate in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) under the leadership of Luther Seminary graduate Deanna Bassett. The IDI is a widely accepted assessment of over 1,300 schools and organizations and has been taken by over 500,000 people in 40 countries. Completing an online assessment and participating in group discussion, each participant can see their own individual portrait of how he/she seeks and moves within varying cultural perspectives, how he/she sees cultural differences and commonalities, and how to engage inter-ethnic relations within the community constructively.

We are going to do it as well.

There will be other opportunities for learning and engagement on this important topic of our time. Through A More Just World: Close to Home Pastor Gail and I look to keep a steady pace of thoughtful opportunities in which you can participate, learn, grow and act.

As a child learning to swim in the ocean, I was told by my parents to not turn my back on the waves. It is best to keep an eye on them.

Sometimes they would still surprise me. I believe we are awash in a new wave for a new race paradigm in our country, new accountabilities, and a fuller and richer understanding of justice.

I can’t turn my back on it. Society can’t. It is here to stay.

Pastor Peter Johnson Pastor of Service & Small Groups

Resilience

Congregational Council

With the help of God and those around us, we learn from our experiences and become better people because of what we have learned.

Resilience—Ugh! Full disclosure—I really dislike the word resilience! It goes back to my childhood—my parents died when I was a child and people have indicated that I was resilient—that kids are resilient. If kids are so resilient, why do so many adults have problems directly resulting from something that happened to them as children? If kids are so resilient, why are there so many health problems directly stemming from emotional issues from childhood? (For more information look online for research about ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores).

I decided to look up the definition of resilience to see if maybe I had this all wrong and maybe people really are resilient. The definition from my online dictionary is “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” I definitely didn’t recover quickly from the death of my parents, but was I tough? Maybe?

Most of the people who have been in my grief groups haven’t recovered quickly from their losses either, but almost all would agree 5

that talking to others about their grief helped them recover faster.

I’m not sure any of us ever fully recover from our losses, but we do learn from them and become stronger because of them. Most of the time we find joy despite what happens to us. Does that make us resilient? Maybe? One thing many of us do is hide our pain from everyone except those who are closest to us. Maybe that’s why people think we are resilient, because we are good at hiding it? Maybe that’s what society wants of us—because otherwise it’s just too depressing. Isn’t that a quality revered in most of us who are Scandinavian? Stoicism? Is that why we don’t want to talk more about it? Would it help if we posted more of our feelings on social media or would that make it worse? Wow! That was a lot of questions without any easy answers.

One thing that is true about any tragedy, is that people deal with whatever is thrown their way. What choice do we have?

All of us have had to deal with difficult situations in life. Some have had to deal with more than others. Sometimes we deal with them well, sometimes we don’t. What is almost always true, is that it’s the choices we make when we have a tragedy that determines if we handle it well or not. I really don’t think resilience has much to do with it. With the help of God and those around us, we learn from our experiences and become better people because of what we have learned. What we learn can make our lives significantly better in the long run but it’s often hard to see that at the time. The world has definitely been changed for the better by people who have experienced tragedies. Patty Wetterling is one person who comes to mind, MADD (Mothers against drunk drivers) is another. These people have learned from their tragedies and decided they didn’t want anyone else to feel pain like theirs! I wouldn’t call that resilience; I would call it selflessness and empathy! Whatever you call it, it was a choice they made to make the world better.

The entire world is dealing with a collective tragedy right now—this pandemic. Each country, state, city, family and individual have to make choices about how they are going to deal with it. Some of them are making better choices and are dealing with it better than others. Does that make some of them resilient? I don’t know. What I do know is that we will all handle it better if we ask God for help, if we thank God for the family, friends, church, etc. that are going through this with us. Maybe that will ultimately help us all to be more resilient. I pray that it does, because a quick recovery from this mess would make all of us feel better!

Cheryl Harjes Council President

Resilience

Financial Update

Faithful, Strong and Hopeful

“For God did not

The last week in August our Finance Team met for an update on how we are doing financially at St. Andrew. The fact is, to be doing well financially, we must be doing well in all aspects of our ministries—especially when nothing we are doing is being done “the way we have always done it.” If ever I heard a definition for resilience, perhaps that’s it.

Since we were hit with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March, we all wondered how it would impact us. How long would it last? Would people reduce or even discontinue their giving? How resilient are we? Well, following is a little information to help answer that question. First the giving—a thousand thank you’s are not enough to express our gratitude for your faithful and generous giving.

Local Offerings

7/31 YTD Actual

7/31 YTD Budget

7/31 Last Yr Actual

$1,293 K

$1,232 K

$1,150 K

give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love…”

2 Timothy 1:7

Your generosity, together with very generous support of a “Mortgage Match” challenge at Easter and a deferral of principle on our monthly mortgage payments for three months, we were able to reduce mortgage expenses against the Local budget in 2020 by $144K. We were also able to secure funds of nearly $548K through the CARES Act to cover eight weeks of staffing and other costs in April and May. While camp took a hit due to our need to cancel this summer’s camping season, other programming and operations costs were managed and reduced, helping to keep us in a good position as we enter into the fall.

YTD Actual 7/31/20

YTD Budget 7/31/20

Last Year 7/31/19

Local

$ 300 K

$ (277) K

$ (299) K

Early Learning

$ 96 K

$ 172 K

$ 141 K

Camp

$ (86) K

$ 178 K

$ 195 K

Net Total Results

$ 310 K

$ 73 K

$ 37 K

Net Results by Fund:

The remaining five months of 2020 are yet to be revealed to us, but with strong and faithful giving, we are hopeful that the year will end such that we will start 2021 with the resources we need to continue the excellent ministries we have been able to provide in times such as these.

So thank you EVERYONE for your generous giving, your support online or virtually, and the resiliency to be a shining light of hope and love in our world.

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Resilience

Want to Join St. Andrew?

When COVID-19 first hit and we had to move to on-line worship, I wondered when we would ever have a new member gathering again. When would people be able to once again have a chance to experience worship and the great ministries we have to offer? How long would it be before I heard the words, “Our family would like to join St. Andrew” again. In my wondering and worrying, what I underestimated was the work God was up to “virtually.”

A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from someone who is currently living in Florida but usually comes here during our warmer months. Because of COVID-19, they are waiting to return to Minnesota, but enjoy our on-line worship so much, they want to join now. I have had e-mails from others telling me that their family had been participating in our summer on-line ministries and worshipping regularly with us before COVID-19 hit. Would I let them know how they can become members?

And so, yes! Let’s do this. We are hosting online new member gatherings so our virtual members can become official members of St. Andrew. If you, or someone you know, would like to join St. Andrew or simply know more about St. Andrew, all are welcome to join one of our information sessions online.

Just contact Pastor Gail at pastorgail@standrewlu.org or give her a call at 952.697.7115 and she will let you know how you can be a part of a Zoom new member gathering.

Pastor Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

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New Member

Resilience

Visitation Ministry

Living ‘Til 98—His Secret Ingredient Was “Resilience”

“In everything we do, we endure troubles, hardship, and calamities of every kind but never abandoned by God.” 2 Corinthians 6:4

I called on a man named Harland for 15 years. He died last year, at the age of 98, from a tough battle with pneumonia.

How do people live well into their 90s considering all the difficulties, challenges, losses, and even health threats over 98 years? One learns not to give up and to become ‘resilient.’

Harland served in the Navy during WWII, right after high school, and returned to civilian life with no particular skill or career goals in mind. He met a young lady whom he married and they had three children. She died of cancer in their 50s. Now what? How will he go on without his life partner? They had started a successful business together owning several retail stores selling silver jewelry and southwest-themed merchandise with their largest store at the Mall of America. Harland possessed ‘resiliency.’

He had the ability and determination to adapt and recover from adversity. Harland eventually remarried and carried on until his second wife died. Since he was living in her house at the time of her death, he had to move since her family wanted to sell the house. Harland had to find a place to live in his 70s. He retired and began to suffer from many of the side effects of diabetes—neuropathy in his feet, numbness in his fingers, and significant loss of vision. In fact, he was declared legally blind and when I began calling on him in 2005, he had a seeing-eye dog. Harland had moved into assisted living at the Colony in Eden Prairie (now called The Waters).

In spite of all the challenging issues going on in his life, Harland remained pretty positive and optimistic. He loved people, was outgoing, and everybody

knew him at the Colony. Harland had learned to be resilient. He accepted all the changes in his life, although he didn’t like them. He nurtured a positive attitude and would always say, “I don’t deserve to be so blessed by God. I’ve not always been a good person and feel guilty about it. I wasn’t a good father to my two sons and would love to have a ‘do-over’ in that part of my life.”

He often cried when he received holy communion and felt so grateful for St. Andrew’s support of him since he joined in 1987. We’re reminded by the Apostle Paul’s difficulties in life in 2 Corinthians 6:4 “In everything we do, we endure troubles, hardship, and calamities of every kind but never abandoned by God.” Harland outlived many of his relatives and friends, he had some regrets in life but chose to be grateful for what he had rather than remorseful for what he had lost. A tax collector named, Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1) had the privilege of hosting a dinner for Jesus in his house. Zacchaeus felt humbled and contrite about the times he overcharged people and promised Jesus to pay them back double!

From that encounter with the non-judgmental and unconditional love of Jesus, Zacchaeus could start over and live into a better life. As we face adversity some time in our life, let us remember that God never abandons us and with him at our side ‘we can overcome’ our challenges and become ‘resilient.’

Pastor Roger Schindel Visitation Minister

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Resilience

Small Groups

Resiliency and Relationships: A Key Partnership for Today’s World I think we have been quite resilient these days of the pandemic. One example was when I was driving through my neighborhood this past week. Our neighbors down the street, Bill and Carol, were seated in their driveway at a table. It was decked out with cream-colored linens, red wine glasses, water goblets and dinner plates. Another couple was seated at a similar table a few feet away. Driveway dinner is served! It is a poignant example of how we are trying creatively (Bill and Carol succeeding quite well, thank you very much), at maintaining community.

Pandemic or not, we know that we are best when we are (safely) with others.

Maybe they are high school or college friends. Maybe they are friends from St. Andrew you met while in a small group.

Universally, we can agree that friends keep us connected and balanced. They bring smiles and support. To fight the boredom and loneliness, we are needier and grateful for friends these days more than ever before.

St. Andrew is creating opportunities for you to have thoughtful, faithful community around you this fall, and beyond.

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Yes, we will need to keep the pandemic in mind. We will use Zoom regularly to make sure everyone can participate who wants to. If we can have an event in person, we will always make sure to have an online component.

To help us escape from our circumstances, we will have Escape Groups. An example of an escape group is bread baking with Pat Day and me. His dad taught him to bake 45 years ago. He taught me 15 years ago. He is awesome. Join Pat and me for a Saturday morning bread baking class lesson over Zoom. It’s not hard. Nor is it time consuming. Nothing beats the smell of fresh baked bread in your home.

(Hint: Dads, you kids will love it! Trust me and my personal experience.) If bread is not your thing, perhaps a Patio Crawl beer (another form of grain) on your deck with a small group is. Sometimes, escape is good!

There will be opportunities to join others for learning and small group discussion on a variety of deeper topics, too.

For instance, Pastor Matthew is leading a large group session entitled That’s In the Bible?!. He will have fun sharing some of

the more obscure biblical stories and facts and how they related to our lives today.

Discussion groups with little preparation around A More Just World will continue, as will Wine and the Word small groups.

Like I said, there something for everyone and more than enough to go around.

Why not try something new? We have nothing to lose this fall when we seem to have lost so much. In fact, we only have much to gain. Check out our website for more information or send me a note. Want to start you own group?

Let me know and I will help you figure it out. Welcome to community, St. Andrew style. In one way or another, I look forward to seeing you this fall.

Welcome, Pastor Peter Johnson Pastor of Service & Small Groups

Resilience

Seeds of Support Missions

Pasquette Celebrates Completion of New Water Tower

Julian, the Water Committee chairperson, expresses the following: “The community is very satisfied with the water distribution. The people who have connected their line to the tower have enough water. The people who come with buckets have water. Even people who are walking by can wash their hands. All I can say and tell you is that the community is very satisfied of the work that has been done…Thank you for this marvelous work that you have done by putting in a new water system in the community. All I can say is thank you for this gift that you give to the community.”

Rewind with me to seven years ago. The village of Pasquette and Redemption Lutheran Church in Southern Haiti was St. Andrew’s newly adopted mission partner.

We learned that water was a key need. Women were walking great distances for a heavy bucket of water when they should have been in school or working. Water sold closer to home was not clean and was sold by a voodoo priest. Something had to be done.

Thanks be to God for the many generous people at St. Andrew who either donated funds, expertise, or incredible creativity and persistence to the project. Our dedication and prayers were answered when it was reported via email that the bore hole had found water over 300 feet beneath the surface! Later, we traveled to Haiti to build a wooden tower about 25 feet high above the well hole to house the 500-gallon tank.

A state-of-the-art, solar powered, German-made pump worked beautifully. I was at the blessings of the well when it was dedicated. Pastor Livenson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti playfully threw the water atop the bystanders, reminding them in the splashes of water that we speak a language of hope. With God, waters of hope flow in all places. This was seven years ago.

Today, we are pleased to say that the water is still flowing, but in bigger and grander fashion. The water tower 2.0 has a new pump pushing the water to the surface. New and even more efficient solar panels adorn supply the power. A new and highly durable concrete water tower with an enclosed storage room beneath for housing safely all equipment stands next to the wellhead. The old tower’s 500-gallon water tank has been set aside to make room for the new 1,600-gallon tank. After all, there is far greater need in the community than before. Pipes now crisscross the landscape ‘downtown’, carrying water by gravity to small cisterns to neighborhood families for a fee. The tower’s water meters monitor the flow of water to the walk-up station, the ‘downtown’ stations, and the garden surround the tower. An automatic shut-off valve spigot reduces waste and welcomes any passerby to receive a bucket of water or wash up. Hygiene is important because of the pandemic in Haiti. One could say that this is “progress”. We Christians would say that this is mission. Thanks be to God. What have we learned? Wood does not last! We have learned much more far-reaching lessons in our years of mission. We have learned that all children laugh in the same way. We have learned relationships are not just on paper, but friendships are made and kept in the heart. We have learned that brothers and sisters are terms not just reserved for a nuclear family, but also for people of faith who trust together that God’s grace is abundant, not scarce. We have learned that we are more resilient when together we overcome odds.

I look forward to going to Haiti again to see our friends there. The pandemic needs to pass. Until then, let the water flow.

Pastor Peter Johnson Pastor of Service & Small Groups

Seeds of Support Mission has provided funds for soap and mask-making to keep the community safe from the spread of COVID-19. (Pictured: Pastor Holand Dezimaeu, Pastor of Redemption Lutheran Church of Jacmel) 10

Resilience

Camping Ministry

Resilience at Camp For the past 16 years and for thousands of families, summer has meant sending their children to Spirit in the Pines Camp for an amazing and awesome week. Some campers came to camp with friends. Some came to camp to meet and make new friends. All came to camp to experience wild fun, great food, an accepting atmosphere, and God’s love. For so many, going to camp is the highlight of their summer!

Of course this summer the Corona virus has changed all of that. There were plans with different contingency’s and various scenarios, but all to no avail. The news of not being able to go to camp was a deep disappointment for so many campers, counselors, staff, and families.

It became the exclamation point to a spring and summer filled with closings and cancellations.

Yet, we are a resilient people. We don’t just shut it down and sulk. We rise up to find new and different ways to interact with one another and find new and creative ways to have fun. For many families this includes creating a fun camp experience at home!

For the Bishoff family, as well as for others, their taste of camp at home was a literal one! Mom Katie shared: “Logan talks about camp all the time! He loves Spirit in the Pines! Little brother Jackson was finally considering a week at camp, because of all of Logan’s fun stories. The actual week he was supposed to be at camp, Logan decided we should try walking tacos for dinner (a first for us.)

We pretended we were at camp while Logan shared more of his camp stories.

I made monkey bread for dessert which is a close second to caramel rolls, but Logan swears the Carmel is just as good.

There is no place on Earth like SIP, so while we couldn’t be there this year Lo11

gan shares his memories and desire to get back as quick as possible. I love how much he loves camp!”

The Ianfolla, Altman, and Bryan families (and other neighbors) created their own camp week at home. Janelle Ianfolla writes, “Our kids were so disappointed that they didn’t get to go to their beloved Spirit in the Pines camp this year. But instead of getting sad about it, they pulled up the agenda from previous years and put together their own backyard SIP week. Since we are neighbors, the kids camped in one of our back yards. The week was complete with an early morning dip at a nearby lake, late night campfires, the elbows on the table song for breakfast, a craft project, shopping for candy at the “Canteen” and just all around fun. They absolutely love their time at camp each year. Although they couldn’t be there, they were able to do the things they enjoy while remembering all the funny times they’ve had at camp over the years. Here’s to a year of camp in 2021!”

The Betz family joined the online “Live” campfire worship event on Aug. 5 with several camp favorites – Root Beer, theater candy, and s’mores! They also have been tie-dyeing t-shirts and beach towels in honor of camp.

Since kicking off the month of August with the virtual campfire worship event, Spirit in the Pines Camp has been sending out emails to all campers, families and counselors who were registered for camp this summer. Every Wednesday, through September 9, each email has some camp information and 5 – 6 videos that were created at camp this summer by some of the camp staff. The videos are on Activities & Games, Arts & Crafts, Faith & Camp, and Science & Magic.

The videos are also released on the Spirit

in the Pines YouTube channel and can be accessed anytime - the web address is below. Be sure and click “SUBSCRIBE” for more fun camp videos and to be part of the Spirit in the Pines Camp family.

Spirit in the Pines Camp is just a beautiful piece of property without you.

Each of you make it special and each of you bring the “Spirit” to camp. We miss you and we can’t wait to welcome you next summer with open arms! So until then, be resilient, flexible, be safe, stay healthy, and remember that s’mores are always a good excuse to have a fire and share your favorite camp memories with family and friends!

Peace & health, Burke Hancer Camping Ministry Coordinator

Logan with his favorite camp meal—Walking Tacos!

Julia with the family s’more creation station.

Jaclyn, Tony, Haley, Emma, & Maddie in camp swag!

Maybe not quite a cabin, but it still is homey!

Subscribe to our Camp YouTube channel youtube.com/channel/UCefLSPgdzqDQqtWrfLDETjg/

Some of the group enjoying s’mores in style!

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Resilience

Early Learning

What do you remember most about Mrs. Carolyn?

“I liked being with her” –Chloe

“She was very nice” –Landon

“I liked hiding the chocolates with her” –Dorothy

“Doing lots of projects” –Drew

“Reading books with her” –Gordon

“She made books with us” –Ella

“Doing art with Mrs. Carolyn” –Ben

Melanie Eggers Childcare Director

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t’s hard to imagine that someone could touch the lives of over 500 young children and their families over the course of 25 years. We were fortunate enough to have been able to witness this wonderful teaching career. One of our teachers, Carolyn Scholz, recently announced her retirement from St. Andrew Early Learning after 25 years of teaching. Mrs. Carolyn has been a beloved teacher in both our Preschool and Childcare programs throughout all her years at St. Andrew. She will be especially remembered for her creative art projects, her love of children’s literature, and her wonderful sense of humor. We want to say THANK YOU for sharing your gifts with our children for all those years. We will miss our Mrs. Carolyn and wish her all the best in her retirement! God Bless!

To our wonderful colleague Mrs. Carolyn, “Be the whole person God called you to be. Don’t settle for anything less. Don’t look back. Look forward and decide today to take steps toward His plan for your life.

And remember, First Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” –A portion of guidance from Dare to Succeed, A Treasury of Inspiration and Wisdom for Life & Career.

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Melinda Eddihi Childcare Asst. Dir.

Kathi Wieman Preschool Director

Children, Youth, & Camp Ministry

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t has been a wonderful experience as a new member of the St. Andrew staff. Everyone has been so kind and encouraging and have gone out of their way to help me feel welcome. A few families have even sent me emails with pictures of what they look like without masks, which I have appreciated.

When I started back in August it had been quite a while since I had experienced a “first day” on the job. It brought back memories of the many “first days of school” I have experienced.

I remembered as a child when the night before school was filled with so much excitement and nervousness that I found it difficult to sleep. I would lay awake staring at my backpack filled with school supplies . . . excited to see my friends, wondering if I would find my classroom, imagining what my new teacher might be like. I would wake up in the morning filled with a nervous energy, barely able to eat, putting on clothes that had been planned out a week in advance and trying to stand still and smile for my first-day-of-school picture on the front porch.

All those first day jitters came rushing back to me as I got into my car to come to St. Andrew back in August. In a parenting role-reversal it was my 10-year-old daughter, Paige, standing out on our front lawn with my wife Hilary, sending me off on my first day. As I eased out of the driveway with the windows down I heard Paige yell, “Stay loose!” and then I heard her turn to Hilary and casually say, “I think I read that in a book somewhere.”

Stay loose. It is great advice for a first day, and great advice for life. Paige, already a veteran of first days, was reminding me to be myself and to trust God. For Hilary and me, both Paige and Claire (our 8-year-old daughter) have been sharing lessons with us since their birth.

Often the lessons come without them saying a word. As the coronavirus pandemic changed all our lives last spring, Paige and Claire, like so many children, have shown us how to adjust.

Between new experiences of school, the challenge of life without typical connections with friends, and the need for flexible and creative planning for special days, like holidays and birthdays in order to keep people’s health and safety in mind. Paige and Claire have shown us how to adapt and live with flexibility.

They have shown us resilience.

One of my favorite definitions of resilience describes it as “the ability to spring back into form.” I have been blessed to witness my children (and others) navigate their virtual classrooms, wave and cheer for the other softball team instead of a handshake line, play remotely during Zoom sleepovers, and say nightly prayers which go beyond just praying for our dog and our family, but also out toward the world. I have watched them navigate life in a global pandemic with the ability to adapt and reimagine. There have been difficult moments to be sure; it is natural that we have had tears too, grieving the loss of some parts of “normal” life.

Coming out of that grief, and in those challenging times, they have grown in their strength to be resilient.

In Mark 10:14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” I believe Jesus knew how much there is to learn from children about life, about faith, and about resilience. Let the children be an example for you and me . . . and “stay loose”.

Gabe Flynn Children, Youth, & Camp Ministry Director

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Resilience

M

y friends, it has been a long and interesting six months!

Who’s with me!? When our lives were upturned in March by the COVID-19 pandemic, we all shuttered our doors, created makeshift workspaces at dining tables and in basement corners, and learned how to improvise new routines for our lives.

We never thought this pandemic would change our homes and workplaces, schools and travel plans, for quite so long. It has been a bumpy road to navigate so many twists and turns, misguided expectations, and ruminations of the future. But through all of this turmoil, the church remains intact and alive, stirred by the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! We have learned that the Church is NOT just a building, but a community of believers. We have adapted to the changes in our environment with video devotionals, livestreamed worship services, virtual bible study groups, and a whole lot of prayer! Philippians 4:13 reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It seems to me that, in the face of darkness, our faith in Christ continues to illuminate the path forward, and our St. Andrew family continues to find strength in this unpredictable season of life and faith.

I have been blessed to watch this creative resilience unfold among the young men and women of St. Andrew through their service to others. An important aspect of our Confirmation program is a commitment to service. Students complete “service hours” throughout the year for the community of St. Andrew through greeting and hospitality on Sunday mornings, participating as leaders at Sunday School, and helping out at events for PROP and Feed My Starving Children. Of course, service hours took on a new look as soon as our StayAt-Home order began in March. Despite the limitations of living in a pandemic, our middle school youth created opportunities to serve others right from the comfort of home! Here are just a FEW highlights of the Confirmation service projects from the past 6 months: • Writing cards to family members • Cleaning out closets and donating clothes • Teaching mom how to use Tik Tok • Attending online church with grandma 15

Middle School Ministry • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Raising monarch butterflies Building a backyard koi pond Decorating rocks for the neighborhood Staining our grandparents’ deck Illustrating a children’s book for a family member Planting a vegetable garden House-sitting for the neighbors Donating food for the PROP Food Shelf Becoming pen pals with St. Andrew members Making family dinner (burgers, spaghetti, tacos, oh my!)

Sewing cloth masks for neighbors Writing letters to nursing home residents Landscaping backyards and clearing buckthorn

I am proud to say that our Confirmation youth have collectively logged over 1,100 hours of service for the St. Andrew community in this last program year. And many of those hours were completed within kids’ own homes, serving family and serving neighbors. I would challenge us to bring that momentum forward with us this fall, however the future may look. Christ will continue to strengthen us always. We will continue to gather this faithful community of believers (both virtually and in person, as our situations allow) and build a resilient path forward together. I invite each one of you to serve one another, even in the small ways.

Use this list to help kickstart your next act of service! For when we serve others, we are also blessed with the gift of knowing Jesus more fully. These acts of service–of love–will surely build up in us a resilient and bountiful faith!

Reilly Orner Middle School Coordinator

Resilience

High School Ministry

W

hen I was a child I had severe asthma, it brought me to the hospital multiple times. I look back to those days during this pandemic; I see how cautious everyone is, it reminds me of how cautious I had to be. We all see people who have to live everyday of their life like this, not just during a pandemic. Those who have overcome or are still fighting a life threating disease.

I think about how their life has to be planning and preparing for the worst. But we see the resilience in them. The resilience to not give up and to let the disease take over their life. We still see them out in the community making the world a better place. We see that even though their body is weak, how strong they are. These are the people who define resilience and remind us that even though our body may be declining, our spirit is stronger than ever. I think back to my childhood and how I had to nebulize every two hours. That was when my spirit grew, I learned to keep pushing forward. I knew that God has a plan for me and that my life is ultimately in his hands. I knew that he was in control.

As we look toward the fall I know that everyone has a different opinion on the pandemic. That is why we are going to be offering multiple ways to stay connected either in person or virtually. We are looking forward to some great events in the fall all with safety as the top priority. We will be meeting back in person for WNYG and other small group activities in the fall. If you feel more comfortable not being in person you can join us on Zoom at the same time. We will also have some events coming up in the fall such as paintball, drive in movies and other great socially distant activities. I know how important church is for our high school students, I know how important the safety is as well. That is why we are going to make sure that we are as safe as we can be while still offering many great opportunities to stay connected.

Yes, we will be resilient here at St. Andrew, we will find ways to adapt to this pandemic and grow closer during this difficult time. We will not let this pandemic crush us but rather we will find new strength and overcome. I look forward to seeing all of you during this fall; it might be in person or it might be over Zoom. But no matter what we can stay connected and grow closer as a Christian community.

Joshua 1:9 I hereby command you: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.�

TJ Helgren High School Coordinator

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Resilience

C

olleges are finding ways to be resilient during this time, as well as our college students. It is a hard year to be in college and navigating these challenging times but St. Andrew wants to be with you. That is why we are committed to having opportunities for our college students to stay connected to their faith community. We will continue to live stream our services for you to view on our St. Andrew page, but we are also excited to offer a new Bible study on Sunday Evenings lead by Dailia Plath. We’ll meet over Zoom every other Sunday at 7:00 PM. Join us on Sunday, September 27. We will look at some of the big issues that we face in our daily life that have to do with society, our faith and the Bible.

Invite is open to EVERYONE, so invite friends and come any week you can!! If you have questions or want to help lead, text Dailia at 952-3931025. Join us as we dig deeper and grow together in our faith.

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College-aged Ministry

“In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Resilience

20–30-something Ministry

“God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.”

Psalm 46:5

God is Healing Our City Every Tuesday night this summer, 20–30-somethings from St. Andrew gathered for some joy, energy, and socially distant fun. Fielding as the Holy Homers, we played kickball beneath the skyline of downtown Minneapolis. In this season of a new normal, I know each of us were grateful to gather for something that was so fun last summer. In addition to the time spent on the Kickball pitch (I’m certain that’s the right word for it), several of our young adults spent time in silent prayer at the Healing Our City prayer tent on Broadway Ave in North Minneapolis. Hosted by Don and Sondra Samuels, two amazing neighborhood leaders, we sat in silent prayer for eight minutes and forty-six seconds, in remembrance of and contemplation with the death of George Floyd. We prayed for the city, for the hopes and dreams of all of God’s people, and for our complicity in the reality of systemic racism in our midst. Here are some of the things that our young people shared: The prayer tent offered me a faith centered connection to the change that must happen in our communities in order to heal. It helped to ground me in the love of God as well as the reality of the pain that people of our community are experiencing. Finally, it gave me the op-

portunity to be with colleagues as well as new faces, sharing in prayer with one another. –Paul McKay I think it was a humbling experience and a great example of how the church in the broader sense can be a part of the fight for equality by being a place for people to gather and reflect in their own way. I saw a few people stopping by after work to pray, others painted murals to express their feelings but at the center was Jesus Christ and his advice to love your neighbor as yourself.

–Matt Gribben The 20-30-somethings of St. Andrew continue in our commitment to address the ongoing work of anti-racism in our own lives, in our congregation, and in our communities. As some of you may recall, we received funding from the Riverside Innovation Hub in 2019. The Hub has provided a second grant of $11,000 to accelerate this work. We look forward to ongoing dialogue with the rest of the St. Andrew community in the year to come.

Pastor Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults

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“Notes” from the Music Office

“It is possible to suffer and despair an entire lifetime and still not give up the art of laughter.”

Madeleine L’Engle

Worship That Speaks What is the role of worship in the life of a Christian? It is no less than the very heartbeat of our community of faith.

It’s just that important. I have long appreciated how our approach to worship at St. Andrew strives at being relevant, relatable, and most of all inspiring. Our church’s mission statement, “Living Out Our Faith in Daily Life” cuts to the heart of the matter. I can’t help but think that Martin Luther would wholeheartedly buy into that mission statement when he was all about putting Christianity in front of people in accessible ways so that people could make up their own minds about the faith, discipleship, and the teachings of scripture.

In a time when so many of us are worshipping online, let’s just be honest that there is a tremendous sadness around what is missing: we really do miss seeing our friends here on Sunday morning. The community we experience when we are together is an invaluable component of our faith life. Let’s “name 19

it and claim it” that this is a real loss and then allow ourselves to feel that. That is just a reality that we are living with at the moment. But if we were to allow that sadness to lead us away from joining in the act of worship with either the online community or in person, let me just say that there would be an opportunity lost then for the nurture and growth of our spirits. As we head into a new sermon series on “Resilience”, it strikes me that the Bible is filled with story after story of God embracing God’s people in the worst situations imaginable. As these current days grow more and more complex and challenging, the Biblical stories become seemingly more relevant to us than perhaps they have ever been. These stories still have much to say to us and I know that God’s Spirit is at work as they are taught and as they take up residence in our minds and in our hearts. Committing ourselves to faithful worship puts us in a good place to receive all that God is offering to us out of his goodness.

As you practice the art of resiliency in your own lives, I pray that our worship services will provide the spiritual nourishment and encouragement that make a real difference for your week.

But remember that even resilient people need the love and care of friends and family, the assurance of grace for our failings, the release of laughter when things inevitably go awry despite our best efforts, and we also need worship services that speak to the heart of all that matters. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want… Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” –Psalm 23 See you in church and online!

Tim Graf Worship & Music Coordinator

Resilience

Building Use

Building Use…With Caution!

Sometimes resilience requires a little determination and some creative thinking. St. Andrew is determined to do what we can to support some programming in the building this fall. We have also had to do some creative thinking in order to make that happen. We have had a lot of conversation these past few weeks about whether or not we should open the building for programming this fall. What are we required to do? What is safe? What do our families want? How does the staff feel? These are just a few of many important factors considered in figuring out what St. Andrew will do this fall. Whether or not you will participate in programs in the building, here are a few important things you should know before making your decision: • • • • • • • •

Please take your temperature before coming. If you have a temp, please stay home.

Masks will be required at all times for anyone in the building.

Food and beverages may not be served.

Please honor the 6’ distancing guidelines.

We will not be offering nursery care this fall.

Honor the “COVID Capacities” identified for each room.

Check with Steve Starks at sstarks@standrewlu.org for more information.

Before leaving a room at the end of your time, please wipe down tables, chairs, door handles, switches, and remotes.

We are requiring a minimum of 30 minutes between the end of one gathering and the start of another in any room.

The space cannot be scheduled for more than one hour.

Even with these guidelines in place, there is always a chance they will change. We are hopeful that we will be able to see at least a few of you in person this fall. In the meantime, thank you for staying in touch, for checking with our staff, and for doing what you can to help us stay healthy and safe as we gather in small but meaningful ways this fall.

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Resilience

Financial Planning

It’s Always Good to Have a Plan!

I have always been a believer of “having a plan.” When our children were born and I went back to work, we had to have a plan to pay for childcare. Then we started thinking about how we would help them pay for education after high school. And now, Jim and I are both looking toward retirement hoping there will be enough (we all know there is never enough—but you know what I mean). And now we encourage our children to start thinking about that for themselves and their children, because I like to have a plan. A plan gives me something to start from, it gives me a goal, and it often has “options.” . . . and I really like options! That is especially true when it comes to matters of finance. Whether I’m thinking about our family finances or the finances here at St. Andrew, our ability to be resilient and get through all that life is throwing at us right now is heavily dependent upon having a plan.

One of the ways in which St. Andrew can provide care and support to you as a member of this congregation is to help you do what you can to be resilient with your household finances.

I expect many of you are wondering what options you might have to help you pay for your child’s college education, or to

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cover unexpected bills when money is tight, or perhaps you’re wondering if you will still be able to retire when you had hoped.

Those are important questions, and so we would like to help you explore some answers and maybe even create a new or revised plan of your own. So, here is OUR plan to help YOU. In the months of October, November and December we are hosting in person and Zoom conversations with our friends from Thrivent to talk on each of these three subjects.

On October 5th we will learn more about college planning.

On November 4th we’ll talking about budgeting. And on December 2nd, we’ll explore the questions around retirement.

Each time there will be a different person—an expert on the subject—who will offer good advice on how you can develop or enhance your own financial plan. Watch for details on the website and in your e-mail for specific times and a Zoom link for the conversations you would like to attend.

Pastor Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

Resilience

New Online Member Directory Logging into the Directory To view the directory online, go to members.InstantChurchDirectory.com to log in.

Member Directory

Click “Edit My Family” to update, edit, or add to your family info.

You will be asked to enter in your email address as it’s listed in our directory (You should have received a directory email from St. Andrew).

The first time, click on the “Create a login now” under the Sign In button. Enter your email address and choose a password.

You will be sent an email confirmation. In that confirmation email, click on the link inside to confirm your email, and log in again with the password you just created.

Updating Your Family’s Directory Listing • Upload and crop a family photo • Add a family phone number and a family email • Add or edit Adults • Add children/adult children in the household • Edit individuals—Each individual can include personal phone, email, and birthday if desired • Add adults’ anniversary if desired Please wait until you have entered all of your information before you click “Submit Edits.” You will not be able to make additional changes until submitted edits are approved.

All edits will be submitted to our team for approval before being added to the directory.

Questions If you have any questions or need assistance logging in please contact Sandy Olson at solson@standrewlu.org or 952.697.7109.

Don’t forget to add a Family photo!

Help us put names to faces, and make a big church feel small.

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13600 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952.937.2776 | standrewlu.org

RESILIENCE

Sundays | 9:00 & 10:30 AM Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18

Resilience is Expecting God to Always Be Faithful Resilience is Knowing You Don’t Have to Go It Alone Resilience is Trusting That God is Always Present in Suffering Resilience is Thinking Creatively During Hard Times Resilience is Believing That God’s Grace is Enough Resilience is Living Like Death Is Not the End

Livestreaming at standrewlu.org /standrewlu @standrewlu @standrewlu St. Andrew Lutheran Church