SON TIMES
FALL
Dear Members and Friends of St. Andrew,
What an honor and privilege it is for me to be voted into the role of Senior Pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 25. I am grateful for the robust and affirming process of the Call Committee these past several months of conversation. I am grateful for the care taken by the Church Council in shepherding a good process. Our staff is terrific. I am also grateful for the role of my family who continue by my side in amazing and supportive ways—Michele, Alex, Andrew, and Liam.
I think we would all agree that relationships are key. Faithful relationships are even more meaningful. Twelves year ago, we were relocating from Egypt and I needed paint for our house. When I visited a local Eden Prairie paint store, I bumped into Karle Erickson, my Gustavus Choir Director and then Director of St. Andrew’s Canticle Choir. As we had the fun of reconnecting, he shared with a twinkle in his eye that there was a pastoral vacancy at St. Andrew. As they say, the rest is history. My time at St. Andrew started with a relationship.
I am profoundly grateful for the many opportunities I have had with many of you to accumulate many shared experiences of ministry and life together. Eleven years adds up quickly. We do not do life and faith alone. God in Christ comes along beside us. We come alongside each other in friendship and support. We give and we receive alike.
So, we look forward together. We have a new vision statement for St. Andrew: we nurture the future of faith. This newsletter goes into stories of how God is already working in these ways. I look forward to how the Spirit will continue to nurture faith, hope, and community in our church.
God bless,
Peter Johnson Senior Pastor
Rooted in Christ, we nurture the future of faith by:
• Cultivating beloved community
• Encouraging faithful curiosity
• Equipping all as servant leaders
Welcome to a new program year of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. The Spirit is alive and well in our congregation, creating a renewed season of ministry in our church. We invite you to engage anew in what we are doing for the sake of Christ in our lives and in the world.
We have a new, aspirational vision statement that you will see displayed throughout the pages of this fall’s Son Times: Rooted in Christ, we nurture the future of faith. The first part of the statement boldly claims who we are. By the grace of God, our Lutheran roots run deep in the forgiveness and grace of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. And our faith in Christ is also dynamic and developing. As we grow and experience life, the good news comes alongside us in new and dynamic ways, comforting and challenging us to live in good relations with our neighbors and creation. In a world where we see divisions and conflict, we hold onto Christ and our assured future with God.
The second part of our new vision statement covers three distinct areas:
cultivating beloved community—we are called to live together with others in worship, care, and learning. By encouraging faithful curiosity, we humbly expect that God will continue to open new doors of understanding and peace for us and others. Finally, equipping all as servant leaders reminds us that the world needs our humility and dedication toward others as we live responsibly with our time, various talents, and financial gifts.
You will find in this newsletter evidence of our shared work with the Spirit through stories of people in our community. You will read about a new member of St. Andrew who discovered God’s grace and love for the first time when she became a part of St. Andrew’s worship and community life. Sarah Blasing has been working with a record number of Camp Counselors (high school youth) who have shared their faith this summer with younger campers at Spirit in the Pines. Pastor Roger Schindel reflects on community and a very special birthday milestone. Pastor Matthew Fleming and Church Anew’s worship resources has enlivened leaders
of several congregations in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Kris Stromsness shares her fulfilling experience serving in various roles within children and youth ministry at St. Andrew, highlighting the joy and spiritual growth it brings. You will also read about how young early learning families are cultivating beloved community over the summer. We are already nurturing the future of faith! Welcome back to St. Andrew—a community on the move for the sake of Christ in the world. May we trust that God’s “work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3). We let the stories of faith in this newsletter lead us into the new stories of faith in our community. May they inspire us to live out our faith in daily life one step and experience at a time.
See you in worship,
Peter Johnson
Senior Pastor
ROOTED & (In Love) GROUNDED
We live in times that are too frequently described as unprecedented. It can feel disorienting, shifting, strange, uncertain, and daunting. And yet our faith tradition calls us to grow deeper, where our roots are intertwined with God’s love and the communion of saints that stretches all over the globe. Like a forest where roots entangle and support and branches shoot up to the heavens, we are part of a tradition of faith that is rooted and grounded in love. We will spend seven weeks studying, praying, practicing, and breathing one of the oldest prayers of our tradition (Ephesians 3:14–21). Listening to stories of Jesus, we’ll nurture the faith that knits us into God’s known and unfolding beloved community.
God’s Family Tree ........................ September 8
The Power of Love September 15
The True Vine September 22
Rooted & Grounded in Love .............. September 29
Catching God’s Vision ...................... October 6
Filled with God’s fullness October 13
More Than We Can Ask or Imagine .......... October 20
Rooted in Christ, cultivating beloved community, encouraging faithful curiosity. What a poetic, aspirational vision as we lean into God’s longing and intention for us, the community of St. Andrew. As an outsider and stranger, but one who has driven by St. Andrew for nearly 30 years, I experienced a beloved community rooted in Christ with an open curiosity the minute I walked in. Invitations to “Come, sit with us,” sign-carrying humans with actual words of welcome meet anyone coming to worship, a building truly accessible, and the wonder of the sanctuary were all present. It was this beloved community of St. Andrew, rooted in Christ, whose big heart and wide door brought tears to a stranger named Joey on a cold winter Sunday. She grew up in Las Vegas in a generational Mormon family. Her curiosity and desire to find a church and probably a whole lot of Holy Spirit brought her and her husband to worship in the darkness of a Minnesota winter on the first Sunday in Lent. Joey left her family’s church when she was just 12 years old. Even then, she knew that she could not meet the conditions expected of her, the perfection necessary to enter the Mormon temple and be sealed in order to join her family
“Ifound out
that God is a gracious God, and God will love me no matter what. I didn’t know that to be true, but I was happy and excited when I found out.”
in the afterlife. When she moved to Minnesota in 2008 as an adult, she did not have a church home. Mormon missionaries continued to visit her and tried to bring her back. Even then, this conditional God didn’t seem right to her. There were so many demands and expectations. So, back to the first Sunday in Lent when she and her husband, Corey, responded to the invitation of an unknown Holy Spirit. They arrived, and these strangers were welcomed by this beloved community. Through the voice of Pastor Peter, she heard the good news of a God of love, the story of Jesus on the cross who created a new family, “Woman behold your son, behold your mother.” Joey heard it when Pastor Peter told the story of his escape from the chaos of the Arab Spring in Cairo with his mother and family. She heard the Good News of the God of love when a son placed his mother into the hands of an Egyptian cab driver who said, “Your mother, sir, is my mother now, too.” Somehow, that story became Joey’s, too. This God claimed her, just as she was, as His own. In the love and welcome of St. Andrew, Joey began to experience God’s grace, love, and welcome.
This same Spirit kept bringing her and Corey back again and again, this time to Wednesday suppers and Lenten worship
focused on the question, “Why?” It was there amid the questions, the why, that “I found out that God is a gracious God, and God will love me no matter what. I didn’t know that to be true, but I was happy and excited when I found out. I felt like my life completely changed. I had never experienced that before. It is so nice to feel that love now.” From Patio Crawls to Bible Studies to Summer Socials to Feed My Starving Children, you will find Joey there, soaking up the tangible love and grace of the God made known through the beloved community of St. Andrew. “I just broke down crying. Why did it take me so long to realize that God loves me just as I am, no matter what?!”
Look what difference a little curiosity and a beloved community rooted in Christ can make in the life of a woman who grew up in Vegas in a different faith tradition. How lucky St. Andrew is to experience her joy, passion, and inspiring faith!
Susan
Tjornehoj
Interim Transition Pastor
Ihave been blessed to serve in children and youth ministry in many wonderful capacities: Sunday School, VBS, Confirmation small group leader, mission trip mom, and Los Ninos. Each opportunity has spiritually enriched me, through the people who lead our programs and the relationships that have developed with our youth of all ages. My journey working with our St Andrew youth (each a beautiful child of God) has filled my heart with such joy.
After my son started Sunday School, I said yes to serving in children’s ministry. I wanted to be involved in his faith journey, so it all started when I asked the mom teaching his Kindergarten class if I could observe because I was interested in teaching. She welcomed me into the classroom and I learned lesson plans are provided and I just needed to have fun learning with the kids. I ended up helping in that classroom for the rest of the year. The following year, I started team teaching and continued teaching my son’s classes through confirmation. Then, another mom encouraged me to go on a Mission Trip. Again, I said yes and was hooked for the next three years. I have enjoyed the faithful friends I have made while working with our youth.
My favorite part of working with the young people at St. Andrew is the fun energy and fresh perspective they bring to our discussions after reading the Bible stories. They have so much love to share, and it’s heartwarming to see them spread joy to others.
My memory book contains so many stories that remind me of just how close
Jesus is to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. What I cherish most about these memories is seeing our youth recognize the feeling of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
What our children, youth, and family ministries do here at St. Andrew is important because our faith is our life and our eternity. Our ministries provide Bible teaching, many educational programs to develop and explore faith, and fun opportunities to learn about Jesus’s love. They also help us share and model His love in our world.
I can say God has woven a rich tapestry through my life in working with our youth. It humbles me to see how the Holy Spirit has been with me, guided me every step of the way, and equipped me with everything I needed at the time I needed it. My hope is that we can continue to equip our youth with the Truth in a world where the Truth is becoming harder to find.
Lastly, I want to invite you to volunteer with our children, youth, and family ministries. Believe me, you will get more than you give. Pray about it! God will help you find a way and equip you with what you need. Just say YES and TRUST.
Kris Stromsness Children, Youth, & Family Volunteer
“And
we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
– Romans 8:28
Meet the Children, Youth, & Family Team
Shawna Berg | Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries
I have been working in children, youth, and family ministry since 1996. I am a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and I am currently attending Luther Seminary, where I am working on my Master of Divinity and looking towards ordained ministry. I have a husband, Brian, and two college-age kids. We live in Brooklyn Park and enjoy cheering for Minnesota sports teams, going to the theater, hanging out with our dog Ginger, and traveling when we can. I am passionate about ensuring that church is a place where all our kids can feel safe and loved.
Arlene Flancher | Children’s Minister
I’m thrilled to join the St. Andrew Children, Youth, & Family team. My heart lies in ministry with children from birth through elementary, ensuring they have safe spaces to be themselves and feel loved. Alongside my husband Rod, our family includes three married children, Scott, Sam, and Sonja, and our joyous grandson Arthur, who loves books and picking up all the sticks! Leisure time for me is about family, enjoying walks with our golden retriever Watson, cuddling with our cat Maki, exploring outdoors, catching up with friends, reading, biking, teaching piano, watching shows, and learning to crochet.
Cheryl Heaney | Children’s Ministry Assistant
Hi my name is Cheryl Heaney. I am married to my husband, Jerry. I have two children, Ben (23) and Bella, who is 19 years old. I have two golden retrievers: Odin and Willow. I also have two geckos that my son gifted to me; their names are Draco and Dante. I have been teaching for 20+ years and have been a part of St. Andrew’s Children’s Ministry team for the past eight years. I have a passion for inclusion ministry.
Sarah Blasing | Outdoor Ministry & Youth Leadership Director
I have been working in this role since 2021. It is a wonderful fit for me, as I have been participating in and working with youth camps and leadership programs since 2004. I am currently enrolled in Fuller’s Doctor of Ministry program with a focus on youth development in outdoor settings. Outside of work, I love running, painting, ice skating, and going on family adventures to the BWCA. I have three kids, and we are a blended family together with my partner, who is a Lutheran youth minister and who also has three kids.
Caleb Wragge | Youth Engagement Manager
Hello, My Name is Caleb Wragge! I oversee high school and young adult ministry at St. Andrew. I also work as the Program Director at Spirit in the Pines in the summertime. I grew up in Eden Prairie and went to St. Andrew. When not working, I love to play basketball and board games and walk my dog with my wife. I feel so blessed God has given me an opportunity to be back in the community that raised me to help the next generation feel the love of God.
Meghan Kelley | Youth Ministry & Camp Coordinator
Hi! My name is Meghan Kelley, and I work with Confirmation Ministry and Spirit in the Pines. I first got involved with St. Andrew in middle school by attending Spirit in the Pines. I even became a counselor and staff member. One of the best parts about my job is helping kids figure out how to be the best version of themselves. I am also passionate about almost every outdoor activity, mainly camping, canoeing, and hiking.
Rooted and Nurtured: Spotlight on Elliana Meier and Josh Eidem
Earlier this summer, Pastor Peter brought our staff together to develop a new vision statement for St. Andrew: “Rooted in Christ, we nurture the future of faith.” Now, even as we lean into this vision statement, we can also recognize and celebrate the fact that our church has been about the business of nurturing the future of faith for a long time. As part of sharing this story, we’re going to hear from two people who have become unofficial “artists in residence,” as they have been sharing their musical gifts with us for so many years here. I’m talking about Elliana Meier and Josh Eidem. Both of them grew up at St. Andrew and both have had formative experiences here that helped to shape them not only as musicians but as people of faith.
What are some memories you can share of growing up at St. Andrew, and how have those experiences helped shape the person you are today?
Elliana Meier: Some of the best memories I have of growing up at St. Andrew have definitely been through my time at Spirit in the Pines and in the youth ministry at St. Andrew. Spirit in the Pines has had one of the biggest impacts on my faith and how I came to be the person I am. It is such a place where you feel so close to God and everyone around you, and it helped me build a village of people that I can rely on and whose presence helps strengthen my faith. I also think back to my time in Wednesday Night Youth Group and the friends I made throughout middle and high school and how those youth groups helped me mature and grow into my faith and relationship to God
and talk about it with other people my age. I met many life-long friends and have many amazing memories from camp, mission trips, VBS, and WNYG!
Josh Eidem: As long as I can remember, St. Andrew has been a place of learning and growing. I was three when I started in the choir here, sang in the Holidazzle Parade in elementary school, and was in every single choir up to Live Wire and Canticle by the time I was eighteen. I took voice lessons with Pat and the late Bob Peterson every week in the choir room as a teen. I even sang “O Holy Night” at Christmas with Pastor Rod several times. I was in my first musical as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man and did the musicals every year; I was hooked. I would not been a classically trained opera singer making my career in music if it weren’t for the opportunities provided by this place.
In thinking about “nurturing the future of faith,” what are some of the ways that your faith was nurtured here as you grew up at St. Andrew?
EM: Music, specifically at St. Andrew has been a huge nurturer of my faith. Music has always been a great outlet for me. I grew up
singing in groups like Starlite Singers with Mrs. Deb Hetherington, Sonshine Singers and Spirit Singers with Kirsten Hanninen. Now, I’m part of the Worship Band with Tim Graf and many other talented musicians. It has been a constant in my journey of faith. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to grow up at St. Andrew and to keep singing in the congregation I grew up in, which has been so special for me. It continues to nurture my faith week after week, every time I get to experience the music and the congregation in the presence of the Lord.
JE: St. Andrew was always a safe place to develop a personal connection with the spirit. In my youth there were times when I felt I was going through the motions, and I had a hard time seeing the value of faith. Somehow, I knew it still mattered to show up, and push myself to learn and grow. I’d ask myself, “why do I have to memorize this prayer, what does it even mean?” When my husband was in the hospital after a series of strokes this summer, he was half-blind and unable to move his right side or speak without mixing up his words. We sat and recited the Lord’s Prayer over and over until he could get through it. I felt the spirit working through his
Elliana Meier playing piano
child
mind and voice to heal him, and today he has overcome, he walks, sees, and speaks. I saw the power of Christ’s healing in action.
As part of our vision statement, we also want to be “equipping all as servant leaders.” Can you share with us some of the ways that your upbringing at St. Andrew has equipped you as a servant leader?
EM: One of the biggest impacts on my life has been through my experiences on mission trips through St. Andrew. I have been able to go on seven youth mission trips across the United States through Youth Works. I was recently a part of the mission trip to Belize with Seeds of Support at St. Andrew. Each and every mission trip has been unique and has left such an imprint on my heart that I will continue to carry each with me. These mission trips have allowed me to serve various communities around the world, learn from different cultures, and spread God’s love. These trips have been such blessings to my life that I know I will continue to seek more opportunities to be a servant leader throughout my life.
JE: St. Andrew equipped me as a servant leader by providing service opportunities like FMSC, Los Niños, and mission trips. I learned to care for children, elders, the poor, and the differently abled in Green Bay, New York, Rapid City, West Virginia, and Montana in urban and rural communities and on reservations. To this day, I feel a deep responsibility to help my neighbors in need. In my career I choose projects with a message to highlight issues from immigration to the AIDS pandemic. I help lead a ministry within St. Andrew, the Queer Faith Alliance, which seeks to educate and empower connection
between the church and those of us who have felt left out of God’s loving message.
What brings you the most joy in your current role here as artists who are inspiring so many people with your music and message on an ongoing basis?
EM: What brings me the most joy as an artist at St. Andrew is the many talented musicians that I’m fortunate enough to work with every week, as well as seeing the smiling faces of the congregation as we worship in song with one another. It’s such an honor to witness every person in the congregation with their individual experience of the music, but all worshipping together. It is very a very wholesome and unifying experience.
JE: Since high school, I have sung in more churches than I can count, but this place is special. I get so much energy from the congregation when I am singing, using my voice to create a spiritual space for others to reflect on God’s abiding presence and
love. I also cherish the many bonds, new and old, this place has fostered outside of worship. I am a better person because I come to St. Andrew.
I have been in music ministry for many years and have worked with many great musicians, but I count it as one of the greatest blessings of my career to work with Elliana and Josh. They are both tremendously positive and affirming people and, I can tell you, they work so hard to bring their very best each time they sing in church. Thanks be to God for the gift of music and the gift of musicians who share the Gospel in such powerful ways!
See you in church,
Tim Graf Director of Worship & Music
Josh Eidem (Center) serving as a youth volunteer
St. Andrew Celebrates Leaders: Mary Gustafson Creates Relationships and Learning after 30 years with Book Club
St. Andrew community consists of far more than Sunday morning worship or the multifaceted programming on Wednesday evenings. St. Andrew community consists of many smaller units of small groups with a shared interest. These groups are led by dedicated leaders who build meaningful community and faith along the way.
In this issue, we thank Mary Gustafson, the leader of the St. Andrew Book Club. When she retired this past June after 30 years of leadership, she was surrounded by an enthusiastic and grateful group of participants. We asked Mary and others to share more about the book study and her leadership.
“It grew out of a women’s retreat that we had back in the fall of 1994,” Mary explained. “I was already in another book club, as were other women in the group. And someone said, we should have a fellowship book group at St. Andrew. We worked to develop guidelines. We had a librarian come in from the Eden Prairie Public Library to talk with us about book groups and book clubs. And out of that, our book clubs began in the late fall of 94, and they’ve been going strong ever since.”
The selection of books is a process undertaken by the group each year. Mary says, “We try to read a wide variety of books, and I’ve read a lot of books that I never would have touched because the books suggested come from the group members and then voted on by the group members. We end up with a very interesting variety of genres. There have been some science fiction books, which are not my category, that I probably would never have read. But there is one called The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell that
I really, really enjoyed and that totally surprised me.” The group tries to read a classic book each year, too.
The group gradually developed into two separate discussion groups, one during the day and the other in the evenings. If nine books were read each year, that is 270 books in total. If each of those books were 300 pages long, that would total 81,000 pages! But it is more than just reading that makes a difference in this small group.
“It’s been a privilege for me to be in this position” says Mary. “I get to meet all of those people, and it’s fun to see the rest of the group welcome new people in. When people visit this large church, they experience a special connection with those they know. It makes it fun for them to be here at St. Andrew. So, in addition to getting to read a lot of really great books and talk about them with like-minded people who also enjoy reading books, we get to have a lot of wonderful relationships.”
One group member, Carol Jorgenson, shares her reflections on Mary’s skill at leading the book club discussions over the years: “Mary has led our discussions, giving us important background information that has been beneficial to our discussions. She has a quiet grace, encouraging the sharing of thoughts and impressions.” Carol adds that it is also about creating relationships of care and support within the group.
“Mary started each meeting by asking if anyone has something to share—something that they would like to share with the group, like the birth of a grandchild, recent travel experiences, an illness, or a death in the family. Through such moments of sharing, she
has shown her love and caring. We are so grateful for all the time and effort Mary has put into making this book group a welcoming place for all readers.”
As important as this time of sharing is, getting to the task of discussing the assigned book is important too.
“[There are] other book groups where maybe they don’t spend quite as much time on the book,” Mary says. “They are more social. We always really try to do a focused discussion on the book. And it’s easy for me. All I have to do is get started and these women are so well read and so interesting and bring their own opinions to the book. So, it’s always fun, freewheeling and easy.”
Just like any thriving group, the leadership bench strength runs deep. Starting this fall, Corey Eichelberger will lead the daytime group, and Jody Collis King will lead the evening sessions. These new leaders will help continue the group, shaping and building community through this shared interest.
“If reading is your thing, that’s great,” Mary adds. “You are most welcome to join our book group. If reading isn’t your thing, look at the other small groups. It’s really a wonderful way to get involved, get to know people, and enjoy our church home more.”
Pastor Peter Johnson
Senior Pastor
We moved to Eden Prairie in March 2020 as the world entered lockdown. A few months later, we were on the hunt to find a daycare for our soon-to-arrive bundle of joy. With no family in the area and friends who had not entered this phase of life, my husband and I were not sure where to look. Through sheer luck and an honest misunderstanding, we ended up at St. Andrew Early Learning.
I cannot remember the first Wednesday night dinner we went to— it had taken a little convincing from some very dedicated St. Andrew Early Learning staff. However, over time, as we attended every week, we were given the space to cultivate our community. The opportunity to share a meal and have a conversation allowed us to start establishing connections with those around us. It was a time for us, as parents and caregivers, to observe our children interacting with their peers. Wednesday night dinners ended for the season, but the spark for community
was ignited. We first gathered as a small group for the local kids running club— some children were more “successful” than others, but each loved the playground time after. A spattering of playdates, birthdays, and dinners at Lions Tap fostered the still-growing connection and spark that was lit. Fast forward to today, a small group of the kids are participating in the same soccer program on Friday evenings, allowing the parents an opportunity to chat, engage, and wind down from the week. The critical value of this beloved community is not lost on us—we relied on this when my husband was working abroad and one of the boys came down with RSV.
Today’s world can be scary, and being far from family can be lonely. But the beloved community we are cultivating at St. Andrew provides comfort and has become part of what we view as our family’s Village, for which we are grateful.
Cheryl Cioffari Childcare Parent
Kyle Rutledge, Cheryl Cioffari, Bernard (3), & Chester (1)
Every Sunday night, I sit around the campfire shoulder to shoulder with a new group of beaming campers and counselors. It is always a special night. While it is fun to reconnect with one another after a year apart, it has been an even greater joy to look out and see so many brand-new faces around the fire this year.
This is especially true for our high schoolers this summer. We have 150 of them—our highest number yet— here at camp as counselors and counselors-in-training (CITs). These rising juniors, seniors, and first-year college students have shown incredible servant leadership this summer every single day. In mid-July, we innovated to meet demand, and we widened our impact by debuting a leader-in-training program (LIT) for 14 more high schoolers per week of camp. In step with St. Andrew’s
new vision statement, we are excited to be equipping even more youth as servant leaders in our community.
We are excited about this LIT program because it will provide more opportunities for leadership among our younger high schoolers, who are rising freshman and sophomores. In addition to all of the normal camp activities, the LIT experience adds daytime support for one cabin of elementary or middle school campers, direct mentorship by lead counselors, and leadership sessions at camp with the directors.
It is my job to give the Sunday night campfire talk to open the week. In it, I share the story of journeying to camp late in the evening on May 6th, hoping to see the northern lights for the first time. There were many “what ifs” involved in this decision. What if we drive all that way and don’t get to see them? What if
we are all tired and cranky afterward?
We also see many “what ifs” in the faith stories we find in scripture. What if Abraham hadn’t left his home to follow God’s call to a new land? What if he and his wife hadn’t had a child who would become a great-great (…insert many more greats) grandfather to Mary, the mother of Jesus? What if that story hadn’t been written for us to read and be inspired to follow our own “what ifs” from God?
What if each and every one of these 150 counselors had not chosen to be a leader at camp this summer? On top of this, more than 60 of these counselors decided to come up to camp for two or more weeks. I end my Sunday night campfire talk by sharing that even for myself and the residential college staff, who spend eleven total weeks at camp, we never know what God has in store for us with each new week that comes.
Maintaining a faithful curiosity, which is another pillar of our new vision statement, is key. Without this, we may miss out on life-changing moments that God is waiting to give us.
My gratitude for St. Andrew and every leader here at camp only grows. From the beginning, we have embraced, and we continue to embrace every day, this gigantic “what if” of our compelling vision to nurture a future where more and more people can grow in their faith together. Spirit in the Pines is growing into this vision, along with St. Andrew, as a place unlike any other that is a home away from home for many.
Sarah Blasing Outdoor Ministry & Youth Leadership Director
The End is the Beginning
Several years ago, I gathered together with folks at St. Andrew to study the Bible Bookends, the first and last books of the Scripture, and two books of the Bible that spark curiosity and confusion for many. It was one of my favorite studies to teach because it required me to learn a lot. I knew Genesis well and was delighted to walk with folks through its pages. But Revelation presented a much more vexing challenge in front of me. I wanted to teach Revelation because I knew I had much to learn about its strange pages.
This experience has led me to jot notes, memories, stories, and ideas for the last several years. I would bump into Revelation in the hymnal, on the news, in popular music, or on streaming services. Curiosity led the way, finding ways that interpretation of Revelation could be harmful or hurtful, but it didn’t have to be that way! I started to love this odd little book with so much fire and courage. I found stunning visions, hopeful promises, and an image of God that speaks into our world as much as it did for the ancients. It led me to write the book coming out this fall.
I wanted to share a brief passage from the book that shows what we will be finding together, following our own curiosity, in some of the more imaginative pages of the Bible. I hope you enjoy it! We will find…
A vision of a God who wipes every tear from our eyes, who dwells among us, and who feeds the world with love and peace.
A vision of churches who build belonging, affirm belovedness, and stand up for movements that matter.
A vision of faith that means as much in the last breaths of life as the fearful gasps of world-wrenching events and humdrum beats of daily living.
A vision of worship that beckons a better world and forms humanity in stillness, song, and celebration.
A vision of victory that banishes beasts that prowl in the marketplace and devour the livelihoods of people across the planet.
A vision of paradise that rewilds the parking lots of empire’s might and provides food and healing for the nations.
I need these images of God in my life as much as the first followers of Jesus needed Revelation’s fiery verse…The God I met in the strange verses of Revelation interrupts my daily programming with a dream that shatters every commercial break and disrupts the incessant echo chambers of doom scrolling. Through all of Revelation’s dreamy worship sequences, pyrotechnic battle scenes, many-headed beasts, and confounding mathematics, God whispers a simple promise where the end really is the beginning: “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching Church Anew Director
Two ways to connect with this odd book of the Bible.
Women of the Word
Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM
Join a group of women studying the entire book of Revelation. Using a study by Jen Wilkins, they uncover the enduring hope offered in this book at the end of Scripture.
The End is the Beginning: Revelation, Hope, and the Love that Lit the Stars Book Launch
Sunday, September 29, 4:00 PM Book Study
Wednesdays, 8:00 AM or 6:30 PM
Join the St. Andrew community in late September for a celebration and launch of Pastor Matthew’s forthcoming book. Participate in a small group study of Revelation and find ways to understand this confusing corner of Scripture.
Church Anew Equipping Servant Leaders
When St. Andrew launched Church Anew in 2018, we had some simple goals: to help church leaders (pastors, youth ministers, musicians, administrators, church councils, and active volunteers) by providing the training and resources they need to meet the rapidly changing landscape of ministry. St. Andrew led the way, gathering often-weary church leaders and showing more than preaching the radical hospitality of Jesus. Members of our church rolled out a red carpet, setting tables with beautiful floral arrangements and preparing meals that nourished and brought smiles to their faces.
In the height of the pandemic, servant leaders of St. Andrew launched a blog and hosted virtual events that featured some of the country’s most compelling witnesses to Christian faith: Bishop Michael Curry, Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Rob Bell, Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Dr. Eric Barreto, and many more. These
visionaries served the many weary church leaders with courage and grace.
This summer, Church Anew supported servant leaders nationwide by offering The Good Book: Meeting Our Ancestors in Faith One Story at a Time. In Fergus Falls, five ELCA churches gathered in outdoor worship all summer, walking through the same sermon series we heard in the sanctuary at St. Andrew. We were delighted to welcome a growing number of Presbyterian churches from Connecticut to North Carolina to California. More than 100 congregations shared in our ministry. We’re bound together, serving the body of Christ all across the country.
And I am so glad to welcome a team member to the St. Andrew staff who will work closely with Church Anew! Amanda White brings a wealth of experience in campus ministry, leading a $6 million capital campaign for one of the most impactful campus ministries in the ELCA at the University of Nebraska.
Amanda has been working with the ELCA for the last several years to spark generosity among congregations. As Director of Operations for Church Anew, Amanda will develop nimble systems that sustain our growth, manage two grants from Lilly Endowment, and continue the positive momentum of fundraising and development. Amanda will inspire servant leadership among the vast contributors who are the lifeblood of Church Anew!
Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching Church Anew Director
Hello, I am Amanda White
I am married to Pastor Adam White, have two daughters attending Gustavus, and attempt to keep up with our two feisty, fun pups. Church Anew is an exciting ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. It is unique and special because it reaches out beyond the congregation’s walls, serving leaders in many settings. I am so excited to engage in God’s good work that is creative, boundary-crossing, and hopeful. My prayer is that St. Andrew, Church Anew, and all who are part of this faith community continue our shared mission to “live out our faith in daily life.”
“Don’t look only for your own interests but also look to the interest of others.”
– Philippians 2:4
Living Intentionally Isn’t Easy but a Choice!
Our life can easily become a collection of routines. Routine is defined as “a sequence of actions regularly followed or things we do as part of our regular procedure.” Work, social activities, church can easily fall into a pattern when lived out week after week. Whatever becomes part of our daily routine can be done without much thought and life loses a sense of purpose or intentionality it once had. We talk about living a balanced life which means giving time and energy to things that build us up and eliminating those things that bring us down or stress us out. The Bible has thoughts of wisdom to pass on to us that can help make our lives more purposeful and intentional. Philippians 2:4 advises us “Don’t look only for your own interests but also look to the interest of others.” Life takes on great satisfaction and reward when we realize the joy and energy we get by living out our lives for others. How might the routine of our day change if we asked ourselves what we might do to make life better for others? Is it possible that we feel better about ourselves when we have
made life better for others? One of the prayers in our church’s worship book says “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” One of our goals as God’s people at St. Andrew is to “Cultivate a beloved community.” This means that we are intentional about reaching out to others, caring about others, showing interest in others wherever we are but also in our church. We talk about the golden rule—do unto others as you want others to do unto you. We can’t embrace everybody we brush up against at church but we can touch somebody with a kind word, a warm hand shake, sharing a concern for them or a member of their family. This not only renews a right spirit within us but it inspires others to pass that spirit along. This is the start to nurturing the future of faith in our St. Andrew community.
Roger Schindel Visitation Pastor
Joyce Harstad’s 95th: A Milestone of Community Love
Recently, Joyce Harstad celebrated a remarkable milestone: her 95th birthday. On this joyous occasion, an impressive gathering took place, attended by approximately 100 individuals, notably including many members from the
Women of the Word group. Joyce was ecstatic to witness such a turnout, a testament to the strong bonds and affection within the church community.
In appreciation of this overwhelming support, Joyce expressed her sincere
gratitude. She was especially touched by the presence of so many from the St. Andrew community, who had taken the time to make her birthday not just a celebration of age but a celebration of communal love and togetherness.
St. Andrew by the Numbers
First half of 2024
64 Confirmation students confirmed
Church Anew had 300 congregations purchase worship resources from a variety of denominational traditions in nearly every state (and Canada!)
Number of baptisms since the beginning of the year: 66 (we had 53 in all of 2023)
Spirit in the Pines: 722 campers, 150 high school counselors, 23 total college-aged and adult staff
Dynamic worship services with highquality music have resulted in steady average in-person worship attendance each Sunday (630 in 2023 and 637 in 2024).
Outreach has been strong, including PROP client support with paper products and Summer Food for Kids, 16 mission trip participants to Belize, and Rising Strong Outreach after Easter supported outreach programs with $12,000
19 memorial services
5 weddings
New members: 23 households
The high school Youth Gathering support for 19 participants exceeded the $15,000 goal with $21,000.
Spirit in the Pines camper send-offs/ commissioning were a part of 10:30 AM worship for the first time. Worship attendance on June 16 tripled (148 in 2023 to 438 in 2024).
44% increase in registrations at Vacation Bible School (163 in 2023 to 245 in 2024)
How our vision is at work in Church Operations:
Meggy Wagner Senior Director of Church Operations
Cultivating Beloved Community
Sharing a meal is the ultimate conduit to beloved community. I don’t know any culture or country on the globe that does not place great value on sharing a meal together, to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy time together in conversation. As Jesus taught us, breaking bread together is sacred time.
That’s why our Wednesday night meal is so important. It’s a chance for us to take a break from hectic schedules, enjoy a home-cooked meal with our friends in Christ, and create the beloved community that lifts up all of us.
Therefore, we listened when you asked: Starting September 18, our Wednesday night meals will start earlier, at 4:45 PM, so that our Early Learning families can go straight to dinner after picking up their kids. We are also very aware that our limited payment options last year have made it difficult for our confirmation kids to enjoy dinner. We are working on options to make this more seamless so that nobody goes through their faith formation on Wednesday night with an empty tummy!
Thank you to our fabulous Wednesday night team, under the leadership of Kari Shellenbarger, for taking care of us and bringing us together in beloved community! See you on Wednesday night in September!
Equipping All as Servant Leaders
I am so happy to report that our new Property Committee is up and running! What a fabulous group of dedicated volunteers looking after the beauty and viability of our building! Did you know that our building is 30 years old? We have taken very good care of it, but some parts are showing their age, notably boilers, windows, air handlers, phone systems, etc. The Property Committee is taking stock and contacting contractors to estimate pricing for future building upgrades and repairs. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!” Just one example: we were recently alerted by the Health Department that we have too much traffic in our commercial kitchen, which is a violation of our childcare licensing requirements. So we assembled a team of stakeholders from childcare, hospitality, building services, funeral committee, Sunday donut holes, and an architectural firm to figure out how to utilize our spaces best. We want to get everyone the caffeination and
hospitality they need while simplifying the workload for all groups involved and improving our ministries. It’s sacred collaboration and wonderful energy that will bring exciting upgrades to the kitchen and café area. Does this pique your interest or raise questions? Please reach out, or better yet, join the team: contact me at mwagner@standrewlu.org.
Our Property Committee also looks at our beautiful camp facility: Spirit in the Pines! We have made some significant improvements this year, such as refurbishing one of our two pontoon boats and creating an additional staircase off the deck of our dining hall. Just like our church building, our camp grounds need ongoing attention and solid planning ahead. Are you interested? We have regular volunteer maintenance weekends for our camp site in the Spring and Fall! Please contact me at mwagner@standrewlu.org for more information!
We Nurture the Future of Faith
…by taking good care of God’s creation! I am happy to report that we have been awarded the maximum amount under the Hennepin County Healthy Tree Canopy Grant Program, $10,000!
In collaboration with Bachman’s, we applied to plant 21 trees in our parking lot islands to replace trees we lost in the last couple of years to drought and the Eden Prairie ash tree removal program. The total cost of the project is $15.5k, after a generous discount from Bachman’s on the cost of
Beloved Community—Is Also Digital!
We are in the process of evaluating a new database provider. Wondering what that means? Our database, or Church Management System, is where we store your addresses, giving information, sign-ups for programs and activities, and the email address at which you would like to receive our newsletters. It should also be the place where you can pay for your Wednesday night meals, buy Bible study books, make donations to special causes, update your address and phone number, and sign up for volunteer opportunities. In short, it is a very important piece of software for building a beloved community! We hope in the fall, we will be ready to roll out a more user-friendly and intuitive digital platform for you to engage with St. Andrew’s many ministries! Stay tuned for more details!
the trees. The $5.5k above the grant amount will come from our landscaping budget. We planted four species of trees from the official Hennepin County approved list: linden, honey locust, white oak, and lilac. One requirement of the grant is an educational and community-building aspect: we are committing to care for the young trees for four years with a watering, protection, and fertilization plan. We are working with our Early Learning, CYF, and building volunteer teams to create maintenance plans and fun learning experiences around our new saplings!
Another way we are trying to be better stewards of God’s creation is by starting organic waste separation and collection, as well as other ways we can improve our sustainability score in day-to-day operations. Again, we are blessed with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of volunteers looking into all things compostable to get us there! Expect additional bins for food scraps soon in the Fellowship Hall for Wednesday night dinners!
952.937.2776 | standrewlu.org
