Christian Courier
First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)
December 18, 2010
The Lights of Advent
Inside the Courier:
• A Look at the Brite Advent. This insurance and health, and yet, we are about
Side, page 2 is that time of to celebrate a Savior. In Advent, the light
year when we of the true Joy breaks into the world. He's
• Mission Notes,
page 3 prepare to re- already here.
ceive the gift
ourier
• January Calendar, of God's self
page 4
Too often, our world has forgotten the
in Jesus Christ commandment to love our neighbors as
• Report on Dec. 5 fo- at Christmas. ourselves. Does anyone care? In Advent,
rum, page 5 Of course, we we remember the light of Love already
already know comes into an uncaring world.
On the Web:
that Christmas
is coming, at least that part of The preparation of Advent is more than
First Christian Church Christmas which is about decorations reliving a holy time of long ago. It's about
website and lights and 24-hour shopping. But
Christian Church (Dis- preparing ourselves for God's in-breaking
ciples of Christ) there's a solemn part of Advent as light right now. Even in the midst of the
well. darkest time, God's light dawns. Darkness
Christmas at First
does not overcome us, for in scripture, as
Advent comes in the northern hemis- in the winter season, just as the darkness
Christian Church
phere when the days are short and the arrives, the light of the world is born.
“The Christmas Rose” nighttime is longest. The good news
opera, Dec. 17, 7:30 is it's also at just at this moment that
pm
The Gospel of John says, the light shines -
the light starts coming back. From - here, now. "The light shines in the dark-
Nicholas Carter Christ- here, every day is longer. Advent ness, and the darkness has not overcome
mas program, Dec. reminds us that in our darkest, most it.” In the Advent season, let us prepare
18, 7:30 pm fragmented times, the light of Hope ourselves to move towards God's whole-
Christmas Eve
has already come into the world. ness and to receive all that God can give.
Service God's only child, a light for each one of us
6:30 reception During Advent, we mourn the dark- and for the world.
7:00 Carols ness of war. We know that God cre-
7:30 Worship
ated us as one human family, but of- May the God of hope fill you with all you
ten, we're unable to act like one. Dif- and peace in believing so that you may
ferences divide us. But in Advent, abound in hope.
we also remember that the light of
Peace has come into the world. This Advent message was presented by the Dis-
ciples of Christ. A video of this message pre-
There is so much despair in the world sented by General Minister Sharon Watkins and
other leaders of the denomination can be seen at
today. People are losing jobs, homes,
Disciples.org
December 18, 2010
Page 2
A Look at the Brite Side Recommendation on Relocation Coming
One of the things that we did showed that among those who
manage to do as a mostly intact commented, almost all thought
Transition Team on Sunday after- that the ecumenical move would
noon was agree to recommend to be a better one than a solo move.
the Board to enter negotiations for
a move into formal partnership The Board has agreed, by a vote of
with Lyndale United Church of 17 to 1, to forward this recom-
Christ and Salem English Luthe- mendation on an ecumenical move
ran Church and relocation of FCC to the congregation. There will be
Pastor Bob Brite
into an ecumenical ministry center a discussion forum Jan. 9th and
at 28th and Lyndale sometime next action at our Annual Meeting on
Ah, the stories that will come out year. Jan. 23 following worship.
of the snowstorm of this last
weekend! We had a total of 24 After all the research, prayers, dis- In the meantime, keep your pray-
people in church on Sunday, some cussions, forums, and surveys, the ers and discernments of God’s will
of whom managed to travel in TT has reached this conclusion on on this going, keeping in mind that
from good distances, and once the basis that: a) the congregation what we’re trying to do here is to
again I am reminded about just has more positive energy towards move in the direction of what God
how much people can sacrifice a partnership move than towards a would have us do.
and care during times of wacky solo one, (a major factor of which
calamity. My thanks to Dennis for is the awareness that we would I’d like to see YOU on Sunday,
picking Pat Carter and me up from have the help of other Christians Bob
my apartment when my car got in making the move), and b) the
stuck in the apartment driveway, opportunities that such partnership MAY THE BLESSINGS OF
and for Tom Curry and his power- would present in the areas of THIS HOLY TIME AND
ful SUV that helped push my car Christian Education and commu- SEASON FILL EACH OF YOU
out of said driveway when he gave nity ministry would be streng- WILL LIGHT, PEACE, HOPE,
me a lift home. I’ve already heard thened in such an arrangement. COMFORT, AND JOY!!
other tales of neighbors helping Your FCC Staff
neighbors and strangers helping I want to mention as well that part Bob Brite Dennis Sanders
of moving towards this recom- Deb Murphy Richard Bowman
strangers as we worked through Serena Carlson Bryon Wilson
the 5th largest snowfall in recorded mendation was the fact that a sur- James Barnett (outgoing)
Twin Cities history. vey of our younger adult members James Baumgartner (incoming)
In our prayers We pray in sympathy with the family of Richard Schwersinske who
passed away Dec. 4th; in hopes of comfort and healing for Irene Hack-
Gracious God, we ett’s sons-in law, Karen Kandik’s father, Arlene Hillestad’s friend
lift up these persons Jolynn, Kathy Merkel’s friend with pneumonia and Kip Barker’s
in our prayers, ask- friend, Page; in gratitude for all the friends and neighbors who helped
ing the blessing of others during the snowstorm with hope that this spirit of generosity and
your Grace and out- love will continue and grow in our communities; for traveling mercies
pouring of your Love for all those who will be on the road during the holidays; for all our
upon them. homebound members, including Lois Swenson and Elaine Glore, and
for all us to have a blessed and love-filled Christmas, Amen.
Page 3
Christian Courier
Mission Notes from Pastor Sanders
On the subtle presence of the spirit
I was reminded of how the Holy what makes it grow (not simply
Spirit works in a recent blog post in numbers, but in faith) is that
I found at the Christian Century. indwelling of the Spirit. But
Written by Steve Wooley, a re- the thing is, it doesn't happen in
tired Episcopal priest who goes a loud way. It doesn't happen
by the name Country Parson, he in a way that anyone can see.
writes about the endurance of It also doesn't happen because
small, rural congregations. The of a special method that some
last paragraph of this post could transformation consultant is
If there is anything that I've
also apply to small, urban con- selling. It happens in quiet and
learned over the last two years
gregations as well: unbecoming ways that are not
as the Associate Pastor, it is
easy to see, but if someone has
how to be on the lookout for
It requires an openness to a a heart that is willing, will see
the Holy Spirit moving. I've
subtle indwelling of the Holy the Spirit and a glimpse of the
learned to try not to be so in-
Spirit. By subtle indwelling, kingdom of God.
vested in plans and theories and
or subtle presence, I mean an
just watch how God works
atmosphere of the Spirit’s I know that Wooley was talk-
through people in this congre-
presence, unseen and un- ing about rural congregations,
gation.
heard, yet there. I don’t think but I can see how this could
you can make that happen apply to congregations like
It's been cool to see how the
whether by loud proclamation First Christian. I've had to
Spirit has been moving in a
or through sophisticated con- learn to put aside expectations
church that so many think is
sulting. A small rural congre- for big numbers and just let the
out of energy and spent. I've
gation without that subtle Spirit work and I have seen it
seen the Spirit in little kids,
presence may indeed be de- work.
young parents and elderly
clining and dying, and we
grandmothers. I've seen the
have all seen that happen. I think sometimes we can get
Spirit in a Sunday School class
One with that subtle presence so wrapped up in numbers, so
with three little kids, a
will probably continue from wanting to find some program
Wednesday night bible study
generation to generation as or path to change that will
where two 60-something wom-
long as there are generations make the church what it once
en learn the Bible anew, and
to be had. was, that we forget God. In
from an 80-something woman
doing that, we miss out on the
who decided to start a new
Wooley is saying that what sus- wonderful journey of God and
ministry.
tains a congregation, we miss seeing how God's Spi-
rit is still powering the church
after all these years.
Listening to the The gathered community called
subtle presence church is alive with the Spirit,
of the spirit in if we have eyes to see and ears
music as the to hear.
choir sings for
Thanksgiving
service
Page 4 December 18, 2010
Regular Worship Hours
9:15 Spiritual Formation Classes
January, 2011
10:30 Worship
First Christian Church
11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge
1
New Year’s
Day
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9:15 am Office Closed 7 pm Worship 9 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
Lyndale/Salem for New Committee 6 pm Midweek Group
members in Con- Year’s Hol- Bible Study 11:30 am –
versation iday 6:30 Bell Choir Women’s
7:45 Chancel Choir Brunch @
8 pm AA Tucci Be-
nuch
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Following wor- 7 pm Book 7 pm Property 5:30 pm Finance 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
ship: Congrega- Club @ Committee Committee 7 pm Group
tional Forum on Westphal’s 6 pm Midweek 10 am – Laura
Ecumenical – “The Age Bible Study Lynne/Nao
Move of Inno- 6:30 Bell Choir mi circle
cence” 7:45 Chancel Choir
8 pm AA
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Food Pantry Sun- 8 pm AA 9 am Mpls 9 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
day Retired 6 pm Midweek Group
Teachers Bible Study
Elders Mtg luncheon 6:30 Bell Choir
5 pm FCC 7 pm FCC 7:45 Chancel Choir
Lounge Board
Meeting
23 24 25 26 28 28 29
Annual Con- 8 pm AA 6 pm Midweek 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
gregational Bible Study Group
6:30 Bell Choir
Meeting &
7:45 Chancel Choir
Vote on Fu-
ture Proposal
30 31
8 pm AA
Information about the January schedule of elders, bus drivers, worship leaders
and other worship service participants will be published in the next Courier,
scheduled to be published January 8.
Christian Courier Page 5
Opinions about two proposals shared at Dec. 5 congregational forum
Through a process called “SWOT,” members of Each person at the meeting then wrote out
the congregation expressed their opinions at a re- “SWOT” statements on post-it notes expressing
cent forum following worship on Dec. 5 about the what they felt were Strengths, Weaknesses, Oppor-
two proposals that the Transition Team is consider- tunities, and Threats about the two proposals, and
ing for the move of the congregation out of the cur- placed the notes on sheets of newsprint. The
rent building. Transition Team members quickly categorized all
of the statements, and forum attendees indicated
The two proposals were the following: which of the categories or statements they felt were
most important.
1. To join the partnership of Lyndale United
Church of Christ and Salem English Lutheran The Transition Team will analyze all of the state-
Church; ments and the priority indicators, and bring a reso-
lution to the church board (see the “Brite Side”
2. To work to secure appropriate property (26th column in this issue). All members of the congre-
and Blaisdell) and engage in the appropriate re- gation are urged to attend Board meetings and con-
modeling for the relocation of First Christian gregational meetings and be a part of the important
Church as a solo entity. decisions about FCC’s future that will be made in
the next few weeks.
The Transition Team presented the “primary prin-
ciples” of the two proposals. The proposals both
fall in the $1.2-1.4 million range in cost, and both
include continued work by the congregation to-
wards transformation and growth as a congregation
A Note of Thanks
following Christ.
The Worship Committee thanks all those who
helped decorate the sanctuary, halls and lounge
for Advent. Many hands (22) made the tasks
INTERIM MUSIC STAFF – manageable.
A CONTINUATION AND A CHANGE Continued thanks for those willing to serve
as worship lead-
The Worship Committee of FCC, recognizing that ers and to give
until we more fully establish what the worship fu- the Children’s
ture of the congregation will look like, thinks it Moment talks.
would be best for interim arrangements to continue Special thanks
with our current music ministry. for those who
light the advent
With James Barnett leaving us (his last day will be candles and give
Christmas Eve), we have hired Jim Baumgartner, their message.
our long-standing tenor soloist, as the next interim Last, thanks to
choir director. Bryon Wilson, our interim key- Deb Murphy and
boardist, will continue with us at least until the the parents for
summer. reinstating the
acolyte program.
Our thanks and best wishes for James Barnett as he It is a joy to see
journeys to a new stage in his life journey, and our the children involved in worship.
thanks to Jim and Bryon for continuing in this wit-
ness and ministry on behalf of FCC.
Bi-Weekly Calendar Reflections on the Word
“The hopes and fears of all the
Sunday Worship at 10:30 am years/are met in Thee tonight.”
Before Worship (9:15 am): --from O Little Town of Bethlehem
Art of the Covenant Class Hearthstone/Adults Class
As a hymnist, I marvel at how
After worship: Fellowship Hour 11:45 am much so few words can express,
and how one phrase can encapsu-
This Week at FCC Next Week at FCC late what great tomes cannot.
Much hope met the coming Mes-
Sunday, December 19 Sunday, December 26 siah, but so did much fear. “Fear
Worship 10:30 am
Fourth Sunday of Advent not,” the angel says to Mary. Fear
Elders’ Christmas gathering 5 pm surrounds the comings of Jesus:
Thursday, December 30
Wednesday, December 22 Handcrafters 9 am the fear of God, of a changing
Bible Study 6 pm world order, and all this fear mar-
Bell Choir 6:30 pm Saturday, January 1 ries the hopes of a world in bon-
Chancel Choir 7:45 pm New Year’s Day (Office closed Jan. 3rd)
dage to suffering and death, ex-
Thursday, December 23 ploding through the baby Jesus into
Handcrafters 9 am
the world. And these words get it.
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve Service
Reception 6:30 pm Holy Child of Bethlehem, in you
Carols 7 pm meet the hopes and fears of all of
Worship Service 7:30 pm. humanity. Send us your peace to
counter the fear of our living days.
Saturday, December 25
Christ is Born! Hallelujah!
In you is joy. Amen.
--Chris Wogaman
A Thoughtful Church in the
Heart of the City FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
OF MINNEAPOLIS
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
Ministry Team
All Members of the Congregation
2201 1st Avenue South
Robert Brite, Interim Minister Minneapolis, MN 55404
Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversi-
ty and Mission
Chris Wogaman, Office Manager Address Service Requested
Rick Bowman, Building Manager
Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual
Formation & Community Ministry
James Barnett, Interim Choir Direc-
tor
Bryon Wilson, Interim Organist
Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant
Martha Harris, Courier Editor
Telephone: 612.870.1868
Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984
www.fccminneapolis.org
E-mail: fcc-mpls@qwest.net
Fax: 612.870.1860
Christian Courier is published bi-
monthly. Send items and ideas to
church office or to Martha Harris
harrismartha@mac.com
by Sun., Jan 2 for next issue.
