The Last Few Days

Greetings all! That big snow storm hit the Twin Cities. You’ll see a few photos of snow. I was staying with good friend Jodi in St Louis Park and with hundreds of crashes and spin-outs reported on the news, I decided not to attend Pilgrim Lutheran on Sunday. I would have loved to see how they embrace children of all ages during worship-but the weather prevented it! Today, however, the weather was much better so I got to keep my appointment with Pastor Jen Nagel at University Lutheran Church of Hope near Dinky Town and University of Minnesota campus. 

I’ll add photos from that visit hopefully tomorrow. For tonight, I  want to share the highlights of our time together. Jen showed me around this church and it is beautiful. If anyone is near the U of M, do attend this church! They are very active with three big vision goals:

Ever deepening their relationship with the area neighborhood which, of course, includes the U of M students and all

That their worship will deepen spiritually

And Revitalize Children and Youth Ministry, and actually ministry across the life span.

These are their big vision goals, and along with these, they have a current focus on several social justice areas:

Helping decrease food insecurity (which, surprisingly includes students)

Immigration and sanctuary

Racial Equalty

Environmental (the church has a Green Team)

Jen invited two others to join us in a conversation: Kirsten Mebust who recently left her volunteer position after four years on the board as education liaison with children’s ministry, library, Sunday forums and. Confirmation under her wing. AND Nick Tangen, minister of faith and community who will be full time soon. When asked about how they see cross generational ministry happening at their church, they said that it is best when it is organic, rather than too programmed or forced. For example, a few Sundays ago during the educational time in between the two worship services, a Service Sunday was planned. People of all ages could do a variety of things as service projects. One project was to create a type of blanket that kids knew how to make. When kids teach adults, this seems to be a great opportunity for a beginning relationship to form. When children can teach adults, another example, when a seasoned acolyte can teach a 50 year old how to acolyte, this seems to work

At this church, they are having ongoing conversation about how to perhaps continue adapting so that someone with dementia, could be in the moment during worship and not feel too rushed. During Sunday morning, like Pilgrim Lutheran, this church has a few tables up front to the preaching pastor’s right. There are things to color so that a parent and child could sit, the child could color and listen, while the parent can listen and not feel relegated to the children’s room. 

University Lutheran has been an RIC congregation for many years. Every Sunday during liturgies and other parts of worship, an effort is always made to use inclusive language. The rainbow symbol is on both welcoming signs. Frankly, said Jen, at this place, we already are aware of our stance, with calling a partnered lesbian with two children. In our bubble here near the University, who we are is normal. We hope someday that will be the case everywhere.

More later... all for now.. Photos coming...