Upcoming Events and Meetings
All meetings and events listed are at Walker Church unless noted otherwise
- See our website Calendar walkerchurch.org for happenings further into the future.
- For more information please contact the Walker office office@walkerchurch.org
RESISTFEST!!! Summer Concert Resisting & Raising money for the ACLU: Friday, July 21, 7 pm. Featuring The Fireroast Mountain Boys, Mark Kreitzer, Janet Skidmore, Harmony Largo–duo of Jim Kantorowicz & Alice Browne and more! Suggested donation $ 8
Women’s Potluck Brunch: Sat, July 22, 9:30 am at KC Bretzke’s house,
Sunday Celebration
July 23, 2017
10:30 am in the church
Greetings by Carole Megarry & Jan DeNoble
Communal Singing led by Conrad deFiebre & Dianne O’Donnell
Celebration led by Mary Parker
Communal Reading: Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.
Opening by Al Hildenbrand
A Song for Pat Watkins: “For a Dancer” sung by Anne Hamre
Tao Te Ching #64 Stephen Mitchell translation followed by 5 minutes of silence
What is rooted is easy to nourish.
What is recent is easy to correct.
What is brittle is easy to break.
What is small is easy to scatter.
Prevent trouble before it arises.
Put things in order before they exist.
The giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout.
The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet.
Rushing into action, you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course.
The Master remains as calm at the end as at the beginning.
The Master has nothing and thus has nothing to lose.
What the Master desires is non-desire.
What the Master learns is to unlearn.
The Master simply reminds people of who they have always been.
The Master cares about nothing but the Tao…
thus the Master can care for all things.
Welcome, Announcements & Offering
Scripture Reading by the Improvisation Group from “Flower Insights” by Thich Nhat Hanh
One day the Buddha held up a flower in front of a very large audience. He said nothing. The audience was silent. Buddha continued to say nothing. He held up the flower before them. Everyone was thinking hard, trying to understand the meaning behind Buddha’s gesture.
Suddenly, Buddha smiled. He smiled because someone in the audience had smiled at him and at the flower. The name of that person was Chunhua. Buddha said, “I have a treasure of insight, and I have transmitted that insight to Chunhua.”
This story has been discussed by many generations of Zen students, and people continue to look for its meaning. To me, it is quite simple. When someone holds up a flower and shows it to you, they want you to see it. If you keep thinking, you miss the flower. Thinking abstracts you from the present moment.
Chunhua smiled in response to the smiling flower. The treasure of insight is, “Ah, the bright beauty of a smiling flower!”
Sermon by Mary Parker
Special Performance by the Improvisation Group
Circle with Joys & Concerns
& sharing of bread & juice brought by Kay Seelhoff
Hospitality Time
Thanks for set-up by the Hospitality Committee and for treats
Community Meal: Tues, July 25, 5:30 to 7 pm. Cook: Lulu Philips, please contact her if you can help.
Hoop TC: Tues, July 25, 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary, a summer series through Aug 15–except for Aug 1 The group is free and open to both adults and children. Check it out after coming to our Tuesday community meal.
Ifa/Orisa Class taught by Amoke Kubat: Wed, July 26, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The last class of this series. Amoke Kubat, an Iyanifa and priestess of Yemoja, will give an overview of IFA/Orisa, the spiritual practice of Yoruba peoples of southwestern Nigeria and diasporic communities worldwide. All are welcome. Free will offerings welcome
Celebration of the Life of Patricia Watkins: Saturday, July 29, 10 am visitation, 11 am service, noon luncheon
Sunday Celebration July 30: In the church with Pastor Walter Lockhart giving the sermon.
Improvisation Group: Sun, July 30, from 12:15 to 1:15 pm in the sanctuary to explore group reading and group dance, led by Janet Skidmore. (They will also meet August 27) All are welcome with no previous experience necessary. FFI Janet
Bluegrass Jam: Mon, July 31, 7 pm-10 pm Free, come to jam or listen.
National Night Out: Tues, Aug 1, 6 to 8 pm in the front yard of Walker Church and on 16th Avenue–which will be closed. (It will be in the sanctuary in case of rain.) This event is being planned with the neighbors on our block and across our alley. We will flyer the area, people will be invited to come to the Walker Community Meal if they wish or just attend the NNO gathering which will include snacks, games and activities for children and time to get to know one another. If you would like to help, please contact Jennifer.
Community Meal: Tues, Aug 1, 5:30 to 7 pm. Cook, Pastor Walter Lockhart. Please sign up if you can help.
Summer Celebration Schedule
July 30 in the church with Pastor Walter Lockhart giving the sermon
August 6 in the yard at church with Pastor Walter Lockhart giving the sermon, followed by a potluck
August 13 in the church with Deb Ramage giving the sermon
August 20 in Powderhorn Park–for the last time this summer—with Pastor Walter Lockhart giving the sermon
Other Events & Announcements
We are saddened by the loss of Patricia Watkins, a longtime beloved member of Walker Church who passed away early Sunday July 16. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jesse, their children, family and friends.
A Celebration of the Life of Patricia Watkins will be held Saturday, July 29 with a 10 am visitation, an 11 am service followed by a noon luncheon.
One of our members, Rich Carlson wrote the letter below and Anne Hamre will sing “For a Dancer” this coming Sunday in remembrance of Pat.
Dear Walker Community,
These are some thoughts in memory of Pat Watkins: One of my favorite poets is Mary Oliver. In her poem “When Death Comes”, she writes, “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life/ I was a bride married to amazement.” As much as anyone I’ve known, Pat was married to amazement. Of course she chose to marry Jesse (the love of her life); she recognized him as the amazing soul that he is. He showed up as the embodiment of amazement (amazing grace), the Beloved in human form. Yet she has been a model for us all of one truly in love with all life, and for this I’m so very grateful. We love you Pat! We love you Jesse!
Also I think of the Jackson Browne song “For a Dancer” (there is a live version on You Tube, he performs it in London shortly after the death of his wife Phyllis, Jackson on piano & vocals, David Lindley on violin). Pat Watkins lives in my heart and memory as the beautiful Dancer, graceful, free-spirited, Love in motion. I see her dancing even now.
Love, Rick Carlson
Many thanks to Walker Church from Fatawu Sayibu and the other organizers from Tiyumba Drum & Dance for Walker’s Peace with Justice Committee letting them use our sanctuary for free for their fundraiser for M’bangba Cultural School in Ghana last Monday. Over 100 people came to this event and they raised a good amount in donations to the school.
RED MOUNTAIN is back! See Janet’s artcar in the 23rd Annual Artcar parade around Lake Harriet: Saturday, July 22, starting at 6 pm. Lots of wacky cars will be on display at the rose garden before and after the parade. FFI Janet Skidmore janetskidmore56@gmail.com
Transition National Gathering, July 27-30
Several current and former Walker Church members are involved with local Transition groups in the Twin Cities – Leslie Mackenzie, Peter Foster, Peter Doughty, Paula Holden, and Joe Hesla, among them. (Transition is a global, citizen-led movement of people taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, prepare for a changing climate, relocalize their economy and build resilient, socially connected communities.)
Leslie would like to share information about an upcoming one-of-a-kind event happening here in the Twin Cities that would be of interest to Walker members.
“Growing a Movement for Resilient Communities” is the theme of the 1st National Transition Gathering, taking place at Macalester College, July 27 to 30. With more than 70 presenters from Minnesota, across the nation and across the globe, it will bring information and inspiration to anyone working on community-based projects to build economically and environmentally sustainable communities.
The event kicks off Thurs., July 27, with intensive workshops on topics of building local economic resilience, community rights, inner resilience, shaping local policy and techniques for effective collaboration for working groups. Thursday evening features a screening of the award-winning French documentary, Demain (Tomorrow), which showcases what communities around the world are doing to meet environmental and social challenges.
Friday, July 28 features keynote speaker Richard Heinberg, a senior fellow at the Post Carbon Institute, speaking on “Transition in the Age of Denial.” The federal government may have stepped away from the Paris agreement on climate, local governments, community members, and businesses are looking – and working – to achieve a more sustainable, fossil fuel free future.
The main gathering, on Sat., July 29 and Sun., July 30, includes 39 concurrent workshops with experts and community members from around the U.S. sharing stories of success and skills for building resilience and sustainability at all levels – individual, household, neighborhood, and city. There are two workshops specifically addressing faith and faith communities. Saturday evening features keynote speaker Phyllis Young, Standing Rock Elder and Water Protector, followed by music.
To learn more about the National Gathering, see www.transitiongathering.org.
There are work-trade opportunities available for local residents who would like to help at the event for a significantly reduced entry free. The local organizers are also seeking homestay opportunities for out-of-town speakers and attendees. If you can assist with a homestay, please contact Leslie Mackenzie at leslie.mackenzie@gmail.com.
Ongoing Walker & Walkerite Groups
Circle Gathering: Sundays 9 to 10 am with discussion on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn FFI Mary Parker & Tony Wentersdorf
Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 E Lake St. FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart
Community Meal: Tuesdays 6 to 7 pm. Free, everyone welcome!
Walker Singers are on break and will resume on September 5 led by Jim McCreary
Initiates: 3rd Sunday of each month 8:15 to 10:15 am in the conference room. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz
Men’s Potluck Brunch: 2nd Saturday of each month at someone’s home.
Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Lulu Philips
Open Flow Forum: 1st Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm. A group of artists with disabilities FFI Tara Innmon or Kip Shane
Health & Wellness Services by Walkerites
Alice Browne Music Lessons, Therapy & Sound Healing: Thursdays & Fridays by appointment. Lessons in beginning piano, guitar, fiddle, all levels of voice and Sound Healing-a massage of sound vibrations. Contact Alice 612-860-6644 abmermaid@gmail.com
Sarah Dagg Massage Therapist: Two days each month between 9 am to 5 pm by appointment. Contact Sarah 218-831-9570 sdagg@crosslake.net
Other on-going groups meeting at Walker
East Lake LOL AA: A mixed, open AA group that meets every Wednesday 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Rosen Movement: Wednesdays 9 am to 10 am for simple movement with music. Open to all, come any week, cost: $5 to $10. FFI Phyllis Wiener wienerphyllis@gmail.com
Aware Dance: Wednesdays 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm. Free style movement with music. Cost: $10-15. FFI Facebook Aware Dance & Movement
Hoop Twin Cities: Tuesdays through Aug 15 (except for Aug 1) 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Free hoola hooping for all ages FFI hoopjeans@gmail.com
Queer Birth Project: 2nd Saturday of each month 10 to noon. LGBTQ new parent support group www.queerbirthproject.com
Private Transforming Families Group: 2nd Saturday of each 1 to 3 pm. Support for families with transgender children FFI Walker office.
Autoharp Jams: 2nd Sunday of each month 3 to 5 pm. FFI Tony Wentersdorf
Bluegrass Jam: Last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm. Free, come to jam or listen. FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com
Neurodiversity Group: 2nd Thursday of each month 7 to 9 pm led by Paul Johnson. Free emotional support for adults on the autism spectrum and their family & friends. Pljohnson46@yahoo.com
