Announcements- December 23, 2018

 Walker Community United Methodist Church

Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.

Hello Walkerites, Friends & Visitors

Here are the announcements.

No one has signed up for bread and juice.

Walker Events & Other Public Events at Walker

All meetings and events listed are at Walker Church unless noted otherwise See our website calendar  www.walkerchurch.org for happenings further into the future. For more information office@walkerchurch.org

***There is no Initiates meeting for the month of December. The next Initiates meeting will be Sunday, January 20th at 8:15am.***

Political Prisoner Letter Writing Night: Thursday, December 20th 6-8pm in the conference roomWrite letters to build and sustain relationships with prisoners in Minnesota and beyond. Open to all. FFI Bailey Riley rileyb16@gmail.com

Winter Solstice Party w/ Naye Strunes Klezmer Quartet: Saturday, December 22nd 7pm in the sanctuary. Live music and refreshments. Free, open to all. Donations go toward free community meals at Walker.

Walkerites Pageant Rehearsal: Sunday, December 23rd 5-7pm in the sanctuary.

Blue Christmas Service: Sunday, December 23rd at 7pm in the sanctuary.

Sunday Celebration

December 23, 2018

Greeters: Carole Megarry & Don Browne

Communal Singing led by Roberta Cullen & Janet Skidmore

Communal Reading

Our mission is to nurture spirituality, build caring community & work courageously for peace with justice and mercy.

Opening by Al Hildenbrand

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Reader: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David” (Luke 2:1,3-4).

Reader: Today we remember Joseph, worn-out traveler and worried husband, doing what was necessary for the sake of his family, the burden of poverty stifling his hope in the promise of God. There was no room for him, yet he knows to whom he belongs.

People: Today we give thanks for the Josephs among us, migrating far from home when there is no choice, fiercely devoted to the ones they love, unwavering in their belief that there is room for all in the kin-dom of God.

Reader: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of Joseph, who knocks at the door, ready to take his place among royalty.

(Light two purple candles, the rose candle, and the last purple candle.)

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light.

O come Thou Key of David come

And open wide our heav’nly home

Make safe the way that leads on high

And close the path to misery.

O come Desire of nations bind
All peoples in one heart and mind

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease

Fill all the world with heaven’s peace.

Lao Tzu followed by 5 minutes of silence

32 Mitchell
The Tao can’t be perceived.
Smaller than an electron,
it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger. All things end in the Tao
as rivers flow into the sea.

Poetry by Cheryl Kramer

Welcome, Announcements & Offering

Reading:  Magnificent Luke 1:46-55 (contemporary adaptation) by Roberta Cullen

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God!
My heart rejoices in you, my Savior,
because you have showered your servant with blessing!
From now to the end of time,
all generations will know the great things you have done for me.

Mighty One! Your name is holy!
In every age,
your compassion flows to those who reverence you!
But all who seek to exalt themselves in arrogance
will be leveled by your power.

You have deposed the mighty from their seats of power,
and have raised the lowly to high places.
Those who suffer hunger,
you have filled with good things.
Those who are privileged,
you have turned away empty-handed.

You have come to the aid of your people,
in fulfillment of the promise you made to our ancestors—
when you spoke blessing to Sarah and Hagar
and all their descendants, to the utmost generation!

Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart

Special Performance by the Walker Singers: “Santa, Santa Claus” by Howard Ashby Kranz; Jim Feldman.

Circle with Joys & Concerns & sharing of bread & juice by ?

Hospitality Time Thanks for set-up by the Hospitality Committee, Treats by Steve G-M

Monday Morning Coffee now meets 10AM until noon at Selam Coffee House, 3860 Minnehaha Ave

Walker Christmas Eve Celebration: Monday, December 24th 4pm in the sanctuary.

Christmas Community Meal & Food Giveaway:  Tuesday, December 25th, Doors open & food giveaway at 5 pm.  Vegan, gluten free and regular pancakes will be served, along with specialty toppings! Meal served 5:30 to 6:45pm.  Free, everyone welcome.  Volunteers are needed, please sign up!

No Bayou Bridge Pipeline Fundraiser: Saturday, December 29th 7-9pm in the sanctuary. Silent auction and presentation. All proceeds go toward supporting the pipeline resistance in Louisiana. FFI Jacqueline at office@walkerchurch.org

Bluegrass Jam: Monday, December 31st 7-10pm. Free, come to jam or listen. FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com

Community Meal & Food Giveaway:  Tuesday, January 1st, Doors open & food giveaway at 5 pm.  Meal served 5:30 to 6:45pm.  Free, everyone welcome.  Volunteers are needed, please sign up!

Walker Singers Rehearsal: Tuesday, January 1st at 7pm in the sanctuary.

Political Prisoner Letter Writing Night: Thursday, January 3rd 6-8pm in the conference room. Write letters to build and sustain relationships with prisoners in Minnesota and beyond. Open to all. FFI Bailey Riley rileyb16@gmail.com

Walker Community Announcements

2018 Homeless Memorial March and Service: Thursday, December 20th                                                                                                                        5:00 pm | March & Silent Vigil
Hennepin County Government Center 3rd Avenue South & 5th Street South, Minneapolis  The Homeless Memorial March is about three miles long. The march will follow 5th Street South westward to Nicollet Avenue and proceed south to 28th Street. Signs to honor those who have died: At the Government Center Plaza, marchers will see signs displaying the names of those who have died during the last year. You are encouraged to take a sign to carry during the march.  Please refrain from bringing signs with political, religious, or other messages. We support and encourage religious and political dialogue. However, this event is about honoring those who have died.  At 5:00 p.m. a speaker will make a few comments. Following this message, the marchers will leave the Government Center Plaza heading west along 5th Street, then south along Nicollet Avenue. Marchers will follow the route silently through downtown and south to Simpson United Methodist Church.                                                                                                         6:30 pm | Service of Remembrance
Simpson United Methodist Church 2740 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis Following the opening words, there will be an invitation for individuals to share memories of someone who has passed away this year. Each speaker is asked to keep comments under three minutes and refrain from religious or political statements. Memories may also be shared in writing; letters and messages will be posted in a display during the community meal after the service.

7:30 pm | Community Meal
Simpson Shelter Lower level of Simpson United Methodist Church Following the memorial service all are invited to stay for a community meal. This is a time for participants to gather, connect, and reflect on what they have just experienced. A festive holiday meal is provided by Minnetonka United Methodist Church.  For more info: https://www.simpsonhousing.org/events/memorial-march/   

Celebration Band Playing Songs out of the Walker Songbook! Friday, February 1st 6-8pm in the sanctuary. More details to come.

Events Elsewhere

Assisted Living Facility New Year’s Eve Party Fundraiser: The Minneapolis ‘Assisted Living” facility we live in – well it’s the ‘poor building’ among a conglomerate of more ‘well off’ – so called ‘assisted living’ facilities. Think of us like THE ISLAND of MISFIT TOYS. We didn’t see much of any holiday celebrations last year – and even less this year – mostly because our entertainment budget goes to keeping the elevators working and more reasonably healthy food on our plates. And for that we are grateful. HOWEVER: Last year a few of us chipped in for some Ice Cream, Cheese Puffs (the good kind) and some Eggnog. That and each other’s company is all we needed to have a good time. Oh ya – and the TV! But even doing that is a big financial strain for us – as most of us are only allowed $97 out of our Social Security or Retirement money. And after paying for personal needs like toilet paper and hygiene products – we don’t have didley squat left at month’s end. We were thinking of hitting up DICK CLARK for a few bucks, but we forgot – he’s dead.
For a lot of us – remembering isn’t as easy as it used to be. You know?

So we’re hoping some of you might help us out (only if you can) by please sending us a couple bucks. Our good friend Rev. Walter Lockhart of (Walker Community UMC Church) in Minneapolis will be handling any donations that might come our way.So if you want to help us RING in the NEW YEAR and rip the the roof off this joint – we’d be much obliged!
↪HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP! https://www.gofundme.com/assisted-living-facility-new-years-eve-party

No Border Wall! Support for Honduran Refugees! Senator Klobuchar’s Office Thurs. Dec. 20, 5-6 pm 1200 S Washington Ave. Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced that she is thinking of running for president. She is projecting herself as someone who is open to ‘compromises’ and that she is open to voting to partially fund Trump’s racist border wall. Congress will be voting again soon on a budget deal and we need to tell Klobuchar that not one penny should go to border militarization. We’ll be picketing in front of her office at the busy intersection of 35W and Washington Ave. Join us to say: We welcome Honduran refugees! No border wall! https://www.facebook.com/events/1995027567200070/

The Fireroast Mountain Boys–featuring Walkerites Don Browne, Steve Sandberg, Dick Danaher and David West perform at 5 pm on the 4th Saturday of the Month at the Underground Music Cafe in Falcon Heights until further notice. That would incuse this Saturday 12/22 for those of you keeping score. It’ll be a blend of covers and originals, singalong and virtuosity, folk, jazz and rock and of course ukulele and tuba. No cover. All are welcome.

Anti-Semitism & White Nationalism: Understanding & Undermining the Politics of Exclusion.

Join Jewish Community Action for a series of conversations about the intersection of White Nationalism & Anti-Semitism with Eric Ward and Dania Rajendra. In two sessions, one for the Twin Cities Jewish community, & the other for our non-Jewish allies, we will learn how to identify, confront, and ultimately dismantle anti-Semitism within & around our communities. Jewish Community Session: Sunday, January 6th 10am-12pm Sabes JCC 4330 Cedar Lake Rd; Non-Jewish Allies Session: Sunday, January6th 3-5pm CAIR-MN 2511 E. Franklin Ave #100. Register at: www.jewishcommunityaction.org/events

Ongoing Walker & Walkerite Groups

Sunday Celebration & Children’s Sunday school:  Sundays 10:30 am

Chalice Circle:  Sundays 9 to 10 am in the Meditation Room. We listen to music, meditate, read a passage on spiritual growth, and discuss our thoughts and feelings using the circle method. All are welcome! Come once or many times!

Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at a local coffee shop.  FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart.

Community Meal & Food Giveaway:  Tuesdays, Doors open & food giveaway at 5 pm.  Meal served 5:30 to 6:45pm.  Free, everyone welcome.

Walker Singers: Tuesdays 7 to 8 pm led by Jim McCreary

Initiates: 3rd Sunday of each month 8:30 to 10:15 am in the conference room. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz

Men’s Potluck Brunch: one Saturday of each month at someone’s home.

Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Nancy Larsen

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 at Walker by Walkerites

 

Alice Browne’s Music Therapy & Sound Healing:  By appointment.  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

Other on-going groups meeting at Walker that are open to all

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 to 9:15 pm Free style movement with music.  Cost $10-15  FFI Facebook Aware Dance & Movement

Hoop Twin Cities:  Thursdays 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

Bluegrass Jam:  Last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm.  Free, come to jam or listen.  FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com

Dance for Women:  2nd Saturday of each month 7 to 10 pm in the sanctuary.

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

Northern Mississippi Prisoner Support Group:  1st and 3rd Thursday of each month 6 to 8 pm.  Write letters to build and sustain relationships with prisoners in Minnesota and beyond. Open to all. FFI Bailey Riley rileyb16@gmail.com

Norwegian Folk Dance: 1st & 3rd Monday of each month 7 to 9 pm in the Sanctuary. Rehearsals open to all, free.

Stop Line 3 Climate Justice Group:  Some Tuesdays 7 to 9 pm in the conference room.  FFI Al Sherwood stopline3mpls@gmail.com