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Ash Wednesday
February 17
Our Lenten journey begins on Ash
Wednesday, February 17, with a worship service and Holy Communion at 7
p.m. in the Sanctuary. David Van Dyke will preach and the Motet Choir
and Choir School ensembles will provide the service music.
Lent is a season of penance and reflection which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. In the ancient Judeo-Christian tradition, ashes are a symbol of mourning and penance. We are marked with ashes to remind us of our mortality, our human failings, and our need of God's forgiveness.
You are dust, and to dust you shall return.
--Genesis 3:19
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February Art Show
The artist whose works will be on display in the CLOISTER GALLERY during the month of February is photographer Linda Brooks. In 2008, Brooks accompanied Peabody Award-winner, Kellogg Foundation Fellow, broadcast journalist Mary Stucky on various projects in Mexico. In conjunction with her work for the non-profit organization she founded, Round Earth Productions, Stucky researched and produced many stories on Latin America. She invited Brooks and another photographer, Ginny Grossman, to meet her in Mexico to take photographs that would eventually become online slide shows to go with Stucky's radio stories. Brooks' photographs from these "Mexico Projects" will be on exhibit in our gallery. Meet the artist in the gallery on Sunday, February 7, following the 10 a.m. worship service. |
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Baptism Class
March 21
New or prospective parents interested in Baptism may attend a Baptism class on Sunday, March 21, at 9 a.m. in the Church Library. This class will provide parents with information about the sacrament and its purpose, and will be another way for the church to offer support and encouragement to families. Please call Michelle Freyholtz at 651-223-7556 to schedule your baby's baptism and to register for the class. Baptism classes are offered quarterly. Baptisms are ordinarily celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of each month. |
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Women's Advocates
February 18
WOMEN'S ADVOCATES shelter for battered women serves nearly 1,000 women and children a year. Women are given emergency shelter, food, clothing and personal items as well as support and counseling. Children are given child care; safety plans; support groups; education and counseling; animal-assisted intervention and art therapy; and facilitation of school enrollment, transportation and tutoring. The Rose Program helps families move into permanent, stable housing and gives intensive care and support services after women and children move out of the shelter. A group of women under the leadership of House of Hope member Liz Boyd volunteers every Third Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. They do a craft project or play bingo with the women and children, and then provide a treat for them. If you would be interested in joining this group (men included), leave your name in the church office, 651-227-6311. |
Book Study
April 7, 14 and 21
The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault
 This Wednesday Evening In-depth Series book study features Cynthia Bourgeault's The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ and His Message. It will be led by Sister Virginia Matter, Spiritual Director, The Benedictine Center, Maplewood. She has experience in several spiritual traditions: monastic East/West, dialogue with Buddhists and Hindus, Native American Creative Arts, and Christian Spirituality. The book study will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room. This series is free and open to the public. (The Reverend Dr. Bourgeault will be the 2010 Didier Seminar speaker on April 23, 24 and 25.) |
Didier Seminar
April 23, 24 and 25
Mark your calendar for the DIDIER SEMINAR, April 23, 24 and 25, 2010. The guest speaker will be The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault, Episcopal priest, author, Principal Teacher for the Contemplative Society, and past fellow of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. She will speak on the topic "Meditation and Visionary Seeing in the Christian Tradition." The Didier Seminar is free an open to the public.
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Job Support Group
The Big
Net: Congregations Working Together to Provide Job Seeker
Programs and
Services provides a weekly support program, at 4 p.m. on
Thursdays, covering resume review, networking, cover letters, personal
assessment, interview practice and general support. This program is held at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 60
Kent St., St Paul (between Portland and Holly). For more
information, contact Rev. Tom Forster-Smith at tomf@hohchurch.org or 651-223-7553, or visit www.thebignet.net.
The House of Hope is a member church of The Big Net.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
February 10 Centering Prayer Program Cancelled
 Due
to an illness in his family, Michael Dennis Browne, our speaker for
this Wednesday evening, February 10, is unable to be with us. So there
will be No Adult Education In-Depth Series Class this Wednesday,
February 10. Please join us Thursday evening, February 11, at
7 p.m.
in the Assembly Room at The House of Hope when Dr. Joy Laine of
Macalester College will discuss "The Spiritual Traditions of Yoga."
For further information please call Rev. Tom Forster-Smith at 651
223-7553, or e-mail him at tomf@hohchurch.org. |
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Aaron David Miller Accompanies Silent Film February 12
On Friday, February 12, Aaron David Miller will provide live organ accompaniment to Charlie Chaplin's classic silent film, The Circus. The Circus won Charles Chaplin his first Academy Award -- it was not yet called the 'Oscar'-- at the first presentations ceremony in 1929. The special award was for "Versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing."
This event is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary,
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In-Depth Adult Education Series on Meditation Continues
 ·Thursday, February 11. Dr. Joy Laine,
adjunct professor at Macalester College specializing in philosophy of
the mind and language, will speak on "The Spiritual Traditions of
Yoga." Joy Laine has studied and taught yoga for over 30 years.
·Wednesday, February 24. Ken Ford, of the Clouds in Water Zen Buddhist Center in St. Paul, will speak on meditation in the Zen tradition.
This Adult Education In-Depth Series is in preparation for the 2010 Didier Seminar: "Meditation and Visionary Seeing in the Christian Tradition." These events take place at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room and are free and open to the public. |
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Habitat for Humanity February 13
Our next Saturday work date is February 13. We will be working at 1114 Livingston Avenue, West St. Paul, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Please arrive by 8:20 a.m. to get signed in). This is the final Saturday for 2009-2010. Please help provide affordable housing for a low income family in the St. Paul area. We are always looking for new people to join us. People of all experience levels are welcomed. No construction experience is necessary. Training, tools & materials, and lunch are provided. If you don't want to do construction, we are looking for people to help with lunch (needed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). To sign up or for more information, please contact Kyle Schmidt at 651-690-2559 or kwschmidt03@yahoo.com.
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Macalester Sunday February 14
On February 14 we celebrate our historic relationship with Macalester College, whose founder and first president was Edward Duffield Neill. Dr. Neill founded The First Presbyterian Church in 1849 and House of Hope in 1855. The two congregations merged in 1914 to become The House of Hope Presbyterian Church.
The worship services begin with the skirls of the bagpipe, and service music is provided by the Macalester College Concert Choir under the direction of Eugene Rogers. Rev. Lucy Forster-Smith, Macalester's Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life and Chaplain of the College, is the preacher of the day. Macalester President Brian Rosenberg brings greetings from the college. Shortbread will be served in Kirk Parlour and members of our congregation who are Macalester graduates serve as greeters.
Following 10 a.m. worship, Macalester Provost Kathy Murray will talk about plans for the expansion of the college's Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center. Join us in the Assembly Room.
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Kirk Club February 14
The Kirk Club will meet for brunch on Sunday, February 14, at 12:30 p.m. at the Lexington (Grand at Lexington in St. Paul). Our guest will be Dr. Jean Lubke, Director of Curriculum for Eden Prairie Schools. She will discuss her recent mission trip to Nicaragua to help that country improve its education methods. Menu items start at $13.78 including tax and tip. Make reservations by noon on Friday, February 12, by calling the church office, 651-227-6311.
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Souperbowl Offering
Thanks to your generosity, the youth collected $1,515.50 for the Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday! It will be divided among the Hallie Q. Brown Food Shelf, Feed My Starving Children, and the Food Shelf at Sharing and Caring Hands. If you didn't have a chance to contribute to the Souper Bowl, and would still like to donate, checks can be made payable to House of Hope with "Souper Bowl" in the memo line. Thank you from all of the House of Hope youth!
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Loaves and Fishes February 15
 The SAINTS team will welcome our Frogtown neighbors to supper on Monday, February 15, in the Loaves & Fishes program at Faith Lutheran Church, Charles and Mackubin Streets in St. Paul. The food-prep team leads off the festivities at 2 p.m., and is joined at 5 p.m. by expediters, servers, and clean-up crews. Thank you for your dedication to this program!! Any questions? Please call Ray Clark, 651-484-7270.
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Mardi Gras! ("Fat Tuesday") February 16
Mark your calendars for our Mardi Gras
celebration on Tuesday evening, February 16, at 6 p.m. Everyone is
invited to gather in the Great Hall for a pancake supper, beads, music
and fun! Sign up on Sundays, January 31, February 7 or 14 after worship or by calling the
church office, 651-227-6311. COST: $5 per person or a maximum of $20
per household.
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Mission Sewing February 18
The MISSION SEWING GROUP meets on the first and third Thursday of the month, September through May, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dining Rooms A&B. The group does good work for the missions and enjoys fellowship. Sewing ability is not required. Bring a sandwich; coffee is provided. For further information, contact Janet Brownell, 651-765-4990, or Terry Maroney, 952-423-6960.
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Enrichment Program February 21:
A Family's Struggle with Addication
 On Sunday, February 21, Cynthia and James Betz will recount their family's struggle with addiction and James' path to recovery. They will speak during the Adult Enrichment hour in the Assembly Room. The program is sponsored by House of Hope Faith Partners. Cynthia is a long-time member, as well as an elder and a deacon of The House of Hope. Her son James entered Teen Challenge, a program for addicted youth, in 2008. Today, he is clean and sober. Cynthia and James will describe the Teen Challenge program and how James' recovery journey affected the entire Betz family. Please join us for this moving and meaningful presentation on February 21 after the 10 a.m. worship service.
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Caritas Vocal Ensemble February 21
 On February 21 at 4 p.m., House of Hope's MUSIC AT FOUR Series presents the Caritas Vocal Ensemble performing early and contemporary selections written for chamber vocal ensemble. This recital in the Sanctuary is free and open to the public.
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Sunday-Weekday Connections February 23
 This inter-generational House of Hope women's program will meet at the Meeting House (761 Summit) on Tuesday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m. to hear our speaker, Louise Klas. The evening begins with a social time at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the speaker's presentation. Sign up on Sundays February 7, 14 or 21 at the table outside the Kirk Parlour after the 10 a.m. worship service. The cost is $20 for dinner and related costs. Or make your reservation and pay at the church office by Sunday, February 21. Sign up now for a great evening. Make your check to The House of Hope. This event is open to all women. |
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HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI OUTING
February 28
 High School and Middle School youth and their families are invited to an afternoon of skiing at Afton Alps on Sunday, February 28. Lift tickets and rental are covered for High School and Middle School youth; other family members pay their own way. We plan to leave House of Hope shortly after 11 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. Lunch is not provided, so please bring a bag lunch or money to buy your own in the chalet. Contact Gale Robb to reserve your spots as space is limited: galer@hohchurch.org. |
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Family Bowling February 28
 We're going BOWLING on Sunday, February 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Bernard's lanes. Families of all ages and stages are invited. Bumpers will be provided for the young ones. Join us for pizza and good fun. Cost is $7 per person or a maximum of $30 per family. Children under 2 years of age attend for free. Sign up on the poster outside of the Christian Education office or contact Jan Snell, 651-223-7547.
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Donations and Volunteers Needed
for Assembly of Haiti Relief Kits.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) in partnership with Church World Service is requesting volunteer donations of items for emergency relief kits for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Items are being collected at the House of Hope, where kits will be assembled on Saturday mornings, February 13 and 20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Items needed are as follows:
For Baby Kits
cloth diapers
T-shirts or undershirts (no one-sies)
washcloths
gowns or sleepers
diaper pins
sweater or sweatshirt
receiving blankets (can be a hand-knitted or crocheted baby blanket)
All items should be new and under 12 months in size.
For Hygiene Kits
Towels (16" x 28", no fingertip or bath towels)
washcloths
wide-tooth combs
nail clippers (no metal files or emery boards)
bars of soap (bath size in wrapper)
toothbrushes (in original packaging)
Band-Aids® or other adhesive bandage strips
In addition to the items for the kits, we will need:
·One-gallon plastic bags with zipper closures
·Boxes
·Money for shipping (Checks can be made out to The House of
Hope Presbyterian Church and marked for "Haiti Relief Kits" in
the memo line.) Please bring your donated items by February 12 to the west Portland Avenue door of the church during office hours weekdays or on Sunday mornings, and leave them in the hamper marked "Haiti" or on the long table in the hallway by the Elizabeth Chapel.
For more information on the relief effort, please go to Presbyterian Church (USA)'s website at: www.pcusa.org/pda.
To volunteer to help with assembly of the kits on February 13 or 20, call Mary Senkbeil at 651 270-9914 or e-mail her at mary.senkbeil@gmail.com.
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2010 CASH DONATIONS FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF are deductible on 2009 tax return.
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WASHINGTON - People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim these donations on the tax return they are completing this season, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return qualify for this special tax relief provision, enacted Jan. 22. Only cash contributions made to these charities after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.
"Americans have opened their hearts to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman." This new law provides an immediate tax benefit for the many taxpayers who have made generous donations."
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Grief Groups at House of Hope through March
Grief groups of the Capital City Grief Coalition will meet at House of Hope on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. through March 2010. These groups are designed for those who have lost loved ones through death. Newcomers are welcome to join at any time. For more information, contact Coalition Coordinator Lois Knutson, 651-227-4430. |
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Office Hours
 September through May:Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Saturday: ClosedSunday: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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