Open Circle Church Update
Thinking Encouraged, Diversity Welcomed November 28, 2009 
Open Circle Calendar
3 Weeks Out
 
Sunday 11/29
10:00 a.m. Worship
Children's Story: Kimberly Boynton
Snacks: Rick Gingrich
11:00 Education Hour

Sunday 12/6
10:00 a.m. Worship
Children's Story: Rhonda P. Gingrich
Snacks: Andrea Gonzalez
11:00 a.m. Education Hour

Friday 12/11
7:00 p.m. mnpACT Event

Sunday 12/13
10:00 a.m. Worship & Christmas Progam
Children's Story: Jan Johnson
11:00 a.m. Christmas Party




Support The Mission And Ministries Of Open Circle
Please help our community of faith continue to be a progressive Christian presence in the Twin Cities metro area. You can make a contribution online by clicking here. You can see our most recent financial statement here. Thank you for your financial suppprt of our ministries!

GoodSearch
Every internet search you make raises money for Open Circle if you use GoodSearch as your search engine. It's easy. Go to GoodSearch, choose your charity, and then use it to search.  You can also have a portion of your online purchases go to Open Circle by clicking on the GoodShopping logo and shopping at BestBuy, Target, Barnes & Noble, and hundreds of other retailers.

Next Newsletter
 December 15, 2009
Deadline for Submission is
December 14, 2009
Coffee and Conversation with Jay

Mary Ann and I were reminiscing recently about Black Fridays past. There is only one time we ever participated in the shopping side of this busiest retail day of the year. I stood in line in the dark and the cold outside a toy store in order to buy Meagan her first two wheel bike at an early morning special price. I don't really have any unpleasant memories about that experience; I am sure I was glad to save the money and willing to put up with  a little inconvenience to do it. But Meagan is graduating from college in a few weeks and graduated from that first bike many years ago.

There is another side to black Friday that has had an effect on our family life. Because Mary Ann works in retail she is expected to be at work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. For many years it was our tradition to travel to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving as this - and not Christmas - is when both of our extended families gather. Early on in her employment at Bachmans she was able to get away but as her responsibilities have increased and store policies have been tightened up we have had to miss this annual family gathering.

Mind you I am not complaining. We are glad she has work and this kind of sacrifice goes with the retail territory. But we mourn the loss of this family time nonetheless.

There are a growing number of churches around the country who are "fighting back" against the consumer frenzy that officially kicks off on Black Friday and doesn't end until the last shopping day is exhausted on December 24. They are participating in what is called an Advent Conspiracy. We are not officially participating but I share many of their sentiments.

I am not against gift giving. I enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Material gifts, too. But the thing is, most of us are awash in material things; we don't need more stuff. There are many people on the other hand who do need material gifts, especially this year. A suggestion from the Advent Conspiracy folks is that we give one less material gift to the usual recipients of our giving; give them a card this year that says that a gift has been given in their name to someone in need.

Another suggestion is to think about giving gifts that truly are "priceless." Like presence. Not presents, presence. Our time. Our undivided attention.  A lap or a hand to our children. Our physical body helping at a shelter or food shelf. What we most need from each other is presence, the work of attention, love.

It is up to as to use the time we have been given as we choose. Advent invites us give time and attention to things that matter, and gifts that meet genuine needs.
Upcoming Highlights

Getting to Know You at Open Circle
Sunday, November 29, after worship
The "Getting to Know Open Circle Church" gathering is your opportunity to learn about the life and ministry of Open Circle Church and to ask any questions you may have.  We also would like to hear from you so we might get to know you better.  The following three topics will guide our get-together: 1. Brief introductions.  For example; what city do you live in and how long have you lived in the area?  Do you have family in the area?  How did you hear about Open Circle Church? 2. What is your religious/spiritual background?  What are you looking for in a church community? 3. Brief explanation of who Open Circle is.  Question and answer period. If you have additional questions that would take us beyond the hour we can make other arrangements.  We also offer an Inquirers Class for those who would like more information and are considering becoming a member of Open Circle Church.

Children Rehearsing for Christmas Program
During the education hour children are rehearsing for the Christmas Program on December 13. All children are welcome to participate.

Coat Drive Wraps Up
Sponsored by the Youth
Please bring gently used, clean winter coats to donate. Coats should be clean and in good shape. (through Nov. 29)

Armful of Love
Please bring wrapped presents back to church by Sunday December 6. They will be given to the family we have adopted for this Christmas.

Hat and Mitten Tree
This year we are decorating the Christmas Tree with new hats and mittens that will be donated to Community Action council.

Christmas Program and Party
December 13. Children and adult choirs will be singing. Party afterwards; it is a potluck. Sign up sheet at the church.
 
For Your Thoughts and Prayers
If you have prayer concerns or joys to share with our community please e-mail me. Todd and Mary Hall; Todd and Mary are recovering from their transplant surgeries. Dan Kanitz, who has a heart murmur caused by a tear in a valve that will require surgery this winter. Faye Lefever, who is losing her sight due to macular degeneration. Mary Ann Steele's family on the death of her father. Todd Lines' family on the death of his dad. Jeannine Mayer who continues to receive chemotherapy. For families both in Open Circle and in our communities and world who are struggling with life's problems.  Continued prayers for the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the Iraqi and Afghani people.
Upcoming Events for your Calendar
 
New or Special Events

Advent Calendar
The children at Open Circle have been given an Advent Calendar. If you would like a copy for your home and children click here.

Community Garden Planning Committee Forming
Phase one of our landscaping plan was the installation of the rain garden. It looks great and is working just as we hoped. Phase two could be the installation of a community garden. Grant money is being made available for the spring of 2010 through Dakota County for organizations to either install or upgrade existing community gardens. While there several models of community garden supported in this process, talk at OC has been about a plot garden where the church would provide the space, prepare the land, and make water accessible to the site. Neighbors - targeted especially at families with needs - would plant and tend their own sites. Church families would also be welcome to garden there.

Veda and Jay attended the initial meeting about this program and it appears that Open Circle has a very good chance of securing a grant of up to $2000. What is required is a study of the feasibility and need for a community garden in our area and the writing of a grant. There are two upcoming meetings, December 3 in Apple Valley and December 9 in St. Paul, to learn more about what is involved. Jay will be attending the second meeting. If you are interested in working on a committee this winter to make this happen please talk to Jay.

Christmas Eve
5:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our Christmas Eve candle-lighting service.

Open Circle Music Schedule- Fall 2009
We welcome all to join us in creating beautiful music at Open Circle!  Please mark your calendars now and join us for any and all groups that you may be interested in:
 
OC Choir:  Practicing at 9am the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month- 12/6.  Singing in church on 12/13 for a Christmas Program, and possibly one of the Sundays in November.
 
OC Folk Group: Practicing at 6:30pm the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month- 12/1, 12/15.  Playing and Singing regularly in church, including accompanying/leading congregational singing. (You DO NOT have to be there every Sunday to participate!)  Bring your instrument or just your voice and join us for this new group at OC!
 
OC Children's Choir:  Practicing every Sunday after church, before Sunday School (When there is not a community meal).  The children's choir will sing in church once a month (Including 12/13 for the Christmas Program).  All Kids ages Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome.
 
Men's/Women's/Mixed Ensembles: If you are interested in singing in a small ensemble group, please let Todd or Kristin know and we will inform you of practices. 



Ongoing Events

December Birthdays
12        Charlie DeWitt
16        Julie Edstrom

Women's Group
Our Women's Group will be meeting every other Thursday evening at 7 pm. Folks are welcome to contact Danette (952-835-0353) or Jodi (952-881-3051) for more information.

Community Events

mnpACT Event
Friday, December 11, 7-9 pm at church
An evening with Speaker of the House (DFL) Margaret Anderson-Kelliher & Mayor of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak!

25h Annual Minnesota Homeless Memorial March and Meal
Thursday, December 17
5 pm  |  March and Silent Vigil
Hennepin County Government Center
3rd Avenue South and 5th Street South
The march will follow 5th Street west to Nicollet Avenue
and proceed south to 28th Street.

6:30 pm  |  Service of Remembrance
Simpson United Methodist Church
2740 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis

    * Speaker: Monica Nilsson, Director of Outreach - St. Stephen's Human Services, President of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and longtime advocate for the homeless community. read about Monica
    * Music will include:
      Ninijanisag Drum Group from the Ain Dah Yung center read about the drummers
      Saleha Erdman on cello.

7:30 pm  |  Community Meal
Simpson Shelter (basement of Simpson Church)
All are welcome.

Sponsored by:
Simpson Housing Services
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Shelter Providers Action Association

Parking and Shuttles
Parking is available at the Kmart parking lot
10 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
Shuttle buses to the start of the march will depart from Kmart at 4:20 pm.

For more information go to www.simpsonhousing.org/memorial

Other Information

Updated Directory Available
The 2009 Open Circle Church Directory (18 pages with Pictures) is now available. Also available is the short form Directory (4 pages without pictures). These copies are printed in black and white and are available in the vestibule of the Church. Both directories are also offered as a PDF file for saving or printing from your own computer. This PDF versions of the 2009 OCC Directory is in color. Anyone wanting a PDF version should Email mdhenly@msn.com and it will be returned with the PDF attachments.
 

About Us
Open Circle Church
2400 Highland Drive, Burnsville MN 55337
612-578-3233