- The Wednesday Noon Eucharist group: John Lawyer, Bob Hardman, Mike Bartsch, Ray Gerst, Karen Gerst, Marge Alexander, June Sherren, Joan Hershbell, Dick Hotchkiss, Rosa Uy, Grace Evans, the Rev. Blair Pogue                                                                                                             
Agile Church  
By the Rev. Dr. Blair Pogue

Visitors and newcomers often comment on St. Mattthew's "vitality." They notice lots of children and young adults, global, musical, and liturgical diversity, active social justice ministries, varied spiritual formation offerings, excellent hospitality, and the wonderful art shows in the Parish Hall.

While all these things come from the gifts God has given us, and build on past strengths and decisions (like the people of St. Matthew's deciding to add the Library and two youth rooms and to transform the Parish Hall into an art gallery in the 1990s), they also come from the fact that we're an agile church, dedicated to discerning the Holy Spirit's leading.

For the past ten years the people of St. Matthew's and their Vestry have prayed and engaged in ongoing wondering conversations about what God is up to in their lives and in the lives of their neighbors. When pockets of energy emerge, we explore them.
Further, the people of St. Matthew's and their leaders have repeatedly affirmed that our faith community is committed to being a place of learning and experimentation, and that in order to discern the future God is bringing forth, we must try new things without fear of failure. In an era of great change like the one we live in, it is no longer possible or advisable to put together a five or ten year plan for our church. The change we face locally and globally is discontinuous, meaning we cannot predict what will happen in five years, let alone one.

The culture of trying things without fear of failure has led to "failures" with important learnings, as well as many things which have deepened our relationship with God and our neighbors, and brought great joy: dwelling in scripture, training in deep listening, an emphasis on two-way relationships in our social justice ministries ("being with" rather than just "working for"), child readers, an art show involving Christian and Jewish artists reflecting on their favorite Psalm, global liturgies and music, a Maundy Thursday service that includes Taize music and tactile prayer stations, and a Way of Jesus we follow together including eight spiritual practices - just to name a few.

At present our Vestry is seeking to listen and learn more about how our building fits into God's larger vision for us, what theologian Pat Keifert would call "God's promised and prefered future" for St. Matthew's. Our process is not corporate or top down. It does not involve the rector or Vestry telling you what we should do or are doing. Rather, it involves listening for the Holy Spirit's leading at the grass roots, as we ponder together the question, "knowing we are followers of the Way of Jesus, what might God be calling us to do with our building?"

The question is not a technical one involving quick fixes, or an easy one. The process will most likely involve messiness and a time of being together in "the wilderness" without clarity - which is not easy. It is a question which asks us to seek God's dream for St. Matthew's together as we think about the gifts we might give not only present but future generations. The church is not a museum, but a building that houses a living, praying, active community. The people of St. Matthew's worship a God who both dwells in their midst and is on the move, doing new things not only in our lives, but also in the lives of our neighbors. 

We've had two open discernment sessions thus far and some wonderful ideas have emerged. The third session will take place in the Library on Monday, July 18 at 7 pm and everyone is invited. Hope you can join us for a time of prayer, dreaming, and seeking clarity about the future God is bringing forth.
Financial Peace University: Transformative Learning
By June Sherren

For many of us, "financial peace" is an oxymoron. Too many Americans live instead with financial fragility, as I know too well from my own life. Financial Peace University begins with several sessions structured to give you the skills to begin changing your relationship with money. Once you have had a chance to work towards financial peace, it discusses how our relationship with money is part of our relationship with God. It is a powerful and transformative learning experience. Older people who take the class often say that we just wish we'd been able to take it when we were younger.

The class will be offered again this fall and will be led by Dan White. There will be partial scholarship money available. The people who need the program the most have the least money to spend. I strongly encourage anyone who doesn't have financial peace to consider taking this program. Click here for more information.
Follow-Up from Sondra Samuels Visit and North Minneapolis Bus Tour: How to Get Involved 
By Cecilia Caspram
 
As I promised in a recent issue of Tidings, here is a list of practical ways you can get involved with the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). Most of these suggestions come directly from Sondra Samuels, CEO of NAZ, who visited our Sunday Faith Forum in May. Every day, NAZ is working to close the "achievement gap" in North Minneapolis, via its mission to end multi-generational poverty using education and wraparound services for kids and families. Here is how you can get involved:
  • Join NAZ's email list (via the website) - located on the upper right side of their webpage.
  • Be my guest at an exciting NAZ event later this month, Tuesday, July 26th on the Garden Terrace of the Walker Art Center. The event will feature several high-profile supporters of the Northside Achievement Zone, talking about many of the exciting things happening in North Minneapolis right now -- not to mention apps, drinks, and good music. See the invitation here, and let me know if you're interested at cecelia.caspram@gmail.com.
  • Become a Big (mentor) through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Specifically ask to be matched with a child on the Northside of Minneapolis. Sondra says that Northside children are often the ones waiting the longest to be matched with mentors. If you are a woman, you can ask to be matched with a boy. Boys are often waiting for mentors much longer than girls. Sondra says that one-on-one mentors are so important and needed! More information here.
  • Volunteer to help with MCTC's Summer Session. Minneapolis Community and Technical College hosts a summer program for youth - the greatest needs are to have volunteers in the classrooms assisting and building relationships with scholars. There are two class periods in the morning, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and two in the afternoons, from 12:40 p.m.-2:40 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are the days that volunteers are needed the most. The other option is to be a chaperone during field trips on Fridays. Contact Ed Kirwin at 612 659-6316
  • Attend NAZ events for families/kids, and cheer them on! Sondra calls this the "ministry of clapping." She says that this kind of support from the community is more powerful than we can ever know. You can find out about upcoming events via the website or by joining the email list.
  • Read A Good Time for the Truth - a book recommended by Sondra, about race relations in Minnesota, featuring essays by 16 Minnesota-based people of color. Find out about the book here.

  • Become a NAZ Ally! This is NAZ's monthly giving program (launching this year). You can give at several levels, depending on your budget. This program will also have special communications and ways to become involved.

  • Become a Friend of the Future! Friends of the Future donate at least $1,000 a year to NAZ. Donors can give monthly, quarterly, or in one lump sum. Friends of the Future become a part of a community of supporters that is closely connected to the work of NAZ - via regular communications, events, and invitations to participate.
  • Click Here for even more ways to become involved...
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Rick Kush & Keith Ringold
The New Gathering Room  
By Pam Jones and Linda Lopez

Our old nursery space has recently been renovated into a new gathering room thanks to the hard work of several parishioners! After the mold abatement was completed, Keith Ringold and Rick Kush spent MANY days and weeks redoing the dry wall, taping and texturing, smoothing out the floor, painting, and laying carpet. Keith Ringold, in addition to his many hours of labor also donated the paint and carpeting.  In addition:
  • Ed Lotterman helped with the electric heat. 
  • Paul Kiehne and Terese Lewis donated the all important dehumidfier.
  • With the help of a few other parishioners, Linda Lopez and Pam Jones choose the carpet and paint creating an inviting and calming space. 
  • The room was finished with items graciously donated by several people including Marge Alexander (two paintings), Rosa Uy (Oriental rug and vase), Michael Compton (side table) Mary Griffin (side table and lamp) June Sherren (print), and Linda and Mike Lopez (chairs and lamps).

All the hard work and amazing donations have come together to create a welcoming gathering room for all to use. The room is available for any small group to use and there is also a comfortable area for nursing mothers. Thank you to everyone involved with the project!
Two Opportunities: All Are Invited...
Here are two wonderful gatherings for worship, community, and discussion this summer. They are open to all St. Matthew's parishioners - please contact the hosts to RSVP.
  • Taize Eucharist and potluck at the St. Paul home of Elizabeth Lienesch and Claire Fromme on Sunday, July 17 at 5:30 pm. Please rsvp to Elizabeth 
  • Compline, dessert and discussion of challenging theological questions at the Minneapolis home of Susan Monkmeyer and Howard Quednau on Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 pm. Please rsvp to Susan 
St. Matthew's Parishioner in the News..
Senior Warden John Lawyer was published on the Opinion Page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune last weekend. His article is titled The U.S. Constitution: Time to Update, to Ensure a Functioning Government.  Click here to read it. John is professor of political science emeritus at Bethel University and his article outlines specific suggestions to improve our country's governance. It has already generated more than 800 online comments! 
- the Rev. Blair Pogue, Laura Bathke
City Tips: Email Notifications 
Some of you are not receiving the best information from our online tool, The City.  Here are some suggestions to improve your email notifications.  In the upper-right hand corner of any City page, hover over the "gear box" - a round widget icon - and click Account Settings. Select the Email tab. Click on the appropriate circle for the desired setting for each group you are in. We recommend the Daily Digest, which gives you one email per day.  Please contact Laura Bathke if you have any questions. 
Calendar Highlights 

July 9: Tony Hunt & Nora Poole Wedding, 11:00am
July 10: Reed Carlson is preaching at the 9:30am service
July 13 and 20: Summer Book Discussion, Living Without Enemies 7:00pm in the parish library
July 17: Taize eucharist + potluck at the home of Elizabeth Lienesch and Claire Fromme, 5:30pm
July 18: Building Discernment session, 7:00pm in the library
July 26: NAZ Skyline View event at the Walker Art Center, 6:00pm contact Cecelia
August 1-31: Project Home is Coming...
 
Please share your news and photos with us: tidings@stmatthewsmn.org 

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons