Urban Events and News

Innovation: “Bonfire” collaboration

House of Hope, St. James, and First Lutheran Churches have been holding regular leadership conversations about ways cooperative ministry might better serve our individual mission in the Crystal-New Hope area. These discussions have led to new friendships among the pastors and developed a deeper understanding among the lay-leadership of the challenges and opportunities our congregations now enjoy. You are already witnessing some of the ways we have chosen to work together in worship, in music, in education, and in service to our community. These events, classes, and projects are offered to build up our knowledge of each other’s people, facilities, and mission.

In coming months, lay leaders from all three congregations will be gathering to study, discuss, and dream of ways our congregations can collaborate on new ways of doing ministry for new times and the new challenges they bring. Each congregation brings gifts of experience and wisdom to the table. Each of our leadership groups ask meaningful questions about the problems we face and bring innovation to the next steps we take. We call the group “Bonfire” as a way of describing the way the Spirit of God is inspiring us to talk honestly, openly, and hopefully to each other about what our churches are called to do next. More is coming! Hope is present! Faith is alive! more...

St. Olaf, your inner-city partnership church

Greetings! We have been hard hit by the recession. Many of our members are out of work and more are losing their jobs every week. That is the backdrop to the gratitude I feel when I see the monthly check from First Lutheran.

Without you friends in Christ, we wouldn't have a prayer. But, we're managing, thanks to friends like you. Also, you are really to be commended for your gift of property to Habitat and the work you did on the house. Unfortunately, with our ongoing commitments to the nursing home, we were not able to join you, but nevertheless we felt a connection to the project through our partnership connection.

I will talk with you directly when I visit this fall for my annual preaching at First Lutheran, and the choir looks forward to sharing Advent and with you again this year.

Peace,
Pastor Dale