In the Loop; In the Spirit

In 2009, 14% of Minnesiota children were living in poverty, 34,000 more than the year before. In Hennepin county the rate is 16%. Requests for food aid went up 23% in 2009. For the first seven months in 2010 they have gone up another 16 percent. The face of poverty often is a single mother with children. Almost one third of those families are in poverrty. Plus in 2008 there were 88,000 children in Minnesota without health care. 33 percent of all Minnesota K-12 qualified for free and reduced school lunch back in 2007. Be an advocate for children in Minnesota. On a good note, St. Louis Park was chosen for the fourth year in a row as one of 100 top cities in the nation for children!!!

When you go from a good paying job to no job, life unravels fast. John had to sell everything and go hungry after not finding a job in over a year. He was the recipient of an outreach that helped him. 6 months later, he got a job and life has returned to normal. John said: Someone believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
Who knows how many people have been helped through Spirit of Christ’s outreach? You do make a difference!

There are times in our lives when trials come. In the “fires” of those trials we are tested. We have to sort out the whys. But we can’t always find the answer to our whys. Not only that, but we can tend to mope and cry and give up.
It is in these moments that we can reflect upon these tests of life. They aren’t all that unique. It is in the midst of these that we determine our character and strength. In these times between a rock and a hard place we are cast into God through faith. We have been here before.
When life deals with us in ways we do not understand and adversity seems to be our friend, then what do we discover about God? What do we discover about ourselves? In the pain of our situation we have the opportunity to trust that God knows how deeply we are pained, and God is there with us.
For in the midst of our pain and struggle we are held in strong hands, hands, that if we are close to, we observe are pierced. So we close our eyes and rest caressed in God’s grace sufficient for the time.
Take time this week to renew your spiritual link to this wonderful caring God!

Day Campers at church in the 1900s

There were 36 Day Campers at Spirit of Christ Day Camp this past August. On one of the four days of adventures they visited a circa 1900 pioneer village in Dakota County. The above picture shows the day campers attending church.

Not all of you will be familiar with the famous Duncan Yo-Yo. It was two circular pieces held together by a peg and a string was attached to it. You began by getting the yo-yo to go up and down. Then, when experienced you could do tricks. Around the world and walking the dog were two favorites.
My life yo-yos up and down and two favorites are my wife and hockey. When my life and emotions start to yo-yo these are two familiar constants. Yet there are those days when I need more. The string breaks and the yo-yo flies off into the unknown causing all kinds of problems. Or maybe my yo-yo life goes for a walk of its own. Or maybe the troubles seem like they are greater than around the world.
Then my constant is and always has been God. God patiently tends to me and my yo-yo like life, giving me what I need through prayer, devotion, word and sacrament.
This is probably why I am a Pastor. I hope you find the same source when you yo-yo in life.

In the “old days” Rally Sunday was the day that called the “troops” back to the church and its yearly ministry from summer vacation.

Now church is an ongoing ministry that never takes a break.  The need has never been greater in our community and world.  Each new week brings new ministry options.  Most involve helping people with the basics of life starting with food.

STEP, our local food shelf gave out 653 school backpacks filled with supplies and gives out about 60,000 pounds of food a month.  many of the recipients are working but just making it.

As we think about Rally Sunday, let’s think about rallying around those who are in need and less fortunate.  Check the website for oppportunities to help. 

pastor Wes

In September, we are looking at success as we might find it in Jesus’ words.  Is Success having the best church, best pastor, most righteous parishioners and a wonderful facility to hold them all?  Or is success the difference that all these make in the lives of others, many who may not even grace the doors of this select clan?  Labor Day began in 1885 and Jesus asks all who labor and are weary to come unto him.  This is one of the reasons for church.  Today as we move beyond the Labor Day week-end, he asks what we have done for the least of those around us.  May you do a kind act or deed this week to, for or with someone else in your community.