In the Loop; In the Spirit

I tend to be a “fixer”, a band-aid in life for others. There are lots of boo-boos around us today. The question abounds out there: How did I get into this mess? Messiness is just a part of our normal lives and sometimes it simply can’t be fixed by a band-aid or kiss. In life, understanding, forgiveness and encouragement can help us move beyond the messiness. They may be a way for us to clean up the mess without band-aids and kisses. They may help us accept life’s messiness and muddle our way through it with God’s help.

Often we feel victimized by our society. While winning isn’t everything, losing doesn’t feel good. Only when we acknowledge our incompleteness can we overcome the trappings of a win/lose society. God accepts us as we are. He makes us a winner and affirms us. We can celebrate life even though we aren’t “winners”. So no matter who the March Madness winners are in the news, you will know in this Lenten season you are one of them!!

Can you imagine being a hungry teen and coming home to an empty fridge day after day? This is reality for thousands of teens right here in our own backyard. The St Louis Park TreeHouse is committed to serving a hot meal at the beginning of our weekly evening programs for at-risk teens. We need help! Serve a meal one Tuesday a month. Great service project for a small group or family. Contact Audrey Gustafson, SLP TreeHouse Program Coordinator, 612-801-4741, for more details.

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!

In July, Spirit of Christ members collected 1700 lbs of food from the surrounding community for STEP, the St. Louis Park Emergency Program.

Pastor Kevin and Rabbi Yonatan

Thanks to everyone who came out to “kick it” for STEP, the local social service agency in our community that was founded by the faith community working together to care for our neighbors.  We pray for the day that STEP will no longer be needed, but know our partnership is essential to be God’s hands, feet and shalom in Saint Louis Park.  Thanks especially to Jon and Ali London (Adath Jeshurun) and Brooks Anderson (Westwood) and Jason and Nicole Goerges (Spirit of Christ) who were the driving factors behind the event.  Join us for the next interfaith event!

CELEBRATE CHILDREN DAY!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24^TH

10:00am – 12:00pm

SPIRIT OF CHRIST COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

5801 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park

Did you know?

• The current poverty rate for children in Minnesota is 11%.
• Of all Minnesota K-12 students, 33% qualified for reduced rate lunches in 2007.
• There were 88,000 uninsured children in Minnesota in 2008.
• STEP food shelf is not able to give out Thanksgiving baskets this year in St. Louis Park.

On Saturday October 24^th, you can make a difference by dropping off:

• food and groceries
• children’s clothing, mittens, gloves, caps and scarves
• craft kits for children to create gifts to thank their parents
• gift cards to grocery stores, movie theaters, and clothing or variety stores

All donations will be given to STEP and local school social workers.

You may also donate financially by writing a check to STEP and mailing it to Spirit of Christ at 5801 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN. 55426.

You can pick-up free snack bars, while supply lasts, with STEP information attached to give to hungry children or adults.  We will hand out free tooth bushes and toothpaste for the first 100 children attending Celebrate Children Day.

We will provide information on local resources for families and children.

Join us in the National Day of Service:
8AM-8PM will be two hour shifts of welcoming people, collecting donations (food, supplies, clothing) and sorting it for quick delivery to St. Louis Park Emergency Program

10AM-12PM We’ll assemble personal hygiene kits, decorate/label boxes for STEP’s upcoming community food drive, make Valentines for the elderly, and staple community food drive bags for your neighbors to fill.

952-929-6465 for more information on how to get involved.