 by Pr. Sonja Hagander
Dear Church: Your Transition Task Force Co-Chairs met this week. We began with recalling the “Code of Conduct” we all agreed to way back during our orientation in May. We have covenanted to “Be the Kind of Person Others Can Trust” with: Collaboration & Compromise Open Mindedness Civility: Respectful Listening Asking Clarifying Questions Graciousness Persuasive Listening Sensitivity to Creation Honesty Ownership of Ideas “I” Language Assuming Good Intent Kindness Everyone shared a story or instance from the last 3 months of intentional transition work where they experienced these healthy ways to “live among God’s faithful people,” (Baptismal rite, ELW). This Task Force has done remarkable ministry already in 3 or so months and much more discernment and tasks are before us. This Sunday, September 25, as a church, we pause to celebrate and to wonder: Where is God leading us? I invite you to:
Mission & Vision Team Kathleen Johnson Phil Larsen Jennifer Miller Ron Nolby Julie Dolan Johnson Prayer Team Alice Kalkwarf Les Kuivanen, Margo Kuivanen Randy Bradshaw Diane Shallue Self Study Team Roland Martinson Karen Hillerman Priscilla Berg Bob Benke Mark Chace Elaine Foell Staffing Team Kay Christenson Gordie Olson John Hanson Gail Gallagher Ron Olsen Joanna Zenz John Rockwell CtK/ Cristo Rey Relationship Team Maria Tenorio Dick Mork Cheryl Lowe Teresa Bettmann Vern Rice Karen Erickson Lucia Alvarez Pastor Ana Becera
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We are blessed to welcome Linda Jacobson as she returns to Christ the King, this time as our 2022 Global Mission Sunday speaker. She has a rich lifetime of global mission experiences. After growing up in Tennessee, where she studied biology and medical technology, she accepted her first job - teaching in a mission school in the interior of Brazil. She followed that with work at refugee camps in Thailand and Somalia. She then attended public health school, where she met Minnesota native Dr. Mark Jacobson. They decided to be partners in life and work. She later studied theology as well.
The couple went to Kenya in 1982 and to Tanzania in 1985, working in public health and community health. While Dr. Mark moved to development of hospitals, treatment programs, and training of medical personnel, she specialized in work with women of the communities where they lived. She created Bible study groups, home industries, and a widows’ support group. The Jacobsons’ three daughters were raised in Arusha, Tanzania. Christ the King is one of a network of congregations that has provided financial support for the Jacobsons’ ministry, and they have represented us to the people of Tanzania through their mission work. Linda Jacobson is an American who has lived outside the USA for 40 years of her life, currently dividing her time between Tanzania and the United States. She finds that she is always wanting to learn from her neighbors around the world. On Sunday, September 18, she will share some of those insights with us at Christ the King. by Kisten Thompson on behalf of the Racial Justice Working Group
Did you know that on June 27, 2019, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a Declaration of the ELCA to the People of African Descent? The first paragraph includes this statement, "The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church. We confess, repent and repudiate the times when this church has been silent in the face of racial injustice. The Racial Justice Working Group here at Christ the KIng will be leading a 4 week study called "Now Is the Time" during the month of October on Wednesday evenings (October 5, 12, 19 and 26) that will read, discuss, and wrestle with this declaration in a safe and brave space. We hope that by addressing this declaration, we can have a better understanding of the history of slavery in this country, the role of racism in the foundations of our country and our denomination and how we might address the future of where do we go from here in becoming a more welcoming, inclusive community in an increasingly diverse world. Registration for this series begins 9/18 with signups at worship or online. The schedule will look something like this: Meal from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Discussion: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Children's activities and confirmation will also be exploring the themes being discussed as appropriate for age and understanding. We hope you can join us for these meaningful conversations. The Racial Justice Working Group by Jennifer Willprecht Walczak
As some of you may know, Community Partners with Youth (CPY) is celebrating 25 YEARS of Service in the New Brighton community. Since 1997, Christ the King has graciously opened their doors to CPY and allowed 500 youth per year to enter and grow. What you may not know is that I am one of those youth. I come to the CPY celebration from many different angles, all of them grateful for what CPY and CtK do in the community. My family has been at Christ the King since it opened, with my grandparents being some of the first members, my dad being one of the first confirmation classes, and all of his siblings being baptized and confirmed here. Once I came along, my parents knew that Christ the King was the right place for my baptism and faith education. As a middle schooler and only child, my parents weren’t comfortable with me being home alone every day after school, but we also couldn’t really afford any of the fancy (read: expensive) after school programs the school was offering. We were a solidly blue collar family, making enough for our lot rent at the mobile home park and some dance lessons at the local studio, but not enough to do much else. CPY was a huge blessing to our family, allowing me a space to safely be a kid before going home to make dinner (my mom will admit she isn’t the best cook), do homework, and help around the house. When I had my first born in college and I was approved for work study funds, I knew I needed something off campus, as I was technically a single mother (we got married when our son was almost 2 years old) and being on campus twice a week was all I could afford with parking, time off of my full time job, and daycare costs. Luckily for me, CPY was a work study site, and even luckier, 3 blocks away from my parents’ house where my little family of 3 was living. I was thrilled when I got the job. I have since graduated from the University of Minnesota, bought the house next door to my parents, and added 2 more kids to my family, all 3 of whom roam the halls of Christ the King 6 days a week between my work as a Program Director at CPY, and worship on Sundays. My story is just one of many that list not only Community Partners with Youth, but also Christ the King as a huge blessing in their life. I am not only proud to be a CtK congregant, but also a CPY alumni and staff. On behalf of all the CPY youth, staff, and alumni, I would personally like to invite everyone to the Community Partners with Youth 25th Birthday Bash next Saturday, September 10, 2022 to hear more stories like mine, enjoy some delicious food from great food trucks, learn more about the ways CPY has impacted the community, and just celebrate what YOU have made possible over the last 25 years. |
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
1900 7th Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-633-4674 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 9 am - 2 pm Mon - Thurs or by appointment Sunday Schedule Morning Worship at 9:30 am |
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