Indulging in chocolate

by -

fullsizerender-3Eating and making chocolates—what a great way to kick off a weekend! EMC members, neighbors and friends gathered Saturday morning for Morningside U: Chocolate Indulgence, learning how to make chocolate truffles and bourbon balls from Laurie Cory, our resident chocolate expert. Laurie surprised everyone by passing trays of her choclates to sample as we learned techniques, recipes and more. Everyone got a chance to try dipping chocolates and left with chocolates to show off—and perhaps share—with friends and family.

fullsizerender_2  fullsizerender_4

Top 5 reasons to give automatically

by -

img_7893

In this time of stewardship, please consider signing up to give automatically with this authorization form. Need a few great reasons to do so? Just read on:

5. You can set it and forget it — especially if it comes out of your significant other’s account!

4. While everyone else is scrambling for their wallets during the offering, you can relax and enjoy the special music Elaine has planned.

3. During a really quiet part of the service, it won’t ever be you ripping a check out of your checkbook.

2. With fewer checks in the collection plate, there will be lots more room for the loose change we give every month to local nonprofits.

1. Giving automatically is easy — and it supports our church’s mission and our ministries, even during the summer months.

EMC youth ponder race

by -

screen-shot-2016-10-25-at-11-29-02-am

When did the concept of race come into being? Where did all humans originate? What is white privilege? These were just a few of the questions some of EMC’s youth members considered during a field trip to the Science of Museum of Minnesota, where they visited an exhibit on race. Thanks to our kids, our chaperones and leader Janet Anderson for the excellent and timely event.

Teens teach Social Media 101

by -

img_7889-2From Instagram to Pinterest and Snapchat to Whatsapp, EMC tech-savvy members Joey Miller and Rianna Ray, plus two of Rianna’s friends, Kristi Hetchler and Kinzie Anderson, taught “Social Media 101 for Grown-ups,” our latest free Morningside U class, last Saturday morning, Oct. 15.  Not only did attendees learn the basics of social media but they starred in an amazing video, made during class. Watch below.

You’re invited: women’s social event

by -

20160422_194941Last April EMC hosted a women’s social evening, a chance for us—members and friends—to relax and get to know each other better. It was so successful that we’re doing it again.
You’re invited to our second social evening on Friday, October 21, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. In addition to relaxing, if you’re so inclined, you’re welcome to create a fleece blanket for the cancer clinic at Methodist Hospital; we’ll provide the materials.
Please RSVP to Pam DeLait at pdelait@earthlink.net or call her at 952-881-1883; or email our church office at emcucc@emcucc.org or call 952-926-6555. And, if you’re able, please bring a beverage and snack to share.

Family Sunday focuses on faithfulness

by -

image-1

From a Tchaikovsky prelude to a call to worship inspired by Willie Nelson lyrics, from a Carl Dennis poem to a Navajo prayer, and from a Josh Ritter song to an old hymn (“God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow”, last week’s Family Sunday focused on faithfulness, especially being faithful in our relationships with God and with one another. Thanks to all the youth and adult members who led the worship, and a special thank-you to Janet Anderson for her inspiring sermon, “Sooner or Later, Everyone Disappoints You.”

Pastors, members, friends celebrate Pastor Oby’s installation

by -

img_7770_2“I hope you are ready to be loved—for who you are and for whom you will become,” said Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian, addressing members and friends of Edina Morningside Church. The minister emeritus of Plymouth Congregational Church praised Rev. Oby Ballinger’s great gifts for ministry during his message, “Promise and Peril,” at Pastor Oby’s installation service on Sunday, Oct. 9.

“The promise is in the peril,” he asserted, challenging both Pastor Oby and his new congregants to lower their nets in the deep water—in other words, to make themselves uncomfortable by truly living the Good News. In short, he quipped, “no pain, no gain.”

Gertmenian was one of a dozen or so religious leaders—joined by many Edina Morningside Church members, friends and family—who attended the afternoon service; many wore red as a sign of the Holy Spirit.

The installation service featured music by EMC’s Chancel Choir and Bell Choir, Holy Communion and readings of biblical scriptures, including one shared by Rev. Javen Swanson, Pastor Oby’s husband.

A dessert reception and celebration, hosted by Women’s Fellowship, followed.

dsc05772   dsc05793   img_7783

 

 

Pastor, author will share history with Edina Morningside

by -

41709zgbhl-_sx331_bo1204203200_Rev. Janet Parsons Mackey grew up in Morningside during the 1940s and 1950s. Now the retired pastor has published a memoir on E. Dudley Parsons, her “grandfather, his values and his passion for justice.” Not only did generations of town leadership come from her family, but relative Rev. Henry Parsons and wife Sarah helped establish Edina Morningside Church.

During the next two weekends, Parsons Mackey will offer reflections and sign copies of Things Get Rearranged: How E. Dudley Parsons and His Passion for Justice Sent Me from Minnesota to Moscow. All are welcome to attend.

 

  • Sept. 25, 10 am worship at Edina Morningside Church (guest preacher)
  • Sept. 25, noon reading and book signing (Edina Morningside Church library)
  • Oct. 1, 10 am reading and book signing (Edina Morningside Church library)

Join us for Rally Day, meet new pastor

by -

 

Pastor Oby Ballinger preaches at Edina Morningside Church, July 2016.

Pastor Oby Ballinger kicks off his new role as senior pastor at Edina Morningside Community Church on Rally Day, Sunday, September 11.

“Our congregation is thrilled to officially welcome Pastor Oby on Rally Day,” says Sonja Martens, EMC moderator, “and we know he can’t wait to get started, serving our congregation and the greater community.”

Ballinger, a Minnesota native and summa cum laude graduate of Yale Divinity School, begins his new duties at EMC on Sept. 6. Rally Day will be the first Sunday he preaches at EMC.

“I’ve been enthusiastically welcomed by Edina Morningside Church, and I can’t wait to extend that Open and Affirming welcome to all of our neighbors on Rally Sunday. The church makes sure everyone has a place in the community, because we follow the example of Jesus, who welcomed every person with no exceptions.”

As is EMC’s tradition, Rally Day welcomes members, friends and visitors back in September. This year’s event will include an expansive appetizer spread, intergenerational games, a selfie photo booth, and a special farewell to Alex Heetland, EMC’s choir director, who is taking a new position in India.

“Rally Day is such a fun day to celebrate — everyone is invited!” adds Martens.