Edina Morningside members cooked and served dinner to families transitioning out of homelessness at Parkway UCC in North Minneapolis. Sharing a table with parents and after-dinner play with children are two of our favorite ways to remember that God loves us and asks us to love others.
Ten EMC members dined on big, perfectly cooked burgers, spaghetti and meatballs, and smothered chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy at Tootie’s on Lowry. The late summer weather was gorgeous, and the conversation over beer and wine was equally warm and breezy.
Dining in North Minneapolis is one way that we remind ourselves of the beauty of the neighborhood and put our dollars where they are needed. Please join us next time!
Members gathered to celebrate all that Pastor Howard has meant to EMC during his interim calling—from his top-notch administrative skills and attentive leadership to his thoughtful sermons and good humor. Oh, how blessed we have been—we’ll miss you!
The need of families for food can be greater in the months when children are not receiving breakfast or lunch at school. Six youth and four adults from Edina Morningside took time in July to pack food for people who don’t have enough. Why? Because we are people with enough abundance to have eaten ice cream at Dairy Queen after our service. A reminder that Second Harvest Heartland in Golden Valley can provide 15 meals with your $5.00 donation.
EMC is hosting a rummage sale in early August. That means it’s time to haul out those bags of goodies you’ve been saving in your garage and basement. Bring them to EMC during office hours. Or contact Sonja Martens and arrange a time to drop off your treasures. Either way, place them on the stage in the church’s basement, and volunteers—join us!—will sort them. Then mark your calendar for Aug. 10 (presale), 11 (sale) and 13 (bag sale). Thanks in advance for donations and for shopping!
Following a Wednesday-evening worship service, led by Reverend Obadiah Ballinger, EMC’s congregation unanimously selected Pastor “Oby” to become our new pastor.
“Our search committee members, and now our congregation members, are thrilled that Oby has accepted our call to become our new pastor,” says Doug Toth, chair of the pastoral search committee. “He is personable, kind, thoughtful and smart. We know that EMC’s focus on serving others—in both the local and wider communities—will continue to grow under his leadership.”
Since 2009, the Minnesota native and summa cum laude graduate of Yale Divinity School has served the Community United Church of Christ in St. Paul Park, Minn. He will begin his new duties at EMC on Sept. 6.
Once again, Morningside Theatre Company has delivered a tour de force with “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Congratulations to all the members of the cast, crew and, of course, the adult leaders: Alex Heetland, Jim Lansing and Jane Williams.
Earlier this summer, the team led elementary school-aged children in a stellar production of “Disney Sleeping Beauty.” All told, roughly 100 children participated this summer!
As a rainstorm thundered outside (like a simile for gun violence), more than 100 people gathered to find a place of light and love inside EMC. “Today, as we stand for the victims of Orlando, we also stand for humanity—against any kind of bigotry,” said Memoona Ghani, a representative of the Islamic Resource Group, who voiced her appreciation for the LGBTQ community for their support of the Islamic community.
Ghani was among a dozen speakers from myriad organizations who led the ecumenical worship service, which included meditations, readings and prayers, plus songs from both the Calliope Women’s Chorus and the EMC Chancel Choir. In addition, as each of the victim’s names was read from the lectern, a bell was chimed and a participant lit a candle on the altar, which was covered by a rainbow flag.
The service closed with a giant healing—and singing—circle as participants held hands all around the church. Meanwhile, the storm had subsided and participants walked outside to see a beautiful evening sky.
Members of EMC, along with their friends, relatives and community members, gathered last Saturday, June 18, for a memoir-writing workshop. Janet Anderson facilitated the event as part of Morningside U: a program of church members teaching others what they know. Writers worked on freeing their memories and imaginations, and giving themselves permission to tell their stories as truthfully as they can. Look for more Morningside U events this fall.
EMC plans to host a Commemorative Service for Peace and Healing, Wednesday, June 22, at 7 p.m., in collaboration with representatives of diverse communities. Readings will reflect on violence affecting those who are marginalized and those who have been killed by senseless murders; and expressions of concerns and prayers will be shared for the LGBTQ and Muslim communities. Participants will engage in prayer, meditation, a healing circle and more.
Helping lead the worship will be Calliope Women’s Chorus; the EMC “Instant Choir” directed by Alex Heetland; Memoona Ghani, Islamic Resource Group; Dr. Verna Monson, Phillis Wheatley Community Center; Rev. Ron Moor, Spirit United; Rev. Shari Prestemon, Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ; Patty Strickler, EMC member and service coordinator; Erin Zamoff, Moms Demand Action MN; and Rev. Howard K. Bell, EMC Interim minister.
We look forward to sharing this special service with you.