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COURIER
The November 2021
Volume 64, No. 11
Welcome to the Light
You Belong to Christ
One of the highlights of this past month at Christ Church will have to shift slowly from Covid being a pandemic disease
Lutheran (there have been many!) was the stewardship
to it becoming an endemic disease. This is all so complex
celebration on October 17. There are several reasons it was and charged, and yet – and yet! – it does not take away these
special: the congregation gathered together around the fountain moments of groundedness and meaning. It cannot take away
in the courtyard to remember our baptisms, the children of the our community rooted in word and sacrament, this community
congregation led the congregation in blessing and then made the of people drenched in God’s living hope and finding it in here,
sign of the cross on all of the adults’ foreheads and hands, we in our relationships, and in the world. What a gift in the midst
got to sing together outdoors and declare to one a nother, “You of such uncertainty and upheaval.
belong to Christ, in whom you have been baptized. Alleluia!”
This month we will celebrate many things in and beyond our
church community: All Saints Sunday; the 110th anniversary
of Christ Church Lutheran; the reception of new members this
fall; the turning in of our stewardship pledges; Thanksgiving;
and the beginning of a new liturgical year as Advent begins.
All of these things have one thing in common: gratitude for all
that God has given us. Gratitude for the way the Holy Spirit
moves among us, even in those moments when things feel like
drudgery. Gratitude for signs of this unending love among us,
within us, and between us. Thanks be to God.
~Pastor Miriam
p.s. Pastor Erik and I are shifting into Pastor First Names. We’ll
answer to anything, but feel free to call us Pastor Erik and Pastor
Miriam!
And here’s the thing I found most meaningful about this time: it
was a time to ground ourselves in meaningful ritual, in familiar
song and affirmation of our belovedness, in intergenerational
community, in gratitude for all this church community has
held over the past year and a half, and in the joy and ease and
togetherness that have seemed so rare in all our lives since the
pandemic began. The Sunday was so different from stewardship
breakfasts past, but we sang together, ate our beloved traditional
baptism cake together, and felt this sense of familiarity and
hope even though the details looked completely different than
they did last time we gathered for such a Sunday.
This fall still looks different in so many ways--we are still
masked and distanced in most indoor spaces in our lives, C
ovid
risk is still present (though hopefully diminishing bit by bit),
and we have had to come to terms with the fact that we won’t
ever have a “hurrah” moment of eradicating this disease, but
Christ Church Lutheran November Pastoral Acts
3244 34th Avenue South Birthdays + A funeral for
Minneapolis, MN 55406 Barbara Mattill,
11/1 Michael Jefferis sister of Christ
612.721.6611
11/4 Peter Merrill Church member
mail@christchurchluth.org
11/7 Rachel Slater Phyllis Mattill,
christchurchluth.org
11/7 Viivi Bodurtha, Matt was held at Christ
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Byers Church on October
Church in America 2, with Pastor Erik
11/12 Kevin Reuther
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation presiding.
11/17 Lucille Buelow
A National Historic Landmark
11/26 Bob Anderson + A funeral for
Find us on Facebook: Christ Church 11/27 Samantha Rice, Barbara Revsbeck,
Lutheran, Minneapolis (@CCLmpls)
Darrell Anderson longtime member
11/28 Gary Skrivseth of Christ Church,
Find us on Instagram:
was held at Christ
@christchurchlutheranmpls
Church on O ctober
If you are not named above,
In-Office Hours and would like to be, or
9, with Pastor Erik
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, your birthdate is inaccurate, presiding.
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. please call the church office
Sunday In-Person Worship, 9:30 a.m. 612.721.6611 + A funeral for
Juanita Burke,
Children’s Ministry meets weekly after worship longtime member
Youth Ministry meets twice monthly Happy Birthday, of Christ Church,
was held at Christ
Staff Everyone! Church on October
Pastors Pastor Miriam Samuelson-Roberts 23, with Pastor
Pastor Erik Haaland Miriam and Pastor
Cantors Pastor Robert Farlee Erik presiding.
Pastor Martin Seltz
Children’s Ministry Director Rest eternal grant them, O Lord, and
Pastor Andrea Roske-Metcalfe let light perpetual shine upon them.
Office Administrator Laurel Jacobson
Custodian Monica Williams
A friendly
Facilities Property Team
reminder:
Courier Team Laurel Jacobson Clocks fall back
Pastor Miriam Samuelson-Roberts an hour on
Melody Pauling November 7!
Congregation Council
President Noah Niermann
Vice President Melody Pauling
All Creation Sings Hymnal in pews now
Secretary Hilary Gebauer We’re delighted to be singing from the new All Creation Sings hymnal
Treasurer Brad Hubert supplement! Many new (and some familiar) hymns are included, and
you will recognize the names of our cantors as well as some Christ
Council Members Tim Hagen
Church members as contributors. We continue to collect funds to
Elena Hilding offset the cost of this wonderful new hymnal; to date we have raised
Kevin Olsen $3645, and the total cost to fill our pews is $4513
Luann Skrivseth (only $868 to go!). To include a memorial or
honor faceplate, please fill out the form attached
Colin Watkins
to the email with this Courier, or use a special
giving envelope found in the pew racks. Make
checks to Christ Church, with “Hymnals” in the
memo line. Thank you for your generosity!
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Lectionary Readings From the Church Council
October Meeting Update
for November Our October council meeting opened with a short prayer from Melody Pauling
November 7 followed by the approval of the September minutes. The pastors and treasurer then
All Saints Sunday shared their respective reports. Our finances coming into October are looking strong
Isaiah 25:6-9 and we are happy to share that member giving is slightly up for this time of year.
Psalm 24 Thank you everyone for your generous giving!
Revelation 21:1-6a The council then turned its attention to a draft of the new child safety policy being
John 11:32-44 compiled by Pastor Andrea and the Children’s Ministry Committee. Some legal
and process questions are being reviewed and we hope to be able to approve the
November 14
Twenty-fifth Sunday after new policy document at our next meeting. Many thanks to Pastor Andrea and the
Pentecost Children’s Committee for their work on this document.
Daniel 12:1-3 The next major item of business to be discussed was a recommendation from the
Psalm 16 Community Partners Subgroup regarding the disbursement of the remaining 2021
Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25 Community Partners funds. $15,000 from this fund has already been given to
Mark 13:1-8 Zion Baptist for their boiler project and, if all the pledges come in, there will be
an additional $9,000 to give away. The subgroup recommended giving $3,000 to
November 21 Plymouth Christian Youth Center in North Minneapolis for their Christmas program,
Christ the King and the remainder to Our Saviour’s Community Services to support both their English
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Language Learning Center and their Housing Services. Both of these gifts support
Psalm 93 organizations with which we have long-term relationships. The council approved this
Revelation 1:4b-8 giving plan unanimously.
John 18:33-37 Lastly we received updates from liaisons and looked ahead to preparing the 2022
budget in November. We closed our meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
November 28
First Sunday in Advent Thank you for all the ways you help support our life together at Christ Church. As
Jeremiah 33:14-16 always, please contact the council president, Noah Niermann (noahniermann@gmail.
Psalm 25:1-10 com) with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 ~Noah Niermann, Christ Church Council President
Luke 21:25-36
Treasurer’s Update 2022 Stewardship Campaign
We have closed the books on 3rd Quarter 2021, and I’m happy to Reflects on Living Hope
share this Financial Update. As you can see in the table showing
results through September, our Member Giving is strong and We are in the midst of our stewardship campaign, a s eason
expenses, overall, are less than Budget; the net result for the
when all are invited to consider our financial gifts to Christ
nine months is a surplus of over $22,000 YTD. There are known Church Lutheran for 2022. You should have received a letter
income and expense items that are budgeted and expected but not and pledge card in the mail; if you did not, you can find
yet recorded; accordingly, we expect to be closer to the balanced extras on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Over the
budget as planned at year-end. next few weeks, we will hear temple talks in worship about
what this church community means to us and to those with
I would like to thank the Council and Melody Pauling in particular whom we connect and serve. You are invited to consider
for their support of my leave of absence over the summer months; in prayer what your household’s financial commitment
I’m happy to be back in Minneapolis and serving as your Treasurer. to Christ Church will be for 2022, and to fill out a pledge
card both for our community and for an above-and-beyond
Respectfully submitted, pledge for our community partners, which will help with
Bradford C. Hubert, Treasurer budget planning for 2022. We will collect pledge cards
during worship on Christ the King Sunday, November 21.
Christ Church Lutheran Finances - September 2021 We are grateful to work together as we receive and share
(YTD thru September 2021) ACTUAL BUDGET (9 Months) DIFFERENCE God’s living hope.
Member Giving/Envelopes 218,608.20 206,250.00 12,358.20
Other Income $90,691.63 135,170.00 (44,478.37) Stewardship Committee: Pastor Miriam, Molly Boes
Total Income* 309,299.83 341,420.00 (32,120.17)
Ganza, Clayton Smith, Gerry Tyrrell, and Noah Niermann
Total Expenses* $286,336.23 $329,125.57 (42,789.34)
Total Surplus (or Deficit) $22,963.60
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Courier Closeup with Britt Dougall
This month’s Closeup features Britt Dougall, who has been a member of Christ Church Lutheran for three years.
Britt’s husband, Christopher, is a frequent visitor to Christ Church.
1. When did you start attending Christ 5. How does CCL help you live and share
Church Lutheran and what brought your faith?
you here?
Music has long been an important way
I began attending Christ Church in 2018. for me to share my faith. I appreciate the
My husband, Christopher, and I knew opportunities to do that at Christ Church.
about Christ Church from attending
Accordo concerts. We discovered that 6. What do you do when you’re not in
[retired Christ Church pastor] Kristine church?
Carlson and Morrie Wee had seats near
I’m an avid quilter and try to send at least
us at Orchestra Hall, and thus we became
one quilt annually to the auctions at Camp
acquainted. This caused me to consider
Knutson and Green Lake Ministries. I’m
Christ Church when I was looking for a
part of the quilting group at Gloria Dei
new church home.
Lutheran Church in St. Paul. I also enjoy
2. Do you live in the neighborhood? knitting for myself and others.
No, we live on Lowry Hill, near Lake of 7. What can you tell us about yourself
the Isles. that we may not have known?
3. What about our church keeps you coming back? I retired early, but I have worked as a church organist and
choir director as well as a high school choir director.
The friendly community, the outstanding music and
meaningful worship is what drew me in and keeps me here. 8. Do you have anything else to share?
4. Do you have any stories to tell about your time here or My husband, Christopher, is an Episcopalian and a member
about events or activities you have been involved in? of St. Alban’s in Edina. He appreciates the worship and
warm hospitality at Christ Church. He likes to quip that he
I hadn’t sung in the Christ Church choir for very long before attends as an “Anglican Observer,” a term usually reserved
the pandemic shut down worship. I enjoyed the ability to for the Anglican at the United Nations.
continue to contribute to online worship by recording hymns
at home every week. Closeup is a Courier feature to help us get better acquainted
with our fellow members. If you would like to share your
story in Closeup, call Donna Lindberg at 651.276.4884.
New Members Gathering and Reception into Membership at Christ Church
Thinking of becoming a member of Christ Church?
On Christ the King Sunday, November 21 (Christ Church’s 110th a nniversary!), we will receive new
members during worship. If you’ve been thinking about membership at Christ Church L utheran, or
want to know more about what membership means, e-mail Pastor Miriam (msamuelson-roberts@
christchurchluth.org) to set up a conversation in the coming weeks. The new member class will be
10 a.m. to noon on either Saturday, November 13 or Saturday, November 20, depending on what
works best. We look forward to welcoming a wonderful group!
We love our Adult Choir!
Thank you to our masked choir of ten on October 23 under the leadership of
Cantor Martin Seltz. We welcome new choir members Gigi, Bethany and David,
and welcome back to the faithful regulars.
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Stationery Group Notecards always available!
It seems to be working well to have Stationery Group notecards available for purchase throughout
the week. You can find them, anytime the building is open, on a small table just inside the yellow
classroom of the Education Building atrium. Place your money in the envelope provided and bring
it to the church office. If the office is locked, simply slip it under the door. Thank you!
For more information, contact Stephanie Gustafson at 612-724-6206 or stephsaddress@att.net.
Christmas Cookie Boxes are back!
The Christ Church Baking Group plans on baking cookies in December and putting to-
gether boxes to sell. Proceeds will go to South Minneapolis Meals on Wheels.
We are happy to have extra hands to bake at church or in your own home. So consider this
opportunity to volunteer if you can. More information to follow as we get closer to De-
cember. Questions? Contact Rita Schoenike (rschoenike@yahoo.com) or MariLu Peters
(marilupeters@gmail.com).
Churches unite to dismantle and repair racism in Minnesota
The Minnesota Council of Churches (of which the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA is a member), has begun a ten year
process of dismantling the structures and repairing the damage of racism in Minnesota. Their focus is on addressing the historic
harm to African American and Native American communities in Minnesota. The MCC proposes a three part plan of truth telling,
education, and reparations within and outside of our collective faith communities.
I attended the MCC’s inaugural event, “Minnesota’s Racial Legacy: Finally Telling the Truth,” on September 24-25 at Plymouth
Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Christine Diindissi McCleave, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School
Healing Coalition gave the opening keynote speech. She described how the forced abduction and placement of Native American
children in boarding schools continued the genocide perpetrated on Native Americans as a form of cultural genocide. Boarding
schools interrupted Indigenous knowledge of their ancestral lineages, some reaching back nearly 1,000 years. So much experien-
tial and oral knowledges of the relationship between peoples and the land was lost – and unparented children lost their knowledge
and trust in themselves to be good parents.
The cultural genocide of Native Americans is continuing. Children are still being removed from their families through the foster
system and McCleave pointed out that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) – a federal law that prevents the arbitrary removal
of Native American children from their homes by public and private agencies – is now under attack. People are trying to have
it ruled unconstitutional, saying that it is race based. But if the law is ruled unconstitutional, it will open the way to undermine
Native American sovereignty, allowing the oil companies fighting the law access to steal Native American lands and resources.
As McCleave said, “We don’t tell the truth about genocide in this country, because people have things they will lose. It’s tied to
Empire and control and money and land.”
You can learn more about this inaugural event here - and for more on the ICWA lawsuit, click here. ~Rachel Slater
Friends of Christ Church Lutheran offers free building tours
The Friends of Christ Church Lutheran (FCCL) have resumed tours of our National Historic Landmark church
facility! These free tours occur on the second S
unday monthly. An FCCL docent will meet the tour group at 11:00
a.m. on the front steps. FCCL will follow the church’s safety guidelines. Come join a tour and learn more about our
beautiful and historic building!
Additionally, save the date for Give to the Max Day, Thursday, November 18. On that date, anyone may donate
to Friends of Christ Church Lutheran through this link: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Friends-Of-Christ-
Church-Lutheran. Thank you for supporting the Friends and the care of our beautiful, historic building.
5
The
Little & Middle
Jesus said,
“Let the children come!”
At Christ Church Lutheran,
COURIER, pages 6 & 7 we welcome children and their
families to the font, to the
table, and to worship.
Children’s & Youth Ministry at Christ Church Lutheran — November 2021
Children’s Ministry Update: “Queen Vashti Says No!”
You may have heard the Sunday School kids shouting this, a
few weeks ago, during class in the courtyard. We were playing
a version of Simon Says, this one based on the story of Queen
Vashti.
She was married to King Xerxes, the King of Persia. The king
loved his power and wealth, and he loved to flaunt it. He threw
a lavish party for his noblemen, to show off how rich and fancy
he was. It lasted for six months. At the end, when he and his
men were all drunk out of their gourds, he asked Queen Vashti
to come dance for them, wearing the royal crown.
I told this part to the kids. I told them he didn’t care how smart
Queen Vashti was, or how strong; he only wanted to show
off her beauty to the other men, so he asked her to dance for
them, wearing the royal crown.
I didn’t tell the kids that he asked her to dance wearing
ONLY the royal crown.
This part matters, but also, it doesn’t matter at all. The point
is, he asked her to do something with her body that she
didn’t want to do.
And Queen Vashti said no. HOO-boy was the king mad! He
and the other men didn’t want their women getting any big
ideas (you know, like the idea that their bodies are theirs
and theirs alone), so he banished her. This entire story is the
introduction to the book of Esther.
We almost never hear this story in worship. But I make sure the kids hear it at least once a year, so
we can talk about saying no, and that our bodies are ours and ours alone. We talk about how it’s
never okay for someone to ask us to do something with our bodies that we don’t want to do, and
it’s never okay for us to ask the same of someone else. We talk about who we can tell if something
happens that makes us uncomfortable, and the difference between secrets and surprises.
Here at Christ Church, we’re mid-way through the process to
finalize a Safe Church policy, putting in place safeguards to
protect children. This involves everything from background
checks for those who work directly with kids to signs on
bathroom doors. While none of us loves the fact that such
policies are necessary, we’re grateful to be close to having
clear boundaries and expectations in place to ensure that we
keep safe the most vulnerable among us.
In the meantime, the kids are out here drawing pictures of
Queen Vashti. It turns out the Bible is full of all kinds of
superheroes we didn’t even know we needed.
~Pastor Andrea, Children’s Ministry Director
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Confirmation Update
Confirmation continues to go well – and we have a very weather-hardy group of students willing to stay outside throughout
October! Thanks to warm jackets and some cushions and blankets from IKEA, we’ve been able to stay cozy outdoors these past
weeks. We’re in the midst of making Covid-cautious indoor plans for the winter, and are cautiously hopeful about case counts
continuing to decline.
Our two cohorts have been delving into Lutheran worship and Luther’s Small
Catechism, respectively, and when they meet together, we participate in
learning and activities that bring them closer as a group, and as individuals.
This past Sunday we celebrated Reformation Day, with Pastor Erik being a
very good sport to dress up as Martin Luther, and both he and Pastor Miriam
explained why Luther and his worldview and theology were so important in
our church’s (and the world’s) history. We noted that Luther, too, lived through
a pandemic, though the face masks looked quite different back then!
We are so grateful for this bright, dedicated, compassionate group of students
that continues to show up in the midst of pandemic life. We couldn’t be more
proud of this crew!
~Pastor Miriam, Pastor Erik, and Elena Hilding
November Baptism Birthdays
Happy baptism birthday to Eve, Eli, Zander
and Tatum! You are God’s beloved children
forever (and we love you, too)!
Scenes from Reformation Day/Halloween fun
in the courtyard!
Pastor Erik makes
for a tall, lanky
Luther!
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November Sundays and Adult Forums
+ Sunday Worship at 9:30 a.m. followed by Coffee Time and Kids’ Education
+ Adult Forums Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom (links will be sent each week)
Wednesday, November 3 – Adult Forum: Remembering Our History and Our Saints
In light of All Saints Day this coming week, we will take some time on Zoom to remember some of the saints in our own lives,
particularly those from Christ Church Lutheran who have shaped this place and its history. We’ll share stories about those who
laid the foundations for the “living hope” (to use words from our stewardship theme) that we now carry into the future as a
congregation. Come ready to listen and share.
Sunday, November 7 – All Saints’ Day
On this festival day, we remember all the saints who have gone before us, especially those dear to us who have died in the last
year. If you would like the name of a loved one who has died in the last year named on this Sunday, please email their name to
Laurel in the office (mail@christchurchluth.org) by Wednesday, November 3.
Wednesday, November 10 – Adult Forum: “Lotta Laestadius and Finnish Apostolic Lutheranism in Minnesota,” with
Dr. Mirko Hall
Swedish pastor Lars Levin Laestadius was the leader of the most significant Lutheran revival movement in 19th-century
Scandinavia. The arrival of his daughter, Hedvig Charlotta, in Minnesota in 1881 sent shockwaves through the Finnish Laestadian
Lutheran community. A bold and strong-willed individual, she uncompromisingly proclaimed her father’s teachings on the
Minnesota frontier. This presentation explores her remarkable life and ministry. Dr. Mirko Hall, a Christ Church member, is
Professor of German Studies at Converse University. After many years of active scholarship on musical life in Germany, he has
now turned his attention to the history of Laestadian Lutherans in Minnesota.
Sunday, November 14 – Eucharist
Our Sunday morning worship will take place at 9:30 as usual, and we will either have coffee hour outdoors (weather permitting)
or social hour without coffee in the education wing atrium and Luther Lounge.
Wednesday, November 17 – “Reframing the Pandemics — Pilgrimage,” with Dr. Martha E. Stortz
The last 18 months have been a time of viral pandemic, racial unrest, and political division. Rather than see these as a series
of unrelated events, this session invites disciples to think of themselves as pilgrims and their journey as pilgrimage. As we sort
through the broken pieces, what biblical and theological resources do we have for the road ahead? Marty Stortz is Professor
Emerita of Religion at Augsburg University. Prior to coming to Augsburg, she served as a member of the core doctoral faculty at
the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, and taught for 29 years at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Sunday, November 21 – Christ the King, Stewardship Sunday, and Welcome to our New Members
We will celebrate Christ the King Sunday, the 110th birthday of Christ Church Lutheran, the reception of new members during
the service, and the collecting of all our financial pledges for 2022. What a Sunday! We look forward to celebrating together.
Wednesday, November 24 – No Adult Forum
No Forum due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Blessings on your feast!
Sunday, November 28 – First Sunday of Advent
We worship together this first Sunday of Advent.
November Calendar Nov. 16. . . . . . . Council Meeting
Nov. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committees Nov. 17. . . . . . . . . . . Staff Meeting
Nov. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Meeting . . . . . . . . Shelter Meal Cooking
. . . . . . . Adult Forum via Zoom . . . . . . . Adult Forum via Zoom
Nov. 6 . . . . Knitters & Crocheters Nov. 18. Friends of CCL Meeting
Nov. 7 . . All Saints Day & Kids’ Ed Nov. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Meal
Nov. 9 . Racial Justice Task Force Nov. 21. . . . Christ the King, New
Nov. 10. . . . . . . Stationery Group Members & Kids’ Ed
. . . . . . . Adult Forum via Zoom Nov. 25. . . . . . Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 11. . . . . . . . SafeHouse Meal Nov. 26. . . Church Office Closed
Nov. 14. . . Worship & Kids’ Educ. Nov. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Worship
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