First Christian Courier- July 30, 2011

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July 30, 2011

Inside the Courier:

A Look at the BriteSide, page 2

Connection with earlyFCC membersfamily, page 3

August Calendar,

page 4

Board notes and FCC

family news, page 5

On the Web:

First Christian Churchwebsite

Christian Church (Dis-

ciples of Christ)

QuickTime and adecompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Plaster House transforms lives of children

Amy Dunlop with children at Plaster House

Join Ernie onAugust 14 atthe ChurchWorship Ser-

vice and pic-nic! Details,Page 3

Children with cleft palates, skeletaldeformities and serious burns literal-ly have their lives transformed whenthey are able to have what Westernmedicine considers fairly simple sur-gery. Amy andSteve Dunlopspresentation dur-ing worship onJuly 17 demon-strated how workbeing done atPlaster House inTanzania is giv-ing hundreds ofchildren new lifeand hope throughsuch medicalcare.

Plaster House, an orthopedic carecenter in near Arusha, Tanzania, ispart of the Orthopedic Institute ofSelian Lutheran Hospital. Childrenfrom 30 area villages come to PlasterHouse to prepare for and then recov-er from the various types of ortho-pedic and plastic surgery offered bySelian Hospital. According to Steve,the surgeries cost $200-$300, andfamilies pay what they can, but manycan only contribute a few dollars atmost.

Steve also explained that childrengenerally acquire these disabilities inthree ways: from birth defects, frominjuries caused by traffic accidentsand falling into open cooking fires,and from environmental conditions.

Before surgery the children often firsthave to have their strength and health builtup so they can tolerate the surgeries and,afterwards, they need time to recover andhave post-operative care.

Unless the child-ren are breast-feeding, theirfamilies stay be-hind. While atPlaster House,they are cared forby 2-3 adults.During AmyDunlops stay atPlaster House,she helped or-ganize recrea-

tional and educational activities for thechildren.

Currently Plaster House has 18 beds andcan accommodate up to 40 children at atime, although they have had as many as93 kids at once. Funds are currently beingraised to build a new Plaster House with40 beds to for 80-100 children. Anothergoal is to hire a full-time teacher.

The target fundraising goal is $400,000.FCC is in the middle of a drive to raise$2000 by August 15. You can write acheck and put the words Plaster House

on the memo line or donate online bygoing to the FCC website.

More information on Plaster House and onfundraising opportunities is available athttp://www.plasterhouse.org.

Christian CourierFirst Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)
http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/


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Page 2

Pastor Bob Brite

Get your exercise!

July 30, 2011

One of the things I try to doeach day is exercise. Whetherits walking, biking, weights, or

tennis, I usually spend part ofmy evening engaged in somesort of physical activity. Ive

found that it helps me to feelbetter, and it definitely assistsin my continual hobby of tryingto keep my weight at accepta-ble levels, considering the factthat I can look at food and puton weight.

The Good News translation ofone of Pauls letters (I cantrecall which one at this point)

talks about the importance ofspiritual exercise as well. Iknow that last year one of theSunday School classes engagedin a study ofCelebration ofDiscipline by Richard Foster.

The disciplines such as prayer,study, fasting, meditation, wor-ship, and so on can be regardedas spiritual exercise much in

the same way that my abovelist of sports are forms of phys-ical exercise. Just as physicalexercise stresses the body insuch ways that it strengthensthe body, spiritual exercisestresses the soul in such a waythat it strengthens the soul.Just as physical exercise is bothhard work and good fun, spiri-tual exercise is the same.

The work and the fun of spiri-tual exercise is growing in theawareness of Gods presence in

our lives. Please note that Imputting the emphasis on ourawareness rather than Gods

presence. God is alwayspresent in our midst; thework part is in the arena of

increasing our awareness. Thestrongest, most illuminativesouls on our planet are thosewhose relationship with God isconstantly worked on, just as

the top musicians in our worldare constantly practicing.

As the summer months moveon, I would commend to youworking into your daily rou-tines both physical and spiritualexercise; itll do your whole

self some good!

Id like to see YOU on Sunday,

Bob

A Look at the Brite Side

In our prayers

Gracious God, we

lift up these personsin our prayers, ask-

ing the blessing of

your Grace and out-

pouring of your Love

upon them.

We pray with joy to have welcomed long-time friends of FCC Wallyand Avis Carlson, and Ron and Judy Anderson who worshiped withus recently; for blessings to Grace and Leah Callahan and Ali Hesano,and other young people building spiritual lives and community as theyattend church camp; in deep sympathy for the citizens of Norway endur-ing the trauma and shock of terrorism, and in sorrow over the perversionthat hatred creates; for Velma Fancher, who is hospitalized; for Greg

Merkels parents (and Kathy Merkels in-laws), Ardyce & Jim Mer-kel; in concern for Jay Hillestads brother Scott who is looking forwork and exploring a new vocation and for Pat Carter and The Wol-vertons, who had to deal with flooding in their homes due to recent hardrains; in gladness that Nancy Currys sister is home from hospital anddoing well and Karen Kandiks health has been pronounced perfectafter her final post-operation checkup; for all the FCC folk involved in 14working groups as we move forward in building and rebuilding; for allour home-bound members including LoisSwenson and DorothyWil-kins, Amen.


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Christian CourierPage 3

Archival book reconnected with FCCfamily from early years

story and photos by Chris Wogaman

First Christian Church has lately been inventoryingits archives in advance of the move to the Ministry

Center at the beginning of next year. In amongstour archival holdings are several books and boxesof family pictures that have been given to thechurch over the years. One very interesting volumeof writings is by one of the first members of ourchurch, Frank Hamilton Mellen (1855-1940).

Through a bit of genealogical detective work, wewere able to track down Mr. Mellen's living grand-son, Hugh Greenwald of Oceanside, CA. And onFriday, July 8, Mr. Greenwald came through Min-

neapolis on some travels and was able to take thisvolume for his family's historical archive.

"He was a blue collar workerwho was very intelligent,"Mr. Greenwald said of hisgrandfather, who died whenMr. Greenwald was a child.Mr. Mellen was deeply in-volved in this church, andwas also an outspoken advo-

cate for prohibition, runningfor US Representative in 1904 and MinneapolisMayor in 1910 on the Prohibition Party ticket.

Of the memorabilia in Mr. Mellen's writings thatrelate to the church, all of which has been scannedfor future consultation, there exists one SundaySchool manual from 1892 that is possibly the firstmention of "First Christian Church" applying toour church.

Sunday, August 14North Mississippi Park

9:15 Sunday School Classes10:00 Worship

11:30 Potluck Picnic

Wading Pool and PlaygroundBeverages and paper products

furnished

Directions: I-94 north to Exit 226. Go towards 53rd Ave. N,then turn slightly right onto Lyndale Ave. N. Follow signs topark

FCC History book needs stories!Deb Murphy and Becki Whitaker are compiling

a book of stories and recollections on FCCs histo-ry. They are conducting video interview sessionsat the church, or can visit homebound members ifneeded.

Topics Deb and Becki are exploring include for-mer ministers and music directors, youth trips toHazelgreen Academy, Paraguay and other loca-

tions, former social and mission activities, andmany more.

Written reflections are also welcomed. Bustransportation is available.

A signup sheet is in the lounge. Contact Becki([email protected]) or 651-686-6571 or Deb([email protected]) or 612-807-2287 if youhave questions or would like to set up a time totalk.

All-Church Worship and Picnic
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Page 4 July 30, 2011

Elders Worship Leader ChildrensMoment

Diaconate Bus Drivers Greeters

August 7 Ardie ArmstrongTom Curry

Kirsten Cackoski Dennis Sanders Even Team Garry Hesser612-721-4905

Valerie Dunham

August 14(at NorthMissis-sippiPark)

Janice BradyMike Brady

Max Hurlocker Steve Rusinak Even Team Garry Hesser Ardie Armstrong,Shirley Draine

August 21 Barb CreightonArdie Armstrong

Pat Carter Bob Brite Even Team Mike Hesano 651-645-6758

Karen Kandik

August 28 Tom CurryJanice Brady

Even Team Mike Morgan 612-926-9384

Valerie Dunham

Note: Please call drivers by Saturdayfor Sunday bus ride.

August, 2011

First Christian Church

Summer Worship Hours

9:00 Spiritual Formation Classes

10:00 Worship

11:15 Fellowship Time in Lounge

1 27 pm Worship

Committee3 4

9 am Handcrafters

5

5:30 Open

Table Coo-

kout

6

9 am- Mens

Group

7 8 9

7 pm Property

Committee

10

5:30 Finance

Committee

11

9 am Handcrafters

12 139 am- Mens

Group

14

Worship and All-

church picnic

at North Mis-

sissippi Park

15 16

7 pm Board

Meeting17 18

9 am Handcrafters

19 20

9 am Mens

Group

9-11 am Feed

My Starving

Children

6 pm Serve din-

ner at St. Ste-

phens21

Food Pantry

SundayBackpack Col-

lection begins

5 pm Elders Mtg

22 23 24 25

9 am Handcrafters

7 pm MinistryCouncil

26 27

9 am- Mens

Group

28 29 30 31


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Board NotesBoard Notes

Sharon Watkins and other Disciples leaders onstage for

Commissionin Service

Page 5 July 30, 2011

The FCC General Board held met July 19 tohear reports and discuss current actions. Ele-ven board members attended, joined by three

staff members and one guest, Bill Stump.Highlights of the meeting include the follow-ing:

Staff Items: Deb Murphys contract was ex-tended until Dec. 31, 2011, and Jim Baumgart-ners position was changed from Interim MusicDirector to Music Director.

Finance Items: Total income is about$10.000 under budget, and expenses areslightly under; Trustees contributed $10.000 forsecurity expenses. Payments totaling $696,050have been made to the Ministry Center, andwere applying for a bridge loan to cover future

payments.

PastorSearch Committee: Four peoplehave agreed to serve & more are being soughtto help search for a new permanent pastor.

Organ: A bid of $117,000 was submitted formoving, reconditioning and installing the organin the Ministry Center. Discussion is ongoingabout how to set up the organ in the new space.A motion was made and passed to make the or-gan enclosed in the new south sanctuary.

Church vandal confessesThe Minneapolis police contacted Pastor Bob Briterecently to say that the person who was throwingbricks at FCC since the first of the year had con-fessed to the spate of vandalism against FCC, afterhaving been charged with similar vandalism in theneighborhood.

According to the police, this person has a history ofemotional issues and confessed that he was angry

with God. He confessed to all but the most re-cent rock-throwing.

Plans are for the person to go to a half-way housein northern Minnesota for some time for treatment.

General Assembly highlightsavailable online

Bob Brite may have been our only delegate thisyear to the General Assembly, but a wealth of in-formation about the speakers, programs and musicis available online.

Summaries of presentations by such leaders as FredCraddock, Brian McLaren and Marian WrightEdelman, as well as photo galleries can be foundon theDisciples of Christwebpage:www.disciples.org.

News from FCC familiesRon and Judy Anderson were in town to worshipwith us on July 24, and shared photos of their new-est grandchild, Joanna Michelle Lynch, who wasborn in April to Katie and John Lynch.

Susan Morgan, daughter of Sandy and Mike Mor-gan was recently honored with the 2011 YoungAlumni Award from the Sam Fox School of De-sign and Visual Arts at Washington University inSt. Louis. Susan currently lives in Cambridge,

MA, where she is senior project architect withBruner/Cott & Associates. Details about her awardcan be found athttp://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22238.aspx

Backpack collection coming soonNewspapers are already carrying ads for back toschool sales. Our backpack drive begins August21, so everyone is encouraged to contribute schoolsupplies for community children in need.
http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22238.aspxhttp://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22238.aspxhttp://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/


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Address Service Requested

Sundays at First Christian Church

Summer Worship at 10:00 am

Before Worship After Worship

Spiritual Formation Classes 9:00 am Fellowship Time 11:15

Bi-Weekly Calendar

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCHOF MINNEAPOLIS

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55404

A Thoughtful Church in the

Heart of the City

Ministry TeamAll Members of the Congregation

Robert Brite, Interim Minister

Dennis Sanders, Associate Minister

of Diversity and Mission

Chris Wogaman, Office Manager

Rick Bowman, Building Manager

Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual

Formation & Community Ministry

James Baumgartner, Interim MusicDirector

Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant

Martha Harris, Courier Editor

Telephone: 612.870.1868

Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984

Christian Courieris published bi-monthly. Send items and ideas tochurch office or to Martha [email protected]

by August 14 for next issue.

This Week at FCC

Tuesday, August 2Worship Committee 7 pm

Thursday, August 4Handcrafters 9 am

Friday, August 5Open Table Cookout 5:30 pm

Saturday, August 6

Mens Group 9 am

Reflections on the Wordfrom readings for 7.31.11

Now when Jesus heard this, hewithdrew from there in a boat to adeserted place by himself.

--Matthew 14:13a

This oft-stated, oft-overlooked de-tail begins the famous telling of thefeeding miracle. Jesus needed rest,as we all do. And although hedidnt always get to rest, he did hisbest to take care of himself. Theheat of summer is often an oppor-tunity to take rest and refreshment.And this rest and refreshment canempower your own ministry to

others. Sabbath time is blessed.

You rested, O God, on the 7th day,and your creation was very good.We pray for rest and refreshmentfor our bodies and souls, that inresting, we might gain great powerto do your work and tell of yourlove for our world. Amen.

--Chris Wogaman

Next Week at FCC

Tuesday, August 9

Property Committee 7 pm

Wednesday, August 10Finance Committee 5:30 pm

Thursday, August 11

Handcrafters 9 am

Saturday, August 13

Mens Group 9 am
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

First Christian Courier- July 30, 2011

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