First Christian Courier- November 12, 2011

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November 12, 2011

Inside the Courier:

A Look at the BriteSide, page 2

Search committeeseeks input,page 3

Ministry CenterNews, page 3

On the Web:

FCCs website

Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)national organization

Disciples in the Up-per Midwest

Open Source

Photos from the or-gan recital are onFCCs Facebookpage

Open Source church growing person by person

Rebecca and Stephen Haney of Open Source

Its one thing to move to a new townto start a new job as a minister, butits something else again when thatnew ministry has no building and nomembers. Yet thats just exactlywhat Stephen and Rebecca Haney

signed up for when they moved toRochester, MN, in January, 2010, tostart a new church.

Rebecca and Steve told their storyduring worship at FCC on Nov. 6.Their Open Source church in Roches-ter has grown from four members(Steve, Rebecca and their two chil-dren) to 40 active participants.

We spend 40 to 60 hours a weekbuilding relationships, said Rebecca.This can be participating in commu-nity organizations, inviting people todinner, going out for coffee or beers,playing Frisbee golf or board gameswith new friends. Stephen explainedthat he learned early on to wait untilpeople asked him to begin talkingabout Open Source.

Stephen said that, at age 34, he is thesixth oldest person participating in OpenSource. The majority of people (2/3 to) who have attended gatherings andevents are men, who then bring alongfamilies or girlfriends. Many of the par-ticipants are completely unfamiliar withwhat a church is, with being a part of acommunity, with committing to regularfinancial support for an organization orwith the basic Bible stories that earliergenerations grew up knowing.

Currently, Open Source holds monthlyworship services, called gatherings, ina public event space on Sunday eve-nings. They have also organized weeklyBeer and Bible sessions, bi-weeklyevents for kids such as playtimes ormovie-going, and regular work at a localfood bank packing food boxes. An up-coming event is called Wine to Water.Participants will buy tickets to a wine-tasting event, and proceeds will go to-ward supplying clean water to a Nicara-guan village. Open Source is also plan-ning to host a Financial Peace Universityseries, a program designed to help peo-ple get control over their finances.

Open Source has both awebsite(opensourcerichester.com) and aFace-bookpage. The Haneys hope that bySeptember, 2012, they will have weeklygatherings with 60 regular participants.Rebecca and Stephen really are livingout the mission of their church, which isto bring people into relationship withGod and Christian community.

Christian CourierFirst Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)
http://fccminneapolis.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Source-Disciples-of-Christ/317453169503http://opensourcerochester.com/http://opensourcerochester.com/http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://www.disciples.org/http://fccminneapolis.org/


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Page 2

On plans to use assets for church start-ups

November 12, 2011

It was a good Sunday of worshiplast week, with Stephen and Re-becca Haney preaching, givingus the update on the new churchstart in Rochester. One of thethings that most fascinated mewas Steve saying that, at the ripeold age of 34, he was the sixtholdest member of the gatheringgroup at this point. It is a bravenew world to start a new churchin these days.

This is probably a good time to

remind our congregation whatthe proposed plans are with theassets from our sale of the build-ing. Theres a total of about $3.8million; around $1.5 million isgoing into construction of ourshared facility and the organmove. Of the remaining $2.3million, what weve talked aboutis holding about $1.2-1.4 millionfor a support fund/draw-downaccount that would help provideextra support-above-giving forFCC; that would last us any-where from 10-40 years depend-ing on how fast the draw-downis. The rest of the funds,$900,000 to $1.1 million, wouldbe used to start new churches inthe Twin Cities, with some ofthat going to give Rochester alittle extra boost, to the tune of$70,000100,000. (It takes

about $400,000 to start a new

church, and the Haneys begantheir effort with less than$250,000 backing them up.)

New church starts are THE formof revival in the church today.Revival can and does take placein established congregations(were having some of that here,arent we?), and the call of Christis to pursue that newness oflife the Scriptures talk about insuch a way that people out in theworld can see that newness assomething attractive. Thatswhat were trying to do at FCC,and I think were having somesuccess at that.

Id like to see YOU on Sunday!

Bob

A Look at the Brite Side

In our prayers

Gracious God, we

lift up these persons

in our prayers, ask-

ing the blessing of

your Grace and out-

pouring of your Love

upon them.

We pray in gratitude for all those who worked hard to clean the buildingon Share-the-Care day and for all those who contributed to the $1200raised at the organ recital; in joy with James Rogers who now has ninemonths of sobriety; for blessings to Jay and Arlene Hillestad for theirrecent anniversary and for their generosity in hosting and facilitating aMinistry Center Board retreat; in concern for Charlotte Ronnei who hasbeen hospitalized recently and for Greg Merkel and his mother andfather; in concern that our local and national political representativeswork together to fix the many problems in our society; in gratitude foractive and veteran military members and their families; for all ourhomebound members, including Emma Armstrong and Bob Risinger,Amen.


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Christian Courier Page 3

Ministry Center News

Dorothy Stegner shared this anecdote: I attendedan organ concert some years ago where the talentedMormon organist played. How great! -- but one manarose after the applause had died down and rebukedthose who clapped. The organist arose from the organand in his quiet and kind way told the people that ifthe Lord moved them through his music, it is all rightto clap.

Please continue to share your thoughts about ap-plause during worship with each other and in this

newsletter.

Search Committee discussion set forThanksgiving Sunday

The Pastoral Search Committee has met severaltimes in the past few weeks, and has begun prepar-ing for the work of identifying and hiring our nextpermanent minister. Committee members are

Kirsten Cackoski, Tom Curry, Arlene Hillestad,Deb Murphy, Sandy Morgan, Max Hurlocker, andco-chairs Mike Hesano and Dean Creighton.

So as we begin this long process, we need theideas and input of the FCC members and family.To do that, on November 20, we will be conductinga fast paced, interactive and fun discussion sessionwith members and guests. This conversation ex-change will be held between the Thanksgivingworship service and our Thanksgiving dinner inFellowship Hall. We will be asking specific ques-

tions about your visions for the future as we moveinto a new church setting. We need and value yourinput, and look forward to an enjoyable event.

Schedule for Thanksgiving worship and Dinner:

10:30 Worship Service (Fellowship Hall)

11:30 -12:15 Interactive group discussionsled by Search Committee

12:30 Thanksgiving Dinner

Vandalism case resolvedThe County Attorney's office informed FCC that

the defendant in the vandalism to First ChristianChurch last winter/spring (several broken win-dows) has plead guilty to three counts of grossmisdemeanor property damage and has been or-dered to pay restitution. The individual will nothave to serve jail time, but will be monitored bythe mental health court in monthly visits for thenext two years, to make sure that he receives thetreatment and support he needs and does not resortto similar damaging behavior in the future.

Lets Talk: Applause responsesFour people responded directly to The Courier

about applause during worship. Wouldnt youknow: two people indicated they preferred quietresponses, and two people preferred applause! Wedo value our diversity here at FCC. {Continued

Although an official move-in date has not been set,the new Ministry Center at 28th and Garfield isnearly complete. All three churches hope to be

worshiping in the building by January. Anyonewho would like to see the current state of construc-tion should call Pastor Brite to find out how tomake arrangement for a hard-hat tour,

The Ministry Center Board met on Oct. 22 and alsoheld a day-long retreat on Nov. 5. Below are high-lights from these meetings:

Construction is currently right on budget.The new entry way is finished, windows arein, many rooms are painted, and bathroom

tile is in. A name for the Ministry Center has been

tentatively chosen, and the governing bod-ies of each church will be hearing and re-sponding to the choice.

A final draft of the Ministry Center Cove-nant is complete and will be presented tothe governing bodies for approval at theirNovember meetings.

The 2012 budget is being developed by theMinistry Center finance committee.

Discussion is underway about custodial andoffice staffing for the Ministry Center.

Two more tasks groups will be formed, oneon working in the community and one onevangelism

The Ministry Center board will meet Nov.17 and Dec. 18. Anyone with interest inMinistry Center business is welcome to at-tend.


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Address Service Requested

Sundays at First Christian Church

Sunday Worship at 10:30 am

Before Worship After Worship

Breakfast Club 8:45 am Fellowship Time 11:45Spiritual Formation Classes 9:15 am

Bi-Weekly Calendar

Christian Courier Page 4

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

OF MINNEAPOLIS

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55404

A Thoughtful Church in the

Heart of the City

Ministry TeamAll Members of the Congregation

Robert Brite, Transitional Minister

Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversi-

ty and Mission

Chris Wogaman, Office Manager

Rick Bowman, Building Manager

Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual

Formation & Community MinistryJim Baumgartner, Director of Music

Bryon Wilson, Organist/Pianist

Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant

Martha Harris, Courier Editor

Telephone: 612.870.1868

www.fccminneapolis.org

E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: 612.870.1860

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

Nov. 21for the next issue.

This Week at FCCSunday, November 13

Food Pantry SundayElders Meeting 5 pm

Monday, November 14

Carter Circle @ Barb Rusinaks 7 pm

Tuesday, November 15

Retired Teachers Lunch noonEcumenical Lectionary group 4 pm

Mission & Witness Committee 6 pmFCC Board Meeting 7 pm

Wednesday, November 16

Nikkei 9 am

Bible Study 6 pm

Bell Choir 6:30 pmChancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, November 17Handcrafters 9 amMinistry Center Board 7 pm

Saturday, November 19

Mens Group 9 am

Laura Lynn/Naomi Circle 10 am

Reflections on the Wordfrom readings for 11.13.11

For to all those who have, morewill be given, and they will have anabundance; but from those whohave nothing, even what they have

will be taken away.Matt. 25:29

The word talent often translatesthe word in the Greek here, whichis Talantos, a weight that, likethe British Pound, became a meas-ure of currency. One talent wasworth about 15 years wages. IsJesus saying to take from the poorand give to the rich?! Jesus mes-sage, I think, was here metaphoricbut clear: the more you use your

gifts, the more they will grow; burythem and they will bury you. Inother words, dont hide your lampunder a chair: let your light shine.

Shine through our talents, O God,that we might share these gifts andglorify you through them. Thankyou for sharing with us, that wemight share with others. Amen.

--Chris Wogaman

Next Week at FCC

Sunday November 20Worship in Fellowship Hall 10:30amSearch Committee Activity 11:45 amThanksgiving Dinner

Tuesday, November 22Ecumenical Lectionary group 4 pm

Wednesday, November 23

Bible Study 6 pmBell Choir 6:30 pmChancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, November 24

Thanksgiving Day

`
http://www.fccminneapolis.org/http://www.fccminneapolis.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fccminneapolis.org/

First Christian Courier- November 12, 2011

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