On Saturday, November 9th we filled our Fellowship Hall with both wonderful people and wonderful smells for our Abundant Harvest Meal.
We know that some were not able to attend and those that were able to attend loved the food so much that we had numerous requests for the recipes.
Ask and you shall receive.
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November. On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organizations.
World Kindness Day was first launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, an organisation formed at a 1997 Tokyo conference of like-minded kindness organisations from around the world. There are currently over 28 nations involved in The World Kindness Movement which is not affiliated with any religion or political movement. The mission of the World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day is to create a kinder world by inspiring individuals and nations towards greater kindness.
Source: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-kindness-day-2019/
On October 30th, Lara Hermanson, music therapist for Cherrywood Pointe Senior Housing, spoke to a group of 30 on the education of therapists and the types of roles she plays in her work. In addition to providing music for the weekly chapel service, Lara works with people who have memory loss, those who are near the end of life and their families, and people who have anxiety. Her style is lively and humorous, and her repertory is extensive, spanning the decades of the 1920’s’s through the 70’s.
Nativity honors the elders of our community by by inviting them to participate fully into the life of the church. The Vital Aging initiative provides educational and spiritual opportunities for those who are in the 3rd stage of life and their families and friends.
On October 16th people over the age of 60 and their families were invited to a special worship service, followed by lunch. The service included a hymn sing, communion, and a message by Pr. Glenn, who encouraged and thanked those present:
“You continue the journey because you know what it is like to be afraid and to feel the loving presence of God. You have endured the peaks and valleys of life and now, as you age, you can pass on the spiritual wisdom.”
Ninety-two people attended this service, and each person received a card from Nativity’s 2-5 year old children that said “You are Loved.” One child printed, “Don’t let anything stop you.”
Courtesy of the Hennepin County Library
Sponsorship
In order that use of the fund be an expression of concern for people on the part of the Nativity congregation, each application for a grant-in-aid must be sponsored (or requested) by a member of Nativity.
Stewardship
The awarding of the grant will not have a negative impact on the stewardship of the congregation, i.e., the fund must not be used to do those things that are considered the inherent responsibility of the congregation. In general, the grants-in-aid are sponsored by the membership of the congregation for use outside Nativity. Priority is often given to grants to individuals or to smaller organizations for whom alternative sources of support are not readily available.
Timeliness
All application forms must be completely filled out and received by the church administrator by November 15. Secondly, consideration is given to various time elements which may be involved in the grants. Some priority may be given to grant requests involving “seed” money used to initiate projects or support programs in their early stages of development.
This Application is Due, November 15, 2019
Kelly Sherman-Conroy – CYF Social Justice and Advocacy
At the beginning of November, I attended an eight-hour, evidence-based public education program designed to equip those who work with youth ages 12-18 years, with the knowledge we need to know how best to respond in a mental health emergency and how to offer support for someone who is in emotional distress.
When someone is choking on a piece of food and can’t breathe, most of us would know to perform the Heimlich maneuver. And if we came across the victim of a gunshot wound, we’d instinctively try to stop the bleeding with a tourniquet. However, what if we came across a youth suffering from a panic attack, or who was beginning to hear voices, or who was depressed and contemplating suicide? Most people don’t know what to do in these situations. It’s just as important to know how to help in a mental health crisis as it is in a physical health crisis.
This is where Youth Mental Health First Aid training comes in. We learned risk factors and warning signs of mental and how to recognize them. Information on mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders. An action plan for helping someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis and how to reach mental health professionals.
This was a useful training which I was able to gain knowledge of signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental illnesses and substance use problems and foster increased mental wellness. If you have the opportunity to attend a class, please do!
Service & Learning Trips
On a Service & Learning Trip, we serve and we learn.
We come into a community to serve with our brothers and sisters in that community; not to do something new, but to participate in the beautiful and unique ministries that are already happening there.
We come into a community to learn from our brothers and sisters in that community; to learn about history, cultures, and context and to engage in relationship building.
On these trips, we are proud to partner with Serve Boldly; a young and growing church youth trip non-profit with roots in the ELCA. Check out their website: serveboldly.net
2020 Service & Learning Trip Destinations:
Cost:
Wilderness Backpacking Trip
There are many exciting things happening in our services that support children and youth across the Twin Cities metro area. Below are some highlights from the past few months, and ways you can help by volunteering or contributing items to support youth in your community.
What’s New
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As the weather chills, we are gathering essential winter items for youth experiencing homelessness. You can make a difference for youth by donating or coordinating a winter donation drive. The youth we serve need items that will last, so we can only accept new items.
To stay connected and informed on news and events for LSS Metro Homeless Youth follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MetroHomelessYouth/, or visit their web page at: www.lssmn.org/blog/youth-homelessness
Marilyn’s service to Lutheran congregations began when she was in the 9th grade. As the only person who could play piano in her church in Miltona, MN (near Alexandria), she was asked to play for Sunday services and the Lenten season. Her mother would not allow her to skip school to play for funerals, although she was willing to do so. Marilyn’s church involvement continued as she taught Bible study at a church in Austin, MN, and it was there that she realized she loved teaching about the Scriptures.
When Nativity was in its early stages, she and Allen and baby Tori joined. She was invited to be a part of Lutheran Social Service Auxiliary and eventually, she became president of that organization. The Church Women group held a Bible study and Marilyn began to teach for that group. When Jerry Hoffman became pastor, he sent her to a two year course in the Bible. “I didn’t know that Jerry knew me that well to send me. I was the only woman and the only lay person. I have always been thankful to Jerry for having the courage to ask me to do this as a woman.” Marilyn’s education continued when she took courses in the School of Theology at Luther Seminary. Marilyn reflects, “I always respected people’s time if they came to a Bible study. I wanted to be sure I prepared well and had all the facts accurate.”
Marilyn is very much a part of Nativity today, attending the 10:30am service, the Wednesday morning Bible study, Lutheran Social Service Circle, and the Legacy Giving Program. She recently moved to Chandler Place.
We will be honoring Marilyn at the special worship service on October 16th from 11:00-11:45 followed by lunch.
Nativity’s Quilters have donated hundreds of quilts to people all over the world. The group began in September 1967 as “Day of Caring.” Scraps of material from drapes, bed spreads, and blankets were used for filler, and new fabric was used for the top and bottom of the quilt. Quilts were tied with colorful yarn and hemmed. All quilts were given to Lutheran World Relief, and the first ones went to children in Vietnam.
Franky Sandberg was instrumental in starting this group. Many remember Franky as the “cookie lady.” because she would bring cookies to the Sunday services. The quilters followed Franky’s example, and during the coffee break, there was laughter, jokes, and an abundance of home baked goods. “We always went home on a sugar high and extra baked goods,” remembers Lucy Edlund.
Kay Bjorke remembers, “In the summer, I would bring my daughter and her playmate, and they would sit under the quilt frame and poke the large plastic needle through to us above. They always went home with bits of scraps for their dolls.”
Nativity Quilters will meet for the last time, December 5th. Many women, and a few men, have been a part of this ministry for 52 years. These gracious people have the satisfaction that their quilts, and the love in their hearts, have gone to provide warmth to countless people.
A table of memorabilia will be on display on October 16th for the worship service and luncheon which begins at 11:00 AM. I extend a special invitation to the people who have been part of Nativity Quilting all these years.
Show Us Some Love!