LentenmissionfocusonMNFoodShareMinnesota FoodShare, a major program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC), began its work in 1982, with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful, and the need was so evident, that it became a statewide program just one year later. Today, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign brings together various Minnesota organizations, businesses, and places of worship to help keep 300 food shelves statewide stocked throughout the year. The March Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, having raised $7.9 million dollars and 5.2 million pounds of food in 2016, the most successful campaign in our 34 year history. Minnesota FoodShare envisions a Minnesota where all residents have access to healthy food and no one suffers from hunger. FCC is joining this fight against hunger in two ways: Easter "Flowers": Once again, in lieu of a huge bank of Easter lilies in the sanctuary on Easter morning (space and allergies preclude this tradition!), FCC members are invited to donate to Minnesota FoodShare either through monetary donations or through donations of canned and dried foods. Green donation envelopes and "In Honor/Memory of" forms are available in the sanctuary. If you write a check, make it payable to First Christian and put "Minnesota FoodShare" on the memo line. "FUNdraiser "with Lake Harriet CC: Lake Harriet Christian Church has invited FCC to join them in a FUNdraiser on Sunday, March 26. They are hosting a potluck after worship followed by Wii bowling and also toy bowling for the little ones. Details and a sign-up sheet can be found on the side table in the Garden Sanctuary.

The COURIER March11,2017

What’sINSIDE:

VoicesandViewsbyKarenKandik,page2

WannaHuddle?,

page3

HealthatFirst,page3

UPCOMINGEvents:

WednesdayLentenServices,soupat5pm,serviceat6pm

NicaraguaTripFundRaiser,

Sunday,March19,noon

FCCBoardMeeting7pm,Tuesday,March21

Women'sLentenBrunch

10am,Saturday,March25

FirstChristianChurch(DisciplesofChrist),Minneapolis

For a number of years I have tried to live a life of conscious gratitude. I subscribe to a daily message of gratitude from gratefulness.org. I try to turn challenges into opportunities from which I will be grateful to grow and change. I feel gratitude for the “big” things: a friend who is cured of an illness; the end of a war somewhere; finding the perfect vet to take care of my cat’s ear infection; the joy of a loved one returning home. But it has recently occurred to me that I overlook what I take for granted and what I should be most grateful for: a consistent roof over my head—for all of my life, central heating, enough money to pay a mortgage and buy new towels and sheets now and again, hot and cold running water, appliances that allow me to cook and store food, a car, the fact that I do not suffer from a mental illness or chemical dependency, a good education, a church I can call my own, people who love me and would care for me no matter what my circumstances. Thousands of Minnesotans cannot say that they have any of those things as they either live in a shelter or move around to different friends and relatives night after night. More than half of the Minnesotans experiencing homelessness are children and youth. In the 2015-16 school year nearly 9,500 public school students were identified as homeless or highly mobile. The things that I take for granted are the things that they would be the most grateful to have. In the upcoming legislative session, Homes for All, the umbrella agency of all agencies that work with people experiencing homelessness, is advocating for $100 million to build new affordable housing as well as repair what is already available. Yes, this is a HUGE amount of money but not much when building housing. YOU will soon have the opportunity to support this request to help others have the luxury of taking a home, a refrigerator, heat, etc. for granted. It will only require using your voice and your pen to make a big difference! Watch for more information!

VoicesandViewsKarenKandik

In Our Prayers. . .

Prayers of Joy For Susie Smith, who joined

our FCC community on Sunday, March 5

For Rev. Terri Hord Owens, on her nomination to be new President and General Minister for Disciples of Christ

For Pat and Bill Dunlop as they move to a new home

Prayers of Sympathy For Laurie and Bryan Feille

on the loss of Violet For Nancy and Tom Curry's

daughter Tara on the loss of someone very close

For Pamela Cook on the recent loss of a friend and colleague

Prayers of Concern For Larry Pray For Nancy Curry For all our homebound

members including June Andrix and Mary Lou Cain Prayers for the World For all those called to march

and lift their voices in causes they believe in

For homeless individuals and families that permanent shelter will be provided

March11,2017Page2

GratitudevsTakingforGranted

SpringHousewomenhuddleformoreactions SpringHouse women who attended the January Women's March in Washington, D.C. are not done yet! The women have enthusiastically responded to the call from the organizers of the Women's March to move forward a plan for 10 actions in 100 days. The group will gather for its second "huddle" Saturday, March 11, 9 am at SpringHouse (North sanctuary). The first huddle was February 11; second Saturdays have been designated as future huddle dates. Anyone interested is invited to join the group in planning how to transform the energy from the marches into local and national action. Postcard-writing campaigns and regular phone calls to legislators are actions that are already underway. The website www.womensmarch.com has the latest information from the national organizers.

NewmemberlistcorrectionandupdateThe new member listed published in the last Courier issue omitted a few names – and another new member has joined since then! Here is an updated and correct list of the new members to First Christian Church in the last five years: 1 week: Susie Smith 1 year: Ann Antus, Theresa Borchardt, David Cobb, Rodney Higgins,

Ron and Alice Keith, Elizabeth Larson, Dan and Sarah Lauer, Lynda Lee, Wendy Manuel, Henrietta Smith

2 years: Shannon Grady; Tom, Lisa and Gracie West; Ana Wilson, Leo Wilson

3 years: Jim Petermeier 4 years: Anna Bliss, Bud Shandorf 5 years: Dan Adolphson, Jimmy Burnett, Laurie and Bryan Feille, Jen and John Krengel, Chris MacDonald-Dennis

March19fundraisinglunchforNicaragua The Nicaragua group will be having another fundraising lunch after worship on March 19. The main dish will be Orzo con Pollo, plus other Nicaraguan dishes. Free will offerings are gratefully accepted!

SparkhouseBookFairtorunthreeweeksA Sparkhouse book fair will be held at SpringHouse over the next three Sundays. Shoppers will get a discount and free shipping by ordering

books through the book fair. Child Ministries will receive a discount on curric-ulum materials, plus all the books displayed will be added to the SpringHouse collection.

HealthatFirstJulieAndrix,FaithCommunityNurse

February was heart health month – but it's never too late to learn heart health! Many problems with the heart and blood vessels are caused by disease, not by aging. On the other hand, changes that happen with age may increase a person's risk of heart disease. The good news is there are things you can do to delay, lower or possibly avoid your risk. The most common type of heart disease is atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" which is a build up of fatty deposits or plaque in the walls of arteries. When this happens, there is less space for blood to flow and deliver oxygen through the body. Depending on where the build up is, it can cause a heart attack, stroke, leg pain or high blood pressure. Athero-sclerosis is not a normal part of aging and choices can be made to prevent or delay heart disease. Don't smoke, stay at a healthy weight, avoid spending hours every day sitting, exercise regularly, manage stress, keep diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and don't drink a lot of alcohol. Follow a heart healthy diet. This includes low fat foods, and those that are low in salt. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber like those made from whole grains. I do have some helpful resources if you would like more information for a healthy heart. See you in church! Julie Andrix, RN

Page3TheCourierPage3

NarrativeLectionaryLamentoverJerusalemLuke13:1-9,31-35

Sundays at First Christian Church Worship at 10:30

Before Worship After Worship Hearthstone Class, 9 am am Fellowship Time 11:45 Children’s Classes, 9:20 Joint Adult class 9:30 am

FirstChristianChurch(DisciplesofChrist),Minneapolis,isapartnerchurchatSpringHouseMinistryCenter

AWelcomingCommunityofFaithintheHeartoftheCityMinistry Team

DanAdolphson,AssociatePastor, dan.adolphson@fccmpls.org JulieAndrix,FaithCommunityNurse, fcn@fccmpls.org RickBowman,SHMCBuildingManager AdamConrad,MusicDirector&Composer-in- Residence PamelaCook,SHMCYouthMinister,springhouseyouthdirector@fccmpls.org PearlEvans,SHMCChildCare LaurieFeille,SeniorPastor,pastor@fccmpls.orgMarthaHarris,CourierEditor,harrismartha@mac.com DebMurphy,OfficeManager&Directorof SpiritualFormationofChildrenand Youth,deb.murphy@fccmpls.org

&SHMCBuildingCoordinator, events_SHMC@fccmpls.org

MariaThieling,SHMCChildCareMikeVasich-Pianist FCCOfficeTelephone:612.870.1868www.fccminneapolis.orgE-Mail:office@fccminneapolis.orgChristianCourierispublishedbi-monthly.SenditemsandideastochurchofficeortoMarthaHarrisharrismartha@mac.comNextissueisMarch25,2017

Reflections on the Word Luke13: 34 – " Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" Jesus reveals the vulnerable heart of a mothering God who broods with love over Creation, who aches for those who would respond not with gratitude but with denial and betrayal. Jesus' vulnerability reveals a God who is strong in brokenness and grace-filled even to death. Mothering God, teach us the strength of vulnerable love. Amen. By Craig Mitchell, Disciplines 2013

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MINNEAPOLIS

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 610 W. 28th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55408

Image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org

Page4 March11,2017