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JUNE 2015
I’ve been reading a good book by Rachel Held Evans called Searching For Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church. I have read most of what she has written and follow her on Twitter. A good summer read for you could be her book A Year of Biblical Womanhood. She tried, for one whole year, to keep the commands and mandates found in the Bible for women. It’s a great book. Anyway, in her latest book, Evans talks about her journey within evangelicalism—how she gave up on church and then came back, but to church in a dif-ferent way. She writes:
Church is a moment in time when the kingdom of God draws near, when a meal, a story, a song, an apolo-gy, and even a failure is made holy by the presence of Jesus among us and within us.
I talked recently with a person who has pretty much given up on church. She’s had enough. At a time when grace could have and should have been extended to her family as her family system was self-destructing, the family received judgment and shame. I wish I could tell you that this young woman was the only one I’ve talked to in the last 6 months, but she is one of about 4-5 people I’ve talked to who have given up on church. Now, these are not people who were looking for an excuse to do something else on Sunday morn-ing—these are people who really did give the church a really good shot, especially at times of great need.
Rachel Held Evans quotes the pope in the opening of one of her chapters:
I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security… More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us, “Give them something to eat.”
I’ve been thinking about our calling: “An Oasis in the City.” I like it. I believe it. We are. But what if we are some individual’s last chance at church? What if they are on their way out, and we are their last stop?
I think we’re a good “oasis.” Do we have room for improvement? Sure. But I appreciate the commitment by the pastoral staff and leadership team to be that oasis in the city. And really commit to it.
One of my favorite writers, Henri Nouwen, talks about how his life, specifically his prayer life, changed after he spent a week in an AIDS clinic in San Francisco simply listening to peoples’ stories. He went up and down the ward just asking people if they wanted to talk. He listened to stories of self-destructive behavior and promiscuity, and found in those he talked to that there were hints of a thirst for love that had never been quenched. From those visits on, he prayed:
“God, help me to see others not as my enemies or as ungodly but rather as thirsty people. And give me the courage and compassion to offer your Living Water, which alone quenches deep thirst.”
God help us at Elim to be that place where people find the Living Water.
Dan Rotach, Lead Pastor
The Living Water
ELIM CHURCH
AN OASIS IN THE CITY
The Forecaster Page 2 June 2015
Elim Church
Dan Rotach Lead Pastor
Ext. 106 [email protected]
Becky Hanson
Pastor of Community Care Ext. 108
Chuck Fleming Pastor to Seniors
Ext. 109 [email protected]
Conner Simms
Student Ministries Pastor Ext. 107
Mayme Simms Children’s Pastor
Kiah Andersen Early Childhood Director
Eric Fleming Office Manager
Melanie Eslinger Worship Coordinator
Leadership Team Communication:
Hope Ave Ext. 108
Elim Preschool
Jill Jezierski Elim Preschool Director
612-789-1063 [email protected]
Leadership Team Update
Elim Church loves kids—from itty-bitty babies to teenagers ready to fly the nest and all the ages and stages in between. We are thrilled to wel-come Kiah Andersen as our Early Childhood Ministry Director. She will offer a Sunday morning class especially designed for our littlest learners. She joins the excellent staff and programs already in place: Pastor Mayme with our elementary students and Pastor Conner with our Junior and Sen-ior High students. Each Sunday morning and Wednesday night, Elim's chil-dren and youth learn stories and teachings from the Bible, how to receive and share the love of Jesus, and how to live and serve together in a faith community.
It takes our village to raise our children. Each program has dedicated vol-unteers who connect with our children in meaningful and fun ways. Volun-teers participate in all aspects of the children's ministries, from nursery care for babies to leading games for elementary school kids to chaperon-ing high school retreats. The volunteer experience is rewarding for the children, the volunteers and the pastors/director. The children develop meaningful connections to Christian adults outside their families. The vol-unteers live out their faith and Elim's values. The pastors/director are sup-ported in practical ways as they accomplish their ministry work and they become more deeply connected to the Elim family. Contact Kiah, Mayme, or Conner if you would like to become a children's ministry volunteer.
Together on the Journey, Cassie Champion, Elim Church Chair
Parking Lot Resurfacing The Elim Church parking lot will receive a long-needed resurfacing in June. The work will start on Monday, June 8, and should finish by Thursday, June 11. During this time, the lot will be unavailable for use. Thank you for your patience during this time!.
Office Hours and Contact Info
Office Hours: 8 am-4 pm, Monday-Friday Phone: 612.789.3591 Fax: 612.789.9601 Email: [email protected]
Pastors’ Hours: Becky Hanson—Monday-Thursday Chuck Fleming—Monday and Tuesday
Emergency Calls: Pastor Becky: 612.709.0326
The Forecaster June 2015 Page 3
Missions Moment Bruce Pinke
“Reaching The Stranger Next Door”
“Mission is no longer about crossing the oceans, jungles and deserts, but about crossing the streets of the world’s cities.” —Ray Bakke
We understand “that God so loves the world,” but do we understand that the world He loves is ever changing? Three major shifts are taking place in our world: 1. Urbanization; 2. Migration; 3. Cultural-religious diversity. In 1800, London was the world’s largest city with a population of about one million. By 1900, 10% of the world’s population lived in urban centers. In 2000, 50% of the world’s population lived in major cities and it is expected that by 2025, 75% of people will live in urban centers. In 2004, there were 19 cities of over 10 million population and in just one year that number changed to 25 cities with populations over 10 million. In 2015, it is estimated that there are now 32 cities over 10 million. Globalization has caused the world to shrink, and mobility affects all the regions of the world. Between 2000-2010 nine countries gained over 20 million migrants, with the USA gaining more than 8 million. The USA accounts for over 23% of the world’s migrants. By 2010 the USA international migrant population reached an estimated 43 million, representing 13.5% of our total population. At this time it is estimated that there are 11,642 people groups in the world and of that number, 6,734 people groups are comprised of less than 2% evangelicals. In terms of global population, these “unreached” peoples make up over four billion individuals. The majority of immigrants (80-90%) are from these “unreached” peoples. The USA is the most culturally pluralistic and religiously diverse nation of the world. By 2050 there will be no single racial majority in the USA. In America there are more Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists than Lu-therans, Presbyterians and Episcopalians combined. The apostle Paul writes in Acts 17: “From one man God made every nation of men, that they should inhab-it the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and find him, though he is not far from each of us.” It is my conviction that God permits, even orchestrates, the movement of peoples across the globe in or-der to advance his kingdom. However, for the most part, the church in the West has not caught the vision to reach the unreached peoples who have migrated to our communities. This is our challenge—to reach, teach, equip and then send migrants across the world. In next month’s issue we will look at the local Twin Cities scene to see God’s movement of peoples to our doorsteps.
Celebration Of Life For Doug & Ardy Arnstrom A Celebration of Life service will be held for Doug and Ardy Arnstrom on Friday, June 19,
at 11:00 am, at Elim. There will be a time of visitation at 10:00 am. Lunch will follow the
service. Doug died on December 2, 2014. Ardy is currently a resident of Camilia Rose
Care Center in Coon Rapids. You are invited to join the Arnstrom family as they remem-
ber and celebrate Doug and Ardy.
Page 4 June 2015 The Forecaster
Saying Goodbye To Our Graduates Dear Parents,
We give you back your children - the same children you confidently en-trusted to our care. We give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than they were then.
It has been our pleasure and privilege to watch their personalities unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development.
We give them back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in our busy classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of one another and shall always celebrate our time together.
We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year.
Remember that we shall always be interested in your children ... wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become. We will always be happy to share their joys and sorrows.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. Take care of them, for they are precious. And remember… good soul care during the early years of your children’s lives is the basis for their positive spiritual journey in later years. This is the time when they are capable of forming lasting attitudes about God, Jesus, and the faith community as a safe and loving place.
God Bless You!
Elim Preschool Staff
Elim Preschool News Jill Jezierski, Preschool Director
The Unlimited / Kidz Klozet The Unlimited is now accepting donations of gently-used, stylish, SUMMER clothing—clean and on hangers. We can also use shoes and accessories.
Kidz Klozet is looking for clothing for kids of all ages, along with shoes, coats, backpacks… anything kid-appropriate, we can use!
You may drop off donations on Sundays in the old entry, behind the sanctuary. During the week, the office accepts donations during regular office hours. We are always in need of grocery or shopping bags.
The Unlimited and Kidz Klozet are both open on the first Thursday of the month, from 9 until noon. In addition, Kidz Klozet is open on the second Sun-day of the month, before and during Sunday School, from 8-10 am.
Jill Jezierski Preschool Director
612-789-1063 [email protected]
Website: www.elimpreschool.com
Facebook: ElimPreschoolMinneapolis
The Forecaster June 2015 Page 5
EC5K—Sunday, June 7
Are you running/walking the EC5K? Here's some info to know:
• Wear your running clothes to worship on the day of the race: Sunday, June 7. It's OK—God won't judge you and neither will we. ☺
• Meet in the dining room right after worship. • Race numbers will be distributed in the dining room from
11:35-11:50 am. • Race announcements will be given at 11:50 am, and the race will begin at noon. • The course will be 3.1 miles through Northeast Minneapolis, beginning and ending at Elim, and it will
be marked well. • Post-race snacks and finisher t-shirts will be given out back at Elim in the dining room until 1:30 pm.
Talk to Pastor Mayme if you have any questions or concerns and keep up that good-body-stewardship by continuing to train!
Seniors’ Lunch Tuesday, June 2, at Noon Dorothy and Larry Larson will be sharing pictures and talking about their work with the SOWER ministry that they have been a part of the last six years. Bring a friend, and food to share with the group!
Mariners’ Breakfast Tuesday, June 9, at 9 am Our breakfast in June will be at Village Pub, located at 2720 Hwy 88, in St. Anthony Village.
MerryMakers’ Outing Thursday, June 11, at 6 pm Our June outing is a free concert at the Coon Rapids dam by The Jumpin’ Jehosafats. We’ll meet at 6 pm (bring a box lunch to eat), then enjoy the concert at 7 pm. Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Talk with LeRoy and Carol Erickson or Rod and Ruth Tyberg if you have any questions.
Life Group Events
Ben Smith Open House
All are welcome to an Open House to celebrate Ben Smith's graduation from Calvin Christian High School. Stop by 1535 Jefferson St NE on Saturday, June 6, between 4-8 pm.
Esther Dahlberg has both a new address and a new home phone:
Esther Dahlberg 2100 Silver Lake Road, Apt. 322 New Brighton, MN 55112 (651) 633-9975
Address Change
Elim Church 685 13th Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 612.789.3591
www.elimchurch.com
Time Sensitive Information
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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• Seniors’ Lunch, Noon
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• Seniors’ Bible Study, 1:00 pm, Dining Room
• Jesus Calling, 6:30 pm, Prayer Room
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• Kidz Klozet / Unlimited open, 9 am—Noon
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• Men’s Group, 6:30 am, DR
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• Hope Avenue, 8:00-10:30 am
• Adult Sunday School, 9:00 am
• The Gathering, 10:00 am
• Worship, 10:30 am
• EC5K, Noon
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• Mariners Breakfast, 9 am
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• Jesus Calling, 6:30 pm, Prayer Room
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• MerryMakers’ Outing, 6 pm
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• Men’s Group, 6:30 am, DR
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14 COMMUNION SUNDAY
• Hope Avenue, 8:00-10:30 am
• Kids Klozet, 8:00-10:00 am
• Adult Sunday School, 9:00 am
• The Gathering, 10:00 am
• Worship, 10:30 am
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16
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• Seniors’ Bible Study, 1:00 pm, Dining Room
• Jesus Calling, 6:30 pm, Prayer Room
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• Men’s Group, 6:30 am, DR
• Arnstrom Celebration of Life, 11 am
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• Hope Avenue, 8:00-10:30 am
• Adult Sunday School, 9:00 am
• The Gathering, 10:00 am
• Worship, 10:30 am
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• Jesus Calling, 6:30 pm, Prayer Room
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• Men’s Group, 6:30 am, DR
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• Health Clinic, 8:00-10:00 am
• Hope Avenue, 8:00-10:30 am
• Adult Sunday School, 9:00 am
• The Gathering, 10:00 am
• Worship, 10:30 am
• Health Clinic, Noon-1:00 pm
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