The Grapevine
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower." John 15:1
December 31, 2019 Issue | Next issue, January 15, 2020
From: Rev. Jeff Foels,


Happy New Year!

One of my go-to writers of spiritual nourishment is the late Irish poet, John O’Donohue. He wrote a poem titled, “Beannacht – A New Year Blessing,” that I find particularly poignant. Here is a section of it:

And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The grey window
And the ghost of loss
Gets in to you,
May a flock of colours,
Indigo, red, green,
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.

As we look upon our world that is so often gray, it can be tough to find those bursts of vibrant colors within ourselves. It’s why I love seeing cardinals come to bird feeders this time of year, or endure those deeply cold days in trade for the brilliant blue skies. This is a time when it’s good to remember to rest, to be still, to appreciate the places of warmth and light, and to seek out those who might need a splash of color, cheer, and joy in dark days.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be taking a bit of rest of my own. We are going with family to Hawaii (my dad even lived there for a year in his twenties – I am glad to have grown up here, but that sounds hard to leave).

I look forward to you hearing our guest preachers: Anita Cummings will preach January 19th – she has known me for a long time, having served the church in Stillwater when I was a youth. January 26th will be Dixie Brachlow, whose family I worked with at House of Hope. Both are retired Presbyterian ministers who I look up to and feel privileged to follow in ministry. As usual, I wish I could be there to hear them!

Blessings in this new year to you all – Jeff
Calendar of Events
December 31 - January 15
Click here for public church calendar.
Tuesday, January 7
- 7:00 p.m. ----- Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday, January 8
-- 9:30 a.m .----- GIFT Group (Growing In Faith Together)
-- 1:00 p.m. ----- PPC Book Club (Fireside Room)
-- 6:00 p.m. ----- Deacon's Meeting

Friday, January 10
------- Grapevine Deadline

Saturday, January 11
-- 9:30 a.m. ----- Baker's Group

Sunday, January 12
-- 9:30 a.m. ----- Worship
10:30 a.m. ------ Congregational Meeting
10:45 a.m. ------ Session Meeting

Monday, January 13
-- 7:00 p.m. ----- Session Meeting

Wednesday, January 15
11:00 a.m. ----- GIFT Group to SummerWood
-- 7:00 p.m. ----- Building and Grounds
-- 7:00 p.m. ----- Choir Rehearsal
No Small Matter Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion
Here is your opportunity to see the film that is sweeping the nation!

Please join us for a crucial community conversation
about the early education and childcare crisis facing our state and country.
Engage with a knowledgeable panel after the screening to learn more.

February 4, 2020 / 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

at Messiah Church
17805 County Road 6
Plymouth, MN 55447

Panelists

Rep. Dave Pinto, Chair, MN House of Representatives Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division
Dr. Amy Susman-Stillman, University of Minnesota Center for Early Education and Development
Dr. Aaron Sojourner, Associate Professor, Carlson School of Management
Mary Olsen, Director, Bloom Early Learning
Moderator: Ann Ruhl Carlson, University of Minnesota, Early Childhood Licensure Coordinator

Free and Open to the Public
(Two-Hour Certificate of Attendance Available)

Presented by



Bloom Early Learning & Child Care

Bloom continues to add students and staff while remaining committed to a 50/50 split of scholarship and full-pay children. With eight children, the infant room is full.

  • Anyone interested in volunteering with the babies, toddlers or preschoolers, contact Melissa or Alex Cannon (764-559-0045) to go through the background check and get started. Bloom welcomes volunteers in the classrooms.
  • Join the Friends of Bloom committee to develop and maintain strong ties between Bloom and PPC.
  • Sign up for one-time volunteer activities, such as stuffing envelopes or providing hospitality at an event.
  • Join the Marketing Committee. We especially need people experienced in marketing, public relations, social media, writing, videography and photography. Share your talents with us!

Reminders & Updates:

Friends of Bloom. February 4th showing of, 'No Small Matter,' documentary at Messiah Methodist Church. Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Donations. The PPC Friends of Bloom has created a bin for food and clothes donations for Bloom families. See the list below for pantry needs.
Childcare. Any families interested in child care may check out the website above.
Kitchen. Please contact Janet Menary for instructions in using the kitchen appliances.
Security. The doors at the main entrance will be locked during the Bloom hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m . Please use the office entrance on the far left and pick up a visitor tag to help Bloom with security. If no one is in the office, please check in with the Bloom staff and wear your church nametag. Thank you,
 
Penny, Suzy and Janet
 

Pantry Needs
Thank you to all who have made donations for the Bloom families! This will be a continuous effort to secure donations to help them. Reminder, that the main shelves will be in the back of the church by the classrooms with a smaller cabinet by the front door. Please put items in the bin at the front of the church. Please feel free to ask friends, neighbors and family if they have any items to donate!
Some of the Items we are looking for are:
  •  Canned fruit and veggies
  •  Cereal
  •  Noodles
  •  Bread
  •  Ketchup, Salsa. Mayo, Jam
  •  Syrup
  •  Soup
  •  Ramen
  •  Toiletries
  •  Paper product
  •  Granola bars they can grab for a snack on the way home
  •  Children’s clothes, diapers, wipes
  •  New socks and underwear, Sizes 2T—4T
  •  Other items to help out the young families

Contact Kriss Peek if you have any questions at 952-292-8151 , or email [email protected] .
Good News from Cal Cooper
Russ Kline's New Presbytery Position
Russ Kline, a former member of PPC, now a ruling elder in Billings, Montana, was elected moderator of Yellowstone Presbytery for 2020. Many will remember Russ and Janet from their time here when Russ was a Deacon and Janet was the volunteer accompanist for worship and the choir.
Visit us on Social Media!
Office Phone: 763-559-2946 | www.plymouthpc.org