June 19, 2025 | Weekly Newsletter | | Grounding in Faith with Pastor Elizabeth | | |
Much is being asked of our hearts.
The assassination of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the attempt on the lives of John and Yvette Hoffman have opened places of disbelief and pain in our hearts. How has communal life come to this? We wonder: Is nothing sacred?
Actually, everything is sacred. Everyone is sacred. The divisiveness being amplified in these days is literally death-dealing and it cannot be allowed to find purchase in human hearts.
Those who seek to follow Jesus choose to live in his way. We are those people. We practice our faith in such a way that we will not turn away from the pain of these days and neither will we pass that pain along.
Everything is sacred. All people are sacred.
We are celebrating a summer of revival. We believe that the Holy Spirit is breathing hope and power through creation. We believe that Hennepin Ave UMC is meant to live a witness in the city and in the hearts of members and every person who walks through our doors.
We are a witness for hope, healing, reconciliation, and a dogged determination to amplify the sacred.
Everything is sacred. All people are sacred.
May God bless your hearts in these challenging times. Come to church. Work in our garden. Celebrate Pride with us. Volunteer at the Dignity Center. Jump into the Table Talk conversations being held every Sunday after worship. Join your heart with the hearts of those who are seeking to live communal blessing.
The Spirit is even now inviting us to healing.
Pastor Elizabeth
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Church News of the Week:
The stories that keep us connected
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Juneteenth: Hope for the Future
By the United Methodist Church
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By the time Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery, 2½ years had passed since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The message of freedom had failed to reach a quarter of a million enslaved Black people.
That is, until June 19, 1865, the date that marked the end of government-sanctioned slavery in America, and that would become known as Juneteenth. Through the years, Juneteenth has been commemorated, primarily by Black Americans, with prayer events, families gathered around large meals, parades, and festivals.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States, observing the date when news of emancipation was delivered in Galveston. But in the words of Opal Lee, a Black woman from Fort Worth, Texas who is largely responsible for the national holiday becoming a reality, “None of us are free until we're all free, and we aren't free yet.”
The struggle for equality and justice—true freedom—continues. Inequity persists. As United Methodists, we vow to accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice and oppression. There is still much work for us to do. As we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, we do so in this context of persistent injustice and oppression.
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Table Talk: Community Conversations
Sundays after Worship | June 15–August 31
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Please join us in community discussion on Sundays following worship throughout the summer. We will have different question cards each week!
Most Sundays will be in Carlson Hall, but this Sunday, Table Talk (and Sunday Snack) will be held in Koinonia Hall.
If you're joining the conversation in person, you can enjoy coffee, donuts, and Sunday Snack (light lunch) on us! If you're joining on zoom, a host will lead you through the same community conversation (snacks on your own)! Zoom link here.
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Introducing Our New Parish Nurse
By Mattie Melin
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My name is Mattie Melin and I will be the parish nurse supporting Hennepin Avenue UMC this summer. In addition to laying the groundwork for a more permanent nurse, my hope is that I can connect with each of you and gather feedback and information to promote health and wellness specific to Hennepin.
One focus point will be on blood pressure. I will be hosting Sunday blood pressure clinics that will help get a pulse on the health of Hennepin's population as compared to the greater Minnesota Area. I have a background in research and have seen firsthand how it can change lives on an individual and communal level.
I encourage everyone to get their blood pressure checked, even if it is not a concern. You get information about your own health that can help you make decisions regardless of the outcome, and you have the opportunity to contribute to an overarching effort to improve community health outcomes. I look forward to meeting all of you!
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FREE Blood Pressure Screenings
Sunday, June 22 in the Library | 9-10am & 11am-12pm
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Our new parish nurse Mattie Melin will be providing free blood pressure screenings in the Library at Hennepin–before and after worship, most Sundays this summer!
Read more.
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“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”
Celebrating Joan Jemison by Rev. Cindy McCalmont
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It’s a grey Monday morning, and Joan Jemison is stirring a bright pink pitcher of lemonade. For the past 2 ½ years, she has arrived early every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to prepare for Dignity Center guests.
On the face of it, Joan’s volunteering is straightforward as she makes coffee, slices bagels, and assembles to-go lunches. But there’s so much you don’t see as Joan and her team of volunteers bustle around the kitchen—like the countless hours Joan has spent shopping for bargains, not just for the food that’s served but also for desperately needed hygiene items like toothbrushes, towels, and soap; and the many years Joan has served the Dignity Center before this stint overseeing hospitality. Read more.
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Community Art Event: Chalking for Pride
Friday, June 27 | 10am-3pm
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The Queer Justice Team and Hennepin Youth invite you to help us show our LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors that they are loved–with a colorful chalk-art display! Hennepin chalkers will receive a FREE "Hennepin/Love All" rainbow tie-dye t-shirt! Shade tents are provided.
Join us at the corner of Hennepin and Groveland to create amazing Pride-themed chalk art–all skill levels are welcome! Read more and sign up!
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Pride Concert: Sara Thomsen and Paula Pedersen
Sunday, June 29 | After Worship
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The Queer Justice Team and Hennepin Music present... Singer-songwriter Sara Thomsen and her spouse Paula Pedersen will be performing a concert in celebration of Pride on the north steps after worship on Sunday, June 29!
Paula and Sara make their home in northwest Wisconsin (near Duluth/Superior) with their dog, cat, a flock of chickens, and two beehives.
Read more.
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Hennepin Joins Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
By Jerry Gale
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Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is a collaborative of more than 70 faith communities that believe safe, affordable homes provide the basis for stable families and thriving communities. For over 20 years, Beacon has built affordable homes and provided supportive services for people facing the greatest barriers to stable housing.
For many years, Hennepin Avenue UMC has been concerned with ending homelessness and increasing affordable housing in Minneapolis. This area of ministry was behind the decision to donate, in March 2023, $895,000 from the sale of Koinonia to Beacon Housing to help build Emerson Village in north Minneapolis and Bimosedaa Apartments in downtown Minneapolis. Read more.
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Beacon Interfaith Housing's "Defend Federal Housing" Event
Written by Jerry Gale
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Tuesday, July 1, 2025
6:30pm-7:30pm
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Right now, decisions are being made in Washington, D.C. that could lead to massive cuts to affordable housing. It’s critical that everyone understands the key role that the federal government plays, and what’s at stake.
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is hosting an event in Minneapolis to help you understand the direct impact these cuts could have on Beacon developments and others providing supportive housing. Read more.
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Legacy Giving: Your Share in Hennepin Avenue UMC's Future
By Jack Fistler
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Reserve your share in Hennepin’s future by including the church in your estate plan.
By including a gift to Hennepin Avenue UMC in your will or trust, or naming the church as beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, you'll ensure valuable future support for our ministries while maintaining control of your assets during your lifetime.
Share your love for Hennepin with future generations, as others before you enriched your faith journey here.
For ways to make gifts meaningful to you, personalized gift illustrations, and suggested language for estate planning documents, contact Jack Fistler at 612-435-1321
jack@haumc.org, or visit haumclegacy.org
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This Week in Hennepin History
Written by Phil Wala
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Life Transitions | Births, Baptisms, and Deaths
Sunday, June 22 | 10am Worship
| | Mother Root © Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com | | |
Baptism: Simon Aksel Barry
Simon Aksel Barry was born on 8/1/24 and will be baptized during this Sunday's Worship.
Welcoming New Members:
Susan Barry & Kerri Kimm
Simon's parents Susan Barry & Kerri Kimm will also be welcomed as new members during worship!
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In Memorial | Jean Mary Gjetson
September 10, 1936 — May 21, 2025
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A Memorial Service will be held at Hennepin Avenue UMC on Saturday, June 22, 2025 at 2 pm.
Visitation 1 pm
Funeral Service 2 pm
Reception to follow the service.
Read Obituary
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What We Learned Last Sunday
Learning & Fun!
We used goldfish crackers to show how the early followers shared everything - even when some people started out with more gifts and belongings than others.
Coming Up this Sunday
June 22: Learning & Fun!
We are starting a whole series on the adventures and travels of the Apostle Paul. Our lesson this week will feature Paul’s conversion story along with some fun with gluey hands!
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