June 2008 Newsletter

In this issue:

• When part of the body suffers...: John Newton, Rector
• Sympathy to families who have lost loved ones this month
• Vestry Summary: Ann Schwarz, Administrator
• Vestry votes to list Messiah as egalitarian church on Christians for Biblical Equality website: Charlie Clauss, Junior Warden
• Haiti mission trip update: Suzanne Wiebusch and the members of the Haiti mission trip
• Reflections: Lori Goetz, Senior Warden
• Youth and Family Ministry Update: Dave Langille, Priest Associate
• YouthStuff
• Worship and Music Ministry News: Jeff Kidder, Music Minister
• A parish nurse's concern: Hypertension: Phyllis Bruce, Parish Health Committee
• Notices

When part of the body suffers...

John Newton, Rector

I once had a parishioner whose leg had become infected with gangrene. Doctors had tried to treat it by various means, but the infection was persistent and threatening to spread. It became clear that the only way to stop it would be to amputate her leg.

It was a heart-wrenching decision. We had hoped and prayed for some time that it would not come to this, and the evening before her surgery a group of us gathered in her hospital room to pray over her and anoint her with oil, hoping that the amputation might still prove to be unnecessary.

A day or two after her surgery I was in to see her again. Sitting in her wheelchair, it was clear that a transformation had taken place. Gone were the worry and the pain of the gangrene. Though she lacked a leg, she was free to get on with life again-and very quickly she did.

"When one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it." So wrote the apostle Paul to his Christian friends in Corinth. He was not offering medical advice, but stating a spiritual principle. Their church was amazingly alive in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet Paul was also able to recognize some serious issues that, like gangrene, threatened to compromise all that God was doing among them.

Nearly twenty centuries later we in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion find ourselves in the same predicament. For more than a decade there have been attempts to address the apostasy and outright heresy that have been taking hold of the church for more than forty years: brazen and consistent denials of the deity of Christ, his virgin birth, the sacrificial nature of his death, his bodily resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, and the authority of Scripture.

The 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops, the Windsor Report, the drafting of an Anglican Covenant, and the two most recent meetings of the Primates of the Communion, in Northern Ireland in 2005 and in Tanzania in 2007, have all been attempts to arrest the spiritual disease that threatens the life of the church. Yet thus far it appears to have been resistant to all forms of intervention.

Over the course of the summer, there will be four more important events that may prove crucial for the future of the Anglican Communion. The first of them will be the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCon) in Jerusalem, June 22-28. Called at the initiative of the Primates of the Global South, the conference will draw together a thousand or more bishops, clergy, and lay people from around the world, to seek the renewal of the Holy Spirit for themselves and for the whole Communion, and to "prepare for an Anglican future in which the Gospel is uncompromised and Christ-centered mission a top priority".

The Lambeth Conference is the every-ten-year gathering of bishops from across the Anglican Communion. It will take place in Canterbury, England, July 16 - August 3. This is the first time ever that not all serving diocesan bishops have been invited; and of the 800 or so who have received invitations, approximately 200 have indicated that they are choosing not to attend-largely out of frustration that their calls for a return to biblical orthodoxy have gone unheard for more than a decade. Clearly the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion is widening. Yet in spite of the threatened non-attendance of so many, Lambeth remains a most significant event for the life of our Communion.

On September 17-19, the US Episcopal House of Bishops will meet. One of the items on its agenda will likely be the deposition of the Rt Rev. Robert Duncan as Bishop of Pittsburgh. Bishop Duncan is also the moderator of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), a loose association of "conservative" parishes and dioceses who wish to remain in full communion with provinces of the Anglican Communion that have declared themselves either "out of communion" or in "impaired communion" with the Episcopal Church. Messiah has been a member of the ACN since 2006. This move is part of a concerted effort in recent years, through a very selective use of Canon Law, to silence conservative voices within the Episcopal Church. If it succeeds, it will only further divide an already divided body.

Later that same month bishops who have identified themselves as part of the Common Cause Partnership will also be meeting. This group includes not only bishops of the Episcopal Church and of the American branches of various African provinces, but also of the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Network in Canada. It is possible that this historic meeting may set into motion the founding of a new province in North America.

Will the gangrene in the Anglican Communion be stopped? The next four months could prove crucial in that process. I hope that as events unfold, you will both watch and pray-that, though there may be pain, to the point of anguish, in the process, we may see a renewed and vital Anglicanism emerge.

Sympathy to families who have lost loved ones this past month

• Diane Langille and her family for the loss of her father.
• Bill Poehler for the loss of his father.
• Mary Lou Wiley and her family for the loss of her father.
• Darin Mather and his family for the loss of his father.
• Melanie, Zoe, Keagan, Liam for the loss of husband and father, William.
• Bill Grohs, for the loss of his father, longtime Messiah member, Donald Grohs.
• Adam and Beth Richardson and their families for the loss of their father.

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy Holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom are prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Book of Common Prayer, page 831

Vestry Summary

Ann Schwarz, Administrator

At its May meeting Messiah's Vestry agreed by a greater-than-2/3 vote to request that Christians for Biblical Equality (see article below) list Messiah Episcopal Church as an egalitarian church on its website.

Messiah's Vestry had discussed the possibility of relationship with the organization over several months and had followed its own consensus-decision-making rules in the process.  Those rules called for an outside facilitator for the final vote.  Frank Berdan, a former parishioner and expert in group process, served as facilitator at the May meeting.  Junior Warden Charlie Clauss thanked those who spoke in opposition, observed the respectful interchange, and noted the benefit obtained in the discussion.  The Vestry is currently working on a process for joining any outside groups and will present the procedure at its June meeting.

Imad Libbus, chair of the current Capital Appeal, gave a brief report about the status of the appeal noting letters that had gone out to parishioners recently.  A third capital appeal will be needed to reduce mortgage principal and planning will begin within a year.

Judy DesHarnais and Gayle Miels reported informally on their recently completed trip to Haiti to visit partners there.  The Haiti team (Judy, Gayle, Suzanne Wiebusch, and St. Clement's parishioner Linda O'Malley were commended for their trip.

Complete monthly minutes and financial statements are available in the work room next to the reception area or may be obtained electronically by request from a.schwarz@messiahepiscopal.org.

Messiah Building Loan

Balance: $923,407.22.
Current Interest Rate: 6%.
Monthly Mortgage Payment:  $9,400.

You may want to include Messiah's Building Fund in your will or list Messiah Episcopal Church as a first, second, or last beneficiary for part or all of the proceeds from existing life insurance policies. Contact your attorney or financial planner for any of these options.

Vestry votes to list Messiah as egalitarian church on Christians for Biblical Equality website

Charlie Clauss, Junior Warden

At its May 2008 meeting, the Messiah Vestry voted to request that Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) include Messiah on their list of egalitarian churches.

CBE's website can be found at www.cbeinternational.org.

While recognizing the potential confusion with the use of the word egalitarian, the vestry affirms the philosophical and theological meaning. Quoting Alan Padget, professor at Luther Seminary: What is Biblical equality? It is the belief that all people are equal before God and in Christ. All have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God. God freely calls believers to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race. We believe this because the Bible and Jesus Christ teach it to us. That is biblical equality.

A member of Messiah suggested we consider joining CBE. After discussion and the inclusion of the question in the newsletter, the vestry decided that we would be best served by the option to be listed as an egalitarian church. During the same period, Mimi Haddad, president of CBE and member of Messiah taught a well received adult education series on Biblical equality. CBE has been working since 1987 to promote the vision of the essential equality of women and men, calling both men and women to fully use their gifts and talents in God's mission. CBE has a number of resources available including the award winning scholarly journal Priscilla Papers, the popularly oriented magazine Mutuality, as well as numerous books, papers, and multimedia products.

Haiti mission trip Update

Suzanne Wiebusch and the members of the Haiti mission trip

Mesi anpil for the generosity of Messiah parishioners as we were able to take eight suitcases loaded with medical supplies and children's toys on our recent trip to Haiti! We are so grateful for your prayers! We were keenly aware of them as we worshiped with Pere Deravil at Epiphanie Church, visited Epiphanie School, observed the St Croix guesthouse construction and were introduced to the work of CODEP that has trained 700 Haitians in the work of reforestation, sustainable agriculture and fish breeding.

I left Minnesota with a few misgivings about going to Haiti--the recent food riots and the literature we had been given about deforestation and subsequent erosion, and, of course, the brutal poverty. So I was surprised that in the portion of Leogane we visited, the mountains were green, the ocean clean, with healthy coral reefs, and the people we met were gracious. It may be naïve to believe there is hope for Haiti, but I do have a strong sense of hope. We met countless people--Haitians and visitors doing remarkable things--planting over a million trees on a mountain, nurturing small gardens, launching a micro-loan enterprise, and preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must pray for a stable government in Haiti and for continuous support for the people of this country who demonstrate determination, good will, and hope.
--Gayle Miels

How was Haiti? Although I have been asked that question so many times in the last week, I still falter with my answer, and am not sure how to give a succinct, precise answer. The old cliché, I learned more than I gave, is so true, but it is what I learned that surprised me. I was taught the difference between the verb to be and verb to do. Since our group had dwindled to four women, our mission hosts did not have any heavy work planned for us. I came to Haiti to do something, and I wasn't sure if I could spend a week without chores. But I was clearly told by two people that so many Americans just want to do and that the most important quality of a missionary is to be- to spend time with the Haitian people and just be with them. This was a totally new concept for me. As I spent time on the beach hanging out with a bunch of kids, most of whom were orphaned and living with aunts, uncles, or older siblings, I began to realize the power of just being with someone. These kids took our hands and played with us, walked with us, and invited us into their lives. I will never forget Robenson, a spunky 10-year-old who was kicked out of school, most likely because his learning differences could not be addressed. It was arranged for me to spend an hour tutoring him one morning at 8:00 a.m. I learned from our hosts that Robenson was waiting at the gate, with his school uniform, on at 3:00 a.m.! "It is more important to come and be with us, to worship with us, and to share communion with us, than to send only a check," Pere Delicat explained to me. Robenson clearly taught me what those words meant.
--Linda O'Malley, St. Clement's Episcopal Church

Haiti was wonderful. The mountains and the ocean, the warm and open people, the evidence of God working in the lives of Haitians and in ourselves. We saw amazing projects to restore the environment on the mountains, to develop locally grown food sources, to develop and restore clean water sources, to educate the young and to spread the word of God. The love of Christ was spread both by word and deed. We had the privilege of dining with the Deravils with an elaborate meal prepared by Fenide. We met many people doing great work. A nurse and doctor from Cuba. Americans from Virginia, Indiana, Texas and elsewhere. Many amazing folks from Haiti. We saw the St. Croix guest house under construction and Epiphanie School in session. We also saw a project under construction to expand the church at St. Croix without any outside assistance. What we did not see was burning tires, protests, people eating only mud cakes or anything that made us feel unsafe. Haiti was wonderful and I look forward to filling in the details.
--Judy DesHarnais

Our decision to travel to Haiti involved a degree of courage and risk in the face of upgraded U.S. Department of State warnings and uncertainty surrounding recent food riots. But we went with assurances from our friends that things were safe. As on my previous two trips to Haiti, we were safe, protected and graciously cared for. The Haitian people are models of courage in their ability to be joyful in the midst of the hardship and political uncertainty that they deal with on a continual basis. We were inspired by: the work of a local Haitian pastor who gives back everything he earns to the school he started, parents who sacrifice so much to give their children an education, the lay leader of Epiphanie church and his wife as he fulfills his calling without financial compensation while raising a family of four teenagers and a new baby, the incarnational ministry of our CODEP hosts, the bright smiles and beautiful faces of Haitian children who taught and revealed Christ to us as we laughed with, interacted with and touched them, the transformation on the hill sides around Leogane as Haitians have been empowered to improve the quality of their lives. I am humbled and my heart is filled with gratitude as once again, I have received so much more than I gave!
--Suzanne Wiebusch

We would ask your continued prayers on behalf of our Haitian brothers and sisters for economic, political and spiritual restoration. We look forward to sharing our experiences and partnership updates at the June 29 worship services and in the July newsletter.

Reflections

Lori Goetz, Senior Warden

Our little white terrier has a new striped collar. Stripes complement the small black dots which have newly emerged after his latest trim, giving him a fawn-like appearance. His dappled form reminded me of a childhood visit to a deer park, where I saw, instead of deer, peacocks. Now before me sat the fawn of my youth, Otto the terrier. Reaching for the dog, admiring his fascinating dots, I said, "I haven't looked at you properly." My husband Doug, sitting in the same room, looked up. "Sorry, what did you say?"

When we speak to a dog words befitting a husband, we do well to reflect on them. I thought carefully about my statement and its two hearers. Where does looking properly get you? It no more turns your dog into a fawn than it turns your husband into a god-and yet there they sat transformed by careful looking, beloved, more truly themselves than before. An exchange had occurred. Where initially there had been nostalgia about my youth and sentimentality, now there was love. I don't mean only that I loved them more and differently, but that I comprehended being loved as well.

Permeating love always marks the presence of the Holy Spirit, who throughout scripture opens and re-opens our eyes. That is the mystery and substance of the transformation I experienced sitting in the kitchen with my dog and husband, that the Holy Spirit opens our eyes. John V. Taylor, in his book The Go-Between God, describes this phenomenon.

"Every time I am given this unexpected awareness towards some other creature and feel this current of communication between us, I am touched and activated by something that comes from the fiery heart of the divine love, the eternal gaze of the Father towards the Son, of the Son towards the Father. 'God's love has flooded our inmost heart through the Holy Spirit he has given us' (Rom.5.5)" (Taylor, p.18).

Taylor speaks here not of New Age interpersonal electricity nor of some novel idea, but of the truth that life is about relationships within which the Holy Spirit uniquely works.

Sometimes the unexpected awareness towards another leaves gentle humor in its wake-we behold a beloved husband through the mediating influence of a terrier. Other times, this awareness reveals transformation on an overwhelming scale, as in the experience of Saul of Tarsus becoming the Apostle Paul: "The scales fell from the eyes of the convert in the city of Damascus precisely when he heard one of those whose very lives he had been threatening say: 'Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus has sent me to you'" (Taylor, p.21).

The work of the Holy Spirit in opening our eyes occurs in rich variety, but the end result is constant: to see the living Christ and to see other people in light of Christ.

This is good news. We may or may not have a dramatic experience, an "unexpected awareness"-but we can be sure that the love of God is flooding daily existence in ways we can't begin to imagine.

Youth and Family Ministry Update

David Langille, Priest Associate

We have three exciting announcements for summer ministry at Messiah.

First, our Great Adventure Club Director is Sheila Cina. This is a large job, coordinating and directing the many volunteers that make our version of Vacation Bible School the blessing it is to our kids. This is not a paid position, and Sheila will need all our support and prayer. Please do what you can, by helping behind the scenes (decorating, purchasing snacks and crafts, etc...) and the week of the event (site leaders, age group guides, etc...). Both registration and volunteer sign-up materials can be found in the Gathering Space.

Newly confirmed Messiah members, Adam Winter and Andrew Carr, cut the cake in their honor at coffee hour on May 11, 2008.

Second, our Summer Intern is Aaron Hoffman. Aaron is an experienced youth minister and worship leader, and has taught our Sr Hi Sunday School class and has also been Messiah's Luther Seminary student. Aaron is from Maine, is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell College in Massachusetts and is married to Alaena Dunn. Together they served as Anglican missionaries in Tanzania. We are very blessed and excited to have Aaron with us as our Children's and Youth Intern.

Third, you may have noticed that this summer we will have only the one intern. A little background is in order here; to be honest we did not have an internal female candidate. This disappointment coincided with a harder look at our financial position following the Mission's Dinner. While we came close we still fell short of our conservative goal of $12,500. We need to be good stewards and make sure we can account for our expenses ahead of events. Simply put, we are not in a place to bring on two full-time interns for the summer. So, we have what we feel is a creative solution, the kind graciously given by God when things are tight.

We will be able to bring on a female leader to work alongside Aaron on each of our week long events (Crosswoods, Mission to Siloam, Sonshine and GAC). These will be stipend positions, and the leaders will be well known to our youth. This also means that Aaron will be planning and leading all the weekly events: Word for the Hungry Bible Studies, Phat Phriday events, Children's Chapel, as well as contacting kids and families. Needless to say, he will need our prayer and support.

We thank God for all these faithful leaders. Please do pray for, and encourage them in the weeks and months ahead.

Congratulations to the class of 2008:

Kate Armstrong, Nigel Carr, Andrew Dames, Marie DesHarnais, Katie Grohs, Sharon Heitz, Michael Olive, Emily Stahlman and Kevin Woods.

YouthStuff

Camp Crosswoods Deadline: June 1st

Date: June 15th-20th; Cost: $325 ($50 deposit); Who: Jr Hi's & Confirmation Class

Crosswoods is an adventure for the whole you (high ropes, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, rave raft, mountain biking, great staff, great worship, great bible study, great speakers, and great friends)... it Rocks! Located in Mason, WI, Messiah has been going to Crosswoods for nine great years.

Mission to Siloam Info Meeting I

Sunday, June 1st, 5:00pm, the Loft

For all Mission trip participants, their parents and our leaders. Pizza will be served.

First Word for the Hungry Bible Study and Worship

Sunday, June 1st, 6:30pm, the Loft (and every Sunday through June.)

Come to worship the Lord and learn from His Word. And don't forget to bring $$ for the trip to our West Campus (the DQ) afterward.

First Phat Phriday Pool Party @ the Reynolds

Friday, June 6th, 7-10pm (Map available from Aaron)

Our Annual kick-off event, the pool party at the Reynolds. Cost: $3 per person.

Mission to Siloam Info Meeting II

Wednesday, June 11tht, 6:30pm, the Loft

For all Mission trip participants, their parents and our leaders. Pizza will be served.

Sonshine Festival

Date: July 17th-19th. Deadline: July 1st Cost: $115 ($25 deposit) Who: Jr and Sr Hi's

Join your friends and Messiah's youth for one of the country's best Christian music festivals: Sonshine!!! (For info go to: sonshinefestival.com). Again, we'll stay at airconditioned St. Luke's each night and head to the open-air concerts each day.

Great Adventure Camp

July 29 to August 4, 9am to noon

Messiah children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to learn more about the fruits of the Spirit. We will need many adult and youth volunteers to make this a fun week for our children. Look for information in the gathering space about volunteer opportunities and registration. We will need lots of volunteers to make this a fun week for the children. Sign up today! Contacts: Sheila Cina at 612-724-0035 or Janice Dames at 651-698-2590.

Worship and Music Ministry News

Jeff Kidder, Music Minister

Worship Notes:

We are now in the Season after Pentecost. This is the long season following Pentecost Sunday that is also sometimes called Ordinary Time.

"Once the festival seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost are over, a long stretch of time known as ...ordinary (or non-festive) time, spans through the summer and fall months until the festive cycle begins again. During this season the church focuses on its vision for witness to the world and on God's continuing work in bringing about his kingdom. (Robert Webber's Library of Christian Worship, Vol. 5.)."

Relating to the above reference to the "church focus(ing) on its vision for witness to the world and on... bringing about his kingdom," a number of our worship services this summer will reflect that theme. On June 8th Robin Morical will be our guest preacher and we will also have a time of commissioning prayer for three Messiah groups of families and individuals who will be embarking on short term mission trips. On June 29th our Haiti mission team will share with us about their trip this past May. In July we will hear back from the youth, through music and witness, about their mission trip to Winnipeg. And on August 3rd we'll have special music and sharing from the previous week's Great Adventure Camp, our annual summer program for Messiah's children and their friends and neighbors.

Music Opportunities for the Summer:

Children's Choir is back again this summer! Messiah member Laurie Dehmlow is again organizing a music program for elementary school age children (ability to read required) to come together to have fun and learn some songs. These songs will be rehearsed for several weeks (on Wednesday mornings) and then performed at a program for the Episcopal Church Home as well as for the Messiah community (dates & times time to be announced). Look for upcoming flyers and bulletin announcements and contact Laurie Dehmlow if you/your children are interested.
WORSHIP BAND (Instrumentalists and Vocalists): Worship Band Rehearses: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. at Messiah. Contact: Paul Johnson

Messiah Yard Jam/neighborhood outreach on the weekend of Highland Fest Saturday, July 19 from 6-9 p.m. We'll have live music featuring members of Messiah Worship Band and others. Contact Paul Johnson if you'd like to help out with music for this event.
Our Music Minister, Jeff Kidder is now away on Sabbatical and will return on October 5, 2008. Our Music Assistant, Paul Johnson will lead the Music Ministry in Jeff's absence.

Ardell Nelson awarded an artist-in-residence at Isle Royale National Park

Ardell is one of three artists granted this opportunity. Each artist will have their own 2-week visit and immersion in Isle Royale's wilderness environment. The program provides transportation (a 5-hour boat ride from Houghton, Michigan) and lodging in an isolated rustic cabin in Tobin Harbor, 2 miles by trail or canoe from the visitor center in Rock Harbor.  In exchange, the artist must present one demonstration or talk at Rock Harbor each week and donate one work of art to the national park.

Isle Royale National Park's Artist-in-Residence program provides professional artists, working in all mediums, the opportunity to become a part of a long-established tradition of artists in our National Parks.  Today's artists continue to document the landscapes of the National Parks with contemporary approaches and techniques, drawing upon the site's scenic, natural, and cultural elements for inspiration.

Isle Royale:  www.nps.gov/isro 
Artist-In-Residence:  www.nps.gov/archive/volunteer/air.htm

A parish nurse's concern: Hypertension

Phyllis Bruce, Parish Health Committee

Did you know that one out of every four Americans has High Blood Pressure, called Hypertension. In 90-95% of people who have hypertension the cause is unknown. According to the new Blood Pressure Standards from 2004, pre-hypertension is defined as Systolic (upper number) 120-139 and Diastolic (lower number) 80-90. Most people who have pre-hypertension will go on to develop hypertension .. (systolic greater than140, diastolic greater than 90). Both numbers are important, so if the two numbers fall into different categories, the higher number is used to determine treatment. This is now Standard of Practice for the American Medical Association, therefore, doctors follow these guidelines to determine treatment options.

Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because there are often no symptoms. However, the increased pressure inside your arteries slowly damages the artery wall. This occurs everywhere in your body, but it is especially dangerous in the most vital organs like the heart, brain, kidneys and the eyes, and legs. In time, this may lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure which may require dialysis, blindness, and poor circulation which may require amputation. The only way to know if you have pre-hypertension or hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked. If your blood pressure is below 120/80 you should have it checked every 6-12 months. If you have pre-hypertension your blood pressure should be checked every 4 months. If you have hypertension and are being treated with medications, you should be checked every month.

It is very concerning to me that so few people come in for Blood Checks on the fourth Sunday of each month. It may be that you are checking your own at home or stopping at Walgreens, Target, or other stores with the machines. However, having it checked by one of our nurses or doctors who can also listen to your concerns, interpret the numbers, advise you, and follow-up with you is a definite advantage.

At a recent workshop given by the director of the Cardiac Rehab Program at Fairview Southdale Hospital, it was stressed that the factors leading to heart disease are uncontrolled blood glucose or blood pressure; smoking or breathing second hand smoke (which has 2/3 the impact as someone who smokes-which is a lot); and *Metabolic Syndrome, especially when accompanied by a pro-inflammatory condition like arthritis, lupus, and even gum disease.

On the other hand, modifying your lifestyle can have a significant impact on lower blood pressure. Thirty minutes of light to moderate exercise a day can have the same impact as taking a single dose of a medication. Loosing just 5-10 pounds can also significantly lower blood pressure, if you are over weight. Eating 8-10 fruits and vegetables a day and lowering salt intake to 1 teaspoon a day is part of the DASH diet that been shown to help lower blood pressure. Managing stress if also important, but that is whole other topic!!

The bottom line is: DON'T IGNORE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE - GET IT CHECKED ROUTINELY - EVEN IF IT IS 120/80!!!

I am concerned about your health and wellness. How you feel physically, emotionally and spiritually are important to me. If you want to discuss any concerns related to these areas of your health, come in for your BP check and let's talk!!

Submitted by Phyllis Bruce, Parish Nurse at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis

*Metabolic Syndrome includes a combination of symptoms: high triglycerides, low HDL or good cholesterol, obesity - large waist circumference, high blood sugar, high blood pressure.

Notices

Messiah needs Evening and Overnight Volunteers!

Project Home, a St. Paul Area Council of Churches interfaith program, provides overnight housing for families experiencing homelessness in Ramsey County.  We need volunteers to be evening and overnight hosts for our guests during the month of June. Evening hosts serve 5:30 - 8:30 pm (and help with snacks, visiting with guests and playing with children) and the overnight hosts spend the night from 8:00 pm to 7:00 am (helping our guests get settled for the night and meet their rides in the morning). Please sign up today in the gathering space. Project Home staff will provide training for volunteers at Messiah on Tues., May 27 at 7 p.m. and Wed., June 3 at 7:00 p.m. For more information contact: Anne Towner at anne.towner@gmail.com or Adam Richardson at a.s.richardsonlaw@gmail.com.

An Event for the Whole Community - Camp Crosswoods - June 13-15th

This summer we are holding an all ages, all church camp at beautiful Camp Crosswoods. This will be a great weekend to build relationships with the whole Messiah community, to enjoy the beauty of Creation, swim in the lakes, hike or bike the trails and enjoy worship together.

Our guest speaker is the Reverend Dr. Grant LeMarquand, Associate Professior of Biblical Studies and Mission and Academic Dean at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA.

Register by June 8th! Cost is $50 for adults & youth; and $10 for children under 12

For lodging there are family cabins and large cabin dorms for groups. Tent camping is also available. Look for registration information in the gathering space!