Good Samaritan News
A Celebration!
Everyone is welcome to a celebration of the changes made in the "Book of Discipline" at General Conference regarding LGBTQ people. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 24, 1:00-4:00 pm, First UMC of the St. Clould Region, Sartell. We'll gather for worship from 1:00-2:00 pm and then a time of refreshments and fellowship 2:00-4:00 pm. First UMC has some lovely outdoor space as well, so if you want to visit with people outside, please bring your own lawn chair. Sponsored by Reconciling Ministries Network and Minnesota Methodists. The church address is 1107 Pine Cone Rd., Sartell, MN. Contact Becky Sechrist with questions – becky@minnehaha.org.
Hearts & Hammers Program Day
Mark your calendars and sign up to volunteer on Saturday, September 7 and the days leading up to it. Hearts & Hammers is a local non-profit organization providing free exterior painting and maintenance assistance for income-qualified homeowners across the Twin Cities. Home improvements are limited to exterior painting and minor repairs. The Program Day is expected to consist primarily of exterior home/garage preparation, scraping, priming, painting, and landscape renewal. Volunteers are also needed to do repair and preparation work the week before the program day.
To volunteer for the Good Samaritan project, please contact Brian Boysen: (952) 937-0624 or (612) 220-3795 or email at: bteambackup@earthlink.net. Please provide the following information: name, contact info, and work Preference (repairs, landscaping, prep, and painting). Go to the Hearts & Hammers website to review safety guidelines and electronically sign your waiver of liability (bottom of page). Please note: Paper copies are NOT available on Program Day.
Final Meet & Greet with Pastor Max!
You still have a chance to sign up for the final Meet & Greet, Tuesday, August 8, 6:00-7:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. See host’s address and sign up at www.tinyurl.com/GSMeetGreet. Questions? Reach out to Candy Fox at 612-790-3212 or cansfox@aol.com.
Good Samaritan Office Will be Closed, July 22 - August 2
Cindy will be on vacation for the next two weeks so the church office will be closed from July 22 through August 2. During that time, pastoral emergencies can go to Pastor Max at 612-437-5633. Building use reservations can go to Dan at danrg@good.org or 612-889-4015.
Photography Class Interest?
Would you like to take better pictures with your phone or camera? What are some basics that anyone can learn and start applying immediately? Recently, Pastor Dandy Lewis was asked if she would be willing to share some of her photography insights with others at Good Samaritan. She pulled Pastor Jim into the mix as a possible co-leader. They are happy to offer such a series of classes for any who are interested, but they need to know if indeed any are interested! They are looking for interest from at least 12 people in order to pursue this further; so far, there are only six. Details will be worked out if it appears to be of interest to enough of you. Please let one of them know if this is something you might consider attending (Dandy@Good.org or Jim@Good.org). A decision on this needs to be finalized by the end of July.
Homeward Bound Final Summer Concert
Your final chance to see Homeward Bound in concert outside this summer is next Tuesday, July 30, 7:00-8:30pm at Father Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 SE Main St, Minneapolis. The park is across from downtown Minneapolis on the east bank of the Mississippi River in St Anthony Main. Look for us on the stage, which is near the east end of the famous Stone Arch Bridge. (Warning: The bridge itself will be undergoing repairs this summer, so don’t plan on walking across from downtown Minneapolis.) Two big sets of music from your favorite band in yet another beautiful outdoor setting, close to many fun bars and restaurants. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and food and nonalcoholic beverages as you wish.
A Chance to Make a Difference
Edina A Better Chance provides educational and leadership opportunities to deserving high school students. They support these students in their educational and extra-curricular pursuits and support their growth to eventually become leaders in the community. The Edina ABC scholars are high-achieving Edina High School students of color who are invited into the program due to their stellar academic and leadership records. Good Samaritan has supported this organization for many years.
Edina ABC is looking for host families. A host family hosts a scholar from Saturday to Sunday (12 pm-12 pm) every other weekend during the school year. They help provide a family away from home, allowing the scholars to experience Minnesota life. Host families are encouraged to do their regular weekend routines and include the scholars in the activities, from running errands, cooking dinner together, watching movies, and even attending family events. These scholars end up creating lifelong connections with their host families, becoming one of the family over their high school careers and beyond.
Please contact Betsy Kumagai at 612-220-9699 if you have questions or know of a family that might enjoy this experience.
Sunday Morning Hospitality - Communion Servers
For served Communion to happen during Sunday morning worship, we need four volunteers each month to sign up to serve it. Our next Communion Sunday is August 4. Please sign up here. Thank you! Contact Jean Zivkovich with questions – jzivkovich@comcast.net. You can sign up for future dates as well!
Election Hospitality August 13 and November 5
Sign-up is available to help greet voters and provide meals for election judges in our final 2 elections in 2024. You can sign up by going to the Volunteer Signup page and selecting the Sign-up Genius button for Election Day Volunteers, or go directly to the sign-up page here.
Our Next Outdoor Worship Service is August 11th
Join us in the Good Samaritan Amphitheater for worship, August 11th. The music will be led by our own Homeward Bound. In case of bad weather, worship will be in the Sanctuary.
Hearts & Hammers Program Day
Mark your calendars and sign up to volunteer on Saturday, September 7 and the days leading up to it. Hearts & Hammers is a local non-profit organization providing free exterior painting and maintenance assistance for income-qualified homeowners across the Twin Cities. Home improvements are limited to exterior painting and minor repairs. The Program Day is expected to consist primarily of exterior home/garage preparation, scraping, priming, painting, and landscape renewal. Volunteers are also needed to do repair and preparation work the week before the program day.
To volunteer for the Good Samaritan project, please contact Brian Boysen: bteambackup@earthlink.net. Please provide the following information: name, contact info, and work Preference (repairs, landscaping, prep, and painting). Go to the Hearts & Hammers website to review safety guidelines and electronically sign your waiver of liability (bottom of page). Please note: Paper copies are NOT available on Program Day.
Spiritual Growth Opportunities
Take A Hike
Our first outings have gone well! It’s not too late to join the fun, so register today for details and access to the devotions for the twice-monthly hikes/discussions. These outings are also open to those who wish to gather at the parks, but prefer not to hike; sitting and enjoying the outdoors with the company of friends is definitely welcome.
Access Weekly "Take a Hike" Details Here
It's not too late to Register Here
Have Questions? Contact Pastor Jim Here
Previous Study Sessions
Did you want to participate in Pastor Jim's 4 Witnesses study during Lent, or the Lorax sessions led by Rev. Cooper Wiggins, but were unable to do so?
Help Beautify our Worship
Our altar flower signup sheet for Sunday morning worship is looking very empty. Consider signing up! You can acknowledge an anniversary, honor someone, or provide flowers just because! There are several ways to provide flowers for the altar for all different budgets, including:
- Have Cindy in the office order an arrangement from Bachman’s for a cost of $65 (or more for a larger arrangement).
- To avoid the $18 delivery fee, order your own arrangement and pick it up yourself.
- Grab a bouquet from your local grocery store (Trader Joe’s has a great selection for lower cost) or farmers market (Fulton Farmers Market meets at Lake Harriet UMC on Saturday mornings).
- Cut flowers and foliage from your own yard.
When you sign up on the Altar Flowers chart on the Narthex kiosk, Cindy will be in touch with you to discuss what you would like to do. Contact her with questions - cindy@good.org or 952-929-0049.
Helping Migrants
Here is an update from Charisse Litteken on the Equidorian family seeking asylum in the Twin Cities:
“Brian Boisen and I set up three donated wooden beds (including an awe-inducing bunk bed) for a husband (21), wife (22), wife's brother (19) and daughter (3) who have secured a room in the main house of the "Ecuadorian" residence. We are happy that they are no longer sleeping on the garage floor. We secured an additional mattress, and required bed parts for this young family's sleeping needs. Ten English-language learning books are on order. Pat Deckas Becerra and Charisse will conduct their first English lesson for interested adults in the home tonight at 7:00pm. We would love for more people to join us in the English efforts. We received a generous $500 donation that the Missions Committee will use for other supplies. We are still looking for two working cell phones, Boost Mobile cards and Metro transit cards.”
If you have items on the list or questions, please contact Charisse directly at charisse.litteken@gmail.com. Thank you on behalf of the Missions Team.