Good Samaritan News
Children’s Ministry Volunteers
Jan is looking for a few more volunteers for Sunday mornings. We need help in the Nursery and in the Sunday School Classroom. Please prayerfully consider volunteering! Contact her at jan@good.org.
Starts this Sunday!
“More Than a Fish - Responding to a World in Need”
Our world is in trouble. Homelessness, hunger, poverty, violence, war, racism, environmental crisis, greed, domination, sustainable agriculture, global health emergencies, and corruption in high places are a few of the issues that confront us. Unfortunately, guilt, powerlessness, and fear are three dragons that paralyze the church in its efforts to move beyond a surface-level kind of charity. We may end up with more questions than answers as we move beyond our comfort zones, but God’s people are called to believe that things can be different and that with God we are not powerless. This three-part series will take place after worship in October. Registration will begin mid-September. Contact Pastor Jim with questions – jim@good.org.
Meals on Wheels Delivery
Good Samaritans are scheduled to deliver meals to homebound folks on Friday, October 16 and 30. Contact Vicki Dunn to volunteer – victoria.dunn@myctl.net.
Stewardship Season Begins
As we savor the fall harvest, we give thanks for God’s many blessings in our lives. As part of this gratitude, we begin our stewardship season throughout this month. Each week will focus on a different aspect of our United Methodist membership vows to be faithful stewards in our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness of how we live our faith in the world every day.
Later this month you will receive a pledge card for your 2027 estimate of giving. We will bless these cards in worship on October 25, but you are welcome to mail them beforehand or notify us electronically of your intentions at good.org/give/make-a-pledge. Receiving your intentions in October helps us budget carefully as we continue to grow our ministries and achieve our goals for 2027 and beyond. We are grateful for your continued generosity!
Meal Train for the Trapp Family
Baby Claire has arrived! Let’s support Kayla and Ryan Trapp, and big sister Ava, as they adjust to their new family dynamic. Sign up to provide a meal for the Trapps: https://mealtrain.com/7505q8.
Feed My Starving Children Meal Packing
Join other Good Samaritan folks at Feed My Starving Children for meal packing on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9:30–11:15 a.m. and Friday, Oct. 30, 5:00–6:30 p.m. The Chanhassen site is at 18732 Lake Dr E. Contact Jane Heimerl to sign up at jane.heimerl@yahoo.com.
Sandhill Crane Viewing
Through the years, a good number of people have asked Dandy where she takes her sandhill crane photos. Those of us living in Minneapolis are fortunate to have a place about 1½ hours away where we can see quite a few sandhill cranes during their fall migration.
You are invited to join Dandy Lewis and Tony Branch on Wednesday, October 21, on a day trip to Crex Meadows Wildlife Area near Grantsburg, Wisconsin, during this year’s sandhill crane fall migration. We will meet at Good Samaritan at 1:00 p.m. to carpool. The timing of our trip will allow us to be at Crex Meadows to view the cranes in the late afternoon, as they return to the safety of the marsh for the night.
If you are interested in participating in this adventure, please sign up at www.tinyurl.com/GScranes. If you would be able to drive your car and take people with you, please type in the “Public Comment” box that you can drive and the number of people who can ride with you. Because of the price of gas these days, we are suggesting a donation of $10 be given to the drivers.
If you have any questions, please call or email Dandy at 612-518-7652, dandy@good.org.
Drive-Thru Mini-Boo
On Halloween day, October 31, 4:00-6:00 p.m., pull through the Portico in the upper parking lot to receive a goodie bag to go! Costumes encouraged but not required. We are looking for volunteers to help with this event. Contact Jan if you can help – jan@good.org or 952-452-9398.
American Methodist Pilgrimage Trip
In late July, Pastor Max joined several clergy from the Dakotas and Minnesota Annual Conferences as they walked in the steps of early Methodist leaders. An article about the trip can be found at https://www.minnesotaumc.org/
Thursday Afternoon Book Group
Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 8, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. The discussion title is The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict, a fictionalized biography of Hedy Lamarr, the iconic 1930s and 1940s Hollywood actress who was also a brilliant, hidden scientist. Please join us and share in our discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. Questions: Contact Vicki Dunn. victoria.dunn@myctl.net.
Tuesday Bible Study Resumes
You're Invited to join the Tuesday Bible Study every Tuesday 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room; coffee and treats are included.
We are finishing up our study of Mariann Edgar Budde's book, How We Learn to Be Brave- Decisive Moments in Life and Faith. Beginning October 13, we'll study The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton, which will enhance Advent-related studies and sermons by our pastors.
If you have any questions or wish to be on our email list, please contact Lynn Timmer at timmerlynn@gmail.com.
Small Group Book Series *Update*
Thursday Morning Small Group Update: The Thursday morning small group, led by Serena Steffenhagen, is studying Healing the Heart of Democracy, by Parker J. Palmer. We meet on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Lower Lobby.
Monday (1st & 3rd) Night Small Group: Serena is offering a 2-book series for small group discussion on the first and third Monday nights of the month. The first book is Love Is the Way by Bishop Michael Curry. “This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love.” The second book, Healing the Heart of Democracy (updated edition) by Parker J. Palmer, will follow. Palmer explores “5 habits of the heart” and ways to nurture an understanding that we’re all in this together and an appreciation of the value of “otherness.”
The Monday night small group at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room.
Contact Serena with questions - serena@good.org.
Call for Submissions: LGBTQ+ Devotional
Minnesota Reconciling Congregations (MRC) has an exciting project in the works! They are looking for submissions/participation from LGBTQ+ congregants and pastors throughout Minnesota and surrounding areas. Do you have inspiration to share with others? MRC is developing a devotional guide featuring the writings and art of LGBTQ+ United Methodists (and our ecumenical friends) from Minnesota and the surrounding area. Writings or art should share an uplifting, spiritual devotion. Submissions will be gathered and edited by MRC volunteers and made available in a small volume (print and digital) to congregations and individuals. We are accepting submissions in the following formats:
- 250-word essay/prose
- 500-word essay/prose
- Poetry (½ page or shorter)
- Poetry (½ - 1 page)
- Digital art with artist’s statement
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026. We hope to have the Devotional ready to go by the end of the year or early next year. Specific guidelines are included in the Submission Form, which can be accessed here.
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:
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- 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.
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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.