Events at Good Samaritan

There will be times throughout our lives when hardship and struggles will come.  You need not feel alone when such things occur.  Good Samaritan has three on-going support groups which each meet monthly.  Our Caregivers Support Group is especially for those who provide care to others with long-term illnesses or similar conditions.  Our Compassion Collective offers a safe, supportive space to personally share stories for those going through health struggles and the like.  Finally, Good Samaritan also has an active Caring Ministries Team who stay in contact with those going through difficulties, especially those who may find themselves less able to get to church, are facing long-term recovery or rehab, or who are feeling isolated for whatever reason.  The Lord will never leave your side; Good Samaritan aims to be there for you and your loved ones as well.

A current list of prayer items, along with a short devotional reflection, are sent out weekly to over 100 prayerful supporters.  If you have a prayer of joy, concern, or praise you would like lifted to the Lord, simply send a note to Pastor Jim Beard (Jim@Good.org), Director of Congregational Care, by the end of the day Tuesdays.   Or if you are one who would like to pray for others and be included in these weekly notifications, simply let Pastor Jim know.  You need not be a member of Good Samaritan UMC to be included in this life-giving ministry.

Join the Good Samaritan Pickleball group!

In the winter months, you are welcome to join the players in the Good Samaritan Gym during either of the following sessions.  Registration, including emergency contact information, is required to participate.  Contact Cindy Bergstrom (cindy@good.org) to obtain a registration form.

• Beginner’s lessons: Saturdays – 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. [equipment provided]
• Experienced players: Saturdays – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. [bring your own paddle; balls are provided]

Contact Robin Strangis (rstrangis12@gmail.com) with questions.  While there no formal Pickleball group in summer months, many of the same players informally gather at Yancy Park courts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.  

Sunday School is available for children Pre-K through Grade 6.

• Sunday School follows Children’s Time in Worship
• Pre-K-Grade 6, Room 200 with with Jan Russell
• This Sunday –  “People of Light”

Other News:

• Help Needed! We have a great problem! We are at the point where we need a helper in the Sunday School room! Could you consider giving one Sunday a month to be the helper in Sunday School? Reach out to Jan for more information – jan@good.org.
• Vacation Bible Camp – Save the date! June 15-18. We will be partnering with Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran again!

• Youth Group – 1^st and 3^rd Sundays, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Please let Jan know if you are planning to attend! jan@good.org.
• Our next Youth get-together is February 1, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (new time!) at Good Samaritan.

• ASP – Appalachia Service Project – Save the date! Our next ASP Mission Trip is on the calendar – June 20-28, 2026. We hope you can join us!
  • All students who have completed the 8th grade or higher are invited to serve with families in Central Appalachia. Students who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Good Samaritan church are also invited to participate in the ASP trip. Bring a friend.
  • Location: TBD
  • Cost: $500. Scholarships are available. Contact Jan Russell at jan@good.org.
  • Our Superbowl Super Sub Fundraiser is coming in January. We will take orders on January 25 and February 1.
  • More Details can be found at www.good.org/event/appalachia-service-project-asp.

Tuesday Bible Study meets every Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the Fireside Room between the second week in September through the first week in May.

Visitors and new members (men and women) are more than welcome.

The 2024 fall season will begin September 10 with the book How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations by Max Lucado.

Please direct questions to Carol Smith (carolsden@gmail.com), Christina Leenders (christinaleenders@gmail.com), or Mary Stanton (rstanton5@comcast.net).

According to the ASP website, “each year, more than 15,000 volunteers serve with ASP, providing critical repairs for more than 350 families.” Projects can include roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, digging drainage ditches, making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible, or other projects that help make homes warmer, safer, and drier. In addition to building and improving homes, ASP is also a relational ministry for both the families we serve as well as those serving.

This ministry is about lifting the spirits of Appalachian families and reminding them that God’s love knows no boundaries. In the process of putting your faith in action, God acts in your heart. And when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.

Good Samaritan’s adult bell choir performs monthly at Sunday Worship Services in addition to playing in festivals and concerts throughout the Twin Cities.

Learn More: Contact Kate Graber at Kate@good.org

Chancel Choir is open to any adult who loves to sing. This choir provides weekly music at most Sunday services. This is a friendly, supportive group where you will be accepted and in addition, your faith will be nurtured.

Learn more: Contact Carey Shunskis at Carey@good.org

Confirmation Class (8th grade and older)

• Historically Confirmation was for students in 9th grade. We are now going to open it up to anyone 8th grade and older. When a student enters 8th grade they will be eligible to register for Confirmation, and they will remain eligible all the way through High school. This way you can choose when the right time for your family is to participate in Confirmation. Maybe that means waiting in order to allow siblings to attend together, maybe that means waiting for an academic year that is less demanding, maybe your student isn’t interested as an 8th grader but will become interested as they get older. Whatever the case may be, we want to make this program more accessible! If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!

Did you know that Good Samaritan has a Good Samaritan Online Community group on Facebook. This group helps serve as a hub of online interaction and information for our community, as well as having special curated content from our staff and Digital Team not available on our Facebook Page. It will be a private, safe, and moderated space. On Sunday, Christian and the Digital Team will have information to help you join our group. We hope you’ll join us in this new ministry of the church as we continue to reach beyond our walls. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to CHRISTIAN@GOOD.ORG.

You can signup for the new Good Samaritan Online Community NOW.

Hearts & Hammers is a Twin Cities organization that provides exterior home improvement assistance for senior citizens, disabled adults and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or their surviving spouse so they may continue to live independently. A typical Hearts & Hammers home requires exterior painting, moderate carpentry and landscaping.

This is Good Samaritan’s contemporary music ensemble. This group presents a variety of original songs as well as familiar covers. In addition to performing monthly during a Sunday Worship Service, Homeward Bound also performs at other venues in the community.

Learn More: Contact Brad Carlin

Our Friday Breakfast Group welcomes everyone to the conversation! They meet at Jerry’s (5125 Vernon Ave, Edina) for breakfast at 8:30am on the first and third Fridays of each month. This is a great opportunity for you to come and bring a friend. Contact Kent Holmes with questions.

Calling all Knitters, Quilters and Embroiderers! Work on personal projects while enjoying the company of others

Contact: Carol Smith

Our next meeting is Thursday, January 8th at 1:00 in the Fireside Room. We will be discussing Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller. It is the story of a Georgia town transformed amid a fight over book bans. A special invitation to our devoted readers from Aldersgate!  Please join us for a lively discussion, refreshments and fellowship!

The large, light-filled, and welcoming nursery is staffed by professional childcare workers. Your child can enjoy the nursery while you enrich your soul and mind in worship. The Nursery is on the upper level, steps from our sanctuary.

The Children, Youth and Families Advisory Council provide input into events, programming and the physical space that welcomes our new and existing families. The Council meets quarterly. If you’d like to participate, contact Jan to learn more!