Posts by David Nyberg

PPUMC Choir: Celebrating with Song!

The PPUMC Choir is excited to be back on an in-person weekly rehearsal schedule as we join with the rest of the congregation in exploring new ‘normals’ in the midst of the pandemic. Following all guidelines established by the church administrative council, we’re meeting – and singing – while masked and keeping safe distancing boundaries. There’s no doubt that vocalizing, supportive breathing and enunciating are a bit more challenging than in pre-COVID days; however, we’re so very grateful we’ve made…

Keep on Singing! (PPUMC Choir)

As choir director here at PPUMC, I feel pretty darn comfortable speaking for the entire congregation when I say we ALL love to sing, especially when together in the sanctuary. Ah, those sweet sounds! Of course, it has been nearly two years since we’ve last shared that gift in person; and yet, we’ve created new ways to join our voices together in song every single week…and we will continue on that journey! The reflection below comes from Liz Miller, pastor…

The Healing Power of Song

As Pastor Chris notes in her Prospectus reflection, this year’s Lenten season is unlike any other as we move toward and through the one-year anniversary of the pandemic ‘lock-down.’ The impact of this collective experience will be felt for years, if not decades to come; yet, we continue to hold fast to each other through our collective gatherings, worship services, meditations…and music. Throughout the ages, music has been at the very heart of helping people survive and persevere throughout countless…

Grove Church Response from MN UMC Conference

In light of recent publicity around the closure and relaunch of The Grove UMC church in Cottage Grove, we wanted to provide additional context on what has become a complicated and often confusing mix of media accounts and dialogue. For many years, there have been two campuses for The Grove church – one in Woodbury, and a much smaller congregation in Cottage Grove. Despite efforts to engage more attendees over the years, the Cottage Grove congregation has worshiped about 30…

2019 Leadership Institute at UM Church of The Resurrection

Each year, the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (COR) in Leawood, Kansas holds a three-day event that draws thousands of United Methodists from around the country to learn, share, engage and empower attendees on the issues and opportunities facing the church today. This year’s conference took a different tone, serving as a forum for discussion and strategizing about the future of the United Methodist denomination. Sixty-two Minnesotans attended the 2019 Leadership Institute with many expressing a renewed sense of…

PPUMC supports youth climate strike

Members of the Prospect Park UMC community joined with Minnesotans of all ages at the State Capitol in St. Paul as part of the Global Youth Climate Strike, held Friday, Sept. 20. The event was energized, enthusiastic and inspiring, as organizers called for legislation at the state and local level to help reverse climate change. Held in conjunction with demonstrations around the world, the event was inspired in part by the activism of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who has been…