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Children’s Programming Survey: What would you like to see?
We are planning programming for children for the next year. We are seeking input to help us put together the programs that will help meet the needs of children in our community. Please complete this survey to help us gain insight on how we can serve the children within the community of Prospect Park. We would like survey submissions by May 1, 2023. If you have any questions about the survey or PPUMC, please contact Pastor Isiah Dennis at pastorid@prospectparkchurch.org.…
Pastor’s Corner: March/April 2023
Good Family, Welcome to the season of Lent, a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. Lent has always been my favorite season of the liturgical year because of a few things: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the space to pause and reflect. I need this reminder daily because sometimes I can get so wrapped up in the daily routine that I miss what…
MN FoodShare Month: Supporting Glendale Food Shelf
Minnesota FoodShare Month is happening now through April 9. For the month of March, we will be taking donations for longtime community partner Glendale Food Shelf. Visitors to the food shelf continue to increase and the demand for fresh produce, healthy proteins, culturally familiar options and nutritious staples grows simultaneously. If you would like to donate food items in addition to your monetary support, below are some items that the food shelf could really use extra help with sourcing: Canned…
Discussing Racism: Our Field Trip to the Science Museum
On Saturday October 15, 11 of us went to the Science Museum of MN to see the exhibit “Race: Are We So Different?“ with the intention of continuing the discussions we began in 2020 around racial justice. We spent about 2 hours walking through the exhibit, where we learned about the science and history of race and listened to various perspectives on terms such as: virtue signaling, “colorblindness”, white fragility, and more. Hearing the varied perspectives from people of all races and ages proved to be insightful, and…
Project Mustard Seed: A new program for micro-funding community outreach ideas
The PPUMC Administrative Council has approved a new initiative called, Project Mustard Seed. This program is designed to encourage PPUMC members to propose and engage in activities that further the church’s mission through specific funding requests. PPUMC’s mission states, “We seek to be an inclusive Christian community that affirms faith in God and spiritual growth with a commitment to justice and stewardship of God’s creation.” Named after Jesus’ well-known parable, Project Mustard Seed is designed to grow new and exciting…
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…
PPUMC Service Projects Update: Supporting Afghan Refugees
A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the February campaign to support Afghan refugees via the Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services. PPUMC collected three carloads of goods. The MCC was especially grateful to receive two car seats and a wheelchair. Most of our donations were household goods: kitchenware and cleaning/laundry supplies to help newcomers set up their new homes. Givers also contributed gift cards and a cash donation of $882. In prior months, we raised over $1250…
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…
January-February Pastor’s Corner
Beloved Community, Today I plan to eat a peanut butter, bologna and lettuce sandwich on white bread, with the crusts cut off. I’m thinking to serve it on a favorite vintage plate (photo included) with a few potato chips on the side. If I can come up with some red licorice, it will be dessert. If you follow pop culture, I imagine you’ve figured out why. 1) It was Betty White’s favorite sandwich, and I’m curious.2) I learned about it…
December Pastor’s Corner
“Making merry,” is a wonderful expression, if you take it seriously. It can mean more than a Holiday Party after the Secret Santa exchange at the office. It can mean that in the midst of increasing pressure, fear, anxiety, need and grief, we make, literally, make our way toward hope: God breaking into history with a word of love and freedom for suffering humankind. Hope isn’t easy. It’s not optimism. It’s a decision to choose love over very real fear.…