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Messenger NEWS FOR AND ABOUT
THE ADVENT FAITH COMMUNITY
June 2017
Advent UMC
A Publication of Advent United Methodist Church 3945 Lexington Ave. S. Eagan MN 55123
“Heroes without capes”
Ernest Hemingway said “As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of
necessary.”
Hemingway’s words are true for me. While I enjoy a good super hero fantasy movie as
much as anyone else, I don’t give them a hero role in my life. I am also able to expect that
my role models are flawed. I admire John Wesley, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and
Mother Teresa even though I am not blind to their quirks and failings. When it comes to
heroes, I get concerned that sports figures and celebrities get as much attention as they
do. Do you have any personal heroes in your life?
But do we need heroes? It is sort of necessary. We need stories that can inspire, teach and
demonstrate our best values. We need stories of people who make good choices even
when it’s hard. We need real people stories of bravery, courage, sacrifice and compassion.
We need stories of faith, hope and love. Can the Bible give us those people and stories?
Can we add our heroes of the faith into the formation mix of our children’s lives? Our
Vacation Bible Camp theme is “Hero Central, Discover Your Strength in God.” The summer
Faith Builders class is also looking at Bible heroes with heart, courage and wisdom.
Starting last Sunday, and into a few Sunday sermons ahead we, too, will look at some of our
heroes of the faith and the qualities we value in them. Our Bible heroes were certainly not
flawless either. Looking ahead, we might also borrow some of our pop culture super hero
language. Do we have any “super” powers? (See Acts 2.) Do we have a cause? (See
Matthew 28: 18f.) Do we face any enemies and challenges? How about our weaknesses?
Do we have any tools to help us? Do we have others along side of us? (As many super
heroes do!) Let’s play with some of those images. For home work this month, watch for the
news stories that use the word “hero.” Heroes without capes!
Thurs., June 15
6:30pm Finance Team Meeting
Fri., June 16
7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting
Sun., June 18 - Father’s Day
9:30am Prayer Point
10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders
7pm Celtic Contemplative Worship
Mon., June 19- Annual Conference
4:30pm Yoga
6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at Dunn
Bros
6:30pm Boy Scouts
Tues., June 20 - Annual Conference
6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera
Wed., June 21- Annual Conference
10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory
Thurs., June 22- Annual Conference
Fri., June 23
7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting
Sun., June 25
9:30am Prayer Point
10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders
11am Celebration for Grant Spencer
Mon., June 26
9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp
6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at Dunn
Bros
6:30pm Boy Scouts
6:30pm Boy Scout Committee Meeting
7pm NAMI Meeting
Tues., June 27
9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp
2pm Newsletter Deadline
6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera
6:30pm MACS Burger Quest
Wed., June 28
9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp
10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory
Thurs., June 29
9am-12pm Vacation Bible Camp
Fri., June 30
7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting
Thurs., June 1
1pm Prayer Shawl Gathering
Fri., June 2
7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting
10:30am Advent Retirees Connecting Bike Ride &
Lunch
Sun., June 4 - Pentecost & Love Offering
9:30am Prayer Point
10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders
11:15am Church Conference
11:30am Advent Ambassadors
11:30am Mission Trip Meeting
Mon., June 5
4:30pm Yoga
6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at
Dunn Bros
6:30pm Boy Scouts
Tues., June 6
6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera
12:30pm Ladies Lunch Bunch at Cameron Bay,
Burnsville
7pm SPRC Meeting
Wed., June 7
10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory
Fri., June 9
7am Advent men’s golf, weather permitting
Sun., June 11 - Transition Sunday & Graduate
Recognition
8:30am Hospitality Task Force Meeting
9:30am Prayer Point
10am Sunday Worship & Faith Builders
11:30am Parent Info Meeting
Mon., June 12
4:30pm Yoga
6:30pm Boy Scout Philmont Meeting
6:30pm One Word/One Hour men’s group at
Dunn Bros
Tues., June 13
6:45am Men’s Book Study at Panera
1pm Advent Cares Day planning meeting
7pm Trustees Meeting
7pm Outreach Team Meeting
Wed., June 14
10am Lectionary Study with Pastor Rory
6:30pm Care Team Meeting
Events ...
3
Love Offering on June 4 The Love Offering for Missions is gathered within Minnesota United Methodist churches and delivered to
annual conference session. It benefits international, national, and Minnesota missions. The conference
Missions Promotion Team determines the annual recipients. Mark “Love Offering” on your donations.
Donations to the 2016 Love Offering totaled more than $96,000. The Minnesota Council of Churches
Refugee Services received 40 percent of that total, the United Methodist Committee on Relief re-
ceived 10 percent to cover the cost of shipping more than 13,000 health kits that Minnesota churches
assembled and prepared, International Child Care in the Dominican Republic received 40 percent,
and Volunteers in Mission scholarships received 10 percent.
The 2017 Annual Conference theme is "Encounter the Spirit: Live Expectantly" and funds from this year's
Love Offering will to go three projects:
United Methodist University of Sierra Leone—School of Applied Health Sciences—Recipient of
60 percent of 2017 Love Offering
Sierra Leone has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, and one in
every five children die before their fifth birthday. The vast majority of the
country’s citizens don’t have access to health services, and there is an acute
shortage of trained health professionals. This portion of the Love Offering will
be used to expand United Methodist University of Sierra Leone by creating a
School of Applied Health Sciences in the city of Bo. Funds may be used for
rehabilitating an existing classroom building, hiring staff, preparing a
curriculum, and purchasing materials. The school will be adjacent to United
Methodist-affiliated Mercy Hospital, where students will receive practical,
hands-on training. Midwives, nurses, community health officers, and
technicians who graduate from this new institution will significantly improve
the accessibility and quality of health care throughout Sierra Leone.
Emma Norton Services—Recipient of 30 percent of 2017 Love Offering
Emma Norton Services helps women, children, and families achieve victory
over homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency. The Twin Cities-
based nonprofit provides safe, affordable housing through Emma Norton
Residence, which supports 50 women in transition at any given time, and
Emma’s Place, which houses 13 families on a permanent basis. In addition to
housing, Emma Norton Services provides case management, peer and individ-
ual support programs, youth programs, life skills and out-of-poverty training,
mental health support, and advocacy for women with disabilities. Through
Emma Norton Services, families receive resources and coaching to equip them
on their path toward stability.
Volunteers in Mission Scholarships—Recipient of 10 percent of 2017 Love
Offering
Mission trips transform the lives of participants by giving them an
opportunity to grow in faith and gain a new perspective of the world.
Through the United Methodist Church’s Volunteers in Mission program,
teams spend up to two weeks working on mission projects domestically
or abroad. Most teams from Minnesota are engaged in hands-on
projects that build infrastructure to ensure that nutritional, medical, and
educational programs in developing countries become sustainable and
locally run. Team members pay their own way, and the Love
Offering helps offset the cost for first-time participants.
4
June 4
is Pentecost Sunday -
Wear red!
Notice of Church Conference on June 4 Advent Church will have a brief Church Conference on Sunday, June 4, at 11:15am for election and
membership actions.
All 12th graders are invited to join us for worship on June
11 when we are planning to recognize our graduating seniors
during worship. If you'd like to be included in the special bulletin
insert for June 11, please send a senior picture and a few short
sentences about what you'll be doing after graduation
to shelley@advent-umc.com or you can drop them off at
church no later than Sunday, June 4. We’d love to let our
congregation know what you are all up to even if you are
unable to make the service on June 11.
Graduate Recognition
is June 11
As you well know, developing and maintaining a strong faith is
an on-going journey. It starts from the day we are born and
continues through our entire lives. As faith formation leaders,
we are always striving to help you and your family continue to
grow in your love of God and Jesus in new and interesting
ways. Please join us after worship on Sunday, June 11, at
11:30am for an important parent meeting. We are planning
some big and exciting changes for all children from
birth-Grade 12 that we’d love to share with you.
Pastor Cindy, Grant & Cathi
Important Parent Info
Meeting on June 11
5
Sign Up by June 19 for Hero Central Vacation Bible Camp
Hero Central takes kids on awesome adventures alongside some of their
favorite Bible heroes. They’ll discover the qualities that make us truly heroic
in God. Hero Central uses epic music, spectacular science, crafty crafts,
heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids (and leaders)
discover their strength in God!
Deadline to register is June 19, 2017.
Who: Age 2 1/2 (potty-trained) - kids entering Grade 4 (Fall 2017)
When: June 26-29(M-TH), 9am -noon
Performance & picnic: Noon, Thursday, June 29
Cost: $15/child. Register and pay online at www.advent-umc.com.
Before and After care available for an additional fee.
Before Care $5 per child per day: 8-9am (light breakfast available)
After Care $15 per child per day: noon-4:30pm for students entering
Grades 1-4 in Fall 2017 (bring bag lunch)
Ladies Lunch Bunch Update
Join us Tuesday, June 6, at 12:30pm at
Cameron Bay in Burnsville for our next Ladies
Lunch Bunch. Then on Tuesday, July 11,
we’re going to the Fireside Restaurant in
Rosemount. If you’re interested in coming to
lunch or want more info, please contact
Sheryl Buss at SBussphoto@aol.com,
651-454-5524 or stop by Connection Point.
Join us the first Tuesday of the month to meet
and visit with new women and get better
acquainted with those you have already
met while trying out a different restaurant
each month.
May lunch at Fiesta Cuncun
Transition Sunday is June 11 With another school year coming to an end, there is a lot to celebrate! But this end is also
a beginning. The end of the school year marks not only the beginning of summer but also the beginning
of what is to come in the fall: a new grade level in school, new teachers, new friends, etc.
If your child will be in the 5th or 6th grade this fall, it also means the end of Faith Builders for them and the
beginning of a brand new Sunday morning class designed especially for them called Zone 56 (more in-
formation to come). But before they start this new class, we feel a little recognition is in order! It is tradition
here at Advent to celebrate our children’s transition from Faith Builders to Mid-High. We would like to in-
vite you and your rising 5th and 6th graders to attend worship on June 11th for Transition Sunday.
If you wish for your child to be a part of this special worship service, please contact Pastor Cindy or Grant
Spencer for more information.
6
Be a Super Hero this summer at Advent UMC. Dates and events are listed below. More details and
registration information is available online at advent-umc.com.
Sundays June 4-August 27: Summer Faith Builders
for ages 4-Grade 2
June 26-29: Hero Central Vacation Bible Camp
for ages 2 1/2 (potty-trained)-Grade 4
in fall 2017—deadline to register
is June 19
July 10-13: Eco-Kids Camp
for students entering Grades 3-7 in fall 2017
August 8-10: Camp MSP (Mission-Service-Purpose)
for students entering Grades 5-7 in fall 2017
August 13-18: Music, Arts & Drama (MAD) Camp
for students entering Grades 4-10 in fall 2017
July 1—Tech registration deadline
Sign Up for Super Hero Fun This Summer!
HilIary Sass dropped off
our check to Ronald
McDonald House
(RMH), one of the
recipients of our
special Easter offering,
and said they were
very grateful!
Hillary also wants to
thank us for choosing
this charity for part of
the offering and is so
glad more families will
be able to benefit from
it!
Thanks from RMH & the Sass Family
7
Superhereos & Popsicles on June 25 6:30-8:30pm
Cascade Bay Waterpark
In conjunction with our Hero-themed Vacation Bible Camp, one of our mission projects is Superheroes &
Popsicles to support childhood cancer research. It’s a two hour event on Sunday, June 25, from 6:30-
8:30pm at Cascade Bay Waterpark. There will be two coordinated games (a rubber duck race in the
lazy river and one other). It’s just a fun event to come, swim and have a good time. There will be food
and music as well. It is not like a typical Relay, so there won’t be coordinated walking or anything like
that!
Registration fees go towards Pediatric cancer. To register, visit www.superheroesandpopsicles.org.
Registered attendees will receive a duck for the duck race, a superheroes and popsicles branded item,
and more!
All proceeds support Pediatric Cancer efforts with the
American Cancer Society.
$20 for individual tickets
$50 for a Family Four Pack
$10 Tribute (honor a loved one)
Register today at www.superheroesandpopsicles.org
Summer Spiritual Growth Activities
As part of our Connect Groups, we offer Walking with the Psalms. This is a self study/reflection for pairs
or small groups. Pick up a set of cards from Connection Point in the lobby and gather at your favorite
walking path. Read the Psalm and reflect. There are questions to discuss as you walk, an opportunity
for silent reflection and a closing prayer. When you are done with the cards, bring them back to
church. Also available will be three shorter reflections based on Justice, Love and Peace.
You're invited to a celebration in honor of Grant Spencer’s
commissioning as a Provisional Deacon within the Minnesota Annual
Conference. Please join us Sunday, June 25, after worship for cake
and refreshments as we celebrate this step in Grant's ministry.
Celebration for Grant Spencer on June 25
8
Save the date for Advent Cares Day
Mark your calendar for our 5th Annual Advent
Cares Day on Saturday, August 19 from 8:30am-
noon. If you have project and/or organization
ideas, please contact Shelley Plumb.
Volunteer signup for Advent Cares Day
starts in July!
Advent UMC Scout Awards Advent UMC has a long history of sponsoring Cub
Scouts and Boy Scouts Pack & Troop 449.
We have been awarded the 2017 Charter Partner of
the Year by Chief Black Dog District for excellence in
relationship.
Pastor Cindy Yanchury, who serves as the charter part-
ner representative, also received the Spark Plug Award
for her extra spark and enthusiasm given to the Chief
Black Dog
By Meryl Martorano
The following are the totals for Undie Sunday:
Men's undies: 189
Men's socks: 14 pr.
Men's undershirts: 42
Women's undies: 116
Bras: 5
Thank you to everyone who donated. A total of 366 new underwear items
were delivered to Simpson Shelter.
Undie Sunday Recap
9
By Jerry Fenner
Work has been completed on a new roof for the Methodiste
Church in Bois Neuf Malor, Haiti. The new roof was needed as
the result of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated the area in
SW Haiti last October.
The Advent family had generously contributed over $20,000
for the ongoing school project at Bois Neuf Malor, but work on
that project was interrupted by the hurricane. It was decided
to take some of the funds to repair the roof first. Doors and
windows will also be added to the church building. There will
be funds left to continue work on the school at a later date.
We are currently investigating returning to Haiti this fall with a
Short-Term Volunteer in Mission Team to work on the school.
Thanks again for all of your support.
Generosity Task Force Update
We Raised A Roof!
Brad Briggs, Generosity Task Force Chairman
A Generosity Task Force (GTF) was established in fall of 2016 after the memorial gift from the William and
Dorothy Babb Estate. The unrestricted gift totaled $100,000. Meetings were held in late 2016 and early
2017 to make plans. The first step was to brainstorm ideas at GTF meetings then later the congregation
was asked at large for their input at two listening posts in February. During the GTF meeting in April, the list
of ideas were sorted and divided up into 3 categories: Capital Improvement, Outreach, and Financial. It
was further decided that only a few projects would be funded immediately and no more than 70% of the
gift would be used at this time leaving the remaining funds for additional projects to be determined later.
It was thought that some of these projects could be partially funded by the gift and the remainder would
be opportunities for the congregation to contribute towards thus extending their reach.
For the capital project ideas, GTF discussed a proposal to replace the Advent sign next to Lexington and
adding powered actuators to the entrance doors next to the sanctuary. There was also a proposal for a
new sign for Advent to replace the existing one at a cost of $42,000. The new design features a two line
electronic display and an overall appearance that accents Advent's building. Placement of the sign
would require additional expenditures for a concrete foundation and underground electrical service tak-
ing the total cost to approximately $50,000. The other project to add door actuators is completed and
cost under $4,000 to make one set of the doors handicap accessible. Both of these ideas were approved
by the GTF and Trustees Committee was given permission to move forward.
For Outreach, GTF has decided to tithe 10% of the Babb gift to Advent's Outreach committee and leave
it up to their discretion on how it should be spent.
For financial project, the idea is to contribute 5% or $5,000 towards the mortgage. While there was
majority support of this, no decision was made in April about when to implement it and it was
tabled until a future GTF meeting.
10
Youth Night Wraps Up With Barbarian Feast By Grant Spencer, Youth Ministry Assistant
Another year of youth ministry has come and gone and, as is custom, we concluded our year with
the annual Barbarian Feast. During this, the youth (and adults) tried their hands in jousting, spear
throwing, hunting, a great tug-o-war, belching and costume contest (with prizes!) and even tried our
hands laying do-do eggs! And all of this in front of a roaring, digital fire (thanks to the uncooperative
weather!) Finally, we FEASTED (after singing a wonderful rendition of the Wesley Table Grace which,
sadly, was not recorded). A HUGE thank you to the adult leaders, Jean and Shawn Schow for organiz-
ing this and a HUGE thank you for all the food donated by the parents and our adult partners in
ministry.
11
This Year’s Barnabas Award Winners Congratulations to Joni and Jerry Fenner, our
2017 recipients of the Barnabas Award. Joni’s
involvement at Advent includes leading
Emma’s Circle and coordinating Feed My
Starving Children packing dates for Outreach.
Jerry’s service includes acting as Chair of
Outreach in addition and coordinating the
Advent Retirees Connecting group. They are
both involved in coordinating our mission trips
to Haiti.
The Barnabas Award is a tradition going back
to Advent’s founding. A collection is taken in
honor of a person(s) who serves “behind the
scenes,” often unnoticed. A gift to benefit the
church will be given in their honor.
Congratulations 2017 Confirmands
On Sunday, May 7, Advent UMC welcomed the following confirmands into our church family:
Rachael Annika Andersen Kyle Robert Berg
Lauren Olivia Gamme Anders Robert Kronkvist
Ben Keasley Kupinski Chloe Helen LaPlant
Thomas Stephen McDermott Miles James McGuire
Ryan Donald Quaintance Isaac Jacob Swenson
Daniel James Tschida Karlie Marie Vrieze
Photo Credit: Sheryl Buss
Advent UMC Staff
Rev. Rory Swenson, Lead Pastor
Rory@advent-umc.com
Rev. Cindy Yanchury
Minister of Faith Formation
Cindy@advent-umc.com
Jim Anderson
Director of Music Ministries
Jim@advent-umc.com
Heather Wright
Business Manager
Heather@advent-umc.com
Cathi Stapf
Family Ministry Assistant
Cathi@advent-umc.com
Grant Spencer
Youth Ministry Assistant
Grant@advent-umc.com
Shelley Plumb
Communications
Shelley@advent-umc.com
Julie Adams
Office Assistant
Julie@advent-umc.com
Cathy Lutz
ADVENTure Kids Director
adventurekids@advent-
umc.com
Weekly Worship
Sunday 10am
Phone: 651.454.3944
Email: info@advent-umc.com
Newsletter and Bulletin Items:
Shelley@advent-umc.com
AdventUMCEagan
ARC Nature Walk & Picnic July 6 Advent Retirees Connecting (ARC) will meet at the
picnic shelter of the Jensen Lake Trailhead in
Lebanon Hills Regional Park at 10:30am on
Thursday, July 6, for a 2.5 mile nature walk around
Jensen Lake. Walkers are expected to return to the
picnic area at 11:30am, so anyone who doesn’t want
to talk can meet for a picnic then. Please bring a
salad or dessert to share.
Youth Mission Trip July 15-21 We have 20 youth and 4 adults set to go on our
Mission Trip July 15-21. We even have a theme!
"I have come that they may have life and have it to
the full." (John 10:10)
We are going to Red Lake Nation, which is on the
shores of Red Lake, MN. Youth will serve through
work projects in addition to planning and leading
kids programming in the community. More details
are available at this link.
Eco-Kids Camp July 10-13
Learn about caring for God's creation through art,
science, and fun. Most of each day is spent outdoors
exploring our environment, and every day also in-
cludes an afternoon field trip. Daily devotions focus
on our roles as caretakers of the earth and all living
things. Campers bring a zero-waste lunch--one
where containers can be recycled or reused.
Who: Students entering Grades 3-7 (fall of 2017)
When: July 10-13; Monday-Thursday; 9am –4:30pm;
Before Care: 8-9am available for $5/day
Where: On-site with afternoon field trips off-site
Cost: $65 per student
CAMP REGISTRATION is through the Camping Office
of the annual conference. Register at
www.campminnesota.org.
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest Advent UMC is one of the “I Love Eagan” sponsors for
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest this year. If you attend the
festivities July 3-4, you may see our logo. Our logo
and a link to our website will be on the Eagan Funfest
website through the end of the year. We are proud to
support this community event.
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