• Advent Conspiracy,

Christian Courier
First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

Advent Activities fill the Season at FCC

December 5, 2009
Advent begins this week at First
Christian with the annual Women’s
Inside the Courier: Ministries Brunch on Saturday, Dec,
5, followed by the ―Deck the Halls”
• A Look at the Brite party in the afternoon. Wednesday
Side, page 2

ourier
night Advent vespers also began on
• Transition Team report, Dec. 2, and will continue for the
page 3 Wednesdays leading up the Christ-
mas. The brief service begins at 7 pm
• Advent Conspiracy,
page 4
in the Fireside Lounge, and is an in-
formal gathering time of prayer, me-
• Special Needs Christ- ditation and communion.
mas Pageant, page 4 Nicolas Carter will present two con-
Three music programs will be pre- certs during Advent. Saturday, Dec. 12,
• Board notes, page 5 Nicolas will be joined by his ensemble
sented in our sanctuary during the
Advent Season. Nube for a program called ―The Golden
Bird.‖ Nube is a four-member group of
On the Web We are thrilled to be able to host for harp, guitar, percussion and Andean
the second time a production of Gian flutes. This event also begins at 7 pm
fccminneapolis.org Carlo Menotti’s opera Amahl and with tickets $15 in advance and $20 at
the Night Visitors on Friday night, the door.
Advent Devotions
Dec. 18, at 7:30 pm. Laura Ander-
Advent Conspiracy son, our soprano soloist, is producing The following Saturday, Dec. 19, Nico-
information this opera, and James Barnett, our las will perform a solo program of music
FCC Flickr photos pianist, will conduct the orchestra. and reflections on the season. The pro-
Both the orchestra and chorus will gram will begin at 7 pm, and tickets are
feature student musicians from the $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
University of Minnesota. Members
of our choir will join student singers Advent will culminate on Christmas
in the chorus. James Baumgartner, Eve, with a service at 8:00 pm. The
choir tenor, and Anna DeGraff, alto, service will be preceded by a reception
will sing leading roles. The role of at 7 pm, and a Prelude Concert at 7:30.
the boy will be sung by Luke Bilotta,
who is a member of the Minnesota More Advent Celebrations:
Boychoir. Freewill donations will
again go to Feed My Starving Child- Cookie Baking... Special Pageant In-
ren. Please invite family and friends vitation... "Advent Conspiracy" See
to this special Advent preformance.
page 4 for details!
 Page 2

A Look at the Brite Side

Bob offers Beard as gift and challenge

proposal: it’s weird enough, He also found that with main-
perhaps, to be an encourage- line churches, the opposite is
ment for you to invite folks to true: We don’t hold onto our
church. The gift is that, as families, and therefore, we are
well, if we have 250 in worship shrinking. If we can start by
on December 20, I will donate reclaiming our community base
$300 to regional ministry. – the families and friends
around us, then we have the
“The first people a opportunity to rebuild the
Pastor Bob Brite church needs to evangelize community by adding new
are those closest to us” folks through a second worship
Martha Grace Reese service and other efforts.
Following our current round of
Unbinding the Gospel meet- I like my beard. And if you get
ings, a week ago Sunday I put Why am I doing this, you may 250 folks in church on Dec. 20,
forth a challenge to the FCC ask? Martha Grace Reese, in I’ll shave it off that morning,
worshipping community. It her viewpoints on evangelism, but it probably won’t stay off.
was a challenge that contained says that the first people to Nevertheless, it’s a sacrifice for
both a gimmick and a gift. The whom a church needs to evan- me to offer up my beard for the
gimmick is that if all of you gelize are those closest to us, FCC cause. I’m encouraging
together invite enough people family and friends. Tex Sam- you to sacrifice, to risk your-
to have 250 in worship on ple, a leading Disciples scholar, selves a bit, to help grow the
Christmas Sunday, December in his book U.S. Lifestyles and body of Christ, and I’ve tried to
20, I will shave off my beard of Mainline Churches found in his give you an easy, somewhat
31 years. That means that demographic studies that fun- wacky way to do so. How
every person currently attend- damentalist churches grow be- about it, folks?
ing will have to invite about 2.6 cause they hold on to their fam-
people (how you work out in- ily base; as the families grow I’d like to see YOU (and 2.6 or
viting .6 of a person is your and add children, they tend to more of your family/friends) on
concern). The purpose of this stay with their church commu- any Sunday!
nity.
Bob

In Our Prayers We pray for Ali Hesano’s friend who sprained her wrist recently and all
Gracious God, we those who have suffered accidents or injuries; for Nancy Curry’s good
lift up these persons friend in West Virginia who was recently hospitalized for cancer treat-
in our prayers, ask- ments and for all those live with chronic or critical illnesses; for all those in
ing the blessing of the armed services at home and abroad, and for their families who wait
your Grace and out- and worry; for all who mourn the loss of a loved one; for all who suffer
pouring of your Love during the season of holidays; with all legislators who are working on
upon them. health care legislation; for all our homebound members, especially Stan
and Elaine Moe. Amen.
 December 5, 2009 Page 3

Transition Team Report

The Transition Team for FCC is responsible for try that attracts more of the younger generations:
developing and forwarding to the Board and Con- youth and children, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s.
gregation recommendations for the congregation’s
future. The team, currently composed of Pat Dun- In the light of these understandings, the Transition
lop, Tom Curry, Skip Wolverton, Val Dunham, Team is trying to develop proposals for the con-
Bobbie Hall, and Martha Harris, along with Bob gregation to chew over and consider concerning
Brite and Dennis Sanders, has met six times since what the congregation may look like in five years.
late July. The issues the Team has discussed and
are working through have been wide-ranging and The Team also endorses, in the spirit of transfor-
complex, including, but not limited to the follow- mation, a proposal by Pastors Brite and Sanders to
ing: begin an alternative worshipping community
 whether to move or to close; movement in the life of FCC, but with the provi-
 whether to move into ecumenical partner- sion that the current FCC community can see it as
ship with another congregation; an appropriate ministry of the church and be will-
 whether to stay in the Whittier neighbor- ing to pour time, talent, resources, and ownership
hood or relocate to the suburbs; into the effort. The proposal for this has gone
 what sort of experiments to conduct in the through the Worship Committee, been passed by
ministry of FCC to define its ministry and the Board, and $50,000 has been allocated by
encourage its growth; and, Finance Committee in the 2010 Budget for that
 whether the energy of the congregation is of purpose. That allocation, as well as the whole 2010
such a nature to invest itself in such expe- Budget, will be dealt with by the Board at a special
riments. board meeting on December 20 following worship.

To this point, the Team has come up with the fol- The Team continues to meet on the average of
lowing understandings: about every 3 weeks, and in future meetings will be
consulting with other congregations going through
1) The central question to be addressed by FCC is similar circumstances, developing further pro-
―What is best thing that we can do to promote the grammatic experiments for transformation, and
life of the Church, the body of Christ, through continuing to wrestle with that central question de-
FCC’s future?‖ fined above. Team members welcome congrega-
tional input as well.
2) The question of moving is secondary to the
question of viability – in other words, it is not a
good idea, and in fact is poor stewardship of God’s Special Board Meeting set for Dec. 20
resources, to buy or build another congregational
plant if the church is going to continue to decline, There will be a special, brief Board meeting
decline to the point of closure in not more than following worship on Sunday, December 20,
another 10 – 15 years. to deal with the matters of nominations and
budgets. The regularly scheduled Board
3) The question of viability is directly related to meeting on December 22 has been cancelled
age demographic – the congregation has a strong per the decision at the November meeting.
group of people in their 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The
congregation’s greatest need is to develop a minis-
 Page 4 Christian Courier

More Advent Happenings and Invitations

Here at First Christian, Special Needs Christmas Pageant
we believe that Christ- promises a special moment for all
mas can [still] change
the world. To that end First Christian friends and families have been in-
we partnered with the vited by Spirit of St. Stephen’s community to come
Advent Conspiracy to a special Christmas pageant on Saturday, Dec.
www.AdventConspiracy.org
19, at 10 am in Fellowship Hall.
to celebrate Christmas
by spending less, giving more, worshiping fully
The pageant will be put on by adults in the Special
and loving all in this season.
Needs Program. The Special Needs program, pre-
viously based at St. Stephens Catholic Church, is a
We offer the following opportunities to be a part of
four-decades-old gathering place for adults with
the Advent Conspiracy:
special needs that includes a spiritual program on
Saturdays and social activities on Thursdays.
• Buy an animal at the Heifer Project on Dec. 6
• Drop off a used children’s book for homeless
The pageant is certain to bring out the spirit of the
children
season. Julia Apaloo, who works with this pro-
• Volunteer with Project Homeless Connect on
gram, invites us with these words, ―We have found
December 7
that our friends tell the story in a unique and mea-
• Adopt a Family and buy presents for a through
ningful way. They do so with seasonal music, love-
the Aliveness Project
ly costumes, camels and sheep made of wood and a
• Bake cookies for the Aliveness Project
real babe in the manger. We offer this program and
• Donate hygienic items for Community Emergen-
a reception afterwards as our gift to you and we
cy Service until December 24, and non-perishable
cordially invite you and all members of your com-
items and cash to the Aliveness Project on Food
munity to attend.‖
Pantry Sunday, Dec. 13th.

The Advent Conspiracy is a grassroots movement 20’s to 30’s-Somethings invited to bake,

with more than 1,000 churches in 17 countries par- eat and share cookies
ticipating as co-conspirators with projects as varied
as drilling a water well for those who lack clean Saturday, December 12, from 1 – 4 p.m., the
water, to simply encouraging congregations to ―younger‖ folk of the church will be gathering in
think of meaningful acts of kindness as meaningful FCC’s commercial-sized kitchen, for the purpose
gift options to replace traditional gifts. Last year, of cookie baking. Bring your favorite holiday reci-
through Advent Conspiracy, $3 Million was raised pes and ingredients, and share in the fun and fel-
for relief projects which included providing clean lowship. (Bring along your appetites as well for
water and medical attention to communities in need sampling!)
around the world.

Why not be committed to giving gifts that really

will change the world—like quality time, helping
the homeless, feeding the hungry and looking for
ways to be more loving? It’s not just about saving
money; it’s about remembering that when we give
presence instead of presents, the scandal of
Christmas, of God’s breaking into our humanity
through the birth of Jesus, has been restored.
 Page 5
December 5, 2009

FCC Board Notes

The Church Board met on Nov. 17 to hear reports and programs. Women’s Ministries contributed
and consider motions. Sixteen people plus the two $4000 to Disciples Mission Fund; Outreach pro-
pastors attended the meeting. Highlights from the vided $5000 for an Emergency Fund for mem-
minutes include the following: bers in need, $1000 to Rochester for a new
 The Outreach committee brought a mo- church start, $1000 to Heifer International, $1000
tion that the Board approve matching for seed money for local mission funds, $500 to
funds for the agencies (Feed My Starving Groveland Foodshelf, $1500 to Week of Com-
Children and Community Emergency passion, and $500 to Reconciliation.
Service) designated to receive offerings
for Amahl and the Night Visitors. Mo- The special December Board Meeting on Dec. 20
tions carried. after church will focus on the budget for the com-
 The board chair brought a motion to ex- ing year and nominations for the 2010 terms of
tend Dennis Sanders’ contract for another elders, deacons and trustees.
year. Motion carried.
 Several groups and committees reported
using funds to support various missions

SAVE THE DATE!

Thin Place – Sacred Space: A performance and exhibition
featuring the work of the Arts Practicum class of United
Theological Seminary: Cyndi Bradbury, Kayla Daniels, Leslie
Johnson, Kris Killam, Deb Murphy, Bob Tollefson
Thursday, December 10, 12:15-1:25 pm, Steckel Learning Poinsettias in Short
Center, United Theological Seminary—Conversation about ar- Supply this Year
tistic process, projects, and more. Bring your lunch and join in the
discussion! Because of a city-wide
shortage, our distributor of
Friday, December 11, 7-9 pm, Bigelow Chapel, United Theo- poinsettias has only red ones
logical Seminary—Performance and Exhibition available this year.
Questions? Contact Kayla Daniels: kdaniels@unitedseminary.edu However, they also have
or Deb Murphy (612-807-2287). We hope you can join us! pink and white cyclamens
available for the same price
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
of $11.00.
3000 Fifth Street NW,
New Brighton, MN 55112
Please let the church office
know of your preference
ASAP. Otherwise we will
need to order what is still
available.
 Bi-Weekly Calendar Reflections on the Word
From Readings for 12.6.09
Sundays at First Christian Church
Before Worship (9:15 am): ―And all flesh shall see the sal-
Art of the Covenant Class Worship 10:30 am vation of God.‖ –Luke 3:6
Hearthstone Class Fellowship Hour 11:45 am
Bible Study Class
Prayer Circle We know this common phrase
from Handel’s Messiah, and
This Week at FCC Next Week at FCC from yearly readings of the
Tuesday, Dec. 8 Sunday, Dec. 13 narrative around Jesus’ birth.
Property Cmte (may be canceled) 7 pm Recital (sanctuary) 7:30 pm Think of ―all flesh,‖ a literal
Wednesday, Dec. 9 translation of the Greek, mean-
Finance Committee 5:30 pm
Lectionary Bible Study 6 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 16 ing ―all things now living‖! All
Lectionary Bible Study 6 pm
Advent Vespers 7 pm Advent Vespers 7 pm
humans, all animals, all who
Bell Choir 6:30 pm Bell Choir 6:30 pm live and love and suffer in this
Chancel Choir 7:45 pm Chancel Choir 7:45 pm life, in the flesh of the living.
Thursday, Dec. 10 Thursday, Dec. 17 First we see, then experience in
Handcrafters 9 am Handcrafters 9 am
Carter Circle @ Barb Rusinak’s 7 pm hope and faith.
Friday, Dec. 18
Friday, Dec. 11 Amahl and the Night Visitors 7:30 pm
God of our salvation, give us
-Article deadline for next Courier Sat. Dec. 19 eyes to see you, minds to perce-
Saturday, Dec. 12 Men’s Group 9 am
ive you, hearts to love you, and
Men’s Group 9 am Special Needs Pageant 10 am
20s-30s Cookie Bake 1 pm Laura Lynne/Naomi Circle 10 am mouths to proclaim your salva-
Nicolas Carter Concert 7 pm Serve meal at St. Stephens 6 pm tion. Amen.
Nicolas Carter and Nube concert 7 pm
–Chris Wogaman

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

A Thoughtful Church in the OF MINNEAPOLIS
Heart of the City (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
2201 1st Avenue South
Ministry Team Minneapolis, MN 55404
All Members of the Congregation
Robert Brite, Interim Minister
Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversity
Address Service Requested
and Mission
Chris Wogaman, Office Manager
Bill Stump, Director of Music
Rick Bowman, Building Manager
James Barnett, Pianist
Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant
Martha Harris, Courier Editor
Telephone: 612.870.1868
Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984
www.fccminneapolis.org
E-mail: fcc-mpls@qwest.net
Fax: 612.870.1860

Christian Courier is published bi-

weekly. Send items and ideas to church
office or to Martha Harris
harrismartha@mac.com
by Fri . Dec. 11 for next issue.