If you are interested in participating in one of the below ALSET offerings, please click on Join a Group and complete the form. Place a check mark in the box of all classes you are interested in. You will receive further information from the group facilitator.
If you have questions, concerns, ideas for classes, or if you are interested in supporting ALSET, either as a committee member or a group facilitator, please reach out to Stacey Edwards, ALSET chair by email.
Embracing Diversity Book Study
7pm, Mondays, in-person only: Nov 4, 11 & 18
“Dealing with issues of race and racial justice in America is important to us as Christians, but also as citizens who ascribe to American democratic ideals.” Please join us for a discussion of an important new book that explores these issues from both perspectives: “Embracing Diversity: Faith, Vocation, and the Promise of America”, co-authored by Dr. Darrell Jodock, and Dr. William Nelsen.
The book includes eight chapters devoted to such topics as the meaning of faith for embracing diversity, realizing the promise of America, challenges to overcome and our Christian response, the use and misuse of religion, and finding joy in diversity.
Discussion of the book will be led by LHUMC members Dr. Andrew (“Andy”) Aoki, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Augsburg University, where he chairs the Department of Critical Race & Ethnicity Studies, and Joe Green, who brings his perspective in dealing with racial justice issues as a member of the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota from 2014 to 2023.
The authors will be present for the third session to facilitate discussion and answer questions
Sign up to get the zoom link, below under "Join a Group"
Christ in Crisis Sermon Series Study
Wednesdays over Zoom : Oct 16-Nov 6
Facilitators Julie Konrardy and Liz Froelich
This study will involve discussing Pastor Karen’s sermons on the book Christ in Crisis by Jim Wallis. We will discuss the sermon and watch video clips pertinent to the subject. Having the book is not necessary, however it might be helpful.
Sign up to get the zoom link, below under "Join a Group"
Science and Faith Book Study
Believing Is Seeing: A Physicist Explains How Science Shattered His Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of Faith by Dr. Michael Guillen
Sept. 22-Dec. 8
Sundays – 11:00 am-noon (Zoom only) / Facilitator: Chris Dozier and Paul Glewwe
Dr. Michael Guillen, a best-selling author, Emmy award–winning journalist and former physics instructor at Harvard, used to be an Atheist-until science changed his mind. Once of the opinion that people of faith are weak, small-minded folks who just don’t understand science, Dr. Guillen ultimately concluded that not only does science itself depend on faith, but faith is actually the mightiest power in the universe.
In Believing Is Seeing, Dr. Guillen recounts the fascinating story of his journey from Atheism to Christianity, citing the latest discoveries in neuroscience, physics, astronomy, and mathematics to pull back the curtain on the mystery of faith as no one ever has.
Is it true that “seeing is believing?” Or is it possible that reality can be perceived most clearly with the eyes of faith-and that truth is bigger than proof? Let Dr. Guillen be your guide as he brilliantly argues for a large and enlightened worldview consistent with both God and modern science.
Please purchase a book via your favorite book seller.
The Meaning of Protestantism
Sept. 22-Nov. 24
Sundays, 10:30-11:30 AM – in person
Facilitator: Jeffrey B. Speaks
As United Methodists, we belong to a religious movement whose roots stretch back to the Reformations of the 16th century: we are Protestant Christians. Have you ever wondered what it means to be a “Protestant?” Does it mean something more than simply “not Catholic?”
In this class we will explore answers to that fundamental question of our religious identity. Instructor Jeff Speaks will help unpack the theology underlying the Protestant Reformation, with a focus on three key figures: Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley. In addition to understanding the key contributions of their theologies, participants will be given the opportunity to explore what it means to be a Protestant in our own historical moment.
UPCOMING BOOK FOCUS AND MEETING DATES
Date: 1st Thursday of the month at 7pm. By Zoom Nov-April, in-person, May-October. Sign up through the form below.
Facilitator: Julie Konrardy
Our upcoming books:
Join us in supporting Every Meal in the fight against child hunger by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Every dollar you give adds up and every action you take matters in changing the story of child hunger.
Once a year in the spring our stage come to life with an intergenerational, dynamic musical. This group offers acting, creative and spiritual growth opportunities to folks of all ages. We welcome those who have a background in acting, whether it’s the high school one-act-play or a lifelong profession, and for those who have no acting background – we open our doors. This is a space to make friends across generations, support and learn from each other and create a musical experience that entertains, provokes thought and brings people together.
Love music? Enjoy friendship? Looking to serve God with your music? Join the choir, band, and handbell choir! Share your musical gifts as a soloist or in an ensemble. Feel free to visit any group to try it out.
Children and Youth Music Groups
The regular season runs from September through May with weekly rehearsals.
Wednesday evenings 5:50-6:10p
Kids develop beginning musical skills and the sense of rhythm through singing, drumming, rainbow bells, and body movements. Led by Ariel Johnson and Rosey.
To join or inquire, contact Cherub Choir Director Ariel Johnson.
Wednesday evenings 5:30-6:00pWednesdays 6-6:30pm
Adult Music Groups
The regular season runs from September through May with weekly rehearsals.
This intergenerational choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 to 8:30p, and participates in worship every other Sunday September-Pentecost Sunday. We welcome all levels of singers! To join or inquire, contact Jungjoo Park.
This intergenerational bell choir rehearses on Wednesdays September-May at 6:30 to 7:30p. Director Thomas Johanson and the ringers would love to have you join (music reading not required). To join or inquire, contact Thomas Johanson, bell choirs director.
This intergenerational band leads worship every other Sunday. If you have a passion for contemporary Christian music and would like to serve in this wonderful team, contact Director of Music Ministries Jungjoo Park for information or questions.
Christmas Eve Orchestra, Christmas/Easter Choir, All Men’s Ensemble (seasonal), Summer musicians and individual and small groups. These groups gather at key times in the year.
Director of Music Ministries
Bells Choir Director
Cherubs Director
Come pack specially formulated meals for starving children in over 50 countries at Feed My Starving Children. Volunteers that are 3rd grade and older can work together to care for our world’s most vulnerable kids. Lake Harriet UMC sends volunteers to work at FMSC on the first Monday of every month.
Sign up by clicking here to jump to our SignUpGenius page.
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative and LHUMC are part of a larger interfaith collaborative of congregations across Minnesota. They join our efforts together to achieve more than they ever could separately. Each congregation brings unique strengths, perspectives, resources, and passion to our common vision.
Check their website, to see a list of congregations across the state that participate.
**For further information, please visit the Every Meal website at: www.everymeal.org
How You Can Help!
Financial donations are always welcome and will be put towards helping additional children who qualify for the program. Over 400 children at Lyndale are on the Free and Reduced Lunch program. Donate on our give page.
View our Sign-Up Genius page to see current opportunities!
Contact our volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth Melton, with any questions.
Lay Readers and Greeters. Readers will get the reading from Karen several days before Sunday. Greeters – what a great way to say hello to old friends and meet new ones. Greeters also do a headcount and take any money collected to the safe in the workroom. Training and written instructions are provided.
Communion Servers (4)
Communion Sunday is always the same day as the Children’s Service; this would be an excellent way to combine both and get your Family involved with the Communion experience. Instructions are provided.
Communion Steward (1-2+)
Wednesday Night Suppers (Sept – May)
Four volunteers will be needed each week to set-up and serve, or to clean-up.
Coffee Hour
Help our LHUMC community connect with old and new friends! Please note that there are 2 shifts. Set-Up and Clean-Up. Instructions provided.
Every Meal at Lyndale School (2)
This is a critical way to provide food for children and families who may not have enough to get them through the weekend. Usually takes place weekly on Fridays, but the schedule could be fluid due to school holidays. This is truly a joyous way to spread love and kindness in a school setting with darling children. There are many openings through the rest of the school year, which for Every Meal has been extended to June 17th.
Mowing at LHUMC
Do you live in an apt or condo with no grass to mow? OR maybe you have a city lot with so little grass you could cut it with a scissors so it feels like changing into your mowing pants just isn’t worth it. Well, we have a solution. Sign up to mow the church lawn!
Our retreats, book discussions, and fund-raising projects are also good ways to connect with women in our LHUMC Community.
UPCOMING BOOK FOCUS AND MEETING DATES
Date: 1st Thursday of the month at 7pm. By Zoom Nov-April, in-person, May-October. Sign up through the form below.
Facilitator: Julie Konrardy
Our upcoming books:
Nurture your soul—Connect with friends at the WOMEN’S SOUL RETREAT.
A one -day Saturday event with outstanding teachers introducing the UMW Mission studies for the year along with inspiring worship, informative displays and access to resource books and films. Its lovely location: St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN.
On a Sunday morning in early December, talented bakers and chefs share their favorite baked goods and soups to raise funds to help carry out the UMW mission.
Information Coming Soon for June 2024!
Issue Studies
In the 21st century, the world needs women of faith putting their faith into action.
United Women in Faith (Formerly United Methodist Women) members put faith, hope, and love into action in their churches and communities.
We seek your ideas for bringing women together for support, fellowship, spiritual growth, and doing mission together. We offer our resources and assistance to you as you make these ideas a reality.
To share an idea, click here to contact Patti Marsh Cagle, LHUMC UMW President.
Learning about our Faith
UMW supports efforts to enlighten ourselves about our faith and about how we can put our faith into action.
Below are some examples:
From time-to-time, UMW hosts speakers on issues of importance today. Watch the LHUMC weekly E-newsletters for these events.
In addition, UMW supplies books for studying issues. (There is a shelf in the Fireside Room devoted to UMW materials. It’s just inside the door on the right by the fireplace.)
During 2021, our areas of focus have been Racial and Environmental Justice.
UMW has provided support to LHUMC activities, such as the Joyce Uptown Foodshelf, the LHUMC Preschool, LHUMC Mission trips for Junior and Senior High Students, the Theater Ministry, Re-U-Nite, and Band of Mothers. We also provided blankets for youth transitioning out of homelessness at 66 West.
Regional Missionaries build relationships with Methodist, United Methodist, ecumenical and grassroots programs that focus on impacting poverty through enhancing the capacities of local women leaders and supporting economic development programs to provide women with the tools required to make positive, measurable change in their communities.
For more than a century, women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions have led a struggle for human rights and social justice. The generation of women who founded the early missionary societies developed powerful networks and organizational structures to help women attain full participation in the life of the church and society.
In the early years of the women’s mission organizations, the focus was on sending missionaries and helping to change the lives of women and girls in foreign lands. They incorporated the values of home and family into public life, as they addressed issues of poverty, child labor, immigration, migrant labor, family life, racial discrimination, full clergy rights for women, and many other social ills of the day..
Many problems faced by the women at the turn of the century have reemerged in our own time with a new and demanding urgency: new waves of immigration, homelessness, racial divisions, threats to the environment, substance abuse and addiction, lack of affordable health care, concerns for the well-being of children and the elderly, public education, questions about women’s roles in society, and world peace.
Because of the faithfulness and courage of the millions of women who prayed, planned, organized, marched, petitioned, labored, and supported the work of the early missionary societies, the lives of countless individuals, especially women and children, have been irrevocably changed. Women, children and youth in our generation, and the ones that will follow us, are living the legacy of the women’s missionary movement of the 19th century.
We have much to be proud of and a great deal to celebrate as we continue the journey begun almost 150 years ago by our faithful and courageous foremothers.
