Faith ministry continues, even as we remain physically distant. We celebrate God's Spirit leading us this past week.

We give thanks for ways the larger church is spreading hope in this difficult time for Minnesota and our nation after the death of George Floyd. We pray for an outpouring of God's Spirit on every kind of people and for the strength to remember to pray for those who think differently than ourselves. We are especially grateful for ELCA churches in St. Paul and Minneapolis that are speaking up for justice and equity and leading in ways to promote healing. We also celebrate the work of Advocates for Racial Equity, a Saint Paul Area Synod work group leading response efforts.  If you would like to provide financial support, please memo your gift "justice," and our Faith Benevolence Team will direct funds to an appropriate cause.

We celebrate our Faith graduates this week! 20 are graduating from high school, including Angel Sophia Fleming, and 1 from college. Stop by Faith outside door 1 to see the names of each of the graduates or take a picture with your name and email it to

Thank you for the many ways you are sharing God's grace with others right now in this time of pandemic. You are connecting with others, helping with homework and teaching, running errands and cooking meals for others, sewing face masks, encouraging neighbors with artwork, donating supplies and food, planting tomato and pepper plants to feed our neighbors, and staying home to keep vulnerable family members safe.  One of our Faith members goes for walks at different times each day so that he can meet different people and make new connections.

Judy Buda wrote:

Sure this is a hard time, but church is not always about being in a building with a lot of people.  This gives us all so much warmth and wonderful feelings, but I can tell you that as a "farm girl," I know that there is more to God than being in a building.  I can still hear my gramma singing the old hymns that we all know so well, but then there is nature.  What a wonderful thing that God has given us to enjoy and think about.  We still need to be safe, but let me give you a list of things to appreciate and know that is of God's hand.

1. the leaves on the trees are there again
2. the frogs are croaking in the pond
3. the robins are building nests, one right outside our garage on our plant stand
4. the chickens come singing to the back door for seeds to eat
5. watch the seeds in the garden come up and look forward to good food and sharing it with family and friends
6. feeling safe without having to "go out", home cooking is the best there is

I miss everything about being together, but I don't feel alone without it.  I love the livestreaming, and am there to watch every Sunday and Wednesday.  We are so lucky to have this.  I am sure this will go on for quite some time, but I do believe that the communication that we all have with each other is our "rock".

One of our generous sewers had the following message to share:

I just wanted to update you on the fabric donation. The donation has gone very well and I've been able to make so many masks that I could never have made otherwise. Of course I'm so grateful to everyone who donated and I'm so grateful to you for putting the word out there for me.   Thanks to the office staff.  God bless your day.

As you witness ministry happening in your home or neighborhood, or as you share God's grace with others, let us know so we can celebrate with you! Email