Seniors
Happenings Newsletter
September-October 2010 Newsletter
The Happenings Newsletter is our bi-monthly publication that is mailed to Normandale members 60 years and older. The newsletter lists upcoming events and other items of interest relating to senior life at Normandale. For more information or suggested content, contact Yvonne Ford by leaving a message at Normandale Lutheran Church office at 952-929-1697.
Hymn Sing and Augustana Service
On Sunday, September 26 at 2:30 pm, Jack Swanson will lead a hymn sing from our special Augustana Synod Hymnal of all those good hymns that are so enjoyable to hear.
This is the 60th anniversary of our congregation’s founding in the Augustana Synod, so it is especially appropriate that, at the service which follows, we will worship with the service setting of the Augustana liturgy. In the pulpit preaching will Pastor Bill Berg, who is 100 years old, also making this day noteworthy.
After the service, follow the aroma of coffee and cardamom down to Fellowship Hall for a time of socializing with friends and honoring past workers.
Second Thursday
September 9
Summer’s over, so welcome back to church activities! Over coffee, starting at 10:30 am, tell us what you did on your summer vacation or get a group together for games. Book Club at 11:00 am in the Library with Frank Norman presenting the new Marcus J. Borg book, Putting Away Childish Things, a tale of modern faith.
Last May our program was on the 60th anniversary of Normandale. This month the program will be on the future. Lois Nordling who chaired the study for our next 40 years will give the Chapel Talk. Then, after a great meat loaf lunch we have a fantastic speaker for our program. He is our new Pastor Paul Pettersen who will tell us about himself and the plans he has for ministry here at Normandale.
October 14
Hälsä dem där hemmä. The program will be about our choir’s trip to Scandinavia where they brought greetings in song to the homeland of many of our forefathers. Last year we did a Norwegian lunch; this year it will be Swedish. (Of course there is a difference! Swedish gravy on the meatballs is white.)
Preceding this will be coffee time and Book Club with Joanna Swanson. The book is I Go to America by Joy Lintelman, a historian and teacher at Concordia College. Lintelman's book traces the story of Mina Anderson who emigrated from Sweden to the Twin Cities and later rural Mille Lacs County. While Mina's manuscripts were used by Vilhelm Moberg as resource material for his work, Lintelman's research provides insights into our ancestor's lives before, during, and after emmigration. A 'must read' for anyone (not limited to Swedes) curious about their ancestors, but no longer able to ask them. The Chapel Talk will be given by that noted Swede,
Help! Help! Help!
There are senior Seniors and junior Seniors and the senior Seniors need some help. At Second Thursday, which is a day for various senior activities, we have many openings for ways to help such as:
- Book Club Leader
- Kitchen Prep and Clean Up
- Table Set Up Programming
- Pianist
- Game Organizer
If you would be willing to help just once or for an entire season, we would be grateful. Call Yvonne at 952-922-6606.
Second Thursday
Second Thursday is an extended program held on the second Thursday of each month, September through May. All are invited, but the program is mainly aimed at seniors. People may come for the whole program or for any part of it. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person requested for the wonderful lunches that are served but no one will be turned away.
The day's program is as follows:
- 10:30 a.m. Coffee and Conversation
- 11:00 a.m. Choice of a Book club discussion group, games, cards, or conversation
- 12:15 p.m. Chapel Talk
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch
- 1:30 p.m. Special Programs
For more information, contact the church office at 952.929.1697
Contributing Without Money
There are several ways you can contribute to various causes supported by the church that do not cost you money. Listed below are the items/groups:
- Jerry’s sales slips are collected by the Senior Committee for their work.
- Eye glasses are collected by the Lions Club who test them and send to third world countries for persons with matching prescription needs.
- Kemps bottle caps and Box Tops for Education coupons are taken to Augustana Preschool for tuition scholarships.
- Hotel small hygiene products are distributed to The Shelter and Cornerstone Battered Women’s Shelter.
- Fabric, blankets, and sheets are made into quilts by the Sew Day ladies and donated to Lutheran World Relief
- Yarn for the hats, scarves, and slippers donated many places.
These seem like small amounts, but when you have nothing, 200 Kemps bottle caps that pay one month’s tuition is a lot. Drop off in the Collection Corner across from the Sunday School office.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Study meets 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- October 7, 14, 21, 28
- Fireside Room
- Best-loved Hymns Bible Study—Facilitated by Pastor Amelia Houdek
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord…” Ephesians 5:19 ESV
Come explore the hymns of our faith! We will get to know the authors and what inspired them to sing to the Lord a new song; we will examine the biblical foundation behind each as well—we might even sing together. A few favorites that we will study:
- A Mighty Fortress
- In the Cross of Christ I Glory
- All Glory Laud and Honor
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- How Great Thou Art
Greeting Card Makers
Greeting Card making has started in partnership with The Colony.
Daytime group:
2nd Friday of month: 10:00-11:00 am
Evening group:
4th Thursday of month:6:30-7:30 pm
Both communities will gather in The Colony Café.
Meeting with residents from The Colony, we will spend an hour creating handmade cards for the residents to take with them, as well as to purchase in the gift store. This ministry seeks to provide an opportunity for creative expression, Christian community, and affordable cards for residents.
We are asking available members of Normandale to take one hour a month to connect in a creative way with our Colony Friends.
- Card Making experience is helpful but not necessary.
- All supplies and card designs are provided.
- Experienced card guides will be on hand.
Join us as we:
- Spend quality time with others of all ages.
- Use artistic talents (those known and as yet undiscovered…).
- Provide handmade cards for Colony residents and guests.
Please let us know if you are interested in participating, so we can plan space and supplies.
For more information, contact Pastor Nancy Windels 952-929-1697 ext 18 or Shirley Pope 952-929-1697 ext 31
Prayer Shawls
Prayer Shawls are knit by Normandale members to be presented to individuals who are dealing with personal health and/or other traumatic events in their lives. Please join us in this very special ministry.
Edina Grief Support
"...just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose."
Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one by death is invited to attend. More information can be obtained by calling: Pat Reinhart @ 952-914-0902
Summer Series / July 1-September 30
Meetings every Thursday / 4:30-6:00 pm at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4801 France Avenue South, Minneapolis, 612-927-8849 / www.goodshepherdmpls.org
Friends Card Project
Cards are sent to members over 79 years young. These are sent on birthdays and festival days. We feel this is important to show we are thinking about these people and that they are important to our community of believers.
Foot Care Clinic
September 1 & September 2 from 9:00 am—2:00 pm
Call 952-929-1697 to make an appointment.
Click here for more information.
Sue Cell’s Resignation
I’d like to let you all know that I am leaving the Senior Ministry position at Normandale Church. I have an opportunity to work full-time in a social work position which I had hoped to return to some day. The hours and schedule seem to be a great fit for me and my family.
It is with some sadness that I leave you. The seniors of this congregation have treated me with kindness and appreciation every step of the way and for that I am very grateful. It has been an honor and a treat for me to work with you. I have had fun driving the van to Northfield, getting lost at the Science Museum, and being exposed to all things Swedish and Norwegian. I still have much to learn in that respect. The learning continues.
I hope to continue to see you at church and as Dana Arnold said, you can ask me to volunteer...a lot!
Friends in Christ,
Monday - Friday