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January 2001
| Hunger in Minnesota Minnesota FoodShare, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC), is devoting its 2001 Annual March Campaign to educating Minnesotans about the new breed of food shelf clients. They work for a living. They have children. They don't qualify for Food Stamps because they work. And despite doing everything right, they can't make ends meet. The theme for the 2001 March Campaign is "Working and Still Hungry." FoodShare coordinator Sue Kainz reports, "Working doesn't guarantee anything anymore. Wages have not kept up with the cost of housing, health care, child care and utilities. Rising rents, especially, have left families scrambling to find ways to afford groceries." According to the GMCC, in 1990, 25 percent of the people who used a food shelf in Minnesota were employed. By 1995, that number had grown to 32 percent. And in 2000, nearly 50 percent of all food shelf clients worked for a living, according to preliminary results from a statewide study due out later this winter. For more information on the March Campaign contact Minnesota FoodShare at 612-721-8687 or visit its web site at www.gmcc.org/MFS. Congregations interested in organizing a local food or cash drive can get resources at FoodShare headquarters, 1001 E. Lake St., Sun., Jan. 21, 10 a.m. - noon. Corporations can pick up resources Fri., Jan. 19, 8 - 10 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation ISAIAH, a faith-based organization of over 70 congregations located in the Twin Cities metropolitan and St. Cloud areas, is sponsoring the Fifth Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation to be held Sun., Jan. 21, at St. John the Baptist Church, 832 2nd Ave. NW, New Brighton. The general public is invited. The keynote speaker will be Reverend C.T. Vivian, one of the founders of the civil rights movement with Dr. King. Rev. Vivian's leadership for civil and human rights spans half a century, beginning in 1945 when he organized non-violent lunch counter sit-ins in Peoria, Illinois, and continuing today as as he conducts anti-racism workshops across the nation. At this years convocation, ISAIAH leaders will honor Dr. King by taking action on issues of fair treatment for immigrants in our community, affordable housing for workers and gun violence. They will also describe their battles for civil rights here in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. This year the governor, elected officials and key business leaders are invited guests. The event is noted for its music from the combined choir formed by the ISAIAH member congregations. FFI contact Salvador Miranda at ISAIAH, 612-333-1260 or Debbie Goettel at 612-866-8753. Heart of the City First Covenant Church, 810 S. 7th St., invites the city to two metro-wide worship events promoting racial and denominational unity, Sat., Jan. 27 and Feb. 10, 6:30-9 p.m. Each event features a variety of music from Black Gospel, Latin, Israeli, Native American, Hmong and more. FFI call 612-278-1720. Peace in Iraq The Twin Cities Campaign to Lift Sanctions welcomes the public to two important events. Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., a peace vigil is held at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge, bearing witness to the continuing bombings and to 10 and 1/2 years of economic sanctions against the people of Iraq, resulting in the deaths of 5000 children a month. FFI call the Twin Cities Campaign to Lift Sanctions at 612-522-1861. On Tuesday, January 16, there will be a demonstration at the Federal Building at 4:30 p.m.; a potluck and time of sharing at Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church, 11 Groveland Ave., 5:45 p.m.; followed by speaker Michael Livingston, TC anti-war activist and professor at St. Johns University, and open mic discussion at 6:30. FFI call WAMM at 612-827-5364. Bible Study for 2001 St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., is planning a study of the Gospel of Luke, Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 16. Call 612-823-8205 for more information. Post-Prison Ministry of Discipleship Bethlehem Baptist Church, 720 13th Ave. S., is the site for an introductory seminar presenting the ministry of Koinonia House (trademark sign), a residential, family-based post-prison ministry of discipleship, Fri., Jan. 26, 7-9 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 27, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Koinonia House ministry was founded in 1991 by Rev. Manny Mill, himself an ex-offender. Up to four former inmates live with a family for 15 months and each resident is adopted by a local church which provides financial and spiritual mentors as well as the support and skills the residents need to live a Christian life outside of prison. The recidivism rate among former residents of Koinonia House (trademark sign) is much lower than the national average. Registration for the seminar must be sent by Jan. 19. FFI call 630-221-9930 or e-mail: info@koinoniahouse.org. PFLAG Mayflower church, 35W at Diamond Lake Blvd., invites parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays to a panel, "GLBT Persons of Color," Sun., Jan. 21, 2 p.m. FFI call 612-825-1660. Annual MN Military Tax Resistance Retreat Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) (651-917-0383) will hold their annual Minnesota Military Tax Resistance Retreat at the ARC Retreat Center, Stanchfield, MN, Mon., Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those concerned about paying taxes that support government sponsored violence, fear and intimidation will meet to support and learn from each other, to reflect on local activities against war taxes, and to brainstorm future events. Making Cars Available St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., is a partner in the ministry of CARS (Community Auto Repair & Redistribution Center), a unique non-profit program that provides re-conditioned automobiles for Welfare-to-Work families. Over 600 vehicles have been donated to this ministry since the program's inception in 1997. CARS is always seeking autos in working/driving order, however they will accept any car that is donated. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. FFI on how to help this program succeed call 952-881-1115. School of the Americas Those concerned with closing the School of the Americas (SOA) can join SOAWatch online at www.circlevision.org/mnsoaw.html. The trip to Fort Benning, Georgia, to call for the closing of the SOA, was in November. Simple Living Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., hosts a simple-living group to celebrate and support one another in living more simply, frugally and in harmony with creation. Meetings are the first Wed. of the month at 7 p.m. The next meeting is Feb.7. Call the church at 612-729-7556 for more details. People of Faith Peacemakers People of Faith Peacemakers welcome Deb Koneche, representing the Welfare Rights Committee, to their Wed. breakfast, Jan. 10, 8 a.m., at St. Martins table, 2001 Riverside Ave. Ms. Koneche is educating the public and bringing legislative responses to the problems of women on welfare. She will speak on the specific proposals in the formative stages, as, once again, major changes are possible in the "welfare system" on both state and national levels. Another Wed. breakfast, Jan. 24, will feature the film Outriders, a collection of stories made in 1998 by fifty poor and homeless people, crisscrossing the U.S. documenting the stories of other poor Americans. FFI visit the website: www.clmaster.net, which features the current calendar, actions and viewpoints, or call Judy Isaacson at 612-823-2380. Alternatives to Violence Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) holds an Alternatives to Violence Community Support Group the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the new FNVW building, 1050 Selby, St. Paul, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Based on the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops, the sessions use games, discussions, exercises and role-plays to develop conflict resolution skills and explore non-violence as a way of life. A complete weekend AVP workshop, using an in-depth version of the support group activities, will be held Fri.-Sun., Jan. 26-28. Fees are on a sliding scale. Call 651-917-0383 for more information. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30th Ave. S., offers encouragement, fun and friendship through MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) the first and third Fridays of the month, 9:15-11:30 a.m. Childcare is provided. RSVP to the church at 612-724-3601. MinneHarvest Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., offers a MinneHarvest of free groceries--surplus perishables such as produce and breads--the fourth Sat. of each month (Jan. 27), 9-10:30 a.m. Food & Clothing Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave. S., offers food and clothing through Cornerstone, open Tuesdays, noon-4 p.m., and Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. Used clothing can be purchased for a small fee and food shelf items are available. Salem Evangelical Free Church, 3101 14th Ave. S., operates the Clothes Corner, open every Tu., 10 a.m.-noon, selling low-cost clothing and bedding (10 cents or less). Refreshments are served. The neighborhood is welcome. On Sundays they serve a meal, EAT (Eating All Together), at 12:15 p.m. Friends and neighbors are invited. Mount Olive Lutheran Church, E. 31st St. and Chicago Ave. S., offers new and used school clothes at very low prices for people who obtain referrals from WIC, Salvation Army, a social worker or another church. The Clothes Closet is located in the church and is open Tuesdays, 10-noon and 1-3 p.m. A free community luncheon is served the first Saturday of every month at 12 noon. Free Senior Lunch Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 41st St. and Cedar Ave., will serve a free lunch to seniors every third Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. A short program of music, helpful hints and encouragement will be part of each lunch hour. At 1:30 p.m. the parish nurse will be available for blood pressure checks and consultation. Call the church at 612-722-0157 for a ride and more information. Legal Advice Park Avenue Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave., offers a free legal clinic for people who would otherwise not have access to legal advice. The clinic can advise people on cases such as family law, housing, immigration and civil rights; make referrals concerning benefits and services for disabled children and make referrals for representation when necessary through the Volunteer Lawyers Network. The clinic is open Thursdays, 3-5 p.m. The clinic is a part of the Park Avenue Legal Ministries (PALM) and is sponsored by the Park Avenue Foundation and the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN). Free Legal Clinic Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Ave. S., will be the site for the Chicago Lake Legal Clinic, a free service offering assistance for landlord/tenant, domestic, immigration and other problems. The clinic will be open every 3rd Friday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. Call Donna at 612-827-5919 with any questions. Point Man Ministries Asbury United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., has established a ministry serving war veterans, especially those who were in Viet Nam, and their families. Meetings will be the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. in the church parlor. Support, counseling and Bible discussion are offered. Call Len Gudmunson at 612-724-2007 for more information about Point Man Ministries. Dealing With Addiction Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Fridays at 7 p.m.; Overeaters Anonymous meetings Mondays at 10 a.m.; and Adult Children of Sexually Dysfunctional Families meetings Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., holds Cocaine Anonymous meetings in the church parlor on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. compiled by Elaine Klaassen Calendar deadline for the Phillips-Powderhorn Edition of Southside Pride (Elliot Park to 42nd St. and 35W to Hiawatha) is the 20th of the month. It will be delivered the first Monday and Tuesday of the following month. Please direct Religious News & Events comments, story ideas or advertising inquiries to Elaine at Fax: 822-0342 or phone 612-729-8540. |
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