PHILLIPS
POWDERHORN

Advent Procession Service
Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts marks the Advent season with a variety of scripture readings beautifully enfolded by music and ceremony. The service will take place at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Ave. S. at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Cherwein at the church office at 612-827-5919.

Conversation with Buddhist Lama
Come to the Hosmer Library at 347 E. 36th St. on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. to meet the venerable Lama Gendun Gyatso, who was sent to live in a monastery in Minneapolis one year ago.

Julotta Service on Christmas Day
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 15th Ave. S., will celebrate Christmas Day with a Julotta Service at 8 a.m.

Holy Rosary Children's Christmas Party
Holy Rosary Church, 2424 18th Ave. S., will hold its 18th Annual Children's Holiday Party on Sat., Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The party is for children under 12 and their families. There will be holiday crafts, lunch, visits by Snata Claus, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Little Sprout. Holy Rosary is wheelchair accessible. For additional information, contact Mary Jane Steinhagen at 651-486-9860.

Operation Baby King
Christ Church International, 3015 13th Ave. S., invites families to enjoy a production by the children of R.A.D. Ministries, "Operation Baby King," Sun., Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Agent Double O-Heaven and a host of helpers lead the way through the telling of the Christmas Story. FFI call 612-722-6687.

Free Senior Lunch
The third Tuesday of each month senior citizens are invited to a luncheon at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Cedar Ave. and 41st St. The luncheons begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (lower level). Following the meal there will be a short program of music and/or topics of interest and help to seniors. The parish nurse is available for blood pressure checks and consultation. A donation is optional, but first time attenders are always guests. For more information or for a ride, call the church office at 612-72200157.
The next luncheon is Dec. 18.

Division of Indian Work Tutors
The Division of Indian Work is looking for responsible and caring adults to tutor American Indian children ages 5 to 17. The volunteer commitment is 1.5 hours a week for 10 to 12 weeks during after school hours. Tutors help children with any homework they may have. For more information contact Andrea Keezer through DIW's Youth Leadership Development Program at 612-722-8722, x340.

Jule Bord
The Scandinavian Advent tradition of Jule Bord, with lutefisk and homemade lefse, will be celebrated at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 15th Ave. S., Sat., Dec. 15, 5 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Low-cost clothing
Salem Evangelical Free Church, 3101 14th Ave. S., invites the community to shop at the Clothes Closet every Tuesday, 10 a.m. until noon. Low-cost clothing and bedding are available.

Free Legal Clinic and Free Lunch
On the first Saturday of every month, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Ave. S., hosts the Chicago Lake Legal Clinic at 10 a.m. which is followed by a free community meal at noon. The free clinic offers assistance with landlord/tenant, domestic, immigration and other problems.

Free Community Meal
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 3701 14th Ave. S., serves a free community meal at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 612-824-9768.

NOKOMIS

Of Vision, Dreams and Incarnation
Everyone is invited to gather with the St. James on the Parkway community, 3225 E. Minnehaha Parkway, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat., Dec. 15, for a journey through the story of the first Advent. Using readings, poetry and music, and with time for both personal reflection and small group discussion, we will explore how the Advent experiences of Mary, Joseph and Jesus inform our contemporary experience. The facilitator is Emily Wilmer, an experienced spiritual director and retreat leader who has led retreats and workshops throughout the country. The cost is $20. Morning coffee and rolls plus lunch will be provided. FFI or to sign up, call the church office at 612-724-3425 and speak with Fr. Theo Park.

Musical Offerings
Oakland Avenue United Methodist Church, 4405 Oakland Ave. S., will present two special musical services in December. On Sun., Dec. 16, Mary Sorlie, faculty member at Northwestern College, will lead a string ensemble at the 10:30 a.m. service. The annual Service in Lessons and Carols with Oakland's choir and guest musicians will be held Thu., Dec. 20. Call 612-823-4483 for more information.

Jazz Brunch
Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 5645 Chicago Ave. S., will hold a jazz brunch Sun., Jan. 13, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The neighborhood is invited.

Hatha Yoga at St. Joan of Arc
Hatha Yoga classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 a.m. There will be no class on Dec. 8. The cost is $10 per class. Beginners are welcome. FFI call Julie at 612-823-8205, x228.

Free Wednesday Suppers
Asbury United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., serves free community suppers on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. right before evening activities at 6:30. FFI about the menus or programs call the church at 612-721-5025 .

MOPS Brunch (Mothers of PreSchoolers)
Mothers looking for encouragement, fun and friendship are invited to get together at MOPS meetings held at Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30th Ave. S.,9:15 - 11:30 a.m., the first and third Fridays of each month during the school year. Participants will take part in small group discussion, creative activities and instruction relating to womanhood, marriage, children and the home from a Biblical perspective. The cost per meeting is $3. Childcare is provided for children ages 5 and under. For more information, call the church office at 612-724-3601.

Infant Sign Language
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., holds an infant sign language class (learning to communicate with your baby using American Sign Language) for new and expectant parents 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 8. The cost is $45 per baby/parents. To register call 612-823-8205. FFI call teacher Denise Meyer at 651-210-1288.

St. Helena's Christmas Party
The Council of Catholic Women at St. Helena Catholic Church, 3204 E. 43rd St., invites everyone to a Christmas party in Rowan Hall at noon on Wed., Dec. 5. The cost is $5, and guests are asked to bring finger food to share, an unwrapped gift for Sharing and Caring Hands and a wrapped gift for the bingo game. There will be entertainment.

Dealing with Addiction
Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., hosts Overeaters Anonymous meetings Mondays at 10 a.m.; Adult Children of Sexually Dysfunctional Families meetings Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.; Al-Anon, Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; Women's Cocaine Anonymous, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.; and Recovering Couples Anonymous (childcare provided), Mondays at 6:30 p.m. FFI call 721-6231.

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.

MinneHarvest (11)
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, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

RIVERSIDE

Advent Evening Prayer
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st St., is planning suppers and services for the Wednesdays of Advent, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Homemade soup and breads will be served before the 7 p.m. Evening Prayer liturgy, featuring the music of Advent and meditations on the nature of hope in a confusing world.

Holy Day of Obligation
At St. Albert the Great, E. 29th St. and 33rd Ave. S., a vigil Mass will be offered to celebrate the Immaculate Conception at 5:30 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 7. On Sat., Dec. 8, there will also be a 9 a.m. Mass.

Education at Temple of Aaron
"Learner's Minyan," a class to acquire knowledge and spiritual connection about Sabbath morning services, will be led by Stefanie O'Brien from 9:10 to 10 a.m., Sat., Dec. 15, in the Temple of Aaron library, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. Transliterations of the Hebrew prayers are provided and childcare is available at no charge. Following the class, participants are invited to join the congregation in the main sanctuary for regular Sabbath services. Call 651-698-8874 for information about Learner's Minyan as well as Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg.

Chanukah Party and other celebrations
Temple of Aaron, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul, will sponsor a Chanukah Party from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Sun., Dec. 16, with entertainment by the young people, candle lighting, Chanukah symbol face painting and a variety of games like dreidel ring toss and bean bag dreidel. Traditional Chanukah food will include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganeot (doughnuts). Admission is a new toy for a needy child. Call 651-698-8874 for more information about the party as well as about special programs "Kids in Schul," "Young Family Service," and "Erev Shabbat Live."

Minnehaha UCC Christmas
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., presents its popular annual Christmas Concert Sun., Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. Soloists Erin Schwab, Judi Donaghy, Debbie Duncan and Lori Dokken, with Sanford Moore as accompanist, will be joined by the Minnehaha Choir. A Christmas Eve Service of Blessings and Carols will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24. FFI call the church at 612-729-7556.

Episcopal-Lutheran Gathering
On Epiphany, January 6, people of South Minneapolis Episcopal and Lutheran congregations will gather on Epiphany, Jan. 6,to celebrate the new relationship established between the two church bodies. Hosted by Bethel Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Ave. S., the event begins with dinner at 5 p.m. ($7.50), and continues with a discussion at 6 p.m. and a Eucharistic worship service at 7 p.m. Call 612-729-8358 for make dinner reservations. All people are invited.

Tutoring and Activities for Youth
Ebenezer Fellowship Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3418 E. Lake St., offers tutoring by trained teachers every Wed. from 6 to 7 p.m. for students in elementary and middle schools. On Saturdays, the youth ministry offers a place for youth to participate and feel good about themselves. Call 612-722-1890 for more information.

People of Faith Peacemakers
People of Faith Peacemakers, a resource and support group for those concerned about peace with justice from a faith perspective, hold breakfast meetings at St Martin's Table, 2001 Riverside Ave., from 8 to 9:30 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
On Wed., Dec. 12, the program is "Justice for Persons with Disabilities" with Liliana Penaherrera Sanchez of Peru and Irem Casansu Yalazan, social worker with Child Protection Agency in Ankara, Turkey. Liliana is the founder and director of the Society of Down Syndrome in Peru. Irem is spending a year as a Hampshire Fellow studying social services for persons with disabilities.
There will be no meeting on Dec. 26. FFI visit the Web site at www.justview.org which features the current calendar, actions and viewpoints. Contacts are Eleanor Yackel, 763-784-5177, or Carol Masters carolm@justview.org.

Jul Bord
A traditional Scandinavian Dinner will be served from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 8, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st St. It's a chance to try lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, potato sausage, boiled potatoes, cole slaw, lefse, rye bread, fruit soup, rice pudding, krumkake, rosettes and more. Tickets cost $12 and must be purchased in advance. Call 612-729-8358.

METRO AREA

Support Groups for Welfare-to-Work Women
Discover Support Groups were organized by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches to help Twin Cities mothers living on welfare find work. Last year, there were seven Discover Support Groups in Minneapolis and the west metro area. By the end of 2001, there will be 10. Most of the Discover groups are hosted in urban churches and are run with the help of volunteers from suburban churches.
Discover is not a job training program, rather a network of support groups teaching self-worth and hope. From there the women begin to look ahead, set goals, and work toward those goals. In 2000, of the 142 mothers who enrolled in Discover, 42 found employment and 23 furthered their education.
Despite successes, coordinator of the program, Paris Gatlin, is concerned about the current employment climate. State economists report that corporate profits are down substantially and unemployment claims in Minnesota are up 80 percent from last year. State officials are watching Minnesota's welfare rolls for a jump in both families who need first-time help and a return of former welfare-to-work success stories. For more information, contact Paris Gatlin at 612-721-8687, x564.

Responding to Tragedy
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with ecumenical partners to provide shelter materials for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The UMCOR office in Tajikistan is preparing itself to help refugees arriving in that country from Afghanistan. UMCOR is also responding with various ministries to victims in New York City and on the east coast. Financial contributions can be made to UMCOR Advance #901025-3, "Love in the Midst of Tragedy." To find out more about current UMCOR ministries, please visit the Web site:
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor.
Hannukah Party
The Humanistic Jews of Minnesota, Congregation Or Emet, will meet at the Minneapolis JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Road, 7:15 p.m., Fri., Dec. 14, for a Hannukah party featuring songs and storytelling with Yiddish singer Amanda Seigel. FFI call Jane Katz at 763-546-4225 or Evelyn at 952-377-3736. Or e-mail: jackjanekatz@aol.com.

Peace Vigils
Every Wednesday morning, from 7 to 8 a.m., a peace vigil is held at Alliant Tech. Every Wednesday, a nonviolent silent witness for peace meets at the St. Paul side of the Lake Street & Marshall Avenue Bridge in St. Paul from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. FFI call Friends for a Non-violent World at 651-917-0383.

Women-in-Black
A peace vigil, calling for a nonviolent response to the tragedy of Sept. 11, is held every Friday at Summit & Snelling Avenues in St. Paul from 5 to 6 p.m.

Compiled by Elaine Klaassen