PHILLIPS
POWDERHORN

Baha'i Meetings
2/7
Devotional gatherings—an hour of prayer and reflection, quiet music, recited prayers, readings from the writings of the Baha’i Faith and scriptures of world religions—will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Baha’i Center, 3644 Chicago Ave. S. One of the topics for Friday evening discussions (from 8 to 10 p.m.) will be "The Meanings of Jihad” on Feb. 15. Sunday morning adult classes from 10:30 to noon will include the topic “Gender Equality—Not Just a Women’s Issue” on Feb. 10. On Sunday afternoons Feb. 10 and 24, 5 - 7 p.m., a chicken dinner is served at the study circle “Reflections of the Life of the Spirit.”

Signature
2/10
Calvary Lutheran Church, 3901 Chicago Ave. S., invites everyone to Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 10. Special music will be by Signature with Geoff Jones.

Classes in Christianity
2/10
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1901 Portland Ave. S., will start two courses about Christian teaching on Sun., Feb. 10. “Christianity: Boring, Untrue & Irrelevant?” is an elementary class and “The Divine Drama II” is advanced. A free supper will be served. FFI call 612-874-0133 or look at www.StPaulsEvLutheran.org.

Deacon Elige Brown
2/17
Greater Friendship Baptist Church, 3805 3rd Ave. S., presents Deacon Elige Brown introducing his new CD title “Hymns of Memories,” at 7 p.m., Sun., Feb. 17. Also appearing will be Greater Friendship Baptist Church Combined Choir, Bro. Robert Bailey, Greater Friendship Male Chorus and Elsie Sellers. FFI call 612-869-8697

Free Senior Lunch
2/19
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 February 19.

Harambee
2/22 - 24
Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave. S., will hold Harambee on Fri. - Sun., Feb. 22 - 24. A youth concert will be held Fri. at 7 p.m.; a reconciliation forum, soul food dinner and Harambee concert on Sat. at 2, 5 & 7 p.m. respectively; and Sunday services at 8:30 & 10 a.m. and 12 noon with pastors Mark, Peter, Efrem and Juan Lopez plus music by Michael Rambo.

SnowFlake Dance
2/23
Church of the Holy Name, 3637 11th Ave. S., is planning a SnowFlake Dance for Sat., Feb. 23, 8 p.m. until midnight. Lively music by Dale Dahmen & the Beats (‘50s, ‘60s, polka, waltz and country) and a raffle (200 tickets for $40 each) with a grand prize of $2,000 are on the agenda. Tickets are $8 per person. Call 612-724-5465 for more information.

Bach Cantata at Vespers
2/24
Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts at 3045 Chicago Ave. S. presents Bach’s Cantata 68,”Also Hat Gott Die Welt Geliebt” (For God So Loved the World), at Vespers, or evening prayer, at 4 p.m., Sun., Feb. 24, the second Sunday of Lent. The Mount Olive Festival Cantorei will be assisted by a chamber orchestra and soloists, led by Mount Olive’s cantor, Dr. David Cherwien. The service will be followed by one of Mount Olive’s renowned receptions in the chapel lounge. A free will offering will be taken to support the ongoing Music and Fine Arts Program. For more information, contact Dr. Cherwien at the church office, 612-827-5919.

Free Community Meal
2/28
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 3701 14th Ave. S., serves a free community meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month. The February meal will be on the 28th. Everyone is welcome.

Free Legal Clinic and Free Lunch
3/2
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.

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.

12-Step Recovery
A 12-step recovery group meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Central Community Church, 3041 4th Ave. S.

NOKOMIS
Slide Show
2/7
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 5645 Chicago Ave. S., will present a free slide show about Iceland at 1 p.m., Thu., Feb. 7. For more information call 612-824-1882.

YMCA Single Parent Family Saturdays
2/9 through 3/16
Asbury United Methodist Church, 45th and Bloomington, is hosting a 10-week series of Saturday events for single parent families that began Jan. 12 and will continue through Mar. 16. Sponsored by the Hiawatha YMCA, the days begin at 10 a.m., offering family oriented activities, education and a support network as a means of enhancing the quality of the family experience. For those who have missed the beginning, the $20 fee will be pro-rated. Call Kim at 612-728-7631 to sign up and reserve childcare.

Bach and Beethoven
2/10
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 5645 Chicago Ave. S., invites the public to its first 2002 Recital Series event featuring Daniel Eifert, a Mt. Zion bass and member of the Minnesota Chorale, at 4 p.m., Sun., Feb. 10. Admission is free. FFI call 612-824-1882.

This Holy House
2/10
St. James on the Parkway, 3225 E. Minnehaha Parkway, will present the last in a 4-part series on the art, architecture and liturgy of St. James at 9:15 a.m. on Sun., Feb. 10. Although focused on the art, architecture and liturgy of St. James, the series will explore the differences between Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other houses of worship. It will also explore what’s different about Anglican and Episcopal churches and St. James itself. FFI call 612-724-3425.

Book Group
2/16
On Sat., Feb. 16, beginning at 10 a.m., Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 5645 Chicago Ave. S., hosts a book club discussing “Prairie Son” by Dennis M. Clausen. This Minnesota author captures his father’s life growing up in rural Alberta, Minn., during the Great Depression. FFI call Jan at 612-823-0333. Everyone is welcome.

The Religion of Islam
2/17 - 3/24
St. James Lutheran Church, 4854 Portland Ave. S., is planning a Sunday morning class at 9 a.m. for the Sundays of Lent, “The Religion of Islam.” Everyone is invited.

Mythology Workshop for Men
2/18
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., offers a 4-session workshop for men, “Mythology and the Spirit: A Man’s Journey,” facilitated by parishioner Jeff Keyes, Mondays, Feb. 18 through Mar. 11. It will explore the importance of building a personal and communal mythology. Participants will share their stories and explore and develop the myths that sustain, propel and disable. Pre-registration is required. Call 612-823-8205.

A Forty Year Journey to Uganda
2/19 - 3/19
St. James Lutheran Church, 4854 Portland Ave. S., welcomes speaker Cy Speltz to Tuesday night midweek Lenten meetings, Feb. 19 - Mar. 19. A soup supper will be served at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 6:45. Speltz, a former Christian brother who recently returned to Uganda where he had served as a missionary 40 years ago, will talk about the incredible changes that have taken place in Africa, illustrating his remarks with slides and music from Uganda. Everyone is welcome.

Fiddlers’ Festival
2/24
Traditional Swedish folk music by ASI Spelmanslag (The American Swedish Institute’s musician’s group) can be heard at 3 p.m., Sun., Feb. 24, at El Milagro/The Miracle (formerly St. Luke’s/Todos Los Santos), 3751 17th Ave. S. There will be a free will offering. Refreshments will follow the performance. Call 612-721-5021 for more information.

Wednesday Luncheon
2/27
St. Helena’s Council of Catholic Women at St. Helena Catholic Church, 3204 E. 43rd St., is hosting a luncheon in Rowan Hall at noon on Wed., Feb. 27. The cost is $5. Everyone is invited.

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.

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 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. A Cocaine Anonymous recovery group for women will begin in January of 2002. Meetings will take place in the parlor at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

RIVERSIDE
Grief Support
1/28 - 3/25
The Minnehaha-Nokomis Grief Support Coalition’s Winter Series, “Understanding Grief and Loss,” will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, Jan. 28 - Mar. 25, at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church, 4101 37th Ave. S. Registration and refreshments will be at 4:30.
Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one is encouraged to use this excellent neighborhood resource. Persons of all faiths are welcome! Each week a speaker will address an aspect of grief and/or share their own experience. Participants then meet in small groups. There is no fee. Call for a brochure or with questions: 612-724-3691.

Jewish New Year of the Trees
2/8
A Tu B’Shevat seder and Sabbath dinner to celebrate the Jewish New Year of the Trees will take place at 6 p.m., Fri., Feb. 8, at Temple of Aaron, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. This is open to the public and costs $15 per adult. Call 651-698-8874 for reservations. This event will celebrate the Jewish mystical tradition about trees, the land of Israel and the environment.

Fool’s Sunday
2/10
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., invites everyone to dress in costume and come prepared to share in the merriment on Fool’s Sunday at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 10. This festive worship invokes the spirit of Mardi Gras.

Bach Cantata
2/10
Instrumentalists, vocalists and worship leaders from Trinity Lutheran Congregation and University Lutheran Church of Hope will present a special service for Transfiguration Sunday during the 11 a.m. worship hour at Augsburg College Foss Center Chapel on Sun., Feb. 10. The musicians will perform J.S. Bach’s Cantata #96, “The Only Son of God.” Everyone is welcome.

Hidden Terror: The Sanctions on Iraq
2/11
Mike Miles, who returned in January of 2002 from his third trip to Iraq in five years, will speak at 7 p.m., Mon., Feb. 11, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st St. He will give a first-hand account of Iraq after 11 years of economic sanctions.

Lenten Fish Dinners
2/15 - 3/22
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, E. 29th St. and 33rd Ave. S., will hold fish dinners on the six Fridays of Lent, Feb. 15 - Mar. 22, 5 - 7 p.m.

Black History Month
2/17 & 2/24
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., will celebrate Black History Month on two special Sundays. On Feb. 17, worship is at 10:30 with special music under the direction of Lori Dokken, followed by a Soul Food Dinner at 11:30. (Tickets are $8 to benefit the new elevator fund.) At 12:30 Rev. Ronald Bonner will lead a one-hour workshop on “The Development of the Black Church” with an emphasis on the AME and Pentecostal churches.
On Feb. 24, the 10:30 worship celebrates African-American spirituals and is followed by a potluck lunch at 11:30. At 12:30 Rev. Bonner will lead a workshop on “The Black Church and Social Justice.”

Purim
2/25
A celebration of Purim will take place Mon., Feb. 25, at Temple of Aaron, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul, beginning at 5:45 p.m. with a Purim seudah (meal) followed by the reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther) at 6:30.
The seudah is free but reservations are necessary. Call 651-698-8874. Those attending are asked to bring canned food to be donated to local food shelves and to come in costumes.

Purim Carnival
3/3
A Purim Carnival for the entire family, complete with games, prizes, costumes and food, is set for 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 3, at Temple of Aaron, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. Admission is free and open to the public. FFI call 651-698-8874.

Community Drop-in Resource Center
The Walter Ortman Resource Center, a collaboration between WuWa (the AIDS ministry Wake Up We’re Affected) and First Church of God, at 3149 35th Ave. S. It contains a resource library with information about the Christian faith, health and career choices. It will be staffed by WuWa founders, Don and Gerry Anderson, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tue. - Fri. WuWa provides support for families infected and affected with HIV and also information about HIV, AIDS, diabetes, STDs and Hepatitis C. FFI call WuWa at 612-729-2581. The number for the church is 612-721-2822.

METRO AREA

Peace, Patriotism & Nonviolence
2/6 & 2/7
Recently, a group of Catholic leaders issued a statement declaring Washington’s “War on Terrorism” morally unjustifiable and called for a new teaching to replace the centuries old Catholic teaching that justifies war. At the forefront of this group is Thomas Gumbleton, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, Mich., founding member of Pax Christi USA and ardent advocate for justice and nonviolence, who will be at the Basilica of St. Mary (88 N 17th St.-on Hennepin Ave. next to Loring Park) on Wed. & Thu., Feb. 6 & 7. Everyone is invited to his address, “Peace, Patriotism & Non-violence: Another Way to Confront Terrorism,” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6, and to a retreat from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 7. FFI and registration call Julie at 612-823-8205, x228.

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
2/21
The annual Day on the Hill will be held Thu., Feb. 21, starting at River Centre in St. Paul at 8:30 a.m. The keynote speaker is Rabbi Morris J. Allen of Beth Jacob Congregation. This day of social justice training and advocacy includes issue briefings, workshops and day-long shuttle service to the Capitol to meet with lawmakers. FFI/registration call 512-870-3670 by Feb. 14. The cost is $25.

The Restless Heart: St. Augustine
2/23 - 3/16
Based in Brooklyn Center, IV Marks Theatre, the only Catholic touring theater group of its kind anywhere, will perform “The Restless Heart,” the story of St. Augustine, in five suburban parishes. The mission of the company is to use live theatrical productions to present Catholic teaching and morality in a way that is both entertaining and life changing. FFI call 763-531-2591.

Full Moon Celebration
2/27
The Lake Harriet Spiritual Community, 4401 Upton Ave. S., honors the Japanese goddess of good fortune, Benzai-ten, in a celebration at 7:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 27. FFI call Carol McCormick at 763-546-4133 or Mary Tellers at 763-789-8014.

Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients
The Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has received a $35,000 grant in support of their participation in the Faith in Action program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The mission of the Faith in Action program is to create an ongoing respite program for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias by establishing volunteer respite corps in the faith communities. Each participating faith community will recruit volunteers to go into the home and provide up to four hours of respite service per week. Recruited volunteers will undergo a training curriculum provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, which will include education, reference material and support to each faith community and their volunteers. For more information contact Trisha at 952-857-0551 or e-mail Trish.OConnor@alz.org.

Love in the Midst of 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.

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 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. FFI call Friends for a Non-violent World at 651-917-0383.

Compiled by Elaine Klaassen