Mount Olivet Library

THANK YOU to the Mount Olivet Library volunteers – Pat Daly, Vicki Jackman, and LuAnn Svendsen – who have spent countless hours consolidating and organizing the many resources owned by Mount Olivet into one convenient location. They continue to add to the available resources through member donations. Please stop in and browse. Simply fill out the card in the back of the book and drop it in the box on the desk.  The MO Library makes it easy to access quality books that inspire and challenge, and that you and your family will enjoy reading. Check one out today!

Why volunteer in the library?

We are involved because we love to read, hope to encourage reading in children and adults, and are members of book clubs which expose us to great books we can share.

Why is the library important to Mount Olivet?

We feel the library is important to MO because wonderful books, DVDs and games can be picked up any time people are at church for free. Although we have all types of items, we do have a large amount of faith-based items which are not as available in public libraries. It is a comfortable room to stop in and meet other people.

 My parents, and librarians along the way, taught me about the space between words; about the margins, where so many juicy moments of life and spirit and friendship could be found. In a library, you could find miracles and truth and you might find something that would make you laugh so hard that you get shushed, in the friendliest way. There was sanctuary in a library, there is sanctuary now, from the war, from the storms of our family and our own anxious minds. Libraries are like the mountain, or the meadows behind the goat lady’s house: sacred space. —Anne Lamott

Mount Olivet Music Department

It seems excellent music has always been a strength of Mount Olivet. In fact, the music heard at Mount Olivet has been top of the list when people areasked what they like most about this community. The variety of musical styles offered as well as the high quality of performances gives the MO community much to appreciate.  Every week. dedicated volunteers and gifted professionals sing praises to God and lead worship. But the Music Department is so much more than people gathered making great music together. The Music Department is also a family within a family - praying, supporting, crying and laughing together - united in community by their shared love of music and the bonds of faith and friendship.

What I love most about music at Mount Olivet is the sense of community it brings. You don’t have to be part of the gathering team or a choir member because we all share the music with those who have an open ear. You feel connected by simply just being there.

-Jacy Pelstring Smith, Oasis & Gathering singer

 Music takes me to a new place in my mind and spirit. It is courageous, calming, and full of art and beauty. What I love most about music at MO is each individual’s willingness to jump into their offering. Musicians are “all in” when they sing or play.

-Gail Nelson, Chancel Choir singer and Bell ringer

What I love about music at MO is how much fun it is to be around people who love music as much as I do. It’s a blast to praise God each week through singing and playing bells! I love the variety of music - and I think we are lucky to have Angela as our director. She is a blessing!    

- Anna Mueller, Chancel Choir singer and Bell ringer            

These people are my family, and I couldn’t imagine not being with them every week.

-Jane Kloss, Chancel Choir singer

Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua 2015

 The Mount Olivet Habitat Team and Friends working in Masachapa, Nicaragua in March, building a new home for Flora.

Make a Difference (MaD) Fund

Think of it as a ministry of sharing peace with people who need a little help - a tank of gas, a filled prescription, diapers, groceries - whatever is needed to get through to the next paycheck, keep a job, take care of sick children, etc. The MaD Fund supplements the work of partners like PRISM when the product isn't available, or for families living out of their cars or sleeping on a relative's floor (the homeless have no proof of residence, which is required to gain access to food shelves that have strictly designated service areas). Job loss, divorce, illness, accident - so many people are just one trauma from destitution, and extending a little peace to them can give relief and change their outlook. This "peace" is given in the form of gift cards donated by Mount Olivet members or purchased from funds donated. Together we have helped many people see a brighter day, through the love we share in Jesus Christ.

connecting [in] communities

2015 Mission Trip Opportunities Mount Olivet community members understand themselves to be instruments of God’s grace and work in the world. We are doing God’s work in the world when we reach out to those who don’t have a decent place to live or enough food to eat. Mount Olivet is offering opportunities for those in middle school and older to bechurch in the summer of 2015, serving those in need around the world.

-Duluth MN -Denver CO -Nicaragua: Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity -Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -Camp Noah

Observations from previous mission trip participants:

I met several members from Msasani Lutheran Church when they visited Mount Olivet. Everyone seemed so “filled with the Spirit” and God-centered. I was immediately drawn to them and wanted to see how these people lived and how they could be so filled with joy! I expected to find people and places to rescue and save when we got there. What I found was a church looking for partners - not looking to be rescued.

On our last night in Tanzania, we wanted to say something memorable to our gracious, God-loving hosts to let them know what the experience meant to us. I have forgotten all the words said that night—except I remember very vividly when my son Brett the microphone and said, somewhat awkwardly but with true conviction, “If all the people in the world were like the people of Tanzania—it would be perfect!”

- Sam Riemensnider, Dar es Salaam, December 2011

I found this trip to be educational and impactful - the compassion, friendliness, generosity, and attitudes of the people we met and lived with during our time in Africa were impressive. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime!

-Bruce Finley, Dar es Salaam, December 2011 

I was at a Salvation Army day camp. There were kids who (lived) along the roughest street in Nashville. There was prostitution,drugs, lots of violence…unimaginable for us here. It was hard to say goodbye to the girls that I met and got to know so well. We talked about thunderstorms, and dogs, and the abuse they faced in their homes and saw around them. When I’m on a mission trip, I’m pretty worry free, in the moment, relaxing, focused on helping others, and being in touch with my faith. It's an amazing experience I only get to feel once every year."

-Andy Dickmeyer, Nashville, July 2014

Even something that you do that seems small and insignificant to you, can really make an impact on other people’s lives. We asked (a homeless gentleman) if he would want to share our lunch with us… That was the single best decision I made on this trip because we talked for about two-and-a-half hours about everything, from his life story to ours.

-Thomas Dickovich, Nashville, July 2014

I'm not accustomed to dealing with young children - they scream a lot and they're sticky - but I love them. But still I had a lot of anxiety (about going to Camp Noah). A couple weeks before I left, the anxiety just disappeared,and I just had this vision of smiling and happy children. And you know, that’s exactly how it unfolded.

-Scott Linge, Camp Noah, Lyons CO July 2014

Community Partners: Home Free

Making change possible by understanding that domestic violence is not a private matter.

Since 1980, Home Free has been a safe haven for women and children needing to flee their homes due to domestic violence. The Shelter provides emergency housing and support services to over 500 women and children each year. Usually filled to capacity, the Shelter can accommodate 30 women and children with an average length of stay of 18 days. Services are provided free of charge to all residents.

Women's Advocates work with battered women as they identify needs, set goals, and access services. Advocates assist women in obtaining legal remedies, housing, financial resources, medical care, and transportation and accompaniment to appointments as needed. Home Free also offers a number of education and support groups as well as social and recreational opportunities.

I was supported, listened to, and received the resources I needed. Home Free was a big help to me! Home Free cared, helped, and supported me 24/7.

- In Their Own Words, Home FreeWinter 2013 newsletter

The Home Free children's program assists women with children to identify and meet each child's needs. The children's advocates work with children individually and in groups to help them develop age-appropriate knowledge and skills related to domestic violence. Childcare, groups, activities and one-on-one assistance is provided to Shelter children, including weekend groups and activities. Children's Advocates also assist mothers with placement of children in local schools.

Community and church support are vital to the work we do. We just want the community to know we are here, and anyone who needs help can call us. We so appreciate all the support Mount Olivet gives us—it is a great collaboration.

- Kari Hitchcock, Home Free Community Coordinator

How does Mount Olivet support Home Free?

• Collect cell phones - Home Free recycles them as a fundraiser.
• Provide Personal Care packages: providing these items to residents means Home Free doesn't need to purchase them. The money saved can be used for special needs, such as cultural food for immigrant women, food for those with allergies, helping pay for a child’s field trip or an apartment application fee.
• Provide food, have donated clothing and household supplies to setup new homes and help relocate.
• A portion of Mount Olivet’s annual tithe is allocated to support Home Free.

What else can we do? 

• Re-do rooms (paint, etc.)
• Read to the children
• Provide birthday party supplies
• Raise awareness of this valuable community resource!

Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry

about healing touch               The mission of Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry at Mount Olivet is to extend our hands to others in love as we bless and heal from the heart, join God in His work and become instruments for the healing energies of God.

Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry offers hands-on healing and prayer on the first and third Sunday mornings of each month. Healing Touch is a nurturing and heart-centered energy therapy with the goal of promoting healing on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level.

what to expect

Often, pain is relieved, emotions are released, deep relaxation is felt, spiritual comfort is experienced and well-being is restored. The HTSM team will offer ten-minute seated sessions and 25-minute full sessions on the first and third Sundays of each month from 10am - noon.

Community Partners: God's Grace and Work in the World

Why Our Giving Matters Earning minimum wage, a person needs to work 98 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, an hourly wage of $17.69 is required to pay rent and utilities for a modest two-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities metro area. This does not account for food, household/hygiene necessities or clothing.

Adopt-a-Family

The Adopt-a-Family program was started in 2001 by Kirsten Kessel, DM in an attempt to serve the working poor in our community as well as families in need through our partner organizations, Parenting With Purpose and Trinity Lutheran Congregation. Over the years, many people have expressed gratitude, explaining that they would have had nothing for Christmas if not for the Adopt-a-Family program. MO adopts over sixty families every year!

How does Adopt-a-Family work? Families are listed on a form that includes names, ages, sizes and wish lists for each member. After chosing a family to adopt, the fun begins! Purchase and wrap at least one gift per person, with a recommended spending range of $50—75 for each person. This can be a great extended family, small group, neighborhood group project—especially for the larger families. Forms will be available November 19. Please return gifts to Mount Olivet by Noon on Wednesday, December 17 to be distributed in time for Christmas.

THANK YOU for the blessings you gave to our family this season. We are so grateful for everything you blessed us with for the holidays! God loves you all!                                                             - With love from Larry & Fallon

Caring Tree

This is a collection of gifts for seniors who live at the St. Olaf Residence/North Oaks Assisted Livingin north Minneapolis. Most of these people will receive nothing else, and have no means to purchase the things they need. If you’d like to make Christmas a bit brighter for an older person, please take a tag from the Caring Tree and purchase a gift for that person (first name provided) from the suggestions listed. Bring the gift IN A GIFT BAG by Sunday, December 14. Many thanks to the Mount Olivet Older but Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) for coordinating the Caring Tree again this year.

Sharing Tree

Last year 1100 children were able to celebrate the holidays with a gift that wouldn’t have been there without our help. The Sharing Tree, a toy collection for PRISM and children staying at Home Free over the holidays, will be decorated with tags by November 23. Each tag on the Sharing Tree lists gender and age range. Purchase an appropriate gift for a child in the age range you selected and place the unwrapped gift ($15-$30) under the Sharing Tree by December 8. PRISM serves hundreds of families through their holiday program, and MO contributes approximately 200 gifts every year.

Christian’s Toy Box

Christian’s Toy Box originated in 1999, the year Christian Olaf Osen, eight-year-old-son of Karen Haug and John Osen, lost his battle with leukemia. They learned through first-hand experience how greatly small gifts can brighten the day of a child receiving chemotherapy or radiation, during extended hospital stays, as well as for siblings of sick children who also spend their days at the hospital. Suggested gifts include craft kits, small Lego kits, things that could be made or played with in bed that help occupy a child’s mind and body when they’re relatively confined.

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.                    - John Bunyan

Connect Groups: Knitting/Crochet Group

Mount Olivet is a community gathered around the cross and presence of Jesus, where members understand themselves to be sent as instruments of God’s grace and work in the world. We are doing God’s work in the world when we reach out to those who are sick or grieving a loss, and offer them a comforting prayer shawl to remind them their faith community supports and prays for them. This is one of two groups of faithful, artistic women who meet each month to do God’s work in the world by creating beautiful and practical items to be given away to those in need.  

Mount Olivet Knit/Crochet Group

They are called the Knitting/Crochet Group, but anyone who does any kind of needlecraft is welcome to join them when they meet each month on the second Tuesday evening at 6:30pm. They describe themselves as very “close-knit” and they especially look forward to getting together each month to share what’s going on in their lives as well as solve tricky needlework problems. Their favorite service project is knitting or crocheting prayer shawls for people with serious health problems or troubles. The group prays for the recipients as they make the shawls, and MO staff distribute them when needed. It is wonderful when they hear about how the shawls help and comfort people - that knowledge makes all the time and effort worth it.

Prayer shawls are our way of wrapping people in God’s love and comfort when they need it most. It’s truly an honor to be part of this very profound ministry.                                             - Marilyn Nordquist

Connect Groups: Lutheran World Relief Quilters

Mount Olivet is a community gathered around the cross and presence of Jesus, where members understand themselves to be sent as instruments of God’s grace and work in the world. We are doing God's work in the world when we make quilts to be shared in our community and around the world with those who are cold and in need. This is one of two groups of faithful, artistic women who meet each month to do God’s work in the world by creating beautiful and practical items to be given away to those in need.  

Lutheran World Relief Quilters

This group meets on the first and third Thursday mornings (9am-noon) and the fourth Tuesday evening (7-9 p.m). Quilt tops are sewn together by individuals at home and then the tops are tied when the group meets together at Mount Olivet. The group has also made special quilts over the years - they just completed Gopher- and Viking-themed quilts for two people at Hammer Residence.

Quilts are displayed every year on Quilt Sunday in November and then delivered to the LWR Warehouse in St. Paul to be shipped around the world. Last year our quilts went to India.

Donations of cotton fabric for tops, flat sheets (any size) for backs, blankets for middles and embroidery floss to tie are greatly appreciated. All ages are welcome to help with this ministry.

 To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.        - Abraham Lincoln