WE ARE HERE NOW: Our Identity. Our Mission. Our Vision

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/209735027" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height='450' iframe="true" /] Think about an experience, event or moment that you either participated in or witnessed, that made you think of Mount Olivet.  Why did Mount Olivet come to mind?

Over the last three years Mount Olivet has been listening, experimenting and discerning who we are and how God is calling us to be bearers of his love and compassion in word and deed.  During this time, we have discovered our core values and what makes us unique.  Through our discovery, we have created an identity statement reflecting what we have learned.  This identity statement clarifies who we are, and helps us articulate our unique call in the world. 

OUR IDENTITY

We are a community who:

• BELIEVES in the life-giving God revealed through Jesus, who shows up in daily life, engaging us with God’s work in the world.   
• EXPERIENCES a faith journey together with openness and compassion, wonder and expectation, trusting in the promises of Christ.
• PRACTICES being church in the world by listening to God and neighbor, pointing to God’s active presence, and doing what God calls us to do.

 Our mission is our work, what we do.

OUR MISSION

Finding our place in God’s unfolding story by dwelling in God, connecting in community, engaging in our callings in the world.

When we live in our identity and do our mission we become our vision.

OUR VISION

A Community Partnering with God in the World

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Where do you find a connection between your response to the initial question and our identity, mission and vision?

God's Peace, Pastor Beth

Watch a video of the presentation on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clUvYesUo50&w=560&h=315]

WE ARE HERE NOW: Framing It Up

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Mount Olivet has a unique identity and sense of mission as well as a particular hope for the future. This has become clearer over the past four years as we have engaged in a process called Partnership for Missional Church. It is time to assess what we've learned, so we can confidently move forward. But identity, mission and vision do not happen in a void. We are wrestling with certain questions and realities that the world gives to us. The following are six key questions that shape our understanding of ourselves. How do we go about answering them?

Where can we find a life-giving narrative that gives us a solid center in this world?

As churches move further and further to the periphery of our communities, a moral and spiritual void grows. Multiple narratives promise to fill the void: social, political, and market ideologies; the promise of technological and scientific progress; the exhilaration of the information age; personal achievement and status climbing. While none of these options have provided the center that people and communities need, Jesus’ story is just that center. Yet all of us feel the constant pull of the other scripts!

How can we connect in community in a culture of disconnect?

As participants in a world of exponential choices, information, and distraction, we often feel paralyzed, fragmented and alone. It is the irony of our age that we have more options for connecting with each other than ever before but are as disconnected, and sometimes lonelier, than ever. An increasing number of people simply lack the grounding experience of a community gathered around something that matters – something like Christian community.

How can we experience a relationship with the living God at work in the world?

As countless individuals struggle to find meaning and an experience of God, many assume Christian faith is either a body of knowledge or a moral test. It is not. A living and gracious God is among us, inviting us into relationship with him as we journey through life. This is a God needed by those who suffer and struggle (which is everyone!). God’s Word is not merely printed on a page. This Word is alive!

How can we reclaim the sacredness of a world we assume is already lost?

When we look around us, we assume the sacredness of God has no place in a world as compromised, fallen and profane as ours. But God made this world and is at work in it, which means sacred ground can be found anywhere. That God shows up in the most unlikely places and people is an invitation to pay attention and be ready to connect.

How can we celebrate and embrace the rich diversity of the world that God created?

As we find ourselves living in an increasingly diverse world with endless possibilities for partnership, far too many assume the worst in their neighbor and adopt an us/them way of looking at the world. Since God created our world and blessed it with diversity, we know that God is at work through and in diversity.  

How can we as God’s people be more than mere consumers and make a difference in the world?

As the chasm between culture and church grows, faith communities struggle with how to find their footing again. Living in a consumer culture, many congregations adopt a consumer-driven model of faith, dependent on a product that church professionals produce, while others hope we’ll magically return to 1950. In the meantime, God is at work in the world doing a new thing and looking for people who want to partner with God to make a difference. Do you want to be a part of this movement in the world?

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How do you resonate with these questions? Do you think they seem relevant to what you know about our world and Mount Olivet? Please respond and let me know if you think these six considerations point us in the right direction!

God's peace, Pastor John

Watch a video of Pastor John's presentation in worship on Sunday, May 31:[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i30NOvu4W04&w=560&h=315]

Summer Fun & Service: Duluth Mission Trip

Upsidedown Kingdom: Expect the Unexpected Let’s overturn the ordinary and exceed expectations, hope for what is coming, and be part of what is here!

Twenty-two Mount Olivet junior high school students and adults will travel to Duluth in July to work with our host organization, YouthWorks. Participants will serve at a variety of service sites, participate in urban learning experiences, and dwell and worship together. YouthWorks spends many months connecting in the community to insure that our missionaries are meeting true needs and will be making an impact, while also having the chance to connect with one another in safe environments. Possible service sites include local food shelves,clothing distribution centers, soup kitchens, summer children/youth programs, and elderly care facilities.

Some of MO past participants’ favorite activities have been:

• Connecting with local children and youth
• Prepping, serving and “cleaning up” meals
• Experiencing the diversity of the local community through cultural presentations and shared meals
• End the of week foot washing

How can those of us staying at home continue to support and encourage the Mission Trip participants?

The wonderful financial support from the MO community, through MissionStock, Lenten Suppers and the Flower Sale Fundraiser is greatly appreciated! Beyond that, participants ask for prayers. Notes of encouragement are welcome as well. Mission trips are emotionally and physically exhausting, and it is nice to be reminded that people are prayerfully supporting participants.

To support Mount Olivet’s Duluth Mission Trip participants, please contact Summer.      [ Summer · santhony@moply.org ]

Summer Fun and Service: Denver Mission Trip

Interrupted: Let the Holy Spirit Change Lives Have you ever wondered what going on a Mission Trip would be like?

Thirty-six Mount Olivet high school students and adults will travel to Denver in July to work with our host organization, Center for Student Missions (CSM). Participants will serve at a variety of sites, participate in urban learning experiences, and dwell and worship together. CSM partners with local organizations year round, ensuring that our missionaries will participate in service work that will positively impact both them and the community. Possible service sites include Denver Rescue Mission, Urban Peak, Bridge Project, Denver Urban Gardens. Through these experiences, CSM is asking participants to allow God to interrupt their lives.

Some of MO past participants’ favorite activities have been:

• Prayer tours
• Urban Plunge/Poverty Simulation: Youth and adult leaders in small groups are sent into a specific part of the city with a small amount of money and a map. Together they must figure out how to feed themselves with the set amount of money and get back to the home site.
• Meet-a-Need: Small groups spread out in the community with a small amount of money to meet the need of someone they encounter. It’s an exercise in crossing boundaries, being resourceful, and lovingly and bravely connecting in community.
• Dinners at local, authentic, ethnic restaurants.

How can those of us staying at home continue to support and encourage the Mission Trip participants?

The wonderful financial support from the MO community, through MissionStock, Lenten Suppers and the Flower Sale Fundraiser is greatly appreciated! Beyond that, participants ask for prayers. Notes of encouragement are welcome as well. Mission trips are emotionally and physically exhausting, and it is nice to be reminded that people are prayerfully supporting participants.

To support Mount Olivet’s Denver Mission Trip participants, please contact Summer.

[ Summer · santhony@moply.org ]

Connect Groups: Older, Wiser Lutherans

A fellowship/service group for all Mount Olivet members, friends and family who are over the age of 55! Join the OWLs for monthly gatherings planned either at Mount Olivet or off-site excursions. Past events have included ice-cream socials, apple orchard visits, pot lucks, and game days.

I enjoy meeting new friends and connecting with friends. It is a safe group to share your aches, pains, sorrows and joys, and have some young-at-heart fun!

- Dave Iverson

Contact Dave Iverson to be added to the reminder list.

[ Dave · djiverson@frontier.net · 763-479-1094 ]

Summer Fun: Camp Noah

Camp Noah is a locally hosted week-long event for elementary-age children whose communities have been impacted by disaster. Camp Noah provides a safe, caring and fun environment where children build resiliency skills within the familiarity of their own communities, using a proven curriculum designed to help children process their disaster and/or trauma experience through creative activities and play. Mount Olivet's team is going to Cloquet, MN June 21-26! As you may recall, the Duluth area experienced massive flooding in 2012—and the effects still linger. Since then, Camp Noah has been bringing hope, healing and wholeness to the affected communities, and it’s finally Cloquet’s turn. Two churches in this community on the St. Louis River and the edge of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation are eager to host our team and the Camp Noah program.

Because of the location, participant costs and the number of days have been greatly reduced. The cost will now be $260 for the program fee, background check, mandatory training, uniform t-shirt, and transportation, plus six evening meals at your own expense. Lodging and two meals a day are provided, and stays in host homes (as well as at one of the churches) will be available. Carpools will be arranged, and participants will depart the Twin Cities at noon on Sunday, June 21 and return home around 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Some scholarships are available to help offset costs.

Camp Noah is a respected and effective model of trauma response in a day camp format. This is a unique opportunity to receive training and experience in the type of environment MCLC hopes to become. Volunteers in this adult-staffed camp must be at least 18 years old, discreet, energetic, caring and work well with children. Online training (five to six hours) and at least two of three two-hour group sessions are mandatory before departure. Volunteers will serve as small-group leaders and assistants, as well as actors/puppeteers.

For more information, contact Lisa Hansen at nodakeric@aol.com.

Northwest Suburban Dinner at Your Door

Northwest Suburban Dinner At Your Door provides nourishing meals to people who are homebound and unable to prepare food for themselves. Because adequate nutrition is vital to health, functionality and the ability to remain independent, this service allows residents to stay in the comfort of their own homes longer. This vital service helps seniors each weekday in three ways—not only by bringing nutritious meals, but also offering a friendly face and a daily check-in for safety. Hot meals are prepared at Crystal Community Center, and delivered by volunteers of 33 churches and community organizations in the northwest suburban area. Substitute drivers are needed—please contact Coordinator Bob Carlson if you are interested in serving the community in this way. [ Bob · pc_dragon@comcast.net · 763-550-1885 ]

Historic Chapel-Cemetery Committee

In 1850, missionaries conducted worship services a few times each year for the residents of the Plymouth/Medicine Lake area and in 1863 the German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formed. The land for the Mount Olivet cemetery was given by Christoph and August Sandhoff, and the Cemetery Association was formed in 1878 to maintain the cemetery. In 1880, provisions were made to build a church building - our historic chapel - on this property. The congregation moved across the street to our current location in 1968.  With generous grants from the Onan Foundation and hundreds of volunteer hours, the Chapel was restored in 1990, and dedicated in 1991. Mount Olivet’s Historic Chapel and Cemetery are lovingly cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers: Jim Devine, Scott Linge, Ron Holden, Ben G. Broman, Mark Schmidt, Barb Heinrich, Jean Oberg, Dorothy Sohn, and Roy Heinrich are all long-time members, and Jane Kloss and Bruce Skrukrud have joined recently. New members are always welcome!

"The most rewarding and satisfying part is when I am privileged to help a MO member place a loved one to rest in our cemetery. The most challenging is the TLC and creative actions required to care for the Chapel—which is only possible with considerable team efforts.”

- Roy Heinrich, recently retired Committee Chair

My wife Jan and I were married in the Chapel in 1997, so it is a special place for me. The building itself is interesting with artwork, quaint designs and such, but the best reason to like it is the history it represents. The Chapel and Cemetery show how one generation builds on the work of the last to make a better place through kindness and love.

-Scott Linge, Committee member

THANK YOU to all these volunteers for their conscientious and careful maintenance of this beautiful and historic property.

 [ For more information or to volunteer · Jim Devine · njdevine@comcast.net ]

Brew Crew

In the tradition of Martin and Katie Luther, this small group likes to brew beer and wine, and welcomes anyone interested in learning more or willing to share their expertise. The group has met for almost eight years, and beyond all the brewing, they have participated in service projects, financially supported other MO service projects, gone on field trips (to better learn their craft, of course) and been leaders in dwelling in the word. Theological discussion does indeed happen as the hops steep - good fellowship and fun happen as well. All are welcome to join! This group meets the first and third Sundays of the month from 1:00pm to approximately 4:30pm. Keep informed and up to date by adding your name to the email reminder list! Contact Paul Nelson, Eric Hansen or Kevin Miller. [ Paul · PaulNelson@allstate.com ] [ Eric · nodakeric@aol.com ] [ Kevin · kevin.miller11@comcast.net ]

Summer Service and Fun: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Msasani Lutheran Church · July 29 - August 11 Msasani Lutheran Church, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania based in Dar es Salam, has been operating since the early seventies in a community of about 300,000 people, the majority of whom live in very poor conditions. As is the case in many parts of Tanzania, the number of orphans, widows, widowers and unemployed has increased greatly, resulting mainly from the AIDS pandemic and general poverty of the people who are victims or who give care to dying relatives. In its efforts to spread the Word of God and serve the community, Msasani Lutheran Church feels that helping people to lead an improved life is an important calling. As such, the Church continuously looks for ways to help the needy. Mount Olivet first connected with Msasani in 2001, formalized our partnership in 2002, and has tithed our Capital Fund to support their efforts ever since. The two churches regularly exchange visits to solidify and strengthen our bonds, and this summer it’s MO’s turn to travel to Tanzania to connect with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters.

Highlights of our visit will include:

• Tour ancient sites, such as Bagamoyo, a 15th century slave-trading port
• Visit ministries of Msasani, helping widows and orphans, the elderly and ill. They also have started about 50 rural congregations.
• Participate in a health fair. Each MO participant will be paired with someone from Msasani.
• Optional National Parks visit to view animals.
• Possible overnight to Zanzibar, the "Spice Island," and historic trading port.
• Stay with a host family - experience Tanzanian culture first hand!

Contact Kirsten Kessel, DM, for more information. [ Kirsten · kkessel@moply.org ]