january 2, ship, a new housing opportu-

2011 Congregational Forums nity for 150 people who have

Stories from Currie Avenue-Ellie
First Christian is one of several
churches and businesses in the Down-
town Area that contributed to the Currie
Avenue Partnership, a way to help get
a number of chronically homeless per-
sons off the streets and into a place
that is there own. Here is another story
of one person whose life has been
Today, we are having a Sun-
day School Exchange be-
tween ourselves and mem-
completed radiation treatment. She is bers of Salem Lutheran and
now in full remission and doing very Lyndale United Church of
well in her apartment! The stability of Christ. Next Sunday (January
having her own apartment has allowed 9) there will be a congrega-
Ellie to receive ongoing care from a tional forum after worship to
primary physician who is now helping discuss the resolution regard-
her to deal with various other medical ing relocation that will come
issues. Ellie reports that her new apart- up for a vote at our annual
lived in shelters for
years. There is still a need for
welcome baskets, so First will
be asking folks to make an-
other round of baskets for
these new homeowners.
You can pick up a list of sup-
plies in the Lounge. These
supplies can be purchased at
places like WalMart or Tar-

changed.
Ellie showed up at Sally’s (Harbor
Light’s shelter for women) night after
night for 10 years, one could say that
she “lived” there. Ellie was staying at
Sally’s when she was diagnosed with
breast cancer and began undergoing
chemotherapy. Through the Currie Ave-
nue Partnership Ellie was able to get
connected to a case manager and
move into her own apartment where
she was able to complete her chemo-
therapy. Shortly after moving into her
apartment Ellie had a mastectomy and
the bulletin
ment is the nicest place she has ever meeting on January 23. get. The Welcome Basket
lived and that this is the happiest that Drive has been extended to
her life has ever been. January 9. For more informa-
Women’s Luncheon
tion, please contact Associate
The Women of First Christian
Pastor Dennis Sanders.
Church are having lunch at
Tucci Benuch in the Mall of
America on Saturday, January
Joining the Story
8, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. All
Do you want to know more
women of FCC and friends
about the Bible, especially the
are invited to attend. Reser-
Old Testament? In January,
vations are required. Please
come and join us as we hear
call Mary Hurlocker (651-777-
the old stories of the Bible
6622) by Noon, Wednesday,
again, or for the first time. We
January 5. We will order from
will meet on Wednesdays,
the menu.

Weekly Announcements from First

starting January 5 at 6PM. If
there is interest, a second

Christian Church Minneapolis

Ministry Team
All Members of the Congregation
Robert Brite, Interim Minister
Dennis Sanders, Associate Minister of
Diversity and Mission
Chris Wogaman, Office Manager
James Baumgartner, Interim Director of
Music
Bryon Wilson, Interim Organist
Rick Bowman, Building Manager
Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual Forma-
tion & Community Ministry
Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant
Martha Harris, Courier Editor
Advent Hygiene Drive
time will be made available for
Telephone: 612.870.1868 Thanks for all who took part in
folks if Wednesday evenings
Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984 the Hygiene Drive for Commu-
don’t work. Contact Associate
www.fccminneapolis.org nity Emergency Service. We
Pastor Dennis Sanders at 612
E-Mail: fcc-mpls@qwest.net were able to collect 52 pounds
-870-1868 or associatepas-
Fax: 612.870.1860 worth of items that will help
tor@fccminneapolis.org for
persons in need! Praise God!
more information.
Faith. Fellowship. Future. Currie Avenue Welcome
Baskets
Last summer, First Christian
collected 10 Welcome Bas-
kets of cleaning supplies for
the Currie Avenue Partner-

the bulletin / january 2, 2011 4 the bulletin / january 2, 2011 1

Annual Meeting Stories from Currie Avenue-Jon
In accordance with our constitution and bylaws, we are giving notice of First
First Christian is one of several thing he owned.
Christian’s Annual Meeting which will be held after worship on Sunday, January
churches and businesses in the Down-
23. Items on the agenda include, nominations, approval of the Budget and the
town Area that contributed to the Currie Jon had nowhere to go after he lost
relocation resolution.
Avenue Partnership, a way to help get his home. He moved into the Salva-
a number of chronically homeless per-
tion Army shelter for over one con-
sons off the streets and into a place
secutive year – this seemed to be
that is there own. Here is the story of
one person whose life has been Jon’s only option. A couple months
Podcasts from First changed. ago, Jon learned of the Currie Ave-
Missed a Sunday? Want to know a little about First Christian? First Christian will nue Partnership
now make Sunday sermons available at our website for you to listen to. We hope Jon was at one time (CAP) and felt a
this will be a way for people who aren't able to attend a Sunday or those who your average middle- sense of hope he
want to know what goes on in that building in South Minneapolis to find out. Sim- class citizen that hadn’t felt in a
ply go to www.fccminneapolis.org/publications/podcasts to find a sermon to listen owned a home in the long time. He
to. suburbs, was happily married, and happened to qualify for the program
was employed. Jon’s wife Sally was and a month later moved into a one-
a talented painter; however was un- bedroom apartment. He is relieved
able to actively paint after being diag- he now has a Case Manager to care
nosed with cancer several years and support him and a roof over his
Meetings and Events this Week ago. Jon became devastated after head; hence enough comfort to plan
 The church office will be closed on Monday, January 3 for New his beloved wife passed away a few for his future – something he hasn’t
Years and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4. years back – she was his best friend imagined in a long time. He plans on
 The Worship Team Meets Tuesday, January 4 at 7:00PM and largest support. His depression enrolling in school to learn a new
spiraled down and out of control – to trade, and soon after returning to
 The Wednesday Night Bible Study Meets this Wednesday, January the point where he couldn’t get out of work. The affects of having a home
5 at 6PM in Room 113. Handbell Choir Meets Wednesday, January bed and didn’t want to envision his is already making a difference – he is
5 at 6:30pm in Hearthstone and the Choir meets at 7:45 in the Choir life without his wife. Jon eventually able to better manage his depression
Room. lost his job and therefore couldn’t pay and found much joy and pride from
 Handcrafters meets at 11AM , Thursday, January 6 in Hearthstone. the mortgage. He was forced to file hanging his wife’s beautiful paintings
for bankruptcy and nearly lost every- on his new living room walls.
 Open Table: A Ministry for GLBT Youth Meets Friday January 7, at
6:00PM.
As of October 15, 2010, 139 people experiencing home-
lessness and living in downtown shelters have been as-
signed to Currie Avenue Partnership agencies, 82 of
those individuals have been successfully housed, and 45
more are currently undergoing the intake and housing
search process.

-Heading Home Hennepin.

the bulletin / january 2, 2011 2 the bulletin / january 2, 2011 3