by Alanna Simone Tyler, Associate Pastor for Justice and Mission and Meghan Gage-Finn, Senior Associate Pastor

Westminster launches the 2023-24 program year September 10, Coming Together Sunday. We will return to two worship services at 8:30 and 10:30am. During the Education Hour at 9:15am, children’s Church School and youth group resume. Adult learning will welcome R.T. Rybak and Gloria Perez, joining Senior Pastor Tim Hart-Andersen in conversation about Minneapolis-based and regional efforts to foster a renewed sense of community. In their respective roles, Rybak and Perez lead organizations committed to leadership development and sustaining thriving communities.

Rybak began serving as President and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation in 2016 and he oversees the average annual distribution of more than $80 million in grants. Before assuming his current role, Rybak served as executive director of Generation Next, a coalition of civic, business, and school leaders focused on closing the educational opportunity gap in the Twin Cities. He served as mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2013.

Perez began serving as President and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) in 2020 and oversees transformative investments, close to $50 million, in women, girls and gender-expansive people. Additionally, WFM conducts ongoing research; advocates for public policy; and invests in organizations and leaders to achieve gender and racial justice. Before leading WFM, Perez was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jeremiah Program, a national nonprofit with a proven, holistic approach for moving families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time.

At the end of 10:30am worship, everyone will be asked to head outside to Westminster Plaza for a group photo to commemorate the day for the Rev. Dr. Tim Hart-Andersen, who is retiring at the end of October. Following the photo, come back into the building to pick up your lunch for the All- Church Picnic, catered by Toma Mojo Grill. There will be a variety of delicious options available, including vegetarian and gluten free. The cost is $15/person and $40/family. You are encouraged to register on Realm.

As you enjoy your food, visit with others eating inside or outside the building. There will also be games and activities for young ones provided by Families, Youth, and Children’s ministries.

by Kathleen Campbell and Rani Murdoch Zappa, Westminster Members

On August 20, Westminster members who traveled to Palestine in March 2023 will share photos, stories, and major impacts from the weeklong trip.

With members of Christmas Church, we worshipped, cooked, laughed, and enjoyed conversations and Bible study. During a day at Dar al-Kalima University, we were awed by the human and technical resources of the university and charmed by its earnest, friendly students. During outings to Ramallah, we learned about the history and the hardships of present-day Palestine and Palestinians. Explorations in East and West Jerusalem and outside Bethlehem revealed the diversity of landscapes, uneven access to resources, and contradictory narratives that impact the future of this contested region. We hope you will be moved to join our efforts in assuring our Palestinian partners that we stand with them in their fight to survive and thrive.

Please join us at 9:15am on Sunday, August 20, in the Meisel Room to hear our stories, see our photographs, and envision with us new ways to connect with and support these two extraordinary communities who will not give up hope.

The Session of Westminster has approved $1.5 million in Enduring Hope Mission Component gifts to be disbursed to six local organizations to support academic achievement and leadership development for Black and Indigenous children and youth. The organizations and gift amounts are:

• 21st Century Academy at Liberty Community Church, $400,000
• 30,000 Feet, $200,000
• Division of Indian Work, $400,000
• Project Diva International, $80,000
• MIGIZI, $400,000
• We Win Institute, $20,000

The nine-member Mission Component Subcommittee that recommended these organizations invited trusted community leaders to describe what our community would look like if it were racially just, identify the root causes of injustice, and offer suggestions of areas where Westminster’s gifts could make a difference. The Subcommittee discerned that gifts directed to upstream efforts would have the greatest impact and met with leaders of organizations focused on closing the achievement gap and providing leadership development for Black and Indigenous youth. “We approached our work with the requisite humility, recognizing that there are already organizations offering effective programming,” explained Mission Component co-chair Elder Vince Thomas.

Mission Component co-chair Elder Jo Beld urged Session and the congregation to view each Enduring Hope gift as an opportunity to establish or expand a long-term, deep relationship. In receiving the recommendations Session members expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of accompanying and learning from committed organizations providing creative, community-based and culturally specific programming.

The Enduring Hope campaign began in the fall with a $30 million goal. In total Session approved disbursing $2.2 million of the campaign gifts to support global, national, and local organizations. Please consider making a financial commitment to support the campaign today by pledging online through Realm.

YWCA Minneapolis

By Sue Perkins

The YWCA Minneapolis has been a long-time partner of Westminster. I am amazed at what an all-encompassing organization it is and how important it is to individuals, families, and our entire community. Just some of its assets:

Leadership/Empowerment of Women – An all-woman board of directors and strong policy and practice advocacy.

Family Programming – Childcare with an anti-bias curriculum, teacher training, and youth development programming.

Racial Justice – “It’s Time to Talk”/” It’s Time to Act” forums on race, partnering with like-minded organizations and internal commitments to equity and inclusion.

For more information and to sign up for newsletters, visit their website.

FreeWriters

By Emily McChesney

FreeWriters continues to increase the number of incarcerated persons’ writing opportunities to improve mental health, reduce recidivism, and inspire hope. The program has expanded beyond Hennepin to Ramsey, Wright, and Anoka county jails. They’ve expanded community partnerships; added additional writing instructors, and started a community post-incarceration writing class. All told, they offer nearly 50 writing classes a month and one was recently attended by Congressman Phillips. Finally, in April the FreeWriters team presented at the Social Justice Forum. Those who attended were able to hear the founder’s inspiring story and experience free writing themselves. Learn more online.