Weekly Email, Oct. 18

October 18, 2021

One of my favorite words is liminal.  It is one of those words that is fun to say (one of my other favorite words is llama) but it is also a word that helps us to understand the times we are living in now.  Liminal time is a time of between, when you end one reality and aren’t quite sure what is ahead or if you really know where you are going.  Living in a liminal time is one of discovering what the next reality is going to be.  I’m excited about joining Bethlehem as your Transitional Pastor, working alongside you as you work through this liminal time.

I currently live in Geneva MN where I serve Community Lutheran as their pastor.  It is a part time call allowing me the time to serve Bethlehem part time as well.  My husband John and I have 5 children, the two oldest are at college.  The other three attend NRHEG in New Richland, a senior, an 8th grader and a 6th grader.  Life is busy at our house and we enjoy every minute of it.

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and working alongside you. --Pr. Kristen

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More details on the blog.

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Our first week for serving at Connections Shelter starts Oct. 25th! Please sign up here to provide and/or serve meals, and here to work as a morning greeter. We will also be having a supply drive. Stay tuned for details. Thank you!
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The Fair Trade Committee is excited to celebrate with the City of Mankato for being a Fair Trade City for 10 years. Please join the community with events all month, including a bazaar here at Bethlehem on Nov. 7th. See the blog for more details.
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Don't forget to wear RED on Oct. 31 for Reformation Sunday!
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A Note from the Stewardship Board: Stewardship is about so much more than money. Stewadrship, at its core, is about love. It is one of the primary ways that we live out Jesus' commandment to love God and our neighbor with our whole beings. Changing the stewardship culture of the congregation takes time and hard work, but a few small, intentional steps in the right direction can go a long way. 
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Save the Date for the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 14 immediately after the worship service. The council forum to answer questions about the budget is the Sunday before, Nov. 7, so please come to both if you have questions. 
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The October Mission Partner is ECHO Food Shelf. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

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Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

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Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

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News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."

blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation