Today we are sharing some Friday fun! Please enjoy this previously recorded video of Hamline Church staff singing along to “All God’s Creatures”
Sing along lyrics!
Chorus (x2)
All God’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they’ve got now
Listen to the bass, it’s the one on the bottom
Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus
Moans and groans with a big t’do
And the old cow just goes moo.
The dogs and the cats they take up the middle
While the honeybee hums and the cricket fiddles,
The donkey brays and the pony neighs
And the old coyote howls…
All God’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they’ve got now
Listen to the top where the little bird sings
On the melodies and the high notes ringing,
And the hoot owl cries over everything
And the blackbird disagrees.
Singing in the night time, singing in the day,
When little duck quacks, and he’s on his way.
And the otter hasn’t got much to say
And the porcupine talks to himself
Chorus (x2)
All God’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they’ve got now
Thank you for joining us for Together in Spirit from Hamline Church! Our intention is to offer a daily dose of hope and encouragement to our community and beyond as a reminder of God’s love and grace at work in the world. These messages will include short videos, reflections, songs, prayers, children’s stories, and more, all created by our staff and members. We hope it brings some joy in these uncertain times. Let us know how we’re doing and what you’d like to see here. Thank you for being here!
Comments Off on Together in Spirit for March 19, 2020
Thank you for joining us for Together in Spirit from Hamline Church! Our intention is to offer a daily dose of hope and encouragement to our community and beyond as a reminder of God’s love and grace at work in the world. These emails will include short videos, reflections, songs, prayers, children’s stories, and more, all created by our staff and members. We hope it brings some joy in these uncertain times. Let us know how we’re doing and what you’d like to see by replying to this email. Thank you for being here!
Today we are sharing a Sabbath reflection from the Rev. Susan Mullin. Susan shared this reflection at our first online worship on March 15, 2020.
Sabbath Meditation
from the Rev. Susan Mullin; March 15, 2020 Download a PDF of this text
“What is the way to the woods, how do you go there?
By climbing up through the six days’ field,
kept in all the body’s years, the body’s
sorrow, weariness, and joy. By passing through
The narrow gate on the far side of that field…
To come in among these trees you must leave behind
The six days’ world, all of it, all of its plans and hopes.
You must come without weapon or tool, alone,
Expecting nothing, remembering nothing,
Into the ease of sight, the brotherhood of eye and leaf.”
Let me tell you about my time in the woods. A simple time. An unspectacular time. I got to the woods by driving up to Northern Pines Camp. I arrived after a week of stomach flu followed by a week of catching up on work. I brought work with me. I was tired that weekend, and not feeling great. But I had asked Mike to put my snowshoes in the car… and felt like I should make use of them. So Sunday afternoon I strapped on my snowshoes and headed out the back door.
At first, I stuck to my usual paths. I checked on Betty’s tree–the white pine we planted in honor of Mike’s mom, and then followed the road down the hill and along the lakeshore. I greeted Wesley, one of the dogs in camp, but didn’t wait to speak to his family. Then I headed up into the woods following a well-established hiking and skiing trail. At this point, the trees began to work their magic. I was caught up in the ordinary extraordinary beauty of the woods in winter. I took in the view from the ridge above the lake, and took off my gloves to touch fraying rolls of birch bark. I sniffed the air, reveling in the crispness.
it came to me out of the blue–there was no reason for me to stay on the path! For i could see a long way through the winter woods to my eventual destination back in camp. And my snowshoes were well-designed to handle the terrain. I took off as the crow flies, and then purposely meandered through the woods, following here a deer track, there a fallen log. Experiencing time and eternity in the same day.
Beautiful.
But what is the place of sabbath when the covid-19 pandemic has upended our lives? When we are uncertain about the best way to care for our loved ones- and the stakes are high. When we are anxious about changes at work and school. When we are forced to re-adjust our plans every few hours, constantly re-evaluating and second-guessing ourselves and our leaders. When we find ourselves checking social media constantly to see how others are handling these challenges. Is Sabbath relevant?
Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann argues that Sabbath is at the heart of the gospel. The God who says, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” is also the God who says, “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy” and then says “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor…[and] you shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Sabbath is an act of resistance to the God of Pharaoh who would have us making bricks for his pyramids. Sabbath is an act of resistance against a market economy that sees us as valuable only for what we produce, an economy that puts us in competition with our neighbor. Brueggemann says that this odd command to remember the sabbath day is what allows us to shift from “anxious productivity” to “committed neighborliness.” God brought the people out of slavery in Egypt and commanded them to remember the sabbath- not as an arbitrary command, but for the purpose of forming a new community – a community focused on love of God and neighbor.
My walk in the woods probably did not change me in any way that was immediately apparent to the people around me. But I do believe it loosened the grip of my compulsive need to get through my checklist. It created just a tad more space and time for the practice of being neighborly.
Sabbath does this. It reorients us to what is most meaningful, most satisfying.The living water.The bread of life. It brings us back to neighborliness: kindness and compassion for our human and non-human neighbors. And this is good news, today and always.
Comments Off on Welcome to Together in Spirit for March 18, 2020
Thank you for joining us for our first edition of Together in Spirit from Hamline Church! Our intention is to offer a daily dose of hope and encouragement to our community and beyond as a reminder of God’s love and grace at work in the world. These emails will include short videos, reflections, songs, prayers, children’s stories, and more, all created by our staff and members. We hope it brings some joy in these uncertain times. Let us know how we’re doing and what you’d like to see by contacting us. Thank you for being here!
Today we are sharing this lovely video of Amy Ireland, Director of Children’s & Family Ministry, reading the book This is the Church.
The Hamline Church COVID Response Team continues to work with the Church Council to monitor current conditions. The Response Team will re-evaluate conditions at the August 23 Church Council meeting. Until then, Hamline Church will:
Suspend indoor coffee hour, move coffee hour and other church-related events with food outside.
Recommend masks (high quality) for groups of 6 or more meeting indoors. Open windows for ventilation, if possible, consider meeting outdoors.
Continue policies of adult masking in the presence of children, and masking of children as age appropriate.
On Tuesday, March 22, the Church Council met and reviewed our current COVID-19 protocols. After consulting with medical professionals, and reviewing CDC and MDH guidelines, the Church Council decided to change our current COVID-19 protocols to “Masks welcome, but not required” effective April 1.
We understand this is a big shift, however over the past month we have seen a significant decrease in coronavirus infection rates over a sustained period of time. We have reached a positive test infection rate of 2.7% in Ramsey County, 76% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, and the updated CDC guidance labels Ramsey County as “low risk.”
While we know that reporting is not perfect, the CDC risk assessments takes into account data including infection rates and hospitalizations and beds available. With our current low infection rate and high vaccination rate (both in our county and especially high among our church members!), along with the CDC guidance, we felt comfortable making a change to our current practices.
We will watch the CDC risk level assessment weekly and if Ramsey County returns to a “medium” risk level, we will return to masks required in the building.
We also know that this may feel uncomfortable for some. We hope to create an environment that is respectful and safe, while following current medical guidance and allowing for individual choice. If someone is masked, consider allowing for more physical distance when choosing a pew or when engaged in conversation out of respect for one another’s comfort levels.
Please continue to wear masks this Sunday, March 27 to allow us time to get the word out and make necessary adjustments.
Starting April 1:
We welcome people to wear masks, but masks are not required. We hope that we will each respect one another other’s comfort levels.
We expect all eligible members of our community to be vaccinated.
Anyone who is sick is asked to please stay home and join in worship online.
We will continue to ask all staff, volunteers and children (as they are able), to mask in the Frolic room/nursery since our youngest community members are not able to be vaccinated. Children’s ministry staff and volunteers will also be masked during Sacred Studio and other indoor events with children under 5.
We will be watching weekly and may decide with very short notice to return to masking in the building.
Singing in worship is allowed – masks welcome but not required. We will still not be physically “passing the peace” or the offering plates.
I continue to give thanks for the incredible, grace-filled response of the Hamline Church community over the past two years as we have navigated the covid pandemic and necessary safety protocols. Your care, concern and love for one another and our neighbors has been evidence throughout these trying times. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and continue to hold you and our evolving situation in my prayers.
Blessings and love,
Pastor Mariah
01.28.2022 Update
On Sunday, February 6 we will resume offering both in person and online worship in accordance with our Covid safety precautions: Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required and N95 masks strongly recommended, stay home if you’re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.
Small groups and programming are allowed to resume meeting in person at the discretion of the group leader.
Children’s Sunday morning spiritual formation will continue onlinefor children ages 2 through 6th grade from 9:15-9:40 online, then join us for worship in-person or online at 10am.
Childcare will be available during in-person worship for children 5 and under.
Free Masks! N95 or KN95 masks have proven to be the most effective mask to wear in preventing the spread of Covid. We highly recommend that everyone wear a N95 or KN95 mask while in the church building. The Hamline Church Council is making free masks available for our community and building users. Stop by the church office on Sunday mornings to pick up a mask. Children’s sizes will also be available. If you would like a mask to be sent to you – please contact Maureen Freberg (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) in the church office.
01.10.2022 Update
Dear Hamline Church,
Due to the current COVID surge, we will move worship and programming online for the rest of January upon the recommendation of our Bishop David Bard and the Minnesota Annual Conference.
Sunday School/Sacred Studio, Confirmation, youth activities, small groups and classes, large meetings, and Chancel Choir, will move online or be paused through January. We will creatively find ways to remain connected and continue in ministry. The leader(s) of your programs/groups will be in contact in coming days with logistical information.
For now, the church office and building will remain open as usual. If you need to contact the church office, we encourage you to call or email, if possible, to help limit in-person traffic or please keep your visit or drop-off short. Masks are always required in the building. We ask that any in-person meetings be limited to 5 people.
Our Hamline Church leadership is watching the situation closely and will keep the congregation apprised of any changes to our protocol through email and social media.
At the Church Council meeting on January 25th, we will determine next steps for February.
I know that this is not where any of us wanted to be at this point. I am hopeful that this will be a short-term situation, as it is expected that the surge should peak this month. I continue to remain grateful that our Hamline Church community is committed to the health and safety of our church and our neighbors. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
These words from Bishop Bard offer us assurance for these difficult times and are a reminder of why we are called to make these hard decisions, “Friends, I continue to believe that by God’s grace we can muster the resilience, the kindness, and the determination to do what needs to be done to navigate this pandemic. As followers of Jesus, we can and should lead in promoting public health, furthering the common good, and caring for the well-being of others. When we act out of love for neighbor and care for our community, we offer a powerful witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ. We allow the light of epiphany to shine more brightly in our world.”
Grace and Peace,
Rev Mariah Furness Tollgaard
December 2021 Update
Worship continues in person at Hamline Church 10am on Sundays and online at 10am and on demand at hamlinechurch.org/live-stream.
Thank you for observing the following COVID precautions: Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required, stay home if you’re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.
Covid Protocol Update: Congregational Singing at Hamline Church
Because Hamline Church United Methodist has a highly vaccinated population, Ramsey County’s vaccination rate is now above 70 percent, and masks have been proven effective in preventing the spread and transmission of Covid 19 even when singing, you are invited to sing the congregational service music and hymns with your masks on.
Please continue to observe Hamline Church’s Covid Safety Protocols including: vaccines required for all eligible, wear a mask properly, stay home when sick, please space yourself and your group from others, wash hands frequently.
This decision is based on guidance from the MN Department of Health, “Recommendations for Music and Activities and Performances During Covid 19” – June 30,2021 “When conducting activities that involve risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as congregational signing, faith-based settings with mixed populations of vaccinated and unvaccinated people should recommend that attendees wear face coverings. At minimum, these settings should create an environment that supports those who want to wear a face covering. This is especially important when some attendees have weaker immune systems or are at high risk of infection and severe disease.”
We have also been following guidance from professional music organizations about safety and best practices.
Hamline Church Council anticipates a gradual return to in person worship this summer. Outdoor worship will begin on the front lawn on Sundays at 10am starting June 20.The worship service will continue to be live-streamed as usual to hamlinechurch.org/live-stream as well as on Facebook and YouTube.
What to expect from outdoor worship COVID precautions will be followed including:
Masks optional outside, masks required indoors
Physical distancing
Hand sanitizing stations will be provided
No coffee or food will be served – though you may bring your own beverage.
Bring your own lawn chair or blanket
The building will be open to allow access to restrooms
What about the weather? In case of inclement weather – people should stay home and worship leaders will live stream from the Sanctuary without a congregation. An announcement will be made by 8:00am and sent out to the congregation in email and published on social media in the case of needing to have online worship only.
Can I Help? Yes! We will only be able to have in person worship if we have sufficient volunteers. We need volunteers to help with greeting, worship set-up and take down, running sound and technology, readers during worship, musicians and more. If you can help – please contact: Mo (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) or Heather (hgrantham@hamlinechurch.org).
Radical Hospitality Team
Set up, Take down, Greeting folks as they arrive, Directing traffic, COVID Safety Awareness
Tech Crew
We’re looking for volunteers interested in learning to run our sound and/or video equipment for worship services, funerals, and other events. Whether it’s just for this summer or becoming a regular part of our team, we’d love to have you join us. Contact Walker (wbrault@hamlinechurch.org) for more information or to sign up.
Online Connectors
Greet folks as they start worshiping on Facebook and YouTube; Ask for prayer concerns to pass along to Care Team; Host Zoom Coffee 1/2 hour
SPROUT Garden Gurus
Escort kids from front lawn to SPROUT Garden; Read kids a story and/or help with garden tasks from Amy Schultz and Kathy Evenson-Mcdermott; Deliver garden produce to Hamline Midway Elders occasionally
