The Coronavirus has left many around the world struggling with food insecurity, and Minnesota is no exception: our food shelves have seen a spike in families and individuals needing assistance. For some, it’s their first time receiving this kind of help due to the rise in unemployment. In an article for KARE 11, Second Harvest Food Bank predicted a growing surge in hunger for Minnesota. They estimated that, “by August, more than one in eight people will be struggling to put meals on the table.” Hunger Solutions, another anti-hunger organization, believes that for many, food shelf visits have become “the ‘new normal.’” Read More
If you’re a young adult wondering if you’ll fit in, let us ease your worries. Vessels is all about creating a fun and welcoming community. Danny, our Emerging Generations Pastor, says, “You fit in by showing up as your real self on a journey to become the person God created you to be. None of us have arrived. We’re all in process.” Vessels is committed to learning how to love well and inviting others to join in. Each person’s unique perspective is what makes the group so great! Read More
“You cannot separate the gospel—the message we proclaim as Jesus’ followers—from taking care of your neighbor. It’s incompatible. If it isn’t good news to the poor, then it’s not the good news.” This fundamental belief has been at the core of Mosaic’s love for their neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Read More
For eight weeks, we’ve delved into the topic of Race Conciliation, and although we are moving into a new series, the conversation is not done! We originally created this FAQ page in early June after many people sent in thoughtful feedback and questions. We have now expanded the original answers and added new topics to continue to facilitate the conversation on how the church can seek justice, healing and conciliation. Read More
Racism is both a heart issue and much larger than a heart issue. If sin were just a matter of individual deeds, heart change would be sufficient, but sin has corrupted every aspect of the world, including structures. Focusing on only changing individual hearts leads us back into the trap of individualistic faith. Sin exists in our hearts and in … Read More
As Kingdom people called to be “peacemakers,” we decry all violence. Destroying or stealing other people’s property is wrong. But here it’s important to understand some history. Going back to the centuries of slavery America was built on, whites have decried the destruction of property and lack of “law and order” whenever black or brown people revolted against the racist … Read More
It is true that Anabaptists have always stressed that the Kingdom of God is not merely a new and improved version of the kingdoms of the world. God does not call Christians to grab as much worldly power as possible to run society as much as possible. No, we are called to seek an entirely different kind of power—the power … Read More
Imagine if George Floyd was your father, brother or son. You watched him slowly suffocate to death. Now imagine someone said, “Well, he shouldn’t have passed a phony twenty-dollar bill?” How would you feel? Probably you’d be infuriated. Nothing could be less relevant in light of the injustice inflicted upon your loved one! When people point out the shortcomings of … Read More
This Monday, August 3, Vessels will host their first in-person gathering at Woodland, since COVID began. Keeping safety precautions in mind, they believe it’s important to experience togetherness that isn’t just online. The leaders of Vessels feel called to show others how to gather safely and meet new friends. Danny said, “Now, with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place, it feels like the right time to relaunch what we’re hoping will be a vibrant, fulfilling ministry for young adults at Woodland Hills!” Read More
What really brought me to SOMA was that I was definitely an in-pain person. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I had a lot of ideas in my head about what it meant to be a Christian that weren’t good, and it made me see Christianity as a really awful thing in a lot of ways. Read More
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