Pastoral Ministry News

Every Monday, March 13 to June 12 – 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Grieving the loss of someone close to you? Find comfort and support at GriefShare, a 13 week grief support group meeting Monday evenings (6:30-8pm) beginning March 13 at Cross Winds. Each session has a video for discussion and optional personal homework for additional reflection. Class size is limited to 12 participants. Personal workbooks will be provided by the church. Suggested donation of $20.

Register to Join Group

We are beginning to form Bread Making teams as we plan to return to using substantial bread at SJTW soon. 
Bread maker teams consist of 3 people who find a time during the week to come to the church kitchen and bake bread that will be used during weekday and weekend liturgies.  We are hoping to have enough people so each team would be on every 4-6 weeks.
If you are interested in being on a team, helping to coordinate, or for more information, please contact Tarri or Marc in the parish office. 
 

Healing Prayer Ministry
by Greg Nelson, SJTW Healing Prayer Minister

“When we try to talk about our role in Healing Prayer we get caught up on which preposition to use: “with” or “for”. Do we pray with or for others? Turns out we do both. We pray for the concern or gratitude to be embraced by God. But God already knows all that - even before any of us did. It’s the “with” that God is probably guiding us toward.

In our understanding of Healing Prayer, we know we have a tiny and crucial role of “with” our brothers and sisters, which is the same role that any faithful person has when they fulfill a prayer request. We know that as Healing Prayer Ministers we are not unique. We just have been more visible in the prayer corner than the thousands of prayer requests being shared outside the church in the parish.

Please keep them coming - both with us and for us, as we do the same for and with you.”If you have a prayer/need that you wish for a Healing Prayer Minister to pray with you about, please feel confident to send this prayer need to kmccarty@sjtw.net.  Your prayer will be confidential, totally.  Let us pray with and for you.
 

During this Lenten time of prayer and reflection, members of the Healing Prayer Ministry are available to pray for your personal prayer needs and concerns as you experience life's devastating events, or if you are just needing God's guidance and sense of presence to help you along.
Our prayer ministers are trained in holding any individual prayer in confidence.
You may send your short prayer requests to kmccarty@sjtw.net.  Each prayer request wil be confidentially passed along to one person to hold you and your intentions in prayer.

Let us be a parish community of prayer and hope this Lenten season 2021.

by Greg Nelson, Centering Prayer Leadership Team
    
Sometimes I take things for granted. I realized the labyrinth is one of them. The weather will be quite good for a while, so please visit our special circle of presence. Here are some guidelines I copied from The Abbey at St. David's.
Peace, Greg

GUIDELINES FOR THE WALK:
THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY OR WRONG WAY TO WALK A LABYRINTH.
Before walking, take time to get in touch with your intention for the walk.  This could be simply to experience the experience; to continue with a discipline; to celebrate; crisis prayer; problem solving; to be in the present and not the past (or future) which traps you.

Clear your mind and become aware of your breath.  Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go.  The path is two-way: those going in will meet those going out.  Do what feels natural when this happens.

Honor your intention; pay attention to your emotions.  If another train of thought comes through, you might chose to follow that thought or remain focused on your original intent.

Spend as much time as you like in the center of the labyrinth, and exit by following the same path back out.

Some people use the labyrinth for “process meditation” and follow their thoughts and images.  Others use it for “listening prayer”. Others use it for “quiet time”.

Often we do not completely grasp what happens in the space of a labyrinth walk.  Pay attention to “AHA moments” that happen while washing dishes or other odd times in coming days and weeks, as well as to your dreams.

(The SJTW labyrinth is located on our grounds at the far end of the parking lot, closest to the KC storage sheds.  Anyone welcome.)

She was told it would only hurt a little while. But 40 years later, it still hurts. If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a child to abortion, come and experience the healing mercy of Jesus Christ on our weekend retreat. The next Rachel’s Vineyard Twin Cities' retreat is March 6-8, 2020. For more information contact Nancy at rachels@rvineyardmn.org, call 763-250-9313 or see www.rvineyardmn.org. 

Patients are missing cancer treatment appointments simply because they couldn’t get there. Friends and family may help, but over the course of several months may not always have the time or resources to provide every ride. That is where The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program steps in.
The Twin Cities Road To Recovery program currently has 100 Road To Recovery volunteers who provided 2200 rides to and from cancer treatment appointments in 2018 alone. Unfortunately, demand for rides in your area significantly exceed our current volunteer capacity… and it continues to grow. This is where you can help!
With more volunteer drivers, we would be able to provide 1500 additional rides that otherwise would go unmet. To learn more please visit: www.cancer.org/drive

We have kits ready to be shared with homeless in the faith formation gathering area. Keep them in your car and share as you say a prayer for those that are homeless at this time. We have attached a reflection written by one of our parish young adults while at college. Please read it before sharing your compassion kit. WHAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR HOMELESS BROTHERS AND SISTERS? Have you ever passed a homeless man or woman on the street? Have you wondered, "What is their story?" How can I help them? St Joseph the worker has a solution for you. We collect toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste toothbrushes, plus granola or protein bars, McDonald coupons and new Adult size socks. All items will be assembled into zipper bags. Place items to share in the box marked "DONATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS" located in the faith formation gathering area. We CAN make a difference!

Angel Quilters Donate Their 4,000th Quilt 
The Angel Quilters are celebrating the completion and donation of their 4,000th quilt. In 1999, in the basement of Dorothy and Deacon Don Rinkenberger, the outreach ministry called Angel Quilters began their dedication of making quilts for the homeless and those in need. The ministry moved to St. Joseph the Worker three years ago and has grown to 24 women who continue their mission to help those in need by tying and donating quilts to many organizations. Our quilts first were given to organizations in greater Minneapolis and Minnesota. Now we also touch the lives of those in communities surrounding St. Joe’s such as Osseo School District, CROSS, FMF, St. Therese Rehab Center and Vinland National Center for disabilities. We welcome anyone to join our ministry the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. No quilting knowledge is necessary, just a willingness to use a needle, work for those in need of a warm quilt and enjoy outstanding fellowship.
 

Healing Prayer Ministries

May God touch you with His healing hands.

Come and we will pray with and for you. After the 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. Liturgies.
We look forward to praying with and for you. God is always good.



 

Angel Quilters
The Angel Quilters welcome anyone who would like to tie a quilt for people in need. Meetings are 9:30 am-12 noon on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays of the month. No knowledge of quilting is necessary, just a willingness to thread a needle and tie a knot. Drop by any time to see what we are doing and join in the fellowship. Questions please call Jean 763-559-0847.
 

There is a Need – Need for Christian Care
Every day you see people who are hurting: those who have lost a job, lost a loved one, gone through a divorce or are battling a terminal illness. Stephen Ministers are God’s representatives who bring his love to those who are hurting. God is waiting to make a difference in their lives through you. If you want to fi nd out more about how you can be involved in this one-to-one care giving ministry contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.

Stephen Ministers Care
When was the last time someone really listened to you? We’re talking about the undistracted full attention kind of listening. That’s one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others. we need more Stephen Ministers to care for those who are making that long journey through the valley of a life crisis. Will you consider serving in this way? For more information please call BethAnn Hart at 763-496-1365.

Stephen Ministry
There is a Need – Need for Christian Care Every day you see people who are hurting: those who have lost a job, lost a loved one, gone through a divorce or are battling a terminal illness. Stephen Ministers are God’s representatives who bring his love to those who are hurting. God is waiting to
make a difference in their lives through you. If you want to fi nd out more about how you can be involved in this one-to-one care giving ministry contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.

Feel the Warmth
Sometimes it takes more than a parka or a blanket to keep another person warm. Sometimes it takes the presence of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers share the warmth of God’s love with those who need it most: the lonely, the depressed the grieving. Is God calling you to reach out to those who are hurting? Consider serving as a Stephen Minister. Contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365 for more information.

You Are Part of a Caring Congregation! 
One of the best ways to tell that our congregation cares is by our commitment to Stephen Ministry. This is an important way that we express God’s love to those around us. Is God calling you to take a more active role in Christian care giving? Then Stephen Ministry may be just what you’re looking for. To find out how you can become involved contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.

Funeral Ministry Planners are Needed
St. Joseph the Worker has trained parishioners to help the family of a loved one plan their funeral liturgy. The funeral planners will also meet with those who would like to plan their own funeral liturgy. The funeral planners will provide support throughout the funeral planning process, offer suggestions, and guide the family through the funeral planning process. The funeral planners will meet with family members at the parish or in their home, whichever is most convenient. Contact Tarri at 763-400-7205 or tnelson@sjtw.net. * Funeral Liturgy Sacristans, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters and Parishioners who minister and serve during our Funeral Liturgies are also needed.

Funeral Luncheon Ministers
Funeral Luncheon Ministers are an integral part of the hospitality and welcome St. Joseph the Worker provides for families who are experiencing the death of a loved one. They are persons who shop for, cook and serve funeral luncheons. We welcome younger persons being trained into this ministry by our faithful, efficient Seniors who show us how much fun it can be to serve together in this way. Also needed is a person or two who would be willing to do child care here in our nursery while these younger persons help in the kitchen and dining room. Contact Ann 763-425-6279.

Gadabouts
Once a month, seniors (55+) gather for fun activities at church, or attend local events or excursions out of town. Tell your friends and invite them, too.  New things are being planned for the fall.  Contact  Gloria Jordan at 763-557-6997 or floglojo@comcast.net for more information about this fun group.



Check for Gadabouts Scheduled Events!



Stephen Ministry
Why do we need Stephen Ministers – don’t we have priests to provide caring ministry?  The simple answer is that our priests cannot possibly provide all the caring ministry.  Our priests are like firefighters: when a crisis happens, they rush to the scene to put out the fire. But shortly after that another fire will break out in our parish and they’ll rush to that scene. They will still provide care to the person from the “first fire”, but their time quickly becomes consumed by the second, third, and fourth fires. This is on top of the other duties as priests. 

This is where Stephen Ministers come in. The priests will always be our “firefighters”, but our Stephen Ministers are people who come in after the fire is put out (and sometimes before) and help the person sort through and clear the debris and begin to rebuild. Stephen Ministers continue to give care as long as needed during the rebuilding process, one month, two months, six months, possibly a year or more. They provide the steady, consistent one-to-one follow-up care that our priests want to, but simply cannot provide.

Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?
Whatever You Did for the Least of These…You Did for Me… In Matthew 25, Jesus says, …” For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…We have many opportunities to respond to Jesus’ great love by showing that love to others. Stephen Ministry is one way our parish shows that love to people who have deep needs for care. You also have many opportunities to show Jesus’ love during the week. As you encounter people this week, try asking yourself, “How can I show them Jesus today?” If you are in need of a Stephen Minister or know someone who is in need, call Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.
Stephen Ministers are lay caregivers within the St. Joseph the Worker parish who provide one-to one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployedrelocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. If you are experiencing pain and are in need of support—and would like a Stephen Minister, please contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.

As a Stephen Ministry congregation, St. Joseph the Worker is part of a big network of care. There are thousands of Stephen Ministry congregations and parishes representing more than ninety Christian denominations across the U.S., Canada and the world. The Stephen Ministry headquarters is based in St. Louis, Missouri and can connect our Stephen Leaders with Stephen Ministry congregations virtually everywhere in the country. So if you have a relative or friend far away who is in need of care, talk to one of our Stephen Leaders.