As your kids head back to school and Sunday school, won’t you consider an adult opportunity to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ by joining a small group? 

While small groups can form any time, fall is kick-off time and we’ll be taking registrations for small groups from September 12 – October 10. 

Fill out a registration form and return it to the office by October 10.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments about small groups, please contact Mary Kay DuChene, via email at marykay@easter.org or by calling the church office. 

The world of work has changed forever. Your security doesn’t have to.
 
ARBEZ, Easter Job Transitions Group and the Dakota Valley Community of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans invite you to join us in Eagan on September 30.

Reserve your spot now – space is limited:  http://www.arbez.com/event-09-30-2010-01

JOIN US for an evening of networking and fun with neighbors, friends and community.
Learn how to Protect, Prepare and Propel yourself forward in your career … not just to your next job, but to a job you’ll love.

through Oct. 20, Easter on the Hill

Enjoy the 5th annual Harvest of Art Exhibit in the fireplace commons.  This community art exhibit features nearly 40 South of the River youth and adult artists and is on display across the community including our location, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Ring Mountain Creamery and the Eagan Community Center.  For more information about this exhibit, contact Julie Andersen at the Eagan Art House, 651-686-9134.

Grow in Faith and Carry on the Work of Jesus Christ
Through Small Groups!

I attended a leadership conference recently, and was impressed when Bill George, the conference leader and former CEO of Medtronic, talked about the value of small groups as a key way to deepen one’s growth in leadership character.  

David Benner, author of The Gift of Being Yourself, writes, “Deep knowing of [God’s] love, just like deep knowing of ourselves, demands that we be in relationships of spiritual friendship.  No one should ever expect to make the journey alone. And the knowing of self and God … depends on being accompanied by others on our journey into the heart of God.”

In truth, humans thrive when they are in significant relationship with others.  Stacy Wollmuth’s wellness article this month on Social/Interpersonal well-being (page 6) supports this notion. All people need a variety of relationships if they are to thrive and grow personally or spiritually.

So, whether you wish to get to know yourself better, deepen your relationship with God, carry out service opportunities with others, or just connect with other members for fun, small groups are a key means to that end at Easter.

As one member recently shared with me, “I know I can count on my life group.  We study the Bible, but we also support and count on each other, and have fun. We are at similar life stages so we share parenting and marriage experiences and learn from each other.”

Small groups can form at any time during the year.  Currently we have people who are interested in forming these groups:
Empty nesters
DVD movie watchers club (adults or families)
Wellness and nutrition
Book club
Exploring leadership topics
Scrapbooking
Life transitions (later stage)

At Easter, a key to small groups is this notion of being in significant community. I recently visited with a life group that’s been together for three years.  They are clearly in significant community.  As scary as that may sound to some, it isn’t the typical experience.  Successful small groups spend the better part of the first year getting to know each other, while they gather for their defined purpose.  Relationships deepen naturally when people show up in an authentic way – it isn’t forced or contrived, and the resulting sentiment is typically that they anticipate their time with their group, and want to make it a priority in their lives.

So, what kind of small group would you rearrange your schedule to be part of? Easter can help you find it or create it, and then support you in it. Please contact Mary Kay DuChene at marykay@easter.org, or 651-452-3680.

We continue our spin around the wholeness wheel  by lifting up social/interpersonal well-being.   From the  beginning of creation God intents for us to be in relationship with one another and in relationship with him.   He teaches us that our love and care for each other is a way that we can honor his name. 

John 13: 34-35  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;  even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The ELCA Board of Pensions live well website reminds us that, "we  were created to be social people by God with instructions to help and love one another.  We are nourished by the love and intimacy of our family and friends.  Isolation is a significant risk for depression and premature death.   Whether we are introverted or extroverted,  regular social contact is essential for health.  Being healthy means having healthy relationships with family, friends,
co-workers and others.  Studies have shown that volunteering in service to others actually lengthens life."  

We belong to many different kinds of communities and experience many different kinds of relationships in our everyday lives.  We are part of our local community, work and school communities, sports, recreation and service communities.  Each day we are in relationships with a wide variety of people.  We all share a need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.   Each social/interpersonal relationship we are involved in has a direct influence on our
well-being.  

As part of the body of Christ we are part of the living risen Christ that moves and works in the world today.   Easter people have a unique opportunity to carry on the work of Jesus Christ.  God's Work, Our Hands!   It is within a faith community that we have the ability to enhance our own social/interpersonal relationships as well as nurture our relationship with our Savior!  

Opportunities at Easter Lutheran to enhance your social/interpersonal
well-being:

Weekly worship
Small group ministry (See Small Group Corner on page 7)
Annual congregational events
Join others in service (Feed My Starving Children,  Eagan Resource Center,  Habitat For Humanity, etc)
Bible Studies and School of Faith offerings
Easter Kin/ Care Ministry
Support Groups
Join a book group and read the "Generosity Factor"
And many more!

Thursdays, beginning Sept. 16
9:30-10:30 a.m., Easter on the Hill
Do you worry about your children that are away from home? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other moms.

Moms of college kids (M.O.C.K) is a small group that prays specifically and scripturally for our children. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation?   Come when you can, no registration.  Contact Rachelle Gill at 651-452-3680 or rgill@easter.org if you have any questions.

October 8-10 and November 12-14, Cable, Wisconsin, Cost: $60
Join Pastor Paul for mountain biking, hiking, golf and couch potatoeing as well as good bonding, Bible study and learning.  Men will leave Easter at 6 p.m. on Friday and be back by 5 p.m. Sunday.  For more information email Pastor Paul paulharris@aol.com.  Reserve a spot by writing a check to Easter Church with “Telemark Retreat” on the memo line.

The Easter Job Transitions Group was featured in a story shown on WCCO-TV on Tuesday, August 24.

See the article and video on the WCCO website.

Learn more about the Easter Job Transitions Group

September 11 and 12:
Blessing of the Backpacks, all services, both sites. Students, bring your backpack or school bag for a back-to-school blessing on the bag and the student.

September 12:
Raising the Flags for Ministry! Colorful flags, representing a variety of ministries at Easter Lutheran Church, will decorate the church - not only this weekend, but throughout the year!

September 15 (Wednesday) and September 19 (Sunday):
Church School classes begins.

September 16 (Thursday) and September 20 (Monday):
Chick Talk begins. Join other women to dig deeper into faith and have fun.

September 19:
God’s Work. Our Hands. The Generosity Factor. The fall Stewardship emphasis begins with a sermon series, “You Gotta Have HEART!”

Grow in Faith and Carry on the Work of Jesus Christ through Small Groups!

• Do you want to feel more connected to Easter but don’t know how?
• Are you looking for ways to grow spiritually?
• Do you have questions and want to gather with others who might have questions, too?
• Do you have a hobby you’d like to pursue with other people?
• Would you like to give back to the community in some sort of service, and
• want to do so with other people?