Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church
Midweek Update – June 19, 2019

In this issue:
• Pastor Julie blog on website
• Gawky deer and Longing
• Bible Study
• Belinda lifts lots of weight
• Mission & Adult Fellowship Opportunities

UPDATE FROM PASTOR JULIE ON CAMINO
With the help of Ron Eggert, Julie is now posting updates and pictures on the EPC website, which is www.epchurch.org. Simply scroll down to the picture box that says, “Julie’s Camino blog,” click on that box, and there it is! I’m noticing that she did not post the picture of the huge blister on her pinkie toe.

AS THE DEER
As I type this, I can watch a mama deer and her two little fawns out the office window munch on grass just past the church parking lot. The fawns are speckled white, prancing about with that gawky gallop of the young. Mmm. I said two fawns because I saw two fawns yesterday, but today now that I watch a bit longer, there is only one fawn. Which means….well, I’ll let you imagine what that means. Maybe I can’t count.
Watching the deer brings me to Psalm 42, which starts: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God!” One reason I love the Psalms is because they are filled not just with praise and adoration and joy, but also with despair and regret and above all, longing. Longing is an emotion whose expression is usually saved for the young--the longing of a young lover or idealist or prophet. It is a gawky and somewhat embarrassingly vulnerable emotion. We “adults” like to hold ourselves above such displays of aching need and keep our longings to ourselves.
But then you go on Camino and your pride and pretenses begin to fall away (see Julie’s blog). Or your child gets sick or your spouse dies or you are faced with some loss that takes your breath away, and all you have left is longing, like a deer in a desert yearning for a simple drink. These deep longings of the soul are not shameful or embarrassing; they are the language of the Spirit who prays with groans too deep for words (Romans 8). If you can, just for a moment, be honest with yourself: What is one your deepest longings? You don’t have to justify it, it doesn’t need to be reasonable or possible or practical. But it may be a message to you from the Spirit. Are you listening?

BIBLE STUDY
Our wonderful and miraculous Bible Study will meet on this coming Sunday evening, June 23, at 6:30pm at the church. All are welcome.

BELINDA WINS BIG
Not only does she deliver babies, she also lifts huge weights in the air. That’s our Belinda, who lifted at APF Nationals and came in first in her Master’s division last weekend (lifting 1200 pounds in her three events—that is not a typo). Her next event is local at Relentless, a fundraiser for HopeKids. From Belinda: Relentless is July 12-13 at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. I lift on Saturday the 13th...meet starts at 9 am and goes most of the day. All are welcome and all proceeds go to HopeKids. Below is my fundraising link, for anyone who would like to donate! I can also take cash and check donations for those who don't want to donate online. Thank you so much!
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/belinda-clary/Relentless2019

MISSION AND ADULT FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FROM ELDER ELETA

PROJECT HOME IN JULY
Edgcumbe Mission Project, Thursday, July 11 & Friday, July 12: Every July, First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul (535 20th Ave. North, South St. Paul, 55075) becomes a homeless shelter for families for the entire month through Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul’s Project Home. Our church will be the volunteer host once again this year for two evening and overnight shifts. This is a wonderful opportunity to help God’s children in a very personal and hands on way, and the volunteers often say that they receive more than they gave.
The evening shift is from 5:30–8:30 pm, and is when we’d like the most volunteers. I would like to plan a fun evening for the guests – an art project followed by a special ice-cream treat. If you have any ideas, please let me know. The overnight shift is from 8 pm – approximately 8:30 am the next morning. This shift, although long, is pretty easy because you are sleeping most of the time.
For a more detailed volunteer description, go to interfaithaction.org/programs/projecthome. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or call the church office. Contact me, Eleta Pierce, (eleta.pierce@gmail.com or 612-719-0758), with any questions.

GAME NIGHT WITH FPC-SSP
On this Saturday, June 22, and we are invited to join in lawn games from 3:00-5:00 pm at FPC-SSP (535 20th Ave. North, South St. Paul). Games will be set up to play, feel free to bring a favorite lawn game to share (in case of rain, games will be moved inside to their Fellowship Hall). Please bring a snack to share. Ages 16+ are welcome to join, childcare available with advanced notice. There is no sign up for this event, just show up!

Looking ahead to more Adult Fellowship:
• The July event’s theme will be “good deeds” featuring a simple hands-on project and discussion. More information will be available soon.
• The August event will be a Twins baseball game on Friday, August 2. Tickets will cost $38 each and will include a $10 food voucher. Mark your calendar for this date.

AUGUST MISSION PROJECT: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
This summer EPC has been invited along with FPC-SSP and Habitat for Humanity to help build a house on the East Side of St. Paul. The dates are August 6 and August 7. The work day is 8:30–4:00. The web link for this job with FAQs is: https://www.tchabitat.org/faqs-about-volunteering-with-twin-cities-habitat-for-humanity Volunteers MUST be there at 8:30 for the Safety briefing. They would like 10 -13 volunteers each day – at least 16 years old. The jobs will include finishing work, like hanging drywall and painting. No experience necessary. There will also be a job for one or two people who are unable to do physically challenging work which will include signing people in, managing tool inventory, setting up lunch, etc. For more information or to sign up, contact Eleta Pierce (email eleta.pierce@gmail.com, text or call 612-719-0758).