Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church
Midweek Update April 28, 2021


In this issue: Jesus the Vine, Zoom, May Mission, RJAM, Garlic mustard workday, Prayers i am the true vine
our text from this past sunday was from john 15:1-8, and jesus telling us, “ i am the true vine...without me, you can’t do anything. if you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up…” the holy spirit’s invitation to each of us is to undergo a fundamental change of our perspective regarding our identity. we have long operated as separate branches, drawing on our own reserves and power to move through our lives. jesus comes to each of us and reminds us that we are fundamentally, essentially and intimately connected to him. he is our source of life, and our lives--as branches--are offshoots (literally and figuratively!!) of him. we are also fundamentally a part of each other, growing from the one, true vine. we are essentially interrelated and connected, dependent and strengthening one another. i invite you this week to continue this visualization in your prayers...and to be willing to let go of who you thought you were, so that the holy spirit can teach you who you truly are. 💜 -pastor luna


May Mission Focus: Pentecost Offering
During the month of May, our Mission offering for Edgcumbe Church will focus on youth through the Presbyterian Pentecost offering. A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church to make a local impact in the lives of young people within the Twin Cities community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Our 40% local contribution will be used to support The 8218 Truce Center in Saint Paul (on the corner of Lexington & Selby). The 8218 Truce Center web page states that: The 8218 portion of the center is where we mentor youth from ages 8 to 18 in knowledge of self. We provide classes in community awareness, conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, leadership, self- respect, health and wellness, depression and suicide prevention, and my history. Once all courses are complete the youth receive a graduation and a certificate in “Community Leadership “
The Truce portion of the center is where youth, or anyone knowing someone having conflict, can reach out to us and we mediate to resolved the conflict in a safe non-violent manner. This is an effort to reduce the violence in the community. We redirect to try to eliminate the conflict that could possibly lead to violence, or try to make peace even after violence has already occurred.

Racial Justice & Me Hello Beloved EPC Community, the Racial Justice and Me (RJAM) group will be gathering tonight (May 5th) to discuss chapter 13 of So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Chapter 13 is entitled, “Why are Our Students So Angry?” Even if you have not read the chapter, please join us if this sounds interesting to you. We break into small discussion groups, and it is a welcoming and accepting space.
Our last discussion was on the chapter dealing with microaggressions. I, (Connie) learned on a deeper level the exhaustion caused by these daily cumulative little jabs aimed at the BIPOC community. I understood that what seems like a small thing to me like asking where someone is from can become a huge thing when someone is dealing with that question and other assumptions everyday. The underlying message to the question could have an unconscious element of "You don't belong here". I need to be mindful and aware how I may hurt others with actions and questions that may be microaggressions. Learning and Unlearning is a process!

Operation Garlic Mustard Eradication
Besides our ongoing Buckthorn invasion, we now have a formidable expansion of the highly invasive Garlic Mustard weed in the EPC backwoods. Not only does Garlic Mustard take over from native plants, but it also poisons the soil for other plants wherever it grows. The weed is expanding throughout our woods but it has exploded over the past year in the area just west of the playground. It is also flowering right now. Therefore, we are calling an emergency GME: Garlic Mustard Eradication workday for this Saturday, May 8, from 1-3pm, to begin pulling up and throwing out as many plants as we can. Individuals are of course encouraged to continue this process whenever possible. To get rid of seeds (which continue to germinate even when the plant is uprooted), please put any Garlic Mustard carcasses in the EPC trash bin. Thank you!

Prayers For LaGretta upon the death of her dad, Robert (Bob) Burlingame--for a life well lived, for a peaceful and pain-free death, for family connections, for grandchildren that remind us of the circle of life--thank you, God!