From the Pastor&
During December I told Father Michael not to overdo it and end up being sick on Christmas.  I'm the one who ended up sick on Christmas and spent the day in bed after my liturgies. 
I wanted to share the following story in my homily on Christmas.  There is a young mother in Tennessee by the name of Karen.  She finds out that she is pregnant with her second child.  She does what she can to help her three-year-old, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.  They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in his mommy's tummy. 
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen.  Then the labor pains come.  Every five minutes, then every minute.  Complications arise during the delivery.  Hours of labor.  Would a C-section be required?  Finally, Michael's little sister is born.  But she is in serious condition.  With the siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal I.C.U. of a hospital in Knoxville.
The days inch by.  The little girl gets worse.  The pediatric specialist tells the parents that there is very little hope and to be prepare for the worst.  Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot.  The have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby, now they plan a funeral.  Three year old Michael keeps begging his parent to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says.
Week number two in I.C.U.  It looks like a funeral will come before the week is over.  Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in I.C.U.  But Karen makes up her mind.  She will take Michael whether they like it or not.  If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.  She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into I.C.U.  He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now!  No kids are allowed in I.C.U."
The mother rises up in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steely-eyed into the head nurses face, her lips a firm line, "His is not leaving until he sings to his sister."  Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside.  He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live.  And he begins to sing.  In the pure-hearted voice of a three-year-old, Michael sings:  "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray& "  Instantly, the baby girl responds.  The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.  Keep on singing, Michael.  "You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.  Please don't take my sunshine away."
The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.  Keep on singing, Michael.  "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms."  Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her.  Keep on singing, Michael.  Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse.  Karen glows.  "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.  Please don't take my sunshine away."  Funeral plans are scraped.  The next day, the very next day, the little infant is well enough to go home.  It was a miracle of a brother's song, of God's love.
Is it any wonder that angels sang at the birth of Jesus?  On

Christmas, Christians around the world lift up voices in song.  When we gather on Sunday, we not only pray, but we also pray as we sing.  I believe that our children can become healthier human-beings as they hear us adults sing.  Our music can bring them peace in a world of violence.  Our singing can bring them life.
Here at St. John's, in the year 2000, let's sing.  Let's sing in church to the glory of God, and when we go home, let's fill our homes with music, sing to your children, keep them smiling and alive.  Hum me a few bars of your favorite song, and I'll have a window into your soul!

Pastoral Ministry&
OPEN ARMS OF MINNESOTA
Open Arms of Minnesota is a non-profit organization that prepares and delivers nutritious meals Monday through Friday to individuals or families who are living with HIV and/or AIDS in the Metropolitan area.  St. John's has been involved with meal prep and delivery for more than eight years, thanks to the generosity of parishioners and friends of parishioners who volunteer their time once a month, on the 4th Friday of the month.  At present time we are looking for additional volunteers to join us in this outreach ministry.  Open Arms' kitchen and offices are located at 1414 E Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.  We normally gather about 9-9:30am on our scheduled Friday, assisting with simple meal preparation and packaging for delivery.  Delivery starts between 10:30 and 11:30am.  Delivery routes are organized into areas and usually take about an hour from start to finish.  This is a wonderful opportunity to provide a much needed outreach ministry and join others in fun and fellowship of service.  If you are interested, call Mary Ann Kelly-Wright, Pastoral Minister, for more information.

ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVER EDUCATION RESEARCH STUDY
Are you caring for a family member with Alzheimer's or other memory problems?  You are invited to participate in Partners in Caregiving, a free off-campus program and research study of the University of Minnesota.  Partners in Caregiving provides education, support and training for those who are faced with the difficult day-to-day tasks of caring for a family member with memory loss.  Professional supervision is provided while the caregiver is "in class."  Part of the study is to test the effectiveness of this program.  Those who participate will be randomly assigned to the educational program or to a comparison group.  All participants will be asked to complete several surveys and conversations over the course of a year.  The comparison group may participate in the educational seminars after one year's time.  Program dates are:  Six consecutive Mondays or Wednesdays beginning January 17 or 19, 5:30--7:30pm, at Alterra Clare Bridge near Shoreview.  There is no charge for participation but pre-registration is required by calling (612) 627-4059.