651-387-4095

Well with this new phone number it seems the last piece has come together to make me and my family complete metro residents of the Twin Cities. We are no longer folks from “up north.” For the rest of this week I will be using both phones, my other phone number is 218-255-2339, but beginning Monday, September 6 I will stop coverage and use only the 651-387-4095 number. We as a family decided not to go with a land line at home so this and the church number will be the numbers to get a hold of me. Please remember my day off is Monday and my mother told me never to call someone after 8 pm. THE GREAT EXCEPTION is in case of an emergency in which case I am available3 24/7.

Who is Rigoberta Menchú Tum?

This Sunday as we celebrate communion we will remember a number of people from our faith tradition. Some of these you may recognize, others will be new to you. One of those followers of Jesus Christ mentioned is a woman named Rigoberta Menchú Tum.

Rigoberta Menchú Tum (born 9 January 1959, Laj Chimel, El Quiché, Guatemala) is an indigenous Guatemalan, of the K’iche’ Maya ethnic group. Menchú has dedicated her life to publicizing the plight of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples during and after the Guatemalan Civil War (1960–1996), and to promoting indigenous rights in the country. She received the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize and Prince of Asturias Award in 1998. She is the subject of the testimonial biography I, Rigoberta Menchú (1983) and the author of the autobiographical work, Crossing Borders. Later, American anthropologist David Stoll visited Guatemala and uncovered evidence that some of the claims in Menchú’s Nobel Prize-winning autobiography were false.

Menchú is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. She has also become a figure in indigenous political parties, ran for President of Guatemala in 2007.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RigobertaMench

Project AgGrad student Catherine Ziyomo will study hardy crop development

Catherine Ziyomo grew up in a rural village in Zimbabwe. She and her family spent much of their time and energy working the poor soil and battling drought for subsistence farming. She never dreamed of having the opportunity to study abroad.

Fast forward to 2008: Ziyomo is now a doctoral student in agriculture at the University of Minnesota, assisted by Minnesota Annual Conference’s Project AgGrad program and living with a host family in a northern suburb.

Ziyomo’s parents and five siblings wrestled to get crops from Zimbabwe’s dry climate and poor soil. The family and their neighbors struggled to survive.

“It was while working in our small plot that I had an interest in agriculture,” Ziyomo says. “The fact that we always had low yields from our plot troubled me a lot and that drove me into studying much about crops.”

Ziyomo earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture. An excellent student, she was highly recommended by her teachers to the University of Minnesota. Ziyomo now hopes to examine (or develop) seeds or technologies that will perform better in Southern Africa’s difficult conditions.

Her move to Minnesota has been an exciting time of new experiences: first air flight, first checking account, first public transportation passes, learning to fish and knit, and tasting her first hot dishes. She is even looking forward to experiencing the Minnesota climate.

“I have never in my whole life seen snow fall and this will be a chance to see what nature does,” she says.

Catherine’s faith and sense of call are strong motivators.

“I believe that individuals are called upon not only to work for their own families’ food security but also to recognize that they have a sacred obligation to concern themselves with the food security of the less fortunate,” she says.

“I have always wanted to be involved in a career that has a global impact and that has direct impact on other people’s lives and I feel this will be the best time to do the job that I have always prayed and hoped for,” she says. “Now that I am here, I see so many doors opening right in front of me, some that I thought would never open—all affording me the chance to make a difference in the lives of so many people in Africa who are food insecure.”

Project AgGrad is a Minnesota Conference Advance Special that helps promising students from developing countries engage in graduate study of agriculture at the University of Minnesota, with the expressed intention of returning to their homeland to apply their knowledge to help alleviate hunger. Because it relates to life, growth, and ending hunger in Jesus’ name, this ministry is an ideal recipient for a special Lent or Easter offering.

Looking Ahead in September

Rally Sunday, September 12^th! Sunday School will begin September 19^th!

We are gearing up for Sunday School! The teachers are preparing, all we need know is the young people. Registrations forms will be available after worship on Rally Sunday and Sunday School will begin the next Sunday. The children will participate in worship until “Time with the Young People” and then head off to Sunday School.

On Rally Sunday we will also have a little taste of Vacation Bible School with the music for worship.

Come enjoy our time together and if you know of friends or neighbors invite them to come participate with you.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING SUNDAY SCHOOL POSSIBLE!

SCRIP Sunday, September 19

About SCRIP

 We want to thank Wayne and Jean Leatherman for coordinating the SCRIP program at Peace for many years. Previously the programs proceeds have gone in the general account of Peace, however beginning in 2011 proceeds will be given to UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief). UMCOR is major arm for disaster and relief work of the United Methodist with 100% of all donations going to it’s work. Come on Sunday, September 19^th to learn more about the program and how you can participate.

Thank you to the people helping with worship this Sunday, September 5^th

Greeters                       8:30AM           Amanda Jacobson

                                    10:00 AM           Bonita Johnson

Ushers:                        8:30 AM          Phil and Jean Broberg

                                    10:00 AM            Bob and Debbie Weber

Communion                8:30m AM      Brian Ahern

Servers:                       10:00 AM        Ed Holland; Mike Mazanec;

                                                                     Kris and Megan Shuldes

Your Invitation to Participate

Adults and Sr. High Youth

Celebration Chorale:  First Rehearsal Wednesday, September 8, 7:30-9:00 pm
Peace Praise Singers:  First Rehearsal Wednesday, September 8, 6:30-7:20 pm
Ringers of Peace:  First Rehearsal Thursday, September 9, 7:00-8:30 pm
Spirit Singers:  Will lead worship for the first time September 26

Details regarding expectations and time commitments for any group easily available.  Simply send a message to dave@peaceumc.com requesting further information.

Children and Middle School Youth

The J-Walkers will provide musical leadership on Rally Sunday on September 12.  Plans for the rest of the year will be developed by current members and any others who are interested over the course of the next month or so.  If you are interested and are not already a part of the group, please send a message to dave@peaceumc.com asking to be included.

There may be other possibilities for music groups involving middle school youth and opportunities for music with children beyond what is currently being provided with church school on Sunday mornings.  If you are in these age groups, the parent of a child in these age groups or simply a member of the congregation with an interest, I encourage you to contact me at dave@peaceumc.com with your ideas or suggestions.  As more specific plans take shape, I will try to keep everyone who has expressed an interest informed.

Looking forward to working with all of you,

Dave Tidball
Music Ministries Coordinator
dave@peaceumc.com