Help Fill the Clothes Closet at Living Waters

When our delegates to Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee, North Carolina, leave on June 14^th, we would like to take with us contributions of clothing for the “Clothes Closet” run by the church as part of their mission to the community.  Right now, they are looking for summer clothing in all sizes, infant to adult.  Please consider donating—from your own closets, garage sales, consignment shops, Goodwill, etc.—any lightweight, summer clothes that are 1) gently used, 2) clean and without stains, and 3) with all original buttons, working zippers, etc.  

There will be large marked bins in Room 13 in the Sunday School wing, or label your bags and boxes “Living Waters Clothes Closet” and place them in the room. 

Please make sure that all donations are at the church by Sunday, June 10.

Trip this Summer to Living Waters

We have just started walking alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ at Living Waters ELCA church in Cherokee, North Carolina. This is the only Native American ELCA mission east of the Mississippi River. The Mission Committee reached out to Liz Gaskins to see if we could start learning more about the native peoples of North American, as well as our learning about the native peoples of Central American through our Sister Parish program.  We sponsored the first event with Liz when she shared a video presentation about some of the history of American Indians.  Subsequently, the Mission Committee started seeking more ways to deepen this understanding and perhaps build a similar relationship as to the one we have in Chichipate, Guatemala where we accompany one another and deepen our mutual understanding and faith together.  

Living Waters has been sharing their digital newsletter with us now for a few months and we hope to share ours now too more easily since it is going digital. In their newsletter they highlighted two new ministries: a clothes closet and food pantry for those who need either or both. As a Partner in Ministry, St. Thomas supported their new clothes closet and food pantry ministries through mission committee, Mission Endowment and Thrivent funds. We are also sharing prayers and hope to continue to find more opportunities for learning and sharing our faith communities. 

Photo: Pastor Jack (center, in purple) of Living Waters at his installation as an ELCA pastor


Pastor Jack from Living Waters said they would love to have us join them for worship on Sunday, June 17 in North Carolina. They integrate some of their Native American traditions into the ELCA worship service. We are talking with Pastor Jack about staying a few days perhaps to work on a joint project together, and learn more about their history, customs and congregation. 

We currently have an intergenerational group planning a trip together from approximately June 14-17/18.   The group is planning on driving out together, staying a few days and then driving back.  They are doing a little bit of fundraising with an Indian Taco sale on May 19th at church, but also welcome donations both to underwrite the cost of the trip and to support the projects being done by Living Waters.  If you are interested in learning more or donating, please contact the church office, Liz Gaskins or Dawn Bakken who are coordinating this trip on behalf of the Mission Committee.  

Sunday School Lemonade for Red Cross and Salvation Army

One of our St. Thomas Sunday School classes (co-teachers Ronna and Tiffany) is participating in the Bloomington-wide Lemonade Day (www.bloomington.lemonadeday.org) and they are raising funds for tornado victims via the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.  The stand will be open for business from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, May 19 at Lowe’s near the main entrance. Come and treat yourself to a cup of summer! 

Guatemalan Worship and Lunch

The St. Thomas delegation members who traveled to Chichipate, Guatemala planned a wonderful Sunday of reflections to share their experience more widely with the congregation.

 Delegates to Chichipate, Guatemala planned and led our worship service, sharing the type of music and prayers they experienced there:

  "The Q'equchi' greeting of our Sister Parish is "Ma sa ach'ol?" Literally, this means "How is it with your heart?"  Our hearts are full of your love and care for the people of Guatemala.  Fill our hearts and spirits with your love that embraces all persons and places; all hopes and dreams. "
 ~ from the worship service greeting

 Each delegate shared a reflection, here Kris is sharing hers.

We had a marimba player too with the celebration.

 The delegation provided a wonderful Guatemalan meal for the congregation, both as a "thank you" and as a way of sharing more of what they experienced.

 Pastor Lyle enjoying some of the delicious food!

 The huge pot of chicken soup is almost gone!

 Suzanne in a lovely Guatemalan blouse, showing us her plate of tortillas, beans and rice.

 Jon and Zach at the tortilla table, trying to demonstrate how to make tortillas!

Beautiful watermelon for everyone...thanks to the delegation for this wonderful event!