June 10, 2020
And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:7 NIV
Almost 13 years ago, I answered an online ad asking if anyone was interested in joining a book club. I was still relatively new to Minnesota and, even though answering an ad was very uncharacteristic of me, I loved reading and was looking for more friends, so I joined the club and it was there I met my friend,Tara (who had also uncharacteristically answered the same ad).
I learned quickly that Tara was smart, quick-witted and that we had a lot in common. Tara is someone you can talk with for hours and when it’s time to go, you emerge from that time a better person than you were before. One of the most important things I’ve learned from Tara is that she’s had a lot of experiences with racism that were honestly really hard for me to hear. There were several reasons why they were hard to digest: I’ve never been victimized myself, some of the things were pretty terrible and I didn’t want to believe people were still capable of openly displaying such hate, and Tara was the first person of color who felt safe enough to be honest to me about it. The hardest reason was, as a white woman of privilege raised “colorblind,” it was uncomfortable for me to know that by not knowing the unbelievable hurt still caused by racism, I was part of the problem.
With a long way to go,
Kerry
There are so many ways that I could use my voice in this little square, and I struggle with if this will create an impact or cause too much discomfort.
Restoration has been and will continue to be a teacher, mirror holder, and source of strength for so many. When my friend invited me to this new church, I went, and although you may not see my face every week, I haven’t left.
So I felt called to use my voice here to hopefully encourage and inspire this community to lift those that are begging for acknowledgment and awareness.
The events of the last few months have shaken me to my core. How can I fully articulate my experience and fears as a POC when the world in which I walk fundamentally believes they love all people equally? Let me share a brief story:
I was driving my mother in law (white) and my children home at night from a family function. After we were talking for a while, my MIL asked, ”What’s wrong? You seem uncomfortable.”
Me: There is a cop following me.
MIL: You’re not doing anything wrong, don’t worry.
Me: He’s been trailing me for over 4 miles. Every turn.
MIL: You look scared.
Me: I am.
This is the story she tells people in her church congregation when the conversations about race come up. It usually gets dismissed by saying, we know Tara, I can’t imagine anything bad would happen. Dismissing the impact for a POC doesn’t change that those experiences will continue. It just means it’s being dismissed as a problem for them or you. Yes, it’s indeed all been fine and every officer has been professional. Except for that one time, I was detained for speeding, and my car and I were released into the custody of my husband and his college roommates, all whom clearly had been drinking. No, there isn’t more behind that story. Yes, I was just speeding.
I share this because I am judged, but I don’t want to be defined. I am encouraged by new conversations happening and movement in the hearts and minds of many. I want to be a partner, not for sympathy but for peaceful change in the implicit bias that exists in all of us. It is possible? Will you walk with me in discomfort? Rob has provided great resources, but I am here as a sounding board if you have questions.
Much love,
Tara
*NEW*
Vision Meeting – June 28
Friends and members of Restoration, please join us for our Annual Vision Meeting on Sunday, June 28, at 11am on Zoom after our livestream worship service. We will be welcoming new members and sharing stories of where we have seen God at work and where He is leading us. Members will also be voting via Survey Monkey on two Leadership Team candidates and our 2020-21 budget. In order for voting to work smoothly and effectively, we need each member to verify your primary email address in our online directory platform Adjace HERE. If you have shared email addresses or are digitally challenged or limited, please contact Lacey at 952-373-1274 (voice or text), so she can work with our Leadership Team to accommodate.
*NEW*
Next Message Series – Love thy Neighbor
Has the global coronavirus pandemic or the national racial pandemic caused you to think differently about your neighbors? Who are your neighbors? Do you know them well? If you’re honest, do you think that lady across the street is a bit weird? Is it too tempting to keep your distance and mind your own business when it comes to your neighborhood?
What if Christians were the best neighbors? Would your street change? Would heaven be fuller?
As followers of Jesus, we’ve been called to love both God and our neighbors. What if we push past the barriers of fear, time, prejudice, and pride that often keep us from engaging with others? What would our communities look like if we took Jesus’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves seriously?
We don’t have to travel far to get close to people who are far from God. We can build deep connections with the people in our neighborhood and, most importantly, please God.
Food on the First
In lieu of our usual Food on the First food collections for May, we’ll be collecting gift cards to provide to families in need. Please send grocery gift cards from Target, Cub, Aldi, or Walmart to Michele Jacobson. Please message us at info@restorationcov.org
COVID-19 Update
Our vision is to join with Jesus to restore communities…we do this as a church that is gathered and as a church that is scattered. Either way, we are Jesus’ church. In light of restrictions being lifted for churches to begin regathering in Minnesota, Restoration Staff and Leadership Team are actively determining the best and safest ways for Restoration to begin meeting in person again. At this time, our regular meeting place, the Apple Valley Senior Center on Hayes Road, is still closed by the city. They do not know when they will be open again. We have also started a ‘return-regather-relaunch’ task force. At this time, we will continue to meet online for Sunday morning services and we’ll communicate details as we progress. If you have any questions, as always, please reach out to Pastor Rob at robjacobson@restorationcov.org or the Leadership Team at lt@restorationcov.org.
Small Groups Meeting Online via Zoom
In these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever to have face time with friends and family – even if it’s virtual. We recognize the huge value in this opportunity to stay connected and some of our small groups have formed online zoom chats to stay connected:
- Women’s Group – Every other Monday at 7pm – led by Erin Garcia
- Men’s Group – Every Saturday morning at 7am – led by Chad White
- Prayer Group – Every Tuesday 7-9pm – led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken
- Adultish? Group – Friday evenings – led by Daniel Morgenstern
These groups are all easy to join. Please reach out to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org to get connected to these zoom chats or to find the group that fits best.
You are invited to Family Game Night! – June 22
We want to stay connected and have fun through these times, so every other Monday from 7:30pm-8:30pm we will be gathering through Zoom to play some fun party games together! No installation or purchase required. Anyone age 12+ can join the game via computer, phone, or any other device that can browse the internet. If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Matthew at: matthewgoerdt@restorationcov.org
Sunday Coffee Time
Are you missing after service chats by the coffee cart? Join us after the message Sunday on a zoom call for our virtual coffee meeting; we’ll bring the company you bring the coffee. We will break up into groups of 3-4 callers to give you a chance to chat and check in on folks you might not have connected with otherwise. Use this link to join. A link will also be posted in the Facebook chat at the end of the service on Sunday.
Calling all Writers
The world is changing by the minute. Conversation and connection in this strange time of uncertainty is paramount. Have you experienced new thoughts and emotions stirred up by isolation or having your kids home 24/7? Are your kids experiencing fears or frustrations they want to talk about? We want to hear it if you’re willing to share with us! We’re always looking for writers of all ages and stages to contribute to our News and Notes articles. You don’t have to be an amazing writer, you just need to have something to say or share. Has something you’ve heard or experienced sparked or inspired you? We’d love to hear about it or hear a piece of your story. We also have people to help edit if you have something to share, but aren’t sure how to say it. Contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org if you’re interested or have more questions.
Online Giving
There’s no time like the present to set up online giving. Because our regularly scheduled worship service will be online for the next few weeks, online tithing is a way to remain faithful in your giving even in the most uncertain of times. Decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. We encourage you to consider giving online so that your giving is regular and easy to manage – it’s easy to sign up HERE.
Pray or Receive Prayer
Now more than ever, people are turning toward prayer or are in desperate need of prayer. We have an amazingly gifted prayer team you can depend on for prayer. They’re always looking for other prayer warriors if you want to join or if you need prayer for any situation, you can contact them. We believe in the power of prayer and know that God is listening. We would love to pray for you. If you’re interested in joining the prayer team or have any prayer requests, send them to our prayer team at prayer@restorationcov.org
RESTORATION KIDS
Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
Hello families,
I am sure most of you have heard me say before (probably many times) that at Restoration we believe strongly in empowering parents to be the spiritual leaders of their child’s faith. You have so much more time and influence in your child’s life than we ever could. That is especially true now. As parents, you are now not only the most important influence but likely one of the only daily influences our kids have to hear about God’s word and see what that means for our lives. It is also still true that Restoration Kids is here to support you. We are working to make sure you have access to the Bible lesson content your kids would have gotten on Sunday mornings as well as discussion prompts and activities to help engage your child around these topics. You can find that on our website HERE.
As always, if you have any questions or need anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org. I am praying for your families and want to know how you are doing over the next few weeks!
VBS News
With so much uncertainty surrounding this summer, we have made the difficult decision to cancel VBS in June. We will continue to monitor local recommendations and are open to planning a smaller kids gathering later in the summer if the situation allows. We will be sure to let you know via email and social media if we are able to add an event for Restoration Kids this summer. Thanks to you and your kids for participating our weekly Facebook challenges and helping us keep in touch during this time away.
What We’re Learning in June
Preschoolers
June and July are all about what we can spy with our little eyes. Get ready for I Spy! It’s a great theme that helps us see the things that help us believe in Jesus. I Spy. It is all about the eyes. We are helping preschoolers see so they can believe in Jesus. We will have one key question and bottom line for June and July. We don’t think we can say these too much. They are that good. Get ready to ask, “who can believe in Jesus” and respond with, “I can believe in Jesus,” over and over again. Our hope is that your preschoolers will have the truth that they can believe in Jesus with them forever.
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.” John 20:31
Elementary
This summer, our focus is going to be on faith. God has always been involved in the world He created. We see His handiwork on display in creation. We see God’s love on display through Jesus, who came to rescue us. We respond to God in faith, believing in what we can’t see because of what we can see. When we focus on what we know to be true about God and the world God created, we can have faith in what we can’t see or fully understand.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Restoration Students Update
Coming Soon – we will be dividing the Students into three groups (HS Girls, Boys, and MS Girls) to allow them to start meeting in person. The group leaders and meeting locations are currently being determined, so until those details are confirmed, Student’s Ministry will continue as a combined group online Wednesdays at 6:30. We are excited to bring Students back together as soon as we can do so safely. Contact DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org with any questions.