Dear Friends of St. Philip the Deacon:

Yesterday in worship, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson’s ordination. Pastor Valerie was ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament on July 13, 1986, and began her tenure at St. Philip the Deacon in April of 1989.

During yesterday’s services, we thanked Pastor Valerie by presenting her with a special print from the St. John’s Bible. The illumination is called “Life in Community,” and visually interprets the passage from Acts 4:32-34.

As I mentioned in worship, following are some of the reasons this particular artwork was chosen for this important milestone:

• Jesus, the center of our life, is shown drawing believers together into community. These believers are seated around an altar with bread and wine, representing the sacrament of communion, which Pastor Valerie presides over as an ordained minister.
• There are images of the St. John’s Abbey Church and the Stella Maris chapel, which are important to Pastor Valerie—both as an alum of St. Ben’s, and also as a retreat leader at St. John’s for many years.
• One of the primary colors in the illumination—and also the matting—is ruby red, the color of 40th anniversaries. This color symbolizes devotion and love, hallmarks of Pastor Valerie’s ministry.
• The text includes the line: “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul . . . and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them.” This points to Pastor Valerie’s large heart, and her passion for ensuring that no one is forgotten—especially during the holiday seasons, when she manages major ministries for individuals in area shelters.

We give thanks for Pastor Valerie’s 40 years of ordained ministry, and are especially grateful that most of her ministry has been at St. Philip the Deacon. As I mentioned yesterday, we are also glad to know that she has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

Please join us in congratulating Pastor Valerie on this important milestone, and thanking her for her ministry among us.

Grace and Peace,
Tim Westermeyer

Dear Friends of St. Philip the Deacon,

I write to share news that, after 25 years as part of the St. Philip the Deacon staff, Trish Bode is stepping away from her role here to spend more time with her growing family.

Trish began her work at St. Philip the Deacon in August 2001, and since then has been a valuable and important part of the lives of our members and their children. She has led regular outdoor activities, managed our incredible Vacation Bible School, delivered heartfelt and meaningful children’s messages, and touched the lives of countless young people through a variety of annual special events.

Just last week, Trish’s first grandchild was born—Tate Bradley, born on June 30—and Trish plans to spend time in this next chapter of her life helping his mom and dad as Tate grows. Another grandchild is also on the way in November—and Trish will be helping when that one arrives, as well—which ultimately made this decision an easy one for her.

“I have absolutely loved being a part of St. Philip the Deacon for the last two and a half decades,” Trish said. “This has been much more than just a job—it has been a family. I will always remember fondly my time here, but I am also very excited about this next stage of life, and grateful to be able to spend more time with my own growing family.”

We will formally thank Trish at services on Sunday, July 26, and her last week at St. Philip the Deacon will be the week of Aug. 3—which, appropriately, is 25 years exactly from when she started.

Please extend your gratitude and appreciation to Trish for all she has meant to St. Philip the Deacon in the weeks ahead, and keep her in your prayers as she makes this important transition in her life.

Peace,

Tim Westermeyer, Senior Pastor

The drive for school supplies has begun! Now through Aug. 9, donations may be brought to Fellowship Hall. The detailed list is below. (Please note, we are not listing backpacks. Backpacks are covered by a generous donation.) The donation place is the east end of Fellowship Hall.

You can pick up a shopping list in Fellowship Hall. Please check out the back of the list for more ways you can make an impact!

A strong school year begins long before the first bell rings. Through partnerships with Messiah Lutheran Church (our sister church in the Minneapolis Phillips neighborhood), Interfaith Outreach and area social workers, children are equipped with the supplies they need.

Here is the list:

• Composition notebooks
• Spiral notebooks
• Washable markers—10 classic colors (broad or fine tip)
• Crayons—24 pack
• Colored pencils—12 pack
• Pocket folders
• Highlighters
• 3 ring binders—1” rings
• Loose-leaf paper
• Watercolors—8 count
• Glue sticks—washable
• Dry erase markers & erasers
• Scissors—5” blunt tip
• Ball point pens
• #2 pencils—Ticonderoga brand, sharpened
• Pink erasers—large
• Tissue boxes (full-sized)
• Disinfectant wipes (full-sized)

Socks and Underwear

• All items need to be NEW!
• Underwear—size toddler and up
• Socks—all sizes and varieties
• Sports bras—women and teen sizes