October 25, 2025 – All Saints Sunday

This past month has been filled with so many highs and lows for my husband and me: many joyful events interspersed with hard news. Large family and friend gatherings with laughter and good food mingled with the news of the loss and illnesses of loved ones have me smiling and tearful in the span of each day lately. News of friends who have lived long, full lives and have come to the end of their struggles with health issues, or messages about younger friends who have died suddenly and unexpectedly have played a part in our world this month. Other messages about friends who have been struggling with critical health issues have also shocked us and left us in tears.

We are not alone in our grief. So many of us have lost loved ones in our lives, and many have lost loved ones this past year. Next Sunday, November 2, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday in our worship services. Click here to find the following message about All Saints Sunday:

Each year on All Saints Sunday, we read the names of people from the congregation who have died in the past year, and we light candles for the newly baptized. In a space not far from our sanctuaries, we also create a “gallery of saints” with photos of loved ones who now rest in God. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and would like to include a photo, please bring a framed photo with you on Sunday, Nov. 2. (We will add them to the display set up for those in the congregation we have lost this past year.)

If you’re not able to participate in person, we encourage you to gather photos and light candles at home during Livestream worship.

Questions? Contact (MPLS) Director of Health and Wellness Diane Waarvik, 612-312-3375 or (MTKA) Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson, 612-312-3403.

May you find peace as you grieve the loss of your loved ones.

Heidi

October 18, 2025 – Hope & Gratitude

I rarely miss a Sunday at church. I usually miss it only if I’m out of town or not feeling well. I love the sense of grounding that being in my faith community gives me to start each new week. I love being surrounded by my community of friends and fellow believers.

Last Sunday, however, my awesome sound tech husband and I missed church because we brought our sound system (or really, his sound system) down to the capitol to provide sound support to the Seven Days of Prayer for Annunciation families on the capitol steps, led that day by Pastor Meta. I was filled with hope on that beautiful, crisp fall day as a group gathered for the meaningful service of prayers for the Annunciation families and our community and our Minnesota political leaders. I was touched by the presence of the University of Minnesota students from Lutheran Campus Ministry who assisted with the service. People showed up to make a difference, and it was an honor to be there with them.

I am also filled with hope and gratitude for the programming Bethlehem offers to support us as we seek to maneuver through these sometimes overwhelming and confusing times. One of the ways we can take care of ourselves is by practicing gratitude. How fortunate are we that our Bethlehem Mental Health and Addiction Ministry team is sponsoring a Zoom “watch party” with POPCORN! on Wednesday, Nov 12 from 6:30–8:00 pm called Gratitude and Mental Health: Nurturing Resilience and Joy.

Gratitude has been shown to provide a way to build hope in uncertain times and overwhelming circumstances, and psychologist, educator and speaker Dr. Christina Costa’s work bridges cutting-edge research with real-world application, showing how gratitude can improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and build resilience. Her popular TEDx talk, “How Gratitude Wires Your Brain,” has reached over 8 billion viewers worldwide.

Please join us for popcorn and a great presentation as we seek to practice gratitude to find joy in this world. Register for more information.

With hope and gratitude,
Heidi

October 11, 2025 – Just What I Needed

That sneaky Holy Spirit. Just when I needed a little wink to bolster MY spirits, there was that Holy one! This week I had a particularly blue day. I was missing my family who were all out of town, I had some conflict resolution to attend to, and I was oh, so very tired. Plus I was scrambling to get dinner on the table under a tight timeline. I stopped on my way home to run into a store to grab some ingredients for dinner, greeted one of the stock guys with a friendly, “Hi! How are you?” to which he replied, “I’m good! Thank you for asking. And how are you?” I felt noticed, and I think he did too. I hustled up to the cash register to be greeted by a lovely young woman who I also greeted with a friendly “Hi! How are you?” to which SHE replied, “I am great! What do you do for a living??” I immediately checked my sweater for my work nametag, which wasn’t on me, and let her know I was a nurse. I probably had a confused look on my face as I mentioned I thought I must still have my nametag on. She proceeded to tell me she was just wondering because I just “had such a friendly, caring way about (me) that I thought you must help people in your job.” Right when I needed to be lifted up, that Holy Spirit reminded me that even when I am feeling like I couldn’t possibly have a positive impact on anyone, people can still see the Spirit in me. And two simple interactions with people I had contact with for mere seconds made a difference in their lives AND in mine. I left smiling and laughing a little at the sweet surprise. I’m sure other people were looking at me, wondering about me as I laughed out loud and said “Ok God! That was just what I needed!”

Two thoughts struck me as I hurried home. The first was the remarkable truth that God’s Spirit is at work in and through each of us even when we don’t realize it or feel it. I entered that store ready to cry, but my instinct to greet people without even thinking about it changed the course of my day and altered my mood.

The second thought was the reminder that, again, even when I don’t FEEL it, God truly is walking beside me and cares about me. When I rely on my feelings, they aren’t always the way things really are. When I rely on God’s truths and Word, and claim God’s promises for me, they are dependable.

Where have you seen a Holy Spirit wink in your life lately? I will carry this memory with me as a reminder that I don’t even need to be at my best for God to work through me. What a load off of my shoulders, especially on the days when I’m having a hard time. So be gentle on yourselves, and remember that you are a BELOVED child of God, and that God is smiling down on you with such love and fondness, regardless of your state of being on any particular day. I compare it to the way I just love and adore my granddaughters (and my kids and kids-in-law of course!), even when they are having a hard day. Nothing can change my love for them. Nothing.

With a Holy Spirit wink,
Heidi

October 4, 2025 – Hold On to Your Hats!

“Hold on to your hats” is right! Just when we think we can take a breath, fall comes rolling around with activities galore to check out and to participate in. It’s a busy month! This coming week alone has so many great offerings it will be hard to pick and choose.

Check out Bethlehem’s events webpage for a full listing of what is going on, but I’m giving a special nod to these upcoming events this week:

October 5

• Learn more about Bethlehem’s Reconciling In Christ Journey on Sunday night, October 5 from 6:00–7:30 pm at the Minneapolis campus. Deacon David will walk us through the importance of this program, answer questions, AND we get a free dinner!

October 9

• Join us for No One Recovers Alone: Strengthening Family Engagement, a presentation by Sue Abderholden, the illustrious outgoing Executive Director of NAMI-MN, on Thursday, October 9 from 11:30 am–1:00 pm. Many adults with serious mental illnesses experience loneliness. Often their families are both their caregiver and social support system. This class describes the impacts of loneliness and recognizes that no one goes through a serious illness by themselves. Learn the importance of engaging family members and promoting connections to others, and identify strategies to meaningfully engage family members and friends in a person’s life. Lunch will be provided.

• Seniors Together will enjoy a concert by the Synod Senior Band on Thursday, October 9 from 10:30 am–12:30 pm at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park.

• This program is definitely not to be missed! Cultivating a Community of Care within the Congregation, also on Thursday, October 9, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Cody Sanders, associate professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary, will lead a session for Bethlehem’s volunteer Care Ministers based on his recent book, “Spiritual Care First Aid: An All-Hands Approach for Church and Community.” ALL are welcome to join us for a light dinner and this wonderful presentation. Cody will discuss important tools that everyone can use to deepen their skills of compassion. And again, a light dinner will be served!

October 11

• Sadly, many if not most of us have been touched by suicide. In this class, SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Class with Mental Health Connect, “learn how to support someone’s desire for safety by recognizing the warning signs of suicide, identifying people who are at risk, and applying the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person to suicide first aid resources. Listed on the national best practice registry, safeTALK allows time for both practice and discussion. safeTALK is based on research that shows people experiencing thoughts of suicide often send out subtle invitations to help them stay safe. This four-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn and practice the basic best practices in suicide prevention. OPTIONAL BONUS: Post-workshop discussion led by author Reverend Rachael Keefe on Theology and Suicide Prevention. She’s an expert and author of “The Lifesaving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention,” and we are so lucky to have her”. If you plan on staying, email [email protected], who will be placing an order for lunch.

October 21

• If that’s not enough, and if you are into book clubs, join us on Tuesday, October 21 as we discuss the book, “Journey Through the Mental Illness Maze” by local author and Mental Health Connect ambassador Marjorie Schaffer, PhD, RN. You will love Marjorie’s excellent story telling “voice” in this book, as she shares the “wisdom of family members with the knowledge of experts to derive key actions for finding hope and acceptance.” Her book can be found on Amazon.

Yes, I know that’s a lot. But our opportunities are endless at Bethlehem, and depending on your passions and where your interests lie, there is something for everyone. Not to mention a lot of food! We aren’t going to go hungry!

Looking forward to seeing you!
Heidi

September 27, 2025 – WHAT Do Those Initials Stand For?

We all see them everywhere:  in articles, on TV, on buildings in our neighborhoods. So many of them are “shorthand” for the titles of company names or a medical condition or a multitude of things.  They are the buzz words of today, and even our own congregational materials are full of acronyms:  “BLC”, “MHAM”, “MHC”, “TTFMH”, “SALT”….and those are just some of the ones I personally use for work!  IYKYK…yes, the acronym for “if you know, you know”.  But if you don’t know what they mean, it can feel exclusionary and confusing.  And now we have added RIC into the Bethlehem mix.  

Just what does RIC stand for?  Well, it stands for Reconciling in Christ. Here is a great description of exactly what this program is from the Reconciling Works website, reconcilingworks.org :  

Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church.  

Bethlehem Lutheran Church is exploring our involvement in the RIC program, and we would love to have you join us on Sunday, October 5 from 6:00-7:30 for dinner and to find out more about Reconciling in Christ. RIC staff member Deacon David Behling will be joining us “to discuss the process and to address questions we have heard from the congregation, along with new questions you may have. Together we’ll explore the importance of a safe, welcoming and inclusive culture for all people, including the LGBTQIA2+ community and those the church has historically harmed or excluded”.

Please join us for dinner and conversation about Bethlehem’s Reconciling In Christ journey.  You can find more information about RIC and register for the October 5th event HERE.

And don’t forget!  It’s not too late to register HERE for Screenagers Elementary Edition on Tuesday, September 30th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for dinner and viewing of the film Screenagers at the Minneapolis campus. (Registration helps us guesstimate for the dinner… but if you end up wanting to come at the last minute and haven’t registered, don’t let that deter you!  Please join us… there will be plenty for all.

Screenagers Elementary Edition is a “powerful resource for students, parents, caregivers, and educators who want to build strong, mindful habits around technology use—while deepening connection and supporting kids’ emotional well-being in today’s digital world”. It’s a great program you won’t want to miss if you have young people in your lives.  I think it just may speak to us as adults about screen time, too!

And finally, to satisfy your curiosity, here are the actual names associated with the acronyms I listed earlier:

BLC:  Bethlehem Lutheran Church

MHAM: Mental Health and Addiction Ministry (a ministry of BLC)

MHC: Mental Health Connect (a collaborative ministry of over 40 Faith Communities, supported by BLC)

TTFMH: Take Time for Mental Health (a collaborative ministry between BLC and our friends at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community)

SALT: Seniors Active in Life Together (a ministry of BLC)

Hoping to see you on October 5th and/or September 30th!

Happy Fall everyone!

Heidi

September 20, 2025 – Kids and Screen Time

I have recently discovered a new activity that I like to claim is improving my brain function. Every wait time at appointments, long drives to Colorado, and down time at home are used to nurture my brain… playing Mahjong on my phone! Every morning I also play a series of word games on my phone with my sisters across the country as we strive to keep our brains sharp as we age. And anyone checking the home screen on my cell phone can find a variety of other “brain games” I partake in when I have a moment to fill. Of course the companies promoting their phone games tell you how great they are for your brain, and psychologically it gives me permission to play away.  

I think about how easy it is for me to get lost in games on my phone as an adult, and how much self-talk I do at times to tell myself to get busy with household projects that need to be done. I have some level of self-discipline to reason with myself and put my phone down but I know too much screen time is not healthy for me, even if my screen time consists of “brain enriching” games. And now research is showing how detrimental screen time can be for our youth. 

According to Mayo Clinic, “too much screen time and regular exposure to poor-quality programming has been linked to:

• Obesity
• Inadequate sleep schedules and insufficient sleep
• Behavior problems
• Delays in language and social skills development
• Violence
• Attention problems
• Less time learning”

Read more of this article from Mayo Clinic HERE to learn more about the effects of screen time on children, and then join us for a special showing of the video Screenagers to learn positive ways to navigate screen time for kids.

Join us for this special program sponsored by Mental Health Connect to learn more about research based solutions for managing screen time use, setting boundaries and navigating digital challenges for social media, gaming and online exposure with elementary age youth.

“Screenagers” will be presented Tuesday, September 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus.  Dinner will be provided, and the video presentation of Screenagers will be followed by a panel discussion.  Elementary age children are encouraged to attend with family members. Childcare will be provided for children younger than 5.  Click here for more information and to register.

Mental Health Connect is grateful to offer this event free of charge thanks to a generous grant from the Bethlehem Foundation

Finding healthy ways to keep my brain active,

Heidi

September 13, 2025 – Building Hope and Healing in Uncertain Times

The things just keep happening. On the heels of the Annunciation tragedy, we have yet another senseless act of violence targeting a young, politically active man in the headlines of the news. The division and shock and uncertainty and grief are running deep regardless of political party.

This past week, two friends from our Take Time for Mental Health committee and I ran for food between meetings, and we drove by Annunciation. There are no words to describe the tragic beauty that lines the sidewalks. The grief hangs in the air. I spent the next day barely able to do anything besides the “must-dos” to get through the day. I felt blue and discouraged and a thousand other ways all day until my beloved dad invited us over for his special homemade stew and I finally got out of the house.

How do we navigate this constant turbulence? I am thankful for the ways that Bethlehem has created space to gather as a community to grieve collectively and to lift our neighbors up in prayer through opportunities like last week’s vigil for Annunciation and our ongoing prayers for peace every Sunday morning.

And now, in such a timely manner, Take Time for Mental Health is offering this season’s series called, “Building Hope and Healing in Uncertain Times.” The third Tuesday evening of every month through April the team has scheduled spectacular speakers to help all of us develop healthy coping skills and to offer insight into how we can find hope and healing as the world swirls around us.

This coming week, for example, our speaker will present strategies for dealing with anxiety and depression and how to practice self-care… things that affect each and every one of us. The description reads as follows:

“Our lives as human beings are full of both up as well as down times. When our own mental well-being is adversely affected during those down times we can practice compassionate self-care and actually improve how we feel. This engaging educational program is designed to equip you with effective strategies for coping with anxiety and/or depression.”

After this month of unspeakable events, I am ready to hear this presentation! The speaker is familiar to us and I can vouch for how wonderful and helpful her guidance is. Please join us on Tuesday, Sep 16 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus to hear Melissa Conway, LICSW. She is the Senior Director of Clinical Education and Case Management Services at Minnesota Mental Health Clinics in Eagan. Learn more about this evening, which includes a light, delicious dinner at 6:30 pm. (A donation of $5.00 is appreciated to help cover the cost of the meal.)

Then, put the third Tuesday of each month on your calendar to join us as we explore more ways to care for ourselves in these uncertain times. For more information about upcoming events, visit this link each month to hear more about each presentation. You will not be disappointed!

I do hope you will join us for this speaker. The coping skills Melissa has shared in the past have been life changing for me, and our hope is that you, too, find something helpful to take away from the evening.

With hope,
Heidi

September 6, 2025 – Celebrating Pastor Kris

I am someone who doesn’t embrace change easily. I like to think that I am capable of going with the flow and moving forward when change is in the air, but there are some things that I will always grieve the loss of as change inevitably enters my world. My beloved childhood home was a beautiful, roomy stone home that was built in the 1940’s on a large, spacious lot with plenty of room for six kids to run free. It saw me from second grade through the birth of my oldest baby. It was torn down to make way for multiple townhomes. Even though my family hadn’t lived there for years, I still loved the comfort of driving by that home and envisioning our childhoods there. I am still not so happy that my home is gone, but I try to envision the joy those new homes have brought to new families over the years to make it better for me.

And now, Bethlehem is facing its own big change. Pastor Kris Tostengard Michel is retiring! It is her time to embrace new things in her life, and it is our time to celebrate her amazing ministry here. There are so many ways that she will be missed! I want to resist the change I have no control over, but I also want to celebrate her and let her know how loved and appreciated she is!

Put these dates on your calendar and help us celebrate her on one or all of these occasions:

Sunday, September 7 will be her final Sunday at the Minnetonka campus. There will be a celebration for her following the 9:30 am service.

On Thursday, September 11 from 5:00–7:00 pm, come congratulate Pastor Kris on her retirement and celebrate her amazing 27-year ministry with us at Bethlehem! We will be hosting an open house in the Gallery and Commons at the Minneapolis campus, offering a light meal and dessert. Belvidere Oasis will provide music from 5:00–6:00 pm, followed by a brief program at 6:00 pm. Pictures and memories will be displayed on the monitors throughout the evening. You can also share memories here. Thank you cards will be available.
Reservations are not required.

And on Sunday, September 14 at the Minneapolis campus, there will be a farewell and Godspeed service for Pastor Kris and we will be celebrating her from 9:00am–12:00 pm. Follow the link here to share memories that will be shared with her.

We love you, Pastor Kris, and we are forever grateful for the innumerable ways you have blessed our Bethlehem community.

Godspeed, with love,
Heidi and your Bethlehem family

August 30, 2025 – Resources in Times of Distress

This week brought the tragic news of deep distress and loss for Annunciation Catholic School, which is located just blocks from our Minneapolis campus, along with three additional tragic shootings in Minneapolis. Pastor Chris Enstad sent a congregational letter earlier this week, inviting us “to cling to the promises of God, who draws near to the brokenhearted.”

My message is sent with a heavy heart with the hope that resources we have access to may help those seeking help for themselves or for others they care about.

Please keep these numbers in your phone so you have quick access to them in the event that someone you know is having a mental health crisis, or is seeking non-emergency guidance to find the help they need.

988 is still operating in Minnesota and is the crisis line available for someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Qualified personnel will answer the call and help get the help someone needs in an emergency. Simply call or text 988 to reach them, or chat at 988Lifeline.org.

COPE for all ages is a Hennepin County mobile crisis response team that can come to you where you are if you are, or someone you know is, in need of an urgent response for an individual, families or communities. They have multi-cultural staff and interpreters when needed.

COPE’s number is 612-596-1223. Outside of Hennepin County, dial 988.

And of course, if you or someone you love needs help navigating the mental health system, our Mental Health Connect Navigators can help you find the resources you seek. Remember that this is a warm line and not for emergencies. They can be reached at 612-990-1220. If you prefer to email, they can be contacted at [email protected].

Please reach out if you believe you need or want help. These resources can help you.

With deep sorrow,
Heidi

August 23, 2023 – Back in the Swing of Things

So much to do, so little time!  Fall programming is upon us, and it promises to be fulfilling for everyone.  So get your calendars out and start choosing the wonderful activities you would like to participate in!

Care Ministries alone has fabulous offerings, some of which I will highlight this week.  Make sure you check out Bethlehem’s WEB SITE HERE for all of the things you can choose from in other ministry areas.

First and foremost, it’s time to celebrate our beloved Pastor Kris Tostengard Michel. She has served this congregation in a variety of roles for 27 years. It’s time to give thanks for her ministry at Bethlehem and bless her transition from parish pastor to other callings and retirement. There will be a celebration on Sunday, September 7 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the Minnetonka campus.  Click here for more information.

Then, on Sunday, September 14th from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pastor Kris will be celebrated at the Minneapolis campus.  Click here for more information.

In addition to these Sunday morning festivities, add dinner to your plans at the Minneapolis campus on Thursday, September 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to send Pastor Kris off with a final celebration of her loving service to this congregation. Her impact on our community has been deep and will last for years to come.  We will miss her deeply but are so excited for her next phase of life in retirement.

If you do join us for dinner on September 11th, consider staying a bit longer to hear a presentation by Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness. Or if you miss dinner, come on over to join us at 7:00. This amazing resource “focuses on serving seniors in transition and their family caregivers to support health in spirit, mind and body”.  Our Care Ministers will be gathering for this important message from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis campus, and we invite you to join us, especially if you are a caregiver or know someone who is.

With September unbelievably right around the corner, it’s also time to Take Time for Mental Health, and to join this collaborative ministry with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community each month for fantastic presentations. The first is Coping with Anxiety and Depressing Times with Melissa Conway, LICSW.  Melissa has joined us at Bethlehem multiple times in the past and is a favorite presenter.  She will join us at the Bethlehem – Minneapolis campus on Tuesday, September 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Join us at 6:00 for a delicious, light dinner followed by Melissa’s important presentation.  The Take Time for Mental Health sessions take place the 3rd Tuesday of every month and alternate between our Minneapolis campus and St. Joan of Arc, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Bethlehem.  

So put on your running shoes to get some movement in your days, and to take advantage of getting to some of the wonderful opportunities Bethlehem has to offer.  Community building is awaiting us!

To our physical, mental, and spiritual health,

Heidi

August 16, 2025 – Jesus’ Example of Rest

Life, no matter how wonderful, is feeling hectic to me these days.  Can you relate? Even though everything in my life has been positive or productive or fun family time the past months, it has been so jam packed full of events and plans and things that need to be done on a timeline that I feel that constant pressure to achieve, achieve, achieve and keep on going and doing and I am just TIRED!  It doesn’t help that our culture equates productivity with success, and the general messaging we hear almost daily is that we have to be constantly productive or we’re just not doing enough. 

Well, this past week I attended an amazing Bible study and had time to sit and reflect on Jesus’ example in Luke 5:15-16.  It hit home to me as we discussed the simple passage: “15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

What a beautiful reminder to us that in order to center himself to have the energy to meet the needs of the crowd, Jesus OFTEN withdrew to lonely places and prayed!  It was a time of regeneration and of deep intimacy with God as he reinforced his purpose and came away refreshed and with clarity of that purpose.  He then returned to new crowds and continued to minister to them. And the more demands that were being placed on Jesus, the more he withdrew and rested and prayed.  

 This passage was so permission-giving for me to remember that we can only serve if we are rested and reenergized, and if we remember WHO we are and WHOSE we are. Rest makes us able to work more effectively and efficiently.  I know I have been running on fumes recently, then last weekend I actually got two nights of adequate sleep, and it energized me to get through this past week that was jam packed with activities and responsibilities. I gave myself permission to sleep until I woke up and it was exactly what I needed.

Have you found a way to truly rest and refresh and spend a little time in prayer? What renews you? Spend some time pondering what your body and mind and soul need to feel rested, then make an intentional plan to make it a priority.  And if you find you are feeling guilty about taking breaks during a busy day, return to Jesus’ example and remember it is how he made it through his demanding days effectively.  He wants the same for us.

Remembering Jesus’ example,

Heidi  

August 9, 2025 – Back to School!

I just returned from a most remarkable trip with my beloved family, enjoying time just BEING together.  We left in July, and now here it is August!  My daughter got home in the wee hours of the morning and the same day went back to teacher in-services in Colorado. It’s back to school season!  As I mentioned last week, going back to school was always one of my favorite times of year.  But for some families, there just aren’t enough resources to purchase the long list of school supplies the kids need in this era.  And joy of all joys, WE can make a difference and help them out by donating to the Seniors Together School Drive this month.  You can find more information at THIS LINK.  Consider dropping off supplies on Sundays at church.  

Then on August 16th and 23rd, we have the great opportunity to learn more about Mental Health First Aid for youth and adults at THIS LINK.  The first offering on the 16th will be for adults. ADULT Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. This course will teach you to see signs of mental health struggles and prepare you to have a conversation with people you see struggling. These sessions are being sponsored by Mental Health Connect and are a valuable way for each of us to identify and feel confident handling a mental health challenge.

Blessings to each of you as you enter this fall season. May you find much to enrich your lives as you explore the offerings HERE on Bethlehem’s event page.

Happy back-to-school!

Heidi

August 2, 2025 – So Much to Do!

Dear friends,

I am on vacation this week, so today’s Care Message will be a brief reminder of upcoming events you may want to participate in.  There are so many opportunities to be involved and to get to know others more deeply!  Try to take advantage of some or all of these wonderful offerings:

Pray Without Ceasing continues at both campuses.  Check out the highlighted link for times, and consider joining others as we continue to pray for the world and our local communities. It is a lovely, contemplative time to pray collectively and start the day in community with fellow congregants.

The Seniors Together School Supply Drive continues through the month of August.  Check out the above link or visit their donation tables this Sunday for a list of needed supplies for both campuses.  What a wonderful way to support kids in our neighborhoods so they can go back to school this fall knowing they are well prepared, just like their fellow students!

Vacation Bible School is right around the corner at the Minnetonka campus!  It’s all about Joseph this year, starting on August 5, and it is family style.  Come meet other families and end the days with s’mores around the campfire together!  Click on the link for more information and to register today.

Summer Stretch! Is happening soon for students in grades 6-12 at the Minneapolis campus with Pastor Heather and Jayn. Opportunities for service and fun will abound!  It starts August 6, so check out the link and register today!

You don’t want to miss this fascinating story about the Lyndale neighborhood called Ghost of a Chance. When reporter Eric Roper moved into his 113 year old home in Minneapolis in 2020, he began an unexpected journey to understand the history of his home, focusing on the owners of the home a century ago. Click on the link to discover more about this amazing true story. Eric Roper and Melissa Townsend will present their findings on August 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Minneapolis, and Eric will also be presenting in Minnetonka on September 19. Learn about the history of the Lyndale neighborhood, and how the era of the story also impacted suburban Minnetonka.  It’s a must-hear presentation.  

And finally for this episode of adventures, click on this link to find out more about the Big Stone Mini Golf outing for ALL ages on August 17th. It’s an experience you will want to be a part of!

There are so many other opportunities to get involved and get to know people at THIS LINK TO EVENTS at Bethlehem. Check them out!

With hopes that each of you may also find moments of rest and restoration and connection,

Heidi

July 27, 2025 – School Supplies

Oh, the joy of going back to school!  When I was growing up, I simply thrived in school.  I loved the lazy, hazy days of summer, and endless unstructured time playing outside with my friends and siblings, but as summer wound to an end, my excitement for going back to school burst from every pore.  It meant hopping on the bus with Mom and heading downtown Minneapolis to shop for new clothes. It meant smelling my box of new crayons and fresh notebooks.  It meant anticipating success as a student who loved academia and the social aspect of being with friends all day long, every week day.   

As I grew older, I began to realize this was not the case for everyone else. My own beloved brother calls me an anomaly! School represented different things to kids who may not learn so easily, or who came from a home without resources to buy fresh new clothes and supplies every year, or who went to school hungry every day, unable to concentrate on the knowledge the teacher was trying to impart to us.  I was especially unsettled when I learned about friends who grew up in not-so-pleasant situations with abusive or neglectful adults in their lives. It was foreign to me. And some kids just didn’t like school for no reason other than that it wasn’t their “thing”.    

This fall, Seniors Together (SALT) is providing an opportunity for all of us to support the kids in our communities who just may not have the resources to have that same blissful back-to-school experience that I had every year when I was growing up.  Check out the message from the      

Seniors Together School Supply Drive – Bethlehem Church on Bethlehem’s web site below, and consider supporting the cause. Making a difference can be as simple as a box of brand new crayons!

“Seniors Together from both Minneapolis and Minnetonka will be collecting school supplies to help kids from financially struggling families start the school year strong. Minneapolis will be collecting school supplies for Stonebridge World School, a PreK-6 public charter school, tuition free and open to all students located at 4530 Lyndale Ave. S. Minneapolis. Minnetonka will be collecting school supplies for Resource West, a non-profit community agency that serves families and individuals living in the West Metro community. 

Volunteers and Collection tables will be available at both campuses before and after services on August 3 and August 10. Donations can be dropped off during the week and the remainder of August. Look for the School Supplies Collection box at both campuses.”

Needed supplies:

• New Backpacks – for Elementary, Middle and High School Students
• Sharpened Yellow Pencils
• Crayons – Boxes of 24
• Wide Tip Markers – Boxes of 12
• Narrow Tip Makers – Boxes of 12
• Colored Pencils – 12 Count, Sharpened
• Wide and College Ruled Spiral Notebooks – One Subject
• Washable Glue Sticks – Elmers
• Plastic Pocket Folders – Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Purple
• Blue and Black Ink Pens – 10 Count
• Pink Erasers – 2 pack
• Rulers Scissors – Fiskars 5”
• Yellow Highlighters
• Index Cards – 4×6
• College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper 

Blessings on your back-to-school shopping!

Heidi

July 19, 2025 – Lotions and Shampoos and Sunscreens, Oh My!

Summer bliss!  This week Mark and I were the blessed recipients of the generosity of dear friends.  We spent a glorious, blue skied afternoon out on their boat.  We slathered on sunscreen, then felt the wind in our hair and the heat on our skin as we toured the lake. We ended the afternoon with a tasty summer “Linner” (lunch/dinner) at their home.

I was patting myself on the back the next day as I commented to my honey that I really did a good job of sunscreening and preventing skin damage.  Then I started to wonder just how healthy my sunscreen actually was for me. I have been relying more and more on the Environmental Working Group’s web site (ewg.org) to determine what daily products are safer for me, and have realized that certain things I have in my home are less healthy than others.  

I was super excited that one of my lotions carries the EWG logo, verifying that it is a healthier choice than the lotion I usually buy every time I run out. Then I started looking up my go-to sunscreens.  We have sprays, lotions, face specific sunscreen, roll ons, and kids’ sunscreens in a variety of forms.

The sunscreens we used on the boat certainly kept us from burning, but I was NOT happy to learn that they were rated moderate to high risk in areas such as allergies and immunotoxicity, and one also carried risk of developmental and reproductive toxicity!  Yikes! It is sobering to learn about the chemicals and toxic ingredients some health care and household cleaning products contain. 

So, without panicking, I have started to turn to the Environmental Working Group as I begin to replace my skin care products with safer ones that carry the  “EWG verified” logo.  They also rate children’s and baby skin care products, along with a host of other products including food and water (remember the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen food lists I shared a couple of weeks ago?), household products, and several other areas of focus that can be found in this consumer guide.  You can do a search for your specific item, or browse the site for the multitude of products that they rate.  It is fascinating and eye opening and helps us make wiser choices.

With an eye towards healthy choices, may you embrace these sunny days safely!

Heidi

July 12, 2025 – Floods

As my husband and I were enjoying a week at camp in the mountains of Colorado last week, our dear friend, the camp director, shared with us that the town he was born in had flooded the night before. The floods in Texas suddenly had a personal connection.   A wall of water swept campers and others away and as time has progressed, well over 100 people have died and close to 200 are still missing.  By the time you read this, those numbers will most certainly have changed as rescue missions continue.  

It is so heartbreaking to process this trauma. As we were surrounded by nature’s beauty in every direction we looked, away from our normal daily doses of news and media, enjoying respite from the world’s stresses, others were experiencing devastation and loss and unimaginable circumstances.  It is sometimes beyond our grasp to understand the impact natural disasters have and to imagine that there is any way we can make a difference when the scale of destruction is so vast.  But there are ways we can help, even as removed from disaster areas as we may feel.  

Disaster relief teams are a gift to others when a natural disaster occurs, and we can help by supporting their work financially.  We may feel helpless, but these teams are ready to take action.  Our support from afar sends these well trained teams into devastated areas to do the work.  We can be confident that we ARE making a difference when we support reputable relief groups, like Lutheran Disaster Response and the American Red Cross.   You can click on either of these links to bring you to the ELCA or the American Red Cross pages that tell you how you can donate to support their efforts.

As I move through my days, I am thankful for the knowledge that, should we experience our own natural disaster here at home, there are teams ready to jump into action to help.  

Blessings on your days,

Heidi

Touch a life, change the world.

July 5, 2025 – The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen.  It sounds like an old gangster movie title, doesn’t it?  It is actually a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that are most likely to have higher levels of pesticides on them, and choosing the organic alternative is a healthier choice to avoid consuming those pesticides.  Its complementary list is called The Clean Fifteen, and includes fruits and vegetables that are less likely to expose you to unhealthy levels of pesticides.  

I happen to be in our home-away-from-home this week, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, and our adult Bible Study leader has focused on how God speaks to us through nature in the Bible.  We’re in the perfect mountain spot to be able to focus on nature, and it made me think of our food sources as we read about God providing for the birds of the air and the lilies of the fields. Before we arrived here we spent part of the weekend with our beloved daughter and her boyfriend in Denver.  They took us to a local restaurant that serves clean, fresh food, and we talked about how good it was to know that we were eating clean (organic) food, which also brought to mind these lists. 

Most of the clean fifteen are varieties that have an outer peel, like a banana, and so pesticides are less likely to be in the part we eat, so purchasing non-organic is an option if the organic options are too expensive.  While organic choices tend to be more expensive, which can hurt the budget, choosing organic options when they are affordable or on sale is a great way to reduce your intake of pesticides.

If you are wondering which foods are clean or dirty, The Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) provides great lists of both.  It’s good to check them occasionally as they can change as different foods are exposed to pesticides in different seasons.  

The current lists are:

The Dirty Dozen

1. Spinach
2. Strawberrie
3. Kale, collard & mustard greens
4. Grapes
5. Peaches
6. Cherries
7. Nectarines
8. Pears
9. Apples
10. Blackberries
11. Blueberries
12. Potatoes

Also on the Dirty Dozen list are bell and hot peppers and green beans.  Opt for organic choices of these fruits and vegetables when possible.

The Clean Fifteen

1.  Pineapple
2. Sweet corn
3.  Avocado
4.  Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Watermelon
10.  Cauliflower
11.  Bananas
12. Mangoes
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

Choosing organic fruits and vegetables is not always an option, but hopefully these lists will help us be more aware of which ones to choose when the organic option is available and affordable.  I’ll plug my favorite, affordable source of organics here:  I love Trader Joe’s!  There are lots of other store options, including Farmers’ Markets, so check out your organics section the next time you shop, just to see price differences. Choosing organics really can impact our health!

EWG.org also has articles and lists regarding many other items that are healthier choices for us, including sunscreen and water filters for PFAS (Forever Chemicals in our water sources).  Check it out!  It’s a great resource.

I hope you are able to get out and embrace nature, and see how God is speaking to you and providing for you this week.  

Heidi

June 28, 2025 – Pray Without Ceasing

This past week, we have all experienced more uncertainty about our world’s condition.  My dear husband Mark and I both felt the need to seek solace and comfort, so last Sunday morning we headed to the Minnetonka campus early to participate in Pray Without Ceasing, a lovely opportunity for our faith community to gather together in prayer for the world and those in our lives who need to be uplifted, including ourselves.  It was a contemplative, healing time to gather when our hearts are unsettled and our minds are spinning.  Gathering together to pray, spend time in silence, lift our world and our loved ones up as a community, and place candles on a map of our beautiful world was indeed calming and healing and deeply meaningful.  

In response to the synod’s call to pray without ceasing, both campuses have OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER on Sunday mornings before or between services that you are welcome to participate in.  I speak from our experience last Sunday when I say it truly is a healing moment to gather with your church family in communal prayer, knowing that churches across the country are also joining in this initiative. We would love to have you join us!

You can find more information at this link about the synod’s Pray Without Ceasing Initiative.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 

Heidi

June 21, 2025 – Grieving

Are you grieving?  Have you suffered the loss of a loved one, or of a relationship, or of a job or life experience?  Has your health changed? Has the health of a loved one changed? Have you had to move when you thought you would spend your life in your dream home?  Or are you experiencing collective grief with your community? There are so many things we grieve over. I think of people around the country who are losing their homes to fire and flood, and people around the globe who are losing everything in war zones, and now the traumatic collective grief experienced in Minnesota last weekend. Grief can be overwhelming, and every person’s grief is legitimate. 

I spent a good long time listening to Conversations with Kelly this week, a podcast focused on grief topics, after a friend and co-worker shared the link with me.  She and I are both on staff with Mental Health Connect, and I am grateful for her expertise and her compassionate heart, along with the passion all of the Mental Health Connect staff pour into this ministry.  

At our MHC staff meetings, our wonderful Executive Director, Rev. Hannah Campbell Gustafson, always begins our meetings with a brief check-in to see how everyone is doing.  This past week was a heavy check-in after the tragic events our state experienced over the weekend.  Sunday morning I was grateful to be able to share the Prayers of the People during our church service at the Minnetonka campus.  The prayers and the events of the night before brought tears to my eyes and a broken heart as our community gathered together to share our faith and our grief.  On Monday during our MHC staff check-in, information about Kelly Grosklags’ podcast was shared and I found myself listening to podcast after podcast.  During one session I listened as I did the dishes.  During another one, I laid my head on my kitchen table as I listened and soaked in the nuggets as they talked about grief.

There are so many great takeaways from this podcast.  Lessons in compassion, how NOT to diminish a person’s grief, permission to grieve in your own way, and so many supportive and honest conversations with guests on different types of loss.  I encourage you to take a moment to listen, even if you aren’t necessarily grieving a loss.  The reminders about how to support someone who is grieving are invaluable.  

If you would like more resources, Brighter Days Grief Center is “committed to alleviating the profound toll grief takes on families.” They offer counseling, grief groups, and so much more, including guidance on logistical and financial issues that surround the death of a loved one.

And as always, if you could use support, please reach out.  Bethlehem’s staff are here for you.

With gratitude for a God who hears our prayers,

Heidi

June 14, 2025 – Ticks!

Ah, summer!  The season of cabins and hiking and being outdoors at State and National Parks.   Dogs and kids are joyfully exploring creekbanks and fields of adventure-filled long grasses and playing at neighborhood parks. And often, friendly little ticks are hopping a ride home on unsuspecting bodies.  A couple of weeks ago, my hubby Mark came home from a day up north and found at least four ticks when he did a tick inspection!  He was out in a field for under two hours and those little creatures were just waiting for him.

If found right away and removed, ticks usually don’t pose much of a threat. But what about those sneaky ones that attach themselves in hidden places and make themselves at home on us or our pets?  This article from Prevention gives you all of the information you need to protect yourself, do a tick inspection, and discern what kind of tick you may be dealing with.  Of course the dreaded deer tick is the one we most fear as it carries Lyme disease, but other ticks might also carry infections, so it’s important to watch for symptoms if you think you have been bit by a tick.

Some of the practical steps Prevention encourages us to take are things like wearing long sleeves and tucking pants into socks or hiking boots to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.  They also remind us to use EPA approved tick repellant to keep ticks away.

If you’ve been outside in long grass, weedy areas, near wood piles or other places ticks love to hide, remember to do a tick inspection when you get inside, and inspect little ones as well.  Check your belly button, behind your knees, on your legs and in your private parts.  Hair is also a favorite place for ticks to hide.  If you find a tick, pull it straight out with a tweezers.  Clean the area with rubbing alcohol, and if part of the tick stays lodged in your skin, keep the area clean and watch for infection. Then take a shower after being outside in potential tick infested areas.

And here’s the fun part:  if you pull a tick off of you and think you have been bitten, it is important to keep the tick!  Put it in a sealed plastic bag or container and store it in the freezer.  If you develop symptoms such as a rash, flu-like symptoms, chills, fever, headache, stomach aches, or muscle pain, it is important to seek medical help right away and bring the tick with you for them to see. Remember that some symptoms can take up to 30 days or longer to appear, so keep that in mind if you have delayed symptoms.  If you have a tick-borne infection, the faster you get treated, the more successful treatment and healing will be.

So get out in that great outdoors to enjoy this summer weather, and remember to keep tick safety in mind at the same time.  

Embracing the warmth,

Heidi

June 7, 2025 – Hopes & Dreams

Hi dear friends!

I am on vacation this week, so I am writing a simple Care Message before I go.  How lucky am I that my husband’s relatives from Norway are here with us for a week, and we are taking a road trip to Colorado with them for a concert at the infamous Red Rocks venue.  Another Bucket List item to cross off my list!

What are your hopes and dreams? What is on your bucket list? I read a few articles about the importance of having goals and dreams this week, and the themes were similar:  having dreams and goals brings a sense that we’re moving forward in life, they inspire us, and they are a source of optimism and can help prevent negativity from creeping into our daily lives.  For me, it has been refreshing to have two items on my dream list finally come to life.  I feel rejuvenated and joyful and like I CAN achieve my dreams by making a plan.  

There is no time like the present to do a little daydreaming and think about what you would love to put on your own list of dreams.  Like my trip to the SPAM Museum, they don’t have to be outrageous or difficult to achieve ideas. Small joys bring big benefits. So grab a pen and paper, or create a new note in your phone app, and dream away.  

And as you work at fulfilling your dreams, remember to practice healthy habits this summer:  sunscreen, good sleep and staying hydrated are three easy things that make a big difference for  your health and make it possible to achieve your dreams!

Reach for the stars!

Heidi

P.S.  Seniors, remember to attend the Seniors Together Picnic this week on June 11 at the Minnetonka Campus!  

May 31, 2025 – A Good Time Was Had by All!

Last week I fulfilled a Bucket List dream! It is something I have wanted to do for years, since the original museum opened, but have just never gotten around to doing. It has called to me over and over again and been on my To Do list for years. And finally, it happened.  Yes, I went on the SALT trip to the SPAM museum in Austin, MN!  And yes, it met my expectations. I can now smile when I think about it, knowing I realized my dream.  

Everything about it was fun, from the bus ride with the kind driver to the trivia quiz on the ride, created by our fun SALT leaders, to the lovely staff who met us and took care of us, to the delicious SPAM samples they kept handing out to us.  There is so much to learn at the museum that I know I’ll be going back to read every plaque and soak in all of the historical details.  And the trip didn’t end there.  Lunch at the historic Hormel mansion, now a museum, a stop for mouthwatering ice cream at the Russell Stover candy store on the way home, and just a good time with wonderful people filled our souls. 

And now, there is another opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and have more fun!

Come enjoy a time of fellowship, food, and fun—including lunch—in the Courtyard at the Minnetonka Campus with Seniors Together. This special gathering is a chance to get to know Pastor Michelle and Music Director Andy Pokel from Spirit Garage. Andy will also share music during the event, adding to the joyful atmosphere. A freewill offering will be received. 

So if you are a “senior adult”, 60 or above, you won’t want to miss it.  It promises to be a good time. Click here for more information. If you need directions, click on the Minnetonka Campus link in this link. 

We hope to see you there!

Heidi

May 24, 2025 – It’s Viral

Just when we’re getting ready for a new season and outside activities and fresh air, it hits.  The sniffles, the cough, the sore throat…all of those miserable symptoms that add up to a viral infection.  I’ve had friends and family members all around me dealing with viruses these past two weeks, and it has been long lasting and annoying. And finally it was my turn last week.  I’d say I’ve had it easy and haven’t felt too bad, but am trying to stay home from gatherings with others to prevent spreading it.  

How often have you visited an urgent care center with miserable symptoms, hoping for medicine to make you feel better, only to be told you have a virus and you leave with the empathy of the care team and instructions to take medication to relieve the symptoms?  More than once over the years I have worried that I’m developing a bronchial infection, only to be told it’s viral and “it will just take time to clear up.”

As much as I may hope to get on antibiotics, I’m begrudgingly thankful when my nurse practitioner or doctor tells me I have a viral infection, and that antibiotics won’t help.  Far too often antibiotics are handed out when not needed, and that creates its own set of problems with bacteria changing and becoming resistant to antibiotics.  

So… how do you know if you have a viral or bacterial infection?  Of course, diagnosis by a qualified medical professional is really the only way to tell for certain,  but some clues as to which one you may have are whether you are running a high temperature or not. Often, a virus will only produce a mild fever, or none at all, while a bacterial infection tends to present with a higher fever over 101 degrees.  Symptoms are often similar, with a cough, sore throat, headache, and more.  Common symptoms of a viral respiratory infection are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• New loss of taste or smell
• Headache, muscle or body aches
• Diarrhea
• Weakness

Some of the more well known viruses we encounter are flu, COVID-19, and RSV. They are generally spread by droplets breathed in but can be transmitted by touching objects or surfaces exposed to the virus then transmitted by touching our faces.  Usually a virus is mild, but can become serious in people who are older, younger children, and those who are immunocompromised. 

How do we best protect ourselves from getting sick in the first place? According to the Center for Disease Control, some of the best measures are immunizations and hand washing.  Immunizations are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases – flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for groups eligible for RSV immunization).

Washing hands and improving airflow in the places where people live and work are important to lowering risk from respiratory viruses, and remembering not to touch our faces after touching objects or handrails or surfaces that many others have touched before us is also important.  

If you do get sick this season, remember to wash your hands, cover your cough or sneeze, and turn to symptom relief measures.  Cold and flu medicines are readily available over the counter, staying hydrated is important, and getting good sleep all help relieve those symptoms and heal your body a little faster.  

If you don’t improve in a week or two, it’s time to seek medical help.  

If you have difficulty breathing or experience chest pain, it’s time to seek emergency help.

So sleep, cover your cough, wash your hands, and stay well!
Here’s to your health!

Heidi

May 18, 2025 – Sunshine on My Shoulders: Skin Cancer Awareness

Ah, sunshine!  How I love this time of year when the sun shines more often and lingers at the end of the day.  It energizes me and helps me be more productive.  I see friends and neighbors much more than in the cold, grey months as we can gather for spontaneous coffee on the front patio or grill nights on the deck. Sunshine, as the song lyrics say, makes me happy!

As Mark and I road tripped to South Dakota this past week, that beautiful sun streamed through the windows of the car, and I realized my arm was totally exposed to those rays and on its way to getting burned.  Fortunately, I was prepared with my 30 SPF sunscreen along, ready for outdoor time in Sioux Falls. Unfortunately, along with that sunshine comes the real threat of skin cancer.  Amongst other awareness campaigns, May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  Did you know that it is estimated that 104,960 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2025?  That is an enormous number!  Did you also realize that skin cancer can affect ANY skin tone? NO ONE is immune or protected from skin cancer.

The good news is that when diagnosed early, melanoma (skin cancer) is highly treatable.  While prevention is the best path to take, self skin checks are vital to early detection of skin cancer. The key to finding it early is following the ABCDE’s of detection, and checking your nails.  That’s right, checking around your finger and toe nails is an important part of detecting skin cancer.  This link tells you what to look for when checking your nails.  If this is news to you, you are not alone.  I myself was not aware of the importance in checking our nails until I read this article from The American Academy of Dermatology Association.  It is full of great tips, and reminds us how important it is to also get annual skin checks by a dermatologist.  

One of the greatest tools they include is the ABCDE’s of skin cancer detection.  

Things to look for when checking spots or moles on your skin:

A:  Assymetry  One half of a spot on your skin does not look like the other half.

B:  Border         A spot has a poorly defined, scalloped or irregular border.

C:  Color           A spot has varying colors from one part to the next.

D:  Diameter     Melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm when diagnosed, but can be smaller

E:  Evolving      A spot changes in size, shape or color, or looks different than other spots.

And of course, most important of all as we soak in the benefits of sunshine is to remember to follow THESE TIPS to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer:

1. 1. Practice Safe Sun: shade, sun-protective clothing, and SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
   2. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, when wet or sweaty, or after toweling off.

• Forget about indoor tanning!

1. Skip getting a tan base, as it cannot prevent sunburn.
2. Use a self-tanner (lotion) if you like the look of a suntan.

If you have never visited a dermatologist, now is the time to make an appointment and begin a new yearly habit.  It is painless and reassuring to have a professional check your skin, and their trained eyes may notice things you may not be able to see.  

May your days be sunny and safe,

Heidi

May 11, 2025 – “Come on Down!”

One of my honey’s favorite shows is The Price is Right. Whenever we get the chance and are home during the weekdays, we turn the tv on, watch people “Come on Down!”, and enjoy coaching the contestants, hoping they can hear us as we loudly tell them through space and time which price to select.  It is a delightful way to escape the woes of the world for just a moment.  

I love that host Drew Carey not only continues to support Bob Barker’s legacy of reminding people to “have your pets spayed or neutered”, but he has added his own cause at the end of the show as he signs off each day, and that is to “take care of your mental health. Nothing is more important.”  I even heard one contestant who made it up onto the stage tell Drew that he had saved his life with that message.  That is significant: one beloved TV personality encourages a world of viewers to take care of their mental health, and people are listening.

May happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month.  How are you doing?  Take a peak at these resources: Mental Health America’s action guide has great common sense steps to follow to take care of yourself including rest, nutrition, setting boundaries or seeking support if you need it.  NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers great information and wonderful courses if you’re seeking resources for yourself or loved ones.  And our own Mental Health Connect collaborative has amazing speakers each month at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus and a warm line to call if you are wondering about where to look for resources. 

Please remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help if you need us. As Drew Carey says, “Remember to take care of your mental health.  Nothing is more important.”

Heidi 

Your Care Ministries team is here for you. Please let us know how we can be present with you, how we can pray with you, how we can share in your journey. Please contact us.

The following is a list of resources available to you and your loved ones.

Bethlehem Sermon Phone Line
Did you know you can call to hear the latest Sunday and Wednesday Sermon recordings? Call the Bethlehem Sermon Phone Line @ 612-312-3363.

Bethlehem Pastor On Call
If you have a pastoral emergency, call 612-312-3400, follow the prompts to option 9. A pastor is on call 24 hours a day.

Starfish
Starfish helps people in temporary crises. If you are experiencing a financial crisis, cannot afford food, gas, rent, etc., call the Starfish Appointment Line at 952-686-4124.

Mental Health Connect
Living with mental health concerns can be tough. Finding help can be even tougher. Mental Health Connect can assist you in making the right connections. Call or Text 612-312-3377. Email [email protected].

COPE
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis COPE can help.  Call **CRISIS (274747) from anywhere in the State of Minnesota to reach the local County crisis team.

May 3, 2025 – Three Little Wrappers

I love chocolate.  My love for it began when I was a little girl.  One of my favorite memories of chocolate involves Bridgeman’s in Wayzata and “four leaf clovers” on the freeway.  Dad and Mom found so many little ways to make life a celebration for a large family in the 1960’s, and one way was to celebrate every time the odometer changed over to the next 1000 mile mark. If we were drawing close to that magical number, Dad would often go around and around a four leaf clover near home with jubilant excitement until that beautiful zero popped into place on the dash of our station wagon. We would cheer wildly and then head to Bridgeman’s in Wayzata for malts (chocolate for me!).  It was pure bliss for this little girl and, I suspect, for all of my siblings AND Mom and Dad.  The simple pleasures in life were not lost on us.

This past week, Bethlehem’s staff spent an inspiring half day planning and working together for the upcoming program year.  And of course there was chocolate!  One beautiful bowl of Dove chocolates actually made it through the day without being totally consumed, but I happily did my part to make it disappear.  As I read the notes of encouragement inside my three little chocolate wrappers, I was inspired. Three little notes giving me a spark of joy. The first was “Treat yourself bestie!”  Then came “You can do hard things!” and “Meet yourself where you’re at!”

Three little notes encouraging self-care. Three little reminders that whoever was the recipient of these chocolates was a worthy soul who deserved to treat themselves as their own best friend, and words of encouragement that yes, indeed, one can do hard things and that where one is at in their life is ok.  

I never know where I am going to find little whispers of love and support from that sneaky Holy Spirit, but this week it came in the form of candy wrappers.  How easy it is to give a word of encouragement to someone.  One little sentence, one listening ear, one moment letting someone know that you care about them and see them.  Where have you seen little God whispers of encouragement this week?  And what opportunities can we look for to encourage others?  Together we can have a big impact on the lives around us just by being present and speaking words of care and concern.  Let’s keep our eyes open for those little opportunities to lift up and support those in our paths. It’s a wonderful way to make a difference!

Touch a life, change the world.  Have a beautiful, difference making day~

Heidi