Mankato State University, LCM-Crossroads, ELCA
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“Religion and Politics: Sorting Things Out”
A new minicourse in the Exploring Religious Questions Series at Gustavus Adolphus College
2012 is an election year. We hear a lot of appeals to religion—some emphasizing its importance and others worrying about its effects on public policy. Unfortunately, the appeals made during a campaign sometimes obscure more than they explain or polarize more than they unite. What role should religion play in public debate? What are the limits? How should religious people participate? How can we make room for the positive contributions of religion, while simultaneously recognizing and limiting those forms of influence that harm society?
This course will examine some examples of religion’s positive contributions to American life and some examples of its harmful effects. The course will also examine different models for understanding the relationship of religion and public life—the “Christendom” model, the Deist model, the “Civil Religion” model, the “withdrawal” model, and the “engagement” model. Some attention will be given to balancing social values that can be in tension, such as security, liberty, and justice. The course will draw insight from the past to illumine code words and alternative positions that vie for our attention in the present.
Professor emeritus Darrell Jodock will bring to the classroom a new topic for the Exploring Religious Questions series at Gustavus. In our fourth year of holding these adult education classes, this will be the 8th minicourse in the series.
The course will meet on five Monday evenings from Feb. 20-March 19 (snow date March 26), from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Instructors for the course will be Professors Darrell Jodock and Sarah Johnson Ruble. Cost to enroll in this not-for-credit course is $35. Registration form available online at gustavus.edu/churchrelations. Please call 507-933-7001 for questions. Please register in advance; space is limited. Enrollment deadline Feb. 16.
Events Held At Grace Lutheran Church
On Tuesday afternoons from June 14th to July 12th, Grace was the host of the American Guild of Organists, Sioux Trails Chapter, Summertime Recitals held at 12:10 p.m. in the sanctuary.
On Sunday, June 6th, GLC hosted a members' Lemonade Stand during the Greater Mankato Lemonade Day. Julia Domas took third in the "Best Tasting Lemonade Contest"!
Nothing Sour About Lemonade: Mankato Free Press
Greater Mankato Lemonade Day website
On Friday, June 3rd, Grace Lutheran hosted the Minnesota Senior Games Shuffleboard competition in our fellowship hall.
Seniors Put On Their Game Face: KEYC.TV
Minnesota Senior Games Coming to Mankato: KEYC.TV
On March 26th, 2011 Alpha Sigma Alpha of Mankato State University held a 'Carnival' to benefit Special Olympics.
MSU Students Raise Money for Special Olympics: KEYC.TV
Organizations Grace Lutheran Church Supports
MAFFTI - Mankato Area Fair Trade Towns Initiative
We, at Grace Lutheran Church, have committed ourselves to use only Fair Trade Certifed Coffee after services and in all meetings for which the church has responsibility, to move forward on using other Fair Trade products (e.g. chocolate, tea, cocoa), and promote Fair Trade Fortnight (end of April into early May), Fair Trade Month (October) and at other times through events, worship and selling of Fair Trade Certified products. GLC's Fair Trade purchasing cart is always available outside the office on weekdays, and in the Narthex on Sundays. We invite all to learn more about MAFFTI (website or Facebook), Fair Trade, and Equal Exchange.
Fair Trade combats child labor, empowers women, keeps families together, finances development, protects the environment, promotes democracy, and encourages economic stability. Grace Lutheran Church encourages the use and purchase of Fair Trade products.
Watch this 8-minute video from Fair Trade USA to learn about Fair Trade's story.
Mankato residents are petitioning our City Council to help become a Fair Trade Town! For more information, please visit the website www.maftti.org/petition.
USA FAIR TRADE Website: HERE
Learn and teach about Fair Trade by using the Fair Trade Resource Network
Habitat For Humanity of South Central Minnesota
Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry dedicated to building simple, decent and affordable housing with and for families in need. The Southeastern Minnesota chapter is made up of four chapters: Mankato, Saint Peter, LeSueur/Henderson and Watonwan County. Habitat is a ecumenical Christian ministry that does not recieve government funding, and instead raises funds to build homes. Habitat welcomes volunteers "from all faiths - or no faith - who can actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world."
Vine Faith In Action
An interfaith ministry designed to help older adults and their families anticipate, plan and provide loving care that may be needed. Assists seniors and others in need, in our congregation and community, with transportation and household chores.
ECHO Food Shelf
ECHO - Emergency Community Help Organization furnishes food to families of Blue Earth County and North Mankato on an emergency basis. Food or money donations can be given directly to ECHO or to Grace Lutheran Church on the 1st Sunday of the month. Six volunteers from Grace Lutheran Church staff the food shelf on Fridays. Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.
The House of Hope, Inc. is a treatment facility that provides a safe environment for individuals who desire to rebuild their lives from addictions.
House of Hope, Inc. founded a halfway house for men in 1971. The program started as a residential program for chemically dependent men, and is now a full treatment facility. Currently it serves 29 men and has a completely handicapped accessible suite.
The residential house for women began October 2006 which can serve up to seven.
