All extra-curricular activities in the church are cancelled. Let us all cooperate in the shared goal of curbing the suffering and pain of this pandemic.
Thank you to Dale G. for repairing and improving the men's bathroom!
Thanks to Scott N. and Jim L. for taking care of issues with the heating system.
Friday, January 1: Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 3: Worship at 10:30 am, with communion. People are encouraged to stay home as much as possible. We are recording worship and posting it to Facebook, as well as sending a link to the video, along with a copy of the bulletin and sermon to our email list. If you would like a copy mailed to you, contact the church office at 218-626-2570 or
office@unitedprotestantchurch.org.
On-Line Giving: We have the option through Tithe.ly to make weekly or monthly donations on-line. THis option may be accessed on the home page of our website:
unitedprotestantchurch.org. We thank all who have used this option to make offering or donations.
Sweatshirts: Screen printed with church logo. There is a supply of light pink and light gray hoodies and crew necks in various sizes in the office. Prices are $35 for Med-XL and $40 for XXL & XXXL. Crew necks are $30.
Community: City Councilor Janet Kennedy sent along the following:
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR UTILITIES: Resources are available to help Duluth residents that are having difficulties paying their utility bills. Most agencies prefer inquiries go through United Way 211. THey are the one-stop shop for local resources. Many people calling for assistance have more than one issue. 211 can get them connected with each agency that can help them. A person simply dials 2-1-1 and they will reach intake personnel. If a person is having difficulty getting through to United Way, here are some direct numbers: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V): 218-722-8763; St. Louis County: 218-726-2020; Salvation Army: 218-722-7934; Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA): 218-623-3011.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN JANUARY FOR CNAs, TRUCK DRIVERS, AND IT SUPPORT: We are actively recruiting individuals who are interested in training for a new career. In partnership with SOAR Career Solutions, Lake Superior College, and Duluth Public Schools Adult Education, we are able to offer full funding for eligible applicants in three very in-demand skill sets.
IT Support Specialist training starts January 5. Graduates from this program will be able to move into roles utilizing basic user support and help desk information technology skills. Class offered in virtual/distance learning format. Contact SOAR for more information and to
Certified Nursing Assistant classes start January 19. Graduates are eligible to continue on at LSC to gain their Trained Medication Aid certification to increase wages and job options. Class offered as a hybrid class with limited in-person lab classes at LSC. Contact Betsy Hill at Duluth Workforce Development at 218-730-5228 or
bhill@duluthmn.gov or SOAR for more information.
Commercial Truck Driving classes offered in January and April at LSC. Drivers are very in-demand and there are many local driving opportunities available in addition to very lucrative over the road driving options. Contact Jose Cabrera at 218-730-5246 or
jcabrera@duluthmn.gov for more information and an application appointment.
In addition to these training opportunities, Duluth CareerForce has a wide variety of virtual services available to help with a job search. Go to CareerForceMN.com/Duluth to register for a free meeting with a local job counselor to go over your resume or discuss your job search.
From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday
“And having been warned in a dream…they left for their own country by another road.” ~ Matthew 2:12
We're not the first congregation, in the history of our faith, to have to get creative and make adjustments on the ways we spread the message and engage our ministry. It's pretty much been a constant theme of Christianity since it began. I think of the Apostle Paul, sending letters to the churches in places like Galatia, Corinth, and Thessalonica – engaging the issues and tensions respective to each city and setting, but retaining a steady spirit of hope and joy in the lives in Christ they shared.
One thing Christians are good at is adapting, adjusting, and persevering. Again, we've been doing this since from the beginning (Resurrection? What?). I've worshiped in places like Nicaraugua and East Timor, let alone in different parts of our country like rural Louisiana and urban Chicago, and I can tell you with certainty that no matter the difference in language or liturgy or music, a faithful bunch can muster up the spirit no matter the circumstances. So…we get creative – the lanterns for Christmas were gorgeous and the collective greetings and candles in our Christmas Eve video filled me with love when I first watched it – and we muster up the spirit.
So that's my question for you today: how are you feeling the spirit in this time? How are you getting creative with your faith and feeling God's presence in new and different ways? I ask in the spirit of what the online generations call “hive mind”…if you can share your tips and tricks and ideas, there's a good chance somebody else would greatly value them! Likewise, you or I may learn a thing or two from others that share.
So: send me a note. Let me know how things are going and how you're finding faith. I'll share them. Together, we'll continue to adjust our faith as we need to, and keep our faith vibrant. Historically, we are in very good company.
Keep in touch,
Pastor Paul
