Ballots Dimpled While You Wait

Agape Class is sponsoring a two part Christmas extravaganza on Saturday, December 16.  You may come to both, either, or (although I can't imagine why) neither of these wonderful opportunities for adults and children.

Phase I. Murphy's Landing:  1:45 pm - 4:00 pm

Murphy's Landing is a restored and recreated river landing that brings you back to the period from 1840 to 1890.  It was originally a settlement that grew up around land owned by Indian Agent, Major Murphy who also ran a ferry across the Minnesota River. 

He hoped it would become a significant town and named it Prairieville. Nearby was the Mdewankaton Dakota village of Chief Shakopee and the Indian Mission of Samuel and Gideon Pond.  Oliver Faribault also had a cabin there.  He was the son of Jean Baptiste Faribault whose home and hotel is located next to the Sibley house in Mendota.

The area lost its key position when the railroad came through, stopping nearest to the river in the town of Shakopee to the west.  When the area was redeveloped, the Pond Mission was still standing and there was also a grist mill.  Other authentic buildings were moved in from different parts of the nearby Minnesota River Valley.  The Landing is thus a recreation of a typical settlement during the period of 1840 - 1890.  It is inhabited (during business hours) by people who recreate the feel of that time period. 

Murphy's Landing is located at 2187 Highway 101, about two miles west of Valley Fair, and there is a sign on the highway indicating the turnoff.  We want to gather as a group by the entrance by 1:45 pm on Saturday, December 16 in order to start our tour promptly at 2:00 pm.  If you come late, you cannot enter with the group and must pay the regular rate of $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for children instead of the group rate of $6.00.

There is much to see and we have to be out by 4:00 pm, so we want to make the best use of our time.  Be there and dress for the weather.  For our viewing pleasure, Murphy's Landing will be decorated that particular day to celebrate our state's Norwegian heritage.  (How's THAT for multiculturalism!)

Phase II A:  Caroling and/or snacks with cider  4:30 - 5:30

Those who come from Murphy's Landing may wish to just cozy up to the fire and sip something warm.  Others just might dare to venture out into the neighborhood and see who will appreciate caroling by a bunch of amateurs.

Phase II B:  Dinner and Conversation  5:30 -- ……?

Well, you don't have to talk if you don't want to (I am, of course, referring to those of the Norwegian persuasion) but if some of the Irish influence from the Landing of Major Murphy rubbed off, you may have inadvertently picked up the gift of the Blarney Stone.

The cost of the Dinner will be $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under.  Anonymous donors have provided help for those who may have a hardship with this amount, but for most of us, remember that it  is about the cost of popcorn, soft drink and a movie.  We will not demand the money in advance, but no-shows will be harassed and possibly libeled here in this space.

Sign up on the list at Church or call:
Ross & Karin 612-824-7691 or Bob & Paulette 952-435-6007

Or tear and mail this handy coupon to
Agape Class,  5150 Chicago Ave. So., Minneapolis MN 55417

Name: __________________________ 
Number of adults + adolescents ____  Number of children ____

Coming to I. Murphy's Landing  Yes __  No__  @$6.00 
Coming to II. Dinner  Yes __ No __ @$12.00 or $6.00

After the all-church Concert of Prayer on Sunday evening November 19, with music by "The Planters," there was a semi-spontaneous, food and fellowship, social Regathering at Perkins on 60th and Nicollet attended by about a dozen avid conversationalists.

As the Gatherings pick up steam in the coming year, you can count on a Regathering to follow.  Some will be at homes.  Some will be at eating establishments and some will be at church.

Watch for those announcements in class and if you come to the Gathering, hang around the back afterwards and look interested.  One of our operatives will make contact.

It says so right on his card.  But there is still no fee charged for the  critically acclaimed Sunday School Class , "My Three Sins,"  a study of 1 Timothy.
(A free-will offering MAY be taken at any time -- as you recall, Rev. Fleming is also a former missionary.)

Come and ask questions.  You will solve you problems -- that's what consultants do -- and also try to stretch this series out so we can coast well into the next year and beyond without trying to sign another free agent.

Now that we mentioned it, your offerings are appreciated, needed and well used.  As a class, we have committed ourselves to giving  Anniversary gifts (or Birthday for singles) and Christmas gifts to a number of missionaries, which amounts to over $600.00 per year.  About $400.00 of that comes due in December.  We also try to subsidize the cost of social events for those to whom it may be a hardship. 

Our treasury will be down to zero when the Christmas gifts go out and , unlike the weather, we do not have the option of going below zero.  Also, unlike the church, no one has donated any property to us and unlike many Colleges, we are not endowed.

Therefore, we ask that you think about a special offering in the next couple of weeks -- before we are tempted to turn loose the formidable fund-raising skills of our teacher.  Give now while it is still YOUR idea!