Summer seems the perfect time for a picnic, so the Reconciling Committee invites all the gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people at Good Samaritan for a potluck picnic lunch following the second service on Sunday, July 26. We would like to know 2 things: (1) Are you planning on attending? Please send an e-mail to marlys23@comcast.net by July 1 so we know if we have enough people to gather. (2) Would you be willing to help coordinate this event? We are looking for someone who would pick the park location and be the point person for last minute communications and directions. Please also indicate that information to Marlys by July 1. We look forward to gathering together!

Wanted: Singles, couples, families, scout troops, faith groups, school friends, book clubs, sports teams, social clubs, committee members, or anyone else interested in assisting with Families Moving Forward—July 5–12. Families Moving Forward is the program where we host homeless families for the week. No previous experience required, just a willingness to play with children, help with food, set up/tear down rooms, grocery shop or participate in a sleepover. Apply in person by signing up at the table in Fellowship Hall where further job descriptions are available. If you are unable to participate money is also needed for various supplies throughout the week. GOOD SAM NEEDS YOU!

Join family, friends, and our bishop for a night of big league fun and excitement watching a Twins game. Wednesday, July 29 at 7:10 p.m., Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox. Come and join Bishop Dyck in singing “Take me out to the ball game” during the 7th inning stretch. Additionally, enjoy reduced rates on tickets and food. Lower level reserved seats are $21 (regularly $31), and you can order a discount concession coupon for a hot dog and soft drink for $3.75 (regularly $6.50). The order deadline is July 21, and reservations will be filled with the best available seat locations on a first come/first served basis. For information or to order tickets contact Adam Wallschlaeger of the Twins at 612-375-7512. See you at the ball game!

Join our Summer Choir for the last Sunday of each of our summer months—July 26, and August 30. We’ll gather at 8:15 AM for rehearsal and then sing at both the 9:00 and 10:30 AM worship services. This is a great time to invite fellow singers to share in a summer choir worship opportunity!

If you have questions, please contact Music Coordinator Gavin Berg at gavin@good.org.

We know you are out there! The Library Committee wants your art on our wall. We are getting serious about promoting our Good Samaritan artists. Come to the church library and see the beautiful “Scent of Spring”, a painting by one of our Good Samaritans. We would like to continue to present works throughout the year, recognizing the Artists Among Us. Just about any kind of art will be welcome. Contact victoria.dunn@q.com or ajkites@msn.com of the Library Committee if you have a piece you would like to display. Get your talent out of the closet and become an Artist Among Us!

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church seeks: Summer Outdoor Worship Assistant, Child Care Workers.
You can submit resumes  my mail, email or fax:  Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, 5730 Grove Street, Edina, MN 55436; Fax 952-927-4716; Email: resume@good.org,

Summer Outdoor Worship Assistant:  Good Samaritan United Methodist Church seeks someone to set up and take down equipment and resources for Sunday morning worship services in the amphitheater. You can read a full Job Description HERE.

The Far-Eastern parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant exists in many versions. In general, the story depicts sight impaired people touching various portions of the great animal and from their single perspective, being asked to describe what an elephant is like. One holds the tail and says an elephant is like a rope, one leans against a leg and says an elephant is like a tree, one touches the tusk and says an elephant is like a spear, one tries to hang on to the trunk and says an elephant is like a snake… Each one understandably perceives the elephant from the perspective of their own experience.

Please remember to send photos that depict people and events in the life of Good Samaritan UMC during the last 50 years to Dandy Lewis. If you have photos you’d be willing to share, please label the back of the photos with your name and phone number. If you can, please indicate:

BeFriender Ministry is sponsoring a new display case in the Fellowship Room. The purpose is to raise awareness of our active-duty soldiers and as a reminder to offer prayers and support for them and their families. To participate, please deliver a photo of your soldier to the church office "BeFriender Ministry" box and include the appropriate information: name, rank, branch of service, deployment or base assignment, address for letters and care packages, and the soldier’s connection to you and Good Samaritan Church. You may wish to email the information to lunaloba710@aol.com. To respect privacy concerns, we will only post information with permission from soldiers or their families.

Join us in praying for the world.
Here is a link, sponsored by the World Council of Churches, to help you as you pray.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts. Lord, hear our prayer ...

Appalachia Service Project Trip 2009

Saturday, June 13-Sunday, June 21 Magoffin Co., Kentucky Good Samaritan UMC will be sending 35 youth and adult volunteers on its 31st annual trip with ASP to assist in home repairs. Each year about 15,000 volunteers from across the United States participate with ASP in assisting in home repairs to 400-500 families in need. These projects range from roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, and digging drainage ditches, to making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible and other ways to help make homes warmer, drier, or safer.

Read about Good Samaritan's BeFriender Ministry!

The Caring Ministry Committee is making free note cards available to the congregation. The cards feature photos taken at Good Samaritan. Let someone know you are thinking about them with one of these cards. New images will be added periodically. Look for them in the Narthex in the lower slots of the CareNotes card stand.

For 2008 and 2009 people over 70.5 years of age may continue to gift their Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from their IRA accounts and avoid any tax reporting. For example, if your RMD for 2008 were $5,000.00, you could transfer that money directly to the charity of your choice (maybe the Good Samaritan Foundation or Good Samaritan UMC for it’s operating budget) and your 1099 would reflect no taxable income for 2008. If interested, please contact: John@good.org.