Blog Posts - THE RECOVERY CHURCH

June 5: Pablo Neruda Poem

6/4/2022

Keeping Quiet
Pablo Neruda

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let's not speak in any language;
let's stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about...
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.
Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Blessing of the Bikes May 22

5/2/2022

The annual blessing of the bikes will happen on May 22rd, following the church service (approximately 11am). There is a planned ride to follow.

EPHESIANS 6:17,
“Take the helmet of salvation…”

Thoughts on helmets from Trinity United Methodist Church

Helmets are vital in protecting the head from serious injuries.

I am a bike rider and never ride my bike without a helmet. I never snow ski without a helmet. Many people have been killed with head trauma when they accidentally skied into a tree -- like famous singer Sonny Bono a few years ago. And I would never drive a motorcycle without a helmet.

Imagine how much more they are needed in time of battle! The Roman helmet, like helmets today, protected the head from the attacks of the enemy. The helmet of salvation protects us spiritually from a powerful attacks against our mind from the enemy. Without the helmet, we leave ourselves exposed on the spiritual battlefield. more

Dragonfly Metamorphosis

5/1/2022

In today's service Pastor Martha described the incredible metamorphosis of a dragonfly,

The John Roedel Poem from Sunday

4/24/2022

my brain and heart divorced a decade ago over who was to blame about how big of a mess I have become.

Eventually, they couldn't be in the same room with each other now my head and heart share custody of me

I stay with my brain during the week and my heart gets me on weekends. they never speak to one another - instead, they give me the same note to pass to each other every week; and their notes they send to one another always says the same thing: "This is all your fault"

on Sundays my heart complains about how my head has let me down in the past and on Wednesday my head lists all of the times my heart has screwed things up for me in the future.

they blame each other for the state of my life. there's been a lot of yelling - and crying. so, lately, I've been spending a lot of time with my gut, who serves as my unofficial therapist. most nights, I sneak out of the window in my ribcage and slide down my spine and collapse on my gut's plush leather chair that's always open for me

and I just sit sit sit sit until the sun comes up. last evening, my gut asked me if I was having a hard time being caught between my heart and my head. I nodded. I said I didn't know if I could live with either of them anymore, "my heart is always sad about something that happened yesterday while my head is always worried about something that may happen tomorrow," I lamented.

my gut squeezed my hand, "I just can't live with my mistakes of the past or my anxiety about the future," I sighed. my gut smiled and said: "in that case, you should go stay with your lungs for a while,". I was confused - the look on my face gave it away. "if you are exhausted about your heart's obsession with the fixed past and your mind's focus on the uncertain future your lungs are the perfect place for you:
there is no yesterday in your lungs
there is no tomorrow there either
there is only now
there is only inhale
there is only exhale
there is only this moment
there is only breath
and in that breath, you can rest while your heart and head work their relationship out."

this morning, while my brain was busy reading tea leaves and while my heart was staring at old photographs, I packed a little bag and walked to the door of my lungs. before I could even knock, she opened the door with a smile and as a gust of air embraced me she said "what took you so long?"

~ John Roedel

Distributing Bag Lunches this Saturday

4/24/2022

TRC will again prepare and distribute lunches throughout downtown St Paul. Join us this Saturday.

March 20 Really IS Mr Rogers Day

3/20/2022

On March 20, 2021, Presbyterians across the United States paid tribute to the ordained Presbyterian minister and iconic children’s television host through acts such as distributing care packages, hiding rocks painted with uplifting messages in local parks, and hosting neighborhood gatherings.

“Last year, we were so inspired by all of the churches that recognized the first Mister Rogers Day,” said Stephanie Fritz, Mission Coordinator for Christian Formation. “They really took on the spirit of Mister Rogers’ work and life with service projects, supporting area businesses and neighbors, and spreading joy.”

2022 Flower Sale [ENDED for 2022]

2/5/2022

Celebrate the coming of Spring!
TRC is teaming with Gertens for a limited time to offer local, beautiful plants to beautify lives, represent hope and growth, and benefit the church.

Ordering is easy, on-line, and available here.
If the page prompts you for a 'store number', enter '369'.

Orders can also be made at the church following services through April 5th.

Be the Message of Hope

1/26/2022

Thinking about volunteering to speak? You'll never find a more friendly audience than your friends at TRC -- and your message could really reach someone.

Here are a few pointers you may want to incorporate:

Nervousness Is Normal
The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more.
Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You
I always start with a prayer that my 'tongue' might get out of the way of my message.
Stay close to the microphone.
If you hear feedback, while it may seem natural to back off the mic, you actually want to move towards the mic.
End on time
Make part of your practicing to get your thoughts across within the time allotted.
Let Your Personality Come Through.
Be yourself.
Tell Stories, Use Humor, and Effective Language.
Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can also accomplish that.
Don’t Read Unless You Have to; work from an Outline.
Reading from a script fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on track. Eyes-up also allows you to see any time-keeper's signals.

New Year Celebration at TRC

12/23/2021

Celebrate a sober new year
at The Recovery Church
Food, Live DJ, Music, Fun
All are welcome
($5 donation at the door)

December 31,
7:00pm Dinner ($7 donation)
8:00pm Photo Booth
10:00pm Raffle Drawing
Midnight: Celebrate 2022

Christmas Schedule

12/23/2021

Join Us this Friday Dec 24 th ,
at 7:00PM for our Christmas Eve Service
All are welcome to attend in person!!!