Join us in packing meals for Food 4 Kidz! Saturday, November 2nd. There are three shifts available, and we need 190 volunteers per shift. Adults and children ages 6 and up are welcome to help.

Food For Kidz is an international food relief campaign. Our goal is to pack 100,000 meals. 50% stay local, 50% help our international neighbors.

Packages contain seasoned rice, fortified soy and protein, 21 vitamins and minerals, dehydrated vegetables, chicken flavoring, salt, and fat. Meals will be distributed to our local Channel One which services the School Backpack Program. International distributions will go to countries in need of food through Food for Kidz.

To sign up, please follow this link: bit.ly/foodforkidz2024

The Well is a monthly gathering of people who identify as female and are 21 years of age or older. Together, we share and discuss culturally relevant topics that help us navigate life in healthy ways. Join us as often as you can on the third Monday of each month and treat yourself to new friendships, deep wisdom, and the transformative company of sisterhood.

Date: Third Monday of each month, year-round

Location: Various locations, you'll receive an email each month with the location

Registration deadline: There is no signup deadline.

Feel free to join our group at any point.  Invite a friend!

Time: 7pm - 8:30pm

Questions: Contact Pastor Marla 507-289-1841 or rotman@gloria-dei.com

The Looking Within Center: Reset on Oct. 19

Date: Saturday, October 19

Location: The Looking Within Center at Gloria Dei, Rochester, MN

Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 16

Session Fee: There is no cost for this session.

Time: Register below for the session(s) you’ll attend:

Morning Meditation: 8:15-8:45am (Fireside Room)

A meditative beginning to the day guided by Cheri Dirksmeyer

Morning Stretch: 8:45-9:00am (Fireside Room)

An embodied and accessible morning stretch prayer guided by Dr. Dawn Jacobson

Breakfast: 9:00-9:30am (LWC)

Large Group Time: 9:30-11:00am (LWC)

Facilitator: Charles Ortloff, spiritual director and retired pastor

This month’s theme: “Finding Christ In Our Changes, Challenges, and Crises”

When things aren’t going our way, God seems to have forgotten to pick up the phone. Let’s assume for a moment that God has not done anything to ignore us. The problem must be on our side. Charles will give us three simple and practical ideas about being more able to hear God, in all seasons, but especially in those seasons of difficulty.

Charles Ortloff is a spiritual director and retired pastor whose deep wisdom and valuable insights come from years on the spiritual journey. His recent personal walk with stage four cancer is leading him to help others to welcome cancer, or any challenge or "guest" on the journey, for the unexpected gifts that challenges can bring into our lives.

Please join us for the Gloria Dei Meetup. We’ll have some lunch and connect. Other new(ish) people to Gloria Dei will be around, staff will be there, and we’ll simply enjoy some face to face time and a meal together. We hope this is a time when some new connections can be made, others can grow deeper, and we can all enjoy a good Sunday meal!

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024

Time: 11:45 am (after EpicOneEight Worship)

Place: Looking Within Center (downstairs from the Sanctuary)

There is no cost for this event.

Please sign up by Thursday, September 26 so we can plan for food.

Questions? Contact Kristelle Behle (kristelleb@gloria-dei.com) or call the church at 507-289-1841

The Sandbox Cooperative and The Looking Within Center present a livestreamed podcast and book launch for “The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home”, the newest work by author John Philip Newell. Podcast hosts Dave Berg and Chris Roberts will visit with John Philip Newell, joining us from Edinburgh, Scotland, for a conversation about his exciting new book.

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Time: 10:00 am CST

Location: Participant’s Choice – In-person at Gloria Dei in the Looking Within Center – OR – Live via Zoom

Registration deadline: Sunday, September 8

Event Fee: There is no cost for this event.

Join us for a book launch event in support of “The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home,” the latest work by noted Celtic teacher and author of spirituality, John Philip Newell. In his new book, John Philip explores the great spiritual yearnings of humanity today in the midst of the decline of religion as we have known it. Newell argues that the urgent challenges of this moment are not only ecological, political, and economic, they are also spiritual. He writes, “...there is a quest of soul today, for new depths of wisdom to guide us into wellbeing, both individually and together.”

You don't need to have read the book before the event, but if you choose to, it is available for purchase from your favorite bookseller.

Event Sponsors:

The Looking Within Center: Located in the heart of Rochester, Minnesota within Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, The Looking Within Center's mission is to provide a lens to see the divine in all things and all people. Our center serves as a sanctuary for spiritual explorers, offering diverse opportunities to stretch the heart, mind, and spirit.

The Sandbox Cooperative Podcast: Started in 2013, The Sandbox Cooperative Podcast seeks to knock down walls of division with curiosity and conversation.

Contact Julie Stevens, The Looking Within Center Director, with questions. (julies@gloria-dei.com)

And coming in September: Be sure to check out our NEW AND EXPANDED LOOKING WITHIN CENTER WEBSITE at: lookingwithincenter.com. This can be your hub for finding upcoming in-person sessions plus helpful digital recordings and practices available 24/7 to help you on your spiritual path.

Registration Link:

Join us for a grill out as we celebrate the start of fall activities at Gloria Dei! Meet up with friends old and new and eat some great food.

Let us know if you can come -- we love planning ahead and want to plan for enough food without having excess leftovers.

Date: Wednesday, September 4
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Place: Gloria Dei Lower Level Parking Lot
Rain Plan: Move indoors

Questions? Contact Kristelle Behle (kristelleb@gloria-dei.com or 507-289-1841)

Songs and Suds - August 25, 6-8 PM, LTS Brewing Company
2001 32nd Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Songs and Suds is all about having some fun, meeting new people and seeing old friends, singing some songs… AND meeting our new choir director Jason Miller-Dunbar! We’ll enjoy conversation, gather by section to learn our parts, and sing together!

Here’s what you need to know:

• There is no experience necessary.

• This is for fun, something to try!

• If you like to sing in the shower this is for you.

• If you are a vocal virtuoso, this is for you.

Join us for a night of fun as we make a joyful and potentially good noise! 

This Fall, we are making moves to evolve our Wednesday night ministries: Confirmation, GDYG, and Water's Edge. We want our youth to be more active and empowered during Water's Edge, and one way we're seeking to do that is by inviting them to play music with us!

Here's where you come in: We are excited to announce the formation of a new youth-led band and invite students from grades 6-12 to audition! This is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills, perform with peers, and have a lot of fun.

Audition Details:

Date: Sunday, August 25th

Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: Gloria Dei Sanctuary

Whether you play an instrument or sing, we would love to see your talent! Please prepare a short piece that showcases your abilities.

In addition to musicians, we are also looking for volunteers to help run slide presentations and assist with sound management. If you have an interest in these areas, please let us know!

This youth-led band will be a vital part of leading our weekly Wednesday worship service. We are excited to share that our Wednesday night worship experience is changing, and we want you to be a part of it!

To sign up for an audition slot or volunteer position, or if you have any questions, please fill out this google form.

We look forward to hearing you play and working with our volunteers!

Best regards,

Emily and Chris

Gloria Dei gathers at Berne Pizza for community and music together

Wednesday, June 19 @ 5 - 8pm

Find out more information:

www.bernepizza.org

How to meet up:

- Find the stage with the music

- Look left and you will see the wood fire pizzas being made

- Continue to look left where there is open space before the trees / woods in the background

- Walk all the way by the trees: you will find Kristelle and a group of Gloria Dei people

.............................................................................................................................................

WELCOME TO BERNE WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Admission is free. Please order a pizza to support our fundraiser!

Pizzas are served in a box. If you prefer plates, bring your own. Garbage must be carried out when you go. There is no dumpster. Please bring plastic bags to pack out any waste.

Pop, water, ice cream, and chips are sold on the grounds, but you are welcome to bring your beverage of choice, including beer or wine.

Bring your own lawn chairs. Seating is not provided.

Pizzas are cooked rain or shine unless weather is severe and cost between $20-25. Sorry, but we do not have gluten-free crusts.

No pets please.

We have portable bathrooms on the grounds, including a handicapped accessible bathroom and a handwashing station.

Volunteers work diligently to serve hundreds of pizzas within 3 hours each week. Come ready to relax and enjoy the atmosphere - not just the pizza! Please know we pride ourselves in serving you as quickly as possible, but we are not a traditional restaurant, and serving times will vary based on crowds.

Check out our Facebook page! For regular information updates, photos, and customer comments, "Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

Berne Wood-Fired Pizza is a fundraiser for the Zwingli United Church of Christ, Berne, MN. All profits go to support the church and chosen charities. We thank-you for your support!

Looking Within Center:   Art and Spirituality Session: “HeARTful Meditations”

Date:  Tuesday, June 18

Location:  Looking Within Center and Garden Lounge at Gloria Dei

Time:  6:30 - 8:30pm

Registration deadline:  Friday, June 14

Facilitator: artist Lavonne Lovstad

Welcome to our first session of HeARTful Meditations!  This is a unique and enjoyable opportunity to combine Art and Spirituality as a means to deepen one's awareness with the inner, connected self and as a form of meditation if one chooses. Have no fear, no art experience necessary!! Led by our facilitator Lavonne Lovstad, join others in a safe place of guided "silent viewing", music, brief written and shared reflections, creative expression and inner spiritual discovery. You just might be back for more at a future art and spirituality event! 

Lavonne Lovstad’s professional background includes Art Education, Art Therapy, Spiritual Direction and Energy Healing. Her passion is the exploration of Sacred Mystery in all of life.

There is no cost for this event.

Contact Julie Stevens with questions (julies@gloria-dei.com)

You are invited to share a supper called Abide with others who are also on the journey of grief after the death of a loved one. As a community grounded in God’s love for all of us, we are called to comfort, strengthen and walk with one another through life’s ups and downs, just as God walks with each of us.

Sign up by June 2

When: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 6-8 pm

Where: The Garden Lounge at Gloria Dei

What: A meal shared between people on the journey of grief

Cost: No charge; a freewill offering will be taken at the meal

We hope this shared meal will be a time for you to relax and enjoy the company of others. There is no program except the shared conversation and good food prepared by Gloria Dei member Randy Jones.

June 4, 2024 2-4 pm

Tour of Maynard Jones’s Toaster Museum

Gloria Dei member Maynard Jones has been collecting toasters for many years and has been active in a national toaster collector’s association as well. He’ll share his considerable knowledge about these collectibles as we tour his museum. Then we’ll enjoy a special farm style treat!

Sign up at link below or by calling the church office by June 2.

Senior Generation Worship and Lunch

Wednesday, May 29

10 am to Noon

Join other members of our Senior Generation for worship in the Sanctuary at 10 am, followed by a special lunch in the Garden Lounge.

Rochester Pride Fest is coming to town May 18 and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is proud to be a part of the celebrations!

Join us at Soldier’s Field on Saturday, May 18, from 12:00-5:00 pm to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community. There will be food from local restaurants and food trucks, live entertainment, and plenty of local vendors to explore.

How can you show your support? GREAT QUESTION!

In addition to stopping by our booth, we have designed shirts that you can order! A portion of the proceeds will go directly towards a local LGBTQIA+ organization. Click the image to the left or click here to order shirts!

Wear your Pride shirt to Rochester PrideFest to showcase the welcome that Gloria Dei is all about!

Want to help out at our booth? GREAT!

Tuesday, May 7 • 2-4pm

Looking Within Center

RSVP by May 5

Ice Cream Social with music by the RavensFire Band. (Looking Within Center)

The RavensFire Band plays and sings their unique collection of originals and fun covers of many popular varieties of music, including pop, golden oldies, soft rock, traditional blues and jazz, folk and world, vintage country, bluegrass, Irish, and more!

Dates: Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22

Location: Looking Within Center at Gloria Dei

Time: 6:30 - 7:30pm

Registration deadline: Friday, April 26

Presenter: Winston Janusz, licensed mental health counselor

Are you curious about mindfulness and meditation? In our fast paced, constantly distracted world, mindfulness is gaining a lot of attention as a way to bring more peace and well-being into our lives. Mindfulness meditation can become a part of your spiritual practice, but has also been shown to promote mental health though countless scientific studies. In this course, participants will learn about the basics and foundations of mindfulness meditation practice, common misconceptions about meditation, how to work with difficult thoughts and emotions, how to improve focus, start a meditation practice of your own, and apply mindfulness skills in your own life and bring them to the world.

This 4 week course is taught by Winston Janusz who is a licensed mental health counselor, an ordained pastor, and is currently in training to become a certified mindfulness meditation teacher.

There is no cost for this event.

Registration Link:

JOIN US AT 7:00PM AT WHISTLE BINKIES ON THE LAKE!

Theology Pub is a bunch of guys who connect over some beverages and food every few weeks and talk over the big questions of life. On a good week we solve more problems than we create. Bring friends, neighbors, coworkers, and we'll see you there!

Join our Facebook Group to stay up to date!

THEO PUB FACEBOOK GROUP

DATES FOR 2023-2024

September 25

October 16 + 30

November 20

December 4

January 15 + 29

February 19

March 4

April 15 + 29

Please join us for the Gloria Dei Meetup. We’ll have some lunch and connect. Other new(ish) people to Gloria Dei will be around, staff will be there, and we’ll simply enjoy some face to face time and a meal together. We hope this is a time when some new connections can be made, others can grow deeper, and we can all enjoy a good Sunday meal!

Date:  Sunday, April 21, 2024
Time:  11:45 am (after EpicOneEight Worship)
Place:  Looking Within Center (downstairs from the Sanctuary)
There is no cost for this event.

Please sign up by Thursday, April 18 so we can plan for food.

Questions?  Contact Kristelle Behle (kristelleb@gloria-dei.com) or call the church at 507-289-1841

JOIN US AT 7:00PM AT WHISTLE BINKIES ON THE LAKE!

Theology Pub is a bunch of guys who connect over some beverages and food every few weeks and talk over the big questions of life. On a good week we solve more problems than we create. Bring friends, neighbors, coworkers, and we'll see you there!

Join our Facebook Group to stay up to date!

THEO PUB FACEBOOK GROUP

DATES FOR 2023-2024

September 25

October 16 + 30

November 20

December 4

January 15 + 29

February 19

March 4

April 15 + 29

Location for April: TBD

All women 21+ are welcome for faith conversation over some good beer or beverage of your choice. Every third Monday of the month. Bring a friend!

Objectives:

To give women an outlet to explore new areas of their spirituality/faith life

To show that the church is not a building

To foster community among women at Gloria Dei

Date: Saturday, April 13

Location: Looking Within Center

Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 10

Time: Design a Reset that best fits your needs! Register below for one, two, or all three parts of the morning:

Reset-Quiet: 8:15-9am (Fireside Room)

Alone and small group time provides a wonderful start to the morning guided by Cheri Dirksmeyer.

Reset-Breakfast: 9:00-9:30am (Garden Lounge)

Community time while enjoying a light breakfast.

Reset-Exploration: 9:30-11:00am (Looking Within Center)

Explore a topic to help you on your spiritual journey.

Exploration Presenter: Melissa Schultz

This month’s theme: “Dreams As Spiritual Encounters: Navigating Divine Presence”

In this Reset Exploration, we will delve into the mysterious realm of dreams. Discover how dreams can be a powerful medium for God to communicate with us, reveal God’s presence, and impart wisdom for your life journey. Learn the language of symbolic imagery to interpret your dreams' messages and deepen your relationship with the Divine. Participants may bring a dream to share and practice discernment.

Melissa Schultz, acupuncturist, herbalist and spiritual director, enjoys exploring the intersection of Christian mysticism and integrative medicine. With a heart devoted to Christ and a mind open to diverse wisdom traditions, Melissa draws on God’s promise of restoration and insights from the Asian healing arts to offer guidance for those seeking spiritual growth, mental clarity, and a healthier body. The Christ principles of transformation and healing, and joy and abundance, underscore her belief in the boundless possibilities that arise when faith, mindfulness, and well-being converge. (Melissa will be joining us via Zoom from Spain, where she is currently laying the foundations for establishing a holistic Christian contemplative retreat house along the Camino de Santiago.)

There is no cost for this event.

Contact Julie Stevens with questions (julies@gloria-dei.com)

Have you ever had the chance to read a book and experience its insights and practices through in person contact with the author?  Now is your chance to do just that!  (And if you were part of this experience last fall, this is one more opportunity to enjoy the journey with Charles and his book.)

During our 40 day journey with the daily readings in Charles’ book, we’ll have the chance to meet in person for four Wednesday evenings, providing the chance to visit with Charles and fellow book study members as we apply his insights and practices to our own spiritual journey.

From the book jacket:  “Our inner life of thoughts and feelings can make life so sweet, or so challenging . . . we can be overwhelmed with feelings of anger, anxiety, or fear that just won’t go away. In this book, Charles Ortloff offers us a path through these challenging times with our inner life. He uses simple language, compelling stories, and easy to follow practices to guide us into making friends with our inner life. We all can find that soft landing after a bumpy ride.”

Dates of Book Reading (on your own):  April 1 through May 10

Book Study In-Person Gatherings: Wednesdays – April 3, 10, 17, 24 

Time: Choose either 9-10am – OR – 6-7pm

Location:  Looking Within Center

Leader: Author Charles Ortloff Host: Looking Within Center Director Julie Stevens

Registration Deadline:  Sunday, March 31

There is no cost for this experience. If you have not yet purchased the book, you can find it at your favorite bookseller for $16.99.

Contact Julie Stevens with questions (julies@gloria-dei.com)  

Looking Within Center: “I Am Anxious, Now What?”: Finding Calm in Chaotic Times

Date: Thursday, March 21

Location: Looking Within Center at Gloria Dei

Time: 6:30-8:00pm

Presenter: Karen Ortloff, retired licensed psychologist

Anxiety disorders are among the most pervasive in our culture today. The reasons are multifaceted, and the solutions equally complicated. Crisis, speed of change, and impending doom reported daily can have an overwhelming impact on our mental and physical health. This presentation will look at the sources of our anxiety, ways to work through our worries, and also how to manage the many conflicts/polarities that affect our daily lives.

Retired licensed psychologist Karen Ortloff will lead us in a discussion of how we might respond to the epidemic of anxiety and restore some calm in these chaotic times.

Registration deadline: Monday, March 18

There is no cost for this event.

Contact Julie Stevens with questions (julies@gloria-dei.com)

Check out our other offerings on the Looking Within webpage at: gloria-dei.com/looking-within

FEBRUARY 14, 21, 28, MARCH 6, 13, 20

LUNCH TO FOLLOW

Lent is always a good time to experiment with worship, and this year the Looking Within Center will host Wednesday Midday Prayer Around the Cross at 11:30 a.m. Each week we’ll gather around the cross to pray, hear Scripture, consider a reflection, light candles, and savor reflective music (including Taize). Then, we’ll eat lunch together! Hosted by Julie Stevens, Hayden Kvamme, and Chris Roberts.

We will also have midday worship on Maundy Thursday

and Good Friday at 11:30am in the Looking Within Center.

Location for March: TBD

All women 21+ are welcome for faith conversation over some good beer or beverage of your choice. Every third Monday of the month. Bring a friend!

Objectives:

To give women an outlet to explore new areas of their spirituality/faith life

To show that the church is not a building

To foster community among women at Gloria Dei