Local Partners

FLC Local & Global Ministry

To offer support for and create opportunities to live out Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor

FLC Local & Global Ministry Team members:
Chair John Musick, Sharon Turnboom, Lorraine Carlson, Janet Ward, Ann Beck, Kathleen Braddy

Local & Global Ministry Team Guiding Purpose:
Through our Local & Global Ministries at FLC, we seek to recognize the oneness and beauty of God in the diversity of all God’s people. To this end we offer support, encouragement, and opportunities to live out Jesus’ commandment to love God and our neighbor, that our hearts and vision might be opened to God’s grace and purpose.

Following the example of Jesus, Local & Global Ministries strive to:

Nurture inclusive relationships of mutual respect between members of FLC and our ministry partners, both in Duluth and the global community.
Walk with the most economically and socially marginal in the partner community in their struggles and suffering, accompanying them in ways that foster independence and self-reliance for individuals, and promote peace, righteousness, and justice in the entire community.

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us…”

2 Corinthians 5:20

Local Ministries

Angel Tree Project

The Angel Tree is annual holiday project which provide the opportunity for people to purchase individualized Christmas gifts for children and young adults. The team gathers names and gift requests from the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) and from the Renaissance House Transition Apartments at LSS Center for Changing Lives. They coordinate the display of Angel tags, the gathering and sorting of gifts, and arranging for delivery. In 2018, 119 gifts were delivered to AICHO and CCL.

Brenda Schrader Johnson
bsjohnsonslp@gmail.com

CHUM Rhubarb Fest Action Team

The Rhubarb Fest is an annual community event which is a major fundraiser for CHUM. It is supported by many area churches, and is hosted at First Lutheran. 40+ FLC members are involved in making rhubarb related baked goods, jams, jellies, relishes, etc, and serving the day of the event.

Char Juntunen
charjuntunen@gmail.com

Damiano Center Bread-Run Action Team

Twice a month several team members collect day-old bread and bakery good at Cub Foods (typically 6 full carts) and deliver them to the Damiano Center. The Damiono Center is the largest emergency meal provider in the NE, and also provides some assistive programs.

Paul Anderson
panderson@d.umn.edu

Damiano Center Soup Kitchen Action Team

The first Wednesday of each month, members of the team helps the Damiano Center kitchen staff prepare and serve a healthy noon meal to about 200 people.

Suzanne Canfield
suzanne.canfield@me.com

FLC-NERCC-ONE

A joint ministry in which residents of the Northeast Regional Corrections Center, outside Duluth, and FLC members share their emotional and spiritual struggles. This is done through the restorative circle process in which everyone shares equally to achieve personal growth and to break down barriers between church members and incarcerated individuals toward the goal of unity in Christ.

John Musick
michigan.organizing@gmail.com

Don Streufert
dstreufe@d.umn.edu

CHUM Food Shelf Action Team

This ministry supports the CHUM Food Shelf in a variety of ways. Some volunteer weekly or “on-call” at the Food Shelf by working directly with recipients, helping in the selection of food. They are also involved with promoting food drives in the congregations, especially during the March MN Food Share month.

Char Juntunen
charjuntunen@gmail.com

Interfaith Committee for Migrant Justice (ICMJ)

Not an FLC Action Team, but members in leadership

Dory Sjoblom
dstinkrain@aol.com

LSS Ambassadors

The Ambassadors serve as a liason between LSS Duluth (Lutheran Social Services) and FLC, providing information, advocacy, and support to programs benefitting LSS services. Diaper Drive, Home for Youth benefit, and Renaissance House relationships are several examples of our supportive connections.

Betty Preus
bettypreus@gmail.com

Dana Varland
dvarland@gmail.com

Meals on Wheels Action Team

Under the Arrowhead Senior Food and Nutrition Services, members deliver prepared noon meals to homebound individuals in the East Hillside neighborhood. Our FLC commitment is for one week (M-F) every other month. People willing to be on a regular delivery schedule or as a substitute are needed.

Beth Holst
Bethie.holst@gmail.com

Myers-Wilkins Elementary School Action Team

Working with leadership at the school, volunteers support staff in preparing and serving meals for family night activities, help distribute fresh produce through Second Harvest, distribute food bags to homeless students, and assist with the book fair. We support our neighborhood inner city school by encouraging and offering a welcome environment.

Marlys Axelson
marlysaxelson@msn.com