Psalm 34:11,12,13 precedes the new mosaic verse on the south wall of St. Paul”'s Lutheran Church above the Peace Garden and along 28th Street.
V11Â Â Children, come and listen to me.
  I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
v12Â Â Which one of you finds pleasure in life?
 Who wants time to see good (things)?
v13Â Â Do not say anything evil,
 or let your lips tell anything that is false.
v14Â Turn away from evil and do good (things).
  Seek peace and pursue it.
Photo Credit: Talia Hansel
“Cave Dweller” forms take shape to become a new sculpture at Peace Garden. Photo Credit: Patrick Cabello Hansel
BY PATRICK HANSEL
Challenge of sanity
It seems that our community is always under assault, doesn”'t it sometimes? From the exploding heroin epidemic to the President”'s ending of DACA, there is always some threat needing a response. How do we keep our sanity in such times? Â
One Way
One way is through art””whether it”'s painting a mural, decorating a cake for a quinceañera, writing a poem or a story, making mosaics or puppets or sculpture””working together to create art can transform the neighborhood while it is transforming the lives of those who make it and those who experience it.
The Taste of Phillips
The Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts @ St. Paul”'s Lutheran is celebrating the incredible art of the Phillips community at The Taste of Phillips on October 28, from 4 to 9 pm. Local artists will display their work, and there will be so much more. Hands on art projects for all ages, a scavenger hunt for children, a photography show by youth of the community, silent auction and food. The musical lineup includes
Ӣ Peter VanKoughnett and others from East Phillips (part of Bolt Weevils)
Ӣ Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca
”¢ Katherine Parent and Adam Gabriel Rangel””Spoken word and songs of resistance
Ӣ Los Chinelos
Be Joyful! ARTISTS AT WORK! Photo Credit: Talia Hansel
StP 130 & 500th Anniversary”'s Theses
St. Paul”'s will be 130 years old on October 31, 2017, which is also the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. St. Paul”'s, with other Lutherans around the world, has been focusing on three “theses” this year:
Ӣ Salvation is not for sale
Ӣ Human Beings are not for sale
Ӣ Creation is not for sale
Refuge Peace Garden Dedication
At the Taste of Phillips, St. Paul”'s will be dedicating its Peace Garden on the 28th Street side of its building. The Peace Garden includes fruit trees, grape vines, a meditation path, and art that speaks of peace. We are designing it to help reduce storm water runoff and provide habitat for birds and pollinators. Indeed, it is meant to be a refuge for all.
Patrick Cabello Hansel is Co-Pastor of St. Paul”'s Lutheran Church on 15th Av and 28th St., a writer and a poet.
This activity is funded, in part, by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State”'s general fund, through the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association, Inc.
St. Paul”'s is located at 2742 15th Ave S. For more information, call 612-724-3862, or e-mail: stpaulscreate@gmail.com. St. Paul”'s will celebrate its 130th anniversary on Sunday, October 29, with a bilingual service at 11 am, and a pot luck lunch afterwards.
