We Come to the Water ...AT LAKE HARRIET August 18th, 2002

Last Sunday, August 18, St. Joan of Arc, already an ecumenical beacon for churchgoers in the Twin Cities, shared its music and joy on the shores of Lake Harriet. It is an annual event for St. Joan as they join with other churches from the south Minneapolis area to present a service on a summer Sunday from the Bandshell on the lake.

The Prelude music was “My Lord What a Morning” and even before it was played, those were the words on everyone’s lips. It was a perfect morning - cool, dry and cloudless. Faces in the crowd were varied, many familiar and others new. With such a popular “venue” one can only imagine people from all over attending the Sunday Lake Harriet services as though making different menu choices to find the dish that touches the soul. And there was much to touch the soul when St. Joan of Arc took the stage.

The service was casual, upbeat and joyous. Karin Grosscup and Mark Scannell were the presiders; musicians were Dick Hedlund, Steve Kremer, Rachael Kroog, Julie Madden and Nancy Stockhaus - all familiar faces and part of the ubiquitous talent represented at St. Joan of Arc.

Water was the theme and it was everywhere. We glimpsed it as shimmering blue through the giant windowpanes at the back of the Bandshell and we heard it in the music, the readings and homilies. When Mark Scannell talked about the week’s headlines in his opening prayer, the response was: “God of water, hear us!”

We come from the water, we come from the water, go back to the water, turn the world around

Karin Grosscup read a personal meditation, “In Praise of Creation”. It was a beautiful prayer honoring the Creator and the miracle of the universe. The refrain, Being, Birthing, Blessing was echoed by Rachel Kroog and it seemed particularly apt on such a glorious morning.

After singing, “Swimming to the Other Side” Rachel called children up on the stage to help her present the children’s homily. She used a dipper and bucket to talk about the ebb and flow of the Water of Life. Reminding us that we all develop “holes” in our bucket that allow the Water to be lost, Rachel asked the children how they plug up those holes. The eclectic responses were simple but wise, light-hearted but serious. They spoke about creative activities such as painting and singing, about helping people, working on computers, eating, playing - and perhaps the most thought provoking, “plugging up the hole with a rock”. Rachel is a bundle of energy who’s own child-like demeanor clearly appeals to the children who surround her. When she left the stage to go down to the lake, they followed in Pied Piper fashion to gather water to use later in the service.

The Gospel reading, Matthew 14:22-33, told about the fear and doubt Peter felt when he was called to walk on water. Mark Scannell contrasted that to the anxiety and turbulence so widespread today due to violence, natural disasters, and economic threats. When Jesus reached out his hand, Peter had faith and was saved; likewise, we need to reach out to others. It is then that we will feel a sense of belonging and connection as we hear Jesus speak through each other.

“Somos el Barco” and the energetic, “River of Hope” were sung by the SJA musicians while a free-will collection was gathered. Designated offerings were to be forwarded to specific congregations, but all remaining funds went to the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. Meanwhile, Rachel Kroog and the children returned to the stage to pour the water they gathered into a large container. After the Lord’s Prayer, the audience extended their hands toward the stage to bless the water. Then, with great enthusiasm, the children each took a bucket of the water and with a branch, “christened” the audience as they proceeded down the aisles.

Sue O'Brien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is dental hygienist and manages a dental practice in Spring Lake Park. A parishioner for many years, Sue worked as a caregiver at Grace House for seven years, beginning the week it opened. Now she is looking forward to meeting new people at St. Joan of Arc as she helps out as a web reporter and photographer.

The Final Blessing came in the form of “Halle, Halle, Halle’ played and sung by the musicians and accompanied by a swaying, arm-waving audience. I’m sure that more than one jogger or person on roller blades stopped to wonder at the zeal of this Sunday morning celebration. The final song was an invitation and challenge as the musicians ended the service with, “Wade in the Water”. Many people took the path to the water while others gathered up lawn chairs, children, and sunscreen. Once again God looked down on her people and blessed them - this time with blue skies, sparkling water, and message of faith and love.