Oak Knoll News

In a continuing effort to keep the congregation informed on the issue of affordable housing, the Oak Knoll Beacon Housing Committee likes to share relevant housing articles, information and events.     “Light the Way” Beacon Annual Fundraiser   On September 9th, 2025,  Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative held their annual fundraiser. Over 600 people attended. Beacon has been an Oak Knoll mission partner for a number of years. A number of Beacon committee members attended

Hello OKLC!   Another month has passed now for my internship! And what a month it has been! I have been enjoying spending time with the youth. From kicking off Preschool Chapel with Pastor Jay to Confirmation Sunday and Trunk or Treat, it has been such a blessing to spend time with the youth and continue to watch them learn and grow in their faith journeys.   Pastoral Care has also been a big part of this past month. I had the honor of serving as one of the ministers for the

At our October Council meeting we caught up on all our property projects. The EIFIS repair is complete and looks fabulous! The office remodel is in progress as the furniture has arrived. After a breakdown, a new freezer was ordered and replaced in the kitchen. Fred Moore has been out with his caulking gun, sealing the sidewalk all the way around the church! Thanks Fred!   Over the next few months, we will be reviewing and updating the church bylaws (which hasn’t been done in

Written by Matt Cerar, Music Director As we move toward the end of 2025, we hope you’ve enjoyed the first few months of this new season of music at Oak Knoll. October marked an exciting step forward in our choral skills as we welcomed Parker Degerness into the role of choral conductor. It has been a joy to bring him into our music-making community, and we’re grateful for the energy and talent he brings. Reformation Sunday is always a highlight of the fall season, and we hope

In October we learned about the life cycle of an apple and taste tested apples. We also learned about pumpkins through various hands-on activities. The children enjoyed going on nature walks collecting colorful leaves for art collages and picking the last of the vegetables from our preschool garden boxes. We started Chapel with Pastor Jay and Vicar Chantal in October, learning about Creation and Noah’s Ark. We ended the month with our annual classroom pumpkin parties where th

On October 1st, 2025, we joyfully welcomed the Rev. Yehiel Curry as he began his six-year term as presiding bishop of the ELCA. Church leaders and ecumenical, interreligious and global guests gathered in Minneapolis for his installation service on October 4th.   Delivering the sermon at the installation, the Rev. Kevin Vandiver urged ELCA members to answer the divine call and stand alongside Bishop Curry in these uncertain times: “It is a call that you may have to say yes to

Written by Stephen Murray, Streaming Director   When I ask someone to share a story for The Knoll Podcast, they are usually surprised. “Why me?” they ask. “There’s nothing special about me.” A week later, however, they’ll come back and ask how to get set up to record and when we do record, they share story that is both profound and simple. Like the little bits of wisdom you’d hear if you were catching up with a friend and sharing a cup of coffee.   That’s how I view The Knoll

Written by Christina Black, Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Director Birth of Jesus at Dinner & Family Night   During our first Dinner & Family Night, we welcomed several confirmation parents, students, Sunday schoolers, and their families. After enjoying dinner together, we broke into groups to read about the birth of Jesus. Then, each group was challenged to depict part of the story using a unique set of art supplies. It was a fun time—thanks to everyone who attended!  

Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) is a voluntary health, education, and welfare organization that was founded in 1954 to serve children and youth in the inner city of Minneapolis. Their mission is to enrich the skills, prospects, and spirit of North Minneapolis area youth and adults, in partnership with families and communities. Your donations go toward paid internships and job training opportunities, free year-round academic and social-emotional enrichment of K-5 schola

Thursday, November 20th   All members of the public are invited to a Candlelight Memorial Service hosted by the West Suburban Grief Coalition to honor our lost loved ones as we enter the holiday season.   This meaningful service helps to bring comfort, hope and healing to attendees who have experienced the death of a loved one. You needn’t be a Grief Coalition participant nor a church member to attend. All grieving hearts are welcome to honor and remember their people.   Serv

Watch Your Mailbox for an Invitation to GATHER, GROW, CELEBRATE   Arriving in your mail soon is Oak Knoll's invitation to participate in our 2026 generosity campaign.   Since 1932, this congregation has been building "a house where love can dwell and all can safely live."* As we approach our current facility's 30th anniversary in 2026, we celebrate this latest chapter in our congregation's nearly century-long story of faithful ministry.   As Christians, we know that generosit

Honoring Our Past, Growing into God’s Future   For more than 90 years, our congregation has gathered in Christ’s name. Generation after...

In a continuing effort to keep the congregation informed on the issue of affordable housing, the Oak Knoll Beacon Housing Committee likes...

Debunking Common Misconceptions About Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S.   The following information is from the Global Refuge...

Hello Oak Knoll! My what a busy month of September it has been for me. From learning about our numerous ministry partners, including ICA...

Written by Christina Black, Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Director Confirmation and Sunday School are in Full Swing   There are 17...

The month of September started with classroom visits, where we met our new students and their families. This fall we welcomed 52 families...

HVAC   The control timers for the new bathroom fans were replaced in August. The timers add to the efficiency of our building. The...

Written by Matt Cerar, Music Director The new music season is off and running! The Oak Knoll choir has been deep in rehearsals, and we...

September was a busy month! In addition to welcoming Vicar Chantal Branker, we welcomed 9 new members! Sunday school resumed for the...

The Garden is once again producing a variety of tasty blessings for our neighbors in need. Six hundred pounds have been harvested and...

We had a busy agenda for the August council meeting.    After several months of work, the church’s emergency plan has been reviewed by...

Written by Matt Cerar, Music Director The start of the school year means the start of the Oak Knoll Choir! The choir starts rehearsals on...

We wrapped up summer with some special activities. In August we held a soccer camp with Soccer Shots. The children learned basic soccer...