From around Koinonia

Koinonia Environmental Weekend

Last weekend 30 members from Hennepin Avenue UMC participated in the 5th Annual Environmental Weekend. David Astin made a presentation on the Monarch butterfly migration, we did some serious birding and enjoyed good company and good food. PLan to join us the first weekend in May of 2011.

Koionia Environmental Weekend

Plan to join us for our 5th annual Environmental Weekend at Koinonia Retreat Center on May 1st and 2nd.

Saturday, May 1
Noon - Lunch at Carlson Commons
1PM - 5PM
Nature walks trhough the Koinonia Big Woods
Gardening Adventures
Bird Watching with Tom Sopoci and Lee Carlson
6PM Dinner
7PM David Astin and the Monarch Butterfly Migration

Sunday May 2
6 AM Morning Birding with Tom, Lee and Bob Janssen
8:30 Breakfast
9:30 the Big Bird Review
10 Am Morning Worship
10:30 Nature Walks and Birding
Noon Lunch
1PM to what suits you - free time

Nearly 70 people gathered at Koinonia this year to greet 2010 and form a deeper community, as only Koinonia can. We started the year with great food and fellowship, warm memories and -24F below temps. That didn't stop Mike Lynch, WCCO meteorologist and star gazer extraordinaire, from treating us to a terrific tour of the heavens, complete with the mythology behind many of the constellations. Mike also set up his three big telescopes on the prairie to present a picture of the moon and several constellations that few had ever seen.

It was great being together. Kevin Dahlen is already looking for theme ideas for next year so put the event on your calendar and make plans to attend. Email your ideas to kevind@lakedalelink.net.

The Koinonia Board and Staff thank the Hennepin Foundation that underwrites this gathering at Koinonia do all who want to attend can.

A New Playset at Koinonia!

A generous family from Jordan donated a playset for the Koinonia beach. A "real" playset has been on the Koinonia wish list for at least a dozen years. Thank you much (you know who you are)

Connect at Koinonia!

About 100 Hennepin members and friends enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon together Sunday at Connect at Koinonia. Lunch was served to the group and then the group split up for tours via foot, tractor and boat. The highlight of the afternoon was the dedication of a new deck and picnic tables, rehabbed by the Recyclers of Hennepin. Also, several new bricks will be added to the Koinonia Legacy Plaza, to commemorate gifts of Friends of Koinonia.

Connect at Koinonia has been a biannual event at Koinonia for the past several years but there were several participants who asked why “we don’t do this every year.” So we’re adding a Connect event to next year’s calendar. Mark your calendar now for Connect at Koinonia 2010 which will be held on September 26^th, 2010.

"This is our chance to say thank those who support Koinonia, and to introduce this outstanding ministry to new Hennepin members," said Dahlen.

Koinonia is Hennepin's 100 acre retreat and conference center, just west of Annandale, on Lake Sylvia. If you missed Connect at Koinonia, call Kevin at 1-888-801-7746 to arrange a visit. Koinonia needs our support!

Marching Marching Marching

The bells rang and the whistles blew at Koinonia this past week with the Minnetonka Marching Band. Here are a couple shots - what fun------