Celebrating our organ intern, Aaron Looney

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Celebrating Aaron Looney: A Remarkable Journey at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in partnership with St. Olaf College.

Aaron Looney’s journey began with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior, MN three years ago as a sophomore at St. Olaf College. From the beginning his passion for music, the arts, and learning were evident. For me personally, Aaron has been a lifesaver – and I have been so proud to mentor him and be part of his journey. 

The Mount Calvary community has observed immense growth, and engagement from Aaron.  We have been blessed by his presence and stand in awe of all that he has accomplished. We have witnessed talent blossom, confidence soar, and commitments deepen. Aaron is an inspiration and a true model of an “eager learner.” 

As Aaron prepares for new adventures, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and praise. His music, creativity, and leadership have become part of our worship, and his presence a cherished gift. We are proud of who he has become, and we eagerly anticipate the amazing things he will do in the years to come.

As we bid farewell to Aaron, we celebrate a final weekend on May 18 and 19, 2024 at Mount Calvary. On Saturday at 5:00pm he will present the prelude and postlude. On Sunday morning at 9:00 and 10:30am there will be a musical feast celebrating Aaron filled with festive hymns, trumpets, timpani, and the Chancel Choir with orchestra will present selections from ‘a new creation’ by René Clausen.  Join us as we celebrate Aaron – a young musician who has left an incredible mark on our hearts and souls.

Submitted By Jeremy Haug

Upcoming opportunities to hear Aaron:

Sunday, April 28 at 8:15pm – Senior Recital at St. Olaf College

Aaron Looney presents a senior organ recital at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN as part of his Bachelor of Church Music major degree requirements.   Free and open to the public.

St. Olaf College

Boe Memorial Chapel

1520 St. Olaf Avenue

Northfield, MN 55057

Sunday, May 5 at 4:00pm – Rising Stars of the Organ Featuring Aaron Looney with the Hamline Church Festival Chorus

Rising Stars of the Organ – Aaron Looney, Organist, with the Hamline Church Festival Chorus.   Aaron presents a recital showcasing his artistry and skill on Hamline’s Casavant Organ featuring music by Bach and movements from Vierne’s Symphony VI. The Hamline Church Festival Chorus joins Aaron for Rheinburger’s Stabat Mater in G minor and Brahms’ Geistliches Lied.   Free-will offering and open to the public. 

Hamline Church

1514 Englewood Ave

St. Paul, MN

Sunday, May 12 at 3:00pm – Organ Competition Winners Recital sponsored by TCAGO

AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO) Winners Recital.  We are pleased to celebrate Trevor Good, 1st place and Aaron Looney, 2nd place winners from the July 2023 AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists held at Church of Saint Louis, King of France during the North Central AGO 2023 Regional Convention.  This recital is sponsored by the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists (TCAGO) at Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul, MN.  Reception to follow.  Free and open to the public. 

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

700 Snelling Ave S

St. Paul, MN 55116

May 18 & 19 – Aaron Looney last Weekend Worship at Mount Calvary

We celebrate and appreciate Aaron Looney May 18 & 19 in his last weekend at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Excelsior, MN.  Festive hymns, and some pieces featuring Aaron at the organ on both Saturday and Sunday.  Additionally, on Sunday, May 19 at 9:00 and 10:30am the Chancel Choir and orchestra will present A New Creation by Rene’ Clausen.  

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

301 County Road 19

Excelsior, MN 55331

Foundation Coffeehouse 2024!

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GALA FOUNDATION COFFEEHOUSE!
Congratulations to the Mount Calvary Foundation on their gala event Friday night. Guests were treated to live music, sweet treats, and gourmet coffee while they learned more about the Foundation’s work and the many worthy recipients that benefit from Foundation grants.

Nata Lux and North Star Therapy Animals

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Golden Retriever, Nata Lux and Dr. Barbara Cameron are featured in our April edition of the Caller.

“When life gets tough, as it sometimes does, I feel a bit lost, so I ask Nata to pray with me. As Nata puts her paws into my hands, I see the devotion in her eyes. Our bowed heads touch and we thank God for our blessings. At “Amen,” I am more grounded and I see solutions more clearly. Goals in life are easy to say, but sometimes challenging to meet. For me, I hope to be the person Nata believes I am. I want to be like my Golden Retriever, who shares the bright light of God with great joy and pure love.” – Dr. Barbara Cameron

Nata Lux is Dr. Cameron’s North Star Therapy Dog. If you and your dog (or cat, guinea pig, llama, or miniature horse) would like to learn more about becoming a North Star Therapy Team, you may call Dr. Cameron at 612-388-7765. If you would like to receive a care visit, please contact Pastor Brenda.

Nata and Barbara invite you to see your pup in the favorite poem of her late father, Lyle E. Rinehart:

“A faithful dog will play with you. He’ll laugh with you or cry.

He’ll gladly starve to stay with you, nor ever reason why.

When you’re feeling out of sorts, he’ll somehow understand.

He’ll watch you with his shining eyes and try to lick your hand.

His blind, implicit faith in you is matched by his great love,

The kind that all of us should have in the Master up above.

When everything is said and done, I guess this isn’t odd,

For, when you spell “dog” backwards, you get the name of “God.” – Author, Unknown

Autotone

Malawi Finance Club: Keeping Dreams Alive

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CELEBRATING SUCCESS:
The Mount Calvary Malawi Finance Club!

Our newly formed Malawi Finance Club (MFC) has been meeting monthly since travelers returned from Malawi last summer, and the results of their hard work are paying off for the club and the loan recipients. The Finance Club consists of Mount Calvary members that donated funds to create a pool.  From this pool, eligible Malawi graduates may apply for small, short-term, affordable loans. The first loans went out a couple months ago, and the recipients have been busy using the funds to building their businesses. 

Congregation and Malawi Finance Club members, Carolyn and Dick Shell have had the opportunity to mentor MFC loan recipient, Sandram Mcford who owns a car for hire (taxi) service. When he applied for the loan, Sandram shared that he was unable to keep up with the demand with his one car but also unable to get approved for a bank loan to buy a second vehicle. (It is extremely difficult if not impossible for small businesses to receive bank loans in Malawi, and the interest rate is over 25%.) 

Sandram applied for a small MFC loan and was approved for funding to purchase a new-to-him vehicle, doubling his driving fleet. Dick and Carolyn Shell along with our counterpart Ben Meki at the Business Technical Institute in Malawi walked alongside Sandram throughout the process coaching and cheering him on.  

Recently, we received the following update! Hello Carolyn & Dick,
 
I am super excited as am writing to you! 

Yes! I got the funds amounting 3,369,000 Malawi kwacha. Thank you so much for trusting me with these funds. I am looking forward to itS success.  

I have just bought the car today. It is a second hand car. The prices of goods in Malawi have gone very expensive. I projected to buy a second hand car at 3,000,000 kwacha but with kwacha devaluation the plan has changed. The vehicle was going at 4,000,000. I have added my savings to make it work. 

However, I thank God for the opportunity and I thank you so much for your trust. We can’t run away from difficulties but we can at least manage them. I am praying for the success of this business. May God bless you. I don’t take this for granted. I am grateful. I am looking forward to see how the business goes and also to start repayment the loan.  

My family is also grateful for this opportunity. Things are currently hard in Malawi. It’s not easy to raise enough funds to do something. This is huge for me, my family and my community. Please I have attached the photos for the new car. It’s Nissan March.  

In God’s love-Sandram Mcford. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Malawi Global Missions program and the Malawi Finance Club. Your support is keeping hopes and dreams alive for families in Malawi. Watch for more updates from other recipients!