Welcome, Readers! In this Issue... 1 Message from Beth Lewis 2 Dialog with Darlene 3 Voice and Vision from Julie 4 Pictures from Chicago

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Welcome, Readers! ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN RESOURCE CENTERS In this Issue.

questions I hear is: "How do we get books for children and adults with solid Lutheran theology into the hands of the people in our congregations?

1. First, we would love to have our products for adults and children in all of the major Christian bookstores, the smaller locally owned bookstores, and the large chain stores across North America.

1 Welcome, Readers! ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN RESOURCE CENTERS In this Issue... 1 Message from Beth Lewis 2 Dialog with Darlene 3 Voice and Vision from Julie 4 Pictures from Chicago As I have traveled around the country meeting with Lutheran leaders, one of the most frequent questions I hear is: "How do we get books for children and adults with solid Lutheran theology into the hands of the people in our congregations? Local Christian bookstores only seem to stock much more fundamentalist material. Why doesn't Augsburg Fortress have books in those bookstores?" There are several answers and solutions to this concern. 1. First, we would love to have our products for adults and children in all of the major Christian bookstores, the smaller locally owned bookstores, and the large chain stores across North America. We have a sales team that calls on the buyers for stores of all types. But, the bookstore buyers make the decisions. The best way for members of congregations to ensure that Augsburg Fortress products are available in those stores is to ask for them. As with any retail business, bookstore buyers purchase what sells. If good, solid Lutheran content sells, that is what they will buy. 2. If you happen to live or travel to one of the 11 cities in the USA or Canada where we have an Augsburg Fortress bookstore, of course, we hope that you will encourage members of the congregations in the area to shop at those stores! The local Augsburg Fortress bookstore managers will be delighted to work with you to host open houses at the store, etc. For a complete listing of our Augsburg Fortress bookstores, go to this web page: 3. Another option, of course, is for members to search our website. But, often people don't know what they are looking for and would prefer to either browse through a physical display or have a recommendation for titles before they shop on line. If you have members of your congregations who want to experiment with searching our website, a great place to begin is with the section called "Resources for Your Home" on our web store homepage Several congregational leaders have told me about successes they have had in launching congregational book clubs or encouraging all of the members of their congregation to read a particular title. Two of our series' of books seem to have been particularly well received for this: Lutheran Voices and Facets. Here are the links for each of these: For Lutheran Voices: For Facets: org/store/itemseries.asp?clsid=14229# 5. Of course, many congregations start local lending libraries. At Augsburg Fortress, we are updating our "suggested core list" for congregations that are interested in launching this type of ministry program. Marta Jacobs, who serves as your primary contact with AF will send each of you this list in the next few weeks. Should you need to reach Marta, her address is marta.jacobs@augsburgfortress.org 6. Last, but not least, Augsburg Fortress has recently launched a new program that allows congregations (or resource centers or other not-for-profit groups) to host a book fair and sell theologically sound books for personal reading or gift-giving and raise money for an important ministry at the same time! Congregations have used this program to raise money for a special youth group service project, or a fund drive for their WELCA group. If your Resource Center needs to raise funds, you might consider hosting several of these in local congregations or at other events within your synod. This turnkey program is fun, easy, and helps put theologically sound materials into the hands of the people in the pews! And, the local organization keeps up to 40% of the proceeds, plus the sample books that we send for the display. We have both a general books selection and a holiday gift selection, just in time for Christmas! If you are interested in learning more or want to order your free fundraising kit, go to this website: augsburgfortress.org/fundraising At Augsburg Fortress, we value the ministry that you and your colleagues provide to congregations. If you have ideas on how we might partner with you, Marta and I welcome your suggestions. Page 1

Board of Directors President Darlene Kalfahs East Central Synod Of WI Resource Center 16 Tri-Park Way Appleton WI 54914 920-734-3797 Vice-President Rev.

2 Board of Directors President Darlene Kalfahs East Central Synod Of WI Resource Center 16 Tri-Park Way Appleton WI Vice-President Rev. Greg Kaufmann Northwest Synod Of WI Resource Center 1005 Oxford Ave Eau Claire WI Secretary Susan Schlitter The Lutheran Resource Center 630 US Highway 18 E Clear Lake IA Treasurer Rev. Dr. Craig Boehlke Region 3 Church Computer Resource Center 2481 Como Ave St. Paul MN x232 Member-at-large Pam Drenner Lower Susquehanna Synod Resource Network 900 S Arlington Ave Suite 208 Harrisburg PA Co-Editors: Diane Kaufmann & Bonnie Weber Northwest Synod of WI 1005 Oxford Ave Eau Claire WI Fax: gkaufmann@synodresourcecenter. org Newsletter published quarterly Dialogue with Darlene Greetings and Blessings to each of you at this time of Advent and Christmas. It is hard to believe that it has already been a month since we were in Chicago, Connecting the Pieces touring the churchwide offices, receiving a puzzle pin, and portfolio; welcoming new faces; sharing stories & resources; popping with ideas and fun; hearing from the ELCA units voice their struggles, challenges and hope for the future; carefully and wisely discussing the future of the ALRC and our budget; hearing from Julie Aageson, Coordinator of Resource Center Ministry for the ELCA about new developing centers & our partnership with churchwide; being spiritually led through a study on Romans 12:3 with The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock, Because God is, We Are, Because We Are, I Am ; celebrating Reformation Sunday through pictures, music (Pam Drenner is awesome!) scripture, communion and a message of inspiration in a worship service led by Rev. Cynthia Schnaath and Rev. Greg Kaufmann; hearing from Beth Lewis, CEO from Augsburg, about the importance of our partnership; bidding Lorna Swanson goodbye and welcoming Marta Jacobs; sharing memories, tears and laughter as we roasted Sonnee Steveson on her retirement and her many years of resource center ministry; thanking the previous board for their time and energy and welcoming the new ALRC Board; thanking Wayne Pinnow for his passion for this ministry and the time he has spent as ALRC Treasurer for the last 4 years and wishing him well as he moves into retirement; enjoying a night on the town and connecting with each other; enjoying lunch with Davey & Goliath as we learn about VBS, provided by Augsburg Fortress; learning and interacting through a number of workshops; unwinding in the hospitality suite, sharing fellowship and previewing a video or two; enjoying the hospitality treats generously provided by Judy & Wayne Pinnow; concluding the hospitality time with an evening of delicious pizza, generously provided by Mim Woolbert, and visioning for the future. Wow what an event!! I want to thank the planning committee: Catherine Fink, Cynthia Schnaath, Noreen Stevens, & Linda Beckman for the enormous amount of time and energy they put into making this a fantastic gathering. Connecting the Pieces through the God of Grace and the gifts of each other, Learning What s Popping from churchwide staff & Augsburg Fortress, sharing the Word through study, devotion, & worship, discovering new information in workshops being an active part of God s Own People Puzzle. Thank you to all those who were able to attend and for those who couldn t be with us, we missed you and look forward to connecting with you at future events. As newly elected President, thank you for the affirmation to continue to serve you in this role for another two years. I want to thank Sara Johnson and Wayne Pinnow for their work on the Board as they conclude their terms. At this time, I welcome Rev. Greg Kaufmann Vice President; Rev. Craig Boehlke Treasurer; Susan Schlitter Secretary; and Pam Drenner Membership Chair, as they begin to serve with me on the ALRC Board. We look forward to continuing to connect pieces of the ALRC puzzle and using all of our gifts to further this ministry. May you all have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Joyous New Year! Darlene Per your vote, Loaves and Fishes is traveling to you via a new path - ONLINE! Page 2

3 Voice and Vision Coordinator of ELCA Resource Centers Julie Aageson Ubuntu! I am because we are. We are because Christ is. Ubuntu! Do life! In this season of Advent, the words defining the theme of the ELCA Youth Gathering remind us again of our sure identity and interdependence as the body of Christ. In his book, No Future Without Forgiveness, Desmond Tutu writes that a person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole... This network of resource center directors embodies the best of a greater whole. In our daily interaction on line, in the many ways we share information and support one another, in the work we do together within each synod and with churchwide and Augsburg Fortress staff, we model the body of Christ. Thanks to each of you for the thousand ways you enrich the greater whole. thanks to each of you for being available, open, affirming, for doing life! Ubuntu! I am because we are. We are because Christ is! Thanks be to God for this season of Advent, for the coming of Christ, and for each of you! Julie Aageson, Coordinator, ELCA Resource Centers Happy Birthday to YOU-U-U-U From the Easter MN Resource Center, St. Paul, MN - Director, Noreen Stevens 12/04 From the Women s Resource Center, Chicago, IL - Director, Laura Barkenquast 12/10 From the NW Synod of WI, Eau Claire, WI - Contact, Diane Kaufmann 12/10 From the NW Synod of WI, Eau Claire, WI - Director, Rev. Greg Kaufmann 12/16 From the Region 3 (MN) Church Computer RC, St. Paul, MN - Contact, Sandy Pilgrim 12/21 From the Region 1 Resource Center, Seattle, WA - Contact, Dave Ellingson 12/22 From the Chambersburg Resource Center, Chambersburg, PA - Director, Carol Hughes 12/23 From the Parish Resource Center, Dayton, OH - Director, Genise Johnson 12/28 From the Resource Center, Fargo, ND - Director, Julie Aageson 01/05 From the SW Texas Synod Resource Center, Seguin, TX - Director, Mary Clayton 01/07 From the SWMN Resource Center, Redwood Falls, MN - Contact, Lorene Sill 01/13 From the NW Ohio Synod RC, Findlay, OH - Director, Kathy Lemmerbrock 01/29 From the Parish RC of Long Island-West, Valley Stream, NY - Contact, Sylvia Walker 01/30 From the Region 1 Resource Center, Seattle, WA - Contact, Evie Boynton 01/31 (Belated Birthday Greetings to those whose special day is already past!) The next Conference Call with Augsburg Fortress is Tuesday morning, January 27 at 10:00. Mark your calendars NOW to join in! We ll try to have another electronic Loaves & Fishes ready to go by mid to late January. Please let your thoughts be known on-line or by phone call about this issue. Do you like to receive it this way or do you prefer to receive it in the mail? Get your articles for the next issue to me before January 15. Thanks! A blessed and happy Christmas to all! Page 3

4 Pictures from Chicago October 24-26, 2003 Honoring Sonnee Steveson for her years in Resourcing. L-R: Sonnee, Mim, Sara, Catherine Linda and Sara in thoughtful discussion. Old Board appreciation. Darlene presents gifts to Wayne, Judy, Sara New Board welcoming. Craig, Pam, Darlene, Susan, Greg Lorna, our out-going Augsburg rep, and Marta, our in-coming rep. In a light-hearted moment: Greg feeding Darlene chocolate! Page 4

5 More pictures from Chicago October 24-26, Karen & Whitney look at registration and sign-up table. Darlene, Linda and Craig meeting Goliath & Davey! Paul and Greg showing the latest in networking. Our president, Darlene, hard at work Wayne and Catherine checking figures. Page 5

Welcome, Readers! Beth A. Lewis, President & CEO Augsburg Fortress Gutenberg Meets Google at Augsburg Fortress

Welcome, Readers! Beth A. Lewis, President & CEO Augsburg Fortress Beth.lewis@augsburgfortress.org Gutenberg Meets Google at Augsburg Fortress ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN RESOURCE CENTERS In this Issue...