Faith Matters A P R I L From the Desk of Pastor Ted. F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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1 Faith Matters A P R I L F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAYS 9:00 A.M WEDNESDAYS 6:15 P.M. CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP CHURCH OFFICE 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 Valders, Wisconsin Phone Fax Website STAFF DIRECTORY Ted Johanson, Interim Pastor Cell: PadrePoint@gmail.com Christine Olson, Adm. Assistant Faith Matters Editor ...faith21@tds.net Nicolle Behnke, Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator Office: FLCyouthandfamily@tds.net David Kriewald, Custodian Kim Bremer, Dennis Luckow, Carol Ulness, Becky Schultz Contemporary Worship Coordinators Peggy Madson & Sue Riesterer, Organists INSIDE In the Life of Faith... 2 In the Life of Faith continued... 3 Finances... 4 Liturgical Roles/Membership... 5 President s Corner... 6 Scholarship Application... 7 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes.. 8 Celebrating Your Birthday... 9 Calendar From the Desk of Pastor Ted Where are we in the Interim & Call Process? I think some good work is being accomplished by the team writing the MSP (Mission Site Profile.) The team has involved the congregation in a number of specific questions, compiling all feedback and shaping words and information that can be placed into the MSP. The multi-page document is crucial to the seeking and interviewing stages of the call process. Along with the MSP writing are also a number of additional documents, written during this past year, that can inform candidates about the life, history and mission of Faith Lutheran of Valders. At this point, the writing team hopes to have the document ready for distribution by Easter (April 1.) Pastors within our synod, and pastors of other synods, who are interested in considering a new call will be able to access the MSP and they may inform our Bishop of their interest in this particular call. The Office of Bishop will receive such inquiries, seek other possible candidates, and begin presenting names of candidates to Faith s Call Committee (yet to be formed at the time of this writing.) Please note that the Bishop s office may receive recommendations from the congregation (and individuals) about pastors to consider (such recommendations must be made to the council president or Call Committee chair for transmittal to the Bishop s office.) The Board of Directors (soon to be called the Congregation Council) is beginning to ponder who they think might be appointed into the yet-to-beformed Call Committee. If you have an interest in being part of the new committee please let somebody know soon. Once the MSP is completed and submitted, and once a Call Committee is appointed, it s anyone s guess as to what the timing of the call process will be. It could be completed very quickly or take many months to determine a recommendation to the congregation. Remember, a pastoral call is primarily about creating a healthy, enduring relationship of pastor and congregation. It isn t a lot different from the processes of creating and deciding upon a marriage. There are objective things (information, history, styles, etc.), there are subjective things (personalities, temperaments, values, etc.), there are principles to understand (theologies, leadership, decision-making, etc.) A call to a pastor will always have risk as to whether the relationship will thrive, but best efforts and clearly describing self, needs, expectations, and hopes can go a long ways to shaping a successful match. Meanwhile, the Intentional Interim Ministry Contract between the Council and me is now on a month-to-month basis, requiring regular extension. The Council will determine the length of the interim ministry contract, but the commitment to extend the contract throughout the vacancy time continues.

2 Join us and share in a Community Picnic Dinner on Sunday, April 22 at Faith Lutheran Church. Dinner will be served from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the fellowship hall. There will be no cost for the meal come for fellowship. The Valders Lions Club, St. Nazianz Lions Club, St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Faith Lutheran Church and Thrivent Financial are joining together to provide a meal - hamburgers, brats, German potato salad, baked beans and all the fixin s. Please RSVP on the signup sheet at the Welcome Desk by April 18 but it is NOT required to attend the dinner. The Community Dinner Committee is looking for volunteers to make a dessert for the meal on April 22. If you are able to help, please sign up at the welcome desk in the Gathering Space. If you have questions, contact Terry Huske ( ). Thank you for your help! The Garden Club will be having a Garden and Bake Sale Sunday, April 29. Proceeds will be used to purchase a vinyl picnic table for people to use while reading a book, relaxing or spending time together. It will be placed in Faith s park on the new patio area. Any remaining donations will be used to purchase flowers for the pots outside the church. Senior Christians will meet Tuesday, April 17 at 9:00 a.m. at Seven Angels in Chilton. "Rest Easy at Camp" The Sunday School students will be doing a Spring Service Project April Noisy offerings will be collected every Sunday and Wednesday so please bring your coins! Money collected will be used to purchase new mattresses for Imago Dei Village. This Crossways Camp is where our Confirmation students attend and many of our members young and old spend time there every year! 2

3 In the Life of Faith continued... Mark your calendars for the April 8 9:00 service at Faith Lutheran Church. The Pine Haven Men s Chorus will be here. This group is from Sheboygan Falls and consists of 32 Christian men, one organist, one pianist who love to sing/accompany praises to God and spread the message of salvation. The service will last one hour including a prelude, offering and postlude. This group earns funds that benefit the elderly of the Pine Haven Christian communities (improvements in buildings and grounds). A free will offering will be taken for the group. You will not want to miss this inspirational group. Hope to see you there! Kids Night Out is Friday, April 27 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm (approximately). All youth that helped with Easter breakfast set up, service and clean up are welcome to join us. $5.00 per family unit. Signup is needed for this event and if we have a lot of participants, a bus will be provided. If not, drivers will be needed. More details to come. 3

4 Finances Income - February 2018 Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Envelope Offerings $ 17, Other Income and Offerings $ 1, General Fund Income $ 19, $ 26, $ 49, $ 53, Dedicated Income $ 2, $ 13, Total Income $ 21, $ 62, Operating Expenses - February 2018 Benevolence $ 1, Board & Other Expenses $ 3, Personnel Salaries/Benefits $ 15, General Fund Expense $ 21, $ 30, $ 50, $ 59, Dedicated Expense $ $ Total Expenses $ 21, $ 51, Year to Date General Fund Net Income : $ Capital Appeal 1/31/2018 BANK FIRST NATIONAL LOAN BALANCE $174, Payment Amount $3, Total payment Principle paid Interest paid 2/28/2018 BANK FIRST NATIONAL LOAN BALANCE $172, Donations this month were given to: Capital Appeal, World Hunger, National Youth Gathering, Faith s and Cemetery Association lawn mower. Bookkeeper position available, part time (approximately 17 hours a week) Knowledge of Quick Books and Accounting skills required Submit resume by April 6 to: First Lutheran Church Attn: Board of Personnel 521 N 8th Street Manitowoc, WI

5 Liturgical Liturgical Roles Roles ~ Worship Responsibilities Pastoral Acts Baptism... Damon Randall Erskine Membership Baptized Confirmed Famillies Worship Attendance Sunday Wednesday Total 2/ / / / Altar Guild Servers Communion: April... Bev Torrison, Chair (Committee #2) May... Marlene Evenson, Chair (Committee #1) Lectors 9:00 Stefanie Kaderabek 4/8 Hannah Evenson 4/11 Carol Ulness 4/15 Lisa Mulhaney 4/18 Kelly Meyer 4/22 Connie Kimmes 4/25 Susan Hildebrandt 4/29 Erin Lenzner Acolyte Schedule 4/1 7:00 Kai Meyer 9:00 Libby Olson 4/8 Otis Berge 4/15 Lauren O Leary 4/22 Emily Schwoerer 4/29 Autumn Robley Head Usher Schedule- Sunday April... Mark Zutz and Glenn Otto May... Matt Krogh and Paul Franz Greeters 9:00 Guy and Judy Valleskey 4/8 Tom and Rae Madson 4/11 Ava Petska and Bailey Koehler 4/15 Larry and Joy Madson 4/18 Lori Propson and Valerie Valleskey 4/22 Tom and Kathy Muench 4/25 Judy and Megan Valleskey 4/29 Aric Olson and Ron Jones Ushers 9:00 Eric and Lana Nelson Family 4/8 Dennis & Bonnie Gordon, Lee W. Evenson 4/15 Brian and Mary Thomsen Family 4/22 Earl and Barb Griffin, Dennis Evenson 4/29 Richard and Linda Menza, Isaac Petska Sound Operator Wednesday 9:00 Matt Brill Keith Schultz 4/8 Bill Riesterer 4/15 Erin Lenzner 4/22 Loren Ulness 4/29 Quinten Robley Communion Servers 9:00 Angelina Junk, Katie Thomsen Stefanie Kaderabek 4/8 Malachi Blanke, Kaye & Tiffany Jandrey 4/11 Cathy Luckow, Bob Klessig, Ava Petska 4/15 Lisa Mulhaney, Larry Madson, Bobbi Jo Robley 4/18 Cathy Luckow, Trenton O Leary, Valerie Valleskey 4/22 Connie Kimmes, Mia Garza, Cheryl Duchow 4/25 Susan and Kayla Hildebrandt, Judy Valleskey 4/29 Jim and Jeanette Schuessler, Joyce Sorenson Video Operator Wednesday 9:00 Mike Lenzner Keith Schultz 4/8 Jake Kaderabek 4/15 Peter Larson 4/22 Eric Thomsen 4/29 Jason Robley Projection 9:00 Erin Lenzner 4/8 Cassie Zutz 4/11 Bailey Koehler 4/15 Judy Harris 4/18 Mary Evenson 4/22 Stefanie Kaderabek 4/25 Sage Meyer 4/29 Rachel Robley 5

6 President s Corner There is a saying fisherman use and it is are you going to fish or cut bait. We have been cutting bait for several months now and it is time to go fishing. Nice segue into Jesus making fishers of men. The board last July entered into a covenant with Pastor Ted and the Synod to engage in an intentional ministry at Faith. Pastor Ted started that process with one on one intake interviews and discussions and that evolved into group sessions led by Pastor Ted and or his wife Joan that allowed for more discussions in a group setting. We have reviewed the reports from all those sessions. The BOD appointed an MSP team that is now completing their role and the MSP team has provided opportunity for members of Faith to respond to several surveys they have provided for us. The comments from our members who responded are available for all of us to review. As you can see the process has gone from a handful of leaders to the membership and we will now appoint a call committee of members to interview and call our next pastor. This process has moved swiftly and in many ways that is not a bad thing, many times we think better while we are busy and or active. Let us hope so. So what have we found out? What have we learned about who we are? What have we learned about who we want to be? What have we learned about? How might be the best way to arrive at where we want to go? The past is easy to review but many times not easy to digest or learn from. The future can also be a very fearful place, especially if one feels our past has been not so good and the present is not solid as well. Sometimes it feels easier to live in a past that we were uncomfortable with than to take the risk of moving forward. The fear of the future many times depends upon our current sense of insecurity and or our lack of hope. What is stronger in our life and our soul FATE or FAITH? Many may read our reports and belabor the negatives they read. That is a normal human reaction. We at Faith are not alone in that human reaction. I have been active in executive levels at state levels in organizations and institutions and these are common place behaviors. I also was raised in a very chaotic family life system and with 5 brothers and sisters we all review our developing years in very different ways and how we address those has impacted how our adult lives take shape. We need to realize that with all the energy that gets spent on negative issues and concerns that considerable energy also is spent lifting up life, moving forward and deepening our faith as we journey through life. From my perspective we are far better off sharing our strengths, weaknesses, hopes, fears and our dreams as those that need to make critically important decisions will have more of an understanding of not only WHAT we want but more importantly WHY. We also benefit from being open in our discussions as when we are gathered at the water cooler discussing others we may be more aware of who will be talked about tomorrow when we are absent. God has given all of us the freedom to grouse and complain and also the freedom to uplift and help resolve. To move a large member congregation forward takes the united efforts of many not a few. God forgave our sins 2000 years ago by giving us his only Son that we may be free of sin. The hard work was done 2000 years ago now we today need to forgive ourselves and others and sometimes that seems to be very hard to do. Why should that be? I meet frequently with a man I feel is very, very spiritual and is an avid reader of the scripture but due to very unhealthy experiences with religion does not attend church much if at all. One of the statements he quotes often is the following: the mercy of God is shown to me by not receiving the punishment I deserve and the grace of God is shown to me by being given the salvation I have not yet earned. Bryce Larson 6

7 Faith Lutheran Scholarship Application Name Local Address City State Zip High School Attended Year Graduated Church Activities and Involvement Community Service Activities Job Experiences Name (and address) of the college I plan to attend Is this an ELCA sponsored college? Yes No Are you a full time student? Yes No Program of studies you are pursuing I have received previous Faith Lutheran Church Scholarships in years An autobiography MUST accompany this application describing your personal background, educational history, extracurricular activities, future educational plans including major and occupational interests and goals. If awarded a scholarship, indicate how you plan to use the money. Criteria used to determine scholarship recipients includes but not limited to: 1. Quality of application and essay 2. Current and past involvement activities 3. Current and past community service activities. Needless to say, the Christian Church was very important to the people who have made these monies available, and any scholarship awarded is intended to show the churches support for you and your education. You may reapply for this scholarship in future years as it is not automatically renewable. Your autobiography should be presented as neatly as possible and preferably typed on an 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper with double spacing (please do not exceed two pages in length). The decision of the Committee is final. Any questions concerning this Scholarship must be submitted in writing and mailed to Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Committee at POB 369, Valders, WI RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO CHURCH OFFICE Signed Date Application deadline Sunday, April 22, 2018 Revised

8 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes February 19, 2018 Stewardship: January income - $30, Expenses - $29, Capital Appeal still holds funds for mortgage payments, but Stephanie noted that in January we only received $2, in donations towards the mortgage payment of $3, Other funding requests (roof & lawn mower) have redirected funds away from mortgage donations, in addition to the recent drive for paying down the mortgage with matching funds. Received a donation from Allen Halverson estate of just over $4,000, that will be put toward the remaining balance on the roof loan. Endowment Funds Discussion indicated a need for regular reports to the Board of Directors for review. Lay Ministry: Jackie Shimek explained there was a communication issue that resulted in the Chrismon tree not being set up in the gathering space and decorated for Christmas of This will be corrected in the future. Jackie is working on the angels & they will be ready to go by Christmas of Pine Haven Men s Choir will be at Faith on April 8. Lay Ministry plans to increase use of the video screen, adding announcements & other information. Joyce reported that 5 of the 7 Lay Ministry Board members have terms expiring. Evangelism: Jackie reported the Mardi Gras celebration had a good turn out despite a bit of a weather problem and the children did a great job adding to the festivities with the parade costumes & floats. Evangelism hopes to repeat this event next year. There will be continued discussion with Lay Ministry as to whether Altar Guild duties will be combined with Lay Ministry or remain a separate organization. A challenge is to get new, younger people involved in Altar Guild tasks, since many people have been doing them for a long time and are also getting older. Parish Fellowship: Soup and Sandwich donations for 2018 will be going to Hands on Mission. Property: Activities held in the church should not serve red drinks they stain the carpet. 10 lights on the stained-glass window are currently burned out. Converting to LED will require rewiring & more expensive bulbs, old type cost about ½ of the LED, but LED are much more energy efficient and last longer. Motion made and approved to replace the light fixtures on the stained-glass window with LED fixtures and use undesignated memorial funds as needed to fund the expense. The lights in the sanctuary are also in need of replacement and it would be best to replace them with LED fixtures when this is done. The sanctuary light fixtures will be more expensive to replace due to the type of lighting needed in the sanctuary. This week a lift will be brought in to replace the cord that lifts the veil on the cross. 3 members of the Property Board and himself as Director have expiring terms. Lyle will be willing to serve as a member but has served 2 terms as director & may not serve another consecutive term as the Director. Youth: Bobbi Jo reported that 3 youth & herself attended the youth gathering in Oshkosh. The bake sale fund raiser for the National Youth Gathering (NYG) was successful. Building Youth Groups (BYG) event for grades 3-6 will be held in April. Junior High Youth Gathering (JYG) was held February 17-18, at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc. Easter sunrise service and breakfast on April 1st Junior Youth Group Lock-in the night before. Fund raiser Motion made & carried to allow a MAP fund raiser to offset NYG travel expenses. The MAP fund raiser will have sections of the road to Houston, TX available for sale. MSP Team: The MSP Team has been meeting regularly since January 17 th and have prepared 4 surveys to get input from the congregation. MSP Team suggests members provide a Letter of Intent if they wish to be on the Call Committee. Board discussed having a meeting after service on the Call process to allow questions & provide info on the process and review the MSP once completed. A potential date discussed was April 22 nd. MSP Team brought the portion of the MSP relating to Pastoral payment/benefits for consideration from the Board of Directors. Pastor Ted indicated the synod provides guidelines for Pastoral compensation based on years of experience. He reported that 30% of churches in our synod pay more than the minimum guidelines and 20% pay less than the guideline amount. There may be a need to be a bit generous to attract the right person & to also provide moving expenses. Pastor report: A concern was brought up by Christian Education & Youth Ministry Boards that Faith Lutheran needs to develop programs & activities that keep youth active in the church following confirmation. Pastor Ted suggested having Joan Johanson hold an intake conversation on Youth Ministry at Faith after services. This idea was agreed on by the Board of Directors and the date chosen was March 18 th. The Board agreed to change Faith s contract with Pastor Ted from the 6-month contract to a monthly contract. Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator Update: February 2nd Kids Night Out Worked on making maracas & masks for the Mardi Gras service February 4 th Youth made Mardi Gras floats during Sunday School February 11 th Mardi Gras service helped with chili dinner and taking pictures February 21 st Worked with Penny Larson, Arlene Roehrig, & Jo Jones for Lenten Soup & Sandwich Attended training for Via De Cristo every other weekend from 2/3 through 3/3 in Rhinelander or Tomahawk. Nicki will be working for this event on March 15 th -18 th. Stacy Wilker and Kelly Meyer attended the JYG event in Manitowoc, since Nicki was not able to. February 28 th Attending Kids in Crisis at the Manitowoc Public Library President s report: Bryce reported that he has spent a great deal of time reviewing tax filings for Faith Lutheran. As a non-profit we are not required to file a tax return, but there was a question as to whether we may be eligible for a tax refund from ACA for providing Portico insurance to our employees. There may be issues if we file for people who use our facility so Bryce recommends we do not file; especially since he is not sure we are even eligible for the ACA insurance refund anyway. Recent inquiries as to who should have access to financial information detail (list of transactions or ledger) should we have a policy that determines who has the right to request this financial data. It was determined that all Board Directors should be able to view the financial data for their own board. The Board has been criticized for not showing appreciation for our volunteers and their service to Faith Lutheran. It was suggested to have a job fair promoting all the options for service within the church & hold an appreciation event at the same time. Timing for this will likely be best in the fall. 8

9 Celebrating Your Birthday! APRIL 1. Kami Christianson 2. John Schiesl 3. Jean Madson Shane Rusch Caynen Klessig 4. Ethan Fahley 5. Dennis Karstaedt Jayden Khail Aislinn Galien 6. Carol A. Zutz Paul Schmidt Tyler Wetenkamp 7. Keith Schultz 8. Megan Simon 9. Dennis Luckow Kelly Krogh 10. Chase Reinertson Lucas Reinertson 12. Brittany Schroeder Brandon Platten Beverly Griffin 13. Beverly Torrison Rebecca Blanke Megan Lund Judy Harris 14. Cheryl Duchow Vicki Petska 16. Jenniffer Zutz 20. Terry Christianson 21. Violet Rusch Janice Streckert 22. Dennis Schuh Brenda Goehring Joyce Wiegert 23. Susan Torrison 24. Linda O Leary Michelle Robley Ben Cigler Danielle Konz Emily Reinertson James Reinertson 25. Robin Gordon 26. Lee Ann Jeske David Haupt Lauren O Leary 27. Edward Streckert Cassidy Tuschel 28. Cambria Behnke James Cain Keagan Hougen 29. Rhys Wilker 30. Beverly Schnell Paige Soukup MAY 1. Joan Pritzl Darrell Knops Emma Karstaedt 2. Larry Madson Terra Peterson Austin McCulley Donald Schisel 3. Kim Tan Stacy Olm Eric Haupt Walker Ulness Dominic Hernandez 4. Lorraine Stenzel Lori Bruckner Rachel Robley 5. Brenda Johnson Jared Petska Benjamin Kalies 6. Lexie Evenson Amy Jandrey Peter Scharenbroch 8. Richard Schaeuble 9. Timothy Brick Daniel Esser 10. Mardell Huske Marilyn Robley Robert Voss 9

10 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 7:00 Worship 8:00 Breakfast in fellowship hall 9:00 Worship 2 Office and Church closed 6:00 & 7:30 Televised Worship 6:30 Bd. Christian Education 3 12:00 Quilting 4 6:45 Men s Bible Study 4:30-6:00 Faith Interviews 5:00 Board of Parish Organizations NO WORSHIP 5 8:00 Quilting 7:00 Board of Stewardship 6 NYG lock in Jazzercise 9:00 Cemetery clean up take off Christmas decorations/ wreaths before this date :00 Worship with Pine Haven Men s Choir 10:15 Sunday School, Confirmation, Pastor s Class 6:00 & 7:30 Televised Worship 6:00 Bd. of Youth 6:30 Garden Club 6:30 Board of Lay Ministry 12:00 Quilting 4:00 Hands on Mission 7:00 Board of Church Property 6:45 Men s Bible Study 6:15 Worship 7:15 Confirmation 8:00 Quilting 8:00 Secretary s Meeting BYG at Imago Dei thru Sunday am 8-9 Jazzercise 9:00 2nd Saturday Bible Study 9:00 Church yard clean up :00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School, Confirmation, Pastor s Class Newsletter info due 6:00 & 7:30 Televised Worship 6:30 Board of Directors 9:00 Senior Christians at Seven Angels 12:00 Quilting 6:45 Men s Bible Study 6:15 Worship 7:15 Confirmation with Mentors 8:00 Quilting 8-9 Jazzercise 9-10 Open Pantry :00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School, Confirmation, Pastor s Class 11:00-1:00 Community Picnic Dinner in fellowship hall 6:00 & 7:30 Televised Worship 12:00 Quilting 6:45 Men s Bible Study 6:15 Worship 7:15 Confirmation 8:00 Quilting 5:00 Kids Night Out Pizza at church and bowling after 5:00 Wedding Rehearsal 8-9 Jazzercise 1:00 Aliza Goehring and Adam Sabourin Wedding 29 9:00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School, Confirmation, Pastor s Class, Garden Club Bake and Plant Sale 30 6:00 & 7:30 Televised Worship Annual Election Meeting Sunday May 6 10:15 am Sunday, May 6 at 9:00 am.

11 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 Valders, WI Time Sensitive Material-Do Not Delay A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. Postage VALDERS, WI PERMIT NO. 17 STANDARD (A) You have to believe in happiness Or happiness never comes Oh, that s the reason a bird can sing - On his darkest day he believes in spring. Catherine Hall