GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL

Transcription

1 GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL I have been an active member of the Delavan Darien Community Alliance from the beginning. This is a good article that describes the work and direction of the group. There will be more to come! In Christ, Pastor Elisa Brandt Delavan-Darien Community Alliance: Defeating poverty through education and community connections The Delavan-Darien Community Alliance is made up of government agencies, nonprofits, school staff, pastors and everyone else who wants to use their connections to fight poverty. By Catherine W. Idzerda DELAVAN--The war against poverty is fought in skirmishes. School groups collect snow pants and mittens for needy kids. Another group provides school supplies. Nonprofits run homeless shelters and food pantries. The county provides counseling and intervention for families. All of them field armies fighting the same war, but they don't always realize how many allies they have. The Delavan-Darien Community Alliance hopes to change that. The alliance is people working on poverty's front lines: church leaders, social workers, nutrition educators, school district employees and staff from organizations such as Community Action and the Association for the Prevention of Family Violence. The alliance's mission is to confront poverty through education, advocacy, empowerment and action. SERVICE SILOS - Social service agencies often work independently of each other, said Mike Heine, Delavan- Darien coordinator for school-community relations and a member of the alliance. We tend to have silos in regards to what services we have here, Heine said. There's a general lack of knowledge of what services are available. In addition, there's no clearinghouse of service information. For example, most people aren't aware the Walworth County Human Services Department offers trauma counseling or that the UW Extension can provide nutrition education and garden space for low-income people. Creating a directory of all community resources is one of the Delavan-Darien Community Alliance's first challenges. Some partial lists were available online but weren't easy to find and weren't complete, Heine said. The alliance will make information available in as many agencies and to as many people as possible. INFORMING THE COMMUNITY - In the school year, 59 percent of Delavan-Darien School District students qualified for free lunch. Another 10 percent qualified for reduced lunch rates. At an in-service earlier this year, school counselor Katie Grady did the math. To qualify for free lunch, a family of four's income would be at or below $30,615 annually, which is $589 per week or $21 per person per day. That's before deducting taxes and Social Security. Now consider the cost of rent, heat, gas, car payments, insurance, food, school supplies, winter coats and shoes. Nearly 60 percent of the school district's children live in those circumstances or worse. A Public Policy Forum on Pubic Schooling noted Milwaukee schools continue to educate the highest level of impoverished students in the state, and they March 2016 are 14.2 percentage points higher than the next highest district, Delavan-Darien. The school district also has the distinction of being: -- First in Walworth County for the number of homeless students. This year, about 96 student were identified as homeless, meaning they had no fix residences. Their families might stay with friends or relatives, live in homeless shelters, camp or couch surf from night to night. -- Thiry-fourth in the state and first in Walworth County for percentage of homeless students at 3.70 percent. That's higher than Janesville or Beloit. POVERTY'S IMPACT - Poverty's impact on children goes beyond homelessness or lack of school supplies, said the Rev. Mike Ida of First Baptist Church, Delavan. First of all, if you're in a poverty setting, you're probably not getting very much to eat, and what you do have to eat is poor nutrition, Ida said. That's OK once in a while, but it's not healthy month after month. Poor nutrition results in reduced immune response. Those kids will be home sick from school more often. If you're barely eating one meal a day or a non nutritional meal, you're going to have a lot less energy and make a lot less effort, Ida said. Those kids fall behind, intensify the impact of their disadvantages, researchers say. In her presentation to school staff, Grady outlined the science. In very young children, the brain's hard wiring is asking three things that are crucial to survival: Are you there? Do you see/ hear me? Do you choose me? Without those evolutionary needs being met, the brain reverts to survival mode, inhibiting the production of new brain cells and reworking the healthy circuitry. Over time, the stress of living in poverty impacts the brain's ability to learn. Brain scans show clear differences between children raised in stressful environments and those who were not. The stressed brains are markedly less developed. If you are in a poverty situation, usually one or both of the parents are working, Ida said. That means that they hardly have any time to spend with their kids. Interacting with children--helping them learn simple vocabulary and solve puzzles and answering their questions-- is part of brain development. The alliance has formed a speakers bureau to help the community understand the extent and impact of poverty in the Delavan-Darien area. Speakers include: -- Grady, who can speak about poverty's effect on the developing brain. -- Elizabeth Knapp of Community Action who can talk about Rapid Rehousing, a program developed to get homeless people back on their feet. -- Beth Walsh, a public health supervisor for the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, who can talk about the services her department offers. Heine and others stressed the alliance wasn't formed to provide a specific service, such as running a homeless shelter or starting a food pantry. Instead, the alliance wants to connect the agencies to each another and educated the public about what's going on. Having these relationships develop will ultimately result in better services for the people that need them, Heine said.

2 GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL Page 2 DON T FORGET Set clocks ahead Sunday March 13th! Each Wednesday in Lent Evening Service 7pm at Luther Memorial Luther Memorial will host the Ecumenical Lenten Soup Luncheon on Wednesday, March 25. There will be sign-up sheets on the bulletin board to bring ingredients for the soups and items to accompany the soup, as well as we will need people to help set up, serve, and clean up. Join us for the Lenten service at 12 Noon, which will be followed by our soup luncheon. Please contact Carol Ancevic if you have any questions. Thanks for your help! Due to a conflict of St. Andrew s, Luther Memorial will host the Ecumenical Lenten Service at noon on Wed., March 2nd and St. Andrew s will provide the soup. On March 16 St. Andrew s will host the service and Luther Memorial will provide the soup. Easter Lilies can be ordered for Easter Sunday Order forms will be available in the bulletins. Please place the order form with payment in the offering plate or return to the church office by Sunday, March 20. Cost is $14.00 each. Holy Week Worship Maundy Thursday-March 24th Good Friday - March 25th Good Friday - 7 p.m. Luther Memorial 7 p.m. Noon Ecumenical at Luther Memorial Luther Memorial Luther Memorial Easter Services Sunday, March 27th 8:30 a.m. Traditional 10:30 a.m. The Journey Annual Easter Breakfast ~ Confirmation service and fundraiser event ~ Join us between services on Easter Sunday, March 27th for fabulous food & fellowship. There are sign up sheets on the bulletin board to attend the breakfast and also for donating ingredients. Check them out!

3 Page 3 GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL Inreach is asking for donations of small plastic eggs and small candy, and small stuffers for our First Easter egg hunt. Ages 2 to 5th grade are invited to hunt for eggs between services Easter Sunday. Weather permitting, the hunt will take place outside. Thank you! The Outreach committee needs your help for our Blessing in a Backpack. For the month of March we would like to collect 100 cans of (5oz) tuna, as well as 100 jars of (18oz) peanut butter. These items will be put in the bags the week before spring break. Thank you for your support! Council affirmed the following on February 22nd: Start saving your rummage sale items for our late May s sale! We will have a bake sale with this as well. The proceeds will go to the Grandma Quilters to purchase material for quilts for our graduates. SAVE THE DATE: On Sunday, April 24th, Outreach will be hosting an extra "God's Work Our Hands" Sunday. It gives a chance for our congregation to work together to reach out locally and globally. Lunch provided at 11:45 a.m. Following will be a blessing and sending community projects from 1-4 p.m. David Reinhart organizing and starting the Sunday morning Bible Study property committee and their continued work on finishing touches for the house Marilyn Carlson who spent hours painting the bookcases and trim for pastor s office and in the conference room Jane Olinger who painted the window for Lent Jeff Horne who continues to faithfully do the important work of managing the finances of our congregation including all of the W2s that come at the beginning of the year Donn Fisher who provided financial information for the follow up of the congregational meeting Scott, Hank, Jeff, and Matt for organizing and leading the congregational meeting on the 15th RIC Team who continues to work and lead the congregation through the RIC process all who assisted in the Ash Wednesday worship Thursday morning Bible Study group who walked with Suzanne and helped in countless, beautiful ways over these last weeks and truly these last few years Deedee Murray who organized the Funeral luncheon for Suzanne Stoneburner all who made food and helped in the kitchen for the funeral luncheon Lorri Emmerich, Michelle Hetzel, Lisa Garreau who were adult leaders for the Youth Quake Pastor Gerry Petersen for Sunday s message The Murrays for their continued support for the Senior Boxes Program Help support Holton Manor s Music and Memory program! Musical favorites tap deep memories not lost to dementia and can bring residents and clients back to life. They are in need of any new or gently used IPODS, shuffles, portable CD players, record players, etc. Anyone who is able to help, please drop off at Holton House next to Holton Manor at 640 N Broad St, Elkhorn Mon. - Fri. 8am-4pm. Questions, feel free to call March Confirmation Schedule Lenten Service Lenten Service Lenten Service No Class - Holy Week Easter Sunday Serving Event (Easter Breakfast) Learning Event - 7th Commandment

4 GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL Page 4 Celebrating A Birthday This Month! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: 3/22 Dan & Janet Ransom 3/29 Greg & Becki Johnson PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Our members: Paul & Sandy Moyer, Bill & Evelyn Klein, Jamie Finch, Dennis Bergstrom, Ruth Rosenquist, Dorothy Fladten, the family of Suzanne Stoneburner, the family of Dorothy Radford Others in our prayers: Suella Edler, All our Military, Ben Rupnik (father of Ted Rupnik), George (Tim Mumm s father), Aliyah Edler (niece of Jeff & Callie Davis), Robin Helms, Deb Bernstorff (sister of Cindy Schenk), Gail Groth, Nelsine Christensen (Chris Groth s mom), Cindy Rapp, McCarthy Family, Mai & Bob Horn (Carol Mueller s parents), Kevin Finch, Ray Fleming, Ashley, Betty Plapp (mother of Larry Plapp), Jason Stone, Misty Mitchell, Paul Lockwood, MaryAnn Trussler, Kelly Armstrong, Vicki, Barb, Shelby, Stephanie Spencer, Steve Spencer (Kathy Vierck s son-in-law), Sam M., Bonnie Rice, Mary Spangler, Wasik Family, Tim Dobbins, Sonny, The Cain Family, Latif Hadzabulic, Xander Romanelli, Christians in the Middle East (especially in Northern Iraq), John Bates, Janet Plein (Kathie Plapp s sister), Tracy Kramer, Sharon Rego, Kaitlyn Vegter and her family, Katie Herrick (Donn & Dee Fisher s niece) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: 3/01 Jazmine Yambor 3/02 Mindi Huebner 3/02 Riley Hintz 3/02 Samantha Rice 3/03 Lori Stahl 3/05 Megan Plapp 3/09 William Hollister 3/11 Sherry Chelminiak 3/12 Sofia Seitz 3/12 Megan Horne 3/13 Terry Haines 3/13 Anjill Godina 3/14 Kim Lepkowski 3/14 Emily Graham 3/14 Clara Garreau 3/16 Joel Ollerich 3/16 Jeff Davis 3/16 Steve McWherter 3/17 Janet Ransom 3/19 Rob Chelminiak 3/19 Kelsey Rupnik 3/20 Dennis Bergstrom 3/22 Tara Taylor 3/23 Greta Brandt Reinhart 3/24 Steven Brown 3/26 Cassie Abel 3/26 Victoria Huebner 3/28 Dee Fisher 3/29 Linda Cook 3/29 Benjamin Hollister 3/30 David Taylor 3/31 April O Neill

5 Page 5 March 6 8:30 am 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Andy Groth Lisa Schmelz Scott Emmerich Communion Lorri Emmerich David Reinhart and Jane Olinger Greeter Bob and Karen Dahl Matt Huebner and Paul Olinger Closer Usher Carol and Milt Ancevic Matt Huebner Nursery Jennifer Arizola/Lori Hintz Acolyte/Tech Gannon Emmerich Bruce Knutson Fisher Family Sandi Ballman March 13 8:30 am 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Larry Plapp Donn Fisher Jeff Horne Communion Brian and Alice Davis Dave and Carol Mueller Greeter Ruth and Floyd Rosenquist Jane Olinger and Isabelle Garreau Closer Usher Ethel and Mona Taylor Hank Schmelz Nursery Jennifer Arizola/Lori Hintz Acolyte/Tech Davis Family Carol Ancevic Dee Fisher March 20 8:30 am 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Bill Schenk David Reinhart Sandy Vander Zee Communion Linda Cook George Ballman and Ginny Andersen Greeter Paul and Sandi Moyer Seitz Family Closer Usher Bob and Deedee Murray Ginny Andersen Nursery Jennifer Arizola/Lori Hintz Acolyte/Tech Justin Graham Dave Mueller Sandy Vander Zee Lent (Holy Week) Maundy Thursday 7 pm Good Friday 7 pm Opener Lector/Journey Guide N/A Bob Dahl, Sandy Vander Zee, Tim Mumm, Joel Ollerich, Linda Cook, Donn Fisher Communion David Reinhart and Diane Sherin N/A Closer Greeter/Usher Milt and Carol Ancevic George and Sandi Ballman Nursery Jennifer Arizola/Lori Hintz Acolyte N/A Sophia Brandt Reinhart Tech Dee Fisher N/A March 27 (Easter) 8:30 am (Choir) 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Millie Veto Mindi Hubener Sarah Yakes Communion Milt and Carol Ancevic Hank and Lisa Schmelz Greeter Emmerich Family Dave and Carol Mueller Closer Usher Brian and Alice Davis Matt Huebner Nursery Jennifer Arizola/Lori Hintz Acolyte/Tech Rylie Emmerich Dee Fisher Fisher Family Fisher Family Easter Breakfast

6 Good News in March from: Luther Memorial Church 910 E. Geneva St. (HWY 50) P.O. Box 563 Delavan, WI Time Value Material. Please do not delay. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: 8:30 am Traditional Service 10:30 am Contemporary Service The Journey TO REACH US: OFFICE: 262/ WEBSITE: Mission Statement Sharing the journey of a loving, meaningful relationship with Jesus Mission Actions WORSHIP PRAY INVITE EQUIP SERVE Core Values Anchored in scripture Welcome and accept one another as Christ has welcomed and accepted you Encourage one another Be forgiving Give thanks always Respond to God s command to tithe our time, talents, and treasure Speak and act with integrity Bedrock Beliefs We believe in the Triune God meaning that God relates to us in three different ways. God relates to us as: God the Father who is creator of everything Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who died for our sins and through his resurrection offers forgiveness and new life. The Holy Spirit who calls, gathers, and empowers the church, the community of believers, to be in the world. We believe that all people are sinful and have fallen short in our relationship with God. Therefore, by God s grace, meaning God s unconditional love for us, and through our faith, we receive salvation. We cannot earn it in any way. Though we receive God s grace every day, we also receive and acknowledge grace through the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism is a gift from God welcoming all people to become a part of God s family, granting forgiveness and eternal life. Because this is what God does for us, we baptize people of all ages including infants and children. Communion is a gift from God that through the real presence of Christ, all may receive assurance of forgiveness and salvation as well as being united with all Christians of every time and every place.