Milltown Tidings January 2019

Transcription

1 Milltown Tidings January 2019 LIVING LUTHERAN BAPTISM BEGINS REAL NEW YEAR December 21, 2014 A new year. Time to start over. A fresh set of possibilities. Out with the old, in with the new. New Year s resolutions are made usually along the lines of self- improvement. And so, with a combination of optimism and grim determination, we set out into the New Year. But how long does our resolve last? Days? Weeks? It s a good bet that the gym will be a lot less crowded at the end of January than it was at the beginning. New Year s resolutions are symptoms of our underlying disease. We sense that our lives are not entirely the way they should be. We have an obscured image of the beauty and wholeness of God s good creation. There is a gap between who we are and who we have been created to be. So we try to fill that gap ourselves. We are going to eat right, work out, fix our relationships, floss regularly, lose weight, corral our calendars, clean the garage, learn another language, etc., etc., etc. These are all worthy goals and might actually be beneficial, but they can t fill the gap. Maybe we can sustain this aggressive schedule for self-improvement past January, but probably not. Discouraged and dispirited we make it to the beginning of Lent only to do the spiritual version of New Year s resolutions. And we wonder, like Martin Luther, is it enough? All of our efforts to achieve self-justification and self-righteousness are futile and may, in fact, be harmful. They twist and distort our relationship with God, with each other, even with creation. They become a means to an end; food, instead of something to enjoy, becomes a dietary supplement; our bodies, instead of being a gift from the Creator, become our enemies in our quest for physical perfection; other people, instead of being a loving community, become competitors. Exhausted and frustrated in our attempts to save our lives resentment sets in. And that s really it, isn t it? We are trying to save our own lives, to stave off death. We cannot and we do not have to. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his (Romans 6:3-5). There it is. In baptism we have already died the only death that really matters. The death of Christ Jesus into which we are buried is the end of death. It is the breaking of the power of sin. It is the beginning of our new life. To borrow a pop culture image, we are now the undead. The early church understood this and enacted it in its baptismal practice. Candidates for baptism were stripped and, naked as the day they were born, went into the water. When they came out they were anointed with oil and clothed in new garments. This practice will probably not be renewed in most of our congregations the strain on the altar guild alone would prohibit it but it made it physically and visually clear that the baptized had left their old life and entered Christ s new 1

2 life by death and resurrection. Theologian Robert W. Jenson wrote in Christian Dogmatics: My baptism broke the bond of the past on the future. In baptism freedom from the past and new possibility come together. In baptism we are now in Christ. So if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). It s been done. We are justified. We have been made righteous. We have been set free. So make New Year s resolutions if you want, but understand that in baptism God has given us a new life, a new year, a new day. Freed from all of the emotional and spiritual energy that had been invested in the impossible task of freeing ourselves we are now free to love God and serve the neighbor. Happy New Year! Presiding Bishop Eaton Happenings January 6th is Epiphany Sunday and once again we will choose a Star Word. During worship we will listen as a few people share devotions with us about their Star Word from 2018 and their experience with it. Annual Meeting: January 27 th, 2019 following worship. With the annual meeting coming up, the church council is looking for nominees committed to serving on the council for a three year term, meeting the second Tuesday of each month. The annual report will be completed early in January and copies will be available in the entryway or at the church office. 2

3 CAT Church Assessment Tool Dear Milltown Lutheran Church Members, Our Council is moving forward in an endeavor to enlist every voice of the congregation in an assessment which will provide us in-depth insight and perspective as we discern the future. Starting Sunday, January 6 th we want you to complete the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) and here is the link: We hope you and all in your household age 16 and up will participate. Plan on minutes in one sitting to complete the CAT. If you need assistance or online access, please contact the Church Office or a Council member. Opportunities will be set up to make it possible for everyone to complete the CAT. We are working in collaboration with Mustard Seed Consulting to do this assessment. The CAT will provide us many significant insights into our congregation. It will help us: Measure the level of satisfaction and energy in the church. Discover members desires for the future. Gauge our flexibility, morale, trust in governance and more. Determine whether we are a clergy-centered or ministry-centered church. Uncover any sources of conflict, as well as potential resources we may be missing. The CAT is also a benchmarked instrument which means we will see how we compare to the other 2000 churches in the data base. Right now, we want to impress upon you how important it is that you participate in the assessment. Milltown Lutheran Church will be well-served for the future when 80% of the people comprising our average worship attendance in recent years take the CAT. This includes: members who aren t currently worshiping friends and regular visitors who join us in worship, but not necessarily members. The wider the participation, the deeper and more reliable our results will be to inform our future for the sake of our mission in Christ. Your participation by completing the CAT by Sunday January 20th will provide us valuable information allowing us to make better decisions, in less time and with more confidence. Thank you for completing the CAT as soon as possible. Sincerely, Sandy Christensen Todd Sturgul Dennis Soper Mandy Wisdom Sarah Campbell Jeanne Alling Jeremiah Gingras Kim Grossmann Linda Ek Pastor Angela Kutney P.S. Please take the CAT online beginning January 6th! Thank you. (see next page for FAQ) 3

4 CAT - Frequently Asked Questions Where does the CAT come from? The CAT is the property of Holy Cow! Consulting based in Ohio. J. Russell Crabtree developed it. It s been used in over 2000 churches across the USA. Read more at holycowconsulting.com. What is Mustard Seed Consulting? The Mustard Seed Consulting, Cumberland, WI was formed by Pastor Kurt Jacobson in MSC works with church to engage members and bring relevant, data driven evidence to a wide-range of endeavors and challenges churches face. Jacobson is a trained interpretive consultant of Holy Cow! assessments serving churches across the country. An ordained pastor of the ELCA he served Trinity Lutheran Church, Eau Claire for 28 years until retirement. He holds a BA in Business/Hospital Administration and Organizational Communications from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and a Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. He holds a certificate in Intentional Interim Ministry from the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors. Why take time for a church assessment? Because the information it offers will help us understand the range of views that exist in our congregation, our priorities and opportunities as we seek to make plans for the future. How long will it take to complete? Plan to spend minutes in one sitting. We need every adult and teen (grade 10 or age 16 and older) to complete the CAT in order to get a clear picture. Is the CAT anonymous? Yes! The answers will be handled anonymously. No one will see your responses and know they are yours. If you lack online availability or need assistance, please contact the church office (or a council member) or sign up for sessions that will be offered on Sundays (following worship) and weekdays (during office hours, please call the office for an appointment). How is this different from other surveys? This process is unique as it gives all members an equal voice in assessing our church and our future. What comes from the CAT? A 28 page report called Vital Signs details the levels of satisfaction and energy, culture and climate present in the congregation, priorities by age groups, critical success factors, and evaluative insight into key factors such as worship and music, morale, governance, conflict management, pastoral leadership, hospitality and more. All the evidence is aimed to inform leaders and guide them in making better decisions, in less time, with greater effectiveness for the sake of the congregation s future. How Will We Learn About the Results? The councils (Fristad Lutheran, North Valley Lutheran, and Milltown Lutheran) will meet with Pastor Kurt Jacobson of Mustard Seed Consulting as he presents his analysis of the CAT in February. Thereafter a printed Executive Summary will be available and we will find ways to share results with you. Please help us engage others in taking the CAT by Sunday, January 20 th. Thank you! 4

5 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth, (Psalm 54:2) Please continue to pray for: Tim Marlow (Sandy s brother), Ron Shimek (Rhonda s father), Sandi Christensen (Pam s nephew s wife), Jack Weber, Austin Boreen, Paulette Kapaun. Military: Cameron Wood. Seminarian Emily Stelling. Church Attendance 12/02: 90 12/09: 55 12/16: /23: 82 12/24 4:00PM :30PM /30: TBD Good Sam Fund: The Emergency Food Pantry Ministry Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 Donations to the Good Samaritan Fund helped 7 individuals/families Willing in November. Workers March Please 2017 remember Worship donations 10:30AM of toilet paper for Serenity We are always in need of non-perishable Home every third Sunday of the month. Toilet paper can food and monetary donations for the food be brought in anytime during the month. The pick-up pantry. date for each month is the third Monday of the month. Date Communion Assistant Communion Preparer 01/06 Wayne Cailin Deloach 01/13 Chris Nelson Cailin 01/20 NOT FILLED Cailin 01/27 NOT FILLED Cailin Willing Workers January 2019 Lector Usher/Greeter Acolyte Bread Baking Mary Ellen NOT FILLED Lani Heilig Cailin Deloach Chris Todd & Cindy Brody Allen Cailin Nelson Sturgul NOT FILLED NOT FILLED NOT FILLED Cailin NOT FILLED NOT FILLED NOT FILLED Cailin Acolytes: Kendra Wheeler, Alli Gingras, Brody Allen, Isabelle Hansch, Leilani Heilig, and Aiden Cordie If you cannot attend service, please find a replacement or contact the church office. Training will be provided, if you need. This is Emily Stelling s last year at Luther Seminary. We are inviting donations for a gift toward her final year costs. We hope to gift her $500. If you are able to contribute, be sure to note that it is a gift for Emily. Thank you! 5

6 Gifts Given in November ~ Banners, given by Dave Beaulieu ~ In honor of Joyce Skog s birthday, given by Harland and Sharron Lofgren, Paulette Kapaun, Dave Beaulieu, and Clayton and Carol Johnson ~ Bulletin sponsor, given by Joyce Skog thanking all for attending her birthday party. Our Church Financials at a Glance November 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 Receipts General Fund $5, Designated (Banners) $25.00 Designated (Emily Stelling) $ Designated (Christmas Flowers) $92.00 Total Receipts $6, Total Expense $8, Reported by Deanna Wheeler, Administrative Assistant Just a reminder that we have an account set up with Tithe.ly, a platform for online giving. The two most common ways to give are to go online or download the free app to your Smartphone. You will set up an account, which is personalized to you, and then find our church. From there, you can choose to give once, set up recurring giving and share the link/app with others! It s very easy to use, fees are minimal to the church. Here is our link: from Milltown Lutheran Church Council: From one of the newest members of Milltown Lutheran Council, I would like to make a few comments from this past year. I have been a member at Milltown Lutheran for nearly 35 years, after I moved into the area. This past year, was the third time that I was asked if I would be on council. I had no real reason to say no, and after this many years it was my turn. I always thought I didn't have time for one hour a month. I was wrong, not only do I not miss the one hour, I enjoy coming to the meetings. As friends and members we do our best to make the right decisions for the members of our church. As most of you have heard, there are going to be some exciting and very important decisions to be made in the upcoming months. This is why I'm writing this as an invitation for you to join the council and help all of us make the decisions that would be best for the congregation. Please consider joining, you won't be disappointed. Sincerely, Todd Sturgul 6

7 The annual meeting is just around the corner and it s time to start thinking about recruiting new council members. We will be looking for 4 people to replace those going off council for As council President, I want to share some thoughts about serving on the Milltown Lutheran church council. I want to share my experience with you, so you know what it means to serve your congregation on the council. It was new to me and at first, I wasn t sure what I could bring to the meetings that would make a difference. Here is what I want to share: We are there to do the business of the church. There are decisions that must be made to keep the church going and thriving. There will be some hard decisions ahead in the next few years and we will need members to step up and share their insights. These are my thoughts: o It is a collaborative effort. Everyone has a say and their opinions are valued. We need your insights and talents. We need all points of view. o It is a commitment. It is important to be at the meetings. That is where we get things done. o It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of a group of people working toward the same goal. It s nothing to be afraid of and we have fun. Please take the time to think and prayerfully consider lending your talents to keep our church congregation thriving. Feel free to talk to any member of the council with questions you may have regarding serving on the church council. Blessings, Sandy Christensen, Council President When I was first asked to fulfill a council term for someone, I was honored to be trusted with such a request. Having served that term, I felt I wanted to continue help move our church forward into its future, and ran for another 3 years. If you are approached by a council member, consider the impact your concern for our congregation and our church s future could have on the decisions made through the guidance of the council. You can help shape the future of Milltown Lutheran Church. Your ideas are valued, and important. Please prayerfully consider being a council nominee. Thank you, Sarah Campbell Hello Church Family, The end of the year is near and it's that time to look for new council members. I've been on the council for almost 2 years now. It has been a very eye opening experience for me and I have made some amazing friends. I enjoy working closely with Pastor Angie and having my ideas and opinions heard. It's rewarding to know that we are all working together to strengthen the future of our church. We meet for just 1 hour a month, so it doesn't take up much time. If you are interested in joining the council, contact one of us or Pastor Angie. Mandy Wisdom 7

8 Education FAMILY FAITH5 Family is a way for families to bring church to home and home to church. Some things will be familiar; other things will be brand new. Each Sunday families will gather in the sanctuary at 9:50AM for music and fun, we will read bible story of the day, learn, make a craft or have a snack, pray, bless one another. and get ready for worship. Each Sunday families will go home with a FAITH5 Family sheet with activities, scripture, prayers, blessings to use at home throughout the week. FAITH5 Family (F5F) is meant for children of all ages and families of all design. January 6: Jesus the Word January 13: Jesus Baptism January 20: Wedding at Cana January 27: Jesus Goes to Nazareth Join us Sunday mornings from 9:50AM to 10:20AM in the sanctuary. See you then! Confirmation Schedule Dinner is served at 5:30 PM. Confirmation class BEGINS at 6:00PM and ENDS at 7:00PM January 2: NO CLASS January 9: Matthew January 16: Mark January 23: Luke January 30: 5:30PM-7:30PM Servant Event 2019 Youth Mission Trip $324 PER PERSON (OUT-OF-POCKET) JUNE TH, 2019 SERVING IN DULUTH O Partner with local organizations to meet ongoing needs in the community. O Students may serve all or part of the week at a food shelf, clothing distribution center, soup kitchen, children s program or elder care facility. PARTICIPANTS: Erin Kaiser, Katelyn Kaiser, Destiny McConnell, Kendra Wheeler, Raegan Sorensen, Carly Nelson, Cailin, Grace Owen, Anna Gingras, Rhonda Grammer, Sydney Grammer, Isabelle Hansch, Katie Christensen and Pastor Angie Kutney. 8 High School Youth Group meets Wednesday nights Dinner will be at 5:30PM. Youth group will meet from 6:00-7:00PM

9 Women of the ELCA January News THANK YOU to everyone who donated and bought cookies for our Cookie Walk. Our profit was $217. This amount will be added to the $160 that was voted on to send to ELCA Good Gifts for uniforms for girls to attend school. Without uniforms, the girls are not permitted to attend school. Sewing Group meets the last Wednesday of the month, 9AM- 12PM. Please join us for quilt making. You don t need to know how to sew to help us out. We cut, pin and tie, so please help. Cookbooks ($10.00 each) are very nice and make good gifts for graduations, showers, weddings, birthdays, Christmas, etc. We have also given to various local charities. Wednesday, January 9 th is the Gather Magazine Bible Study at Fristad Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. Starting on Wednesday, January 16 th is a new Bible Study discussion group at Milltown Lutheran. We will meet from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the church library. The Gather Magazine, published by the Women of the ELCA, will be used. There will be copies available that night. The magazine contains a Bible Study plus lots of interesting articles. Pastor Diane Norstad of Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake wrote an article that appeared in the December issue. The January Bible Study is entitled Meetings with Jesus and that session is Come and see: Seeking and finding faith. The theme verse is John 1:39a. All women are invited to come and bring a friend (all ages). At our first meeting, we will decide when to meet (day, time) again. Please bring your Bible. Come and check it out! Note: 41 school kits and 12 quilts were delivered to Lutheran World Relief in December. THANK YOU to everyone who donated for the school kits and our quilting ladies for their work. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Your W/ELCA Board A few photos from our Children s Program: 9

10 Our Council President: Sandy Christensen Members: Dennis Soper Vice President: Sarah Campbell Jeremy Gingras Secretary: Kim Grossmann Treasurer: Mandy Wisdom Linda Ek Jeanne Alling Todd Sturgul Milltown Lutheran Church Council Minutes Milltown Lutheran Church Council Meeting December 11, Call to Order. 2. Opening Devotions: given by Mandy, on her star word Strength. 3. Mission Statement: We are called by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God's forgiving and redeeming grace to be ministers of the Word in our daily lives, in our congregation, in our community, and in the world. 4. Secretary s Report. Accepted as presented. 5. Financial Report. Accepted as presented. 6. Pastor s Report. On November 2nd I officiated the funeral of Jeffrey Crossfield, husband to Pastor Marilyn Crossfield at First and Laketown in Cushing. The heartfelt outpouring of love and compassion from Milltown Church and surrounding congregations was a great reminder to me of how well you all love your neighbors. Thank you. This month I attended the Apple River Conference meeting at Deronda Lutheran Church in Amery on November 8 th. I attended my FINAL First Call Theological Retreat at the St. Anthony Spirituality Center in Marathon City, WI November 11 th 14 th. I participated in the community Thanksgiving service at North Valley on November 20 th. Confirmation Ministry and High School Youth Group continue to go well. Thanks to all the families and to the great leaders for making these Wednesday nights so meaningful. On November 28 th the youth were invited to help bring in and set up the Christmas tree, donated by David Beaulieu. Thanks for including us, David! Faith5 Family continues to go well. Families are coming, learning together, staying for worship. What a blessing. We are beginning to gear up for the Christmas program worship service on December 16 th. Looking forward to that! Of course, the month was also filled with home visits and many wonderful conversations, the pastor s weekly text study. Pastor Angie Addendum: the conversations with 3 members of each Milltown, North Valley, and Fristad Lutheran churches are starting. We will gather periodically for the purpose of prayer and conversation in which we pay attention to, and discuss, what God might be up to in our congregations and communities. These conversations are meant to build relationships. 7. W/ELCA Report gave $300 gift for Emily Stelling. 8. Old Business: Money counters sign up for December & January Willing workers sign up for December & January 9. New Business Budget- Jeanne Alling made motion to accept budget for 2019, Jeremy Gingras seconded, the proposed budget was accepted to present to the membership of Milltown Lutheran Church at the Annual Meeting in

11 2. Set Annual Meeting date: Jeanne Alling made motion for annual meeting date to be January 27 th, 2019, Sarah Campbell seconded date was approved. 3. CAT beginning January 6 th for 3 weeks The CAT is getting ready. Questions have been identified, and a web address is ready for us. We are in the process of getting information mailed to our congregation so everyone who wants to be heard can be. Council is encouraged to take the CAT asap so we can offer assistance and encouragement to members, as needed. 4. Meeting with Pastor Kurt Jacobson 02/17 at 12:30-3:00PM. North Valley, Fristad and Milltown Lutheran Church councils will meet at 12:00PM at MLC for potluck with meeting to follow. This meeting will be to review and discuss the CAT results. The CAT results will be compiled into a document for members to read through. 5. Giving is down the last few months, therefore it was necessary for us to transfer money from our savings. There was some discussion on stewardship and the need to educate ourselves and others on the need for financial stewardship. 6. The council is excited to offer a Fish Fry again, and agreed on Friday March 8, 2019 as the date. 10. Committee Reports. No committee reports. 11.Correspondence. We received a thank you card from Julie Reimer for the hospitality, graciousness, and generosity shown to the Christus Chorus when they were here with us on December 6 th. 12.Announcements. 13.Motion to adjourn. 14. Closing - The Lord s Prayer. Next Meeting January 8th, *Note: Pastor Angie will not be at this council meeting as she will be in Chicago, IL with Bishop Skow-Anderson and DEM Erin Nelson attending the Community Organizing Event. Present: Sandy Christensen, Sarah Campbell, Kim Grossmann, Mandy Wisdom, Dennis Soper, Jeanne Alling, Todd Sturgul, Jeremiah Gingras, Pastor Angie Kutney. Submitted by Kim Grossmann, Secretary A few photos from our Children s Program! 11

12 January Calendar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat No Confirmation and HS Youth 6 9:30AM Fellowship & Coffee 9:50-10:20AM Faith 5 Family 10:30AM Worship w/holy Communion CAT begins (see pg. 3) 13 9:30AM Fellowship & Coffee 9:50-10:20AM Faith 5 Family 10:30AM Worship w/holy Communion 20 9:30AM Fellowship & Coffee 9:50-10:20AM Faith 5 Family 10:30AM Worship w/holy Communion Final day for CAT (see pg. 3) Pastor at Winter Theological Event 7 14 Pastor gone vacation day 21 Pastor at Winter Theological Event 8 7:00PM Council Meeting Pastor at Community Organizing Training 15 Pastor gone vacation day 9 1:30PM Bible Study at Fristad 5:30 Confirmation and HS Youth Group Dinner 6:00-7:00PM Confirmation Class and HS Youth Group Pastor at Community OrganizingTraining 16 5:30 Confirmation and HS Youth Group Dinner 6:00-7:00PM Confirmation Class and HS Youth Group 7:00-8:00PM Bible Study (see WELCA pg for details) Pastor gone vacation day :30 Confirmation and HS Youth Group Dinner 6:00-7:00PM Confirmation Class and HS Youth Group 10 Pastor at Community Organizing Training 17 Pastor gone vacation day 24 Pastor at Canoeing Mountains Event Pastor gone at Community Organization Training Pastor at Canoeing Mountains Event :30AM Fellowship & Coffee 9:50-10:20AM Faith 5 Family 10:30AM Worship w/holy Communion :30-7:30 Confirmation and HS Youth Group Servant Event 31 Annual Meeting following worship Note: The fellowship hall is available for use for community events; please contact the church office to confirm availability. Deadlines: Bulletin: If you have information for the bulletin, please submit by Wednesdays at 12:00PM. Newsletter: If you have information for the newsletter, please submit by January 15,

13 Milltown Lutheran Church PO Box West Main Street Milltown, Wisconsin RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED (address label) Church Phone: Website: Facebook: Milltown Lutheran Church Contact Pastor Angie for pastoral emergencies at Contents: Message p. 1 Happenings p. 2 Willing Workers p. 5 Church Financials p. 6 Education p. 8 WELCA p. 9 Church Council Minutes p. 10 Calendar p. 12 Sunday Worship Schedule 10:30AM Worship Holy Communion each Sunday 9:30AM Coffee & Fellowship 9:50-10:20AM FAITH5 Family Church Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00AM-3:00PM Office closed Monday & Thursday 13