LIFT HIGH THE CROSS. St. Lucas newly installed cross shines focus on the core of our faith. Augustana Bergen St. Lucas Swede Home Yellow Medicine

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1 Augustana Bergen St. Lucas Swede Home Yellow Medicine An area parish of Lutheran churches in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Volume 8, Issue 5 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Office information 2 Council minutes 3-4 Pastors pages 5-8 HWP News 9, 18 Church pages Seder photos 10 Camp news 17 Sed libero. Maecenas est mi, vestibulum id, euismod non, vestibulum quis, mi. Mauris consequat dolor a sapien. May 2012 Newsletter LIFT HIGH THE CROSS St. Lucas newly installed cross shines focus on the core of our faith By Dana Yost With an elevation of 1,670 feet, Hawkeye Point is the tallest natural spot in Iowa. It is located in northwestern Iowa and is often almost unnoticeable amid a hog operation and fields of tall corn that are products of some of the world s richest farmland. But every spring, in the weeks before Easter, three very large wooden crosses are placed atop a mound near there. The mound becomes not only noticeable, but popular. Cars stroll slowly past it on a country road, some people taking photos. Sometimes, the cars stop and folks get out. They hike to the top of the hill, up a dirt path, sometimes for more photos of the tallest cross, sometimes simply to be there in silence and ponder what it means. This April, St. Lucas installed a new lighted cross atop its roof. It, too, is Photo by Sam Weston likely to have a pull similar to those on that Iowa mound a nighttime beacon, if you will, to travelers and residents to whom it shines from St. Lucas hillside location. That we are drawn to the cross is no surprise. Indeed, it is one of the core symbols of our faith as Christians and Lutherans. We find the cross almost everywhere old and rugged, big and bright, shiny but small enough to be worn on a necklace, at the center of some of our best-known hymns, and as a literary symbol in some of the greatest novels and art works of all time. The author Ernest Hemingway, for instance, turns the simple, bare mast of a small Cross continued on Page 4

2 Office & Contact Information Contact Information Pastor Steve Weston Pastor Evelyn Weston Healing Waters Parish Staff Kristin Nygaard Newsletter Editor Dana Yost St. Lucas Office Ronda Gregg Herigon Yellow Medicine Office Annette Sharkey annettelsharkey@yahoo.com Bergen & Augustana Office Melinda Rokusek jmrokusek@yahoo.com Thank you for helping with the April newsletter assembly Joyce Gregg, Connie Pehrson, Annette Sharkey and Kristin Nygaard May Preaching Schedule May 6 Bergen & Augustana Swede Home & St. Lucas Yellow Medicine May 13 Bergen & Augustana Swede Home & St. Lucas Yellow Medicine May 20 Bergen & Augustana Swede Home & St. Lucas Yellow Medicine May 27 All-Parish Worship followed by coffee fellowship Pastor Ann Ward Pastor Evelyn Pastor Steve Pastor Steve Quist Pastor Steve Pastor Evelyn Pastor Evelyn Pastor Steve Quist Pastor Steve 9 a.m., Bergen Prs Steve & Evelyn Please notify one of the pastors when: There is a birth or adoption of a child There is a death in your family There is a hospitalization in your family Someone becomes home bound Someone becomes unemployed You move or get a new phone number A child moves out of the house or attends college or whenever there is a cause for sorrow or a cause for joy Healing Waters Parish, the body of Christ, wants to bring you Christ s love in all the seasons of your life. Think about going green with your HWP Newsletter! Want to save clutter, help the parish save a little money on printing and mailing costs, and save a tree too? Consider getting the monthly parish newsletter electronically we can it to you, or you can download it from our website and dropping your print version of the newsletter. If you want to make the switch, news@healingwatersparish.org or office@healingwatersparish.org, or call Page 2 May 2012

3 Healing Waters Parish Council Meeting Minutes Healing Waters Parish Council Meeting Minutes April 17, 2012, 8:00 pm Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by President Linda Dieken. A quorum was in attendance. Present: Linda Dieken, Chuck Gaffney, Todd Johnson, Kathy Koetter, Marilyn Larson, Jack Londgren, Kirk Lovsness, Emma Volstad, Julie Volstad, Pastors Evelyn Weston & Steve Weston, support staff Kris Nygaard Absent: Devotions were offered at the preceding All Council Gathering by Pr. Steve. Emma & Elmo Volstad sang. The secretary s report was reviewed. Motion was made and seconded to accept the secretary s report. Motion carried. Church Council Reports: Augustana Wednesday evening Country Gospel services start in June. Still in conversation about June 6, which is during Heart of the Prairie Days, but June 13 and on is definite. Bergen noted a major improvement with the painting of the entry. New carpeting is coming. St Lucas the Lenten schedule worked out very well and all were pleased with the good attendance. St Lucas will be happy to host All Parish Worship on Sept 2 (Labor Day weekend) 9 a.m. service with coffee fellowship to follow. The St Lucas parsonage bathroom was updated. Swede Home yard work has been completed. Sonja Van Leeuwe s book signing party will be held at Swede Home on Sunday, May 6. Yellow Medicine the new exterior sign is up and the lighted cross is being worked on. A fund raiser for youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering will be held May 9 & 23 at Pizza Ranch in Marshall. It was noted that Pr Larry Strenge s presentation on Apr 10 was excellent. The financial reports for March were reviewed, received and filed, subject to approval by audit. The parish received a gift of $5,000 from a member and council members signed a thank-you letter. The money has been deposited in a one-year CD and will be used to strengthen the 2013 budget. Pastoral/Staff Reports: Pr. Steve noted the high number of shut-in visits he made last month. Pr. Evelyn pointed out her use of some of Pr Steve s vacation time during her mother s illness and death (with the permission of the Executive Council). She hoped the council would approve. It was agreed that whatever the pastors work out between them is fine. She briefly touched on several other items in her report, including the large class of 6 th graders expected in confirmation this fall. Old Business: Seminary Internship Since there will be no intern pastor in the near future, it was decided that all who made a gift or pledge toward the internship goal could have the opportunity to change it. A letter will be sent to Pledge Partners explaining the options, which will include continuing or cancelling their pledge, leaving contributions to earn interest in HWP s internship savings account, or redirecting those gifts. At the All Council Gathering, the pastors presented information about the non-traditional internship opportunity through the TEEM program. The Synod would like HWP to serve as a ministry site for a Minutes continued on Page 4 May 2012 Page 3

4 Healing Waters Parish Council Meeting Minutes Minutes continued from Page 3 particular candidate. A motion was made and seconded that HWP is willing to serve as a ministry site for Linda Estling as she begins the TEEM program. Motion carried. Mutual Ministry Committee the pastors will begin to contact potential members. Officers for Sexual Harassment a female officer for the parish is still needed. New Business: Parish Agreement revision several sections were reviewed and approved. Issues to take back to church councils: Need a sexual harassment female officer for the parish Interest in a mission trip? (intergenerational youth and adults together) Meeting was adjourned by Linda at 9:35 pm with the Lord s Prayer. Next meeting: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Swede Home Lutheran, 7 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kristin Nygaard, Recording Secretary Julie Volstad, Secretary/Treasurer Cross continued from Page 1 sailing boat a pair of beams fastened together in a T-shape into a cross-like metaphor at the end of his 1953 novel The Old Man and the Sea. The novel, which helped Hemingway win the Nobel Prize for literature the next year, was widely praised by literary critics, fellow authors and millions of readers for a spiritual power that even Hemingway didn t fully understand. It was as if Hemingway tapped into the very force of God himself. Other famous authors wept the first time they read it. Hemingway, normally a rugged, macho writer, received thousands of fan letters from regular readers describing similar, moving experiences. The great author was often stunned by the response. The power of the cross. We are all drawn to it at one time or another, finding comfort and awe in the salvation it represents Christ willingly enduring a humiliating and immensely painful death in order to defeat sin and death. And he did it for us, an amazing sacrifice with an amazing message: The power of God does not come in the form of a sword, but the opposite: humble sacrifice driven by love. Luther understood this, and it is one of the things that put him at odds with the official church in the early 16 th century. A lot of people then (and now) believed in a theology of glory that great riches and power can come to those who say they are Christian, that they will be elevated to a prosperous status. Luther s preaching upended that selfcentered, me-first belief. He developed a theology of the cross, and put it at the center of his views of Christianity. It s not about personal glory, but personal sacrifice. That was revolutionary, sometimes dangerous, writes the theologian Carl T. Trueman. Luther was taking on the established power structure of Europe, but he was confident, his belief rooted in faith and Scripture: Christ is at his strongest when he is at his weakest, freeing us eternally even while dying on the cross. Luther preached that those who would follow Christ should try to follow his example, too, of suffering and self-sacrifice for the good of others. We should, he said, follow the example of the cross. That kind of preaching is still not easy for most of us to completely follow today. No one likes to suffer or give up things we enjoy. But the rewards are worth it. In short, great blessing will come through great suffering, Trueman wrote. We don t have to die on the cross, but we can, and should, Luther said, make sacrifices for the good of others. Christ gave up everything he had on that first cross. When visitors drive slowly past the large crosses near Hawkeye Point in northwestern Iowa, many of them pass in silence or prayer, sharing Luther s understanding of the theology of the cross. Hopefully, the new cross at St. Lucas will have the same effect. Page 4 May 2012

5 From Pastor Steve A reminder from Paul: Even waylaid plans can serve God s purpose Have you ever heard the story of Paul s missionary journey to Spain? Probably not, because it apparently never happened. The biblical book of Romans is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Christians living in Rome. In chapter 15 he explains why he s writing. Most of the biblical letters of Paul are addressed to churches (groups of Christians) that he had started and spent some time at, in places like Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonika, etc. In those letters, Paul addresses questions and issues those churches were dealing with. The church in Rome was different. It was founded by someone else, and Paul had never been there. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans to introduce himself and his preaching, because he wanted to visit them and get financial backing from them for a journey to Spain, where he planned to start some more churches. The book of Acts tells us that Paul finally went to Rome not on his own power but as a prisoner of the Roman Empire. Acts concludes with Paul under house arrest in Rome, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to whoever came by to listen. Tradition has it that he was martyred when the Emperor Nero was persecuting Christians in Rome, sometime between AD 64 and 68. Since the journey to Spain didn t pan out, does that mean the effort Paul put into writing Romans was wasted? It certainly didn t serve the purpose he intended. Even so, I m very glad he wrote it. The book of Romans has become one of the most important parts of the Christian Bible. It contains the most complete exposition of Paul s preaching and teaching and tells us some very important things about Jesus Christ and what he means for us. Many all-time favorite Bible verses come from Romans, passages that have nourished the faith and encouraged the spirits of Christians down through the centuries. There s a lesson in this for us when we put a lot of effort into something that doesn t work out as we planned. Maybe it s applying for a job you didn t get, or wooing someone who decided you weren t the right one, or building something that didn t work, or doing something creative that goes unappreciated. It s discouraging, but such effort is never wasted. Maybe it becomes a learning experience that helps a person do better next time. Or maybe it s something that was worth doing for its own sake, like learning to play a musical instrument even if you never get a standing ovation, or taking care of a sick loved one regardless of whether they recover from the illness. It may even be laying the groundwork for something else you hadn t planned. If you go fishing but don t catch any fish, you usually still wind up having a good time outdoors with friends or family, which is more important than catching fish anyway, isn t it? When we heard that HWP wasn t getting an intern this year, my first thought was about all the work that went into persuading people it would be a good thing, putting together the application, and collecting pledges toward it. Was that effort wasted? At first I thought so. In thinking about Paul s letter to the Romans, though, I realized that it really wasn t. Gathering the information for the application was useful anyway. The idea of getting an intern got all of us thinking about our mission, how we might be a blessing to the wider church and the world. And the fact that so many were willing to pledge toward the program tells us that folks really can get behind something exciting and new. Those are all good things, and I m glad they happened. Like Paul s plan for a missionary journey to Spain, sometimes God has other ideas. Instead of getting an intern who would have arrived at HWP this summer, what might God be using that effort to prepare us for? Maybe an intern next year, maybe a nontraditional internship, or maybe something else entirely that we can t imagine yet. All the times I didn t get a job I wanted helped me see what was really important for me to do. All the times I ve prepared for a Bible study that no one came for helped me understand the Bible better for myself. The hymns I ve written, none of which have so far gotten published, were worth writing anyway. And very few people who are happily married are married to the first one they ve taken a shine to. In fact, all of this relates to something Paul says in that same letter to the Romans: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (8:28). And also, I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (8:38-39). Amen to that! May 2012 Page 5

6 From Pastor Evelyn Internship update On Friday, March 23, we learned that Healing Waters Parish won t have an opportunity to host a traditional seminary intern pastor for That was disappointing news for so many of us. But on Monday, March 26, Southwestern Minnesota Synod Minister Joyce Piper let us know that HWP may have an opportunity to work with a non-traditional seminary student. So then your questions began! What is a non-traditional seminary student? Will this person need housing in our area? When will this start? Is this a sure thing? And I imagine the unspoken question is: Who is this person who may be doing ministry in our parish? Her name is Linda Estling, and she lives with her husband on a farm near Boyd. Linda has a full-time job now, but she feels God is calling her to become a pastor. Some HWP members will remember Linda from when she did pulpit supply at Bergen and Augustana last year. We hope she will continue some involvement at HWP during the next year or two, but internship won t begin until farther into Linda s seminary studies. Linda is in the process of being accepted at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She will be a candidate to become an ELCA pastor through the TEEM program Theological Education for Emerging Ministries. The TEEM program is an alternate route to ordination for people (usually over age 40) who would be a blessing for ministries that may find it difficult to call a traditional pastor immigrant ethnic groups, multicultural, deaf, inner city... and rural communities. Some congregations in the western half of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod may benefit from a TEEM pastor. Rural TEEM pastors usually are committed to staying in the area, leading to longer, stable pastorates. The TEEM process includes seminary studies (on campus and online), ministry practice, and internship. The whole program usually takes about three years. (The Just to clarify... traditional interns are assigned by the staff at the seminary where they are enrolled. TEEM internship sites are arranged by the Synod where they live. traditional Master of Divinity degree takes longer.) In our area, Pr. Lori Wold (Boyd), Pr. Janet Colby (Canby), and Pr. Bruce Berg (Marshall area) came through the TEEM program. Linda is still in the process of being accepted into the TEEM program. She doesn t know yet exactly what ministry practice she ll need to do before internship. But Pr. Joyce and Bishop Jon Anderson think Healing Waters may be a good place for Linda to learn about ministry as part of her seminary class work, and maybe as her internship site. Pr. Steve and I are glad that Linda is following God s call. Linda will do some more pulpit supply in HWP this summer, so when you meet her, please welcome her to the parish! We give thanks that God may have a plan to let Healing Waters have a role in helping prepare Linda to be a pastor for rural ministry! Parish Council: Explore more internship options At its April 17 meeting, the Parish Council encouraged the pastors to explore whether HWP could have a traditional intern in , in addition to providing a pre-internship ministry site for Linda Estling. Watch for more news as we explore this. Options for internship pledges and contributions Since HWP will not have an intern pastor in the near future, all those who gave a gift or pledge toward the internship goal will have the opportunity to change that. Pledge Partners are receiving a letter explaining the options, which include continuing or cancelling their pledge, leaving contributions to earn interest in HWP s internship savings account, or redirecting those gifts. If you are a Pledge Partner, we await your response! Page 6 May 2012

7 From Pastor Evelyn Confirmation planning on May 16 Parents of next year s Confirmation students (this year s graders) and other interested adults are invited to help plan for next year s classes. We ll meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. All are encouraged to bring ideas for who to ask to be next year s Confirmation Guides, what kinds of service projects we might do, which adults might go along to the Synod Junior High Gathering in Willmar, and whether to offer other retreats. One new idea that surfaced recently would be to require all Confirmation students to attend an ELCA summer Bible camp week during Confirmation (summer after seventh or eighth grade). Come and share your thoughts on that. Students do not need to attend this planning meeting. May 27 All-Parish Worship at Bergen The summer s first All-Parish Worship service will be hosted by Bergen, at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 27, The theme for this Memorial Day weekend service will be Healing Waters, and will include a baptism. Coffee fellowship will follow worship. Come and see the newly redecorated look in Bergen s entry areas! NEW ORLEANS YOUTH GATHERING FUNDRAISER: TWO EVENTS AT MARSHALL PIZZA RANCH Treat yourself to some pizza and help Healing Waters Youth fund their trip to New Orleans this July with a pair of events in May at the Pizza Ranch in Marshall. The youth going to the 2012 New Orleans Youth Gathering will be busing tables at the Pizza Ranch in Marshall from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9,, and Wednesday, May 23. Please support our youth and enjoy a night out. The kids will get a percentage of the tips and any extra donations given. HWP youth who will be attending the New Orleans gathering are: Belle Dieken, St. Lucas; Alex Bofferding, St. Lucas; Rachel Johnson, Augustana; Leah Jeseritz, Yellow Medicine; Blake Lindstrom, Yellow Medicine; and Tyson Velde Yellow Medicine. SONJA VAN LEEUWE S BOOK PRE-RELEASE PARTY/OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, May 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Swede Home Church basement in celebration of the upcoming release of Sonja Van Leeuwe's book A Balloon in the Snowstorm: Madison's Journey. Lunch will be provided, and books will be available. Please join us for fellowship and a little fun. Feel free to bring a guest. For more information, please visit Madison's Journey Facebook page. Madison Van Leeuwe was a baptized member of Swede Home Lutheran Church, who died in 2011 of a rare illness. Blessed be Madison's memory May 2012 Page 7

8 From Pastor Evelyn Page 8 May 2012 letter

9 Outreach workshop: Holy conversations By Pastor Evelyn Pr. Larry Strenge led an outreach workshop for Healing Waters Parish on April 10. Pr. Larry is the Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) for Southwest Minnesota Synod. He actually works for the ELCA, but is deployed to our synod to help all of us figure out what outreach might look like in our congregations and communities. In this short space, I can t tell you everything that Pr. Larry shared with the ten of us HWP members who came together for two hours that evening. But here are a few highlights that might help you imagine what God might be calling all of us (including you) to do. Before we start talking with anyone, we need to PRAY! Pray that God would lead you to think of someone God might want you to connect with. Pray especially for people who may be de-churched (inactive) from any church. Pray for that person for awhile (maybe a few weeks, every day, several times each day), before any conversation starts. Pray that God will help you find an opportunity to talk with that person. Let that person know that you ve been praying for their household. Ask if there is anything specific you can be praying for Photo by Julie Oftedahl Volstad Ten members of HWP attended an outreach workshop April 10 at Yellow Medicine. The workshop was led by Pastor Larry Strenge of the synod office. their household. You might mention that you ll be praying that God will bless them, walk with them, and protect them from danger or harm, and that God will give them opportunities to use their gifts for God s glory. As you have one-to-one conversations with people, begin with curious questions things about them that you re just curious about. You might ask a member of your church, Who brought you to this church for the first time? But listen for a place to ask a courageous question a question that can take the conversation and your relationship to a deeper level. The question can be as simple as asking, What was that like? Some other courageous questions you might ask are, So what s been keeping you awake at night? What have you been praying about lately? May God surprise you with holy conversations! May God bless your conversations with fellow members of your church and HWP, as you practice having deeper, holy conversations with one another... and with others you meet wherever life takes you! New Yost book a fund-raiser for Healing Waters Healing Waters Parish newsletter editor Dana Yost, an associate member of St. Lucas, has published a new book called The Faith We Live. Yost s portions of the proceeds from the book are being donated to Healing Waters. The book may be ordered online in both print and Kindle form through amazon.com, or for Nook e-readers at barnesandnoble.com. A new option: Books can also be ordered directly from Yost: Send a payment of $12 (to cover the cost of the book and shipping) to: Dana Yost, 836 West M Street, Forest City, IA, May 2012 Page 9

10 THE MAUNDY THURSDAY SEDER Photos by Julie Oftedahl Volstad Healing Waters Parish honored Christ s farewell dinner with the disciples with a traditional Passover Seder meal and Maundy Thursday Communion service April 6 in the Yellow Medicine fellowship hall. At left, Pastor Evelyn leads the communion. Below, Norma Simonson lights the ceremonial candles as Donna and Robert Ricke look on. Page 10 May 2012

11 Augustana Church News Augustana Lutheran Church th Avenue Clarkfield, MN Work group leader: Dick and Elaine Petersen SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE May 6 10:30 a.m. May 13 10:30 a.m. May 20 10:30 a.m. May 27 9 a.m. All-Parish Worship at Bergen followed by coffee fellowship Council Members will be notified if a meeting is needed in May. June 6 will begin the Augustana summer schedule of Country Gospel worship services on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. through June, July (no service July 4) and finishing on August 29. Rachel Circle: Will not be meeting in May but instead will go to Pizza Ranch in Marshall on Wednesday, May 9, in support of our HWP youth who will be attending the New Orleans youth gathering. Youth will receive a percentage of tips and any extra donations given. Please come and support our youth May 9 or May 23. Elizabeth Circle: TBA Bergen Church News Bergen Lutheran Church th Avenue Granite Falls, MN Lac qui Parle Conference Global Mission Event: May 18 at Grace Lutheran in Dawson. Gary Langness of Lilydale, Minn., will be the guest speaker. He goes to Tanzania four months each year. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE May 6 9:00 a.m. May 13 9:00 a.m. May 20 9:00 a.m. May 27 9 a.m. All-Parish Worship at Bergen followed by coffee fellowship Mary Circle: 1:30 p.m. at church, Karol Sorum hostess. May Work Group: Group 2, leaders Wayne and Pat Virkus Opening church: Richard Christopherson and Roger Sorum Bergen will have Sunday school for pre-schoolers on May 6 and May 20 May 2012 Page 11

12 St. Lucas Church News St. Lucas Lutheran Church th Avenue Cottonwood, MN Ushers Kris Brusven and Mitch Brusven Communion Servers Joyce Gregg and Diane Gregoire Altar Guild Beulah Anderson Cemetery Cleanup May 23 will be St. Lucas cemetery cleanup day (with May 24 as a rain date). All are welcome to help with outdoor cleanup projects. SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE May 6 10:30 a.m. May 13 10:30 a.m. May 20 10:30 a.m. May 27 9 a.m. All-Parish Worship at Bergen followed by coffee fellowship CONFIRMATION IS MAY 6 May 6 will be Confirmation Sunday for Alexandria Lynn Bofferding (daughter of Brad & Jodi Bofferding) and Molly Lovsness (daughter of Kirk & Valerie Lovsness). Alexandria Bofferding will celebrate her confirmation with an open house from 2-4 p.m., May 6, at her home, th Ave., Cottonwood. All are welcome for 10:30 a.m. Worship with Affirmation of Baptism and Holy Communion. May God bless these young women as they affirm their faith in Christ and become adult members of St Lucas! May Birthdays 1 Janeen Kompelien Reed Lovsness 4 Don Harms 5 Larry Stensrud 7 Wesley Anderson 8 Beulah Anderson 9 June Stensrud 10 John Hoff 16 Charlotte Hoff 19 Timothy Kolhei 21 Jeffrey Kolhei 22 Norman Anderson 25 Isaiah Brusven 28 Leroy Jolstad 29 Teal Bofferding May Anniversaries 17 Jamie and Adam Martin 21 Chad and Cheryl Stensrud Swede Home Lutheran Church th Avenue Clarkfield, MN Swede Home Church News SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE May 6 9:00 a.m. May 13 9:00 a.m. May 20 9:00 a.m. May 27 9 a.m. All-Parish Worship at Bergen followed by coffee fellowship Coffee & fellowship Coffee fellowship follows worship every Sunday! Please join us for delicious treats and delightful conversation. SONJA VAN LEEUWE S BOOK PRE-RELEASE PARTY/OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, May 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Swede Home Church basement in celebration of the upcoming release of Sonja Van Leeuwe's book A Balloon in the Snowstorm: Madison's Journey.Lunch will be provided, and books will be available. Please join us for fellowship and a little fun. Feel free to bring a guest. For more information, please visit Madison's Journey Facebook page. Page 12 May 2012

13 Yellow Medicine Church News Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church PO Box 119, 101 Main Street Hanley Falls, MN Church office: SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE May 6 10:30 a.m. May 13 10:30 a.m. May 20 10:30 a.m. May 27 9 a.m. All-Parish Worship at Bergen followed by coffee fellowship COUNCIL MEETING: The Yellow Medicine Church Council will meet at 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 8. Open house bridal shower for Amber Lindstrom is May 6 An open house / come & go bridal shower for Amber Lindstrom, bride to be of Will Broers. is planned for Sunday, May 6, from 1-3 p.m. in the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church Basement. Please bring your favorite recipe to share with Amber. The couple is registered at Target and Walmart. Ministerial Acts: Confirmations: Leah Dorothy Jeseritz, daughter of Mark and Carrie Jeseritz, was confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran on Sunday, April 29, Blake Jeffrey Lindstrom, son of Cory and Sue Lindstrom, was confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran on Sunday, April 29, Jordan Maxine Trotter, daughter of LeRoy and Kristine Sik, was confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran on Sunday, April 29, Tyson Richard Velde, son of Grant and Becky Velde, was confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran on Sunday, April 29, May 2012 Page 13

14 Yellow Medicine Church News News & Notes GARDEN PROJECT: The Stewardship Committee is organizing a Growing with God garden project. The produce raised from the garden will be donated to the local food shelf. Everyone is invited to take part in tilling, planting, weeding, harvesting and giving their expert advice on how to raise vegetables. The garden will be located at Kevin and Cindy Eyes. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Kevin or Cindy at or e- mail Cindy at ceye@mvtvwireless.com. SYNOD DELEGATES NEEDED FOR SYNOD ASSEMBLY: Two voting delegates are needed from Yellow Medicine Church to attend Synod Assembly on June 8-9 (Friday & Saturday) this year at St. Peter. Please let Annette Sharkey know by May 1 ($50 less per registration if sent in by then) that you are interested. SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS ARE NEEDED for the Sunday School year. There will be a teacher's guide and materials provided for each child. This is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children. Please consider sharing your time and talent with Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church and help build the faith of our children. A sub list will be available in the event you are not able to be there every Sunday. If interested in helping with this mission, please contact Laura Eckstrom at or Shawna Tusberg at THANK YOU to everyone who helped to make this year s Easter breakfast a success. All the donations were greatly appreciated. Thank you to Terri Thostenson who donated a second rolling cart some time ago. It was used and came in very handy. SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL SING the second Sunday of May (Mother's Day) at Yellow Medicine Church. This is our last time our kids will sing this year. Please support our Sunday School! ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENT: Larry and Kathy Torke are happy to announce the arrival of their grandaughter, Kamea Chunying Nelson, age 5, from Huainan City, Anhui Province, China. Kamea joined her forever family, Melissa and Jeff Nelson, Elliana, Zane and Dexter on March 26, in Hefei, China. The Nelson family lives in Lewiston, Minnesota. CEMETERY FLORAL TRIBUTES: Please place floral tributes on the graves after Friday, May 25, and remove by Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day) in the evening. This makes it much easier for mowing before Memorial Day weekend. Anything left on the graves will be removed on Tuesday, May 29. May Birthdays! 1 Lowell Gustafson Orlen Torke 4 Carol Rikke 5 Mark Thostenson 6 Tomas Volstad 7 Taitum Timm Trevor Tusberg 8 Douglas Anderson 10 Will Jeseritz Allen Torke 11 Billy Sharkey 12 Hannah Fry Jay McPhail Jordan Phinney 13 Madelin Kuehl 14 Larry Torke 15 Kelly Thorkelson 16 Gary Enger Paul Gullickson 18 Kayleigh Albertson Heather Torke 20 Sharon Stevens Jon Thostenson 21 Zoe Velde 22 Tim Dale Tony Eye Sue Nelson Nick Risacher 24 Kristen Breyfogle Taylor Timm 26 Carla Bowsher 28 Kelsey Phinney 29 David Anderson 30 Danny Eye 31 Blake Lindstrom Brooke Velde CHURCH LEAGUE SOFTBALL PRACTICE May 23 at 7 p.m., and May 30 at 7 p.m. We will start games on June 6th and continue until August 8th. Page 14 May 2012

15 Yellow Medicine Men s Service / Fellowship Games MAY ASSIGNMENTS Ushers: 6 Rich Hagen 13 Kevin Eye 20 Robert Ricke 27 Arlan Gustafson Lay Readers: 6 Shawna Tusberg 13 Brenda Brusven 20 Kristin Nygaard 27 All-Parish at Bergen Communion Assistant Carrie Jeseritz Altar Guild: Angie Thostenson Terri Thostenson Counters: 6 Carrie J. & Linda H. 13 Jon Thostenson & Sue Nelson 20 Jon Thostenson & Rich Hagen 27 All-Parish at Bergen Acolytes: 6 Kelsey Halvorson 13 Kelsey Halvorson 20 Kyle Oftedahl 27 All-Parish at Bergen Cross Bearers: 6 Brianna Oftedahl Funeral Chairs: Carol Tusberg (507) Becky Velde (320) News & Notes RELAY FOR LIFE LUMINARIES: The Yellow Medicine County Relay for Life is planned for the night of Friday, June 8, in Clarkfield. Part of the fundraising for the American Cancer Society comes from the sale of luminaries, simple white bags that are used to honor loved ones and friends who have had cancer or in memory of those who lost their battle to cancer. Loved ones may simply write a cancer warrior s name on the bag or add elaborate decorations to the bag. For a minimum donation of $10, we will place the luminaries around the track and they will be lit at a special luminary ceremony. Your luminaries will burn throughout the night lighting the way toward a cure for cancer. IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE LUMINARIES, SEE ZEE ANNE AT CHURCH OR CALL HER AT Zee Anne will get the bags to you, you can decorate them as you see fit, and then return them to her, so that she can deliver them to the Relay. THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY FUNDS RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE FOR ALL TYPES OF CANCER. NEW ORLEANS YOUTH GATHERING FUNDRAISER is on two Wednesdays, May 9 and May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Pizza Ranch in Marshall. HWP youth attending the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in July will be busing tables and receiving a percentage of tips and any extra donations. Treat yourself to pizza and help fund their trip to New Orleans! Participating HWP youth: Rachel Johnson (Augustana), Alex Bofferding and Belle Dieken (St Lucas), Leah Jeseritz, Blake Lindstrom, and Tyson Velde (Yellow Medicine). RECEIVING QUILTS on Sunday, May 13, for High School Senior recognition: Brian Ricke Dylan Nelson Trenton Dale Teagan Gustafson Jake Sharkey MEETINGS AND EVENTS: WELCA Mother/Daughter Salad Luncheon at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 5. Promise Circle meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Judy Ristau s. The YMLC Worship Committee will meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 2. Annual Confirmation planning meeting, 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at YMLC. "Jesus did not command the whole world to go to church. Jesus commanded his church to go to the whole world." ~ traditional May 2012 Page 15

16 Yellow Medicine Lutheran GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS: BRIAN ROBERT RICKE, son of Robert and Donna Ricke, will be celebrating his graduation from Lakeview High School with an open house reception at his home, 65 Hagen Road, Wood Lake, on Friday, May 18, following commencement. JACOB LEIGH SHARKEY, son of Glenn and Annette Sharkey, will be celebrating his graduation from YME High School with an open house reception at his home, th Avenue, Hanley Falls, on Friday, June 1, following commencement. TEAGAN RAE GUSTAFSON, daughter of Bruce and Karen Gustafson, will be celebrating her graduation from Yellow Medicine East High School with an open house reception at her home, th Ave, Hanley Falls, on Saturday, July 7, from 3-7 p.m. DYLAN DELAINE NELSON, son of Susan Nelson and Chad Lerud, will be celebrating his graduation from Yellow Medicine east High School with an open house reception at the Hanley Falls Legion Hall on Saturday, June 2, from 2-5 p.m. YELLOW MEDICINE LUTHERAN CHURCH WELCA MEETING April 10, 2012 Our president, Carol Rikke, welcomed everyone to this April 10, 2012 WELCA meeting. We sang our theme song. Kristin Nygaard gave devotions. The December secretary's minutes as printed in the Newsletter were approved. Jean Nelson-Anderson gave the treasurer's report. As of now the balance is $1, Coleen Olson gave a report on the quilting project. From January to March, 84 quilts were made. The following were given away: 4 quilts to the Food Shelf at Marshall 4 quilts to the Food Shelf at Granite Falls 4 quilts to the Red Cross at Marshall 1 quilt to Harriet Velde 1 quilt to Mabel Slettedahl If you know of anyone who could use a quilt, please call Coleen. Connie Velde and Jean Nelson-Anderson have volunteered to make and donate a quilt for next year's Mother-Daughter Luncheon. Thank you so much to both of you. The Prairie Conference is at St. Lucas on Friday, April 27. They are asking for donations to the House of Hope. These are some of the items they need: Stamps Gift Cards for Restaurants Copy Paper Movie Passes Bowling Passes White or Blue " 3-ring binders Pocket Folders Bath Towels Sticky Note Pads Wash Clothes Dry Erase Markers G-rated movies for residents to view Gas Cards Kitchen Linens (dishtowels & cloths) Cleaning supplies Non-perishable food items Paper Products Salads are needed for the May 5 Mother-Daughter Luncheon. There is a sign-up sheet in the entry. Please volunteer a fruit, meat, or vegetable salad. Raffle tickets are being sold now. The following items have been donated: Hardanger Doily from Corky Gustafson Four Placemats from Carol Rikke Purse-Tote Bag from Sharon Stevens This is our only money-maker for WELCA. Please buy some tickets! Pastor Steve presented a program on the Ten Commandments. We learned many interesting facts about the commandments. Thank you, Pastor Steve. The offering was taken. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed. Hostesses were Hazel Martin and Norma Simonson. There were nine members present and Pastor Steve. Co-Secretary, Norma Simonson Page 16 May 2012

17 Green Lake & Shetek Ministries Quilt Auction volunteers needed July Green Lake Lutheran Ministries 28th Annual Quilt Auction is fast approaching and volunteers are needed to help make this another wonderful event. Talents of all kinds are used in preparation of the weekend's events and to carry out those activities. If you are interested in helping in any way, including serving on a committee, please contact Sonya at All God's Children Family Camp Where: St. Andrew Village, New London. When: July 22-27, July 29-Aug. 3, or Aug Is your family in need of a vacation? Plan yours for All God's Children Family Camp on the beautiful grounds of Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp today. We will do the cleaning, cooking, dishes, provide Bible studies, energetic worship services and fun family activities. Your family will have the opportunity to relax, play and grow in your Christian Faith. You define your family... just married, empty nesters, all stages of life are welcome! Register today at for a vacation like no other! Spirit Gathering with AGAPE is August 5-10 Hey, ninth through 12 th graders, join us for a week of fun camp activities and leadership skill building with special guest AGAPE at Green Lake. He will be joining us for the week, helping to lead worship, teaching you how to lead worship and give a great concert at the end of the week. Register at The SK8R Tour for boarders August 5-10 Hey Boarders, check out this slammin' new program we are offering this summer, Aug at Green Lake Bible Camp. We'll check out three skate parks, learn from the areas hottest boarders and do all the sick camp stuff like Bonkers, swimming, and campfire. The week will end with a comp and best trick demo. Register today at Shetek Lutheran Ministries upcoming calendar *Pre-marriage workshop May 5 *Spring Cleanup Day May 12, 9-4 p.m. *FISH n FUN DAY June 10, 1-5 p.m. *Golf Tournament June 18 *Annual Quilt Auction June 23 (2012 quilts will be showcased on our website) *FISH n FUN June 24, 1-5 p.m. *Pre-marriage workshop August 11 *Senior Adult Retreat September 7-9 *Women s Retreat September *Exploritas September *WELCA Conference September 22 *Timber Banquet October 14, 5:30 p.m. Any questions, call or see us online at Shetek Lutheran Ministries 26 th Annual Quilt Auction Saturday, June 23, 11:15 a.m. SLM Activity Center Quilt Preview Friday, June 22, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Pork burger dinner 10:30 a.m.~1 p.m. Check out the 2012 quilts on Shetek.org Any questions call Kathy at Shetek Lutheran Ministries Cleanup Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m., May 12. For more information call May 2012 Page17

18 : Malaria Campaign The ELCA Malaria Campaign A child dies from malaria every 45 seconds. Today we are in a special moment where this can be turned around. Working through Lutheran churches in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely positioned to provide mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more to help eliminate deaths from this disease for good. For a long time, the ELCA has been supporting clinics and programs in Africa to provide health care. Now we re focusing on malaria with a new intensity. Malaria kills 800,000 people each year; most are children under five. In countries with high rates of malaria, the disease accounts for up to 60 percent of health clinic visits, 50 percent of hospital stays and 30 percent of hospital deaths. No child, no person should die of a disease that is both preventable and treatable. Therefore the ELCA Malaria Campaign has committed to raise $15 million to help prevent, treat and educate communities in Africa about malaria and eliminate deaths from this disease for good. This September, HWP will devote a special Sunday to the malaria campaign. Watch the newsletter and bulletin for updates. For more information about the campaign, go to the ELCA s web site at and click on ELCA Malaria Campaign under Resources. We are a church that is called to do God s work in the world. Standing together we can work to overcome malaria. Kristin Nygaard ELCA council approves 2012 budget revisions, attends to mission funding CHICAGO (ELCA News Service) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a revised 2012 current fund spending authorization of $65,498,135, an increase of more than $1.3 million at its meeting April The council also approved a revised total ELCA World Hunger spending authorization for 2012 of $19,900,000, an increase of $1.4 million. The council serves as the ELCA's board of directors. According to council member John Emery, Fond du Lac, Wis., chair of the council's budget and finance committee, "This is very good news. We are in a position to grow our ministries." He added that the increases are a result of good stewardship and faithful giving.... In his report to the council, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said... that ELCA members are not only engaged in starting new congregations "but we're about renewing congregations," citing an action of the 2011 assembly that calls "upon every congregation to be engaged in a process of discerning how they might deepen their commitment to engagement in mission, and to proclaim the gospel more clearly, (which) is not some command-controlled mandate for which there must be compliance." He said the action is an invitation on "how we more creatively and boldly proclaim the risen Christ and engage in the lives of our neighbors in lives of service." In other business, the council: + Elected the Rev. Joyce M. Graue, Raymond, Minn., to the council for a term ending in Acknowledged the dissolution of the Lutheran Youth Organization and received a plan for new directions in ELCA youth ministry. Page 18 May 2012