F ROM SEMINARY TO US?

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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 7, Issue 10 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Office information Council meeting Pastors pages St. Lucas Fest Church pages Shetek, G. Lake Churchwide news November 2011 Newsletter F ROM SEMINARY TO US? With benefits to both sides, HWP seeks pledges to help fund rural ministry internship position Photo by Luther Seminary Commencement 2010 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. The ELCA seminary has 796 students this school year. Sed libero. Maecenas est mi, vestibulum id, euismod non, vestibulum quis, mi. Mauris consequat dolor a sapien. An Internship Pledge Form can be found on Page 20 of this newsletter. Pledges must be received by January 8, BY PASTOR EVELYN When Healing Waters Parish was formed, one idea for staffing the parish was to invite seminary students to serve as intern pastors in the parish, alongside ordained pastors. Many area parishes have hosted interns. Tri-County Ministry the ELCA s first area parish, in Eastern North Dakota has been an Internship continued on Page 5

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 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. Newsletter Assmebly: We always appreciate having as many volunteers show up as possible to help assemble the newsletter each month! The December newsletter will be assembled at 9 a.m. Monday, November 28, at Yellow Medicine Lutheran. Join us for great fellowship, coffee and rolls! November Preaching Schedule November 6 Bergen and Augustana Pastor Evelyn Swede Home and St. Lucas Pastor Steve Quist Yellow Medicine Pastor Steve November 13 Bergen and Augustana Pastor Evelyn Swede Home and St. Lucas Pastor Steve Yellow Medicine Pastor Steve Quist November 20 Bergen and Augustana Pastor Steve Quist Swede Home and St. Lucas Pastor John Biggs Yellow Medicine Pastor Steve Thanksgiving Eve November 23 Bergen Pastor Evelyn St. Lucas Pastor Steve Thanksgiving Morning November 24 Augustana Pastor Steve November 27 Bergen and Augustana Pastor Steve Swede Home and St. Lucas Pastor Steve Quist Yellow Medicine Pastor Evelyn O God of justice and love, you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, and awaken us to the needs of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. ELCA prayer of the day for Sunday, November 6 Page 2 November 2011

3 Parish Council Meeting Minutes Unapproved minutes Healing Waters Parish Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2011, 7:00 p.m. Swede Home Lutheran Church The meeting was called to order at 6:58 p.m. by President Linda Dieken. A quorum was in attendance. Present: Nancy Chasteen, Chuck Gaffney, Alvern Johnson, Kathy Koetter, Marilyn Larson, Jack Londgren, Donna Ricke, Brad Stensrud, Julie Volstad, Pastors Evelyn Weston & Steve Weston, Kris Nygaard Absent: Devotions were offered by Pr. Steve from 1 Thessalonians. He spoke about the Parish being a blessing to the wider church. The secretary s report was reviewed. Motion was made and seconded to accept the secretary s report. Motion carried. The financial reports were reviewed, received and filed, subject to approval by audit. The $5,000 certificate of deposit that matures on Oct. 27 will be deposited in savings to use against the 2012 budget. Pastoral/Staff Reports: Pr. Steve nothing to add to his report. Pr. Evelyn noted the many events on the upcoming schedule. Discussion followed about funding for Youth Ministry and whether there should be a line item for it in the HWP budget. Regardless of adding a line item, it was decided to continue to ask for funds as some people like giving specifically to Youth Ministry. Kris was grateful to attend September s church worker retreat at the Synod. Church Council Reports: Augustana reported on the grease fire in the Augustana parsonage. The tenants have moved out. Insurance will pay for most of the cleaning and repairs. HWP will cover the $250 deductible. St Lucas believes the intern minister program is a good thing to pursue. Old Business: Seminary Internship The council continued the discussion of pursuing a seminary intern for the academic year to be funded outside the HWP budget. Pr. Evelyn put together a pledge form that was reviewed. It was decided to bold the line, My financial support will be in addition to my regular giving to my congregation. The November newsletter will feature articles about the seminary internship and include the pledge form. Motion was made and seconded to pursue the seminary internship program if $20,000 in pledges is received. Motion carried. Pledges are due by Jan. 8, The application must be submitted by Jan. 15, Mutual Ministry Committee Linda has received names for possible membership from Bergen and YMLC but still needs names from the other congregations. Holiday Worship Schedules Christmas Eve (Saturday) 4:00 p.m. at Augustana; 5:30 p.m. at YMLC Christmas Day (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. at Bergen and Swede Home; at St Lucas YMLC will not have service that morning. Will Augustana? Jan. 1 (Sunday) All-Parish Worship that morning? St Lucas is willing to host if no one else will Staff Review with Executive Committee completed the HWP executive committee met with the staff and reviewed the pastors mileage records. Several priorities for the pastors were determined. There was discussion regarding a matter brought to a HWP council member. Members who have Minutes continued on Page 4 November 2011 Page 3

4 Minutes continued from Page 3 Parish Council Meeting Minutes concerns are encouraged to speak to one of the pastors or one of their own council members, or to bring their concerns in person. Parish and congregation council meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend. The council does not respond to anonymous communications Budget the treasurer presented a draft version of the 2012 budget. There was discussion about the pastors salaries and it was decided to go with the lower range and then add a line item of $1,000 for Youth Ministry to help offset costs for confirmation and adult registrations for youth events. The proposed budget would mean only a small increase per month for each congregation. In the next few days the draft budget will be sent via to congregation members and councils for their review. The HWP council will vote on the 2012 budget at the Nov. meeting. New Business: Day Camp - the deposit for next summer s Day Camp must be made in the next few weeks. The council agreed to move ahead with plans for holding Day camp again next summer. All Council Gathering scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, preceding the HWP council meeting. Main topic of conversation: Reviewing the intern application, presuming enough pledges are received. Issues to take back to church councils: 2012 Budget (draft) Sunday, Jan. 1 worship All-Parish Worship? Mutual Ministry names from Augustana, St Lucas and Swede Home Meeting was adjourned by Linda at 9:15 p.m. with the Lord s Prayer. Next meeting: Nov. 15, 2011, Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church, 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kristin Nygaard, Recording Secretary Julie Volstad, Secretary/Treasurer PLEASE DETACH BELOW AND RETURN TO US The Lutheran Yours at a Terrific Group Rate! Sign up to receive The Lutheran, a monthly magazine recognized for its award winning content and design. As a partner in God's mission, The Lutheran reflects the diversity of the ELCA as it connects with the global Christian community and shares stories of God's people living their faith. It s also an excellent adult education resource. In depth study guides are developed for two or three articles in each issue and are available online at Many congregations use these study guides for adult education or small group studies. If just 25 individuals/families in HWP to sign up to receive The Lutheran, we are able to take advantage of the low group rate for subscriptions of just $7.95/yr. To subscribe, fill out the form below and enclose it with a check for $7.95 made out to HWP. Drop it in the offering plate, give it to a pastor/staff, or mail it to: HWP, PO Box 134, Hanley Falls * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Yes! I want to receive The Lutheran magazine for just $7.95/yr! Name Address E mail Page 4 November 2011

5 Internship Proposal Continued from Page 1 internship site for most of its 19 years. In the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, both Prairie Star Ministries (led by Pastor Mark Yackel-Juleen) and Winds of the Prairie Ministry (led by Pastor Steve Rasmusson) are internship sites. Area parishes have been great internship sites and have proven popular with seminary students. With HWP s current worship schedule (two churches worshiping at 9 a.m., and three churches worshiping at ), HWP needs three worship leaders on Sunday mornings during the school year. Since Pastor Allan s departure, the third worship leader has been pulpit supply (paid on a Sunday-by-Sunday basis, most often Pastor Steve Quist). That has given the parish council time to think about staffing options for HWP s future. I learned last winter that Luther Seminary expects to send more students out on internship in than in recent years, and will need more internship sites. Healing Waters has been encouraged to ask for an intern pastor. At the October 18 meeting, the parish council approved moving forward to become an internship site. What could Healing Waters offer a seminary student? + An opportunity to explore rural ministry. Most seminary students are from cities and suburbs, but many first calls are in rural settings. A one-year rural internship can give students a chance to see what rural life and rural ministry are really like. + A parish to experience working with a team of pastors. Many interns come from large churches with several pastors and lay staff. A multi-church staff parish is a little different. We have a staff to share ministry and ideas, but each member of the pastoral team also has a large leadership role. + A site where students can preach often. Many intern pastors only get to preach once a month. The opportunity to preach most Sundays, holy days, and a Lenten series is a blessing. See an intern pastor in action on Sunday, November 20! Intern pastor John Biggs, whose internship is at Grace Lutheran in Dawson, will provide pulpit supply at Swede Home (9am) and St Lucas (10:30am), while I m away with HWP s Confirmation students at the Synod Junior High Gathering in Willmar. All are welcome! + Bless the wider Church. Hosting an intern pastor is another way that Healing Waters can contribute to the ELCA, by helping to train future ELCA pastors, especially for rural ministry. What could an intern pastor offer Healing Waters? + New gifts for ministry. Every intern (and pastor) brings different spiritual gifts. Only God knows how HWP may be blessed by interns! + Excitement and energy from new ideas and a fresh perspective. Interns are required to plan and carry out an internship project some ministry that is new to the parish. Many internship projects are just for one year, but some are continued by lay leaders like YMLC s senior quilting project, which originally was an internship project. + A new familiar face leading worship each year. An intern would be part of our regular worship rotation, getting to know people in all five congregations. What can you do to support HWP as an internship site? + Pray! Pray for seminary students who will be next year s intern pastors. Pray for HWP s leaders as we prepare our internship application. Pray that people will step forward with the funds needed to add an intern to HWP s staff. Pray for the seminary staffs, who pair students with internship sites. + Pledge to financially support HWP s first intern. Some money will come from HWP s budget the $8,000 needed to pay for pulpit supply for the third worship leader. We expect it will cost an additional $20,000 to cover all the costs for an intern pastor. A pledge form can be found on Page Help prepare HWP s internship application. Pastor Steve and I will have primary responsibility for the application, but we ll need input from other leaders. We expect there will be several ways people can be involved in the process, so watch for more info. + Pray some more! May the Holy Spirit guide Healing Waters, as the parish steps out in faith! November 2011 Page 5

6 A closer look at an intern pastor From Pastor Steve What is an intern pastor, and why is Healing Waters Parish exploring the possibility of having one? An intern pastor (not to be confused with an interim pastor) is a seminary student, usually one who has finished two years of course work with one to go, who serves a parish under the supervision of an experienced pastor for one year as part of the preparation for ordination. In some circles of Lutheranism, folks are used to calling such people vicars. The internship year is an important part of the spiritual formation of a new pastor. It s a chance to put into practice the learning that happens during the first two years of seminary, to gain experience, to make mistakes and learn from them, and to be encouraged by successes. Most parishes that have had interns have found it to be a great blessing. Interns bring new ideas and energy and help keep things fresh. But having an intern is not simply about what we get. If we re thinking of an intern as cheap labor, we shouldn t have one. The great privilege of hosting an intern is that we get to give something important to the wider church of Jesus Christ, by helping prepare a new pastor to serve elsewhere. When I was planning for my internship year, back in 1991, I asked for a rural internship, because I figured my first call would probably be rural, and I had essentially no experience in rural living up to that point. I grew up in Bellevue, Washington, the principle suburb of Seattle. The other places I had lived before going to seminary in St. Paul, were suburban Tacoma, Washington, and suburban San Antonio, Texas. I would have benefitted greatly from a rural internship, but the best the seminary could do for me was an outer suburb of Omaha, Nebraska. It had been a rural area some two or three decades earlier, but it was definitely suburban by the time I got there. It was nothing new to me. So before I began my first call in Warren, Minnesota, other than my internship year I had never lived in a metropolitan area of less than a million people. There was a time when most people who went to seminaries came out of rural congregations. These days, most of them come out of medium-sized or large suburban congregations, like I did. Most seminary students, like me, would benefit from rural experience. HWP could give a great gift to God s church by giving a year of rural and small town experience to a student pastor. I would love to see HWP step up to the plate and do this. It would not be easy. The most worthwhile things to do never are. It would cost about $20,000 more per year than our current staffing. It would mean having people involved in helping the intern learn and grow. As the intern s principle supervisor, I would have to receive some training from the seminary in how to do that. It will involve meetings, paperwork, etc. The plan is that we will be asking for people to make pledges above and beyond their regular giving, and only if we get enough to cover the costs will we apply to become an internship site. I think HWP is up to the challenge, and I hope we can move forward with it. New ELCA Social Statement your chance to be heard The ELCA is currently working on another social statement. This one is on the subject of criminal justice. You may find information on it on the ELCA website ( by clicking on What We Believe and Social Issues. For those who are interested in providing opinions and input in this process, there will be two discussion sessions, 7:30 p.m. at YMLC on Thursdays, November 3 and November 10. The first session will be an overview of the draft, and the second will be a more in-depth discussion of issues of concern. I would especially encourage participation by anyone who works in law enforcement and related occupations, who has been a victim of crime, or who has had other involvement in the criminal justice system. Please let me know if you would like me to get you a paper copy of the draft statement/study guide. Attention lay readers For anyone in the parish interested in improving their skills at reading the Scripture lessons in worship, I ll be holding a session at 7:30 p.m. St. Lucas on November 17. Together in Ministry, Pastor Steve Page 6 October 2011

7 contributed to our fall food drive thank you! During Confirmation class on Oct 12, our 9th grade students took 205 food items to the Clarkfield Food Shelf. Bonnie FromShaw, Pastor Evelyn a food shelf volunteer, told us about their ministry, shared some stories of people who Confirmation ~ Discipleship Year students out serving have received help, and answered questions. November 2011 newsletter Pr Evelyn page thank you! During Confirmation Members from every HWP church contributed to our -fall food drive We are grateful for the ministry of all the class on Oct 12, our ninth-grade students took 205 food items to the Clarkfield Food Shelf. Bonnie Shaw, foodshelf shelves in ourtold area, as they help us ~ Discipleship Year students out serving Confirmation a food volunteer, us about their Members from every HWP church ministry, shared some stories of people whothe respond to Jesus command to feed contributed to have received help, and answered questions. our fall food drive thank hungry. During We are grateful for the ministryyou! of all the Confirmation class on Oct 12, our 9usgrade students took 205 food items food shelves in our area, as they help to the Clarkfield Food Shelf. Bonnie Shaw, respond to Jesus command to feed the Fall Youth fundraising a food shelf volunteer, told us about their hungry. ministry, shared some stories of people who th HWP youth will be selling Christmas wreaths & swags and Weatherguide calendars. have received help, and answered questions. Proceeds from these fundraisers helpfor youth pay their portion of costs for youth events. Wewill are grateful the ministry of all the Fall Youth fundraising Thank you for your support!food shelves in our area, as they help us HWP youth will be selling Christmas respond to Jesus command to feed the wreaths and swags and Weatherguide hungry. calendars. Proceeds from these fundraisers Support HWP s youth ministry will help youth pay their portion offall costs for fundraising Youth to our Parish Youth Fund support our Day and Camp/Vacation Bible youth Contributions events. Thank you for your support! HWP youthministry will be selling Christmas wreaths & swags Weatherguide calendars. Proceeds from these fundraisers will help pay their portion of These costs for youth events. are School, chaperone registrations, and youth events like theyouth Servant Retreat. ministries Thank you for your support! Support HWP s ministry not included in the youth parish budget. All gifts are gratefully received! Please make out checks to HWP Youth and send to Youth Healing Waters P.O. Box 134, Hanley Falls, MN Thank Contributions to our Parish Ministry Support HWP sparish, youth ministry Fund support our Day Camp/Vacation Bible Contributions to our Parish Youth Ministry Fund support our Day Camp/Vacation Bible you for your generous support! School, chaperone registrations, and youth eventsregistrations, like the Servant Retreat. School, chaperone and youth events like the Servant Retreat. These ministries are not included in the parish budget. giftsare are gratefully received! PleasePlease make out checks to These ministries are not included in the parish budget. AllAllgifts gratefully received! make out HWP Youth and send to Healing Waters Parish, P.O. Box 134, Hanley Falls, MN Thank checks to HWP Youth and send to Healing Waters Parish, P.O. Box 134, Hanley Falls, MN Thank you Printer cartridge & cell phone fundraiser you for your generous support! for your generous support! In September, used printer cartridges and old cell phones that Printer cartridge & cell fundraiser were collected in theand last 18 months werefundraiser sent offphone to Mattson Printer cartridge cell phone In September, used printer cartridges and old cell phones that Cartridges, and a check for HWP s Youth account should be off to Mattson were collected in the 18 months were sentcollected In September, used printer cartridges and old celllast phones that were in soon. were Thanks for your contributions! and a check forand HWP s Youth for account should be thearriving last 18 months sent so off much to Cartridges, Mattson Cartridges, a check HWP s Youth arriving soon. Thanks so much for your contributions! Bring your used inkjet laser cartridges, and cell account should be arriving soon.cartridges, Thanks so much for your contributions! Bring your used inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges, cell Bring your used inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges, and cell phones to yourand church, phones to your church, and leave them there and forleave me them to pick-up. phones to your church, there for me to pick-up. and leave them there for me to pick-up. We stockpile these recyclable items at St. We stock-pile recyclable items at St Lucas until we ask the Weuntil stock-pile recyclable items atthese St out Lucas until we ask the Lucas we ask these the company to send someone to pick them up. company to send someone out to pick them up. company to send someone out to pick them up. Synod Junior High Gathering - Sat-Sun Nov Synod Junior High Gathering - Sat-Sun Nov HWP has registered 13 youth for this annual retreat at the Synod Gathering - Sat-Sun HWP hasjunior registeredhigh 13 youth for this annual retreat at Nov the Willmar Willmar Holiday Inn complex! This event is geared toward Holiday Inn complex! This event is geared junior high age youth HWP has registered 13 youth for toward thisyouth annual retreat atand theband, and many junior high age inspiring speaker with an inspiring speaker and band, and many fun activities. fun activities. Willmar Holiday Inn complex! This event geared toward One man has volunteered to be a chaperone, but is we ll need morebut we ll need One man has volunteered to be atwo chaperone, men so wehigh can have an adultinspiring in each sleeping room. Men must be at least junior age youth speaker and band, and many two more men so we can have an adult in each sleeping room. 21 fun years old and a member of an HWP church. If you know someone Men must be at least 21 years old and a member of an HWP activities. who might be willing, please give me their name. church. If you know someone who might be willing, please give One man has volunteeredmetotheir be name. a chaperone, but we ll need two more men so we can have an adult in each sleeping room. Men must be at least 21 years old and a member of an HWP church. If you know someone who might be willing, please give me their name. November 2011 Page 7

8 From Pastor Evelyn 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering Healing Waters and Clarkfield Lutheran have registered 15 people for next summer s National Gathering in New Orleans! Registration opened on October 9. As of October 13, more than 26,000 had registered! Please pray for our youth, adult chaperones, fundraising, and for the Gathering teams that are making all the plans and arrangements for an amazing faith adventure! SleepOUT - Fri-Sat Nov at Gustavus Adolphus College This free event for 9-12 graders is offered by Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter. SleepOUT is an overnight experience of homelessness to raise awareness and compassion. Youth have the option of sleeping outside in a box or sleeping in the basement of the college chapel (think homeless shelter ). Registration forms were mailed out; please return completed forms to me by Wednesday, November 2. Urban Immersion Service Retreat a return to Minneapolis Since our last retreat in May 2010, people keep asking me when we can do this again. Winter will give us a different view of urban poverty and homeless issues. This retreat is for youth in grades 7-12 and adults, and will happen sometime between Feb and March If you re interested in going, let me know which weekends will work for you, so we can set dates and start registration. The secure retreat center holds 55 people bunk beds, showers, and ots of space to hang out. The full cost for this retreat is $80 per person. We re asking each youth to pay $40 ($20 non-refundable deposit). Parish Youth Ministry Funds will pay the other half of youth registrations. Outlaw Ranch Family Bible Camp - summer 2012 HWP families are invited to join the Weston family for a week of Bible camp in the Black Hills, Sunday, July 29 to Friday, August 3. Registration begins November 7. Outlaw Ranch is a Bible camp for all ages babies to greatgrandparents. All generations are welcome on this grace and faith adventure! Find more info in HWP s October newsletter at or at Outlaw Ranch s website, ask me. :-) Page 8 November 2011

9 St. Lucas Scandinavian Fest Annual meal, bake sale of traditional foods is Saturday, Nov.5 BY DANA YOST Meatballs and lefse. Red, white and black outfits. The first Saturday in November. It s that time of year again time for the annual St. Lucas Lutheran WELCA Scandinavian Fest. This year s runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, November 5, at St. Lucas. As always, it features a full meal, and the kind of bake sale that gets people standing in line and staking out tables because the treats are so good and so varied. The cost for the meal is $8 for adults, and $5.50 for children. The menu is meatballs and gravy, potatoes, coleslaw, carrots, lefse and pie. Meals can be eaten in tables will be set up in St. Lucas basement or can be picked up at the church, where they can be packaged for takeout. That s always one of the appeals of the meal since the Fest falls on the first weekend of Minnesota s deer-hunting season: hunters can take a break, pick up lunch and head back to their stand or field. There was a large crowd for the 2010 Fest, said publicity coordinator Shirley Stensrud. Visitors come from a wide range of places. We love it, Stensrud said. The more people we get, the better we like it. This is the one thing that we do, our big thing as a fund-raiser for the year. A large percentage of the money received at the Fest is, in turn, donated by WELCA to a number of charitable causes in the region. Along with drawing visitors to St. Lucas, the event draws congregation members together in force for the day: The work-assignment list has more than 60 women and girls scheduled for duties that day or in the days leading up to it. About a dozen of those are younger members of the congregation, who serve as waitresses and clear tables. That s so neat to get the young generation involved, Stensrud said. They usually wait tables and are wiping trays. And the men are more than welcome to help, especially in doing dishes we d like to make sure they know that they can come and help. WELCA members typically dress in traditional Scandinavian outfits, including red vests, white blouses, red ethnic hats and Scandinavian jewelry. Doing so serves a couple of purposes: it keeps the Scandinavian heritage intact, and also helps visitors quickly identify members of St. Lucas WELCA if they have questions or need instructions for the meal or bake sale. Two years ago, WELCA prepared 70 pounds of potatoes and had five roasters going at once, giving you an idea of the magnitude of the meal. The bake sale is also a big part of the event, and continues to grow, members said last year. Oh, definitely, we re still going to have a big bake sale, Stensrud said about this year s Fest. They do bring some great Norwegian food like lefse, rosettes, krumkrake and flatbread. The bake sale includes American treats, too, such as cakes, pies, bars and cookies. St. Lucas Lutheran is located in rural Cottonwood, northwest of Cottonwood. Here are directions for getting to the church from four different starting points: From Cottonwood, go north two miles past Lakeview Public School, then seven miles west on Yellow Medicine County Road 2. From Clarkfield, go 10 miles south on Highway 59, then a quarter-mile east on County Road 2. (The steeple should be visible from Highway 59.) From Minneota, go 11 miles east on Lyon County Road 10, two miles north on Highway 59 and a quartermile east on County Road 2. From Marshall, go 13 miles north on Highway 59, then a quarter-mile east on County Road 2. If you have a GPS device in your car, here are the coordinates for the church: gps coordinate: N ' W ' November 2011 Page 9

10 St. Lucas Scandinavian Fest November 5 Scandinavian Fest Work Assignments Hostess Evelyn Weston, Ann Stensrud Publicity Shirley Stensrud Decorating Ann Stensrud, Linda Dieken Bake sale Janeen Kompelien, Joyce Gregg, Jonnie Danielson, Linda Broughton, Marilyn Brusven, Sara Settle, Nancy Brusven, Nola Thompson, Kristy Brusven, Shirley Stensrud Ticket sales/cards and napkins Teresa Hoff, Marge Reishus Check room Valerie Lovsness Prepare meatballs and gravy Friday morning Gloria Johnson, Teresa Hoff, Carol Kompelien, Marge Reishus, Beulah Anderson, Valerie Lovsness, Linda Broughton, Connie Pehrson, Lisa Olson Kitchen and warm up meatballs Saturday morning Gloria Johnson, Ronda Gregg, Carol Kompelien, Lisa Olson Prepare potatoes Lonna Stensrud, Naomi Stensrud Prepare carrots Betty Lovsness, Jamie Martin Make coffee and fill servers Lois Albin, Judy VanMaldeghem Butter buns and lefse Connie Pehrson, Sandy Aronen, Joyce Peltzer, Charlotte Hoff, Beulah Anderson, Ruth Stensrud, Dorothy Brusven Cut and serve pie Marge Haaland, Linda Dieken, Jodi Bofferding Serve coleslaw and cranberries/prepare takeouts Sara Rausch, Amy Manning Serve potatoes Marcia Brusven Serve meatball Roberta Brusven Serve carrots Diane Gregoire Serve lefse June Stensrud Serving window back-up--jorgetta Stensrud Supply table Jodi Stensrud Wipe trays Lila Mauland, Ardith Reishus Head waitresses Cindy Jolstad, Shannon Lenz Waitresses Alex Bofferding, Molly Lovsness, Belle Dieken, Savannah Rausch, Grace Rausch,Teal Bofferding, Leah Brusven, Rachel Brusven, Emily Lenz, Bailey Herigon, LeAnn Stensrud, Emmy Stensrud 1) Everyone is encouraged to bring baked goods and crafts for sale. Please have these items at the church before 10 a.m. Saturday 2) The following ladies are asked to bring 24 lefse for the dinner: Ann Stensrud, Shirley Stensrud, Lonna Stensrud, Linda Broughton, Teresa Hoff, Jonnie Danielson, Gloria Johnson, Carol Kompelien, Janeen Kompelien, Beulah Anderson, Marge Reishus, Diane Gregoire, Marilyn Brusven, Connie Pehrson 3) Anyone not asked to bring lefse is asked to bring two pies in foil plates so extra whole pies may be sold 4) If possible, everyone should wear a white blouse and dark skirt or pants. There are red vests and caps available 5) We ask that the workers please try and wait to eat until all guests have been served. **Everyone is asked to please help with dishes and clean up. Any help offered by the men and boys of the congregation would be greatly appreciated. If you can t do your assigned job, please switch with someone and let one of the committee members know. Committee members Work Group III Youth selling Christmas wreaths, etc. through Nov. 10 The Healing Waters Parish youth will be selling Christmas wreaths, swags and garlands October 30 through November 10. It s a great way to get in the holiday spirit and help the young members of our parish. Funds earned by the youth will be used for future gatherings, Bible camp, youth activities, etc. Wreaths will arrive the first weekend of December. Please contact a youth to order your wreaths. If you are not contacted by a youth, you may call Cindy Eye (507) to order also. Page 10 November 2011

11 Healing Waters Parish / Thrivent News Thrivent Choice Dollars If you have Thrivent insurance or annuity products, you have Thrivent Choice Dollars. These funds are made available as premiums are paid, contract value is determined, and members serve as Thrivent volunteer leaders. Through Choice Dollars, eligible Thrivent Financial members recommended how to distribute $25 million in Thrivent Financial charitable funds to their favorite Lutheran congregations and organizations. In 2010 congregations received the highest percentage of funds (68 percent). Thanks to Thrivent Financial members, Healing Waters Parish has received more than $3,000 since March of this year. Augustana, Bergen, St Lucas and Yellow Medicine also are receiving Thrivent Choice Dollars. Thrivent Choice Dollars can be given to your church or other Lutheran organizations, but you must say where your designated funds should go. You must contact Thrivent to direct your 2011 Choice Dollars by March 31, 2012 or lose the dollars. The process is easy, and if you make a recurring direction, your Choice Dollars will continue to be sent automatically, with no work on your part. Once your church or other organization has these funds, they can be used for whatever is needed, with no restrictions. By phone, call and say Thrivent Choice. Online, go to and click on Thrivent Choice. Send offerings to your church through Simply Giving automatic withdrawals Simply Giving, offered through Thrivent Financial Bank, is a convenient, safe, and simple way for individuals to make automatic payments to non profit organizations through electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly from checking or savings accounts. Thrivent s Simply Giving program is operated by Vanco Services, an industry leader in electronic payment solutions. Thrivent has contracted with Vanco to provide transaction processing services for the program at reduced rates. People can use Simply Giving to donate to non profit organizations of their choice including sending regular offerings to any Healing Waters Parish congregation. So even if you are away for the winter or summer... or can t travel to your church regularly... or just like the convenience of automatic offerings... Simply Giving can be a blessing for your church! For more information: Call Vanco Services, LLC at Call Thrivent Financial Bank at God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance... 2 Corinthians 9:7b 8a November 2011 Page 11

12 Augustana Church News Augustana Lutheran Church th Avenue Clarkfield, MN Work group leaders: Dick and Elaine Petersen. The group should all have their calendars. Council meeting: TBA SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. Thank you to all those who participated in the October 16th ditch cleanup, and all enjoyed pizza after. Rachel Circle: November 16 at 7:30 Julie Schlenner s Elizabeth Circle: At Elaine Petersen home, TBA There is a piano at the Augustana parsonage. If interested, please call Nancy Chasteen Bergen Church News Bergen Lutheran Church th Avenue Granite Falls, MN Martha Circle Nov. 9: Lorna Wangberg, 9 a.m., group Bible study Ruth Circle Nov. 9: Joyce Petersen, 1:30 p.m., at Parkview Tower, Pastor Steve Bible study. Lac qui Parle Conference Global Mission Event Nov. 18: Charles and Marilyn Jacobson from Northfield will be guest speakers. They will speak on International Ministry. They have been to Seoul, Korea; Helsinki and Moscow. The event is at Our Savior s in Montevideo. SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 Thanksgiving Eve NEWS & NOTES 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 7 p.m. WAFFLE SUPPER NOV. 17 The 61 st annual Bergen Waffle Supper and Bazaar is planned from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. November 17. Everyone is welcome! Nov. 6: Potluck Brunch Following Worship (Skulstad/Kvam Work Group) Nov. 17: Bergen Waffle Supper and Bazaar Nov. 20: Last Sunday of Fiscal Year Nov. 22: Audit Nov. 23: 6 p.m. Chili Supper followed by Thanksgiving Eve Service Nov. 27: First Sunday in Advent Dec. 4: Annual Meeting following Potluck Brunch (Gabrielson Work Group). Also, Bergen council will not plan to meet in November. Page 12 November 2011

13 St. Lucas Church News St. Lucas Lutheran Church th Avenue Cottonwood, MN Ushers Byron Kompelien Doug Albin Communion Servers Mike and Shannon Lenz and Rob Kompelien Darris and Carol Kompelien Altar Guild Linda Broughton SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 Thanksgiving Eve MINISTERIAL ACTS 7 p.m. Transfer of membership from Hope Lutheran, Minneota to St. Lucas: Please welcome the newest members of St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Jason and Naomi Stensrud and their children, June, Jorgetta, LeeAnn, Emmy, and Colter. SCRIPTURE READERS: We are working on re-starting our lay scripture readers. If you are willing to read the scripture lessons during St. Lucas worship services, please give your name to Pastor Evelyn. Let her know if you'll be away for the winter, and which months. People will be assigned to the days, and can trade with others if your day doesn't work. Adults and Confirmation students are encouraged to consider serving as scripture readers. November Birthdays 1 Dean Olson 3 Ross Thompson Jaeda Marie Heinis 9 Kevin Christopherson Jason Stensrud 12 Kristine Reed 14 Barbara Thompson 15 Jeremy Brusven 17 Jonnie Danielson Jilann Gregg 19 Lisa Jolstad 21 Cydney Manning 24 Kay Van Maldeghem 25 Kristen Hoff Steven Stensrud 30 Jonathan Weston November Anniversaries 8 Ken and Connie Pehrson 15 Dean and Julie Olson 18 Leroy and Cindy Jolstad 21 Ron and Joyce Gregg LAY READING TIPS: Pastor Steve will give some ideas on how to read scripture well on Thursday Nov 17, 7:30 p.m. at St. Lucas. Members of any HWP church are welcome! Swede Home Church News Swede Home Lutheran Church th Avenue Clarkfield, MN SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE November 6 9 a.m. November 13 9 a.m. November 20 9 a.m. November 27 9 a.m. Coffee & fellowship Coffee fellowship follows worship every Sunday! Please join us for delicious treats and delightful conversation. November 2011 Page 13

14 Yellow Medicine Church News Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church PO Box 119, 101 Main Street Hanley Falls, MN Church office: NEWS & NOTES SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 Sunday School children will sing the first Sunday of every month at Yellow Medicine Church. A meal will follow with free-will donation to help offset Sunday School costs. YMLC Choir schedule for Fall/Christmas Season: YMLC Choir will sing the following dates: (Changed because Sunday School will now sing on the first Sunday of each month) Sunday, Oct. 30: Reformation Sunday Sunday, Nov. 20: songs of Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 27: Advent #1 Sunday, Dec. 11: Christmas Choral Sunday Saturday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve (@ 5:30 p.m.) We are always in "want" of additional voices in all four sections of the choir. Now that we've moved rehearsal to Sunday mornings, belonging to choir no longer means and extra night away from home, or going "out" on a cold winter's night. We hope you will prayerfully consider joining choir. If you have questions, call Zee Anne at Thank you! The family of Gerald Velde would like to thank everyone who shared our loss with prayers, visits, hugs, cards, flowers, memorials, food and words of support. Thanks to Pastor Steve and Pastor Evelyn for their visits and comforting words. We thank God and are so grateful for our loving family and caring community. Harriet Velde Vonnie & Duane Severson & Family Tim & Connie Velde & Family Colleen & Rick Hewitt & Family November Birthdays 1 Laura Eckstrom 3 Carter Eckstrom 4 Heather Velde Augusta Volstad 5 Howard Torke Tara Torke 7 Noah Shultz Sandie Torke 8 Brok Johnson Carl Sharkey Angela Thostenson 9 Travis Fry 10 Carrie Jeseritz 11 Thomas Oftedahl 14 Charles Hewitt William Sharkey 15 Wesley Cole 16 Joshua Stevens 17 Jeffrey Tusberg Jane Vandelanotte 18 Andrew Hewitt 19 Michelle Thorkelson 20 Kenneth Grothen Wynn Halverson 21 William Eckstrom 24 Matthew McPhail 25 Eugene Oftedahl Joshua Wolner 26 Xavier Towne 27 Austin Timm 28 Hunter Grothen Corrine Gustafson 29 Hannah Lecy 30 Alan Mock Jakob Pringle Page 14 November 2011

15 Yellow Medicine Church News NOVEMBER ASSIGNMENTS Ushers: 6 Milo Brusven 13 Robert Ricke 20 Gary Enger 27 Kevin Eye Lay Readers: 6 Rich Hagen 13 Kevin Eye 20 Shawna Tusberg 27 Brenda Brusven Communion Assistant Sue Lindstrom Altar Guild: Brenda Brusven & Terri Thostenson Counters: 6 Sue Nelson & Judy Enger 13 Sue Nelson & Judy Enger 20 Julie Volstad & Elmo Volstad 27 Julie Volstad & Elmo Volstad Acolytes: 6 Jordan Trotter 13 Tyson Velde 20 Will Jeseritz 27 Justin Torke Cross Bearers: 6 Hannah Lecy 27 Holly Oftedahl Funeral Chairs: Sharon Stevens (507) Gerry Velde (320) Service Group #5 WELCA News Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church WELCA Meeting October 11, 2011 There was no regular meeting of WELCA in October. But on October 11, 2011, we visited the Granite Falls Manor. Carol Rikke played the piano for a hymn sing. Terry McCoss led the group in song. Carol Rikke, Darla Gonnerman, Hazel Martin, and Norma Simonson helped serve home-made apple pie with ice cream and visited with the residents. Co-Secretary, Norma Simonson WELCA s November meeting Yellow Medicine Lutheran WELCA will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 8. Bring your thankoffering envelopes along. Colleen Olson, Mission Action chairperson, will provide the program. Lillian Enger, Judy Ristau and Norma Simonson are servers. WELCA annual board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 31, in the care center. Note to Service Groups: If you can now be reached at a different phone number, such as your cell phone, rather than the one listed in our WELCA handbook, please let Annette Sharkey know. This makes it so much easier for the chairpersons. It seems like we're always a little short of help... Since we do not have a full-time custodian, we'd encourage your "significant others" to help with serving for funerals by setting out and arranging tables and chairs,lifting coffee urns, helping with clean up, etc. MOVIE NIGHT is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. November 20 in the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church basement. Everyone welcome! November 2011 Page 15

16 Yellow Medicine Church News Ministerial Acts Funeral: Gerald J. Velde passed away September 30, 2011, and was buried at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church East Cemetery on October 4, Transfers in: LoAnn Dale from St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tracy, Minn., on September 13, Transfers out: Amber Sue Lindstrom to Granite Falls Lutheran Church, Granite Falls, Minn., on September 23, Photo courtesy of Linda Hagen HAY THERE: There were a lot of smiles as folks gathered for a ride on a hay wagon the evening of Sept. 25 at Yellow Medicine Lutheran. YMLC s All Saint s List Phyllis Gustafson November 27, 2010 Diana (Thostenson) Lane May 2011 Ervin Eye January 16, 2011 James Eye January 29, 2011 Evelyn Kruger March 24, 2011 Helen Thostenson Jones April 14, 2011 Gerald Velde September 30, 2011 It s not too late to join choir. Choir meets every Sunday at 9:30 in a.m. the choir loft. The choir will be singing on Nov. 20, Nov. 27, Dec. 11 and Dec. 24. Weather Related Cancellations Of Sunday School and Worship Services Please listen to the following stations for weather related announcements regarding Sunday cancellations: KMHL 1400 AM (Marshall) or KDMA 1460 AM (Montevideo) Christmas Poinsettia Memorials will be received again this year. If you would like to remember a loved one in this way, please mail the attached tear off slip and your check for $14 per poinsettia to Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. You may also save postage by putting your order in the Sunday offering plate. We need to know how many to order by Sunday, November 27th. Please contact the church office if you have any questions. Thank you! Poinsettia given in memory of/honor of (circle one): Given by: Please tear off and put in envelope with your check for $14.00 payable to Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. Either mail this or deposit in church offering on or before Sunday, November 27. Page 16 November 2011

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18 Shetek Lutheran Ministries November Keeley Island Dr Slayton, MN SLM CHRIST-CENTERED RENEWAL & LEARNING FOR ALL AGES! Mark Your Calendar *Confirmation Retreat Nov. 4-5, 2011 *Lutefisk Supper Dec. 4 th :30pm *Live Nativity Dec. 10 th & 11 th 2011 *Winter Fun Day (3 rd & 6 th ) Dec. 29 th 2011 *Call Shetek Lutheran Ministries for any Questions * or check out Heaven and Nature Sing Shetek Lutheran Ministries Invites you to experience the true Wonders of Christmas Live Nativity December 10th & 11th 2011 At Shetek Lutheran Ministries Chapel Open house - 5:00-7:00pm {Free will Donation} Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1 Help send kids to camp Become a Pelican/Timber member Call for a Brochure Today (507) You ve Made A Difference As Thanksgiving Day approaches Our blessings we recall; The things we are most thankful for, We recollect them all. Shetek Lutheran Ministries 65 th Annual Women s Retreat {Anchor Away} was held Sept. 16 & 17. Sixty one Women attended. Mark your calendars next years Women s retreat will be held Sept. 14 th &15 th Page 18 November 2011 Fuchs You are really special, In all you say and do. You ve made a difference in our lives; We re thankful now for you. By Joanna

19 ELCA News Why We Give By Tim Krick In his book, Giving to God, Mark Allen Powell wrote, "We are invited to put money in the offering plate on Sunday morning not because the church needs our money but because we want and need to give it." For many of us, this may fly in the face of our typical notion of giving our offering. We may have been brought up thinking we give because the church has bills. There is a building that has upkeep and expenses, staff needs to receive a salary and there is the larger church that receives our support also. In essence, we give because of the need of others. While this is true, this is not the primary reason why we receive an offering during our worship service. If we simply view giving as a way to meet budget needs then we most likely will not find a whole lot of joy in giving, we will view it as we view paying our gas or electric bill for our home. As Powell points out, if giving is simply to meet the budgetary expenses, then why is this part of the service at all? We should simply have dues and let everyone know their share. But if we give because we recognize our need and desire to give, then offering becomes an act of worship and it changes our motivation for giving. We turn from meeting an obligation to "expressing our love of God in the purest way imaginable, by giving up something that we value." This is, in essence, why we receive an offering during our worship service. Yes, it helps to pay the bills, but more importantly, it is a way for us to actively participate in and recognize and express our emotions to God. This is why it is part of our worship service. I encourage everyone to think about their motivation for giving, to have a conversation with those whom you trust and talk about giving an offering at church. You do not have to name numbers or how much, unless it is a decision you are making together, but rather talk about what it means to you personally when you give and how you decide what to give. God's blessings on your conversations and please come forward with any questions and joys that you discover. Tim Krick is a pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Combined Locks, Wis. This article was originally posted on the Luther Seminary web site: Lutheran African activist shares Nobel Peace Prize CHICAGO (ELCA News Service) -- Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a Lutheran Liberian peace activist, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement came Oct. 7 from Oslo, Norway. Gbowee, a member of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, is responsible for organizing a non-violent women's movement that brought an end to a 14-year civil war in Liberia. She shared the award with two other women, Tawakkul Karman of Yemen and current Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Gbowee was awarded a scholarship from the International Leadership Development Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in to support her study in peace building at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va. The ELCA and the Lutheran Church in Liberia are members of The Lutheran World Federation -- a global communion of 140 member churches in 79 countries, representing more than 70 million Christians worldwide. The Liberian women's movement led to the ousting of ex-president Charles Taylor and to the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president of Liberia -- the first African nation with a female president. President Sirleaf also has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The war in Liberia began in 1989, but "the women's movement, our protest, didn't begin until 2003," Gbowee said in a Sept. 19 interview at the ELCA churchwide organization. The starting point of the women's movement was war fatigue, said Gbowee, a mother of six children. She grew tried of watching children die from hunger and "waking up every morning and not knowing whether a tomorrow was possible. You can't plan for the future." Along with thousands of other women from across Liberia, Gbowee wanted to dream of a better community. November 2011 Page 19