C r e a t o r L u t h e r a n C h u r c h a n d P r e s c h o o l

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1 Creator Connection May 2018 C r e a t o r L u t h e r a n C h u r c h a n d P r e s c h o o l Pastor s Corner It is with a heavy but confident heart that I acknowledge the news that most of you received this last week of my departure as the pastor of Creator Lutheran Church. As pastors, we are continually in discernment: always asking and wondering what God is up to in our lives and in the lives of the church. After a long period of discernment and prayer over several months, I have decided to resign as your pastor as of June 15. My last Sunday with you will be June 10 th. When I realized that I have served you more as an unintentional interim pastor, I have after much thought and prayer concluded that I should seek a new call to take better care of myself and the congregation s next steps in life together. I recognize for most this is coming as a huge surprise. I am sure it leaves you with many questions and wonderings. I hope you will trust me that I am doing this because I truly believe that it is in the best interest of the church and myself to do so. I will look to these next couple of months as a time to live into the grace and hope I have for each of you, as I take this large step forward in faith, all the while trusting in the wonderful things we have accomplished together in these past 4 years. Many have asked how they can support me and the reality is the best support is helping me to leave well. That is my hope and my prayer. I trust that you can assist me and each other in doing so. It is also important to know that your council has taken great steps already and will continue to do so, in working with Bishop Jaech as we ensure a smooth and gracious transition for all on the various aspects of life and ministry until and beyond June 10 th. The first of these opportunities will be a facilitated conversation with Bishop Jaech and council members to ask questions and talk through what the months ahead will look like in more detail. Please come if you are interested May 2 nd at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Please know that your council members, whose names and photos are out on the church bulletin board, are here for you and will support each of us in this important transition in the life of our beloved church. I will spend these next couple of months meeting with as many of you as I can to give thanks for you and for our ministry and keep integrity in all aspects of our worship life together. I will wrap up a few projects and of course leave many to our very capable staff and to my successor. In all humility, I share these words with you from the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians: I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:4-9) God s grace and Peace to all of you, Pr. Heidi 1

2 Finance Committee Last October, Creator's Congregation approved a budget that increased monthly spending for the General Fund (salaries, mortgage, operating expenses and benevolence) to almost $37,000 a month. Unfortunately, the Congregation's giving to the General Fund has not also consistently increased and has generally been closer to $30,000 a month. Because of the monthly deficit, the Finance Committee recommended the following resolution to Council, which was approved on April 17, 2018: "Given the current financial situation involving the significant negative balance in the general fund, Finance Committee is recommending that Council institute an austere spending plan effective immediately. We will only spend up to the amount taken into the general fund during the previous month. The items to be paid first will be our legal and contractual obligations to include salaries, taxes, and operational expenses. Any contributions received over these obligations will be reviewed by Finance Committee with recommendations given to Council for payment of other obligations, and payments issued monthly based upon contributions received. " What does this Resolution mean? It means we will first make sure that we pay our monthly contractual obligations including salaries, building mortgage, taxes, insurance, gas, alarm, etc. At the end of the month, if we have more contributions than contractual obligations, the Finance Committee will make recommendations to Council on disbursements of the excess funds. The excess funds may go to local or synod benevolence, mission or other budgeted but unfunded line items. We understand this is concerning, and you may have questions. Please feel free to reach out to the Finance Committee (Laurie Bruckbauer, Chair) or Council (Gene Kneeland, President) We also ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your giving to the General Fund. 2

3 Terri s Two Cents Creator has a wonderful Youth Mission program that has taken students to Cuba, Los Angeles, the Navajo Nation, Costa Rica, Kenya, West Virginia, Mexico, and Romania. Students have learned about life without the abundance they have here in Bonney Lake. They have developed their sense of compassion and learned to share the resources they have been given. Some of our young adults have chosen life paths that are rooted in service because of the mission experience they had on mission trips. Our program includes 8 th 12 th graders and sends them on urban, rural, and international trips. We believe in a model of mutual influence. We go out into the world to learn, to serve, and to love. This year is our urban year, and our 8 th graders will be working with Center for Student Missions in Los Angeles, CA. They will be helping in a learning Center for elementary school students who need extra help in basic subjects like math and reading. The children come from areas of LA that have underfunded schools with crowded classrooms and little specialized help. We will also be working at a shelter for the homeless and an assisted living facility for the low-income elderly. The High School group will be travelling to New York City to work with Experience Mission. They will host a Kid s Club, caring for children in economically challenged areas. They will also work in shelters and food banks. Both groups will be learning about homelessness and poverty in the US so that someday, they may be a part of the solution. These mission teams could use your help. Please pray for our students who travel and for the residents who face economic challenges every day. Please ask our youth to tell you about their excitement, fears, and goals. And in August, please ask them to tell you stories about their experiences. Thank you for supporting our Youth! 3

4 Administrator s Abbey Go Green in the Office! Practicing green habits in the office is easy! Even better, it can save money. Here are a few tips and habits to reduce, reuse, and recycle Make sure there are plenty of recycling and compost receptacles around the office, and require employees to use them Instead of discarding used single-sided printed sheets, use them as scratch paper Go digital when possible (ask yourself, do I really need to print this?) Buy paper with high amounts of post-consumer recycled content Set printer default to double-sided Install motion-sensor lights in less-frequented rooms and areas Use LED light bulbs Purchase green cleaning products 4

5 Administrator s Abbey continued Switching from going green to gratitude, I am expressing appreciation to the Property Team who volunteer so much of their time and talent in addressing the building and campus issues that develop from time to time. The team has identified projects that could be accomplished during the coming warmer/dryer months, but the unscheduled maintenance budget has been depleted due to resolving the problems due to the blown transformer fuse in October The dumpster corral fence and the narthex ceiling repairs are two projects that can be completed with relatively little capital outlay. Replacing the moss covered ramp up to the sheds behind the church and equipping the church roof gutters with debris screen guards, however, will likely be three to four thousand dollars. These are examples of the maintenance or improvement challenges that face any congregation that has a beautiful church like Creator. In any event, progress will continue to be made in the most transparent and responsible manner possible. PUGET SOUND ENERGY OUTAGE RECOMMENDATIONS Our first step in restoring power is damage assessment: getting a look at what's been done to the system and determining the extent of repairs that are needed. The process takes time, especially if weather remains an issue. Unsafe weather conditions can slow these efforts. We know it's difficult for our customers to be without power, especially on cold winter days, and we are working as quickly as we can-with safety as our top priority. Our crews and servicemen are assisted by damage assessment teams, safety crews, road flaggers and hundreds of support staff working to restore power. As we prepare for storm conditions, we encourage our customers to do the same: Call PSE at or 911 to report electrical or natural gas safety hazards. Never use a natural gas range or charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source. If you're using portable heaters, keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Always use flashlights instead of candles. Never touch or go within 30 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. OUTAGE INFORMATION Report and track power outages pse.com/outagemap: online outage map MyPSE app: report and track outages pse.com/reportoutage: sign in to report your outage or find out your outage on Twitter or visit PSE on Facebook It is a total pleasure to continue serving the needs of Creator Lutheran! Faithfully, Doug 5

6 Church in Society As always, our Creator Family generously and willingly provided dinner, service, and friendliness to the Peace Lutheran Dinner at Hilltop in Tacoma and our neighbors at Mountain View Community Center in Edgewood (coming up soon). It is so rewarding to our Church in Society Team to have the generous response to our requests year after year for gifts at Christmas for families that need assistance, for the evening meals at churches, for requests for clothing and food items with a variety of groups, and your willingness to advocate to our representatives in Congress for just laws that serve all people. Additionally we thank you for your monetary gifts that include not only those subjects listed above but to the agencies that supply school supplies, prison programs that aid prisoners spiritually, and emergencies throughout the world. Your concern for others in this world sometimes go unnoticed but God knows and you know and your actions make our serving on this team very worthwhile. May our Lord continue to bless you with the call and desire for generosity and love and concern to those in need. Consider being part of our team by calling either Dave Anderson or Paula Eismann. You are always welcome. PS-Don t forget to sign up for the Pierce County Hunger Walk that takes place on May 5, coming soon. The distribution of funds for April is as follows: Sumner Food Bank $200 Back Pack program $200 Bonney Lake Food Bank $200 Back Pack Program $200 Open Hearth Ministries $200 Pierce County Hunger Walk $300 Mothers 2 Many $200 Yours in Christ-The CIS Team Stewardship Committee The Rev. Dwight DuBois author of "the Scattering: Imagining a Church that Connects Faith and Life," the book we recently studied during Lent, has several interesting comments on Stewardship. "Stewardship has legitimate, theologically valid uses in the gathered church. Conducting an annual appeal that supports the vitality of the congregation is necessary and helpful. In the 'gathering' it's a matter of 'giving of self for the sake of the institution.' In the 'scattering' it's a 'generous response to God's abundant blessings in all that we do, say, believe." This book study afforded participants the opportunity to look at the many ways God is at work in and through us when we scatter into our everyday lives. Hopefully this study expanded our view of stewardship and opened our eyes to more ways we can give back, serve, and be God's hands and feet to our world. 6

7 Council Highlights Council passed a resolution to establish the congregational meeting date of June 3rd. Council also passed a resolution to accept the constitutional bylaw changes to be presented to the Congregation on June 3 rd. Council supports and approved the finance committee s recommendation of an immediate spending program. SUMMER MUSIC FOR YOUTH - MARIMBA CAMP!!! Creator is offering a Marimba Camp for Youth again this summer! Youth will be learning marimba music from Zimbabwe as well as more about Zimbabwean culture. No previous musical knowledge is needed to participate! Information is below please note that the deadline is May 13, 2018!! Spots are limited, so sign up soon! Contact Dani (dani@creatorlutheran.net) or sign up in the Narthex. Registration forms are also online on the music page under Music for Youth. WHEN: July 2-3 and 5-6, 2018 (M/T/Th/F), 1:00-4:00 PM daily AGES: Youth entering grades 6-12 in the 2018/2019 school year. WHERE: Creator Lutheran Church COST: $60/participant ARE YOU PERFORMING LOCALLY? Music Notes Are you a part of a band, choir or orchestra that puts on concerts in this area? If so, please Dani by the 15 th of each month to put on this page of the newsletter! CONTACT INFORMATION: dani@creatorlutheran.net or Graduates? Do you know of any Creator members who are graduating from High School or Post High School programs this 2018 year? Please give any information to Terri as soon as possible so we can congratulate them on Graduation Recognition Sunday in early June. I also include them in the June/July Newsletter, so please include any information about scholarships, awards, or special achievements. 7

8 From Margaret Brossow For those of you who may not know Aurora (Rory) Thayse, a member of Creator with her sister, parents and grandparents is facing the battle of her life. She was diagnosed December 23 with Acute myeloid leukemia. She is in full time treatment at Children s hospital in Seattle. Her grandmother Margaret Brossow also a member is taking on a fundraising effort to raise awareness and funds for St. Baldrick s Foundation a research Center specifically for childhood Cancer s. Below is a note from Margaret. Please share as you feel led. research has led to amazing help for children. Hi family and friends. Most of you know what Rory is going through right now. Thank you to all the Creator family for your prayers, your gifts and your love. I ve learned a lot about childhood cancer in these last months. Did you know only 4% of government money for cancer research goes to childhood cancer? St. Baldrick s money goes to childhood cancer research and that I m shaving my head on May 19 in Seattle in honor of my granddaughter, Rory. She and her family are my heroes!!!! I m doing this for all the kids I ve seen, met, and gotten to know at Children s Hospital in Seattle, since Rory started her journey. I m doing this for all the children who are fighting for their lives today and in the years to come. My team goal is $1, I ve donated the first $25 toward that. If you are interested in joining me in this effort please consider going to to contribute to helping us meet this goal. Thank you all, Margaret Brossow 8

9 Affirmation of Baptism Affirmation of Baptism Sunday is May 6 The following young people will be making their Affirmation of Baptism on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at the 11:00 am service: Kennedy Gillispie Jonathan Hurley Jullianne Johnsonwall Jeremy Johnsonwall Kurt Magnusson Collin Morrow Ellianna Nelson Olivia Olson Dennis Wickes Paige Winsor Please make a point to congratulate these young men and women and welcome them as confirmed members of Creator. Thank You! Thank you to all who donated food items for Easter Breakfast and helped in the kitchen on Easter morning! 9

10 Pre-School News Dear church members and preschool families, May is the last month of the school year. Preschool families, please mark these dates on your calendars. May3rd and 4 th Mother s Day Tea (last 45 minutes of class) May3rd: T/Th class 10:45 am T/W/Th class 2:15pm May 4 th : W/F class 10:45 am M/F class 2:15 pm May 31st and June 1st - Graduation/Moving Up Day (last 45 minutes of class) More details to follow. May 28th: Memorial Day Holiday No School Our curriculum includes the letters X,W, and Z, the color blue, the shape diamond and the numbers 9 and 10 for the younger classes and 19 and 20 for the older classes. We ll talk about our parents and summer vacations. As always, if you should have any questions, please contact your teachers. Andrea (Mrs. D), Gayle (Mrs. McKenna), Ragan (Mrs. Allen) and Cheri (Mrs. Farrer) 10

11 This new approach to learning and exploring God s Kingdom comes from a desire to Equip families to carry out Christian practices at home Combine Christian Education with Mission and Service Incorporate Faith formation into the Worship Service Facilitate multigenerational discussion and wonderment about Bible Stories and God s message for us today. For these reasons, we would like to invite ALL to join us in Creator Family Sunday School. All ages are welcome! Parents, Grandparents, and siblings will eat breakfast together, hear a Bible Story, wonder and discuss the story, and learn some new music all together! Service projects will also be a big part of our time together. 11

12 12 May 2018

13 Creator Staff Pastor: Heidi Calhoun Church Administrator: Douglas Wright Children, Youth, and Family Director: Terri Heckroth Music Ministry: Danielle Lemieux Accompanists: Ardell RaZor & Daniel Schreiner Office Ministry : Michela Hammond (office@creatorlutheran.net) Newsletter Editor: Michela Hammond (newsletter@creatorlutheran.net) Bookkeeper: Marcie Reid (creatorbooks@creatorlutheran.net) Custodian: Leslie Noborikawa Nursery Attendants: Debbie Eikland and Cynthia Lowe Sunday School Coordinator: Cheri Farrer Preschool Directors: Andrea DeDominces & Gayle McKenna Preschool Teachers: Andrea DeDominces, Gayle McKenna, Ragan Allen & Cheri Farrer Baptism Coordinator: Briana Halaas Funeral Coordinator: Janee Theleman REGULAR OFFICE HOURS MON THURS 9:00am 4:30pm FRIDAY 9:00am 1:00pm Church address: South Tapps Dr. E. Bonney Lake, WA Office Phone (253) Web Page: Ministry teams and program leaders, please think ahead about what is coming up and submit information, pictures or stories of impact to newsletter@creatorlutheran.net by the 20 th of each month. Michela, our Office Ministry Coordinator, will collect, format and get the newsletter out to the congregation by the first of each month. If we are proactive and think ahead, I know we can do it. We have done it before with previous publications of the newsletter. 13