APRIL THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017

Transcription

1 APRIL THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017 Please join us for Easter Week Worship Maundy Thursday, April 7:00 PM Good Friday, April 14th Crosswalk St. Thomas of Canterbury, 12:00 Noon Community Ecumenical St. Alphonsus, 1:00 PM Good Friday SSM, 7:00 PM Saturday - Easter Vigil, April 5:00 PM Sunday - Easter Morning, April 7:00 AM or 9:30 AM

2 PASTOR S PAGE Hey Pastor Brian, what is the appropriate age for my child to receive their first communion? This is a good question. First communion can and does happen at many different ages throughout congregations of the ELCA. A guiding resource from the ELCA called the Use of the Means of Grace notes that, There is no command from our Lord regarding the age at which people should be first communed. The age at which people receive communion for the first time has varied over time. Some folks have shared with me that they received their first communion at the time of their confirmation. Others have received communion at fifth grade, and at St. Stephen the Martyr we have followed the practice of third grade as the age for first communion. The Use of the Means of Grace offers some guidance about receiving the sacrament of holy communion as it comes from the invitation of the Lord. Baptized children begin to commune on a regular basis at a time determined through mutual conversation that includes the pastor, the child, and the parents or sponsors involved, within the accepted practices of the congregation. With our church council and youth and family teams we have begun some conversation about communion practices, specifically the age at which first communion takes place. I look forward to continued dialogue as well. At SSM, in recent years the practice has been that youth receive their first communion on Maundy Thursday after an instructional class. This year we will be trying something Different, as we will have some instruction using a resource called Fed and Forgiven, in May, and children can receive their first communion on Pentecost Sunday, June 4. Parents can help in deciding if they feel their child is ready at a younger age than 3 rd grade. You may ask, Okay Pastor Brian, how do I know if my child is ready to receive communion? A child s readiness is best determined by a parent or one who knows the child well. Here are a few guiding questions to consider Has she or he been baptized? Is your child comfortable in various locations around the church, including the altar? Will the child extend his or her hands when asked to do so? Is he/she aware enough of others in the congregation and their needs to show a degree of respect for their communion experience? Are you as parents or caregivers prepared to help make this a positive process? These are just a few questions to consider, you do not have to say yes to all these before your child is ready to receive their first communion. More information about holy communion will be shared in the weeks ahead as well as information about instruction time in May. This month in April we journey with Jesus to the cross and reflect on the meaning of Jesus life, death, and resurrection for us. As we remember Jesus being a servant to all we will follow his example and have foot washing as part of worship on Maundy Thursday, April 13. Why not step out of your comfort zone and try it? We move forward together faithful friends..peace, Pastor Brian

3 The Ash Wednesday Gospel lesson addressed the three pillars of faith which appear as foundational in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all addressed under the general heading of practicing your piety. The three pillars are giving alms, prayer, and fasting. We all share in practicing some form of piety. We all have rituals and practices that make us feel connected to our faith. Personally, I have never really related to fasting. The only fast we ever observed from my childhood forward has been not eating meat on Good Friday. For Bonnie and me Good Friday has meant worship (usually from Noon to 3:00) and in the evening, macaroni and cheese, and hot cross buns. Prayer often takes on its own sets of rituals and approaches toward God, most of which become very personal and individualistic. This may include the terms which we adopt as God s title (father, heavenly father, Lord, father God...). Giving Alms, our offerings, what we give beyond church to the poor and the needy or various organizations comes to be guided by self-chosen rules and parameters as well. Such questions as: What can I afford? What is it going to be used for? Is that person worthy of my giving something? Is the organization worthy and reliable? I have known people for whom the question - Who will know I m giving it? - mattered a great deal? Whether consciously or unconsciously, we employ rules and parameters around our piety our practice, and it is to these parameters and rules that the Gospel speaks because they become treasured. Jesus was never limited to mere actions, the mere doing of the thing; Jesus always penetrated much deeper into the regions of the heart and our motives. Jesus most profound concern was the human heart. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... Jesus invites the question, Where is your heart? As we probe the season of Lent and Passion, we are presented with Jesus the priceless treasure. As we come into the season of Easter, God opens to us the true depth of that treasure that was given to the world wherein death itself has no power to destroy. Jesus calls us beyond our limited perspective, to see beyond those things that we value and upon which our hearts become set, to see the treasure that in the end is the one that endures, our Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us to be stewards of that gift and to use it to build upon in this world and the next. Glory to the Risen Lord! Rev. Dr. Kipp W. Zimmermann Stewardship: BECAUSE OF GOD S GREAT MERCY

4 BILL BRAVENER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/DEACON Thanks to our choirs who are preparing music for Holy Week and Easter. There will be no choir rehearsals on Wednesday, April 19. Our regular rehearsal schedule will resume on April 26. A blessed Holy Week and Easter to you. See you at worship. APRIL S BIBLE STUDIES will be held on the 12 th and 26 th, beginning at 10:15 a.m. Join us, and bring a friend, as we study God s word. MONTHLY LOOSE ENDS LUNCHEON Our monthly luncheon will be held on April 12 th, at noon. We ask that you sign-up on the form that will be posted on the kiosk. Contact the Church Office at with any questions. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY We continue to look for a new coordinator of the SSM Bake & Craft Sale, replacing Carole Ropel who is unable to continue in that position. There are many individuals that will assist the coordinator who have many years of experience with this project. We will have an organizational meeting in June or early July to begin working on the Sale. You will be welcome to join us. In the meantime, please contact Carole for more detail at caroleropel@wi.rr.com or

5 WARTBURG BIBLE STUDY IN MAY As of this writing we have not received any information regarding this annual event. We are anticipating that it will occur on May 17-18, Detail will be made known to you as soon as it is received. MINNEPOLIS, MINNESOTA Great reasons to attend the tenth Triennial Gathering: *Worship together with thousands of Lutheran women. *Bring home a tote bag full of fresh new ideas for ministry and action. *You ll be refreshed and renewed by gathering with thousands of other women who share our faith. *You ll meet many authors and speakers, all in one place. *Learn so many great new ways to promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society & the world. *You ll make a real difference in people s lives with your offerings at Closing Worship, which will be divided among the Phebe Hospital in rural Liberia, Cherish All Children and the ongoing ministries of Women of the ELCA. *Make friends with thousands of bold women from around the country and around the world. *You ll enliven your heart, excite your mind, enrich your spirit, and exercise your body. *You ll be made All Anew at the Tenth Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA. Please contact Carole Ropel with any question or for registration forms. You can also go to womenoftheelca.org for information.

6 HUMAN CONCERNS Our last Tippecanoe Meal for the homeless was March 10. A big thank you to all those who contributed. Meals will start again on Dec. 1 when the homeless again sleep inside at Tippecanoe for the winter. A reminder: socks, underwear, snacks, blankets and toiletries are needed all year round. There is a box in the coat room. We are looking for volunteers for our monthly meal at Unity. We would like to have a second crew to alternate every other month to give the current crew a break. Please think about it. Special offering Envelope schedule for 2017: Ash Wednesday: Divine Intervention Lent: Outreach for Hope & Greater Milw. Synod Palm Sunday: Faith Santa Fe & Lutheran Social Services (refugee settlement) Maunday Thursday: Southwest Interfaith Good Friday: Southwest Interfaith Easter Sunday: Mbaaseny Parish in Tanzania Thanksgiving: Hunger Task Force - Milw. & ELCA World Hunger Appeal Christmas: 1/3 Sunday School Animal Project 1/3. Faith Santa Fe 1/3 Unity Outreach God's Blessings/Human Concerns UNITY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATION Unity Lutheran Church is offering an opportunity for those who are members of the Unity Community Partnership. Applicants must be confirmed and at least 14 years of age. The scholarship will be applied toward education. Share and provide evidence in reference to the following topics: See, Do and Invite: See: Where have you seen Jesus in this last year and how has it had an effect on your life? Do: What have you personally done to help and participate in our community to serve others? Invite: When have you given witness to your faith in Jesus and invited others to join or participate in learning more about Jesus and serving our community? Submit entries to Unity Lutheran Endowment Board no later than June 4, Applications can be ed to or mailed to Unity Lutheran Church C/O Unity Endowment Board, 1025 E Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee, WI See the office bulletin board for additional information!

7 MISSION MOMENT Tales from Tanzania In February, I made my 3rd trip to the Diocese of Meru. The idea that it takes 3 cups of tea to accomplish something occurred to me and I do feel this trip allowed me to really get to know our partners and spend time with them. I was greeted at the airport by Elibariki and his wife, Jackie. I had dinner at his home and met 2 of his children. I also had dinner with Pastor Pallangyo s family. Pastor Pallangyo drove me around the area, visited the two sub-parishes, worshiped at Mbaaseny, handed out school bags at the Canaan kindergarten, made a home visit to provide a SSM quilt, packed dirt into small bags to prep for tree planting, visited with members from Jericho and Sunday School kids at Mbaaseny, stopped at 2 schools: one thriving and the other just a dream. I also talked with a lab tech and doctor at the local dispensary. I would love to share more details and pictures at an upcoming partnership meeting. All are invited, those interested in learning more, willing to provide financial assistance and/or ready to consider traveling to Meru to begin your own relationships. Look for a date/time after Easter. Please contact me if you are interested and want to be included in any correspondence. Asante sana! Julie Starks jastarks@earthlink.net

8 NEWS & NOTES Easter Breakfast News On Easter morning at 8AM, between our two services, the traditional Easter breakfast will be served. It will be a sit-down event served by our efficient teen wait-staff, who will bring you scrambled eggs, hot ham slices, fresh rolls, and hot coffee, tea, or refreshing milk. Additionally you will find at your table, orange juice, apple sauce, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of fresh home-baked sweet rolls, muffins, and coffee cakes. Doesn t that all sound so good? All this food can be enjoyed for a donation of just $6.75 per adult, with children twelve years and under eating for less, at the discretion of their parents. Just think a full breakfast for so little money. Our breakfast is a fundraiser with the goal of raising $800 through donations given in the baskets on the tables. This year Thrivent Financial has provided $250 for food and supplies to underwrite the costs of the breakfast. Our church council has approved matching the table donations from the Thrivent Choice Dollars Account (monies donated to SSM because of members ownership of Thrivent products). With this augmentation of funds, we hope to be able to raise $1600 or more. This money will be divided between the Bay View Community Center Food Pantry, Central City Food Pantry, Unity Lutheran Church Meal Program, and the Tippecanoe Meal & Shelter Program. It is our goal to do good in the hood. We hope many of you will attend the Easter breakfast and support this mission. The sign-up poster for attending this event will appear in the narthex on March 25 th and will remain there until Maundy Thursday. Sign up early to help us determine the necessary amount of food to make this event the wonderful success it has been in past years. Breakfast Coordinator, Bob Rasmussen Fellowship Chair, Andrea Matusiak

9 MORE NEWS & NOTES Aluminum Can Recycling...will resume on April 1st...Please begin leaving recyclables by the lower garage. APRIL 1- Neither Wolf nor Dog -after the 5:00 service Our book group recently read and discussed "Neither Wolf nor Dog." It had a limited release as a movie which we will show in the fellowship hall. Pizza and popcorn will be available. Please join us, even if you have not read the book. This tells the story of an elder Lakota man to a white author and chronicles their road trip to see the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. There will be no Beginning Youth Group held in April. Our next BYG will be held May 21st at 6:00. This will the last meeting until September, any children in 2nd grade are welcome to come in May to see what BYG is all about. Please feel free to contact Jenny with questions at or jrestehouse@sbcglobal.net Book Discussion Group: Meet Me Halfway: Milwaukee Stories is the book we will be reading and reviewing next. The nine loosely connected stories in Morales compelling debut collection explore the diverse voices, racial divisions, and intersecting lives within Milwaukee.... Morales stories do not shy away from her characters varied realities and modern-day prejudices. A candid and powerful book. Booklist The Milwaukee Library system has a few copies. Make sure to request one for yourself We will meet to discuss the book on June 25th, prior to the Sunday 9:30 service, and will be able to Skype with the author. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Save The Date July 10-14, 2017 Watch for our Kick-Off event Coming in May! Dear SSM Friends...I wish to thank everyone for your prayers, well wishes, cards, and rides during my recovery from knee replacement surgery. It really meant a lot to have that kind of support during my time of need. May the good LORD continue to bless us all. Again, many thanks. Sincerely, Diane Moraza

10 CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 03/14/2017 President Eric Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:08 P.M. Council members present: J. Covert, B. Daleness, M. Kling, L. Lisiecki, T. Lisiecki, A. Matusiak, J. Muroni, F. O Connell, E. Sanders and A. Woerpel. Pastor Brian was also in attendance. F. O Connell led devotions. No minutes to approve as last month was a council retreat. FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT: Two Thrivent Choice deposits were received. TREASURER'S REPORT: The Memorial Fund has grown due to the deaths of two longtime members. Checking account is in good shape. Ash Wednesday offering went to Divine Intervention. Actual offerings received are a little over the 16% expected at this time of year but disbursements are also a little higher. Treasurer s report was approved. PASTOR'S TIME: Pastor is working on a Funeral Policy that will detail how things are done here at SSM. A new gas line will be laid by 51 st Street in 2018 which is why there are flags by the road now. SSM and St. Lukes s will have a pastor swap for Lenten services this Wednesday. Some people have complained about the lack of lighting at the entrance to the parking lot off of 51 st St. Council will review options. Unity Scholarships are available again. Some brainstorming is going on regarding our communion process. What age should children be? First Communion this year will be delayed from Maundy Thursday until Pentecost. OLD BUSINESS: Nominating Andrea Matusiak was welcomed to her first council meeting as the chair of the Fellowship Committee. We are still looking for nominees for Vice President and Finance. We are looking at a special congregational meeting for electing new council members possibly on May 7 and Installation on May 21. Columbarium Survey showed a mix of opinions. Review is ongoing. Council Retreat Review Council discussed the Forward Plan written about 8 years ago to see where we are and what we want to focus on going forward. Pastor will lead the Vision Goal on Staffing Needs. Committees are encouraged to take a look at vision

11 CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 03/14/2017 [Cont.] OLD BUSINESS [Cont.] goals that affect them and come up with action plans for those they would like to work on. NEW BUSINESS: Security A security company will be visiting SSM next week to give us ideas and estimates on what kind of security cameras, etc. would make sense for us. Easter Breakfast Council will match donations made to the breakfast with Thrivent Choice funds. COMMITTEE REPORTS: CHRISTIAN ED: Another Book Study will be held in June, The movie Neither Wolf nor Dog will be show sometime in April and another movie night featuring the Shack will also be scheduled in the future. YOUTH & FAMILY: Three youth went to the Synod Youth Gathering and had a good time. The topic was Labels People Put on Themselves. Family Ministry meeting after church on Sunday. Hunger Task Force on April 6. PROPERTY: Met with the Memorial Committee. A new sink will be installed in the kitchen and something also needs to be done with the retaining wall by the back exit. WORSHIP & MUSIC: Shepherds Hooks have been ordered in hopes banners can be hung from them alleviating the need to climb up on tall ladders. FELLOWSHIP: Easter Breakfast is in planning status. Volunteers are still needed to assist. Council will match donations made to the breakfast with Thrivent Choice funds. Lenten soup meals sign up is going well. Next Mega Meeting is Tuesday, April 4. Next Council Meeting is Tuesday, April 11. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Daleness, Council Secretary