THE CONTACT. Help us crush hunger by Goodbye reception set for Pastors Carlson Sept. 6th FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ NORFOLK

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1 THE CONTACT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ NORFOLK 1301 Colley Ave., Norfolk, VA Parish Office: VOL. XXVIII September 2015 NO. 9 Help us crush hunger by 2030 We are at a turning point in history in the battle against hunger. Poverty has been cut in half around the world; chronic hunger has been significantly reduced, and nations are coming together on the goal of ending extreme hunger and poverty by YEARS FROM NOW. Every child is a gift created in the image of God. When we care for our children we invest in our future, and we help to close the hunger gap in our richly blessed nation. Did you know that of the low-income children who receive a school lunch, only a little over half also receive breakfast? And only one in seven receive meals during the summer months. This is unacceptable! Help us close the hunger gap in the U.S. by voting for a Congress and a president committed to making hunger a national priority and in place by 2017, enabling us to enact policies and laws so that we can end hunger by By the END OF THIS SEPTEMBER, Congress must reauthorize the law that sets funding and policy for our country s child nutrition programs, including school meals, summer feeding, and the WIC nutrition program for pregnant and new mothers along with their small children. These programs have helped millions of children over the decades. Through the Offering of Letters, Bread for the World and its church partners focus on this domestic hunger. We ask you to join us in the Reception Room on September 13th and 20th, as well as during the Gathering on September 16, to write letters to Congress. CONGRESS MUST ACT BY SEP- TEMBER 30, 2015, when authority for many of these child nutrition programs end. We have little time to contact them. Many Thanks, Marilyn Jersild, Global Concerns Committee A century of faith Member Marion Kiligas celebrated her 100th birthday July 26th with a special reception. Celebrating with her was her godson, Mike Meade who was baptized at FLC. She was presented with a card from the children and flowers from the altar. Goodbye reception set for Pastors Carlson Sept. 6th After more than four years as associate pastors here at FLC, Pastors Paul and Lauren Carlson will be accepting a call as co-pastors to Calvary Lutheran Church in Morganton, NC. Their present call here at First Lutheran will end Sunday, Sept. 6 th. The congregation will send them on to their new call, and thank them for their ministry here, with a reception following both worship services on the Carlsons last Sunday. The church is also collecting a purse to be given to Pastors Paul and Lauren that day. You may give your gift through the church by designating it for that purpose. We will also collect cards and notes of thanksgiving in the Welcome Center to be given to the Carlsons at the reception. To assist with the reception, please contact Scott Silsdorf at or silsdorf@mac.com.

2 ELCA Youth Gathering 2015 FLC Youth join 30,000 nationwide, RiseUP! In Detroit Nineteen youth from First Lutheran Church, Pastor Paul Carlson, and several amazing adult volunteers joined 30,000 other Lutherans from across the country in July at RiseUP!, the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. Held this year in Detroit, the youth spent time in study and fellowship with others from across Virginia, explored service and learning opportunities from across the country, and then spent an entire day working in the summer heat clearing trash and debris from overgrown Detroit lots. Evenings were filled with music, including Motown, and spirit-inspired speeches. Jesus is GOOD NEWS! Diapers donated from FLC joined 1 MILLION donated from across the country. The youth thank the congregation for making the trip possible. 2

3 Gods Work. Our Hands. Week of Service National event inspires FLC to connect with Community Let s kick off our year together as a congregation committed to service and faith development! Everyone needs a chance to celebrate and consider together how they might serve and grow in the next year. God s Work. Our Hands Sunday offers us a perfect opportunity to work along with 10,000 other ELCA congregations throughout our country engaging, building, and deepening our relationships with surrounding communities as we share God's love. During this week we will have multiple service opportunities for all ages, including chances to sign up to be part of FLC's various ministries, faith development options, service and learning events too! Signups and more details for all of the following opportunities can be found at the Service Booth in the Welcome Center. See you there! Saturday, September 12th Out of the Darkness Walk: FLC members are invited to walk around Mount Trashmore to raise awareness about depression and suicide, and provide comfort and assistance to those who have lost someone to suicide. The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation has put together a team in Sarah's honor that we will be supporting and joining with again this year. Sunday, September 13 th All events after late service unless otherwise noted. Food Collection for Ghent Area Ministries: Nonperishables are needed (especially peanut butter, jelly, cereal and pasta) to restock our local food pantry after being completely depleted over the summer. Collections will be taken at the Service booth in the Welcome Center after either service. Contact Members Pam and Chuck Baynard at pbaynard65@charter.net and Kathy Schaus at kathrynschaus@yahoo.com Bread for the World Letter Writing: Write a letter to support legislation that will feed the hungry. Available after either service. Contact Member: John Faircloth at jfaircloth@fosterkids.net. Park Place Community Garden: Help pull weeds, plant, harvest vegetables, maintain the chicken coop, turn compost, and transform the neighborhood! Contact Members: Maynard Schaus at mschaus@vwc.edu, and Merrie Jo Milner at merjomil@cox.net. Neighborhood Trash Cleanup: Help beautify and get to know our surrounding neighborhood by picking up trash on Colley Avenue. Other Opportunities Sunday, September 20 th Bread for the World Bread Sale Bake some bread, sell some bread, buy some bread, EAT some bread, all while raising funds for hungry people throughout the world. Contact Member: John Faircloth at jfaircloth@fosterkids.net. Weekdays in the Fall Semester - After School Tutoring: Volunteers are needed from 4-7pm, Monday thru Thursday. Assistance is given at sites in Chesapeake, Suffolk and Norfolk. Schedules vary. Volunteers must be 18 years old. Background checks are required. Fall tutoring begins soon. Contact the ForKids rep, Caitlin at ext. 137 to begin the signup process. 3

4 Learning and Fellowship The Gathering returns meal, music, learning beginning Sept. 16th The Gathering is back! Yes, this midweek opportunity for relaxed dining, learning, and music will resume this fall. Come join in the fellowship! Rally Day is coming Sept. 13th Rise Up Together for a new year Rise Up Together! Everyone is invited to Rally Day on September 13th as we kick-off a new year of Sunday School! Events include: Breakfast at 9:30 AM on the 3rd floor. Vacation Bible School kids to sing. Hear from the youth about this summer s National Gathering in Detroit. Meet children s Sunday School teachers. Learn about FLC confirmation and youth programs. Hear about adult classes offered this fall. When: Wednesday, Sept. 16 What: 3 course meal from 5:30-6:30 PM Learning opportunity 6:30-7:30 PM Bell choir 6:30-7:30 PM Vocal choir 7:30-8:30 PM September s Learning Topic-Boundaries. Have you ever read one of the Gospel accounts with an eye towards how Jesus takes care of himself? Is it a challenge to know when to say yes and how to say no? We will explore Scripture and Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend to see what Jesus did and how we can develop healthy boundaries in our lives. This class, led by Pastor Goeres, will meet in the second floor conference room. ACTS: Lutheranism 101 class instructs lay ambassadors for Christ The Ambassadors Community for Theological Study (ACTS) is intended to enrich and equip laity as ambassadors for Christ by means of exposure to the foundations of Lutheran faith through classroom and experiential education. Learn more at ministries/acts/. NEXT COURSE FALL 2015 Topic: Lutheranism 101: The Lutheran Confessions Then and Now Teacher: The Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans Dates: Large Groups September 26 th and November 7 th from 9:00-3:30 Small Groups To be determined by those registered and Pastor Goeres Location of Saturday Courses: Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, Williamsburg Cost: $175 (to be subsidized by First!) To Register: Packets are available on the Learning Board in the Welcome Center, or you can register online at 4

5 Service Lend your talents to worshiping God at FLC Everyone has something they can offer to make worship more wonderful. Considering offering your skills and heart to the following opportunities: Calling all Singers- ages 14 to 114!!! The new fall choir season is starting up soon! Come join us starting on September 9th on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00. We will be working on a new Requiem for All Saints Day as well as preparing beautiful Christmas music. If you love to sing and have wanted to join the choir, now is your chance! Questions? Contact Suzanne Wolvin at swolvin@flcnorfolk.com Extra help sought for communion clean up Needed: a few extra pair of hands for Communion Clean-Up after late service. This is typically a month-long commitment, working with a team of two other people for about 30 minutes after 11 AM worship. No skills required! We presently need extra help in April, July, August, October, November, and December, as well as folks willing to substitute. Willing? Please contact Rebecca Dozier at or RebeccaD66@cox.net. 9th. We will practice Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:15. We would love to have you! Questions? Contact Suzanne Wolvin at swolvin@flcnorfolk.com Children s Chapel: Worship for our littlest faithful Children s Chapel is an opportunity for our 4 year olds through first graders to worship during the Bible readings and sermon. Following the Children s Sermon, they meet the leader at the side door and walk down the hall to Room 102. For the next 20 or 30 minutes, they will listen to a reading from a children s story Bible, talk about the story, and participate in a related craft or activity. Help children experience worship and build faith. We need volunteers to lead or assist, at both 8:30 and 11 AM. To volunteer or for questions, contact Penny Powell at or pepowell@cox.net. Kids Praise Leader needed for 1st - 4th grade FLC is in search of a Kids Praise leader who would volunteer to lead our 1st-4th graders in singing on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:05 AM, except holidays and summer. This person would also help the children prepare a musical offering to sing in worship every couple of months and lead the singing in the children s Christmas pageant. Contact Amy Hood at rhood7@cox.net for information. Handbell Choir: Musical fun for ages !!! If you would like to play handbells, please join in the fun! Our first rehearsal will be September Learning and work to be blessed The Blessing of Backpacks and Vocations will be held Sunday, September 6th, at both services. All are welcome to bring the tools of their trade, whether that be a backpack and pencils for a student or less traditional items. We welcome everything from laptops to hammers, mops to stethoscopes. A member even asked about us retireds, and we say they may work harder than any of us some days, so bring any item you see fit. 5

6 Fellowship Homemade ice cream is a hit with church, neighborhood With homemade ice cream and plenty of smiles, FLC members opened the sanctuary and courtyard to the community August 2nd. Tours were given of the worship space and free ice cream was offered to all takers. There were performances by the Vacation Bible School children as well as a choir group, and fun kazoo band. Thanks to all who gave time to take part! New dates offered For directory pics Did you forget to sign up for a photo session for our new directory? Did you miss your appointment? Never fear! There are several new dates now available: 2 to 9 PM Thursday, Sept. 24th 2 to 9 PM Friday, Sept. 25th 10 to 5 PM Saturday, Sept. 26th Sign up via the link on the first page of our website at flcnorfolk.com. Book Group to discuss All the Light... Sept. 13th FLC Book Group will meet at 6:30 PM, Sunday, Sept. 13th, at the home of Alan and Cathy Jones, 5405 Rolfe Ave. The Jones may be reached at Alan will lead a discussion of Anthony Doerr s book, All the Light We Cannot See. New members are always welcome. Call Marilyn Jersild at Lydia Circle meets Sept. 1 Want to use the building? Let the office know. Lydia Circle will meet Tuesday, Sept. 1st, at 11 AM in the Reception Room. All women of FLC are welcome to join us as we discuss, A Look Back and a Look Ahead. Questions? Contact Pam Baynard, or baynard65@charter.net. FLC isn t just bustling on Sundays. Each week dozens of groups use our building for classes, gatherings and special events. If you plan to use the building for a church event, please let the main office know so we can ensure it doesn t conflict with something already scheduled. 6