Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ~ October 2018~

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1 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ~ October 2018~ Pastor, Rev. Luther Mathsen lmmathsen@gmail.com Church Phone: (507) Lisa Chiglo, Parish Secretary/Administrator ~ highlandprairie_elstad@ymail.com Highland Prairie Lutheran Church members, As you may recall, two years ago, Mary Gudmundson and I were tasked with reviewing our Highland Prairie constitution and bringing it up-to-date. These changes were small and primarily consisted of new sections based on the ELCA constitutional template. At last year s annual meeting an initial review and vote was taken to accept the new constitution. As per the constitution, we are required to vote again to accept the new constitution and have it placed officially into our records. This 2nd vote will take place at our annual meeting scheduled for January 27th, Both our current and new constitution are on the Highland Prairie Website. ( These are lengthy documents, however, if you d like a printed copy you may request to have one made anytime prior to January 18th, Please contact Sarah Bearbower ( ) or Mary Gudmundson ( ) with those requests or any questions. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sarah Bearbower Mary Gudmundson Elstad Prayer Partners Elstad prayer partners remember your prayer partners in the season of harvest and Thanksgiving. We should continue to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action and pray for healing and wholeness. We are entering a very busy season in a woman's life so keep each other in your prayers to help each travel thru the season smoothly. Highland Prairie Financials for August 2018 YTD Income $ 51,682 YTD Expenses $ 58,628 Expenses exc. Income $ 6,946 YTD Budget $ 62,065 YTD Income $ 51,682 YTD Under $ 10,383 The Elstad s Thankoffering Service will be on Sunday, October 21 at 9 am. Now is the time to be putting together your stewardship offerings of: Personal care kits, Baby care kits, School kits, Sewing kits, bars of new soap, Food shelf items and monetary thankofferings. They are particularly asking for personal care kits and school kits this year as with all the natural disasters these items are in short supply. Elstad budget for August 2018 August $ Received $ Under $ Elstad YTD budget $ Received YTD $ Under YTD $

2 Pastor s Page, October 2018 When I was a kid growing up in the 1970 s, we had a rotary phone and we were on a party-line. From time to time I d pick up the phone to make a call, and a neighbor was already on the line. Sometimes the wait to make a call was considerable. One could not always make a phone call the moment one had the desire or need. With the arrival of cell phones, this circumstance is ancient history. I am not sure some of our youngers know what a rotary phone is, much less what a party line is. It was also the case in those days that the best source of information was not Wikipedia or some other internet source. In our home, it was the set of World Book encyclopedias in the upstairs hallway. They are no more. And the media source of our home? It was Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, beamed into home to our black and white television by way of the tin-foiled, rabbit-eared antenna sitting atop that old box of tubes. And that news was preceded by shows like The Andy Griffith Show, the Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and the like; a far cry from what one may access today by way of cable or dish television. Today it s the worldwide web, computers, smart phones, cable news, and everything else that HD television provides. Technological gadgetry allows for instant contact with others, instant access to 24/7 media, and every other kind of information and entertainment available, no holds barred. All limits have been superseded. There s no going back. Press the button on the remote, touch the screen on the smart phone, or press a key on a computer keyboard and voila! Now I do not want to simply dismiss the blessings that modern technology provides for our lives. They are many. But those blessings notwithstanding, there is little doubt about the danger it presents, particularly to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of our children. As Christians, we know the world is a broken, disordered, and heedless place, and children ought to be given the gift of protection from its disorder, heedlessness, and sorrows. And who will take up this task if not parents and adults, those whose vocation is to be protectors, guides, and civilizers of children? Children must be allowed time to be children. And during that time they must be schooled in knowledge, wisdom, and by moral adult example, so they may gradually grow and mature into adulthood.

3 What to do, in this day and age, as Christian parents and adults? We must shirk or abnegate our responsibility to be parents and adults. We were not born civilized and neither are our children. If we don t teach them, model responsible adulthood, or civilize them, somebody else who may well care nothing for them as a human being will. We must acknowledge that the calling before us will not be easy. Neil Postman, a New York University professor and late media critic wrote: If parents wish to preserve childhood for the own children, they must conceive of parenting as an act of rebellion against culture. Get ready to be scorned and ridiculed. But also find a community in which to be affirmed and supported in the struggle by a host of others who in the trenches with you. We must acknowledge that we ought not to expect media and other information sources to police themselves. Their line is: We re just giving the people what they want. We live in a secularist culture that does not acknowledge any standards of being a human being or of civility. Such discussion and debate are often thought of as nothing other than ploys on the part of some to restrain the freedom of others. Everything is a matter of power, how to get it, and how to keep it. We Christians would do well to identify values of our God-given humanity in Jesus Christ. We would do well to heed the suggestion of Rod Dreher, a Christian father and journalist:.. (W)e should take seriously our homes as the central institution in our children s lives, and think of them as places where countercultural Christian values are intentionally lived and celebrated, and kept alive for a better time. Though we will be against the tide of secularist culture, we must not surrender our vocation as Christian parents and adults to its deconstructing agenda, but as Dreher continues: (W)e must embrace the fact that we will be permanent outsiders, if we are to be faithful to our God and to the sacred responsibility of our sons and daughters soulcraft. And finally, but as a point of daily renewal in the struggle, we should be constantly nourished by the promise of our God in Christ whose grace is sufficient for each and every day. By it, faith will come. Strength will come. Hope will come. And there is no other institution or community wherein the sole purpose and reason for its being is the broadcast of God s promise in Christ through which the creation, refreshment, and renewal of faith happens. I am speaking of the church. I make no apologies for saying this. We need the church the mouth-house of God s Word.Law and Gospel to fulfill our holy calling to be parents and adults to and for our children. Therein we will be addressed with the Word we need to carry on, schooling of our children day by day in order that they may grow up and mature, looking forward to the day when all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ (Ephesians 4.13).

4 October Worship Schedule +Sunday, October 7 th 9:00 a.m., Elstad 10:30 a.m., Highland Prairie ***Highland Prairie Thankoffering Sunday (WELCA) +Sunday, Octber 14 th 9:00 a.m., Elstad 10:30 a.m., Highland Prairie +Sunday, October 21 st 9:00 a.m., Elstad 10:30 a.m., Highland Prairie **Elstad Thankoffering Sunday (WELCA) +Sunday, October 28 th 9:00 a.m., Elstad 10:30 a.m., Highland Prairie +++ General Parish Visitation by Pr. Mathsen Pastor Mathsen continues general parish visitation during October. Please sign up for a visit on the sheet in the narthex (HP), or in the back of the sanctuary (EL). Confirmation Mentors First Meeting with Confirmands The first meeting of confirmation mentors and students will take place at Highland Prairie on Wednesday, October 24 th, at 6:30 p.m. ***PLEASE NOTE THIS TIME CHANGE. We desire that a full hour be give mentors and students to discuss the evening conversation topic (TBA) and have time for more informal conversation. A Fall Adult Book Study is now scheduled The fall book study of The Little Way of Ruthie Leming: A Southern Girl, a Small Town, and the Secret of a Good Life will commence on Thursday, October 25 th, 10:00 a.m., at Highland Prairie. There is still time to register to join us. You may order the book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Please let Pr. Mathsen know if you are interested. Let s Try it Again! A Men of the Parish Breakfast The September men s breakfast went well. So.On Saturday, October 27 th, at 7:30 a.m., a team of Elstad volunteers will prepare breakfast for the men (sons and grandsons, too) of the parish. It will take place at Elstad. Intended is a time of brief devotions, prayer, and male fellowship. Sign up in the church narthex (HP) and in the back of the church (EL). Highland Prairie/Elstad & Feed My Starving Children A good number of parish folk have signed up to participate in the Feed My Starving Children food-packing shift on Saturday, October 6, 2018, in Winona (RiverStar, Inc., 1705 Wilkie Dr.). Adults, youth, and families: There is still time to sign up in the church narthex (HP) and at the back of the sanctuary (EL). Confirmands: You are strongly encouraged to sign up. We will serve a two-hour packing shift from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. IF YOU HAVE EXTRA ROOM IN YOUR CAR FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO MAY NEED TRANSPORTATION, PLEASE LET PR. LUTHER KNOW! Fall Hayride and Picnic Last year, the parish had a fall hayride and picnic that turned out to be well-attended, parish-communityenhancing and a bunch of fun. I hope a group of parish individuals will step forward and volunteer to be an organizing team for this event. If you are willing to help make it happen, please see Pr. Mathsen ASAP.

5 Elstad-Highland Prairie Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes Sunday, September 9, 2018 The Meeting was held at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church with HP President Kyle Chiglo calling the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. Roll call was taken with Rita, Kay, Becky, Karen, and Mary absent. A Quorum was called. Others present: Pastor Luther. Devotions were given by Pastor Luther. Agenda was reviewed and motion to approve by Sarah and second by Dick. Motion carried. There were no congregation members present to address the council. President s report was given. There is no additional President s report from Elstad or Highland Prairie. The Pastor s report was given. ~Pastor expresses his gratitude for well wishes during his healing. ~We had our last joint service today. There has been positive feedback regarding the use of the band shell from the congregation and musicians. ~The ministry that occurs to bereaved families is very much appreciated. There is a very special care that is expressed during this time. ~There is an adult ministry that will be starting this fall. More information is available in church council minutes. ~We will participate in Feed My Starving Children in October ~A Men s breakfast will begin in September, there is additional information in each church council minutes. ~Confirmation will again begin this fall. It will include a monthly sharing of faith from a congregation member. We are looking for Mentors. Please consider this with prayer and contact Pastor Luther if you are able to be a Mentor. This year there are 8 students. ~Pastor will be on vacation October 1-7. Pastor Kay will cover worship Sunday, October 7. ~Pastor Luther will also be attending continuing education October The course is called Patriarchy, Fatherhood, and the Restoration of Culture. This will offer Pastor information to include with fathers and sons during the men s breakfasts. ~Pastor Luther continues to provide ministry to shut-ins and those who wish for home visits. Pastor Luther will continue to encourage this. Youth: ~Thank you to those that helped plan and execute Rally Sunday! It was a huge success! ~Thanks to all who have helped arrange special events this summer! Your time and gifts are much appreciated. ~Confirmation students are encouraged to participate in Feed My Staring Children on October 6 from 3:30-5:30 ~There is an opportunity to attend Godspell at the Rochester Preparatory Theater in September. Details to follow. There was no correspondence. Old Business/Committee Reports: 1) There is no Old Business

6 New Business: A) A plan to replace parsonage porch is being pursued. The screened in porch and screen door would lead onto the deck with steps down onto the yard. This is a doable project with a reasonable cost. There is a fund of up to $5000 from the Magelssen family set aside for parsonage repairs. This project will replace the current porch. The door will also need to be replaced. A motion to move forward with screened in porch and deck project was made by Nancy, second by Jodie. Motion carried. B) It has been suggested that the parsonage committee review possible upcoming large, parsonage related expenses. This would be appreciated in financial planning for both churches. C) Due to insurance coverage, there are limitations to who may drive the golf cart. This is for safety. Please keep this in mind. D) Changes to Bowl Services should be advertised to keep local communities informed. Both the Bowl and Bandstand are wonderful resources and should continue to be utilized! Secretary s report was given. Motion to approve by Sarah and second by Jennifer. Motion to adjourn made by Gordon, Second by Sarah. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm. Submitted by Michelle Rein, Elstad Council Secretary Elstad Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes Sunday September 9, 2018 Highland Prairie Lutheran Church The meeting was called to order by President Dick Haight at 5:30 p.m. Roll call: Present members were Dick Haight, Jodie Daniels, Jennifer Nepstad, Rachel Bearbower, Michelle Rein and Pastor Luther Mathsen. Rita and Kay were absent. A Quorum was called. The agenda was reviewed, Haiti Mission update added to agenda, and a motion to approve was made by Jodie second by Rachel. Motion passed. The Pastor s report was given. * Appreciative of well wishes and prayers. He is pleases with his recovery. * Church attendance and giving has declined somewhat during the summer. It is good families spend time with each other during the summer. We are looking forward to more regular attendance. * Today was the last joint summer worship service and Rally Sunday. There was a march to Zion up the road that ended with a balloon launch. Games followed with lots of fun with the children. * There were 3 large funerals at Elstad recently. Pastor is pleased with the love and concern that is extended to the bereaved families. There is a special care that is expressed during this time. * A Joint Education department meeting was held recently. We are appreciative of the children, families, and organizers that support the Sunday School. Pastor expresses willingness to be a resource to this group. * An adult study is being planned. The book is called The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, written by her brother Rod Dreher. It is a story of how she lived out her faith while battling cancer. There is a sign up sheet for those interested, who will then meet to pick a time to meet.

7 * Confirmation will be starting again this fall. A meeting with parents was held last week for information. Part of the class will include a time for congregation members to address the class and share their faith stories. We are looking for Mentors, please give this prayerful thought. * We will again be participating in Feed My Starving Children in Winona. The date is October 6 from 3:30-5:30. Sign up sheets are available in both Elstad and Highland Prairie. * A presentation of Godspell will be put on by Rochester Preparatory Theater in late September. If there is interest, Pastor Luther will look into ticket cost and availability. * Monthly clergy gathering start this week in Fountain. Pastor will be attending. * All August pastoral visits were completed and there is a sign up for September visits. The treasurer s report was given and will be placed on file to be audited at a later date.. President s Report: Mission: * There is an Advent Cantata being planned. We need voices. Practices will be beginning the first Wednesday of October at 7:00pm. Feed My Starving Children in October. Update from Haiti: Pr. Marie and others will be traveling to Haiti March There will be an informational meeting later in September. Anyone interested please contact the council. Additional information will be included in the newsletter and bulletin. There was no correspondence. Old Business: * Sanctuary repairs: Tyler Johnson was able to look at the peeling behind the organ. The wall and plaster were dry, and he suspects peeling was due to the type and quality of paint used. He will also be looking at other repairs. A second coat of sealer in the bell tower is planned to be placed this fall. The front step also need repair, Tyler is also going to look at that this fall. * WELCA donated another $1000 to be placed towards the parsonage window debt, this covered the entire remaining balance. We express our thanks for this generous gift. New Business: * A men s breakfast is being planned. This will start in September and hopes to be repeated monthly. First breakfast is 7:30am September 22 at Highland Prairie Secretary s report was given. Motion was given by Rachel second by Jodie. Motion passed. Motion was made by Michelle to adjourn, second by Rachel. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.. Secretary s report submitted by Michelle Rein.. Next meeting to be held at Elstad Lutheran Church, Sunday November 11, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

8 1) Meeting called to order by 7:29 p.m. 2) Roll Call Mary, Karen, and Becky were absent. 3) Quorum Yes Highland Prairie Council Meeting September 9, ) Devotions Given by Pastor Luther at the Parish meeting. 5) Approval of Agenda Items C. under old business and B & C under new business were added, Sarah motioned to accept with the additions, 2nd by Nancy-motion passed. 6) Congregation members wishing to address the council none 7) Treasurer s report ed for review prior to the meeting. It was noted that there was no payment to the organists or treasurer for the month. Tim made a motion to accept the report as presented subject to audit, Chris 2nd, motion passed. 8) President s report none 9) Pastor s report In addition to items covered at the Parish meeting; Pastor reported the sub-musicians have been found for Sept. When Karen and Martha are ready to return they will initially start our on the piano. The fall worship schedule has started. Thank you to Daryl Thompson for filling in during Pastor s recovery. There was a Sunday school meeting last week. The classes will be divided into the following age groups. Pre-K (8 kids), 2-3 (8 kids), 4-5 (9 kids), 6-9 (5 kids) Curriculum has been ordered for pre-5th grade teachers. Upper class grade resources will be ordered once a teacher is identified. Board of Education is reaching our to teacher now. A meeting with teachers will take place on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Pastor s household visits will continue in Sept. Homebound visits are continuing for the month. 10) Correspondence none 11) Committee reports A) Church none B) Grounds Special thanks to the Pederson s for mowing the parsonage during Pastor s recovery. C) Worship covered in Pastor s report D) Youth & Ed. covered in Pastor report 12) Old Business: A) Furnace room demo of the old furnace room is tentatively scheduled for October 20th B) Constitution vote i) Sarah will get the Newsletter announcement and Letter for mailing to Lisa no later than next week. Both need to be out in October. C) AED-WELCA has expressed interest in paying for the device. Kyle will move forward with arrangements for ordering. 13) New Business: A) Kyle made a motion to donate $1000 towards Salma Muslim s tuition expenses $500 in 1st semester and in 2nd semester, Gordon 2nd, motion passed with Sarah abstaining from the vote. B) Orange Chairs Surplus chair conversation We would recommend that room that have been taken over for storage be cleaned out and organized with some number of surplus chairs being kept have a total number of chair determined. C) Custodian Chellsey should speak with Trenten about assistance with job duties. 14) Secretary s report presented by Sarah Bearbower motion to accept by Kyle, 2nd by Nancy, motion passed. 15) Adjourn Motion to adjourn by Gordon, 2nd by Nancy, motion passed, adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

9 An Interview with Kao Kalia Yang When did you first begin to write as a way of making sense and meaning of the world around you? I started writing earnestly, not knowing of my purpose, but desperately when I was given my first locked diary as a gift from my mother. I was perhaps in third or fourth grade. I was writing to locate myself, to express my feelings, to make sense of my thoughts, my confusion. Thus, from a young age, I discovered that writing was a useful and necessary tool for my sense of myself in the world. In The Song Poet, you write through your eyes and through your father s. What was the collaboration process like with your dad? What did you learn about your dad and yourself in the process? All my life, my father has showered me with his stories. In the refugee camps of Thailand, I could not go to school (because they were over-crowded) so I soaked them in. In America, his work at the factories kept him away from us on the evening shift (we were in school during the day), so I missed the world of he d fashioned for me. His is one of those voices in my life, where all I have to do is close my eyes to conjure and call up. The process of writing the book, the decision I had made to write the book as an album of songs as a tribute to him required me to enter fully into the songs of his life. During the writing of the book, I approached my father and asked him if he wanted to know what I was working on. He shook his head. He said, I hate it when people interfere with my process. I won t do that to you. I ve witnessed too many potentially great works of art die in talk, don t do that to yourself. Share it with me when the book is finished. That s what we did. In the process, I discovered the heart of my father as a man beyond me (as my mother s husband and my grandmother s son, as a Hmong man in the world, a refugee, a factory worker, etc.). I discovered the artist who had the biggest influence on my art. What current creative & writing projects are you working on? Right now, I m finishing up the details for my three books that will be coming out in the fall of 2019: A Map Into the World (from Carolrhoda Press) my first children s book, the first book to be written by a Hmong- American writer to come forth from a literary press, a work that centers on the world of a young Hmong- American girl and her experience of the changing seasons, the seasons of a life, the story cloths on the walls, the maps she must draw so others can enter more fully into the big, living world. What God is Honored Here?: An Anthology on Miscarriage and Infant Loss By and For Indigenous Women and Women of Color (from the University of MN Press) a co-edited anthology with the writer Shannon Gibney. It will be the first literary anthology by and for women of color on the experiences of miscarriage and infant loss experiences that disproportionately effect women of color in this country despite the fact that there has been very little for them on the subject. Somewhere in the Unknown World a work of creative nonfiction about refugee lives in America, a look across generations and refugee groups, at the stories of individual refugees in Minnesota, a state that is ranked very high in terms of racial inequality, second in the nation in fact, and yet contains more refugees per capita than any other state in the union. Are there specific books/articles/authors that you would recommend attendees read in advance of this year s Theological Conference to prepare? Yes, in fact, I ve made formal suggestions in a new essay I wrote for McSweeney s. The series of essays is an excellent entry point to a diverse body of writers and perspectives across the American landscape. The link to my particular essay is:

10 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES! All Birthdays & Anniversaries are listed according to the information on file. If you see an error please contact. Lisa Chiglo ~ highlandprairie_elstad@ymail.com 1~ Charles Semmen ~ Brad Kelly 2~ Olive Peterson ~ Sylvia Passow ~ Kayla Volkman 3~ Jensyn Storhoff 6~ Valarie Howe ~ Maci Pontillo ~ Riley Pontillo 7~ Alyssa Berg 8~ Landon Volkman 9~ Beth Smith ~ Amy Jacobson 10~ Chris Hoiland ~ Jeremy Burt 12~ Amber Arends 13~ Mary Carlson ~ Jadye Butler 15~ Cathy Bakke ~ Creighton Hoiness ~ Dominic Humble 16~ Casey Pestle 17~ Brandon Rustad 18~ Jerry Barrett ~ Larry Topness ~ Alison Freese 20~ Joyce Dahl 21~ Robert Olson ~ Dylan Evenson 22~ Gary Kiehne ~ Duston Brookins 23~ Sharon Howe 24~ Erik Nelson ~ Courtney Gravos 27~ Tyler Knutson 28~ Merlin Halverson 29~ Karen Mierau ~ Rita Kelly 30~ Doris Dybing ~ Nicole Johnson 31~ Adam Woxland ~ Brittany Johnson ~ Hayden Stensgard 12~ Maynard & Sharon Rustad 16~ Ken & Helen Jacobson ~John & Kathy Abrahamson 26~ Rick & Sandy Sjarpe

11 October2018 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Visit our websites at elstadlutheranchurch.org highlandprairielutheranchurch.org Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Feed My Starving Children 3:30-5:30 p.m. 7 EL-9:00 a.m. SS 10:00 a.m. (EL) HP-10:30 a.m Bulletin Deadline Confirmation- 6: Bulletin Deadline EL-9:00 a.m. SS 10:00 a.m. HP-10:30 a.m. Confirmation- 6:30 HP Council mtg. 5:30 HP Bulletin Deadline Newsletter Deadline EL-9:00 a.m. SS 10:00 a.m. (EL) HP-10:30 a.m. Confirmation w/ mentors 6:30 pm Book Study HP Elstad Men s Breakfast 7:30 am HP Craft Frolic HP Craft Frolic EL-9:00 a.m. SS 10:00 a.m. (EL) HP-10:30 a.m. Confirmation 6:30 p.m.

12 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Bowl Drive Peterson, MN Address Services Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Peterson, MN Permit No. # Newsletter Highland Prairie Acolytes/Readers/Greeters Sunday, October 7, 2018 Acolytes: Caden Johnson, Larissa Ryan Readers: Nikki Dahle, Sharon Ehler Greeters: Doug Lind Family Sunday, October 14, 2018 Acolytes: Kenna Gudmundson, Lindsay Hoiness Readers: Jens Lind, Scott Bestul Greeters: Lyle & Ann Meldahl Sunday, October 21, 2018 Acolytes: Andrew Hoiness, Kristina Stensgard Readers: Andrew Hoiness, Michele Thompson Greeters: Allan Skalet, Kay Eiken Sunday, October 28, 2018 Acolytes: Dana DeGeorge, Laci Sievers Readers: Hale Stensgard, Sylvia Passow Greeters: Gordon & Arlene Johnson Elstad Acolytes/Readers/Ushers Sunday, October 7, 2018 Acolyte: MacKenzie Knutson Readers: MacKenzie Knutson, Vicky Topness Sunday, October 14, 2018 Acolyte: Michael Rein Readers: Michale Rein, Glee Claussen Sunday, October 21, 2018 Acolyte: Kyle Daniels Readers: Kyle Daniels, Carol Overland Sunday, October 28, 2018 Acolyte: Liz Hageman Readers: Liz Hageman, Carolyn Smith Ushers: Gene Topness, John Overland, Philip Abrahamson, Trent Eide, Nathan Bakke, Dick Haight