COM PAS SION. clothed with. celebrating a year

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1 celebrating a year clothed with COM PAS SION Index of Reports Pastor s Report... Page 2 Bishop s Report... Page 4 Finance... Page 6 Foundation... Page 7 Global Mission... Page 8 Local Mission... Page 10 Property... Page 11 Social Ministry... Page 12 Worship and Music... Page 15 Youth and Family... Page Ministry Reports Annual Meeting: Part II Sunday, May 15, :30 a.m. Christ the King Lutheran Church th Street NW New Brighton, MN

2 Pastor s Report This past year marked the end of my second year and the beginning of my third year as your lead pastor. In many ways, I believe it has also marked the beginning of the end of a rather long time of transition in the overall leadership of this congregation. As the April Herald described so well, this year has been one of hellos and good-byes, each having an impact on the configuration of our staff team and program ministry at Christ the King. While they don t all fit that pattern, here are some of the highlights of this past year, from my perspective. In August, we welcomed Nate Crary as our new Director for Worship and Music. Based in part on the findings of the Worship and Music Study last spring, this reconfigured position emphasizes the centrality of worship to our congregational life and focuses on movements within our worship life from performance to participation, from preference to purpose, and from perfection to authentic practice. Nate s work among us has been so helpful, it is hard to believe he s only been at CtK for nine months. In September, Heather Nelson joined our staff as Choral Director. Heather has begun to build on the foundation laid by the many talented directors and musicians before her, while helping reinforce the role of our choirs as worship leaders. The expansion of her position from quarterto half-time in January has brought her leadership to Joyful Noise children s choir Page 2 and the youth musical, as well as creating a larger role for her in worship and music planning. With mixed emotions, we said good-bye to Pastor Hannah Johnson Bartos in September, giving thanks to God for her incredible ministry among us and sending her out to be a blessing to her next congregation in Marine on St. Croix. The five years that Pastor Hannah spent among us were years of deepening growth in the areas of Children, Youth, and Family ministry, as well as years of creativity and innovation in preaching and worship leadership. In October, we welcomed Peter Christ as our Interim Pastoral Associate. Pastor Pete jumped in with both feet, maintaining a certain level of momentum in Children, Youth, and Family and other ministries while we began the process of calling a new associate pastor. Lead Pastor Peter Hanson Since last fall, we have been working with Kairos and Associates creating a new three-year capital appeal. Kristin Wiersma and her team have helped us navigate a Mission Assessment Process (MAP), counseled us on the intricacies of our ministry funding, and accompanied us through the establishment of the Formed in Love. Called to Serve. Here to Stay. Capital Appeal. Near the end of 2015, the Associate Pastor Call Committee ramped up its process of discernment, collecting profiles from the synod office, and conducting interviews for the Associate Pastor position. By January, they had identified their final candidate, sought approval of the council, scheduled a vote for our winter annual congregational meeting, and arranged a meet-andgreet event Ministry Reports

3 Thanks to the congregation s generous support of our partnership in Tanzania, I was able to travel with a group of 14 from CtK to visit our companion congregation in Nduli. It was my first trip to Tanzania since my internship in , as well as my first time participating in the companionship between the Saint Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese. I am grateful to have met some of our brothers and sisters who are part of the Nduli parish, as well as to see and experience the richness of the witness of the Tanzanian Church. On Feb. 14, CtK voted unanimously to call John Rohde Schwehn to serve among us. Pastor John was ordained at CtK on April 9 and began his ministry with us that same month. With a month and a half under his belt, we are eager to imagine what his service and leadership will bring to our congregational life and community service in the years to come. We celebrated with Pastor Deborah Birkeland her 25 years of ordained service, including the past ten years in ministry at CtK. Pastor Deb s retirement from active pastoral ministry was a wonderful opportunity for us to express our gratitude to her and her family. I am particularly grateful that Pastor Deb invested so much of her leadership in these past few years equipping and empowering The staff took an outing to the Science Museum of Minnesota to see the presentation of Jerusalem on Jan. 26, lay people to carry on the congregational care that she had provided. Looking ahead With Pastor John s installation as Associate Pastor in April, I am excited to have our ministry team pretty well set for the foreseeable future. I am hopeful about the new momentum our ministries will be able to discover now that there are no more (fingers crossed!) search processes on the horizon. Consistent with the Congregation Council s goals for this year, the staff and I are developing next year s theme around the concept of God s calling, our identity, and how we belong to Christ and to CtK. More on that as it develops. In addition, I plan to focus energy this coming year on further implementation of the findings of our Worship and Music Study completed last spring. Specifically, I am feeling called to lead CtK toward providing opportunities for children and youth to more fully participate in worship on a regular basis, while providing more intentional adult faith formation offerings on Sunday mornings as well as other times. Taken together, these two items have suggested to us a rethinking of Sunday mornings at CtK, and particularly considering the possibility of opening up more time between our two worship services to allow for learning opportunities for all ages. I invite your input to these discussions as they unfold in the days and weeks to come. Grace and Peace, Pastor Peter Ministry Reports Page 3

4 Bishop s Report Dear Partners in Ministry, 2015 was a year of new relationships and new ventures for us in the Saint Paul Area Synod. Much like the transitions and innovations in your own congregation, as a synod comprised of 112 congregations, mission starts, Lutheran agencies and institutions, we too said farewell and Godspeed to familiar leaders and welcomed the talent and leadership gifts of others. In March, we gave thanks for the work of the Rev. Roger Hardy and the Rev. Dick Magnus, who completed six months of service in the shared role of Interim Director of Evangelical Mission. Two months later, we said farewell to Cyndi Berg, who had served as Office Manager for eight years. Like all who serve on the synod staff, these three colleagues helped us in our common work with efficiency and joy. In May, we welcomed the Rev. Sharon Kelly to the synod staff in the brand-new role of Advisor to the Bishop on the Well Being of Children and Youth. Sharon connected school superintendents from the multiple districts in Chisago, Washington, Ramsey, and Dakota counties to our conference deans and rostered leaders. Although she moved to Baltimore in late August to serve as the interim pastor of a city church, Sharon s work continues to influence the way we encourage congregations to interface with the needs of their neighborhood schools. Through tutoring partnerships, homework help, weekend food provision, after-school activities and more, we ELCA Lutherans are making Page 4 a needed impact on the lives of all our children. The Rev. Justin Grimm also joined the synod staff in May as the Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop for Next Generation Ministries. With ten years as a mission developer in Lake Ann, Michigan, Justin brings insight, courage, and supervisory skills to his work with our eight existing mission starts. In 2015, we also received approval to launch an outreach to the Oromo community in Saint Paul, an endeavor we pray will be well underway in In August, Alicia Hillar assumed the role of Office Manager. With Spanish language skills honed during a year with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission in Mexico, she shares her bilingual gifts when they are needed. She joins the Rev. Justin Grimm, Julie Keefe, Chloe Ahlf, Greg Triplett, the Rev. Peter Harrits, the Rev. Lamont Koerner, Sister Noreen Stevens and Anna Grunner, as the staff serving with me in the synod office. In the fall of 2015, we welcomed Julia Hubbard as a two-year volunteer serving on behalf of the synod and ELCA Global Mission in Iringa, Tanzania. Bishop Patricia J. Lull, Saint Paul Area Synod As a synod, we gathered three times this past year. Conference Assemblies were held at Christ the King in New Brighton on Feb. 28. We sang and prayed together, and elected persons to serve in conference-level roles and as voting members of the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. We also worked on a communal art project, creating the artwork used at the Synod Assembly. The synod assembly was held April at Prince of Peace in Burnsville. There we deliberated on several memorials and elected additional persons to synodwide offices and as voting members for the upcoming churchwide assembly. The theme, We Are Church: Here and Now, ame alive as we worshipped and were inspired by our keynote presenter, the Rev. Heidi Neumark from Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan. Throughout the two days, we were called in fresh ways to the Ministry Reports

5 important work God is doing in and through us. On six evenings in July and August, 150 members of the synod came together to help discern where and how God is calling us to be more deeply present in our world. Trinity, Lindstrom; Redeemer, White Bear Lake; Augustana, West Saint Paul; St. James, Burnsville; Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Roseville; and Arlington Hills, Saint Paul served as the hosts for those times of prayer, scripture study, singing, and faithful conversations about God s intended future for our common work. The convictions lifted up in that visioning process are shaping our synodical work and budget in 2016 and As a synod, we welcomed seven new rostered leaders, who were ordained and welcomed into their first calls in the Saint Paul Area Synod in They included the Rev. Caroline Harthun, the Rev. Jill Rode, the Rev. Julie Wright, the Rev. Brandon Newton, the Rev. Jennifer Collins, and the Rev. Elizabeth Flomo. The Rev. Horacio Castillo was welcomed into the ELCA from the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala. Financial mission support from your congregation allows us to work with congregations in transition, support those in the candidacy process, and directly fund the work of Luther Seminary, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota, the Minnesota Council of Churches, and Agora. By sharing 47.5 percent Bishop Lull presided over the ordination of Pastor John on Saturday, April 9. Many leaders from throughout the Church were also in attendance. of that financial support with the ELCA, our congregations and synod are invested more broadly in our church s work in global mission, in starting new congregations and renewing existing congregations, and in disaster relief. Among those benefitting from that support are six members of our synod, serving with Young Adults in Global Mission. They include Ryan Berkas and Jessica Moes (Cambodia), Renee Labat (Argentina), Maridith Lewellyn (United Kingdom), Sarah Olson (South Africa), and Brynn Wiessner (Madagascar). Gloria Bengsten is also serving as a global mission volunteer in Bratislava. During 2015, this synod contributed $6,793 to the ELCA s Malaria Campaign (with total synod contributions to date of $25,342), $44,071 to ELCA World Hunger Appeal and another $24,827 to Disaster Relief through the ELCA. Through special offerings for the current mission starts in this synod, $31,505 was received in additional support for outreach efforts within the synod. During our summer visioning conversations, we read the story in Luke 5:1-11 of Jesus calling Peter to go out into the deep water. The weary fisherman is reluctant to return to his nets after a night of fruitless labor but he says, Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. Time after time in 2015, we have found ways to step forward with similar faith. Thank you for being a faithful part of this church here and now. Yours in God s service, Patricia J. Lull, Bishop Ministry Reports Page 5

6 Finance The generous support of members of Christ the King with their financial gifts for both the operating and building funds enables staff, committees and teams to further our ministries both locally and globally. The Finance Committee would like to commend all for their due diligence in maintaining 2015 budgeted expenses by making informed and prudent decisions. Highlights from Approved enhanced Balance Sheet and Income Statement Financial Reports for CtK to make them easier to read and understand. Reviewed and accepted proposed changes to Christ the King Accounting Policies based on external audit and recommended their approval to the Congregation Council. Reviewed and revised Christ the King Finance Policy Committee description document for consideration by the Executive Committee. Reviewed budget requests from committees in November 2015 and subsequently submitted a proposed 2016 Budget to the Congregation Council for approval. Recommended to Congregation Council that credit card be added to as an approved payment method for members of CtK. Approved the repurposing of M Capital Campaign excess funds and submitted to Congregation Council for consideration. How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? The Finance Policy Committee is an integral part of the financial structure of CtK. Its mission is to safe guard assets, assure the integrity of financial information, limit exposures and provide transparency, and clarify authorities, accountabilities and responsibilities. In doing so, we support the larger mission of CtK in gathering, growing and giving. Goal 1 Review and discuss new and modified financial policies being drafted by outside consultant to separate policies from procedures, identifying authority and responsibility levels, and add policies that address overall asset protection. Goal 2 Review and recommend balanced budget to Congregation Council for Christ the King Lutheran Church in Page Ministry Reports

7 Foundation During the program year, the CtK Foundation continued to focus on refining its strategic plan to better align itself with the strategic plan of the church while concurrently seeking to develop a better understanding of the role a healthy foundation can play in the future of CtK ministries. Highlights from The asset base of the Foundation showed steady growth, reaching over $840,000 by April 1, Over $30,000 was awarded to nine grant requests during the program year. The awards were granted in the general areas of CtK needs, community needs, and global mission. The IRS confirmed that the Foundation is a Type I 509(a) (3) supporting organization and, as such, will continued to be exempt from federal taxes under section 501(c) (3) of the federal tax code. Confirmation of the Type I supporting organization will facilitate funds transfers between other foundations. Nine Agora graduates pose with their families and friends on Wednesday, April 20. Agora is one of the many programs supported with grant funds from the CtK Foundation. How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? The current grant request evaluation process incorporates a review of each request to assure that the request conforms to the strategic plan of the church. This practice will continue going forward to insure that all award decisions will conform to the goals and mission of CtK. Goal 1 Develop an electronic-based tool kit for the church staff that will provide information, contacts, and procedures relating to the Foundation to enable improved promotion of the Foundation as a potential partner to receive contributions, donations, and estate planning gifts from members of the congregation. Goal 2 Develop a new marketing, outreach, and educational plan to assist in creating a higher knowledge level about the Foundation across the CtK congregation that will also foster an increased interest in partnering with the Foundation and its outreach efforts. Additional Goals Explore the possibility of cosponsoring grant awards with neighboring congregations that have active Foundation activities Ministry Reports Page 7

8 Global Mission The Global Mission Team continued to focus our gifts and projects in alignment with the three elements of the CtK mission: Gathering, Growing, Giving. Goals from the past year Goal 1: Prioritize and provide financial allocation toward needs and projects in the Iringa and Arusha areas of Tanzania. Types of support include initiatives that promote spiritual growth, health and wellness, and education including scholarships, preaching point construction, agricultural, and local income-producing projects. Goal 2: Conduct a Tanzania mission travel visit in February 2016 to update status of existing projects and identify future projects. Provide funds for Pastor Peter Hanson to be a member of the travel group. Goal 3: Fund Raising Conduct annual Global Mission Sunday event including appeal for gifts and donations for Global Mission Team projects and the annual Alternative Christmas Gift event. Goal 4: Recruit additional members to the Global Mission Team to represent additional mission project areas beyond the current focus on Tanzania. Page 8 Highlights from Provided allocation gifts for construction, scholarship, and other projects for priorities in the North Central Diocese (Arusha area) and in the South Iringa Diocese area. North gifts including CtK Foundation grants and memorials equal $35,035; South gifts including CtK Foundation grants and memorials equal $26,746. Fourteen travelers represented CtK in Tanzania during January and February Returning visitors to Tanzania marvel at the growth in economic development and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. We rejoice with our brothers and sisters of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Tanzania. Their numbers are increasing at a rapid pace and we are inspired by their joyful worship. Most of all, we are touched by the relationships with the people that are nourished and deepened through our visits. Planned and completed the 2015 Alternative Christmas Gift fund raising event; amount of gifts was $8,830. Completed the 2016 Global Mission Sunday event on April 10, 2016; Pastor Peter Hanson preached. Coordinated arrangements for two visits of our sponsored Tanzania missionaries (Dr. Mark and Linda Jacobson, Arusha Lutheran Medical Center) to CtK. First, Dr. Mark brought a very meaningful message to us at both services on Sunday, May 24, A meet-and-greet opportunity was held from 10:00-10:30 a.m. and Bob and Jean Spong hosted a potluck luncheon in their home following the 10:30 a.m. service. Second, on July 7, Dr. Mark spoke at a luncheon attended by more than 60 individuals for an update on the nursing school construction project; attendees contributed more than $8,000 for support of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Nursing School. CtK Global Mission Team is a contributor to this project. Reviewed and updated the Global Mission Team Longterm Strategic Plan for the time horizon of Participated in partnership with Operation Bootstrap Africa in the celebration on Nov. 13, 2015 of the OBA 50 th anniversary and MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS s) 20 th anniversary, both endeavors supported by CtK Global Mission Team. Initiated the beginning discussion within Global Mission Team of approaches to address Goal 4 related to expanding our ability to focus beyond our long-term traditional approach of Tanzania-centric support Ministry Reports

9 How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? The Global Mission Team continued to focus our gifts and projects in alignment with the three elements of the CtK mission: Gathering, Growing, Giving. The update to the Global Mission Team Strategic Plan for the period of is fully in alignment with this mission statement. Goal 1 Continue to focus on existing and selected new activities; plan mission trips approximately every two years; plan Global Mission Sunday; create and sell Alternative Christmas gifts; encourage all CtK staff to be engaged with the work of global mission. Goal 2 Communicate on a regular basis with members of Nduli Parish and preaching points, the Iringa Diocese, sponsored students in the Iringa Diocese, the MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School and Moringe Sokoine Secondary School and church and community leaders, both local and global. Neil and Courtney Hess pose with children while visiting our partners in Iringa, Tanzania in February Additional Goals Goal 3: Utilize ongoing communications of Global Mission to inform and listen to all within CtK for value-added feedback related to the work of Global Mission Team. Support mission activities of members of CtK especially through prayer. Keep CtK members apprised of such activities in Global Mission news and updates. Encourage pastors to incorporate global mission into their message and prayers of the church on a regular basis. Goal 4: Address the ongoing needs of obtaining adequate financial support to sustain the ministry of the Global Mission Team. Submit an annual budget to CtK. Annually, prioritize and disburse funds from designated gifts from such as: Global Mission Sunday, Alternative Christmas Gifts, miscellaneous funds, memorials, and Capital Campaign. Submit appropriate grant applications to CtK Foundation and report results. Goal 5: Reach out to CtK members from other countries. Work with Local Mission Partners (LMP) to identify members from other countries and work with LMP to welcome the new members. Find ways to connect with the Tanzanian Christian community in the Twin Cities Ministry Reports Page 9

10 Local Mission The purpose of Local Mission Partners is to engage in God s Mission with the growing diversity and ethnic ministries in the Twin Cities. Through Prayer, Presence, and Presents (the sharing of mutual gifts), we engage with our partners which include Cristo Rey, Pueblo de Fe (Latino ministries), Hmong Good Samaritan and Hmong Central Lutheran churches, Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church, Daily Work (Job counseling) and Agora (multicultural leadership training). All these ministries are in New Brighton and St. Paul. We also work with Redeemer Lutheran Church of North Minneapolis. Our Local Mission Partner Team meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. We review the last month s activities and plan for the coming months. Highlights from Hosted Local Mission Partner Sunday in January with Saint Paul Area Synod Bishop Patricia Lull preaching in 2015 and Pastor Kelly Chatman of Redeemer in north Minneapolis in Provided Mini Farmers Market (free produce to attendees) at August Block Party. Served lunch to more than two hundred children and their families at Christmas Store at Redeemer in North Minneapolis in December. Planned and carried out Many Voices, One Mission (a multicultural music celebration) Hmong Fellowship Dinner in the spring. Distributed partner grant requests in April and October which included scholarships to member immigrants attending Agora classes at Luther Seminary Page 10 and Cristo Rey at CtK. How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? Christ s Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. Now with the growing diversity in our neighborhood, we see that the nations are here! Of CtK s four core focus areas, our five LMP highlights (left) help carry out all four: Worship and Music, Faith Formation, Congregational Care, Mission and Service. While our five ethic partner ministries and Agora focus on Word and Sacrament ministries with joyful grace proclamation and education, Daily Work focuses on service to those seeking jobs. We are experiencing the joy of more than one hundred recent immigrant members at CtK, Local Mission Partners has served as a major influence in this exciting area of our church s life and growth! Pastor Kelly Chatman of Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Minneapolis joined us as our guest preacher on Local Mission Partner Sunday. Goal 1 Support the growing Cristo Rey Latino ministry at CtK and our new Latino outreach minister, Ana Becerra, in her theological education, Spanish worship leadership and outreach to our Latino neighbors. Goal 2 Help our partners grow in self support so as encourage their engagement in God s Mission and not in a sense of dependency on our support. Additional goals Work with the Saint Paul Area Synod Mission Strategy Team to build many more congregational partnerships with our ethnic Word and Sacrament, educational, and service ministries Ministry Reports

11 Property Our season began last summer when we started the process of reviewing the transportation policy which continued into the church property policy review and concluded this spring with the creation of the CtK Property Policy and Advisory Committee Description. We had the elevator updated so we are now in compliance with the state codes. Eagle Scout, Jacob Nelson, was given permission to proceed with his project to construct a new picnic table on the south side of church under the existing canopy. Many of the existing florescence lights were converted to the high efficiency lights which showed immediate savings to our electric bills. The parking lot was crackfilled and sealed. The roof was inspected and immediate repairs were contracted to be completed this spring. The drainage pond was cleared of the volunteer trees along the shore. Members of the Property Committee pose with lift as lights in the Sanctuary are changed. Highlights from Our elevator which had been inspected in 2014 by the state inspector was in violation on many items including non functioning telephone, alarm bell, and emergency light. There were also several signs that were missing and many maintenance reports that needed to be started and filed. We contracted with Schumacher Elevator company to complete these items and bring us up to code. Our parking lot which is in constant need of annual maintenance was scheduled and completed last fall for routing all major cracks and filling with liquid rubber which seals and keeps moisture out. We contract with Metro Paving to complete this work. We had the roof inspected in the fall by Roof Spec who provided a detailed evaluation of the entire roof. After this inspection there were priority areas that needed to be addressed and were contracted by McPhillips Roofing to complete these repairs in the spring. How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? Our committee does its best to present to the public a well kept property that reflects the intent of the congregation. This should give a welcoming look for all members and potential members. Goals We will be reviewing the outside grounds to see if all trees and shrubs are healthy and remove and replace any that need sprucing up. We will be reviewing the lighting in the Trinity rooms to come up with a plan to improve and unify these rooms lighting Ministry Reports Page 11

12 Social Ministry Social Ministry includes many ministries that work in various ways to express our faith in service to our neighbors. The Social Ministry Steering Committee oversees a loose collection of service groups involving many volunteer who do God s work in our community. The Steering Committee also oversees the Good Samaritan Fund which provides assistance for neighbors in need. We would like to express profound gratitude to Regina Kaun who has resigned as chair of Social ministry after eight years of skillful and faithful service. Social Ministry Steering Committee: Cheri Aldridge, Priscilla Berg, Elouise Johnson, Victor Nyekan, Karen Peterson, and Wouter Van Bruggen. Angel Tree by Kay Christenson and Susan Nelson The November and December Angel Tree Project (for the children of incarcerated parents) served ten families which included 25 children. We also gave Bel Air school twelve $25 certificates for families in need. We started with angel tags on the tree in November and people took the names and purchased the gifts suggested and returned them wrapped. The children and the caregivers were very grateful as were the incarcerated parents. We also collected 150 hats and mittens for Bel Air school. Blood Drive by Vonnie Seim The CtK Blood Drive on Jan. 22 had over 51 donation appointments and 39 authorized units of blood were collected. Thanks to all who participated. We appreciate the loyalty of donors who have Page 12 given faithfully over many years. Thanks to the helpers and those who provided refreshments. The next Blood Drive will be held on Friday, June 24 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The Red Cross relies on the generosity and dedication of donors like you to support this life saving mission. NOTE: We are looking for an apprentice to work with Vonnie Seim who has led this ministry for many years. Christmas Baskets by Cheri Aldridge This program assists families that are in need around the holidays. Family recipients are chosen from the New Brighton Family Education Center and also from CtK. Gifts are bought for the children in the family with and food is bought for the whole family. The gifts and food are then delivered by volunteers from CtK whose help is much appreciated! This programmed served seven families this past year but there are years that it has served more. It is dependent on need and how many family names we receive. Coat Drive by Priscilla Berg The Social Concerns Network, a coalition of churches in the New Brighton/Mounds View area (including CtK) held their 18 th annual coat drive in October This group collected 776 coats as well as hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves. A total 79 volunteers sorted coats and worked on distribution day, Oct. 17, held at CtK The 2016 coat collection will be held in September and October, with distribution on Oct. 15, Daily Work by Eloise Johnson Daily Work is a small nonprofit organization that helps people struggling with employment barriers and self-sufficiency. Their main office is in St. Paul, but since 2011 Daily Work counselors have been at CtK one or two days a week to work with people in our community and the surrounding area. 112 different job seekers have been seen during that time, and in 2015 alone 22 jobs were secured. Funding to make this location possible have been through generous contributions from individuals from CtK and also through some budgeted funds. Because of budget constraints both at Daily Work and CtK, as of May 1, 2016, Daily Work will no longer have regular office hours at CtK. Plans are being worked on to Ministry Reports

13 continue to ensure that the needs of local community members will continue to be met. Thank you to all those who have supported the Daily Work program here at CtK. Food shelf by Al Berg and Cheri Aldridge CtK s support for food shelves is divided into two interrelated parts: CtK s on-site food shelf and the community Ralph Reeder food shelf. Food drives are held two times a year: November and March. Gifts of both food and funds are collected. In addition, a grocery cart near the stairs by the elevator accepts donations all year long. Al Berg oversees the CtK Food shelf located on the lower level (Room L-18). Food donations placed in the grocery cart as well as items from the food drives are stocked in the food shelf after being checked for expiration dates. Several times a year, Al reviews the expiration dates to keep them current. The office staff handles phone calls from clients and accompanies them to the food shelf for the clients selection of food items they need. Supplementals need to be purchased occasionally. Personal care items such as soap, hair shampoo, tooth brush/paste, toilet paper, and laundry detergent are among the supplemental items. Vouchers to purchase fresh food items are also given to neighbors who come to CtK for assistance. Donations of food and money are given to the Ralph Reeder food shelf at least twice a year. In the past year, due to the generous donations of members, CtK has donated over 1,000 pounds of food and $3,000 to the Ralph Reeder food shelf. A new initiative this year will be a separate drive to collect personal items and cleaning supplies such as deodorant, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. These things are needed, but often overlooked during food drives. Habitat for Humanity by Karen Hillerman We participated in the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity program for a week in June We installed sheetrock in a Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity home being built in Fridley and raised money for the home. We did not have enough volunteers to fill the shifts each day and we did not meet our fundraising goal, so for 2016 we will be doing two days (July 25 and 26) at a house in Blaine to better align with our anticipated level of participation. Sign-ups are open for this year s project at lifeatctk.org. Liberian Partners by Victor Nyekan Liberian Partners connects CtK with Believer Bible Chapel church and school in Liberia. The church operates an elementary school (which is currently housed in the church building) and cares for many children orphaned by the AIDS and Ebola epidemics. In the past year Liberian Partners has twice contracted to purchase rice to feed the children and collected notebooks and pencils through the School Tools drive. The newest initiative by Believer Bible Chapel is to build an actual school building. Liberians Partners collected donations and secured a CtK Foundation grant to assist with this effort. Two donated laptops await a person to hand-carry them to the church. The goals for the coming year are to continue food support and to again ship school supplies. A Liberian Partners Sunday is in the early planning stages. Meals on Wheels CtK continues to provide three teams of volunteers each Wednesday to deliver Meals on Wheels through the Pike Lake Center. Many volunteers have participated for many years. More volunteers are always welcome, especially in January and February. The goal for the coming year is to find a new coordinator for this program, allowing Joanne Zenz to retire after many years of faithful service. New Brighton Community Support Center by Priscilla Berg The New Brighton Community Support Center (CSC) is a non-profit organization under CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Program), whose purpose is to prevent homelessness by providing access to governmental and non-profit sources of assistance as well as emergency financial aid. The goal is creating financially stable families through extended partnerships rather than only one-time financial help. It services residents of the Mounds View School District. CtK and other churches in the Social concerns Network have provided Ministry Reports Page 13

14 financial support and volunteers for the continuation of this effort. As the CSC moves toward becoming an independent non-profit, the goal for the coming year is to increase volunteer participation and to continue financial support through direct donations and through participation in the annual Walk a Mile for Our Neighbors held on July 31, Refugee Support by the Refugee Assistance Team: Ralph Berg, Dale Erickson, Marilynn Erickson, Elaine Foell, Sarah Grow- Hanson, Joel Hoeger, Linda Schweppe 2015 was the second year our team helped a very needy refugee family from the Congo. Unlike most families we have met, this family was poorly equipped to become independent and selfsupporting in a few months. We were first introduced to them by Lutheran Social Service (LSS) when it became obvious that they would need long term help. Due to the single mother s lack of English and poor coping skills, the first two years have seen a series of crises: financial, medical, and emotional. The family attends The New City of Nations Church near their home in the St. Paul Midway neighborhood, so they have not been met by many in our community; they did appear here last summer to sing two beautiful hymns in both English and in their native language, Kinyarwanda. Nevertheless, thanks to gifts of time, friendship, and financial assistance, in the form of Page 14 rent support, from our CtK community, they have survived and are much closer to making their own way. Due to an unusual cash reserve in 2014, we were able to supplement their monthly rent payments and save them from eviction. They no longer need our financial assistance. This is fortunate since we have less than $100 remaining. The mom is slowly learning to communicate in simple English but still needs help with all official mail and medical issues. The four school age children are fluent in English and are very successful students and athletes. Our relationship is now evolving into one of more casual friendship and occasional mentorship as the family makes its own way in Minnesota. We have not taken the time to review the past year and determine our future path. Since CtK has been helping refugees for many years, LSS has looked to us as a go-to congregation. However, in a recent conversation, the LSS director of immigrant assistance commented that this year s presidential campaign rhetoric has led to a great increase in volunteers. After two years of intense involvement, this may mean that we may have a little bench time if we choose. School Tools by Kay Christenson and Susan Nelson The School Tools drive for Bel Air and Highview was held in August and September. We collected bags of supplies and purchased boxes of supplies with money contributed. Volunteers delivered a van full to Bel Air and Highview. We also gave a $100 gift certificate to Bel Air for emergencies. One CtK family was outfitted with supplies also. The congregation was very generous and the schools were very thankful for all the needed help. Two large boxes of supplies and money were given to the Liberian drive. Plans are in the works for the 2016 drive. SUNNY by Regina Kaun Last summer was the fifth year for SUNNY, the summer lunch program to provide food for children who rely on free and reduced price school lunches during the school year. For the first time last year hot lunches were provided by Loaves and Fishes five days a week. On Fridays, two-day supplies of sandwich fixings along with servings of fruits, vegetables, and snacks were also available. A total of 2,222 lunches were provided. For several reasons, the plan for 2016 is to return to the original plan of providing two days of lunch provisions on Mondays Wednesdays, and Fridays. We need many volunteers, and welcome donations of snack or protein bars to supplement the lunches Ministry Reports

15 Worship and Music Every worship experience at Christ the King is uniquely crafted to currently respond to what God is up to in our midst and in the world as it s inspired by Word and Sacrament. Home-grown musicians and artists are continually being sought out and equipped to help lead this faith community and contribute to our collective song of praise and lament. In this way, we are relying more on the gifts God has already given us and not pretending to be something we are not. In our worship life together, we are living into who God is creating us to be. Highlights from We clothed ourselves in compassion throughout the year, reminding each other to be kind and careful when responding to the compassion first shown to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We welcomed new worship and music staff members, Nate Crary and Heather Nelson, at the onset of the program year. They have worked tirelessly to get to know and build partnerships with the varying individuals and groups of passionate people at CtK. A new monthly Spanish-language worship service has developed from the ever-growing partnership between leaders of Cristo Rey and CtK staff. How does your ministry reflect the identity, purpose, or calling of Christ the King? Worship and music ministries at CtK allow everyone to live more fully into our mission to gather, grow, and give. Worship is a reliable opportunity for members, new and experienced, to gather together to be reminded of God making good on God s promises. Every element in worship, from the readings to the sermon to the prayers to the music to the wine and wafers, nourish us and enable us to grow in our journey of faith. Worship does not stop at the back doors of the sanctuary, however, as it is the missional sling-shot that revives us in our ability to give of ourselves as we are sent to follow the way of Jesus Christ back out into the world. Goal 1 Continue to develop what we do on Sunday mornings in direct response to the themes derived from Worship and Music Study findings, considering what we need rather than what any one group or individual wants, and establishing more transparency in worship planning, providing consistent explanation that is sensitive to and meaningful for our sacred time together. The Sanctuary Choir sings at the Christmas Concert held on Sunday, Dec. 20, Goal 2 Continue to equip lay leaders of all abilities, interests, and availability to use their gifts and passion for the worship arts and hospitality, while fostering collaboration between music ensembles, individual musicians, CtK staff, committees, ministry leaders, teams, task forces, and worship volunteers to plan for worship together as it more boldly embodies the mission and vision of our church. Additional Goals Allow more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with one another and to find relevant meaning in what we do together in worship, as we seek to welcome the stranger Ministry Reports Page 15

16 Youth and Family Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. 1 Timothy 4: was an awesome year for youth ministry at Christ the King. I am very appreciative of the members of CtK who have given me the opportunity to minister to the youth of this community. The summer was very busy with activities and opportunities for our youth to serve and to have a camp experience. In June, I attended my 13 th service trip to the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee which is always an awesome trip for our high school students and a great way to serve alongside some amazing adults in our congregation. Working up at Irondale High School was a great way to connect weekly during the summer months with our high school youth who participate in summer conditioning. The rest of summer was busy with Camp Wapo. I assisted our Interim Pastoral Associate, Peter Christ, with confirmation on Wednesday nights. The confirmation students met in the chapel and fireside lounge for songs and a large group presentation before ending the night with their small group leaders. Nick Clark our past youth intern from Luther Seminary and current council member is a huge asset to our congregation and he and wife Liz teach the middle and high Bible Talk Doughnut Time (BTDT). We are fortunate to have them as part of our youth ministry team. I am thankful for the leadership provided by all of the pastors here at CtK along with the dedication of the staff, congregation council, and volunteers that we have has started out with a great Youth Musical. The musical written by high school students Rachael Peterson, London Frost, Matthew van Bruggen, Simon Grow- Hanson, and Nicole Zielsdorff. Entitled Like, the youth did an outstanding job of acting and singing. We traveled to Duluth and Benson, MN for an awesome weekend of spreading the Good News. The youth had a very warm response from our host congregation. The annual tour concluded with presenting three performances in front of CtK on Sunday, Feb. 28. The kids really spread a powerful message. A big thank you to Anne Van Bruggen, Nate Crary, Heather Nelson, along with the many volunteers for the countless hours spent to make the musical a huge success. All of you are an integral part of the youth ministry and I appreciate your support. I look forward to an exciting time for CtK and youth ministry as we enter into new stage with the addition of our new associate Snapshot from 2016 Youth Musical, Like. pastor John Schwehn. I eagerly await the new and exciting direction that our congregation is going to take as we pass along the faith. Thank you again for the opportunity to minister to the youth of this community. In His Name, Steve Fischer, Director of Youth and Family Ministry