We welcome EVERYONE! March 2018 FROM YOUR PASTOR HOW YOU CAN HELP

Transcription

1 We welcome EVERYONE! March 2018 UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PROCTOR FROM YOUR PASTOR Grace and peace to you as we continue our journey through Lent, I have always enjoyed the rituals and rhythms of the Lenten season. You all know that worship is at the heart of our faith, and is my favorite part of being your pastor. During Lent we change the Sunday liturgy in ways that cause us to reflect on worship itself. This year we are fasting from the sending hymn. It feels odd, like an old friend is missing. Once Easter arrives, singing that final hymn will be an extra-joyful experience. Lent also brings Wednesday night worship and soup suppers. It is nice to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ for fellowship and encouragement during this time of fasting and prayer. Most things don t last. But Lent helps us practice our faith, a faith that believes that death isn t the end. Take heart this month, and be encouraged in your faith. God is able to make all things new. This season is passing away. New life follows. Peace+ Pastor Kowitz But more than the worship and the food, I enjoy Lent because it prepares me for the new life that God has in store for us. The resurrection to new life that we celebrate at Easter doesn t make sense without the struggle and death that proceeds it. If Jesus never died, he wouldn t need to be raised from the dead. If we keep limping along, postponing death, we won t ever experience new life either. Lent reminds me that it is alright for things to die. It is okay if we no longer do something that we ve done in the past. It s fine to say goodbye to this or that. HOW YOU CAN HELP YOU ARE NEEDED to help serve coffee after worship each Sunday. Sign up with a friend. All you have to do is bring a treat to share. Coffee and Kool-Aid are provided in the kitchen. Check the clipboard on the table in the narthex and pick your Sunday(s).

2 THE ELCA YOUTH GATHERING June 27 July 1, 2018 Key Information for Youth and Parents Who can go to the Gathering? Youth who have COMPLETED 8th through 12th grade. What does this trip cost? Approximately $ $1800 per participant. Much of the cost will be paid for with Fundraisers at church and in the community, gifts from family and friends, and some support from the Annual Budget. To secure a place on this trip, there is a $200 deposit due now. How will we get to Houston? We will fly! Hopefully we can secure tickets from Duluth, but we may depart from and return to the Twin Cities. Who is leading the trip? Pastor Kowitz and Josie Steinmetz are the male and female leaders. If we have more than 8 ladies attending we will add another female leader. Same for gents: if more than 8 go to Houston, another male leader goes. HOMEBOUND VISITS Are you no longer able to attend church? Would you like a visitor from your church family? Please contact the church office at on weekday mornings. Someone from the Fellowship Committee would be happy to visit you periodically. Even though you are not able to come to church, we want you to know that we care about you. THIRSTY THURSDAY THEOLOGY MAR. 8TH Thirsty Theology Bible study meets on the second Thursday of the month at Black Woods in Proctor at 8:00 p.m. Join the group and Pastor Kowitz for conversation and Bible Study in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly chats. Alcohol is optional; discussion is encouraged; fellowship is inevitable! ONLINE GIVING Keep God at the top of your giving list! Giving online is easy, secure and takes only a couple of minutes. You can also create an account which will allow you to save your donor information and edit your recurring gift after your initial gift is made. Account creation is easy and secure! To find more details about it, please see our website proctorlutheran.org/giving Note: To those already set up, no further action is necessary. Your online giving will continue as always.

3 UNITED LUTHERAN S BOOK CLUB Join us on Sat., Mar. 2 nd, 9:30 a.m. at the Field Station Café in Proctor to discuss: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander Once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement. The New Jim Crow is such a book. Praised by Harvard law professor Lani Guinier as "brave and bold," this book directly challenges the notion that the election of Barack Obama signals a new era of colorblindness. With dazzling candor, legal scholar Michelle Alexander argues that "we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it." By targeting black men through the War on Drugs and decimating communities of color the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control--relegating millions to a permanent second-class status--even as it formally adheres to the principle of colorblindness. In the words of Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, this book is a "call to action." CAMP SUNDAY SUCCESS! Because of your generous donations the youth raised over $800 to help get them to camp this summer! Did you miss out on Camp Sunday? Don t worry...your generous donations will continue to be gladly accepted, just note Campership on your check memo line and included it with your regular Sunday offering! Thanks again from the United Lutheran VLM Campers Thank you to all the fabulous members of United Lutheran that attended Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry Camp Sunday and the delicious sloppy joe luncheon for the Campership fundraiser to help send our congregation s youth to Camp Hiawatha or Camp Vermilion this summer.

4 Worship Leaders for March Volunteer Church Cleaners MARCH 4th: Chapel Service Usher: Barb & Joe Omundson Assisting Minister: Amelie Livingston Reader: Karen Nolin Ushers: Jan Lockwood & Marge Lind Greeters: John and Karen Nolin Acolyte: Autumn Walters Council Person of the Week: Steve Grabko Counters: Marge Lind & Jan Lockwood MARCH 18th: Chapel Service Usher: Gordy Westindorf Assisting Minister: Linda Southerton Reader: Chris Pasek Ushers: Reg Southerton Greeters: Jim & Betty Merling Acolyte: Allana Carlson Council Person of the Week: Carolyn Johnson Counters: Peggy Jugasek & Betty Merling MARCH 11th: Chapel Service Usher: Janice Anderson Assisting Minister: Shannon Jorgenson Reader: Bonnie Maeckelbergh Ushers: Claudia Gannucci Greeters: Marilyn Lee Acolyte: Carter Kowitz Council Person of the Week: Chris Pasek Counters: Linda Rohweder & Claudia Gannucci MARCH 25th: Chapel Service Usher: Needed Assisting Minister: Jim Kmecik Reader: Needed Ushers: Needed Greeters: Needed Acolyte: Zach Johnson Council Person of the Week: Tim Jorgenson Counters: Theresa Nyberg & Needed Mar Sue & Tom Shelerud Mar Dave & Kalie Sletten Mar Donell & Marc Smith Mar Reg & Linda Southerton THANK YOU FOR CARING! NEW MEMBER SUNDAY IS MAY 20TH If you and yours have been thinking about officially joining United Lutheran Church of Proctor, add this date to your calendar. Active members of United attend worship regularly, financially support the mission and ministry, and participate in decision making. If you have been a member of another congregation, it s easy to transfer your membership. If you aren t on the rolls of another congregation, then you simply join. Pastor Kowitz will offer a set of classes during Adult Sunday school in April and May (more details to follow). New members will be matched with current members as their sponsor. Contact Pastor Kowitz for more details.

5 UNITED LUTHERAN'S OUTREACH TO THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY United Lutheran of Proctor continues to serve our neighbors experiencing food insecurity just as the former Immanuel and Bethlehem churches have done for many years. Food insecurity means access to adequate food is inconsistent and limited by a lack of money and other resources throughout the year. Food insecure households report their diets to be of reduced quality, variety, or desirability and/or experience disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. Previously each church had a team of volunteers to staff the Proctor Area Food Shelf one Wednesday each month. With our coming together we continue as United Lutheran to staff the food shelf 2 Wednesdays each month. The other Wednesdays are staffed by St. Rose Catholic Church and Forbes United Methodist Church. Our teams include 19 faithful volunteers who generously give of their time to provide food two times every month. A team members are: Jan Lockwood, Ardythe Graves, Dan Saarela, Kathy and Dick Jazdzewski, Marge Lind, Jackie Mann, Shirley Swanson, Claudia Gannucci and Glen Snyder. B team members are: Linda and Reg Southerton, Gwen Nelson, Jan Bakke, Marilyn Lee, Karen Hart, Nancy Sutton, Claudia Molitor, Marty and Steve Jonland. Linda serves as a codirector with Scott and Vicki Schneider. Dan Rohweder is chair of the food shelf board. Linda is very thankful to all these people who do a wonderful job providing food in a respectful and loving way. It is very difficult for clients in need to come to the food shelf. In 2017 the food shelf served 145 households, distributing 36,267 pounds of food. Through the food shelf we are involved in the ELCA mission of God's work, our hands. The Proctor Area Food Shelf of course needs funds and food donations to operate. About 80% of our funding comes from the Proctor community with the majority of those donations coming from individual offerings from the area churches. Our church does not support this mission through the general fund, but relies on the donations given during the Minnesota March Food Campaign. United Lutheran will again be asking our congregation to generously give to this campaign from March 4th through Easter Sunday. In 2017 the combined giving for Immanuel and Bethlehem totaled $2,957 and 202# of food. This year we are hoping to increase those numbers. Forbes alone donated $3, and 389#. St. Rose donated $2,785 and 268#. Let's see if we can win the 2018 Campbell's Soup can trophy for most donations. The food donation should be increased because a Thrivent Action Project has been

6 approved to use $250 from Thrivent to purchase food during the campaign. Also food donations from the congregation will be accepted weekly in the baskets found in the entryway. Cash donations purchase food more efficiently because food can be bought from Second Harvest Food Bank at a significantly reduced price. Please write any checks for the campaign to United Lutheran Church. In the memo section designate food shelf. Drop them in the offering plate or bring to the church office. Also designate any cash donation to food shelf. The church will then write a check for the total to the Proctor Area Food Shelf. Total raised for the Proctor Area Food Shelf throughout the community will be reported to The Minnesota March Food Share Campaign organization. They will provide an additional Food Fund financial allocation. During this Lenten season let us truly reflect on the amount each of us will give. Let's make this March a truly great testament to loving our neighbors.! CALLED HOME A Memorial service will be held for LUKE SAARELA. Born on May 4, 1979 in Duluth, MN, he died peacefully surrounded by family in Proctor on February 14, The service starts at 1:00 p.m. on March 10 th at Solway Town Hall at the intersection of Highway 2 and Munger Shaw Road. READY FOR COLLEGE? CHOOSE LUTHERAN! Why go Lutheran? An important part of finding the right college is knowing what you think is important, both about yourself and about the colleges you are considering. You ll find more than 20 ELCA Colleges and Universities are committed to your success and vocational journey. Start your search today at whygolutheran.org POWER IN PRAYER All prayer requests can be called to Jan Bakke or submitted online: htttp:// All requests are important and we welcome any of your concerns.

7 THEOLOGY UNCAPPED THURSDAY, APRIL 26 TH, 6:30 P.M A series of theological discussions reviewing both the Catholic and Protestant perspective; topic of this evening will be : The Virgin Mary Featuring Father Richard Kunst, Pastor of St. John's Duluth and St. Joseph's in Gnesen and Pastor Peter Kowitz of United Lutheran Church of Proctor Cost: $20 for admission. Includes Meal and Choice of Beverage (Beer, Wine or Soda) Seating is Limited Register here: Location: St. Benedict's Church 1419 St. Benedict Street Duluth, MN FED AND FORGIVEN Fed and Forgiven, our congregation s First Communion Class will be held on Sunday, March 25 th from 12:30 to 3:30pm. This class is for those that have never taken communion before and a parent. This session begins with a meal (provided by the church) and includes the biblical roots of communion and training in how we receive communion at United. Register with the church office or Pastor Kowitz so we have enough materials ready and food for all. WORSHIP SCHEDULE Chapel Service 8:15 a.m. Christian Education 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Fellowship following worship

8 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE MARCH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 2 Stephanie Torgeson 3 Dennis Palm 5 Robert Schwarz, Arlene Thygeson 6 Marty Lonland, Andrew Rohweder 10 Terri Carlson 12 Mary Ann Lusti 13 Gerald Grote 15 Cathy Myhre, Paula Peterson, Gabriella Cuypers, Julie Landowski 16 Sheryl Romano 18 Leanne Shevchuk 21 Wayne Fechner, Samantha Torgeson, Marsha Sather 22 Terri Malec, Kate Shelerud 23 Sue Schwarz 26 Bonnie Timm, Scott Lonne 27 Carrie Torgeson 28 Isabella Cuypers 29 Krista Leach WARMEST BIRTHDAY WISHES TO YOU!

9 CAMP HIAWATHA AND CAMP VERMILION WORK DAYS 2018 Rally the members of your congregation! We are preparing both sites for our summer camp season, and we can't do that without YOUR help! Hiawatha Saturday, April 28th Vermilion Saturday, May 19th Accommodations are available for those arriving on Friday night. Registration and rolls begin at 8am. Lunch provided at 12:30pm. Work will continue in the afternoon as long as we have hands on deck! If you have ideas for a specific project, please contact the VLM office ahead of time at UPCOMING EVENTS: Junior High Rejuve February Camp Vermilion Elementary Rejuve March 2-3 Camp Hiawatha Elementary Rejuve March Camp Vermilion Family Overnight April Camp Hiawatha YourStory Retreat 3 April Camp Vermilion Hiawatha Work Day April 28 Camp Hiawatha Family Overnight May Camp Vermilion Vermilion Work Day May 19 Camp Vermilion Visit for more information call our office (218) to register today! vlm@vlmcamps.org Camp Hiawatha, Camp Hiawatha Road, Deer River, MN Camp Vermilion, 2555 Vermilion Camp Road, Cook, MN SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE! Each Sunday Pastor Kowitz leads an adult Christian Education class. Currently we are using a new book called "By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther's Small Catechism." We will spend at least two weeks on each topic, so come when you can. You don't have to show up every week. Meet us in the conference room at 9 a.m.

10 GETTING TO KNOW YOU SONJA CARLSON COUNCIL MEMBER Sonja s role on council recently changed from Secretary to the Education Liaison. Organizational skills are just one requirement as Secretary and Sonja served us well! Thank you, Sonja! As the Education liaison, she keeps the Council informed of the activities and happenings surrounding our Christian Education initiatives. Her connection to education and Sunday School is strong. Twelve years ago when starting her oldest daughter in Sunday School, she agreed to help teach and has been teaching ever since. She started teaching the 5th and 6th graders choosing to teach the grade levels that are opposite of her own children s ages so that they may be exposed to the teachings of others. Since her children are now older, she teaches the younger kiddos. Teaching Sunday School fulfills her in so many ways but she especially loves watching the light go on with the children and see how they connect what they learn in Sunday School with what they hear in church. She loves to help them learn, grow and know their faith. Sonja s greatest joy is her children. Her husband of 20 years, Allan and herself are the proud parents of the A-team! Adrianna, age 18, Ariel 16, Allana 13 & Austin who is 8. She enjoys being their #1 Cheerleader in life and all the activities that they participate in. Sonja was raised on a family dairy farm in WI where her faith journey began at a young age when she would spend time with her grandma at church circle events and helped at many different church functions. She currently works as a Teacher Assistant at Mesabi Preschool Academy in Proctor where she shares her faith in teaching the Bible lesson for the week and helps guide these beautiful little minds as they grow into students. Sonja also had the pleasure of being elected as an adult voting member at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans representing the Lake Superior Conference of the NEMN Synod in the summer of 2016, where she thoroughly enjoyed getting to know fellow members of the ELCA and the experience of the business aspect of the larger church while worshiping together with friends from all over the country. She is also a passionate advocate for Voyagers Lutheran Ministry and getting youth to Camp to experience all that outdoor ministry can help & guide them through some of the most difficult teen years. She is one of the principal organizers of Day Camp which offers the youth in our community a camp experience right in our own congregation. We are blessed to have her passion and enthusiasm and positive spirit! A couple fun facts: She is a certified scuba diver and dove 100 feet underwater in Jamaica. She also wants to travel to Norway someday to visit relatives. She had a relative pen pal during her high school years. The best advice that Sonja has been given is: Do not measure your life in the years but in your accomplishments. When extraordinary situations arise, she remembers a verse that is mentioned many times in the Bible: Do not be afraid.

11 UNITED LUTHER CHURCH OF PROCTOR March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Love one another, 10 a.m. Quilting as He has loved us... 6 p.m. 12 Step Group :15 a.m. Chapel Service 9 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Fellowship after worship New Dream Team meeting after worship 5 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 6 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7 p.m. Proctor A.A. meeting 7 1 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. ACT Youth Group at Forbes 6 p.m. Lenten meal 7 p.m. Lenten Worship 8 10 a.m. Quilting 6 p.m. 12 Step Group 8 p.m. Thirsty Theology at Proctor Blackwoods :30 a.m. Book Club at Field Station Cafe 11 8:15 a.m. Chapel Service 9 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Fellowship after worship 12 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 13 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7 p.m. Proctor A.A. meeting 14 1 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. ACT Youth Group at Forbes 6 p.m. Lenten meal 7 p.m. Lenten Worship a.m. Quilting 6 p.m. 12 Step Group :15 a.m. Chapel Service 9 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Fellowship after worship 19 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 20 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7 p.m. Proctor A.A. meeting 21 1 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. ACT Youth Group at Forbes 6 p.m. Lenten meal 7 p.m. Lenten Worship a.m. Quilting 6 p.m. 12 Step Group Palm Sunday 8:15 a.m. Chapel Service 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school 10 a.m. Worship Fellowship after worship 12:30-3:30 p.m. First Communion Class 26 No Boy Scouts 27 No Cub Scouts 7 p.m. Proctor A.A. meeting 28 1 p.m. Bible Study 29 Maundy Thursday 10 a.m. Quilting 6 p.m. 12 Step Group 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship service 30 Good Friday 7 p.m. A.C.T. Good Friday Worship service at Forbes Methodist 31

12 We welcome EVERYONE! United Lutheran Church of Proctor 701 Third Avenue Proctor, MN Northeastern Minnesota Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America God s work: Our hands. If you need more information or have questions, please contact the church office at NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DULUTH, MN PERMIT NO. 122 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS You will be welcomed at each of the following: Chapel Service at 8:15 a.m. (Word of God and Holy Communion, with an abridged liturgy) Christian Education at 9 a.m. Worship Service at 10 a.m. (Full liturgy plus other celebrations like baptisms, new members, choir) Fellowship to follow worship service Within this newsletter are the various events hosted by our church in the coming weeks. You are invited to these activities, as well, and we hope you'll attend. UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PROCTOR office phone: Pr. Kowitz cell: office@proctorlutheran.org pastor@proctorlutheran.org council@proctorlutheran.org Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/proctorlutheran