September We are Central to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith.

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1 September 2018 Weekly TV Broadcast Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Charter Channel 986 Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. HBC Channel 20 We are Central to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith. I need your help. To be more precise, Central Lutheran Church (CLC) needs your help. In what way, you may ask? Hold that thought for a brief sidebar Pastor Mike Zaske Beginning of the brief sidebar: Star ting in a few weeks, the new fall wor ship schedule will be implemented. On a trial basis for the fall, the Worship and Welcome Committee has decided to make some small adjustments to our worship starting times. The first worship service on Sunday mornings will begin at 8:15, which is fifteen minutes later than last year s first service. The second Sunday service will begin at 10:15, which is fifteen minutes earlier than last year s second service. End of the brief sidebar. Here s why I say that I need your help. As is often true when something in our lives changes, that change throws us off. It feels strange at first. Frequently, our initial reaction to a change is somewhat negative. This is normal. Therefore I am requesting you all to have patience, and wait to pass judgment on these service time changes until a couple of months have passed. Instead of immediately making up your mind about the new starting times, let s allow some weeks to go by and see how it goes. Many times in my life, my opinion of something has changed fairly dramatically from my initial reaction. For example, the first time I tried spinach I was excited because Popeye the Sailor ate it. I guess my 6 year-old brain somehow thought that, if Popeye loved spinach so much, it was going to taste sweet like candy. I wasn t prepared for it to taste like a vegetable, and thus my first spinach experience left me unimpressed. But then, a while later, I had a fresh spinach salad. Then I had spinach on a sandwich. Then I learned that my best friend liked spinach. And it wasn t long before I realized that spinach was awesome! My point is that, after some time had passed, my initial reaction changed considerably. One of the primary reasons for experimenting with some slightly changed worship times is due to a troubling statistic: Just five years ago, in 2013, CLC was averaging 311 worshipers each week. Today, in 2018, that number is down to 207. There is an old business adage which says Nothing changes if nothing changes. If a business here in Winona saw a similar decline in its customer numbers, you can be certain that they would not keep doing everything exactly as they had been before. The same is true for us at CLC we must have hearts willing to try things to stay vibrant. The hopes of the Worship and Welcome Committee are that the tweaks to the service starting times will help us attract and retain more worshipers. Will it work? We ll see. So one more time I m asking for your help. I m asking you to keep an open mind this fall. I m asking you, out of love for CLC and the worshipers we hope to reach, to be willing to be flexible with regard to the worship starting times experiment. If the fifteen minute shifts help us share the good news of Jesus Christ with more people, that would be a marvelous thing! Thanks to all of you for your understanding! 259 W. Wabasha 1 Winona, MN

2 Upcoming Events Wednesday Night Workshop - Orientation Night Wed., Sept. 5, 7:00 p.m. 7:45 p.m. Grace Hall Wednesday Night Workshop (Confirmation) Parent and Student Orientation for grades 7 & 8. Gather Bible Study Thurs., Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m., Grace Hall Take part in a one-hour Bible Study on Turning to God, time after time in the September issue of Gather magazine. Coffee, conversation, and refreshments at 3:00 p.m. All women are welcome! Blessing of the Backpacks Sun., Sept. 9, 8:15 am & 10:15 am, during worship Sunday School Rally Day Sun., Sept. 9, 9:15 a.m., Fellowship Hall All families with children ages 3-12 are invited to attend. God s Work. Our Hands Sunday Sun., Sept. 9, 11:45 a.m., Grace Hall Join with members of Central Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Campus Center in a dedicated Day of Service. It is an opportunity to work together to make our world and community a better place. (Please see Opportunities to Serve) CLC Book Group Mon., Sept. 10 & 24, 9:30 a.m., Library Are you a completely committed follower of Jesus? Or are you a fan, close enough to get all the benefits but not so close that it requires sacrifice? Kyle Idleman will help us explore our relationship with Jesus in our next book "not a fan". Kyle Idleman identifies with those in the crowd in John 6 who thought Jesus was great but were really in it for the free meals. He brings us a powerful call to commitment and following Jesus with all our hearts. Join us for an hour every two weeks to explore your relationship with Jesus. For questions or more information call Gayle Garrity at Feast Community Meal Resumes Wed., Sept. 12, 4:45-6:00 p m, Grace Hall Wednesday Night Workshop Confirmation Wed., Sept. 12, 6:15-7:45 pm, Grace Hall Prayers for Healing Sun., Sept. 16, 8:15 & 10:15 a.m., worship services Prayers for healing are offered each third Sunday of the month in Holy Spirit Chapel (left) during communion. At any time before or after you commune you are invited to join the pastor in prayer for healing for yourself or someone else. Adult Forum Resumes Sun., Sept. 16, 9:15 a.m., Library Topics to be determined. This week we will discuss the lectionary readings. All are welcome. If you have questions, contact Julie Palubicki at jules364@gmail.com. Welcoming Table Mon., Sept. 17, 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m., Grace Hall Project Fine community meal. All are welcome! Prayer Shawl Gathering Mon., Sept. 24, 6:00 p.m., Central Lutheran Church Please join me for a gathering at the church. Bring your prayer shawls and we can visit and work on our shawls. If you are not working on a prayer shawl but would be interested in joining our group, please come to the gathering. No RSVP needed. Any questions, please contact Sheri Maier cell Welcoming All Engaging Worship Growing Faith Compassionate Service

3 Cross Lighting The leadership and parishioners of Central Lutheran would like to extend a word of gratitude to Bud Stevens for his big-hearted generosity which allowed us to complete the cross-lighting project in our sanctuary. Because of these new lights, we can now illuminate our beautiful hanging cross in literally hundreds of colors! Thank you, Bud, and Ed Berkley for your collaboration on making this possible! Central s Summer Blood Drive Thank You to the following for your service and outreach to the community at Central s summer blood drive: Dian Biesanz, LaVern Hauschildt and Myrna Olson for working; Nancy Hauschildt, Donna Peterson, Nancy Schneider, Sue Cooper, Myrna Olson, Julie Palubicki and Shari Hackbarth for providing food and of course the blood donors. Through your help we exceed our goal which was 29, total units collected was 33. All in all a good day. ~ Social Concerns/Mission Committee Vacation Bible School Thank you to everyone who assisted with Vacation Bible School under the leadership of Shana Johnson, Tammy Swenson-Lepper, and Evan Fitzsimmons. A special thank you to the high school students involved with hockey, soccer, swimming, and basketball who came to spend time at VBS and live out their ministry of faith by being an example of caring, interested "older kids" for our younger students. This ministry and our other ministries for our youth cannot happen without involved adults. We have set youth work as a priority, the financial support of this congregation is great but we also need people to assist with carrying out the tasks. It is important and really fun. Talk to Evan about how you can help- there are many different ways you can make a difference. ~ Church Council July Food Basket Good news for July: 479 lbs of non-perishable food and $ in cash. Our total for July when the cash was converted to pounds came to 901 lbs. Our grand total so far is now 4431 lbs. Thank you for sharing so that all can be fed. ~ Social Concerns/ Missions Committee Notices The Winona HIMS The Winona HIMS 16 th Annual Gospel Concert will be held this year at the Pleasant Valley Church. The three shows are on Friday, September 7PM and Saturday, September 2PM and 7PM. The guest artist joining them will be Christian Crossings from Lewiston, MN. Tickets are $10 and available at The Friendship Center, Burggraf s Ace Hardware, Hardt s Music, Midtown Foods, Winona Hy-Vee, and any HIMS member. The Winona HIMS are an all men s chorus singing gospel and patriotic music. Proceeds from their shows benefit local charities. Hope Harbor and the Elder Network are this year s beneficiaries. About Welcoming Table Welcoming Table is a new opportunity in our community to build bridges across cultural groups in a positive, relational setting. Project Fine, a local nonprofit whose vision is to create a respectful and sensitive community, has received a grant from the Laura Jane Musser foundation to bring the Welcoming Table to Winona. Every third Monday of each month alternating between 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m., there will be a meal served at Central Lutheran Church to bring together a diverse group of neighbors for a meal and conversation. This is a great opportunity for our congregation to support this multi-cultural project and have fun too. Engaging Children in Worship To engage children in worship more and educate them about church we are starting "Worship Notes" for kids ages You can find one copy in each of the busy bags with additional copies near the Huff St. doors. Kids who completely fill them out during service can bring them to the back near the Huff St. doors after service to receive a prize! Make sure to come up for children's time so you can fill that part out too! Stay Informed Sign up for Central s weekly e-news & monthly newsletter. Sign up on the church website at centrallutheranchurch.org/newsletter/ Rides Needed? Anyone that lives in Winona and wants a ride to the 10:15am Sunday worship service, please contact Lou Anne at We are Central to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith W. Wabasha Winona, MN

4 Library NEW In The Library Saving Images: The Presence of the Bible in Christian Liturgy by Gordon Lathrop. This new & well regarded book was reviewed in a recent issue of Christian Century. Gordon Lathrop taught worship/liturgics at both Warburg & Philadelphia Seminaries. You will find the book in our library s section marked Living Our Faith. All sections are alphabetized by author. WELCA WELCA Supporting God s Work. Our Hand. WELCA is supporting God s Work. Our Hands. for our September activity. Come join us at church September 9 th to participate in this meaningful day of service. Planning is underway for new WELCA events, so stay turned. Council Summary Council Meeting, Tuesday July 17, 2018 Present: Gayle Garrity, Bill Pfaff, Paul Ness, Marie Holmquist, Carol Kramer, Judy Davis, Dian Biesanz and Pastor Zaske Call to order by Gayle at 5:00 PM Devotions led by Pastor Zaske Council minutes for June, Treasurer s report and staff and committee reports were approved. OLD BUSINESS: Call committee update given by Bill Cross lighting was discussed; all issues and questions are resolved and answered. Update for donor/gift giving policy; Judy, Dian and Kelly all have current copies of the policy and will meet soon to go over and rewrite/update any part of the policy in question. In that vein, we are pleased to accept the donation of Erik s piano to Central; this motion was made by Paul, second by Bill and carried. The forum held on July 1 was well attended and many comments were made and questions asked. We are still waiting for input from congregation members to the questions asked on the survey and will continue to discuss. Stewardship (on the agenda) will be discussed more in detail at August meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Worship, music and the arts director position has been finalized and Aleah Harvey will be starting at Central on August 6 th. Welcoming All Engaging Worship A staff appreciation will be held on Sunday August 26 th to honor and thank our most wonderful staff members... more details later. WSU move-in day is covered... water and treats will be offered to incoming freshman and their families. Approval was made to purchase a printer for Marilyn motion was made by Paul, second by Judy; motion carried. Bill was assigned the action to talk to Ed Berkley and find out what happened to the sheet music Erik took to a storage locker. Discussion for fall 2018 schedule: The council is planning on changing the regular Wednesday night service by including the confirmation students as an integral part of the service. This service would start at 6:15 and conclude at 7:00 so as not to conflict with confirmation education. The council is contemplating going to one Sunday service only and this change would occur in January thru Easter (on a trial basis). The months of September thru December 31 would be the traditional two service agenda. After January 1 the one service time is undetermined as is the start time for Sunday School. Between now and January, stakeholders, i.e., Sunday School teachers and parents would be asked for their input. Judy motioned to adjourn Dian Biesanz, Council Secretary Growing Faith Compassionate Service 4

5 Opportunities to Serve Share your time & talents God s Work. Our Hands Sunday Sun., Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m., Grace Hall Join with members of Central Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Campus Center in a dedicated Day of Service. It is an opportunity to work together to make our world and community a better place. Opportunities to serve: Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Assist in the assembly of kits in the Green Room of CLC. Project will begin immediately after the luncheon. Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer to work under the supervision of Habitat staff on a project currently in progress in Winona. The crew will assemble immediately after the luncheon. The Winona Warming Center. Assist center staff in preparing for the season of ministry to the homeless in Winona. A 12:45pm start time is anticipated. Visitation to Homebound Church Members. Volunteers will be matched with 1 to 2 homebound members of our congregation. You will be asked to contact the person to set a time for a visit. It may be done following the luncheon or at another time convenient for your schedule. Cookies will be provided to take on the visit. Garden in the Community. Assist with preparing the Winona Health Gardens for an Open House. Tasks will be weeding, raking, deadheading and trimming. Date and Time: Wednesday, September 5 th from 9-11am. Bake for The FEAST. Rice Krispie Bars and Chocolate Chip Cookies will be prepared in the Central Lutheran Church kitchen immediately after the luncheon. Cookies will be used for the Wednesday evening community dinners. GWOH s Luncheon Crew. Assist with lunch preparation beginning at 10:30am, Sunday, September 9 in Central s Grace Hall. Duties will be making Sandwiches, cutting fruit, etc., assist with serving and clean-up. Lunch for volunteers at 11:45am in Grace Hall. Central Lutheran Chairpersons, Bev Spande and Kathy Benke, Planned with the support of Thrivent Financial Opportunities to Give Building Fund Gifts to the Building Fund in July totaled $ 2, The mortgage payment was $3,146. Please help with an extra gift to ensure that we meet our mortgage obligations and keep other ministries and programs strong. Our remaining mortgage balance is only $343, and we want it to keep decreasing! Make your check payable to CLC Building Fund, or set up an automatic monthly gift with the form available on our website or in the church office. Thank you! Convenient Giving You can make an automatic gift to Central Lutheran Church from your savings or checking account once a week, once a month or twice a month. Pick up the form in the entrance, or check out other automatic giving options on Central s web site. 5

6 Worship & Music News-Aleah Harvey, Director of Worship, Music & Arts Greetings! I am excited to serve as your Director of Worship, Music, and Arts! Having been involved in church music and leadership from a young age, I recognize that music and arts are powerful elements of worshiping God and in connecting with God and each other. I enjoy collaboration and look forward to working with you in developing the worship, music, and arts experiences at Central Lutheran! Clearly, this is a congregation with many gifts and abilities. My Bio I graduated from Saint Mary s University, Winona, MN, with a BA in piano performance and am in process of earning my MBA. For the last twelve years, I have held the positions of Organist and Music Director and have performed in regional vocal, piano, and organ events. I have also offered piano instruction to students of all ages for close to twenty years. I live in Winona with my husband and two daughters. I enjoy many different types of music, boating with my family, traveling, and experiencing the beauty of our bluffs and river city. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and greatly value your support. Fall Programming at Central There is a rich history of music and arts at Central Lutheran! I intend to continue and develop the programming that other individuals have begun before me. I hope that you will participate in and support the following: Children s Choir Rehearsals will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 4:45-5:15 starting Sept. 5th. As a parent, I know that evenings and dinner-time can be stressful. Please bring your grade K-6 children for rehearsal in the sanctuary and stay for dinner at the FEAST. We will sing and perform a variety of fun music! Adult Choir We will rehearse as one group weekly on Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, in the sanctuary, beginning Sept. 6th. At the first rehearsal, we will discuss performance possibilities and make decisions as a group. I hope that you will join us! Special Music If you are interested in providing special music during a service, please contact me! Worship Leaders There are many opportunities to assist with worship services as a lector or reader, communion assistant, assisting minister, usher and greeter. For more information, contact me or go to: Music & Arts Upcoming Event Choral Arts Ensemble, Sunday, Oct. 14 th, 2018, 3-5 pm, at Central Lutheran Church Winona State University Choir, Oct. 27 th, 2018, 7:30-9:30 pm, at Central Lutheran Church 6

7 From Pastor Corrine Winona Lutheran Campus Center "The LCC has set my heart on fire..." One graduate's story Paul, a 2015 graduate from Saint Mary's University in Winona, recently sent a message to me, updating me on his life and what the LCC has meant to him. With his permission, I share his powerful testimony with you. Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire. These are the words that describe my experience at the Lutheran Campus Center in Winona, MN. Prayer has been an important part of my life, and it is what holds together a community of believers. My experience at the LCC has set my heart on fire to do great things for the Lord through the weekly Independent Theo and worship on Sundays. I felt more confident, then, to face the everyday challenges in my life through prayer and trusting the Lord. I am currently an active member of Roncalli Newman Center in La Crosse, WI and Associate Member of the ELCA. My involvements in the ELCA include attending annual meetings and spiritual support."--paul Let's back up... I met Paul at Saint Mary's University during the Lasallian Week of Peace after I preached at an ecumenical service. We talked during the reception, and I invited Paul to come to "Independent Theo," based on his expressed interests and questions. Independent Theo, (short for theology), is a time in which students gather to discuss current events in the world, on campus, questions they have, but have been too afraid to ask elsewhere, and those "2am thoughts" that keep us up at night. When Paul was a regular of Independent Theo, our group was an ecletic mix of Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopalian, Jewish, non-denominational, searching, and one I dubbed the most spiritual atheist I've ever met. We ended our conversations that semester with a poem by St. Catherine of Siena and gregarious laughter when a couple students started saying: "St. Catherine of Sienaaaa! Holla at your girl!" St. Catherine became "our girl," our patron saint of Independent Theo, and it happened "by accident." It happened, because I simply read a poem at the end of our time, and we realized I kept landing on poems by St. Catherine of Siena. Perhaps this was no coincidence after all, as St. Catherine is the patronness of, among others, people ridiculed for their faith. Independent Theo, as it is, is a place for students to risk sharing questions and ideas that might otherwise cause ridicule, or skepticism. In our hodge podge group, though, the questions and ideas are fertile ground for a deepening of faith, love, hope, joy, and peace. (I do not say that lightly; I have witnessed this time and again and am humbled by it each time.) One more thing... When Paul says his involvement in the ELCA includes spiritual support, part of what he means is prayer. Prayer is, as he shared, an important part of his life, and Paul has been praying the rosary for the ministry of the Lutheran Campus Center for over three years. He has also been praying the rosary for my children and me. I can't tell you what that means to me and how much in awe I am over all of this. Over Paul's faith, God's gifts, and the impact we have as a community- you, dear friend of the LCC, included. Thank you, as always, for all you do. With peace & joy & humble gratitude, Pastor Corrine Haulotte 7

8 8 Wednesday Night Youth Schedule Summer Youth is coming to a close, and Wednesday Night Workshop/Fall Youth are right around the corner. There are lots of opportunities to get involved and SERVE!!! Our goal this Fall is to get youth more involved, whether it s in worship Wednesday night or serving as helpers to our programs. 4:45 6:00 Meal 6:15 7:45 Confirmation (Middle School) 7:45 8:45 High School Youth Sept. 9: God s Work Our Hands Central Lutheran Youth: Opportunities to SERVE After the 10:15 service, Bev Spande & Evan Fitzsimmons have arranged to make blankets for children in need. We will send blankets to the Family & Children Center here in Winona. Youth Sunday School Helpers Sunday School is between services from 9:15am 10:15am Amber Mlynczak is in need of extra help during Sunday School and feels this could be a great way to connect the younger kids with the older kids Responsibilities: Be another pair of hands (help cut, color, glue, etc.) Sit with kids (model behavior, help them focus on teacher, make friends) Opportunities to teach (skills working with children) High School Confirmation Helpers Wednesday Nights, Pastor Mike & Evan Fitzsimmons are looking to get high school helpers to assist with Wednesday Night Workshop from 7:00 7:45 Responsibilities: Be another pair of hands (help cut, color, glue, etc.) Sit with kids (model behavior, help them focus on teacher, make friends) Opportunities to teach (skills working with children) I also wanted to take the time to address to an upcoming change at Central Lutheran Church, and that is that I am going to be taking a youth position at a Lutheran church in Greenville, South Carolina. I sent in my resignation but I asked to stay with Central at the beginning of the school year to launch Wednesday Night Workshop and the Fall Youth Program. I am hoping this will ease the transition process a little bit. Central Lutheran has provided me a year of learning and growth that I will be forever thankful for, but sadly I feel called to a different church. I also feel urged to be closer to my family. I will be moving back south and starting with my new congregation on October 15. Your prayers are appreciated during this time for both me and my family, the Youth of Central Lutheran, the congregation & church staff. I will write a more formal farewell in the next Newsletter. I m still here for a while and I m always open to talk. God s Peace Evan Fitzsimmons, Dir of Youth Ministries Youth News

9 September 2018 Mission: Provide the building blocks of child care by creating learning opportunities infused with faith while supporting the whole family Central Lutheran Church Child Care Center in the Community Our children spend time in the community at the many different places and activities that the Winona community finds important to have for our children. The Library has wonderful programing for the all children to enjoy learning during the summer months. We are always on the go to the many parks in the area, they even were able to get to LARK toys along with the Eagle Center. Sometimes we even get to see siblings when we out and about. Questions, please contact us 9 Making Memories with our youngest community members! Here are pictures of our younger children having summer fun 2018! Phone childclc@hbci.com

10 Financial Report Operating Fund July 2018 Total Income: $39, Total Expenses: $46, Offering Goal Aug $40, Thank you for your support of Central s ministry. Mortgage Monthly payments for interest and principal: July $3,146 Gifts for Building July: $1,051 Gifts for additional mortgage principal reduction July: $ 190 Mortgage principal balance on Aug 1: $339, Gifts in memory or honor MEMORIALS July18 THRU Aug 14, 2018 Designated Gifts in July UNDESIGNATED Memory of Dave Delano Given by Harlan & Kathy Sebo Given by George & Mary Lou Johnson Memory of Anita Ruff Given by Jerry Whetstone Given by Marian Mason Given by Marjorie & Ralph Perry Given by Cyril & Janice Myren Given by Dennis & Marlys Johnson Given by Geraldine Williams Memory of Erik Floan Given by Jerry Whetstone Memory of Mervin Tripp Given by Marian Mason Memory of Jeff Boelter Given by Geraldine Williams Memory of Sophia Moe Given by Judy Benson FEAST Memory of Roger Garrison Given by Marilyn Marquardt YOUTH Memory of LaDonna Kruse Given by Louanne Schwarz Given by Scott & Kathleen Turner Given by Harold Christensen Given by Arleen Larsen Given by Donald & Diane Bergler Given by Anthony & Rebecca Speltz Given by Carol Knorr Given by Lorraine Glanzer Given by Donald & Phyllis Fick Given by Helen Keiper Given by Geraldine Williams Given by Scott & Kathleen Turner Given by Dewayne & Marie Exe Given by Marian Mason Given by Bradley & Kathryn Benke Memory of Sophia Moe Given by Arnold & Alanna Fenske Given by Susan Cooper MUSIC & ARTS Memory of Erik Floan Given by Beverly Spande Given by Solveig & George Carlson BUILDING FUND Memory of Mervin Tripp Given by Beverly Spande IN HONOR OF Arnold & Alanna Fenske 64 th Anniversary DONATIONS Cross Lighting Given by Earl Bud Stevens Laser Printer for Finance Given by CLC WELCA Women CLCWELCA- $ Funeral Fund- $ Missions Envelopes - $ World Hunger $ Winona Volunteer Services - $ Music & Arts - $80.00 Youth Fund -$ Sunday School $10.00 Feast $

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12 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # W. Wabasha Winona, MN Return Service Requested Fall Worship Schedule begins Wednesday, September 5 & Sunday, September 9 Wednesday Worship 6:15 pm Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:15 am Sunday School/Adult Education 9:15 am 12