The Church Bell March 2019

Transcription

1 Salem Lutheran Church The Church Bell March 2019 Rooted in Christ, to Love, Grow & Serve

2 Join us for WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIP March 13 - April 10 6pm SNOW SHOVELERS NEEDED Stop by the church office to sign up for a week or more to help keep Salem s sidewalks safe from slippery snow. Questions call the church office. CALL RON: FOR APPOINTMENTS At Salem on Thursdays thru April 11 to prepare free tax returns for Longville area Seniors. Hours are by Appointments: 8:30-11am Walk-ins: 11am - 1pm MINNESOTA FOOD SHARE CAMPAIGN It s Food Share Month from Monday, February 25 - Sunday, April 7th! We are once again asking congregations in our area to join us in the effort to support our local food shelf and help provide struggling individuals with the most basic human need - food. In 2018, we helped 545 local seniors and adults, and 406 children (unduplicated numbers) that suffer from hunger and food insecurity - many who must choose from paying rent, buying gas, or buying food. Your contributions - no matter how small - help us to wage the war against hunger. People are struggling and your compassion and generosity will help us meet this basic need. Last year it cost $67,000 for food. The vast majority of our monies come to us in the March Campaign. Remember 100% of your donation is spent for food! ALL overhead costs are covered by proceeds from Tossed & Found Boutique. Please send donations to Longville Area Food Shelf, Inc. PO Box 308 Longville, MN On behalf of the many hungry kids, seniors and families that you will help, THANK YOU! Toni Sausman, Manager For more information about becoming a Member, Associate Member or Friend of Salem, please contact Pr. Trish. ALL ARE WELCOME HERE CARPET FUND The total funds needed to replace the worn carpet has been accomplished!!! A huge THANK YOU to all who contributed to accomplish this. The plan is to install the carpet tiles the first two weeks of March. We will keep you updated. Thank you, The Property Team WEDNESDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAYS AT 4PM Our current Book/Bible Study is Unafraid by Pastor Adam Hamilton All are welcome! Call Pr. Trish for more information. JOY GROUP A group of (still working, raising family, or newly retired) women desiring to grow stronger in their relationship with Jesus, Others & Yourself. THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH 6:30pm We will be starting a Book/Bible Study Discussion using Annie F Downs book, Looking For Lovely. Cost is $13.50 Financial assistance available Please contact the church office to order a book or you may purchase on your own. Reading schedule will be available when you pick up your book.

3 Message From Pastor Trish Saying Thank You for allowing me to take a sabbatical seems inadequate to say the least. Although it may have seemed like a long vacation, the intention was to study effective and healthy leadership dynamics, communication and group dynamics in order to be a stronger pastor for the church. I was prepared to be challenged by confronting aspects of leadership I was uncomfortable with or felt I needed to improve, but what actually happened was an amazing journey of body, mind and spirit. When I first embarked on this sabbatical journey, I wanted to get as much out of this experience as possible and knew the three months would fly by if I wasn t disciplined and intentional about how I spent my days. So, for the first few weeks I kept a strict schedule of daily meditation, scripture reading, prayer and time with my family. About the third week in, I was scheduled to go on a hermitage in which I would take with me only my Bible, a notebook and food. It was during this hermitage, when I truly stopped demanding I keep to a strict schedule and follow my perpetual to do list that my body made it clear that what I really needed was deep rest. Deep rest is more than just a good night s sleep but is the kind of rest that comes also from literally stopping all else but rest. I certainly slept well during my hermitage but when I was back home, tried to go back to what I had been doing and this time, my body revolted and I spent the next couple of weeks battling one illness after another. I wasn t sick enough to just lay in bed and be miserable but sick enough to have to truly stop and rest. I came out of this exhaustion around the time our fourth grandchild was born and thanked God for our church family and the opportunity I had been given to be able to simply be with our son, daughter in law, and their little family. This time meant so much to me as pastors rarely get holidays or weekends to just be with their families. In many ways this renewed my spirit and actually made the last leg of my sabbatical journey a complete joy. After the holidays, I began reading, writing and studying again, but this time with a hunger and intensity I hadn t felt in years. I began with a book by Brene Brown, Dare to Lead. This book offers the gift of courageous vulnerability in leadership and as I began to realize if I wanted to be a stronger leader, I needed to concentrate on being a stronger person. As I began working on my inner self, I had to face behaviors and attitudes I had been trying to pretend were under control. But in reality, were keeping me from being my true self. I studied the dynamics of shame the experience or fear of believing we re not worthy of connection (Brene Brown) and how this affects us as leaders and every relationship in our life. Which lead me to work on self-compassion which was challenging but also liberating, as I learned that Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing [myself] for various inadequacies or shortcomings, [we can be] kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings after all, who ever said [we] were supposed to be perfect? (Kristen Neff) I have much more to learn and am continuing to grow in many ways, but I feel I am a stronger leader as I am less defensive, am learning to let go, feel less need to fix or control things, and I feel more open, creative, and compassionate. Even though I am no longer on sabbatical I am continuing the work I began and am working on why we feel the need to judge one another and how to detox judgement from our lives. I am also trying to keep a healthier schedule so I am not running-on-empty. I am called to be a pastor, not the CEO of a company or business manager. I find great joy in visiting people, getting to know a person s story and studying God s word, theology and humankind. I may never conquer all my inadequacies in leadership but I will continue to use each situation and interaction to practice evolving into the spiritual leader I believe God is helping me become. This feels good and makes me excited to come to Salem and excited to see where God will lead us. So Thank You for allowing me the time to renew my faith in God and in myself, to give my body the rest it needed, and to begin a journey of spiritual evolution my soul has been hungering for a long time. - Pastor Trish

4 1 Larry Nelson 2 James Limburg 4 Anastasia Miller 4 Faith Peterson 8 Abbie Lucas 9 Cheryl Kampa 10 Paul Hanson 11 Rachel Gross 11 Dorothy Weaver 16 Jenny Nordstrom 17 Jim Lewis 17 Hope Olson 19 Patty Lange 19 Tim Klosner 21 Beverly Baldwin 21 David Felton 22 T. Frank Daudt 22 Mark Nordstrom 23 Evan Foss 24 Stan Hawkinson 24 Ed Olson 24 Sara Felton 25 Joan Kickhafer 26 Don Waldera 26 Dennis Zuelke 27 Roger Bechtold 29 Ginny Muller 31 Jan Elliott MARCH TEAM Eileen Higgins, Chair Idelle Eide Elsie Hagen Norma Jansen Carol Neuenfeldt Doris Schmidt ANYONE is welcome to join our Altar Guild Team. Altar Guild is responsible for preparing communion elements and setting up for baptisms, cleaning the altar area and caring for décor items such as banners and flowers in the altar and sanctuary areas as well. Team members serve together on a monthly rotational basis. Please call the church office for more information. 6 Reg and Kathy Callies 13 Dale and Sonja Foss 16 Bob and Ginny Muller 19 Larry and Doris Nelson We apologize if we missed your birthday or anniversary, please call the church office and let us know. BLENDED WORSHIP SINGERS WANTED Help lead Salem in song during our blended worship services. We will schedule singers on a rotation type basis and we sing contemporary-type songs on the 3rd Sunday of every month. All are welcome to join us so if you would like to help lead us in song, please contact the office. March Team Captain Doris Schmidt: Sign up on our Hospitality Kiosk in the sanctuary to help usher, lay read, greet, or help serve communion or fellowship. HOSPITALITY TEAM CAPTAIN NEEDED We are in need of someone to help keep track of Hospitality Kiosk and encourage people to sign up for needed volunteers for Worship Hospitality (Ushers, Greeters, Lay Readers, Communion Assistants). For the months of May, July, September, & November. Please call church office for more information.

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:30am Executive Management Team (EMT) 2 3 Communion Worship 1 Sunday School Living Waters Conf. Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids) 4 Busy Needles 5 Staff Meeting Pastor s Text Study 6 4:00pm Adult Bible Study 5:00-6:00pm WATW Meal 6:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Confirmation Class 7 8:30am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide - Quilting Party 9:30am Property Team 8 9 9:30am Learning Ministry Team (LMT) at Com. Grounds 10 Worship 10:30am Centennial Anniversary Meeting 11 Busy Needles 5:00pm Longville Area Community Foundation Meeting 12 9:30am Serving Min. Team (SMT) Staff Meeting Ruth Circle Pastor s Text Study 13 Worship Ministry Team (WMT) 4:00pm Adult Bible Study 5:00-6:30pm WATW Meal 6:00pm Lenten Worship 7:00pm Confirmation Class 14 8:30am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide - Quilting Party 9:30am Resource Development Min. Team (RDMT) 15 8:30am Early Childhood Screening Endowment Team 3:30pm Finance Team Communion Worship ST. PATRICK S DAY 18 Busy Needles 19 Staff Meeting Pastor s Text Study 20 4:00pm Adult Bible Study 5:00-6:00pm WATW Meal 6:00pm Lenten Worship 7:00pm Confirmation Class 21 8:30am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide - Quilting Party 5:00pm Servant Leadership Council (SLC) 5:15pm SLC Meeting Worship 31 Worship 25 Busy Needles 26 Staff Meeting Pastor s Text Study 27 4:00pm Adult Bible Study 5:00-6:00pm WATW Meal 6:00pm Lenten Worship 7:00pm Confirmation Class 28 8:30am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide - Quilting Party 6:30pm JOY Group 29 30

6 Servant Leadership Council Meeting Approved Minutes, January 17, 2019 Present: Pr. David Smith, Tim Peterson, Steve Hanson, Barb Anderson, Tim Bruhjell, Jack Daudt, Lori Daudt, Don Falls, Dennis Zuelke (by phone), Sandy Phillips Absent: Mary Steffen 1. Call to order 517:pm 2. Opening Prayer 3. Approve Agenda a. Motion to approve the agenda by Don Falls, Second by Tim Bruhjell. b. Passed. 4. Grieving Support Group a. Presenting new idea. 5. Approve last meeting minutes a. 5b. Corrected to read Don Falls questioned Annual Audit. b. Motion to approve minutes as amended from the meeting, First by Lori Daudt, Second by Don Falls. c. Passed. 6. Accept monthly financial reports. a. Dennis Zuelke questioned fellowship cost overrun, EMT Expenses, and the Cemetery overrun. b. Financial Report Accepted. First by Tim Bruhjell, second by Don Falls. 7. Ministry Team Highlights a. EMT (Executive Management Team) - Christmas Eve Service poor turn out, change to one service in the future. b. LMT (Learning Ministry Team) - Forum to meet February 10th, not the 19th. c. RDMT (Resource Development Ministry Team) - 1. Reviewed roofing bids. Accepted and sent Holker bid for $24,696 to RDMT. First by Don Falls, Second by Tim Bruhjell. 2. North Pines Interior to start installing carpet the first week of March. 3. Endowment Fund An additional line item needs to be added for Annual Scholarship Fund. Motion was made by Don Falls, Second by Steve Hanson, to fund with $100 from the 2017 auction fund. 4. Ron and Diane Wiehle, discussion regarding appreciation for services. 5. Columbarium - Clarification on name for this group. Choices are Committee, Team, and Memorial Garden Board. d. SMT (Serving Ministry Team) - No notes. e. WMT (Worship Ministry Team) - Reviewed minutes. 8. Pastor s Report a. Pastor Smith has all of the meetings covered for January. b. Pastor Smith will cancel Staff meetings on 1/22/19 and 1/29/ Old Business a. Sabbatical update 1) Pastor Trish returns 2/1/19. b. Stronger Together 1) Owner to close on trailer within month. Working with local bank. 10. New Business a. Grieving Group 1) Motion made to sponsor Grief Share. SLC to pay $565 from 2017 auction fund for packets and books to provide a meeting space. First by Tim Peterson, Second by Don Falls. b. Donation to Skating Rink 1) Motion made to donate $200, money to come from 2017 auction fund. First by Don Falls, Second by Steve Hanson. c. Carpet Replacement 1) Starting date is the first week in March. d. SLC Nominations 1) Don Falls and Dennis Zuelke terms are ending. They will pursue two nominees. e. Public Service Hours 1) SLC approves an individual for WATW and snow shoveling in the months of January and February. Time worked will contribute to his 20 hours of community service. f. SLC 100th Anniversary 1) Council discussion. g. WATW 1) 2/6/19 - SLC will serve Spaghetti, Salad, and Dessert.

7 SLC Meeting Minutes Continued h. Keys 1) SLC authorizes several more keys be made for office. i. Cemetery Sexton 1) SLC appoints Tim Bruhjell as Cemetery Sexton. First by Don Falls, Second by Steve Hanson. 11. Adjourn with the Lord s Prayer at 7:37pm a. Motion to adjourn. First by Don Falls, second by Steve Hanson. b. Passed. Note - February meeting will be held on 2/21/19 at 5:15 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Tim Bruhjell, Secretary PLEASE SAVE YOUR STAMPS Used stamps are collected and sent to a church in Washington, DC where they are sent for processing in hospitals and other centers. They are then removed from the paper, sorted, packaged and sold to collectors. This provides an income, and for some it s a therapy. From one Hospital in Germany that cares for patients with Epilepsy, we received a report that there were enough stamps processed to care for 4 nurses in Africa for 1 year. Carefully tear, or cut, the stamp from the envelope leaving about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (at least) and place them in the basket in back of the church. Please let s fill that basket often. Thank you. Dorothea Felton & Doris Schmidt, Coordinators THRIVENT FINANCIAL MEMBERS (Thrivent Choice Dollars) THRIVENT CHOICE is a charitable grant program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans that allows eligible members to help choose where Thrivent Financial distributes a portion of its charitable funds each year based on their insurance premiums. CHOICE DOLLARS can be directed to thousands of Lutheran organizations nationwide, including our Salem congregation by visiting thrivent.com/thrivent choice or by calling and when prompted say Thrivent Choice. In the past, Salem s Thrivent congregational Advocates have allocated Thrivent Choice Dollars to the following: Salem s Good Samaritan Fund, Music in the Park, Food Shelf, Faith in Action, Teen Challenge, washing all of Salem s windows, Cass County Veterans Transportation, Vacation Bible School, Salem s Columbarium, catering service for Salem s 95th birthday anniversary, new sink in our kitchen, plus more. If you have any questions, you can see / contact one of Salem s congregational advocates: Doris Schmidt Eileen Higgins Toni Drum

8 Our Monthly Financial Report As of January 31, 2019 General Fund Beginning Balance 1/1/19 $ 18,739 Receipts 1/1/19-1/31/19 $ 9,373 Disbursements 1/1/19-1/31/19 $-18,763 General Fund Balance 1/31/19 $ 9,349 REMINDER: $4707 is needed weekly to support the 2019 budget approved at the 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting. With God s Blessing, Barb Anderson, Church Treasurer EASTER FLOWERS If you would like to donate Easter flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one or a special cause please send or drop off cash / check donations in amount of your choice to the church by Sunday April 14th. Flowers purchased and delivered by you need to be at church by Friday, April 19th. Remember to include who flowers are in memory or honor of, which will be printed in our Easter Sunday bulletin. Please or call Carol in the office. Thank you! SALEM MINISTRY TEAMS Servant Leadership Council (SLC) Tim Peterson, President Steve Hanson, Vice President Tim Bruhjell, Secretary Lori Daudt, Jack Daudt, Don Falls, Mary Steffen, Dennis Zuelke Trish Jorgenson, Pastor Treasurer Barb Anderson Executive Management Team (EMT) SLC President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer & Pastor Learning Ministry Team (LMT) Mary Steffen, Council Liaison Resource Development Ministry Team (RDMT) Don Falls, Council Liaison Serving Ministry Team (SMT) Lori Daudt, Dennis Zuelke, Council Liaisons Worship Ministry Team (WMT) Jack Daudt, Council Liaison ALL are welcome to join any of our ministry teams. Please contact one of the team leaders or church office. SALEM CHURCH STAFF Rev. Trisha Jorgenson, Pastor Cell Number: pastortrish1968@gmail.com Carol Raines, Secretary / Bookkeeper Office Phone: Office salem@arvig.net Jan Elliott, Organist Eunice Benson, Organist Charlene Olson, Choir Director Cynthia Kuettel, Custodian Salem Lutheran Church Website Office Hours Monday - Thursday - 5:00pm Friday - 3:00pm Salem Lutheran Church 1340 County Road 5 PO Box 136 Longville, MN 56655