From the Pastor August 2013

Transcription

1 PRAIRIE STAR LUTHERAN PARISH BETHLEHEM GRACE GOOD HOPE From the Pastor August 2013 I ve been thinking about family lately. My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and congestive heart failure and Sue and I spent some time with her and with my sister and her family. I appreciate the fact that my sister is relatively close to where my mother lives and is able to be with her for most of her appointments with doctors. In all of our married years we have never lived very close to family. When Sue s parents were sick we would travel hours to get to Arkansas to visit for only a short while. When my father had his stroke and was in a nursing home we traveled hours to visit. When my sister died of breast cancer we traveled hours by plane to be with family. In the last few years as my mother s health has deteriorated, my younger sister and I have become closer. It s family. Over the years I have heard that phrase said on many occasions. It is strange how the great things that people say are not said for quotation or for publication. Their greatness lies in that fact that they well up from the heart. I have thought about those words, It s family. At various times in my life, as we have experienced reverses, people have said, We are praying for you. I have learned the power of prayer can give great comfort in those stressful times. To me it was that sense of family, in the family you pray for each other. So, what is family, really? Sometimes it is only cruel clannishness, solidarity for the sake of exploitation. Communities can be tragically fractured by family loyalties which are not really loyalties at all, but deep-rooted prejudices. Every stranger is shut out and every act is designed to crush, if need be, in order that one family may grow powerful. For us as we have traveled from call to call, we have had to look to the church for family. Family in the Christian sense is a circle in which individuals are united at the throne of grace and where love gravitates toward need. It is a fellowship in which the one who is loved most is the one who is lost, or sick, or disappointed or lonely. In the true family the favorite child is the one who is at that moment the most in need. I think of family now, especially our family of Prairie Star Lutheran Parish, because we have been asked to consider expanding our family. Our Redeemer s Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD has formally requested that we expand our parish to include them. The Parish Council, along with representatives from Our Redeemer s, will be meeting to write a proposal for a new parish agreement and a plan for pastoral care that will be presented to each congregation. As the family of God, we now need to pray for each other. Remember, it is the Gospel that creates the family of God in which the circle never closes where the weak are strengthened and the strong are chastened, where the proud are lovingly humbled and the humble are wisely encourage, but where all seek to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Keith

2 PRAIRIE STAR LUTHERAN PARISH From the Pastor September 2013 BETHLEHEM GRACE GOOD HOPE 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:3-7, NRSV) Kay and I recently visited our son and his wife in the Minneapolis area. They shared with us their plans to pursue adoption in the coming months. How exciting for them and for us as prospective grandparents again! Soon they will have the home visit which is a final stage in the preparations for their approval for adoption. Then they will wait until the call comes saying We have a child for you. I like the above words of Paul to the early Christians in Ephesus, in which he speaks of their adoption (and ours) as children of God, which reflects the riches of God's grace toward us all. We of the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish have been invited into the adoption process with the request from Our Redeemer Lutheran in Bryant to become part of our parish. We will now begin discerning together if this is God's preferred future for this part of the kingdom. Each congregation will have time this fall to be in conversation. The Parish Council will begin work on a possible new Parish Agreement to include Our Redeemer. Pastor Keith and I have given our approval to move forward with the considerations. Parish President Mark Prouty, Treasurer Merl Hanson and both pastors attended a meeting with Our Redeemer's Council, Aug. 14 th. At the meeting, we shared possible budget options for a 4-point parish that had been approved at the last Prairie Star Council meeting. It is proposed that we begin, on a trial basis, functioning as a 4-point parish beginning Nov. 1, Our Redeemer will begin contributing to the parish budget in Nov. and Dec. At all four congregational meetings in January 2014, each congregation will have the opportunity to vote on approving a new Parish Agreement that will include Our Redeemer on a trial basis for one year. If all 4 churches approve the new parish, the goal will be to call a full-time pastor in 2013 to work with Pastor Keith into the future. I will retire when that new pastor is called. In January 2015, each congregation will again have the opportunity to vote on extending the new parish into the future. As your parish leaders we want to assure you that built-in precautions are included along the way. Let's pray together that God will guide and lead us through these exciting times as we move forward! If adopting another congregation into our parish isn't exciting enough, we see the resumption of fall activities this month. Beginning Sunday Sept. 8 th Grace congregation will move back to 11am Worship through the end of the year. (Good Hope will take the 11am Worship time, January-April 2014.) Letters are being sent out to parents and youth in our Confirmation programs. A communion preparation class will be held this month and CYO will have their organizational meeting; early next month, Weds. Oct. 2 nd, there will be an organizational meeting for 8 th and 9 th grade classes which will be held in Oct. and Nov. on every other Weds. evening from 6pm- 8pm. Each session will begin with a light evening meal together. Rally Day in both our town churches will be on Sunday, September 15. All of these activities add excitement to our congregational families. We're hoping you plan to be a part of many of the opportunities this fall! In faith & friendship, Pastor Dave

3 Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Quarterly Meeting May 15, 2013 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Vienna SD Members present at the May 15, 2013 PSLP Council meeting were Mark Prouty, Doug LaMont, Brian Hovde, Pastor Keith Garness, Merl Hanson, John Thoreson, Jody Peterson and Arrin Wirtjes. The meeting was started with a prayer by Pastor Keith. There was not a Secretary's Report from the previous meeting. The Treasurer's Report was read by Merl Hanson. Motion by Doug, Second by Brian to approve the Treasurer's Report. Motion carried. The Pastor's Report was presented by Pastor Keith: *Community worship will be in Willow Lake on July 7. All PSLP churches, as well as Willow churches are invited to attend. Lake community *The summer newsletter was read by Pastor Keith. The Pastor's Letter was written by Pastor Dave and addressed the summer worship schedule, as well as mentioning that Pastor Dave is vacating the apartment in Willow Lake. *Synod Assembly will take place, and Pastor Dave will be attending. No other members of PSLP have decided to attend. Motion by Mark, Second by Jody to allow Pastor Dave's wife, Kay, attend as a voting member from Grace Lutheran Church. Motion passed. *Confirmation camp reservations were not made for this summer. The pastors are considering spending time with the future confirmands at Lake Thompson, prior to the Parish Family Camp in June. Questions arose about the 7 th graders attending a different camp, confirmation or other, in-state or out. Pastor Keith stated that he would look into this, as the Parish prefers the children have a camp experience with other confirmands, their same age. Bethlehem's congregational report included the Sunday Funday schedule for 3 Sundays this summer. They will be held on June 9, July 14 and August 11. Services will be at regular times, with coffee fellowship to follow. Then a community lunch will be served with games and activities for all. Parish families are encouraged to make reservations at Lake Thompson for the PSLP Family Camp weekend, June Good Hope's congregational report included their annual Bazaar, which will be held May 25. Lunch will be served. Good Hope has 2 high school graduates this year, including Savannah Hovde and Lane Hovde. Grace's congregational report included the annual spring clean-up was a success. Grace Lutheran also received new insulation in the back of the church. Grace's high school graduates include Logan Tonak and Logan Twait. Parish Officers for PSLP were named for the 2013 year, and are as follows: President: Mark Prouty Vice-President: Brian Hovde Secretary: Jody Peterson Treasurer: Merl Hanson The next PSLP quarterly council meeting was set for September 18, 2013 at 8 pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Willow Lake, SD. Meeting adjourned by President Mark Prouty, following the Lord's Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Jody Peterson, PSLP Council Secretary

4 PRAIRIE STAR LUTHERAN PARISH Special Council Meeting August 4, 2013 Grace Lutheran Church Willow Lake, SD Those present from Bethlehem Lutheran-Vienna, Grace Lutheran-Willow Lake, Good Hope Lutheran-rural Willow Lake, Our Redeemer Lutheran-Bryant and St. Paul Lutheran-Clark were as follows: *John Thoreson, Bethlehem *Julie Thonvold, Our Redeemer *Jon Anderson, Our Redeemer *Harvey Virchow, Our Redeemer *Avis Welton, Our Redeemer *Tracey Larson, Our Redeemer *Tim Jensen, Our Redeemer *Jim LaMont, Grace Lutheran *Fred Rosin, Our Redeemer *Charlene Loterbauer, Grace Lutheran *Sally Rosin, Our Redeemer *Doug Noem, Our Redeemer *Mark Prouty, Bethlehem *Pastor Keith Garness, PSLP *Pam Seefeldt, St. Paul Lutheran *Anna Kirkeby, St. Paul Lutheran *Lucille Birkholtz, Grace Lutheran *Brian Hovde, Good Hope *Jody Peterson, Bethlehem The meeting was called to order by Prairie Star Lutheran Parish President, Mark Prouty. Pastor Keith began the meeting with devotions. President Mark Prouty then turned the meeting over to Pastor Keith. Pastor Keith stated that this meeting was to go through the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Working Agreement with those present, as Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Bryant is interested in joining the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish. The Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Working Agreement was then gone through, line by line, with the floor open for questions and discussion as meeting progressed. Questions arose about the number of Parish Council members from each congregation. This question was referred to section V. of the PSLP Working Agreement, where it states how to count active members, and that council seats are determined by the number of active members as determined by the PSLP Working Agreement. Questions also arose about individual congregational secretaries. The parish secretary position was then explained to those present, as well as how PSLP pastors are available for direct calls when they are needed. It was asked what the parish-wide worship and events consist of, as listed in Section VII. PARISH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES under A. in the PSLP Working Agreement. It was then explained how PSLP shares in a community worship the Sunday after July 4 in Willow Lake. Also mentioned were the Sunday Fundays that are being held on certain Sundays in the summer months, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vienna, and the Family Camping which is held annually at Lake Thompson State Park. Those PSLP members present also explained the Lenten service schedule shared by PSLP congregations along with the other churches within the Willow Lake community. It was then asked how to fulfill the extra need that would be opened if Our Redeemer is brought in to PSLP. Asked was the question of what the extra need would be, a half-time need or third time need. Members of Our Redeemer stated that their best estimate would be that their needs would be a half-time minister. Members of the current PSLP then explained the 2/3 1/3 split of our current ministers. Members of Our Redeemer then asked about the current worship schedule of PSLP. Current PSLP members answered their questions, and returned the same question. Our Redeemer currently worships at 9am in the summer months and 10am in the fall, winter and spring months. The current PSLP communion schedule was then discussed, as well as the possibility of fulfilling the potential increased needs with a vicar or intern. Other discussions included 1 st Communion, as well as Confirmation. Due to the absence of Pastor Dave Larson, the PSPL Council members asked that the current PSLP council set up a special meeting with Pastor Dave and Pastor Keith to discuss their feelings about this potential change in the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Working Agreement. Pastor Keith will get in touch with Pastor Dave and try to set up that meeting for August 11, as time is of the essence for Our Redeemer. Motion by Jim LaMont 2 nd by Brian Hovde to use the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish guidelines to get the active member number from Our Redeemer, to use that number in the formula under section V. of the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Working Agreement to get an idea as to what each congregation would be responsible for, should Our Redeemer be accepted into the Prairie Star Lutheran Parish. Members of Our Redeemer agreed to go through their membership and use the guidelines of the PSLP Working Agreement, and get those numbers to the PSLP Treasurer, Merl Hanson, so that each congregation can know what the potential change in responsibility would be, should Our Redeemer join PSLP. Meeting was adjourned at 6:36pm by President Mark Prouty, after prayer by Pastor Fred Rosin. Respectfully submitted, Jody Peterson, Prairie Star Lutheran Parish Council Secretary

5 Bethlehem storm clean-up report Vienna was hit hard by the wind storm last month, and a big thank-you goes out to all the Bethlehem members who responded so quickly to help clean up the church building and yard! Several families were there right after the storm cleaning up, even before they cleaned up their own properties. You are a blessing! The trees in the church yard were heavily damaged, and one large limb fell on the south part of the church roof and made four holes through the shingles. Those have been patched and decisions will be made soon about new shingles once the council gets together to go over the information received from the insurance company. Because of the power outage in Vienna, the sump pumps for the church basement could not run, and water backed up in the church basement. Thank you to everyone who worked to bring generators, squeegee water from the carpet, bring dehumidifiers, run to town for supplies, shampoo the carpet, contact the insurance company, clean the church basement, etc. The Thursday following the storm several volunteers came and cleaned up the church yard and thoroughly cleaned the basement so that it would be ready for Chris & Karen Bochek s wedding that Saturday. Thank you to all who helped by giving so freely of their time! Congratulations! Summer weddings held at Bethlehem: Karen Snow & Chris Bochek, married June 29 th Nicki Singrey & Dusty Fuller, married July 13 th God s blessings to you as you begin your lives together! Bethlehem Summer Sunday FunDay update: We have had fun at our second-sunday FunDays this summer! Bethlehem members stayed after church to play games, including a people scavenger hunt (the answer to each of the scavenger hunt questions was a person in attendance that day), a photo booth with silly dress-up costumes for the kids, and water balloons and giant super-bubbles in the parking lot. A potluck picnic was held with grilled burgers or pork loin (picnic is in quotation marks because we ve been rained out both times!) Families, please make plans to join us for worship on August 11 for the final Summer Sunday Fun- Day! Kristin would like to hand off the baton for planning the last event. We are in need of a volunteer or two to come up with games and activities for after worship. Family Group 3 is scheduled to serve the meal. Please contact Kristin if you are willing to help. Thank you!

6 The Good Hope WELC met at the Mildred Saboe home July 11.Pres.Olleen K.called meeting to order by giving devotions on "Evan You are Generous."Pastor Keith led us in bible study on "Do We Have Enough"?Roll call was taken followed by Sec. and Treas. reports. Motion made and seconded to approve Treas. report. Bethlehem ladies haved new tables andtablecloths so was sondering if we wanted their lace table cloths and we willtake them. Thanks. We will not have a meeting inaugust. Have severalquilt tops to put backs on so we will have quilting Sept. 5th at 12:30 at thechurch followed by bible study and regular meeting. Marilyn Torper willbe the hostess. Meeting adjourned by offering, praying the Lords Prayerand singing the table prayer. Lunch served by Mildred. Grace Lutheran Church Women The following are some important dates and things taking place. September 11 at 9:30 AM Grace Bible Study will meet at the church (we meet the 2 nd Wednesday of every month). September 15 will be Sunday School Rally Day. Bibles will be given. September 17 at 9 AM is the Medary Conference Retreat at Badger. This is held in the Legion Hall there. There will be a bible study, speaker, silent auction, lunch, a fun day. Check out the poster in the entry way. September 18 at 5:30 PM, potluck meeting of the GLCW. A time to elect officers for the new year and discuss other items of business. October 6, 4-7PM is our annual Turkey Supper.you will hear more about this later!!! October 12 is the officers workshop at Sinai, you will hear more about this. Quilt making days will be set up, if you are interested please contact Lucille. We need people to cut fabric, lay out pieces, turn quilts, pin quilts.everyone one can help. Watch the bulletin for more information. Bethlehem WELCA Meeting Aug. 4, 2013 President Cheryl Brekke called the meeting to order. The WELCA Purpose was read in unison. Treasurer s Report was presented by Dorothy Fuller with a balance on hand of $4, Dianne Rider made a motion to accept the report as printed, Audrey Rider seconded and motion passed. There was no old business. New business included the following activities: August 11, Family Group 3 will serve the potluck meal. Church Cleaning will be in September after worship. Details to follow. Women s Bible Study will be the third Wednesday of the month, starting Sept. 18 at 7:00 PM. Next meeting will be October 5 at 9:00 AM with election of officers and cookie baking/exchange. reminders will be requested from the secretary. The meeting closed with a scripture reading given by President Cheryl Brekke. Acting Secretary, Dianne Rider

7 7/8/13 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Special Church Council Meeting-7/8/13 Submitted by Julie Larson -President Matt Vandersnick called a special church council meeting Monday, 7/8 due to the church air conditioner not working properly caused by a low freon charge. Discussed options of having it fixed before the Fuller/Singery wedding this Saturday 7/13/13. Will plan to have Moeller Sheet Metal charge the A/C System this week. -Mark Prouty made a motion to authorize spending on storm damage clean-up...including tree removal, & water removal in the church basement. Julian Hamre seconded the motion. - Made an estimate of hours worked and fuel used during storm clean-up to submit to insurance. Storm Cleanup Hours To Submit To Insurance -June 21st (evening of storm): 5 workers/ 4 hours each= 20 hours of labor -June 22nd: 3 Skid steer hours-$100/hr= $300 - Butch & Erin 4 additional hours worked -Matt & Kristin 10 additional hours of labor - Butch provided 5 gallons of gas for generator -Matt provided 5 gallons of gas for generator June 27th-8 workers/ 3 hours each= 24 hours of labor -9 hours of equipment use/gas-$100/hr= $900 *Total Hours of labor: 58 hours *Equipment use: $1200 *Gas for Generators: $36.00 Johnny Rider made a motion to close the meeting. Meeting adjourned The next meeting will be held August 22nd at 8:00pm Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council Meeting-June 11th 2013 Secretary's Report-Submitted by Julie Larson -President Matt Vandersnick called the meeting to order. Also present were Julie, Jennifer, Pastor Dave, Jim, Chuck, Kenny, Julian, and Lee. -Devotions were led by Pastor Dave Acknowledgements: Bethlehem Vacation Bible School was a success! A big thank you to Erin Brenden for all her work and planning and all others who volunteered their time to make this a memorable event for our children! 39 children attended Bible School this year. Our first summer fun Sunday was a success despite the dreary weather! The Lutheran Men In Mission auction raised around $ !! Secretary's Report: Julie read the minutes from the 4/17/13 meeting. Report approved as printed Treasurers Report included: Total expenses: $35, Total Offering: $28, through June 8th Memorial: $ Building: $26, Flowers: Local: $22, Jennifer read the treasurers report. Report approved Pastors Report: Pastor Dave reviewed highlights of the 2013 Synod Assembly -Discussed that 4 students may be attending confirmation camp in North Dakota. -Also reviewed possibility of first communion classes to be held at Bethlehem Old Business: -Jarrod Pommer will install new windows and also work on door threshold. He will get us an estimate soon - Matt will contact Jeff Verdon about chimney work that needs to be done. -Julie and Kristin will work on filing and organizing boxes of old papers that are currently being stored in the garage -Zell Manufacturing is currently manufacturing the new gutters for the church New Business: -Discussion of purchasing new safe. Jim Thoreson and Pastor Dave volunteered to check into different safes and will review their findings at the next meeting. -Looking for a volunteer to organize historical records located in the safe in the church garage - Refrigerator in kitchen has stopped working. Jennifer Tellinghuisen made a motion to give remaining game and garden feed funds and remaining anniversary funds of $ to the women's group to offset funds for a new refrigerator. Motion seconded by Jim Thoreson. -Discussed repurchasing the lot west of church for $ from Rhonda Koppman for overflow parking, possible parsonage, and camper parking. Kenny Lusk made a motion to purchase lot for $ Seconded by Chuck Lusk.

8 -Jennifer made a motion to purchase a new safe. Seconded by Lee. Julian and Jim will work on picking out a new safe. -Kristin and Julie will be working on organizing the church office the morning of September 7th. -Matt will contact Rhonda Kopman regarding the purchase and payment of the lot west of the church. New Business: -Insurance claim received for storm damages. No basement damages were included in the claim payment. -Trustees will work on getting estimates for a new roof. A special meeting will be held to discuss findings. -Discussed potential new members. -Rally day and church cleaning will be held September 15th. Discussed having Sunday school and potluck lunch held at the town hall - Ask that the Pastors work with parish secretary to remove deceased members from birthday/ prayer lists etc. -Discussed different ideas for ELCA "Gods work, our hands" day. -Jim brought up Game and Garden feed. The event will be held 11/10/13 from 11:30-12:30. Jim asked for help hunting pheasants and venison for the meal. Will plan to print 150 tickets. Next Meeting: September 29th after church and coffee. Chuck made a motion to adjourn. Jennifer seconded. -Discussion of forwarding mail due to the Vienna Post Office closing. Pastor Keith and Pastor Dave will discuss where they would like the mail to be forwarded to. Next Meeting: Thursday, August 22nd 2013 at 8:00pm. Butch Brenden will give devotions, Jim Thoreson will provide lunch. Matt Vandersnick made a motion to adjourn. The meeting closed with the Lords Prayer Bethlehem Lutheran Church Church Council Meeting Secretary's Report-Submitted by Julie Larson President Matt Vandersnick called the meeting to order. Also present were Chuck, Merl, Lee, Jim, Julian, Julie, Mark, Kenny & Jennifer. A delicious lunch was provided by Jim. Acknowledgements: Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to help clean up after the storm in June. Thanks to everyone who planned, helped and attended our Summer Fun Sundays this summer! Blessing of backpacks was held on 8/17/13 at Bethlehem. What a great way to start out the school year! We are excited to announce two new babies in our congregation, Annie Jo Rider and Tucker Lynn Fuller! There were two weddings held at Bethlehem this summer, Karen and Chris Bochek and Nicki and Dusty Fuller. So many great things happening in our church! Secretary's Report: Julie read the secretaries report. Approved as printed. Treasurers Report: Total expenses: $46, Total Offering: $42, through August 21st. Memorial: $ Building: $26, Flowers: $ Local: $25, Discussed scholarship fund endowment. Discussed having Jim Schade join us for the next meeting to discuss scholarship options. Treasurers report approved as printed Parish Council Report: Mark gave an update on Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant joining our parish. -Mark asked for an updated list of Bethlehem members. Julie will work on putting that together by September 18th. Pastors Report: Pastor Keith unable to attend this evenings meeting-matt gave Pastors report. Reviewed that we will be combining the 8 and 9th grade confirmation classes which will be held on Wednesday evenings. Old Business: Jarrod Pommer unable to place basement windows. Received a new estimate from Boettcher Windows for $3800. Merl made a motion to have windows replaced by Boettcher Windows for $3800. Seconded by Jennifer