Salem Lutheran Church June 2015 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Salem Lutheran Church June 2015 Newsletter SHALOM Pastor Brian Jack Summer is here and with it all kinds of shifts in schedules. Many will have their vacation plans, the kids are out of school and into summer activities, and orange cones will be cropping up soon in a roadway near you. As the way we gather with friends and families changes for the summer perhaps you might consider some new ways to meet with your church family and experience fellowship. 602 W Townline Creston, Iowa office@salemluth.net Sunday Services Recently Salem s long range planning committee sat down to consider some of our gifts here at Salem and how we might put them to use. Since my earliest conversations with you all there has been a very strong sense that we are a welcoming community here at Salem. Countless in home conversations related one story or another about how it was the welcoming congregation, friendly faces, and eagerness to get to know the new person that eventually drew them to call Salem their place of worship. After further discussion we discovered that while we are indeed a very welcoming community there are several folks who for one reason or another simply do not stay after worship to meet this welcoming community so how might we invite them to get to know us, and likewise us them? The idea of Foyer groups was born. Okay so it s not a new idea, in fact it s been practiced in many churches for quite some time. What is a foyer group? Essentially it is a gathering of 8 or so people over some kind of food, simply with the intent of getting to know one another more. These 8 people will rotate their meeting location so that each person has an opportunity to host. You can Google or ask me in person if you want the whole history on it, but you ve got the main idea here of gathering for food and fellowship. Now, social clubs are wonderful, you say, but what s that got to do with faith? and if indeed that s what you re asking I m quite pleased to know you haven t forgotten why we gather. On the other hand I don t think any conversation about something as important as faith and how our lives are shaped by it simply begins without first knowing something about your neighbor. Conversations about faith are a bit like preaching in this one sense. As I prepare to preach each week the shape of what s to be said comes about through reading scripture, prayer, and experiencing what s going on in the world around me. Likewise I believe God s word shapes the world around us (Isaiah 55:10-11). There is a relationship between God and his creation, surprise right? Continued on the next page

2 Page 2 Likewise there is a relationship between what takes place in our space of worship and in our daily lives and the hope is that these foyer groups might be one way of experiencing that. They surely do run the risk of being just social clubs, and if that is all that is to become of any congregation then its lifespan is limited to its entertainment value. But if indeed we are about sharing the one thing no social club can offer, the words of eternal life promised from Jesus Christ (and I believe we are) then these groups do indeed by the grace of God become outgrowths of the congregation, places in which we can witness to the body of Christ in the world. And perhaps the best part about it? These gatherings won t just happen for an hour on Sunday mornings, but will provide opportunities outside of that time and space for people to be encountered by the word of God at work in your life and theirs. Pray for you Long Range Planning Committee as we continue to discuss this and look for details on how you can join in soon! God s Peace be with you all, PR Brian Jack Pastor s Report for April - May 2015 Visitation: 8 Confirmation: Levi Hitz, Payton Burg, Sydney Pantini, Kaylee Ott, Brittany Linch, Spencer Lane. New Members Received: Jake and Desirae Davis, Eleanor Sandholm a. Pr. attended Alpha Leadership Lunch April 16 th and talked about how our Alpha course went and learned about some new practices to implement for the next gathering. b. Pr. provided worship services for the local care centers on April 23 rd. c. Pr. Met with 99 ways ministry about beginning an after school program called HizKidz in cooperation with local churches. The group is from Hope Lutheran in DM and has an after school program running in Osceola. 99 ways will meet with the UCMA for further discussion of how local congregations can support the ministry should it be approved by the school. d. Pr. held two first communion classes on April 18 th and the 22 nd. Denton Lane, Blair Jack, and James Lorenzen attended. Special Council Meeting May 3, 2015 President, Wayne Pantini called the meeting to order with the following members in attendance: Judy Woods, Claudia Peppers, Mike Richardson, Gary Boschee, Arlan Biere. As well as Pastor Brian, Dorothy McNaught, Sherri Nissen, and guest Kaylee Ott. Pastor Brian welcomed Kaylee Ott and she presented her faith statement to the council. M/S/C by Mike Richardson and Judy Woods to recommend Kaylee Ott to be confirmed. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Sherri Nissen, Recording Secretary

3 Salem Church Council Minutes - May 14, 2015 Page 3 The meeting was called to order by President Wayne Pantini, The following council members were present: Arlan Biere, Chris Lane, Dorothy McNaught, Sherri Nissen, Claudia Peppers, Gail Peterson, Mike Richardson, Sandi Sickels, and Judy Woods. As well as Pastor Brian and Pat Grumley. Prayer was led by Judy Woods M/S/C by Judy Woods and Mike Richards to approve the April minutes with the change of meeting date from May 7 to May 14. Treasurer s Report by President, Wayne Pantini a) All bills are paid and current. General fund balance is $9, b) Special Fund balance - $4, c) Memorial Fund balance - $1, M/S/C by Claudia Peppers and Sandi Sickels to approve the treasurer s report. Pastor s Report: See attached notes Old Business: a) Pat Grumley, Memorial Committee chair, presented to the council request to purchase four oil filled candles at $335 each plus postage and handling. New Chrismons were also presented for purchase. M/S/C by Sandi Sickels and Dorothy McNaught to allow the above purchases to come out of memorial funds. b) M/S/C by Judy Woods and Mike Richardson to hold a Special Congregational meeting June 21 to amend the By-laws to state the following: The Congregational Council is providing notice of a Special Congregational meeting on June 21 st immediately after the church service. The purpose of the meeting is to recommend an amendment for the church By-Laws, Article XII, Section 5d. No other business will be conducted at this meeting. Article XII, Section 5d (currently) The Congregational Council shall prepare an annual budget for the adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditures of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligation no more than $100 (10%) in excess of the (anticipated) current year departmental budgets. If department budget is less than $1,000, 10% or up to $100, whichever is greater. (The budget shall include this congregation s full indicted share in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and church-wide organization.) Article XII, Section 5d (recommended amendment) The Congregational Council shall prepare an annual budget for the adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditures of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption. The Church Council shall have the authority to commit church funds within the approved budget in any amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the annual budget only when there is a cash balance available to cover for the current fiscal year; any expenditure greater than that amount requires congregational approval. (The budget shall include this congregation s full indicted share in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and church-wide organization.) Continued on next page

4 Page 4 Salem Church Council Minutes continued New Business: a) M/S/C Dorothy McNaught and Sandi Sickels to give the May benevolence as ¼ to the Ministerial Alliance and ¾ to Lutheran World Relief. Committee reports: a) Christian Education: Cari Jack will help chair Vacation Bible School with the Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, and Disciples of Christ. Dates to be determined. June 10 the Presbyterian Church will host a joint youth activity for Salem youth to attend. Pastor has started confirmation class with Colby Burg. b) Church Property: no meeting. c) Outreach Ministry: met May 5. Members will be serving meals to workers for Habitat for Humanity when they have large group workdays this summer. They will be helping the Presbyterian Church serve a few meals during the summer after the free lunch program is over at the high school. d) Worship & Music: met and planned summer music. They will be advertising the green hymnals on e-spirit to see if any church is interested in them. e) Finance: no meeting f) Memorial: see old business above g) Long Range Planning: met and discussed holding small meeting with member groups to allow each to get more aquainted as a congregation both spiritually and personally. Financial Peace will be offered Sept.13 Nov.8, Alpha was also discussed. h) Endowment: met and are comfortable with how well investments are doing well i) Mutual Ministry: no meeting j) Internship: no meeting k) Other: Lifetouch Photography will be here June 4, 5, and 6 to work on and take photos for a new pictorial directory. Sherri Nissen will be needing people to help with registration. The next council meeting will be June 11, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Opening devotions will be led by Dorothy McNaught Meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sherri Nissen, Recording Council Secretary Current council members: Wayne Pantini President Mike Richardson Vice President Sherri Nissen Secretary Claudia Peppers Acting Secretary Arlan Biere Treasurer Gary Boschee Greg Cook Chris Lane Dorothy McNaught Gail Peterson Sandi Sickels Judy Woods Miriam Circle will meet at Joyce Anderson s on Thursday June 11 at 7:00 pm. This will be a work night for rolling bandages.

5 Page 5 David Buck 06/02 Ryan Vasquez 06/03 Clifford Olsen 06/04 Colby Burg 06/06 John Rose 06/06 Carol Ott 06/07 Abigail Glee Peterson 06/07 Julie Shaffer 06/07 Nichole Oshel 06/09 Tony Cass 06/10 Daniel Boschee 06/13 Winston Guiter 06/19 Duane Adams 06/21 Dick Engelson 06/22 Jane Warner 06/23 Codie Cook 06/24 Denise Hanson 06/25 Lauren Qualseth 06/25 Judy Woods 06/25 Carter Buck 06/27 Jo Anne Hardick 06/27 Sherri Nissen 06/27 Galen Zumbach 06/29 Gary Boschee 06/30 Chase Rutledge, Erica Rutledge, Mike Crigger, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SRA Zacary Sedlmayr and Isaac Sedlmayr. We ask God to lead the men and women who are protecting our country by serving in the military at home or abroad. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. Phil & Alma Swanson 06/01 Vic & Betty Wager 06/04 John & Anne Sneller 06/18 Michael & Amanda Buck 06/19 Don & Bev Butler 06/21 John & Lynne Schlaht 06/21 LaVerne & Joyce Anderson 06/23 Chuck & Jan Eilers 06/24 Chris & Sarah Lane 06/24 Joan & Richard Staples 06/26 Lanny & Donna Herzberg 06/27 Dave & Barb Riley 06/30 Meetings This Month Council: 6 pm Thursday, June 11 Finance: 6 pm Tuesday, June 9 Long Range Planning 7pm Thursday, June 4 Miriam Circle: 7 pm Thursday, June 11 Special Congregational: after church, June 21 Worship & Music: 8 pm Wednesday, June 10 Sue Bergstrom and Joan Lienemann June 7 Sydney Pantini June 14 Colby Burg June 21 Brittany Linch June 28 Levi Hitz Larry Kimball, Kirk Levine, John McNaught, June Eshelman, Vi Johnson, Frances Roberg, Alice Swanson, Becky Keuter, Tony McNaught, and Flossie Roberts. We ask God to send his Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen these individuals.

6 Page 6 Notice of Special Congregation Meeting The Congregational Council is providing notice of a Special Congregational meeting on June 21 st immediately after the church service. The purpose of the meeting is to recommend an amendment for the church By-Laws, Article XII, Section 5d. No other business will be conducted at this meeting. Article XII, Section 5d (currently) The Congregational Council shall prepare an annual budget for the adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditures of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligation no more than $100 (10%) in excess of the (anticipated) current year departmental budgets. If department budget is less than $1,000, 10% or up to $100, whichever is greater. (The budget shall include this congregation s full indicted share in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and church-wide organization.) Article XII, Section 5d (recommended amendment) The Congregational Council shall prepare an annual budget for the adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditures of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption. The Church Council shall have the authority to commit church funds within the approved budget in any amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the annual budget only when there is a cash balance available to cover for the current fiscal year; any expenditure greater than that amount requires congregational approval. (The budget shall include this congregation s full indicted share in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and church-wide organization.) June Bible Readings June 1 Job 1-4 June 11 Job June 21 Psalm June 2 Job 5-7 June 12 Job June 22 Psalm June 3 Job 8-10 June 13 Job June 23 Psalm June 4 Job June 14 Psalm 1-8 June 24 Psalm June 5 Job June 15 Psalm 9-16 June 25 Psalm June 6 Job June 16 Psalm June 26 Psalm June 7 Job June 17 Psalm June 27 Psalm June 8 Job June 18 Psalm June 28 Psalm June 9 Job June 19 Psalm June 29 Psalm June 10 Job June 20 Psalm June 30 Psalm 86-89

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat pm Long Range Planning 5 6 Lifetouch for the Directory pm Finance 8 pm Worship & Music 6 pm Council 7 pm Miriam Circle 14 with Communion Special Congregational Meeting

8 SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 602 W Townline Creston, Iowa June 2015 Newsletter A huge thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the spring sale held Friday, May 1. We were able to clear $1, after an ad of $ This is the only money making project of the Women of Salem and we could not have done this without the help of every one. We will be good stewards of the money so thanks!! June Youth Outing Who: Middle School and High School Kids from Salem and the Presbyterian Church What: Youth group picnic and disc golf When: Noon on June 10 th Where: meet at the Shelter house just off McKinley St. (on the east side of the park) If you would be willing to provide hot dog buns, chips, or condiments for the picnic please let Sandi know with your RSVP. Please RSVP by Sunday June 7th with Sandi Sickels in person or via sandi.sickels@gmail.com. Let her know if there is anything you would be willing to provide.