Parish News. Parish Contacts. Angelos Volume 18, Issue

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1 79 Parish Contacts Parish Office: Pastor Kerry: Pastor Cell: Parish News A number of members from Hadley delivered Meals-On-Wheels to shut-ins around Slayton the first week of August. This was our God s Work, Our Hands project, reminding us all that our hands, feet and whole selves are called into the service of God s work in the world. Lila Nelson s funeral was held at Zion August 14 th. It is hoped Lila s family continues to be in the thoughts, prayers and loving actions of their fellow members of Christ s church at Zion as they grieve their loss. This year, for Zion s God s Work, Our Hands project, a special offering will be accepted during each worship service all the month of September at Zion. The offering will be given to support the ELCA initiative called, Embrace God s Mission Equip God s People, a church-wide endeavor to strengthen the ministry of the churches of the ELCA in the world. Google Embrace God s Mission Equip God s People for full information on this important ELCA initiative as we, together, move forward into what we hope is God s preferred future. A special congregational meeting was held at each Zion and Hadley August 20 th. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss and give opportunities to ask questions about the future of the parish in light of Pastor Kerry s moving to North Dakota. Pastor Kerry s last Sunday at Hadley/Zion Lutheran Parish will be Reformation Sunday, October 29 th. Rev. Dr. Kathryn Skoglund, Synod Minister from the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod, will lead worship and bring the message at Zion and Hadley September 17 th. She would also be glad to answer any questions or talk about the transition that is taking place soon in the parish. The youth of the church (this fall s 7 th grade and up) will be returning to the Harrisburg, SD Corn Maze on Saturday the 23rd. This year, the figure of a tiger is featured in the maze design. This is always an enjoyable and fun outing for those who go. Please let Pastor Kerry know if your young person will be going so that rides can be arranged. We try to get there about noon, and will stop to eat on our way home. Zion: Sunday school will begin September 24 at 9:45 a.m. If you can assist this year contact Sara Henning. ( ). Shetek Lutheran Ministries is hosting a PIE event on Thursday, September 7, 4 6 p.m. PIE: A Recipe for Generosity is now nationally recognized by our ELCA for its ministry value to families! It is a 75-minute informative and inspirational presentation which begins with a free pie buffet. A soup and sandwich meal will follow. At a PIE event we look at Psalms, story and best giving practices so you ll grow in gratitude and generosity. It s a great investment in your family legacy. Why Come? Many families no longer speak to each other following the death of loved ones because of the way the assets were divided. Family units are encouraged to attend all together. RSVP by to kathy@shetek.org Or phone Anyone who is to find Christ must first find the church. How could anyone know where Christ is and what faith is in him unless he knew where his believers are? Martin Luther 1

2 Pastor s wider-church involvements for August Wednesday, September 6, 11:30 am -- Murray Country Ministerial Association meeting, Slayton 1 Darrel Nielsen (Z) Ryan Veldhuisen (H) 4 Traci Gyberg (Z) 5 Gloria Strache (Z) 6 Tami Rogers (Z) 7 Mandy Dierks Prairie(H) 10 Marlys Nelson (Z) Dave Petersen (H) 12 Lynn Huge (H) Randy Graham (Z) 16 Jenni Seedorf (Z) 21 Shawn Theis (Z) 22 Jolene Dierks (H) 24 Krista Nelson (H) 25 Gwen Hogan (H) 26 Alissa Gibson (Z) 27 Elisabeth Johnson (missionary) 28 Dani Onken (H) Dustin Veldhuisen (H) 29 Audrey Wornson (H) Please contact the office with any additions or corrections Missionary Contact Information Zion & Hadley: (Drop an or note sometime) Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Johnson B.P. 111 N gaoundere, Cameroon elisajo@msn.com ELCA World Hunger - Send donations to: ELCA Gift processing center, PO Box 1809 Merrifield, VA , or give online with credit card at (click on Donate Now, then click drop-down box below dollar amounts for choices.) Lutheran Disaster Response For online giving, go to Follow the links for the specific crisis to which you want to give. Wednesday, September 13, 2:00 pm -- Lead worship at Slayton Nursing Home Thursday, September 21, 9:00 am Shetek Conference Pastors mtg. Zion Best Choice Save-A- Label Program Best Choice UPC labels can be redeemed for $.03 each. Any labels collected can be put in the box under the mailboxes. Best Choice products are Keith's Grocery and Teal's in Luverne. Shetek Lutheran Ministries Christ-Centered Renewal & Learning for All Ages. Sept Sept Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Women s Retreat Road Scholar Pre-Marriage Retreat Fall Toddlers and Trees For details call or check out ELCA Mission Statement: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. Southwestern Minnesota Synod Mission Statement: God places us in cities, farms and towns together under one prairie sky. The Risen Christ surprises us with opportunities to plant God's Word in the world. Walking together in confidence, we cultivate life-giving congregations, nurture partner ministries, and cooperate in the life of the ELCA. By God's grace, together we have what we need. 2

3 Kerry s Column -- The pastors ponderings I came across this article by one of my ELCA colleague somewhere, whose name I failed to note. But I saw the video of the girl referred to in the article as she recited her poem with great hope and confidence and celebration. Here, now, I share the article (and poem) with you. This week I ve been sitting with the wise words of Joyce Chisale. On Global Giving Tuesday, I was incredibly moved by this amazing young lady whose spirit, story, and smile brought tears to my eyes and whose message continues to deeply resonate within the heart. Joyce lives in Malawi in East Africa and is in her second year of high school one of the best in her class and she wants to be a doctor and a poet. But awhile back, she was told she could no longer attend school because her father could not afford to pay her school fees, which are among the highest in her country at $200 a year for tuition, room and board. But just recently, Joyce found out that she had received a scholarship from an organization named the KIND Fund [Pastor Kerry s note: this fund is supported through UNICEF USA and has been endorsed by MSNBC s The Last Word with Lawrence O Donnell. ] which provides desks and scholarships to young students in need in Malawi. Seeing her beautiful, face light up at this news and hearing her explain what this scholarship means to her as she read her poem titled, Little by Little, was pure beauty! than it can be built, we might find challenges arriving very suddenly in large swaths of energy, or we might feel that in our practice, progress isn t happening quickly or dramatically enough. Then as we take the time to reflect, we re reminded that goodness and kindness arrive one moment, one word, one action at a time that progress, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, so often happens little by little. And so we just keep keeping on and trust that by one small step at a time, our practice, patience, and compassion will make all the difference and we ll make our destination. Thank you, Joyce. You are an inspiration to many! Pastor Kerry here, again. You can meet this marvelous young high-school woman of dreams and resolve if you Google Little by Little Joyce Chisale. You will see an option to select a YouTube video. It is worth your time. She encouraged my faith. Perhaps she will yours, too. In Christ, Pastor Kerry Pastor s quote of the month: The Lord commonly gives riches to foolish people, to whom he gives nothing else. (Martin Luther) Little by Little by Joyce Chisale Little by little we ll go No matter how far the distance is, we ll not be shaken Little by little we ll go and reach our destination. Little by little we ll go No matter how bumpy or rocky the road is, we ll not turn back. But little by little we ll go and fulfill our dreams. Little by little we ll go No matter how narrow the path is, we ll force ourselves to pass. And little by little we ll go and reach the promised land. Don t be shaken; don t turn back. Little by little you ll go, and reach your destination. Just like a house can burn down much more quickly 3

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5 Zion Lutheran Council Meeting August 3, :00 PM The meeting was called to order by president Chuck Serfling. Members present, Mel Kroon, Deb Graham, Angelle Berreau, Sara Henning, Char & Randy Kruse, Pastor Kerry, Chuck and Carol Serfling. Also present were Merlyn Inglett and Hadley members Brent Johnson and Dave Onken. Representing the Synod, Kathy Skoglund. Pastor Kerry lead us in prayer. Pastor's timeline for leaving can extend to the end of October unless we have an interim start before that time. The Synod will give us from one to three options for an interim pastor. We will interview and/or issue a call. A contract for a designated period with an option for either party to terminate with 30 days notice. The contract can be extended if necessary. The interim will be paid at the same level we are paying Kerry. If the interim requires housing we are obligated to supply (possibly using the housing allowance we now pay Pastor Kerry). We discussed options: pairing with a third small congregation; contracting with a larger church; TEEM program; pairing with other denominations; continue by hiring for 2/3 time pairing with Hadley. Zion and Hadley will each appoint three parish members (do not have to be council members) to serve on the call committee for the hiring of an Interim. It was also suggested to have Pastor Skoglund (synod rep) to attend a meeting for each congregation to explain the call process and possible alignments. Minutes from the July meeting were read and approved. Motion by Carol, second by Sara. The Treasurers report was reviewed and approved. Motion by Mel, seconded by Deb. The pictorial project is put on hold for now until we find someone to produce the book. Meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer. Mel Kroon, Secretary 5

6 Hadley Zion Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Hadley Ushers Ryan Veldhuisen Dusty Veldhuisen Reader Jackie Veldhuisen Altar Joanne Swan Cleaners Dan Braun family Zion Ushers Reader Cindy Knips Altar th Sunday after Pentecost Z Worship/Comm. 8:45 am H Worship/Comm. 10: Murray County Ministerial meeting 1:30 pm Zion Council meeting 7pm th Sunday after Pentecost Z Worship 8:45 am H Worship.10:45 am th Sunday after Pentecost Z Worship/Comm. 8:45 am: H Worship/Comm. 10: th Sunday of Pentecost Z Worship 8:45 am Z Sunday school 9:45 am H Worship.10:45 am H Bingo at Golden Living Center, 2 pm Hadley Council meeting 7 p.m. at Action Realty office, Slayton Please submit items for the October Angelos by 9 am Conference Pastor s meeting 9 am 1 pm Youth trip to Harrisburg Corn Maze