September 2018 Newsletter Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving.

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Ann Dalton
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Truth be told, I m not quite ready for it myself not mentally or organizationally. Like many of you, I was looking for another week or two to just kicking back and enjoying the pace of summer living.

1 Pastor Mary Eide Office: September 2018 Newsletter Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR MARY Happy Back-to-School Time Everyone! Okay, I realize not everyone is excited about the school year starting again. Truth be told, I m not quite ready for it myself not mentally or organizationally. Like many of you, I was looking for another week or two to just kicking back and enjoying the pace of summer living. Yet, sitting in the church office the past week or so, it had become quite obvious that the pace of summer living had already changed. Certain times of the day there were sudden rushes of cars swishing past the church, as students were getting dropped off (or driving themselves) to sports practices and games. Teachers have been making their way back into the classrooms to get set up or attend meetings. The quick cold spell we are experiencing right now will certainly help me get mentally prepared for the busyness and excitement of fall activities getting started. And I REALLY AM excited about getting to see more of you in worship, Sunday School, Confirmation and just generally out and about for village/school activities. I m looking forward to meeting up with our 7th-8th Grade Confirmation students and parents on Wed., Sept. 5th at 7pm. Then as a congregation we ll start things off with a rousing RALLY DAY on Sun., Sept. 9th. What a great way to begin the new season of learning: pancake breakfast, games for the kids to play, and then worship with Blessing of the Backpacks and Bibles for 3rd graders and any new 3-year olds through Kindergarteners. Confirmation classes kick off that week on Wed., Sept. 12th at 3:20pm, and Sunday School begins Sun., Sept. 16th at 8:45am. Of course, there are other ways we will gather, grow and give together throughout the month. Check out the contents of this newsletter to learn about learning, serving and fellowship opportunities inside and outside of the church throughout the rest of the month. We ll soon be offering a variety of opportunities to help with a big fundraiser coming up October 7th - our 4th Annual Autumn Fest. This has been a wonderful way to invite the entire community to a family friendly event, which also helps to support our ministry AND help fund the weekend meals that go home to students in our school district (Mounder Meals). Well, now that I ve written about all that s about to get started I really AM excited about the new season that is before us. It will all be a great way for us to live out our Mission Statement, which declares that we pg. 1

are a people encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. Look forward to seeing you all soon! NOTE: Don t forget that starting SUNDAY, SEPT. 2nd, worship is at 10am.

2 are a people encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. Look forward to seeing you all soon! NOTE: Don t forget that starting SUNDAY, SEPT. 2nd, worship is at 10am. Peace, Pastor Mary THIS MONTH Wed., Sept. 5 th 7pm Parent/Student 7 th -8 th Grade Confirmation meeting Sun., Sept. 9 th 8-9:30am Rally Day Pancake Breakfast Wed., Sept. 12 th 3:20-4:30pm 7 th -8 th Gr. Confirmation Class Begins Sun., Sept. 16 th 8:45 am Sunday School Begins! Sat., Sept. 22 nd 3-7:30p.m. Norwegian Smorgasbord at Big Elk Creek 8am-9:30 am Pancake Breakfast cooked and served by your Church Council Members 9am-9:30am Games for kids downstairs 10am Worship with Blessing of the Backpacks AND Distribution of Bibles and Small Catechisms September 16 th First Day of Sunday School for ages 3 to 103! 3-year old through Kindergarten will once again be using The Beginner s Bible curriculum, which works directly with the Beginner Bibles the women of the church are providing to all the children baptized in church or who join our 3-year old class. This curriculum provides more time for the children to learn the Bible stories and was a big hit last year. Elementary classes will be using a new curriculum that will walk us through the Bible. Students will encouraged to learn Bible verses, and each classroom will have an element of the Small Catechism or the books of the Bible to focus on this year. 7 th -12 th Grade Students will again be meeting with adults of the congregation to discuss current events, living as Christians, and study the Bible to learn how these ancient stories inform how we live today. This group meets in the sanctuary at the back tables at 9am. Adult Class we ll be gathering in the sanctuary with the 7 th -12 th graders. CONFIRMATION Parent/Student Meeting will be Wednesday, September 5 th beginning at 7pm. We ll talk about the curriculum, and Confirmation class elements (worship leadership, service events and worship notes). You ll also be signing up for acolyte opportunities and weekly snacks. Weekly Confirmation for 7 th & 8 th graders begins September 12 th (snacks 3:20-3:30 class until 4:30pm) (Acolyte sign-up sheet will soon be in the Gathering Space in church) pg. 2

BIBLE STUDY Women s Bible Study Wednesday, September 26 th at 1pm Pastor Mary we lead a new 3-month series Fall 2018: Repentance by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni September: Session one Time after time:

Gather, available on print and electronically. YOUTH Families of students in 6 th through 12 th grade will be receiving a letter from Keith Lee in the weeks to come.

and participate in events (inside or outside the church building). Keep your eyes open for this in the mail soon.

3 BIBLE STUDY Women s Bible Study Wednesday, September 26 th at 1pm Pastor Mary we lead a new 3-month series Fall 2018: Repentance by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni September: Session one Time after time: Turning to God October: Session two If I could turn back time: Turning to others November: Session three Turning points: Turning as the church to the world This study comes from the W-ELCA magazine Gather, available on print and electronically. YOUTH Families of students in 6 th through 12 th grade will be receiving a letter from Keith Lee in the weeks to come. Keith is our Youth Committee representative on the church council, and would like to have the youth members of the church create a YOUTH COUNCIL comprised of youth members, who will meet, organize and participate in events (inside or outside the church building). Keep your eyes open for this in the mail soon. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS are you interested in a weekend of fun at the Metropolis/Action City? November 9 th 11 th Godstock is a local High School Retreat filled with lots of activities and a way to meet up with teens all across the Northwest Synod of WI- ELCA. Please contact Keith Lee, Pastor Mary or Jason Laumeyer for any additional information. THANK YOU NOTES Special thanks for everyone who made VBS such a success in August. Our station leaders, assistants, small group leaders, organizers, and kitchen crew provided a week of rich faith lessons, delicious snacks, fun games, science experiments, crafts and music. International Spy Academy provided a great way for people of so many generations to be together, with Operation Fun and Games being a fun way to end the week. Special thanks to our Sunday School Superintendent, Vicki Adams, and her loving family (Dale, Chase and McKenzie) for all the hours they put into VBS. Huge round of applause for the Clemmens 3 Sisters (Edie, Linda and Tracy), the Ice Cream Social Organizing Committee, Youth Group members/families, and ALL of you who made our Pie and Ice Cream Social so tremendously successful by making donations of your time, treasures and food. A lot of delicious food and drink were consumed. It looks like we made $1,500 which will be used for youth activities throughout the year, and pay part of the Luther Park Bible Camp fees for youth that attended this summer. Absolutely amazing this will go a long way towards helping to fund some upcoming events To Linda O Mara, Sarah Larson, Rita Lee, LaVerne Ausman and Steve Sweeney for working on our financial review and audit in preparation for our new bookkeeper. September 16 th and 23 rd there will be a Noisy Offering to pay for our new Sunday School curriculum. This offering will be taken by the children, during our Children s Message time pg. 3

LET S GATHER HAAS LECTURE Let the Reader Understand Sat., Sept. 8 th, 4pm Grace Lutheran Church. Professor, Pastor and writer, Mark Allan Powell will be interpreting the Bible as it interprets us.

4 LET S GATHER HAAS LECTURE Let the Reader Understand Sat., Sept. 8 th, 4pm Grace Lutheran Church. Professor, Pastor and writer, Mark Allan Powell will be interpreting the Bible as it interprets us. NORWEGIAN SMORGASBORD Sat., Sept. 22 nd 3-7:30pm at Big Elk Creek Lutheran Church and there will also be a Craft & Bake Sale in the narthex. ST. JOSEPH S FALL FESTIVAL, Sun., Sept. 23 rd 11:30am 3:00 pm DINNER (till 2pm): Baked Ham and Turkey Breast, Real Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Cole Slaw, Vegetable, Roll, Pie, Milk & Coffee. PRICES: Adults $9.00; Ages 6-12 $5.00; 5 & under FREE 50/50 BINGO from 11:30 am 2:30 pm; and lots of great things raffled off at 3pm COMMUNITY MEAL Tues., Sept. 25 th 6pm at Trinity UMC potluck meal; all are welcome, with freewill offering for the Food Pantry. MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA is looking for volunteers to help pack meals: Monday, Thursday or Friday 9:15am-12:15pm in Menomonie at the Tantara Meal Site. Call the ADRC at for more information. MARK YOUR CALENDAR for these FUTURE DATES HOMECOMING PARADE FLOAT Friday, October 5 th 2pm We are looking for students and adults who d like to RIDE ON or WALK BESIDE our church float/wagon for the parade and throw candy out to the crowd. Sign-up sheet on the YOUTH Bulletin Board (by the elevator). A parent s permission form will be needed for students attending Moundsview Elementary (also on bulletin board). We will pick up MV students at the school, and bring them back to school after the parade. 4 th ANNUAL AUTUMN FEST, will be held at the Lion s Park (405 S. Holly Avenue, Highway H) Sunday, October 7 th from 11am to 2pm. This event is for EVERYONE so pass the word on! We will have food, games for people of all ages, a silent auction, music and more. The delicious chicken meal will be ONLY $6 for adults and $3 for children. You ll receive chicken, baked beans, chips, dessert, soda, water and coffee. We ll have a donation list out soon for food and Silent Auction items. Why not sign up too, to help with: putting baskets together, prepping, cooking or serving food, running games, etc. You can also contact the church or the event committee chairperson, Heidi Schiszik (hlschisz@gmail.com) for additional information. RUBY S PANTRY, Saturday, Oct. 13 th (can come as early as 6:30 or 7am to volunteer) KINGS COUNTRYMEN BLUEGRASS GOSPEL BAND, Sunday, October. 14 th 10am leads our worship service. REFORMATION/CONFIRMATION SUNDAY October 28 th 10am - Brooke Hestikin will Affirm her Baptism (be confirmed) during worship. pg. 4

She has a strong commitment to accuracy in financial data entry and financial recordkeeping. We are excited to have Kim on board with us.

5 MONEY MATTERS Wanting to keep you informed with where we stand financially and update you on a change in our bookkeeper position. Let s start with our NEW BOOKKEEPER, Kim Studinger, is a finance/human resource manager with over 15 years of experience in non-profit bookkeeping and payroll. She has a strong commitment to accuracy in financial data entry and financial recordkeeping. We are excited to have Kim on board with us. As you read in your mid-year giving letter, our congregation is experiencing a serious giving gap this year going beyond just a summer slump. One small step we ve taken is publishing the giving for each week in the bulletin, as well as listing the amount necessary to meet the budgeted expenses of the year. NOTE: This amount does NOT account for the deficit incurred but identifies the amount we agreed to support as a congregation at our annual meeting. Wanted to share the final totals with you in the newsletter, so this information is seen by more than just those who were in church this past month. You ll notice that the giving is broke down into Sunday Offering AND Simply Giving. This latter amount reports the amount that comes in each month, because members have chosen to designate offerings that come electronically to the church account even if they are unable to attend church. This is an option you can utilize to help ensure a regular amount of income is received to help with our regular expenses. It s a way to practice first fruits giving a practice of intentionally and prayerfully putting aside a portion our income for God s work. AUGUST GIVING: $9, (Sunday Offerings $7, Simply Giving $2,013) NEEDED to cover Budget: $11,580 WORSHIP BAPTISM of Ryder James Russo will take place Sun., Sept. 23 rd 10am. Come and join proud parents, Ryan & Amy Russo and beaming brother, Kaden for this wonderful event. Ryder was born September 24 th, 2017 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Reflection from DAILY GRACE from the Women of the ELCA: Music simultaneously locates us in time and takes us beyond time binding us to all who ever sang these hymns and all who ever will our grandparents, neighbors, ancestors in faith and those who will come after us, many years from now. Singing beloved liturgies and hymns firmly situates us as God s beloved people of faith, now and always. Whether we take part in time-tested melodies or try out new music, we join with all of God s creation in singing and making music to the God who created and loves us all. We learn the breadth of God s story and our place in it, in a new way. In liturgies and songs of faith old and new, there is space for each of us. We differ in many ways, but the music of our faith gives us a common language to voice our sorrows, joys and hopes to God and to each other. SHARE YOUR TIME & TALENTS by signing up to assist in worship: lector/read, communion assistant, acolyte, deliver offering to the bank. All these signup sheets are in the Gathering Area look for the table with all the clipboards. pg. 5

OUR SYNOD MEET OUR NEW BISHOP of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA (The following is a letter of introduction sent from Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson) Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of

6 OUR SYNOD MEET OUR NEW BISHOP of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA (The following is a letter of introduction sent from Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson) Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve as your bishop. For the last 4.5 years I ve served as the Director of Evangelical Mission/Assistant to Bishop Rick Hoyme and before that for 28 years, I was a parish pastor in Windom, Slayton, St. Cloud and Pelican Rapids, MN. I am excited and hopeful about the future! The Holy Spirit is moving and working among us in new and exciting ways challenging us to go deeper in our faith and moving us outside our comfort zone. Paying attention to where the Spirit is calling us and learning to GO and DO in Jesus name is an important part of my work as Bishop. I encourage the people of our synod to not only GO to Church but to BE the church in the world. A little bit about me: My husband Randy and I both graduated from Luther Seminary in He is the pastor of Christ Lutheran in Menomonie. We have three adult children. Andrew (30) is married to Kristina. They live in Appleton and are expecting our first grandchild July 18. Matthew (27) is engaged to Emily Ewen. They are getting married August 18. Anna (24) graduated from St. Kates and works in Occupational Therapy. I love to garden and help things grow. I enjoy cooking and entertaining family and friends. When I have time, I like to bike, canoe or kayak. I look forward to getting to know you and your congregations. Stay on top of events going on around the Northwest Synod of WI-ELCA by checking out the website or going to their Facebook page. pg. 6

September 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 3 Office Closed 4 5 6 7 1 / 8 NEW WORSHIP TIME 10am Worship w/comm 4pm-6pm Food Pantry 9am-Noon Quilt Sewing 7pm

Blessings of Backpacks and Bibles Distributed 11am Fellowship (Women s Group 2) 4pm-6pm Food Pantry 9am Women s Meeting Noon Women s Luncheon @ Central Lutheran CF 320-430pm 7 th & 8 th Grade

7 September 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 3 Office Closed / 8 NEW WORSHIP TIME 10am Worship w/comm 4pm-6pm Food Pantry 9am-Noon Quilt Sewing 7pm Parent/Student 7 th - 8 th Grade Confirmation meeting 9am Coffee & The Junction 10am-Noon Food Pantry Pastor s Sabbath am-9:30am Pancake Breakfast 10am Worship: Blessings of Backpacks and Bibles Distributed 11am Fellowship (Women s Group 2) 4pm-6pm Food Pantry 9am Women s Meeting Noon Women s Central Lutheran CF pm 7 th & 8 th Grade Confirmation 630p Finance Committee meeting 9am Coffee & The Junction 10am-Noon Food Pantry Pastor s Sabbath am Sunday School 10 am Worship w/comm & Baptism 11am Fellowship (Women s Group 3) 4pm-6pm Food Pantry pm 7 th & 8 th Grade Confirmation 9am Coffee & The Junction 10am-Noon Food Pantry Pastor s Sabbath am Sunday School 10am Worship w/comm 11am Fellowship (Group 4) 11am Church Council meets p St. Joe s Fall Fest Pr. Mary-Fall Ministry Event am Sunday School 10am Worship 11am Fellowship (Women s Leader Group) Pastor Fall Ministry Event Pastor Fall Ministry Event 4pm-6pm Food Pantry 6pm Community Trinity UMC 1pm Women s Bible Study/Sarah Circle pm 7 th & 8 th Grade Confirmation 9am Coffee & The Junction 10am-Noon Food Pantry Pastor s Sabbath Committee Budget Requests DUE to Finance Committee NO Activity on Sept. 1 st! Sept. 8 th : 7a Ruby s Pantry We need your help! Autumn Begins! 3-730pm Norwegian Smorgasbord at Big Elk Creek pg. 7

8 Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: NEW Worship time beginning Sunday, September 2 nd 10:00AM AUTUMN FEST ~ Sunday, October 7 th Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church 207 University Street Elk Mound, WI 54739

August 2018 Newsletter Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving.

Pastor Mary Eide Office: 715-879-5115 sothlc@sothem.org meide@luthersem.edu www.sothem.org August 2018 Newsletter Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. THOUGHTS