Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Eide Office: 715-879-5115 sothlc@sothem.org or meide@luthersem.edu www.sothem.org February 2017 Newsletter Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. SOUPER BOWL OF CARING SUNDAY Sunday, February 5 TH Learning about Hunger in the world 8:45 am All Ages Event during Sunday School time. Its a fun way to learn together and make Friendship Soup. Meeting in basement. 10:00 am Worship w/ NOISY OFFERING of coins and cans (or boxes) of food for the EM Community Food Pantry Kids, parents, grandparents people of all ages invited for a souper good celebration! NEEDED: Egg Bakes and Workers for Saturday, Feb. 11 th Pancake and Egg Breakfast. Sign up in Gathering Area at church, leave a message on church phone (715-879-5115) or contact Pastor Mary (meide@luthersem.edu) or Terra Millermon (715-874-7965) PANCAKES AND EGG BREAKFAST Open to the entire community When: Saturday, February 11, 2017 6:30-10:00 A.M. Where: Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church Menu: All you can eat pancakes, homemade egg bake (eggs, cheese, meat, bread), sausage, bananas, milk, orange juice, and coffee Suggested donation of $6 per person ***10% of the proceeds will be donated back to the Power Lifting Club*** Food Donation Suggestions: diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, peaches, pineapple, soups of any kind (think of what you would enjoy eating), corn (creamed and regular), varieties of hamburger helper (NOT cheeseburger), stove top stuffing, and fruit cocktail pg. 1
EDUCATION Feb. 5 th ALL AGES EVENT Souper Bowl of Caring begins during Sunday School time in the church basement. Games, Bible study, and an opportunity to make Friendship Soup Mix to share with others. You can wear sports apparel for this fun celebration of Super Bowl Sunday as we learn about hunger in world. (You can also bring change and food for the Elk Mound Food Pantry.) Parents, grandparents and siblings invited! CONFIRMATION Classes will be held in February with our regular schedule. Our schedule changes for the Season of Lent, as described in the parent-student letter you received at the beginning of the school year. During Lent we will NOT be meeting for our regular class time, but instead students are to attend the mid-week worship services at 7pm beginning with our March 1 st, Ash Wednesday service. The following five Wednesdays we will be using the Holden Evening Prayer Service of Light. ALL are invited to come and enjoy the Soup Suppers that take place each Wednesday at 6pm. MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP/SOUP Hard to believe, but the church season of Lent is right around the corner. That means it s almost time for our mid-week Lenten Soup Suppers (6pm) and Holden Evening Prayer Worship (7pm) It all begins on March 1 st, ASH WEDNESDAY. Supper will be at 6pm, Worship with imposition of ashes will be at 7pm * To the following Church Council members who faithfully served us three years: Jim Vespers and Barb Vadnais * To the NEW Church Council members for their willingness to share their time and talents with us: Linda Eder, Greg Kinblom, Rita Lee, Betty Heltne, and Melisa Topper. * To ALL who attended our Annual Congregational Meeting in January. Let s keep the conversations going. * To EVERYONE who made our Annual Meeting Luncheon such a delicious feast!! HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR QUILT DAY Saturday, February 25 th, 9am to??? is when we are gathering once again to help make the High School Senior Quilts. You can come for the day or come for a shorter time period. You DO NOT need to be a quilter to lend a hand. Potluck lunch for the day. pg. 2
RACISM EDUCATION EVENT We are Called as Lutherans, to Serve with Justice, Saturday, February 25 th 9am-4pm at Metropolis, only $10 for event and lunch. YOUTH AND ADULTS are invited to attend this one-day event where, together, we will engage in conversation about racism and how we as Christians have a unique calling to justice and peace in the world. Will be watching the moving Selma the Bridge to the Ballot and have group discussion on key issues within it and our culture today. Being organized and sponsored by the Synod Youth Board. LUTHER PARK BIBLE CAMP Yes it s only February of the year but it s time to start making plans for Bible camp. The Luther Park Bible Camp brochures are out, and you can find information and registration forms on their website (www.lutherpark.org). Because our church values the faith formational of our children and youth, we have funds available to encourage them to participate in Bible Camp. REGISTER/PAY DEPOSIT by MAY 1 st and receive an Early Bird Discount ($10 off partial week camp and $20 off full week) WALKING TOGETHER March 18 th, 9-430 at UW-EC Davies Center. This is an annual event that brings together 400-500 fellow Christians who gather to learn from experts and congregations who are doing God s ministry in their communities. You will be equipped with new ideas, inspiration, resources and materials you can take back to our church. The cost is only $20, which includes a whole day of sessions, lunch and more. Anyone 25 or younger gets in FREE!!! You can find registration information at http://nwswi.org/home/calendar-of-events and in our Gathering Area at church. Join the W-ELCA on Wednesday, February 8 th at noon, as we hear about the 2017 Triennial Gathering this coming July. This year it is right in our backyard -- Minneapolis. Hostesses are Carol Heimstead and Linda Dempski. Faylene Howe will give devotions. pg. 3
Shepherd of the Hill Council Meeting December 11 th, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:45 am by President, Rita Lee Members Present: Barb Vadnais, Sarah Larson, Ken Millermon, Betty Heltne, Tricia Langer, James Vesper, Keith Lee, Rita Lee, Sandy Barth, Heidi Schiszik, Pastor Mary, Members Absent: None Pastor Mary led us in prayer. Motion by Sandy Barth to approve Agenda, seconded by Ken Millermon, passed Motion by Pastor Mary to approve minutes from November, seconded by Betty Heltne, approved Motion by James Vesper to file the treasurers report, seconded by Sandy Barth, approved New Business: Motion made by Keith Lee to switch insurance companies from Hanover to Hastings Insurance for a savings of approximately $2000 annually with the stipulation that additional costs if any for other insurance coverage not on spreadsheet is less than $1000, seconded by Ken Millermon, approved Motion made by Sandy Barth that we approve the proposed budget as presented, seconded by Betty Heltne, passed Financial Committee working on revising money counting proceedures. Annual meeting is set for January 22, 2017 following worship. Installation of new council will be January 29, 2017. Powerlifting Breakfast proposed for February 11, 2017, more information to follow. Good Samaritan Voucher process revised due to the sale of the Mini Mart. Old Business: One more person needed for the Audit Committee, Kris Jenson has volunteered. Committee Reports: Property: Basement water leak still on the radar for future repair, refinishing the basement floors spring 2017?. Bob Dempski will be cleaning the basement tile in the near future. Repair, seal and paint parking lot Terry Stamm getting quotes, Exterior lights Dale Adams researching. Annual sanding of the Parking Lot done - $150.00 due for this service. Youth: Luther League had a movie night with 4 attending. We watched A Christmas Carol and ate homemade pizza, popcorn and Kool-Aid. Had discussion at the end about how we can always learn from our mistakes and it s always better to be kind and generous. Started planning for the Sock-hop in Spring. This year looking to support a service dog for a veteran which is fully covered by donations, with the training of the service dog provided for free. Luther League checking: Beginning balance $924.09, less supplies $-94.64, Ending balance $850.99. Christmas caroling will be on Wed., Dec. 14 th. pg. 4
Social Concerns: Hat and Mitten tree in gathering area. Sue S. has the information about the adopted family for Christmas for Kids in gathering area. Christmas cards were sent to the elderly/shut ins, food pantry volunteers and Mounder Meal volunteers. 100 bags are being packed and delivered each week for Mounder Meals. Worship: Christmas Eve worship on December 24 th at 4 pm. No 10:00 pm service Evangelism: No Report Education: Sunday School Program is set for 12/18 Stewardship: Ruby s Pantry: Next distribution will be December 21, then January 16, 2017 Pastor s Report: PASTOR S REPORT December 11, 2016 MEMBERSHIP who haven t we seen in awhile? (See list) C12.07 SOTH Constitution The Church Council shall provide for an annual review of the membership roster. Bylaws Part II Inactive Members 1. A confirmed member who does not for a period of one year partake of Holy Communion, support the church with offerings, and does not appear to desire to participate in the life and worship of the congregation is considered and inactive member. 2. After a period of 2 years, his/her name shall be removed from the membership roster of the congregation, but be retained on a caring ministry roster. 3. The persons on the caring ministry roster shall continue to be the concern of the congregation in it ministry, especially in times of illness and bereavement. 4. Members who move to another community outside the area served by the congregation shall be encouraged to request a Letter of Transfer to a Lutheran Congregation in the community of his/her residence If at the end of two years they have not transferred and have not remained active members, they are removed from active membership and placed on the caring ministry roster. COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES $ Had a highly successful All Ages Advent Event on Sunday, November 27 th, with 40 people participating in the event. $ Kudos to the members of the Finance Committee that finalized the proposed budget, came to this meeting with a recommendation for our insurance, and help lead today s Special Congregational Meeting. We are making tough decisions, but sincerely we are providing the congregation the best financial path forward for 2017 $ Will be working with a few members of the Finance Committee to review policies and procedures for: a. New bank deposit teams b. Offering counting c. Pastoral Counseling/Visitation per our new insurance policy d. Prevention of sexual abuse of children/teens $ Working with Stewardship Committee to get Time and Talent information out for Worship Leadership roles and for other committees pg. 5
FUTURE I will be on vacation from after worship on Dec. 25th through Thursday, Dec. 29th. If you have an emergency or need for pastoral assistance, please contact Pastor Hal Schroetter at 715-828-1112. Submitted by, Pastor Mary Eide Next meeting: January 15, 2017 following worship Motion to adjourn at 1:10 pm made by Heidi Schisczik, seconded by Tricia Langer approved. We closed with The Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by Barb Vadnais, Secretary Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA December 14, 2016 Minutes The Women of the ELCA met at 12:00 noon on December 14, 2016, with 11 ladies (plus spouses) present. We sang the Table Prayer and enjoyed an abundant potluck lunch. The program followed immediately after our meal. Mary Kolstad gave an interesting oral and video presentation on Barn Quilts. She and Jeanine Puhl also conduct workshops in Menomonie on designing and making barn quilts. Her group is preparing a map of barn locations in the county for those interested in taking a road trip to view the different designs. They are especially interested in century farms. Participants create their own designs and each design tells a story about family heritage and inspires faith. A question and answer period followed. The business meeting was called to order by President Sandy Barth. The treasurer s report was presented by Linda Dempski and approved. It was decided that we will wait until the February meeting to decide on distribution of this year s funds. The minutes from our October 12 meeting were ready by Carol Stuckert and approved. pg. 6
Carol Carlstrom advised that it is time to update our W-ELCA Work Group Booklet. She has an up-to-date list of Shepherd of the Hill membership. She plans to meet with the Work Group Chairpersons to make suggested changes (honorary members will be noted). Carol Heimstead and Carol Stuckert volunteered to type, duplicate and distribute the updated booklets. Old Business We had not selected a second person to be names on the credit card for Sam s Club purchases. A motion by Carol Stuckert and second by Carol Heimstead to appoint Linda Dempski as the alternate person eligible to use the card. Motion passed. New Business Pastor Mary reminded us that 2017 is the 500 th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. She had a number of ideas/activities we might pursue in order to promote participation in the W- ELCA more about this in 2017. President Sandy Barth announced that the Annual Meeting will be held on January 22. We concluded the meeting praying the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by Carol Stuckert, Secretary pg. 7
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Encouraging faith and proclaiming God s love by Gathering, Growing and Giving. Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church 207 University Street Elk Mound, WI 54739 pg. 10