BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH Willmar, Minnesota 2017 ANNUAL REPORT EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA God s work. Our hands. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING January 28, 2018 Luther Hall 10:30 a.m.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AGENDA JANUARY 28, 2018-10:30 a.m. 1) Call to Order 2) Opening Devotions 3) Additions to Agenda 4) Rules and Process 5) Reports a. Congregational President b. Pastor c. Bethel Cemetery Association f. 2017 Financial Report g. 2018 Ministry and Mission Budget (Proposed) 6) Recognition of Bethel Staff and Church Council 7) Approval of 2018 Church Council 8) Other 9) Closing Prayer 10) Adjourn 1
ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE PASTOR JONATHAN DAHL In these past years, we have been surrounded by the notion of the dying church. Churches are getting smaller and smaller. The motto if you build it or if you offer it, they will come is no longer a reality. The theory that adults will return to church when they begin having a family is simply no longer valid. Together, then, we find ourselves asking, What are we going to do? How do we respond to this societal change in which people no longer find the church to be a necessity for their faith? No longer can we judge the success of a congregation by how many people are in the pews or how much money is in the offering plate each week. Being part of the church involves a realization that worshipping together is about what God is doing which is encountering our lives with love and forgiveness and inviting us into a way of living that goes far beyond just ourselves. Being church is being communal. Being church also means recognizing that the people who do gather inside the walls of a church do not make up and never make up the whole community. Therefore, we are in a vital time of inviting and equipping those who do gather to then scatter. It is time we take seriously the charge we cry out at the end of worship: Go in peace and share the good news! This invitation to share the good news is to take the love and the grace and the way of living that comes with Jesus into the very places we dwell -- the places where we work and shop, the places where we live and learn, the places where we have fun and let loose namely, anywhere outside the walls of the church. Christian community is a holy gathering and then it must become part of our daily lives a gathering and then a going. We come and see that we might go and be for we are called to gather as followers of God and then go into the community to be witnesses for God. 2
ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE However, the task is not to go as though we are bringing God to a place where God is not, because the truth is, God is already present wherever we might go. That is God s humble reminder to us. Our role is to discover what God is up to. Our role is to listen actively and to see attentively and to respond humanely. It is to live our faith rather than trying to, God forbid, enforce our faith on others or abandon our faith from within ourselves. When we go into the fullness of life and encounter the world before us, we are living with and among people. We do no treat others or the community like an object but rather a subject. That right there might be what the Christian church needs to ponder most of all. We are not to treat people and the community like an object but rather a beloved subject worthy of all we can be as church and as people created in the very image of God. We are called to see communities as God s beloved people. We are called to see the world as God s beloved creation. We honor, we care for, and we exalt God and this world. And then we trust and believe that God is always doing the same for us. I believe this is church. I believe this is Bethel imperfect to be sure but I believe this has been and continues to be the calling of Bethel. Most of all, I believe this is faith. Our faith. Your faith. All given to us by God. I am deeply grateful to serve a church and people and collaborate with a staff and leadership where we can remind one another of who God is calling us to be as people, as church, as Bethel, and move toward that together for the sake of holy life! 3
ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENT STEVE RENQUIST Because you have value to God, we are valuable as a church. Never, never, confuse your valuables with your value as a person. I am grateful that each of our members is part of the Bethel family. Your value begins with your portion of God s plan, but to us, it is more. You add an element that no one else can add your active participation in the implementation of God s plan is important to Bethel s success as a church community. We strive to promote God s kingdom through fellowship and service with our community. We find that by helping others find their Christian path, we see our own route more clearly. 2017 has been another remarkable year at Bethel. God s will for us has come to light in many new and exciting ways. I, personally, want to thank our staff whose tireless efforts, enthusiasm, creativity and love for our community provides the foundation for our worship and works. I also want to thank the Council, Teams and congregational members who have provided thoughtful leadership, service and governance of our operations. Our main project this past year was the Sanctuary improvement. This was carefully researched and planned by the Property Team. The project was completed under budget and on time. The church council is planning activities and events that may stretch the business as usual mindset. Our intergenerational activities and mission trips enriched the spiritual life of many of our members. The Christian writer Kathleen Norris, when discussing the Christmas story said, Mary proceeds, as we must do in life, making her commitment without knowing how much it will entail or where it will lead. May we be as faithful. 4
BETHEL TEAM REPORTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEAM The Community Outreach Team made up of 12 members had a busy 2017. Here are a few highlights: Bethel Beats the Winter Blues was held in February with the help of the youth team. It is another example of generations working together to provide family fun on a wintery Saturday. Proceeds fund youth programming at Bethel plus a local community cause selected by the Outreach Team. The annual rummage sale was held in March with all proceeds going into the Food for Kidz Fund in Bethel s effort to have an annual bag filling of food product to feed the hungry. Luther Hall is always filled wall to wall with items to sell! Food for Kidz took place Fall 2017 on a GIFT Sunday. The bag filling brought young and old together to pack 29 cases of food for the hungry. Both a rice and bean product and oatmeal bags were filled and distributed locally and globally to flooding victims. Local sites included the Food Shelf in Willmar, the Link in New London and Campus Ministries at Ridgewater. Mission Funds were distributed glocally in June and December. Team members are finding greater need right here in our own community as they make decisions about fund distribution. A financial gift from our team budget was sent to Southern California when LSS from that state requested emergency help due to this fall s wild fires that left so many homeless and destitute. Those dollars went toward bare essentials such as clothes, food, emergency shelter and urgent healthcare. We thank our congregation who continue to support our team with your dollars and direct help in service to others! 5
bethel team reports property TEAM The Bethel Property Team is made up of 11 members who are kept busy maintaining our beautiful building. A few of the major items in 2017 are as follows: With the news of Willmar Municipal Utilities cutting off the water heat to downtown, we explored many varied heating options. After sending plans and specs to many businesses, Bulletproof was hired to install new efficient boilers. This project will be finished in the winter of 2018. The long time wish of an exterior sign on the south side of Bethel was finally granted. Memorial money paid for the labor and material for this project. The Bethel Sanctuary received a makeover with new lighting and new carpet. This large project required the help of the Bethel Design Team and the Church Council. Worship & music TEAM The team meets 5-6 times a year, beginning with a June retreat. This year was the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Many of our church services held up this special event. Bethel Church and other churches in the community were invited to St. Mary s Catholic Church for a joint Reformation service. Bethel members participated in the service through music and reading. It was a joyful celebration! A class was held for members interested in serving communion. Greeters are contacted by the volunteer coordinators and are asked to greet for two Sundays. The Team has appreciated the variety of music at the various services. 6
bethel team reports Christian education & YOUTH TEAMS GiFT - Generation in Faith Together events have created new relationships among members of all ages. Bethel Buddies - All of the 6 th -8 th graders are matched up with a Bethel Buddy. They have 5 planned events during the school year and are encouraged to communicate with each other throughout the year. Many friendships have been formed and the Buddies are excited to see each other every time they get-together. Summer Trip to Holden Village - 27 Bethel Members & Friends from the ages of 8-79 shared many breath-taking and faith-making experiences on the week-long trip to the Cascade Mountains Holden Village in Washington State. Christmas Program - The Christmas Nativity was a GiFT event to welcome the Greatest Gift of all, the Baby Jesus. 60 Little tots-5 th Grade kids are enrolled in Sunday School. 20 6 th -8 th Graders are attending Confirmation Classes Foundation team The total giving by the foundation last year was $4,677 to the below groups/organizations: Summer Camp Youth Gathering Hurricane Relief Youth Leader Training Stingers Game Quilters Senior Quilters Pastor s Discretionary Fund 7
bethel team reports technology TEAM The Technology Team has been very busy this year working to update, maintain, and install various systems around the church. The major projects are listed below: Installation of projector system in Luther Hall. Internet Upgrade to Charter for Bethel. Security Camera Installation. Project planning for A/V upgrades to Sanctuary. Finance/STEWARDSHIP TEAM The Finance/Stewardship Team meets 8-9 times per year and oversees the accounting of Bethel s finances: Offering and Gifting Receipts, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Financial Reporting. Initiated an invitation to the congregation around the theme: Stewardship (what we do to show we care) is responding with talent and treasure to a gracious and loving and giving GOD. This invitation generated a response where 90 intentions of giving were returned with an anticipated increase of approximately $22,000 for 2018 for the ministry of Bethel. Conducted a review of our financial/accounting policies and procedures utilizing the firm of Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP. Their report emphasized that we are operating in a good and responsible manner regarding our financial policies and offered some suggestions for how we might even further improve with some of our operations. All in all, the Finance/Stewardship Team is grateful for another year of giving that was greater than expenses and for a spirit within our congregation of engaging the important ministry work we all do together. Thank you for responding with talent and treasure to God and Bethel. 8
YOUR GREATER CHURCH THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA) (Note: **Bethel supports the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and the greater ELCA church through regular monthly contributions and special offerings we receive. Your financial gifts and volunteer efforts are helping to make the following possible!) 9
YOUR GREATER CHURCH 10
YOUR GREATER CHURCH SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD OF THE ELCA The SW MN Synod includes 242 congregations and the geographical area is shown here. Bethel is one of those 242 congregations. The Bishop of the SW MN Synod is Pastor Jon Anderson. There are ten conferences that comprise the synod. Bethel is part of the Lakeland Conference and the conference primarily runs the Highway 23/Highway 12 corridor from Clara City to Paynesville and from Kerkhoven to Atwater. Bishop Jon Anderson 11
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW Landrie Miller, Rich Becker, Lilly Billmeier, Brett Danielson, and Quinton Linhoff attended a milestone class in January, the day before receiving their first communion. Brady Frye and Maddy Thorpe displayed their newly painted faces at February s Bethel Beats the Winter Blues event. Confirmation kids shared a Lenten Drama with the congregation during the Lenten Season. In March, Bethel youth took a trip to Air- Maxx in St. Cloud for pizza and trampoline fun! 12
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW A group from Bethel traveled to the State Capitol for an informational and fun tour. Ella Shinn, Aly Peterson, Jordan Kodet, Caroline Becker, and driver Elizabeth Dimler were victorious at the Bethel Road Rally during Confirmation. Bethel Boyz 2 Men delighted their fans with a song during Music Sunday, the first Sunday service of May. 13
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW In May, a Bethel group took a tour of the U.S. Bank Stadium. Bethel members had fun helping to build Willmar s new Destination Playground at Robbins Island. 14 A large group from the congregation walked in the Willmarfest Parade, one of our many Generations in Faith Together activities.
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW In June, Bethel installed new signage to be seen from Trott Avenue, with funds from a memorial. Our Atrium received a makeover with help from Bethel member, Aaron Zwagerman, who obviously has no fear of heights! A group from Bethel, ages 8 to 79, spent a week in Holden Village in July. Bethel and Vinje hosted a fun kickoff event at the Shores of St. Andrew before the week of VBS. 15
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW This year, Bethel hosted Vacation Bible School for both Bethel and Vinje kids. VBS was led by counselors from Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. In August, Bethel families stayed at Shores of St. Andrew for the annual Bethel Camping Weekend. Bethel member, Phillip Bonnema, played some impromptu Bingo after the outdoor Rally Day service was rained out. 16 Harris Hedin, age 99, posed with Eleanor Nelson, age 100, at a Matins birthday celebration in September.
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW Bethel Confirmation youth participated in an eggs-periment with their Bethel buddies at the Shores of St. Andrew in September. This was one of six Buddy Events that are held each year. Bethel packed 37,240 meals in October at the Food for Kidz packaging event held in Luther Hall. Eight ninth graders were confirmed in 2017 on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. 17
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW K-5th graders, including these kindergarteners and first graders, went bowling with Bethel youth in November at Alley on Ash in New London. The community warmed their bellies with Bethel chili during the annual Holidaze event in November. It was so delicious, we ran out of food! Family gathered around Lucia, Anna Peterson, for a picture during the Lucia Day celebration. A multitude of angels led a song during this year s Christmas Nativity GiFT program. 18
BETHEL 2017: A YEAR IN REVIEW The Notes of Praise brought treats and sang for the Willmar Police Department in December as a thank you for all their hard work this year. Our final GiFT event of 2017 was the annual hayride and caroling at a variety of Willmar care facilities. We ended our afternoon with a shared meal. Our 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service always ends with a beautiful candlelight rendition of Silent Night. 19
2017 PARISH REPORT CHILD MEMBERS (baptized, not confirmed) Total as of January 1, 2017 2017 Additions Baptisms Transfers 2017 Losses Confirmations Deaths Transfers Statistical Adjustment Net Gain (Loss) Total as of December 31, 2017 ADULT MEMBERS (confirmed) Total as of January 1, 2017 2017 Additions Baptisms Confirmations Transfers 2017 Losses Deaths Transfers Statistical Reconciliation Net Gain (Loss) Total as of December 31, 2017 TOTAL MEMBERSHIP Child Members Adult Members Total as of December 31, 2017 ACTIVE CONFIRMED MEMBERS Total members who communed or contributed during 2017 95 8 0 (8) (0) (0) (4) (4) 91 597 0 8 5 (21) (2) (19) (29) 568 91 568 659 472 20
2017 PARISH REPORT MEMBERSHIP 2014 760 662 543 2015 725 630 560 2016 692 597 493 2017 472 WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 2014 2015 2016 2017 Weekly Average 317. 294 280 270 16,460. 15,275 14,583 14,045 PASTORAL ACTS Baptisms Funerals Weddings 8 21 5 21
2017 FINANCIAL REPORT SUMMARY GIVING 2017 2016 General Fund Giving $ 467,404* $ 458,638 (envelopes, simply giving, etc.) Other General Fund Income $ 23,281 $ 25,959 (interest, other) Total General Fund Income $ 490,685 $ 484,597 EXPENSE Mission Support from Budget $ 46,862 $ 39,075 SW MN Synod ELCA $ 22,000 $ 21,917 Lakeland Conference $ 1,000 $ 1,125 Local/Global Missions $ 8,000 $ 8,000 Green Lake Ministries $ 2,500 $ 1,750 Lutheran Social Service $ 1,750 $ 3,466 Family Promise $ 2,112 $ 2,817 Adult/Youth Mission/Faith Trips $ 6,000 $ - Food for Kidz Event $ 3,500 $ - Total Clergy/Staff Compensation $ 261,568 $ 246,439 Total Operating Expenses $ 162,729 $ 147,429 Total Expense $ 471,159 $ 432,943 DIFFERENCE $ +19,526 $ +51,654 22
2017 FINANCIAL REPORT SUMMARY OTHER MISSION SUPPORT Family Promise, Sunday School Mission Project, Seminary Support, Food Shelf, WELCA, Community Support, Other $ 2017 65,012 $ 2016 51,182 MAJOR FUNDS ACTIVITY REPORT 1/1/17 Balance Received Expended 12/31/17 Balance General Fund $ 57,023 $ 492,518 $ 532,835 $ 16,706 Capital/Beautification $ 60,860 $ 32,192 $ 68,704 $ 24,348 Fund Bethel Reserve Fund $ 111,378 $ 50,377 $ 24,950 $ 136,805 Bethel Foundation $ 279,558 $ 28,453 $ 4,100 $ 303,911 Bethel Memorials $ 124,976 $ 2,232 $ 26,372 $ 100,836 (Designated & Undesignated) Land, Buildings, & $ 5,509,814 $ - $ - $ 5,509,814 Equipment Full 2017 Financial Report available in the church office. *(an extra $32,533 was given in 2017 for use in 2018 bringing the actual total of 2017 General Fund Giving to $499,937. This will be proportionally transferred into the general fund each month of 2018.) 23
2018 PROPOSED BUDGET MISSION SUPPORT 2017 2018 Change Change (Proposed) 24
2017 PROPOSED BUDGET OPERATING EXPENSES 2017 2018 Change Change (Proposed) 25
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH BETHEL S MISSION STATEMENT Rooted in Christ. Loving people to life. BETHEL S VISION Don t just go to church. Be the church. Celebrating the image of God in every person, we strive to live out our faith with urgency and relevance. Led by the Spirit, we seek to challenge and transform the world, beginning with ourselves and moving in the wider community. We are an ever -growing people of prayer, worship and service, welcoming all who long for a Christ-centered community of love. Bethel s spiritual values Generous Hospitality Passionate Worship Diverse Music Faithful Prayer Lifelong Learning Adventurous Outreach Abundant Grace 26