S p r i n g G a r d e n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h May 2016 Midsommar & Vasa Spring Garden Tractor Parade ~ Sunday, June 26, 2016 10:00 am Church Service / 11:00 am Festivities Begin Live music, Swedish heritage food, fun & games (Pancake breakfast at Vasa - Tractor parade to Spring Garden following their church service at 11:30 am) Happy Mother s Day May 8 Ruby Sauter is Turning 90! Come Celebrate with family and friends immediately after church on Sunday, May 22, 2016 - coffee and cake for everyone!!
Page 2 Pastor s Article -- Pastor Cindy Fisher-Broin Music cuts across cultures and languages. It brings people together in ways that defy understanding. If a person starts singing a popular song, people join in and start singing along. On May 15 th we will celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came to the disciples as wind and tongues of fire. After this dramatic event had taken place they began speaking in other languages. Everyone from the city came together and heard them speaking in ways they could understand even though they didn t speak a common language. The disciples told of God s love in Christ. Music is kind of like that. Music is something that people understand. It s a way we can communicate with one another on another level. It can tell of God s love in Christ. Here at Spring Garden we are blessed with an excellent choir. They bring the Word of God to us in a way that speaks directly to the heart. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed group of singers. On May 15 th we will bring together both Pentecost and a celebration of our music ministry. In worship that day we will feature many choir songs that the choir has sung over the past year and we will celebrate the Holy Spirit s arrival at Pentecost. Following worship we will join in a potluck dinner and accept donations toward the choir and our music ministry. We hope you will be able to come and show your appreciation for the music ministry of Spring Garden as we celebrate Pentecost. As Martin Luther said: Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. See you in worship! Pastor Cindy If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, It must be by what he gives. Robert South (1634-1716) English Clergyman Corner Financial Facts March 31, 2016: Checkbook Balance: $17, 035.79 Outstanding Loans, Memorial Committee: $5,940.00 **** If you forgot to drop your offering in the plate on Sunday, just simply go to our website www.spring-garden.org click on the online giving tab and make your contribution that way. You will need to register and create a password, but once you have done that you can direct how much and how often you would like to give. **** May-June Birthday Lists are available now on the table right outside of the sanctuary.
May 2016 Page 3 The Missions team is hosting a Bake & Book Sale during the Cannon Falls city wide garage sales. The sale will benefit the medical mission trip to Guatemala in August. The bake & book sale will take place at Casey Haggstrom s house on Friday, May 6 th from 7am-2pm and Saturday, May 7 th from 7am-12pm. Donations of baked goods and used books can be dropped off at Casey s house at 312 Pine Street (behind Interstate Building Supply) on Thursday evening the 5th from 5pm -7pm or early Friday morning. We are looking for used books (best sellers, children s books, etc. but please no encyclopedias or dictionaries), baked treats, homemade bread, fresh eggs, jams, pickled veggies, etc. If you need your items picked up or have any questions please call Katie Sjoblom at 507-302-9167. Thank you for your help! Coming up: Live Band/Silent Auction Evening at the Cannon Gold Club on Saturday, June 18 with live music from 6:00 10:00 pm. There will be a great silent auction. It is sure to be a fun evening out! Bring your friends and dancing shoes to help support a great cause. How are you doing with the exercises that I have detailed in the last newsletters? I hope you have incorporated them in your exercise routine. I will have another hopefully next month. May is National Stroke Prevention Month so here are some facts and information in that regard. Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2008, approximately 133,000 people died from a stroke. A stroke or brain attack is when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. Signs of a stroke are: Numbness and weakness of the face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body. Confusion, trouble speaking and difficulty understanding. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance and concentration. Severe headache with no known cause. If you or another person close to you has these symptoms don't delay, call 911. Here are the ABCs of stroke prevention A: appropriate aspirin therapy B: blood pressure control C: cholesterol management S: smoking cessation; because smoking can cause thickening of the blood which make it more likely to clot and also can cause plaque formation and buildup. Other ways to prevent a stroke are to exercise regularly, healthy eating which includes lowering your sodium intake, health weight, prevent and/or control diabetes, and alcohol consumption in moderation. There is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over 5 years. It is called Million Hearts. Blessings to you all, Yvonne Salmonson, RN, Parish Nurse
Page 4 Does anyone else feel like this school year has gone by fast? I know that there is still a bit left, but winter felt fast to me. We re starting the planning on this Sunday school year winding down. We re looking forward to our Sundae Fun-day and Vacation Bible School!!!! Muffins for Moms Sunday, May 8 at 9:30 am Moms, join your kids downstairs for muffins, coffee & juice. Cherub Choir will sing during church. Sundae Fun-Day Sunday, May 22 at 8:45 am Last day of Sunday School We ll hopefully spend all morning outside with various activities and end with ice cream sundaes! Vacation Bible School Mon., June 13 - Wed., June 15 Here at Spring Garden 5:30-8:00 pm Look for more information soon. Confirmation is also winding down. Last Wednesday night for confirmation is Wednesday, May 18. 9th Graders this year should make sure that they have completed sermon note requirements before this fall. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Christian Ed board to thank all of our teachers, confirmation guides and other leaders for your time and talents during this school year. It s not easy to commit spare time in this day and age. We sure do appreciate you so very much. We can t run Sunday school without all of you volunteering your time. I encourage everyone to consider teaching next year whether you ve already been a teacher or you are new to it. It s not every week, it s easy and it s fun. These kids are great! We are going to have a lot of opportunity this next season and we need some new volunteers. I have one more year left of my term as the chair person of the Christian Ed board. I d like to move on to other things after my time is up. If anyone is interested in running our fun board, let me know! Ask me about it. It s always a great thing to get new ideas into the program! -Kim Sjoquist
May 2016 Page 5 Mission Endowment Fund Who needs MONEY? We re not talking about Spring Break or your Florida vacation. But we are looking for groups or individuals that need or could use money. Our committee is in charge of distributing money. In fact, we are required to do so (it s in our by-laws). Requests for funding should fit into one of four different categories: 1. For capital improvements, debt reduction, or building program of the Spring Garden Lutheran Church. 2. For scholarships or grants to members of the congregation of Spring Garden Lutheran Church for the purpose of attending college, seminary nursing or medical school; for church-related camping or leadership conferences; or other training which enable members of the congregation to grow in Christian faith and service to God s people. 3. For outreach into the community, including, but not limited to grants to ELCA colleges, seminaries, social service agencies, institutions and agencies to which the congregation relates, and to special programs designed for people in our parish area who are in spiritual and/or economic need. 4. For missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at home or overseas, including, but not limited to grants to the ELCA for new mission development, professional leadership, educational ministries, global missions and evangelism, TV evangelism, and capital financing. We meet quarterly so get your requests in by Apr 1, July 1, Oct 1, and Dec 1. Just fill out our form (available in the office or we can email it if you d like). We look forward to seeing your request. Your Mission Endowment Fund Committee: Dennis Sjoquist, Rachel Benson, June Christensen, Pauline Nerison and Sandy Hanson Congregational Life ~ Midsommar Midsommar is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 th and plan to come celebrate our Swedish heritage. We will again be serving a fabulous meal that includes some Swedish dishes. Special events include the tractor parade, live music and some fun games for kids (minnow races, sand dig for coins, water balloon fight, carnival games, etc.) Bring the family and enjoy the afternoon in the country. ***Help is needed to pull off the Midsommar Festival. A clipboard is being sent around each Sunday to sign up in various areas to help (set up, take down, food, etc.) If you would like to help in some way but missed the clipboard, please contact Jody Sjoblom at 651-764-0409 or Sandy Hanson 612-308-2856. ***
Page 6 Church Council Meeting Minutes: April 7, 2016 In Attendance: Bjorn Olson, Eric Lundell, Pastors Nick and Cindy Fisher-Broin, Sandy Hanson, Jody Sjoblom, Glen Lundell, Rob Lorentz, Mark Sjoquist, Megan Nerison, and Parish Nurse Yvonne Salmonson Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Bjorn Olson at 7:03 pm in the church social hall. Committee Reports: On file at the office. Secretary s Report: A motion was moved, seconded and carried to approve last month s minutes. Treasurer s Report: A motion was moved, seconded and carried to approve the Treasurer s report. Agenda Items: 1. Established agenda for Congregational meeting April 10. 2. Finalize nominees A. V. President Jenny Jandro B. Worship & Music Lisa Miller (2nd term) C. Evangelism Bill Erickson (2nd term) D. Youth Ministry Megan Nerison (2nd term) E. Cemetery Association Dallas Miller F. Cemetery Association Larry Olson G. Mission Endowment Fund Committee - Dennis Sjoquist (2nd term) H. Mission Endowment Fund Committee June Christensen (2nd term) 3. A motion was moved and seconded to accept the above nominees for presentation to the congregation. The motion carried. 4. Midsommar planning to begin, meeting Apr 12, 7:30; Cindy & Mark; 5. Kitchen project approval, to go to Congregation Pastors Report given. Parish Nurse Report included 8 visits, 4 phone calls, 36 texts, 180 miles and 23 hours. Board and Committee Reports: Worship and Music: Nothing to report; May 15 the Choir will perform with pot luck to follow Evangelism: No report Christian Education: June 13-15 VBS; last day of Sunday School is May 22 Youth Ministry: Served Easter breakfast and the 1st Lenten supper; planning summer youth camping; flower sales have now ended. Congregational Life: Will work on Midsommar; thinking about summer activities; movie and campfire ideas floating around. Church Property: Pump room organizational planning; new LED lights in entry; Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking is April 7, 2016 in Red Wing. Service to Serve Sunday planned for June 12. Received a free desk from The Shepherd s Center, which we ll put to use. Stewardship: Nothing to report Missions Board: Reminder that Guatemala mission trip is Aug 7-15; several fund raisers are being planned. We received about $1000 for serving at Easter breakfast and $300 for the Lenten supper; planning a bake sale during the City Wide Garage Sale the 1st weekend in May. Executive Committee: No report Memorial and Special Gifts Committee: No report Archives Committee: No report Mission Endowment Fund Committee: Quarterly meeting coming up on April 12 at 6:30pm Agenda for Next Meeting: 1. Invite all newly elected Council members to June Council meeting 2. Date of Installation Adjournment: A motion was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm. Sandy Hanson, secretary Announcements: Next council meeting May 5 All board meeting: April 12 and May 10, 2016 Congregational meeting: April 10 Service to Serve: June 12 Midsommar: June 26 Pam s Assistant for April: Mark; May: Glen Closing Prayer Next Month: Glen
May 2016 Page 7 Spring Congregational Garden Lutheran Meeting Church Congregational Minutes: April Meeting 10, Minutes 2016 4/10/16 The meeting was called to order by President Bjorn Olson at 11:00 in the Church Sanctuary. A quorum was established with 70 confirmed members present. Opening Prayer was given by Pastor Cindy. Secretary s report from the Jan 17, 2016 Annual Congregational meeting was read. A correction was made to the amount we have borrowed from the Undesignated Memorials, which should be $5,940.00, not $59,400.00. A motion was moved and seconded to accept the minutes with the correction. The motion carried. Treasurer s report by Rob Lorentz: the checkbook balance is $13,461.87 as of Friday, April 8; we are slightly behind in our yearly giving. A motion was moved, seconded and carried to approve his report. Election Nominees: a. V. President Jenny Jandro b. Worship & Music Lisa Miller (2 nd term) c. Evangelism Bill Erickson (2 nd term but 1 st full term) d. Youth Ministry Megan Nerison (2 nd term) e. Cemetery Association Larry Olson f. Cemetery Association Dallas Miller g. Mission Endowment Fund Committee Dennis Sjoquist (2 nd term) h. Mission Endowment Fund Committee June Christensen (2 nd term) Pres. Bjorn updated the congregation on the additional nominees approved by Council with every position full. There were no additional nominees from the floor. A motion was moved and seconded to cast a unanimous ballot. The motion carried. Pres. Bjorn also said how much more of an appreciation he has having served on Council and encouraged others to say Yes if asked. Old Business 1. Glen said the elevator inspector came and shut down our elevator as we had no safety mechanism to stop the lift if something got too close to the doors. We ve installed an electric eye/light barrier that will shut down the elevator for safety purposes if the beam is broken. The lift can then be restarted but it will first return to the floor it came from, then you need to push the button again for the floor you want to go to. 2. There was no additional old business. New Business 1. Midsommar June 26, which is a week after Father s Day. Anyone interested in being part of the planning task force can join us on Tuesday night, April 12, at 6:30pm. 2. Mission Endowment update; we ve had no meetings this year, but our quarterly meeting will be Tuesday night, April 12, at 6:30pm. If you have a funding request, please get it to us by Monday night, April 11. 3. Kitchen Remodel project We have a great kitchen remodel project group consisting of Doris Anderson, Glen Lundell, Maja-Lina Lundell, Megan Nerison, Jan Olson, Scott Quade, Craig & Jody Sjoblom, Bjorn Olson, Scott Safe and Rob Lorentz, who used Hockenbergs help with redesign. We have estimated new equipment costs at $19,000.00, and we still need to get plumbing and electrical estimates. We have received $30,862.00 designated specifically for the dishwasher ($6800.00) and kitchen ($24,062.00) remodel. The plan is to get close to a commercial kitchen, but not fully commercial, as we don t have to, based on how we use it. A commercial kitchen would require a much more significant financial investment as ceilings, floors, exhaust system, etc. would also need upgrading to meet commercial code. The Township has signed off but to get County approval requires congregational approval of the basic concept. We need to know if the Congregation agrees with the scope and the concept of the project we are working on. Once we get County approval and estimates for electrical and plumbing, we ll come back to the congregation for financial approval. A question was asked about whether we can do the full remodel for $30,000.00. Rob believes we can as current equipment estimates are for all new equipment, but we can cut costs by going with used equipment, such as stainless steel tables, stoves, etc, that he can search for online or at sales. We are planning for a new dishwasher as we were advised against going with a used one. The unknowns are plumbing and electrical until we get bids but we want that to fit the scope and concept of the kitchen project redesign so if we can t complete the entire redesign at one time, the plumbing and electrical will be where it s needed. A motion was moved and seconded to go ahead with the concept of the kitchen plan so we can move ahead. The motion carried. There was no additional new business. A motion was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 11:33am. Sandy Hanson, Council Secretary
Spring Garden Lutheran Church "Building a Rural Family in Christ" Church Council Members & Board Members President Bjorn Olson 263-7640 Vice-President Eric Lundell 651-442-0536 Secretary Sandy Hanson 258-4114 Treasurer Rob Lorentz 263-2384 Financial Secretary Pam Davis 263-5657 Worship & Music Lisa Miller 258-4341 Evangelism Bill Erickson 507-923-8487 Christian Education Kim Sjoquist 258-4834 Youth Ministry Megan Nerison 507-271-7491 Congregational Life Jody Sjoblom 258-4224 Church Property Glen Lundell 952-846-9672 Stewardship Mark Sjoquist 258-4123 Missions Board Katie Sjoblom 507-302-9167 Music Director Mary Kay Bougie 507-217-7552 Parish Nurse Yvonne Salmonson 507-951-7921 Custodian Sue Safe 258-4619 Administrative Asst. Kim Sjoquist 258-4834 Pastors Nick & Cindy Fisher-Broin 507-824-3216 P. Nick s Cell: 507-298-0416 P. Cindy s Cell: 507-298-0415 Spring Garden Lutheran Church P.O. Box 237 Cannon Falls, MN 55009 Phone: 507-263-5532 E-mail: springgardenchurch@frontiernet.net Website: www.spring-garden.org US POSTAGE PAID Permit #69 Nonprofit Standard Mail Cannon Falls, MN 55009 Address Service Requested