Salem Lutheran Church P O B O X 1 2 8 H I T T E R D A L, M N 5 6 5 5 2 2 1 8-962- 3 2 1 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 Dear Friends, A Note From Pastor Ruth The time is quickly coming upon us in which Alex and I will be welcoming a new little one into our family, and because I care about you and the ministry at Salem, I want to be intentional about communicating information and expectations about this time before it arrives. What is maternity leave? When will it start? Maternity leave is an important time for me to be with my baby, to care and bond with him. I will be taking a 6 week maternity leave, as is outlined in my letter of call that was issued by the congregation when I began at Salem in 2014. This means I will be taking about a month and a half on leave from the vocation of pastoring at Salem Lutheran Church. During my maternity leave, I will not be working. I do not anticipate replying to work calls, e-mails, or text messages. I am hoping to work as late into my pregnancy as I can so that my leave will be with the baby. I am scheduled to have a labor induction on November 1 and with that plan in place, as long as my little one does not come any earlier, I will return on December 13. Who will serve the church during the pastor s leave? I am very thankful that in my absence, Pr. Tom Olson of Hawley (not be confused with Pr. Tom Olson who is Pastor as Solum, Lysne, and Hegland Lutheran Churches) will be serving as Auxiliary Pastor. Pr. Tom is a retired pastor in the Northwestern Minnesota Synod, and will covering leadership responsibilities for all worship services, and any emergency pastoral care needs during my absence. He is excited to be able to be with you during this time, and I am sure that you all will make him feel as welcome as possible. The Congregation Council has agreed to cover my regular visitations to shut-ins, but they are also open to others in the congregation helping with this as well. Any non-emergent visitation requests can be sent to Penny, and she will make sure that a member of council or another congregational visitation volunteer is informed of the need. Confirmation will be taught by a member or members of the congregation, and will continue on its normal schedule. Teachers at this point are TBD, but if you have an interest in teaching Confirmation, please speak to me as soon as possible. So we won t see the pastor or her baby during her maternity leave? While I love this church family, and I may choose to participate in moments in the life of the church during my leave, I ask that you please honor this time in my new little family s life by allowing me to determine my own involvement. Just because I am not physically present does not mean I love you any less. What will it be like when Pastor Beth returns? When I return from my maternity leave (sometime before Christmas), I will resume as many as of my normal responsibilities as possible. Please note that while I will attempt to visit as many of our shut-ins during the time leading up to Christmas, I may need help making sure that everyone has had a visit, so any help is much appreciated. How does this all work financially? My pastoral letter of call includes a 6 week paid maternity leave, and during this time I will receive full salary and benefits. Pr. Tom s arrangement has been approved by council and is in line with Synod Guidelines for supply pastors. He will not be at the church full time. I am sure more questions will arise and I hope to make things as clear as possible. Please talk to me if you have any particular concerns. Many Blessings, Pr. Ruth 1
Regular Council Meeting Carolyn Juell, Council Secretary Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes, Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 8 p.m. Council members present: Raynelle Anderson, Susan Dunham, Warren Dunham, Carolyn Juell, Roger Mattson, Gary Peterson, Pastor Ruth Popkin and Dennis Weerts. The secretary s report was read. Roger made a motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Dennis. Motion carried. Treasurer s report was read. Gary made a motion to accept the report as read. The motion was seconded by Dennis. Motion carried. Motion to pay the bills was made Raynelle. It was seconded by Roger. Motion carried. Coming events include the Youth group Burgers and Brats on Oct. 7-8, Church Meatball Dinner on October 14 from 5-7, and Trunk or Treating. Raynelle made a motion Salem will contract with retired Pastor Thomas Olson from Hawley for services from November 1 December 13 while Pastor Ruth is on maternity leave. Services will include leading Sunday services, provide emergency pastoral care, and attend November Church council. Dennis seconded the motion. Motion carried. Pastor Olson is also willing to do bible study on Gospel of John following service if there is interest. Pastor Ruth will take vacation on October 30/31. Pastor s Report: Pastor Ruth made 11 home visits, 1 funeral, 3 attempted visits, 3 phone call check-ins, and 2 other visits. Offering for relief for recent disasters will be taken this Sunday for Lutheran Disaster response. If you want to go to particular area such as Harvey indicate that on donation. Reach needs food for food pantry. The meeting was closed with The Lord s Prayer. Attendance and Stewardship Date Attendance Offering 9/3 35 $ 945.47 Communion Helpers October 1: Raynelle Anderson 15: Kris Mickelson 9/10 107 $ 2,123.11 9/17 86 $ 2,566.00 9/24 84 $ 3,054.93 TOTAL $ 8,741.38 Thrivent Choice Dollars Thank you to the Thrivent members who have chosen Salem Lutheran as a recipient of Thrivent Choice Dollars. Salem received $50 in May. BUDGET INFORMATION Budget for 2016 is $115,579.50. Offering needed to meet the budget monthly is $9,631.63. Total income for May was: $ 8,741.38 Total disbursements for May was: - $ 8,594.64 $ 146.74 Thrivent Choice Dollars + Dividend + Interest = $51.87 2 Reader List Acolyte Schedule (Com.) 1: Raegan O & Rilyn B (Com.) October 1: Michelle Jepson 8: Larry Crose 15: Cade Jepson 22: Carol Crose 29: Kris Mickelson 8: Luke M 15: Karsyn P 22: Raegan Oberg 29: Payton H
Salem Lutheran Women & Quilters 9am - Morning Circle: Circle Meetings for October 11, 2017 Circle at church with a Potluck Brunch and Bible Study will be done together. 2pm - Afternoon Circle: Circle at church and Bible study will be done together. 7pm - Evening Circle: Circle will meet at church with Hellie Johnson as hostess. Bible Study will be done together. Salem Lutheran Women News Your $20 annual donation is due. This money helps to pay our share of church maintenance and helps with the mission of Salem Lutheran Women. You can give your donation to your circle treasurer or Susan Dunham. Raffle tickets and money must be turned in by the night of the church supper, October 14th. This, too, can go to your circle treasurer or Susan. Bazaar/bake sale/farmer's market items should be at church by 9:00 a.m. October 14th, or early enough to price before the supper starts. Confirmation Schedule - 2017-2018 October 4: Adam & Eve 11: Abraham & Sarah 18: No Class (MEA) 25: Jacob Salem Saints - 2017-2018 The Salem Saints will be doing their Annual Burgers & Brats fundraising event on Saturday and Sunday, October 7th & 8th. They will start serving at 11am in Hitterdal along highway 32. The cost is $6 and the meal includes a Burger OR Brat, a drink, chips and a cookie. All proceeds help support the Salem Saints Youth Group! We welcome Beet Truck Drivers!! Sunday School - 2017-2018 Sunday School meets at 10am each Sunday: Oct. 1st, Oct. 8th, Oct. 15th, Oct. 22nd, and Oct. 29th. Bits & Pieces of Salem Lutheran s Past....... Val Johnson Prices for new carpet for both upstairs and downstairs was presented at the annual meeting in 1993. Warren Dunham, Deloris Winjum, Beverly Nelson, and Lyle Schultz were appointed to be on the carpet committee. The Constitution revision committee has been working and will have a report ready in the near future. (Considering there was not a lot of business, the meeting still lasted two hours.) A special congregational meeting was held July 18, 1993, to present the recommended constitution for consideration by the membership. The Constitution committee consisted of Chairman Carl Erickson, Gordon Langerud, Vernon Mattson, and Edgar Winjum. Carl presented several particulars of the constitution, one of which would avoid lengthy amendment procedures for simple matters. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to accept the new constitution as presented. (A simple majority was required. In 6 months a final vote will be taken where a two-thirds majority will be required.) 3
Memorials & Gifts RHODA JAHR FOUNDATION Gift from Don Jahr SALEM LUTHERAN WOMEN In memory of Lyle Schultz from Warren & Susan Dunham from Helga Nissen from Friends In memory of Rich Olson from Helga Nissen In memory of Twilia Evens from Friends In memory of Ruby Solum from Helga Nissen from Warren & Susan Dunham QUILTERS In memory of Barb Hilde from Lorraine Nelson SALEM SAINTS Gift from Stewart & Rebecca Sahlberg Not all memorials were printed. SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH In memory of Milton Opatril from Greg & Brigid Pender In memory of Rich Olson from Lance & Janice Schultz from Lorraine Nelson from Ardell & Lana Whaley from Betty Jacobson from LeRoy & Ardee Peterson from John & DeeAnn Amundson In memory of Dona Hadland from Michelle Huxford from LaValle Andersen from LeRoy & Ardee Peterson from Lyle & Barbara Hanson from Brenda Haugen In memory Steve Malakowsky from Ardell & Lana Whaley In memory of Lyle Schultz from Ardell & Lana Whaley from Betty Jacobson from Jeff & Susan Schultz from Greg & Brigid Pender from William & Carrie Taylor from Lance & Janice Schultz from John & DeeAnn Amundson SALEM CEMETERY In memory of Rich Olson from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Marcy Hillstead from Troy & Michelle Jepson In memory of Lyle Schultz from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Darlene Kjos from Jeralyn Peterson from Patricia Anderson In memory of Mavis Swenson from the Eldon Hanson families In memory of Dona Hadland from Keith & Kay Larson from Hollis & Bev Quamme from Michelle Huxford from Myron & Shelly Moteberg CHOIR FUND In memory of Ruby Solum from Anita Haller SUNDAY SCHOOL In memory of Ruby Solum from Gayle & Julie Holte from Gary & Missy Peterson from Larry & Carol Crose from Carolyn Juell Upcoming Events & Reminders People who need a visit: Pastor Ruth can use your assistance in knowing if there is anyone who might be in need of a pastoral visit. If you know of someone who has become ill, is dealing with a particular issue, or just someone who has difficulty coming to church regularly, please pass that information on. Chemo Cap Workshops: Chemo Cap workshops will be held monthly at the REACH office in Hawley. Meetings are tentatively set for the last Thursday of the month from 11am until 12pm. All supplies are provided. Speak to Pr. Ruth if you have any questions. Food Pantry: REACH s Food Pantry is extremely low on supplies, particulary canned goods. Any donations are needed & welcomed. Trunk or Treat Coordinator: A Trunk or Treat coordinator is sought to open and close the church building and turn necessary lights on and off during the event. Maternity Leave: Pr. Ruth will be on maternity leave November 1 - December 13. Pr. Tom Olson will be the auxiliary pastor during this time. Flu Shots: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 11am-noon, at the Hitterdal Senior Center. 4
Salem Lutheran Church Birthday & Anniversary Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 Ramona McDougall Brent & Kari Hitterdal 2 Brent & Kari Hitterdal 3 Karrie Rohweller Leah Lundberg 4 Barry Langerud 5 Erin Ellingson Bud Lundberg Carol Kronbeck Nate Haspel Ernie & Adeline Klemetson 6 7 Pr. Al Brooks Marisa Aranda 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Bryce Dauner Julie Anderson Mike & Jenny Kjos Marie Schultz Missy Peterson Raegan Oberg 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Monica Dauner Kayla Fuglie Kyle Mickelson Kayden Kjos DeeAnn Amundson DuWayne Halvorson, Jr. Nate & Jenny Haspel 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John & DeeAnn Amundson Trey Peterson Jake Schreiner Larry & Carol Crose Brady Schultz 29 Keenan Syverson Bob Stevens Reed Langerud 30 DuWayne Halvorson, Sr. 31 Braydon Nelson Daryn Nelson Jarette & Julie Coulter 5
Salem Lutheran Church Worship & Event Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 17th Sunday after 2 3 4 6:30 Confirmation 5 6 7 11am Salem Saints Burgers & Brats 8 18th Sunday after 11am Salem Saints Burgers & Brats 15 19th Sunday after 9 10 16 17 11 Circle Meetings 9am Morning Circle 2pm Afternoon Circle 7pm Evening Circle 6:30 Confirmation 18 19 12 13 14 MEA 20 MEA 5pm-7pm Church Meatball Supper 21 22 20th Sunday after 9am Worship 23 24 25 6:30 Confirmation 8pm Church Council 26 27 28 29 Reformation Sunday Pr. Ruth s last Sunday before Maternity leave 30 Pr. Ruth vacation 31 5:30-7pm Trunk or Treating (tentative) Salem Lutheran Church P.O. Box 128 Hitterdal, MN 56552 218-962-3213 E-mail: salemchurch@feltontel.net Web: www.salemhitterdal.com Pastor Ruth Popkin Cell #: 508-450-9860 E-mail: pastor.popkin@gmail.com Office hours: Tues.-Thurs: 1:30-4:30pm Penny Herzog, Secretary Cell #: 701-361-0593 Home: 218-596-8602 or Work: 596-8853 E-mail: pherzog54@gmail.com Office hours: Thurs: 4:30pm-6:30pm 6