- 1 - Reconciling In Christ Congregation "Doing justice, loving kindness, walking humbly with God" (from Micah 6:8) Phone: 503-659-0990 `Website: www.koklutheran.org E-mail: kok@koklutheran.org 5501 SE Thiessen Road Milwaukie, OR 97267 Church Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am to 5pm Ministers, The People of King of Kings Pastor, Aimee Bruno Choir Director, Lonnie Cline Secretary, Susan Carder Custodians, Harry & Sharon Konsa Organist, Karen Corbett Trusting in God's love and grace, King of Kings......affirms the gifts of all God's children...honors the wisdom of all generations...is a safe, caring community where you're freed to be yourself...joyfully welcomes new ideas and encourages creativity...provides opportunities for personal and spiritual growth...reaches out boldly in response to the needs of each other, the community, and the world...joyfully reflects faith in Christ through lives of stewardship and discipleship...looks to the future with hope and meets the challenges before us with courage 2011
- 2-2011 KOK Church Council President: Don Trotter Vice President: Harry Konsa Secretary: Martin Schmidt 2 0 1 1 C o m m i t t e e C h a i r s & L i a i s o n s Christian Education Council Liaison: Finance Council Liaison: Mutual Ministry Council Liaison: Property Council Liaison: Radical Hospitality Council Liaison: Winston Kurth Martin Schmidt Don Trotter Harry Konsa Mary Cromer Stewardship Action Core (SAC) Council Liaison: Gary Noble Worship & Music Council Liaison: Bonnie Cowden Non-Council Offices: Barbara Peterson, Treasurer Kerin Lommen, Financial Secretary Penny Charman, Recording Secretary
- 3 - Pastor s Message Lord, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides. Psalm 26:8 When I was sixteen years old my pastor encouraged me to apply to a week-long diversity/leadership camp called Camp Odyssey. Campers went there to build relationships, face their stereotypes, and be strengthened to return from camp to change the world. I was so excited to be accepted and that the camp wouldn t cost any camper it was free so that any one from any economic level could participate. It was also a difficult time because my dad and my uncle made fun of me. They said I was going there to be brainwashed and used racial epithets to refer to the other campers. But I was determined to go, no matter what my family said. About 75 campers participated that year. It was literally a rainbow of people and the staff reflected that diversity, too. Being pretty much a life-long Oregonian, I hadn t encountered very many people of different races. My experience at camp, although difficult, changed my life for the better. At camp we built trust in small groups. Then we faced our stereotypes of other races. We took responsibility for the messages in our heads that put people into categories. We saw how destructive our stereotypes could be. We faced gender stereotypes. Girls shared about times they were victims of physical and sexual violence. We heard from a panel of gay and lesbian people about their lives. This camp stretched my mind and my heart in compassion for others. It gave me a sense of purpose. It put a face to all those other groups. They weren t the other, they were my friends. Camp Odyssey is part of who I am. It is part of my ministry. It has shaped how I see the world. Almost a year
- 4 - ago, I found other camp alumni on Facebook and reconnected with other people who had a similar experience to mine. Together we are re-starting the camp, updated for our current situation. I get to be a Camp Odyssey counselor this year! That s why I will be away August 7-13. I have been learning about myself and others during trainings leading up to camp. I know I will learn so much more at camp itself. Sometimes it seems these problems are getting better. Youth don t see color of skin like previous generations. They more readily accept people with different sexual orientation. However, bullying is on the rise. Christian/Muslim relations are strained. Graduation rates and income vary widely by race. Maybe these problems are not so much on the surface, but they are still here, nonetheless. I hope you will pray for me while I m gone and for kids in Oregon. I am pleased to represent religion/clergy in a positive way, something these kids and even my fellow staff don t encounter very often. I will not be coming back to you refreshed and renewed who knows how much sleep these teens will let us get or if we will be up late as chaperones. But I will come back to you with new life infused in me and hope for the future. I plan to share with you what I have learned at camp when the time is right. I know God will be with me, helping me to see the holy in each other person I meet, helping me to have patience with myself, guiding me in difficult situations, and bringing me joy and hope. Even though this camp isn t specifically religious, it gives me the chance to experience God in a whole new setting and maybe even be a light for others, God willing. I hope you will look for God in all your summer adventures and be ready to come back and share how you ve grown and where God has touched your life in all the houses where God dwells and where God s glory abides.
- 5 - We Got It Covered-Pastor's Parental Leave During Pastor Aimee s parental leave we are fortunate to have Pastor Dale Jamtgaard volunteer to cover emergency hospital visits. Pastor Dale will preside on one Sunday as well. Thank you in advance for your service Pastor Dale We are privileged to have several excellent pastors lined up to lead us in Sunday Worship. Sacraments will be provided on all Sundays. All of the final scheduling is in the hands of Baby Bruno but we can share with you to expect to receive a message from an unnamed Bishop Emeritus and also be ready for a special message lined up for Reformation Sunday. Pastor Aimee has done a super job in arranging coverage during her leave. You will not want to miss any of the services. Talking to the seriously ill --some reminders 1. Rather than ask what can I do to help? --step up and help. If they need to eat more veggies -- bring baggies of cut veggies. Look around and do those things that need doing. 2. Skip the clichés-- you re in my thoughts and prayers along with the everything will be ok and the you look great. 3 Don t offer tips for miracle cures. 4. Treat the person as an adult, not a child. 5 When visiting don t stay long -- 20 minutes is probably enough and see what you can do while you are there. 6. Talk about something other than the illness -- what s going on in the neighborhood, share a funny story, lighten up the conversation. 7. Tell them how much you care -- be truthful.
- 6 - Prayer Shawl Ministry Thank You I was honored and blessed today (7/24) at King of King s to be given a prayer shawl knitted by Sharon Holford. For those of you not familiar with prayer shawls, this ministry offers those who enjoy knitting, crocheting, weaving and/or quilting a way to reach out to people needing comfort and solace or to share in accomplishment and joy. A prayer shawl wraps the recipient in prayers; it is made with prayers and finished with a final blessing, resulting in many blessings prayed into every shawl. Thank you, Sharon! Doug McDowell Anyone who would like to join this ministry contact Sue Trotter or the church office for information and/or knit and crochet patterns. SAVE THE DATE Saturday, October 29, 2011 for estive all rivolities watch for more info from King s Cupboard
- 7 - Council Highlights The meeting was brought to order at 7:00 by President, Don Trotter. Gary Noble read from Devotions for Men by Stuart Briscoe. He shared that there are people who have street smarts and people who are of classical, philosophical smarts, but the secret wisdom of God prevails. Christian Education Winston Kurth and Pastor Aimee reported that VBS had 25 students and 7 junior helpers and MANY church members were involved. Financial Report Martin Schmidt & Gordon Merseth were complemented about the report that was published in the Newsletter. Food Pantry: Don Trotter has had 3 bids for AC in the pantry. Martin asked what will be the extra energy cost? A motion was made and 2 nd that the installation of Air Conditioning in the pantry and storage room should be paid for by the pantry. Passed. Property Committee: Harry Konsa reported that the downstairs rooms were painted. He distributed the draft Facility Use form that will be given to people who use the church with expectations of their use of the church and grounds. Radical Hospitality: Has not met. The committee is lacking a chairperson Worship: JillMichelle Cosart will preside for Pastor Aimee on August 7 th Pastor s Report: The children s message training has been conducted. Pastor has a concern about the phone tree, which will be looked into. Pastor Aimee will be gone August 7-13 leading Camp Odyssey a week-long diversity/leadership camp.
- 8 - K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t King s Cupboard Update This July has been an unusually busy month at King s Cupboard. Demand From January June this year, the pantry served 683 families, 2294 people. It required over 39,000 pounds of food and $7,700 to feed these families. Data confirms we ve helped 21% more families to date compared to the same period in 2010. Food costs give us pause. Out of pocket food costs have increased about 13% this year, despite creative maneuvers to conserve funds and maintain quality offerings. Thanks to good support from KOK, partner congregations and others in the community, we ve been able to handle both increased demand and rising food costs. Thank you all! Food Drives This year, we are blessed with strong support from local retailers during summer months when food drive product is historically scarce. Safeway held a two week Let s Bag Hunger event and we shared food from two local Safeway stores, resulting in hundreds of pounds of needed items. Grocery Outlet held a month long food drive and King s Cupboard was the designated recipient of food collected at the Milwaukie store. King s Cupboard volunteers set up weekly information tables at these stores. We thank volunteers from King of Kings, Oak Hills Presbyterian and Clackamas UCC for going into the community to share pantry details. Other pantry news King s Cupboard set up a booth at the Oak Hills Presbyterian Neighbor Fair on 7/24 to collect food and share pantry information with the neighborhood. The booth was staffed with volunteers from King of Kings, Milwaukie Lutheran and others. Goodwill Job Connection in Hillsboro graciously donated over 100 children s books to share with pantry clients. Kids and parents were delighted to select books to read and keep.
- 9 - Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! Psalm 130:1-2 Dear Friends in Christ, You may have heard that a hunger crisis is brewing in East Africa. (ctrl+click to follow link) I m writing today to ask you to help Lutheran World Relief respond. Each day, more than 1,300 new people arrive to the already overcrowded refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya. The camps, built to house only 90,000 people, are now home to more than 420,000 seeking refuge from the drought and food shortages that have plagued the region. Because the threat of famine is so high, LWR has pledged $500,000 in immediate aid to our partner, the Lutheran World Federation, to help more vulnerable refugees access food, water, shelter and other lifesaving services. But the needs are still so great. As Christians, we cannot hesitate. We must act to fulfill Christ s mandate to love and care for our neighbors in need. Our brothers and sisters in East Africa desperately need our help. Please keep them in your prayers and please join the LWR and LWF relief response. God bless you and your ministries, In Christ s Mercy, John A. Nunes President and CEO
- 10 - ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 22, 2011 ELCA presiding bishop laments tragic violence in Norway CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the wake of news about violent attacks in Norway on July 22 that left at least 87 dead and scores wounded, Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a message of encouragement to Bishop Helga Haugland Byfuglien of the (Lutheran) Church of Norway. "With the people of Norway, we lament this tragic violence and renew our commitment to be peacemakers," Hanson wrote. Reflecting on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the bishop spoke movingly of the "comfort and courage" that comes from the support of global neighbors during times of national tragedy. Hanson also remarked on the role Norway has played as a quiet agent of reconciliation in international conflict, most notably in brokering the Oslo Accords of the 1990s. "With you we renounce the forces of violence that seek to drive us to despair," Hanson continued. "As people of faith defined by Christ's death and resurrection we will join with you in God's work of restoration. May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, grant you peace." The attacks were the first acts of domestic terrorism to take place on Norwegian soil. A massive bombing erupted in the Oslo city center; later, a gunman opened fire at the ruling Labor Party's youth camp offshore from the capital. A suspect was in custody and the explosion and the shooting appear to be linked. The (Lutheran) Church of Norway and the ELCA are members of The Lutheran World Federation, a global communion with 145 member churches in 79 countries representing over 70 million Lutherans. On July 22, Hanson encouraged ELCA members to remember the Norwegian people in prayer: "(May we intercede) for those who suffer from terrorism and war, for those who govern the nations, for those who would harm the innocent, for those who help the wounded, and for those who provide security for the endangered." The ELCA's message on terrorism is available at http://www.elca.org/what-we-believe/social- Issues/Messages/Terrorism.aspx
- 11 - A Big Bible School Thank You! This year was another great year, thanks to a lot of hardworking volunteers. About 25 kids and 7 youth helpers attended. Thanks especially to Tyler, Tessa, Missy, and Ally Noble, Rex Hansen, Erika Boltz, who volunteers at King s Cupboard and her friend, Lindsey Emra. Activity Site Leaders had their work cut out for them, providing activities for each grade level and keeping the children interested. Thanks to Kathy Mahoney, Margaret Noble, Penny Charman, and Ricky Jamtgaard. Kerin Lommen had the biggest class this year keeping 10-12 preschoolers occupied hunting for seeds, digging in the sandbox, reading stories, and playing with play-dough. Alicia Hess was the upper-elementary teacher, leading the children from one station to the next. Christina Fray, Mel and Lou s granddaughter, filled in for the lower-elementary kids until she sprained her ankles at home. Sarah Casey, (Sue Casey s daughter-in-law) filled in at the last minute. Betsy Belles visited for a day at the community activity site and shared her vast knowledge of nature. Sarah Beyers provided fun and games for the kids and helped to wear them out. She was assisted by James Fray, Mel and Lou s grandson, who also did a lot of running around with the kids. Lou Freauff coordinated nutritious snacks and did a lot of the prep work. She thought up educational snacks that the kids liked. On the day the kids ate roots jicama, carrots, turnips, and gingersnaps we were all surprised to hear one youngster exclaim, This is the best snack ever! Lou was helped in the kitchen by Mary Cromer, Alletha Dorgan, and Peggy Kurth. At the registration table Marjie Brock, Selma Eckert, and Sue Setterberg ably checked in all the kids and made sure they were picked up the correct person Harry & Sharon Konsa did a bang-up job helping out in the kitchen for the Thursday evening cookout.
- 12 - T h a n k y o u Dear King of Kings Congregation, Thank you so much for your loving support throughout my teenage years. I am very grateful for your starting me off on my Christian journey with such love and compassionate grace. I will forever hold you all in my heart. forever grateful, Katrina Watson Katrina will be attending Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma this fall. FINANCIAL UPDATE Year-to-date thru June 30 Giving: $66,560.35 Budgeted: $60,750.00 Help Support Alea Leibner & Rex Putnam Girls Soccer Saturday, August 13 visit Gladstone Burgerville (19119 SE McLoughlin) between 5-8 pm 10% of all sales will be donated to Rex Putnam Girls Soccer S a v e t h e D a t e : O c t o b e r 2 S p e c i a l C o f f e e H o u r
- 13 - Let's Celebrate! God's Blessing to you as you celebrate... August Birthdays 5 Mel Freauff 17 Doug McDowell 5 Lynda McDowell 18 Betty Littell 5 Sandy Olson 18 Alma Mullan 5 Gene Zaharie 19 Ally Noble 6 JR Potter 22 Mark Knudson 8 Savita Davis 22 Bill Oldread 9 Sioux Smith 22 Don Raymond 10 Jerry Overen 24 Marian Ahlberg 13 Jory Lommen 26 Laura Verdoorn 14 Mason Lommen August Baptisms 2 Jessica Reynolds 6 JR Potter 18 LaVern Moore 20 Charlotte Cunningham 30 Jerry Overen August Anniversaries 6 Bruce & Trudy Duncan 17 Beth & Bill Oldread 8 Martin & Chris Schmidt 19 Pastor Aimee & Nick 12 Winston & Peggy Kurth 28 Ed & Marjie Brock 15 Jerry & JoAnn Overen If we miss YOUR special day, PLEASE let the church office know, we might not have the information. THANKS!
- 14 - Prayers & Thanksgivings... Sonya Friend of Pastor s mom; young. mom with cancer Family and Friends of Ella Trotter Don's mom, who passed away after 2½ years on hospice Larry Deater Ellen Burns' brother; hospitalized with gastro-intestinal bleeding Ellen Burns family Treatment and cure for HSAN-1, a hereditary neuromuscular disease Art Babbitt friend of Jackie Schei, pneumonia Holden Frederick Peterson Newest member of the Peterson family, joining Doug & Karen along with big brother Kyler; Dan & Barbara s grandson Greg Bergeron For improved physical and financial health Wyatt Pixley Gr. Grandson of Anita French; recovering from surgery Christina Fray Freauff s granddaughter; fell down stairs, badly sprained both ankles Doug McDowell Treatment for lung cancer; chemo Leta Konsa Recovery from dog bite requiring 13 stitches Jay Lowry Gene Zaharie s brother-in-law; radiation for prostate cancer Vicki Flannery Mary and Gene Z s neighbor; chemo Jeanette Johnston Chris W s cousin, breast cancer, recovering from mastectomy Kurt Wubbenhorst Lymphoma Dina Black Multiple myeloma, chemo & radiation Wilma Raymond For comfort & peace; in assisted living in Sandy Tyler McDonald Zac Critchett Raymond s grandson; in the military Arrived home from Afghanistan safe and sound thanks be to God and all of the prayers.