February THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017

February THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Ponderings....1 Human Concerns...6 Stewardship.....2 Youth and Family...7 Music Director/Deacon Bill Bravener...3 Opportunity Corner...7 Music and Worship......3 News & Notes..8 Women of the ELCA.4 January Council Meeting Minutes 9 Memorial Committee News.6 COME WORSHIP WITH US Saturday @ 5:00 PM Sunday @ 8:00 & 9:30 AM Sunday School during the 9:30 AM Worship Service

Dear Faith Family, PASTOR S PONDERINGS The forecasters were right, a little snow, rain, and some sleet made driving conditions unsafe. The weather was bad and the annual choir Epiphany party had to be postponed. Having to postpone the gathering reminded me of having snow days in grade school. On these days I would stay at home and probably go sledding with my brothers. Others on snow days might watch the snow fall outside their windows as they get an unexpected day to relax, read, or rest. As many prepare for the cold or a snow day the reactions are often varied. Some will say they are so tired of winter they are ready to move to Florida. Others dread the inconvenience. Still others look forward to an unplanned day at home. And some are simply curious or even excited. As the calendar turns to February, I am curious to know if we will have a snow day on February 2 (Groundhog Day) when a furry creature in Pennsylvania lets us know whether we will have six more weeks of winter or not! It is also interesting to note that, on the church's calendar, February 2 is also the day of the Presentation of Our Lord - also known as Candlemas. There is a connection to Groundhog Day, believe it or not. Its pagan roots have to do with weather forecasts. German farmers believed that if they saw an animal's shadow on Candlemas there would be six more weeks of winter. And the festival day is all about light, and even the blessing of candles in some churches. Snow day or not, Candlemas is a hinge between winter and spring. Christmas was forty days ago, and in forty days spring will arrive as we will be in the midst of Lent. On February 2nd, we remember Jesus' presentation in the temple by Mary and Joseph forty days after his birth. Simeon rejoices that he can die now that he has seen the Light and has held the Child in his arms. (You can read the lesson in Luke 2:22-40) Even in the midst of a snow, rain, or in deepest darkness we rejoice in the One who brings light and healing to the world. Ice/Snow days might force us to slow down and reflect on the beauty and the risks of weather and, indeed, life. Light a candle. Spend some quiet time. Look out the window and enjoy creation. Call a friend or loved one. Read a book. And make worship a priority. And think how good the spring will feel when it finally gets here. Peace, Pastor Brian

STEWARDSHIP BECAUSE OF GOD S GREAT MERCY DISCIPLESHIP IMPACT One of the themes of the Epiphany season is discipleship. Disciples are called and invited to walk with Jesus, a walk that leads them to the cross. While this discipleship walk allows us to come closer to Jesus, we are also called to have an impact on the world. Think of the church today that started with just a small group of believers. Like Abraham, we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others. Sometimes it is the smallest of things that can make an impact. For example, I recently learned that: Milwaukee is the 4th poorest city in the country. (Hunger Task Force) Over 80% of MPS students are eligible for free or discounted meals. (Hunger Task Force) Even though it is recommended that you only pay 25-30% of your income for housing, many in Milwaukee s poorer areas are paying over 80% of their income for substandard housing. (Evicted). I learned of these facts by participating in the group working at Hunger Task Force and reading the book Evicted. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the group at the Hunger Task Force to pack boxes for elderly recipients. It was a great time for fellowship and even though we were constantly moving, I did not wake up with sore muscles. It brought home how much there is to do and how even little things can make an impact in someone s life. It certainly made an impact on me. Another thing that made an impact on me was reading Evicted, which will be discussed at church later this month. The study was done in Milwaukee which made it more poignant. People were left without running water while their landlords, earning more than $500,000 a year, were off on vacation. I think the book makes it clear that poverty is a complex problem. The book also makes it clear that many of the tenants are not saints some cannot pay the rent because they have spent the money on drugs. Sometimes we have to do something new and maybe even a little out of our comfort zone in order to see things in a new way. Money will not solve the issue of poverty the problem is too complex for that. Actions will be needed at several levels. I know it is easy when I look at something that appears overwhelming, to do nothing. If I can t solve the problem, why bother? But this thinking overlooks two things our discipleship call and the impact we can have on peoples sufferings. After all, Jesus did not solve poverty, but he always had compassion for the poor. I see the youth group is organizing another work evening at Hunger Task Force this spring. It might be a good way to see what sort of impact you can have.barbara Fritschel 2017 February Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

BILL BRAVENER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/DEACON Throughout the month of February we celebrate the season of Epiphany - the season of light. The light of Christ has come into the world, and we now have the opportunity to share it with others. The light has come! Have you noticed that the days are gradually getting longer? More light means less darkness! What a gift. May you experience the blessings of this season and share the light. See you at worship! MUSIC & WORSHIP The wheels on the bus go round and round. This nursery song describes our church family too. Without wheels our bus won t go very far. Attending church without any fellowship or participation makes the current wheels wear out. Some wheels are tired and worn. We NEED people to care and to step up and help out. A simple handshake and a smiling greeting.washing dish towels and communion linens...communion helper...walking up with the offering/ushering. Just sitting in the pew will not give you the feeling as a part of something bigger than us all. Want to meet people? Help at a potluck, bring cookies or clean up; read a lesson, vacuum, shovel snow. No Special Skills involved. So Lent is coming in March this year, plans are being made. Easter is the 16th of April. Lots of good music and material to think about will be presented. See you in church! Faith O Connell

WOMEN OF THE ELCA CLUSTER MEETING AT SSM SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 Join us at St. Stephen the Martyr for this half day event. Registration at 8 a.m. Welcome & Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Bible Study by Pastor Mary Martha Kannass Program by Joe Ellwinger Strength for the Struggle Cost $12 We know you will help us have a good showing of the Women of St. Stephen the Martyr at this event. Join your other Sisters in Christ from around the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Registration forms will be posted on the kiosk about mid-february. You may call Karen Hoffman at 414-421-9249 or Pam Maschke at 414-282-3956 with any questions. ALL ANEW WOMEN OF THE ELCA TENTH TRIENNIAL GATHERING - July 13 16, 2017 I am about to do a new thing.isaiah 43:19 The theme of our Tenth Triennial Gathering calls us to transformation, calls us to become All Anew. With our sisters, we will experience not only the power of the Holy Spirit, but the power of women gathered. I never knew the power of women gathered.until my first triennial, said Jessica Olson Miller, who attended her first gathering in 2005 and has never missed one since. Jessica said she was affirmed and encouraged during the four days she spent at the gathering four days of conversation, prayer, laughter, worship, praise, lament, challenge and invitation to be women who act boldly on their faith. I now have a sacred pilgrimage every three years to this holy triennial gathering. She said My soul needs it. Don t miss your opportunity to attend this gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July. Your expenses will include the registration fee, hotel lodging and food, as well as travel to and from the event. You choose your transportation, plane, bus, train, or car. We have been informed that a bus has been chartered for the women attending from the Greater Milwaukee Synod; the cost will depend on how many use this means of transportation. You can download a copy of the All Anew registration book with complete details about the gathering at welcatg.org. Carole Ropel asks that you contact her for more information. Carole can be reached by e-mail at caroleropel@wi.rr.com or her cell phone at 414-719-2468. 2017 February Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

[Cont.] DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS FROM 2016 BAKE & CRAFT SALE The Steering Committee for the Women of the ELCA at SSM met on January 14 th to determine how the proceeds from the Bake & Craft Sale were to be disbursed. We are happy to share their decision with you. $400 to Pastor Hartmut Barsnick $500 to Greater Milwaukee Synod for x-ray machine in Tanzania $300 Women of the ELCA General Fund $250 - Good Gifts for a share of a water well $250 Women of the ELCA s March Cluster Meeting at SSM $500 SSM s Piecemaker s Quilting $500 SSM s Kitchen Needs $200 St. John s Lutheran Church, West Milwaukee for breakfast for Veterans $500 Scholarship Seed Money for SSM members $200 Central City Food Pantry None of this would have been possible without your support of the Bake & Craft Sale. We again thank you. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY February s Bible studies will be held on the 8 th and 22 nd beginning at 10:15 a.m. Join us, and bring a friend as we study God s word. WOMEN'S LUNCHEON Our monthly luncheon will be held on February 8 th, at noon, at the Open Flame on Hwy. 100 and Edgerton Avenue. A sign-up sheet is posted on the kiosk. Please contact Diana Gastrau at 414-304-8284 with any questions. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY Effective immediately, we are starting our search for a new coordinator of the SSM Bake & Craft Sale. After approximately 12 years, Carole Ropel has notified us that she will no longer be able to continue in this position. There are many, many wonderful women who will continue to help with the sale, but we will need someone to oversee the entire annual project. It is a fun and fulfilling position for someone who has good organizational and leadership skills. Carole will meet with anyone interested in taking her place. She is also willing to act as a consultant, if needed. Contact Carole at 414-719-2468 or by email at caroleropel@wi.rr.com

MEMORIAL COMMITTEE REPORT This committee met on January 7th. We bumped the meeting from December due to weather concerns. Attending were Sandra Petricek - chairperson, Dick Kroll - financial wizard, Carol Birk-secretary, Julie Herman and Faith O Connell. Financial records were discussed and finalized for 2016. Projects under discussion are a columbarium, new tables for the sanctuary, and research for a new digital outdoor sign. We agreed to bring the columbarium idea to council and perhaps do a survey at the annual meeting as to interest in the project. Furniture - a search for someone willing to build to our specifications is ongoing. Our meetings going forward are to be held in January, April, July and October, as it makes more sense for year end figures to be available in January. As always, anyone interested in this group can contact one of the members and/or sit in for a session. Respectfully submitted, Faith N. O Connell HUMAN CONCERNS There is a great need for warm winter clothing at Unity and for the homeless at Tippecanoe. Warm sweaters, coats, hats and gloves are needed. If you have any items to contribute - they can be left in the coat room. The next meal that SSM will provide at Tippecanoe is February 10th. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office, or see Nancy Mineau if you have any questions. SSM will be serving at the Unity Soup Supper on February 22. We need set up, food preparation, servers, and volunteers to clean up after the meal. If you re not currently involved and would like to be, please see Nancy Mineau. As always, your donations for the food pantries that St. Stephen the Martyr supports is very appreciated.you may bring your food donations at anytime and place them in the designated food bins! 2017 February Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

YOUTH AND FAMILY NEWS YOUTH AND FAMILY IS IN NEED OF EVENT LEADERS We re looking for members who are willing to help plan and lead youth activities. The dates listed on the signup sheet can be adjusted to meet your schedule. Sign up on the kiosk if interested and/or contact Troy & Lisa Lisiecki. Email: LT.Lisiecki@gmail.com Phone: (414)570-9020. HUNGER TASK FORCE SERVICE ACTIVITY- SAVE THE DATE! Since everyone enjoyed our last Hunger Task Force activity, we are doing it again! Our next Hunger Task Force activity is scheduled for Thursday, April 6 th from 4:45 to 8PM. We will build senior stock boxes which include food for low income seniors in southeastern Wisconsin. Volunteers must be 12 years or older. We re looking for 18 to 25 people. Signup sheet will be posted on Youth and Family kiosk. OPPORTUNITY CORNER USHER TRAINING - Have you always wanted to be a church usher but not sure of how to get involved? Or, are you currently an usher and have a few questions about some of the responsibilities? If you would like to be an usher, or learn more about ushering, we invite you to a training session that will take place after the 9:30 am worship service on February 12. ASSISTING MINISTER TRAINING - There will be two training sessions to choose from; one on Saturday, February 18, at 6:00 pm, and one on Sunday, February 19, at 10:45 am. ACOLYTE & LECTOR (Reader) TRAINING - This training session is scheduled for Sunday, February 26, at 10:45 am. This is a great way to get involved and serve during worship...teens and adults are encouraged to attend. COMMUNION SET-UP AND SERVING- If you are interested in helping to set-up or serve communion, or if you have questions about the responsibilities, an individual training session can be scheduled with Denise Sanders, 414-423-0608.

NEWS & NOTES BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP SATURDAY, FEBRU- ARY 25 @ 3:45 PM Our next book group discussion will be over the book entitled Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. This is a sociological account of the current housing crisis in the U.S. for low-income renters. Desmond, an associate professor of sociology at Harvard, explores the impact of eviction on six poverty-stricken families in Milwaukee and the families of two renters. The book reveals the concentrated suffering of people repeatedly faced with the loss of their homes. ---- The Milwaukee Library System has copies available. Make sure to reserve one for yourself. SSM CONTINUES TO GROW Please take some time to welcome Gary and Tammy Jeske to St. Stephen the Martyr and get to know someone new this month! SSM is growing, so make our new families feel welcome! 2017 February Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING ST. STEPHEN THE MARTYR LUTHERAN CHURCH January 10, 2017 President Eric Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Council members present were: P. Burns, J. Covert, B. Daleness, J. Konop, T. Lisiecki, J. Muroni, F. O Connell, E. Sanders and A. Woerpel. Pastor Brian was also in attendance. E. Sanders led devotions. APPROVALS: The December minutes were approved with corrections. FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT: Both Pledged and Unpledged Donations came in very close to budgeted numbers for 2016. TREASURER'S REPORT: At year end all bills have been paid. We disbursed about $2500.00 more than we took in for 2016. With the principal only payment of $30,000 made in December our mortgage would be paid off in 2020 if there were no additional principal only payments. Treasurer s report was approved. PASTOR'S TIME: Christmas and New Years services were well received. There was a wedding in December also. Pastor will be preaching in Door County on January 21 and 22. OLD BUSINESS: Columbarium Memorial committee will conduct a survey at the Annual Meeting to determine the interest level for moving forward with this. Fellowship Committee Andrea Matusiak has volunteered to head up this committee. Cell tower Protestors were here Sunday morning. The cell tower committee is dealing with communication with the protestors. Discussion of the permits needed took place on January 11 and a public meeting is taking place on January 17 with the Greendale Village Trustees in which we hope to gain approval to move forward to the construction phase. Annual Meeting - Get any bullet points or pictures to Eric by 1/23 for inclusion in the presentation at the meeting. Council Retreat - Council Retreat will be held February 10 and 11 at St. Als. Topics will include Alternative Giving, Future Staffing, Info Maintenance and the Forward Plan.

CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING NEW BUSINESS: Council Terms Terms are up this year for President, Secretary, Finance and Worship and Music. B. Daleness agreed to serve a second term as Secretary, J. Covert agreed to become President. The Financial Secretary is appointed annually, and Jeff Schultz has been asked to serve. We will definitely need to fill the Vice President and Worship and Music roles. Budget - Budget is 99% complete. J. Covert is just finalizing the compensation numbers. It was moved to increase the benevolence budget from a 3% to a 5% increase from 2016. Council approved this motion. With the change the budget will still be under the $328,000.00 that Council approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PROPERTY: The sprinkler system had a leak over Christmas. It was found and repaired. STEWARDSHIP: Pledges were down a little this year but still a good response. YOUTH & FAMILY: Family Gathering will be held to discuss ideas for the year. Also need to decide on mission trip for this year. Next Mega Meeting is Tuesday, February 7. No Council Meeting in February due to the Council Retreat. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Daleness 2017 February Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

ST. STEPHEN THE MARTYR, ELCA 6101 So. 51st Street, Greendale, WI 53129 414-421-3543 [www.ssmelca.org] 8:15-2:45 M-Th 8:15-12:15 F *Rev. Brian Hooper, Pastor pastorbrianhooper@gmail.com *Glenna Finco, Administrative Assistant office@ssmelca.org *Bill Bravener, Music Director/AIM bravenerb@aol.com *Char Guiliani, Shared Ministry mimizmom@yahoo.com *Bob Brownell, Maintenance *Bob De Frank, Sunday School Superintendent *Mark Breutzmann, Saturday Musician Martyr Monthly Newsletter Crew: Diana Gastrau Joanne Hoeft Karen Hoffman Nancy Hoffman Ruth Hoppe Shirley Rau Mary Rockstad Diane Stojanovich the Martyr Monthly CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED US POST PAID Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 23 Greendale, WI