Redeemer Lutheran Church

Redeemer Lutheran Church September 2018 To Live and Tell the Story of Jesus Pastor Ponderings One of the things I implemented when I first arrived here at Redeemer three years ago, was to set some direction for council meetings. To meet the responsibilities council is to be about, I divided the meetings into three succinct areas with a half hour for each area. 1. Spiritual & Leadership Development 2. Church Business Administration 3. Mission Development Why did I do this? Because councils tend to dwindle into only focusing on the tasks of business administration assigned to them and ignore the spiritual and missional leadership aspects of this vocation. We have been able to do the first two portions but have not gotten to the third half hour to look at the mission God has assigned to us as the people of Redeemer. Our Connect Team, however, has been doing this missional planning work. Being a council member is a vital key leadership role in a local church. Council members are first and foremost the spiritual leaders of the congregation exhibiting the way of Christ in all aspects of their lives. We are to live as active participants in God s kingdom in the life of the church. As set forth in the constitution we actively engage in worship, serve the mission of the church through generous giving and intentional engagement. We also are to lead by example in following in the ways of Jesus in how we treat one another and care for God s creation. We approach life with gentleness and kindness, seeing the face of Jesus in the other and in creation. This is not always easy, and we are not always gentle. We have been reading a book entitled: Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today by Mark Labberton, and one of the upcoming chapters is about the way of suffering. If our calling is living in response to the love of God for the sake of the world, we need to grasp that it includes following Jesus into the lives and places of such suffering. In this way we share in Christ s sufferings Philippians 3:10 As the author says: From a kingdom perspective, vocation isn t primarily about how to find fulfillment and satisfaction. We are not called to be martyrs, but we are called to be transformed into the image of Christ. When this occurs, we move beyond only seeing our own needs to those all around us, as we look to be the hope of God s mercy and love. Hope God transforms us into people of faith for the Hope of the world actively living with the understanding that we can love each other as Jesus loves us. Because Jesus helps us in this. This way of being is for all of us involved in the body of Christ, not only for council members. This way brings joy and peace as we remain in constant communication and relationship with Jesus and with each other. May our gentle approach to each new day bring gratitude. May our gentle approach to the one who

seems so very different, open conversation. May our gentle approach to those creatures we find bothersome, bring wonder. May our gentle approach in making a request, soften hearts into understanding and peace. I suggest we each place this verse somewhere visible for the month of September and read it each day. Better yet, memorize it and carry it in our hearts to recall it often throughout our days. In this way the Word of God heals us and renews us, transforming us into kin-dom people by the grace of God! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 Peace be yours SHALOM! Pastor Ann September Birthdays James Dott September 2nd Emily Laufenberg September 2nd Kaitlin Olson September 3rd Matthew Porter September 6th Phyllis Selle September 11th Barba Spink September 12th Richard Swiggum September 12th Jerry Jevens September 15th Jean Staveness September 15th Dennis Borde September 15th Emma Sampson September 16th Delores Erstad September 18th Spencer Wescott September 18th Shawn McConochie September 18th Dianne Pryse September 19th Jean Frea September 23rd Allen Leistikow September 25th Bernard Spink September 27th Mckenzie Sampson September 29th September Anniversaries Craig & Rhonda Corning Roger & Kristi Fehrman Cliff & Kathy Johnson Donovan & Phyllis Selle Scott & Julie Swiggum Happy Anniversary!!! September 11th September 16th September 22nd September 23rd September 28th Fall is just around the Corner Our faith formation for children & youth start up again this fall on, Wednesday, September 12th. Register on the first day of class! All are welcome! Invite your friends to join you! Ages Pre-K thru 5th grade Wednesday evening 6:00-6:45 pm Grades 7 & 8th Meets Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 pm

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING JULY 16, 2018 6:30 p.m. Approved minutes 8-20-18 Present: Kevin Stoddard, Sherri Kranz, Debbie Reierson, Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock, Steve Gilbert, Brenda Price, Darlene Cutsforth, Renee Miles. Absent: Pastor Ann Walsvik, excused. Meeting was called to order by President Kevin Stoddard at 6:36 p.m. Approve Agenda Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Brenda Price. Motion carried. Devotions were given by Darlene Cutsforth. Steve Gilbert will have devotions for August. Spiritual Development Steve Gilbert led a discussion of Chapter 4 and 5 from a book called Called by Mark Labberton. It is a book about the crisis and promise of following Jesus today. We are to read Chapter 6 and 7 for our next meeting. Review and Approve Minutes Minutes from June, 2018 Renee Miles made a motion to approve the 6/18/18 minutes. Seconded by Darlene Cutsforth. Motion carried. Correspondence or guest: None. Financial Reports for June, 2018: General Fund Bennett Mutual Fund Memorial Fund Motion was made by Debbie Reierson to approve financial reports for June, 2018. Seconded by Sherri Kranz. Motion carried. Standing Committee Reports (June) Property - Written report. WELCA Sherri Kranz gave a verbal report. Social Concerns - No activity. Lay ministry Not actively meeting Outreach Steve Gilbert gave a verbal report. Stewardship Not actively meeting Education - Not actively meeting Motion was made by Sherri Kranz to approve standing committee reports for June. Seconded by Darlene Cutsforth. Motion carried. Pastor s Report Pastor Ann provided a written report. She will be on vacation July 13-23, 2018. Status of 7/21 Willow Mill Service: There will be 3 services at Willow Mill Campground this summer. Saturday - June 16, July 21, and August 18, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. Several members are doing the service on July 21 st. Old Business: Status of Constitution Changes: Discussion was held. Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock made a motion to accept our constitution with this change to B8.02.01 saying that our constitution will not allow seasonal members. Seconded by Renee Miles. Motion carried.

Status of 7/21 Willow Mill Service: There will be 3 services at Willow Mill Campground this summer. Saturday - June 16, July 21, and August 18, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. Several members are doing the service on July 21 st. Old Business: Status of Constitution Changes: Discussion was held. Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock made a motion to accept our constitution with this change to B8.02.01 saying that our constitution will not allow seasonal members. Seconded by Renee Miles. Motion carried. Status of Memorial Funds Review The memorial committee is working on getting memorial money into four categories. Status of Policy for Non-Church Activities: Motion was made by Sherri Kranz to approve the Policy for Non-Church Activities with the following change: Under No Smoking and No Alcohol Use Allowed it will say: All members of all groups using our facilities shall abide at all times by a no smoking and no alcohol use rule in all parts of the building, including corridors and restrooms. Smoking is allowed outside by the north (carport) entrance and the east (office) entrance. Please dispose of cigarette butts in the receptacles provided. Seconded by Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock. Motion carried. Status of Council Sponsored Salad Luncheon Raffle Basket. Sat., Aug. 4, 2018, 11:30-12:30. Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock is working on getting a basket together. New Business: Decide if we want to do a Second Quarter Finances Letter: Discussion was held. Kevin Stoddard made a motion that Pastor Ann, Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock and Sherri Kranz would write and mail out a letter to the congregation recapping our 2 nd quarter finances. Seconded by Steve Gilbert. Motion carried. Discuss Meeting with Steve Kottke: A meeting was held with Pastor Kottke from the synod and the council after church on Sunday, June 24, 2018 to discuss our church finances and various ways we might be able to improve things. It was a good discussion of our finances and other church finances. One of the things said was to give till it feels good. Start Planning for God s Work Our Hands (Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018): A discussion was held. Need someone to lead this. It was suggested to pass around a sign-up clip board in church for this event. Pick a Date for Meeting to Plan Town Hall Discussion (7/30 or 8/13): The council will be meeting on Monday, July 30, 2018 to plan for a Town Hall Discussion. Thanksgivings: Thank you to those who led, helped and attended the July 21, 2018 Willow Mill campground church service. Thanks to Willow Mill for welcoming & assisting us with the service. Thank you to those that helped out during the time Pastor has been gone. Thank you to Dalton McLaughlin for his musical talents and best wishes as he goes off to college. Thanks to Barb VonAhsen for presenting Dalton with a card from the congregation. A cake was served in honor of Dalton in fellowship hall as well. Thank you to the Memorial Committee for all their work. Adjourn/Closing Prayer: Motion was made by Darlene Cutsforth to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Debbie Reierson. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m., followed by the Lord s Prayer. Dates to Remember: Next Council Meeting: Monday, August 20, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Willow Mill Campground Services Saturday 8/18, at 4:00 p.m. Debbie Reierson Council Secretary

2018 Redeemer Lutheran 38th annual Salad Luncheon, Country Store and Basket Raffle was definitely enjoyed by everyone with the wonderful comments about how delicious the salads, barbecue and deserts were. All thanks to everyone pulling together. Thanks to all who furnished food, monetary donations, items for the country store and the array of wonderful baskets. Special thanks to all who worked in the kitchen and especially the youth, Dalton McLaughlin, Wyatt McLaughlin, Emily Price and Bob Risgaard, who filled in for Ryan. Thank you to everyone who gave to the Country Store and to Sandy Helmer and Mary McLaughlin who worked and thank you to Geri Gorman for coordinating the basket raffle. Thanks to Kit Schmidt for the beautiful vases and flower arrangements. Thanks to Kim Vangen for taking reservations. Thanks to Dianna Pryse for selling tickets. Thanks to April Severson and family who set up tables and who suggested to bring the Country Store down stairs. Thanks to whomever else helped in any way and whose name is not mentioned. Thank you! Sincerely, Salad Luncheon Committee Sherri Kranz, Bev Hepler, Judy Cuff, Mary McLaughlin, Julie Thompson ************************************************************************ With a heavy heart I am stepping down from the Outreach Committee after twenty plus years. I appreciate all the help members have given me for setting up the service at Columbia County health Center, Covenant House, sending cards, visiting and telephone calls. You are indeed special people! I have enjoyed working with all of you. Thank you and God Bless. -Bev Hepler Thank you, Bev for YOUR 21 years of service and volunteering as a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Your hard work and efforts have not gone unnoticed. ************************************************************************ Thank you to all members who put their time and efforts into the Willow Mill Campground Worship services. Spreading the grace of God is truly a blessing. ************************************************************************ This years Free Corn booth was yet again successful and all corn was handed out. Thank you to Louise Meske for coordinating volunteers for this event. Thank you to Dave Kampen for the donation of corn. Thank you to all volunteers who donated their time and those that donated items for use.

"God's Work. Our Hands." - Sunday, Sept. 9th, 2018 This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Redeemer Council has committed to helping our neighbor, the people at Pine Ridge Retreat Center in South Dakota. I contacted the retreat center and spoke with Pastor Karen Russell. As you may recall, she goes by "Pastor Kay" and has been in worship with us at Redeemer. Also, she has family in Wisconsin. Talking with Pastor Kay, Pine Ridge Retreat Center provides three layers of ministries to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. 1st - Provides common-basket threshold items such as quilts, blankets, sandwiches, toothpaste, soap, etc.to people who are visiting or staying for awhile in the area. 2nd- Provides hospitality and a clean/safe place to stay for people who do various projects and basic operations needed in the area. 3rd- Cultural Immersion - People who come to the area to help others such as repair buildings, trailers, provide employment, etc. This builds a bridge for people coming to help and others already living in the area. It is a two-way street, to learn from each other in doing projects. Thus, providing opportunity and support within the community. For our "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday, I would like to collect common-basket threshold items. They are in great need of hygiene kits, new quilts & blankets, and diapers. Hygiene Kit Contents Bath Towel, darker colors appreciated Adult Toothbrush Toothpaste Comb Shampoo 1 or 2 Bath-Sized Bars of Soap Wash Cloth (Please provide entire hygiene kit contents, if possible) Quilts and Blankets (New) Most helpful Twin or Full-Sized Quilts. Diapers of all Sizes and Wipes Prefer Size 6 - Disposable Diapers (In great need) Located in the back of the Narthex, is the information on items listed and a collection tote. Please note, the last day to drop off items at the church will be Friday, Sept. 7th. Through God, through the Spirit our Hands are to care for this glorious creation and one another. God's Work! Our Hands! God's Blessings, Sherri Kranz Redeemer Council

School Kits for Lutheran World Relief During the months of August and September, we will once again be collecting school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. There will be a donation box in the Narthex. The Women of the Church (WOC) will be providing the drawstring backpacks again this year. To let you see our progress a display will be in the Narthex with updates. School Supplies Needed: 70-sheet 8 x10½ notebooks, wide or college rule 30-centimeter ruler, can have both inches and centimeters Pencil sharpener Pair of blunt scissors Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) Box of 16 or 24 crayons 2 ½ eraser Soap for Lutheran World Relief During the months of August and September, we will once again be collecting bath size bars of soap (4 to 5 oz) for Lutheran World Relief. There will be a donation box in the This Photo by Un- Narthex. A display will be set up in the Narthex to keep track of our progress. Other Kits for Lutheran World Relief In addition to School Kits and Soap, the Women of the Church have also historically collected Personal Care Kits, Baby Care Kits, and Fabric Kits for Lutheran World Relief. There will be a third donation box in the Narthex during the months of August and September for anyone who would like to donate a complete Personal Care Kit, Baby Care Kit, or Fabric Kit. For more information on these kits, please visit: buildkitsofcare.com SAVE THE DATE Saturday, October 16th Redeemer Lutheran Church will be holding an Outdoor Worship Service at 4:30 pm. After the service, we will then be packing school kits, quilts and soaps. This will be a Potluck event so bring a dish to pass!

News from Redeemer's Treasurer We at Redeemer are very blessed. We have no major flooding issues in our community. The issues we deal with on a daily basis are not to be scoffed at but they are not as bad as what others in our area are confronted with. Thanks be to God. August was another good month for us financially. We ended the month with $202.00 in our checking account, however, we did not pay our quota to the synod. July and August are also months we don't have to pay our Senior Choir and Bell Choir director or our pianist for the Senior Choir. We will be having a council led, congregational gathering on Sept. 16, 2018 to discuss where we want to see ourselves in coming years. Please let your neighbors know about this so they may attend. We feel input from our members is very important in moving forward. You will also be receiving a third quarter update in October. Please keep the Pastor, council and committees in your prayers. In God's service, Bonnie Pribbenow-Paddock Redeemer Treasurer Special Congregational Meeting To Be Held After Service on Sunday, September 30 At our last annual meeting it was decided that the congregation wanted a special meeting to be held in the fall to review Pastor s insurance options for 2019. We now have received the information about what options are available, so we are following through on your wishes and calling a special congregational meeting for 9/30 to review this information. Also at our last annual meeting there were constitution changes that were presented and voted down. Since that meeting the council has been working diligently to try to come up with a constitution that all members can accept. We now feel that we have addressed members concerns that were voiced in the annual meeting, so we will be presenting the constitution changes again at the 9/30 meeting to be voted on. Kevin Stoddard Council President

September 2nd Larry & Geri Gorman Larry & Geri Gorman Marilyn Rowley Lily Walker September 30th Dean & Toni Roberts Dean & Toni Roberts Steve Gilbert Ashley Laufenberg September Altar Guild Melanie Gilbert* Kathy Johnson September 9th September 16th September 23rd September Volunteer Schedule Communion Assistants Sandy Langdon John Langdon Sandy Helmer Mary Gray Lauri Porter Greeters Ushers Fellowship Hosts Reader Acolyte Pam Jaynes Pam Jaynes Kevin & Darcy Stoddard Darcy Stoddard Ryan Risgaard Mary Gray Bob & Helen Risgaard Darlene Cutsforth Morgan Reierson Lauri Porter Scott & Laurie Olson Kevin Stoddard Lily Walker

2 9 16 23 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:00 am Worship/ Fellowship 9:00 am Worship/ Fellowship Instillation of Teachers Gods Work. Our Hands 9:00 am Worship 9:30 am Listening for Wisdom Discussion 9:00 am Worship/ Fellowship Bible Gifting 10:30am Rebekah Circle 30 9:00 am Worship/ Fellowship Congregational Meeting 3 10 17 24 Office Closed Labor Day!! 1:00 pm Quilting 6:30 pm Property Meeting 7:00 pm Mary Circle 1:00 pm Quilting 6:30 pm Council Meeting 1:00 pm Quilting 4 5 10:00 am Worship Team Meeting 6:45 pm Choir 11 12 18 19 1:30pm Ruth Circle 5:15pm Bells 6:00 pm Campfire Rally for Sprouts & Confirmation 6:45 pm Choir 5:15pm Bells 6:00 pm Sprouts 6:00 pm Confirmation 6:45 pm Choir 25 26 2:00 pm Columbia County Health Care Worship 5:15pm Bells 6:00 pm Sprouts 6:00 pm Confirmation 6:45 pm Choir 6 6:30 am Men s group @ Hometown Café 7:00 pm AA 13 6:30 am Men s group @ Hometown Café 7:00 pm AA 20 6:30 am Men s group @ Hometown Café 10:30 am Covenant House Fellowship 11:00 am Covenant House Worship 7:00 pm AA 27 6:30 am Men s group @ Hometown Café 7:00 pm AA 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29 1

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 610 LINCOLN AVE RIO, WISCONSIN 53960 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED To Live and tell the story of Jesus www.rioredeemerlutheran.org Like Us on Facebook Redeemer Lutheran Church-Rio, WI Staff & Council Contacts REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH If you have any comments or needs that should be addressed, please contact our leadership: Pastor Ann Walsvik Church # (920) 992-3553 E-mail: awalsvik@rioredeemerlutheran.org Kimberly Vangen Administrative Assistant Office # (920) 992-3553 E-mail: office@rioredeemerlutheran.org Larry Gorman- Bookkeeper April Severson- Custodian Kurt Johnson- Yard Maintenance Geri Gorman- Music Director Gayle Krueger- Choir accompanist THE CHURCH COUNCIL Kevin Stoddard (President) (920) 992-6457 Sherri Kranz (V. President) (608) 617-4266 Debbie Reierson (Secretary) (920) 992-5683 Bonnie Pribbenow (Treasurer) (608) 835-0787 Renee Miles (920) 992-6220 Brenda Price (920) 992-5224 Steve Gilbert (920) 992-5219 Darlene Cutsforth (920) 992-5452