September 2014 [1]
Transcription
September 2014 [1]
The Messenger Vol.61, Issue 9 SEPTEMBER 2014 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 3022 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53208-3950 Tel: 414-342-5252 Rally Day is September 7! 10:00 a.m. Worship followed by lunch “A Church Where God’s Diversity Works” What’s Next in the Call Process? The METeam process has concluded with a written report, which was presented to the congregation in July. The report, with its appendices is available from the church office, at your request. Information gathered during the MET process shaped the Ministry Site Profile, which has been uploaded to the ELCA website under “Ministry Opportunities” for pastors seeking a new call to read. The Call Committee has been formed and was installed before the congregation on August 10. Here are some excerpts from the ELCA Call Process Manual that describe the role of the Call Committee in a section entitled “Call Committee Basics”. “Prayer is an important activity for the Call Committee and the entire congregation throughout the Call Process. Call Committee members are encouraged to commit themselves to pray for one another and for the work of the Holy Spirit among them as they seek to discern God’s will for their congregation. Special prayer at worship and during other meetings of the congregation is encouraged. When the Call Committee is selected, the names of the members are made public, with a request that special prayers be made on their behalf. Sunday School & Confirmation Classes resume September 14 Articles due by September15 for October 2014 Messenger Confidentiality cannot be overemphasized in the task of calling a Continued on page 3 2 Vol.61, Issue 9 OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH A church where God’s diversity works Church Council Our Savior’s is a member of Central City Churches, Inc. Miguel de Jesús - President Wendy Enockson - Vice President Linda Moore -Treasurer and is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation Virginia Koch - Secretary Paul Brynildson - Personnel Frank Schultz - Our Savior’s Foundation Our Savior's Mission Statement Our Savior's Lutheran Church is a diverse As the body of Christ in this city we: community of loved sinners gathered in the celebrate the presence of the living God in central city of Milwaukee: our lives/ congregation/ community created by God the Father Almighty; and world; redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ; proclaim the Good News of salvation in united in celebrating God's act of salvation in Jesus Christ Word and Sacrament; administer the sacraments of Baptism called to be the body of Christ; and Communion; and empowered by the Spirit with a welcome as sisters and brothers, persons of variety of gifts for ministry. any age/ gender, racial/ or ethnic heritage/economic status, mental or Our purpose/ as a congregation and as indiphysical ability or sexual orientation; viduals/ is to: act as a messenger of hope in the be a visible and tangible sign of the body of redemption of the city; Christ in metropolitan Milwaukee; empower people to live as children of God; acknowledge the reign of God by living out respect the witness/ insight and gifts of one God's forgiveness, love and justice with another; all creation support ministries of service to people in and use the diversity of gifts given us by the need locally and globally; Spirit for proclaiming anew the healing advocate on behalf of those who are opand liberating Good News of Jesus Christ. pressed; and establish partnerships with the Global Christian Community. 3 T h e Me s s e n g e r cont. from cover pastor. Confidentiality boundaries for the Call Committee’s work should be clearly agreed upon at the first meeting. Issues that are discussed about candidates need to be open and forthright among the members of the Committee. However, these discussions should be kept in confidence between the Call Committee members. Verbal and written information about prospective candidates must be kept within the confines of the Committee. Committee members will need to establish ground rules and boundaries, not only with the congregation at large, but also with those in their household or place of work. The names of candidates must be kept confidential. Mention of specific candidates outside the Call Committee is inappropriate until the Committee is ready with its recommendation to the Council. Confidentiality is different than secrecy. The Council and the Congregation should be kept abreast of the status of the Call Committee's progress, but no names or other identifying information about the candidate can be shared until a candidate is selected and ready for recommendation to the Council. Communication is very important to the Call Process. Every means ought to be utilized to keep the members of the congregation informed about the Call Committee’s work and progressB” We give thanks for the members of the Call Committee Paula Holman, Chair Rev. Marilyn Miller Cyndi Benner Bob Foley Antoine Roby-Brown LaVonne Williams Kevin Grey Joan Totten Mike Festge Marrien Walker Areanna Walker Rev. Chuck Brummond, Rep. from Greater Milw. Synod Lord, Bless this committee, its work and its decisions, that through them we might all be strengthened to serve you. Bless each member of the Committee, that he or she might have the compassion, wisdom and energy to fulfill this responsibility. Keep us strong in faith and resolute in proclaiming the gospel to all people. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen. 4 Vol.61, Issue 9 Thank you Pastor Kristin! Dear People of Our Saviors, I wanted to let you know that I received an offer for a full time call at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Sheboygan and have accepted. My last day at Our Saviors will be August 31. I am sad to be leaving, but am excited for the new opportunity. I have really enjoyed my interim time at Our Saviors and am grateful to be partners in ministry with all of you! Blessings, Pastor Kristin Berglund Eternal God, We thank you for Pastor Kristin and for our life together in this congregation and community. As she has been a blessing to us, so now send her forth to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sunday School and Confirmation Classes Begin September 14 Sunday School for children grades K-5 and Confirmation classes for youth in grades 6-12 begin again on Sunday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m. The classes will meet in the Fellowship Hall. To help with our planning, please sign up for classes when you come on Rally Day, September 7. 5 T h e Me s s e n g e r You are invited ... September 7 wraps up A Month of Gratitude Sunday, August 3 Musicians (choir, instrumental) Sunday, September 7 All Teachers, Students, Mentors, Council &PLT VBS volunteers AND Contributors Sound Room Attendants for camp ministry, VBS, Sunday Holy Change Group School, Confirmation Sunday, August 10 Quilters, Yarn Ministry, Commun- Sunday, August 31 Food Fellowship ion Servers, Gift Bearers, Assisting Building & Grounds Ministers, Sacristy, Ushers, Custodial Staff Acolytes, Readers, Worship Team Gardeners Sunday, August 17 Central City Churches Outreach We take time to Sunday, August 24 Office Volunteers Ministry Staff, Volunteers, Board thank God and Leah Circle, Prayer Chain & Committee members, Donors, one another for Bible Study Leaders OSLC members &neighbors these special Offering Counters ministries 6 Vol.61, Issue 9 You are invited… Yarn Ministry - Saturday, September 13 10:00 a.m. Dear Yarn Enthusiasts and Anyone Else who is interested, At our August 9th gathering in the Brumder Mansion parlor, we had a grand time knitting and crocheting, and enjoying fellowship! A member who is a prolific crocheter, donated over 15 shawls, coming in a variety of colors. This donation inspired us all! We blessed 11 of the shawls, and gave some of them away. The others others will soon go to people who need encouragement and a hug. The card we attach to each shawl reads:This shawl has been especially made for_____________ by -_______________. Around our gathered circle, this shawl has passed through our praying hands and been blessed by our loving hearts. We prayed: ay G d’s grace be up this shaw …war i g c f rti g e f di g a d e braci g ay this a t e be a safe have … a sacred p ace f security a d we bei g…sustai i g a d e braci g i g d ti es as we as difficu t es ay the e wh receives this shaw be crad ed i h pe a d wrapped i ve A e ept i y graced with peace We will bless the rest of her donations, along with a few that we were working on at our next gathering, on Sept 13th, 2014, (the second Saturday) at 10:00 AM at the Brumder on the corner of 31st and Wisconsin Av. Come and join us! People of all skill levels are encouraged to be a part of this rewarding ministry and be blessed. Learn to crochet and/or knit, and have fun and fellowship at the same time. If you would like to contribute something, we are in need of tissue paper and colored plastic bags from stores like Metcalfes and Sendik's. Blessings, Julie Carr - [email protected] Karin Ziemienski - [email protected] 7 T h e Me s s e n g e r Plan to attend Rally Sunday, September 7 10:00 Worship followed by lunch At this time, our annual Rally Day is being planned for indoors, with a family-friendly worship service featuring Our Savior’s youth and special blessing of the backpacks, followed by lunch in the Fellowship Hall. MUMS Sale! Sunday, September 7 $8.00 All proceeds benefit the Central Community Interfaith program for older adults. Central City Churches Outreach Ministry continues to serve How is it that the Central City Churches Outreach Ministry continues to meet the growing need for food? 17,841 people were served in the last 12 months; 4561 of those were children. According to 2008-2012 US Census data, 28.3% of Milwaukee residents live below the poverty level. In the neighborhoods adjacent to Our Savior's (those neighborhoods that the METeam considered as our mission field), 30-78% are living in poverty. (The federal poverty income level for 2014 is $23,850 annual income for a family of 4; $11,670 for a single person.) Our Savior's has housed and hosted the Central City Churches (CCC) Outreach Ministry since 2001. This has been the latest in a long line of food pantry ministries that have been in existence here and at our sister Wisconsin Avenue congregations since the mid 1970's. When I Continued p. 9 8 Vol.61, Issue 9 September 2014 KEY WIW = Wisconsin Injured Workers L&M = L&M Payee Service CCC= Central City Churches WE = West End Landlord Compact KBS = Kaleidoscope Bible Study * indicates GUEST organization You may contact the church office or consult the website for up-to-date meeting and event information. Tel: 414-342-5252 www.oslcmilw.org Penny will be on vacation September 2-4 Billy will be on vacation September 8-19 9 T h e Me s s e n g e r (cont. from p. 7) was a member of a task force gathered in the spring of 2001 to consider how CCC could improve upon the food pantry model, we imagined a space that would invite people to gather - a place where the community could come in safety and provide support and encouragement for one another. Because of the generosity of space that Our Savior's has provided, that dream has been realized. If you visit on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning, you will find a room full of life. People gather here for morning refreshments, a late morning meal, groceries from the food pantry, use of a computer or phone, and to take advantage of a rotating schedule of resource people. We continue to see an increase in the numbers of people who come for food. July was an especially busy month; 1980 people were served and about 25% of them were new to this food pantry. How do we continue this important ministry? Only with your help and by the Grace of God. Our Savior's provides about $100,000 IN KIND support each year in space, utilities, custodial and administrative support. Our Savior's members (you!) provide significant cash contributions as well as donations of food, holiday basket items and gifts such as mittens at Christmastime. What you do supports the full-time work of Alicia Ellis, Director and part-time Food Pantry Coordinator, Bob Foley. Alicia and Bob are true servants as they strive tirelessly to keep this ministry viable for the community. Hunger Task Force continues to feature the CCC Outreach Ministry as a well-operated pantry and most importantly, the neighbors who gather here express great thanks for this place and its resources. Your support encourages current and potential funders who provide their precious resources, in part, because they see that you are also providing from yours. We give thanks for: Siebert Lutheran Foundation ELCA Domestic Hunger Maximus Foundation State and Federal Combined Campaign contributors Hunger Relief Fund And we are pleased to be a designated recipient of this year's Empty Bowls local fund-raising event. We will also be included in the random drawing for Potawatomi's Miracle on Canal Street grant and are hopeful as we apply for a Thrivent grant this month. Please plan to attend the Empty Bowls event on October 12 (see the back cover for details) and, if you enjoy playing BINGO, plan to play the Miracle on Canal Street game at Potawatomi this month! Thank you for all that you do to provide for people who are struggling financially, emotionally and spiritually. Come to a Wednesday Prayer Service at 12 noon, beginning again September 3, and meet some of our neighbors. You are an important conduit for the Gifts of God to be available for the People of God. Peace and Blessings, Penny Schwid 10 Vol.61, Issue 9 11 T h e Me s s e n g e r September Birthdays Yateman, Jada 09/03 Lavers, Thomas 09/18 Gielow, Michael 09/04 Ross, Kylie 09/19 Ross, Michael 09/06 Walker, Areanna 09/20 De Jesus, Marcos 09/07 Viste, Mike 09/24 Haberman, Floyd 09/09 Kaczor, Kerri 09/27 Heinemann, Conrad 09/09 Riggins, Michelle 09/30 Nowicki, Ryan 09/10 De Jesus, Miguel 09/11 Sorvick, Doris 09/11 May God Carini, Francesca 09/13 bless you Cason, Floyd 09/15 and Dahlen, Isla 09/18 Keep you! Happy Birthday! YOUR PRAYERS ARE INVITED FOR: Ed Schneider Lisa Anderson Norgard, & her daughters Kristina and Betsy Karin Ziemienski Diane Castro Daren Jasourowski Debbie Hyland Maude Wilson Ed Olson Ellen Schruba Alicia Ellis Debra Nelson Linda Flatten Nan Gielow Mike Gielow Jenine Wimmer Doreen Jorgensen Cherie Jenkins Sue Davis Mary Artis Mary Stewart Myron Heffernan Doris Zimmermann Shirley Deer Mae Weichart Anna Johnson and her family Fred Nelson Family and friends of Olivian Waters, who passed on to eternal life on August 24 12 The Messenger PAGE 8 Published monthly by: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 3022 W. Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI 53208 Page 12 Non Profit Organization V O L . 6V0O, LI.S6S0U, EI S1S U E 1 US Postage Paid Permit #2254 Milwaukee WI ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Rev. Diane Olson & Rev. Kristin Berglund, Interim Pastors Rev. Ed Ruen, Visitation Pastor Penny Schwid, Parish Administrator Billy Nash, Nila Wooten, Ayub Mohamed Custodians If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, please notify the church office... John Seboldt, Organist Miguel de Jesús, Congregation President Phone: (414) 342-5252 ____________ The Messenger Editor Penny Schwid Printing Church office Collating/ Mailing Office Volunteers Articles for the Messenger must be submitted by the 15th of the month to church office or by email: [email protected] Email us at: [email protected]