Interim Update for February 7, 2020

Preschool Open House

St. John's Preschool held their annual open house on Sunday from noon until 2pm for new and returning kids and families. Staff and board members were on hand to welcome guests and show them around. Four more months of Year 41, and then it will be on to year 42 of St. John's Christian Preschool. Kudos and thanks to all who make this such an excellent ministry at St. John's.

The Day the Music Died

Monday was the 61st anniversary of the airplane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa which killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson, following a concert at the Surf Ballroom. I remember some of the publicity surrounding the 20th anniversary of the tragedy in 1979, as I was serving my internship at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, a few miles to the east of Clear Lake.

Visitation

Visited Carol H., who is now home and doing amazingly well, considering everything. She continues to receive therapy, and hopes to get back to church soon. Emma K. stays in touch on a regular basis -- thank you Emma K.! Have stayed in phone contact with Karen W., who had knee replacement on Monday. Discharged the next day, she is now doing outpatient thereapy, and is doing amazing well four days post op. Keep Karen and Dale in your prayers! (And remember, now you can do directly to Wilson's Ramblings on our new web Newsletter format delivered by email, and also viewable online here.

Minneapolis 2021, here we come!

On Wednesday evening, a group of parents and youth gathered to talk about the possibility of attending the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering, June 29 - July 3 in Minneapolis. We watched a couple of videos that describe what happens at the gathering, and by the time the meeting was over, we had tentative agreement from about ten youth who expressed a strong interest in attending. Registration opens on September 21 of this year, and is open to all who will be completing grades 8-12 in the spring of 2021. That includes all youth currently in grades 7-11. A group of parents have agreed to serve on a committee to plan and lead a series of fundraisers, planning to meet on Wednesday, February 26 prior to Ash Wednesday worship. The cost to attend the gathering will be approximately $1,100 per person, including two adult leaders. To learn more about the gathering, you can go here.

Snow Day!

Thursday was a snow day for Bellevue, which means no preschool either. However, Prayer Group met, as did Worship Committee. One of the main topics in that meeting was Lenten suppers and services. These will be held March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1. Since two of the services are on the first Wednesday, our supper and service will have to be set up in the Lounge, where we only had to do one service there last year. I am still considering what to use for a theme for the Lenten series of services.

Planning for Richard Hills concert continues

Paul continues work on the details surrounding the Richard Hills organ concert on May 17. He and Kristen worked this week on preparing a flyer that will be posted around the community. Contributions from supporting community groups have started to come in. Next step is to get our new website up and running.

New website coming

Paul gave me contact info for Osh, who is working on our behalf to reestablish our web presence and get a web site up and running. I have not made this connection yet, but hope to when I return from Colorado.

Some links for you

• Bishop Daniel's weekly message
• Synod eNews February 7
• Assembly Registration Open! Who will be our voting members? We are allowed two adult one youth or young adult under 30.