Annual Meeting Date set
The annual meeting of the congregation for elections and approval of the 2021 budget has been scheduled for Sunday, November 22, following the 10:00 am worship service. The meeting will be in the church sanctuary, and members will also be able to attend by way of Zoom, including connecting with a land-line phone or smartphone. Online voting will be done by way of a Google Form, which will be sent by way of a web link, which can be posted in the chat of Zoom.
Beginning a Culture of Generosity
The Stewardship Team met on Thursday for the second of six Zoom meetings to help lead us through our annual fall Stewardship Drive/Program. This series of Zoom meetings, attended by several other congregations in our synod, is sponsored by our NWOS through GSB Fundraising, a stewardship and fundraising consulting firm that provides resources for churches and non-profits. One recommendation of this program is to collect and tell "Outcome Stories" that share the ways that God has impacted people's lives through our congregation's ministry. Could you help us with generating some stories that I could share either on Sunday morning or in the letters we will be sending as part of our campaign? Listen to GSB staff member Mike Ward as he describes what makes for a good Out come story. You can view Mike's 7-minute YouTube video HERE. If you have an outcome story you'd be willing to share, email it to me at mark@bogen.org.
Confirmation Class reviews Ten Commandments
Our confirmation class reviewed the Ten Commandments (one of our units from last year) at our Wednesday night meeting. We again put the sidewalk chalk to work, as youth used ten parking spaces to write out big each of the 10 ways that God protects us. And reminds us of our need for Christ. I posted some pics on the St. John's Facebook page, which you can view HERE.
Nominating committee
The nominating committee for the coming election is Nancy Pickens, Rocky Eskins, and I think there's one more -- can someone help? Nominations of at least one candidate are needed for each of the following:
- Executive Team (one year terms)
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Committees (three year terms - name of those completing their terms at the end of the year in parenthesis - I'm not sure who is eligible for a second term)
- Christian Education (Sherri D.)
- Evangelsim (vacant)
- Fellowship (MInetta E.)
- Property (Lenny B.)
- Stewardship (Emma K.)
- Worship and Music (Cathy O.)
Funeral Friday
I conducted a graveside funeral service today at Castalia Cemetery for Linda Moser, who died last month after a brief battle with cancer. This family was not associated with a local church, so Hannah asked if I could do the service and I agreed. This is one of many ways that St. John's responds to ministry needs. Funerals are always excellent times to proclaim the gospel and the hope of resurrection.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is an outreach program that has previously been sponsored by the Bellevue Ministerial Association, but has now been assumed by Zion United Church of Christ Fireside. The program provides clothing items (hats, gloves, socks, pajamas, underwear, shirt/sweatshirt, jeans/sweatpants) to eligible families. Here's a list of eligibility and requirements:
- For children ages newborn through high school seniors
- Children must reside within Bellevue School district
- You must qualify for Fish and Loaves assistance
- You will receive a pick-up card in the mail
- Pick-up day will be Saturday, December 19, from 10am to 2pm at Fireside UCC church.
An application can be viewed and downloaded HERE. Application deadline is postmarked by October 16th.
Apparel Sale Fundraiser
Heather has been spearheading an apparel sale fundraiser to benefit St. John's preschool. She reports that a number of orders have been received, as well as contributions. This effort has raised about $1,000 so far (Yayyyy!!!) MailChimp emails have been sent, but just in case you're still looking to order something (t-shirt, polo, sweatshirt, blanket) with a custom St. John's Lutheran Church logo, you can view the order form HERE. Completed, paid orders are due in the church office on Sunday morning, September 20. Orders will be delivered on October 4. Heather says that it will also be possible to place orders later (e.g. as Christmas gifts), but the best time is now!
Zoom meetings this week
- Tuesday - Bishop Daniel's meeting with synod pastors, deacons and leaders -- always inspirational
- Thursday - Thursday Morning Live! Bible study - Bishop's Bible Study on the Book of Acts
- Thursday - Stewardship Zoomed in to Beginning a Culture of Generosity (see above paragraph)
- Thursday - Healthy Congregations Leadership Series (see below)
- Friday - Healthy Congregations Leadership Series (see below)
2020-2021 Continuing Education
My primary Continuing Education for the coming nine months will be the Leadership Series offered by Healthy Congregations (HC). HC is the organization founded by Lutheran pastor Peter Steinke, who died suddenly in July at the age of 82. HC was the source for the workshops in which we participated in 2019 led by Pastor Rob Johnson. The Leadership Series is an in depth dive into Bowen Family Systems theory and its application to congregational life. It meets one Friday (full day) a month for eight months from September - May (December excluded). The September session was held two afternoon this Thursday and Friday. For more info on the Leadership Series, go HERE.
Links for you
- Seeds Monthly
- ELCA Worship News
- New Beginnings Weekly message from Dr. Kit Kleinhans, Dean of Trinity Seminary
- Bishop Daniel's weekly email
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