deadline for the july/august newsletter is june...
TRANSCRIPT
BETHANY SPEAKS A Newsletter for God’s People
Of
Bethany Lutheran Church
Northern Great Lakes Synod
ELCA
550 Cherry Street
Negaunee, MI 49866
Phone: 906-475-9533
Email: [email protected]
Website: be-lutheran.org
May & June, 2017
Leadership
Pastor Tamra Harder
Phone 906-236-5895
Bill Hartman, President
Tamara Wommer, Vice President
Bonnie Johnson, Secretary
Jean Mitchell, Treasurer
Gary Parkkonen, Council Member
Christal Peterson, Council Member
Dave Turri, Council Member
Ellen Flack, Admin.Treasurer
Linda Turri, Financial Secretary
Julie Champion, Recording
Financial Secretary
Gary Parkkonen, Organist
Mary Kerkela, Parish Nurse
906-361-0223
Marilyn Warren, WELCA President
Midge Waters, Librarian and Archivist
Joe Zyble, Custodian
Bethany Lutheran Church’s Mission Statement
Proclaiming the Good News of Christ
in Word and Deed through Welcome,
Worship and Witness.
Deadline for the July/August Newsletter is
June 21
2017 Worship Schedule
May & June
Our Worship will be at
11:15 am
November – December: 9:30 Worship
From Pastor Tamra:
Change is in the Air It is spring!!! Well, maybe I should say that we have had a few spring-like days up here in the U.P. Birds are out in force. The daffodils and crocus’ are blooming. The tree buds are plump and ready to pop. Even the blackened piles of snow along the parking lots are gone. Everything seems to be changing right before our eyes. Nature is not the only place that we are seeing changes. The Northern Great Lakes Synod is getting ready to elect a new bishop. We are searching for a new administrative assistant here at the church. Change is in the air. It can be exciting and invigorating, or it can be scary. Sometimes it seems devastating. Change can make us anxious and fearful because we feel out of control. We want to know what is coming next in our lives, so we can be prepared. But that is not how life works. Change happens, constantly and often unexpectedly, whether we want it or not. It is as sure as death and taxes. The good news is that we have a God who walks beside us through all the changes of our lives, whether they are good or bad. And I truly believe that God will use whatever change is happening in our lives and communities for good if, we trust in God and allow it to help us grow and become more like Jesus Christ in how we respond and act. It is through these changes, that our lives are often totally transformed. I invite you to think about an event in your life, a big change, that transformed
your life. Do you remember how you felt when it was happening? What about a year later? Five years? Often even the most devastating events led to amazing transformation. No matter what changes you are experiencing this spring, I hope that these bible verses will give you peace and encouragement in the journey. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: Isaiah 43:19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Joshua 1:9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Your Sister in Christ, Pastor Tamra
Blessings From the Lord
Date Attendance Offering March 5 41 $ 2,885.70 March 12 38 $ 1,790.47 March 19 30 $ 1,172.50 March 26 28 $ 1,141.10 April 9 51 $ 1,455.50 April 16 79 $ 2,746.20 February 19 February 26 To meet the budget our offering should be $1590.60 per week.
BULLETIN SPONSORS The March 4 bulletin was given in memory of their grandson, Drew Thomas Hartman, by Bill and Bobbie Hartman. The March 12 bulletin was given in honor of new members: Mike & Chris Haines, Brian Sowers, Patti & Keith Polkinghorne and Kelli & Bonnie Bucholtz, by Jean Mitchell. The March 26 bulletin was given in memory of Bill Jennings, by Beverly Jennings. The April 16 bulletin was given in honor of Bethany Family, by Jean Mitchell. The April 23 bulletin was given in memory of loved ones, by Carol Johnson. The March Mining Journal was given in memory of Bob & Margaret Mitchell, by Jean, Paul, Peg, Greg, Denise Mitchell & Christian Frye, by Jean Mitchell.
March and April Council Meeting Highlights
We received letters of Thanks for monetary
donations from Room at the Inn and Fortune
Lake. We received a deposit on behalf of
Thrivent Choice program.
We received notice that Marilyn Sumner has
bequeathed $2,000.00 to Bethany.
A letter of resignation was received from
Administrative Assistant, Laurie Kass
Social Ministry Committee: Game nights
have been going well. The last one was April
7th and we plan on having one in May. Four
kids helped with making and delivering dog
beds for UPAWS. Ending Hunger Alliance of
Marquette had a food packing event at the
KI Sawyer School. Members are encouraged
to volunteer.
Property Committee: We had some siding
damage in the recent storm. We will get
Scott’s Home Repair to take a look.
Discussed planting prairie grass near the
front ramp/railing at alleviate rock problem.
Planning for the WOW after school program
is in full swing. Duties have been delegated
and plans are moving forward. A Community
Grant application has been submitted. The
kick-off event is scheduled for August 30.
Discussion about how to proceed with
finding a new administrative assistant.
WELCA report: Spring cluster meeting is
coming up on May 7 in Munising.
Pastor’s Report: Volunteers needed for
Feed Your Hungry Neighbor. Five people
attended the Book of Matthew discussions.
Confirmation has been going well with
Immanuel – only a couple weeks left.
Several kids are going to Immanuel for
Sunday School. Financial Peace University
finished with two new graduates. Pastor will
take off May 20 and 21 to attend a wedding
out of town.
What’s Happening at Bethany:
If you haven’t already done so, please
take a barn bank and start saving money
for the Synod Assembly World Hunger
Collection. Decorated “cows” and
donations will be brought to the Synod
Assembly on May 21-23.
Pastor Tamra will be leading a new
discussion group beginning May 3rd. The
group will meet each Wednesday at
1:15. This group will be discussing the
book What Every Church Member
Should Know About Poverty. Books are
$20.00. Let Pastor know if you would
like one.
WELCA Spring Cluster Program and
Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 7,
at Eden On the Bay Lutheran Church in
Munising.
Our kitchen could use ziplock bags and
small/large paper plates if you can
donate some.
Quilting and Prayer Shawl groups
continue to meet at the church on
Wednesday mornings – please consider
joining in this important ministry – and
also sharing in the fun and socialization!
Speaking of the Quilting Group….. they
are always in need of sheets for their
quilting projects. Minimum size needed is
twin flat.
Administrative Assistant needed:
Bethany Lutheran Church and Emanuel
Lutheran Church in Skandia are both looking
for a Part time Administrative Assistant.
Bethany would be up to 10 hours a week
and Emanuel would be up to 20. Applicants
should possess good communication skills;
know general business office practices, have
a good working knowledge of computers,
printer, copiers, etc., and be efficient in the
use of Microsoft Office software – especially
Word, Publisher, and Excel. Previous
secretarial and/or office/clerical experience
in a church setting a plus. Valid driver’s
license and transportation is required. Some
weekend work is required (Sunday
mornings). You may apply for one of these
jobs or both. The deadline for applications is
May 5th. If interested, please send a cover
letter and resume by mail or e-mail to either:
Bethany Lutheran Church [email protected] 550 Cherry Street, Negaunee, MI 49866 Emanuel Lutheran Church [email protected] P.O. Box 160, Skandia, MI 49885
Remembering in Prayer… Members: Al Johnson, Pauline Johnson, Bea & Paul Matthews, Anne, Pastor Bob Sutherland, Sharon Guidebeck, Judy Nease, and Mike Haines. Friends: Pastor Marcia Solberg, Christie Lantz, Holly, Becky, Mark, Terri, Viola, Theresa Syrjala, Melissa, Linda, Dakota, Sally Weingartner, Scotty, Rick, Ann, Wilsey, Jeremy and all who serve in the military.
WOW! We are working on an exciting new program for the Fall of 2017 here at Bethany! WOW! Word on Wednesday will be an after school program for kindergarten through 5th grade children. Kids in the neighborhood will be invited to join our Bethany kids for a snack, fellowship, and a “Sunday School” lesson after school on Wednesdays. We will hire a program coordinator to run this brand new program in our youth area downstairs. The church council has applied for a grant through the Community Foundation of Marquette County to get WOW! Off the ground. If awarded, this grant will cover the salary of a coordinator for one year, new tables and chairs, art supplies, and a curriculum. The council is planning a kick off event for WOW! On August 30th at Bethany. Please let Pastor Tamra know if you’d like to help plan this event. This is a brand new and exciting program for Bethany and our children! We would love to have many members volunteer in many ways to bring a successful youth program to our church.
Noisy Offerings for the rest of the year:
May: Camp New Day
June: Women’s Center – Harbor
House
July: Jansen House
August: Quilt Shipping
September: Keep Kids Warm
October: Jacobetti
November: St. Vincent DePaul
December: Salvation Army
Please keep in mind that we have sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for sponsoring bulletins and Mining Journal Ads. A Bulletin sponsorship is $15 and a Mining Journal Ad is $25. This is a great way to honor or remember someone special.
Note from Laurie
Thank-you so much to everyone at
Bethany Lutheran Church for making
my work here so enjoyable. It has
been a great pleasure working with
all of you and I truly appreciate the
time I have spent here. I have
accepted a full-time position at UP
Health Systems and will be leaving
Bethany as of May 1. I will miss my
job here very much, but will get back
here to visit when possible!
From Jean Mitchell: Dear Friends, On Christmas Eve a man and his granddaughter sat in front of me. While the man looked familiar, I couldn’t think of his name. Over the next few months they have come often. Before one service he told me his name and then said it had been 50 years since he had been to worship, not being back since he was confirmed. Then he said, “It’s never too late, is it?” It is NEVER too late come to church, to praise our Risen Lord and gather as a family of God’s people. It is never too late to come and renew your connection in the congregation. We have also been blessed with new members who come to worship and lend their musical gifts to our services. They seem excited about worship and that joy is passed to the rest of us. The Congregational Council is working on a new program for the children. It is new and different, but we are exhilarated (and a little overwhelmed) to develop something new and different. It takes courage to come home after a long time, to join a new group or try a new, never been done before project. Change never comes easy, especially for us Lutherans. It is scary, but, also fun and thrilling. We are cultivating a sense of growth and renewal. The renewal gives us ideas and thoughts of other things we can do to better praise the Lord and serve both Him and His people. At a recent Baptism the parents promised to raise their daughter with “God’s help and guidance.” We, too, need God’s help and guidance in all we do. May God help us to try new things and guide our steps along the way. Jean Mitchell (Update… I thank you all for your prayers and support. I’m getting use to retirement, not driving and once a month paychecks. For now my eyes are stable, for which I’m grateful. I blessed with many friends who make my life better every day. I’ve missed writing to you all and hope this will be the first of many letters to my BETHANY SPEAKS friends) J.M.
From Carol Johnson: An Indian Prayer:
O’ GREAT SPIRIT, Whose voice I hear in the winds, And whose breath gives life to all the world, Hear me! I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. LET ME WALK IN BEAUTY, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. MAKE MY HANDS respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. MAKE ME WISE so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. LET ME LEARN the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I SEEK STRENGTH, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy – myself. MAKE ME ALWAYS READY to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. SO WHEN LIFE FADES, as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. - submitted by Carol Johnson ( from the Sioux Indian children of RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL, Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Our Father You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer
And even once say “I” You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer
And even once say “My” Nor can you pray the Lord’s Prayer
And not pray for one another For when you ask for daily bread
You must include your brother For others are included in each and every plea
From the beginning to the end of It does not say
“Me
In Our Community
Summer Shelter A Summer Shelter for Marquette homeless persons will be held this summer at area
churches. Help our homeless persons have a safe night sleep at the Summer Shelter. Please consider volunteering 1 time per week when you
can! To volunteer for shifts, please go to www.SignUpGenius.com, click on magnifying
glass icon and type in [email protected]. You may download a volunteer orientation from each schedule there. You may attend a training
session May 3rd at 3:30 or 5:15pm at Hope Connection Center,
927 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette.
Love INC CUP
Love INC CUP is now open for business! Our
hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 10-2.
Office staff take phone calls from community
members in need. Connections are then made
to volunteers, churches, and agencies who can
help. Volunteers are needed in the office as well
as in the community. Call 486-8287 if you can
help or if you need help.
Love INC Clearinghouse Coordinator needed
Love INC is looking for a clearinghouse
coordinator! It could be you. Are you someone who works well with people? Someone who can work both independently and cooperatively? Do you listen, empathize and accept others as they
are? Are you organized and willing to make decisions? Contact us if this is you. We would
love to put your talents to use! Part-time position available at the Love INC office. Contact us at [email protected] or call (906) 486-8287.
Head Start
Alger-Marquette Community Action is now
accepting applications for their Head Start
programs. They offer a full day preschool and
half day preschool for children ages 3-5, an early
head start home visiting program for ages pre-
natal to age 3, and a great start readiness
program for children age 4. All programs serve
children of all abilities, including those with
special needs. Please call 228-6522 for more
information or to enroll.
Care Clinic
Pregnancy Services of Marquette, Inc. dba Care
Clinic, is seeking an individual to fill the position
of Volunteer Coordinator. Position requires
excellent organizational and communication skills
along with ability to oversee numerous
volunteers. 30 hours per week with limited
benefits. If you are interested e-mail your
resume, cover letter, and references as soon as
possible to [email protected].
No phone calls, please.
Negaunee Male Chorus
The Negaunee Male Chorus spring concert will be
May 5th at 7:00pm in the Negaunee High School
Auditorium.
They will be performing some classical and a few
humorous pieces. Their spring concert this year
benefits the Ishpeming High School’s Music Program
with a $1,000 grant.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and kids
five and under are free.
Marquette County Chamber Chorale presents It’s De-Lovely, Music of Cole Porter
May 19 at 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church
1700 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette The concert will feature Cole Porter’s additions to the
American Song Book, including “It’s De-Lovely”, “Begin the Beguine”, “You’re the Tops” and many
more. There is a freewill donation. For more information call 249-9867.
Garden Conference
The Marquette Beautification Committee will hold a
Garden Conference on Saturday, May 6, at NMU.
The Conference will provide valuable gardening
information for the novice to the expert gardener.
Share gardening tips to take home. Encourage
participants to start a new garden or add to an
existing garden. Instill in each participant a sense of
beautification and restoration in creating a greener
and happier piece of their “own planet earth”. See
their website for registration information:
mqtbeautification.org
Fair Trade Market
Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette will be hosting a Spring Fair Trade Market before and after their
church services on May 6 & 7. Just in time for Mother’s Day, they will have fairly traded items and
goods for sale from SERRV International and Sharing the Dream in Guatemala. Doors open at 4pm on
Saturday and at 8am on Sunday.
ELCA—Disability Ministries
May is Mental Health Month.
Mental Health Month was created in 1949 to
raise awareness about mental health conditions
and the importance of mental wellness for all. In
the spirit of the month, the ELCA recommends
that all congregational and community leaders
create and encourage a dialogue with
congregation and community members about
mental health awareness and the destigmatizing
of mental illness. Nearly every person in the
pews has been touched by mental illness in
some way; individuals and families do not need
to suffer in silence. Our faith communities can
be an active and sympathetic sanctuary for
people living with a mental illness, their family
members, friends, advocates and allies. Help is
available to you, and there is hope for all of us!
When the righteous call for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles. The
Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the
crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the
righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them
all. He keeps all their bones; not one of them will
be broken (Psalm 34: 17-20)
Blessings,
Rachel Bouman
Program Director, Disability Ministries, ELCA
______________________________________
______________________________________
The mission of Lutheran Suicide Prevention
Ministry (LSPM) is to eliminate death-by-suicide.
LSPM accomplishes this through awareness,
education and advocacy. Our ministry acts on
the goals from the 1999 ELCA adopted social
message, Suicide Prevention. We are a grass-
roots organization, empowered by volunteers
who have been affected by mental illness and/or
suicide.
LSPM provides congregations with resources,
communication guidelines and proactive
methods to reduce the stigma around talking
about mental illness and suicide and to create a
welcoming, accepting environment for all. We
are a non-profit corporation and an independent
Lutheran organization working to implement
suicide prevention policies approved by the
ELCA.
More than 42,000 Americans die by suicide
every year compared to fewer than 16,000 by
homicide. Worldwide, there are far more
suicides recorded than combat deaths and
homicides combined. Twenty-two veterans or
current members of the military die each day by
suicide.
During Mental Health Month, which occurs every
May, we encourage all congregations to
destigmatize, discuss and provide resources
devoted to advocating for increased mental
health awareness and suicide prevention.
Sherry Bryand, Lutheran Suicide Prevention
Ministry
ELCA Good Gifts!
$5,471,479 was raised in 2016 through ELCA
Good Gifts:
200 piglets distributed in Liberia
1,350 mosquito nets distributed to families in
Namibia
85 Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers
serving in 13 countries
4,960 orphans and vulnerable children fed in
Malawi
250 scholarships for Lutheran seminary
students in the United States
12 college scholarships awarded to emerging
women from the global church
372 new ministries currently under
development across the ELCA
150 children in Zimbabwe reached through
the orphans and vulnerable children
program
40 savings and loans groups established in
Malawi
138 families assisted in developing farm land
for sustainable livelihoods in Cambodia
300 energy-saving cook stoves produced in
Rwanda
5,000 students in Thailand (ages 12+)
received health, life skills and HIV education
94 babies delivered safely through the
Lutheran Clinic in Burure, Zimbabwe
16,000 Syrians assisted with winterization kits,
including blankets and gas heaters, in
Jordan
Life-saving and emergency assistance
provided to 22,000 refugees and internally
displaced persons in Ukraine and Russia
20 fish farms developed in Malawi
Food assistance, blankets, hygiene kits and
temporary shelters provided to more than
130,000 people in Nepal
Fortune Lake Camp Summer 2017
Camp Season
The Water of Life
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2
Water is the physical life source of our bodies
and our world, making up about 60% of adult
human beings and 70% of the planet Earth. As
campers will discover throughout the week,
water is also the source of Christian spiritual life.
The Bible is filled with stories involving water as
a powerful means by which God sustains, heals,
revives, and saves us. God surrounds us and
fills us with literal waters and spiritual waters that
remind us how we are part of God’s life.
Register now for a life changing experience at
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Campers will
grow in faith, make new friends, and have tons
of fun.
Online registration is now open for Summer
2017 Camp Season. The schedule is out and
can be found on our bulletin board.
Calling all future counselors! Fortune Lake
Camp is also taking applications for future
wonderful Fortune Lake Staffers too!
New programs this summer include:
Tree House Adventures: This new
program for grades 6-9 (completed
grades) is set in Vagland, and is a way
to experience the Tree Houses. Have a
normal camp day with many of the
typical Camp activities: campfires,
singing, Bible Study, swimming, making
new friends, plus get to live in the trees.
Grandparent/Grandkid Week: Make
memories to last a lifetime with our new
Grandparent/Grandkid Sampler week at
camp. This is a perfect opportunity to
come to camp and enjoy singing, Bible
Study, and swimming. Bring your
grandkids and stay in one of our
comfortable retreat lodges with private
bathroom.
Leaders in Training: is an opportunity for
high school campers to gain valuable
leadership skill at Camp. This is a 2
week program. First, campers come to a
skill-building week, then choose another
week to come back to put those skills to
use by shadowing a counselor and
helping to lead programs
Upcoming Synod Events
Always Being Made New Hunger
Grants: Grant Applications are due by
May 31. The Always Being Made New
Campaign of 2016 generated funds to
be used in our Synod to support
congregation’s efforts to address issues
of hunger and poverty. A grant could be
used to begin a project by helping to
fund an effort that is already in motion or
give seed money for a new plan of
action.
Summer 2017: Medical-Dental Mission
Trip To Tanzania. Are you a physician,
PA, NP, nurse, dentist, dental hygienist
or other medical/dental professional? Do
you want an experience of a lifetime?
Women’s Fall Retreat: September 15-
17 at Fortune Lake Bible Camp. Theme
“A Godly Touch”. “I want men/women
everywhere to lift up holy hands in
prayer, without anger or disputing.” 1
Timothy 2:8. This retreat will include
workshops, singing, praise & worship,
fellowship, food & fun, crafts, 15 minute
massage (cost $10). The cost is $125
for duplex housing, $140 for lodge
housing. Cost includes meals, Saturday
night ice cream social, workshop
materials, and Coffee Café. To register
please call Pam at 906-428-2442 or
906-280-2918. Forms are available at
https://www.nglsynod.org/welca/
Altar Guild Workshop: September 30
from 8:30 am—2:30 pm at Bethany
Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. $20
includes program and lunch. Those who
prepare the sanctuary for worship
engage in a vital and important ministry.
Your care and attention enriches the
worship of God and the space in which
we offer our praise, our offerings, and
our prayers. But where does the
Paschal candle go? What about the
placement of the cross? Paraments?
Liturgical seasons and colors? The
Font? How and when are the candles
lit? Dr. Melinda Quivik, along with the
Synod Worship Committee, offers a day
of learning for all those who serve on
Altar Guilds or might like to do so.
Lutheran Men in Mission’s Triennial Gathering The LLM Triennial Gathering will be July 21-2, 2017 in Minneapolis. This BOLD GATHERING is a gathering for men of all ages to come together to learn, to worship, to network, and be equipped to BOLDLY live out their faith! This is the first time the Gathering has been held in the Midwest since the 90’s. Registration for the BOLD GATHERING is open. Contact Lon Buss, SCSW LMM Task Force Leader at (608) 516-7875 for details.
From the Bishop
Transition: Calling A Bishop
“In a few short weeks, the synod will gather as a “Call Committee” and with prayer and reflection vote for a new bishop to serve
this synod. This pastor will be elected and serve for six years –from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2023. Please keep our
synod in your personal and family prayers as we prepare to elect a new bishop. When this synod gathers (laity and clergy)
in Marquette on May 21-23, we will call upon a pastor to be our bishop. Here is what this synod’s bishop does and what
I have done for eighteen years:
Preach the Word of God in all of our congregations, institutions and agencies.
Pray for God’s people.
Preside at Communion, and, on occasion, baptisms and funerals in our synod.
Teach the Word of God in our congregations and ministries.
Lead our synod into mission.
Administer the synod’s organization and structure.
Supervise our synod’s officers, office staff and assist all of them to accomplish their ministries.
Recommend ministers to rostered positions.
Ordain and install pastors, deacons and licensed lay ministers.
Encourage and counsel ministers, congregations and synod ministries.
Speak on behalf of the synod, being the public face of the Church here.
Challenge our congregations and its leadership to do justice.
Help to raise up women and men for service as pastors, deacons and lay leaders of this church.
Plan for our work in this synod and throughout the whole church.
Provide pastoral care for our congregations and ministers.
Serve on the ELCA Conference of Bishops and its Conference committees.
Represent the ELCA Bishops Conference on at least one committee or group of the ELCA. I, for example, serve on the ELCA
Foundation Board and advise the ELCA Men in Mission Ministry Board.
Participate in the Region 5 Bishop’s group, Ecumenical group of U.P. Bishops, and advise other organizations including the
Lutheran Social Services Board of Directors.
Actively staff these synod ministries: Synod Council, Synod Council Executive Committee, Endowment Fund Board, Finance
Committee, Mission Outreach Committee, Campus Ministry Board, Lay School and Licensed Lay Ministry Board,
Stewardship Committee, Leadership Support Committee, and Companion Synod Committee.
Coordinate with the Assistant to the Bishop so that these committees function well: Youth Committee, Evangelism
Committee, Worship Committee, World Hunger Committee, Synod Assembly Planning Committee, Candidacy Committee
and Constitution Committee.
The Bishop’s Office Transition Team is chaired by Pastor Doug Johnson. Since created by the Synod Council, the Transition Team has had two meetings and is working on two separate but connected projects: A synod “self-study” has been approved by the Synod Council. In February, four persons from the Churchwide offices in Chicago will be with us to hear the hopes and dreams of our synod members as we lean into the future. Invitations to all congregations will be sent to attend interviews on Saturday, February 18th at two different locations in the synod. The Interview Team will be eager to hear opinions and ideas from our congregational leaders – pastors and laity. The Transition Team is also working on the process for the election of the bishop. The Synod Council will be approving the process complete with schedule at its January meeting. Immediately after that meeting, the complete process schedule will be communicated with the synod’s
St.
Michael’s & Catholic Campus
Ministry Present The Muslim My evangelization and Christian Unity.