November 2008

Survey Says…

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be know upon earth,

your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon the earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you.    

    (Psalm 67:1-5)

“It’s time for Family Feud!” Growing up, this sound signaled the beginning of a half hour of television entertainment. Prior to the show, a survey was taken by 100 people, answering questions about life, the universe and everything: “Name a food you can eat with your hands.” “What activity do most people do at home?” The answers would be compiled and the guest families would come on the show and try to guess the top five answers to those survey questions.

As part of our Stewardship drive this year, meeting attendees were surveyed for their thoughts about our congregational life here at Grace. The results have been compiled, and the results are in. “Survey says…”

On behalf of the council and Stewardship Committee, I want to extend a hearty “Thank You” to everyone who participated in the program, and shared their input and suggestions with us for the betterment of the ministry at Grace. Sometimes it can be difficult to stand up and speak what’s on your heart and mind, but healthy communication, paired with commitment to positive change, can contribute to making Grace a place where God’s will is done and God’s love is shared with all. Again, thank you for your commitment to Christ’s work here at Grace and to shaping the future of ministry in this place.

So what happens next? Where does the info go from here? The results were shared at our last council meeting, and from here, each suggestion will be forwarded to corresponding committees, who will decide how to best implement those suggestions. Will each suggestion be given prayerful consideration and deliberation? Yes, definitely. Will all the changes be made right away? No, probably not. Will all the suggestions be acted upon? No, probably not. Watch in future issues of Grace Notes for updates on how the suggestions are being acted upon, and how you can help to make God’s ministry at Grace even more effective and life-changing.

In the meantime, pray for the ministry at Grace, that we may seek to be about God’s business in word and deed, that all that we say and all that we do would give glory to God our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit has grand plans for this place, if we would simply climb on board and open our lives to be used as vessels of Christ’s love. Will you join us?

In Christ’s service, 

 Pastor Maurice A Schaus

 

Thank You

Thank you very much to the person(s) that bought the tickets for the Chicken BBQ. It was greatly appreciated.

Thanks much and God’s richest blessings,

Eugene & Marion Wittchow

Thank You

We want to say “Thank You” for the prayers, calls, cards, and emails. They are deeply appreciated. An extra “Thank You” to Pastor Maurice and Pastor Kelly for keeping in touch.

May God Bless You Abundantly,

Scott & Phyllis Baldwin

 

Remember the offering box you ladies received in your mailbox in January, well now is the time to empty it and bring your money to the church service on Sunday, November 23rd. Then you can once again begin saving money for next year. These thank offerings are sent to the church wide organization to support the ministry of the entire organization. They enable the women of the ELCA to do many things in support of you and your ministry.

 

On November 23rd at our 8:00 am service and during coffee hour, special music will be provided by a quartet from Ripon College. A free will offering for their expenses will be received.

 

The fall bake sales raises money to help with Project Comfort. So make your favorite baked goods, price them, and bring them to the Fellowship Hall before the end of the first service on Sunday, November 23rd. We need all women to help make something and we need everybody to stop by and to buy something for this worthwhile project. See you then!

 

Lutheran World Relief Shipment

On Oct. 18, Wayne Albright donated his equipment and time to deliver all of our LWR projects to the boxcar in Oshkosh. They are stored in a Minneapolis warehouse and distributed where the need is the greatest. This year our shipment included: 74 sewing kits, 140 health kits, 71 school kits, 150 layettes, 309 quilts, and some boxes of soap. Thanks to all of you who contributed in so many ways - donating items, sewing, knitting, crocheting, spending time shopping, attending quilting sessions, packing kits, and helping load the trailer. These projects will all be continued in 2009. We hope the wonderful congregational response will continue.

 

Book Review

Beginning in January 2009 and running through May 2009, Women of the ELCA will host a church wide book discussion to explore organizational and personal growth. The book they will read is, “Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other and the Spirit of the Transformation.” They will read a couple of chapters each month and have the opportunity to participate in an online live chat, online discussion, and blog. The chats will be held every second Tuesday of the month. So, if you are interested in participating in this, please see the poster on the WOG bulletin board or ask Jessica for more information at the church office.

 

The Church Council decided at the October 20th meeting, that starting with the October minutes, minutes of the meeting will be placed on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall the Sunday following the Church Council meeting. The minutes will be published in the Grace notes after the Board has amended and approved them the following month.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Melanie Simpkins, Secretary

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

“To grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”

Gather, Grow, Go in Grace!

     September 15, 2008 6:00 PM

Present: Terry Zimdars, Herm Leitz, Leesa McShane, Pastor Kelly Taylor-Schaus, Pastor Maurice Schaus, Nelson Hinz, Andrea Mills, Bob Schwister, Amanda Preissner, Betsy Rogalsky, Melanie Simpkins

Absent: Jim Borell

Guests: none

1.       Approval of agenda: with the addition of committee reports by council liaisons M/S/A (Herm, Andrea)

2.       Devotions: Herm Leitz

3.       Approval of minutes: for August M/S/A (Herm, Bob)

4.       Election of Officers:

President: Herm Leitz nominated (Nelson, Andrea) and elected unanimously M/S/A (Bob, Leesa). Terry turned the meeting over to Herm.

Vice President: Nelson nominated (Terry, Leesa). Melanie nominated [declined] and Andrea nominated (Melanie, Bob). Andrea elected by written ballot 4:3.

Secretary: Melanie nominated and elected M/S/A (Andrea, Leesa).

5.       Appointment of Treasurer: A motion was made, seconded, and accepted to appoint Betsy Rogalsky to continue as Treasurer, (Andrea, Leesa)

6.       Treasurer’s Report: Betsy reported that the projected budget income for 2008 remains approximately $22K short as was reported last month. $19K remains of the $25K withdrawn from the investment funds. Note: the balance at the end of August does not reflect the accurate status due to the holding of some payments until September when the $25K becomes available. The Treasurer’s report was approved M/S/A (Andrea, Bob).

7.       Guest Addresses to Council: none

8.       Correspondence: Thank you received from Ripon College for donating time and food for the welcome back picnic. More than 700 students were served. This is an example of our partnership with other community churches and the college. Betsy sent thank you cards to those who helped with the Rally Day Breakfast. Herm noted that a simple card is a great way to encourage someone who stepped up to help with a project. Pastor Kelly says cards are available in the office.

9.       Pastor’s Report:

Pastor Maurice:

PAST: In-house benevolence donation of $200 was given to the Clergy Association for the Ripon Public   

Schools Backpack Program. Fellowship Fishing Trip was a success with 9 participants, young and old as well as a non-member. A memorial service was conducted for James Abraham, a former member. In response to the letter at the last council meeting, he and Pastor Kelly are working to establish a regular schedule, at Grace, trying to be more transparent, so that members gain a better understanding of how the pastors serve the congregation during the week. They are trying to coordinate office hours so the children will not be present at work. They will publish a schedule at a later date. He is also working on a two-month rotation schedule of visiting those who are homebound. He will try to make 2 homebound visits per week. (This is in addition to the every other month visits to the homebound by Pastor Sandi.) He plans to survey the homebound to determine their needs in preparation for the BeFriender’s Program.

PRESENT: New response cards are in the pews. Several new prospective members have come forward. He hopes to host BeFriender Ministry Training, with plans to begin a program in our church, but also welcome other Pastors, ministries, social service providers, long-term care ministries, etc. The focus of training is to train volunteers and promote effective listening skills. Trainers and administration would be in our congregation, with the goal of training by early summer. After the first training, usually a congregation waits for 6-9 months to build enthusiasm and then train volunteers for the ministry. Our timeline is pending.

FUTURE: Ripon Clergy are hosting the CROP Walk on October 12.

SYNOD: Synod Theological Conference Oct. 13-15 on Word and Sacrament Ministries. The synod is also hosting a workshop on Small Church Ministry.

Pastor Kelly: Each week until Oct. 19 there will be a baptism or wedding. 8 new members will be received on September 21st with a welcome reception and potluck scheduled after the second service. All council members are encouraged to participate. Nov. 1 there is a wedding of non-members. Oct. 23, she will attend a preaching workshop for continuing education. Oct. 24-30 the Pastors will be on vacation. Another Pastor has not yet been assigned to cover in their absence.

10.       Frogs Without Legs Can’t Hear-Chapter Four: empowering and equipping people to be faithful disciples. Examples include encouraging members to bring Bibles to church, the Bible studies that have started, our stewardship/fellowship events in which 19 families welcomed others into their homes to share ideas and fellowship. Discipleship is everywhere we go, not just inside our building at Grace-it’s about giving parents tools to teach their children, and calling someone you haven’t seen lately. Discussion followed.

11.    Standing Committees:

Standing Committees were discussed, and volunteers assigned. Herm stated that he expects council members to be active on their committees. Assignments are:

Christian Education: Amanda Preissner

Endowment: Bob Schwister

Evangelism: Terry Zimdars

Fellowship: Nelson Hinz

Finance: Andrea Mills

Office: Andrea Mills

Personnel: Jim Borell

Pre-School: Herm Leitz

Property: Nelson Hinz

Social Concerns: Bob Schwister

Stewardship: Melanie Simpkins

Worship: Leesa McShane

Youth: Amanda Preissner 

12.    Committee Reports:

Christian Education: Pastor Kelly reports that several families have requested confirmation even though requirements have not been met. The Committee is working with them to allow the students to attend camp next summer who missed it this summer. She explained that across the ELCA confirmation occurs 5-12th grade and is intended as preparation for adulthood. Pastor Kelly will research the school district policy about Wednesday activities and options for confirmation to promote participation and quality instruction. Each year confirmation begins with a parent meeting. Discussion followed regarding varied ages/grades for confirmation and commitment. Sunday School is going well following a great Rally Day Breakfast and registration. We still need at least one teacher and another confirmation guide. The first Sunday in Oct., the 3rd graders will receive their Bibles. People like bringing their Bibles to church.

Evangelism: Terry reports the CD ministry continues to go well. He is looking for someone to learn how to make the CD’s to fill in for him on days when he is away.

Fellowship: Pastor Maurice reports Oct. 4 will be a Fall Fest at the Hinz Farm 4-8 pm. He and Dave are planning goofy games and activities. In January, there will be an annual planning meeting, so ideas are welcome. Usually a member signs up to plan an event each month.

Finance: Andrea Mills distributed copies of three forms mailed to each committee in preparation for budget talks: Finance Committee Letter, Committee Budget Requests Form, and Anticipated Income looking at 2005-2009 projections. Committees are asked to return them after this month’s meeting in preparation for the budget work for 2009. Liaisons are asked to make this a priority at each meeting.

Personnel: Pastor Maurice reports that he will do staff evaluations for support staff with a member of the personnel committee. Pastoral evaluations will be done by the Executive Board and one Personnel Committee member.

Pre-School: Herm reports that there are 14 three year-olds and 13 four year-olds in the Grace Pre-School. They are hoping to get their own phone line in the classroom so that they can run a Yellow Page Ad. Candy bar sales are the current fundraiser. Each year there is a need for scholarships for students. Herm said they would like to make a presentation to the Council. It was recommended that they contact either the Endowment Committee or the Women of Grace for support.

Social Concerns: Bob Schwister and Pastor Maurice - CROP Walk scheduled for Oct. 12.

Stewardship: Herm reports that the dinners have been a success with many participants requesting a repeat of the dinner format in the future. Lots of ideas have been generated. The committee will meet Sept. 24 to discuss the results. Time/Talent and pledge cards have been mailed to those that did not participate.

Worship: Pastor Maurice reports that there will be worship training and a potluck Oct. 5 after the 2nd service to teach volunteers how to perform the various worship activities such as ushering, communion assisting, greeting, reading, etc.

Youth: Pastor Kelly reports that 12 are registered for the ELCA National Youth Gathering next summer. Pastor Maurice and Susan Sharkey will chaperone. The chicken dinner fundraiser will be Oct. 12 - volunteers needed, and tickets available. Grace now has a Facebook page online, which has increased the opportunity for the Pastors to regularly visit with our teens.

Other Business: Leesa McShane shared information about the SOS center and a project she is involved with through her graduate program. They will be collecting gently used coats and blankets as well as hygiene items. She also shared information about the Acts 1:8 ministry that was presented at LifeFest. It was recommended that she speak with Scott as an idea for mission and outreach.

13.    Devotion Sign-up: October - Terry Zimdars. Other members will be asked to sign up for a month at the next meeting.

14.    Closing: Next meeting date: October 20, 2008. Meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. M/S/A (Bob, Terry)

Respectfully submitted,

Melanie Simpkins, Secretary  Amended and approved 10/20/08 MS 

 

Ripon Food Pantry

The pantry that was begun by the Ripon Area Clergy Association and was formerly housed in the Senior Center on Blossom and Watson Streets is now at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.   They can give food to a person no more often than once a month.

The procedure for getting the food is:

The request needs to be made to Mary Albright at the Senior Center 748 6225 

If they have not received previously, they must go to the Senior Center to fill out a form.  It is downstairs under the West end of City Hall.  Enter off the parking lot off Jefferson St.  The hours are 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.   Mary approves the request and forwards it to St. Catherine’s.

Joan Doersch packs the food.  The recipient gets an envelope from Sally at the St. Catherine’s office on Blossom St. and then picks up the food sometime between 9 to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday only.  If the recipient sends another person to pick it up, they must send a note authorizing that.

 

Salvation Army

Barb Trochinski writes vouchers for help from the Salvation Army. Barb is Administrative Assistant at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and is in the office mornings every week day plus afternoons on Wednesdays.  She can be reached at 748 2325. She tells me that the Salvation Army is out of funds that can be given to people who ask as of July.  They will have funds again when their new fiscal year begins in October.

Christmas Charity-The Kettle Drive Helps Many

The miracle of Christmas is repeated over and over again through the joy of caring and sharing.The traditional red kettle is an integral part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless, in keeping with the spirit of the season.

The donations given in Ripon stay in our area to help local families in times of need. Members of Grace have the opportunity to ring in the season on December 5 and 6 from 9am-9pm. The sign up sheet is in the entryway. Be a part of the solution: be a bell-ringer and invite others to reach out and give in Jesus’ name.

 

Thanksgiving Meal Mission

Mark your calendars now! For its fourth year, Grace will open it’s doors to the community to provide a Thanksgiving meal prepared with the love of Christ for those who cannot provide or prepare a meal and for those who would otherwise be spending the holiday alone. The meal will be served on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. As in past years, the meal will be prepared and served through the labor of Grace volunteers. Volunteers will be needed to help prepare the meal on Wednesday and Thursday. We will also be looking for donations of food. A sign-up board is posted in the entryway. In addition to volunteer opportunities, members of Grace are welcome to dine with our guests and enjoy the opportunity for fellowship and outreach with community members. This mission is supported through donations and a generous grant by the Webster Foundation in 2006. For more information or questions about volunteering please contact Betsy or Scott Rogalsky at 748-3167 or at scott.rogalsky@charter.net. Don’t miss this opportunity for mission, outreach, service, and fellowship. Gather, Grow, and Go!