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Family
of Christ Lutheran Church
Annual Congregational Meeting
January 25, 2004, 9:40 am
AGENDA
1.
Call to Order
Paul Donner
2.
Opening Devotions
Pastor Lon Larson
3.
Minutes of 2002 Annual Meeting
Terry Lind
4. Staff Report
Pastor’s Report
Pastor Lon Larson
Membership Statistics
Pastor Lon Larson
Youth Director’s Report
Sherry Goodman
Music Report
Liz Schuur
5. Council Reports:
President’s
Report
Paul Donner
Finance
and Stewardship Report
Steve Paradise
Treasurer’s
Report
Doris Petersen
6.
Elections / Nominating Committee Report / Distribution of Ballots
7. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members
8. Council Committee Reports
Operations
Committee Report
Bruce Brasseur Education/Youth
Committee Reports
Jane Wegleitner
Worship Committee Report
Chuck Davis
Social Concerns/Community Relations Report
Jill Loeffler
7. Congregational Committee Reports
Youth
Committee
Brian Knapp
Parish Fellowship Committee
Glenda Lind
Access
Committee
Brian Knapp
Personnel
Committee
Scott Buscher
Strategic
Planning
Joel Nelson
Building
Committee
Technology—FoCS
Update
Bill Goodman
8. Other Business
9. Adjournment—Lord’s Prayer
Family of Christ Lutheran Church
Annual
Congregational Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2003
1.
Paul Donner called the meeting to order at 9:40 am.
2.
Opening devotions by Pastor Lon Larson.
3.
Paul Donner reviewed the 2002 Annual Meeting minutes. Jeannine Anderson made a motion to accept the 2002 minutes.
Ken Davidson seconded. Motion
carried.
4.
Staff reports:
Pastor’s
Report by Pastor Lon. Statistics
of 2002 Annual Report (pg. 5) also reviewed.
Youth
Worker’s Report by Sherry Goodman.
Music
and Janitorial Report reviewed by Paul Donner.
5.
Council Reports:
President’s
Report by Paul Donner
Finance
and Stewardship Report by Deb Cathcart.
2003 Budget was reviewed. Dick
Loeffler made a motion to adopt the 2003 budget.
Jeannie Bergquist seconded. Motion
carried.
Treasurer’s
Report by Doris Petersen with a review of 2002 Benevolence and Building
Fund statements.
6.
Ken Davidson reviewed the Nomination Committee’s Report. Nominees
are Bruce Brasseur for Operations, Terry Lind for Secretary, and Steve
Paradise for Financial Secretary, Synod representative nominees are Carl
and Irene Swanson with alternates Peter and Michelle Moenkhaus.
No additional nominees for ballot other than the Nominating
Committee. Those volunteers
for the Nominating Committee are Vickie Heggen, Barb Nylund and Mabeth
Dorman. Larry Berger made a
motion to accept unanimously the nominees for the ballot.
Don Bergquist seconded. Motion
carried.
7.
Paul Donner recognized outgoing council members Deb Cathcart, Don
Bergquist and Karin Stokes.
8.
Committee Reports:
Operations
by Don Bergquist
Education
by Jane Wegleitner
Youth
by Lyle Eidelbes
Adult
Forum and Worship Reports reviewed by Paul Donner
Community
Relations by Jill Loeffler
Parish
Fellowship by Glenda Lind
Access
Report reviewed by Paul Donner
Strategic
Planning by Joel Nelson
Closing
comments by Paul Donner. Meeting
adjourned at 10:40 after reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
Pastor’s
Report…
Dear Family of Christ Lutheran Church
Members,
This has been another year of
extraordinary change and challenge. Hopefully,
this Annual Report will document and preserve a record of the great effort
that so many of you have put forward in so many areas of ministry. Sacrifices have been made.
Personal agendas have been put aside for the sake of the common
good. Decisions have been
made and remade, all in an effort to make the Story of Jesus more
accessible, and to make the power of His love more real.
Your efforts have been thoughtful, practical, and at times even
valiant. Your faith in Christ
is apparent, and likewise is your love and care for one another. Time and again, you find yourselves out of your ‘comfort
zones’ and yet you retain a truly gracious and loving attitude toward
one another. Your generosity,
faithfulness and concern are remarkable.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to
members of the church staff. Now
in our 7th year of working together, let me first offer my
appreciation to Liz Schuur for her leadership in the area of worship and
music. Clearly, God speaks
through the text and melody of song.
Liz continues to provide an invaluable gift through her music.
Also, we are fortunate to have the talents of Cami Davis, our
director of children’s music. Cami brings extraordinary skill and a deep
and mature faith. She has a
joyful and caring manner with our kids.
They love her, and they should!
In just the same way, we all offer words of thanks to Sherry
Goodman for her amazing commitment to the young people of this
congregation. Week in and
week out, Sherry brings Christ’s message of peace and love to all who
enter the sanctuary known as the “Shed”.
Special words of thanks go to Kathryn Blume, our janitor, who
cleans up the mess that comes from being a ‘family’.
It is hard work, and often goes unnoticed. Nonetheless, it’s essential to the mission of this
congregation. There is some
grain of truth to that old adage that ‘cleanliness is next to
godliness’. Last, I extend my most sincere thanks to those who have
helped in the church office. Renae
Chladek, though no longer at FOC, maintained a steady and helpful course
through a time of great transition. Karen
Brettingen and Barb Nylund helped to maintain high standards and joyful
spirits during an interim period. And
finally, I offer words of deep thanks for the good fortune of now working
with Mary Jeanne Benson, a person who is new to the staff, and yet already
so dear to our hearts.
I would be remiss if I failed to at
least mention the work of the Access Committee, the Strategic Planning
Committee, the Personnel Committee, the Building Committee.
These committees, along with the work of the Council, have looked
deeply into the soul of this congregation, and each in their own way, has
set the course for our immediate future.
It’s not always been fun. Nonetheless,
this congregation has never been stronger in its resolve to be the voice
and hands and heart of Jesus in this community.
We don’t know what God has in store for us in these coming days
and months. My prediction
is…MORE CHANGE…change that will bring moments of both struggle and
triumph; more occasions of heart-felt searching for God’s will; more
demand for mutual respect and forgiveness.
But, we are not alone. God
is here. This is HIS church,
HIS mission, HIS agenda, HIS power and love.
And for these reasons, we can be hopeful, if not downright excited
about what lies ahead.
In Christ,
Lon Larson, pastor
Family
of Christ
Membership
Statistics
2003
Total Members (Baptized):
595
Total Households:
175
Confirmed Members:
384
New Members:
82
Number of New Member Households: 23
Members Transferred Out:
8 (2
households)
Removed to Membership Archive:
24 (6 households)
Worship Services:
115
Average Worship Attendance:
236
Baptisms:
19
Weddings:
1
Funerals:
0
Confirmation:
14
First Communion:
14
Presentation of Bibles (3rd Graders):
13
Sunday School Enrollment:
128
Youth Program (7th-12th):
80
(30 active in SHED or regular activities)
Youth
Worker’s Annual Report
2003
was a year of great fun and some new experiences! One more year of
programs, activities, retreats, Bible reading, circle prayers, lock-ins, a
summer trip and all of the excitement youth ministry brings. It was a
fruitful year. I won’t use any numbers, as I am not a numbers person. I
will, instead, report on what remained the same, what was transformed,
what was added and what we hope for next year.
We
continued with two active youth groups meeting weekly (CrossWalk) and
monthly (FTS). The CrossWalk group is made up of junior and senior high
youth. FTS is an acronym for Fourth Through Sixth… therefore they are
our fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
What
we continued:
Souper
Bowl Sunday:
(collected one dollar from congregation members to be donated to local
food shelves)
CrossWalk
Lock-In: February
Night
To Remember:
Maundy Thursday all night event for 7-12th grade
Monthly Parent Planned Activities
Wednesday
Night Bible Study:
7-12th grade. During the spring and summer we got together
weekly to read for an hour and play volleyball for a half hour.
Fundraising:
Grocery bagging, Simeks Meat Sale, Glow-in-the dark necklace sales on the
4th of July, Coffee & cookie sales
CrossWalk
Fall Retreat:
Re-gathering of all 7-12th graders in the fall for an over-nighter
at Cry of The Heart Retreat Center
Service
Work: Birthday
Boxes, Armful of Love, Nursing Home Christmas Party
5
Minute Prayer: At
the end of every CrossWalk education hour on Sundays we had a five minute
prayer in the SHED. This started in lent and we chose to continue it
throughout the year.
What
was transformed:
FTS
Leaders were transformed into Youth Leaders.
10 active high school youth were invited to be leaders for the fourth
through sixth grade youth group and also to become mentors
for the 7th & 8th graders. The mentor program
was not to replace the adult mentors that volunteer during lent, but as an
addition to that program. It is to help the 7th & 8th
graders adjust to life in the new CrossWalk youth group by having an older
teen to turn to.
Wednesday
Night Bible Study during
the school year of 03-04 is now one of two small group nights.
Youth
Leader’s Retreat: Instead
of an all day rewarding activity thanking them for their year of service
(last year was Valley Fair), we had a camping/ river tubing activity for
fun, and also sat around the campfire going over the upcoming school year,
expectations, leadership issues, mentorship etc.
What
is new:
7th
Grade Small Group:
Once a month seventh graders meet in the SHED with their high school
mentors and Sherry for discussion, prayer and games.
Youth
Leader’s Small Group:
Once a month the 10 youth leaders meet in the SHED to talk about their
leadership roles in the church and to have their own ‘bonding time’.
During
the 03-04 year my plans are to continue with everything we did last year
with regards to our schedule. The SHED was recently expanded, thanks to
Rick Lund’s generous donation of his knowledge and labor. Therefore we
have more room for our kids that presently attend and also room for new
members!! They are welcome to sprawl out, lay down, cover up with a
blanket, make popcorn in the microwave and lean on one another. It is a
space that they can call their own. It is a space where God is spoken of
without any hesitation. He is there with them. Guaranteed. I will continue
to try to create an environment where God can get through to them.
There
are many people to thank for the success of our youth ministry. All of you
parents who encourage your kids to come to worship and stay for education
and fellowship. Also for getting them to youth group activities… Thank
you to all who chaperoned, planned, brought snacks, drove, supervised,
made phone calls, supported financially and spiritually with prayer and
for loving them unconditionally! Please hear me when I say (or write) that
I couldn’t do this without your love and support. THANK YOU!!
Thank
You For Another Year With Our Kids!
Sherry
Goodman
Part-Time
Youth Worker
Music
Ministries 2003 Annual Report
At
the risk of repeating last year’s report, I will again say that music
was an integral part of each of our worship experiences in 2003.
We were blessed to receive special music presentations on 12
occasions, with thanks to various small ensembles, to Stephanie Peterson,
and to the wonderful ‘no-name’ string quartet that Maren and Hannah
Lund have created.
In
February, a special worship experience was led by the CrossWalk youth.
With confirmation kids assigned to lesson reading throughout the
year, we are able to involve
the youth in worship more regularly. This is great for the kids, and a wonderful blessing for the
adults.
For
the second year, throughout Lent, we used the Holden Evening Worship order
of service. We closed the
Lenten season with the Good Friday presentation that chronicled Christ’s
life and death. At nearly 2
hours, it was a much longer worship experience than expected, but the
scripture, story telling and song, did indeed take us to Golgatha’s Hill
in preparation for Easter morning.
Pastor
Lon and I attended a seminar presented by the ELCA, during which we were
introduced to the latest version of the Lutheran Book of Worship, which is
now in the editing stage. Songs
are now being “tested” for inclusion in the book;
songs must be sing-able, well written, and both liturgically and
politically correct. The
final book will be available in the not so distant future; at some point, a decision will have to be made regarding the
number of books desired and the fund raiser needed to complete the
purchase.
In
celebrating Advent 2003, we used original liturgical music for each of the
worship services. As
expected, by the time we learned the songs, the season was over! We moved into the Christmas season with a wonderful
Christmas Eve service that included candlelight and violins – a
beautiful combination!!
We
were not required to complete the Christian Copyright Licensing
International disclosure for 2002-03, but did indeed keep record of every
song photocopied or duplicated for worship purposes, in compliance with
licensing rules.
To
accommodate the confirmation class, which needs a large space to meet in,
the music committee / choir group continues to meet in Room-E for
rehearsal times on Wednesday evenings.
This arrangement benefits the confirmation class more than the
choir, but we are making the best of it while praying for better space in
the future! Anyone is
welcome to join us for these practice times…. If the choir grows larger
than the confirmation class, we’ll get that sanctuary space back…..
God’s
blessings,
-----
Liz Schuur
President's
Annual Report
This
has been a very exciting year for Family of Christ Lutheran Church. As we continue to grow in our faith to God and to Jesus
Christ, our Lord, there continue to be many opportunities presented to our
congregation that require careful consideration.
Many of these opportunities or challenges are due to the constant
growth of our congregation, our community, and our needs. We have tackled numerous projects this year, such as
developing a strategic plan, establishing a personnel committee, closing
our access issues, and establishing a building committee.
Exciting things will happen, to be sure. I will present a very brief summary of our status in the
following areas:
Church
Council
I
would like to thank each council member for their hard work and dedication
during the past year for our Family of Christ.
Our council members are Joel Nelson (Vice President), Doris
Petersen (Treasurer), Terry Lind (Secretary), Steve Paradise (Financial
Secretary), Bruce Brasseur (Maintenance), Jane Wegleitner (Education),
Chuck Davis (Worship), and Jill Loeffler (Community Relations).
We should be so grateful for the amount of time and effort that
these people donate for our congregation.
One can be assured, these people have more than fulfilled the
obligations of their elected positions for Family of Christ
in the year of 2003.
Stewardship
We
conducted, thanks to our congregation, another successful stewardship
drive. I
would like to offer a special thank you to Deb Cathcart, who is
responsible for assembling all the beautiful folders, which travel from
home to home. This is a huge undertaking.
Also, I would like to
thank all the fourteen team leaders who made sure these folders traveled
from church to home and back to church.
These people are essential for the success of this activity. They
are as follows: Lori Hanson, Dave Comer, Lane Brettingen,
Dan Benson, Kathy Derner, Paul Donner, Rob Mittelstaedt, Larry
Berger, Pam Buscher, Ellen Cooper, Brian Knapp, Mark Olsen, John
Wacholz, and Jon Weinel. Next year,
we will be looking for new ideas in order to move the folders more
efficiently from home to home. One
such idea is to add another volunteer just to make some phone calls.
Outreach
We
have increased the number of member units in the year 2003 by adding 23
new member units to our Family of Christ .
A special thank you to all Family of Christ members for offering a
warm welcome to new members and visitors throughout the year.
We will continue to focus on new ideas and materials, in order that
we might increase awareness and recognition of Family of Christ Lutheran
Church. With the tremendous
growth of new businesses surrounding our church, the opportunity for our
church to be noticed has increased immensely.
Financial
We
have successfully met our budget obligations.
We have successfully met our benevolence obligations.
The addition of our congregational support for a New Adult Retreat
Center at Luther Park is very exciting. We have successfully met our synod
recommended compensation for Lon Larson, our pastor. We are very excited to have our office manager, Mary
Jeanne Benson, as an integral addition to our Family of Christ community.
Our church is open for business each day from 8:00 to 4:30.
We will continue to staff our church with Sherry Goodman (Youth
Director), Liz Schuur (Music Director), and Kathy Blume (Custodian).
Education
and Youth
We
continue to increase the number of youth enrolled in our educational
programs, which is an absolute blessing.
We are so fortunate! Of
course, with the growth of our educational programs, we are presented with
the constant challenge of finding enough space, so our children can learn
about Jesus. We will continue to examine the most efficient way we
can be sure members are allowed to worship and participate in our
educational programs at Family of Christ.
Facilities
Our
building committee will need to examine our needs for more space.
Until we build more room, we
will need to strategically plan creative ways to utilize our facility
efficiently, in order that we
may accommodate all programs. Space
associated with worship, education, community needs, and storage will
continue to be a challenge.
Paul
A. Donner
Council
President
January
15,2003
Stewardship/Finance
– 2003 (2 pages)
(report
reproduced as submitted by Steve Paradise)
Next
page – 2003 Statement of Revenue vs. Expense
2004
Proposed Budget Statement
TREASURER’S
REPORT 2003
Doris
Petersen, Treasurer
Family
of Christ and its members experienced another year of growth in 2003.
Our membership continued to grow as did our plans and dreams for
our facility. We have seen
changes in our site as commercial areas moved in around us; and as a
result, we are now in the midst of evaluating our needs and goals as a
congregation. A building
committee is working to determine a positive direction for us. We will have many decisions to make as we enter 2004.
But first, I would
like to review a few highlights of the past year.
In July, we were able to refinance
our existing mortgage with Thrivent Financial.
Thanks to Rob Mittelstaedt’s guidance, we were able to obtain a
15-year mortgage rate of 5.5% on our principal balance of $540,657.00.
We decreased the term of the mortgage as well as lowered our
monthly payment. This will save us thousands of dollars over the term of the
mortgage.
As
part of our benevolence program, we have always made a donation to Luther
Park. To further our support,
we have pledged $15,000 over a three period to help build a new adult and
family retreat center at the camp. What
an opportunity this will be for our families to enjoy a Christ based
camping experience just as our youth have in the past.
We
can be proud of the many groups supported by our generous giving.
We have met our synod benevolence obligation as well as helping out
many organizations locally and throughout the world.
Our members have also been very generous in their support of the
local food shelf and the world hunger appeal.
Our
Access Committee has spent much time working with local officials to reach
a settlement regarding access issues resulting from the rebuilding of 185th
Street. The total settlement we are to receive is $126,013.
Final payment is due in 2004.
Improvements to our parking lot, signage and professional fees will
be paid from this settlement. The congregation will then decide how any remaining money
will be distributed.
I
would like to thank every member at Family of Christ for their generous
support of the many programs and obligations of our church.
As our budget grows, so have your gifts of time and talent. May God continue to bless us in the coming year.
2003
Family of Christ
Benevolence
Recap
EXcel
file submitted by Doris
BUILDING
FUND STATEMENT
Period
Ending 12-31-03
BALANCE
01-01-03
$95,312.92
INCOME:
Funds
$28,580.22
Interest
878.55
TOTAL INCOME:
$29,458.77
EXPENSES:
Principal Payments -$19,798.16
Professional Fees -
21,508.60
Refinance Fee
- 5,406.58
TOTAL EXPENSES:
-$46,713.34
BALANCE
IN BUILDING FUND 12-31-03
$78,058.35
Memorials
(submitted by Janie Gilb – see printed Annual Report)
Property-Operations
2003
Summary:
This
year, we had a few cosmetic changes to the church. The sanctuary got some
paint and chair rail. The exterior wood trim was painted as an Eagle Scout
project. The gardening committee made some improvements by Kevan’s cross
and elsewhere. We continued with contract mowing and snow plowing. A new
yard shed was built and the teen shed was enlarged. There were not any
major mechanical systems expenses.
Tech
Committee
This
year we purchased some new and much needed office equipment. The tech
committee set up a new computer and printer in the office. In addition, we
now have a copy machine that is more suitable to our needs.
Property
Although
it took all year, we now have a settlement with the city regarding the 185th
Street expansion project that eliminated our old entrance. Now we can
proceed with the landscaping and repair work as well as the installation
of a new sign.
An
architect was hired and a Building Committee was established to look at
the future physical needs of the church due to growth.
Thank
you
Thanks
to the various committees for all their hard work. Special thanks to
Kitty, Carol, Don, Roger, Rick, Ken, Paul, Bill, Mike, Lon, Brian, Rob and
others for the gift or their time and hard work.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Brasseur
Landscaping Sub-Committee
This
past year, the Landscaping Committee was active with Spring and
Fall clean-ups, and also added lights to our beautiful outside cross.
Last fall we planted about 200 new flower bulbs so we will be
anxiously awaiting their new color and beauty this spring. We are looking
forward to several projects this coming year, possibly a new underground
sprinkler system for the front area and expansion of additional flower
beds; ie, around new signage and entry way. We will be coordinating our
activities with other committees this coming year.
Your
Landscaping Committee,
Carol
Love and Kitty Soderberg
Education
Committee Report
Committee:
Heidi
Pflipsen
Robin Brown
Barb Nylund
Deb Wech
Jane Wegleitner
Our Sunday School classes continue to grow with our rising membership; and
our dedicated teachers continue to teach and nurture our children in the
Word of God. They use a variety of engaging materials and activities from
the Witness curriculum (Augsburg Fortress) and provide the support and
guidance our children need. Our music program continues to add an
essential ingredient to the Sunday School experience.
In October we invited Sister Noreen Stevens to discuss with our teachers
the different curricula and programming available for Sunday School. Ms.
Stevens is the synod coordinator for the Eastern Minnesota Resource Center
at Luther Seminary. She provided us with samples of materials currently
used, and gave us rationales for changes made in the approach of some
churches towards education. Teachers appeared interested and willing to
try some of her ideas and suggestions.
Last summer our Vacation Bible School theme was "SCUBA - Super Cool
Undersea Bible Adventure". Margaret
Paradise, our VBS director, led a dedicated team to provide a fun-filled
adventure for our children to learn more about Jesus.
We tried a different Christmas program this year, which was received very
well. Many of our Sunday School children participated, with Mabeth Dorman
providing the leadership with a new script, set, and props, and Cami Davis
providing our traditional program music favorites.
Adult Forum has been less visible this year, but there is a small, strong
group doing an ongoing Bible Study of I and II Corinthians. Many thanks to
Steve Adams, who has prepared and facilitated the lessons. Hopefully in
the coming year, we can develop leadership and organize our resources to
provide this educational opportunity to more of our adult members.
In conclusion, we will need creative ideas and problem solving to deal
with space and growth for our future FOC program. We hope to have many
members, new and old, contribute to meeting the educational needs of our
children. We are thankful for the refreshing and enthusiastic way the
children respond to the good news of Jesus Christ!
Jane Wegleitner, Chair
Youth
Committee Report-2003
The
Youth Committee experienced another dynamic and exciting year in 2003 as
growth in the number of youth and participation in youth activities
continued. The Youth
Committee, composed of Lisa Cecchini, Lyle and Tiina Eidelbes, Rick Lund,
and Brian Knapp, continued support to Sherry Goodman, Family of Christ’s
energetic and wonderfully engaging Youth Worker.
Several
small groups continued from the fall of 2002 into the spring of 2003 led
by Carol Love, Brian Knapp, and Patty Benson.
Youth had the opportunity to talk about issues they face every day
in a spiritual context.
Eight
senior high youth mentors assisted Sherry in organizing and holding
monthly Fourth Through Sixth (FTS) activities.
Highlights included fun skits, singing, and games such as human
tic-tac-toe, indoor balloon soccer, and Electricity. Some of the topics discussed included: “Changing Our
Hearts,” “Faith & Trust in God,” and “Talking to God about Our
Sins.” The year ended with
a Luau for The Lord, a fun event that included grass skirts and leis, the
limbo, volleyball and bean bags.
Luther
Park Camping and Retreat Center was a site for summer Bible camp
experience with five youth participating in various sessions. Glow Necklace sales at Lakeville’s Pan-O-Prog Fireworks
were the primary fundraiser supporting camp scholarships.
Claudia
Lund and Margaret Larson led a group of about a dozen of our young women
aged 12-15 to Theater Camp in Bayfield, WI for two weeks in July.
A special heartfelt thanks go to John and Annie Weinel for their
sponsorship of this wonderful experience for our young people.
As a result of this opportunity, Drama Team has been added as a new
youth activity at Family of Christ.
Pastor
Lon and Sherry led a group of fourteen senior high youth to the National
ELCA Youth Gathering in Atlanta July 23-27.
It was the experience of a lifetime for our youth with exposure to
real world issues, time for reflection and spiritual growth.
The spring was spent fundraising for the Atlanta trip with grocery
bagging, coffee and cookie sales, and Simek’s meat sales as the primary
activities.
Sherry
and Bill Goodman led a retreat for the new group of senior high youth
leaders August 23-24 at Hidden Valley Campgrounds in Welch. The first day youth leaders participated in leadership
discussions around the campfire at a rustic campsite. The next day the youth enjoyed tubing down the river, the hot
sun and the company of one another. The
students will serve as youth mentors for junior high youth and help
organize and carry out monthly FTS activities.
The
new school year kicked off with the Junior-Senior High Retreat at Cry of
the Heart Retreat Center in Farmington October 11-12. There were a record number of youth-- 30
junior
and senior high students. Bill
and Sherry Goodman, Rick Lund, Lisa Cecchini, Luke Hellier and Brian Knapp
chaperoned the event. Highlights
included a team “Survivor-like” Dr Suess game played throughout the
house, Worship Center and grounds during and between raindrops.
Sherry’s creativity never ceases to amaze us!
The rain cleared in time for the Saturday night bonfire, small
group activities, singing, and a special theater scenario presented by the
Drama Team led by Claudia Lund . Sunday
morning brought warming sunshine and a worship service in the Worship
Center with guitar music provided by Tiina Eidelbes.
Mission
trip 2004 planning for senior high youth began in late summer.
After some debate over sites, St Louis was chosen to be the mission
site and the mission trip is scheduled in late June.
Sherry Goodman, Deb Weimelt, and Dan Benson have graciously agreed
to chaperone the trip. Fundraising
has begun in earnest with three Cub grocery bagging experiences already
held, Family of Christ Mission Blend coffee bean sales underway (thank you
to Darci Juniper), Mission Shares being sold, and spiritual calendar sales
(thank you to Rob Mittelstaedt for acquiring our excess) now completed.
The
2003 year ended and 2004 began with a well needed expansion of the SHED to
better support the activities and growth of our Crosswalk -- junior and
senior high age -- youth.
We owe a huge round of applause and a hearty thank you to Rick Lund
and Bill Goodman for the labor and materials they provided to expand the
SHED. We would also like to
thank the group of volunteers who worked outside in the bitter cold on
December 13th to erect the new portable storage unit.
Thank you to Ken Davidson for organizing the group that included
Myron Schuur, Ray Hall, Peter Moenkhaus, Luke Hellier, Scott and Lance
Buscher, Josie and Cam Cecchini, and Brian and Kevin Knapp.
We would like to recognize and thank Ken Davidson and Jean Bakken
for their work with Thrivent to support funding for the SHED expansion and
other youth service projects. Crosswalk
youth painted the SHED on December 31st with paint donated by
Connie Novak – thank you Connie. Thank
you to Chris Flegel for donating carpet and Lyle and Tiina Eidelbes for
donating a couch that were all in place for the first Crosswalk gathering
of the New Year on January 4, 2004! The
expanded SHED is a wonderful new space for our people and we invite the
entire Congregation to visit.
I
would like to thank the entire Congregation for their support of Youth
programming at Family of Christ—whether that is through encouraging
words and praise to our young people or time and financial support of
youth activities. Family of
Christ is blessed to have wonderful youth, supportive parents and
Congregation members, and a courageous and committed youth leader in
Sherry Goodman—all ingredients which support the spiritual growth and
service of our young people at Family of Christ.
Respectfully
submitted,
Brian
Knapp
Youth
Committee Chairperson
Worship
Committee - 2003
This
year has seen yet another growth in worship attendance and participation.
A welcome sight and an encouraging sign!
The
sights and sounds of the sanctuary are brought to us by gifted and
talented people. The Altar Guild volunteers care for the banners,
paraments, and the communion set-up. The air has been filled with music
led by Liz Schuur. Thanks go out to Liz and the choir for the special
songs they bring to us. Instrumental music has also filled the sanctuary
this year, and for all of the music we have been especially blessed!
Ann
Huseby has managed the scheduling of acolytes, lectors, and ushers, as
well as the nursery. Kathy Comer has scheduled the communion servers. Many
thanks to them, as well as all of you who have volunteered your time and
abilities throughout the year to make worship a wonderful experience.
Instruction
and guidance for acolytes, ushering, and lectors will continue to be
offered this year on a monthly basis, as well as on request.
As
we continue on in the community of Christian worship, please remember that
we continually grow not because of us, but because of God.
Chuck
Davis, Chair
Community
Relations Report / 2003
By
Jill Loeffler
Outreach
Team Report:
The
Outreach Team has had an exiting year welcoming 23 new family units or 82
new persons into our congregation. A
very special thank you to Julie Berg who oversees this
committee and who offers an official warm welcome to new members of FOC.
Thank you also to others who shared in welcoming new members and
for keeping them in their prayers.
In
addition to new member orientation, the Outreach Team:
- Sponsored
a “Soup Supper” night during Lent. Thanks, volunteers!
- Sponsored
the children’s nurse
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