THE PARISH NEWS

September,  2003                                           Volume 8, No. 8

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH – R-A-L-L-Y D-A-Y

 

                        R emember

                        A nother’s

                        L oyal

                        L ove towards

                        Y ou

                        D ays

                        A nd

                        Y ears

   After the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, after the fairs and vacations, and as the more regular activities of school and church begin, we come together as God’s people for a special kind of homecoming celebration on this first Sunday in September.  It is a day for Sunday School to begin, along with other activities in the church.  Most of all, we gather together this day to REMEMBER ANOTHER’S LOYAL LOVE TOWARDS YOU, DAYS AND YEARS.  It is RALLY DAY!

   To help us with that REMEMBERING, we seek to gather around and focus in on God’s Word and God’s Holy Sacrament.  We want to both hear and experience that simple good news that “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  We want  to help our family, our children, our neighbors remember this good news and the important words of scripture, and so we come together on these Sunday mornings to share in what it is that we remember:  REMEMBER ANOTHER’S LOYAL LOVE TOWARDS YOU, DAYS AND YEARS.

   Please make a special effort to join us on September 7th as we share together in remembering another’s loyal love towards us all in Christ Jesus.  Invite your family, friends and neighbors to come and be a part of this celebration in Christ.

   At Hayward Lutheran on September 7th, at 11:30 a.m., we will also have a family potluck meal, with funds raised to go towards our goal in supporting the new lodge building at Good Earth Village.

 

PASTOR JOHN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES  FOR  HOLY COMMUNION

 

September 7 – Pentecost XIII

September 14 – Pentecost XIV

 

 

PARISH FORUM HOUR BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 6:30 P.M.

 

   All members are invited to come and take part in a series of Sunday evening discussions as we look at our ELCA church documents on human sexuality and discuss how these and future documents and policies will shape our understanding on matters of sexual orientation, same sex unions, and who will be candidates for pastoral ministry in the future.  This series of discussions will begin on September 14th and end on October 5th.  Any and all members are invited to come and share.

 

 

CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 7 P.M.

 

   Students and Parents from the H-T Parish, Grades 8 & 9, are invited to gather in the Hayward Lutheran Social Hall on Wednesday, September 3rd, 7:00 p.m. for a brief but important orientation meeting for the coming year of confirmation classes.  The program for the coming year will be explained and materials will be handed out.  Decisions need to be made about class times and when Day of Confirmation will be held.  The suggestions are that class be at 6:00 p.m. at Hayward Lutheran on Wednesday evenings (first class on Sept. 14), and that Day of Confirmation for those successfully completing Grade 9, be held either the last Sunday of April or the first Sunday of May 2004.

 

LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY

WINONA CAMPUS – PASS THE BUCK

 

    On Sunday, September 21st, the Parish Council has designated that the worship loose offerings be designated that day for a special fundraiser for our Lutheran Campus Ministry program at Winona State.  All congregations in our synod have been encouraged through the Synod Assembly and the Synod Council to give support to this program.  The LCM there is raising funds for a building project at the Winona campus.

 

ELCA BISHOP HANSON AT ROCHESTER

 

   Our ELCA Church wide Bishop, Pr. Mark Hanson, will be in our Synod on Tuesday, September 30th.  He will meet with clergy and other rostered persons in the morning.  A plenary session beginning at 1:00 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. is open to any and all members of S.E. Minn. Synod, clergy and lay people.  The meetings will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Rochester, 559 – 20th St. SW.  Take Hwy. 63 north into south Rochester, turn left on 20th St. by the Kwik Trip and over to the church.  This is an opportunity to hear our Bishop’s vision for the church and also to ask him any questions or state any concerns you may have about our ELCA and/or its future.

 

 

YOUR MEMBERSHIP: A PRIVILEGE AND A DUTY

 

    As near as we can figure from our church records, Hayward Lutheran has about 300 baptized members and Trondhjem has about 80 members.  In each congregation, about 25% of those members would be considered inactive in terms of the three criteria that each congregation constitution uses to determine those who are active in their membership responsibilities.

    Your constitution, in section C8.04 states the following:  “It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this congregation to:

1.     Make regular use of the means of grade, both Word and Sacraments:

2.     Live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran Church; and

3.     Support the work of this congregation, the synod and the church wide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through contributions of their time, abilities, and financial support as biblical stewards.

   In the Bylaws of the Constitution, under Part III – Membership, and C – Discontinuance of Membership, paragraph two states the following:  “A confirmed member who in the judgment of the Congregation Council shows no interest in attending church services and does not partake of Holy Communion; and who does not contribute to the congregation treasury according to the congregation’s records, for a period of two years, shall lose the right to vote and shall be considered an inactive member.  Such a person shall be encouraged to take part in the congregational life, or to transfer elsewhere, as the situation may indicate to be advisable.  If he/she resumes activity, he/she shall be restored to the active membership list.”

    Any organization, whether it is a church organization or some secular organization like Scouts, Elks, Lions or Sons of Norway, has some form of a disciplinary procedure for its members.  If a member has not been active in that organization, the leaders will bring a notification to the member concerning that inactivity and that one’s membership is in jeopardy.  Thus, since the church is an organization IN the world, it also has criteria for membership participation and also for membership discipline.

    Please make note of the way that these three criteria begins:  “It shall be the privilege and duty of members….”  We must not consider it our right to belong to a particular congregation and church, but see it as a privilege granted to us by God’s grace in Baptism, and that our loving response to God’s act of love does involve some responsibilities in terms of how we then live and act in this community of the church and so also how we then live and act in the community of family, town, school, etc.  The Bible, God’s Word, gives us all kinds of guidelines for such activity.

    Though the church is holy and has its roots in God’s activity of Word and Spirit, it is also a human organization.  It is holy, in terms of its being set apart for a holy purpose by God, but, being comprised of human beings, it certainly is not perfect by any means.  Thus, like any organization in our communities, there is need for rules and forms of discipline for the sake of order and for the healthy life of the organization.  And so we have these criteria for our membership responsibilities.

    These reflections then beg the question:  Where are YOU in relationship to your congregation and these membership criteria?  How are you faring in terms of your privilege, duties and responsibilities as a member?  Are you coming to worship on a regular basis and taking part in the Lord’s Supper?  Are you seeking to live a Christian life in keeping with the teachings of Christ and God’s Word?  Are you seeking to share, on a regular basis, your self, your time and your possessions with your congregation and the larger church?  If not, perhaps you need to deal with the other side of that question:  Would you prefer to end your membership in this particular organization of the church?  If you have a physical disability that prevents you from being a part of the worshipping community, are you making that known to the church so that Word and Sacrament can be brought to you?

    It is interesting to read an article on Church Discipline in “The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church: (c1965 – Lutheran World Federation – Augsburg Publishing, pg. 507).  It states that fellowship in the church is two-fold:  (1) It is a spiritual and invisible fellowship of those who have the same faith, hope, and love and are therefore united with Christ.  Only God can exclude one from this fellowship.  More correctly stated, only unbelief can exclude one from this fellowship.  (2) In the use of the Sacraments the church is a visible fellowship.  From this fellowship a person can be excluded.  This means that a person may be separated from the organized church and still remain in fellowship with God and all believers; conversely, one may stand within the organized church and still, because of unbelief be separated from God.

    Church discipline, in Martin Luther’s thinking, is not a judgment concerning salvation and damnation but a means for the care of souls, for the reestablishment of spiritual fellowship.  It is not the minister, but the congregation that administers discipline in the church, and its main concern is the proper spiritual care of its members.  Such is why our constitutions have these guidelines for membership and discipline.

    These concerns come to you, not only from your pastor, but also from your congregational leadership.  It comes with a concern for the spiritual care of ALL of our members, and it comes with our mutual encouragement and prayer that we ALL be active in our congregation through worship, Word and Sacrament, giving, and living our lives in the love of Christ.  Therefore, we hope to see you in church and in worship both soon and often.

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE HAYWARD-TRONDHJEM PARISH:

 

    You may have read or heard on the news some accounts about the national meetings of the Episcopal Church being held in Minneapolis.  On their meeting agenda there were many important issues for discussion and vote, but perhaps two of the more sensational issues are centered around (1) the vote to give final approval to the election in the New Hampshire Diocese of an openly gay clergyman as their Bishop, and (2) the vote on the issue of whether or not to allow clergy (and so the church) to bless same sex unions.  The vote on the person for bishop became complicated with a last-minute charge of sexual harassment.

    On Monday, August 11th, our own ELCA Church wide Assembly took place in Milwaukee, ending on August 17th.  There were forums and discussion about the matter of allowing non-celibate gay and lesbian persons to be ordained into ministry and to serve congregations of the ELCA.  Also, the matter of clergy being allowed to bless same sex unions.  These matters are currently scheduled to be voted on at the 2005 Assembly.

    Congregations are now being asked to give thought and study to these issues, in preparation for that vote in 2005.  In fact, such a call to study was the mandate given to congregations by the 2001 Assembly.  Part One of this study involves a general study of matters relating to human sexuality, entitled “Journey Together Faithfully.”  Part two focuses more centrally on the homosexuality issues.

    Several years ago, Church wide, Synod and Congregation leaders were taken to task for not adequately informing members about the issues in and around the document, “Called to Common Mission,” which dealt with what became our relationship with the Episcopal Church.  The controversy remains there in terms of a fundamental change in matters of ordination; a change that many pastors and scholars feel violates our own Lutheran Confessions and our understanding of the priesthood of all believers.

    With these coming issues, the church does not wish anyone to be either surprised or uninformed concerning these issues.  Therefore, we are encouraged to gather together for a time of study.  High school youth, parents, adults are encouraged to attend  and take part in these reflections and discussions.

    The meetings will be held on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Hayward Church Social Hall.  Sessions will be held on September 14, 21, 28 and October 5th.

 

Sincerely,

Pastor John Malm

Members of the Congregation Councils

 

 

TRONDHJEM NEWS

 

 

TRONDHJEM

SEPTEMBER  ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

            Elaine Lukes

Coffee Servers

            September 7 – Emil & Bev Prantner

Communion Assistant                           

            Doug Thompson

 

 

SEPTEMBER  ACOLYTE/USHER

ASSIGNMENTS

 

September 7 – Sean Kraushaar & Andrew Reese

September 14 – Brad Thompson & Scott Kraushaar

September 21 – Daniel Jax & Cameron Kolbe

September 28 – Zach Kestner & Matt Reese

 

 

TRONDHJEM  BIRTHDAYS

 

September 1               Ralph George

September 8               Kim Naatz

September 12             Cortney Thostenson

September 16             Ken Benesh

September 22             Michael Severtson

 

 

 

TRONDHJEM  ANNIVERSARIES

 

September 9               Ed & Barb Prantner

September 11             Arlyn & Joleen Krause

September 14             Dale & Elaine Lukes

 

September 22             Kiven & Cheryl Lukes

                                    Mark & Debra Brekke

September 25             Maynard & Anna Johnson

 

 

 

TRONDHJEM  MEMORIALS

 

General Fund

   In memory of Marie Belshan by M/M Roger Krause

   In memory of Pat Chapek by M/M Roger Krause & M/M Jim Benesh Sr.

 

Organ fund

   In memory of Pat Chapek by M/M Dale Lukes

 

Building Fund

   In memory of Pat Chapek by M/M Emil Prantner

 

Sunday School

   In memory of LaVonne Stieler by M/M Roger Krause

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS!

 

   Mark your calendars now!  Sunday School at Trondhjem will begin on September 7th at 10 a.m.  We will have class on coffee Sundays.

 

 

 

 

KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED

 

Dale Lukes

Roger Krause

 

 

 

 

TRONDHJEM  FINANCES

 

   Your Congregation Council wishes to remind the members to take a look at what your giving levels are for your church.  The budget needs have continued to increase, as they did for this year, but often the amounts given by members has not changed in many years.  This year the budget was increased by $1,640, but income is about $2,000 behind the pace needed to meet budget needs.  You are encouraged to keep this in mind over the next four months.  Thanks.

 

 

TRONDHJEM WELCA NEWS

 

    The women of Trondhjem WELCA will begin another year of quilting this fall.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

    Again we will be looking for new officers for this coming year.

    A letter will be sent out this fall in regards to our offering to support a determined church need.

    The present officers will be meeting to plan for the 2004 WELCA Book.

    Thank you to all of you who supported our program this past year.  With all working together we will do it again in 2004.

   

WELCA President

Betty Krause

 

 

   THANK YOU to thank Pastor Malm for his prayers and visits while I was in the hospital and at home, recovering from my surgery.

    I would also like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and gifts.  It was very much appreciated.

 

---Dale Lukes

 

HAYWARD NEWS

 

 MISSION STATEMENT

    We the people of Hayward Lutheran Church confess the Triune God, and strive to follow the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

VISION STATEMENT

   As a community of faith in Jesus Christ, we will demonstrate care and compassion for one another and also to a world in much need.  God’s Word and the Holy Sacraments are central to our life of faith.  As we grow and are nourished by these, we will bring the good news of God’s forgiveness, life and salvation to those around us.

 

SEPTEMBER   ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

    Diane Ladlie & Elaine Flusek

Coffee Servers

    Sept. 7 – Kris Schultz & Merle Anderson

    September 14 – Chris & Kay Skaar & Barb                                                    Schroeder

    September 21 – Becky & Gary Jacobsma & Nancy

                                           & Brian Berhow

    September 28 – Kellie & Dean Anderson & Cheryl

                                         & Kurt Freitag                    

Ushers    

            *Paul & Min Westland

            Brian, Jake & Ben Berhow

            David, Nathan & Sara Westland

            Faye, Christina & Michelle Learn

            Kris Schultz & Melissa Sather

 

Communion and Offering Duty

            Vickie Storlie & Randy Eggum

 

 

 September Acolyte/Usher

Schedule

 

September 7 – Melissa Sather & Brooke Woitas

September 14 – Michael Larson & Michelle Learn

September 21 – Chelsea Hill & Lacy Wright

September 28 – Ben Berhow & Eric Elleby

 

 

HAYWARD BIRTHDAYS

 

September 1               Wes Tennis

September 2               Victoria Westland

                                    Logan Tufte

September 3               Brooke Woitas

September 5               Paul Miller

                                    Mabel Larson

September 6               Lucille Anderson

September 7               Jack Thisius

September 9               Amy Larson

September 13             Darrell Storlie

                                    Vanessa Storlie

                                    Tim Westland

September 14             Kevin Learn

September 15             Nathan Westland

September 16             Holland Matson

September 17             Pauline Noland

                                    Paul Samuelson

                                    Jerry Noland

September 19             Audrey Cox

September 20             Lila Johnson

                                    James Skaar

                                    Dale Westland

September 22             Patrick Noland

September 24             Kristin Schultz

                                    Mac Noland

September 25             Sue Skaar

September 27             Paul Olson

                                    Galen Johnson

September 29             Camilla Frydenlund

                                    Brock Noland

 

HAYWARD ANNIVERSARIES

 

September 6         Doran & Shirley Gray

September 16       Kelly Jo & Shane Christensen

September 27       Gary & Christine Westland

September 28       Paul & Barb Miller

 

ALTAR GUILD

NEWS

ALTAR FLOWERS

    Fresh flowers for the altar are a beautiful addition to our worship service.  If you wish to furnish flowers, all you need to do is call the Altar Guild president, Diane Ladlie, 256-7514.  The Guild will purchase and display the flowers for you, and if you wish, will put an acknowledgement in the Sunday bulletin.  Cost of the flowers is usually about $15.  Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

 

 

HAYWARD MEMORIALS

 

LIFT FUND

            In memory of Milo Cafourek

            In memory of Helen Johannsen

            In memory of Roselyn Frydenlund

            In memory of Ruth Whities

            In memory of Carol Hodge

            In memory of LaVonne Stieler

            In memory of Marie Belshan

 

 

KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED

 

Camilla Frydenlund in Albert Lea

Gwyneth Nelson in Albert Lea

Sylvia Kycek in Albert Lea

Phil Tennis, St. Joseph’s, St. Paul

 

 

HAYWARD LUTHERAN – 2003

Where We Are

            End of Month   End of Month     Variance       

            Budget Goal     Actual

Jan.      $8,455                        $8,186                        -$268

Feb.     $16,910          $13.296          -$3,613

March  $25,366           $19,770           -$5,595

April     $33,821           $28,535           -$5,286

May     $42,277           $34,009           -$8,268

June    $50,732           $45,001           -$5,731

July      $59,187           $50,087           -$9,100

Aug.     $67,643           $55,285           -$12,357

 

 

 

HAYWARD CONGREGATION COUNCIL MINUTES

July 13, 2003 – 11 a.m.

 

    The Hayward Congregation Council met after church on July 13, 2003 in the overflow room.  Present were:  Steve Tufte, Jean Skaar, Sonja Johnson, Bob Armon, Sue Skaar and Pastor Malm.

    Jean moved to accept the WELCA recommendation to decorate the front of the church.  Sonja seconded.  The motion passed.

    The Treasurer position was discussed and tabled until the August meeting.

    Meeting adjourned.

 

Jean Skaar

Secretary Pro. Tem.

 

 

HAYWARD CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING

August 10, 2003 – 11:15 a.m.

 

    The Hayward Congregation Council Meeting was held on August 10, 2003, at the church starting at 11:15 a.m.

    Present:  Vickie Storlie, Randy Eggum, Steve Tufte, Jean Skaar, Sue Skaar, Bob Armon and Pastor Malm.

    Steve Tufte presided over the meeting.

    The Agenda was discussed.

Secretary’s Minutes:

   Jean Skaar made a motion to accept the secretary’s report as printed from the June 18, 2003 regular Council meeting and from the Joint Council meeting.  Bob Armon seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

    Steve Tufte made a motion to direct the treasurer to use money from the Building Fund account to pay off the Ready Reserve and to use as needed limited to $5,000.  Randy Eggum seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

    Jean Skaar made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report.  Bob Armon seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

ITEMS TO CONSIDER:

A.     Calendar:

1.      Wednesday, September 3rd, 2003 – Parish Confirmation Orientation for youth and parents in Grades 8 & 9.  (Class begins on Sept. 10th)

2.      Sunday, Sept. 7th, Rally Day – First day of Sunday School.  Fall schedule begins with Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.; Coffee hour at 9:30 a.m.; Worship (Hayward) at 10:30 a.m.  A potluck meal will be at 11:30 a.m., with funds going towards GEV lodge fund – “Connecting with the Spirit.”

3.      Sunday, Sept. 14th through Oct. 5th, Study/Discussion sessions on ELCA Human Sexuality Documents.

4.      Sunday, Sept. 21st, Ingathering for Lutheran Campus Ministry – Winona – “Pass the Buck”.  Goal is $1.00 per member.  Note:  Council meeting after church.

5.      Sunday, Sept. 27th, Synod WELCA meeting at St. John’s Lutheran, Kasson.

B.     Lift Project & Chancel Decoration:

1.      Joint taping and painting are in progress; electricians are finishing their work.  Lift to be installed on August 11th.  Tiling, flooring, plumbing, finish work remains. 

2.      Workers will be here on August 18-19th to install new wall covering on cross wall in chancel.

3.      Saturday, August 23rd, 9:00 a.m. was selected as an outside workday for people to work on landscaping around the new addition and for the removal of the tree in the south parking lot.  Also, as of August 17th, sign up sheets will be posted on the pastor’s door so people can sign up to help clean a specific area of the church.  The cleaning can be done at people’s discretion any time during the last week in August or before September 7th.

C.     Old Chimes:

                  Pastor will see to placing ads through the synod and the Metro-Lutheran Paper concerning sale of the old signs.

D.    Pastor’s Continuing Education:

                  Pastor Malm will enroll in a six-session course on the Lectionary Texts, Nov. 10th – May 10th.  Sessions will be held at Gustavus Adolphus College.

E.     Membership:

                  Pastor’s article in the September Parish News will be “Your Membership:  A Privilege and a Duty.”  Discussion was held concerning the current membership roster and those who are considered inactive.

F.     Treasurer Position:

                  A motion was made by Bob Armon to appoint Sharon Malm for the position of bookkeeper for the church financial accounts with a Council member being a second check signer.  Jean seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

    At this time Sonja Johnson will act as the official Treasurer and be a co-signer with Sharon on all checks written from the church accounts.  Sue Skaar stated that she would work through September and also be helping Sharon with the transition when Sharon begins on October 1st.

G.    Kim Portz Invoice:

                  We did not receive a response back from Kim Portz after the letter that was sent to him nor have we received any other bills at this time.

H.    Parsonage Matters:

1.      Rock landscaping was done around some trees and telephone pole.

2.      Painting was done on the trim for the windows and eaves.  Also repairing some holes in the garage floor.

3.      The refrigerator compressor is making some noises, is running OK, is 25 years old.

    The next meeting of the Council will be Sunday, September 21st following the service.

    The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Vickie Storlie, Secretary

 

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TO BEGIN!!

 

    The first day of Sunday School will be on September 7 at 9:15 a.m.  The Sunday School Board is still  looking for teachers.  We need, preferably, 4 teachers – 2 that would cover the class for Grades 4, 5, & 6 and 2 that would cover the class for Grades 7,8 &9.  This would make it possible for each teacher to rotate the Sundays in which they would teach.  There will be a Pot Luck Meal after church on September 7th.  Please contact Faye Learn:  373-1235.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS  to Major Troy & Susan Eggum on the birth of their first child, Randi Inez.  Troy and Susan recently moved to Seaside, California.

 

 

 

 

YOU ARE INVITED to the 50th Anniversary Open House Celebration in honor of Doran and Shirley Gray on Saturday, September 6th from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Skyline Mall Senior Center, 1739 W. Main Street, Albert Lea, MN.  No gifts please.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU to Pastor Malm and Pastor Hernes and all who visited me, prayed for me and remembered me in various ways during my recent illness.  God bless you all.

  ----Camilla Frydenlund

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU Pastor John and Sharon, Rebecca Circle and all my friends for your prayers and concern for me after my surgery.  Thank you also for the cards, gifts and food brought to my home.

  ---Gwyneth (Giny) Nelson

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends of Hayward Lutheran,

   THANK YOU so much for your gifts of $361.20 to Good Earth Village’s Connecting With the Spirit Appeal.  Please come to camp and see how your “investment” is making a difference. 

 

 

 

PARISH NEWS DEADLINE                   

 The deadline for turning in articles and calendar information for the Parish News is the 20th of each month.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

ADDRESS CHANGE?  If you or someone you know has had a change of address or phone number within this past year, please inform the Church Office as soon as possible.  Thank you for your help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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