THE PARISH NEWS

HAYWARD-TRONDHJEM LUTHERAN PARISH

December 2010

From Pastor Katie:

 

Grace and peace to you all from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

It has been almost 5 months since I arrived at Hayward and Trondhjem churches, and in such a short time a lot has changed. To name just a few: Hayward has a new treasurer and a new custodian. We have new times when the Hayward church is open (see inside for details). We launched a new Sunday evening ministry for families. There have been minor changes to worship and the bulletin. We have re-defined the partnership with Oakland and Moscow, so Pastor Bob and I share more ministry with confirmation and visitation. And of course, for all of you, you have a brand-new pastor. There has been a lot going on and a lot of adjustment, and I have greatly appreciated everyone’s warmth and patience. Things are going very well.

 

And now we are about to enter a time I have heard people refer to as “crazy” and “exhausting.” The time between Thanksgiving and January 1 that many call the Holiday Season has its joys and stresses, with our celebrating, and eating, and buying presents, and decorating, and traveling, and seeing family … we look forward to it all year and yet many breathe a sigh of relief when it is over.

 

We mark time a bit differently in the church, with the four weeks before Christmas as the season of Advent. Advent means “coming,” which means both that we await the birth of Jesus, we prepare for his coming at Christmas, and that we acknowledge that Christ has come and will come again. We await Christ’s promised return, for he is coming. Christ was, and is, and is to come. Advent is a time when we reflect on hopes and promises that God has fulfilled, and talk about what we long for and hope for in the future with God. Where is God present in our lives, and in the lives of our churches? What is God calling us to be? What do we hope and long for in the future?

 

These are difficult questions to wrestle with when you’re trying to get your tree decorated and figure out what you’re going to feed 10 people for several days. But whether your holidays are going to be busy and hectic or quiet and even a little boring, Advent can be part of our daily lives, when we simply take a breath and say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Peace,

Pastor Katie

 

Dear Friends in Christ,                           

 

This past week 3 of our ELCT staff were in Dar es Salaam meeting with key USAID people in regards to potential funding after March of next year.  It was a hard week.  Changes in vision (a move towards governmental systems and away from us) plus the realities of economic hardships means that our program will definitely miss out.  While we will hustle and probably manage to keep our hospital teams intact, they will operate with less resources, and a few of them may move on to other work.  Our team from the national office will suffer more, with maybe just one person left behind.  Part of the reality is that these changes have nothing to do with performance.  Our work has been praised from every direction.

 

We feel some parallel issues with ELCA.  Changes in “support from the ground” have left the national office having to make very hard decisions.  Over the past year some 30% of the staff from that office have had to leave.  Now some missionary positions are necessarily being cut as well.  Hard decisions, not based on performance but rather on the loss of ability to maintain support.

 

While changing donor and governmental support is somehow understandable, being a kind of ebb and flow over these many decades, the church challenges are less so.  Our vision of being the body of Christ, and living that out, has not changed.  Our mission has not changed.  Yes, we divide over hard issues, but consensus on issues is ever difficult.

 

One lesson we learn and re-learn in this so-called missionary life is the art of being grateful.  We witness the most profound gratitude from those with the least.  I believe it comes with an equally profound understanding of “God’s Mercy”.  We are so grateful because, in fact, we never truly deserved that goodness that we did experience.  From ELCT, and this work of Hospice and community services, we are hugely grateful for these 4 years of huge support, huge service delivery, and huge results.  The work will continue, with transitional struggles, and we will do so without bitterness or recrimination.  From ELCA we do hope to experience the same. A time of “undeserved” unity in shared mission, service, and evangelism is now in passed, and what comes next will be, indeed has already been, a tough transition.  Will we be grateful?  Will we seek wisdom?  Will we remember the mercy we have already experienced, the unchanging and undying Love of God in Christ?

 

Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig

    in Tanzania

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION

 

Sunday, December 5th

Friday, December 24th

Saturday, December 25th

 

The church is currently open the following hours each week:
Sunday: 8-noon
Monday: 9-4
Tuesday: 9-2
Wednesday: 9-4
Thursday: 9-2
It is often open more but these are the hours anyone can count on being able to get into the church. All people are of course welcome in the church and to use the church anytime! Simply check out a key from Bobbi in the office if you need access after hours. Members of the church council all have keys -- Neal Skaar, Vern Frydenlund, Bonnie Felt, Todd Enderson, Mary Anderson, and Jim Becker; as do our custodian, Brian Hessedal, our secretary, Bobbi Hemenway, Pastor Katie, and Marlene Thompson. Signs with contact phone numbers will be posted if you need to get in a pinch!

 

 

To Our Church Family,

 We want to thank all of you who helped us move. Also, for the cards, phone calls, visits, food, and sincere concern while Dick was in the hospital. While he was in the hospital, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We appreciated the cards you sent to us for that special occasion too. With gratitude, Dick and Gwen.

 

Having an event at the church? Need a key? Contact Bobbi in the church office to check out a key to the building. Simply sign out a key and return it when your event is finished.

Along with our new custodian, Brian, the church council members will also be given church keys. They are: Neal Skaar, Bonnie Felt, Mary Anderson, Jim Becker, Vern Frydenlund, and Todd Enderson.

I would like to let everyone know that if you need anything you can contact me via email either through the church email: hlctlc@msn.com or my personal email : bobbi.hemenway@yahoo.com, or you can reach me at home at 402-5398. Don’t be shy, stop and see me at the office or drop me a line in an email. My office hours are Tues & Thurs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m…….Bobbi Hemenway  Parish Secretary

 

 

Christmas worship services:

December 19: Lessons & Carols Sunday
December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 4:30 p.m. -- Hayward
December 25: Christmas Day Worship -- 9 a.m. -- Trondhjem

 

 

 

 

TRONDHJEM NEWS

 

 

DECEMBER  ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild                                           Coffee Servers                                          Communion Assistants              

Linda Kraushaar                          December 5-Sunday School                      Kiven & Cheryl Lukes

                                                    December 19- Emil & Bev Prantner                                                               

Acolytes                                                          Lectors                                                          Ushers

December 5- Madalyn Wangen    December 5- Linda Kraushaar                   *Reed Thostenson

December 12 – Emily Brekke           December 12- Kiven Lukes                           Anna Severtson

December 19- Reed Thostenson    December 19- Shirley Kraushaar                  Madalyn Wangen

December 25- Anna Severtson      December 25- Christmas Day                       Emily Brekke

December 26- Ethan Severtson      December 26- Elaine Lukes

    

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                         DECEMBER  ANNIVERSARIES

                                            December 5- Dean & Charlotte Lukes 

                                            December 13- Dick & Shirley Kraushaar

 

 

General Fund:

In memory of Olive Bakke by M/M Sheldon Lukes

In memory of Le Roy Koster by M/M Emil Prantner

 

 

 

Join us for Our Trondhjem Family Christmas Dinner on Saturday Dec. 4th at 12 noon.  The TLC Kids Christmas Program will follow.  All are welcome!!

 

 

 

 

 

Trondhjem WELCA met after church on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

We had 13 members present.  Betty opened the meeting, the Secretary's and Treasure's report were given.

Shirley reported that twin size flat sheets can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $4.00 each and these can be used for quilt backs that will be made in 2011. We would appreciate any donations. Elaine also mentioned the need for thread.  We also can use flannel sheets , these can be used for middles.  We will also be collecting Soap and Health Kits thru March of 2011.  If you prefer to donate the money for the Health Kit  the cost is $7.00 and you can see Jill about this.

We are collecting food till Christmas and this can be left in the Narthex. It will be given to the Food Shelf.

On November 11, Roger and Betty took 22 boxes of clothing to Albert Lea to be sent to Apalacha.

We are now thru quilting for this fall, 70 quilts were tied and Betty made 8 baby quilts.  These will be given locally and to Lutheran World Relief.

December 4th will be our Family Christmas Dinner followed by the Trondhjem Kids Christmas Program.

 

Secretary,

Elna Mae Severtson

 

 

 

 

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

 

DECEMBER ASSIGNMENTS

Altar Guild                                                           Coffee Servers                                                     Ushers

Elaine Flusek/                             December 5- Gary & Paula Broitzman      *Dave & Marlene Thompson

Gwen Hanson                           December 12- Dave & Marlene Thompson              Keith Iverson

                                                    December 19- Nick & Jean Schermer               Vern & Pat Frydenlund

                                                    December 26- Steve & Kaye Tufte                            Steve Johnson

 

Communion Assistants                     Lectors                                                       Acolyte/Ushers

Bonnie Felt  &                    December 5-Phil Tennis                          December 5- Mitchell & Jay Skaar

Jim Becker                    December 12-Shirley Gray                        December 12-Kadie & Kasie Habana

                                       December 19- Sonja Johnson                    December 19- Anna & Josh Englin

                                       December 26- Volunteer Needed            December 24- Logan & Tate Tufte

                                                                                                              December 26-Mitchell & Jay Skaar

                                                   

 

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

 

           December 3- Linda Johnson                                       December 22- Paula Broitzman

             December 4- Eugene Jenson                                     December 23- Brie-Anne (Woitas) Tubbs

             December 6- Vern Lunde                                           December 24- Jill Erickson

             December 10- Erwin (Red) Larson                             December 26- John Habana

             December 12- Shirley Gray                                         December 28- Isabella Nelson

             December 14- Dawn Jenson                                      December 29- Wayne Kromminga

             December 20- Pat Frydenlund                                    December 29- Travis Jacobsen

            

December Anniversaries

December 9- Vern & Bev Lunde

December 27- Kendall & Lila Johnson

December 30- Paul & Min Westland

 

** ATTENTION THRIVENT MEMBERS **

 If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you have a new, easy way to help support what matters most to you--your own congregation. Through THRIVENT CHOICE, a new charitable grant program, members can help choose where Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable funds each year. Eligible members are given Choice Dollars. If you are eligible and haven’t already done so, you can direct these Choice Dollars right now to Hayward Lutheran Church. Learn all about the program including how to direct Choice Dollars as they are designated to you throughout the year. You can do so by visiting “thrivent.com/thriventchoice”, or you may call 1-800-THRIVENT (1-800-847-4836) and say, “Thrivent Choice” for help.

EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!

We are starting an after school program. The program will be once a

month on Wednesdays at the Hayward Lutheran Church from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Children ages

kindergarten - confirmation can come to enjoy a snack, bible story, singing, and crafts. Children younger

than kindergarten are more than welcome with the supervision of a parent. Children older than confirmation

are welcome to be helpers. Hope to see you there!

Activity Days: December 15th, January 19th, February 16th, March 16th, April 20th, and May 18th.

 

Thank you to everyone who helped with Sunday Night Live! this fall, from those who made and served meals to those who helped with crafts and what I call "kid-wrangling." We served between 25-35 people each week, with 10-15 children singing, listening to Bible stories, playing games and making crafts. We will start Sunday Night Live! again on January 9 to run through the end of February, and we appreciate your continued support of this ministry!
Peace and blessings to you,
Pastor Katie

 

MEMORIALS

General Fund

 

In memory of Shirley Olson by Patricia Olson

In memory of Shirley Olson by Polly Noland

In memory of Shirley Olson by M/M Ashle Skaar

In memory of Shirley Olson by Camilla Frydenlund

In memory of Shirley Olson by Julius Hansen

 

Altar Guild

In memory of Shirley Olson by M/M Dave Thompson

 

 

 

WELCA NEWS

 

PURPOSE STATEMENT

 

As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world

 

WELCA BAKE SALE & RAFFLE- December 4th at 8 a.m. We will have fresh rolls and coffee. There will be a drawing at 11 a.m. for raffle items- quilt, quilt chest, & afghan. There will also be a silent auction on a child’s chair & footstool. Christmas dishes display in overflow room. Also, center pieces offered at silent auction. We hope to see everyone there!!!

 

 

The WELCA Thankoffering received on November 14 is the most we’ve ever had! Thank you to the WELCA members for the generous offering of $215. This is sent to the Southeast Minnesota Women of the ELCA. This money is used for programming, events, resources, and scholarships for women throughout the ELCA. Also, if you weren’t in church and would like to donate to the Thankoffering, you can contribute to the WELCA Treasurer, which is Gwen Hanson. The check will be sent in at the end of the year.

ALTAR GUILD

 

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE FRESH 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, Marlene Thompson (373-3895).  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 $20.  Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

 

GOOD EARTH VILLAGE OPPORTUNITIES

           

Good Earth Village

Carols of Christmas

Join us for programming, carols and a holiday meal!

 

Thursday, December 2nd 9:30am-2:00pm featuring Pastor Paul & Lois Christenson

Or

Thursday, December 9th 9:30am-2:00pm featuring Ruth Benning

Reserve yours by calling us at (507)346-2494!

Cost is $25/person or $20/person for groups with 8 or more.

 

************************************************************************Good Earth Village

Scrapbooking Retreat

January 7-9, 2011

Join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship. If you've been looking for time to catch up on your projects, learn some new ideas, see what others are doing and get away for some personal renewal, this is the retreat for you!

Cost is $130 for the week end

For more information please visit our website www.goodearthvillage.org or to register please contact us at (507)346-2494 or info@goodearthvillage.org

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Good Earth Village

Cookie Bake

Bake and take home 10 different kinds of Christmas cookies and their recipes!

Sat. Dec. 11th 9am-2pm or

Sun. Dec 12th 1pm-5pm

Cost $45/person and includes ingredients, 120 cookies to take home, a recipe book and lunch or a snack.

For more information please visit our website www.goodearthvillage.org or to register please contact us at (507)346-2494 or info@goodearthvillage.org

(Space is limited! Please register by Friday, December 3rd)

 

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Good Earth Village

Quilting Retreats

Join us for a retreat of sewing, devotions and fellowship where we do all the cooking and cleaning and you do the creating!

2010 – 2011 Winter Dates & Fees

For more information please visit our website www.goodearthvillage.org or to register please contact us at (507)346-2494 or info@goodearthvillage.org

 

 

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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!