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Thank you to all who attended. It was a very good day, celebrating the past year and preparing for the year ahead. Much thanks Leah DeSchepper for leading the meeting, her last official responsibility as St. Luke’s 2024 Congregational President. Also thank you to those behind the scenes: Tech Crew: David Johnson, Mark Roberts, and Jon Sasseville. Ballot Counters: Mark Roberts and Michelle Sundet. Please keep all the members who have answered God’s call into leadership for the year ahead and the Spirit to move within other members to accept a nomination for open positions. 2025 St. Luke’s Council Kelsy Newby, President Leah DeSchepper, Past President *President–Elect: Names requested David Johnson, Treasurer Jan Pankratz, Secretary Jane Nechville, Community Life *Faith Formation: Names Requested Greg Hornicke, Member at Large Bev Brosam, Missions *Property: Names Requested Diane LaFontaine, Stewardship Becky Olson, Worship and Music *We will announce the representatives when appointed by the Council. Council Members who completed their terms: Gratitude to Mark Bergherr, Paul Sundet, Rani Hayden, Kerry Kollodge, and Britt Halaas. In the weeks and months ahead the Council Members will introduce themselves during worship and be available after each worship to meet you. 2025 St. Luke’s Foundation Al Buss Jana Cinnamon Paul Kopnick Jodi Murphy Helen Schatzlein Foundation Members who completed their terms: Patick Lair and Diane Gilmore. 2024 Minneapolis Synod Assembly – St. Luke’s will be represented by: Greg Hornicke and Joy Enger Lindgren Alternates: Laurie Blanchard and Britt Halaas Youth Representative: TBD “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” Romans 12:4-6a President’s Report: Leah DeSchepper reflected on her year as president. Faith Practices, Neighboring Practices was very successful in several implemented events. A $14,000 deposit was made to a company we have used in the past to complete a sound upgrade with our 100th Anniversary Gifts. Unfortunately, no work was completed so St. Luke's will be taking the company to small claims court to recoup the deposit. Mark Bergherr and Marc Dunham were thanked for all of their work filling in for Property. Pastor’s Report: Pastor Rob Norris-Weber thanked the sound and video team for all of their work this year. Goal for the year ahead is having 8 Camera Techs, 8 Video Techs, and 8 Soundboard Techs which would allow a monthly rotation. Rob also thanked those who helped make the Sabbatical possible thanking the Pulpit Supply Team was thanked: Pastor Steve Olson, Tim Krieg, Mollee Erickson, and Mark Roberts and the Pastoral Care Team: Pastor Steve Olson, Tim Krieg, Judy Sandeen, and Emily Hendricks. Pastor Rob invited Tim forward to speak about his seminary experiences. Tim will be on internship at another congregation in the year ahead. Treasurer’s Report: A. 2024 Financial Statement: Paul Sundet thanked everyone in the congregation for their financial support in 2024. At our Love Fest Breakfast, we had promises of $15,000, which was $28,000 more than a year ago. This brought us to a $23,000 surplus at the end of the year. We are more financially secure than we were a year ago. Motion to approve the 2024 Budget was made pending audit, seconded, and approved. B. 2025 Budget Proposal: The 2025 budget is similar to last year. A 3% raise for salaries for the staff is proposed for the Budget which is only 1% more than 2024. Two budget hearings occurred in the last 2 weeks which were well attended. A lot of clarifying questions were asked. Motion to approve the passing of the 2025 budget was made to accept the budget as written, was seconded, and approved. St. Luke’s Foundation President’s Report: Pat Lair shared the purpose and role of the St. Luke’s Foundation. The Foundation provides grants for items that are not included in the operating budget. Motion to approve the passing of the 2025 budget was made, seconded, and approved. The PHASE Fund provides grants to middle and high school youth. In 2024 the Foundation provided funds for purchasing a new sewing machine, a power cord, a new laptop, travel costs, wireless coverage in the youth wing, and continuing support for Tim Krieg's seminary. The P.H.A.S.E. Fund provided grants for Camp Wapo and the New York Vacation Bible School. When filling out a foundation request form, it does need to go through the council first. St. Luke’s Foundation Treasurer’s Report: Diane Gilmer explained the financial aspects of the Foundation and the P.H.A.S.E. Fund. Over $40,000 is still available to spend on projects. New Business: A motion was made to complete the asbestos and abatement reflooring project funded through Memorial funds. The projected cost is about $41,000. The Ad-hoc committee will be seeking additional bids to be more competitive. The work would start after VBS and before school starts. The asbestos motion passed. During the meeting, it was reported that the vote was unanimous. Later it was realized there were online votes opposing this motion that did not show at the time of tabulating. Ultimately, that discovery did not change the outcome of the vote, but we want to apologize for the appearance that some votes were not counted. We have noted changes to make to the voting process in the future to avoid repeating this issue. Following the Annual Meeting, Pastor Rob gave a presentation on his Sabbatical. This will be shared in a future blog. Along with lifting up all the members in leadership, let us also hold the St. Luke’s Staff in our prayers. St. Luke’s Staff – Along with our elected leadership, please hold the staff in your prayers. Greg Anderson, Director of Jubilee Praise Team Candi Brand, Preschool Teacher Susana Castillo, Custodian Tommy Denesen, Office Staff Tracy Engdahl, Preschool Teaching Assistant Nancee Erickson, Wedding Host Andrea Griner, Interim Director of Children and Family Ministry and Vacation Bible School Angela Hansen, Director of Children and Youth Choir Heather Kambeitz, Minister of Finance Patrick Lair, St. Luke’s Choir Director Lori Murray, Organist and Accompanist Rob Norris-Weber, Pastor Alanna Teragawa, Director of Bells of Praise Cheryl Thiele, Office Staff Barb Watson, Preschool Director So much to celebrate. Let us give thanks and to God be the glory.
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![]() DID YOU KNOW St. Luke’s has a Care Team Ministry? DID YOU KNOW this Ministry has been an active part of St. Luke’s for several decades? DID YOU KNOW we have supported hundreds of members since inception? WELL, WHETHER YOU KNEW IT OR NOT, let me tell you all about it! How did it all start? In 1991, Pastor Mary Dodgson established the Stephen Ministry Program with a couple of St. Luke’s members. This Ministry included the care of homebound members. The name for this Ministry was changed to the Care Team in 2005 by Pastor Linda Willette and our long-time member, Margaret Dahl. The purpose of the Care Team is to provide support to aging, homebound, and chronically ill members, along with others who request our care. How does this work and what do we do as Care Team Ministers? The Team meets every other month or so to address several topics: After an opening devotion, we talk about CARE for the CAREGIVERS, which is our Team. We share with each other our recent ups and downs in life, including our own prayer needs. This is a very personal and intimate time that bonds us together as we prepare to provide support to others. Rob maintains a list of recipients of the Ministry and their respective Caregiver. We make contact with our members and share in conversation and visits, if requested. During visits, there is conversation, prayer, and communion is served if requested by the member, distribution of applicable Care Notes (found in the Narthex), along with other opportunities to help out where needed. We update the Team regarding the wellbeing of each member, how we can assist them, and lift them up in prayer. We also spend time reviewing and praying for everyone on St. Luke’s prayer list and address additional matters as they arise. Why do we do this? BECAUSE WE CARE! The members appreciate the calls and visits for so many reasons: Friendship, support, a listening ear, loneliness, hearing about St. Luke’s, prayer, reflection and forgiveness before receiving communion, and just knowing someone CARES. These visits also fill the hearts of our Care Team Ministers as we establish these special relationships. And, as Rob said in one of his emails to our Team: Thank you for your care and concern for others. You are living examples of the truth, “God cares for people through other people.” If you, or someone you know, would appreciate calls and/or visits, please contact the Office. We will be happy to help. There are several women and men who participate in this Ministry but we are always looking for additional Care Team Ministers. Please contact Rob if you are interested. TAKE CARE! Laurie Blanchard CAMP WAPO VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL HS MISSION HS SAILING
Winter is here, but Summer is coming… 2025 Registration opens on January 15. St. Luke’s is a Member Congregation which includes guarantee registration until February 15. There are opportunities for all ages. St. Luke’s chooses a specific time for Children, Youth, and Grandparents. There are a number of opportunities throughout the year for all ages. Find more at lakewapo.org Camp Wapo is on Lake Wapogasset Lake and Bear Lake in Amery, Wisconsin is a special place to encounter God's word, make friends, create memories, and build faith that will last a lifetime. If you went to camp, share one of your fond memories in a comment below. 2025 Summer Camp Weeks: St. Luke’s Registration Link is: Youth (4th-8th) July 6-11 = $700 https://lwlbci.com/stlukes-blmt Seed Camp (1st-3rd) July 11-13 = $300 Grandparent Camp July 13-15 (up to the 18th) = $225, plus additional participant costs. 2025 St. Luke’s Vacation Bible School - June 23-26 Voted #1 Vacation Bible School by Bloomington Sun Current. Make your plans now to attend. Worship, Story Time, Crafts, Science, and Snack makes for a fun-faithfilled day. More details to come in the months ahead… 2025 High School Mission Trip to Kentucky July 19-27. Located in Eastern Kentucky, an area rich in natural resources, natural beauty, culture and musical talent. It is also an area in which extreme poverty exists along with a high rate of people receiving government assistance. We help the people who are the working poor and are not receiving government assistance. These families have enough to provide for their family on a daily basis, but not enough to repair a home that is falling apart around them. Information Session and Sign Up is on Sunday, February 2 at 11:15 AM in Fellowship Hall. Cost will be the same as camp = $700. High School Sailing Trip for the Classes of 2025 and 2026. Cost = $500. (Dates TBD by those interested.) High School Students will be leaving their harbors and sailing onto the next adventure in their lives. A wonderful time of reflection and preparing for their futures. The trip includes living together on a sailboat, making meals, learning how to sail, having morning devotions and the students lead evening devotions. Each claims a Bible Verse for the year ahead. ![]() Andrea Griner, although born in South Carolina, is a true Minnesotan! She is a Moorhead State graduate and her favorite place to visit is Duluth! Her background is psychology, sociology and human development. She has spent the last 22 years at Mount Calvary Lutheran employed as the Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry. She has designed multiple ministries, led tons of retreats and wrote more curriculum than she can record. Presently Andrea is teaching Middle School Art at Nativity of Mary in Bloomington, writing a monthly newsletter called Sacred Ordinary and doing retreat work at Lutherpark in Danbury, Wi. Andrea has been a national speaker and teacher and is a Certified Spiritual Director. She considers herself a "free spirit" when it comes to ministry and loves to "play" in the biblical story. She refers to herself as a storyteller, a creator of sacred space, a "wanna be" artist, and a deep listener. She loves reading, "art-ing", pasta, her family and her dog Dudley! She is delighted to be working in a congregation again as she believes there is no better story to tell than that of Jesus'. Andrea has a husband Lyle who used to work at St. Luke's, two bonus "sons", a lovely daughter-in-law, 4 grandchildren, two sisters, a great brother-in-law, 4 nephews and one niece. |
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