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St. John’s Evangelical THELutheran Church VISITORSam Krueger while in Kindergarten______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Prairie du Sac, WI September 2020Dear siblings in Christ,Last year at this time I wrote to thank you for the privilege of taking a sabbatical. It was a time of rest and renewal. I also wrote to give thanks for our wonderful staff and to say goodbye to one intern and hello to another. Somethings are the same, some are not, but let me begin as I did then by saying thanks! Thanks for our staff who continue to serve well. Thanks for our congregation, bidding one intern goodbye and welcoming another. And finally, thanks to God, the one who holds us all in a loving embrace.To say the obvious, last year and this year have started out very differently. Last year at this time we looked forward to so much; public schools and all the activity they bring; congregational transitioning into fall programing; gathering together for one last big hurrah before the busyness of the fall; and a list of plans for the upcoming fall/winter and maybe even spring/summer. All that has changed.As we move forward with words like ‘virtual’ or phrases like ‘in person,’ we realize that we are challenged by something we did not go to school for, by something we cannot pick up a book and learn about, by something that is beyond simple answers or easy responses. We are challenged by something that requires new ways of looking, new ways of thinking and new ways of acting.The last Sunday in August we did something new. We had our first outdoor parking lot service. We used new technology to do something that people my age remember well, we went to the drive-in! No speaker was needed for our window, rather we used our radios. Who would have thought this could be a way of gathering for worship?In the coming weeks we plan on gathering in new ways. We will do more drive-in worship services (as weather permits). We will also start live online services.On Sunday, September 6 we will gather for our first live online service using zoom, a video calling platform. It is kind of like the old party lines, allowing lots of folks to listen in on someone’s conversation. Only in this case, you can add your face (if you have a video source, like a cell phone or a laptop with a camera) so everyone can see who is listening. The platform allows lots of people a chance to see each other, participate in a common event (like worship) and even send notes to each other if desired.We are grateful for those with technical skills. Intern Leah is an experienced zoom leader, having served Wartburg Seminary as their digital sacristan. She oversaw their weekly zoom worship services. We are blessed to have her in our community and grateful for her knowledge in this area. She will be integral in this new digital ministry adventure.In these days we are reminded that community, in whatever form it takes, has been and continues to be a gift. Sometimes we have taken community for granted (maybe more than sometimes). The truth is we are born into a community, given relationships and (hopefully) surrounded by people who love us unconditionally. In baptism this community is called the body of Christ.I pray that as we move forward into this very different world, we remember we are not alone. I pray we remember we have a community that we belong to and whose calling it is to embrace others. May we remind each other that we are not alone. May we listen to each other’s’ fears and celebrate each other’s joys. May we pray for each other, and in doing so, be reminded that God is not only present for others but that God is also present for us.Shalom,Parish Planning Council Members:Executive DirectorJon Sandeman643-5006Assistant Exec DirectorJanelle Hupp643-0653SecretaryMary Halweg345-2025TreasurerSara Dregney370-8151Evangelism BoardSheila Dittberner370-1550Fellowship BoardLinda Michaels643-8286Lay Ministry BoardGina Varley544-5002Member at LargeRoger Seymour588-3198Youth Member at LargeSamuel Beattie370-6050Parish Education BoardJames Newman512-7623Properties BoardLon Kaderavek434-2928PR and Social ConcernsPatty Barritt393-5218Stewardship BoardAnne Klinkner393-6453Women of ELCA Marian DeGiovanni643-4514Youth BoardMegan Tarnutzer963-0396The Staff:Pastors: Fred Rilling fred@ (h) 963-4706 Sally Williams sally@ (h) 643-7810 Intern Leah Holloway-Nilsen leah@ (office) 643-2439Youth-Education Coordinator: Abby Bennettabby@ (c) 370-2380Custodian: John Hines john@ (c)393-2325Office and Communications Coordinator: Linda Hines linda@ (h) 544-2409Director of Music Ruellene Seymourruellene@ (h) 588-3198St. John’s Lutheran Church: 643-2439 Like us on Facebook at St Johns Lutheran Sauk PrairieMission Statement: Christ, our strength and refuge, calling us to serve. Congregational MeetingOn October 11 we will have a congregational meeting to approve our 2021 budget, elect members to our Parish Planning Council, and to elect three congregational members to serve on our Nomination Committee.? Please join us for this important meeting. We will be doing a ZOOM meeting this year, with an opportunity for voting members to attend online or via telephone.A “Voting Member” of St. John’s is defined as: an active member who has received communion and given on record to the church at least once in the year prior to voting. (Given on record means you have contributed financially to the church with your name attached so as to receive a financial statement at the end of the year.)Parish Planning Council NomineesOn Sunday, October 11 we will vote for our new Board Chairs/other positions for the Parish Planning Council at our Congregational meeting. Nominees are: Executive Director – Janelle Hupp, Assistant Executive Director - nominee needed, Treasurer – Donna Nelson, WELCA Board – Marian DeGiovanni, Parish Ed Board – James Newman, PR & Social Concerns Board – Patty Barritt, Stewardship Board – Anne Klinkner, Fellowship Board – Linda Michaels and Properties Board – Lon Kaderavek.Board Members NeededSt. John’s Stewardship Board, Fellowship Board, Evangelism Board and PR & Social Concerns Board are looking for new members to add to their committees. If you are interested in learning more about these boards and the work they do for our church, please contact the chairperson who would be happy to share information with you.Stewardship – Anne Klinkner, 393-6453Fellowship – Linda Michaels, 575-5589Evangelism – Sheila Peak-Dittberner, 370-1550PR & SC – Patty Barritt, 393-5218Birthday GreetingsWe hope you take a moment to send greetings to the following people who have birthdays in September. The day is in parentheses.Zona Roewer (12)1050 Prairie StreetPrairie du Sac, WI 53578 Women of the Church News (WELCA)I so miss gathering together for church services, choir, Circle meetings, and board meetings, but know that we are still the church regardless of what space we are in! The good news is that Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is still on schedule to collect and ship kits & quilts in September!? Thank you all for the donated items that are growing in number in the Fellowship Hall and will soon be packed into kits and then boxes to be taken to the railroad pickup in Madison.? Thanks to Linda Hines who always has the many supplies needed for packing—boxes, markers, packing tape plus schedules the volunteers for transport!? It takes a village!? I always imagine the excitement of those receiving a quilt, opening new school supplies, having personal care items,?sewing with new fabric or having essentials for their baby!? God’s work—our hands!With Covid limiting our meetings in person, Intern Leah Nilsen has offered to help Circles set up for Zoom meetings with phone call in option for those who prefer that option.? With the phone call there would be no video, but all the conversation would be live.? St. Peter’s, Loganville reports in the Trumpeter newsletter that they have one Circle who meets for Gather Bible Study via Zoom and also catch up with each other & share how everyone is handling the new routine of staying at home.? Another option would be to have someone share just a devotion & then have support/encouragement time.? Leah can be reached by email at Leah@.Also, another way to support the Women of the ELCA is by Amazon Smile.? This cost you nothing.? Many of us have been shopping on Amazon with the quarantine already. Simply go to smile. and choose Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (our full name) as your charity.? Every three months, the Amazon foundation forwards to the churchwide ELCA half a cent for every dollar the ELCA supporters spend. Shopper’s Amazon Prime benefits still apply. NOTE: I do try local retailers as my first option!? Kitty O’Meara is a retired teacher and chaplain living outside Madison.? Her “mini-reflection”, which begins "And the people stayed home”, she says is a “a good reminder that whatever your gift is, and however small it is, keep using it.” Her poem went viral & I especially like the Isaiah-like vision that she ends with, “And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and make new choices and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.” Just google "And the people stayed home”?to see the entire reflection!?For Special Friends list please check with Linda Hines for an updated list.? Martha Circle is on for August/September and Sarah/Mary is on for October/November.? With the Covid restrictions our visits will not be in person, but hopefully a card or phone call will be a welcome connection!Gather magazine has provided a virtual Bible Study with Pastor Janelle Ostbeck of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA. Here is a link to her August Bible Study (using the July Gather magazine) august-video-bible-study-from-prince-of-peace-lutheran-church.Marian DeGiovanni, WELCA Board Chair Attention – Young ArtistsHello, young artists! Would you help us with our Visitor newsletter covers? Could you draw a picture for the front of our newsletter? Draw a picture of our church, your favorite part of the worship service, the stain glass windows, or your favorite Bible story. Using a plain sheet of paper, fold it in half, then in half again. Use that small square to draw your picture. It works best if you use pencil without too much coloring in. Mail it to the church (100 Oak Street, Prairie du Sac) or drop it off sometime. Thank you for helping! With Sincere Sympathy We offer our condolences to the following families:Don and Vi Bohler, and Ann and Paul Kippley on the death of Don’s brother and Ann’s uncle, Wally Bohler.Shawn Osterfund on the deaths of both her father and mother, Dave and Pat Osterfund.Tony and Marian DeGiovanni and family on the death of Tony’s sister, Mary Jo.Matt and Abbey Ballweg on the death of Matt’s grandfather, Joseph Ballweg.LaVonne Knuth, Jean Knuth, Sue and Larry Hitchcock, Sandy and Ken Osgood and their families on the death of Durlin Knuth. Durlin was a nephew of LaVonne and Jean and a cousin to Sue and Sandy.Gretchen Cutler, John Laughnan and their families on the death of their mother, Lynette Diehl. Lynette’s nieces and nephew are Ginny Nimmow, Donna Hosking, Sandy Frey and Ron Diehl.Eunice Yanke, Karen Ballweg and their families on the death of their brother, Miles Breunig.Rod and Bev Mielke on the death of Rod’s aunt, Lucinda Gruber.Ginny Nimmow, Beth and Early Pippin, Jeff and Becky Nimmow and their families on the death of husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Ed Nimmow.Melani, Brent, Mikayla and Josh Wheeler, Gene Mowitz, Madeline and Seth Nelson and their families on the death of mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, Joan Preston.Karen Atz, Paul Pingrey and family on the death of Karen’s mother, Helen Atz.Please keep these families in your prayers. Wedding CongratulationsWe rejoice with Greg Lohr and Lisa Kimpfbeck as they were married August 8, 2020. Please keep these newlyweds in your prayers as they begin their new life journey together. CongratulationsWe celebrate with the following families as they welcome their new little ones to the family. Please keep them in your prayers.Alli and Keith Steinmetz on the birth of their son, Kolt Richard. Kolt is welcomed home by his big sisters, Myla, Pria and Vada. His grandparents are Dan and Janis Baun.Jennifer and Jasper Bradley on the birth of their daughter, Jessica Arline.Melissa and Christopher Breunig on the birth of their daughter, Addison Carroll Rose Breunig. Addison’s grandmother is Kris Helms and her great-grandparents are Marilyn and Glenn Herschleb.Dani and Kyle Orris on the birth of their daughter, Elsie Lee. Elsie’s grandparents are Tom and Gina Varley. Dede and Bob Egan are Elsie’s great aunt and uncle.Cydney and Jeremy Kruchten on the birth of their son, Rhett Kevin. Jerry and Nancy Kaufman are Rhett’s grandparents.Renee and Karl Gesch welcomed Ellen Mae Gesch? to their family. Ellen joins sister Margo. Brian and Mary Weeks are the proud grandparents.We invite you to pray for peace on the 20th day of each month. On September 20, please repeat the following prayer: When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When I fear losing hope, give me a fresh vision of your love. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will.John D. RaynerDear Friends in Christ,A few weeks ago, our Parish Education Board met to discuss this upcoming education year. I was simply blown away by their creative thinking and excitement about what can become a great education year even though very different from anything we’ve ever experienced before!?Working with the assumption that we won’t be meeting in person for a while, we are diving into planning in-home education opportunities and want to let you know of some important details right away.?Our theme this year is “Why does faith matter?” This question will be explored at every age level this year through scripture, books, service experiences, music, and more. We hope to hear from some of you through some video interviews so start thinking about how you might answer that question!Our education year will begin in October. We want to give our students, parents, and school staff members a little extra time to settle into their new learning models before adding an extra commitment for your families. A drive-thru?Rally Day will be on Sunday, October 4th?and a drive-thru?Confirmation Orientation will be on Wednesday, October 7th.?Adult education is TBD.?We will be utilizing many different tools along the way - home deliveries and supply pickups, some video chats (but not highly virtual), service opportunities, bible studies, mentor opportunities, etc. We know this won’t be a one-size fits all program, so we encourage you to tell us which pieces seem to be working well for your family and suggestions for what else might be helpful for this new learning experience. There might be a little trial and error as we settle into the year. :)?There is a LOT of grace in this program this year. We understand that people are under a lot of strain and we want to offer as much support and flexibility as possible while also boldly proclaiming Christ’s presence in the midst of it all.?These are just some of the nuts and bolts, but we wanted to make sure you got the dates on the calendar. Look for the details to come in the near future, but please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. You can contact me or the folks below:Abby Bennett (Confirmation)?abby@Megan Tarnutzer & Katie LaVigne (SundaySchool)?sundayschool@We’re really looking forward to being in touch with you all again!Peace,Former Intern NewsPastor Elisabeth Pynn Himmelman has been called to First Lutheran Church of Kearney, Nebraska. She is an Associate Pastor at First Lutheran and also Campus Pastor of Campus Lutheran, NeLCM. Congratulations Elisabeth! Greetings,As I have thought about what to write for this first article, I find myself returning to the refrain ‘these are strange times.’ I don’t like this refrain. I am tired of hearing it. I am tired of saying it. There is nothing new or groundbreaking or?hopeful in this refrain.? At best, it feels like?just another platitude, a thing to say when we don’t know what to say. At worst, it feels like?a brick wall that stifles all creativity?and?open-mindedness?to trying new ways to do things. Needless to say, I have been frustrated that this has been the refrain rattling around my brain.??However, the more I think about it, the more I begin to wonder if the issue with ‘these are strange times’ has more to do with me?and the things that I am uncomfortable with, as opposed to it being an overworked phrase.?Certainly,?there?is an overworked and over used sense?of ‘these are strange times’ but that?can’t be all.?So,?what are these things that I am uncomfortable with?that come to light every time I hear or use ‘these are strange times?’?I’m uncomfortable?because?I lack hope that this pandemic will be over soon. I am uncomfortable because it causes me to question and re-question every decision I?have made since March. I am uncomfortable because?I deeply dislike platitudes. I am uncomfortable because it doesn’t give me an actionable thing to do. I am uncomfortable because?‘these are strange times’ is all reality and zero hope.??Maybe you feel some of these things too upon hearing ‘these are strange times.’ Do you feel empty?like?me? Lost?like?me? Grieved?like?me? Scared?like?me? Confused?like?me??Annoyed like me??Hopeless?like?me??In these moments, the Holy Spirit reminds me that?I am putting all my hope in humans and none of it in Jesus.?‘These are strange times’ is a declaration of reality, and Jesus sits with us in reality, and Jesus shows up to us in reality. What kind of god would sit with that god’s people in?reality?and be?pained?with them, and show up for them? God in the person of Jesus Christ is that God.?The one who shows up in unexpected phone calls. The one who shows up in vegetables left on doorsteps. The one who?shows up in?handwritten cards. And the one who shows up to give us the courage and the creativity to do it all again the next day.??So yes, these are strange times, for you, for me, for Jesus, and for all of God’s creation.?And hope doesn’t always live where we want or expect it to live. But we know that hope lives in Jesus, and Jesus dwells among us?surprising us daily so that we may surprise others. These are strange times and thanks be to God to be doing it together.??Peace,Intern Leah D. Holloway-NilsenSunday School NewsSunday School Rally DaySunday School students 3 years old – 6th?grade and families, we have a date for Rally Day! Sunday, October 4th. More news will be coming to your mailboxes soon. If you have any questions, contact the Sunday School Superintendents at sundayschool@ or call 643-2439 and speak with Pastor Sally.Middle and High School NewsHello St. John's Congregation,On Sunday, August 30th, we were able to have a beautiful Affirmation of Baptism service for our 9th (almost 10th) graders. 19 Confirmands and their families joined us for a parking lot service to put closure on their Confirmation "career.” What a wonderful morning, and being outside made the day special - despite the geese flying overhead, and the neighbor using his hammer and table saw!I am excited to get the 2020-21 Confirmation year started which will begin on October 7th. More information about what the year will look like will be coming in the next week. I am working hard to make "At Home" Confirmation a fun, meaningful experience, that doesn't add more stress to our already stressed out families. I look forward to when we can all meet again in person.I hope everyone has a great start to the school year! Stay safe!Abby Bennett?Youth and Education CoordinatorAffirmation of Baptism This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-NDThis Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND The following students were affirmed in their faith by reaffirming the promises made on their behalf during baptism. Please pray for them as they mark this milestone in their faith life.Brody BallwegWesley HimebauchKarley BlauCharlie HompJack BoergerEthan JonesAnnika BraundWill LaCourCarly CoyCourtney LautenbachJay DregneyBen LeversJaxson DunnKyra ManningAnna FrancourAudrie NurkalaHaylee GoetschJonah RichardKarlie HarpoldChesney SchonenbergerMaggie HartmanChloe WernsingHymn Story—“Jesus Loves Me” (ELW 595)The hymn “Jesus Loves Me” was written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827-1915). She was the daughter of a wealthy lawyer who lost his fortune in the Panic of 1837. Anna and her sister Susan began writing to earn money for their family. They published 106 novels and children’s books, 18 of which they wrote together. Anna’s words to the verses of “Jesus Loves Me” appeared in an 1860 novel entitled Say and Seal, where they are spoken by a Sunday School teacher to soothe his student who was dying.The melody was written in 1862 by church organist and choir director William Bradbury. He also wrote and added the refrain “yes, Jesus love me…”. Bradbury loved hosting festivals with “hundreds” of children to sing his songs. This song became one of the most popular Christian hymns around the world, especially for children. Bradbury published 59 collections of sacred and secular music. He wrote hymns such as “He Leadeth Me, “Just as I Am”, and “Sweet Hour of Prayer”.According to Diana Leagh Matthews, Anna Warner published 2 collections of verse in “Hymns of the Militant” in 1858, and “Wayfaring Hymns” in 1869. She wrote a new hymn for her Sunday School class each month. Anna and her sister Susan held Bible studies for West Point cadets. Their popularity was so great that both sisters were buried with military honors “due to the contribution they made to spiritual well-being of soldiers”. They are the only civilians buried in the West Point cemetery, and their home is now a museum in their honor.Poem by Anna Bartlett Warner--As originally published in 1860, it appeared in three stanzas, as follows:Jesus loves me—this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to him belong,— They are weak, but he is strong. Jesus loves me—loves me still, Though I'm very weak and ill; From his shining throne on high, Comes to watch me where I lie. Jesus loves me—he will stay, Close beside me all the way. Then his little child will take, Up to heaven for his dear sake.Hymn by William Batchelder BradburyJesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong. Refrain Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.Jesus loves me he who died heaven's gate to open wide. He will wash away my sin, let his little child come in. (refrain) Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.Jesus loves me, this I know, as he loved so long ago, taking children on his knee, saying, "Let them come to me." (refrain)Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.Submitted by Ruellene Seymour,Director of MusicPARISH PLANNING COUNCIL MINUTES(ZOOM Online Meeting)DATE: August 4, 2020Present:Jon Sandeman, Janelle Hupp, Mary Halweg, Sara Dregney, Fred Rilling, Sally Williams, Leah Nilsen, Roger Seymour, Marian DeGiovanni, Linda Michaels, Gina Varley, Anne Klinkner, Lon Kaderavek, Patti Barritt, Sheila Dittberner, James Newman, and Megan Tarnutzer.Absent:Sheila Dittberner and Samuel BeattieCall to Order/Opening Remarks:Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Jon Sandeman. A devotion/prayer was given by Sara Dregney.Secretary minutes:The July minutes were submitted by Mary Halweg Online and reviewed. Motion to approve minutes was made by Marian DeGiovanni and seconded by Anne Klinkner. Motion carried.Treasurer report:The committee reviewed and discussed the July Treasurer Report submitted by Sara Dregney.· Sara stated that she felt we were holding fairly steady, however the balance is continuing to go down (we have more expenses than revenue).· Roger questioned the $400 set aside for the Wartburg Seminary and Sara indicated it was donated for Intern Shadoe’s tuition.· Sara did move the $4,200 Columbarian money from Restricted Checking into the Unrestricted Checking to help with the deficit.· Discussion about the Youth Gathering being postponed for a year, which might allow us to use those monthly budgeted funds towards other expenses temporarily. Motion to temporarily stop making the $400 monthly transfer to the Youth fund was made by Linda Michaels and 2nd by Patty Barritt. Motion carried.A motion to approve the July financial report was made by Lon Kaderavek and 2nd by Janelle Hupp. Motion MITTEE REPORTSEvangelism: Sheila Dittberner was absent and did not report.Fellowship: Linda Michaels reported:· Linda stated that she felt the Car Parade for Shadoe’s Goodbye went really well. Megan took a lot of pictures and Sally, Megan, and Linda put together a picture book to send to Shadoe.· Linda also welcomed our new Intern Leah Nilsen.Parish Education: James Newman had nothing to report at this time.Lay Ministry: Gina Varley had nothing to report at this time.Properties: Lon Kaderavek reported:· Still waiting to get the Gathering Area lights repaired.· Bought and installed 3 hand sanitizing stations and hand sanitizer.PR & Social Concerns: Patty Barritt had nothing to report at this time.Stewardship Board: Anne Klinkner reported:· Anne asked all committee chairs to look at their Budget spreadsheets to figure out their expenses for next year’s budget. Please cross out any item category that you are not using, and add any item in to the spreadsheet that needs adding.· Budgets need to be sent to Anne by August 18 so that she can send it out to everyone for review by email. Then we can discuss and approve the budget requests at the September 1 PPC meeting. We will approve the 2021 budget so it can be published in the September edition of the “The Visitor”. A 30-day notice to the congregation is required before a congregational vote can be made. Currently, the vote is scheduled for October 11 via a Zoom meeting.Women of ELCA:Marian DeGiovanni reported:· Marian welcomed our new Intern Leah, and stated that she was looking forward to getting to know and work with Leah. Marian explained that interns typically have led the Leader’s Guide Bible Study meetings in preparation for the leaders to assist their own circles using the Gather magazine study. With circles on hold these meetings will not be held.· Currently, we are still collecting items for the baby kits and school kits to be sent out in the coming months.· Marian reported that her board met by phone this past month and they agreed that budgeting for the Women of ELCA could pretty much stay the same as it was for this year. Marian asked Anne if she could just plug in the same numbers on the spreadsheet for her. Anne stated this could be easily done.Youth Committee: Megan Tarnutzer reported:· Megan worked with Abby Bennett regarding picking up Bible School Kits.· The Youth Gathering has been postponed for a year (2022). Therefore, the monthly funding has been suspended until further notice.Member at Large:Roger Seymour did not report anything new at this time.Youth member at Large:Sam Beattie was not present at this meeting.Director ReportsNone were given tonight.Pastor/Intern ReportsFred’s Report & (Old Business):· Fred wanted us to discuss two questions in particular that need to be addressed:o What does worship look like in the future?o What will religious education look like in the future?· Currently there are no weddings taking place at the church. There have been some small funerals taking place lately, and also four Baptisms being done outside.· Sally has been doing a wonderful job of using technology to produce and record prayers for families in need -- via phones.· Fred, Sally, Leah, Linda, and John have been in the office more and the building office will be open from 8:30am – 4 pm during week days. Anyone entering should be wearing a mask.· Fred referred to meeting with Sally to rough out a working document on our future Ministry Plan Proposal. The PPC committee voted unanimously to support and back the strategy of where this Ministry Plan is moving and its direction.· It was requested to add the Circle Meetings to this document discussion in determining how to do them in the future as well.· Jon asked about considering Outside Services or possibly establishing a date to possibly start to do outdoor services. Nothing was determined at this time.Sally’s Report:· Sally thanked Abby Bennett for her work in creating the “Vacation Bible School in a Box” – and said that it was great and allows families to work at it at their own pace.· Sally also wanted to remind all of us that many people are grieving (there has been 3 funerals in the past 9 days), and that any way we can reach out to them with support via calls, cards, or other ways…to please continue to do so as best as we can.Leah’s Report:· Thanked everyone for welcoming her and her husband Steve.· Stated that she enjoys living out in Loganville at that parsonage, since she comes from a small town herself. Her husband Steve is interning at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loganville. She looks forward to working with all of us.Old Business:· Discussion took place during Fred’s report of “Reopening Planning.”New business:· Blood Drive – requesting use of facility – will be denied at this time since the church is not open.· Maplewood is now allowing outside visits with masks.· In October, we will need to elect new PPC members to the board. Jon Sandeman and Sara Dregney’s term will be over. It is proposed that Janelle Hupp will then be the new Director, and currently Sara is talking with Donna Nelson about possibly taking over the Treasurer’s position. Therefore, we would still have an opening to fill in the “Assistant Executive Director” position. Next meeting is Tuesday, September 1, at 6:30 pm. Devotion will be given by Marian DeGiovanni.The meeting was adjourned by Jon Sandeman.Adjourned at 8:05 pm. with The Lord’s Prayer lead by Jon Sandeman.Respectfully submitted by Mary Halweg.Proposed Budget for 2021PROGRAM 2020PROPOSED2021 %CHANGEAdministration$377,951 $368,321 -2.55%Lay Ministry 10,370 9,370-9.64%Evangelism 880 8800.00%Stewardship 700 90028.57%PR & Social Concerns 6,550 3,450-47.33%Parish Education 16,585 12,793-22.86%Youth Board 4,840 4,8400.00%Fellowship 3,400 3,4000.00%Properties 63,375 50,100-20.95%Lutheran Church Women 3,075 3,0750.00%Benevolence 63,950 58,950-7.82%Total$551,676 $516,079-6.45%A more itemized listing of the various board budgets is available in the church office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.Covid-19 has affected St. John’s and giving is down.??For several months we’ve drawn from savings to make ends meet and?while we’re operating under budget, we’re forecasting a shortfall at year end.???We also have placed a hold on several needed large capital projects like re-roofing the sanctuary. Understanding that the Synod has suggested we prepare for remote services through Advent, and empathetic to those in our congregation struggling with layoffs, furloughs, and reduced hours, we prayerfully made some painful decisions about moving forward with caution.??The 2021 budget reflects a temporary freeze to staff salaries at 2020 rates, pausing the intern program for the 2021-2022 year, a partial reduction to our Seminary Assistance support (money that we use to support interns in their senior year since we would not have a 2021-22 intern) and reducing committee expenses where possible without curtailing their ministries.? These decisions were difficult to make and the PPC voted in consideration of the long-term future of St. John’s.The Parrish Planning Council ................
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