Post on 04-May-2018
Elk Creek Lutheran Church VOLUME 28 July 2017 NO.7
Where did 2017 WELCA money go? Gifts Appreciation gift $100.00 Altzheimers Ass'n $100.00 Compassion Child $367.00
Needy Families $1,000.00 S.T.O.P. $50.00
Birthdays $40.00 Missions $51.00
Pastor's Gift $163.51 Project Comfort $15.52
TCHCC $200.00 Ministerial Ass'n $300.00
Osseo Food Pantry $500.00
Strum Food Pantry $500.00 Whitehall Pantry $500.00 Western Dairyland $500.00 ELCA Good Gifts $500.00
Heifer Int'l $200.00 New Horizons $500.00 Christmas E.S. $100.00
Christmas O. F. $200.00 Diapers $208.00
Christmas Gifts $90.00 Seminary Student $1,000.00
$7,185.03
THE NEWSLETTER
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on
us. Guide us in the process of finding a new pastor. Keep us
strong as we form a new partnership between Elk Creek and Immanuel Lutheran. Be with each of our Call Committee members
during the interviews. Be with our potential new pastor and him/her in your loving arms. Keep all of us ever mindful of the fact that what we do, we do in service to You. –
Amen
Mission Trip: If you would like to follow Donna’s
travels this summer, follow her videos at Moving Mountains
Mission online. She will be gone July 23-30.
Thank You:
Thank you to Mary Jo Eid & Rosanne Thompson for serving as
Bulletin Secretary and printing.
Behind the Scenes: There will a new gal behind the
scenes at Elk Creek. Crystal Johnson will begin her role as Elk Creek’s first Church Secretary on
July 1, 2017. Under the direction of the Council Crystal will be taking
on many tasks in assisting the Pastor.
June 11, 2017 Meeting of Elk Creek WELCA Meeting was called to order by President Jan Berg at 9:10am, and opened
with Creed. Secretary’s report was read and placed on file. Treasurer report given and placed on file.$12,641.05 Beginning balance (from April) Expenses $1033.94 Income $ 3902.93 Ending balance $12461.27 Max Rate $4420.83
Seminary Savings 10,273.53 New Business: Genell Johnson donated a portion of money from her recent
thrift sale. Discussion/Clarification on the need for donations at Ruby’s pantry. Monetary donation is needed when a family/individual does not have the
funds to pay the $20 fee, but the need for the food is there. No one is refused. Motion by Jean to include Ruby’s pantry in the food pantry’s donations given each year. Motion 2nd by Donna. Jans report declined our request for back pack donations at this time. They currently work with certain organizations only. Discussed having a table at Lake Martha Days. Shifts of volunteers to
staff the booth. Will sell cookbooks and Quilt raffle tickets. Raffle ticket prices to remain $1.00 single/6 for $5.00. May be able to also sell some cookbooks at the Farmers Market where Ingrid Logterman sells honey.
Discussed a sendoff for Pastor Gail’s last Sunday. A Cross stitch gift from the Ladies, and Luncheon after church was decided on. A gift will also be given
from the church. Old Busines: Back packs and oral care kits donated by Oakleaf Oral Surgery,
were obtained by Rosie Gray. These will be used for our Foster Care project. A thank you will be sent.Toothpaste and tooth brushes were also donated from
Dr. Underwood / Midwest Dental at Genell Johnson’s request. This was requested for support Donna’s mission trip. Jean ordered Backpacks to be
used for our Mission School backpacks.Waiting for all bids to decide on flooring for kitchen.Thanks you’s from the following were read: Donna
Kehrmeyer- Mission donation, Western Dairyland – quilts, Hannah Olson- Seminary (Will us toward an Education abroad to Palestine in January)
Donation for the Choir in Memory of Ardis Preston given by Valerie Lorenz.Invitations to several programs in the 2 weeks were read and will be posted on bulletin board, along with Dairyland Conference retreat in August at Luther Park. Triennial Annual conference in Minneapolis July 13-16. Lynn Nelson reviewed Survey on ladies group. Some follow up action items – Post work groups in the kitchen, list charities routinely given to in the work book.
Discussion on posting the ladies booklet on the website (concerns with posting phone numbers), confusing having 2 large groups, and 4
small groups. Provide a Mentor for new members. ‘Willing to help but don’t know what to do” Donna
Kehrmeyer shared what she will be doing on her mission trip to Guatamala. In a week they will build bunkbeds(50),
90 roofs, 26 concrete floors, assist with VBS and deliver food to needy families. She will put the website in with the
announcements so all can follow their progress. Meeting adjourned 10:22 am.Respectfully, Barb Fischer
June 12, 2017 Congregational Council Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President
Steve Ebert. Members present were Steve Ebert, Brandi Berg, Jim Odness, Bruce Thompson, Lynn Nelson, Pastor
Gail George, Ryan Johnson, Stephanie Rumstick, Keith Nelson, Kevin Eid and Linda Odness
Pastor Gail led us in devotion with a reading from the book Faith Alone which was a scripture reading from
John 1. The reading highlighted that Prayer is the work of faith and that prayer is our greatest privilege. In going to God in Prayer whatever we pray for it will be given to us, as long as we pray in the name of our God and Savior
Jesus Christ. Treasurer's Report presented by Brandi Berg.
Checking Account - $13,367.53 Building Fund Checking - $9,295.60
2020 General Fund - $25,222.05 Building Fund CD 2 - $13,526.99
Church Savings- $5,707.31 Memorial Fund - $3,052.11
Motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Linda; 2nd Bruce; motion approved. Secretary's report for May’s Congregational Meeting was read by Linda Odness; motion made by Stephanie; 2nd Bruce; motion approved. Pastor’s Report
Pastor Gail shared that she has been spending a good deal of time at Immanuel getting to know who’s who and the goings on at the church. She visited the Strum Nursing home and was very delighted by her visit.
She also emphasized that during this time
especially and as we move forward with
Immanuel good, clear and open communication
is vital.
WELCA
The quilt for the Raffle in November is finished
and is beautiful, plan is to sell tickets at Lake
Martha Days
Lynn shared results from the survey that was
conducted regarding what actually the WELC
does and is.
Ruby’s Pantry will be added to the list of local
food pantry that the woman make regular
donations to.
The Tri-annual convention is on July 13-15 in
Minneapolis and the ladies will be giving
$100.00 to any lady who is attending to help
with registration, etc
Old Business
1. The fire extinguisher has been filled and another one purchased. There are now 4 extinguishers in the church, two in the basement, one in the narthex and one in the counting room in the front of the church. Steve shared that North Star should be making annual checks of the extinguishers.
2. Toilet in the ladies bathroom is fixed 3. Air condition unit has been installed at the
parsonage, Ben Aionis, installed it and the bill for $2585.00 was paid out of the Building Fund Checking.
4. Steve checked the lights in the kitchen at the parsonage, and repairing would be costly so plan is to purchase two new lights and install them. Steve and Jim will be looking for new lights.
5. We have an applicant for the Church Secretary position, she will be contacted and an interview will scheduled. Lynn made a motion that if the interview committee feels the candidate is deserving of the position they should extend a contract with start date of July 1, 2017. 2nd by Bruce, motion carried.
6. Brandi shared that we have received toner from E.O. Johnson and that the copier contract will be cancelled as of September.
7. Results of the Same Sex Survey were reviewed and given to the Call Committee to help with responding to a question should it arise.
New Business 1. Steve shared with the council minutes from the
Joint Parish meeting held on June 1st, at Immanuel in Strum. He highlighted that Tom Wagner was voted in as president, Steve Ebert as vice-president and Barb Fischer as Secretary. He will provide a copy of the minutes to be published in the upcoming newsletter.
2. Pastor Lowell Bolstad will start July 2nd and will be living at the parsonage in Strum and his installation as our Bridge Pastor will be on July 9th. Lowel will be providing the sermon at the ball park service on July 2nd.
Motion to adjourn made by Linda, 2nd by Stephanie; Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55. We closed with
the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by Linda Odness, Recording
Secretary.
Meeting or the Joint Parish Council of Immanuel-Elk Creek Churches 6/1/2017
X Jim Tacko X Tom Wagener X Mike Nelson X Pastor Gail
X Camille Skoug X Steve Ebert Vicki Hanson X Barb Fischer
X Clarissa Clark
Members of the joint Parish Council, Presidents of both
church councils, and Pastor Gail George met at
Immanuel Lutheran Church at 6:30 pm on June 1, 2017.
The need to have an interim chairman to lead the group
in election of officers was brought forward. Mike Nelson
nominated Jim Tacko as Chair, 2nd by Tom Wagener,
motion carried. Election of Officers proceeded as
follows: Jim made a motion to nominate Tom Wagener
for President, motion 2nd by Mike. Motion carried. Tom
made a motion to nominate Steve as Vice President, this
was 2ndby Jim. Motion carried. Motion by Tom to
nominate Barb as Secretary, 2nd by Mike, motion
carried. Cover letter prepared by the call committee was
reviewed. A suggestion to change the wording of the
availability of the parsonage to state that our Parish has
a parsonage available for the individual taking the call
was suggested and sent back to the call committee for
revision. Call Committee meets on June 6th. Bridge
Pastor Letter of agreement (items 9 through 12) were
discussed with the following actions:
IX. Expenses
Mileage: Concern was expressed that the annual amount
of $2500.00 may not be realistic in Mileage.
Housing: Questions regarding Allowance vs Equity- Tom
to follow up with Liz for clarification.Rental Cost
estimate will be needed on Strum Parsonage to provide
dollar amount needed for Elk Creek to pay Strum for
35% of housing cost for Bridge Pastor. Tom will contact a
local realtor for input on the market value of a rental
unit similar to the Parsonage. Utilities have been
included (Electric, Water/Sewer, and Heat) in the past.
Telephone (land line) and Internet included. Pastor to
pay own garbage. Lawn Care included, will need to
check on snow removal.Telephone: Question on if cell
phone was provided, concern if Pastor had own but
provider Service could be poor in our area.Office
Supplies used for parish expenses and Pastor: Each
church will take care of their own.
XI. Parish Council Responsibilities
Election of Officers: As above; Tom Wagener- President,
Steve Ebert- Vice President, Barb Fischer-Secretary.
Worship Service: Elk Creek at 10:30, Immanual at 9:00 if
that allows that pastor enough time to Travel between
churches on Sunday morning. Will switch times June 3,
2018. Supervision of pastoral staff: n/a at this time –
only for shared staff Annual Budget for shared expenses:
n/a at this time
XIV. Inclusion/Termination of Congregations in the Parish
4 month notification if Joint parish were to separate, or
3rd party join.
Compensation of the bridge pastor:
Annual salary paid in 26 equal installments on the 1st and
15 of the month.2 days per week off will be granted.
Remainder of compensation as listed in Bridge letter
agreement.Church schedule next 3 months June -
August
Immanuel church sectary will prepare bulletins for both churches at this time
Pastor will decide how best to utilize the wonderful resources the organists of each church can provide. (weekly hymns, etc)
Supply Pastor will be needed for Pastor Gail’s scheduled vacation June 18th. Brandy Berg is looking into this.
Community Dinner 4th Sunday of the Month at Immanuel.
July 2nd, No Church at Elk Creek; Community service held at Pleasantville annually
Vacation Bible School 5 evenings beginning Sunday Aug 6th. Program put on by Luther Park Camp staff. Evening meal provided/donated by group or families. Tricia Lyngen and Lindsey Nelson’s names given as education contacts for Elk Creek.
Church in the Barn August 13th, pot luck to follow.
Minutes of meeting to be sent to Tom Wagener, he will
send to the group. Approved minutes will also be sent
to Michelle and Brandi to make them available for
congregation members. Motion to adjourn by Steve, 2nd
by Jim.
Meeting adjourned 8:25 pm 6/1/17nRespectfully, Barb Fischer, Sec.
Come to worship!
“I was glad when they
said unto me, let us go
up to the house of the
Lord.” Psalm 122:1
Meet our New Interim Pastor
Pastor Lowell Bolstad was born in Plentywood, Montana where his parents owned a small
farm and where his father worked in carpentry. When he was five, his family moved to Story
City, Iowa where he grew up and graduated from high school. Post-secondary education took
him to Waldorf Junior College in Forest City, Iowa; Concordia College in Moorhead,
Minnesota; and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.He served an open country two-point parish
near Prairie Farm 1980-90. He took training from the Interim Ministry Network in 1990-91 and
from 1990 to the present he has served in 32 interim assignments including Elk Creek and
Chimney Rock in 1991-92. He has served a total of 44 congregations since 1980. His most recent assignment has been at
Holway and Unity. He served as convener of the Interim Ministry Gathering 1993-2013 and has served as synod reviewer
for congregation constitutions since 2009. He lives alone and has no dependents. He owns a house in Rice Lake. He will
be staying in the parsonage at Strum.
From the Pastor
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God’s own people that you may declare the
wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9
I thank you for the invitation to serve in the partnership
of Gospel as your pastor during this period of transition
in a shared ministry agreement. I am serving under the
appointment of the bishop with the concurrence of the
Congregation Council on May 24. I will start July 1.
The writer of 1Peter speaks of you as a “chosen race, a
royal priesthood, God’s own people.” With this exalted
language, the biblical writer lifts up the ministry of all
the baptized. I look forward to walking together in
carrying out God’s mission in this congregation.
My work as an interim pastor will be in two areas:
pastoral ministry and the shared ministry agreement.
According to the Letter of Agreement
The Bridge Pastor will:
A. Preach and teach the Word of God.
B. Preside at worship and administer the sacraments
according the practice of the ELCA.
C. Provide pastoral care to all members of the parish
according to their needs, visit as necessary, officiate at
weddings, baptisms, confirmation, funerals, and uphold
the members in prayer.
D. Give pastoral leadership for the meetings, activities,
and organizations of the congregation.
E. Encourage support of the total ministry of the ELCA.
F. Be responsible for the recording of baptisms,
confirmations, marriages, funerals, attendance at Holy
Communion, and the maintenance of the membership
rosters; and report the statistics of the parish promptly
and fully, as requested by the ELCA.
G. Agree under no circumstances to be available for
regular call to this congregation.
H. Agree not to be involved in the congregation’s call
process except when the synod bishop requests such
participation.
The congregation will:
A. Commit to the Gospel by faithful participation in
worship, learning, and fellowship activities.
B. Support the ministry of the congregation through
service and gifts.
C. Accept the bridge pastor, uphold him/her in prayer,
and accord him/her love, respect, and good will.
D. Expect the bridge pastor to preside at baptisms,
celebrations of Holy Communion, and other rites of the
church.
E. Agree that the bridge pastor will not be considered
for regular call to this congregation.
F. Provide for a review and evaluation of the bridge
ministry on a quarterly basis and at the conclusion of
the transition period by key leadership of the
congregation with the bridge
pastor and the appointed
synodical staff person.
G. Compensate the bridge
pastor in the following ways:
I will be working to assist
these two congregations to
live into the shared ministry agreement.
Pastor and people can best carry out the work of the
congregation when both enter into a partnership so
that, as a people of God, we can “declare the wonderful
deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light.”
Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Lowell Bolstad
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin is one of 65 synods of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are
comprised of 198 congregations, over 93,000 members,
and over 300 clergy and rostered leaders.
Synod means walking together, which describes our
interdependent ministry relationship as we support
mission partners, carry out synodical and churchwide
initiatives, provide for education events and leadership
training, respond to disaster and emergency needs, and
heed the call to be a church engaged in all the world. The
2017 synod assembly will be Saturday, April 29 at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
The Transition and Call Process in the Northwest
Synod of Wisconsin
Congregations in transition are in a partnership
with the synod, supporting one another and
holding one another accountable to be who
God is creating each to be: the Body of Christ. In
the midst of a transition, the synod staff and
the congregation work closely toward the goal
of finding the right pastor for the next phase of
the congregation’s life.
Prayer: Loving God, be with us and guide us
during this time of discernment. Fill our leaders
with your wisdom. Keep us mindful of the work
you would have us do. Lead us and guide us, O
Lord, to be about the work of your kingdom,
even as the search for a new pastor continues.
Bless all who have taken on extra
responsibilities, and fill them with a sense of
your love and presence. We pray in your Son’s
name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is Christ’s Church.
There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring
confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we
embrace you as a whole person – questions,
complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in
Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Take time for worship
Out of 168 hours in the week, you are invited to take 1
hour for worship!
Invite others to church
Do you know someone in your relation, friendship,
neighborhood, or work settings who may be looking for
a church home? Why not bring them to church with
you? Also, if you see somebody moving into the
neighborhood, mention the church to them. You could
be doing somebody a big favor
Contact information
715.226.0163
pstrbolstad@gmail.com
Elk Creek Church
W16316 Cty Rd OO
Osseo, WI 54758
If you can’t change your circumstances, change the way you respond to them. There is no greater waste of time than
self-pity. Grace is merely letting God find you. Faith isn’t really faith until it’s all that you are holding onto. God will
never lead you where his grace cannot keep you. He who laughs, lasts longer because you laugh. Never apologize for
being who you are. No apologizes, regrets or complaints. Your self-respect is what counts. To live without pain is to live
half-alive, without fullness of life. Sometimes you cannot choose to be joyful. The Bible says if we know the truth it will
set us free (John 8:32). There is a difference between knowing and believing. Knowing implies intimacy, deep
understanding and experience. It is a belief which has matured and taken root. This joy does not depend on
circumstances, but in spite of circumstances. As much depends on ones attitude. Through Christ we have not only
obtained access to this immense stuff we call grace, but even more than that we can share his very life and even rejoice
in our sufferings now (Romans 5). Consider it all joy when you are overwhelmed by trials (James 1). Do not be surprised
by the ordeals we must all endure in order to “prove us.” (I Peter 4:12). Your joy could be restored (Psalm 51:12). Your
joy could be increased (II Corinthians 1:24). The will of God is to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all
circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Otherwise you are in danger of quenching the Spirit (v. 19). The possibility of
joy may seem remote, but the journey should begin. The mark of a Christian isn’t faith or love, but joy in life. Joy doesn’t
depend on circumstances. Some have these ideas that they will have joy later. As soon as the kids are grown, you’ll see
me shine. As soon as I get a better job, then I will be more productive. As soon as I lose weight, then I’ll be truly joyful.
As soon as the car gets fixed, and as soon as the bills get paid, or as soon as I get stronger and my health improves, as
soon, as soon. They have fallen into the endless trap of putting off joy. They have chosen to avoid the wonderful
responsibility of joy in the here and now. Oh yes, in our society you can buy almost anything. Security, comfort,
convenience, status and perhaps even momentary happiness can be purchased. True joy has a different price tag. It has
always been and always will be free. We don’t have to change a thing to find it. Like grace, it is an inexpressible gift,
available to all who choose it. Joy is not cheap. It is not found at the end of the rainbow. It is not captured at the top of
the ladder of success. Its price tag is faithfulness, endurance and perhaps even sorrow. Joy has much to do with how we
see and experience the world. Who are we? Do we have a healthy attitude? Joy is a selfless quality that is magnified
when it is shared. We are a nation of people who want not only material things, but facts. We want information,
knowledge, ownership of commodities, abundance, and we want love and inspiration. Yet, we are a society of unhappy
people. We are lonely, anxious, depressed and dependent. We seem to have forgotten that God created us as human
beings. Have some of you noticed that we are not perfect? Have you tried keeping the rules and working your head off
to please God and you didn’t think it worked. So you quit, so that you could live in harmony with God. Did Christ’s life
show you, how and he helped you to do it. Is your ego no longer? Is it important to you to appear righteous? Christ lives
in us. So the life we are living should be lived in faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave His very life for us. We
are never right in ourselves but only in response to and as a result of God. God working in us and through us. This is the
source of true joy. Amen.