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Northeastern Conference

Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod

God’s Grace Lutheran Community

Formation Documents

1) Frequently Asked Questions, page 2

2) Cooperative Ministry Agreement, page 5

3) Pastors’ Job Descriptions, page 14

4) Budget, page 20

5) Sample Pastors’ Worship Schedule, page 23

6) Pastors’ Biographies, page 24

7) Ballot questions, page 26

What's all this about collaboration?

This is an opportunity for three churches to share pastoral staff and benefit from the unique gifts of each pastor and each congregation. It also allows the congregations to take on projects that are too large for a single congregation to manage alone. (Feast of Justice and Lydia's Closet are wonderful examples of how we are already collaborating without a formal agreement.)

The collaboration committee has been hard at work developing an agreement, job descriptions, budget and sample pastoral schedule. The collaboration committee would greatly appreciate your input on all aspects of the collaboration. Additional copies of all of these documents are available at the church offices.

What do we call this?Well, we've decided to call it God’s Grace Lutheran Community. In some parts of the country, they refer to collaborative ministries as parishes. In this area, parish would be confusing and collaboration is not a word we use in normal conversation. We suggested two (similar) names at the May 31 meeting and those present chose God’s Grace Lutheran Community. The collaboration committee has affirmed this choice.

Is this a merger?No! Each congregation will continue to have its own council, committees or teams, and budgets. Some teams may meet together and councils will also meet jointly occasionally to support joint efforts.

Who are the pastors and what will they do?Pastor Dee Emmert will be full-time. She will handle administration and coordination of duties and also cover the administrative committees (property, finance and stewardship). She will attend two council meetings per month.

Pr. Dana Heiserer will also be full-time. She will coordinate youth and family ministries, confirmation, Christian education, and leadership development. She will attend the other council meeting each month.

Pr. Tricia Neale will be three-quarter time with Feast of Justice and one-quarter time with pastoral duties for God’s Grace Lutheran Community. Her areas of specialty will be social justice and evangelism.

All three pastors will share responsibilities for visiting those who are homebound or in the hospital. They will also share presiding at baptisms, weddings and funerals. All three pastors will have the opportunity to preach or preside in your congregation each month. The schedule will probably include Pr. Dana and Pr. Dee being in each congregation twice a month. Pr. Tricia will serve one week a month in the congregations typically serving with one of the other pastors.

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What about worship times?Since Pr. Dana and Pr. Dee will each be at two congregations every Sunday morning, we will need to make slight adjustments to the worship schedules. We do not plan to move any worship times by more than half an hour. A potential schedule that we have discussed is described near the end of this packet.

How much will all this cost?When the budget was created, we considered what each congregation was paying their pastors currently. The treasurers of all three congregations have had input into the budget. Costs will be similar to the current costs for pastoral coverage. A small amount is also included for Community programming.

How much pastoral coverage will we have?Pastoral coverage will be similar to current levels: One-quarter time for St. Petri-Hope, three-quarter time for Redemption, one and one-quarter time for St. John's, and three-quarter time for Feast of Justice. That time will be divided so that each pastor will use their strengths to serve your congregation. This also means that a member of the pastoral team will always be on call for emergencies. Even when a pastor is on vacation, a pastor that you already know is available for pastoral emergencies.

I've never heard of a collaboration before. How will we know how to do it?Pr. Dee served in a collaboration of four churches in Ohio and brings that experience. Each collaboration is different, however, so we will not being doing things “just like they did in Ohio.” This Lutheran Community is designed to meet the needs of the three congregations here in Philadelphia.

How do I get to know the pastors better?Pr. Dee and Pr. Dana had a pulpit exchange on May 3 and Pr. Dee preached at St. Petri-Hope on June 7. Pastor Dee supply preached at Redemption and St. Petri-Hope on August 16 while Pr. Dana is on vacation. There will be another pulpit exchange and meet and greet events on August 23. Pr. Dana will preach at all three services at St. John’s with a meet and greet following each service. Pr. Dee will preach at a joint service at St. Petri Hope with a meet and greet following the service that day. The same evening at 7:00pm, Redemption will host an outdoor service for all three congregations. Of course, you can make an appointment and meet with any of the pastors over the summer. There will also be an informational meeting at St. Timothy Lutheran Church (7965 Fillmore St.) on August 30th at 2:00pm. (Parking is available in the lot across the street.)

What if one of the churches does not vote to join the Community?That would delay the start of the community for the other two congregations. The budget and pastoral leadership would need to be re-evaluated. A new vote would be taken once that work is completed.

How does this work?

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A Lutheran Community is much like having multiple staff in a larger congregation. Each pastor is available for pastoral emergencies, but each pastor emphasizes those areas where they are strongest. You may relate especially well with one of the pastors. Your children or spouse might relate better with another pastor. You have access to a team of pastors who work together to serve the Community.

In addition, some of the committees may choose to work together as well. Perhaps your congregation does not have much experience with running a stewardship campaign, for example. You can draw on the expertise of the stewardship committee at one of the other congregations. Another example might be that you only have a few young adults—not enough to have an effective fellowship group. By combining the young adults from all three congregations, you can have a larger group that can plan joint fellowship activities or service events.

There can be cost savings by purchasing together as we've already seen with insurance and office supplies. The advantages of a Lutheran Community are limited only by our imagination.

Where can I get more information?Speak directly with your members of the collaboration committee or any pastor. We are excited about the potential of the Lutheran Community and have much more information than we can include here. As the documents reach final form, they will be available at all three church offices.

Dates to remember:Information meeting August 30 2:00pm St. Timothy Lutheran ChurchCongregations vote September 13 at your congregationStart of collaboration November 1

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God’s Grace Lutheran Community Cooperative Ministry Agreement

1) NameThe name of this ministry shall be God’s Grace Lutheran Community.

2) PurposeWe are called by God to come together to strengthen our mission and share our vast diversity of resources, while proclaiming and witnessing the word of God, through the love of Jesus Christ in Northeast Philadelphia and the world. We are committed to evolving, deepening, and growing in our faith journeys, seeking justice, serving one another, and working cooperatively to plan and engage in ministry and mission.

3) GuidelinesIn pursuit of this purpose, we will(a) proclaim Jesus as Lord in word and deed(b) be guided by scripture and led by the Holy Spirit(c) be open to God's work in and around us(d) love one another, respect one another and pray for one another(e) pray and worship together regularly and find new opportunities to worship

together(f) speak the truth in love and listen to one another in love(g) be flexible and open to change(h) respect and honor the gifts of each congregation and the gifts and ministries

of the Community as a whole(i) seek to enhance a cooperative relationship with the overall area mission

strategy of the Northeast Conference of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod

4) Administration / Managementa) The Community shall be managed by a Community Board consisting of two

members from each congregation in the Community, one of which will be a representative from their congregational council, and all of the pastors of the Community. The lay members shall serve for alternating two year terms. Each congregation council will elect one Board member annually, to a two-year term with a maximum of three terms. Rhawnhurst Turning Point and Feast of Justice are invited to send a representative from the staff or board of directors with voice but no vote to a two-year term on the Community Board, which may be renewed indefinitely.

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b) The Community Board will:i) oversee and provide for the administration of this Community to enable

it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.ii) promote peace and goodwill and, as differences and conflicts arise,

endeavor to foster mutual resolutioniii) have general oversight of the life and activities of this Communityiv) lead this Community by promoting its mission, doing long-range

planning, setting goals and priorities, and evaluating its activities in light of its mission and goals.

c) The Community Board will meet at least quarterly. d) The Community Board will elect a chairperson annually. The position will

rotate among the congregations. The chairperson shall lead Community Board meetings.

e) The Community Board will elect a secretary annually. The position will rotate among the congregations. The secretary shall take minutes at Community Board meetings and prepare deposits and report them to the treasurer.

f) The Community Board will elect a treasurer to a two-year term. The treasurer may serve two consecutive terms. The treasurer shall have voice in the meetings of the Community Board, and if a member of the Community Board then retain their vote. The treasurer shall not serve as the treasurer of any of the congregations but shall be a member of one of the congregations. The position will rotate among the congregations.

g) The treasurer shall: i) prepare and submit a report of all financial transactions to the

Community Board at least quarterly.ii) assist in the preparation of the annual budget of the Community.Iii) keep the bank accounts for the Community.iv) keep the books of account of the Community.v) disburse all funds as directed by the Community Board. All

disbursements will require an approval from the Community Board and the checks will require signatures from representatives from at least two congregations.

vi) train the next treasurervii)take the necessary steps to protect this Community Board and its

members from liability.

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5) The Authority of the CommunityThe authority of the Community rests with the Community Board, who is responsible to develop Community ministry plans and strive to implement those plans. Each congregation shall maintain authority for decisions regarding their individual congregations. In consultation with the congregational treasurers, the Community Board has authority to set the compensation package for Community staff in accordance with the compensation guidelines of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA.

6) EntryA 2/3 majority vote of the present and voting members at a congregational meeting called in accordance with that congregation's constitution shall be required for that congregation to adopt these Articles of Agreement and enter the Community.

7) TimeBased on ratification by each congregation, these articles of agreement shall take effect November 1, 2015. In the interim between the ratification of these articles and their effective date, the members of the collaboration committee representing congregations entering the Community shall serve as an interim Community Board for administrative matters.

8) Responsibilitiesa) Pastoral Responsibilities: In keeping with the responsibilities of pastors as

defined in the constitutions of the ELCA and the Letter of Call to Ordained Ministry, the pastors of this Community shall i) Lead worship, including preaching, administration of the sacraments,

marriages and funerals. The pastors shall rotate in their worship leadership in each of the congregations of the Community.

ii) Provide for and coordinate pastoral care, including visitation of and care for the sick, the homebound, the grieving, inactive and prospective members, and members of the broader community as appropriate.

iii) Engage in continuing education and professional development and share insights learned within the Community.

iv) Build and nurture relationships with and between the members of the Community.

v) Equip the believers to share in ministry and mission.vi) Provide for faith formation and discipleship, including

confirmation/catechism classes, new member classes, regular Bible

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study, and teaching and modeling spiritual disciplines (prayer, tithing, fasting, meditation, etc.)

vii) Ensure that the records and rosters of the congregations are maintained annually

b) Congregational ResponsibilitiesThe congregations of this Community shalli) Practice active hospitality, inviting others to participate in the life of this

Community and welcoming guests in the name of Christ.ii) Nurture relationships with one another and with the neighborhoods at

large.iii) Engage in neighborhood outreach, including feeding the hungry,

sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and caring for the least, the last, the lost and the lonely in the spirit of Matthew 25:31-46.

iv) Participate actively in the shared ministries of this Community and actively seek opportunities to share ministry with each other.

v) Engage in self-study and reflection to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

vi) Actively seek to communicate to their members and to other congregations within this Community about their mission and ministry.

vii) Commit to welcoming and loving treatment of rostered leaders and their families and honor the ministries of all leaders within the Community.

viii)Seek to grow faithfully in Mission Support to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the ministries of the Universal Church.

ix) Be good stewards of and make faithful use of buildings, grounds and other congregational assets.

x) Be accountable to and support one another in love as fellow workers in Christ.

xi) Be flexible and open to change.

c) Responsibilities of All BelieversGoverned by a spirit of love, mercy and compassion in our life together, believers will be encouraged to i) Attend worship regularlyii) Participate actively in the ministries of the Community and

congregationsiii) Grow in faith through:

1) daily prayer

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2) regular study of Scripture 3) service in the congregations, community and wider world4) generous giving 5) and the intentional practice of Christian discipleship

iv) Be open-minded and willing to change

As followers of Jesus Christ, we will commit to love one another, serve one another, listen to one another, be honest with one another, care for one another, trust one another, challenge one another, encourage one another, hold one another accountable and receive every person as we would receive Jesus Christ.

9) Call Process The call of a pastor shall be under the guidance of the Office of the Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. There shall be a call committee for the Community, consisting of at least two members from each congregation and no less than six total members. The members of the call committee shall be elected by the respective congregation councils. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at a congregational meeting of each congregation called in accordance with the congregation’s constitution shall be necessary for approval of the pastoral candidate. When the congregations affirm that the candidate is called to the Community and when the candidate accepts the affirmation, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Council will vote to call the pastoral candidate to the Community. A Covenant of Relationship shall be signed by the Council Presidents of the Community, the President and Secretary of the Community Board, and the Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

Pastors may also be accepted by contract. This process shall be under the guidance of the Office of the Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. There shall be a call committee for the Community, consisting of at least two members from each congregation and no less than six total members. The members of the call committee shall be elected by the respective congregation councils. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at a congregational meeting of each congregation called in accordance with the congregation’s constitution shall be necessary for approval of the pastoral candidate. A Covenant of Relationship shall be signed by the Council Presidents of the Community, the President and Secretary of the Community Board, and the Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

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10) Mutual Ministry CommitteeThere shall be a Mutual Ministry Committee consisting of two members from each congregation in the Community, and no less than six members. The members of the committee shall be selected in consultation between the rostered leaders and Community Board. The Mutual Ministry Committee will be affirmed by the Community Board. The Mutual Ministry Committee shall facilitate communication and assist the rostered leaders and congregations in reviewing the ministry goals of the Community and the respective congregations.

11) Shared Expenses a) The Community will share staff expenses as appropriate, including the

compensation and benefits for:i) rostered leadersii) shared administrative staff, if applicableiii) shared programmatic staff, if applicableiv) shared musicians, if applicablev) shared music director, if applicable

b) The Community will seek, as much as possible, to share expenses related to programming of mission and ministry, such as, but not limited to,I) office equipment and suppliesii) software and licensingiii) confirmation instructioniv) youth ministryv) musicvi) special eventsvii) vehiclesviii) internet presenceix) shared resources such as licenses or membershipsx) administrative costs such as audits and payroll services

12) Pastor’s CompensationCompensation of pastors and rostered leaders will be consistent with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Compensation Guidelines.

13) FinancesThere shall be a Community treasury out of which the treasurer shall pay all expenses. The secretary will make all deposits into the treasury. An annual review will be conducted by an outside CPA firm and shared with the Community Board

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and all congregations of the Community. The fiscal year shall end on September 30th

each year.

For the 11 month period beginning 11/1/15, the participating congregations commit to contribute financially to the Community, in equal monthly installments, one-twelfth each month of the following annual amounts:

Redemption Lutheran Church: $ 69,000Saint John Lutheran Church: $127,000Saint Petri-Hope Lutheran Church: $ 26,100

For the next fiscal year, the participating congregations commit to contribute financially to the Community, in equal monthly installments, 3% more than the previous year.

14) Special MeetingsSpecial meetings of the Community may be called by the Community Board chairperson in consultation with the individual congregational council presidents and the pastors, or by any three Board members representing at least two congregations. In the event of non-emergency meetings, there will be two weeks advance notice.

15) Review and ChangesThe participating congregations agree to an annual review of this agreement to be conducted in consultation with the pastors, the councils of the participating congregations and the Office of Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

All proposals for changes shall be recommended by the Community Board to each congregation council for congregational vote. Changes or modifications to these Articles of Agreement may be made by a 2/3 vote of present and voting members of each congregation at congregational meetings called in accordance with congregational constitutions or a Community-wide meeting.

16) Terms of Dissolution/TerminationAfter consultation with the Office of the Bishop, termination of this agreement by a congregation shall be by a 2/3 majority vote of the present and voting members of the congregation voting at a congregational meeting called in accordance with that

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congregation’s constitution. At least a nine months’ notice will be given of a congregation’s intention to withdraw from the Community.

17) Specific Arrangements/OtherWorship times shall be established in consultation between the congregations of the Community and the Community Board.

18) Adding Congregations to the Community Any Northeast Philadelphia Conference congregation in good standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may apply to become a part of the Community by the following process: a) A Formal letter of request must be sent from the secretary of the applying

congregation to the Community Board, then, upon approval of the Community Board,

b) Formal letters of request are sent to the presidents of all Congregational Councils currently making up the Community, then,

c) The Council presidents will meet with the Council president and other representatives of the applying congregation, then, upon approval of the presidents,

d) The Community Board shall revise the agreement and budget to include the new congregation(s). The new agreement shall be shared with each current Congregational Council. Then, upon approval of each current Congregational council,

e) The applying congregation will hold a special congregational meeting in accordance with their constitution and hold a formal vote to join the Community.

f) A special Community meeting will be held with at least 2 weeks written notice. A 2/3 majority vote of the present and voting members is required at the special Community meeting for the applying congregation to join.

g) No congregations may be added within six months of each other except that more than one congregation may be added on the same date. If possible, congregations will be added at the start of a fiscal year. (Note: this is to prevent the dynamics of the Community from changing every couple of months.)

19) In the beginning...a) Effective November 1, 2015, there shall be a moratorium on the addition or

dismissal of any congregation or organization to or from the Community until October 1, 2017.

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b) Each congregation council will elect one Board member to a one-year term and one Board member to a two-year term.

c) Upon ratification of the agreement, the pastors will receive a Synod Call to the Community or a contract. They will also receive a Letter of Relationship from the Community and then resign from their current calls.

Signatures Date

_______________________________________________________ _____________________Redemption Lutheran Church

______________________________________________________ _____________________St. John's Lutheran Church

______________________________________________________ _____________________St. Petri—Hope Lutheran Church

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God’s Grace Lutheran Community(Redemption, St. John’s and St. Petri-Hope Lutheran Churches)

Seeking: Pastor (Specialty: Administration & Stewardship) for Collaboration between three churches in an urban communityPastor Dee Emmert Job DescriptionThe Pastor provides spiritual oversight and leadership direction to church leaders and the congregation. The Pastor is to be a champion of the churches’ mission statements and visions and equip all the believers to share in ministry and mission. The Pastor will coordinate with Pastoral staff to lead all church ministries and committees with cooperation from each Church Council. The Pastor shall:

Lead worship, including preaching, administration of the sacraments, marriages and funerals. The Pastors shall rotate in their worship leadership in each of the congregations of the Community.

Special worship services will be planned in collaboration with the Pastoral staff and the congregation’s worship teams. These services should be well-prepared, honoring to the Lord, and in a form that is most suitable for our Community.

Coordinate with Pastoral staff to schedule and preside over funerals and wedding. Generally, pastors who have had the most contact with family will preside.

Meet as needed for regular worship planning.

Coordinate with Pastoral staff and lay leaders to ensure visitation and Pastoral care is provides throughout the community. This includes visitation of and care for the sick, the homebound, the grieving, inactive and prospective members and members of the broader community as appropriate.

Engage in continuing education, professional development and leadership training and share insights learned within the community.

Practice active hospitality, inviting others to participate in the life of this Community and welcoming guests in the name of Christ.

Maintain contact with all supported church missionaries and missions. Also have the congregation involved in the lives and ministries of those missionaries and missions.

Administration of church employees including annual performance reviews. This includes office, staff, janitorial, grounds and buildings. This is not to imply that the Pastor will do these things: only that the Pastor will oversee and delegate them as appropriate.

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Ensure that the records and rosters of the congregations are maintained annually

Engage in the Financial activities of each church

Responsibly plan and manage congregational resources of time, talents and treasures as well as be good stewards of and make faithful use of buildings, grounds and other congregational assets.

Attend at least one (1) pastoral staff meeting each month

Regularly attend two (2) council meetings per month

Attend the Community Board meetings as scheduled.

Be flexible with time schedule. Regular office hours at St. John’s

Vacation The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod recommends a minimum of four weeks’

vacation, including 4 Sundays.

Continuing Education Time Continuing education benefits the rostered leader, the congregation and the

ministry that they do together. A minimum of 2 weeks per year, including Sundays, is recommended.

Disability The Community is expected to pay salary, housing, social security allowance

and the medical, dental, and survivors insurance contributions during the first two months of disability. These expenses would continue even as the congregation paid for supply pastors or other pastoral coverage.

The ELCA Board of Pensions begins to provide disability payment in the third month.

Parental Leave The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod recommends up to six weeks with full

salary and benefits at the adoption or birth of a child.

Other responsibilities as shall reasonably be deemed necessary.

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Seeking: Pastor (Specialty: Christian Education & Families, Leadership Development) for Collaboration between three churches in an urban communityPastor Dana Heiserer Job DescriptionThe Pastor provides spiritual oversight and leadership direction to church leaders and the congregation. The Pastor is to be a champion of the churches’ mission statements and visions and equip all the believers to share in ministry and mission. The Pastor will coordinate with Pastoral staff to lead all church ministries and committees with cooperation from each Church Council. The Pastor shall:




Meet as needed for regular worship planning



Support Christian Education in order to foster spiritual growth and discipleship, including Sunday School, 1st Holy Communion classes, Confirmation classes, New Member classes, Baptismal classes, regular Bible Study, and teaching. Baptisms, 1st Holy Communion, New Member reception and Confirmation will be scheduled and coordinated by the Pastoral staff.

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Assist with the planning of youth activities as well as strengthening the spiritual growth of all Children, Youth and Families in our Community.





Regularly attend one (1) council meeting per month


Be flexible with their time schedule. Regular office hours at Redemption Office hours at St. Petri-Hope as needed








Parental Leave

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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod recommends up to six weeks with full salary and benefits at the adoption or birth of a child.


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Seeking: Pastor (Specialty: Social Justice & Evangelism) for Collaboration between three churches in an urban community

Pastor Tricia Neale Job DescriptionThe Pastor provides spiritual oversight and leadership direction to church leaders and the congregation. The Pastor is to be a champion of the churches’ mission statements and visions and equip all the believers to share in ministry and mission. The Pastor will coordinate with Pastoral staff to lead all church ministries and committees with cooperation from each Church Council. The Pastor shall:




Meet as needed for regular worship planning



Build and nurture relationships with and between the members of the community. Delegate and oversee the planning of outreach activities in the surrounding neighborhoods and work toward creating an inviting environment in the congregations.


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Engage in neighborhood outreach, including feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and caring for the least, the last, the lost and the lonely in the spirit of Matthew 25:31-46.





Be flexible with their time schedule. Regular office hours will be at Feast of Justice








Parental Leave The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod recommends up to six weeks with full

salary and benefits at the adoption or birth of a child.


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God’s Grace Lutheran Community 2015-2016 Annualized BudgetTo be prorated for 10-month period

IncomeRedemption 69,000St. John 127,000St. Petri-Hope 26,100Total Income 222,100

ExpensesPastor Emmert (Full Time, parsonage on Fuller St)Base Salary 70,0001/2 Social Security (7.65%) 5,355

Portico BenefitsHealth Insurance - Gold 12,108Retirement (12% Total Defined Compensation) 9,043Housing Equity 0Disability (2.5%) 1,884Basic Group Life (0.8%) 603Retiree Support (0.7%) 527Portico Total 24,165

Continuing Education 1,000Professional Expenses 500Travel Allowance 2,000

Total Defined Compensation 75,355Total Package 103,020

Pastor Heiserer (Full Time, parsonage on Jackson St)Base Salary 56,0001/2 Social Security (7.65% of base salary) 4,284

Portico BenefitsHealth Insurance - Gold 5,848Retirement (12% Total Defined Compensation) 7,234Housing Equity 0Disability (2.5%) 1,507Basic Group Life (0.8%) 482Retiree Support (0.7%) 422Portico Total 15,493

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Continuing Education 1,000Professional Expenses 500Travel Allowance 2,000


Pastor Neale (25% time, no parsonage)Base Salary 21,2501/2 Social Security (7.65% of defined compensation) 1,626

Portico BenefitsHealth Insurance 0Retirement (12% Total Defined Compensation) 2,745Housing Equity 0Disability (2.5%) 572Basic Group Life (0.8%) 183Retiree Support (0.7%) 160Portico Total 3,660

Continuing Education 250Professional Expenses 125Travel Allowance 500


Supply pastors 1,500Total Staff Expenses 211,208

PROGRAMFellowship Events (e.g. Community Picnic) 1,000Evangelism Activities 500Youth and Christian Education 500New initiatives 2,000Discretionary Fund 1,000Mission Support (currently provided by individual congregations) 0Total Program Expenses 5,000

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ADMINISTRATIONInsurance 1,500Professional Fees - Accounting 3,000Payroll Processing Fees 1,200Total Administrative Expenses 5,700

Total Expenses 221,908Net (Total Income - Total Expenses) 192 Congregational Savings:St. John ($124k was their identical package for 1.25 pastors)Redemption (saving some by going to 75% time pastoral coverage)St. P-H (already saving significantly by going to 25% time pastoral coverage)

Total defined compensation adds together base salary with Social Security allowance, and is used for calculating Portico benefits. Base salary includes any housing, furnishings and utilities allowance.

Total Package is the base salary, all benefits, and parsonage (good figure to know to be able to compare your total package to someone with a different housing situation).

NOTE: The Community will contract with Feast of Justice for Pr. Tricia’s services. While the cost of benefits is separated out here for comparison, a single lump sum would be paid to Feast of Justice monthly to cover her compensation.

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Sample Pastoral ScheduleOdd monthsSJLC 8am/SPH RLC/SJLC 5pm & 11:15am

Week 1 Pr. Heiserer—A Pr. EmmertWeek 2 Pr. Heiserer Pr. Emmert—BWeek 3 Pr. Emmert Pr. HeisererWeek 4 Pr. Emmert Pr. HeisererWeek 5 Whatever is needed to improve balance

Even monthsSJLC 8am/SPH RLC/SJLC 5pm & 11:15am

Week 1 Pr. Heiserer—B Pr. EmmertWeek 2 Pr. Heiserer Pr. Emmert—AWeek 3 Pr. Emmert Pr. HeisererWeek 4 Pr. Emmert Pr. HeisererWeek 5 Whatever is needed to improve balance

A = Pr. Neale preachesB = Pr. Neale presides

SJLC = St John's Lutheran ChurchSPH = St Petri-Hope Lutheran ChurchRLC = Redemption Lutheran Church

Note: Possible adjustment to worship times: Redemption to 9:15am, St. Petri-Hope to 10:30am, St. John's to 5pm Sat., 8:00 and 11:15am Sunday

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Meet the Pastors

Pr. Tricia Neale has been serving at St. John’s as Associate Pastor and Executive Director of Feast of Justice since 2007, when she graduated from LTSP with a concentration in Urban Ministry. She had previously served at St. John’s as an intern, so she is actually completing her 10th year in the congregation in 2015.

Before seminary, Pr. Tricia worked as a biomedical engineer in orthopedics research at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for 7 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia, and her master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, where most of her large Italian family still lives.

She lives in Rhawnhurst with her husband, David, who teaches high school in Philadelphia, and her three sons, Andy (15), Luke (10), and Micah (4). Her passions include healthy eating, exercise, and mastering the role of chauffeur for three very active boys.

In ministry, her areas of skill and focus center on social justice issues. She enjoys working not only in the realm of direct service but also in community engagement and partnerships. She considers her call to be one of Word and Service and Sacrament and feels blessed to walk with others in their journey of faith while stretching our understanding of all being welcomed to the table of the Lord.

Pastor Dana Heiserer

Greetings to you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail. I’m Pastor Dana Heiserer! I’ve been St. Petri-Hope’s pastor for over 4 years, and have been Redemption’s bridge pastor for the last 3 months, and I’m so very excited and privileged to walk with these two congregations during this time. I thought I could share just a bit about myself, so you can get to know me a little better.

So, 10 facts about me:

1. We’ll start with the question I get asked the most. Yes, I’m tall. I’m 6’3, which means that you won’t find me wearing heels very often.

2. I was born and raised on Long Island, NY. That’s where my parents and brother still live.

3. I have one brother, his name is Jesse, and I’m the oldest.

4. I went to college in upstate NY at the University of NY at Albany. I began college as a Physics major and switched halfway through to Religious studies.

5. I attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia and graduated with an M.Div. and a concentration in Urban Ministry.

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6. I was an intern pastor in Minneapolis, MN for over a year, and while there I helped them to develop a hip-hop worship service with the youth.

7. I’m an animal lover, I own two dogs – Kallie and Bella – both are German Shorthaired Pointers, and I volunteer with the German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue of PA. I foster dogs for them, so occasionally I have a house guest and I help with fundraising and other tasks.

8. I am very artsy and love crafts. I can draw, paint, knit (although I’m a bit rusty), make jewelry, bake, cook and pretty much anything else crafty.

9. I have three tattoos and have in the past had my hair colored: purple, red, and pink.

10. I don’t like chocolate very much. It can take me months to go through just even a small amount of it. If I do eat it, I prefer dark.

I hope that helps you get to know a little bit about me, but there is so much more as well! I encourage you all to feel free to invite me over for a cup of coffee, or out for a donut or lunch – so I can get to know you as well! You don’t have to invite me to your home (but you could), but we can meet somewhere just to get to know each other. I hope to get to know all of you as well!

Pastor Dee Emmert comes to us from Hope Lutheran Parish in Warren, Ohio where she served for six years and participated in the creation of a collaboration of four congregations. Before that she served at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norton, Ohio (near Akron) for seven and a half years. She graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 2001. Prior to seminary, Pastor Emmert was the owner of Solution Finders, a consulting firm that assisted businesses in finding solutions using computers. Prior to that, she was a computer programmer and systems analyst in the Cleveland area.

In Warren, Pastor Dee served on the board of directors of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and was dean of the Eastern Conference.

Pastor Dee grew up in Michigan, is an alumna of Michigan State University and has a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Kent State University in Ohio.

Pastor Dee has two grown sons. Ben, 30, is preparing for his internship to be a clinical psychologist. Jacob is 25 and is a development operations technician for Zuora in San Francisco. He majored in physics and math and computer science and has a Master of Science degree in quantum. She also has a stepson, Matthew who is 30 and lives in Akron.

In her spare time, Pastor Dee enjoys knitting prayer shawls, reading Sue Grafton mysteries, and ballroom dancing. She is also a Level 2 Reiki practitioner. At one time, she owned a cherry red Shadow 500 motorcycle.

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God’s Grace Lutheran Community Formation BallotsSeptember 13, 2015

1) Become a member of God’s Grace Lutheran Community as described in the God’s Grace Lutheran Community Cooperative Ministry Agreement

___________ Yes _______________ No

2) Welcome a synod call to Pr. Dee Emmert, Pr. Dana Heiserer, and contract for Pr. Tricia Neale to serve the God’s Grace Lutheran Community

___________ Yes _______________ No

3) Adopt the God’s Grace Lutheran Community November 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016 budget (as amended)

___________ Yes _______________ No

______________________________________________________________________________

Note to Council Presidents: You may need to vote to modify your congregational budgets to reflect these changes. Your council will also need to select two representatives to the community board.

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