Congregational Annual Report (June 2019 through May 2020)

Semi-Annual Meeting June 28, 2020

Table of Contents Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting Agenda President’s Report Call Committee Report Ministry Team Reports Community Action Congregational Life & Feeding the Hungry Faith Foundations Finance and Administration Property Management Worship and Music & Ushers and Readers

President’s Message As we enter Bethel’s Seventy-fifth year, the changes Bethel has faced have been some of the most significant I have seen as a member. In reflection, I cannot help finding myself thinking over Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 that there is “a time to every purpose under the heavens.” As this passage points out, life often is a series of contradictory events. This last year began with the Leadership Retreat finalizing our congregational profile in order to call a new pastor. We watched our congregation continue under the spiritual leadership of Interim Pastor Cindy Beck. We approved a much-needed update to our constitution and wrote a policy and procedure manual for the congregation. We saw major improvements to the facilities that included reroofing. We established a new relationship with Incarnation Anglican Church. We have embraced our relationship to each other and to God through a variety of fellowship and worship activities. However, we still find ourselves without a pastor. We lost our spiritual leader to another calling. We have placed many other improvement projects on hold. When faced with COVID-19, we have done our best to support both of our tenants, the American Montessori Academy and Incarnation. We found a time to refrain from embracing in order to keep ourselves safe. Some of these changes we must celebrate; some of these changes we must endure; and, some of these changes we must overcome. Ecclesiastes offers us a way to deal with the changes we face which is to rejoice and to do good in our lives. Patrick Gale, Congregation President

Call Committee Report June 2020

Members of the Call Committee have continued to meet frequently throughout the last twelve months. Our timeline shared last June proved to be a bit optimistic, but we continue to be patient and believe that we are following God’s plan for Bethel. Last Summer, we entertained talks with Grace Lutheran Church in Lincoln about the possibility of a shared pastoral call. After a while it became apparent that this would not be a good fit for Bethel and with congregation input, decided to continue on the path of calling a pastor to a ¾ time position. Once that question was settled, we were able to submit our Ministry Site Profile. After some small adjustments suggested by Pastor Katy Grindberg, our synod liaison, the MSP was available for potential pastors to look at. Meanwhile, Pr. Katy began a search for viable candidates for us. Due to staff vacations and the holiday season, she was unable to find us candidates until early 2020. Meanwhile, the committee was hard at work researching and writing interview questions and crafting a description of expectations for a part time pastor. We felt that we needed to include a younger perspective in the interview process and with the blessing of Pr. Katy, Audrey Gale, was added to the committee. Finally, we were given candidate profiles at the beginning of March. We interviewed all of the candidates via Zoom twice – beginning just as the COVID-19 crisis took hold and lives were turned upside down. All of the candidates live out of state which added a layer of time zone complexity to setting up interviews. Eventually, we narrowed down our options to one candidate who we are very excited about. The candidate has been given a compensation package outline to consider and we continue to touch base and keep communication open. The synod highly recommends that we wait until we can meet the candidate in person before we extend a call. The candidate also wishes to meet us and see Roseville as part of their discernment process. We are currently in conversation with Pr. Katy and the candidate about what a visit to Roseville might look like in the time of coronavirus restrictions. Please continue to keep the process, the Call Committee, the congregation, and the candidate in your prayers as we all listen for God’s direction in the coming weeks. Faithfully yours the Bethel Call Committee,

Lisa Herlocker, Chairperson Linda Dunn, Kristen Blackburn, Rick Mendonsa, Tom Selke, and Audrey Gale

Ministry Team Reports

Like all small congregations, Bethel is dependent on our volunteers to

keep our community thriving. The programs that define Bethel would

not exist without the support of each and every one of you. The

many volunteers of Bethel are the heart of what we do as a

community of God.

This has been especially true these past few months of coronavirus

pandemic upheaval to all of our “normal” lives. The volunteers of

Bethel have kept the congregation together through uncertain times.

We’ve adapted and found ways to keep ministries active. Worship

attendance and offerings remain consistent. Volunteers continue to

show up to maintain our property. Others have worked hard to keep

members connected through phone calls, letters, and video chats.

As you read the following reports, take a moment to recall the folks

you’ve seen in action doing God’s work. Take a moment to

acknowledge all you yourself contribute. Pause to thank God for the

many ways God is using us today. Continue to pray and seek out new

ways to live out our baptismal call to love like Jesus as we live among

God’s people as the community of Bethel.

Community Action Team or C.A.T. Annual Report June 2020

Ministry Team Members: Kelly Mendonsa (Chairperson) and Alta Winters.

The Community Action Team (C.A.T.) is a committee dedicated to supporting the Roseville community as well as members of Bethel. We meet whenever a need is identified. We are continually looking for volunteer opportunities to serve our community, and we welcome any ideas from our caring family members at Bethel. Please feel free to discuss any ideas or concerns with any of our committee members. We lost several key members over the past year and would like to extend an invitation to any of Bethel’s members who wish to serve our Lord by helping out on our committee or taking the lead on any special volunteer activity or project.

This past year, C.A.T. has been active in supporting the community and Bethel in the following ways: 1. Bethel’s members are active in the Ecumenical Feeding Program in Roseville. For questions

or to sign up to help, contact Scott Larson.

2. This past September for the ELCA’s God’s Work Our Hands Sunday project, we collected school supplies for “needy” classrooms. We filled 15 boxes which were distributed in January to grateful teachers at Crestmont Elementary in Roseville

3. Members of Bethel support St. John’s Program for Real Change (a homeless shelter for women & children in Sacramento) in various ways. We maintain a current list of items needed and donations can be placed in the white basket in the back of the sanctuary. We hosted our annual “shopping mall” for the kids at the shelter using Bethel donations. Kids are able to “shop” and wrap a gift to present their moms on Christmas morning. This past Easter, we continued our tradition of bringing the children Easter baskets. The Spirited Women’s group continues to make drawstring backpacks to be filled with needed items for clients entering the shelter. Due to coronavirus restrictions, we were not able to have our annual “May Panty Drive” for the women of the shelter, but plan to resume it next year.

4. Friends Helping Friends is a program that includes visitation and assistance with rides, meals, errands, shopping, and lawn or home care. If you need assistance or would like to volunteer in this capacity, please contact us. A special “thank you” to all of you who have made this program a success, and to those who make visiting and helping a part of your life.

5. The Crisis Management Team is always available to help families and/or members in crisis. The CMT can be the first point of contact in a crisis situation. Call any member for assistance.

6. The Bethel Prayer Chain continues to be a source of hope, support, and prayer. We have an email chain and a texting chain. To begin a prayer request contact Alta or Kelly.

7. This year with the onset of COVID-19 and restrictions of gatherings in March, we set up a Bethel Contact Tree. The goal was that each member was contacted regularly and if they needed something they had a specific person to contact. We set up seven designated Callers who were assigned a group of members to contact on a regular basis. The callers were given guidelines as to what kinds of things to check on: immediate needs, shopping help, prayer requests, intervals for contact, rides, etc. In addition, there were four Point People, who were available if the Callers had a need or became aware of a need that they themselves could not provide.

Sincerely, Kelly Mendonsa 916-952-8316

Congregational Life Ministry Team June 2020 Report

The Congregational Life Ministry Team plans events throughout the church year to welcome new members and create closer relationships within our church community. Many of our activities are done in coordination with the ministries of other teams, including Faith Foundations and Worship & Music.

Like many congregations we have our traditions. Each year we plan and implement a full calendar of fellowship activities. Historically this has included:

• A weekly fellowship time after worship • An annual Oktoberfest • Christmas tree decorating • A family friendly New Year’s Eve party • Lenten and Advent soup suppers • Easter breakfast • Congregational game nights • River Cats games • Congregational pool party and BBQ • An Ice Cream Feed and 4th of July fireworks display • Camp Bethel, our annual campout on the church lawn • Progressive Dinner party

Beginning in March of this year, our list was dramatically shortened due to COVID-19 restrictions. This has meant no in-person activities; however, we have met online via Zoom for a time of fellowship each Sunday after worship and each Wednesday evening.

We are always looking for new, fun ways to experience fellowship, so if you have ideas for activities or would like to help out with upcoming events, please contact Terri Larson.

Feeding the Hungry 2019-20

For many years, on the third Sunday of each odd number month, Bethel members cook and serve an afternoon meal at Roseville’s St. Vincent de Paul Society kitchen located at Bonita Street and Riverside in downtown Roseville.

We prepare a meal with food provided by Bethel and St. Vincent’s. Cash donations to help fund this are welcome. Each year, the children of Bethel collect money during the Souper Bowl of Caring event and donate all contributions directly to this feeding program. For now, due to the coronavirus safety procedures, we have been asked to hold off on our volunteer efforts. However, if you would like to help us with this ministry once we allowed to resume, please contact Scott Larson.

Faith Foundations Annual Report 2020

Faith Formation – Christian Education – Sunday School – whatever you call it, Bethel has found it difficult to gain traction for a traditional week to week program this year – even before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Last Fall, adults occasionally met with Pastor Cindy for Bible-based faith conversations around contemporary topics. Children met with me for story time and art. Because we know that faith is built and strengthened in other ways we adapted and began to build new programs to meet members’ needs.

A new idea is the recently organized small group for adults “Anti-Racist Conversations.” Meeting via Zoom, they seek ways to grow in faith as while supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been historically disadvantaged by systematic racism. They are hoping to use this time together to continue to live into our welcome statement in real, practical ways.

Our Little Lutherans met throughout the past year for fun, fellowship, and service. They enjoyed canoeing in Dry Creek thanks to Jeff & Lan Dodge, painted pumpkins in October, made Christmas decorations for the sanctuary tree, and went roller skating in February. They created Valentine’s Day cards for the members of Bethel as a way of giving back. In March, as they celebrated their newest member, Ronin’s baptism, each child was given a copy of, Come to the Water, by Daniel Erlander in either board book or interactive journal form to help deepen their understanding of the sacrament of baptism. When stay at home orders hit, the fun moved online. They hung out with each other and “Ms Lisa” on Zoom, taking part in scavenger hunts, reading bedtime stories to each other, and sharing favorite toys. They have just begun to participate in Compassion Camp a virtual VBS experience which includes activities with their families and Zoom meet-ups with me.

Due to PG&E Public Safety Power Shut-offs last October, the annual Synod Elementary School Retreat at Mt. Cross was combined with the November Middle School Retreat. Andrew Chan attended this high-energy combo retreat and had a great time in the redwoods learning how trusting in God’s love can conquer fears.

During the Advent Season, families colored large posters that became the focal point of our annual Christmas Program. During worship on December 22nd Little Lutherans led the congregation with their singing, recitations, and readings. This is part of our calling to help develop worship participants and leaders. A special thanks goes to Audrey Gale for teaching the kids a few new songs.

On a personal note, I love watching these kids grow and can’t wait for them to become active youth group members! It’s been fun to spend a few minutes during our Zoom worship gatherings sharing a children’s message with our young ones – and encouraging them to read and participate as worship leaders online. I continue to share my gifts with the larger church, too, and hope that my work in these areas leads to deeper connections for Bethel. I am the Adult Co-chair of the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee and the Region 2 Facilitator for the ELCA Children, Youth & Family Network. I was part of the 2020 Western States Youth Gathering planning team and am once again the Synod Coordinator for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering.

I look forward to more shared adventures as we experience God’s love together as a community of faith.

Lisa Herlocker, Faith Foundations Ministry Team Leader

FinanceandAdministrationTeamReport2019FiscalYear

TheFinanceandAdministrationMinistryTeam(FA)ischargedwiththeresponsibilityofmonitoringandplanningtheChurch’sfinancialassetsandoverallfinancialoperationalaspectsoftheChurch.WorkingcloselywiththeTreasurer,FAmonitorscashflow,budgetcompliance,paystheexpensesofthechurch,preparespayrollreportsforFederalandStategovernments,andreportsmonthlyfinancialoperationstotheServantTeam.OurTreasurer,RickMendonsaservesasamemberofFAandisourrepresentativeontheServantTeam.ScottLarsonprovidesregularreportsontheChurch’sfinancialactivitytotheServantTeam,paysourbillsandfilesrequiredemployeepayrolltaxreports.JeriWartena,Bethel’sFinancialSecretary,isresponsiblefortithingpledges,preparesmemberquarterlyandannualgivingstatements.FA’scountersaresupervisedbyRickMendonsa.Thankstoallforlendingahand.

Ourmember’stithein2019was$88,420.31,ascomparedto$80,948.14in2018.Titheisanumberthatisacombinationofenvelope,electronic,andlooseplategiving.AMAreceiptsin2019were$66,395.49,ascomparedto$55,703.83in2018.OurAMAreceiptsarebasedonabaserentplusapercentageoftuitionrevenue.AMAhasamaximumcapacityofapproximately115children.InJune2019AMAhadapproximately110enrolled.AlthoughourtitheandAMAreceiptsweregreaterin2019thanin2018,ournetincomein2019was$9,707.86,adecreaseof$2,598.80frompreviousyear.Thisdecreasewastheresultofincreasedexpendituresforcapitalimprovementstoourproperty.During2019werepairedstainedglasswindowsandinstalledasecuritygateonthewestsideofthesanctuary.We alsore-roofedtheflattoponLutherHall,replacedgutter,siding,andpaintedeastsideofLuther,andrepairedwaterdamageininteriorofbuildingwithsheetrock,textureandpaint.Thetotalcostoftheseimprovementswas$22,279.64.Wereceived$2,731asreimbursementforinsuranceclaimsubmittedonthestormwaterdamage.

SubsequentEvents:

InMarch2020BethelreceivedacheckfromStJohn’sLutheranChurchinSunnyvale,Californiafor$50,000asanunrestrictedgranttothecongregationandmissionofBethelAmericanLutheranChurch.Theaccompanyinglettersaidinpart,“...themembersofSt.John’sLutheranChurchofSunnyvaleCAdecidedthatwecouldbemoreeffectiveinourministryifwemergedwithanotherlocalcongregation.Wealsodecidedthatbeforecompletingthemergerwewouldceaseoperationatourownchurchsite...andencouragingmostofourmemberstodispersetoothercongregationsoftheirchoice...Ourofficershaveelectedtoshareourpropertysaleproceedsinpartwiththechurcheswelcomingourformercongregantsintotheirministries.”WearegratefulforthisgiftandithasbeendepositedinoursavingaccountatBankofAmerica.AlsoinMarchwebegantomakeadjustmentsduetotheongoingcoronaviruspandemic.WeareinclosecommunicationwithAMAandcontinuetoreceivetheirmonthlyrentpaymentastheyareable.Weanticipatethattheywillbeabletocontinuetheiroperationsandthussatisfytheconditionsoftheirlease.Ourothermajorincomesource,memberofferings,continuestobeconsistent.Wewanttosayaspecialthankyoutoallofyouwhocontinuetoeithermailinyourgiftsoruseelectronicgiving.

Thecashstatementshavenotbeenauditedfortheirpresentation.

Property Management Ministry Team June 2020

The Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team is responsible for repair and maintenance of the parking lot, landscaping, exterior and interior of the sanctuary, and the buildings leased to AMA.

In accordance with our lease with AMA, Bethel maintains a saving account with a balance of $7,500 for emergency repairs to facilities necessary for AMA operations. During the past year, we replaced a roof and repaired water damage in one of the classrooms used by AMA. The costs of these repairs were $22,279 which was funded by operating reserves and insurance recovery.

We refurbished two of our sanctuary stained glass windows in 2019 and two additional windows in 2020. We want to thank the volunteers who have shown up over the past year to weed the flower beds; trim bushes; and help with minor repairs and painting projects throughout our property. We have monthly work parties on the second Saturday of each month to facilitate this. Since the onset of coronavirus restrictions, volunteers have continued to show up on their own to maintain the appearance of our parking lot both for the safety of our property and to create a welcoming space for the children attending AMA programs.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer for specific needs around our property, please contact Scott Larson.

WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY TEAM June 2020 Report

The Worship & Music Ministry Team met several times over the past 12 months focusing primarily on planning seasonal gatherings while continuing to look for new ways to create meaningful weekly worship gatherings. We last met in-person as a team in January and planned through Easter. Then suddenly we were facing two challenges. The first was the reassignment of Pastor Cindy Beck to another congregation for their interim needs and then, of course, the changes necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Until mid-March, we had a solid rotation of musicians with Audrey Gale on the piano and the praise band, “A Wing and a Prayer” alternating weeks. Audrey also provided music at seasonal evening worship gatherings during Advent and Lent. This gave us a balance of musical styles that was well received by the congregation. Occasionally, we engaged Jeff Dodge as a substitute pianist when Audrey was unavailable.

We fine-tuned our weekly sanctuary flower donation system in order to focus on the use of fresh flowers instead of silk. We published a more pointed bulletin announcement of open dates and worked toward a full calendar of fresh flowers celebrating family members or key events in the life of our members. When fresh flowers are unavailable, the vase is filled with a seasonal dried flower arraignment created by Barbara Morris.

Once the Servant Team made the decision to move Sunday worship online on March 12, 2020, we worked to find ways to make Zoom worship accessible and engaging. Over time we were able to return to weekly celebrations of the eucharist under synod guidance beginning on Easter Sunday. We were able in the weeks after Easter to invite several out-of-area Lutheran musician friends to provide worship leadership about twice a month. Online worship via Zoom technology has enabled the congregation to stay connected in ways we might not have imagined in March when we began. We are especially grateful to those folks of all ages who have volunteered to read various portions of the liturgy and lectionary each week and for Pastor Allen’s willingness to preside over communion. The team also wishes to express their appreciation to Lisa Herlocker for jumping from the clerical support of typing bulletins to hosting the Zoom worship meetings and continuing to organize each week’s order of worship.

After sending out a worship survey to the congregation in May, we met to discuss tweaks to our Zoom worship and to begin conversations about returning to on-site worship. The decision was made at that time to continue online and to keep close watch over the positive infection rates in the area. We will be part of further conversations with the entire Leadership Team at the end of June. We will explore what a return to on-site worship will look like that reflects both the guidelines from the State of California and our congregation’s specific needs.

As always, feel free to bring any questions or concerns to the members of the Worship & Music Team: Susan Woods, Barbara Morris, Audrey Gale and Lisa Herlocker

USHERS Bethel would like to thank all of those who have served the church and the community by welcoming all people to worship, both strangers & members alike. Bethel truly appreciates all of the responsibilities you performed. While ushering duties may look different in the future, we would like to show our gratefulness for those who served this past year. Loraine Anderson Mike Anderson John D’Antonio Lan Dodge Jeff Dodge Herlocker family Mavis Hotchkiss Roger Linn Kelly Mendonsa Barb Morris Kary Pfennig Saeger family Lynne Selke Tom Selke Jeri Wartena Susan Woods

READERS Bethel would especially like to thank those who shared God’s word through the reading of the Bible Lessons, the psalm, and the Prayers of Intersession as well as other prayers. We particularly wish to thank those who came forth during this time of virtual worship. Kristen Blackburn Jeff Dodge Allen Dunn Linda Dunn Patrick Gale Nancy Garman Matt Herlocker Lisa K-C Terri Larson “Little Lutherans” Barb Morris Kary Pfennig Saeger family Lynne Selke Tom Selke Bruce Seiler Jeri Wartena Alta Winters We would encourage anyone to volunteer to be a reader, particularly at this time when

we can use many readers at each service. Until we resume in-house worship, we currently do not need ushers, but when that time comes, we will be following new

protocols and guidelines. If you would like to serve contact Barb Morris at barbeam@gmail.com or phone/text 916-715-4962. Thanks & Blessings!