Friends in Christ,

Our Bishop, John Anderson, has been focusing on “congregational vitality” for quite a while now. He recently shared a list of signs of congregational vitality that was generated by the conference deans. As we look at the future of not only Saron and Baxter, but also the local church as we know it, it is important to think about what it is about our worship communities that keep us coming back, that energize us, and that give us the ability to do God’s work in the world. As you read through the list, think about what our churches have to build on and what we are lacking.

+ A vital congregation is noisy. There is a holy buzz. A quiet church is often a sign of a dying church if there is not a focus on quiet for contemplative reasons.

+ A vital church is outward looking. It is interested in what is happening outside its walls. It gathers energy inside the congregation to be sent into God’s world.

+ Kids are asking the congregation to step up and be the church they are called to be.

+ A vital congregation sees visitation as the work of the whole community.

+ A vital congregation believes God brings new people. It is transparent about its confidence in God and it asks for the Spirit to work.

+ A vital community of faith is willing to take risks. It has a vision and it works to get to them.

+ A vital congregation sees all of the people as

assisting ministers.

+ Vital congregations find ways to involve children in the worship service. Having children join in readings, as greeters, as ushers, as folks who welcome people with the Apostolic Greeting and send people to serve with the Benediction are some of the things that congregations do to invite their children and all people to be a part of in worship.

+ Congregations that are vital have a sense of playfulness and joy.

+ Congregations that are vital laugh together and share stories of sadness, hope and people’s transformation.

+ Vital congregations try new things. They are willing to share new models of ministry that might serve this time better.

+ Vital communities of faith share their buildings with 12 step groups, their community and with other communities of faith.

+ Vital congregations help their neighbors, valuing those younger and older. They notice and appreciate gifts.

+ Healthy communities of faith form alliances with other congregations, faith communities and groups in their community to love their neighbors and care for God’s earth.

In Christ, Pastor Matt

Baxter & Saron Church News March 2020

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter & Saron Lutheran Church Serving together to make Jesus known in our communities and beyond

Pastor Matt Danielson cell: 320-226-5845 email: pr.d7033@gmail.com Church Office 320-269-8260 baxtersaron@msn.com

Church Office Mailing Address: PO Box 43 Montevideo, MN 56265 baxtersaron.weebly.com Church Office Physical Address: 101 1st St. S. Suite 201 Montevideo, MN 56265

Baxter & Saron Newsletter March 2020 Page 2

OFFICIAL ACTS

Transfers - The following members have been

commended to the care of another congregation: Baxter – Mark & Lisa Willand and Joseph Willand to Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson Saron– Isabelle Teichert to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo

PARISH NEWS

March Worship

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 LENT 1 Communion Noisy Offering at Baxter – Chippewa Co. Food Shelf Noisy Offering at Saron – St. Martin’s Fund

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 LENTEN SERVICE 6:30 pm Lenten Supper & Service at SARON

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 LENT 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 LENTEN SERVICE 6:30 pm Lenten Supper & Service at BAXTER

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 LENT 3 Communion & Noisy Offering for local food shelves .

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 LENTEN SERVICE 6:30 pm Lenten Supper & Service at SARON

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 LENT 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 LENTEN SERVICE 6:30 pm Lenten Supper & Service at BAXTER Joint Council meets following service.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 LENT 5

Community Meal – March 10th

Baxter and Saron will be serving the community meal at the Montevideo Community Center on March 10th. They have been feeding between 90-100 people, so we will need at least 15 volunteers for that evening. I would also like suggestions for a menu. The most recent meal was chili. We served barbecues, beans and bars last year.

Attendance Figures

Lenten Meals

The youth of Saron and Baxter will be serving Lenten meals this year to raise money for area food shelves. If you would be willing to provide a pan of bars or a batch of cookies for one of the meals, please let Pastor Matt know. We hope to serve at least 50 people at each meal. Lenten services at Saron are on March 4th, 18th & April 1st. Services at Baxter are on March 11th & 25th. Thanks!

Saron Pie Day at Luther Haven

Saron will be serving pie at Luther Haven on Tuesday, March 31st. All members, please have your pie there by 1:45 pm. Diane Dieter is in charge of this event. The program will begin at 2:30 pm and will feature Bill Choiniere sharing his musical talents.

Spice it up for Local Food Shelves!

Food shelves are able to provide for the basic nutritional needs of their clients, but they are not always able to provide the ingredients that make meals complete. During

March, bring your favorite spices and condiments to Saron & Baxter and we will deliver them to the food shelves in Montevideo, Granite Falls & Dawson. Of course, any food or cash donations will be accepted.

Baxter Attendance Figures Date # Attending in 2019 Date # Attending in 2020 1/27 37 1/26 74 Annual Meeting 2/3 83 2/2 48 2/10 44 2/9 Cancelled - Weather 2/17 35 2/16 47

Saron Attendance Figures Date # Attending in 2019 Date # Attending in 2020 1/27 54 Annual Meeting 1/26 26 2/3 50 2/2 35 2/10 42 2/9 Cancelled - Weather 2/17 33 2/16 38

Baxter & Saron Newsletter March 2020 Page 3

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Personal Care Kits

Again, this Lenten season we’re joining Lutheran World Relief’s Baskets of Promise – Personal Care Kits appeal. Each week, we’ll collect a different item that we’ll use to assemble Personal Care Kits that give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life’s most challenging situations. Please give NEW items only.

HERE IS OUR COLLECTION SCHEDULE: Sun. March 1st – Lightweight bath-size Towel (20” x 40” to 52” x 27”), dark color recommended

Sun. March 8th – Two or Three Bath-size Bars of Soap totaling 8-9 oz. (no mini or hotel-size bars, please), in original packaging

Sun. March 15th – Adult-size Toothbrush in its original packaging

Sun. March 22nd – Sturdy Comb (no picks or fine-toothed combs)

Sun. March 29th – Metal Nail Clippers (attached file optional)

Pill Bottle Collection

We will be collecting pill bottles during the month of March. Please remove labels from the bottles. Heat works best; hot water or hot air. OTC containers may be donated, also. There will be containers at both churches for your donations.

Rolled Bandages

If you would be interested in tearing sheets and rolling bandages, there are machines available at both churches. At Saron, please see Pete Pfenning. At Baxter, please see Carla Johnson. They will help get you all set up!

Saron Quilting

Saron members continue to quilt on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join us for this time of quilting & fellowship!

Baxter Quilting

Baxter members will begin quilting in March. We’ll meet every Mon. & Tue. from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Everyone is welcome to join us for this time of quilting & fellowship! Please listen to KDMA radio for any weather-related announcements.

Fleece Blankets at Baxter

Fleece blankets are available at the church to cut and tie. See Carla Johnson for more details or any questions.

* BAXTER NEWS *

Baxter WELCA Bible Study

Baxter WELCA Bible Study will be held on Wed. March 11th at 9:00 am at Valentino’s Restaurant in

Montevideo. Join us for fellowship and refreshments.

Session 3: Called to Serve

Jesus is clear that one of the central ways we respond to God’s call is by serving others. When we serve others, we are recognizing Christ present in their need. When we serve others, they see Christ visible in our loving service. This session engages scriptural texts that help us focus on the questions, “Who is my neighbor, and what does my neighbor need?”

150th Anniversary

The council has chosen August 2nd as the date on which we will celebrate Baxter’s 150th anniversary. That date is closer than we think, and planning needs to begin. If you are interested in serving on an anniversary committee with Bev Anderson & Judi Eggert, please let Pastor Matt know or contact the church office.

Baxter & Saron Newsletter March 2020 Page 4

* SARON NEWS *

Saron Lawn Mowing Bids

The Saron Council is accepting bids on the church grounds lawn mowing for the 2020 season. Please submit bids to President Karen Jacobson. Please note that the bidder must have a certificate of insurance and the

bids should be for each time of mowing, not for the season. The deadline for bids is Tue. March 24th.

Baxter Annual Meeting Minutes

Our Saviour’s Lutheran of Church of Baxter Annual Meeting Minutes - January 26, 2020 President Kim Norman called the annual meeting of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter to order at 12:50 pm on January 26, 2020. It was determined a quorum was present. Pastor Matt provided opening comments. M/S/C (D. Sheldon/R. Jurgenson) to approve the minutes from the January 20, 2019 annual meeting. President Kim Norman provided a brief Council Report. There were no verbal reports from the Youth & Family, Memorial, Luther Haven, Brookside, and Green Lake Boards/Committees. Carla Johnson reported the Ministry committee did not meet in 2019. Curtis Nordaune reported he attended the Madison Lutheran Home meeting. Carla Johnson reported on her experience of serving as the delegate to Gustavus Adolphus College. Jeff Johnson reported the Auditing Committee met the prior week. Carla Johnson reported that the WELCA has three work groups and the new 2020 books have been distributed. Norm Viken reported that the Cemetery Committee will meet next week. Curtis Nordaune shared about the LQP Conference. M/S/C (N. Viken/L. Anderson) to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Gayle Staab shared that we struggled at the end of the year to meet our expenses of $101,956.22. We borrowed $11,000 and have repaid $8,000 so far. The Nominating Committee (D. Erickson, A. Dyshaw & S. Croymans) was pleased so many members agreed to serve on committees and boards. M/C (D. Sheldon) for nominations to cease and to accept a unanimous ballot of candidates as printed. M/S/C (N. Viken/J. Eggert) to accept the proposed 2020 Budget of $110,207.90. The Council will address a potential increase in the Secretary’s pay which could be covered in the accepted budget. M/S/C (C. Johnson/D. Sheldon) to increase the organist pay from $60 to $75 per Sunday service. OLD BUSINESS: Kim Norman thanked Tera Gades for assuming the position of Financial Secretary.

PEW CUSHION PROJECT

Please vote for your pattern choice for the pew cushions. Two choices are posted at the church. Once we have the money to cover the cost, we can place the order.

TOTAL COST $6,100

Please consider covering the cost of one pew for $225.

Don’t feel you need to cover the cost of a whole pew. All donations, big and small,

will be gratefully accepted.

Envelopes are available in the back of the church for your donations.

Donations may be mailed to Diane Sachariason at 1010 – 60th St. SE

Montevideo, MN 56265

Deadline is Sunday, April 5, 2020

** If we do not raise enough money to cover the cost, we plan to have a bake sale

at a later date. Any questions – please ask Lori, Vicki or

Holly

Baxter & Saron Newsletter March 2020 Page 5

M/S/C (B. Anderson/N. Viken) to apply the Judy Mork CD ($2,270.18 balance) to our outstanding loan. The Lift needs to be certified every five years and has not been working so well. President Kim Norman spoke with the guy from Dakota Elevator & Life Solutions out of Kensington. The company had put some parts in last summer and now adjusted some switches so the doors open properly. No bill has been received yet for either service. There was discussion about using memorial funds for the Lift maintenance and repair, but was decided to leave that up to the Council when amounts are known. It was decided to have to extra summer services again this year. Also, July 4th falls on a Saturday, so that may require a mid-week service. Council will determine exact dates. Our church office located at the Old National Building on main street has a lease through August at $150/month. Pastor Matt reported that Old National plans to vacate the space in 2020, so we may need to find new office space. NEW BUSINESS: Our congregation had been supporting a missionary through ELCA but that person is now a pastor and is no longer in the mission field. There was discussion about whether we should select a new missionary off the ELCA list or identify a new missionary who grew up locally. The Council will identify a new missionary. The Equipping Congregations Day will be held February 29 in Willmar. Let Pastor Matt know if you would like to attend. The cost is $30 per person or a parish cap of $90. Information is located on the bulletin board or at https://swmnelca.org/event/2020-ecd/. There was discussion about possibly planning for the congregation’s 150th Anniversary. Should a special celebration be planned? Should previous Pastors be invited back? Should old photos be shared on social medial and at the church? President Kim Norman thanked Pastor Matt, Treasurer Gayle Staab, Secretary Sara Croymans, and the entire Council for their service. The congregation thanked Kim for serving as Council President for the past three years. M/S/C (D. Sheldon/D. Erickson) to adjourn the meeting. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Minutes by Secretary, Sara Croymans

Baxter Re-organizational Meeting Minutes

Our Saviour’s Lutheran of Baxter Church Council Meeting Minutes - January 26th, 2020 Meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Kim Norman. Members present included: Kim Norman, Pastor Matt Danielson, Berta Bjerkeset, Judi Eggert, Greg Brown, Gene Moseng, Gayle Staab, Gary Strand, Larry Borstad, Larry Anderson, Wayne Erickson, Loren Bjerkeset, and Tera Gades. Members absent: Duane Kruger, Terry Litke Kim Norman called for Election of Officers. 2020 Officers are: President- Greg Brown, Vice President- Larry Borstad, Secretary- Tera Gades Kim Norman then turned the meeting over to new President, Greg Brown. Council reps for Youth & Family Board and Ministry Board were discussed. Berta Bjerkeset agreed to stay on Ministry Board. Tera Gades agreed to be on Youth & Family Board. M/S/C (Gene M/Gary S) to accept the Pastor’s December report as printed. M/S/C (Judy E/Larry B) to accept the Secretary’s Report from the December 11, 2019 Council meeting. M/S/C (Gary S/Loren B) to accept the Treasurer’s Report. M/S/C (Larry B/Gene M) to accept the Office Account Report as printed. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: M/S/C (Wayne E/Larry B) to give Pam Schultz, church secretary, a raise of $1/hr. 2020 Volunteer Lists for ushers and lay readers was reviewed. Confirmation students will be asked to be lay readers for May and October. Council members volunteered for the month that would work for them to be communion assistants. Installation of council and officers will be on Sunday, February 9th during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Pastor Matt said he has talked to the confirmation students and families about Lenten suppers. The families have agreed to prepare and serve the meals family style. The congregation will be asked to bring desserts to share. Pastor Matt would like to have Lenten services in the fellowship hall immediately following the meal instead of in the sanctuary. Meal will be served at 6:30 and the service will be done by 8:00 p.m.

Baxter & Saron Newsletter March 2020 Page 6

Discussed celebrating Baxter’s 150th Anniversary this summer. It was agreed that we should celebrate on August 2nd. Pastor Matt will talk to Carol Litke about helping with the history of Baxter. A request for volunteers to be on a planning committee will be put in the newsletter. Judy E agreed to be the council representative on the committee. The next meeting is scheduled for February 12th at 8:05 p.m. M/S/C (Gene M/Wayne E) to adjourn the meeting. Tera Gades, Secretary

Saron Re-organizational Meeting Minutes

Saron Lutheran Church Council Reorganizational Meeting Minutes - January 19th, 2020 The re-organizational meeting of the Saron Church Council was called to order by President Karen Jacobson. Attendees were: Doug Teichert, Jaden Schwendemann, Ron Schultz, Vicki Norman, Diane Sachariason, Scott Sachariason, Cathy Ervin, Ryan Knudson, and Karen Jacobson The following officers were elected: Karen Jacobson will serve as President, Ron Schultz will serve as Vice President, Vicki Norman will serve as secretary, and Diane Sachariason will continue as Treasurer. The following appointments were made: Jaden Schwendemann will serve on the Youth and family Board, Scott Sachariason will serve on the Ministry Board, and Michelle Gatz will be asked to serve on the Stewardship Committee. A motion was made by Ron, seconded by Doug to approve Pastor Matt's report. Motion passed. A motion was made by Diane and seconded by Ryan K. to approve the secretary's report. Motion passed. The treasurer's report was given as a part of the annual meeting. A motion was made by Scott and seconded by Cathy to approve the office account report. Motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to address at this meeting. NEW BUSINESS: New business was to fill in the vacant spots on the list of the Janitor/Volunteer list. This was completed. Installation of the council and officers will be held on Sunday February 9th during the 9 a.m. service. There was a motion made by Jaden and seconded by Doug to meet with the cemetery board at one of our

future council meetings to update the policies, procedures, and delineate responsibilities. We will also look at when we should be using the funds for the cemetery care. Motion passed. Cathy Ervin volunteered to help with cleaning and organizing some of the areas in the basement of the church. The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, February 19, at 8 p.m. Karen Jacobson

Baxter March Birthdays

Terry Holen 3/1 Larry Anderson 3/9 Dustin Deuth 3/9 Bradley Lokken 3/9 Mikaela Erickson 3/10 London Strand 3/10 Irene Breberg 3/11 Alan Tufto 3/13 Niki Strand 3/13 Amber Stanley 3/14 Easton Skogrand 3/16 Ryan Bjerkeset 3/17 Kasey Tufto 3/22 Susan Bornus 3/25 Lief Peterson 3/25 Echo Nguyen 3/27 Roger Fjerkenstad 3/29 Eloise Tufto 3/29 Bridget Bossert 3/31

Saron March Birthdays

Daisy Sachariason 3/2 Terrance Siverhus 3/5 Jessie Sletten 3/6 Tanya Schroeder 3/9 David Lipps 3/9 Ben Baldwin 3/17 Weston Siverhus 3/19 Lori Formo 3/25 Jason Sachariason 3/28 Vicki Norman 3/29