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ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)

WE ENVISION A WORLD FED AND LED BY GOD

"“FED AND LED BY GOD, WE LIVE AS A NEIGHBOR IN THE

WEST CENTRAL COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE,

AND ALL THE WORLD.”

729 W WASHINGTON BLVD. FORT WAYNE, IN 46802

PHONE 260.426.5751 FAX 260.420.9158

WEB SITE: WWW.STJOHNLUTH.COM OFFICE EMAIL: SJLUTH@STJOHNLUTH.COM

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CHURCH OFFICE NEWS

Prayer Concerns Page 3

APE Update/Quarterly Affirmation of Baptism Page 4

From the Pastor’s Desk Pages 5-6

Reformation 500—A Closer Look at Luther Pages 7-8

Caught on Camera Around Church Pages 9-15

Church Directory Changes/Milestones Page 15

Thank Yous/Telecare at St John Page 17

All Church Worship and Picnic Page 18

Our Newsletter is Available Online and via Email/Prayer Chain Page 20

Learning More about the Lutherans/Thinking of Joining St John’s Community of Be-

loved Disciples?/Catechism Classes Resume

Page 21

Sunday School Kick Off Page 24

CONGREGATION

Parish Nurse News Page 17

Summary of August 24 Congregation Council Mtg Pages 22-23

General Fund Summary Page 24

MISCELLANEOUS

Super Seniors/LLV Auxiliary News/West Central Neighborhood Home & Garden

Tour

Page 4

SAFE at Home—Smith Academy for Excellence News Page 8

Handbell & Choir Practice Beginning Page 16

Ice Cream Social Summary Pages 19-20

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PRAYER CONCERNS

We invite you to share your prayer concerns by calling the church office, 426.5751, or by filling out a green Prayer Request Card (found

in the pew-card holder) and giving it to an usher, placing it in the offering plate or by placing it on the desk in the church office. Please

indicate what you would like listed for prayers if you would like it to be listed. If you or a family member goes into the hospital, please

call the church office so we are made aware of it as the privacy laws for hospitals do not always allow them to notify us thanks.

Mary Sue Baldwin (healing)

Johanna Baird (health concerns/Victor’s moth-

er)

Mike Decker (health concerns)

Jim Edwards (health concerns)

Chris Etzel (healing, wisdom & peace/cousin

of Pastor Paul)

Darryl Evans (healing)

Marjorie Felger (healing)

Pauline Flaugh (health concerns)

Tom Haslup (healing)

Darold & Ken Heare Marvin Hoot (surgery 8/29)

Jeremy Gray Josh Grote (healing)

The family of Roberta Knoch Gary & Gloria Pile (health concerns)

Kyle Paul (healing)

The Family of Stan Peppler Owen Rentschler (surgery 9/5)

Madelyn Schinzler (health concerns)

Daniel Shroyer (healing)

Ruth Sible (health concerns)

Geraldine & Richard Trautman (health con-

cerns)

Mike Waybright (healing)

Donna Weber (hospitalized/healing) CONTINUING CONCERNS:

Barb Braun (health concerns)

Sarah Braun Clarence Bush (health concerns/Vickie

Brown’s father)

Katherine Donohue (health concerns) Ron Hilty (healing)

Dori Knoch (strength to cope) Gene Knoch (healing/strength to serve) Rose Ellen Marquart

Abigail Offhaus (healing)

Jeri Pigott (health concerns/Julie

Robinson’s sister)

Carolyn Richardson (health concerns)

Theresa Robinson (healing/Dennis’ sister-in-

law)

Brad Stoffer (leukemia) Carol VanCamp (healing from lung cancer/

Lisa Burris’ mother)

MISSION /MINISTRY CONCERNS: S.A.F.E. (Staff & Students)

Sharing the Joy Meal Ministry (that we minis-

ter effectively to those in our community)

Jane and Clyde Vanworth (Safety in the Mis-

sion Field/Julia Rieck’s sister)

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY: Aaron (relative of the Cobb/Johnson family

who is serving)

Cody Cashman (National Guard)

Anthony Cutino (Fort Benning, GA/nephew of

Fran Gull)

Vince Cutino (Fort Stewart, GA/nephew of

Fran Gull) Cody Gull (Army/Fort Benning, GA)

Matt McGahey (MacDill Air Force Base/

Tampa, FL) David Niblick David Offhaus (New Windsor, NY/nephew of

Pastor Paul)

Warren Rockett, (McConnell AFB, Wichita,

KS/nephew of Fran Gull)

Jonathon Strait (nephew of Linda McGahey/

Germany)

Carter Vanworth USAF-Washington DC/Julia

Rieck’s nephew)

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LLV AUXILIARY NEWS It is time to get busy again. Our 1st meeting is Wednesday, September 6 at 1:30 pm in the Heritage Room of Independent Living. The program is about Chair Yoga, by Jonathan Meader. Sounds interesting to me. Our first activity is the "Fall Card Party" on Tuesday, September 12 at 1:30 pm in the Her-itage Room of Independent Living Facility. I have tickets for a $5. donation. You don't have to play cards--any board game you enjoy is fine. Join us for fun, refreshments, and door prizes. Then get ready for the Fall Bazaar on Friday, November 3, 9-5 in the lower level of the main building. The Bazaar contains a Bake Sale, the Christmas Shop, Lunch, and the Next to New Shop. There will be something for everyone and more news again next month. New members are desired, visitors are always welcome, Martha Lawler

SUPER SENIORS The Super Seniors group will be meeting at the Lutheran Life Villages on Tuesday, Sep-tember 19th at 1:30 pm. Upon arrival, dessert will be served after which we can play cards or table games. We can stay until 3 pm or lat-er. Please let Jan Rodewald know if you can come or if you need transportation. See me at church or call at 260-385-7522.

APE UPDATE You may have noticed there was no Annual Planning Event (APE) last month. Because of several other events on the weekend, the APE was canceled this year. Instead, look for a congregational wide opportunity within the next month focused on living out our congre-gation’s mission statement to live as a neigh-bor, in the West Central community, the city of Fort Wayne, and all the world.

QUARTERLY AFFIRMATION OF

BAPTISM On September 24th during worship we will be celebrating all those who are remembering their baptisms during the third quarter (July-August-September) of 2017. We do this with an Affirmation of Baptism service after the sermon (or after the service at 11). If that includes you or someone in your family, please plan on coming forward when invited to join in the celebration of God’s gift of Holy Baptism, through which faith, the Holy Spirit and so many other gifts are given! Thanks to Susie Manier, Bev Murphy, Linda McGahey and Cindy Witters for coordinating this quar-terly opportunity!

WEST CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD

HOME & GARDEN TOUR SEPT 8-9 Our neighborhood’s annual home and garden tour is coming up Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th. There is also an Arts Fest. Details can be found at http://www.westcentralhomeandgardentour.org if you’d like to support our neighbors in West Central—either by volunteering to serve or simply by seeing some truly wonderful homes and gardens!

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BLACK MOSES, LEAD YOUR PEOPLE I have a list of saints in my calendar, in particular, a list of saints’ commemoration dates, or Feast Days, which correspond to their death date, that is, the day they departed this life to await the resur-rection foreshadowed for them in the resurrection of Jesus. On August 28, my calendar informed me it was the Feast Day of St. Moses the Black. Having never really heard of this guy, I decided to delve deeper (I may or may not have been procrastinating on putting together my newsletter materi-als). Below are excerpts from an article on Moses the Black I found online—

ST. MOSES THE BLACK A PATRON SAINT OF NON-VIOLENCE BY PIETER DYKHORST

BLACK AS SIN and white as snow. That was Abba Moses, the 4th century, desert Saint, known not only for the dark color of his skin, but the deep stain of sin from which he was eventually cleansed and declared by his Bishop to “be wholly white.” A conspicuously large man with a partic-ularly violent nature, he was once the leader of a gang of thieves, a carouser, and a brawler. . . . It is difficult to say exactly where Moses was from, but we know from tradition that his robber gang traveled up and down the Nile, near the vicinity inhabited by the desert monastics. It was in [this area] that Moses sought refuge from authorities seeking to capture him. And it was here that he would slowly convert to Christianity and eventually die a saintly Father of the desert Christians.

In the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (also collected under various other titles), we find many stories of the life and words of Abba Moses. Two aspects of his life commend him to us and bring him to the pages of our journal. One is the nature of his life and conversion, notably that he struggled mightily and long with his violent nature, even as a monk, but eventually became known for his non-violence. The second is that he is African.

Moses the man was once the furthest thing from Moses the Saint. An escaped slave, by one account dismissed for theft, he led a gang of 70 in marauding the countryside. In another account, he sought revenge on a man whose barking dog kept him from an intended robbery. He swam the Nile and found the man gone—hiding buried in the sand—so he killed two of the man’s sheep, swam back across the Nile with them, butchered them, feasted, and walked 50 miles to rejoin his gang. Several accounts note how for years he struggled with temptation to return to his robber life after he had chosen the monastic way.

Once, while alone in his cell, four robbers attacked him. He whipped them, tied them up, slung them over his shoulders and took them to the church where he dumped them, declaring that it was un-Christian to harm them and inquiring what to do with them. When the attackers found out who he was, they repented and joined the community.

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The Sayings include several stories of Moses’ struggle to keep his peace. In one account, he was insulted and abused but did not respond. When asked if he was as calm on the inside as he appeared on the outside, he replied simply no. Another time, a monk asked his own spiritual father, with spe-cific reference to Abba Moses’ habitual outward calm, what was the value of outward peace if there was no inward peace. The simple reply was that while not perfect, outward calm prevented harm and facilitated God’s grace to others.

An aspect of Moses’ learned humility is captured in a story in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers and is found on the icon on our cover. The story comes in a few form sand recounts a time when Abba Moses was asked to come help settle a disputes involving an offense committed by another brother. St. Moses refused. Eventually, he was prodded to come, so he arrived with either a basket or a sack on his shoulder width a hole in it, trailing sand behind him. When asked what this meant, he replied, according to a different version, “My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.” At his words, the brother was forgiven, restored, and the meeting dismissed.

A deeply moving account tells of the day when “the barbarians” came to the monastic valley and Abba Moses was warned to flee. He refused. He told the monks under his care—the same number as his gang of robbers in his earlier life—to take care for themselves. They asked him again, would he flee? He stood his ground. They asked why, and he responded, neither hostile as in his past nor hopeful with the memory of when the four attacked him in his cell and were captured for Christ, but with clarity of understanding: “I have been expecting this day to come for many years past, so that might be fulfilled the command of our Redeemer, Who said, ‘Those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.’” He welcomed the visitors on that day to his community, and they killed him, along with the seven who stayed with him.

His witness to us is not one of a gentle temperament, not one of naïve hope that those who do not live by the sword shall live long and in peace, but that faithfulness carries a price, as does sin. On that day, St. Moses exhibited outward calm but stood with perfected, inward peace. To some, St. Moses is appropriately the patron saint of non-violence.

https://incommunion.org/2011/12/07/st-moses-the-black-a-patron-saint-of-non-violence-by-pieter-dykhorst/

Lord God, thank you for the life and witness of St. Moses

the Black. Grant us your grace, that we, too, may learn the

way of nonviolence over the course of our own life’s jour-

ney, speaking peace and demonstrating love in the face of

hatred and violence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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REFORMATION 500 – A CLOSER LOOK AT LUTHER Thousands of books have been printed and much ink has been spilled writing about the life and teach-ings of Martin Luther. In these five brief Sunday morning sessions, taking place between services, we will attempt to sum up some of the most important items in Luther’s much storied life and profound teachings. By means of video clips, PowerPoint presentations, and discussion we will highlight sever-al of Luther's “big ideas” as part of our remembrance of the 500th observance of the Reformation. Oct 1 – From Monk to Reformer: the Solas Luther went from a neurotic monk, obsessed with his own guilt, to a courageous Reformer who changed the world. His journey came by way of the discovery that grace alone through faith alone by the work of Christ alone was the antidote to the righteousness by works that tyrannized him. Oct 8 – Taking Down and Building Up: Babylonian Captivity and the Freedom of the Christian In 1520, as the pope was preparing to threaten Luther’s excommunication from the church, Luther wrote four crucial treatises. Through them he tore down the elaborate superstructure of the church and its elaborate “pay to play” system of indulgences and announced the liberating freedom of the Christian justified freely by Christ. Oct 15 – Christ Centered and Cross Focused – the Theology of the Cross Rightly understanding Luther means getting to the root of the issue: Luther found that core truth in being utterly Christ centered and cross-focused. His theology of the cross still challenges us today. Oct 22 – Free to Serve – Priesthood of the Believer and Vocation Among the most important themes in Luther was his emphasis upon the priesthood of the believer and the nature of God’s call on every Christian. These twin ideas both shook the church and transformed our ideas of what it means to think of our role in the world. Oct 29 – All about the “F” Word – Forgiveness as Christ’s On-going Gift to the Church Luther was concerned that the church deliver the forgiveness of God in Christ in as many ways possi-

ble in each and every service. Confession and absolution, baptism, the reading of the Word, the hymns, the sermon, and the Lord’s Supper all de-liver the Gospel word of forgiveness. In the final analysis, the Christian faith is not about what we “do,” but about what God has “done” for us. Pastor Dennis E. McFadden will be the presenter for the sessions. Den-nis spent 58 years in California, where he served as a Baptist minister for 23 years and the next 17 years at a large retirement community, mostly as President and CEO. He holds multiple graduate degrees and certificates in management, fund raising and theology. He and his wife, Jeanette, moved to Fort Wayne 5 ½ years ago where he was confirmed as a Lutheran and became a rostered Lutheran pastor. Currently, Dennis serves as pastor of

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outreach at nearby Emmanuel Lutheran Church, partners with us in our recent “Love West Central” effort. An energetic communicator, Reformation history and theology has become a special passion of his.

“SAFE AT HOME!” – SMITH ACADEMY FOR EXCELLENCE NEWS Smith Academy for Excellence (aka SAFE), St. John’s adopted school (grades 4-12, currently) that meets in our building, kicked off its 2017-2018 school year Monday, August 14. This all male school welcomes all, but especially at risk young men—in fact, for many, this school represents their last chance to succeed in school before dropping out entirely. This year also featured a carni-

val, where students could play games and win school supplies and other prizes as a result. Thank you to Thrivent for an Action Team grant that helped significantly with the purchase of prizes and materials for the games! This fall a Smith Academy support team is being formed to help foster more and deeper connections between the St. John congregation and the students and staff of Smith Academy. Stay tuned for more details on how YOU can help!

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CAUGHT ON CAMERA AROUND CHURCH

On August 17-19, Pastor Paul gathered with the fine folk you see in this picture for the I-K Synod Candidacy Retreat. Please keep all of our candidates for ministry – both Word and Sacrament and Word and Service – in your prayers as they continue their respective journeys. Pray, too, for all who serve on our synod’s Candidacy Committee—including Pastor Paul. And finally, ask God to help you identify any whom God is even now calling into the ministry to serve as a pastor or dea-con—including perhaps . . . you! Thank you!

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Sassie Cakes owner Krysta Young assembling her first in store purchase: cupcakes! Be sure to stop by and say hi to Krysta and her husband Mark sometime soon (1014 Broadway). One option is their grand opening, set for Saturday, September 16th, begin-ning at 10:00 a.m.

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Here are some pictures from Love West Central, which involved about 50 volun-teers serving from Emmanuel, St. John and Broadway Christian Churches, with a grill out afterwards at one of the partnering churches each Saturday (8/19 and 8/26). Special thanks to a crew from Fort Wayne Gutter who donated their time at one of the sites. Thanks so much to all who served—together, the love of Jesus was on display in ways both great and small!

LastFreeWaterGiveawayoftheSummer!

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Martha Weber enjoying the shade sitting on the bench donated in memory of her son-in-law, Gary Gilliom. Look for THREE more memorial benches to go in later this fall, thanks to the hard work and care of Bradley Hollis. Thanks, Brad!!!

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CHURCH DIRECTORY CHANGES

Please make the following changes in your own personal Church Directories:

ADDRESS/PHONE ADDITIONS/UPDATES/CORRECTIONS:

Change: Burris, Mike (Lisa); 5609 Woodstrail Dr-57; Columbia City, IN 46725 Brown, Milt (Vickie); 7682 Crosswood Court; New Haven, IN 46774

MILESTONES

Deaths: Lana Bauch-7/21/17, Phyllis Bauerle 7/30/17

On the last day of August, the Thursday Brown Bag Bible Study and Friends held a carnival for Smith Academy students in the playground area. Students played games to win prizes of school sup-plies, toys and pop/candy/chips. Larger items—2 basketballs, 2 footballs and a 3 month family mem-bership to the YMCA—were raffled off during the event. Special thanks to Thrivent Financial and Amanda Fell at the Y for their contributions!

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H�������� B����… ...Monday, September 11th

6:15 PM in the balcony.

C'(�) B�����... ...Wednesday, September 6th

7:15 PM in Room 105.

No experience is necessary - just the desire to make a joyful noise!

Call, text, e-mail, or talk to Jay for more information.

260.249.8229 jay.heare@stjohnluth.com

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THANK YOUS ♦ Thanks to Mike Mommer for coordinating

the Shigs and Pit catered dinner on Wednesday, August 16th and for paying a sizable portion of the meal cost.

♦ To Pastor Paul, Jay and all of the Congre-gation: thank you so much for the oppor-tunity to take un-sold items from your re-cent garage sale. The furniture, lamps, books and household items will be in our clients’ homes short-ly. Thank you for your continued sup-port of our mission. Suzie, Mustard Seed

Furniture Bank.

TELECARE A GREAT BEGINNING

AT ST. JOHN

Dear Members and Friends, On the 3rd of August, and for some a bit later in the week, you probably got a caring call from a fellow member just asking:

• How you were doing?

• Can we pray for you and your needs?

• May we encourage you with a Bible verse?

Many thanks to all the volunteers that came to call. The goal of Telecare is to extend God's unconditional love to all of our membership without conditions or request for anything. We're set to make these lov-ing calls 3 times a year. Our next call night will be Thursday the 2nd of November. You can be a part of Telecare just by call-ing Jamie at the church office 426-5751 or Tony at: 385-5244. Thanks and Blessings to all the callers, those considering it, and the whole St. John family.

PARISH NURSE NEWS The Truth about Aging Actress Sophia Loren, 81, once said, “There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” The 3,000-plus respondents to our Parade/

Cleveland Clinic Survey on aging seem to agree. Only 38 percent would turn back the clock to age 25 if they could, and 82 percent believe they will be healthier and live longer than their parents. Many are exercising and playing brain games to “defeat age” - and you may be surprised to see what they consider to be the new “old.”

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ALL CHURCH WORSHIP AND PICNIC (AT THE CEMETERY) SEPTEMBER 10TH

Every now and then it’s great getting together as ONE CHURCH. While it’s impossible to do that with the entire Church Universal (at least not until Jesus returns!), here at St. John at least we can. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, September 10th, when we will have

ONE WORSHIP as ONE CHURCH at 10:00 a.m. that morning,

followed by

ONE PICNIC!

Yum! All of this will take place once again on the restful, beautiful grounds of our cemetery, lo-cated along Engle Road west of Bluffton Road. St. John will be providing the meat, buns and bev-erages (coffee and some sort of lemonade/orange drink). Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share along the following lines:

• Do you usually sit on the Lectern (left) side of the church? Bring a Side Dish

• Do you usually sit on the Pulpit (right) side of the church? Bring a Dessert

• Do you have no clue what we mean by the above statements (or is there a standard ‘favorite dish’ you usually bring to this type of gathering)? Bring whatever you want ;-)

See you at the cemetery September 10th!

By the way, this is a GREAT opportunity to invite a family member or friend, or even a fellow St. John member who hasn’t been to worship for a while, to come with you. This is one very concrete way we can live as a neighbor (our mission statement) and be fed by God (our vision statement)—AND one another!

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL SUMMARY - SHARED MINISTRY IN ACTION by Paul Twedt

Thank you to all who participated and attended the Outdoor Ministry Ice Cream Social Fundraiser at Risen Sav-ior on 8/13/17. The weather was per-fect. We had a good program, an op-portunity to socialize with friends from other churches, and plenty of food and ice cream. Bishop Gafkjen shared an inspirational message how camping experiences factor in individual faith development and leadership in both campers and counselors including his own early camp experiences. Pastor Mark Radloff and Jim Dowling updat-ed us on this year's very successful

camping season and future plans for our 3 camps and Pastor Willeke emphasized the positive impact of our camp scholarship funding programs. The wonderful music provided by Risen Sav-ior Music Director Aaron Smith and LOMIK Camp Staff Directors Kendra Benne and Dakota Nelson during the program and social certainly enhanced a camp atmosphere. We are truly blessed to have 3 outstanding camps and camp staffs, without the debt burden many church camps have, allowing us to use our fundraising efforts for camp improvements, programs and scholarships.

We had an estimated attendance of 150-175 people and were represented by at least 14 churches, both Lutheran and non Lutheran, based on those who signed our attendance sheets. We had a drawing giving away 2 free camp scholarships for next year (won by Maggie Fleishman and Rod Willeke), and also had raffle to give away 2 pair of Colts tickets (both won by David Hampton) that were donated for this event.

Our goal was to raise $10,000 with an ask to Lutheran Foun-dation for a matching $10,000. Contributions from 9 churches: Emmanuel/LaOtto, Epiphany, Gethsema-ne, Messiah, Resurrection/Indianapolis, Risen Savior, St

Bishop Gafkjien (with the cross and clerical collar) at the picnic table with members of St. John and Pastors Justin Smoot and Marty Hampton.

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John's Evangelical, St John's Lake Twp. and Trinity English—totaled $6,888.85. Total donations received at the Ice Cream Social totaled $2,223.00, for a combined total of $9,111.85 to date, with that number expected to rise before the August 31 cut off.

Thanks be to God for the generosity of individual churches and all those attending the ice cream social!

The funds raised are to be used for lake front improvements at Lake Luther and Lutherwald (1/3 each) and for camp scholarships (1/3). This has been an outstanding effort by many people and a wonderful example of how shared ministry between congregations achieve much more than indi-vidual efforts. Thank you to all who participated!

OUR NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE

ONLINE -- AND VIA EMAIL For several years now, recent copies of St. John’s entire newsletter has been posted as a PDF file on our website (www.stjohnluth.com). In addition, we now send our newsletter pri-marily via email. If you are not yet receiving the newsletter in this way but would like to, email Jamie in the office (sjluth@stjohnluth.com) and she will add your address. If you’re ever submitting information to the newsletter, please note: What is published in the newsletter is also published on the website. Logistically, it just is not feasible to review and then censor the website form of the newsletter. Therefore, “if in doubt, leave it out!”

PRAYER CHAIN St. John sponsors a prayer chain that regu-larly keeps members, relatives, friends and all those in our thoughts in prayer. Martha Weber coordinates this ministry. Requests for prayer can be phoned or emailed to Jamie in the office (260-426-5751). Please also indicate when doing so if your prayer should be included among those requesting prayers in the church worship brochure on Sunday morning. Lord, listen to your children praying . . .

send your Spirit to this place . . . Lord,

listen to your children praying . . . send us

love, send us power, send us grace . . .

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LEARNING MORE ABOUT

THE LUTHERANS St. John’s “Brown Bag Bible Study” will be starting a new topic on Thursday, Septem-ber 14. As the 500th commemoration of the Reformation enters its final weeks, we will be reading and discussing Together by

Grace: Introducing the Lutherans. This time is meant to help us connect more fully with the teachings and influences of the Lu-theran church, from 1517 through today. Here are the topics:

• Sept 14 – Introducing the Lutherans

• Sept 21 – The Faith We Confess

• Sept 28 – From the Sixteenth Century to Today

• Oct 5 – Worship and the Arts

• Oct 12 – Faith Active in Love

• Oct 19 – Being Lutheran Together in a Wider World

• Oct 26 – Voices and Places: Stories from the Global Lutheran Family

Cost of the book we are using is only $10—scholarship assistance is available. Ques-tions? Contact Pastor Paul (260-426-5751, x101). Hope to see you there!

THINKING OF JOINING

ST. JOHN’S COMMUNITY OF

BELOVED DISCIPLES? St. John’s next New Member Orientation will be held on two successive Monday evenings, October 2nd and 9th, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm each night. We will meet in Room 105. We’ll start with dessert, followed by “Knowing and Show-ing God’s Love,” a course intended for anyone

CATECHISM CLASSES RESUME

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH If you have (or are!) a young person in grades 6th, 7th or 8th this fall, please know that catechism classes begin Saturday, September 9th with a youth AND parent/guardian initial meeting. Generally speaking, catechism, which comes from a Greek word meaning, “to teach orally,” covers a two year period of learning about the Christian faith that culminates with Confirma-tion (or Affirmation of Faith), an opportunity for each young person to acknowledge publicly her or his faith / trust / belief in God. Here at St. John we also call our catechism students “DoJiTs,” an abbreviation of endearment that stands for Disciples of Jesus in Training. We will be gathering in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. for a youth AND parent orientation. The youth will then remain with Pastor Paul for their first session; we will finish that day by 1:00 p.m.

(11:30 a.m. all other Saturdays). Lunch will be provided during that time.

who wants to grow in their understanding and practice of the Christian faith in general, and as a follower of Jesus at and around St. John in par-ticular. Those non-members attending the orientation will be invited to join St. John on Sunday, Octo-

ber 15th during the 11:00 a.m. worship, follow-ing a brief introduction and welcome with con-gregational leaders at 10:15 a.m. in Room 101. If you’re interested in attending this orientation, please register your interest with Jamie Robbins in the church office (426-5751).

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SUMMARY OF AUGUST 24, 2017 CONGREGATION COUNCIL

The regularly scheduled meeting of Congregation Council was called to order at 7:03 pm by Chair, Jane Gresham. The following members were present: Susan Benesh, Ed Flaugh, Jane Gresham, Mike Mommer, Pete Newcomb, Pastor Offhaus, John Platt and Chris Walda. Excused were Fran Gull, Nancy Henninger, and Gregg Koppelmann. Guest: Dennis Robinson. Meeting opened with prayer led by Pete Newcomb. Secretary's report: Report available in “Dropbox” and hard copy. Motion made, seconded and car-ried to accept as written. Treasurer's report: entire report available in “Dropbox” and hard copy of summary available. We are “in the black” due to July having 5 Sundays and fewer expenses. The grand total of income from the garage sale is $8,624.37. Youth money from that total includes $560 from parking and $362.90 from concessions. Report accepted. Dimensions of Discipleship: Discussed Chapters 5 & 6 of the book, “The Art of Neighboring.” Pastor’s report:

• We are having a carnival for the Smith Academy students on Thursday, August 31st. Students will be able to play games to win prizes which will be mainly school supplies.

• Catechism classes will begin in September.

• New member orientation will be held in October

• In October, Pastor Dennis McFadden will lead a Bible study between services that will focus on Martin Luther and the Reformation.

CARE report available in “Dropbox.” The first of 3 calling times for the Telecare Ministry was held on August 3rd. Out of 150 calls, callers talked to 67 member families and left a loving voicemail message for 58 member families. Thank you to all who helped. Committee Reports:

• Property: All of the kitchen remodel work has been completed for now which includes range/ovens, floors, grease trap and air conditioning unit. The hot food serving area and dishwashing area will be done in December.

• Personnel: The Committee is reviewing the staff manual and looking at evaluations that could be used for staff which would most likely include a self-evaluation/goal setting procedure.

• Community Engagement: A “Back to School” health fair was held on August 5th after a con-nection was made with St. Joseph Hospital. Seventy three students registered and 31 schools were represented. More events are being discussed.

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Unfinished Business:

• A-1 building/West Central Café update: 1. The electrical permit has been issued and work will hopefully start next week. 2. Discussion continues on the lease.

• Discussion held regarding ideas to apply for a 501+ Reformation Grant from the Lutheran Foundation.

• We will co-sponsor a West Central Porch Night on 9/29 or 10/6.

• The church secretary is typing up a Cemetery Chair job description which will then be distrib-uted to Council members via email and “Dropbox.”

• Landscaping work continues. Three of the 4 benches have been purchased as memorials and the fourth one is being discussed.

• Pete Newcomb is working on a campaign to raise money in lieu of making pies for the Apple-seed Festival.

New Business:

• Pastor received a letter from the Director for Evangelical Mission of the Indiana-Kentucky ELCA Synod for our congregation to participate in the ELCA Welcoming Congregations Net-work of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Represen-tation and Opportunities). Chris Walda knows a person who might be interested in being in-volved so will contact him.

• The church service and picnic at the cemetery is scheduled for September 10th. Discussion held regarding arrangements.

• Dialogue about replacing the APE meeting with a meeting on community building. Dennis Robinson and Pastor will pursue securing a speaker. Possible dates for the event are 9/30 or 10/7.

• John Platt offered to chair a committee for securing volunteers for the City of Churches tour on December 8th.

• Smoking area will now be limited to the porch of the Broadway House.

• Pastor proposed a Smith Academy support team. Ann Arnold has agreed to be on it along with Mike Mommer, Pete Newcomb and/or Gregg Koppelmann, and possibly Jay Heare. Pastor received other suggestions of people who had been strong supporters of the church’s school.

• We have received a letter from the state Board of Health saying we are required to have a food permit costing $250. We are also supposed to have a designated food handler who has re-ceived training. Pete Newcomb will investigate what that would entail.

Meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm. Summary completed by Susan Benesh.

24

SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK OFF SET

FOR SEPTEMBER 24 St. John will continue to offer two Sunday School classes, one for middle and high schoolers that will meet weekly, one for our littler ones (toddlers through Kindergarten) that will meet on the first and third Sunday each month. Both will kick off on Sunday, September 24th at the 9:00 a.m. service with a special Kids Talk where we will pray for the upcoming year and make promises to support our children and youth ministry here at St. John. Please plan now to attend!