Elk Creek Lutheran Church VOLUME 28 July 2017 NO.7

Where did 2017 WELCA money go? Gifts Appreciation gift $100.00 Altzheimers Ass'n $100.00 Compassion Child $367.00

Needy Families $1,000.00 S.T.O.P. $50.00

Birthdays $40.00 Missions $51.00

Pastor's Gift $163.51 Project Comfort $15.52

TCHCC $200.00 Ministerial Ass'n $300.00

Osseo Food Pantry $500.00

Strum Food Pantry $500.00 Whitehall Pantry $500.00 Western Dairyland $500.00 ELCA Good Gifts $500.00

Heifer Int'l $200.00 New Horizons $500.00 Christmas E.S. $100.00

Christmas O. F. $200.00 Diapers $208.00

Christmas Gifts $90.00 Seminary Student $1,000.00

$7,185.03

THE NEWSLETTER

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on

us. Guide us in the process of finding a new pastor. Keep us

strong as we form a new partnership between Elk Creek and Immanuel Lutheran. Be with each of our Call Committee members

during the interviews. Be with our potential new pastor and him/her in your loving arms. Keep all of us ever mindful of the fact that what we do, we do in service to You. –

Amen

Mission Trip: If you would like to follow Donna’s

travels this summer, follow her videos at Moving Mountains

Mission online. She will be gone July 23-30.

Thank You:

Thank you to Mary Jo Eid & Rosanne Thompson for serving as

Bulletin Secretary and printing.

Behind the Scenes: There will a new gal behind the

scenes at Elk Creek. Crystal Johnson will begin her role as Elk Creek’s first Church Secretary on

July 1, 2017. Under the direction of the Council Crystal will be taking

on many tasks in assisting the Pastor.

June 11, 2017 Meeting of Elk Creek WELCA Meeting was called to order by President Jan Berg at 9:10am, and opened

with Creed. Secretary’s report was read and placed on file. Treasurer report given and placed on file.$12,641.05 Beginning balance (from April) Expenses $1033.94 Income $ 3902.93 Ending balance $12461.27 Max Rate $4420.83

Seminary Savings 10,273.53 New Business: Genell Johnson donated a portion of money from her recent

thrift sale. Discussion/Clarification on the need for donations at Ruby’s pantry. Monetary donation is needed when a family/individual does not have the

funds to pay the $20 fee, but the need for the food is there. No one is refused. Motion by Jean to include Ruby’s pantry in the food pantry’s donations given each year. Motion 2nd by Donna. Jans report declined our request for back pack donations at this time. They currently work with certain organizations only. Discussed having a table at Lake Martha Days. Shifts of volunteers to

staff the booth. Will sell cookbooks and Quilt raffle tickets. Raffle ticket prices to remain $1.00 single/6 for $5.00. May be able to also sell some cookbooks at the Farmers Market where Ingrid Logterman sells honey.

Discussed a sendoff for Pastor Gail’s last Sunday. A Cross stitch gift from the Ladies, and Luncheon after church was decided on. A gift will also be given

from the church. Old Busines: Back packs and oral care kits donated by Oakleaf Oral Surgery,

were obtained by Rosie Gray. These will be used for our Foster Care project. A thank you will be sent.Toothpaste and tooth brushes were also donated from

Dr. Underwood / Midwest Dental at Genell Johnson’s request. This was requested for support Donna’s mission trip. Jean ordered Backpacks to be

used for our Mission School backpacks.Waiting for all bids to decide on flooring for kitchen.Thanks you’s from the following were read: Donna

Kehrmeyer- Mission donation, Western Dairyland – quilts, Hannah Olson- Seminary (Will us toward an Education abroad to Palestine in January)

Donation for the Choir in Memory of Ardis Preston given by Valerie Lorenz.Invitations to several programs in the 2 weeks were read and will be posted on bulletin board, along with Dairyland Conference retreat in August at Luther Park. Triennial Annual conference in Minneapolis July 13-16. Lynn Nelson reviewed Survey on ladies group. Some follow up action items – Post work groups in the kitchen, list charities routinely given to in the work book.

Discussion on posting the ladies booklet on the website (concerns with posting phone numbers), confusing having 2 large groups, and 4

small groups. Provide a Mentor for new members. ‘Willing to help but don’t know what to do” Donna

Kehrmeyer shared what she will be doing on her mission trip to Guatamala. In a week they will build bunkbeds(50),

90 roofs, 26 concrete floors, assist with VBS and deliver food to needy families. She will put the website in with the

announcements so all can follow their progress. Meeting adjourned 10:22 am.Respectfully, Barb Fischer

June 12, 2017 Congregational Council Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President

Steve Ebert. Members present were Steve Ebert, Brandi Berg, Jim Odness, Bruce Thompson, Lynn Nelson, Pastor

Gail George, Ryan Johnson, Stephanie Rumstick, Keith Nelson, Kevin Eid and Linda Odness

Pastor Gail led us in devotion with a reading from the book Faith Alone which was a scripture reading from

John 1. The reading highlighted that Prayer is the work of faith and that prayer is our greatest privilege. In going to God in Prayer whatever we pray for it will be given to us, as long as we pray in the name of our God and Savior

Jesus Christ. Treasurer's Report presented by Brandi Berg.

Checking Account - $13,367.53 Building Fund Checking - $9,295.60

2020 General Fund - $25,222.05 Building Fund CD 2 - $13,526.99

Church Savings- $5,707.31 Memorial Fund - $3,052.11

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Linda; 2nd Bruce; motion approved. Secretary's report for May’s Congregational Meeting was read by Linda Odness; motion made by Stephanie; 2nd Bruce; motion approved. Pastor’s Report

Pastor Gail shared that she has been spending a good deal of time at Immanuel getting to know who’s who and the goings on at the church. She visited the Strum Nursing home and was very delighted by her visit.

She also emphasized that during this time

especially and as we move forward with

Immanuel good, clear and open communication

is vital.

WELCA

The quilt for the Raffle in November is finished

and is beautiful, plan is to sell tickets at Lake

Martha Days

Lynn shared results from the survey that was

conducted regarding what actually the WELC

does and is.

Ruby’s Pantry will be added to the list of local

food pantry that the woman make regular

donations to.

The Tri-annual convention is on July 13-15 in

Minneapolis and the ladies will be giving

$100.00 to any lady who is attending to help

with registration, etc

Old Business

1. The fire extinguisher has been filled and another one purchased. There are now 4 extinguishers in the church, two in the basement, one in the narthex and one in the counting room in the front of the church. Steve shared that North Star should be making annual checks of the extinguishers.

2. Toilet in the ladies bathroom is fixed 3. Air condition unit has been installed at the

parsonage, Ben Aionis, installed it and the bill for $2585.00 was paid out of the Building Fund Checking.

4. Steve checked the lights in the kitchen at the parsonage, and repairing would be costly so plan is to purchase two new lights and install them. Steve and Jim will be looking for new lights.

5. We have an applicant for the Church Secretary position, she will be contacted and an interview will scheduled. Lynn made a motion that if the interview committee feels the candidate is deserving of the position they should extend a contract with start date of July 1, 2017. 2nd by Bruce, motion carried.

6. Brandi shared that we have received toner from E.O. Johnson and that the copier contract will be cancelled as of September.

7. Results of the Same Sex Survey were reviewed and given to the Call Committee to help with responding to a question should it arise.

New Business 1. Steve shared with the council minutes from the

Joint Parish meeting held on June 1st, at Immanuel in Strum. He highlighted that Tom Wagner was voted in as president, Steve Ebert as vice-president and Barb Fischer as Secretary. He will provide a copy of the minutes to be published in the upcoming newsletter.

2. Pastor Lowell Bolstad will start July 2nd and will be living at the parsonage in Strum and his installation as our Bridge Pastor will be on July 9th. Lowel will be providing the sermon at the ball park service on July 2nd.

Motion to adjourn made by Linda, 2nd by Stephanie; Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55. We closed with

the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by Linda Odness, Recording

Secretary.

Meeting or the Joint Parish Council of Immanuel-Elk Creek Churches 6/1/2017

X Jim Tacko X Tom Wagener X Mike Nelson X Pastor Gail

X Camille Skoug X Steve Ebert Vicki Hanson X Barb Fischer

X Clarissa Clark

Members of the joint Parish Council, Presidents of both

church councils, and Pastor Gail George met at

Immanuel Lutheran Church at 6:30 pm on June 1, 2017.

The need to have an interim chairman to lead the group

in election of officers was brought forward. Mike Nelson

nominated Jim Tacko as Chair, 2nd by Tom Wagener,

motion carried. Election of Officers proceeded as

follows: Jim made a motion to nominate Tom Wagener

for President, motion 2nd by Mike. Motion carried. Tom

made a motion to nominate Steve as Vice President, this

was 2ndby Jim. Motion carried. Motion by Tom to

nominate Barb as Secretary, 2nd by Mike, motion

carried. Cover letter prepared by the call committee was

reviewed. A suggestion to change the wording of the

availability of the parsonage to state that our Parish has

a parsonage available for the individual taking the call

was suggested and sent back to the call committee for

revision. Call Committee meets on June 6th. Bridge

Pastor Letter of agreement (items 9 through 12) were

discussed with the following actions:

IX. Expenses

Mileage: Concern was expressed that the annual amount

of $2500.00 may not be realistic in Mileage.

Housing: Questions regarding Allowance vs Equity- Tom

to follow up with Liz for clarification.Rental Cost

estimate will be needed on Strum Parsonage to provide

dollar amount needed for Elk Creek to pay Strum for

35% of housing cost for Bridge Pastor. Tom will contact a

local realtor for input on the market value of a rental

unit similar to the Parsonage. Utilities have been

included (Electric, Water/Sewer, and Heat) in the past.

Telephone (land line) and Internet included. Pastor to

pay own garbage. Lawn Care included, will need to

check on snow removal.Telephone: Question on if cell

phone was provided, concern if Pastor had own but

provider Service could be poor in our area.Office

Supplies used for parish expenses and Pastor: Each

church will take care of their own.

XI. Parish Council Responsibilities

Election of Officers: As above; Tom Wagener- President,

Steve Ebert- Vice President, Barb Fischer-Secretary.

Worship Service: Elk Creek at 10:30, Immanual at 9:00 if

that allows that pastor enough time to Travel between

churches on Sunday morning. Will switch times June 3,

2018. Supervision of pastoral staff: n/a at this time –

only for shared staff Annual Budget for shared expenses:

n/a at this time

XIV. Inclusion/Termination of Congregations in the Parish

4 month notification if Joint parish were to separate, or

3rd party join.

Compensation of the bridge pastor:

Annual salary paid in 26 equal installments on the 1st and

15 of the month.2 days per week off will be granted.

Remainder of compensation as listed in Bridge letter

agreement.Church schedule next 3 months June -

August

Immanuel church sectary will prepare bulletins for both churches at this time

Pastor will decide how best to utilize the wonderful resources the organists of each church can provide. (weekly hymns, etc)

Supply Pastor will be needed for Pastor Gail’s scheduled vacation June 18th. Brandy Berg is looking into this.

Community Dinner 4th Sunday of the Month at Immanuel.

July 2nd, No Church at Elk Creek; Community service held at Pleasantville annually

Vacation Bible School 5 evenings beginning Sunday Aug 6th. Program put on by Luther Park Camp staff. Evening meal provided/donated by group or families. Tricia Lyngen and Lindsey Nelson’s names given as education contacts for Elk Creek.

Church in the Barn August 13th, pot luck to follow.

Minutes of meeting to be sent to Tom Wagener, he will

send to the group. Approved minutes will also be sent

to Michelle and Brandi to make them available for

congregation members. Motion to adjourn by Steve, 2nd

by Jim.

Meeting adjourned 8:25 pm 6/1/17nRespectfully, Barb Fischer, Sec.

Come to worship!

“I was glad when they

said unto me, let us go

up to the house of the

Lord.” Psalm 122:1

Meet our New Interim Pastor

Pastor Lowell Bolstad was born in Plentywood, Montana where his parents owned a small

farm and where his father worked in carpentry. When he was five, his family moved to Story

City, Iowa where he grew up and graduated from high school. Post-secondary education took

him to Waldorf Junior College in Forest City, Iowa; Concordia College in Moorhead,

Minnesota; and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.He served an open country two-point parish

near Prairie Farm 1980-90. He took training from the Interim Ministry Network in 1990-91 and

from 1990 to the present he has served in 32 interim assignments including Elk Creek and

Chimney Rock in 1991-92. He has served a total of 44 congregations since 1980. His most recent assignment has been at

Holway and Unity. He served as convener of the Interim Ministry Gathering 1993-2013 and has served as synod reviewer

for congregation constitutions since 2009. He lives alone and has no dependents. He owns a house in Rice Lake. He will

be staying in the parsonage at Strum.

From the Pastor

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation, God’s own people that you may declare the

wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness

into his marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9

I thank you for the invitation to serve in the partnership

of Gospel as your pastor during this period of transition

in a shared ministry agreement. I am serving under the

appointment of the bishop with the concurrence of the

Congregation Council on May 24. I will start July 1.

The writer of 1Peter speaks of you as a “chosen race, a

royal priesthood, God’s own people.” With this exalted

language, the biblical writer lifts up the ministry of all

the baptized. I look forward to walking together in

carrying out God’s mission in this congregation.

My work as an interim pastor will be in two areas:

pastoral ministry and the shared ministry agreement.

According to the Letter of Agreement

The Bridge Pastor will:

A. Preach and teach the Word of God.

B. Preside at worship and administer the sacraments

according the practice of the ELCA.

C. Provide pastoral care to all members of the parish

according to their needs, visit as necessary, officiate at

weddings, baptisms, confirmation, funerals, and uphold

the members in prayer.

D. Give pastoral leadership for the meetings, activities,

and organizations of the congregation.

E. Encourage support of the total ministry of the ELCA.

F. Be responsible for the recording of baptisms,

confirmations, marriages, funerals, attendance at Holy

Communion, and the maintenance of the membership

rosters; and report the statistics of the parish promptly

and fully, as requested by the ELCA.

G. Agree under no circumstances to be available for

regular call to this congregation.

H. Agree not to be involved in the congregation’s call

process except when the synod bishop requests such

participation.

The congregation will:

A. Commit to the Gospel by faithful participation in

worship, learning, and fellowship activities.

B. Support the ministry of the congregation through

service and gifts.

C. Accept the bridge pastor, uphold him/her in prayer,

and accord him/her love, respect, and good will.

D. Expect the bridge pastor to preside at baptisms,

celebrations of Holy Communion, and other rites of the

church.

E. Agree that the bridge pastor will not be considered

for regular call to this congregation.

F. Provide for a review and evaluation of the bridge

ministry on a quarterly basis and at the conclusion of

the transition period by key leadership of the

congregation with the bridge

pastor and the appointed

synodical staff person.

G. Compensate the bridge

pastor in the following ways:

I will be working to assist

these two congregations to

live into the shared ministry agreement.

Pastor and people can best carry out the work of the

congregation when both enter into a partnership so

that, as a people of God, we can “declare the wonderful

deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His

marvelous light.”

Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Lowell Bolstad

Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin is one of 65 synods of

the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are

comprised of 198 congregations, over 93,000 members,

and over 300 clergy and rostered leaders.

Synod means walking together, which describes our

interdependent ministry relationship as we support

mission partners, carry out synodical and churchwide

initiatives, provide for education events and leadership

training, respond to disaster and emergency needs, and

heed the call to be a church engaged in all the world. The

2017 synod assembly will be Saturday, April 29 at Trinity

Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

The Transition and Call Process in the Northwest

Synod of Wisconsin

Congregations in transition are in a partnership

with the synod, supporting one another and

holding one another accountable to be who

God is creating each to be: the Body of Christ. In

the midst of a transition, the synod staff and

the congregation work closely toward the goal

of finding the right pastor for the next phase of

the congregation’s life.

Prayer: Loving God, be with us and guide us

during this time of discernment. Fill our leaders

with your wisdom. Keep us mindful of the work

you would have us do. Lead us and guide us, O

Lord, to be about the work of your kingdom,

even as the search for a new pastor continues.

Bless all who have taken on extra

responsibilities, and fill them with a sense of

your love and presence. We pray in your Son’s

name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This is Christ’s Church.

There is a place for you here.

We are the church that shares a living, daring

confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we

embrace you as a whole person – questions,

complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in

Christ’s name for the life of the world.

Take time for worship

Out of 168 hours in the week, you are invited to take 1

hour for worship!

Invite others to church

Do you know someone in your relation, friendship,

neighborhood, or work settings who may be looking for

a church home? Why not bring them to church with

you? Also, if you see somebody moving into the

neighborhood, mention the church to them. You could

be doing somebody a big favor

Contact information

715.226.0163

pstrbolstad@gmail.com

Elk Creek Church

W16316 Cty Rd OO

Osseo, WI 54758

If you can’t change your circumstances, change the way you respond to them. There is no greater waste of time than

self-pity. Grace is merely letting God find you. Faith isn’t really faith until it’s all that you are holding onto. God will

never lead you where his grace cannot keep you. He who laughs, lasts longer because you laugh. Never apologize for

being who you are. No apologizes, regrets or complaints. Your self-respect is what counts. To live without pain is to live

half-alive, without fullness of life. Sometimes you cannot choose to be joyful. The Bible says if we know the truth it will

set us free (John 8:32). There is a difference between knowing and believing. Knowing implies intimacy, deep

understanding and experience. It is a belief which has matured and taken root. This joy does not depend on

circumstances, but in spite of circumstances. As much depends on ones attitude. Through Christ we have not only

obtained access to this immense stuff we call grace, but even more than that we can share his very life and even rejoice

in our sufferings now (Romans 5). Consider it all joy when you are overwhelmed by trials (James 1). Do not be surprised

by the ordeals we must all endure in order to “prove us.” (I Peter 4:12). Your joy could be restored (Psalm 51:12). Your

joy could be increased (II Corinthians 1:24). The will of God is to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all

circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Otherwise you are in danger of quenching the Spirit (v. 19). The possibility of

joy may seem remote, but the journey should begin. The mark of a Christian isn’t faith or love, but joy in life. Joy doesn’t

depend on circumstances. Some have these ideas that they will have joy later. As soon as the kids are grown, you’ll see

me shine. As soon as I get a better job, then I will be more productive. As soon as I lose weight, then I’ll be truly joyful.

As soon as the car gets fixed, and as soon as the bills get paid, or as soon as I get stronger and my health improves, as

soon, as soon. They have fallen into the endless trap of putting off joy. They have chosen to avoid the wonderful

responsibility of joy in the here and now. Oh yes, in our society you can buy almost anything. Security, comfort,

convenience, status and perhaps even momentary happiness can be purchased. True joy has a different price tag. It has

always been and always will be free. We don’t have to change a thing to find it. Like grace, it is an inexpressible gift,

available to all who choose it. Joy is not cheap. It is not found at the end of the rainbow. It is not captured at the top of

the ladder of success. Its price tag is faithfulness, endurance and perhaps even sorrow. Joy has much to do with how we

see and experience the world. Who are we? Do we have a healthy attitude? Joy is a selfless quality that is magnified

when it is shared. We are a nation of people who want not only material things, but facts. We want information,

knowledge, ownership of commodities, abundance, and we want love and inspiration. Yet, we are a society of unhappy

people. We are lonely, anxious, depressed and dependent. We seem to have forgotten that God created us as human

beings. Have some of you noticed that we are not perfect? Have you tried keeping the rules and working your head off

to please God and you didn’t think it worked. So you quit, so that you could live in harmony with God. Did Christ’s life

show you, how and he helped you to do it. Is your ego no longer? Is it important to you to appear righteous? Christ lives

in us. So the life we are living should be lived in faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave His very life for us. We

are never right in ourselves but only in response to and as a result of God. God working in us and through us. This is the

source of true joy. Amen.