Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church Non-Profit Org.

4141 Mormon Coulee Road US POSTAGE PAID

La Crosse, WI 54601 La Crosse, WI

Permit #516

TO:

THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE 2013

Inside This January Issue:

Council Meeting Highlights

Sunday School News

Memorial Gifts

Parish Nurse

Altar Guild & Circle Meetings

January 2013

A Winning pattern for the New Year Some anonymous wise person penned the following directions for living without bring-ing pain to others or oneself:

“You will never be sorry—- for thinking before acting, for hearing before judging, for forgiving your enemies, for being candid and frank, for helping a fallen brother, for being honest in business, for thinking before speaking, for being loyal to God and the church, for standing by your principles, for refusing to participate in gossip, for hold-ing your words when tempted to demean another, for not entertaining impure or hate-ful thoughts, for sympathizing with the af-flicted, for being courteous and kind to all.”

I can hardly believe Christmas has past. It seems like we

were just meeting about the viability of the daycare. I don’t

bring this subject up lightly because I know it was a very dif-

ficult issue for everyone who got involved. Rather, I would

like to take this opportunity to point out that even though we

did not all agree with the outcome or how everything was

handled, we still came together as a congregation. A better

Christmas present could not have been received.

As proof of this our attendance has been steadily increasing,

weekly giving has increased, and through the hard work of a

very dedicated finance committee we have a realistic budget

to present at the annual meeting in February. These are all

very positive signs during our continued transition, yet I

know there are more issues which will arise. Hopefully none

will be as contentious or difficult but I know we can get

through them if we continue to work together.

As I approach the end of my three year term on council and

second year as President of the Congregation, there are many

changes happening right now I would like to make sure you

are aware of.

Pastor Meredith has temporarily moved into the Parsonage to

save the congregation some money while she searches for her

next call. While this is much appreciated by the Church

Council, unless the new Pastor we call requests a parsonage

we will still have to determine a use for that facility. We also

need to prepare to transition to a single Pastor congregation

and the staffing which will be required for this.

Donna Cullmann, our longtime financial administrator, has

announced to the Council her intention to retire in mid Janu-

ary. We wish her well and sincerely thank her for the unbe-

lievable dedication to her job and this congregation she has

shown over these many years. The process has begun to find

her replacement and is in the capable hands of a committee,

formed by the council, to standardize our hiring practices.

The Call Committee has resubmitted our congregational pro-

file to the Synod and received names of interested candidates.

They are in the process of interviewing and will let us know

more as they are able. I wish I had more information on this

as I know many are anxiously anticipating the call of a new

pastor. Yet I know because of privacy and confidentiality

reasons this is all the information the committee can share

with us. It sure puts my mind at ease knowing we have such

a well rounded and dedicated group of members on our

Call Committee and for this I am extremely thankful.

Even though there are more transitions ahead and there

may be bumps in the road, the dedicated members of the

Church Council will continue asking our Lord for guid-

ance and diligently deal with everything which arises. If

there are any questions or concerns please contact myself

or any of your other willing and able council members. I

know we all agreed to serve because of our love for our

Lord & Savior and dedication to this wonderful and vi-

brant congregation.

Yours in Christ’s Service,

Mark Torgerud

The ELCA Malaria Campaign is a partnership between the ELCA and our Lutheran sisters and brothers in 11 different countries in Africa. Individuals, congregations and synods of the ELCA are working together to raise $15 million by 2015. Lutheran churches in Africa are using the money we raise to fund malaria control programs in their communities, offering malaria prevention (such a mosquito nets), treatment and education.

Malaria programs are already having a life-changing effect in these communities! Here's one exam-ple: a Lutheran clinic in Namina, Mozambique, has been offering malaria programs for over a year. They have seen a 43% reduction in malaria cases in the first half of 2012, compared to the first half of 2011. Local government officials took note of their success and requested malaria train-ing from our Lutheran partners in Namina. As fundraising continues in the ELCA, we will be able to support expansion of programs like these in Africa.

As a church, we are doing very well toward our $15 million fundraising goal-just a few weeks ago, we hit the $5 million mark for total campaign fundraising, thanks to the generosity of congregations like yours. In working toward our $15 million campaign goal, we want to reach annual fundraising milestones. Our annual fundraising goal for 2012 is $4 million, and you can help us achieve it. We're already more than $3 million of the way there. Your gift given in December or January will help us to reach our $4 million goal for the 2012 fiscal year. Thank you!

For more information, or to give online, visit www.elca.org/malaria<http://www.elca.org/malaria>.

Together, we're making malaria history!

Welcome to the Following

New Members:

Jeremy & Crystal Peterson

Hailey & Jaedyn

Our Knitters will not be meeting during the

months of January through March. It is our

hope that all knitters will continue to knit at

home over the coming months. Our church is

especially in need of prayer shawls, that are

given to families that suffer the loss of a

loved one. We have recently sent

shawls to families in Newtown, Con-

necticut so please help us

‘restock our prayer shawl invento-

ry. Questions may be directed to

Amy Hysel, 788-7974.

ATTENTION ALL CARE MINISTERS

There will be monthly gatherings of the Care Team between services on the sec-ond Sunday of each month in the quilting room. The next one will be January 13. Purpose: Touch base regarding our homebound members Share experiences Ask questions Learn from one another Build a sense of teamwork with the pastors

Council Highlights

Pastor Meredith has moved into the Parsonage.

Building & Grounds Committee is develop- ing a list of items that still need attention in the parsonage.

Four people have agreed to be on the February ballot for the four positions on the Church Council: Duane Schoen, Barb Smyth, Bev Sorenson, and Mark Torgerud. Other nominations can be made from the floor.

The Call Committee has received four names and is interviewing in December and January.

Received Donna Cullmann's resignation as Financial Administrator effective in January. Authorized the Administrative Committee

to develop a job description and hire a part-time replacement.

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, April 26, 2013, 7 pm

La Crosse Center

TONY CAMPOLO What is the “good life” and how do we attain it? Campolo says, “it’s not in getting but in giving,”

and he shows us how it works. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

Watch for more info or call 608-788-5000 La Crosse Area Synod, ELCA www.tonycampolo.org

“Tony Campolo passionately hits on hot button issues that impact the Christian life.” “. . . has a reputation for delivering a profound message with sharp wit, unbridled passion,

and complete honesty.”

Your Church Council Tom Andersen, Vice-president of the Congregation/Chair of the Council

Renee Dunn Kari Ellison, Treasurer

Dianne Hamann Tom Hammes

Dave Kilmer Barbara Kilpatrick

Brad Mannstedt Gordon Powell, Jr. Glenn Seager Maree Smith, Secretary

Barb Smyth Mark Torgerud, President of Congregation

Sara Wrobel Jessica Hammes, Youth Rep.

Ushers on Schedule for January

Sun. Jan. 6 8:30 AM Connie Lee & Norma Overby; Tim & Liz Carlson

10:30 Shirley Brhyn & Eunice Hepfel; LeRoy Geary & Diane Kimball

Sun. Jan. 13 8:30 AM Lyden & Oliver Families

10:30 Stalsberg & Sahagian-Crandall Families

Sun. Jan. 20 8:30 AM Dave Kilmer & Gordy Powell; Steve & Gina Fellenz

10:30 Marv & Darryle Clott; Jim & Cheryl Ward

Sun. Jan. 27 8:30 AM Stenslien & Hammes Families

10:30 McLain & Gilbertson Families

DATE NIGHT will be held on Fr iday, January 11, from 6:00-9:00pm. If you would like to take advantage of the

evening, please let Tom Andersen know, 385-7976, or indicate your child(rens) reservation on the Sunday GREEN

SHEET.

West Avenue Food Emergency Relief is requesting Soup & Crackers throughout the month of January Please leave

all donations near our bulletin boards in the concourse. A monetary gift may also be given to help support WAFER.

Simply make your check out to Good Shepherd, and indicate WAFER in the check memo area. Thank you!

W5 (Women Who Wrestle With the Word) invites all women of Good Shepherd to join us on Monday, January 7th at

6:30pm when we will begin to watch the movie "The Hiding Place" based on the life of Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom who

with her father and other family members helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during WWII.

Men are invited to join the men’s study breakfast at the Village Kitchen at 6:30 am on Tuesday mornings. Begin-

ning January 8, and lasting for several weeks, we will be having a book discussion and breakfast format, for the book

“Revelation and the End of All Things”, by Craig Koester, a Professor at Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Contact

Ken Nash, at 788-0441 or fill out a GREEN SHEET indicating your interest if you are interested in joining us. This

study will really help to understand the Bible book of Revelation.

Causeway provides free volunteer services for the elderly, disabled adults & adults diagnosed with cancer in La

Crosse County. Our volunteers provide visits, shopping, outings, errands, transportation to chemotherapy or radiation

treatments, reading, home repairs, outdoor chores, Arts Buddy and Sports Buddy outings. Please consider being a

Causeway volunteer and call 775-9999 for more details.

CHURCH STAFF

Interim Senior Pastor; Rev. Christine Hallemeier

senior_pastor@goodshepherdlacrosse.org

Associate Pastor; Rev. Meredith McGrath

associate_pastor@goodshepherdlacrosse.org

Executive Secretary/Pastors’ Assistant; Sharon Yushta

Office Support; Heidi Kwiatkowski

Children’s Ministry Coordinator; Tammy Klein

Volunteer Parish Nurse/Confirmation Coordinator: Bev Sorenson

Music Director/Sounds of Praise Director/Organist; Randy Lyden

Bell Choir Director; Linda Jerome

Volunteer Gloria Dei Choir Director; Darlene Lassig

Sanctuary Choir Directors; Karl & Jaime Greenfield

Nursery Care; Open, volunteer staffed

Members Known To Have Been Hospitalized The Past Month: Margaret ‘Peggy’ Goodno, Richard Pengra, Kris

Geiwitz.

Congregational Sympathy to family and friends of Good Shepherd member, Lois I. Wolstad; to Nancy and Brad

Mannstedt & family, in the death of Nancy’s father, Irvin G. “Sully” Sullivan.

Thank you to Connie Erickson for sending out ‘Get Well’ cards

this past December. Eunice Hepfel will be sending out cards

throughout the month of January. You are both appreciated!

CIRCLES:

Our two Circles will meet on Tuesday, January 8.

Lydia Circle will meet at 1:00pm at church.

Elizabeth Circle will meet at 6:30pm at church.

Lectors are always needed for our worship services.

Please consider signing up on the chart in the

concourse for a service time and day that works for you.

We’ll send the readings to you early that week.

“55 PLUS” will be meeting on Thursday, January 17,

at 11:30am. They meet at King Street Kitchen to enjoy lunch together.

Call Jim or Jan Quinn at 788-1808, if you plan to attend.

Good Shepherd Talent Show & Spaghetti Supper We will once again be hosting a talent show and spaghetti supper. On Friday, February 8,

the doors will open at 5:30pm and the show will be starting at 6pm. We are looking for all

ages and all talents! A sign-up chart will be posted on the bulletin board for all those interested in

participating. Tickets will go on sale soon! Please join us for a lovely evening

of entertainment, good food and great fellowship!

A Prayer for the New Year:

Eternal God, thank you for bringing us once again

to the threshold of a new year. Help us dedicate each day of 2013 to following your

will for our lives. Guide us, Lord, in all our decisions and actions, day by day and

hour by hour. Help us accomplish all that you desire for us to do, until our

mission on earth is finished. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Thank you to our Altar Guild members that served during December were Pat Oliver, Connie

Erickson & Jeanne Atchley. During January, Nancy Oelke and Jeanne Atchley will be on duty.

Thanks to all of our Altar Guild members! If anyone would be willing to help out on our Altar

Guild, simply call Joyce Morrison, 782-4771. It’s a very easy commitment and we will be

happy to show you how it’s done, by letting you ‘shadow’ one of us at the service of your

choice!

Dear Congregation,

With the recent tragedy in Newtown Connecti-

cut, my article was going to be based on gun

control. The internet has been swamped with discussions

based on gun control. This was not surprising. Despite

gun control views, the conversation needs to veer toward a

topic more meaningful, understanding and trying to ease

mental illness in the lives of individuals. A firearm is a

mere tool, a piece of metal. Any real solution to prevent-

ing future mass shootings, lies in understanding the factors

that drive people to pick up a gun and engage in mass

shootings. Frankly, preventing future tragedies requires a

hard look at the underlying and often unaddressed topic of

mental illness and the stigma behind it.

Mental illness is an uncomfortable topic. Even in the 21st

century, the stigma surrounding mental illness persists. In

the wake of Newtown, one question was asked, “How can

we keep guns out of the hands of those with mental ill-

ness?” What we should be asking is what avenues are

available to help those individuals suffering with mental

disease and how can society assist them?

Individuals with mental illness many times isolate them-

selves. Many hesitate to seek help for fear of the attached

stigma. Their families refuse to inform the schools, em-

ployers or authorities. Most of the people involved in a

person’s life with mental illness, can often do nothing due

to privacy concerns. Employers and schools are the first

ones to notice behavior changes in persons with mental

illness, and they could be the way to help prevent future

tragedy, by just speaking up.

Mental illness is a category in which many kinds of diseas-

es fall. Examples are depression, anorexia, schizophrenia,

suicidal, and anxiety disorders. It is very hard to pinpoint

signs and symptoms with such a vast category. It is also

very hard to list signs and symptoms of a person with men-

tal illness. The earliest symptom for most is behavior

changes. The behavior interrupts the usual routine and

impacts the person’s daily life. I could name a list of

symptoms, but they vary from one illness to another. A

person with mental illness needs a support person. A per-

son who recognizes changes in behavior and a person who

is not fearful of the stigma behind the illness. Help is out

there in the public for all illnesses.

Mental illness can afflict persons of any age, race, religion

or income. Mental illness is not the result of personal

weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental

illness is treatable. Most persons’ diagnosed with a mental

illness, experience relief from their symptoms by actively

participating in a treatment plan.

In addition to medication, psychosocial treatment such as

behavior therapy, peer support and community services are

also used. These components of a treatment plan assist

with recovery.

For help NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) is

the largest non-profit advocate supporting organization.

www.nami.org.

As always, I can be reached via email or phone,

bevsorenson@hotmail.com or 792-3962.

May your new year be healthy and happy.

Sincerely, Bev Sorenson

Winter Fun Days! January 27, February 10 and February 24

Come on out to Sugar Creek for a Sunday after-

noon of snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing,

wagon rides, and more! We have the tubes, snow

shoes, and broom ball equipment. Bring your cross

country skis and/or ice skates. Come for a wonder-

ful family outing. We will have warm drinks, good

food, and a toasty fire ready for you! These events

go from 1:00-5:00pm. Please call camp (608-734-

3113) or email (camp@sgrcreek.org) to register

your family or group!

Cost (including lunch): $5 per person

Thanks to all of you who attended the W5

Pot-Luck and donated items for the Women's

Clothes Closet.

We collected 101 pairs of panties, 14 pairs of

gloves, 4 scarves, 2 pairs of

socks and two adorable hat,

glove and scarf sets (Thanks

Gundi!). I'm sure that the ladies

at the WCC will be delighted!

MEMORIALS AND SPECIAL GIFTS

January 2013

SUNDAY SCHOOL Tammy Klein, Children’s Ministry Coordinator