Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

Pastor’s Notes

This is God’s Word on the subject: I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.  “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.” “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else; I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”

Jeremiah 29: 11-14 from The Message

Can you imagine God as a director of Human Resources? All of our current rules would be broken. God appears not to be interested in resumes or credentials. For example, when God wanted a spokesperson to warn the people of what just around the corner, God totally ignored the usual professional prophets and priests, and instead chose a young kid… a boy named Jeremiah, who said in response, “Lord God, I don’t know how to speak, for I am only a boy!!”Or Moses, watching over a bunch of sheep for his father-in-law, heard a voice speaking to him out of a burning bush. It became clear that the voice belonged to God, who said to him, “I’ve selected you to go to Egypt and tell the Pharaoh to “let my people go!” Moses responded, “I’m really not up to the task, Lord. I’m a nobody; I’m not good at public speaking.” But God replied, “Moses, all you have to do is rely on me!” Moses did. When Jesus was looking for disciples to carry out his work and teach people about his way, Jesus ignored people with an education and chose fishermen to be his spokesmen and speak for Jesus and about Jesus to the world.The apostle Paul, who became a missionary to bring non-jewish people to faith in Jesus Christ, had a resume that included persecuting early Christians. Yet God chose Paul to take the message that he had tried to stamp out to people who had never heard it before. Was Paul qualified? The answer is that Paul was

Continued on page 9

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Special Points of Interest:

COUNCIL MEETINGS

LN-June 5th C-June 11th T-June 12th ML-June 26th

Inside this Issue: Conc. News Items 2

Conc. Council Minutes 3

Conc. Council Minutes 4

LN News Items 5

ML News Items 6

Trinity Notes 7

Parish News 8

Cont. Pastor Notes 9

Philip Knutson Letter 10

United in Christ

PARISH PULSE

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

JUNE 2019 WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Thank you for serving in this capacity! If you are unable to serve on the Sunday listed please exchange with someone on the list and

notify the church office.

June 2 – Altar Guild – Kerri Solie and

Shelley Rice Ushers – Lyle & Tim Fuchs Greeters – Ron & Linda Hanson

Lector – Dean Rasmussen Communion Assistants – Dan & Jodie Strem, Betty Nelson

June 9 – PARISH WORSHIP AT 10:00 a.m.

Ushers-Tim & Matthew Fuchs

June 16 – Ushers – Shane & Tracy Fuglseth Family

Greeters – Deb & John Schmalenberg

Lector – Verna Norland Communion Assistants – Ryan & Kylie Strem Lindi Christianson

June 23 – Ushers – Daryl Haas and Mike Petersen

Greeters – Bruce & Norma Petersen

Lector – Kelsey Braun Communion Assistants – Ron & Lori Sannes Sylvia Rickey

June 30 — Ushers — John & Lori Walters Greeters — Keith & Cathy Bolstad

Lector — Pam Blaeser Communion Assistants — Mavis Werner, Todd & Carolyn Christian

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CONCORDIA NEWS ITEMS

May Pastoral Acts:

Concordia-Baptism for Corbin Lynn Christianson, son of Brittany & Blake; Seniors: McKenna Desrosier, Shelby Dunbar, Jaren Hemmah, Tony Leiser, Bailey Mulcahy, Kylie Nelson, Chloe Netland, Dylan Pearce,

Kamryn Qualley, & Parker Straus

Little Norway – Senior; Levi Roggenbuck

Trinity – Senior; Shaun Gullekson

Maple Lake – Senior; Dakota Qualley

The Fargo Moorhead Master Chorale coming to Fertile!

Our parish has been chosen to host the Master Chorale for a community outreach concert on Saturday, September 28th at Concordia Lutheran. Pastor Phil has sung in this choir for ten years, and is thrilled that they will perform here in our community! The Chorale is directed by Aaron Zinter, who directs the Choirs at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo.

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

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Concordia Lutheran Church Council Minutes May 14, 2019

The regular meeting of the Concordia Lutheran Church Council was called to order by President Stanton Wang on May 14 , 2019. Others in attendance: Pastor Phil, Pastor Dan, Dave Riegert, Lori Walters, Salome Hansen, Chad Braun, JanaDee Fuchs, Tammy Hemmah, Carol Osmondson. Darcey Larsen and Ben Sather were absent. Pastor Phil opened with devotions and prayer from the Daily Text based on Colossians 3:17.

Secretary Report: Minutes from April 9, 2019 were read and approved. M/S/A (D. Riegert, C. Osmondson)

Treasurer’s Report: The April 30, 2019 checkbook balance was $12,342.21. Financial Treasurer Salome Hansen gave the Treasurer’s and Financial Treasurer’s report. Financial Report approved. M/S/A (J. Fuchs, T. Hemmah)

Pastor’s Report - Pastor Phil: June 7-9, 2019 is the Synod Assembly and will include the election of a new Bishop for our Northwestern Minnesota Synod. All Pastors are required to be there. The Parish will have one worship service on Sunday, June 9th at Concordia at 10 a.m. There will be no Holy Communion. It is Pentecost and the Worship Band will be playing. Wear red to celebrate the birthday of the church.

Education Committee: Ben is absent but leaving the information from the April 14th minutes. Children will be singing on May 5th and 12th and Senior Day will be May 19th .

Report submitted for May 14th Council Meeting: We wrapped up our Sunday school year on May 12th with fun crafts and root beer floats, from Home and Church Life. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, this year was a complete success with your help and dedication! Senior Sunday will be May 19th Concordia will be honoring the following Graduates: McKenna Desrosier Chloe Netland Kylie Nelson Shelby Dunbar Dylan Pearce Jared Hemmah Kamryn Qualley Tony Leiser Parker Straus Bailey Mulcahy

August 5-8 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. we will have Pathways come and put on our VBS. We are looking forward to kids age pre-k thru 6th grade (2019-20) joining us for a fun few days of learning about Gods love for us all. Adult volunteers will be needed. We will be needing housing for the counselors.

Finance and Management: Discussion followed regarding redoing the parking lot and raising funds to pay for it. A letter will be coming later with the details. Estimates have been requested and once a plan is decided upon a special congregational meeting will be held to approve the cost.

Salome Hansen will have clipboards at Sunday’s service for people to sign up to help at the Concordia Fair Stand. Remember this is Concordia’s major fundraiser.

Home and Church Life: Tammy reported there were around 90 people who attended Easter Brunch, which is up slightly from last year. People enjoyed the fresh fruit instead of fruit cocktail. Sunday School students were served Root Beer Floats on Sunday, May 12th.

From April Minutes: Time changes for church is June, September and January. The First Sunday in June is June 2 and we will change to 9:00 A.M. through August 25th.

Some parishioners have asked about attending the Concordia Christmas Concert, Dr. René Clausen’s final year. Pastor Phil is looking into a bus, the bus would attend the Saturday afternoon performance at 2 p.m. More information later. Continued on next page

CONCORDIA NEWS ITEMS

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

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Continued from page 3

Outreach: From April 14 minutes: JanaDee Fuchs reported we have a baptism Sunday, April 14th for Lainey Joy Ness, daughter of Isaac and Catelyn Ness.

A noisy offering was taken by the children on Sunday, May 12th. Beginning plans for Christmas in July for Operation Christmas Child. We’ll work on that campaign to get items raised to fill the shoeboxes.

Worship: From April 14th minutes: Carol Osmondson reported that Altar Guild procedures have been updated. The wood around the altar has been polished. Tammy Hemmah has received a question from a parishioner wondering if there is a way to encourage others in the community to perform at the church, parishioners really enjoy hearing them. An occasional extra musical event would be welcomed ( i.e. music recitals, Eric Bergeson, students)

Carol reported they are working on worship participants for the month of June. Discussed some changes for the summer worship schedule.

Salome Hansen had a parishioner ask if we were still doing the Communion Cards. After discussion, it was decided that the Communion Cards will be done the 1st Sunday of every month. These help us verify parishioners are in good standing and we are meeting the requirement of our bylaws and constitution.

Old Business: Lori Walters reported on the UCLP Stewardship Dinner held April 28th. Total Receipts were $3,961.90 and Expenses were $1,319.46. The UCLP Stewardship Dinner raised $2,642.44. Approximately 60 parishioners from throughout the UCLP helped make the Dinner a success. They were a great team to work with and thank you to each and everyone who helped to make it a fun, successful event attended by over 200 parishioners and community members.

New Business: There was no new business.

Adjournment Motion was made to adjourn. M/S/A (C. Osmondson, D. Riegert). Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted: Lori Walters, Secretary

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LITTLE NORWAY NEWS ITEMS

Happy June Birthday to: 02-Kate Larson, Roger Moe 06-Jean Berhow 10-Carolyn Troite 22-Timothy Larson 28-Jamie Morvig

Happy June Anniversary to: 01-Mark & Heidi Benson 05-Mike & Kristen Larson 07-Mark & Lynne Gullickson 12-Charles & Barbara Schulstad 15-Fred & Jean Berhow 19-Garth & Colleen Kaste 25-Alex & Sara Preusser 30-Jerry & Lynn Jacobson

LITTLE NORWAY NEWSLETTER June, 2019

DEACON ON DUTY Mike Roggenbuck

ALTER GUILD/COMMUNION PREP Kathy Christensen, Susan Jones

SCRIPTURE READERS 02 Karl Lisburg 09 Parish Service 16 Joan Kronschnabel 23 Lynn Jacobson 30 Kathy Christensen

CLEANERS AND GREETERS 02 Barb and Chuck Schulstad 09 Barb and Chuck Schulstad 16 ALL CLEAN 23 Deane and Ginny Radke 30 Mike and Rachel Roggenbuck/Lucy Fuglseth

USHERS Deacons

CIRCLES

DORCAS No meeting

ESTHER /MARY Thursday, June 6th 2 PM at Little Norway. Bible Study by Sue Aakre Hostess is Jean Berhow

JANITOR To be announced

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The Little Norway Altar Guild wishes to thank Myra Kaste for all her work on re-hemming our church banners. Thank you, Myra, for your willingness to do this for us and for the time you spent on this project. You have certainly made the job of changing banners much easier. Little Norway Altar Guild

• Coffee and goodies will be served at 10AM, before 10:30 worship during the summer. Come and enjoy the fellowship!

• Parish worship will be held at Concordia for all churches on June 9th starting at 10 AM.

Submitted by: Gloria Kaste

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Our congratulations to Dakota Qualley, 2019 graduate of Fertile- Beltrami High School! And, he graduated with high honors! Dakota’s parents are Dan & Shelly; brothers are Dylan & Dallas, and sister, Montana. We are proud of his accomplishments and hope he will remember his church family every time he pulls out his quilt!

The pancake breakfast, planned and served by the men of the church, was enjoyed by all the moms and their families on Mother’s Day! Over $600.00 was raised to help pay for the altar restoration project, in particular, the new upholstery for the altar ring. Many thanks, men!

On to June – Come to the joint parish worship service on June 9th at 10:00 at Concordia. Pastor Phil and Pastor Dan will be gone that Sunday as they will be attending the NW MN Synod Convention in Moorhead. It is our hope that you will come to worship in Fertile and not consider this as a Sunday off! Designate Maple Lake on your offering envelope or check and keep the convention in your prayers as a new Bishop will be elected to serve for the next 6 years.

The Fair Hills Retreat for women will be June 10 – 11th this year. You can come for the entire event or come for the program on Tuesday the 11th. Flyers are up in the churches and registrations are due now! Treat yourself to a day off – you just might want to go every year!

Roar! Life is wild, God is Great! VBS at Maple Lake will be June 17 – 21, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. The program will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. 3 year olds to 6th graders are welcome! Contact Angie Petry at 218-574-2335 if you would like to register your child. A supply list is on the table in the entry of the church for members to contribute items for the week. We ask God to bless his week for the children and their leaders!

The Maple Lake ladies will be receiving a letter in the mail about WELCA activates and the Summer Daze Fundraiser – watch for your letter in the mail!

Greeters for June are: John David & MaryBeth Swanson and boys (all 4 of them!) and Dustin & Elissa Raaen and family.

Custodians for June are: Dusty & Elissa, Brody, Briley and Paisley Raaen.

Have a nice summer, show love to one another and come to church every chance you get!

Submitted by:

Marlene Block

MAPLE LAKE NEWS ITEMS

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

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TRINITY NOTES

"Our Sunday School is over and we are going home.(teacher:) Good-bye, Good-bye. Be always kind and true.

(students:) Good-bye, Good-bye. We will be kind and true."

Shirley Hamre sang that song with us Scandia kids at the close of every Sunday School session. As we said "good-bye" to our Sunday School children on Sunday, May 19th, I couldn't help but let that song resonnate in my heart! Our prayer is that we all stay true to our faith and be kind to all. You know of the saying, "Sprinkle kindness around like confetti"....let's do this! Our theme verse this year was Galations 5:14: "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself".

To mark the end of the Sundy School year, a pancake brunch was prepared by Sheila Stromstad. Thanks, Sheila! Those assisting Sheila were Bev Johnson, Chrys O'Neill and Angie Whitcomb. Larry Olson prepared the coffee and lemonade. Early prep-work was completed by Kylee and Dillon Stromstad. What great food and fellowship. Thank-you and thanks to our education committee, also: Karina Skaug, who also taught this year; Joni Page, Marsha Donnel, and Bev Johnson.

Also on May 19th, Trinity held Senior Recognition Sunday, honoring Shaun Gullekson who will be graduating from FBHS. Shaun told us that he will be studying Agronomy at NDSU. Congratulations to Shaun! We send a quilt and prayers with you!

An eventful evening was held on May 10th, as several members gathered for Spring Cleanup on the grounds of the church. Rakes, hedge-trimmers, shovels, a leaf blower, a skid steer, and hard work cleaned the grounds to glowing! Huge thanks to Mike, Deanne, Joni, Barb, Pat, Jolene, Bob, Joanne, Larry, Kristy, and Marcia! A delicious supper was prepared by Deanne, Pat, and Joanne and appreciated by all. Thank-you! Since then, garden fairies (I don't know who) have been busy placing woodchips around the church. We are so fortunate to have Irving Broden and Warren Paul to keep the lawn pristine. Thank-you!

Have a beautiful June, everyone....just a quick reminder that our worship time changes to 10:30 a.m. on June 2nd.

Warm Summer Blessings!

Birthdays:Hailey Nolte: 6/5Bruce Stromstad: 6/8Matt Lenz: 6/13Joanne Yuergens: 6/13Lezlee Lewis: 6/17Angie Whitcomb: 6/19

Anniversaries:Kevin & Jessika Nephew: 6/12Josh & Sarah Awender: 6/13Justin & Kelsey Billing: 6/25

Submitted by: Chrys O’Nei!

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

Parish Twins Trip to Target Field

Pastor Phil has scheduled our annual parish trip to Target Field on Sunday, August 11th, as the Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Indians.  The cost of the trip is $ 60.00 per person, and our chartered, air-conditioned coach bus from Anderson Bus in Frazee will leave from the Concordia parking lot at 7:00 am. Each of our game tickets in the Cub Foods family section include a hotdog and soft drink. Kids meals will also be half-price. Before the game, kids 12 and younger can get free autographs from a Twins player. A limited number of ADA seats are available. Please call or stop in to the parish office to reserve your seat. We will need 40 people signed up by July 15th for the trip to happen!

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PARISH NEWS

United In Christ Lutheran Parish Meeting Minutes April 10, 2019Attendance: Pastor Phil Larsen, Pastor Dan Morton, Jim Larson, Lyle Fuchs, Kristy Langved, John Swanson, Susan Yell, Ryan Strem, Marjie Broden, and Lori Sannes.

Meeting was called to order by Chairperson John Swanson; devotions were shared by Pastor Phil.

Secretary Report was read by Susan Yell from February 8, 2019. Lyle Fuchs made the motion to approve, Ryan Strem second. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report was presented by Lyle Fuchs. Discussion followed. Ryan Strem made the motion to approve, Jim Larson second. Motion carried.

Pastor’s report: Pastor Phil reported they are getting ready for Holy Week and Easter.

Old Business: There was discussion about the Parish Stewardship Dinner. It will be April 28th from 5-7pm. Menu, volunteers, freewill offering, with takeout meals priced at $10. Also discussed was clarification on Bible Camp fees. $100-youth group, $100-family, and the remaining portion will be provided by the individual congregations.

New Business: Updating the website was discussed. Pastor Phil announced that the Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly will be June 7-9. Pastors from surrounding areas will be attending as a new Bishop will be elected. Pulpit supply will need to be filled.

Lyle Fuchs moved to adjourn. Ryan Strem second. Motion carried.

The next Parish Board meeting will be Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 7:30 am.

Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Minutes written up by Lori Sannes, approved by Susan Yell

Volume 23, Issue 6 PARISH PULSE June 2019

Continued Pastor Notes from page 1

no more qualified than Jeremiah, Moses, and the disciples. Francis of Assisi made a great impact all over Europe, but what were his credentials? Francis had

failed as a warrior, and had not done well working for his dad in the family business. After an encounter with the Lord, Francis lived a life of poverty, chose to model his life after Jesus Christ, and share Jesus’ love with the poor and the outcasts. Six years ago, when Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio from Argentina was elected Pope, he didn’t choose John, Leo, John Paul, or any of the names previous popes had picked. He chose the name Francis as a sign that he will imitate Christ as that Italian preacher did 800 years earlier. Pope Francis was the first Pope to ever choose this name.

All of these examples have something in common ---- they responded to the God who called them and God provided the grace that went with it.

There’s a pattern here. God is forever calling people to tasks that appear to be beyond their skills. Rather than call the qualified, a “know-it-all” who would tell you in an interview that they are able to handle the task with no difficulties, God calls people who appear to have few skills or abilities. Since these unqualified folks don’t have the necessary qualifications, they have to rely on God to get the task done.

What is God’s plan for your life? You and I are given a God who leads us one step at a time, never revealing the next step. God directs us by his guiding presence, not by giving us a map. Jeremiah, Moses, Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, and other disciples were asked to follow God day by day, and so are we!

You and I and all people are special to the Lord, and each of us was created “in the image of God.” What others think or say about you doesn’t matter!

All that matters is what Jesus, your Savior, thinks. And Jesus thinks you’re pretty special! Maybe we feel like a nobody, but you are special! Why?? The Lord says to each one of us, “I love you!! I’m tickled pink over you!! You are special because I made you, and I don’t make mistakes!!”

Pastor Phil Larsen

Thank You for Your Generous Giving

Thank you for your financial gifts that you have given to Maple Lake, Little Norway, Trinity and Concordia. The work and mission that we do together as God's people would not be possible without you!

A recent study by Bankrate.com reported that most Americans carry less than $50 with them. Forty percent have less than $20 at any given time. “The pockets of many Americans are now crammed with a bevy of alternatives such as debit cards, credit cards and smartphones with electronic payment apps.”

Vanco Payment Services serves over 20,000 congregations in the United States and that is the company that services our online giving. For at least a year, our congregations have offered you the opportunity to give your offerings online through our parish website:

www.unitedinchristlutheranparish.org

If you click on the "GIVING" tab at the top our website, and you choose which of the 4 congregations you would like to give your offering to. You can choose a one-time gift, or set up a recurring offering (weekly, biweekly, monthly, semi-monthly, quarterly or yearly). You then have the option of either checking or savings, or a credit or debit card.

This is a wonderful way to continue to support the congregations of our parish this summer and throughout the year!

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Dear friends,

April 27 is known as Freedom Day in the Republic of South Africa. Twenty-five years ago, on April 27 1994, millions of South Africans stood patiently in line to vote in the first democratic elections marking the end of the Apartheid regime. After the release from prison of Nelson Mandela in 1990 and other leaders negotiations took place to write a new constitution and bill of rights. It was a difficult process and precarious time. After centuries of colonialism and decades of exclusion and oppression under Apartheid the people were committed to forging a new inclusive democracy based on human rights for all. The Bill of Rights (Chapter 2:9:3) declares:

Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. The state (or any person) may not unfairly discriminate against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

While remarkable political freedoms have been achieved there is still an ongoing struggle to achieve socio-economic justice and equity not only in South Africa but all around the world.

Recently I was invited to be a presenter at a consultation sponsored by the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) for women clergy and leaders from the member churches in the Southern Africa region meeting as Women in Church and Society (WICAS) and the Female Theologians Forum (FTF). The theme of the conference was “Reconstructing the Threshold through Gender Justice.” The program included devotions, Bible studies, presentations, discussions and group work focusing on implementing gender justice policies and support networks in and between member churches.

Members of the consultation expressed interest in the Social Statement on Women and Justice to be presented for adoption at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August 2019.

The ELCA Global Mission unit has expressed its commitment to Gender Justice by strategically including gender justice as a cross-cutting priority in the unit’s workplan for 2018-2019.

Thank you for your prayers and support and your participation in God’s mission locally and globally.

Yours faithfully, Rev. Dr. Philip Knutson ELCA Global Mission Regional Representative - Southern Africa, Johannesburg, April 27, 2019 My blog page address is: https://southernafricanconnections.wordpress.com/ Please note the link to my online giving page on www.elca.org: community.elca.org/SouthAfrica

NEWSLETTER OF THE CONCORDIA, LITTLE NORWAY, MAPLE LAKE, AND TRINITY CONGREGATIONS OF THE UNITED IN CHRIST LUTHERAN PARISH, ELCA

Philip Larsen: Senior Pastor 218-289-3970 or 945-3228 email: pastorphil_uclp@gvtel.com Daniel Morton: Associate Pastor 320-260-6955 or 945-3025 email: pastordan_uclp@gvtel.com

Ernie Christensen: Visitation Pastor 218-689-7247 Karin Braun: Youth Director 945-3090 or 218-637-0404 email: youth_uclp@gvtel.com Marjie Broden and Lori Sannes: Office Managers email: office_uclp@gvtel.com

United in Christ Lutheran Parish 100 Jefferson Ave. SW PO Box 615 Fertile, MN 56540 Telephone: 218-945-6696 website: www.unitedinchristlutheranparish.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE JUNE 2019

6/02 6/09 6/16 6/23 6/30 C Pr. D Parish Pr. P Pr. D 9 am

ML Pr. E Worship Pr. D Pr. E Pr. Darrell 9 am Morton

LN Pr. E at Concordia Pr. D Pr. E Pr. Darrell 10:30 am Morton

T Pr. D 10:00 a.m. Pr. P Pr. D 10:30 am

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

**Note Worship Time changes!**

Dates to note:

Synod Assembly — June 7-9, 2019

Parish Youth Group Duluth Mission Trip — June 23-28, 2019

Fair Hills Women’s Retreat — June 10-11, 2019