June 2008
From the Pastor’s Desk:
We were all recently thrilled with the news that Salem has been given a very large monetary gift. We praise God for the generosity of Eleanor Nelson and for her commitment to the mission of the church that nurtured her. It is exciting to think of the good that we can accomplish with this gift.
It is a wonderful gift and I do not want to take away from the thrill of the moment. But at the same time, this gift is a test of our stewardship. I know from first-hand experience what can happen when congregations receive an unexpected, generous gift. We were once members of a church that was the third largest ELCA congregation in the U.S. It went into a serious decline after receiving a gift of over a million dollars. What should have been a tremendous asset became divisive to the point where it sapped the energy and mission of the congregation.
We need to understand the dangers that come from misusing generous gifts. Such gifts can consume the focus of the congregation and distract it from its less glamorous duties. They can create power struggles between those with conflicting strong opinions on how to use that gift. They can create a sense of complacency in a congregation that views the church as being so well off now that members feel less of a need to give.
A few things to keep in mind that will help us use the gift we have been given to the glory of God and avoid some of the pitfalls:
1. The Biblical view of stewardship is that giving is something we do because we need to do it, regardless of circumstances. Giving is a part of the very nature of a Christian. When we let others do our giving for us, we deprive ourselves of the act that is at the heart of who we are.
2. People do not give generous gifts to congregations so that members can slack off and take advantage of their generosity. They give gifts to expand, improve, and strengthen the church in its mission.
3. While we all have different ideas on how to best use gifts, we gather in the unity of the Spirit, welcome input from all, and then pray that we come to a consensus on how to use the gift. When decisions are made, we support them rather than second-guess and undermine them.
The greater the gift, the greater the potential for good and the greater the harm that can occur if the gift is misused. I have faith that, through the grace of God, we are up to the challenge, and that we will be good and faithful stewards of the gift that Eleanor Nelson has entrusted to us.
Salem Church Council Minutes
May 8, 2008
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Bert Henry, Jodi Hitz, Mike Linch, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman and Dennis Nardy. Also in attendance were Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht, Lou Ann Snodgrass, Gary Kessler, Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler.
M/S/C by Flossie Roberts and Helen Mosman to approve the April minutes.
Correspondence: none at this time.
Pastor’s Report:
a) Presented a handout on Books of Faith to increase Bible literary in the
congregation. More information will be presented at Synod Assembly.
b) Pastor shared a letter from Western Iowa Synod—to host a seminary student
in June of 2009. M/S/C by Dennis Nardy and Bert Henry.
c) Pastor Nate will be gone June 22nd and Pastor Jane Willan will lead the service.
Treasurer’s Report:
a) Library Fund is used with $64.90 remaining from Harold Roberts Memorial.
b) The men’s Easter Breakfast collected approximately $ 291.00 and it still needs to
be decided where the money is needed.
c) M/S/C Helen Mosman and LouAnn Snodgrass to approve the Finance
committee’s recommendation to move Special Funds: Camp Scholarships
$1,055.58 and Selander $258.76 to a Money Market Account.
d) M/S/C by Helen Mosman and LouAnn Snodgrass to approve the Finance
committee’s recommendation to move Memorial Funds: Ray Hanson $1,358.00,
Don Swanson $ 1,725.00 and Virginia Jackson $ 2,233.00 to a Money Market
Account.
M/S/C by John Schlaht and Helen Mosman to approve the Treasurer’s report. President
Warren Woods presented Mike Linch with $ 335.00 from the congregation for all of his work and time.
Old Business:
a) Altar flowers: Worship committees are responsible for the flowers. Sherri
Nissen donated silk arrangements to be used when real flowers are not available.
b) Synodical Convention is June 6th and 7th. Salem would like to send two people.
Linda Aaseng has requested to attend. We are still looking for one more person
to attend.
c) M/S/C by Bert Henry and LouAnn Snodgrass to use money from Harry Kinkade
and Dorothy Henry memorials for special music performance up to $ 200.00.
New Business:
a) Request from Ann Levine to use table and chairs on June 7th. Request denied
due to use the following day for Breta Kinkade’s 90th birthday party.
b) Property committee to look at water in the furnace room and kitchen.
Committee reports were presented:
Christian Education:
*Vacation Bible School will be July 13-18
*The last day for Sunday School is May 18th
*Kid Squad last day is May 21st
*May 19th—Youth will be serving supper at the Farmer’s Market
*July 18th—Youth Encounter Group from Des Moines will be here.
They will have an informal session with the youth and areneeding
overnight arrangements for six college students
Evangelism:
*Flossie Roberts visited with two visitors who were in church
Social Ministry:
*Thanks to those who helped with food, etc. for the “Water of Hope”
project.
*Next meeting is August 5th.
Church Property:
*To look at water in furnace room and kitchen, possibly coming from an
inside wall.
Worship & Music:
*Requesting to sell the piano in the basement with the money going into
Special Funds.
*Next meeting May 27th.
Stewardship:
*Seasonal meeting/meets as necessary
Finance:
*Just met, everything taken care of to date.
Other:
*Endowment Committee met on April 22nd—as of March 31, 2008,
there is $103,201.66 in the account.
M/S/C by John Schlaht and Dennis Nardy to adjourn the meeting.
The next council meeting will be on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Opening devotions will be led by Warren Woods. The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted:
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
To our church family at Salem:
Raquel and I would like to give you our sincere thanks to the generous gift you gave me in May. I don't serve as Salem's treasurer
to be thanked or rewarded but to offer my talents to God's church.
Your financial gift was very thoughtful and appreciated. We used the money on our family vacation to Disney World. Thanks again!
Mike Linch
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
06/02 David Buck 06/10 Tony Cass 06/22 Dick Engelson
06/04 Cliff Olsen 06/12 Floyd Nesbit 06/24 Codie Cook
06/06 Colby Burg 06/14 Ella Groff 06/25 Judy Woods
John Rose 06/14 Breta Knikade 06/27 Sherri Nissen
06/07 Carol Ott 06/20 Linda Aaseng 06/30 Brian Toycen
Julie Shaffer
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES
06/04 Vic & Betty Wager
06/21 Don & Bev Butler
06/21 John & Lynn Schlaht
06/23 LaVerne & Joyce Anderson
06/23 Charles & Ella Groff
06/24 Chuck & Jan Eilers
06/27 Lanny & Donna Herzberg
06/30 Dave & Barb Riley
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
April 2008 January to April 2008
Contributions $ 10,220.75 $ 45,002.50
Expenses 11,872.98 44,943.39
Net Loss ( 1,652.23) Net Income 59.11
Because God said, “Bring the whole tithe…Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3
AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE
Sunday: 106
Summer Schedule begins on Sunday, June 1st with Sunday morning services at 9:00am. Evening services will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.
Thank you to my Committee members and other members who helped with the duties for May.
Joan Lienemann
BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, June 8th, the Kinkade family will host a 90th Birthday Open House for Berta Kinkade. It will be held in the Fellowship Hall here at Salem from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Birthday cards are welcome but, please no GIFTS.
All are invited to join in celebrating Berta’s special occasion.
I have started a team for the Iowa Walk for Autism to be held at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines on Saturday, June 7th. I am looking for pairs of feet and donations to help support the cause.
I pray that, as an entire group of teams, we can make a difference through presence in raising awareness of what autism is and to raise money to make a difference for our families through research into finding the cause(s) of autism, how to effectively treat it, etc. This is a wonderful social opportunity for our autistic kids and families as this is a family-centered event, and I hope to see familiar faces Evan might recognize.
Below is the link to Evan’s page (the team name is “Chi Omegas for Autism):
Thank you,
Liz Winborn
Women of the ELCA
June Newsletter
Summer has arrived so there will be know circle meetings during June, July or August. The 21st WISWO Convention will be June 28th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Joyce Anderson and Carolyn Biere will be attending. If anyone else is interested in attending, contact either one of them or Bev Butler.
Miriam Circle will be visiting the shut-in’s in June and August. They are also in charge of Meals on Wheels during the month of June. Rebekah Circle will visit shut-in’s during July and in charge of Meals on Wheels during the month of August.
If anyone has news or concerns for the women during the summer months please contact me, Bev Butler, at home 782-4050.
Have a great summer and we will resume in the fall.
Bev Butler
Sunday, June 8th 10:30 a.m.
125th Anniversary Celebration
Special Worship Service
St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, Iowa
You are invited to join us for a Special Worship Service on Sunday, June 8th honoring former pastors and church members as we celebrate our church’s 125th Anniversary. The former pastors will speak at the program/potluck following the worship service. We sincerely hope everyone will plan to attend and celebrate with us!!
Lutheran Day at the I-Cubs
Sunday, June 29th
Brought to you by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
10:00 a.m. Pre-Game Festivities
* Tour the Thrivent Builds Mobile
* 2500 Krispy Kreme Donuts
* Games For All!!!
Ring and Bean Bag Toss
Face Painting
Clowns and Balloons
Dunk Tank
Nail Pounding Contest
1:05 p.m. Iowa Cubs Game begins in downtown Des Moines
Contact Bev Butler at 782-4050 for YOUR FREE TICKET.
Through Thrivent Builds Homes, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is sponsoring the construction of hundreds of additional Habitat for Humanity homes every year in the United States by combining the efforts of 2.8 million Thrivent Financial members with Lutheran congregations and institutions, communities, partner families and Habitat affiliates.
Power Lab Vacation Bible School is coming up in July!
Salem Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church are planning an exciting adventure that will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for kids age four through 5th grade. Each day kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble tasty treats, experience Bible adventures, and create fun Bible crafts.
Power Lab is July 13 -18. Kids will meet at First Presbyterian Church each day from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm. On the final night we invite everyone to an ice cream social while the kids show off what they learned and created throughout the week.
If you would take one or more of the sheets from the board in the narthex and donate the requested items we would really appreciate it. The items include donated things like plates, napkins, art supplies. Please bring them to the church by July 1. (Perishable food items can wait until the day or two before VBS but please call if you are planning on bringing them.) If you have any science type decorations (lab coats, goggles, Periodic Table of Elements, etc) that we could borrow we would really appreciate it.
We could also use some leaders and helpers for VBS, July 13-18. (VBS gets crazy but it's very fun to help!) We will have a nursery available for helpers with children under four years old. We will be having a short meeting for all leaders and helpers sometime in the next month at the Presbyterian church to go over everyone's role and start planning our decorations. Contact Raquel Linch at 782-5482 with any questions or to volunteer. Thanks!