Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Gather in grace

Grow in faith Go in service

April 2018

Easter Sunday, April 1 The Festival Service of the Resurrection of our Lord

Worship with Holy Communion 8:30 and 11:00 AM

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From our Pastors The March church council mee ng was busy. In addi on to an already full agenda, there were three groups from the congrega on who had come to bring items to the council. The RIC task force came to present the dra of the new Welcome Statement and request feedback, as well as to formally ask the council to put the adop on of the statement on the agenda for our next congrega onal mee ng in May. Next, the refugee commi ee reported on the mee ng with the refugee commi ee from Peninsula Lutheran Church and Sam Al s from Lutheran Community Services. They gave the good news that between our two congrega ons, we were ready to consider

sponsoring a refugee family. Finally, the Personnel Commi ee brought some proposed adjustments to our Personnel Guidelines to be er care for our congrega on’s staff people. Although it was a long council mee ng, it filled me with joy. As I looked around at all the faces in the room—all people that I have come to know and love through this congrega on—I could see the enthusiasm and passion that our congrega on has for living out our bap smal calling to love and serve all people following the example of Jesus and to strive for peace and jus ce in all the earth. Easter is a celebra on of Jesus’ resurrec on from the dead. We celebrate not because it was good news for him or for his friends, but because it is s ll good news for all of us. The new life that God has given to Jesus that allowed him to walk out of the tomb is life that he shares with us through our bap sm and through the holy meal we share each week in his presence. We o en think of that new life as the promise of life a er death, but it is so much more than that. We live out that resurrected life when we welcome into our congrega on those whom God has called to join us, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones or doing a li le bit of extra work. We live out resurrec on when we extend a loving hand to love and support people in hardship, and to send the message that we are excited by the gi s they bring to our community. We live out resurrec on when we give up a li le of our extra resources to make sure that we are taking care of the people who we have hired to take care of our congrega on. We experience resurrec on through trust. God calls us to make hard choice that put us in danger of scarcity, of shame, of loss, even of death; but we trust that God will sustain us through whatever dangers we may face. Because Jesus trusted God even to the point of death, he experienced life beyond measure and beyond imagining—both before and a er his crucifixion. By placing our trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead, we, too, experience that surprising and inconceivable new life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Life that is abundant is meant to be shared, and as I look around this congrega on, I see the many ways that we are sharing the abundant life Jesus has given us with the world. Outside this building, trees and flowers and animals are all coming back to life, and the world is a beau ful milieu of sights and smells and sounds announcing the return of that life. The acts of love and service carried out by God’s people in this and many other congrega ons are signs of that life as surely as daffodils poking out of the earth or the calls of songbirds or the magnificent fragrance of the daphne bush. I believe the Easter story not because of some words in a dusty, old book, but because I see the living truth of that story spilling out of the doors of this church, bringing the eternal and abundant life of the risen Christ to the dark corners of this world. Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Yours in Christ, Pr. Seth

Please let Pastor Seth and/or Pastor Stephanie know if you are in need of pastoral care. If you would like to be contacted by one of our pastors please call the office at 253-851-6222 or email them at pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org or pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org. In an emergency, you can reach Pastor Seth @ 253-448-3481 or Pastor Stephanie @ 253-234-7752.

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Greetings from your Church Council: Council met on Tuesday, March 13th. Once again Council was presented with interesting proposals for us to consider. Agnus Dei Refugee Committee: Peter Liljengren presented a proposal for ADLC to consider sponsoring a Refugee Family in conjunction with Lutheran Community Services and Peninsula Lutheran Church. It will require ADLC to commit to $4000 dollars along with Peninsula Lutheran Church who will also contribute $4000 in support of a family for one year. The Refugee Committee proposal included asking that the Council authorize matching funds up to $2000 to assist the Committee in meeting its goal. They have set April 17, 2018 as the target date for the Committee to raise $1,750 as the minimum to make a firm commitment. They also asked for 5-6 members from each church to be the primary team. Mary Beth Harrison suggested a “Good Gifts” type of campaign to raise funds for this cause, thus relieving the additional burden on the budget. A motion was made and approved to accept the proposal as presented and that the $2000 to be contributed by ADLC come from the Above and Beyond Fund. In the weekly bulletin you would have found a Circle of Welcome invitation from the Refugee Committee to make a donation in support of this effort. This is a very exciting opportunity for Agnus Dei members. Please consider supporting this cause with a donation and your prayers. Do you have questions? Contact Peter Liljengren. Reconciled in Christ: Ashley Ortenzo, representing the RIC committee, presented a Draft Welcoming Statement. If approved by Council, the draft will be presented at the May Congregational meeting for approval by the congregation. It was suggested this be a “paper vote” which Council felt would be more inclusive and transparent. The Council felt that the draft needed to be approved by 2/3 of the congregation to be valid. This will be an exception to Section C10.06 of the Constitution. A motion was made and passed to accept the Draft Welcoming Statement as presented and to include it in the agenda for the May meeting. If adopted, ADLC would become a RIC church Questions? Contact Ashley Ortenzo or any one of the RIC committee members. What an exciting time in the life of our congregation. We have an opportunity to participate in the life of a family new to our country, and an opportunity to present ourselves to our community as a truly welcoming place for people to worship. As always, Council minutes are posted on the bulletin board by the Parish Hall, or ask Cindy to print out a copy for you. Lynette Brentin

Important reminder There are persons in our faith community who experience extreme scent sensi vity. In many cases these individuals have had to leave our building due to an adverse reac on. We ask our en re community to please be mindful of this and avoid using perfume or cologne when planning to come to ADLC.

Upcoming Events April 1 Easter Sunday

April 5 Peace Lutheran Dinner May 20 Congregational Meeting, 9:45am July 9-13 Vacation Bible School

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Reconciling Works, Lutherans for Full Par cipa on

The Reconciling Works program is for Lutheran congrega ons who desire to publicly welcome all people regardless of their sexual orienta on or gender iden ty. Our congrega on is in the process to determine if we shall become a recognized Reconciled in Christ congrega on.

At the February 18 forum we presented our dra welcome statement and asked for your feedback. We took your notes back to the taskforce and made some revisions. The revised dra statement was reviewed by our council on March 13 and the go ahead was given to present it to the church members at the May 20th congrega onal mee ng. All vo ng members are encouraged to a end this important mee ng and cast your vote.

At the mee ng our paper ballot will looks like this: Welcome Statement

The congregation of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church celebrates the amazing diversity of God’s beloved children. We welcome all, regardless of age, ethnicity, abilities, faith background, race, family configuration, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We enthusiastically invite you into this worshipping congregation as we strive to share God’s inclusive love with everyone in our community and in our world.

We hope you prayerfully consider suppor ng this statement and our inclusion in the Reconciling in Christ Program. Please a end the May mee ng Cindy Beals for the RIC Taskforce (John Barelli, Julie Bell, Phyllis Brandt, Marilyn Colyar, Tamara Jackson, Ghita Lorenz, Salli Middleton, and Ashley Ortenzo)

Barbara Ausich Steve and Dianna

Carlson Don Clinton

We lift in prayer... Richard Hermstad Dick La mer Jack Oakes Hal and Myra Snider

* Rose VanderKlomp Dick Werner Jim Wilson

Serving Our Country: Jason Barelli, U.S.

Navy Capt. Jenny Nuss-

baum, US Public Health

Staton West, U.S. Army

Agnus Dei Prayer Requests Two of the ways we li people in prayer are by our monthly newsle er reminders (above) and by emailed prayer chain requests. If you would like to add someone to either of these lists please call or email the church office. If you are reques ng prayers for another person we ask that the person has first given permission for their name to be shared. If you would like to par cipate in the prayer chain by receiving prayer requests by email, just call or email the church office to have your email address added to the list. (253-851-6222 or office@agnusdeilutheran.org)

PRO

I approve that Agnus Dei Lutheran Church adopt this welcome statement and become a Reconciling In Christ congrega on.

CON

I do not approve that Agnus Dei Lutheran Church adopt this welcome statement and become a Reconciling In Christ congrega on.

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Faith Forma on For All Ages Sundays at 9:45 AM Cross Gen: Sanctuary, Confirma on: Couch Room, Forum: Parish Hall All Ages Welcome at All Offerings!

April 1 Easter, No Faith Forma on Classes April 8 Cross Genera onal Sunday School: Road to Emmaus Confirma on: TBD Forum: Gig Harbor activist and speaker, Bob Anderson, will talk with us about the challenge of preven ng teen suicide. Bob Anderson speaks to local schools and community events and helps teach teens to listen for signs from friends and classmates who may be considering suicide. Learn what we can do to prevent the problem of teen suicide. April 15 Cross Genera onal Sunday School: Road to Emmaus Confirma on: TBD Forum Marit Trelstad, PLU Professor will return and challenge us with questions about our behavior of caring for our earth. "Why can't we seem to change from ecologically-damaging ac ons and lifestyles even when we care about natural beauty, clean air and water? This ques on rightly puzzles policy makers and environmentalists. Chris an theology can help us understand this. We have two millennia of good thinking about why humans are drawn to and mired in damaging pa erns of thought and ac on! Lutheran theology can help us understand human nature we can provide insight on a significant global issue. Offering the wisdom of our tradi on, this presenta on will also acknowledge where we need need help from other theological tradi ons for insights on the power of habit and conversion." April 22 Cross Genera onal Sunday School: Phillip and the Etheopian Confirma on: TBD Forum: We welcome Pastor Sigi Helgeson and Linda McCone of Lutheran Community Services Northwest to introduce the many ministries LCS conducts in our area. They will also share some ways congrega ons like ours can be more welcoming to people with demen a. April 29 to be announced

March at Little Lambs: Little Lambs Preschool A Ministry of ADLC

Our Little Lambs have been very busy this month. We started the month celebrating Dr. Seuss with crazy sock day. For science we focused on wind and what it can do. We also worked on building our fine motor skills by sewing!

Vacation Bible School ~ SPLASH CANYON ~ July 9-13, 2018 Be sure to save the dates for this fun VBS adventure! Lots of volunteer help is needed to

provide this outreach opportunity to the children in our community. If you can help in any way please contact Rhonda Sobie at sobie.rho@gmail.com or call the church office 253-851-6222

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April 2018 Health Ministry Newsle er Ar cle Here this all you people; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike. Psalm 49: 1-2 NIV Bible At a dinner party Saturday evening, this ques on came up: Has polio been totally eradicated from the world popula on? The conversa on began when an older guest divulged that she had polio as a child, leaving her with a residual afflic on in one leg.

The polio ques ons lead me to go to the World Health Organiza on (WHO) h p://www.who.int/en/ on Sunday, and before I knew it, I had a topic for this ar cle!

WHO is the WHO? The WHO Cons tu on was adopted by the Interna onal Health Conference, held in New York during June and July, 1946. The Cons tu ons was signed on July 22, 1946, signed on to by the representa ves from 61 countries and entered into force on April 7th,1948. There are now 7000 people working for the World Health Organiza on in 150 countries, in six regional areas. The WHO headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO’s primary role is to direct and coordinate interna onal health within the United Na ons’ system. Their goal is to build a be er, healthier future for people all over the world. WHO staff work side by side with governments and other partners to ensure the highest a ainable level of health for all people. WHO works interna onally to combat diseases. The organiza on helps mothers and children to survive and thrive so that they all can look forward to healthier lives. WHO members work to improve air quality, insure food safety, and to protect the quality of the water people drink, as well as protec ng the medicines and vaccines needed throughout our world. WORLD HEALTH DAY World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7. This year, their 70th anniversary, is devoted to promo ng universal health care to people globally. WHO is calling on world leaders to live up to a 2015 pledge which insured a commitment to secure the advancement of “Health For All.” Here are some of the key factors with regard to universal health care (UHC):

*At least half of the world’s popula ons do not have full coverage of essen al health.

*About 100 million people are s ll being pushed into “extreme poverty” (living on $ 1.90 or less a day) because they have to pay for health care.

*Over 800 million people (almost 12 percent of the world’s popula on) spend at least 10% of their household budgets to pay for health care.

*UN Member States have agreed to try to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Here are some key factors with regard to what universal health care is not:

*UHC does not mean free coverage for all possible health interven ons, regardless of the cost, as no country can provide all services free of charge on a sustainable basis. *UHC is not only about ensuring a minimum package of health services, but also about ensuring a progressive expansion of coverage of health services and financial protec on as more resources become available.

*UHC is not only about medical treatment for individuals, but also includes services for whole

WHO | World Health Organization

www.who.int

WHO's primary role is to direct international health within the United Nations' system and to lead partners in global health responses.

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popula ons such as public health campaigns – for example adding fluoride to water or controlling the breeding grounds of mosquitoes that carry viruses that can cause disease. *UHC is not just about health care and financing the health system of a country. It encompasses all components of the health system: systems and healthcare providers that deliver health services to people, health facili es and communica ons networks, health technologies, informa on systems, quality assurance mechanisms and governance and legisla on.

It is true that USA’s Affordable Care Act needs help. The ques on is what will happen now that Congress has eliminated one of the central features: The mandate requiring people to buy insurance. According to a NY Times report, a Yale poli cal scien st, Jacob Hacker, has proposed Medicare Part E (E=Everyone) which would allow anyone to buy into Medicare regardless of age. The program would be supported in part by levies on employers that don’t offer insurance. Gradually the age for standard Medicare eligibility would fall un l the en re popula on was covered. The Center for American Progress has also introduced a similar proposal. Who know where these ideas will go, but at least there are important op ons being proposed so that this country’s popula on can be covered by a health care system that is reasonably priced and provides adequate coverage. Do you ever feel like our health insurance programs are a na onal embarrassment? Where in the industrialized world do people have to organize bake sales to pay for a loved one’s medical care? By the way, I typed Polio into WHO’s search engine and here is what came up: Polio does s ll exist, although polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from es mated more than 350 000 cases to 22 reported cases in 2017. This reduc on is the result of the global effort to eradicate the disease. Today, only three countries in the world have never stopped transmission of polio (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria). Despite the progress achieved since 1988, as long as a single child remains infected with poliovirus, children in all countries are at risk of contrac ng the disease. The poliovirus can easily be imported into a polio-free country and can spread rapidly amongst unimmunized popula ons. Failure to eradicate polio could result in as many as 200 000 new cases every year, within ten years, all over the world. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given mul ple mes, can protect a child for life.

Zoe Holmes, RN

Faith Community Nurse

Modified Church Office Hours Beginning March 1 the church office will be open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Thursday and from 9am to noon on Fridays

Did You Know? Loaner reading glasses are available in the narthex. If you are ever in need of assistance with small print and find you have left your reading glasses at home, no worries! Just look on the shelf at the donation station and borrow a pair!

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Stewardship Update

2018 General Fund Giving Report Through March 28 General Fund: Goal Actual % of Goal March $39,083 $34,681 89% Year to Date $117,249 $96,957 83%

March Attendance

March 4 184 March 11 146 March 18 156 March 25 159 Lenten Midweek A endance Avg 50

Designated Offerings March YTD ELCA World Hunger 1267 3551 Fish Foodbank 520 1260 Food Backpacks 4 Kids 440 2109 Disaster Relief 100 295 Namibia Orphans AIDS Hostel 826 826

Building Fund, Operating Reserve, and Above & Beyond combined Feb. 25 Balance: $94,601

Our Easter Cross While researching volunteer jobs for a past “Because of You … “ newsle er ar cle, I learned about the Easter Cross that has been part of our Easter decora ons for the past 25 years or so. Although it did not fit in with what I was wri ng about at the me, I really wanted to pass along the story of how the cross is decorated each year. Some me shortly a er we moved into our current building we began using a cross made out of chicken wire. A er the holes were filled with daffodils, the cross was displayed on our front lawn. Then one year the price of daffodils skyrocketed and there were not enough daffodils at a reasonable

cost to fill in the cross. Don Clinton, who was our pastor at the me, had made the wooden cross that we currently use for Lent. He asked Lynne e Bren n if she could do an arrangement of flowers on it for Easter morning. Lynne e has con nued to decorate the cross each year along with occasional help from other volunteers when the Bren ns were out of town. The cross is s ll in good shape a er 25 years. If you look closely you can see nail holes where one year we used real hammers and nails to “nail” our sins to the cross during Lent.

Mike Snowden

Stewardship Commi ee

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7 is a lucky number…for refugees.

You might not think that 7 CLEANING KITS is a big deal, but consider that each kit contains Laundry detergent, dish detergent, light bulbs, a mop and a bucket, a broom and a dustpan, cleaning spray, a toilet brush, paper towels and ssues. That’s a total of 13 items mes 7 which equals 91items, more or less! Thank you all very much. Special thanks to Donna Hogeburg for the “easy to use” dona on chart and to the Food Backpack 4 Kids crew who assembled the kits. Kits will be delivered to Lutheran Community Services NW in early April. Speaking of early April… Our date for dinner at Peace Lutheran is very early in the month, Thursday, April 5th to be exact. The dona on chart in the narthex has plenty of blank spaces for more dona ons. Agnus Dei has been serving lasagna in October and April for many years. Churches on Hilltop take monthly turns hos ng this dinner for anybody who is hungry. Dona on churches in the greater Tacoma area take turns supplying food and labor. We are just one of about 20 who help. Please consider suppor ng this effort. In the future… In late April/early May baby kits, quilts and fabric kits will be sent to Lutheran Work Relief in Bal more via Port Orchard and Sea le. Quilters are busy finishing up a group of beau ful quilts. Look for them on Blessing Sunday on April 22nd when quilts will be displayed in the sanctuary We are always in need of gently used (size 6 mos. to 24 months), baby clothes and blankets: shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, PJs, socks hand towels, gentle soap. And, since third world babies wear cloth diapers, we can use flannel to make them. In July we will be collec ng rummage for the Peninsula Lutheran Church Sale to benefit Prison Ministries at WCCW and Shelton. Le overs from that sale will be given to St Nick’s for their sale the following week. They give their le overs to St Vincent de Paul! Somebody is going to love your rummage. So, please set it aside for the July sales. Thanks for all you support, Ronnie for Rose, Phyllis, Linda R., Linda Z., and Donna H., your Human Concerns Commi ee.

Open Positions - Little Lambs Board and Congregational Council It is the responsibility of the nominating committee to find those called to serve in leadership positions in the congregation. At the congregational meeting in May, the community as a whole makes the final decision, by election, who will serve. This year, four people will be elected to the congregational council and two people will be elected to the Little Lambs Board. If you have interest in any of these positions, or questions about what serving in this way involves, please contact Pastor Stephanie.

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Coffee Hour is now by sign up. The sign up sheet is posted in the hallway by the nametags. Hosts are always needed. Please stop by and sign up for a Sunday.

Serve in Worship Schedule Coordinators: Altar Guild: Dianna Carlson; Altar Flowers: Dianna Carlson; As-sis ng Ministers: Shari Shull; Communion Servers and Greeters: Ghita Lorenz; Lectors: Paula Davis, Offering Counters: Linda Rib-ary ; Ushers: Ghita Lorenz

Serving in Worship March 2018

D Iverson

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Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Calendar April 2018

*denotes group not affiliated with ADLC

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Repea ng Event Details Weekly Events Wednesdays, 9:20 am--Back Packs 4 Kids Gather in the community room to fill backpacks with weekend food for students in need. Contact Phyllis Brandt Wednesdays, 10:30 am Lec onary Study with our pas-tors in the Couch Room. Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00--Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the ADLC Couch Room. All kni ers and crochet enthu-siasts are welcome! Contact Gwen Daugs Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Contact Shari Shull Thursdays, 9:40 AM AM Church Staff Mee ng Fridays, 10:30 am--Augsburg Bible Study in the commu-nity room. Contact Rose VanderKlomp Sundays, Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 AM, followed by fellowship in the Parish Hall Sundays, Educa on Hour for all ages at 9:45 AM Adult Forum meets in the Parish Hall, Confirma on meets in the Youth Room, Cross Genera onal Sunday School meets in the Sanctuary

Monthly Events: First Saturday, 8:30 am--Men’s Square at the Sunset Grille, Breakfast & Bible Study. Contact Steve Carlson First Saturday, 8:30 am--Women’s Circle at the Sunset Grille, Breakfast and Bible study. Contact Sonja Miller Third Tuesday, Gather Bible Study in the community room. Social me begins at 1:00 pm followed by the study found in the Gather Magazine. For more infor-ma on contact either Marge Olmsted or Barb Deák Third Thursday, 12:00 Dining for Women, No mee ng in December The Gig Harbor Chapter of DFW meets monthly for a program and lunch benefi ng global pro-jects that empower women and girls. All women wel-come! Third Thursday, Theology on Tap, 5:30 PM Discussion group meets at the Marketplace Grille. Contact Lyle Mil-ler Third Friday, 7:00 pm--Agnus Dei Book Group in the community room. Contact Neal VanDerVoorn Fourth Tuesday and Second Monday 1:00 Quil ng for Lutheran World Relief meet in the Community Room to

e quilts. Previous experience not required!

Celebrations: APRIL BIRTHDAY* 1 Gail Brandt 5 Kathryn Duncan 8 Pam Martin, Daryl Daugs 10 Dave Harshman 11 Gloria Witt 12 Laura Farley, Devin Irons 13 David Moore 14 George Kenefick 15 Austin Moore 16 Audrey Clinton 17 Olin Hogeberg, Virginia Witt-Abbott 18 Kathy Fox, Peter Wagner 20 Alex Meacham 22 Chris Stephens 23 Sue Burnett, Olivia Iversen 24 Jenny Nussbaum 25 Jackie Kimball 26 Dianna Carlson, Mike Evans 28 Susan Luebeck 30 Coni Liljengren

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES* 3/66 Lance and Marilyn Colyar 3/? Dan and Carol Dana 9/88 Kimberly Morgan and Paul Gross 20/95 Dave and Terri Schinkel

We joyfully welcomed eight new siblings in Christ at Easter Vigil, March 31st: George Baker and Arliss Siebert; Marty and Dave Beert; Heinz Malon and Robin Winslow; and Gene Kuest. We also welcomed Erik James,

infant son of Leif and Ka e Dobszinky, in the sacrament of Holy Bap sm.

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The monthly newsletter of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church 10511 Peacock Hill Ave NW

Gig Harbor, WA 98332 Submit newsletter items, subscription requests and address changes to Editor/Administrative Assistant: Cindy Beals 253-851-6222 office@agnusdeilutheran.org Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Stephanie McCarthy 253-851-6222, pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org Pastor: Rev. Seth Novak 253-851-6222, pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org Minister of Music, Shari Shull, Deacon 253-851-6222, sharishull@comcast.net Church Musician: Susan Luebeck Church Administrator, Cindy Beals 253-851-6222, office@agnusdeilutheran.org Congregational President, Lynette Brentin Treasurer, Julie Bell Financial Secretary, Holly Lewis Asst. Fin.Secretary, Rose VanderKlomp Zoe Holmes, Faith Community Nurse Gwen Daugs, Faith Community Nurse

Council Jim Adair,Bob Beals, Lynette Brentin, Donna Hogeberg, Denise Iversen, Bob Nussbaum, Ann Rousseau, John Stava, Randy Spitzer, Linda Zehnder

Little Lambs Preschool Director/Teacher Shannon Moore Email:lambs@agnusdeilutheran.org Board President Debbie Snowden Financial Secretary Kimberly Morgan Secretary Ardith Johnson, Dave Marquardt, Kristin Page, Nels Peterson