Coming Soon!

Online Communion September 6 &

October 4 +++

Rubbish Rustlers September 12

+++ ZOOM MEETINGS

LMM September 19 &

October 17 + + +

Sewing Ladies September 7, 14, 21, 28

October 5, 12, 19, 26 +++

Council Meeting September 16 &

October 14 + + +

Young Adults September 4, 18 & October 2, 16, 30

+ + + Children’s Storytime September 7, 14, 21, 28 & October 5, 12, 19, 26

+ + + Youth

Every Sunday Night

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, Issue 3

Covid-19 Update Phase 2 starting in September – outdoor worship coming soon!

On Sunday, March 15, hurrying out after a congregation meeting, who could have guessed that five months later we would still not be holding in-person worship? While all of us miss gathering in-person, given the number of people in our congregation who are at increased risk, including some staff members and staff family members, through this summer the recommendation of our congregation COVID-19 Task Force has been to choose the cautious option.

Yes, there are some congregations in our community which have returned to meeting in person, but most have not. Some that have started back have stopped because of close calls. Research shows that most virus infections can be traced back to “super-spreader events” in which a single highly contagious person attends a group gathering. This doesn’t mean that every group gathering

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September is God’s Work, Our Hands Month

This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. John’s will stretch our ELCA God’s Work, Our Hands out for a whole month in order to give members plenty of time to participate. The Community Engagement Table is preparing a host of activities and opportunities to help do God’s work, so that hopefully everyone will find projects they are able to do. Options will include making financial donations to support organizations; collecting items needed to help others; reaching out to care for others; and providing materials for other members to use for projects. You will be able to bring items to the church, send items to the church, or have them picked up. We want to help you help others, no matter what your situation!

This year, given the worldwide impact of the pandemic, we want to challenge each household or individual to make a significant effort this year to become involved. Because we cannot organize in-person events, caring for our neighbors, community, and world requires extra initiative for all of us – and it’s our calling as followers of Jesus to step up!

Following, you will see some activities we will be asking you to choose from. Details for these

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Still Being the Church – Your generosity in action…

Even in this time of pandemic, God’s Mission to bring Good News of Love, Mercy, and Grace to the world continues. Indeed, with all the economic, political, and social upheaval that surrounds us, it’s even more important that disciples of Jesus continue to proclaim this Good News… and you have!

St. John’s members continue to share their time and talents faithfully, despite the limitations caused by cautions of distancing, masking, and time-limiting social interactions. We are blessed to be part of this enthusiastic church family! Here are some examples:

In a Time Such as This Update: not only did we meet and even surpass every commitment goal and challenge goal of our spring repair and maintenance appeal, a huge number of commitments have already been given. Over $94,000 was pledged and over $70,000 has already been given! The HVAC system is paid off, roofing will begin soon, and we are on track to replenish the Maintenance Reserve fund to end-of-2019 levels!

Food Pantry Donations: St. John’s members have given well-over 100 bags of groceries to

(Continued on page 2)

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projects will be shared on the church website and by email. If you are not on the email list, please email info@StJohnsBeaufort.org to request to be added.

+ Lutheran World Relief: In the wake of the explosion in Beirut, LWR needs help! Quilts, personal care, school, and baby care kits; monetary donations. Instructions for providing needed items or making donations will be provided.

+ Lutheran Disaster Response: Our ELCA disaster relief is already providing assistance in response to wind storms in Iowa and fires in California, as well as continuing to provide assistance to other needs in the US and around the world. Instructions for making donations will be provided.

+ The Nuru Daycare: This non-profit child care program is located in the middle of Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya. St. John’s members Jenny & Dan Stoddard have visited this daycare on a mission trip. St. John’s provided a gift of $500 from the new funds that were added to the Plan for Mission 2020 for Global Mission. For God’s Work, Our Hands month you will have an opportunity to provide school supplies to children in the daycare and food for their families during this time of pandemic. To read more about the center, see the facing page.

+ Lutheran Services Carolina: In it’s group homes, foster care homes, and veterans programs LSC has a need for masks. Been thinking about sewing masks but haven’t tried it? We have members who can teach you.

+ Empathy card making & writing: Do you like to draw or paint? We will collect hand made artwork to turn into St. John’s greeting cards. Want to write cards to others? We will put you to work.

+ Baking and Cooking: Are you willing to bake casseroles for the freezer? How about cookies or brownies for college kids? Details coming soon.

+ Back to School Support: Help kids and teachers who are starting back online or in person. We’ll tell you what is needed to provide helpful items to students and teachers.

+ Local Food Pantries: Help of Beaufort & Salvation Army continue to provide food to dozens of Beaufort families, and more help is needed. Have you purchased a few cans? How about this month buy a dozen? Or 2 dozen?

+ Ready to get out of the house? Some members will need items they have collected picked up. Others might need some yard or fix-it help. Some will be needed to prepare bags. We will ask you to mask and distance, but we can put you to work!

Excited? More information about all these God’s Work, Our Hands projects is coming soon!

(Continued from page 1 - God’s Work, Our Hands month)

two food pantries, HELP of Beaufort and the Salvation Army. Together with these partners we are making a difference for those who have difficulty putting food on the table, many because of job insecurity caused by the pandemic. This need has not slowed, so keep up the good work!

Good Neighbor Medical Clinic (GNMC): Because of members’ ongoing generosity, we are able to provide the loving support which was outlined in our Plan for Mission 2020. This week St. John’s provided a $500 donation to the local free medical clinic which helps low income persons without health insurance in our community. Member Carolyn Jenkins says, “We are grateful for this gift. It will enable GNMC to provide expanded care by

providing copayments to patients who need to be referred to specialists for additional medical services!

Online Gatherings: Many St. John’s members gather online regularly for worship, youth group, young adult group, children’s story time, reading groups, sewing group, Lutheran Men in Mission, and more. While we all look forward to resuming in-person gatherings, these online groups provide needed connections between members. Member Sue Mannheim says, “In the reading group, not only are we having interesting discussions about the book (Kate Bowler’s, Everything Happens…) I’m getting to know several members that I didn’t already know before!”

(Continued from page 1 - Still Being the Church)

Top picture, from left to right: Good Neighbor Medical Clinic thanks you! President of the Board Alice Moss, Carolyn Jenkins, and GNMC Executive Director Cassi Kilpatrick join in thanking St. John’s for supporting their work to provide medical care for our neighbors.

Above: Member Mason Plair cannot wait for Children’s Bible Story time with Deacon Katie. He started reading ahead in his Story Bible even before the Zoom gathering started!

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will be such an event. In fact, most won’t. But we have not wanted to gamble with creating the one event which negatively impacts our congregation and our community.

Fortunately, given what has been learned about the transmission of this virus and the effectiveness of combining distancing, masking, and the time-limiting of personal interaction – especially when indoors – residents of South Carolina and of Beaufort seem to be learning how to reduce transmission. For several weeks now numbers of new confirmed cases, the percent of positive tests, and the number of deaths have been declining.

Therefore, the COVID-19 Task Force has recommended and the Congregation Council has approved that St. John’s move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of our COVID-19 action plan. The full plan can be found at www.SJBft.org/info.

This means two big changes: The first is that we will be able to add a few more people to our online worship leadership team. The second is that we will be able to add outdoor worship services. Participants will be required to distance and wear masks, but we will be able to visit with one another and worship on the church grounds.

We are planning for the first outdoor service to be a simple vespers with Holy Communion, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 pm. Sunday morning online services will continue as they have throughout the pandemic, with online communion offered the first Sunday of each month.

Details about participating in the outdoor worship will be shared on the church website, by email, and in Sunday worship. We will also reach out to those members of the congregation who do not use electronic communication. If you need to be added to the email mailing list, please email info@stjohnsbeaufort.org to make that request.

Please note that the plan to enter Phase 2 depends on pandemic numbers continuing to move in the right direction. That is why the worship date is listed as tentative. We are hopeful that this will happen and we ask for your prayers that the impact of the pandemic continues to decline in our community.

Peace. Be well. Seek justice. Pastor Shannon

(Continued from page 1 - COVID-19 Update)

The Nuru Daycare Center

One of the agencies which St. John’s has supported this year with a donation from the Plan for Mission funds for Global Mission is the Nuru Daycare, a non-profit child care center in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya. Run by Pastor James and Hellen Obedi, the center’s mission is to provide a safe haven for children who range in age from newborn to 7 years old. Children in the day care receive two meals per day, milk, and fresh water.

Additionally, children from the neighborhood drop in at the day care to play and get a snack. No child is turned away. During the pandemic, the mission of the center has temporarily shifted to providing food to the families of its children, whose parents are unable to work.

ELCA Synod Assembly Bishop’s Election

On July 25, in the Synod’s first ever online Assembly, the Rev. Virginia “Ginny” Aebischer was elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Pastor Aebischer was elected on the fifth ballot, with 280 votes. The Rev. Jacqueline Utley, received 211 votes.

Bishop-Elect Aebischer has most recently served as Assistant to the Bishop with Bishop Herman Yoos. She is a 1983 graduate of Upsala College and received her Masters of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, in 1989.

Bishop-Elect Aebischer will succeed Bishop Herman Yoos, taking office September 1, with an Installation service on October 10.

Cards of congratulations may be sent to: Bishop-Elect Virginia Aebischer 1003 Richland Street Columbia SC 29201

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From the desk of Pastor Craig

Okay, I’m officially tired of focusing on what we’re missing. Even though we’re in the midst of a very serious pandemic, we are so fortunate for all we have to cope with this challenging situation. As a church we’ve got the technology to be able to broadcast worship. When the infection rate starts to slow we have the land and a shelter for holding outdoor worship. We’ve got incredibly creative and industrious members helping us connect by Zoom. Our communities have the latest in science and health to be figuring out how to keep us safe and each day we gain a better understanding how to deal with this vicious virus. We have telephones to keep in touch. We have face masks and hand sanitizer. We have television to offer us news or entertainment. Netflix and all these streaming options allow us to watch old shows like I Love Lucy, Cheers, and whatever frivolous pastimes you want.

On Saturday, July 25 we held the South Carolina Synod Assembly – a meeting of the 100 or so congregations of our state. Yes, it was virtual – but it was pretty amazing that we could connect with one another and even elect a new bishop. With great gratitude, we wish retiring Bishop Herman Yoos all the best in his retirement as we welcome our new Bishop-Elect, Rev. Ginny Aebischer (who happened to be Bishop Herman’s assistant these past 12 years). Rev. Ginny knows St. John’s and will certainly be able to support us as we move forward into the future.

The biblical lessons we’ve been reading recently on these summer Sundays have certainly highlighted what a remarkable God we have. The Almighty One who comes in the flesh in Jesus teaches us what is truly important, encourages us to be both faithful and good to one another, and ultimately offers his life so that we will know that life with God is assured for those who know and love the Lord.

So, I’m officially giving up the poor me thoughts. Yes, there are things that we can’t do right now – and, yes, social distancing is not ideal. But, let’s decide to make the best of it and do all that we are able to do, to enjoy the life that we’ve been given and try to help everyone find that same joy in each day. Life as we used to know it may return sometime in the future, but this is the day that the Lord has made – let’s rejoice in it! Yes, we can be sad about what we want to do and can’t – but let’s not let that hold us back from doing what we are able to do and finding joy in what’s in front of us.

Pastor Craig

Grief in a Time of Pandemic

Announcing a 6-week Grief Study via Zoom Led by Deacon Katie Justice

Weekly, beginning Monday, September 14 Two different sessions available: 12:30-1:30 pm OR 6:30-7:30 pm

A Zoom link and information about using Zoom is available at www.SJBft.org/info

Grief is something that we rarely like to talk about. It is like a hidden secret that we keep in our mental drawer only to pull it out when we are alone. However, with all that is going on, we cannot hide our grief any longer. During this pandemic, many of us have experienced a wide variety of emotions: sadness, anger, disbelief, frustration, and more. Experiencing these emotions may not be new to us but experiencing them for a long period of time can wear the body down. Many of us are wondering, will this pandemic ever end? Will we be able to go back to living our lives the way we used to?

You may have heard about the five stages of grief, created by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). Her book was written for the person who was dying, but people who lose someone or something go through these stages as well. Grief can be complicated. We can go through the stages of grief in different orders. Sometimes we take one step forward and then two steps back.

If you are struggling with grief of any kind, whether you have lost a loved one, lost a sense of normality during the pandemic, or have lost friendships, it is important to have someone to talk to about your grief, whether it be a therapist, friend, pastor, or deacon. You do not have to grieve alone nor do you have to keep your feelings bottled up inside.

We all want to appear happy, but I am giving you permission to let out the sadness. It is okay to be sad. You are not alone in this. Others are trying to figure this out too. Take comfort that God is with you in this darkness and that God will always be by your side.

So, if you are struggling with grief, please come to either one of the two series on the five stages of grief that are being offered. Here is what to expect with the sessions: the first session will be an introduction along with check-ins and finding out what you think about grief. The rest of the sessions will include a check-in, a discussion of one stage of grief, time for questions and sharing personal stories, with prayer to end.

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Rubbish Rustlers Next date - September 12, 8:30 am

Thanks to each who helped in July. A total of 15 bags of rubbish was collected and a tire! The following people participated: Gene Pfister; Ben Hom; Emil Klatt; Jim Palmer; Pete, Nan, and Adam Burvenich; and Mike & Helen Masters. A special thanks to Ben who picked up trash around the picnic shelter and provided a secure trash and recycling bin for the area. See you at our next gathering! Thank you, Mike Masters

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Lutheran Men in Mission Saturday, September 19, 10 am

October 17, 10 am

Our Zoom gathering day is changing! We are still meeting once a month however, starting in September we will shift to the THIRD Saturday of the month using the Zoom meeting platform. Men can join the gathering through Zoom or call-in from their telephone. Our time together usually lasts about an hour, and includes a brief Bible reflection and time for sharing. While our in-person time together can’t happen right now, we can still reach each other through these Zoom gatherings. Feel free to contact any of the officers if you’re looking for more information about our LMM.

LMM Officers are: Marvin Morrison, President Curt Cianci, Vice President Arno Moellenhoff, Secretary Tim Bockelman, Treasurer

The Loss of a Brother

This summer our nation and world has been shaken by many things. One event however, stands out for the

St. John’s LMM, the death of our brother in Christ, Randy Collins. Randy was so passionate in being a man of Christ, a Lutheran man in mission and action. His involvement in our St. John’s LMM was vast: leadership, cooking, planning, organizing events, and most importantly, caring for his neighbors. His action with LMM didn’t stop at St. John’s, he’s been involved in leadership in our conference and state LMM. They too will miss him.

One of the greatest impacts Randy had on many Lutheran men’s lives was through the One Year to Live men’s (and more recently women’s) Christian retreat program. He loved being involved in those weekends and convinced many to attend. He returned on a high from retreats, talking about the interaction of the men learning together. We will miss Randy. Peace my Brother. I’m in.

Walk for Water September 26, 2020 at 9:00 am

www.bit.ly/BftWalk2020

Going strong and going virtual! This year’s walk is wherever you are! Join us as we walk to raise awareness of the global water crisis and funds that save lives. 1.8 billion people lack access to safe water. This year, pick up a bucket in your neighborhood and walk virtually! Sign up today! (The Walk for Water is another opportunity for participating in God’s Work, Our Hands month!)

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Lawn Care Equipment Repair Contact Mike Masters mhdrm@earthlink.net

If you get our congregational emails, you know that Mike Masters loves to tinker with lawncare equipment. If you have a piece of equipment that you need work done on, would like to get rid of, or possibly an item that you need, contact Mike and he would love to try to help you!

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Sewing Ladies

Even though we have not physically met since the beginning of the pandemic, we are keeping in touch and fulfilling our mission to supply quilts, bibs, and masks. Last month, with the help of Melinda Ellis and Rhoda Moore, we sent a box of quilts to the Arkansas Children's Hospital. Helena Place needed bibs and our ladies immediately answered the call and we delivered bibs. At the top of the list of needs were and are masks, so many chipped in and made masks for the Good Neighbor Clinic and for members of St. John's and their friends and family. There are masks available for pickup in the church’s drop box. Presently, we are working to help replace Lutheran World Relief’s lost quilts. This is not a fast process, but we will have a box ready to ship before the end of the month with the help of quilters and non-quilters who recognize the need. We have great support from our Church family and many volunteers to assist in getting these quilts ready to go.

Presently, there are eight small quilts hanging in the Narthex. If anyone would like to give a quilt or know a child who could use a warm hug, please let the Church Office know and they can arrange for you to pick up one. We are making lap size quilts and children' quilts as always. We will be sending a box to Lutheran Carolina Services as we do every Christmas. If you would like to get involved, contact Pat Bennett 216-269-3519.

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Right: Wilma Goertz with a balloon bouquet celebrating her 90th birthday! The sewing ladies organized a parade to pass by Wilma’s house. These ladies waved from a distance and brought the biggest smile to Wilma’s face!

Unity Against Racism in Beaufort

Below left: On July 18, local pastors and city officials gathered together under one cause: to stand against racism. Leaders from more than 20 churches gathered. In a time such as this, where division is all around us, it’s important to fix our eyes on unity.

The Building is Closed, but the Church is Open

Youth Update Detailed info regularly posted at: SJBft.org/YouthInfo CHANGE in Meeting day & time - Starting September 6 - every SUNDAY at 6:00 pm!

All youth in grades 6-12 are invited for youth nights.

A personal update from Deacon Katie: It has been a productive few months for our youth and children. Youth will meet on Sunday nights at 6 pm and children’s Story Time is Monday nights at 6 pm.

For youth, it has been going great! I have been able to make good connections with them and they are enjoying our gatherings. We have six regular attendees and several others who drop in. On August 26, we had guest speaker Joe Davis chat with the youth about racism. The youth really enjoyed his presentation and spending time with him.

Our children are really enjoying Story Time with Deacon Katie. I have a total of 8 children who attend and love every minute of it. I have been able to make connections with the kids and the parents and that makes my heart truly happy.

Gradually I will implement other plans to further connect with members of St. John’s, so stay tuned! (See Grief in a Time of Pandemic, page 4)

+ + + Joe Davis is a nationally-touring artist, educator, and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN. His work employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture. Through his entertaining, he captures the attention of an audience all while educating them on deep rooted subject matters. Joe has served as teaching artist at hundreds of high schools and universities, recently as Artist-in-Residence at Luther Seminary, the seminary where he earned a Masters in Theology of the Arts. It was a great honor and privilege to have Joe Davis with our students.

Above right: Welcoming back Wednesday Nights Together, the youth kicked off with a talent show! Many members joined the Zoom call to be entertained by our youth! More Wednesday Nights Together will be coming soon!

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Thanks!

To my church family, Brian and I would like to express our deep gratitude and thanks to all of you who sent beautiful cards of sympathy and sent meals in the loss of my mother. She was living with me for 9 years. With her Alzheimer’s getting so bad, I know she is now at peace and with my father in heaven. Your thoughtfulness and love just confirms what a great church family we have. I miss seeing each of you. Yours in Christ, Sam Cowan

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Dear Gloria and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Thank you so much for the thoughtful container of goodies (everything you could think of and need during such a difficult time). They sure came in handy. Love, Martie Kay & the family of Mary Lou Darity

____________ To our church family, Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during our loss of Randy. Thank you for all of the cards, and gifts of food, all who provided food for the meal train. It was greatly appreciated and made us feel comforted knowing how much Randy was loved and how much of a loving church family we belong to. Thank you Gloria, Jordan, Reanna and Pastor for all of the services. Thank you all and God Bless you all, Collins Family

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My family at St. John’s, Thank you to everyone for your prayers and cards of sympathy at the loss of my older brother, Erich Siringhaus Jr. We were always close and he saved my hide a couple of times from trouble. Fond memories are for healing and I have lots of those. God’s peace and blessings, Holly Hornback

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Dear Women of St. John's Lutheran “AKA-Angel Friends” Thank you for the absolutely incredible “Box of Love” filled with everything imaginable that we could possibly have needed during our most darkest few weeks of our life! To have that box by our side was truly one of the most awesome gifts of love ever! Thank you for your love and generosity and for standing by our family! We are forever grateful and will pass on your kindness and example! With gratitude, Lisa Clancy & Sons

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To the ones who make St. John’s all that it is, Thank you allowing me to serve you as the administrative assistant for the past 3 years. You’ve done more for me than I could ever do for you. The heartbeat of this Church is evident in how you love. Blessings, Reanna Fontenot

Special Contributions June 21, 2020—August 16, 2020

Given in Memory of Randy Collins Kierstin Bockelman

Chuck & Claria Gorgen* Perry & Nancy Dukes Richard & Vera Gwin

Audrey Lund Arno & Jane Moellenhoff

Larry & Eve Roane* June Rourk Doti Wilson

Given in Memory of Chester Cotter Chuck & Claria Gorgen*

Given in Memory of Ann Johanson Chuck & Claria Gorgen*

Given in Memory of Marie Lawson Merna Bernard

Perry & Nancy Dukes Audrey Lund

Larry & Eve Roane* June Rourk Doti Wilson

Given in Memory of Karla Peterson Merna Bernard

Perry & Nancy Dukes Audrey Lund

Larry & Eve Roane* Marly Roper June Rourk Doti Wilson

Given in Memory of Clara Smith Chuck & Claria Gorgen* Monday Sewing Group

Janet Wedlock

Given in Memory of Mary Ellen Witter Robert & Margaret Denise

Frederick & Mary Jo Fox

*Designated for the Endowment Fund

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Member Update

Whether it’s contact information that has changed or physical life updates, let us know what’s going on! To keep our weekly email, prayer list, and Shephard’s Staff accurate, please contact the Church Office with any updates you may have.

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157 Lady's Island Drive Beaufort, SC 29907 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor P. Shannon Mullen Deacon Katie Justice Pastor Craig Boehlke, part time assisting pastor Phone: 843-524-3461 Fax: 843-524-5950 Email: info@StJohnsBeaufort.org

Non Profit Organization US Postage

PAID St. Helena Island, SC

Permit No. 7

Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9:00 am—2:00 pm

www.StJohnsBeaufort.org

OFFICIAL NOTICE: Congregation Annual Meeting, Sunday, December 13 - 9:30 am Note: due to COVID-19 impact on the church calendar, this year’s Annual Meeting will be later than usual.

The congregation will meet on December 13 after the 8:15 am service to adopt the 2021 Plan for Mission and to elect Congregation Council members. No other business will be brought to the floor. This meeting will either be an outdoor meeting OR an online Zoom meeting. Detailed procedural instructions for the meeting will be shared in November.

2020 Congregation Council, Officers, and Committee/Organization/Team Leaders

Congregation Council Members and Officers Perry Dukes, President + Ryan Smith, Vice-President + Lauren Solberg, Secretary + Laura Holley, Treasurer + Sarah Anderson + Pat Bennett + Theresa Blackburn + Josh Ferguson + Sona Lyttle + Mike Masters + Linda Robinson + Carol Ruff + Dorinda Selby

Endowment Committee Members Chuck Gorgen + Harley Ruff + Hampton Long + Gary Nizzi

Table Coordinators & Team Leaders

Church Support ........................ George Holden & Sam Cowan Community Engagement ....... Melinda Ellis & Jenny Stoddard Congregation Engagement ................. Financial Secretary .......................................... Paul Mannheim

Assistant Financial Secretary .................................. Curt Cianci Librarian ................................................................ Jane Pfarner Lutheran Men in Mission ............................. Marvin Morrison Lutheran Women ....................................... Tammy Verheyden