BETHANY SPEAKS A Newsletter for God’s People

Of

Bethany Lutheran Church

Northern Great Lakes Synod

ELCA

550 Cherry Street

Negaunee, MI 49866

Phone: 906-475-9533

Email: NegBLC@aol.com

Website: be-lutheran.org

May & June, 2017

Leadership

Pastor Tamra Harder

Phone 906-236-5895

Bill Hartman, President

Tamara Wommer, Vice President

Bonnie Johnson, Secretary

Jean Mitchell, Treasurer

Gary Parkkonen, Council Member

Christal Peterson, Council Member

Dave Turri, Council Member

Ellen Flack, Admin.Treasurer

Linda Turri, Financial Secretary

Julie Champion, Recording

Financial Secretary

Gary Parkkonen, Organist

Mary Kerkela, Parish Nurse

906-361-0223

Marilyn Warren, WELCA President

Midge Waters, Librarian and Archivist

Joe Zyble, Custodian

Bethany Lutheran Church’s Mission Statement

Proclaiming the Good News of Christ

in Word and Deed through Welcome,

Worship and Witness.

Deadline for the July/August Newsletter is

June 21

2017 Worship Schedule

May & June

Our Worship will be at

11:15 am

November – December: 9:30 Worship

From Pastor Tamra:

Change is in the Air It is spring!!! Well, maybe I should say that we have had a few spring-like days up here in the U.P. Birds are out in force. The daffodils and crocus’ are blooming. The tree buds are plump and ready to pop. Even the blackened piles of snow along the parking lots are gone. Everything seems to be changing right before our eyes. Nature is not the only place that we are seeing changes. The Northern Great Lakes Synod is getting ready to elect a new bishop. We are searching for a new administrative assistant here at the church. Change is in the air. It can be exciting and invigorating, or it can be scary. Sometimes it seems devastating. Change can make us anxious and fearful because we feel out of control. We want to know what is coming next in our lives, so we can be prepared. But that is not how life works. Change happens, constantly and often unexpectedly, whether we want it or not. It is as sure as death and taxes. The good news is that we have a God who walks beside us through all the changes of our lives, whether they are good or bad. And I truly believe that God will use whatever change is happening in our lives and communities for good if, we trust in God and allow it to help us grow and become more like Jesus Christ in how we respond and act. It is through these changes, that our lives are often totally transformed. I invite you to think about an event in your life, a big change, that transformed

your life. Do you remember how you felt when it was happening? What about a year later? Five years? Often even the most devastating events led to amazing transformation. No matter what changes you are experiencing this spring, I hope that these bible verses will give you peace and encouragement in the journey. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: Isaiah 43:19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Joshua 1:9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Your Sister in Christ, Pastor Tamra

Blessings From the Lord

Date Attendance Offering March 5 41 $ 2,885.70 March 12 38 $ 1,790.47 March 19 30 $ 1,172.50 March 26 28 $ 1,141.10 April 9 51 $ 1,455.50 April 16 79 $ 2,746.20 February 19 February 26 To meet the budget our offering should be $1590.60 per week.

BULLETIN SPONSORS The March 4 bulletin was given in memory of their grandson, Drew Thomas Hartman, by Bill and Bobbie Hartman. The March 12 bulletin was given in honor of new members: Mike & Chris Haines, Brian Sowers, Patti & Keith Polkinghorne and Kelli & Bonnie Bucholtz, by Jean Mitchell. The March 26 bulletin was given in memory of Bill Jennings, by Beverly Jennings. The April 16 bulletin was given in honor of Bethany Family, by Jean Mitchell. The April 23 bulletin was given in memory of loved ones, by Carol Johnson. The March Mining Journal was given in memory of Bob & Margaret Mitchell, by Jean, Paul, Peg, Greg, Denise Mitchell & Christian Frye, by Jean Mitchell.

March and April Council Meeting Highlights

We received letters of Thanks for monetary

donations from Room at the Inn and Fortune

Lake. We received a deposit on behalf of

Thrivent Choice program.

We received notice that Marilyn Sumner has

bequeathed $2,000.00 to Bethany.

A letter of resignation was received from

Administrative Assistant, Laurie Kass

Social Ministry Committee: Game nights

have been going well. The last one was April

7th and we plan on having one in May. Four

kids helped with making and delivering dog

beds for UPAWS. Ending Hunger Alliance of

Marquette had a food packing event at the

KI Sawyer School. Members are encouraged

to volunteer.

Property Committee: We had some siding

damage in the recent storm. We will get

Scott’s Home Repair to take a look.

Discussed planting prairie grass near the

front ramp/railing at alleviate rock problem.

Planning for the WOW after school program

is in full swing. Duties have been delegated

and plans are moving forward. A Community

Grant application has been submitted. The

kick-off event is scheduled for August 30.

Discussion about how to proceed with

finding a new administrative assistant.

WELCA report: Spring cluster meeting is

coming up on May 7 in Munising.

Pastor’s Report: Volunteers needed for

Feed Your Hungry Neighbor. Five people

attended the Book of Matthew discussions.

Confirmation has been going well with

Immanuel – only a couple weeks left.

Several kids are going to Immanuel for

Sunday School. Financial Peace University

finished with two new graduates. Pastor will

take off May 20 and 21 to attend a wedding

out of town.

What’s Happening at Bethany:

If you haven’t already done so, please

take a barn bank and start saving money

for the Synod Assembly World Hunger

Collection. Decorated “cows” and

donations will be brought to the Synod

Assembly on May 21-23.

Pastor Tamra will be leading a new

discussion group beginning May 3rd. The

group will meet each Wednesday at

1:15. This group will be discussing the

book What Every Church Member

Should Know About Poverty. Books are

$20.00. Let Pastor know if you would

like one.

WELCA Spring Cluster Program and

Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 7,

at Eden On the Bay Lutheran Church in

Munising.

Our kitchen could use ziplock bags and

small/large paper plates if you can

donate some.

Quilting and Prayer Shawl groups

continue to meet at the church on

Wednesday mornings – please consider

joining in this important ministry – and

also sharing in the fun and socialization!

Speaking of the Quilting Group….. they

are always in need of sheets for their

quilting projects. Minimum size needed is

twin flat.

Administrative Assistant needed:

Bethany Lutheran Church and Emanuel

Lutheran Church in Skandia are both looking

for a Part time Administrative Assistant.

Bethany would be up to 10 hours a week

and Emanuel would be up to 20. Applicants

should possess good communication skills;

know general business office practices, have

a good working knowledge of computers,

printer, copiers, etc., and be efficient in the

use of Microsoft Office software – especially

Word, Publisher, and Excel. Previous

secretarial and/or office/clerical experience

in a church setting a plus. Valid driver’s

license and transportation is required. Some

weekend work is required (Sunday

mornings). You may apply for one of these

jobs or both. The deadline for applications is

May 5th. If interested, please send a cover

letter and resume by mail or e-mail to either:

Bethany Lutheran Church NegBLC@aol.com 550 Cherry Street, Negaunee, MI 49866 Emanuel Lutheran Church Emanuel@tds.net P.O. Box 160, Skandia, MI 49885

Remembering in Prayer… Members: Al Johnson, Pauline Johnson, Bea & Paul Matthews, Anne, Pastor Bob Sutherland, Sharon Guidebeck, Judy Nease, and Mike Haines. Friends: Pastor Marcia Solberg, Christie Lantz, Holly, Becky, Mark, Terri, Viola, Theresa Syrjala, Melissa, Linda, Dakota, Sally Weingartner, Scotty, Rick, Ann, Wilsey, Jeremy and all who serve in the military.

WOW! We are working on an exciting new program for the Fall of 2017 here at Bethany! WOW! Word on Wednesday will be an after school program for kindergarten through 5th grade children. Kids in the neighborhood will be invited to join our Bethany kids for a snack, fellowship, and a “Sunday School” lesson after school on Wednesdays. We will hire a program coordinator to run this brand new program in our youth area downstairs. The church council has applied for a grant through the Community Foundation of Marquette County to get WOW! Off the ground. If awarded, this grant will cover the salary of a coordinator for one year, new tables and chairs, art supplies, and a curriculum. The council is planning a kick off event for WOW! On August 30th at Bethany. Please let Pastor Tamra know if you’d like to help plan this event. This is a brand new and exciting program for Bethany and our children! We would love to have many members volunteer in many ways to bring a successful youth program to our church.

Noisy Offerings for the rest of the year:

May: Camp New Day

June: Women’s Center – Harbor

House

July: Jansen House

August: Quilt Shipping

September: Keep Kids Warm

October: Jacobetti

November: St. Vincent DePaul

December: Salvation Army

Please keep in mind that we have sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for sponsoring bulletins and Mining Journal Ads. A Bulletin sponsorship is $15 and a Mining Journal Ad is $25. This is a great way to honor or remember someone special.

Note from Laurie

Thank-you so much to everyone at

Bethany Lutheran Church for making

my work here so enjoyable. It has

been a great pleasure working with

all of you and I truly appreciate the

time I have spent here. I have

accepted a full-time position at UP

Health Systems and will be leaving

Bethany as of May 1. I will miss my

job here very much, but will get back

here to visit when possible!

From Jean Mitchell: Dear Friends, On Christmas Eve a man and his granddaughter sat in front of me. While the man looked familiar, I couldn’t think of his name. Over the next few months they have come often. Before one service he told me his name and then said it had been 50 years since he had been to worship, not being back since he was confirmed. Then he said, “It’s never too late, is it?” It is NEVER too late come to church, to praise our Risen Lord and gather as a family of God’s people. It is never too late to come and renew your connection in the congregation. We have also been blessed with new members who come to worship and lend their musical gifts to our services. They seem excited about worship and that joy is passed to the rest of us. The Congregational Council is working on a new program for the children. It is new and different, but we are exhilarated (and a little overwhelmed) to develop something new and different. It takes courage to come home after a long time, to join a new group or try a new, never been done before project. Change never comes easy, especially for us Lutherans. It is scary, but, also fun and thrilling. We are cultivating a sense of growth and renewal. The renewal gives us ideas and thoughts of other things we can do to better praise the Lord and serve both Him and His people. At a recent Baptism the parents promised to raise their daughter with “God’s help and guidance.” We, too, need God’s help and guidance in all we do. May God help us to try new things and guide our steps along the way. Jean Mitchell (Update… I thank you all for your prayers and support. I’m getting use to retirement, not driving and once a month paychecks. For now my eyes are stable, for which I’m grateful. I blessed with many friends who make my life better every day. I’ve missed writing to you all and hope this will be the first of many letters to my BETHANY SPEAKS friends) J.M.

From Carol Johnson: An Indian Prayer:

O’ GREAT SPIRIT, Whose voice I hear in the winds, And whose breath gives life to all the world, Hear me! I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. LET ME WALK IN BEAUTY, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. MAKE MY HANDS respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. MAKE ME WISE so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. LET ME LEARN the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I SEEK STRENGTH, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy – myself. MAKE ME ALWAYS READY to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. SO WHEN LIFE FADES, as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. - submitted by Carol Johnson ( from the Sioux Indian children of RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL, Pine Ridge, South Dakota

Our Father You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer

And even once say “I” You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer

And even once say “My” Nor can you pray the Lord’s Prayer

And not pray for one another For when you ask for daily bread

You must include your brother For others are included in each and every plea

From the beginning to the end of It does not say

“Me

In Our Community

Summer Shelter A Summer Shelter for Marquette homeless persons will be held this summer at area

churches. Help our homeless persons have a safe night sleep at the Summer Shelter. Please consider volunteering 1 time per week when you

can! To volunteer for shifts, please go to www.SignUpGenius.com, click on magnifying

glass icon and type in SummerShelter@aol.com. You may download a volunteer orientation from each schedule there. You may attend a training

session May 3rd at 3:30 or 5:15pm at Hope Connection Center,

927 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette.

Love INC CUP

Love INC CUP is now open for business! Our

hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 10-2.

Office staff take phone calls from community

members in need. Connections are then made

to volunteers, churches, and agencies who can

help. Volunteers are needed in the office as well

as in the community. Call 486-8287 if you can

help or if you need help.

Love INC Clearinghouse Coordinator needed

Love INC is looking for a clearinghouse

coordinator! It could be you. Are you someone who works well with people? Someone who can work both independently and cooperatively? Do you listen, empathize and accept others as they

are? Are you organized and willing to make decisions? Contact us if this is you. We would

love to put your talents to use! Part-time position available at the Love INC office. Contact us at loveinccup@gmail.com or call (906) 486-8287.

Head Start

Alger-Marquette Community Action is now

accepting applications for their Head Start

programs. They offer a full day preschool and

half day preschool for children ages 3-5, an early

head start home visiting program for ages pre-

natal to age 3, and a great start readiness

program for children age 4. All programs serve

children of all abilities, including those with

special needs. Please call 228-6522 for more

information or to enroll.

Care Clinic

Pregnancy Services of Marquette, Inc. dba Care

Clinic, is seeking an individual to fill the position

of Volunteer Coordinator. Position requires

excellent organizational and communication skills

along with ability to oversee numerous

volunteers. 30 hours per week with limited

benefits. If you are interested e-mail your

resume, cover letter, and references as soon as

possible to casher@careclinicmqt.org.

No phone calls, please.

Negaunee Male Chorus

The Negaunee Male Chorus spring concert will be

May 5th at 7:00pm in the Negaunee High School

Auditorium.

They will be performing some classical and a few

humorous pieces. Their spring concert this year

benefits the Ishpeming High School’s Music Program

with a $1,000 grant.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and kids

five and under are free.

Marquette County Chamber Chorale presents It’s De-Lovely, Music of Cole Porter

May 19 at 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church

1700 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette The concert will feature Cole Porter’s additions to the

American Song Book, including “It’s De-Lovely”, “Begin the Beguine”, “You’re the Tops” and many

more. There is a freewill donation. For more information call 249-9867.

Garden Conference

The Marquette Beautification Committee will hold a

Garden Conference on Saturday, May 6, at NMU.

The Conference will provide valuable gardening

information for the novice to the expert gardener.

Share gardening tips to take home. Encourage

participants to start a new garden or add to an

existing garden. Instill in each participant a sense of

beautification and restoration in creating a greener

and happier piece of their “own planet earth”. See

their website for registration information:

mqtbeautification.org

Fair Trade Market

Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette will be hosting a Spring Fair Trade Market before and after their

church services on May 6 & 7. Just in time for Mother’s Day, they will have fairly traded items and

goods for sale from SERRV International and Sharing the Dream in Guatemala. Doors open at 4pm on

Saturday and at 8am on Sunday.

ELCA—Disability Ministries

May is Mental Health Month.

Mental Health Month was created in 1949 to

raise awareness about mental health conditions

and the importance of mental wellness for all. In

the spirit of the month, the ELCA recommends

that all congregational and community leaders

create and encourage a dialogue with

congregation and community members about

mental health awareness and the destigmatizing

of mental illness. Nearly every person in the

pews has been touched by mental illness in

some way; individuals and families do not need

to suffer in silence. Our faith communities can

be an active and sympathetic sanctuary for

people living with a mental illness, their family

members, friends, advocates and allies. Help is

available to you, and there is hope for all of us!

When the righteous call for help, the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles. The

Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the

crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the

righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them

all. He keeps all their bones; not one of them will

be broken (Psalm 34: 17-20)

Blessings,

Rachel Bouman

Program Director, Disability Ministries, ELCA

______________________________________

______________________________________

The mission of Lutheran Suicide Prevention

Ministry (LSPM) is to eliminate death-by-suicide.

LSPM accomplishes this through awareness,

education and advocacy. Our ministry acts on

the goals from the 1999 ELCA adopted social

message, Suicide Prevention. We are a grass-

roots organization, empowered by volunteers

who have been affected by mental illness and/or

suicide.

LSPM provides congregations with resources,

communication guidelines and proactive

methods to reduce the stigma around talking

about mental illness and suicide and to create a

welcoming, accepting environment for all. We

are a non-profit corporation and an independent

Lutheran organization working to implement

suicide prevention policies approved by the

ELCA.

More than 42,000 Americans die by suicide

every year compared to fewer than 16,000 by

homicide. Worldwide, there are far more

suicides recorded than combat deaths and

homicides combined. Twenty-two veterans or

current members of the military die each day by

suicide.

During Mental Health Month, which occurs every

May, we encourage all congregations to

destigmatize, discuss and provide resources

devoted to advocating for increased mental

health awareness and suicide prevention.

Sherry Bryand, Lutheran Suicide Prevention

Ministry

ELCA Good Gifts!

$5,471,479 was raised in 2016 through ELCA

Good Gifts:

200 piglets distributed in Liberia

1,350 mosquito nets distributed to families in

Namibia

85 Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers

serving in 13 countries

4,960 orphans and vulnerable children fed in

Malawi

250 scholarships for Lutheran seminary

students in the United States

12 college scholarships awarded to emerging

women from the global church

372 new ministries currently under

development across the ELCA

150 children in Zimbabwe reached through

the orphans and vulnerable children

program

40 savings and loans groups established in

Malawi

138 families assisted in developing farm land

for sustainable livelihoods in Cambodia

300 energy-saving cook stoves produced in

Rwanda

5,000 students in Thailand (ages 12+)

received health, life skills and HIV education

94 babies delivered safely through the

Lutheran Clinic in Burure, Zimbabwe

16,000 Syrians assisted with winterization kits,

including blankets and gas heaters, in

Jordan

Life-saving and emergency assistance

provided to 22,000 refugees and internally

displaced persons in Ukraine and Russia

20 fish farms developed in Malawi

Food assistance, blankets, hygiene kits and

temporary shelters provided to more than

130,000 people in Nepal

Fortune Lake Camp Summer 2017

Camp Season

The Water of Life

“When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2

Water is the physical life source of our bodies

and our world, making up about 60% of adult

human beings and 70% of the planet Earth. As

campers will discover throughout the week,

water is also the source of Christian spiritual life.

The Bible is filled with stories involving water as

a powerful means by which God sustains, heals,

revives, and saves us. God surrounds us and

fills us with literal waters and spiritual waters that

remind us how we are part of God’s life.

Register now for a life changing experience at

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Campers will

grow in faith, make new friends, and have tons

of fun.

Online registration is now open for Summer

2017 Camp Season. The schedule is out and

can be found on our bulletin board.

Calling all future counselors! Fortune Lake

Camp is also taking applications for future

wonderful Fortune Lake Staffers too!

New programs this summer include:

Tree House Adventures: This new

program for grades 6-9 (completed

grades) is set in Vagland, and is a way

to experience the Tree Houses. Have a

normal camp day with many of the

typical Camp activities: campfires,

singing, Bible Study, swimming, making

new friends, plus get to live in the trees.

Grandparent/Grandkid Week: Make

memories to last a lifetime with our new

Grandparent/Grandkid Sampler week at

camp. This is a perfect opportunity to

come to camp and enjoy singing, Bible

Study, and swimming. Bring your

grandkids and stay in one of our

comfortable retreat lodges with private

bathroom.

Leaders in Training: is an opportunity for

high school campers to gain valuable

leadership skill at Camp. This is a 2

week program. First, campers come to a

skill-building week, then choose another

week to come back to put those skills to

use by shadowing a counselor and

helping to lead programs

Upcoming Synod Events

Always Being Made New Hunger

Grants: Grant Applications are due by

May 31. The Always Being Made New

Campaign of 2016 generated funds to

be used in our Synod to support

congregation’s efforts to address issues

of hunger and poverty. A grant could be

used to begin a project by helping to

fund an effort that is already in motion or

give seed money for a new plan of

action.

Summer 2017: Medical-Dental Mission

Trip To Tanzania. Are you a physician,

PA, NP, nurse, dentist, dental hygienist

or other medical/dental professional? Do

you want an experience of a lifetime?

Women’s Fall Retreat: September 15-

17 at Fortune Lake Bible Camp. Theme

“A Godly Touch”. “I want men/women

everywhere to lift up holy hands in

prayer, without anger or disputing.” 1

Timothy 2:8. This retreat will include

workshops, singing, praise & worship,

fellowship, food & fun, crafts, 15 minute

massage (cost $10). The cost is $125

for duplex housing, $140 for lodge

housing. Cost includes meals, Saturday

night ice cream social, workshop

materials, and Coffee Café. To register

please call Pam at 906-428-2442 or

906-280-2918. Forms are available at

https://www.nglsynod.org/welca/

Altar Guild Workshop: September 30

from 8:30 am—2:30 pm at Bethany

Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. $20

includes program and lunch. Those who

prepare the sanctuary for worship

engage in a vital and important ministry.

Your care and attention enriches the

worship of God and the space in which

we offer our praise, our offerings, and

our prayers. But where does the

Paschal candle go? What about the

placement of the cross? Paraments?

Liturgical seasons and colors? The

Font? How and when are the candles

lit? Dr. Melinda Quivik, along with the

Synod Worship Committee, offers a day

of learning for all those who serve on

Altar Guilds or might like to do so.

Lutheran Men in Mission’s Triennial Gathering The LLM Triennial Gathering will be July 21-2, 2017 in Minneapolis. This BOLD GATHERING is a gathering for men of all ages to come together to learn, to worship, to network, and be equipped to BOLDLY live out their faith! This is the first time the Gathering has been held in the Midwest since the 90’s. Registration for the BOLD GATHERING is open. Contact Lon Buss, SCSW LMM Task Force Leader at (608) 516-7875 for details.

From the Bishop

Transition: Calling A Bishop

“In a few short weeks, the synod will gather as a “Call Committee” and with prayer and reflection vote for a new bishop to serve

this synod. This pastor will be elected and serve for six years –from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2023. Please keep our

synod in your personal and family prayers as we prepare to elect a new bishop. When this synod gathers (laity and clergy)

in Marquette on May 21-23, we will call upon a pastor to be our bishop. Here is what this synod’s bishop does and what

I have done for eighteen years:

Preach the Word of God in all of our congregations, institutions and agencies.

Pray for God’s people.

Preside at Communion, and, on occasion, baptisms and funerals in our synod.

Teach the Word of God in our congregations and ministries.

Lead our synod into mission.

Administer the synod’s organization and structure.

Supervise our synod’s officers, office staff and assist all of them to accomplish their ministries.

Recommend ministers to rostered positions.

Ordain and install pastors, deacons and licensed lay ministers.

Encourage and counsel ministers, congregations and synod ministries.

Speak on behalf of the synod, being the public face of the Church here.

Challenge our congregations and its leadership to do justice.

Help to raise up women and men for service as pastors, deacons and lay leaders of this church.

Plan for our work in this synod and throughout the whole church.

Provide pastoral care for our congregations and ministers.

Serve on the ELCA Conference of Bishops and its Conference committees.

Represent the ELCA Bishops Conference on at least one committee or group of the ELCA. I, for example, serve on the ELCA

Foundation Board and advise the ELCA Men in Mission Ministry Board.

Participate in the Region 5 Bishop’s group, Ecumenical group of U.P. Bishops, and advise other organizations including the

Lutheran Social Services Board of Directors.

Actively staff these synod ministries: Synod Council, Synod Council Executive Committee, Endowment Fund Board, Finance

Committee, Mission Outreach Committee, Campus Ministry Board, Lay School and Licensed Lay Ministry Board,

Stewardship Committee, Leadership Support Committee, and Companion Synod Committee.

Coordinate with the Assistant to the Bishop so that these committees function well: Youth Committee, Evangelism

Committee, Worship Committee, World Hunger Committee, Synod Assembly Planning Committee, Candidacy Committee

and Constitution Committee.

The Bishop’s Office Transition Team is chaired by Pastor Doug Johnson. Since created by the Synod Council, the Transition Team has had two meetings and is working on two separate but connected projects: A synod “self-study” has been approved by the Synod Council. In February, four persons from the Churchwide offices in Chicago will be with us to hear the hopes and dreams of our synod members as we lean into the future. Invitations to all congregations will be sent to attend interviews on Saturday, February 18th at two different locations in the synod. The Interview Team will be eager to hear opinions and ideas from our congregational leaders – pastors and laity. The Transition Team is also working on the process for the election of the bishop. The Synod Council will be approving the process complete with schedule at its January meeting. Immediately after that meeting, the complete process schedule will be communicated with the synod’s

St.

Michael’s & Catholic Campus

Ministry Present The Muslim My evangelization and Christian Unity.