A Monthly Newsletter Volume XVII, No. 5 June 2017

June 18 at 10:15 am

Following the 9:00 am worship service on Sunday, June 18, grab a cup of coffee and share some fellowship time with St. James friends. Then come back in the sanctuary and join us for a short concert by the Adult Handbell Choir. The concert will last approximately 45 minutes and will include many familiar tunes and a variety of bell techniques. We hope to see you there!

THANKS to the vocal and handbell choir members who gave so generously of their time and talent during this past "choir year." Your participation in music at St. James enriched our worship. Your energy, humor, and caring made rehearsals supportive and fun. Thank you!

The St. James Youth Ministry is wrapping up another school year. It has been very rewarding as we relied on our staff and volunteers to make it a great year. As summer approaches, Youth Ministry is looking to plan a few field trips and find ways to support our community.

We will resume regular Sunday School, Confirmation Classes and Youth Group meetings in the fall. We are excited to see how the reshaping of St. James church will impact and reshape our Youth Ministry. Due to the construction, we will not hold Bible Vacation School this year.

We extend a special thank you to our staff, coordinators, teachers and volunteers: Amy Amell, Trisha Baneck, Adelia Boehm, Susan Bubolz, Melissa

Ceja, Kendra Cieslak, Jen DeBaillie, Kim Eckmayer, Angie Edge, Marissa Feller, Jesse Gabrielski, Tammie Harvey, Paige Hawkins, Emily Jeremiason, Michelle Lichty, Shana Longley, Brian Murphy, Holly Parker, David Polet, Mya Rognstad, Lori Rudy, Stacey Sandbo, Sheryl Scalissi, Joe Scalissi, Kim Sorbet, Laura Smith, Mark Smith, Jill Sommers, Paulette Spoon, Cindi Stampfli, Jen Sween, Barbara Thomas, Kristen Wineland, & Peter Wineland.

Saturday at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 9:00 am

ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: 608.845.6922 www.stjamesverona.org Fax: 608.845.6903

SUMMER WORSHIP

Saturday - 5:00 pm • Sunday - 9:00 am

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday — 8 am to 4 pm

Wednesday & Friday — 8 am to 12 noon

STAFF Kurt Billings, Pastor Cell: 235-8122 Peter Narum, Pastor Cell: 469-9625 Michelle Lichty Parish Administrator Emily Jeremiason Office Assistant Barb Roberts Office Assistant Paulette Spoon Adult Choir & Handbell Choir Susan Bubolz Youth Choir Director Rhonda Chalone Marilyn Doerfer, Alex Ford & Jim Erickson Accompanists Barb Rasmussen, R.N. Parish Nurse/Visitation Coord. Heather Pearl Director, St. James Preschool Lynn Hauski, Holly Parker,

Lori Rudy & Stacy Zimmerman St. James Preschool

BOARD OF MINISTRY

Karen Breitnauer, President 848-8297

Elise Taft, Vice-President 437-7954

Kim Feller, Treasurer 845-6425

Sue Martin-Zernicke, Secretary 246-2025

Dennis Beres 845-9305

Lee DeBaillie 848-1012

Jim Rognstad 497-1132

Jill Sommers 845-2693

John Walker 845-8732

FROM THE PASTOR ...

If memory serves, Pastor Kurt and I met in the Spring of 1987 in a class entitled “New Testament Theology,” at Luther Seminary taught by professor Roy Harrisville. We reconnected 17 years later when Kurt was interested in gathering a group of pastors to participate in the Lily Foundation’s Sabbath Renewal Project for Pastoral Theological Excellence at Princeton Seminary. That’s a fancy way of saying a few of us gathered from time to time to talk about how to “practice sabbath.”

The goal of that particular program was to “facilitate the life of the Spirit in pastoral experience through the recovery of a corporate practice of Sabbath-keeping within self-selecting pastoral peer groups, building sound theological and disciplined spiritual r e n e w a l o f p a s t o r s w i t h i n congregational systems.”

Practicing sabbath reveals the need for naming and claiming healthy

rhythms in life — going and stopping, giving and receiving, work and play. A number of years ago (I am not sure when) synods in the ELCA began recommending larger times of rest and renewal for pastors and other leaders in the church. The 2017 guidelines in our South-central Synod of Wisconsin read: To encourage the congregational health that comes with longer term rostered leaders, congregations should grant a sabbatical leave for rostered leaders after every four to seven years of service, with a recommended length of three months. Extended time, for revitalization, renewal and study is vital for healthy leaders.

Thankfully St. James incorporated this policy in 2008, providing two months for every five years of service. During our respective first sabbaticals, St. James received grants from the Lily Foundation’s National Clergy Renewal Program. This is a national program awarded to about 140 congregations annually.

Sabbaticals are not extended vacations per se, but they are extended times of vacating from the normal day-to-day responsibilities of the pastor. This summer I will be receiving my second sabbatical during July and August. This will be a time to be away, to travel, to deepen my own spiritual disciplines, spend time with loved ones in the hopes that this time of renewal is also a benefit to my ministry at St. James and our health as a congregation.

I wish to thank the Congregational Council for their encouragement and support in our sabbatical leave-taking, for the St. James staff who make this possible. Be assured that pastoral coverage will be offered during the times when both Pastor Kurt and I are away.

Personally, my hope is to discover new rhythms for receiving scripture — immersing myself in God’s Word without any expectation to preach or

teach as a result of my reading. I also hope to continue the theme we as a congregation began last fall: “Gratitude leads to Generosity.” By fostering more gratitude in my life I hope to live each day into greater love for others.

Gratitude arises also from listening well, which requires speaking less. Madison author, Parker Palmer, wrote in his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, these words: Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.

I am already grateful for the gift of privilege of this sabbatical time. I ask your prayers that this truly is a renewal time not only for me, but for us all.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Peter

Pledges as of April 30, 2017 total $1,465,000 towards the Capital Campaign goal of $1,500,000. The estimated project cost is $3.5 million with up to $2.1 million to be financed as long-term debt. When construction is finished as planned in 2018, the debt reduction phase of the Capital Campaign will start in order to significantly pay down on the mortgage within the first three to five years after construction is completed.

The following shows the Capital Campaign results as of April 30, 2017: Goal $1,500,000 Pledges $1,465,000 Received to Date $959,872

TREASURER’S REPORT

The 2017 Operating Budget approved by the congregation at the semi-annual meeting on February 5, 2017 totals $555,000, which represents a 4.7% increase from 2016 receipts and a $1.3% decrease from the 2016 Budget. For the 2017 Budget, $533,000 of the income budget is from Operating Envelopes and/or those contributions received through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Increase (Decrease) from Budget April Receipts Actual Budget Dollars Percent Total $48,927 $50,000 ($1,073) (2.15%) Offering Envelopes $46,427 $47,000 ($573) (1.22%) YTD Receipts Actual Budget Prior Year (P/Y) Total $160,671 $171,000 $164,205 Offering Envelopes $154,470 $164,000 $153,491 Increase (Decrease) from Budget Increase (Decrease) from P/Y YTD Receipts Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Total ($10,329) (6.0%) $(3,534) (2.2%) Offering Envelopes ($ 9,530) (5.8%) $ 979 0.64% April, 2017 Attendance: 2,244 YTD 2017 Attendance thru April: 6,068 April, 2016 Attendance: 1,134 YTD 2016 Attendance thru April: 5,912 Note: Easter was in April this year and was in March in the prior year. The following graph shows the Operating Envelope/EFT Receipts for 2017 in comparison to the Budget and the Prior Year:

Thank you for your financial support of both the St. James General Fund and the Building Fund.

Summer is here!! The need for proper hydration is imperative. Once you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. With an increase in temperatures and activity there is an increased need for hydration. You may have read in the paper about a governor speaking at the microphone and fainting due to dehydration. Those with diabetes have even more reasons to be well hydrated. Dehydration causes the blood sugar to elevate and that causes more frequent urination. This causes a vicious cycle with dire consequences. “Drink more WATER!!!” There are so many benefits of pure clean water. Some benefits I’ve listed below.

1. Water increases energy and relieves fatigue. Your brain is mostly water and drinking water helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. Start your day with a glass of cold water. It helps the brain fog and gives your metabolism a jump start. It promotes better mood.

2. It promotes weight loss by reducing eating intake and removes by-products of fat.

3. It flushes out toxins. It gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTIs. The lighter your urine, the more you are hydrated. Also combined with fiber, water can prevent constipation.

4. Water consumption improves skin complexion. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. By drinking more water, the color and texture of your skin improves by building new cells properly.

5. It boosts the immune system and various research says staying hydrated can reduce risk of colon cancer by 45% and bladder cancer by 50%. It also helps fight against flu and some heart problems.

6. Prevent headaches and have less joint and muscle pain. These ailments can be caused by dehydration.

Be good to yourself and feed your body. Water is essential for the proper circulation of nutrients in the body.

FROM THE PARISH NURSE...Barbara Rasmussen, RN.,CPN

June 11

Blood Pressure Checks are taken the second Sunday of each month at 9:40 am in the Narthex.

June 7th, 2017 at 6:00 pm

Join us this month for fellowship and dinner at the Community Meal. We will be serving Baked Pasta with Italian Sausage and Meatballs, Salad, Garlic Bread and we will have an Ice Cream Sundae bar (vanilla ice cream and all the toppings!) Milk, Coffee and Lemonade will also be served. Take a break from cooking! All are Welcome.

The Men's Bible Study will be meeting at St. James on Monday, June 19th, at 6:30 pm. We will be continuing the study of Pressure Points by Chip Henderson, focusing on the book of James. All men are welcome to attend. Contact Rob Frederick for further information.

C hristian Sympathy is extended to the family of Marie Parnow as they mourn her death; to the family of Mary Mattison as they mourn the death of her mother, Adeline Otterness; to the family of Dieter & Alyssa Bukolt as the

mourn the death of her father, Dave; to the family of Rod & Lori Wing as they mourn the death of their son-in-law, Adam Bauer; to the family of Lyle Rienks, as they mourn his death; to the family of Rob Frederick as they mourn the death of his grandmother, Anne Bloomer; to the family of Lorraine Crownhart as they mourn her death; to the family of Lori Herkert as they mourn the death of her mother, Wanda Pieper; and to the family of Catherine Eisert, as they mourn her death.

ALL THINGS YOUTH & FAMILY

First Communion April 13, 2017

Pastor Kurt Billings, Teddy Dopf, Parker Wang, Braelin Weiss, Andrew Grabner, Luke Pearl, Pastor Peter Narum. Front row: L to R: Elizabeth Smith, Natalie Zier, Emilie Breitnauer, Rylie Heilman, Nadalie Rahn

On May 14th, Sunday School and Confirmation kids walked to Four Winds Nursing Home to share songs with the residents, while others stayed at church to make paper flowers and cards for their moms. We ended the morning with a friendly “Breakfast in Bed Relay.”

Mothers Day, May 14th

2017-2018 Preschool Registration

We still have a few spots left in the afternoon 3’s class for next year. We also have a 2 ½ class spot available as well. Please contact Heather at sjp@stjamesverona.org if you would like a tour or to register for a class.

Fundraising

Thanks for those of you who came out to Culver’s for our fundraising night. It was fun to enjoy dinner time with so many friends and families of the St. James Preschool.

Preschool Happenings

The Pre-K class has enjoyed watching the construction from the porch of the Preschool building.

The 2 ½ class having fun on the playground

Dr. Tammy and her guinea pig came into school to talk to the 3’s classes about being a vet.

PARISH NOTES

427 South Main Street

Verona, WI 53593-1492

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

W e remember in our prayers — Members of St. James: Laurie Hambrecht, Kirsten Hansen, Cheryl Latsch,

Monica Pechan, Hayley Rahn, Maureen Rand, Charles & Ruby Reuter, Jim Schumann, Franklin Schwenn, Dodie Syvrud, Dale Thompson & David Thompson. Friends of St. James: Dawn Ivan, Eric Jelinek, Mark, Jennifer, & Laura Schurman. Relatives of Members: Helen Abplanalp (mother of Chuck Abplanalp), John Bittrich (father of Elise Taft), Anne Bloomer (Rob Frederick’s grandmother), Genevieve Fleury (grandmother of Mike Piché), Heather Hafermann, (niece of Sandy Saether), Alan Hoffman (brother of Nancy Baxter), Ileen Hollis (mother of Norleen Lacy), Hillary Knobloch (niece of Sandy Saether), Don Koch (brother of Cookie Thompson), Al Miller (brother-in-law of Cookie Thompson), Sally Mueller (sister of Susan Mueller), Hank Murphy (great nephew of Jim & Mindy Storch), Norman Schroeder (brother of Marilyn LeMoine), Tom Severson (father of Rebekah Jonjak), Don Waalen (father of Karen Breitnauer), David Wallace (father of Sheri Doyle), Chris Watters (brother of Ben Watters), and Julie Wiegel (cousin of Barb Rasmussen).

In Residence: Four Winds - Robert & Roberta Miller, Dona Nyhus, and Maureen Rand; Girlie’s Manor at Ingleside - Duane Eliason; Noel Manor -Dale & Audrey Hagen, Margaret Hendrickson, Ernest Stuber, Marvin & Cookie Thompson; Oakwood West—Lorine Kahl. St. Mary’s Care Center — Olga Ascher and Bill Gilbert. Willow Pointe - Betty Burgenske. Willow Pointe Memory Care Dodie Syvrud.

S erving in the Military: Evan Spoon, Scott Halstead, Rob Heitz, Hannah

Tordoff, Bryan Tordoff, Dan Sullivan, Adam Jeziorski, Casey Biggins, Mark Nyhus, Ryan Nyhus, Adam Pechan, Casey Pulver, David Pulver, and Shandra Pulver.

S acrament of Christian Baptism: Jackson David Prehn, son of Justin &

Kate (Siemieniewski) Prehn on May 21, 2017.

C hristian Sympathy. Sympathy observations are listed on page 6.