Worship at the River

Sunday, August 30 @ 10:30am

Picnic in the Park

the last picnic in the park for the season will be Wed. August 5th 12-1:00pm

Fair Stand help needed

Sign up sheets are in the back of the Sanctuary

The Midweek Summer Worship

The last Summer Midweek worship will be Wed. Aug. 12th @ 7pm

“Rally Day”

Sunday, Sept 13th (more details to come soon)

Our Mission: following Jesus,

growing in Jesus,

connecting others to Jesus and His work

                            Messenger    2015 St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 202 S 1st. ST. Bloomfield, NE

Everyone is invited to join St. Mark’s

for our annual River Worship!

at the picnic shelter

by the Crofton Golf Course.

Sunday, August 30th at 10:30am

A Picnic Meal will be provided following

the service with a free-will offering.

Bring your family—bring your friends!

The Salt Shaker - pastor Tim Koester I want to first of all say “Thank You” to everyone for being so understanding and extra helpful as I have recovered from back surgery last month. I have been able to rest and recover while still being able to get the necessary things done with the help of many others. Thanks especially to our staff, to Jolene and to Bill, for picking up a lot of slack and also for picking up anything that weighs more than my 10 lb. lifting restriction! I deeply appreciate all of the prayers that have been offered and I feel their power. I am thankful for all of your cards and notes of encouragement and I am hopeful that during these next months of recovery and therapy, I’ll continue to see improvement. So far, so good!

Now I want to continue what I began last month, addressing social concerns, not with opinions or “conservative-liberal” talking points, but as one called to preach about both the reality of sin and the hope of restoration. That is the unique gift of the church to a hurting world.

First, let me confess, that I lead a privileged life. My role as a pastor gives me access and influence not always available to others. People tend to trust me, even before they know me. People assume I’m honest and “a good person” based solely on my title. Not always, but often.

But the privilege doesn’t stop there. I’m also right handed and let’s face it, the world is set up for right handed people. I’m a male and males make more money and are given more positions of leadership than females. The world is set up not only to accommodate me but to give me a head start. That’s not a value statement about me, it’s a value statement about the society we live in.

The same is true for the the broad categories we call “race”. In our society, especially in a society with a history of racial enslavement and disenfranchisement, being viewed as “white” remains a privilege. That’s not a value statement about an individual, it’s a value statement about the society we live in.

Yes, we have come a long way from the days of slavery and Jim Crow but In all kinds of subconscious and systemic ways, there is still a general privilege to being white and and a prejudice against being non-white. If your immediate reaction to that statement is to argue about how wrong it is, then I think you should ask yourself why that is. The evidence for racial bias and discrimination is well documented and statistically quantifiable. More importantly, it is infused within the experience of many of our sisters and brothers. To ignore it, points to our own complicity in the system.

In order to confront the evils of racism, we must first recognize it exists. Of all the things that need to be said regarding the issue as we experience it here, I think this is the most important. As followers of Jesus, as people who confess that “the dividing wall” between groups of people has been torn down and that we are all united in Christ, we must have the courage to see that the world does not yet work that way and many of us are on the privileged side of things. That doesn’t make us racists but it does mean we have an obligation to work to tear down those walls so that all people feel like their lives matter.

Tasting the kingdom. Confronting Racism. Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B. Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla., for a live webcast conversation on the complexity and implications of racism Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. Go to www.elca.org for a link to the webcast. Submit your questions to livinglutheran@elca.org. Through its social statement – “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture” – ELCA members have expressed this church’s calling to confront racism and advocate for justice and fairness for all people. The statement is grounded in the conviction that the church has been gathered together in the joyful freedom of the reign of God announced by and embodied in Jesus. That reign has not come in its fullness, but the message of God’s “yes” to the world breaks down all dividing walls as we live into that promise.

We are a diverse world. God made us that way and the goal is not to make everyone the same or to gloss over our differences. Instead, our differences and our uniqueness make us stronger. I urge you to turn off the usual voices of blame and anger and instead read about the experiences of others. Rosella White, works at the ELCA offices in Chicago and has been a speaker at NE gatherings. Her article here is a good place to start. http://thesaltcollective.org/when-i-found-out-dylann-roof-was-raised-in-my-church/

Council Meeting Minutes

ST. MARKS LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING JULY 15TH, 2015

Kevin Millikan called the meeting to order at 7:50 pm. Present members: Kevin Millikan, Kathryn Zeber, Heather Gubbels, Missy Thiele, Joyce Bertschinger, Pastor Tim, Wally Holz, Kristel Loecker, Jason Hefner. Absent: DJ Friedrichsen Devotions: led by Kathryn Financial Reports: Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Missy to accept; Carried Correspondence: none Approval of the minutes: With no discussion, motion by Pastor, 2nd by Kathryn. Carried Pastors Report: Visitations were down as I recuperated after surgery. Held funeral for Minnie Harms and a wedding. Another wedding is set and I visited with two families with loved ones in hospice care. Items collected from the Bloomfield Cares have been delivered to Riverside Women and Children’s Center (Yankton) and Bright Horizons (Norfolk). Had a men’s group meeting. Sandy, Dawn, and I met with Nate Gieselman regarding the interior update. Nate will be here on October 4th and we have selected a committee and a time for congregational brainstorming. I led WELCA Bible study and met with several people regarding requests for Bloomfield Cares help. Committee Reports. Christian Ed—Regarding Confirmation Camp, the bill came and we may take funds from the general fund to pay for or perhaps may have a fundraiser. Discussed helping with costs to ‘Our Savior’ in Wayne regarding Youth Gathering. Property—Two wall AC units need worked on. Thank you to Bill for installing the chair rail in the chapel. Will call Brad Schumacher in Crofton regarding an exterminator and will have him come and converse with us/Pastor. Community Life—fundraiser possibilities discussed Fair stand—sing up sheet are out Visitation—Kathryn visited five people Worship, Memorial, Stewardship, Mutual Ministry—no report Old Business. Constitution update—Bill Biggs had to reschedule. Still working on policy reviews. Regarding the computer in Pastor’s office, after discussion, motion by Jason, and 2nd by Kristel allotting $2k to update computer. Carried with one abstain. New Business. Great Plains billing changes regarding phone, internet, cable. After discussion, motion by Joyce and 2nd by Jason to allow the new changes ($67 savings). Carried. Approve Building Update Committee: Al Kersten, Abby Folck, Marty Hart, Sandy Wilken, Travis Barney, Dawn Smith, Jolene Jessen, and Pastor Tim as ‘ex officio’ member. Motion by Jason and 2nd by Joyce. Carried. Mission: Gearing up for fall/2015, membership classes, parenting gatherings, ‘Deep Tillage’ discipleship training. Upcoming Events: August 6-9 Pastor Tim and Shelli gone to St. Louis August 13-16 Knox County Fair Devotions next month: Joyce With no further discussion, motion to adjourn by Wally and 2nd by Kristel: Carried Meeting concluded with the Our Father

Wally Holz Secretary

Financial ReportsSavings Account Checking Account Activity

Worship Schedule *Join us every Sunday morning at 9:30am and each

*Wednesday evening at 7pm, “Come As You Are”

through August 19th

*Sunday, August 30 “River worship!—Good Food,

Friends, Fellowship—GREAT Worship!

*Rally Day, Sunday, September 13thThe last Summer Picnic In the Park will be Wednesday, August 5th

12 to 1pm at the City Park Shelter. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way to make this a success this summer!

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Head  Usher  &  Usher  

As  Co-­‐Chairs  of  the  “Hospitality”  Committee  involving  our  Greeters  and  Ushers,  Sandy  and  I  thought  we  could  have  more  people  involved  in  these  areas  if  they  knew  the  expectations  or  duties  of  each  job.    While  visiting  with  Pastor  Tim,  Sandy  and  I  discussed  the  big  questions:    

  Exactly  what  does  the  Head  Usher,  Usher,  and  Greeter  do,  why  do  they  do  certain  things,  and  what  others  things  are  suppose  to  be  done?  

We  can  all  sit  in  church  and  watch  what  the  Ushers  and  Greeters  do;  but,  do  we  really  know  everything  these  volunteers  are  doing?    And  since  I’m  not  sure  what  the  Ushers  and  Greeters  are  doing,  I’m  not  going  to  volunteer  to  be  an  Usher  (especially  Head  Usher)  or  Greeter.  

Sandy  and  I  decided  to  write  a  job  description  with  a  list  of  duties  for  each  job.    With  Pastor’s  help  we  prepared  a  set  of  “Protocols”  for  the  Hospitality  Committee  thinking  we  could  take  the  fear  of  not  knowing  what  was  to  be  done.    We  presented  our  Protocols  to  the  Church  Council  and  they  approved  them.  

This  month  we  decided  to  provide  the  Congregation  with  the  Greeters  Protocols.    Our  plan  is  to  provide  a  list  of  volunteers  to  be  scheduled  to  serve  during  Sunday  morning.  

After  you  have  read  the  job  descriptions  and  duties  and  decide  you  could  volunteer  to  be  a  Greeter  call  Dawn  Smith  (402-­‐373-­‐4934)  or  Sandy  Wilken  (402-­‐373-­‐4525).  

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St. Mark’s is collecting items for Lutheran World Relief… personal care kits, School kits, and sewing kits to help those in need or displaced starting in July. Please bring your items to church any time.

Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits The very simple gesture of giving a Personal Care Kit can give someone the encouragement to start anew, starting with a bath. You can share God’s grace and love by providing that simple comfort.

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Do not enclose the Kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

Include the following items in each Personal Care Kit: ✦ One light-weight bath-size towel (between 20"×40" & 52"×27"), dark color

recommended ✦ Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping ✦ One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging* ✦ One sturdy comb, remove packaging ✦ One metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging

Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn

Lutheran World Relief Fabric or Sewing Kits ✦ 2 pieces fabric 44”X3 yards ✦ 2 spools coordinating color thread Secure the thread by folding fabric and tie with yarn or ribbon

Lutheran World Relief School Kits Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled; no loose-leaf paper one ruler with both inches and centimeters one pencil sharpener one blunt scissors five unsharpened pencils five black or blue ballpoint pens; secure with a rubber band one box of 16 or 24 colors one 2 1/2” eraser one sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bag

Thank you St. Mark’s Sew-ers for donating all these beautiful quilts for

Camp Carol Joy Holling Quilt Auction that was held in July.

Below is a list of the quilts and the amount each sold for individually.

Sold for $175Amish Quilt VariationDonor: Kathryn M ZeberCongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $100Beautiful Log CabinDonor: Marian SchroederCongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $325Poetry in PiecesDonor: Dorothy LidbergCongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $150Lady in the White HouseDonor: Erma Kriz and St. Mark's Women of ELCACongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $175Tumbling BlocksDonor: Erma Kriz and St. Mark's Women of ELCACongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $110Irish Green EmbroideryDonor: St. Mark's Sew-ersCongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Sold for $90Cuddly and Warm Pony Girl Memo...Donor: St. Mark's Sew-ersCongregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church

This  year  at  Everest VBS 2015,  we  had  a  record  

of  103  kids,  17  teachers  and  26  crew  leaders!!    What  a  fantas<c  response  we  received  from  our  community  to  provide  a  safe  and  fun  experience  at  VBS!      At  Everest,  our  kids  embarked  on  the  coolest  adventures  of  the  summer!    We  had  incredible  Bible  learning  experiences  that  the  kids  saw,  felt,  heard  and  even  tasted!    We  have  fun  science  gizmos,  cool  Bible  songs,  and  tasty  treats...we  even  made  SNOW  and  the  kids  loved  it!    We  helped  the  kids  discover  how  to  see  evidence  of  God  in  every  day  life...something  we  called  God  Sigh<ngs.        

With  the  earthquakes  at  Mt  Everest,  our  kid  to  kid  mission  project  was  focused  on  that  area.    The  need  for  blankets  was  requested  for  the  kids  and  their  families  in  that  area  so...we  went  to  work!    The  VBS  kids  made  8  <e  blankets  in  three  days  and  also  requested  help  from  our  community!    There  were  an  addi<onal  78  blankets  collected  from  the  community!    We  prayed  over  the  blankets  and  sent  them  off  the  week  of  June  8th  where  they  will  keep  may  children  and  their  families  warm  and  comforted  in  this  devasta<ng  <me  of  their  lives!      We  closed  our  VBS  week  with  a  closing  ceremony,  where  we  rocked  the  house  with  our  songs  that  we  had  learned  throughout  the  week.    The  church  was  FULL  of  our  families  and  friends!!      

This  year,  we  also  recognized  two  seniors  that  have  not  only  been  a  par<cipant  of  VBS  but  also  been  a  volunteer  throughout  their  high  school  career.    We  recognized  Jeff  Bertschinger  and  Andrew  Klintworth!    We  hope  to  recognize  more  kids  in  the  future  with  this  achievement.          

Thank  you  to  everyone  who  contributed  to  the  VBS  program!    Many  hands  make  light  work...Thank  you  to  everyone  who  helped  set  up  and  take  down  our  sets  for  the  funerals  that  were  held  the  week  of  VBS  and  who  helped  clean  up  aXer  our  final  program  to  prepare  the  church  for  the  next  service.    We  appreciate  the  support  we  receive  planning,  seZng  up  and  during  the  week  of  VBS!    Thank  you  again  for  all  the  support  and  we  can't  wait  for  next  years  program!    

VBS Everest 2015

ELCA Global Missions  News from Ghana and Liberia

 Greetings from Linda Johnson Seyenkulo,  ELCA Missionary to Liberia,  who is actually in Liberia!            After being separated from my husband for three years because of our respective calls, I arrived in Liberia on Thursday, June 11 to begin my service at the Louis T. Bowers Lay Leader and Minister Training Center.  I’m excited to begin my work with the Lutheran Church in Liberia, and for our family to be together again.            A friend gave me a card when I was getting ready to go to Ghana to work at Good News Theological College and Seminary.  The card said, “The truly happy person can enjoy the scenery on a detour.”            My detour was wonderful.  I spent a little over four months at Good News Theological College and Seminary in Oyibi, Ghana, 20 miles outside of Accra.  I worked as an administrative consultant on such things as communication, organogram (U.S. folks--- that’s an organizational chart), policies  and recommendations to the Board of Governors and the seminary administration.  An added plus was that I was asked to preach and preside at worship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Buduburam, Ghana.   Emmanuel is a congregation of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, situated in the former U.N. Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana.     (More about the detour to Ghana in the next Messenger.)            So detours can be interesting, surprising and full of God’s gifts.  My detour to Ghana was all of that and more.  I am looking forward to being back there sometime after the start of the next academic year for more institutional organizational and visioning work.  I would say I’m looking forward to being back “in the fall” but there is no fall in Ghana and the folks at Good News did not know what I was talking about when I said that.            For now, I’m getting settled into being in Liberia again.  I’m glad my detour to Ghana was good, and I’m rejoicing in the resilience of the Liberian people as they go about life here in the aftermath of yet another disaster.  There are reminders of that, with the chlorinated water buckets at the doors of public buildings.  People have begun to shake hands again, and to greet each other in the usual ways, but the economic and medical systems are just beginning to slowly recover.  We pray for God’s blessings and the continued generosity of people who have resources to spare and to share in this time of recovery and redevelopment.            At this I’ll say goodbye and thanks for your support.  I really appreciate it.  Feel free to stay in touch with me.  My email address is ljseyenk@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you. Linda Johnson SeyenkuloLouis T. Bowers Lay Leader and Minister Training CenterTotota Liberia.            Note: Linda is Laurel Johnson’s sister and is “our” missionary. Linda’s husband is Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia.

W/ELCA No General Meeting or Circle Groups scheduled in August!

From the Church Office… Please notify the office of address changes/corrections, land phone/cell numbers or any other pertinent information.

College Bound students…if you would like to receive the church newsletter in your mail, please give us your new address. Thank you!

August Birthdays!1st Sandy Wilken 2nd Connie Petersen Matt Miller 3rd Dan Schlote 4th Vicki Auchenbach 5th Brynlee Sherratt 6th Adam Broders 8th Steve Motykowski Brian Peters 10th Scott Ober 11th Jonathan Ketelsen 14th Guyla Peters 15th Pat McDonald 16th Bill Sazama 18th David Bertschinger 21st Jon Hoppe 21st Kayleigh Koester 22nd Sharon Doerr 23rd David Rowely 25th Chase Wilken 27th Jeanette Bartos Braden Guenther 29th Joe Kauth

AugustAnniversaries!3rd Brady & Abby Folck 2 4th Dave & Cathy Stark 42 4th Andrew & Heather Gubbels 8 6th Sherrie & Tom Smith 4 8th Tim & Shelli Koester 28 9th Tom & Connie Petersen 47 10th Dennis & Peggy Schrader 47 14th Rod & Joann Schainost 33 16th Roger & Julie Dather 18 18th Bob & Penny Thiele 36 18th Derek & Melissa Thiele 14 19th Sarah & Jeff Boesche 3 21st Doyle & Peggy Folck 33 21st Jennifer & Chad Sherratt 5

Congratulations!Congratulations Katie (Eckmann) & William Wragge on your marriage, July 11th at St. Mark’s. May the Lord bless the two of you as you begin your life together in Holy Matrimony.

Congratulations McKayla (Thiele) & Justin Hochstein on your marriage on July 25th at St. Mark’s. May the Lord bless you as you begin your new life together as husband and wife

In Sympathy…We offer our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Minnie Harms. Minnie passed away at the Good Samaritan Home on July 5, 2015. Her funeral was held at St. Mark’s on Friday, July 10, 2015

We offer our sincere sympathies to Marilyn Cornish and family and friends of Glen Cornish. Glen passed away at his home on July 20, 2015. His funeral was held at St. Mark’s on Friday, July 24, 2015

We offer our sincere sympathies to Rose Vawser and family and friends of Leland Vawser. Lee went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2015 at his home. His funeral service was held at St. Mark’s on Monday, July 27, 2015

2015  ST.  MARKS  MOWING  SCHEDULE  

Brad  Lovejoy—Mowing  Coordinator  Contact  your  team  captain  for  <mes/info.  

Rota;on  Schedule  

AUG  6     Team  2  AUG  13   Team  3    Aug  20     Team  4  Aug  27     Team  1  Sept  3     Team  2  

Assisting Ministers August 2….10th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Dean/Sandy Wilken Comm Assist: Ken/Dawn Smith Acolytes: Spencer Miller Greeters: Harlan/Norma Koertje Lector: Mary Miller Offering: Volunteers Head Usher: Brad Lovejoy Ushers: Gayleen/Sara Lovejoy Assistant: Julie Broders Sound: Les Jessen Media/Cam: August 9….11th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Don/Carol Ketelsen Comm Assist: Rod/Juleen Eisenhauer Acolytes: Calvin Dather/Jolynn Wilson Greeters: Gary/Janel Eisenhauer Lector: Laura Gieselman Offering: Volunteers Head Usher: Need a Volunteer Ushers: Need a Volunteer Assistant: Kathryn Zeber Sound: Travis Loecker Media/Cam: Jeff Bertschinger/Wally Holz

August 16….12th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Jo Cordes/Suzanne Hunhoff Comm Assist: —at the rail— Acolytes: Tyler Thiele/Andrew Hunhoff Greeters: Cammie Nielsen/family Lector: Ken Smith Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Joe Hunhoff Ushers: Dennis/Joyce Bertschinger Assistant: Jason Hefner Sound: Wally Holz Media/Cam: Travis Loecker/Kevin Millikan

August 23….13th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Ken/Arla Carlow Comm Assist: Sharon Doerr/Penny Thiele Acolytes: Payten Kersten/Jolynn Wilson Greeters: Angela/Ben Kumm/family Lector: Dean Wilken Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Les Jessen Ushers: Doyle/Peggy Folck Assistant: Missy Thiele Sound: Vernon Miller Media/Cam: Jason Hefner/Jeff Bertschinger

Sunday, August 30… Worship @ the River! 10:30am Aug. Communion Bread: Cathy Stark

Aug. Flowers: Arla Carlow

Sept. Communion Bread: Marian Schroeder

Sept. Flowers: Joyce Bertschinger

Sept 6…15th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical Color: green Comm Prep: Jolene Jessen Comm Assist: Rod/Juleen Eisenhauer Acolytes: Andrew Hunhoff/ Jolynn Wilson Greeters: Don/Carol Ketelsen Lector: Mary Miller Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Joe Hunhoff Ushers: Ken/Arla Carlow Assistant: Brad Lovejoy Sound: Derek Thiele Media/Cam: Wally Holz/Kevin Millikan Sept 13….Rally Day…Liturgical: green

Comm Prep: Greg/Barb Wulf Comm Assist: Brad/Gayleen Lovejoy Acolytes: Alexandra Eisenhauer/Emily Johnson Greeters: Tom/Mary Trenhaile Lector: Marge Stottler Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Bill Sazama Ushers: Glenda Folck/Barb Schlote Assistant: Julie Broders Sound: Vernon Miller Media/Cam: Wally Holz/Derek Thiele Sept 20….17th Sun after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Joe/Suzanne Hunhoff Comm Assist: —at the rail— Acolytes: Calvin Dather/Braden Eisenhauer Greeters: Harlan/Norma Koertje Lector: Laura Gieselman Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Wally Holz Ushers: Troy/Joni Johnson Assistant: Missy Thiele Sound: Les Jessen Media/Cam: Derek Thiele/Jason Hefner

Sept 27….18th Sun. after Pentecost…Liturgical: green Comm Prep: Derek/Missy Thiele Comm Assist: Sharon Doerr/Becky Millikan Acolytes: Spencer Miller/McKayla Bruce Greeters: Bill/Judy Sazama Lector: Dean Wilken Offering: Luther League/Volunteers Head Usher: Les Jessen Ushers: Vernon/Mary Miller Assistant: Kathryn Zeber Sound: Travis Loecker Media/Cam: Jason Hefner/Wally Holz

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St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA 202 S 1st Street P.O. Box 208 Bloomfield, NE 68718

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BLOOMFIELD, NE

PERMIT # 9ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH MEMBER OF THE

LEWIS AND CLARK MISSION CLUSTER

OF THE NEBRASKA SYNOD OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

IN AMERICA.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

join us for worship every Sunday morning at 9:30am Coffee Hour at 10:30am

“Come as you are” Wednesday at 7pm through the 19th of August

Holy Communion is celebrated every Sundayat St. Mark’s. All who come with the open hand of faith are welcome to receive the gifts God offers in this meal.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT…

following Jesus, growing in Jesus, and connecting others to Jesus and His work

Church Council Leadership are:

DJ Friedrichsen, Council President

Kevin Millikan, Vice President

Wally Holz, Council Secretary

Joyce Bertschinger

Heather Gubbels

Jason Hefner

Kristel Loecker

Kathryn Zeber

Missy Thiele