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REJOICE IN THE GOOD NEWS SUMMER 2008 NEWSLETTER wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
My sister is a dancer; she is currently working on her masters in dance performance and choreography at Mills College in Oakland, CA. As a youth she would regularly lead worship through her gift with liturgical dance (and she offered this again at my ordination). In liturgical dance, the Scripture or the story or the Hymn is told in a new way – through movement. I have participated in liturgical dance a couple times, and each movement was carefully thought out and rehearsed. It is beautiful and moving to watch liturgical dance. It’s also incredibly powerful to participate in it. At the Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly this year, one of the worship services included prayers that invited all of us to use our arms in our prayer. The congregational response was sung – at the end of each petition we sang “O God hear us; hear our prayer.” As we sang the words “O God” we lifted up one arm. We then lifted the other arm as we sang “hear us.” As we sang “hear our prayer” we first lifted both arms up to God and then back to ourselves. The movement was powerful. Different people may have had different reactions, but as I did the motions I imagined the people and situations that had just been prayed for laying in my hands. As I lifted my arms up I imagined God receiving all that we offered in prayer. Our bodies are truly part of worship. It’s why we take different positions – folding our hands as we pray, standing as we offer our gifts back to God, kneeling during communion. The ways in which our bodies move and rest help us to concentrate in a different way. Our positions and our movements share a message. Are we always joining hands with the same people as we pray the Lord’s Prayer? Do we clap our hands or dance just a little during an upbeat hymn? Do we think about how our movements participate in worship or how they distract from worship? How do we, Unity, praise God with our bodies as we worship? How do we use our bodies to praise God outside of worship? Do our feet walk the walk of our Christian lives? It’s not a question that can be answered once and for all, but one to ask every single day. I continue to pray for all of us that our life together as church is choreographed and fluid in such a way that God’s love is powerfully shared. In peace, wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww From the President:
Greetings, Sisters and Brothers in Christ! Unity is changing. Did you notice? We're seeing new members, that's a change. We have new boilers and lighting, that's a change. We've started a new Women's group, and an Arts ministry- yet more change. And there are other changes going on as well. It recently occurred to me, while sitting in a committee meeting, that the way we do things at Unity is changing. Now, in one way or another, just about everything we do at Unity is being re-examined in light of the words of our mission statement: “Transformed by Jesus our Lord, we go into the community to serve and welcome all people.” The Worship and Music committee has recently begun an examination of our worship practices in relation to its duties as specified in our church constitution, and also in terms of how we are fulfilling the intent of Unity's mission statement by offering transformational worship experiences for all people. This work coincides with an opportunity that Unity will have to participate in a nationwide church survey in September. The committee will use results of that survey as one tool in this process. Our Stewardship committee is helping us find new ways to discover our gifts, and how to be better stewards of those gifts through their new initiatives, which have included those skits we're all enjoying. The Finance committee is exploring ways in which to be better stewards of your gifts, by re-visiting our insurance contracts, and also by the completion of an outside audit. As you all know, Unity has completed the lighting, telephone, and heating portions of our major projects. The Property committee, working closely with the Capital Campaign, has been carefully considering whether or not we should go ahead with the entire air conditioning project. The consensus is that while we don't feel that now is the right time to spend the full amount voted by the congregation, that we would be comfortable with seeing to the completion of the Offices, and the Sanctuary portions of the project. This represents a scaling-back of approximately $115,000 out of the $320,00 authorized by the congregation. This change was made to be mindful of being careful stewards, while also being welcoming to our community in new ways. I must confess that this part of the project has been especially near and dear to my heart, as I feel it represents the real “vision” aspect of our capital improvements. It's forward-thinking, and a sign to the greater community that we are dedicated to re-thinking what it means to be hospitable, and then making that vision a reality. All this change, however, doesn't mean we're forgetting our past here at Unity. As I've witnessed, we have a great deal of experience and wisdom to draw upon from long-time members, and that input is always welcome. We also have our great Lutheran traditions to keep us rooted in our mission. One of the great strengths of that tradition is Martin Luther's own acknowledgment that “reformation” is never really finished, but is an ongoing part of what it means to be church... you see, change itself is an “unchanging” part of our heritage!
-Jim Bjugstad
Capital Campaign Change Our Climate It has been a year since our congregation voted to make a serious commitment to the future of our building. It was great to see the confidence the members had in the leadership of our church as well as the responsibility of maintaining our building for the future. The “Change Our Climate” Capital Campaign started soon after to raise funds to pay for these upgrades. The goal of the campaign was to get $360,000 in pledges over a three year time frame. The campaign committee worked hard – making visits to members, temple talks, following up with phone calls for pledges and pursuing grants for funding. To date the campaign has commitments for $144,934.80. These commitments have allowed us to install two new boiler systems for the building and replacement lighting. The monies received have allowed us to significantly reduce our debt which now stands at slightly under $60,000. We should be extremely proud of the Campaign Committee, the Property Committee and the Finance Committee. These committees prioritized the needs of the church, looked at what was fiscally possible and then kept an eye on expenses and funding to make sure our congregation is fiscally responsible. The pledges collected over the next two and half years should payoff that debt completely. A couple of weeks ago the Capital Campaign Committee was asked if there is a possibility of going ahead with the air conditioning project. We looked long and hard at this since we new we would have to raise additional funds above the existing pledges. We recommended that we install air conditioning in the offices/library and the sanctuary for a total of $68,000. Keep in mind this still is less then what the congregation voted for over one year ago since at that time we had voted to put air conditioning in the whole building. As we make this next step with the air conditioning, I am asking each and every one of us to look deep inside and consider increasing their contribution to “Change Our Climate”. No contribution is too small. Many of us are receiving economic stimulus funds from the government. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us gave all or part of that funding to stimulate Unity’s growth? I do not consider this next step a leap of faith. Our congregation has looked at our buildings and always supported the need for improvements or repairs. We have realized that we need to maintain our building and make it a comfortable building to work, worship, and expand our community involvement. It is great to worship in a well heated building. Soon we will be cool as well. Please support our next step. Tom Spaltholz Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee
William Stark Jones Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to Sarah Leather and Taylor Stack, the 2008 recipients of the William Stark Jones Scholarship from Unity. There will be a special presentation in our worship on July 20th. Do you have a garden with flowers or vegetables? Is there a project that you work on during the summer months? In worship on August 31st we will invite people to bring an offering early in the worship service – to offer the bounty of the summer and place it around the altar as an offering to God. Last year’s offering included vegetables, the log of Bob Dumke’s cross-country bicycle trip for the American Lung Association, musical pieces that were worked on, and tools for home improvement. Everything we do is an offering, and this is one way to recognize giving of our offerings to God. Following the worship service you may pick up your harvest to bring home. Please talk to a member of the Worship and Music Committee if you have any questions. CERAMICS Ceramics will not meet in July and August. However, if there are pieces you would like Linda make ahead of time, please let the office know so that they will be ready when classes resume September8th . The Women of Unity Bible Study that meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month will not meet in July or August...We will see you in September. Please contact Jackie Grouse with any questions 384.1381
MOVIE NIGHT On July 27th we will watch "Amazing Grace" (2006). This movie tells the story of William Wilberforce, a member of British Parliment in the late 18th Century who fought to end slavery. The title is, of course, a reference to the much beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." Congratulations Congratulations to Unity member Jana Lopeman and Dirk Cook who will be united in marriage on July 19th. Congratulations to Dawn Polzean and Nathan Spannenberg who will be united in marriage on August 2nd.
Mark your calendar… Rally Day, Sunday, September 7, 2008 Watch for more details in August about this special Sunday to “rally” us in the fall season. Sunday School Sunday School classes will begin Sunday, September 14th. As in the past, classes will be held for children ages 3 – grade 6 and will run from 10:30-11:30 am. Older students are encouraged to participate and/or assist. If you are interested in helping with Unity’s 2008-09 Sunday School, please contact Laura McVann or Unity’s office. We have a great group of children! Thank you to all the parents and volunteers who helped with the 2007-08 Sunday School year. A HUGE Thank You is extended to Christina Stack for her many years of hard work and dedication to our Sunday School program. Christina will be attending school out of the Milwaukee area next year. A special thank you is also extended to our other teachers: Jeff Kornreich, Laura McVann, Meghan McVann, and Tina Latona.
Join Us for a Bay View Coffee Crawl! Unity’s first Bay View Coffee Crawl will be held on Sunday, August 3rd or 10th following worship (@10:30 am). The goal is to gather as many “younger members” (post-confirmation through adult) of Unity to check out the many of the great coffee shops on Kinnikinick Avenue . Watch the bulletin for an exact date. Bring some cash for your favorite beverage and join the fun!
Also in the planning stage is a weekend bike ride and picnic. Watch for details as they unfold.
Senior Wednesdays at Lutherdale Lutherdale is inviting senior groups to spend a day at camp this summer. July 9, 23rd and August 6th, Cost is $10/person, to register call Kathy at 262-742-2352. And don’t forget the travel ministry Sept 27-Oct 5, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains!
Join Us for Family Camping The weekend for family camping is approaching! A group site at Muskego Park ( Waukesha County ) has been reserved from Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24. The cost for camping for the weekend is $5.00 per person. The site is available from 3:00 Friday through 2:00 Sunday. Non-campers are encouraged to join us for all or part of the day on Saturday. Pastor Becker will join us Saturday evening for worship and communion around the campfire! Saturday’s evening meal will be: bring your own meat, beverage, eating utensils and a dish to pass (a modified pot luck). We will have a grill and fire available for cooking. A sign up sheet is located on the Youth Bulletin Board and in the Church office. Please contact Laura McVann or Unity’s office for more details about meals and activities.
THE WOMEN OF UNITY Join Us for a Road trip to Lutherdale Quilt Auction. The Women of Unity are going on a Road Trip to Lutherdale on Sep 6, 2008. We’re meeting at Unity at 7:30am & carpooling to Elkhorn with a possible stop at the Elegant Farmer. It’s a quilt auction/grill out/pontoon boat rides on the lake. Admission is free. Action starts at 10am. Questions – talk to Laura Whaite or Carla Lonski
Upcoming Dates August 31st – Offering of Summer Abundance September 7th – Rally Day September 14th – 1st Day of Sunday School September 21st – Celebration of Older Adults and the Active Adult Center’s 40th Anniversary.
Women of the ELCA at Unity. THE CROSS with water and a white lily — identifies the women of the ELCA as children of God; baptized, forgiven, adopted into God's family, full of grace and hope in eternal life.
What We Do There are 4 Main Areas to Focus On: Purpose Statement 1. Grow in Faith: Women of the ELCA provides a variety of resources for growth in faith: publications, including subscription-based Lutheran Woman Today magazine and Café, a free electronic magazine targeted to women ages 20 to 35; devotions; rituals; and Bible studies. A Bible study is carried in each of the 10 issues per year of Lutheran Woman Today magazine. Bible studies are also available in printed materials as stand-alone studies or as part of another resource. Participants in the organization also take part in Church Women United's World Day of Prayer, May Friendship Day, and World Community Day. Monday Prayer at Noon is an opportunity to develop your individual and group prayer life as you pray for the women's organization, the church, and specific needs you may choose to add to the suggested list of prayer concerns for each week. Paths to Wholeness retreats provide an opportunity to explore your spirituality and rejoice in others' spirituality as well. See also other events, such as a cultural exchange and Bible study introduction events for other opportunities to grow in faith. 2. Affirm Our Gifts: As disciples of Jesus Christ, each of us is important in God's plan to redeem the world, to share the gospel throughout the world. God needs and we need the gifts of every one of us to be about God's mission and to carry out the purpose of Women of the ELCA. Don't know your gifts? Think you may have more than one but don't know what gift that might be? Take the spiritual gifts assessment to learn more about yourself and your gifts. Ready to act boldly on your gifts? Here are some ways for you to get involved. 3. Support One Another in Our Callings: Growing and giving are two ways to support one another for mission. The opportunities for growth offered by Women of the ELCA include cross-cultural ministry, leadership development, and becoming an organization with an anti-racist identity as a means to support one another in our callings. The more we individually and corporately move in that direction, the more fully we can be the support we want to be. Women of the ELCA collectively through the churchwide women's organization offers gives in support of others and their callings through two programs: grants and scholarships. Both of these programs are funded through endowments and bequests, as well as with gifts from people like you. Prayer and mutual conversation also are ways to give support to one another. If you are not already part of Monday Prayer at Noon and the online discussions, you may want to consider them now for mutual support. Also visit our identity items page, which shows the items developed in partnership with fair trade artisans, craftspeople, and Lutheran World Relief. 4. Promote Wholeness: We live in a world in need of healing, of shalom. Pick up a paper or turn on the news and you will soon learn of hurts in all parts of the world. War in Palestine and Iraq . Earthquakes in Iran and the United States . Gangs and drug and sex trafficking. Domestic violence. Children who don't get the chance to grow up. You know these concerns locally as well as globally. To help you deal with and minister in the midst of the many rifts in community, Women of the ELCA offers education and resources in a variety of areas. Check the list at the left for more information on what is available to help you "promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world." YouthWorks!
The energy at Unity has been revved up as youth began to arrive June 15th. Please keep the YouthWorks! staff (Jessica, Chelsea, Stephanie, Shane and Brandon) and all the youth and adult leaders arriving each week in your prayers. You’ll find a list of the groups arriving for July and August dates below.
Week of June 29th: Third Reformed Church from Pella , IA
Week of July 6th: Williams Bay Lutheran Church from Williams Bay , WI Highland Community Church from Wausau , WI Park Hill Christian from Kansas City , MO Trinity Reformed UCC from Conover , NC
Week of July 13th: Richland Bible Fellowship from Richardson , TX Trinity Lutheran from North Branch, MN
Week of July 20th: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection from Prairie Village , KS Living Waters Lutheran from Sauk Rapids, MN Monon First Baptist from Monin , IN Crossroads Presbyterian from Mequon , WI Christ Lutheran from Byron , MN St Matthews/Trinity Lutheran from Arcanum, OH Burlington UMC from Burlington , KS Week of July 27th Summit Presbyterian from Butler , PA St. Michael Church from Wausau , WI CrossView EFCA from Antioch , IL First Lutheran – Heaven Bound from Manchester , IA Webster City Church of Christ, Webster City , IA
Week of August 3rd Calvary North Christian Fellowship from Brule, WI Prairie Lutheran from Eden Prairie , MN First UMC from Appleton , WI
Synod News:
“Gods Work, Our Hands” On May 29 – 31, Katherine Karcher and Owen McVann represented Unity Church with Pastor Becker, as voting members, at the annual Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly held at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha , WI . Jim Bjugstad and Jim Liedtke were also in attendance.
Several workshops were offered. Some information provided including the following: CARING FOR CREATION: Focused on some congregations’ efforts to minimize their impact on the environment. Some congregations have a “Caring for Creation Committee” that lead activities such as disposing old coffee grinds in plants, cutting back on paper usage (reduce number of bulletins and news letters and using e-alerts, emails, and websites), stop use of Styrofoam plates and cups, plant a rain garden, and turn off lights. Some churches are installing solar panels. Others are conducting some worship services outside and dedicating a worship service for environmental consciousness. Unity can be proud of our record: we have installed more energy efficient heating and lighting systems; using scrap paper for note paper, recycling of plastic, aluminum cans, and cardboard; pet blessing out doors. Caring for Creation is also caring for us. HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES: Some congregations have organized a collection of unused nonprescription and prescription medications for dispersal at their clinics. These efforts need proper pharmacy oversight. YOUTH AND FAMILY: The moderators for this workshop stated: "Faith is caught more then it's taught." They stressed that relationship building extend from the home to the church and through the community. Parents need to remind children that God is in every milestone of life. Marriage retreats are organized. Small groups of married couples also meet at church. Cross generation ministry (senior and youth groups) meet together to celebrate what the elders have done for the church and what the youth are doing and work together. Inform the community of church happenings by utilizing the marquee or banners to announce church programs, baptisms, weddings, and anniversaries (with families’ permission).
WELCOMING HOME OUR VETERANS: Vital statistics regarding the War on Terror: 48% of our troops are regular service, 52% are Reservists or National Guard; 88% are men and 12% are women; 34% have been deployed to combat zones multiple times. Many of our Iraq and Afghanistan returning vets face many hardships (i.e. marriage difficulties, financial stress, physical disabilities and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (feelings of guilt, isolation, depression, anger, insomnia, nightmares, and reduced motivation alcohol and drug abuse). Veterans Center on N. 76th street is a place combat vets may find help. Five things a congregation can do for vets returning from the war: 1. Acknowledge that Vets are part of the congregation and welcome them home (if applicable). 2. Accept their self definition- some want to be heroes, some just want to be left alone. Encourage all to know they are welcomed and their service valued. 3. Prepare to listen to those who ache. Some will ache and some will not. Listen to the family. Prepare for changes in relationships. Don't expect things to be the same. 4. Prepare to aid those who need help. Offer information on possible sources for help to all of the congregation not just vets. 5. Dare to pray publicly for victims of war including vets and their families. These not only apply to congregations but community as a whole, as well! Returning veterans facing financial stress are in critical need of gift cards (i.e.: Pick & Save, Sentry, Wal-Mart, taxi or bus vouchers, gasoline). Suggested reading: Souled Out by Michael S. Orban (a Vietnam veteran and Presbyterian Minister).
CONGREGATION COUNCIL, OFFICERS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND STAFF OFFICERS 2008 COUNCIL: STAFF: COMMITTEE CHAIRS: ORGANIZATIONS: Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Site Designed by CM Lonski, Maintained by Jim Bjugstad, last updated
09-Jul-2008 10:23
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