r e n n a B l e h t e B e Th Volume #480
July 2011
Bethel Lutheran Church 1321 North Avenue Northfield, MN 55057 507.786.6674
Join the fun that's "Brewin’ At Bethel"
bethel@bethelnorthfield.org
Root beer floats and fellowship for the family starts on Wednesday evenings in July, 7-8 p.m. in Bethel’s CLC. All are welcome. The nursery will be available.
www.facebook.com/bethellutheran http://bethelnorthfield.org
Inside this issue:
Bible Study
2
Calendar
12
Children
6
July 6 ~ Back and Forth: a Look at an Artist's Journey Wendell Arneson gives a visual review of his art work from his early days in the Wisconsin dairy land to the years at St. Olaf College. July 13 ~ Old Bethel, New Bethel - Do you have fond memories of the young Bethel of years ago? Or are you new to Bethel and wonder about its original
building, how it was founded, what was important to its original members? Join us as we reminisce about "Old" Bethel and hear how we grew into "New" Bethel. July 20 ~ Polka Dance with the Charlie Sticha Band - Put your dancing shoes on cause we’re gonna kick up our heels! July 27 ~ A Musical Evening with Dan Kallman - Dan will talk about his work as a freelance composer and share recorded samples of his music.
Council/Treasury
10
Creation Care
18
Finances
11
Library
21
A Letter from Bishop Hanson
Living Faith
20
Mission & Justice
14
Music & Worship
5
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
New Members
4
Nursery
8
Scrip
3
Softball
9
Thank You
23
WELCA
19
Worship Servants
16
YouthQuake
8
… and much more!
Join us for some summer fun on Wednesday evenings this month.
of its members. Last Sunday they gathered in the parking lot in the midst of debris and shattered hopes to worship in the strong name of the risen Christ.
In the aftermath of storms that seem relentless, we may feel overwhelmed and Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, anxious, but not powerless. For God’s Our hearts have been breaking for weeks as promise is clear: nothing in all creation will we have watched incessant storms devastate separate us from the love of God in Christ many parts of the United States. From the Jesus. Trusting in God’s promise and the plains of North Dakota to the bayous of power of the Holy Spirit, we respond by Louisiana, floodwaters and torrential rain joining together in God’s work of restoring have washed out communities and cropland. community. The liberating power of the Destructive tornado strikes leveled homes gospel frees us to repair roofs in Cullman for miles in cities and towns including Joplin, and fill sandbags in Fargo, on behalf of Mo., and Cullman, Ala. Two ELCA church people we don’t know and may never meet. buildings -- one in each state -- were These are our commitments as the destroyed. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: The winds destroyed the building of Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, but not the faith Bishop Hanson, continued on Page 2. June 2, 2011
The Bethel Banner
Page 2
Bishop Hanson, continued from page 1. • We will pray. Pray with me that
those affected may have the strength and courage they need to face these difficult days.
• We will stand together, roll up our
sleeves and work with partners to rebuild lives and restore hope. In Alabama, we are already at work with the Mennonites and the Christian Reformed Church in a rapid rebuilding project. Elsewhere, partnerships are unfolding with the United Methodist Church and others to coordinate volunteers to repair and rebuild homes and lives in the months and years to come. Working together we can achieve more on a scale and scope than we could ever achieve alone.
• We will give generously. We are already organizing volunteer
opportunities in response to the unmet needs of these communities. To support our efforts, please give now to ELCA Disaster Response. Your gift designated to Severe Spring Storms will be used in full -- 100 percent -- for the people and communities deeply affected by these storms. [Give a check to Bethel with "ELCA Disaster Reponse" on the memo line.]
• We will stay until the work is
done. One of our strengths as Lutherans is our practice of sustained response after a natural disaster, built on local networks of congregations and social ministries. Central States Synod Bishop Gerald Mansholt compared our work to long-distance running. ELCA Disaster Response was one of the first to arrive in Missouri and Alabama, and they will
be the last to leave. Even as we begin this journey, our work continues on the Gulf Coast and in Haiti.
• We will witness to our living faith
in Christ Jesus as we join together to do God’s work with our hands.
In all these things, I give thanks for each of you. May we be about God’s healing and restoration in a time of despair. May we bring God's message of hope in the wake of spring storms. In God's grace, Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Reading in the Lawn Chair... In Pastor Tim's June Banner article, he offered some good summer reading: the Bible. No need to get intimidated he wasn't suggesting that we start at Genesis and work our way all the way through to Revelation. Instead, he gave us a list of short passages from the Gospels that could be read in the bow of a boat or under an umbrella at
the pool, and recommended that we consider two questions as we read: Who is Jesus calling us to be? What is Jesus calling us to do? Furthermore, Pastor Tim put in a good word for keeping a Bible journal - just an old journal or leftover spiral notebook into which we could jot our
thoughts and questions about the readings. Here is the list of readings for July. If you'd like the entire reading list, look for the Bible study brochure at the welcome stations.
Bible Journal reading list for July: July 1 July 2 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 6 July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10
Luke 7:1-17 Matthew 11:1-30 Luke 7:36-8:3 Matthew 12:22-50 Mark 4:1-29 Matthew 13:24-52 Luke 8:22-56 Matthew 9:27-38 Matthew 10:16-42 Mark 6:1-29
July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 19 July 20
Matthew 13:13-36 John 6:22-40 John 6:41-71 Mark 7:1-37 Matthew 15:32-16:12 Mark 8:22-9:1 Luke 9:28-45 Matthew 17:24-18:6 Mark 9:38-50 Matthew 18:10-22
July 21 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31
John 7:1-31 John 7:32-53 John 8:1-20 John 8:21-59 Luke 10:1-24 Luke 10:25-42 Luke 11:1-32 Luke 11:33-54 Luke 12:1-21 Luke 12:22-59 Luke 13:1-21
July 2011
Page 3
From the Associate Pastor... Friends in Christ, Having enjoyed some recent time away with my family, I’m reminded how fishing is such a lovely pastime and a worthy undertaking. Of course, I’m biased. I have fond memories of my sisters and me growing up learning to fish under the adamant and loving tutelage of our father – and I can assure you, he knows how to catch ‘em! But Jesus seemed to have a fondness for it, too! After all, some of Jesus’ most famous stories deal with fishing. In particular it was the story found in Luke 5:1-11 which came to mind when I was recently in a boat with rod and reel in hand. You may remember it tells of Jesus displaying the abundance of God’s mercy and provision in the miraculous catch of fish and follows with him telling the would-be disciples he would make them fishers of people. Two things struck me about this as I sat on the lake. First, God’s abundant provision comes in the midst of scarcity and as a powerful gift. Scarcity seems to dominate the headlines and
anxieties or our current culture. Just think of all of the political wrangling over budgets, the news of so many who are still unemployed, and the constant struggle to fight hunger and poverty. Yet, in the midst of this scarcity, Jesus brings a message of abundance. I can distinctly remember something Lutheran scholar, Winston Persaud, said once concerning this. He said, “God’s grace is not scarce.” Indeed it is not. And as we continue to encounter this grace, knowing that we are in God’s care now and forever, we may give thanks for even the smallest measures of provision, even the tiniest fish which happen to make it into our boat. And we might seek to share it with those who have not seen it yet. What fish might you be thankful for today? How might you see God’s love for you even amidst scarcity? Second, in a way, we get to be God’s lures and nets. Just as a fisher casts and trolls or puts out a net, we might imagine God casting and trolling and putting out us. Can you imagine it -
From the Scrip Table... As the youth travel to their 2011 trips, your Scrip team would like to say Congratulations to those families who used Scrip to reach their payment goals! Even the mission trip to Minneapolis starts at over $450 so using Scrip makes sense. Of the 69 families who participated this year, fourteen families earned over $100 with another ten families earning over $200, and four more families earning over $300!! With Kwik Trip now earning 10% and Cub at 4%, these totals should be easy to surpass for 2012 trip-goers. Also, Scrip is not limited to our Bethel youth trips; anyone can start a mission trip account to be used for a trip to Nicaragua with ISLA or to India or Africa or South Dakota. Just let the Scrip team at the table know you want to start a trip account. And last, (but definitely not least!) many thanks to our small, but consistent group of Scrip supporters whose purchases allow the trips' scholarship account to grow and be available to those who need it.
God casting you into little eddies and pools, around docks and rock piles, through unknown depths and holes? Each of us have different skills and talents but also different connections with different people and places and events. Think about the pools and fishing holes in which you’ve been cast. How might Jesus be using you in those waters to bring God’s grace? If you haven’t thought about it this way before, what’s something you might do or say differently the next time you’re amongst those fish? When we encounter the Savior, Jesus the Christ, we get a taste of God’s good abundant love and grace, and we are blessed to give thanks and praise. At the same time, we become key pieces in God’s great tackle box, and God seeks to use you until there are no more fish to catch. Blessed fishing!
The Bethel Banner
Page 4
Meet Our Newest Members The following people joined Bethel in June. Welcome! Russ and Alyssa Bauer and their daughter Evelyn (2 ½) are coming to Bethel from St. Stephen in Bloomington. Russ is in IT Support at Carleton College and Alyssa is a selfemployed financial analyst. Besides traveling and being parents, in their free time, Russ enjoys sports and home improvement, while Alyssa enjoys cooking, reading and gardening. Their sponsors are Ruth and Bill Hoekstra. Ryan and Jessica Berg and their daughter Lucia (1) are from Farmington. Ryan works for Veit USA and Jessica works for Pine River Capital Management. Their sponsors are Jon and Brenda Lund. Ryan and Emily Blumhoefer were led to Bethel by the congregation, the music and the strong youth ministries. Ryan is a lawyer with Schmitz, Ophaug and Dowd. In her spare time, Emily enjoys playing cards, reading, volleyball, biking, and spending time with friends and family. Ryan enjoys reading, sports, biking, and working on the family farm. Their sponsors are Chris and Krista Sorenson. Tricia and Kevin Christopherson and their children Solvei (8), Greta (4), and twins Soren and Odin (6 months) were led to Bethel by the family ministries. Tricia is a teacher who stays home with their children and enjoys music. Kevin is a senior analyst at HealthPartners who enjoys sports. Their sponsors are Dan and Anna Lisa Rustad. Steven and Catherine Engle and their children Asher (2) and Shea (3 months) were drawn to Bethel by the location and ELCA membership. Steven is in IT at EMC and enjoys computers, music, cooking, and woodworking. Catherine stays home
with the children and enjoys cooking, music, and photography. Their sponsors are Pastor Charlie and Becky Ruud.
Thomas Malz is self-employed and loves training horses. Thomas lives in LeCenter and has a 10-year-old son, William. His sponsors are Bruce and Pam Santerre. Kathleen Peterson is coming to Bethel from Calvary Lutheran Church in Richland Hills, TX. She is retired and in her spare time enjoys crafts and beads. Her sponsor is her daughter, Sandy Peterson. Darlene Schneider is coming to Bethel from Nativity Church in Saint Anthony. She is retired and was welcomed to our church by her daughter, Jill Eastman, who is her sponsor.
John and Ashley Haberman and their children Mariah (9), McKenna (7), Lukas (3), and Holdyn (5 months), were drawn to Bethel because of our love for kids. Ashley is a stay-at-home mom and John is a bridge builder. Ashley loves baking, cooking, and kids and John loves kids as well as gardening. Their sponsors are Don and Bonnie Pavek. Rolf and Brenda Kragseth and their son Calvin (13) were led to Bethel by the music and friendly environment. Rolf, an engineer with Despatch, enjoys music, theater, woodworking, camping, skiing and gardening. Brenda is a staff substitute with Northfield Public Schools who enjoys snowshoeing, camping, traveling, gardening, and reading. Their sponsors are Ben and Jill Fisher. Ervin and Carol Malz are welcomed as new members. Ervin is retired from maintenance with the City of Minneapolis and Carol is a nurse at Three Links Care Center. Their sponsors are Roger and Vikki VanVeldhuizen.
Martin and Julie Schwartz were drawn to Bethel by the feel of the services and the music. Martin is a research supervisor at Holden Farms who enjoys hunting and reading. Julie is a Business Partner for Organizational Effectiveness with Target Corporation and enjoys singing, classical music, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. Their sponsors are Allan and Paula Mathison. Andy and Laura Swenson and their children Nolan (4) and Aliya (1) are coming from Trinity Lutheran. Laura, a nursing student at St. Mary’s University, enjoys reading, running, camping, gardening, and crafts. Andy, a financial analyst with The Hartford, enjoys reading, hunting, fishing, and camping. Their sponsors are Eric and Amanda Sieger. Merv and Jackie Thompson, previous members of Bethel, joined as associate members. Their church home is St. Peter's Lutheran in New York Mills. Their sponsors are Clark and Lois Cary.
July 2011
Page 5
Bethel News Women of Bethel meet each Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Fireside Room at Bethel for a good cup of coffee and rich conversation. On Thursday, June 30, we will discuss Short Easter by John Updike, which is the first short story in our new book, Listening for God: Contemporary Literature And The Life Of Faith: Volume 2 . Copies of this book can be purchased at Monkey See, Monkey Read in downtown Northfield. Come join us for some great summertime reading! For more information, contact Pam Santerre at 786-8951. Scoopers Needed!! We're looking for helpers to scoop and pour root beer floats at one or more of the Brewin' at Bethel events. If you are available from 6:50 to 7:10 p.m. on any of the four Wednesday evenings in July, please contact Pam Santerre at psanterre@bethelnorthfield.org or 7868951. Please join the Bethel softball team for the 22nd Annual All-Star Game and Fundraiser for the Northfield CAC, Sunday, July 10, at
2 p.m. at Babcock Park. Donations (money and non-perishables) are welcome. Join the fun for a good cause! Bethel Women Having Fun are headed to Red Wing and Lake Pepin for an outing on Tuesday, July 19, on the Pearl of the Lake Cruise Line. We will be lunching at Skyline on Pepin following the cruise. Please sign up at the information table or contact Judy Code if you are interested in joining the trip. (The Winona trip has been rescheduled for September. We hope you will consider this trip again, this time in nicer weather.) St. Paul Saints Baseball! ~ Join fellow Bethel baseball fans to see the Saints vs. Sioux City Explorers on Friday, July 22. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Hop on a bus at 4:30 in the Bethel parking lot and leave to enjoy a picnic dinner and the game - all for $30/person. The bus is limited to 50 riders. For those who want to drive themselves, join us for the picnic and
game for $23/person. Register and pay in the church office as soon as possible, so we know if we need to order more tickets. Call Blair or Barb Fowler at 612-245-7835 (cell) or 6631472 (evenings) if you have questions We need your forms! Thank you to those of you who have turned in your Time and Talent Opportunity sheets, your Scoops, your Road Maps, and your Baby Steps forms. We have received many! If you have not turned in these forms yet, now is the time. We are completing input of all information collected to date and are starting to prepare reports for class lists and volunteers. Please save us from phone call and postcard reminders by turning your forms in today! Rite of Confirmation ~ All 9ers, families, and friends, please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 9. That’s the date for our 2011-12 10th graders to confirm their faith here at Bethel at 1:30 p.m. Please plan to join us and celebrate the rite of confirmation with our youth.
Music and Worship Notes Summer Music Opportunities! Our Bell and Vocal Ensembles (and directors!) take a much deserved break in the summer. So, for those 16 weeks, others are invited to share their musical gifts with the Bethel family. We've already had the opportunity to hear trumpet music, the Teen and Bethel quartets, violin duets, and handbell solos. Thank-you, musicians! In July we will welcome the choir from Kildahl Park Pointe, a vocal quartet, and many other Bethel musicians who will offer anthems.
August brings a harp quartet (!), and several vocal soloists and ensembles. You are invited to participate in anthems on the following Sundays: August 14 - A men's ensemble will sing "River in Judea" - All tenors and basses are invited. Rehearsal Wednesday, August 10, at 7 p.m. August 21 - All youth are invited to participate in Youth Celebration Sunday. Rehearsal - Sunday, August 14, at 11:15 a.m. August 28 - New Song will sing at both worship times. All are welcome! Rehearsal - Wednesday, August 17, at 7 p.m.
September 11 - A women's and children's ensemble will sing. All females and children (with unchanged voices) are invited. Rehearsal - TBD Please email me with any questions you might have and/or to secure a copy of the music to be sung. (I will be out of the office the month of July.) I look forward to working with all who want to share in the summer music ministry at Bethel!
Rhonda Reece, Director of Music and Worship 786-8874
rreece@bethelnorthield.org
The Bethel Banner
Page 6
Church and Home Ministry ~ Partners in Faith
By Pam Vig, Director of Children’s Ministries
Faith On the Go – Just Add Family (reprinted from July 2010 – some ideas are worth a second attempt…J) Summer is a time of rest, relaxation, and renewal…or so we are told. It can also be a time of going, going, gone… with vacations, trips up north, camps, swimming lessons, sports, and other activities. Finding time for faith and family can be no easier in the summer than any other time of the year. But adding faith to your family’s day doesn’t have to involve sitting around the dinner table or living room and studying a specific Bible story. Just clip this article and throw it in the car. The next time you are on the road with your family, pull it out and take turns answering any of the following questions:
Where have you seen God in the last 24 hours? What is one of your favorite songs to sing in worship? What makes you feel connected to God? In what sounds do you hear God? Who is someone who has been important in your faith life and why? What is your favorite thing to do at Bethel and why? Who is one person you always look for at Bethel and why? Who is one person that always makes you feel glad to be at Bethel and why? What is a favorite memory of Sunday School? What is a favorite memory of BAM?
What is a favorite Bible verse? Don’t have one? Find a Bible and choose one! What have you done today that would make God smile? What is your favorite way of serving God? Who do we know that especially needs our prayers this week? Who do we know for whom we could do something nice? How can I be of service to God today? Happy Faith Trails to you! …and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…Hebrews 10:24-25a
Children’s Ministry Update .Children’s Ministry Registration Packets for the 201112 program year were due in May. If you haven’t returned yours, please do so now. Vacation Bible School - Good Earth Village on the Road August 7-11 ~ Just a reminder that our VBS experience for children in Grades 1-5 (2011-12 School Year) is being held at St. John’s and facilitated by Good Earth Village Bible Camp. All registration is being handled by Good Earth Village. You can register online or download a registration form at www.goodearthvillage.org. Simply select “Summer Camp” on the home page and then click on “GEV On the Road.” This ministry is open to all
Northfield children. Feel free to invite your children’s friends and neighbors. However, be aware that you must pre-register to attend. In order to have accurate numbers for food, crafts, etc. new registrations will not be taken after August 1. Good Earth Village does great work and there is no doubt that this will be an action packed week with lots of fun, fellowship, and learning. Cost is $65.00 per child with a $10.00 sibling discount. Programming is from 6-8 Sunday night and 94 Monday-Thursday. However, children may be dropped off as early as 8:00 AM and picked up as late as 5:00 PM each day, MondayThursday. Children are asked to bring their own bag lunch each day.
Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street is the theme for our age 4-Grade 1 (2011-12) Vacation Bible School experience. We will once again be participating in a joint effort with Emmaus and St. John’s Lutheran Church. The activities will take place at Emmaus during August 8-11 – the same week as the On the Road experience for our older students. 1st Grade students have a choice of the all day On the Road experience or the half day VBS experience at Emmaus. Registration packets for Age 4-Grade 1 VBS were sent out in April. Extra forms are Children, continued on Page 7.
Pam Vig, Director of Children’s Ministries 786-8878
pvig@bethelnorthfield.org
July 2011
Page 7
Children, continued from page 6. available in the church office or online at www.bethelnorthfield.org. Registration packets for Bethel families are due July 1. Please return yours as soon as possible so we may plan accordingly.
of a day, one day, for the whole week, or somewhere in between.
VBS Mission Project – Neighbors Helping Neighbors ~ All of our VBS students age 4-grade 5 are being asked to collect, earn, and save money throughout the summer to support the Northfield Community Action Center. The mission of the Community Action Center is to promote a healthy, caring, and just community for all people through resources, advocacy, and volunteer effort. They provide services to our neighbors in need and make a difference in the lives of families and individuals. The CAC meets basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, and provides crisis support, transportation, and services designed to facilitate neighbors helping neighbors.
There are many opportunities at Bethel for adults of all stages of life to serve and interact with our children. Options to participate vary from once a year, once a month, or once a week. So start thinking now about how you will plug into our Sunday School or BAM ministries this fall. Contact Pam Vig to volunteer or for more information.
Students are encouraged to find a container from home in which to save their money. It is our hope that the money in each container will grow throughout the summer. During VBS week in August all of the monies will be collected. You don’t have to participate in VBS to donate to this project. Anyone who wants to can collect money throughout the summer and turn it into the church office to be included with the children’s VBS offerings in August. Vacation Bible School Volunteers Needed ~ We are looking for middle school, high school, and adult volunteers to serve in our age 4-grade 1 VBS. We will be in need of small group leaders as well as leaders in the areas of crafts, decorating, recreation, music, Bible, snack, and nursery care for younger children of volunteers. You may sign on for part
Please contact Pam Vig to help. Getting to Know our Bethel Children
2010-11 Sunday School Volunteer Options ~ Teaching on your own or with a high school assistant or adult coleader are options, as are teaching for part of the year or the entire year or in the case of our grade 2-5 classes for one or more four- or five-week units. Age 3- Grade 1 ~ We are looking for teaching teams of at least four people per class. Each class will have 15-20 students. Each week two to three teachers will be on and two will be off. In addition, we are looking for one or two high school students to serve as assistants in each class. Grades 2-5 ~ Faith Quest is the name of our Sunday School experience for our Grade 2-5 students. The year consists of seven 4-week units. Each unit is comprised of four stations. The students rotate to a different station each week. Station Leaders prepare one lesson and present it four Sundays in a row to a different group of children each week. You can sign on to serve as a station leader for one or more units or for the entire year. Group Guides are also needed for our Faith Quest experience. Guides sign on for half a year or
the entire year. Guides are assigned the same group of children each week. They begin the hour in conversation with their small group and then move to the station with their group for the rest of the hour where they serve as an extra pair of hands for the day’s activities. BAM – Every Wednesday during the school year over 170 kindergartengrade 5 students ride the Bethel Buses to our site for BAM – Bible, Arts and Music. The afternoon is filled with snack, CAT class, Choir Rehearsal, TNT (Trying New Things – crafts, recreation, and other projects), Video, Chimes, and More. Every week we need several volunteers to make all of these wonderful activities happen. We happily take volunteers from grade 7adult! You can sign on for one afternoon a year, one afternoon a week, or anything in between. Activities will take place between 3:30 and 5:30 and we can always fit you in whenever it works best for your schedule. Some volunteer options are only 15 minutes long. Others are 30 minutes and others are 90 minutes. If you can help in either our Sunday or Wednesday ministries during 2011-12, please contact Pam Vig.
The Bethel Banner
Page 8
Bethel Youth News Summer Trippers ~ Picture Parties - The 8th Grade Mission Trip & Flathead Trip Picture Parties are in the process of being scheduled – watch your email for details about this fun way to share trip pictures and stories. Please have your pictures developed so you’re ready to exchange them and prepare a display of your great week! Pizza and pop will be provided. Christikon Youth & Chaperones ~ Our final trip meeting before your departure is scheduled at the Dairy Queen picnic table (910 Hwy 3 N, Northfield) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20. We’ll meet for last minute questions and instructions – see you there! On the day of your departure, Saturday, July 23, we will meet at Bethel at 5 p.m.
and the bus will leave for Montana as soon as it’s loaded. If you have any questions before your departure, please contact Barb Farmer. 2010-11 Seniors – Next year’s seniors will meet at Barb Farmer’s home (2226 Greenfield Drive W) on Tuesday, July 26, at 7 p.m. to begin planning for next year. Please bring your ideas and be ready to do some brainstorming! All 2011-12 10th and 11th grade youth are encouraged to pass along your Hi League wish lists to one of those seniors or to Barb Farmer. Calling all Middle and High School Students ~ We are busy planning for VBS and we could definitely use your help. We will be hosting our children who will be 4 years old by September through Grade 1 students at Emmaus Church during the week of August 8 - 11 for
Bursting with Joy As I prepared for our youth summer trips this week, I came across a verse in Psalm 60 that speaks of God bursting with joy: That's when God spoke in holy splendor, "Bursting with joy, I make a present of Shechem, I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.” I love the image of God bursting with joy. And one time I think God must burst with joy is in watching our kids participate in their summer faithbuilding experiences.
Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. – noon. You can sign on for one hour, one day or more, or for the whole week. Feel free to recruit a friend to sign up with you. Please look at your calendars, talk to your parents, and let Pam Vig know how you can help! Youth of Yahweh ~ Don’t miss our second Magical Mystery Tour! All 2011-12 6th – 9th grade youth are going somewhere unknown each month for the rest of this summer. We had a great time on YouthQuake, continued on Page 9.
Barb Farmer, Director of Youth Ministries 786-8877
bfarmer@bethelnorthfield.org
By Barb Farmer, Director of Youth Ministries
But I also see our kids burst with joy as they return from the time spent away. They have spent a week outside of their normal environments and many times out of their comfort zones. And most of them come back to their everyday lives, bursting with joy from the experiences they’ve had. That’s a nice circle that’s created, isn’t it? God bursts with joy, gives us a gift (of life’s needs, new experiences, deep
relationships, new-found growth), we receive the gift, and then we burst with joy as we pass it along to others. As our kids return from their summer trips, they will probably be bursting with stories and happenings they want to share. Help them complete that circle, won’t you? Ask them to tell you stories about their summer experiences and watch the joy burst from them.
Nursery News The Nursery is not on vacation! J We're happy to see your children, ages 0-5, during the Brewin' at Bethel events on
Wednesday evenings, as well as on Sunday mornings in July. Our nursery volunteers don't want to be the only ones enjoying the great toys and books in our nursery!
Juley Jenkinson, Nursery Coordinator
786-6674 jjenkinson@bethelnorthfield.org
July 2011
Page 9
YouthQuake, continued from page 8. June’s tour! Join us for our second Magical Mystery Tour on Thursday, July 28. Parents, please watch for details in the mail and sh-h-h! Keep our destination a secret from your kids – remember it’s a mystery! The Amazing Race of Grace is returning! Our Bethel wePOD youth will lead a weekly faith and fun event for middle school youth to help us all reconnect with our Bethel friends toward the end of the summer. The dates for these great 3-hour adventures will be July 27, August 3, 10, and 17. More details will be coming later. Keep a look-out for this fun offering – you don’t want to miss it!
Fall Youth Registrations ~ Our records show that there are still several Bethel Scoop registration packets for our fall programming that haven’t been turned in. All Bethel youth and parents should have received a lime green packet in The Annual Scoop in May. Extras are available in the office. We are in the middle of fall planning, so accurate numbers & information are necessary. If you haven’t already done so, please turn in your family’s registration as soon as possible; feel free to call or email Barb Farmer with any questions. Thank you for your help!
Bethel Plays Softball! Join the Bethel softball teams as a player or a fan! For more information, contact Steve Reece at 663-7035 or reece@stolaf.edu. Sunday, July 10, 2 p.m. All Star Game at Babcock Park - Fundraiser for the FoodShelf Sunday, July 10, 6 p.m. at Sechlar #1 vs. Trinity Red
Sunday, July 24, 7:10 p.m. at Sechlar #1 vs. St. Peter's Sunday, July 31, 6 p.m. at Babcock Park vs. Trondhjem Sunday, August 7, 7:10 p.m. at Sechlar #1 vs. St. Dominic's Blue
Sunday, July 17, 4:50 p.m. at Sechlar #2 vs. Northfield E-Free Cedars
Looking ahead to Celebration Sunday – Mark Your Calendars! ~ All summer trippers (8th Grade Mission Trip, Christikon, Flathead Trips), please put Sunday morning, August 21, on your calendars. We’ll be participating in the Summer Celebration services (8:30 & 10 a.m.). We’ll also show our appreciation to all the Bethel members who helped us raise money for our trips by holding the 9th annual Absolutely Free – No Strings Attached – Thanks a Bunch Carwash. Further details will be sent by email or regular mail. Please plan to be a part of this big thank you to our Bethel friends!
Bethel Women Having Fun All Bethel women are invited to join in the fun with this traveling monthly fellowship group! Most trips leave in a carpool from the Bethel parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Watch the weekly Banner for updates and details. Tuesday, July 19, Lake City Boat Trip Tuesday, August 16, Potluck at Lu Lindstrom’s home
Northfield Noontime Organ Recitals Come and hear the fifth summer of recitals, held on Wednesdays, 12:1512:45 p.m. during July and August: Wednesday, July 6: Tom Ferry, First UCC, 300 Union Street Wednesday, July 13: Wyatt Smith, Skinner Chapel at Carleton College, 405 1st Street East
Wednesday, July 20: Richard Collman and David Miller, Bethel Wednesday, July 27: Mike Powell, Boe Memorial Chapel at St. Olaf Wednesday, August 2: Bob Henstein, United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Maple Street
Wednesday, August 10: Lawrence Archbold, Carleton College Music & Drama Center, 110 Winona Street N. Some recitals will include a freewill offering to defray publicity expenses. For more information, contact Richard Collman at 645-1357 or rkcollman@msn.com.
Page 10
The Bethel Banner
Highlights of the May Church Council Meeting The Trustee reported that they are working on the Kitchen Manager position and will have a draft of the job description available at the next Church Council meeting. Personnel Officer reported a change in the members of the Personnel Committee. One person has left the committee and a new one has joined. The Treasurer reported that giving is up 5% over last year. The Finance Committee is going to be sending a letter to the congregation to recap the first year of the second Capital Campaign. The Stewardship Committee is working with a member that is willing to put together financial planning seminars for various age and life groups for our congregation. This information was also presented to the Finance Committee. Volunteer Appreciation will take place on May 22. The Organizational Chart Task Force presented information on a proposed Church Council structure that would better fit the flow of the offices. They will bring final information to next month’s meeting. Monitor Task Force has meetings scheduled for May 22 and then will have information to share next month. The Bethel staff expressed gratitude to the Church Council for the opportunity for a staff learning day at House of Hope Lutheran Church in Des Moines that they attended early in May. Much helpful information was gathered. Bethel is a partner in the Manger Inn project and they are requesting us to agree to a change in status from a for-profit organization to a not-forprofit organization. This motion was passed by the Church Council.
July 2011
Page 11
Financial News and Notes Enjoy the convenience of electronic giving Bethel Lutheran Church offers electronic giving, which allows you to make donations on a scheduled, automatic basis. If you are writing checks and preparing envelopes every week, you will especially appreciate electronic giving. It is convenient for you and provides much-needed donation consistency for Bethel. Simply Giving can be used for your regular faith-based giving and/or building fund pledge. How to get started ~ To set up electronic donations, simply complete the authorization form which can be found on Bethel’s website (bethelnorthfield.org) or on the information table in the narthex. Donations can be debited automatically from either a checking or savings account. Return the completed form to the church office, attention Gloria West. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria at 786-6687 or gwest@bethelnorthfield.org.
Stock Donations
Year-to-date Benevolences SE MN Synod Cannon River Conf.-ELCA Community Action Center Lutheran Social Services Nfld. Retirement Center
If you are considering or planning to donate stock to Bethel, please contact Gloria at gwest@bethelnorthfield.org or 786-6687 before you As of May 31, 2011 make the transfer. 10,417 When stocks are transferred to Bethel's brokerage account the name of 262 the donor is not always available, so it is very important that you contact Gloria so she can credit your giving statement correctly and record your 825 contribution per your instructions. If you need the delivery instructions 4,583 to make the transfer from your account into Bethel's account, Gloria 1,200 has that information also. Thanks for your generosity.
CAC Thursday's Table
600
M/J Honorarium & Creation Care
272
Global Mission/Justice Benevolence Contingency
315
ELCA World Hunger
1,930
Sunday School- ISLA
587
Sun. Sch.- 8th Gr. Mission Trip
574
Total Sunday School CAC Food Shelf Soup Suppers
Capital Campaign
3,500
1,161 15,047
Capital Campaign 07/01/10 - 06/30/13 Results as of 5/31/2011 Pledges
1,746,659
Pledges Received
(738,296)
Pledges to be Received
1,008,363
Non-Pledges Received
49,112
744
Total CAC Food Shelf
15,791
Easter Offering 2011 Ruth's House
3,013
Habitat/Humanity
3,013
Building Debt 1/15/2009 Building Debt
3,500,000
6,026
Scheduled Principal payments
(187,468)
Tanzania 100th Anniversary
740
Additional Principal payments
(1,055,000)
ELCA Disaster- Tornado
210
04/15/2011 Building Debt
World Vision (30 hour famine) Good Samaritan Funds used Youth Scholarship funds used
348 1,055 370 49,605
2,257,532
Gloria West, Church Accountant 786-6687
gwest@bethelnorthfield.org
4
11
3 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship Service
10 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship Service 2 p.m. Northfield Church League 22nd Annual All-Star Game & Fundraiser
Sunday
Monday
12 2 p.m. Bethel Staff meeting 6:30 p.m. Liberty Park Townhome Assn. 7 p.m. Films of the Holy Land 7 p.m. Finance Committee meeting 7 p.m. Scout Den Parent meeting
5 2 p.m. Bethel Staff meeting 7 p.m. Films of the Holy Land
Tuesday
13 3 p.m. Kildahl Park Pointe Choir rehearsal 7 p.m. Brewin' at Bethel
6 1:30 p.m. Stewardship Committee meeting 7 p.m. Brewin' at Bethel
Wednesday
Saturday
1 2 8th Grade Mission HS Flathead Lake Trip Trip HS Flathead Lake Trip
Friday
14 15 16 8 a.m. Bethel Women's 1:30 p.m. Organ/Piano Eagle Scout Ceremony Study Practice for Neil Barck 7 p.m. Church Council meeting
7 8 9 8 a.m. Bethel Women's 1:30 p.m. Organ/Piano Study Practice 1:30 p.m. Organ/Piano Practice 5:30 p.m. Personnel Committee meeting
Thursday
Page 12
The Bethel Banner
Calendar — July 2011
31 Christikon Backpacking Trip 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship Service
27 Amazing Race of Grace Christikon Backpacking Trip 7 p.m. Brewin' at Bethel
25 Christikon Backpacking Trip 7 p.m. Lois Circle
24 Christikon Backpacking Trip 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship Service
28 Bethel Serves at Thursdays Table Christikon Backpacking Trip Magical Mystery Tour 8 a.m. Bethel Women's Study
21 8 a.m. Bethel Women's Study
23 Katie Carlson/ Christopher Schultz Wedding 5 p.m. Christikon Backpacking Trip leaves 6:30 p.m. Peterson Family Reunion
29 30 Christikon Backpacking Christikon Trip Backpacking Trip 3 p.m. Wedding Shower
22 4:30 p.m. St. Paul Saints game bus leaves
Look for more information about events at Bethel on our website at: www.bethelnorthfield.org
26 Christikon Backpacking Trip 2 p.m. Bethel Staff meeting 7 p.m. Hi League Planning meeting
20 12:15 p.m. Organ Recital 7 p.m. Brewin' at Bethel 7 p.m. Christikon Trip Meeting
18 19 1:30 p.m. Organ/Piano Bethel Women Having Practice Fun 2 p.m. Bethel Staff meeting
17 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship Service
July 2011 Page 13
Mark Your Calendars
August 7-11 ~ Good Earth Village on the Road & VBS
September 18 ~ Rally Day!
September 22-25 ~ Bethel Backpacking Trip
October 9 ~ Confirmation
The Bethel Banner
Page 14
From the Mission and Justice Committee Vision Statement: Since we believe that service is both an obligation and a privilege of the Christian life, we seek to provide opportunities for Bethel members to learn about the needs of others in our world and to put their knowledge into action, heeding Christ's call to "Love your neighbor as yourself."
The 2010-2011 Mission and Justice forum series focused on immigration issues. If you want to learn more, here are some resources provided by members of the Mission and Justice Committee: Lutheran specific sources Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/ Social-Issues/Messages/ Immigration.aspx • www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/OurThree-Expressions/ChurchwideOrganization/CommunicationServices/News/Releases.aspx? a=4233 • www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/OurThree-Expressions/ChurchwideOrganization/CommunicationServices/News/Releases.aspx? a=4597 • A Social Policy Resolution Toward Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration Reform, produced by the Church in Society program unit of the ELCA. Single, complementary copies may be obtained by calling: 800-638-3522. Una traducción española es accessible en línea www.elca.org o llamando 800-6383522. Find this and all ELCA social policy documents online at www.elca.org/socialstatements. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) www.lirs.org Frequently Asked Questions • What is the Lutheran position on immigration? As an immigrant church in this country, Lutherans nationwide recognize the importance of providing welcome to migrants and bearing witness to how our society is strengthened and renewed by the
•
•
currently experienced by immigrants contributions of migrants. Following World War II one out of every six awaiting family reunification. Lutherans in the world was displaced. • Ensure the protection of U.S. citizens With the participation of 6,000 and immigrant workers. congregations, Lutherans in the U.S. • Provide adequate resources and opened their homes, churches and protections in order to ensure the communities to assist tens of thousands of successful integration of refugees, migrants and their families as they started asylees, unaccompanied minors and over. Lutherans have continued this other vulnerable migrant populations. ministry through LIRS. • Where can I get more information Who is LIRS? Founded in 1939, on LIRS? For more information on LIRS is a champion for uprooted people. immigration reform visit www.lirs.org/ LIRS helps people seeking safety from sfw. persecution in their home countries and Be Not Afraid: Resources for reunites families torn apart by conflict. Congregations and Immigrant LIRS resettles refugees. LIRS protects vulnerable children who arrive alone in the Families Fractured by Fear LIRS heard from denominational United States. LIRS advocates for compassion and justice for all immigrants. bodies and individual congregations who want to do something to turn back LIRS welcomes newcomers and promotes the fear and inspire people with a spirit of welcome in our communities. strength and hope. In response to their What is LIRS' position on needs, they launched the Be Not Afraid immigration reform? LIRS upholds project, a series of tools focused on four that the nation's current immigration system is broken and recommends that, in critical themes. These materials can help equip congregations to respond to order to find a just and humane solution immigration issues impacting their while assuring orderly migration, immigration reform should accomplish the members and communities. Congregations are fractured over the following: issue, unsure how to respond as the • Provide an earned pathway for family of Christ. Pastors are facing a undocumented immigrants and their decline in membership and participation families to become members of our as immigrant members are deported or American society and eventually fear being detained. Immigrant families obtain citizenship. are fractured by a broken system that • Ensure the humane enforcement of often denies due process, separates U.S. immigration laws, specifically parents and children, and creates a within the immigration detention culture of fear that interrupts daily life. system to reduce the reliance upon the For more information e-mail incarceration of vulnerable immigrants benotafraid@lirs.org. and promote the use of communityThey are Us: Lutherans and based alternatives-to-detention Immigration (featuring our own Bethel!) by programs. Ralie Deffenbaugh & Rev. Steven • Protect families from separation, and Bouman, 2010. By virtue of ensure an adequate supply of visas for families seeking to reunite in order to reduce the long delays Mission & Justice, continued on Page 15.
July 2011
Page 15
Mission and Justice, continued from page 14. Lutheranism's spiritual heritage and identity in America as an immigrant church, Lutherans are specially placed to give hopeful leadership about the controversial issue of immigration in the United States today. They Are Us explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations for Lutheran participation in a public conversation that has important implications for the future of this nation. Based on professional experience and grounded in Christian faith, the authors make the case for immigration reform and call the church to a mission of evangelical hospitality. Mary Carlsen has three copies left for purchase; call her at 645-9176 if interested. Other Christian resources Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, www.faithandimmigration.org Strangers in the Land A six-week guide on immigration, the church, and the Bible by the editors of Sojourners magazine, www.sojourners.org Reading suggestions by Mission and Justice committee members Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle The Late Homecomer, Kao Kalia Yang Postville: USA: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town America, Grey, Devlin and Goldsmith A Thousand Tears Falling, Krall Hmong in Minnesota (People of Minnesota), Vang Mexicans in Minnesota (People Of Minnesota), Valdes and Holm The Resettlement of Vietnamese Refugees in Minnesota, Bien Quang Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives: Sudanese Refugees in Minnesota, Holtzman and Foner
Brief history of US immigration: “Immigration and Emigration” New York Times, February 2, 2011 Hymn Suggestion: LBW #641, All Are Welcome Films (Sojourners has a theological discussion guide for these films on their website, www.sojo.net; those with an asterisk were shown at Bethel last fall) *Made in L.A., Genre: Documentary (unrated); 70 minutes. Website: www.madeinla.com (DVD available for purchase) *Dying To Live: a Migrant’s Journey, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 33 minutes. Website: http:// dyingtolive.nd.edu (DVD available for purchase) *Farmingville, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 78 minutes. Website: www.farmingvillethemovie.com (DVD available for purchase) The Visitor, Genre: Feature—Drama (PG-13); 104 minutes. Website: www.thevisitorfilm.com (DVD available for purchase) God Grew Tired of Us, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 89 minutes. Website: www.godgrewtiredofus.com Which Way Home, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 90 minutes. Website: www.whichwayhome.net Sin Nombre, Without a Name, Genre: Feature—Drama (Rated R); 96 minutes. Website: www.filminfocus.com/ focusfeatures/ film/sin_nombre 9500 Liberty, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 81 minutes. Website: www.9500liberty.com Papers, Genre: Documentary (unrated); 95 minutes. Website: www.papersthemovie.com Entre Nos, Genre: Feature—Drama (unrated); 81 minutes. Website: www.entrenosfilm.com Crossing Arizona, Genre: Documentary
(unrated); 75 minutes. Website: www.crossingaz.com General Immigration Organizations American Civil Liberties Union American Friends Service Committee (Immigrants’ Rights in the U.S.) American Immigration Lawyers Association American Immigration Council Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Carnegie Endowment for International Peace International Migration Policy Program Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. Cato Institute Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice Immigrant Legal Resource Center Immigrant Solidarity Network Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Migration Policy Institute NAFSA: Association of International Educators National Council of La Raza National Immigration Forum National Immigration Law Center National Lawyers Guild (National Immigration Project) National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) Surviving Spouses Against Deportation U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
The Bethel Banner
Page 16
July Worship Servants July 3
July 10
July 17
July 23
July 30
Assisting Minister (8:30 a.m.)
Carol Lysne
Mike Ahrens
Lu Lindstrom
Noel Stratmoen
Eric Lundin
Assisting Minister (10 a.m.)
Libby Glimsdal
Mike Ahrens
Christina Schwietz
Knight Stanley
Marci Groenewold
Reader (8:30 a.m.)
Wendell Arneson
Barb Holm
Bethel Youth
Pat Stahly
Jerry Williams
Reader (10 a.m.)
Marci Groenwold
Marci Groenwold
Bethel Youth
Barb Farmer
Sandy Peterson
Sacramental Ministers (8:30 a.m.)
Mike & Sandy Ahrens, Wendell Arneson & Beth Christensen, Kitty Runzheimer
Roberta Ganske, Bethel Youth Sandy Ahrens, Carol Cole, Rose Turnacliff, need 1 more
Abbie Meierbachtol, Jill Eastman, Dot Swanson, Marcia Omdahl, Wayne Kivell
Rose Turnacliff, Mike & Sandy Ahrens, Kristi Huettl, Wayne Kivell
Sacramental Ministers (10 a.m.)
Dan Foley, Jean Mueller, Marci Groenewold
Barb Neitzel, Marci Groenewold, need 1 more
Bethel Youth
Roger & Vikki VanVeldhuizen, Cindy Kreis, Pam Vig, Barb Farmer
Sandy Peterson, need 2 more
Ushers (8:30 a.m.)
Roberta & Gene Ganske, Ellis Lysne, Bob Vanderhoof
Marilyn & Gordon Kelley, Mac Gimse, Roger Glasgow
Bethel Youth
Steve Meierbachtol, Kyle Nordine, Jim Moberg, Tony Huettl
Judy & Daryl Kuyper, Char & David Jacobsen
Ushers (10 a.m.)
Rolynn & Nancy Ensrud, Gary Hanson, Dick Johnson
Ryan & Emily Blumhoefer, Juley & Chad Jenkinson
Bethel Youth
Gerry & Carol Gengenbach, Marv Farmer, Juley Jenkinson
Tim & Lori Freeland, Tadd & Barb Henwood
Greeters (8:30 a.m.)
Diane & Keith Torbenson
Brian & Carolyn Walker
Paula & Allan Mathison
Rolf & Karen Kragseth
Diane & Keith Torbenson
Greeters (10 a.m.)
Juley & Chad Jenkinson
Juley & Chad Jenkinson
Lois & Noel Stratmoen
Kari & Brad Prestemon
AnnaLisa & Dan Rustad
Kristi & Tony Huettl
Kristi & Tony Huettl
Judy & Larry Narhi
Katy & JD Schuerman
Nametags (8:30 a.m.) Kari & Brad Prestemon
Nametags (10 a.m.)
Barb & Roger Glasgow
Lois & Noel Stratmoen
Juley & Chad Jenkinson
Jeanne Cloud & Donovan Pautzke
Brian & Carolyn Walker
Coffee Servers
Diane & Keith Torbenson, Kari & Brad Prestemon, Barb & Roger Glasgow
Brian & Carolyn Walker, Jeanne Cloud & Donavan Pautzke, Judy & Larry Narhi
Paula & Allan Mathison, Kristi & Tony Huettl, Juley & Chad Jenkinson
Lois & Noel Stratmoen, Rolf & Brenda Kragseth, Dana & Marin Amundson Graham
Katy & JD Schuerman, AnnaLIsa & Dan Rustad, Mary Nystuen & friend
July 2011
Page 17
July 3
July 10
July 17
July 23
July 30
Altar Care
Connie & Gary DeGrote
John & Marcia Omdahl
Tammy & Randy Christel
Rosann Brawley
Sandy Peterson
Communion Angels
Alice Dale, Arlene Neil
Roberta and Gene Ganske, Larry & Avis Petterson
Carol Cole
Elaine Deim, Dick and Orpah Johnson
Juley Jenkinson
A/V Room (8:30 a.m.)
Seth Hanson
Neil Barck Nathan Dahlen
Jordan Ett Tucker Meillier
Neil Barck Liam Fisher
Jordan Ett Nathan Dahlen
A/V Room (10 a.m.)
Mark Lewis Tucker Meillier
Jordan Ett Liam Fisher
Seth Hanson David Kreis
Patrick Walker Ben Coleman
Mark Lewis Tucker Meillier
Service Group Chairperson: Kristi Huettl, 663-7146
A Measure of Our Commitment June Worship Attendance average per Sunday 2008
2009
2010
2011
364
324
381
*388
Average Year-to-date Worship Attendance 2008
2009
2010
2011
462
509
515
*512
The Bethel Banner is published monthly as a ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church of Northfield, Minnesota. The congregation is invited to submit articles to the church office. Articles are due by the 20th of each month. Questions, suggestions, or comments? Contact editor Lisa McDermott at lmcdermott@bethelnorthfield.org, by phone at 645-0740, or call the church office at 786-6674.
* These figures do not include June 26, 2011.
Pastoral Care At Bethel, we teach, preach, and live the truth that every one of us is loved, valued, and belongs. Our pastoral care team and supporting ministries, such as Befrienders, prayer ministry, home communion, etc., provide care that is confidential, Christ-focused, and spiritual. We desire to be connected to you while you are experiencing peaks and valleys in your walk with Christ. Through the good times as well as through the tough ones, whatever your circumstances, Bethel is a loving family that wants to share God’s love for you. Please contact us by phone if you desire pastoral care. Tim McDermott and Charlie Ruud, Pastors, 786-6674 and Pam Santerre, Pastoral Minister, 786-8951
The Bethel Banner
Page 18
Creation Care News and Notes Bethel members will be staffing Thursday's Table on Thursday, July 28. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the information table beginning July 3. Thursday's Table is a community dinner served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. each Thursday evening at the NCRC, located at the rear of the building, at 1651 Jefferson Parkway. About 200 community members, many of whom are struggling with food insecurity, are served a warm meal and enjoy a time for conversation and community building. "Arriving Green" is the theme of the Creation Care Team's event on Sunday, July 31. You are asked to come to church that morning in a "green" way - walking, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, carpooling, ridesharing, or combining your church trip with another errand. You will then be "arriving green". For your efforts, you will receive a green sticker as you enter the church that morning. August is Bethel's month to serve at the Northfield FoodShelf. Please sign up for a shift or two at the information table beginning on July 3. The FoodShelf is a major focus of Bethel. In August, we can help clients with their shopping and also stock shelves, organize shelves, and help clients get their groceries to the car. Creation Care Checklist ~ There are many ways we can save energy and practice Earth Stewardship. Some time ago, the Bethel staff identified ways in which Bethel practices stewardship of the Earth, through a checklist they completed for the Creation Care Team. The following are things Bethel does within the context of worship. They are:
• • • • • • •
use re-usable glasses for communion, wash communion vessels/glasses with eco-safe dishwashing detergent, provide whole grain communion bread that is prepared locally, purchase fair trade palm fronds for Palm Sunday, limit use of paper for bulletins through re-use, place baskets near exit for recycling worship materials, and use outside air and fans instead of air conditioner when feasible.
Ways that Bethel as a community and individual staff members show their care for God's creation in the office: • recycle paper and ink cartridges, • proper disposal of batteries, computers, and printers, • limit mailings/use email, • unplug computers/printers/ coffeemakers/microwaves when not in use, • use fair trade coffee and tea, • promote and eat healthy snacks, • cut down on junk mail by notifying senders, • bring plants into the office for beauty and to purify the air, • use refilled/recycled ink and toner cartridges when feasible, • limit number of copies for use by groups, and • use white or pastel color paper. Other ways to show creation care include: • eliminate styrofoam, plastic cups, and disposable paper and plastic products, • avoid running water unnecessarily, • turn out lights when not in use, • use post-consumer products for napkins and towels, • moderate heat throughout the building to times and areas of use, • raise thermostat for cooling in the
• • • • • • • • •
• • •
summer and lower it in winter, foster practices among members to turn out lights when not in use provide handy paper recycling bins, replace automatic flush systems with sensor, use-based system, use hand-motion sensors on faucets, put in rain gardens to absorb runoff, provide healthy meals, install bike rack and encourage walking and biking to church, test for asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, radon, place plants at the entrance, near windows, at the altar, around the baptismal font, in the office, in the narthex and other gathering spaces, aim for 100% recycling, recycle office paper, glass, plastic, steel cans, and aluminum cans, and use the Bethel donation station to recycle pill bottles, used CFL bulbs, used stamps, printer cartridges, church education materials, and used eyeglasses.
Many thanks for all the ways you contribute to creation care at Bethel! [The checklist used was prepared by webofcreaton.org.] Creation Care Tip: This summer, if you don’t plant your own garden, consider buying a share in a local community garden, or visit the farmer’s market for local fresh produce. Take on the "Hundred-Mile Diet" challenge - which means only buying food produced within 100 miles from your home. Ingredients for the average American meal typically travel between 1,500 to 2,500 miles, a 25% increase from 1980. This average meal uses up to 17 times more petroleum products, and dramatically increases carbon dioxide emissions, compared to a meal that is produced locally.
July 2011
Page 19
Recycling Tips from the Creation Care Team Pill bottles with labels removed can once again be recycled at the donation station at Bethel. You may also drop them off directly at Just Food.
Prescription eye glasses can be recycled at Just Food and other places.
now the pill bottles are back in the donation station!
#5 clean plastic lids and plastic containers may be recycled at Just Food. They are being used to make toothbrushes and other products.
Beer-style bottle caps are collected at Just Food and given to Glass Garden Beads in Northfield. They are turned into jewelry beads. The Donation Station is a main location for recycling many things next to the CLC at Bethel. Empty ink cartridges are brought to Aquatic Pets as a fundraiser for the Humane Society. Used CFL bulbs are brought to the Rice County Recycling Center. Used stamps are sent to St. Elizabeth Hospital are used for work therapy. Christian reading materials are also collected and then distributed. And
The Creation Care Team is exploring recycling IPods, MP3 players, and digital cameras as a fundraiser for Cannon River Watershed Partnership. If you have items to donate, please express an interest to the office staff or to a member of the Creation Care Team.
Plastic bags can be recycled at Cub, Econo Foods, and Just Food. Cell phones are being collected at Just Food and will go to the Hope Center for use as emergency phones for their clients who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Last fall, the Creation Care Team conducted a survey of the congregation and 121 members responded. The idea of having recycling bins in the three large commons areas in the Sunday School wing was expressed a few times. The recycling bins are being built. and will be in use soon.
WELCA Notes The WELCA school bag tree will be in the narthex on July 15. Due to the changes in item requirements there are a limited number of bags; please take a bag before purchasing items. A list of needed items are included in the bags. We are also in need of hand towels and bars of soap for our layette kits. If you would like to contribute towels or soap or a cash donation for the purchase of these items, there will be bags on the tree to receive them. Questions? Contact Arlene Neil. I hope your summer is off to good start and you are enjoying an opportunity to do all the things summer has to offer (between the rain showers that is). Summer is to "Renew, Respond and Rejoice", as our Bible Study is named, and which is also the theme of the Eighth Triennial Gathering in
Spokane, Washington, July 14-17. Bethel's gathering of WELCA to study our lessons from the LWT - June and July/August issues is set for Monday, August 15, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We invite you to bring your Bible and your LWT, if you have one (we have extra), and join us. Sessions will be 1 hour and 15 minutes in length, with a morning break, a lunch break and an afternoon session, with 15 minutes to wrap up. Sessions will begin in the CLC at 9:30 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm If your schedule is too busy that day feel free to come for any of the sessions. Lunch will be provided. Our summer studies have been very well received in the past and we hope this one day format will be enjoyable for you as well. Thanks for renewing, responding, and rejoicing with WELCA! ~ Marcia Omdahl
LPGM Minute for Mission All of LPGM’s ministries affect the lives of children and families. In the month of June, as students in North America are preparing for summer vacation, students in India are going back to school. Each year nearly 1,800 Indian students are able to attend quality schools because of partner support through LPGM. Thank you for being a partner with the Lutheran churches in India who are doing this worthwhile ministry. Please pray for the students, teachers, and administrators of these schools as they work to make the world a better place one student at a time.
The Bethel Banner
Page 20
Living Faith Are you following Bethel’s Summer Bible Reading Program offered by Pastor Tim in his June Banner article? [See this month's readings on page 2 or in the brochure on the Welcome Stations.] He challenged us to make our way through the four gospels this summer, reading and meditating on the daily passages with two questions in mind: 1) Who is Jesus calling you to be? 2) What is Jesus calling you to do? What has been interesting for me, as I've contemplated the readings, is that I find the second question easier to answer than the first one. And when I do answer the first one, it sounds more like doing than being.
Here’s an example…In Mark 1:16-39, I find many suggestions of what Jesus is calling me to do: to follow Him, bring my cares to Him, and rise early for prayer and meditation. But who is Jesus calling me to be? A follower, an early riser, someone who prays…these sound to me like nouns made out of verbs…to be’s derived from to do’s. Fortunately, confusion gives way to the realization that we cannot separate who we are called to be from what we are called to do. Being and doing are clearly interrelated, but the biblical order is critical: what we do should flow out of who we are, not the other way around.
So, I need to adjust my perspective and realize that my relationship with Jesus is primary. From an intimate relationship with Christ comes the focus, energy, will, and whatever else is needed to hear and respond to the doing part. Kenneth Boa says it perfectly, "Our primary purpose is not to do something for Christ, but to know Him; our activities and abilities are useless for the kingdom unless He energizes them, and this will not happen if they take precedence over intimacy with Him." Reading and meditating with this summer study is an excellent way to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus. It is not too late to begin. Pick up your Bible and a copy of the Banner or a brochure and start on whatever day you wish. Imagine what will happen in your life, in mine, and in our Bethel ministry as we contemplate these gospel texts together!
Pam Santerre, Pastoral Minister 786-8951
psanterre@bethelnorthfield.org
News from Across the Parking Lot While the number of seniors in need of care is growing, the pool of available informal caregivers is shrinking. What is an "informal caregiver?" Individuals of all ages with disabilities depend on informal care provided by family and friends to carry out many of the routine activities in daily life. These informal caregivers fill in the gap by providing care when there is a lack of access to affordable care or appropriate care
options that meet the family's needs and budgetary considerations. Seniors are finding fewer informal options for support and care. While Minnesotans have historically had a strong caregiving ethic, the number of available informal caregivers continues to decline, even as Minnesota's senior population grows. The decline is the result of a number of factors, including more working women, smaller families
and more seniors living alone. The impact of this is significant: a 1% reduction in available informal caregivers requires an additional $30 million in public funds. Policies and programs that support informal caregivers, such as respite care, adult day services, or tax credits will help support informal caregivers. ~ The Long-Term Care Imperative
July 2011
Page 21
Library Corner In the June Banner we shared a long list of new movies and great reads found in the Bethel Library for you to enjoy watching and reading over the summer. Here are highlights of just a few new titles to peak your interest.
horse adventures.
The Way Home ~ Also based on a true story of a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and commitment to his family, whose son disappears. The Way Home is the story of Randy’s powerful spiritual journey back to love, faith and a Godly understanding of what must always take first priority in a man’s life.
violin that unlocks unrecognizable voices. . . each enigma takes the teens farther into alternate universe where nothing is as it seems. Sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd has a great life traveling where the careers of his father, an investigator, and mother, a renowned violinist, take him . . . until his parents are found murdered. Left with only a mirror and notes from his father’s last case, Nathan goes into hiding at the remote country home of Tony, his father’s college buddy, and Tony’s teenage daughter, Kelly. The mysterious mirror must be a clue to what happened to his parents, and when images appear in it, people and things that don’t exist, Nathan and Kelly painstakingly gather evidence. But the killers want the mirror, too, and danger threatens the teens at every turn.
Young Adult Fiction
Juvenile Fiction
Beyond the Reflection’s Edge by Bryan Davis. This fast-paced adventure fantasy trilogy starts with murder and leads teenagers Nathan and Kelly out of their once-familiar world as they struggle to find answers to the tragedy. A mysterious mirror with phantom images, a camera that takes pictures of things they can’t see, and a
Faith Girls Series ~ Sophie Under Pressure by Nancy Rue ~ Meet Sophie, a creative soul who’s determined to become a great film director someday. But her overactive imagination gets her in trouble!
Please honor our due dates so we can share our materials with everyone in a timely manor. Our due dates are as follows: Books - 3 weeks Movies - 3 days Music CDs – 1 week
Keystone Stables Series – If you love horses, you’ll love the Keystone Stables. These books are filled with
We thank you in advance for honoring our due dates and returning materials on time.
Movies Second Chances ~ This inspirational family film is based on a true story about a little girl’s physical and emotional reawakening after a car crash claims her father and her spirit and she meets a one-time rodeo star and his mean-spirited, crippled horse, Ginger.
Summer Camp Adventure by Marsha Hubler ~ When Skye tries to teach a hearing-impaired boy how to ride Western style at summer camp for special needs kids, she runs into a bigger challenge than she ever imagined. The Elijah Project Series ~ On the Run by Bill Myers ~ The only thing more bizarre than the miracle Zach and Piper’s six-year-old brother, Elijah, performs is a strange note from their parents. So begins a wild chase across the country as the two attempt to find their father and mother and protect their brother. Did you know we now have two locations to drop off your book/ movie/CD returns? One at the east main entrance and one in the library.
Attention Bethel Bicyclists Be sure to use our handy dandy bike racks on the south side of the admin wing when parking your bikes at Bethel - Thanks!
The Bethel Banner
Page 22
Senior Reflections Bethel celebrated with its high school graduates on Sunday, June 5, at the Senior Sunday worship service. Two seniors offered their reflections during that service: Ellen Mader This past July I collided with Destiny at full force. She flew off a swing set nailing me in the hip while I did my best to entertain a group of Youth Works kids on a tired and forgotten playground. Once the initial shock of that impact wore off, the scrawny, young girl flashed me a toothy grin, grabbed my hand, and said, “Hi, I’m Destiny!” With only that simple introduction and killer smile, this small child completely altered my way of looking at the impoverished environment that surrounded me. I had started the Youth Works mission trip off in high spirits as my church group made our way across the country to Hamlin, West Virginia. My positive, friendly attitude had not wavered despite the grueling twenty-six hour bus ride alongside thirty sleep-deprived fellow volunteers. Upon arriving in the poverty stricken town my upbeat demeanor was subdued by the appalling conditions I witnessed outside my window. Our bus bumped along littered streets lined with tin-roofed shacks. A neighboring field of deteriorating trailer homes housed the majority of our day campers. An ancient elementary school and overgrown park became the Youth Works residence for the week. The interior of the school contained a multitude of building hazards and obstacles including the absence of functional indoor plumbing and rodent infested supply rooms. I could not understand how these children were expected to learn in this bleak and gloomy environment which was so
unlike my own. The reality of these surroundings seized me with overwhelming anguish. I came to the point where my A Senior Sunday photo of some of optimistic outlook on our graduates with Barb Farmer, this service trip was Director of Youth Ministries nearly extinguished. I questioned my reason for being there. What could I accomplish and how forge ahead despite the visible could I, as one person, make a difference in the lives of these children? circumstances. How does anyone have a promising Emily Stets future coming from a place like this? I have a vivid memory of our first day Then it hit me, literally. As soon as in New Orleans. We arrived at the Destiny came crashing into my side, I Superdome after having pushed our knew I had been looking at everything way through thousands of sweaty all wrong. I had predetermined a Lutherans, all wearing matching t-shirts lifelong struggle for these children and shouting and singing at the top of simply because of their underprivileged their lungs. We still weren’t early living circumstances. But Destiny enough, though, and because of our showed me through her daily life that late arrival, Bethel was relegated to the she looked for and recognized the good uppermost deck of the Superdome. We encompassing her. Maybe it was the were dehydrated and hungry: all we had way her face lit up when I agreed to to eat were Lizzie’s gluten-free snacks, push her on the tire swing, or maybe it and the air-conditioning made us fight was the way she would close here eyes over sweatshirts on the third deck. and bellow hymns during share time. We looked down once all 70,000 of us It might have been her remark, “There started singing. On one particular song, will be lots of butterflies in my we saw the entire ground floor and heaven.” No matter how big or small, every deck doing some kind of weird few or many, she counted her blessings hand motions. We laughed at them each day. Destiny’s unwavering trust because they looked ridiculous, and of and faith kindled the remaining course we, on the third deck, were not enthusiasm within me and gave me the going to participate in anything like strength to believe, as she believed....in that. an existence brimming with happiness. The next night we were more Ultimately Destiny taught me an ambitious. Our group left a little earlier unforgettable lesson: to be resilient. and shoved our way through the crowd Countless times we encounter the to a place on the first deck (I will admit challenges life throws at us and we it was the girls who did most of the forget to remain optimistic and shoving), right in front of the ground absolute. Sometimes our surroundings floor. The view was infinitely better can weigh us down. Sometimes the and every emotion seemed to be enormity of an impending task is daunting. But sometimes, Destiny can awaken our innermost resolve and we f Reflections, continued on Page 23.
July 2011
Page 23
We have so much to be thankful for... My heart has been touched by the outpouring of love through your prayers, cards, calls, visits and concerns during my recent hospitalization and at-home recovery. Never have I felt the power of prayer as I have recently. I am so thankful to God for hearing and answering prayer. You are all wonderful people and I feel blessed to worship, volunteer, etc., with all of you! Renee Schuster I want to extend my heartfelt thank you to all of you wonderful friends and fellow Christians at Bethel who have been so helpful in so many ways: from telephone calls, house visits to Arne, cards of condolence, prepared food brought in, and simply kind words that have meant so much to me in these days since Arne's passing. A very special thank you to the ladies who prepared the luncheon after the service! And also to my girlfriends who planned and served the luncheon to our immediate family before the service on Monday.
And to Pastor Charlie and Pastor Tim who prayed with us all before and after Arne's passing. To Pastor Tim who spent many hours with us, making sure he had just the right message: you did a great job!! Also for the beautiful service you did at Fort Snelling the next day. It was very touching. Thanks again to everyone at Bethel! Sharon Bornhoft and family Thank you for your $3,013 contribution, the quilt for our auction, and your continued support of Ruth's House. Your generous congregation is a partner in saving the lives of the homeless, abused, oppressed, and neglected, through your support of Ruth's House transitional program. Miracles, transformations, and new beginnings happen daily in the families we serve because of your partnership. Thank you for helping us transform lives. Your gift is truly appreciated. Ruth Hickey, Ruth's House
Thank you so much for your recent gift of $205! In a young person's life, the unconditional caring and love that's found at camp is difficult to find in other places. But at Good Earth Village, they can be wrapped in a community of believers and shown examples of a life of faith. That witness changes young people. Thanks to your generosity, we'll be able to eagerly welcome all camper registrations and happily honor requests for financial assistance. Your support will mean children from all across our churches and communities will have the opportunity to come to camp… and have their lives changed by the power of the Gospel. Chad Campbell, Good Earth Village
X Bethel often receives more thank you notes than we have space available. Some of those published are edited due to space constraints. Thank you for all you give!
Reflections, continued from page 22. magnified: the speakers pleading their causes before us seemed more desperate, more alive, more tangible. We found ourselves in the middle of that same song with the hand motions, but suddenly it didn’t look so crazy anymore. Christian Shepley even took a video of that song and posted it online when we got home. Everyone looks flushed, cramped, and unbearably happy. I know that sometimes it takes the right atmosphere to find yourself going along with the crowd. That was certainly the case with this song, but I didn’t want my faith to be like that. I don’t want to have to be in the right
atmosphere to be a Christian, though I realize that among 70,000 others who believe as I do, how could I not be inspired? I wish I could tell you that I came back and was forever changed, but I don’t work that way. True, I will remember this moment for the rest of my life, but not because it was a turning point. Rather, in true Bethel style, it was a stepping stone in my walk with God. I came to measure the things I wanted for myself - like strength, tenacity, and courage - against the things I wanted to avoid, such as superficial faith and conformity to the world’s standards. I still watch that video every so often,
and sometimes a random group member will go back and comment on Rachel Dahlen, whom Christian obligingly focused on for a good ten seconds. I remember being with my sister, my cousin, my lifelong Bethel friends and I marvel that of all the things we did in New Orleans - walking the streets with scores of houses with hurricane damage, feeding alligators right out of our boat, listening to the story of a former child soldier, and more - but the memory through which God chose to teach me was when I was wedged in a chair at the Superdome, looking from above one night, and then looking from within.
Bethel Lutheran Church 1321 North Avenue Northfield, MN 55057 ●●●
Phone: 507-786-6674 Web: www.bethelnorthfield.org www.facebook.com/bethellutheran Email: bethel@bethelnorthfield.org
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Northfield, MN 55057 Permit No. 138
●●●
Return Service Requested
Bethel Lutheran Churc h is a body of believers redeemed by C hrist who Call and welcome all pe ople; Act to serve our neighbo rs in need; Respond with God’s love to one another; and Encourage spiritual grow th.
Bethel Staff Timothy McDermott, Senior Pastor .................................786-6674...........tmcdermott@bethelnorthfield.org Charlie Ruud, Associate Pastor..........................................786-6674...........cruud@bethelnorthfield.org Barb Farmer, Director of Youth Ministries.....................786-8877...........bfarmer@bethelnorthfield.org Rhonda Reece, Director of Music and Worship.............786-8874...........rreece@bethelnorthfield.org Sandy Peterson, Office Administrator..............................786-6674...........speterson@bethelnorthfield.org Pam Santerre, Pastoral Minister.........................................786-8951...........psanterre@bethelnorthfield.org Pam Vig, Director of Children’s Ministries .....................786-8878...........pvig@bethelnorthfield.org Gloria West, Church Accountant ......................................786-6687...........gwest@bethelnorthfield.org Paula Mathison, Secretary/Receptionist...........................786-6674...........pmathison@bethelnorthfield.org Mike Graff, Custodian.........................................................786-6674...........bethel@bethelnorthfield.org Ken Hu, Janitor ....................................................................786-6674...........bethel@bethelnorthfield.org Dan Kallman, Adult Choir Director .................................786-6674...........bethel@bethelnorthfield.org Jill Mahr, Youth Handbell Director ..................................786-6674...........bethel@bethelnorthfield.org Elizabeth Shepley, Children’s Choir Director .................786-6674...........bethel@bethelnorthfield.org Juley Jenkinson, Nursery Coordinator..............................786-6674...........jjenkinson@bethelnorthfield.org Church Library......................................................................786-6674...........library@bethelnorthfield.org Bethel Banner submissions................................................. ...........................lmcdermott@bethelnorthfield.org