JUNE 2021
WWW.REDEEMER.ORG
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER ATLANTA, GA
“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14
Creating community and reflecting the love of Jesus. These core components of Redeemers' mission reside at the heart of our Visitation Ministry. We create community with otherwise isolated members through regular visits and we reflect the love of Christ by sharing the Eucharist, listening compassionately, and serving as a faith companion. With the help of Redeemer’s Visitation Ministers, the Christian care of Redeemer has a wider and deeper reach since there are more Visitation Ministers than rostered leaders (pastors and deacons). Visitation ministry does not replace pastoral care, but rather extends it and enriches it. Furthermore, Visitation Ministry is an opportunity to deepen one’s own personal faith as the visitor often experiences Jesus Christ in the relationship that is formed with the person they visit. This summer, as more and more people are becoming vaccinated and restrictions are lessening, we are preparing to resume in-person pastoral visits by rostered and lay leaders. A team of lay leaders were trained last month and will be commissioned in worship on June 20th to extend the Lord’s Table and administer communion to hospitalized and “at-home” (formerly “homebound”) members. Please welcome and pray for the following people as visitation ministers: Oni Borchers, Pat Chardavoyne, Paige Havens, Mary Howle, Ed Kuehn, Jeanne Merritt, Leslie Misch, Gayle Morgan, Don Noland, Kay Sins, Joan Vernor, and Peg Wyse. May the Holy Spirit give you a non-anxious spirit to meet your visitors with the compassion of Christ. Yours in Christ, Pastor Jenny McLellan Pastor of Congregational Care If you know of someone who needs a pastoral visit or if you are interested in growing in your faith by becoming a Visitation Minister, please contact Peg Wyse: pegwyse@gmail.com or (678) 977-0372.
In-Person Worship RSVP REQUIRED
SEATING LIMITED TO 50 INDIVIDUALS IN THE CONGREGATION
Service Times: Sunday Morning 9:00 am Jazz Worship and 11:00 am Organ/Choir Worship
Link to Calendar to RSVP Click HERE to read all the latest protocol information about returning to worship in person.
JOIN US SUNDAY, JUNE 13 We welcome Bishop Kevin Strickland as guest preacher for the 9 am and 11 am services.
New ministry DEAR FRIENDS OF REDEEMER, I am excited to share that Redeemer has officially launched a new ministry called Keystone Ministry that is focused on building discipleship with older adults. Our Keystone ministry team will serve a mission to enhance ministry for and with older adults within our community. Our plan of work will include: Building and nurturing relationships with members 65+ Providing programs to strengthen relationships and spiritual growth Working with all members to encourage inter-generational ministry Offering supportive and need-based care and resources Finding a place for everyone to serve Addressing ageism We have started our work by disseminating a survey to our members 65+, which number over 500, that will help to inform our work. This is being done through emails, and for those for whom we don’t have an email address, personal phone calls. Several activities are already being planned for the fall, and as one of our stated objectives is to provide programs to strengthen relationships, they will be for all Redeemer members. More information will be announced about them as details are finalized and those dates draw closer. We will provide regular updates to the congregation regarding Keystone through the church newsletter, the church calendar, Temple Talks, and other means.
PEACE AND BLESSINGS CLIFF BURT KEYSTONE MINISTRY CHAIR
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Julie & Joy: A Life-Changing Friendship Julie Gerhardt quietly floated in and out of the pews at Redeemer for more than three years. She was a freelance musician, so gigs kept her on the road a lot. Truth be told, though Julie’s life was very full and busy she was actually very lonely and blue. She was single and had come to a point in her life that she wasn’t sure she’d ever find a partner to share life with. Redeemer fed her in many ways, but with her sporadic attendance, it was hard for her to make deep connections with people. Julie had faith that if she’d just keep showing up eventually those relationships would come. One week she noticed an announcement in the bulletin for the Women’s Retreat and felt this could be a fun opportunity for her to make some new friends at Redeemer. Julie blocked the weekend on her calendar and signed up. The first night included some “getting to know you time” so Julie began to put names with faces of those she had seen at church. Everyone brought their own beverages and, taking a chance, Julie asked a couple of people to play Euchre with her. Needing a fourth, she approached Joy Christensen with the line, “Wanna play Euchre? I have Bourbon!” Joy couldn’t remember how to play, but the Bourbon was offer enough. Julie and Joy instantly hit it off. In conversation they realized that Julie was the youngest in the room and Joy was the oldest. They were the most unlikely two to connect, but clearly, God had different plans.
Julie and Joy became fast friends. They kept up with each other. Julie checked in on Joy after she had rotator cuff surgery. When Joy’s vision began to fail, Julie would drive her to church. Joy shared stories of her late husband, her time in the peace corps, and classroom adventures teaching high school English. Julie shared her dreams of finding true love and sharing her musical talents in meaningful new ways. Joy became a true mentor and confidant to Julie during a hard, turbulent time in her life. Julie was a treasured friend and support system to Joy as she outlived most of her family and friends. They learned from each other, prayed for each other, and enriched each other’s lives. It’s a wonderful story of how God connects people together for his purpose. Julie and Joy were both lonely and they needed each other, but the six decades between them made it unlikely they’d connect themselves. We all tend to walk into a room and draw to the people most like us, but this intergenerational friendship proves amazing new relationships can be discovered if we will draw to new people in the room. Julie shares, “I really believe that if I had not met Joy, I would have disengaged and moved on. She changed the trajectory of my life. She taught me that life should be about the people. It shifted my lens.” Today, Julie is engaged to be married to her fiancé Courtney, a new stepmom to two beautiful children, and continues to seek God’s purpose in her work. Unfortunately, Joy passed away this last year, but Julie is excited to learn about Redeemer’s new Keystone Ministry that will open new opportunities for more intergenerational friendships for everyone at Redeemer.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE WOMEN'S RETREAT, OCTOBER 1-3, 2021 AT LUTHERANCH CONFERENCE CENTER, IN TALLAPOOSA, GA. THE THEME WILL BE "STRONGER TOGETHER"
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MINISTRY
Celebrating A New Partner! In 2018 the Atlanta Emory Proton Therapy Center, in association with Winship Cancer Institute opened one of the most advanced cancer treatment centers in Midtown Atlanta. Dr. Bree Eaton, Oncology Specialist from Boston, Massachusetts moved to Atlanta and became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and Pediatric Medical Director, Emory Proton Therapy Center at the new Midtown location. Joyce Duvall, Executive Director, Christopher’s Haven, Boston, was also relocating to Atlanta with her husband Bill. Joyce and Dr. Eaton had not met prior to their moves however, Dr. Eaton was familiar with the Christopher Haven organization during her time in Boston. When Joyce Duvall learned that Emory had developed the new treatment center she took it as an immediate signal that Christopher’s Haven, a nonprofit must establish their first ” Haven” outside of Boston. Since 2006, Christopher’s Haven had offered nine residential apartments in Boston to serve as a “home away from home” to families whose children received treatment for pediatric cancer. Christopher’s Haven continues to provide low-cost, safe, comfortable, and convenient housing for the weeks or months that they may be undergoing cancer treatment. Joyce’s goal was to duplicate the Boston facility in Atlanta and expand to eventually offer ten apartments. Now the exciting news- thanks to the involvement of the Redeemer Community Engagement Ministry, and other private and corporate sponsors the first three apartments are fully furnished. The first family moved in May 1st. The apartments are located at 131 Ponce de Leon and Juniper Street. Joyce Duvall and her team will plan an open house as soon as it is safe to gather. Adding Christopher’s Haven to our outreach partners expands our ministry to youth and children and presents a new opportunity to serve these families. Offering our volunteer resources and spiritual support as these families face one of life’s toughest challenges will be a great blessing.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MINISTRY
What we did not know... Dr. Eaton, her husband Ben and their 3 children are members of Redeemer! Joyce and Bill Duvall attend Redeemer regularly. They had not met. Another member brought the opportunity to the Redeemer Community Engagement Ministry team who responded to an unseen opportunity and joyfully celebrates this new partnership. Isn’t this an amazing witness to the spirit at work? Thanks be to God! Want to get involved? Contact Carol Swisher at cswisher@me.com
Our first resident: Bella
Our first resident Bella
THE LIBRARY MINISTRY TEAM is happy to offer suggestions for summer reading. This Tender Land by William Kent Kruger is the perfect summer read. It takes place during the Great Depression and has been described as a “big-hearted book” full of adventure and mystery, telling the tale of four children who are runaways from a school for Native American children. The author was clearly influenced by both Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. While Justice Sleeps by local politician, lawyer, and voting rights activist, Stacey Abrams, is a political/legal thriller that incorporates both science and technology. This is Abrams’ ninth published novel. Recently reviewed in the AJC, this mystery is described as a mesmerizing legal thriller that does the rare thing: It uses the novel to get at the truth. The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet to deliver a reading at a presidential inauguration. Her call for unity and healing celebrates the promise of America and affirms the power of poetry. Amazon is offering this special gift edition in hardcover, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, for just under $10.
A children’s picture book., Fern and Otto, by Stephanie Graegin, tells the story of two best friends, a bear and a cat, who enter a fairytale world hoping to find an exciting story to tell. It encompasses the themes of courage and friendship, with a touch of humor.
Still in need of
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid best-selling series by Jeff Kinsey is the winner of numerous Children’s and Young Adult Book awards. It is best suited for ages 9-12, devotion writers although older teenagers and adults say they have enjoyed the books, as well. The contact Karen Medford for details at books are sold separately and in collections. Its readers describe it as easy to read, funny, kmedford@redeemer.org and awesome—all the makings of a good summer read.
Mary Mahoney, Library Team Chair
YOUTH REDEEMER YOUTH GRADES 6-12 Congrats to our Graduates! High School: Caroline Bridgers, Miriam Guthrie, Sydney Hales, Justin Isaacson, Jenna Nowatzki, Sidney Robinson Reilly Tiegreen College: Garrett Anderson, Savannah Guthrie, Max Rafferty, Kaylie Stephens
Chunn,
Lily
Congrats to our Confirmands! We celebrate our 12 Confirmands who were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday!
Summer Confirmation Sundays: June 13, June 27, July 18, and July 24 | 9:30 -10:45 AM
Mary Donovan Doyle, Kathryn Johnson, Alec Kraby, Cate Lawrence, Finley Love, Kennedy Mosley, Fiona Peterson, Pargen Robertson, Kate Tanzola, Preston Vassar, Tenley Vassar, and Gavin Wilde.
Confirmation is an important step in the spiritual journey of our youth. This class will be led by Pastor Jonathan and focus on the Book of Revelations and the rapture.
We are so excited for them in this new journey and look forward to them continuing onto High School Sunday School and Youth Group. Middle School Parents Class will resume in September! If you are interested in serving as a leader or want to be a co-leader with someone, please contact Hillary (hnelson@redeemer.org).
High School Parents and College Parents Gathering Sunday, June 6 | 9:30 - 10:30 AM This is fellowship-based and a great time to connect with other High School Parents and College Parents. Information will be sent out via email, and in the Redeemer Saturday Constant Contact. If you have any questions, please contact Carol McCloskey
High School Sunday School Sundays | 10:00 AM
Come catch up and discuss what is going on in our lives with other High School Youth! We are following the Faith Lens Curriculum. If you want to invite any friends, please reach out to Hillary. Upcoming Youth Events We continue to hold our events virtually to Cultivate Community amongst our Youth. June 6-Middle School Youth Gathering June 19-High School Youth Gathering *date changed from June 13 June 26-Digital Affirm at Redeemer July-High School Youth Gathering July-Middle School Youth Gathering
YOUTH Summer Youth Gatherings To stay connected with each other this summer, we have some summer youth gathering opportunities. For each gathering, we will meet outdoors. Masks required! Middle School Youth Gatherings will consist of current 6th-8th graders. High School Youth Gatherings will consist of current 9th-12th graders. When signing up, 8th graders will stay in the Middle School group. 12th graders are welcome to continue coming throughout the summer. This is because we don't go up to the next grade level until August. • Sunday , June 6-Middle School Hiking with Mr. Jay • Saturday, June 19-High School Outdoor Activity TBD *Date changed from Sunday , June 13 • Sunday, July 1 8-High School Hiking • Sunday, July 25-Middle School Outdoor A ctivity TBD with M r. Paul Times and other information will be figured out as we get closer. Ideally, these events will be on a Sunday afternoon. We may look at doing a Saturday, but please sign up if you are able to come! To sign up, use the Signup Genius form. You can sign up the day of too, but you must sign up in order to attend! Due to these events being activities, each youth attending will need to fill out our Online Smartsheet Youth Form and sign the back of the Youth Medical Form. This Youth Medical Form will be sent out before the events and each youth must fill it out in order to attend. If you have already filled out the Smartsheet Form above, you do not need to fill it out again. These forms will cover all events this Summer. We will need to fill out new forms in August for 2021-2022. If you have any questions, please contact Hillary. Digital AFFIRM AFFIRM was announced during ALL GA 2021 that it will be digital. Registration opened up on April 15. Please use this link to register when it is time. AFFIRM will be happening on Saturday, June 26. Registration is free, but you will receive your t-shirt for free as we have budgeted this amount! We have also gotten this day approved to have nine or fewer youth (with Ms. Hillary equals 10) to be at Redeemer to participate in this event together. Once you register, please let Hillary know.
JUNE BIRTHDAYS 1 Kate Bastin 1 Jordan Mason 1 Justin Mason 1 Oliver Mullen 1 Graham Price 1 Karen Whitehead 2 Mindy Tanzola 3 Gina Carter 3 Bill Gay 3 Lisa Johanson 3 Chasity Palma 3 Michael Thornton 4 Diane Currence 4 Heather Gilbert 4 Lisa Medford 4 Lydia Medford 4 Mike Medford 4 Jim Price 4 Ernestine Vogel 5 Barbara Howard 5 Cindy Kien 5 Darrel Peterson 6 Bill Lotz 6 Julie McWilliams 6 Christina Siebert 6 Wendy Tiegreen 6 Rudi Wooten 7 Ellie Broad 7 Caroline Coursey 7 Lindsey Dumont 7 Jim McCloskey 7 Tracy Roberts 8 Maxwell Breidenthal 8 Bob Doan 8 Jack Garcia 8 Jordan Pakula 8 Megan Patterson 9 Gary Freel 9 Sharen Kilpatrick 9 Jacob Thomas 10 Lucy Banks 10 Kat Folk 10 Amy Grant 10 Rob Tanzola
11 Ella Arslanian 11 Reagan Havens 11 Katherine Hickman 11 Cole McWilliams 11 Jenny Steele 11 Tyler Wells 12 Judith Conway 12 Paul Frendak 12 Beth Gibble 12 Brant King 12 Mike Williams 13 Milon Biswas 13 Susan Cordell 13 Ron Gilbert 13 Jean Iverson 13 Lisa Klassen 13 Kathy Morris 14 Bill Alexander 14 Betty Ginn 14 Steve Gundersen 14 Gwen Johnson 14 Emily Ott 14 Walter Roberts 14 Marsha Skiles 14 Olivia Stephens 15 Dexter Beck 15 Ms. Zinnia Houck 15 Leif Johanson 16 Janet Baker 16 Marie Cole 16 Nathan Gundersen 16 Heyward Jones 16 Benjamin Pearson 16 Henry Puckhaber 16 Kay Sins 16 Jason Steele 16 Malorie Switzer 16 Kate Tanzola 17 Lily Cooper 17 Sandi Van Gorder 17 Bill Wise 18 Paul Cortopassi 18 Helen Tiegreen 18 Josefina Wernecke 19 Lisa Burnett 19 Nathan May 19 Myles Rowe
20 Kate Elkins 20 Annie May 20 Laverne Nienow 20 Ryan Smith 20 Justin Wilde 20 Phillip Zenoni 21 Jeff Borchers 21 Jan Hedlund 21 Matthew Kyle 21 Barry Spurlock 22 Lilli Papaik 23 Jeff Beimfohr 23 Gene Chapman 23 Cheryl Collier 23 Graham Harrison 23 Adam Kimmich 23 Meko McCray 24 Brian Borchers 24 Jennie Dumont 24 Sara Horehled 24 Charlotte Sexton 24 Savannah Sexton 24 Reilly Tiegreen 25 Charlie Hutsell 25 Linda Lael 26 Bruce Bohannon 26 Sharon Colburn 26 Lucas Cooper 26 Campbell Hagan 26 Brandon Worrell 27 Dawn Adamson 27 Liz Alexander 27 Scott Anderson 27 Spencer Barnes 27 Meredith Wieland 28 Ethan Deuson 28 Jude Elkins 28 Beverly Frendak 28 Ashley Grice 28 Claire Johnson 28 Isaac Perantoni 28 Nicholas Perantoni 28 Kristen Sheffield 28 Jonathan Stich 28 Elise Thomas 29 Oscar Garcia-Ide 29 Monika Giolito 29 April Tilley 29 Barbara Ulven 30 Phil West