June/July 2023 Newsletter

JUNE/JULY 2023

WWW.REDEEMER.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2023

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER ATLANTA, GA

SUMMER AT REDEEMER “Carnival of the Animals” June 12-16 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 5 -9

for more information: see the following pages

b a L s ' r e k Changema

MUSIC

“Carnival of the Animals” June 12-16 Registration is now open.

Sunday, June 4 is the last day to register. Rising kindergarteners through 6th graders will experience music, art, and drama, all based on this year’s animal theme! The camp is from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm, with free before and after care. Tuition for the week is $165 and includes all activities, snacks, and a T-shirt. Sibling discounts apply, and financial need-based scholarships are available. All are welcome, so tell your friends and neighbors.

MUSIC Redeemer

CONCERT SERIES SAVE THE DATES:

Akademiska Kören (The Stockholm Academic Choir) Håkan Sund, conductor

3 August, 2023 7:30 PM

Donations to the Friends of Music accepted at the door

Richard Elliott, Principal Tabernacle Organist, Salt Lake City

8 September, 2023 7:30 PM

This is a benefit concert for Redeemer’s Organ Restoration Fund and will be a ticketed event.

Look for more information soon!

Midtown Lutheran Preschool wrapped up a great 10th year in mid-May! The school year began with uncertainty, still amid the pandemic, but quickly shifted to feeling more “normal” with mask guidance lifting and vaccines available for the youngest age group.

We were able to hold family events and have activities like Chapel all together again. The year continued to be a reset for the community, and families connected and friendships grew. It was wonderful to have some normalcy back, and we’re looking forward to the 2023-2024 academic year!

Please let family and friends know we have spaces available in our classes for fall!

People can contact Kate Elkins kelkins@redeemer.org for more information or visit our website to set up a tour this summer www.midtownlutheranpreschool.org.

Our Year

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Save the Date CHildren and Family Ministry at REdeemer d! n e i r F a Invite yone is Ever ome Welc

Fam

il y C is B a m pin g ack!

Vacation Bible School June 5-9; 9 am -12:30 pm each day infants -5th grade Redeemer Week at Lutheridge (Arden, NC) first- 5th grades June 18-24 Family Fun OutingSunday, July 16 All ages. Catch Air- trampolines and more!

Backpack Blessing- Sunday, August 6 Fall Kick Off- Sunday, August 20 Sunday School ResumesSing and Play Kick Off- Sunday, August 27 First Day in Classrooms- Sunday, September 10 Family Camping Trip- Friday, Sept. 15 - Saturday, Sept. 16 Monster Mash and Pipe Screams- Friday, October 27 Family Advent Celebration and Christmas ProgramSunday, December 3

There's a Place for You in CFM! We have SOOOOOO many fun and faith-filled programs and events coming up for Redeemer kids and families. We need volunteers to make them happen. We have some amazing people on our team already, but whatever your gifts and availability are there is a way to use them to help our kids grow in faith- and we want you to grow in faith with us!

As a faith community, we made promises to these kids and their parents in their baptism to support them as they grow in faith. Whether you have kids of your own or not, you can be a meaningful part of their faith story, even from behind the scenes. We promise to match you with a role that you are comfortable with.

Contact Deacon Mary for a conversation about what our needs are and how you can contribute.

WORSHIP

Baptism at Redeemer Greetings! If you or someone you know is expecting a child or interested in baptism at Redeemer at any age, we would love to celebrate this special milestone with your family! We have several dates available. Here are some details: We are returning to our pre-pandemic practice of holding Baptism Festivals. This means certain Sundays are designated for baptisms, and there may be several families celebrating a baptism at the same time.

A single-family baptism will be offered after the late service on most Sundays through the end of the July. NOTE that we will discontinue scheduling individual baptisms at that time and all baptisms will take place on festival dates starting in August.

Please inquire for more details on how scheduling works and to get the Baptism registration form.

2023 Remaining Festival Dates Sunday, August 16, 2023 at either service Sunday, October 15, 2023 at either service Sunday, December 31, 2023 at the 10:00 service (one service that day) Why Baptism Festivals?

Baptism is a sacrament celebrated in community. While we have done several baptisms after a worship service for safety reasons during the pandemic, it is important that the congregation be part of the baptism liturgy as much as possible.

Grouping up baptisms on certain days allows us to use a special liturgy focused on baptism and truly highlight it as a special event, rather than it being a footnote to a service with a different focus. Also, it's fun! It's a great way to get to know other families, and your child will grow up with friends at Redeemer who share their baptism anniversary- a special bond that can follow them throughout life.

In Christ, Deacon Mary Houck (she/her) Director of Children and Family Ministries mhouck@redeemer.org 770-778-7085

SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

Rejoicing Spirits Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!

—Psalm 98:4 August 13

September 17 October 15 November 12 December 17

10:1510:45 am in Rudisill Hall

Rejoicing Spirits is taking a summer break this year. We will not meet in June and July, but look forward to resuming worship on August 13. Mark your calendar now!!

Join us for Worship on Zoom or in person!

Redeemer Youth Grades 6-12 Upcoming Events Come hang in the Youth Lounge all summer!

10 AM-11 AM

The Youth Lounge will be open all summer for Middle School Youth and High School Youth to hang out in.

JUNE 1117

JUNE 1824

High School Mission Trip: Arecibo, Puerto Rico

12 High School Youth and 2 Adult Leaders will head to Arecibo, Puerto Rico, for our High School Mission Trip.

Kairos Camp/Redeemer Week at Lutheridge Our rising 8th graders will head to Kairos Camp, and also our Middle School, as well as High School Youth will head to Lutheridge for Redeemer Week. We have youth heading to Lutherock and Lutheranch as well this summer.

JULY 914

Middle School Mission Trip 8 of our Middle School Youth and 2 of our Adult Leaders will head to Bayou La Batre for our Middle School Mission Trip.

Coming Up for Redeemer Youth...

May 30-July 30: Youth Lounge Open for MS & HS Youth June 5-June 9: VBS (Youth Volunteer Opportunities Available) June 11-17: HS Mission Trip: Arecibo, Puerto Rico June 18-June 24: Kairos Camp/Redeemer Week at Lutheridge July 9-July 14: MS Mission Trip, Bayou La Batre August 6: MS Mission Trip Thank You Reception & HS Parents and Beyond Gathering August 13: HS Mission Trip Thank You Reception & MS Parents Gathering August 19: TreeTop Quest Youth Activity (HS morning & MS afternoon) August 20: Fall Kickoff August 27: Come Get Together Time! MS-Youth Lounge & HS-Offsite

Congratulations to our graduates!

ELLIE BROAD ATTENDING: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

ERIK MCKEITHEN GAP YEAR, COLLEGE, OR BASEBALL

WILL FRANETOVICH ATTENDING: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

LIAM PUCKHABER ATTENDING: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

SARAH GRACE BARR GRADUATING FROM: FSUDECEMBER 2023

EMMA GLEASON ATTENDING: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

ANNA RAFFERTY ATTENDING: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

BRANDON LAMBERT GRADUATING FROM: AUBURN UNIVERSITY

LINDSEY IVERSON ATTENDING: GEORGIA TECH

AINO ROBERTSON ATTENDING: LSU

MADISON TIEGREEN GRADUATING FROM: GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

JORDAN LUKAS ATTENDING: GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE

VIOLET WATERHOUSE ATTENDING: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

BREN WETERRINGS ATTENDING: GEORGIA COLLEGE

PASTOR JONATHAN TRAPP DOCTOR OF MINISTRY, EMORY UNIVERSITY

Congratulations to our Confirmands: Reese Dumont, Matthew Isaacson, Emily Johnson, Luke Kader, Mady Kader, Lars Peterson, and Natalie Tanzola!

Thanks again to our Small Group Leaders: Doug Dumont, Jenny Peterson, and Rob Tanzola.

YOUNG ADULT

REDEEMER YA JUNE EVENTS Lunch Out 6.11.23 Meet in the Sims atrium to walk to lunch together at a Midtown restaurant following the 11:00 worship service.

The church will cover the amount above $20 if desired. We want everyone to come!

YA Planning Team Meeting 6.14.23 Join us to talk about YA events for the next few months, including a retreat we are planning for the fall! We will meet at a restaurant in Midtown at 6:30 pm. All ideas are welcome.

Young Adult Lutheran Catechism Discuss matters of our Lutheran faith practice with Pastor Jenny on Sunday mornings in May. Meet in room 211 at 10 am-10:45 on May 7, 14, and 21. This discussion group is for any young adults (ages 18-39) new to the Lutheran faith or needing a refresher since confirmation!

Shoot the Hooch! 6.25.23 Beat the summer heat with us and float down the river for a few hours. No skill is required.

This event will require registration in advance so we can reserve equipment. Watch for more information on how to sign up soon.

FAITH FORMATION

Bethlehem Film Series!

Please join us to watch three substantive films this summer.

WHEN: 10:00 am Education Hour.

You may want to attend the 9:00 am service because the films are close to 1 hour.

June 25 “Seeing Through The Wall” This film follows a group of Jewish Americans who traveled to Israel and Palestine with their Rabbi, seeking to understand what life is like for Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories and in East Jerusalem.

July 16 “The Wanted 18” A poignant film about Nation-Building by the people, not the politicians. “The incredible, thrilling real-life adventure of 18 bovine fugitives that led hundreds of Israeli troops on a wild-goose chase.”-Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times August 6 “ ‘Til Kingdom Come” Investigating the political alliance between American evangelicals and Israel’s right-wing and their influence on US foreign policy.

New Book Study

Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm, beginning on June 8 We are unified in Christ, yet we are diverse in our devotional disposition. If you have ever been frustrated that you can't pray like Peter or preach like Paul, or sit still in contemplation, perhaps you haven't found the devotional expression that speaks to your soul, or not yet. Join Pastor Jenny on Zoom on Wednesday nights this summer to explore nine different sacred pathways to approach God. LINK

Keystone Ministry 65+ 93:00PM - 4:00PM

Weekly Thursday Matthew Bible Study

8

JUNE

Dig deep into the Gospel of Matthew, chapter by chapter, as we explore theological and contextual themes. Beginning on June 8th, join Bill Pegram and Pastor Jenny McLellan in the reception room from 3-4 pm every Thursday through this summer to study the Gospel of Matthew. Sweet treats and coffee will be provided.

Bibles will be available, or you can bring your own preferred Bible.

10:00AM - 11:30AM

12

JULY

Keystone Leader Meeting

Keystone Members (adults 65+) and anyone interested in senior adult ministry are welcome to join the next open Keystone Leader Meeting on Wednesday, July 12th, from 10-11:30 AM at Redeemer. The focus of this meeting will be to discuss how to strengthen the relationship between Redeemer and Lutheran Towers through a SWOT analysis.

9:30AM - 3:00PM

29 JULY

30 SEPT

Keystone Spiritual Formation Retreat

Build upon the foundations of Christian faith in this 1-day retreat in Midtown. Through discussion, spiritual practices, and small group discussion, you will leave with tools to complete your faith journey. The cost is $25, and lunch will be provided. Register here

by July 15th to secure your spot and to receive updates.

Click to register!

SAVE THE DATE!

9:00AM - 3:00PM

Keystone Aging Symposium: Make a Plan before Crisis Happens

Redeemer’s WELCA Members hope to engage you in sharing how WELCA has helped us grow our faith and learn how you need to be spiritually fed today. This Summer, 2023, we invite you to have a “Tea with Me” conversation with one of us. Feel free to reach out today! In the meantime, register to attend our SE convention.

Link to information & registration form To Schedule a Call Contact: Diana at palmadb@yahoo.com or Carol at: maxwell91705@bellsouth.net

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Stephen Ministers are members of Redeemer trained to provide high-quality, Christ-centered, confidential, one-to-one care for people experiencing a difficult time in life.

From a Stephen Ministry Care Receiver: "A few years ago, I was going through the darkest period of my life. I reached out to the pastor and she connected me with a Stephen Minister. What a Godsend she was!

My Stephen Minister walked with me, held my hand, listened as I tried to make sense of what was happening and my life going forward, prayed with me, and helped me to understand that God was with me on this new path. God knew who and what I needed at that moment. I feel blessed to have her in my life!"

For more information about Stephen Ministry at Redeemer, contact Pastor Jenny McLellan at jmclellan@redeemer.org

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AT REDEEMER On May 21, Mental Health Awareness Sunday, Redeemer’s Wellness Ministry team hosted a table with resources to raise awareness and start conversations around Mental Health at Redeemer.

People were invited to wear beads if they live with mental illness or if they love someone with mental illness, share their story on the Community Board or write words of encouragement to one another, and fill out a survey.

If you have not already done so, please fill out the mental health survey at this link so that we may learn how we can best support our community.

Monthly Mental Health Screenings will begin in July. On the first Sunday of every month, we will have a member of the Redeemer Wellness Ministry available to assist you as you take a private online screening test through Mental Health America. Or you can take it on your own by clicking on this link

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Mental Health Awareness

05/21/23

Sunday

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Visitation Ministry Thanks to Betty Carlson’s wonderful organizational skills, Redeemer has a presence at Celebration Village in Acworth. On May 1st, Suzanne Sims and Peg Wyse celebrated Communion with Betty, Marie Aiken, and six other residents. Betty makes sure our upcoming Communion services are published in their newsletter, and flyers are distributed. We all enjoy being together and look forward to our monthly visits. God has blessed us with this wonderful community.

Prayer Ministry A long-time member of Redeemer and coordinator of the congregation’s prayer note ministry, Diana Palma shares her reflections in the last week of July in the devotional series Word in Season. Through her love of writing, a career in education and business administration, and a passion for sharing the joy of God with others, Diana brings a fresh perspective to the devotion. Be sure to pick up your FREE devotional at the office entrance or the welcome desk.

If you, like Diana, have skills in writing, join the prayer team to help write words of encouragement to people who requested a prayer. If you’re interested, please contact Diana Palma at palmadbmax@gmail.com.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome!

This spring Clayton Sheppard, Ian Hamilton, Rick Farris, Susan Sussman, Bobbi Onsrud, Beth Robison, Cheyenne Elliot (not pictured), and Travis Meguire (not pictured) participated in Redeemer’s New Member Class. On April 23, 2023, they publicly affirmed their baptism and became full voting members of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Get to know them through their bios below and reach out to them through our online directory, Realm, to welcome them into our church.

Cheyenne Elliot & Travis Meguire My name is Cheyenne Elliott. I am originally from San Angelo, TX. I was born and raised in a Missouri Synod Lutheran and have wanted to make a transition to a local church where I feel spiritually fed. For me, that’s been Redeemer! I love being outdoors with my two dogs and my partner, Travis. I hope to continue to grow in community involvement and activism here in Atlanta and hope to make Redeemer a home.

My name is Travis Meguire, and I joined the group with my partner Cheyenne Elliott. We recently moved to Atlanta and are looking for a new church to call home. I work in the film industry, and she works in HR at Mueller Water Co.

Ian Hamilton Ian Hamilton has been in Atlanta for five years and currently resides in Virginia-Highland. His interests include fundraising, public health, and international development. He volunteers Saturday mornings at Freedom Farmers Market at The Carter Center in his spare time. Ian is excited to explore further how faith in action can be applied to Redeemer's social justice work.

NEW NEW MEMBERS MEMBERS Roberta “Bobbi” Onsrud I am a 22-year-old who lived the first 19 years of my life in Wisconsin. I was in band with the flute from 5th-9th grade and saxophone from 7th-9th grade. I was also in choir all of high school, and while doing that, I was in show choir. I was in JV for the first three years of high school and varsity for my senior year. I was in college for one year at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, then moved here to Georgia, which I love. I currently live with my mom, Tracy, and her wife, Sheila, in Douglasville. We have three cats at home, Nala, Simba, and Pepper. I am currently working at a warehouse with my mom, but I am going back to Wisconsin this summer as a camp counselor at a Bible camp I used to go to when I was a kid.

Beth Robison & Rick Farris Rick Farris and Beth Robison started “church shopping” after joining households a few blocks away in March 2022. The Lutheran service format feels familiar to Beth, who was previously active in a Catholic parish in New York City. She also lived in Columbia, Charlotte, Raleigh (NC State!), Detroit, and Seville, Spain, prior to moving to Atlanta in 2020. Rick is happy to be joining a Christian church with a well-established outreach mission that appeals to his strong sense of volunteering and paying his blessings forward. He spent his childhood in Knoxville, attended a Lutheran church while attending Purdue, lived in Germany for two years, and has been in Atlanta for almost 30 years. He has two amazing sons, 21 and 13. Rick and Beth love the fellowship of Redeemer members and are happy to have found their spiritual home where they will be married in September.

Clayton "Clayte" Sheppard, Jr. I was raised in Sandersville, GA. I graduated from North Georgia College in Dahlonega. I served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army from 1996 to 2000. I worked in the logistics industry for 22 years. I have a son, Will, who is a senior in high school. I married Doreena Muchmore, a church member, in November of 2022. My hobbies are hunting and fishing with my wonderful son, spending time with my beautiful wife, and following Georgia Bulldogs football. I want to join the church because I am seeking strength and comfort through God to help me through some challenges that I am facing.

Susan Sussman I have been in ATL for almost three years and live in Midtown. I enjoy my job at Georgia Tech and have grown to really appreciate ATL and all it has to offer. I just became a Grandmother for the first time! My three grown children and their families are the joy of my life. And, I am looking forward to having Lutheran Redeemer be my new church home.

CONGREGATIONAL CONGRERGATIONALCARE CARE Bearing one another's burdens and mourning with those who mourn, we pray, Almighty God, source of all mercy and giver of comfort, graciously tend those who mourn, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Rev. Sharon Pike Hazel Lang

Entered the church triumphant May 18, 2023

We pray for the Lang family and the residents of Lutheran Towers as they mourn the death of Hazel Lang, beloved friend of Redeemer.

We pray for Harl Pike, Sharon's husband, and his whole family as they mourn the death of Sharon Pike. Condolences may be sent to The Rev. Harl Pike 201 W Ponce de Leon Ave Unit 14 Decatur, GA 30030-3266

AnnLynn Caughman

Robert "Bob" Kettle

Entered the church triumphant May 11, 2023

Entered the church triumphant May 14, 2023

We pray for Kay Sins, sister of AnnLynn, and her whole family as they mourn the death of AnnLynn Caughman. Condolences may be sent to Kay Sins 145 Jayne Ellen Ct Alpharetta, GA 30009-2310

Entered the church triumphant January 16, 2023

We pray for the Kettle family as they mourn the death of long time Redeemer member, Bob Kettle. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Traci Campbell, and son, Derek Kettle, at jildakettel@gmail.com

Millie Miles

Jilda Kettle

Entered the church triumphant May 16, 2023 We pray for Steve Miles, son of Millie, and his whole family as they mourn the death of Millie Miles. Condolences may be sent to Steve Miles 860 Kings Arms Way Johns Creek, GA 30022

Entered the church triumphant May 20, 2023

We pray for the Kettle family as they mourn the death of long time Redeemer member, Jilda Kettle. Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Traci Campbell, and son, Derek Kettle, at jildakettel@gmail.com

If you would like to announce the death of a loved one in the newsletter so our congregation may pray for you, please email Pastor Jenny McLellan: jmclellan@redeemer.org

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

St. Luke Lutheran Church, in partnership with The Atlanta Pride Committee, Honors Stonewall Riots and Celebrates Pride with Drag Queen Worship Service Event Details: Drag Me to Church - A Commemoration of the Stonewall Riots Date: June 25, 2023 Time: Six o’clock pm Location: 3264 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 The Stonewall Riots, which took place in June 1969, marked a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. The Rev. Matt O’Rear (he/him), the pastor of St. Luke Lutheran, said, “St. Luke Lutheran recognizes the significance of this event and its ongoing impact on the lives of countless individuals who identify as part of theLGBTQ+ community. This worship service seeks to honor the community's struggles, triumphs, and resilience while fostering an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and celebration.”

“The Atlanta Pride Committee recognizes the sacred space that the art of drag has always held, while also acknowledging that LGBTQ+ performance spaces have often served as surrogates for churches, offering queer people both community and sanctuary. This event serves as a blessing to the modern-day performers who place themselves in harm's way to defend our very right to exist, and the drag and trans elders who paved the way for such artists, activists, and community leaders.” Mr. Steven Igarashi-Ball (he/him), Director of Equity & Engagement, The Atlanta Pride Committee.

During this special service, attendees will have the opportunity to witness stunning offerings by some of Atlanta's finest, who bring their unique artistry ad talent to uplift our worship experience. Through their creativity, these performers will help us explore the intersections of faith, identity, and personal expression. We hope that this celebration of diversity and inclusion will inspire all who attend to embrace the message of love, justice, and equality that lies at the heart of the gospel of Jesus.

Books for Wellspring Living Thank you, Redeemer Library Ministry Team!

Mary Mahoney and the Redeemer Library Ministry Team have, once again, given the girls of Wellspring Living specially requested books for their library. Last year when Mary discovered that one of the girls was a budding poet, she gave her a book of poetry from her own collection. Also, last year, Mary sent the girls a book that she authored, Gimme Shelter, about abandonment, rescue, and love. This year the Ministry Team is donating ten books for the girls from their wish list! The timing is perfect for summer reading! Thank you

Mary Mahoney and the Redeemer Library Ministry Team! If you or your ministry team has an idea that will benefit the girls of Wellspring Living, please contact Redeeming Grace: amy.carpenter@comcast.net or Charissa Schultz at csdesign925@gmail.com Wellspring Living’s Girls Residential Program (ages 12-17) provides trauma-informed care to survivors of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the service of physical, emotional and spiritual restoration.

Library Reflection The days of Madam Librarian “shushing” patrons in a library are long gone, thankfully. Redeemer Library is the opposite kind of library. It is comfortable, cozy, user-friendly, and kid-friendly.

People talk out loud and kids grab a book and lie on the floor on a soft yellow rug and read. Even some preschool Moms come here to work on weekday mornings while their kids are occupied.

Those are just a few things I love about Redeemer Library.

I have served in the Library Ministry for seven years, and as Leader for six of those. For personal reasons, and because it’s time for “new blood,” I am stepping down from the ministry and will seek a new way to serve Redeemer. Pastor Mark asked me to write a reflection about my time in this ministry. I’ll try to spare you the details, but I do want to hit a few highlights. continued next page

People who love order and organization might thrill to some of the routine tasks of shelving returned books, cataloging new items, printing labels, and “processing” new books, which consists of stamping the fly page, pasting in pockets and new labels, and attaching spine tags. All this is necessary, and I’ve been blessed with a hard-working team who handles this efficiently and can even make it seem fun! Redeemer’s library houses over 8,000 items, so, yes. It takes a village.

The true joy for me, however, has been the out-reach projects we have initiated and implemented. When Lutheran Towers closed their own library at the beginning of the pandemic, we set up a Little Free Library in their upstairs lobby and have re-stocked and maintained it ever since. During each Advent, we fill a large Christmas box with like-new books, obtained from donations and our own, personal libraries, with a sign that says: Please Take One—Merry Christmas from the Redeemer Library. Towers staff tell me the residents enjoy these additions.

Several years ago, Carl Tiegreen and his Dad built a gorgeous, multi-story Little Free Library for the Teen Lounge, and even painted it to match the purple décor.

We’ve partnered with Redeemer’s Midtown Preschool to buy new and diverse children’s books to update some old-style, stereotypical Dick and Jane-type books. Our children’s section has undergone a major overhaul. We ditched the Dewey Decimal set-up for kids and grouped all the books by topic (Bible stories, Animals, Holidays, etc.) Each topic’s books are shelved in a different, brightly colored fabric cube. Our children’s mascot, Dewey—the huggable dog—likes the new, livelier look. Our children love the Pete the Cat bookmarks we distribute every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For several years, we’ve reached out to the Wellspring Living ministry team to buy new books for the residents’ wish lists. This year it is books for their summer reading. Our hearts were warmed when one of the girls wrote to thank us for a book she read and loved. Her review: “The book was better than the movie!” Score one for books.

Since we began donating duplicate items to a prison ministry, we have delivered over 300 books and CDs to Christian Library International, whose mission is “bringing light into the darkness.”

It has become a regular activity for us to seek out recommendations from pastors, staff, and members, to purchase books and multi-media items that are relevant to issues that concern the Redeemer congregation, such as Social Justice and Refugee Resettlement.

Bordering on the tedious, but necessary, and sometimes amusing, is our “weeding” process. This starts with shelf-reading to spot woefully out of date or irrelevant items, such as a book published in 1956 titled, “How to Talk to Your Kids about Drugs.” We were aided in this project, as we were in other tasks, by a group of willing volunteers we dubbed “Friends of the Library.” At the end of the year, we sent them personal letters and RBG bookmarks to show our appreciation.

It’s been a good run, and never a dull one. I now happily leave the tedious parts and all of the fun things to younger eyes and stronger backs.

Gratefully, Mary Mahoney May, 2023

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 Maxwell Koenig 3 Chasity Palma 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 Philip Vogel 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 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 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 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 19 Lisa Burnett 19 Nathan May 20 Kate Elkins 20 Annie May 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 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 Claire Johnson 28 Isaac Perantoni 28 Nicholas Perantoni 28 Kristen Sheffield 28 Elise Thomas 29 Oscar Garcia-Ide 29 Monika Giolito 29 Barbara Ulven 30 Phil West

July BIRTHDAYS 1 Lori Hickman 1 Emma Johnson 1 Lisa Kovack 2 Garrett Anderson 2 Sue Zellner 3 Megan Booker 3 Karen Fore 3 Kendrick McWilliams 3 John Sabine 4 Margaret Bragg 4 J.W. Cornwell 4 Ethan Jennings 4 Harl Pike 4 Peg Wyse 5 Stephen Powner 5 Graham Wilde 6 Riley Hickman 6 Jason Liebzeit 6 Nathan Miller 6 Bobbi Onsrud 6 Clasen Safalow 6 Jordan Whitaker 7 Cheryl Bansen 7 Bernard Benson 7 Cynthia DeKinder 7 Abby Licker 7 Charles Lofstrom 7 Traci Switzer 7 Helena Viberg 8 Justin Bansen 8 Caren Warren 9 Jane Forstner 9 Damien Scott 9 Lilian Steele 9 Chal Stewart 9 Andrea Waterhouse 10 Andrew Bragg 10 Luke Hawley 10 David Ott 10 Joyce Smith 11 Heidi Couch 11 Brady Grant 11 Marlee Hattermann 11 Lance Muller 11 Ingrid Neale 11 Suzanne Sims

12 Molly Fredlund 12 Amanda Hoomes 12 Aino Robertson 13 Bob Altmann 13 Edgar Kleckley 13 JoJo May 13 Madison Tiegreen 13 Susan Wilson 14 Beatrix Lay 14 Mary Peterson 14 Tori Volan 15 Tiffany Rice 15 Valerie Sowers 16 Don Cornwell 16 Katy Durham 16 Anneliese Hermann 16 Alyssa LeVorse 16 Julianna LeVorse 16 Katie Moss 16 Brad Ploeger 16 Natalie Tanzola 17 Elisabeth Giolito 17 Steve Morgan 17 Tim Schroer 17 Joshua Sosebee 17 Isabella Vargo 18 Anne Feyereisen 18 Alan Gray 18 Marika Gray 18 Jill Williams 18 Roy Wise 18 Amanda Wolfe 19 Courtney Bohannon 19 Dorthey Hurst 19 Sherri Mason 19 John Nieman 19 Hayes Smith 20 Addie Beth Dillon 20 Max Hemsley 20 Anders Johanson 20 Christine McMahan 20 Katie Wessinger 20 Yvonne Whitaker 21 Christopher Borchers 21 Julie Freudenstein 21 Susan McCart 21 Henrik Sides

22 Paul Howard 23 Susan Shannon 24 Anne Amos 24 Bootsie Grant 24 Lucie Ide 24 Robin Jonas 24 Jeff St. John 24 Charlie Wessinger 24 Dawn Weterrings 24 R. E. Wolfe 25 Patti Austin 25 Carol Bloomquist 25 Alan Boda 25 April Jones 25 Pete Olsson 25 Michelle Spady 26 Emma Bastin 26 Jane Bastin 26 Elana Maxwell 26 Penelope Scarpucci 27 Anne Ficken 27 Bill Fike 27 Allen Gary 27 Caroline Iverson 27 Neil Ligon 28 Barbara Berger 28 Debra Borchers 28 Dave Buechner 28 Lloyd Marquardt 28 Diana Palma 28 Rowan Street 28 Kris Weterrings 29 Jo Adams 29 Kevin Dougherty 29 Caroline Hickey 29 Steven Miles 29 Nick Miller 29 Allison Stinson 30 Heather Chastain 30 Audrey Mullen 30 Ryan Zegarelli 31 Carol Bell 31 Thomas Jonas 31 Max Rafferty 31 Beth Sides 31 Brooks Smith 31 Darrick Wilkins