2020 ANNUAL REPORT

Presented at

The Annual Congregational Business Meeting

January 31, 2021

President: Larry Rewis

Pastor: Mark Perry

Our Mission Statement:

“With faith in God’s grace, we share Christ’s love with all,

so that lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit.”

Motto: “Trusting Grace, Sharing Love, Changing Lives”

Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church

101 North Lenzner Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

www.selcaz.org

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INDEX

Minutes of the SELC Annual Meeting January 26, 2020 ............................................................... 2

Statistical Report ............................................................................................................................. 4

Nominating Committee Report ....................................................................................................... 5

2021 Proposed Mission Plan .......................................................................................................... 6

Congregation Council President’s Report .................................................................................... 12

Pastor Perry’s Report .................................................................................................................... 14

Director of Faith Formation’s Report ........................................................................................... 17

Financial Secretary’s Report ......................................................................................................... 19

Treasurer’s Financial Reports ....................................................................................................... 21

Altar Guild Report ........................................................................................................................ 30

Altar Guild Financial Report ........................................................................................................ 31

Columbarium Report .................................................................................................................... 32

Fellowship Team Report ............................................................................................................... 33

Intern Committee Report .............................................................................................................. 33

Lay Eucharistic Minister Report ................................................................................................... 34

Service Outreach Ministry Report ................................................................................................ 34

Shepherd’s Fold Child Care Center Report .................................................................................. 35

Stewardship Team Report ............................................................................................................. 36

Stitch-in-Time Quilter’s Report .................................................................................................... 37

Trustee’s Report ........................................................................................................................... 37

Trust Fund Report ......................................................................................................................... 38

Visitation Ministry Report ............................................................................................................ 39

Women of SELC Report .............................................................................................................. 40

Worship and Music Committee Report ........................................................................................ 41

Music Ministry Report .................................................................................................................. 42

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MINUTES OF THE SELC ANNUAL MEETING JANUARY 26, 2020

1. CALL TO ORDER: President Larry Rewis called the SELC annual meeting to order January

26, 2020 at 12:20 pm. There were 77 voting members present, representing more than a quorum.

2. PRAYER AND DEVOTION: Pastor Mark Perry led us in a responsive litany.

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was approved by acclamation.

4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Larry Rewis asked if there were any corrections

or additions to be made to the January 27, 2019 SELC annual meeting minutes. There being none,

the minutes were approved by acclamation.

5. Voting on Proposed Bylaw Changes: Motion for a name change from Deacon to Lay

Eucharistic Minister in all 8 locations within the By-Laws. C4.04.01The following positions

will be elected by the congregation: “Deacons x 4” to read “Lay Eucharist Ministers x 4.”

ELCA designation of Deacons are ordained as “Word and Service” ministers. Whereas Pastor is

ordained in “Word and Sacrament.” Our Deacons are not ordained in word and service. A name

change would bring them more in line with the ELCA. Motion was made by George Pohlman

and seconded by Gary Graham. Motion was approved by acclimation.

6. Voting on Roster of nominees for office: Attachment A

APPROVAL OF THE ROSTER OF NOMINEES IN OFFICE FOR 2020

President * Larry Rewis

Vice-president Jim Cleven

Secretary * Lynn Light

Treasurer * Leslie McCourt

Financial Secretary Sandra Stephenson

Sunday Morning Christian Ed Coordinator Cindy Wiste

Senior Deacon Carl McCourt

Deacon Jane Strain

Deacon Clara J. (CJ) Abraham

Deacon Carrisa Bratlien

Trustee (Council) Erin Stephenson

Trustee (Head) Christie Brown

Trustee Al Henry

Trustee Monte Brandes

Trust Fund Fred March

Trust Fund Janet Pressler

Trust Fund Glen Sanner

Trust Fund Monty Brandes

Trust Fund Becky Randall

Trust Fund Fred March

Council Member at Large Jim Thompson

Council Member at Large Helen Perdiue

Council Member at Large Lilliana Dicks

Council Member at Large Deanna Sanner

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*Identifies office holders who will reach their maximum consecutive term limits at the end of

2020.

President Larry Rewis asked if there were any nominations from the floor. There were none.

Motion to accept the panel of nominees made by Fred March, seconded by Rich Radwick.

There were 69 yes votes and one abstaining vote. All nominees were accepted.

7. APPROVAL OF THE 2020 MISSION PLAN: Leslie McCourt

a. Overview of Mission Plan- Attachment B is an overview.

b. Discussion and Voting

After the presentation by Leslie McCourt, there were no questions on the addendum. Deb

Koltveit motioned to accept the proposed use of year end funds as presented. Erin Stephenson

seconded. Motion Carried by acclamation.

President Larry Rewis called for a vote to approve the 2020 Mission Plan. Carl McCourt made

the motion to accept the mission plan as laid out including the addendums. Sue Mount

seconded. There were 72 yes votes and 4 no votes.

8. DESTRUCTION OF BALLOTS

a. Destruction of the ballots made by Rich Radwick, second by Ruth Britton. Motion

passed by acclamation.

9. OLD BUSINESS – None

10. COMMUNICATIONS:

a. One time bonuses: Executive Committee and Council Approved

b. Council approval at the November Council Meeting to change max consecutive term

limits for the following positions: Financial Secretary, Council Members-At-Large, and

Sunday Morning Christian Education Coordinator. Changed within the ‘job

descriptions’ from, shall be elected to a one-year term, with the eligibility to serve a

maximum of “three consecutive terms”, to serve a maximum of “five consecutive

terms.” This allows for more flexibility and stability within these positions. This does

not affect the by-laws or the constitution, only the job position descriptions which is

prepared by the Congregation Council, “*C4.04. …The Congregation Council shall

prepare descriptions of the responsibilities of each committee, task force, or other

organizational group and shall review their actions.”

For information only.

11. CLOSING PRAYER: Larry Rewis led us in the closing prayer.

12. ADJOURN: President Larry Rewis adjourned the meeting at 1:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Light

SELC Congregational Council Secretary

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STATISTICAL REPORT

BAPTISMS

Marcy Lynn DeLa Garza Kalena Susan DeLa Garza

CONFIRMANDS

NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED

Cindy and Duane Wiste Jeff and Barbara Johnson

IN MEMORY

Lois Andersen

Jane Behsman

Bob Bobar

Don Diamond

Delores Pederson

Caroline Pentecost

Roger Rowley

Beverly (Wedge) Stewart

Hank Webster

Virginia Wickizer

Marion Zimmer

MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS

Total Membership December 31, 2019

351 Baptized 268 Confirmed

Total Membership December 31, 2020

346 Baptized 265 Confirmed

Active Membership* December 31, 2020

194 in 140 households

*individuals who have attended worship at least once in the last 2 years

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

2019 Average per Sunday 168

2020 Average per Sunday 160 (5 January – 15 March)

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

SELC Leadership Nominations for 2021

To be voted on

Position Current Proposed

President Larry Rewis ‘18 Jim Cleven

Vice President Jim Cleven ‘20 Sandy Hall

Secretary Lynn Light ‘18 Janet Bobar

Treasurer Leslie McCourt ‘18 Lynette Nowlan

Council Member At-Large Helen Perdiue ‘18 Helen Perdiue

Council Member At-Large Deanna Sanner ‘18 Deanna Sanner

Council Member At-Large Jim Thompson ‘20 Jim Thompson

Council Member At-Large Liliana Dicks ‘20 Betty Burford

Financial Secretary Sandy Stephenson ‘18 ____________

Faith Formation Coordinator Cindy Wiste ‘18 Cindy Wiste

Trust Fund Becky Randall Becky Randall (Y1 of Term 2)

Trust Fund Monty Brandes Monty Brandes (Y1 of Term 2)

For information the following are incumbents with remaining time in office:

Lay Eucharistic Minister Carl McCourt Year 2 of Term 2

Lay Eucharistic Minister Jane Strain Year 3 of Term 1

Lay Eucharistic Minister Carrisa Bratlien Year 3 of Term 1

Lay Eucharistic Minister CJ Abraham Year 2 of Term 1

Trustee Christie Brown Year 2 of Term 2

Trustee Erin Stephenson Year 3 of Term 1

Trustee Al Henry Year 2 of Term 1

Trustee Monty Brandes Year 2 of Term 1

Trust Fund Glenn Sanner Year 2 of Term 2

Trust Fund Janet Pressler Year 2 of Term 2

Trust Fund Fred March Year 3 of Term 1

Nominating Team: Lynn Light, Carl McCourt, Sandy Stephenson

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2021 PROPOSED MISSION PLAN AS OF OCTOBER 16, 2020

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8

9

10

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Addendum to Proposed 2021 Mission Plan The Cost-of Living-Increase (COLA) for 2021 is 1.3% vice the 1% projected in the proposed 2021 Mission Plan.

This would increase our Proposed Mission Plan by $454 from $475,309 to $475,763. Affecting the following lines:

Line Description Original Revised Change

Line 1 Pastor Salary 44,548 44,680 132

Line1 Pastor FICA 5,112 5,127 15

-

Line 9 DFF Salary 37,003 37,113 110

Line 10 DFF FICA 2,831 2,839 8

-

Line 14 Admin Asst Salary 39,372 39,489 117

Line 15 Admin Asst FICA 3,012 3,021 9

-

Line 10 Principal Musician Salary 17,080 17,131 51

Line 11 Principal Musician FICA 1,307 1,310 4

-

Line 22 Pianist Salary 2,440 2,447 7

Line 23 Pianist FICA 187 187 1

Total 152,891 153,345 454

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CONGREGATION COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I am so happy to have served you these past three years as your Congregation Council President. I’ve

had an amazing time doing God’s work with and for you all. Thank you, Pastor Mark, for your support.

Thank you to each and every council member: you are an amazing group of people-God Fearing, Loving

of your neighbor, and last but not least, supportive of me as your president. And I want to give a special

shout out to our outgoing Council Members, Leslie McCourt as Treasurer, Lynn Light as Secretary, and

Sandy Stephenson as our Financial Secretary. Thank you all! I’d also like to say thank you to my wife,

Kim, for all her support. She is an amazing woman of God, Wife, Mother, and let’s not forget an amazing

‘Farmor’ (that’s Swedish for Father’s Mother). She has always been there even when I had to go in to

handle things at the church at those ‘weird’ hours as both president and AV person.

This year has been a sad time of saying goodbye to so many of our loved ones and dealing with this

pandemic. Please don’t forget to keep reaching out to ALL our church family. Those who have lost

loved ones, those who are widows, and the least, last, and lost. Maybe it’s just a prayer, maybe it’s an

ear to listen, or maybe it’s physical needs. But whatever it is, let’s not forget to ask them if they need

our help.

In spite of this pandemic, we’ve still continued with work on our campus. We’ve added a handicap

accessible bathroom in the Narthex, we’ve replaced doors, toilets, the sanitizer in the kitchen, painted,

added new plants, as well as dedicating a new bench on the patio in memorial, and so much more. I want

to thank all those responsible for helping in all these efforts. And a special shout out to our trustees for

all their hard work. And let’s not forget to thank those behind the scenes keeping all areas of the church

sanitized and clean for our safety. Sandy Hall, Christie Brown, Anna Bratlien, Jane Strain, Becky

Randall, Sandy Stephenson, Linda Radwick, and so many more who helped in the shadows. And keep

your eyes out, there is more to come – maybe even a meditation garden near the Columbarium.

Of course, we could not have done ANY of this work without the generous donations of you, our brothers

and sisters in Christ. You never cease to amaze me with your larger-than-life hearts of love. THANK

YOU!

Thank you, Leslie McCourt, for all your hard work on the 2021 Mission Plan. Thank you to the

Mission Planning committee for all your hard work in assisting her.

On perhaps a more negative note: As of this writing, we have yet to fill all of our nominations for Church

Council, as well our Nominating Committee. I know a number of you have served before and for that

I’m very grateful. And let’s face it, we are all busy, but without the help of Christians uniting for the

Gospel, these things cannot and will not get done. Currently we have only three on our nominating

committee- Sandy Stephenson, Lynn Light, and Carl McCourt. Per the by-laws, we are supposed to

have two more from the congregation. We are continuing to contact potential candidates for Secretary

and Financial Secretary. Please pray for this process and let us know if you feel God’s call to these

positions. Remember, God equips the willing! That is what gave me the strength to step-up to God’s

calling to serve for the past 3 years ago as your Congregation Council President. Thank you Lord for

teaching me to trust in you.

We are blessed for those candidates who are willing to serve in church leadership positions for 2021.

Thank you for being willing to give of yourselves, your time, and your talents to just serve. I pray this

coming year that God will bless you all on council, so that your leadership for 2021 will follow God’s

leading for SELC.

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I want to thank everyone at SELC! For your prayers, your support, your witness, and your testimony

during this pandemic. It’s not been easy to say the least, but we CAN do all things through Christ who

strengthens us. So many of you have not given up on supporting our different ministries at SELC - from

making thousands of face masks, to setting up the sanctuary for worship, to helping me stream our

services, and for that I want to praise God for each and every one of you. There are so many to thank

that I THANK YOU ALL for your time and talents.

Lastly, I’d like to thank our Intern Pastor, Annela Rova. You have been an inspiration during this time.

You’ve held up your part of the internship by not giving up on SELC or your call. You’ve been there

and you give 110% to God’s work every day, thank you and may God Bless you with the rest of your

time with us as well as your studies. And you’ve done all this while preparing for a little one; PRAISE

GOD. May God bless you, Reese, and God’s new little one into this crazy world.

On a more official note, the Annual Congregational Meeting will be different due to this pandemic. We

are still working the logistics of all this so please keep your eyes open for those details. I promise you

this, no matter how we have to do this, we will still be church together and this pandemic will not stop

that; the Gospel of our Lord will not be silenced and we will be and will always be church together.

May God bless all of you and may 2021 be a year where we take God’s word and His love to greater

heights for Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church, our community, and this world.

To God be the Glory forever and ever, Amen!

Serving in Christ and in church together,

Larry Rewis

President, SELC Congregation Council

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PASTOR PERRY’S REPORT

It goes without saying that 2020 has been an unprecedented year for our world, our nation and our church.

Except during World Wars, I don’t believe our country has ever been as challenged. Because many

people haven’t been able to be in the church since the pandemic started and may not be aware of all that

has gone on “behind the scenes,” this report focusses on sharing that information. While we can see

some light at the end of the tunnel, we have a long way to go yet to get to the other side. We need to

continue to do what we’ve been doing since March: TRUST, ADAPT AND PERSEVERE.

TRUST - Throughout this difficult season, we have been called to first and foremost trust God perhaps

more than ever before. To trust that God’s presence continues to be with us, holds our hands, and gives

us strength. Sometimes that’s been hard and, as the months go on, it may become even harder. But

seeing how many of you keep relying on God gives me inspiration and increases my trust that God WILL

see us through this chapter and into the next.

I have seen how we have trusted in one another to help encourage and guide us. We have trusted in our

Church Council to lead us, our various committees and teams to continue to do their tasks, and our SELC

COVID-19 Response Team to help us make the best decisions we can to keep us as safe as possible. At

times, it was tough wrestling with how to do this, weighing all that medical authorities tell us. I’m sure

we could have done better at some things, but we have done the best that we could. I’m very proud of

all of our teams which have kept ministry and worship going, albeit in ways different than we could have

previously imagined. Please particularly join with me in extending your appreciation to the members of

our COVID-19 Response Team: our Executive Committee (Larry Rewis, Jim Cleven, Lynn Light and

Leslie McCourt,) Sandy Stephenson, Becky Randall, Mignonne Hollis, Joanna Michelich, Beth Dechant,

Intern Pastor Annela and Director of Faith Formation Linda Perry. It has been a great privilege and

honor to work with them.

ADAPT - While I am sad that we haven’t been able to gather in person, I am so very grateful for the

ways we have been able to “gather” virtually, online through our Livestream worship, Zoom meetings,

and other methods. Praise God for these technologies and for the anonymous donors who made it

possible several years ago for us to have them available for us to use today! Zoom software allowed us

to meet more safely for Council and committee meetings, Adult Classes - such as the Climate Change

book study and climatologist presentations, Confirmation and Youth Group, Wednesday Bible Study,

Synod events, Internship meetings, Coffee Fellowship time, and other meetings. Doing this has been

very helpful for us all to work from home more safely as much as possible. People have repeatedly

expressed their appreciation for making these virtual worship and other gatherings available. It has

highlighted for me just how important and meaningful worship and fellowship is for people. We have

also seen just how far-reaching they are, with people joining in from all over the country and other

countries.

It is also so inspiring that Jim Cleven and others copy DVDs and delivered them to about twelve

households who don’t have online capabilities. It is also dismaying that there are a number of members

who have no such equipment or capability of using them, though they have been offered. For them,

especially, I would want us to be able to restart in person worship, but we will only do so when the risks

are lessened. In the meantime, we continue to pursue the goal of periodically calling all members to

check in and see how we can support them. Our weekly “Monday Messenger” was established and

continues indefinitely to help these, and other people continue to feel connected and informed.

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The most heart-wrenching change to adapt to was/is not being able to make pastoral visits to the

hospitalized and those in care centers as well as not being able to provide full funeral services for the ten

members who died this past year. We held a few “Services of Commendation and Committal” for small

gatherings of family for some of these members and hope to offer fuller services for families who want

them after the pandemic. I also spearheaded ecumenical efforts to restore chaplaincy ministry back into

the local hospital after both the full-time and intern chaplains were furloughed and suspended. We’re

grateful for the way a lay person and our intern pastor were able to be brought back in, especially now

as we’re between full-time chaplains after Chaplain Bingham retired.

Special and deep gratitude is extended to Larry Rewis not only for being our Council President but also

for the countless hours and efforts he spends on our audiovisual and online elements. CJ Abraham also

deserves a huge thank you for her service in this area almost every Sunday.

Some ministries and activities, of course, have had to be suspended since March, including our search

for a new Music Director, Helping Hearts Tutoring, Shepherd’s Fold Chapel, Camp, and others. We

will continue to learn how we can be “church” now and going into the future from experts and discussion

forums in the larger Church as well as our own brainstorming and discussions. I predict that the church

as a whole and our own congregation is going to need to move and exist in new ways in the time to

come. That can seem threatening but is also exciting to consider if we are flexible and trusting enough

to adapt to the Spirit’s workings.

PERSEVERE - These have been trying times for all of us, bringing great suffering to many. We’re all

making our way through a general fog of anxiety, weariness and even fear. The need to persevere and

be patient is greater than ever. We need to focus on the present moment and what God is calling us to

right now without undue focus on “when all this ends.” Because, even with the roll out of vaccines, it

is still a big unknown how long that will take to complete. Until then, we need to continue to stay

distanced, keep home as much as possible, wear masks in public, sanitize, and keep praying. This is the

way we offer a stronger witness to Christ’s unconditional love which often takes a persistent act of will

to obey.

In the midst of all this, there have been so many ways ministry has continued on and expanded. I think,

for example of the thousands of face masks which were made by a number of our members for shipment

to the Navajo Reservation as well as to anyone who needed them in our community. And it is so

encouraging and praiseworthy that you have kept up financial support for our church so that, unlike

many other churches around the country, income has not only met but has exceeded expenses this year!

Other: As of October 2020, I resigned from serving as a Convocator with California Lutheran University.

This was motivated in large part by the felt need to be free to focus more time and effort on Via de Cristo

renewal retreat ministry, the scheduling of which always conflicts with the CLU Fall Convocation. We

had been strengthening and building up Via de Cristo as a more significant discipleship-growing tool for

our congregation before the pandemic.

We will continue to trust, adapt and persevere for as long as it takes. Please continue to give thanks

and pray for all those who lead us here at SELC and share in these most important tasks that are so

critically needed especially in this time. We are indeed “essential workers” to and for Christ!

My deep gratitude goes out to all of our ministry team leaders without whom the load would have been

unbearable. I want particularly to give thanks to:

- My wife, Linda Perry, Director of Faith Formation, who is not only my life partner but also a cherished

ministry partner,

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- Administrative Assistant Cindy Allen, who has also faithfully and regularly been our “person presence”

while the office has been closed except by appointments and who has stepped up to every task asked of

her,

- Council President, Larry Rewis, who has not only one of the biggest servant hearts for our church but

also for his family as he and his wife, Kim, took on the huge responsibility of being full-time guardians

for their six-year-old grandson, Dallas,

- Intern Pastor Annela Rova, whose courage, caring and “can do” team spirit became more and more

evident after she came on board even knowing full well that this would be a very different kind of

internship,

- Linda Radwick, Altar Guild Chair, who has also so willingly and freely spent countless hours and

efforts making sure that everything we need, and more is in place for our worship services,

- and to so many others who demonstrate over and over again the truth of our slogan, “God provides!

We serve!”

Together with each other and with God we will make it through this and onto the next adventure in store

for the mission partners of Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church!

Serving you and God with gratitude, love, and pride,

Pastor Mark Perry

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DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION REPORT

Youth, Family & Cross Generational Ministry Report

So, what a year this has been! Unlike any other we have experienced before! It has been a time of

shifting gears more than once, thinking more outside the box and praying for God’s help with creativity,

patience and endurance. I marvel at and give thanks for all the people who have helped so graciously to

make difficult decisions on behalf of our faith family’s safety and spiritual needs and for the

congregations’ overwhelming positive support and continued prayers along with their great financial

generosity in this difficult time. Mark and I have been moved to tears on more than one occasion by the

people of SELC and their ongoing love and support.

I am especially thankful that we have been able to keep some elements of youth and cross generational

ministry and family outreach going. We have of course adapted how we are doing things, but I believe

our times together over Zoom, Face Time or socially distanced meetings outside have helped to keep us

connected in the faith and with one another.

I pray that 2021 will allow us to once again at some point, be together physically in worship and other

shared ministry events and projects. Until then, we will pray for God’s strength, patience, and inspiration

to continue sharing the power and life-giving message of the Gospel in even more creative and energizing

ways than perhaps ever before! God’s Holy Spirit knows no boundaries, so let us keep expanding our

horizons and extending the love of Christ outside these walls of SELC and Sierra Vista and beyond!

Highlight ministry moments:

Youth Ministry Moments & Sr. High LIFT/Confirmation – Our 10 to 12- Jr. & Sr. High youth remain

committed to attending weekly learning events on Wednesday incorporating the adaptations we have

made to implement our safety protocols. We sadly have missed out on several annual events such as

SALCA Summer Camp, Stocking Stuffers, the Annual Talent Show, and special fundraisers to help raise

money for the ELCA Youth Gathering, but the new date set for 2022, gives us time. We also have not

been able to do many of our social events such as hikes, fellowship game times and movie nights, but

we trust those things will be happening again in the new year at some point. We did hold a masked

Christmas Sharing Time with 15 youth spread out in our backyard with two fire rings. It was such a

blessing to have that moment with them.

Cross Generational Ministry - We had 2 monthly mornings of G.I.F.T. – Growing in Faith Together,

in person before COVID-19 hit and then 4 more over Zoom along with Intern Pastor Paul’s wonderful

classes on the Native American people. Our average attendance over Zoom is about 20 to 25. It is down

from our in-person GIFT events, but that is to be expected, as the technology is a challenge for many or

they just prefer to wait until we can meet in person again.

The Fellowship Coffee Times have been a very enjoyable and relaxed way of keeping in touch with

others. I think moving our worship service to 9 a.m. will allow more folks to join in.

Faith Stepping Stones - All but infant Baptisms have been on hold, as we cannot meet to teach the

classes for Stepping Stones at this time. We have 5 youth to be Confirmed and we hope that can take

place later this year along with 5 or 6 graduating Seniors! It was fun to schedule Acolytes at the start

of the year with so many new children willing to serve.

Faith Formation - Our FF team has not met for several months, as Pastor Mark, Cindy Wiste, Intern

Pastor Paul and Intern Pastor Annela have been part of the planning we do each month. I give thanks

again for our teachers this past year in our Faith Formation classes to adults and children of all ages 3

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Sundays a month who are Pastor Mark, Intern Pastor Paul Benz, Sandy & Erin Stephenson, Betty

Burford, & Marilyn Hewitt. Erin and Sandy will not be teaching in 2021, so we extend extra thanks for

them and their service in this ministry over the years to some of our youngest in the faith family. I enjoy

teaching the Jr. & Sr. High on these Sundays and hope to do so again soon. Unfortunately, our classes

ended in March when the pandemic caused us to change things. Other opportunities for Faith Formation

here at SELC include weekly Grace Groups, of which I lead the Monday morning group. I enjoyed

sharing in Chapel Time for Shepherd’s Fold until we had to stop due to the virus. We enjoyed another

Youth Connects event in September at Christ Lutheran in Vail. We did not hold our cross

generational VBS this year nor SALCA Camp interviews or training. We did have a very special Tirosh

Weekend in February and 3 of our youth attended and several people from SELC served on the

weekend. It was a beautiful time together with many powerful stories shared of faith and God’s love.

Weekly Wednesday Bible Study over Zoom has continued to be a wonderful blessing for me, and I

pray for others as well. I also greatly enjoyed the Climate Church Climate World book study and

follow up discussions with U of A experts and others from the Parks & Rec. Dept. and more. It was

very special to have a variety of people participate from not only our church, but from Sierra Vista and

other cities as well. We especially received some very positive feedback from Millennials outside our

church who were touched and inspired that Christians were having such a study and conversation. One

young man from out of state who watched the series on our website, shared that it had greatly renewed

his faith in God and the Church! What a powerful and beautiful witness.

Community/Ecumenical Support - Attended a Town Hall Meeting in person and one over zoom

relating to education and mental health for children and teens. Took a few of our youth to the

Community Youth Event at Lifehouse Church back in the fall. I have participated in a couple of

book studies over Zoom with other Synods regarding the future of Youth and Family Ministries, and

several Make Mealtime Family Time Trainings and Faith Sparker Trainings. I attended some

trainings for the ELCA Youth Gathering until they cancelled the rest due to COVID.

Family/Youth/Young Adult/ & Other Visitation/Support - I continue make phone calls of support to

families and youth and meet one-on-one with both youth and parents when needed. I was visiting folks

in the hospital with Mark and helping at funeral receptions until we could no longer do such things with

the pandemic. I also made some home visits to our homebound or those in Care Centers, but now we

connect over the phone more than ever.

To help bring some special joy to folks and connect with our younger families and children, Pastor Mark

and I along with some helpers, hand delivered family faith activity packets. We delivered 20 kits for

Easter, 24 Mother’s Day gift bags and flowers, 12 Father’s Day Gift bags and 5 congratulations

gifts to our Jr. & Sr. High grads. It was a very special and fun way to see the parents and kids again

in person outside their homes! Then we held a fun Advent/Christmas Drive-by and gave 70+ faith

packets and devotionals to Shepherd Fold families, our youth and the 40+ people who came in their cars.

It was a fun and celebratory time to see folks in this way!

I pray this new year holds new adventures, joys, a deepening of our faith and relationships with one

another and health and wholeness for all!

With Great Gratitude & Joy,

Linda Perry

Dir. of Faith Formation

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FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT

“When we ground our giving in a biblical context, our financial generosity becomes an expression of

our love for God, for our neighbor, and for ourselves. We are new people in Christ, compassionate and

eager to share. We give cheerfully because God has given us so much.”

Stories of Faith in Action from the ELCA Website

The primary responsibilities of the Financial Secretary are to oversee accurate counting of the weekly

and special offerings, designation to the proper funding lines and to train individuals in proper counting

procedures; to report to the Treasurer the required information regarding income, and to report these

figures monthly to the Congregation Council. To ensure the integrity of this position, all these duties

are performed without handling the monies themselves. Additionally, the Financial Secretary records all

offering contributions (by envelope or Vanco) to individual contribution records and provides annual

statements of contributions to envelope holders for tax purposes. The Financial Secretary also records

all commitments/pledges to individual records. It is important to note that the Financial Secretary is the

only person who sees and records commitments and offerings; this information is kept confidential.

Further responsibilities include being a member of and participating in the meetings and activities of the

Finance, Mission Planning, and Stewardship Teams. The Financial Secretary will provide various reports

as necessary throughout the year.

Counters: Crucial to the accomplishment of the Financial Secretary role are the counters who work in

pairs, usually for one month’s time, on Sundays after services to count, record, and make bank deposits

of the weekly offering. Many thanks this year go to the following dedicated people who gave of their

time and talents in this manner:

Julie and Fred March

Victoria Kiser

Carol Jordahl

Sandy Jones

Pat Bogan

Erin Stephenson

Barbara Wirsching

Diana Wilcox

We currently do not have enough counters to cover the entire twelve months, and I thank those who

were able to serve more than once during the year. I am grateful for those who signed up on the time

and talents sheets, but we still need more volunteers, so please prayerfully consider serving in this

important ministry. Training is available, and the only skills needed are attention to detail and a

willingness to spend an hour a week counting.

Giving: Recognition must also be given to the generosity of the SELC congregation in 2020. It was

such a different kind of year, but you, our members and friends, continued to drop-off or mail-in your

contributions; and a few more even starting using Vanco to have their contribution sent directly from

their bank or credit card. Thank you!

The offerings we receive each month fall into one of two categories. The first is the General Fund,

which supports SELC’s ministries and day-to-day operations. The second is Designated Funds, which

are typically one-time donations to a specific ministry.

20

2020 Giving to General Fund

Envelope

Offering

Loose Plate

Offering

Local

Use Only

Non-

Designated

Thrivent

Facilities

Use

Amazon

Smile

Gen Fund

Reimb.

Total General

Fund Income

$287,264.50 $85,129.16 $9,921.62 $1,451.00 $ 53.64 $13,343.46 $397,163.38

Please note that Thrivent and Amazon Smile dollars are deposited directly into our bank account. If you

are an eligible Thrivent member, you can ask that your Thrivent Choice Dollars be designated to SELC.

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon. When purchasing from this website, AmazonSmile

Foundation donates .5% of eligible purchases to charitable organizations selected by the customer.

Please contact me if you would like more information.

2020 Designated gifts totaled $ 91,276.83. Refer to the Treasurer’s Dedicated Account Report for a

list of the many and varied designated gifts received.

Envelopes have been assigned to 90 households/individuals. If you want envelopes, please contact me.

We had 14 households who sent contributions directly from their bank/financial institution and 42

households participated in electronic giving through Vanco. These contributions are included in the

offering envelope total in the above chart. As a reminder, e-giving is a way to provide consistent giving

to the church, even when you are on vacation or may be ill. It also lightens the workload for the offering

counters. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.

Commitments for 2021: 61 households returned commitment cards totaling $243,463. If you haven’t

yet turned in a commitment card, it is not too late. The aggregate responses allow our financial team to

plan wisely for the use of our resources in support of the mission and ministry to which God has called

us. Please be assured your individual responses are kept in strict confidence and are only seen by the

Financial Secretary.

It has been an honor to serve as your Financial Secretary this year. May God bless you richly as you

continue to be faithful disciples at SELC. Keep safe and be healthy.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Stephenson

Financial Secretary

21

TREASURER’S REPORT

Praise God! Thanks to your generous contributions, our 2020 normal income exceeded expenses by

$14,199.37. Those funds were moved into a dedicated account for future use. In addition to being in

the black through normal giving, Sierra Lutheran was also able to obtain a $52,685 Payroll Protection

Program Loan which is currently pending forgiveness. The purpose of the Paycheck Protection and loan

forgiveness programs, administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), is to provide

economic relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are reflected on the

Treasurer’s Report as PPP Earned Income. We are holding $52,685 in a dedicated account pending

forgiveness by the SBA. Our hope is that the SBA will make its decision by Feb 2021. In the unlikely

event our loan is not forgiven, the funds will be used for repayment purposes.

When reviewing the treasurer reports please keep in mind that the Mission Plan is just that - a plan. In

a few cases our execution was higher than planned, but in most cases, due to the pandemic, it was lower.

You also may notice the treasurer’s report shows a -$445 Year-to-date Actual balance. We currently

carry forward funds in our checking account to cover months when income is lower, or expenses are

higher than anticipated. These funds are not part of our Mission Plan execution. The $445 does not

reflect a true 2020 expense, but simply a year-end movement of funds from checking to savings to keep

our checking account balance at $20,000 going into 2021.

It has been my honor to serve as your treasurer for the past three years. Giving is an expression of our

thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognizes everything we have

and give comes from God. Thank you for your generous giving and support and also for the support of

our ministry leaders who have shown such thoughtfulness and care in the use of our limited resources.

Leslie McCourt, Treasurer

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23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

ALTAR GUILD REPORT

The Altar Guild continues to be a subcommittee of the Worship and Music Committee. Its purpose is

to prepare our space for worship, especially the Altar and Chancel area for all worship services. The

overall goal of the Altar Guild is to see that the worship space is kept beautiful and in good working

order both to Glorify God and to provide a setting for meaningful worship.

While our purpose and goals remain the same, 2020 brought many challenges to our church. Besides W

and M and Council we became a subgroup under a Covid Team that made decisions as to healthy

worship practices. We had to wear facial masks, constant hand washing and glove wearing. A primary

responsibility is in preparation for communion. Communion became self-contained juice/wafer

containers that were socially distanced in the tray so that an individual could pick one container and

bring it to their pew. The guild continued to seasonally decorate for Christmas, Easter and Pentecost,

but we used artificial flowers and plants since we were NOT able to deliver to the hospital and home

bound. We continue to care for the linens, paraments and vestments and communion ware. We also

prepare the Sanctuary for all special services such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.

We hold only two meetings a year, once in February and once in October which includes some type of

education and then filling out the service schedules for the following months. This February, Intern

Paul Benz educated us on worship using the whole body to include torso, head and hands, something

new to most of us. As we stood around the Altar holding hands and praying and reflecting, I realize

now how much I am missing this year. In October we met in person but socially distanced and masked

while Pastor Mark spoke to us about the need to “Press On” during this trying time and the fact that

Jesus Christ is our strength and our light. He referenced his jogging as a visual.

ALTAR GUILD COMMUNION STATISTICS

Sunday Services 8:00AM 962

10:30AM 899

One Service Sundays 10:00AM 561

Funerals with Communion 36 (Mary Daniel family)

Ash Wednesday 106

Maundy Thursday 8

Sunrise/Santa Cruz Conference 84 (Intinction)

Home Communion 30+

Prestige Assisted Living 14

31

ALTAR GUILD FINANCIAL REPORT

BALANCE ON HAND JANUARY 1, 2020 $ 2,901.56

PAYMENTS RECEIVED

ALTAR GUILD FLOWERS $ 764.96

SANCTUARY CANDLES 7-DAY 200.00

DONATIONS RECEIVED

JAMES DANIEL MEMORIAL 200.00

TOTAL PAYMENTS RECEIVED + $1,164.96

BALANCE PLUS PAYMENTS REC’D $ 4,066.52

EXPENDITURES

ALTAR FLOWERS $ 424.07

SANCTUARY CANDLES 7-DAY 204.17

ALB & ROPE FOR INTERN BENZ 179.35

ALB & ROPE FOR INTERN ANNELA ROVA & 299.25

AN EXTRA ALB FOR FUTURE USE

TOTAL EXPENDITURES -$1,106.84

BALANCE ON HAND DECEMBER 31, 2020 $ 2,959.68

Submitted by Donna Bryan, Altar Guild Treasurer

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COLUMBARIUM REPORT

CHECKING ACCOUNT

BEGINNING BALANCE JANUARY 1, 2020 $6,404.50

Income:

Sale of niches, urns and plaques $1685.00

Donation $ 173.00

TOTAL INCOME $1,858.00

Expenses:

Purchases of plaques $834.00

Purchase of urns $415.82

Maintenance (Stucco/Paint) $2,000.00

TOTAL EXPENSES (-) $3,249.82

ENDING BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2020 $5,012.68

INVESTMENTS (CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT)

Beginning Balance (Mission Investment Fund)

July 5, 2019 $15,067.08

Interest earned October 4, 2019 $54.69

Interest earned January 6, 2020 $54.89

Interest earned April 6, 2020 $54.48

Interest earned July 6, 2020 $54.68

Ending Balance July 6, 2020(last statement) $15,285.82

33

FELLOWSHIP TEAM REPORT

Due to the pandemic all of our normal fellowship activities for 2020 including after service coffee hour

were cancelled except for two Grace Groups that are meeting with Zoom. As suggested by Pastor,

individuals have been encouraged to call, email, send cards, etc. to keep in touch and show caring to

others.

Any suggestions you may have to safely improve fellowship are welcomed by the team!

Appreciating the blessings we experience now and looking forward to future hugs and better times,

Sandy Hall

Chairman, Fellowship Team

INTERN COMMITTEE

The Intern Committee currently consists of these members: Dave Clark, Gail Hamp, Carol Jordahl,

Joanna Michelich, Barbara and Don Williams.

The Intern Committee meets regularly with the intern to share any issues or concerns; to provide support;

to evaluate preaching, teaching and worship leadership; to review other aspects of the intern’s

ministry. The committee also prepares the mid-year and final written evaluations that are submitted to

the seminary. Additionally, the committee works to assure that the conditions in the house that is used

for the intern are satisfactory. Working with the intern for a year fosters a very special relationship

between the intern and the committee members.

After a farewell drive by to say goodbye to Paul Benz and his family, we welcomed Annela Rova, our

36th intern. She comes to us from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in California and her husband,

Reese, joins her in Sierra Vista. Individuals in the congregation generously donated gift cards to

welcome them to the congregation. In September, the Intern Committee hosted a socially distanced ice

cream social to welcome Intern Annela.

Intern Pastor Annela has shown amazing and welcome flexibility as she performs her intern duties in

such challenging times. She has also been a welcome presence at the hospital as they cope with COVID.

Each intern comes with a unique personality and set of gifts, and we continue to praise God for these

blessings!

Barbara Williams, Chairperson

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LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER REPORT

The Lay Eucharistic Ministers (deacons) for 2020 were Jane Strain, Carrisa Bratlien, Clara (CJ)

Abraham, and Carl McCourt.

Normally our responsibilities are assisting with serving Communion at worship services; praying with

the pastor and intern prior to each service and providing communion to fellow Christians who are unable

to attend church services because of illness, disabilities, lack of mobility or transportation; Prayers of

Healing, which are held the fourth Sunday of the month after each service.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have been unable to perform our normal duties. However, we look

forward to the time when we can again serve our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Carl McCourt, Senior Deacon

SERVICE TEAM REPORT

Our members were challenged to support The Body of Christ Ministries by donating non-perishable

food items during the Thanksgiving season. The appeal was successful in providing homeless residents

in our community with much appreciated food packages which made the Thanksgiving celebration real

for those who need our support. Thank you to all who responded by bringing your donations to the food

box set out on our patio during the drive in November.

Jim Thompson

Council Member Services

35

SHEPHERD’S FOLD CHILD CARE CENTER REPORT

This has been a year of stress and blessings.

We started the year with 40 slots filled. We are licensed for 59. We had raised our rates to cover the

new minimum wage and some parents felt they could not afford the increase. We have scholarships for

14 children and DES helps some, but it is not enough. Then Covid-19 started. We were able to stay

open, but we are down to 34 children and some are part time, so we have only 23.5 slots filled. First

Things First and DES both continued paying for the children who dropped out. Jessica applied for a

grant from DES for $10,000 and it was given to us. All this helped the budget greatly and with reduced

hours for the staff we have been able to stay in the black. Contributions from church members helped

also. Thank you.

We have a great staff of 12 people. They are flexible and willing to change hours and duties. We are

thankful for them. We are looking for a cook.

The children are still having fun and learning many things. They have a Bible story every day and are

learning that God loves them. They are also learning how to share and be a good neighbor.

Dena has announced that she will be retiring as director in May. The board has interviewed interested,

qualified teachers and selected Jessica Hurst to be the new director and Carol Hardin to be a new assistant

director. They will start their new positions in March so they can be trained by Dena.

Current board members are Penny Crane, Ursula Hollis, Leslie McCourt, Deanna Sanner, Sheila

Schultz, Cindy Wiste and Marilyn Hewitt. We ask for your continued prayers and help as we start a

new year.

Submitted by Marilyn Hewitt, Board Chairman, and Dena Anderson, Director

36

STEWARDSHIP TEAM REPORT

Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church continues to offer online giving (VANCO) for SELC members and

friends. This can be for regular, special, or one-time contributions. Currently we have 36 households

using this service. There are several options to choose from: credit card, debit card, checking account

or savings account. If anyone is interested, you may go to the SELC website (selcaz.org) to sign up.

Another option that is available is to have your financial institution send a check directly to SELC in the

amount of your monthly contribution (or whatever schedule you prefer to give). If you have any

questions or concerns, please call SELC’s Financial Secretary, Sandy Stephenson (378-4678).

The Financial Secretary reports that she has received 61 Commitment cards for 2021. Thank you for

your response to this important part of our life together at SELC.

The monthly “ministry moment” had to be discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic. We hope that we

will be able to resume this in the future after in-person services can be resumed.

The ministry group brochure was not updated in 2020. When we are able to resume all of our ministries,

the brochure will be updated. Thank you to all that have been able to continue with their ministry in

whatever way they were able to accomplish that. We want to thank those volunteers who made masks

and other projects to help SELC members and friends as well as other people in our community and

beyond during this pandemic.

The current members of the Stewardship Team are Jim Cleven, Leslie McCourt, Sandy Stephenson and

Joanne March (chairperson). Pastor Mark Perry and Intern Pastor Paul Benz (September-December)

are our advisors and attend meetings as their schedules permit. We regret that we haven’t been able to

have any meetings since March and missing the opportunity to work with Intern Pastor Annela Rova.

We sincerely thank all who have been so faithful for their stewardship commitments throughout 2020.

Joanne March

Chairperson

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STITCH-IN-TIME QUILTERS REPORT

We were not able to meet in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continued to support

those in need both locally and abroad by donating the following from our reserves.

11 Quilts to Project Linus

6 Quilts (5 children and 1 adult) to Finch Fire Whetstone Disaster

10 Quilts for Shepherd’s Fold Graduation

24 Quilts to Lutheran World Relief

We are looking forward to being able to meet again when it is safe to do so and would love to have you

join us. No experience is necessary. We make tie quilts that are distributed both locally and globally.

For more information contact either Elaine Grahn (520) 249-8721 or Terry Markstrom (520)-559-5113.

Submitted by Terry Markstrom and Elaine Grahn

TRUSTEES REPORT

Trustee work on maintaining our facilities continued during this difficult year. In the Fellowship Hall

kitchen, the dishwashing sanitizer used by Shepherd’s Fold primarily, and the church, was replaced

along with floor tile damaged by the old leaking sanitizer. The ceiling was patched and painted along

with LED bulbs installed in the lights. In the main Fellowship Hall and bathrooms, ceiling fluorescent

bulbs were replaced by LED bulbs, water damaged and broken ceiling tiles were replaced along with

replacement of light fixture acrylic covers.

We were able to salvage many usable items from an old medical office, slated for demolition, to use at

our church or sell for funds for the church. Usable items included a kitchen sink, lights, ceiling tiles,

light covers, storage cabinet, metal doors and locksets. One of the metal doors was used to replace

Classroom # 4 door which was severely rusted and water damaged.

Gutters along the Fellowship Hall classrooms were covered with plastic guards to help prevent clogging

and water on doors and doorways. Church property in the alleys and parking lot was mowed regularly.

All classroom doors were prepared and painted along with the Fellowship Hall entry doors. The Lenzner

side of the Music room was prepped, scraped and painted. Church narthex and sanctuary windows were

quoted for bids along with the Fellowship Hall windows. New Milgard Thermal break double insulated

windows will be ordered and installed in early 2021. Our goal is to improve the church environment and

reduce our energy bills through our work with lighting, windows and temperature control of our

facilities.

As a team, many areas that need work are noticed and we hope to address them in the near future. We

would love to have a Church wide workday when it is safe to do so as we have other ideas of ways to

improve our church. Thanks for all your support and gratitude.

Christie Brown

Senior Trustee

38

TRUST FUND REPORT

Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church has established a Trust Fund consisting of a Perpetual Fund in which

the principle will be retained, using only the interest accrued. A separate Memorial Fund allows for both

principal and interest to be used. These funds are used for the further growth of our church ministries

and stewardship opportunities. The committee administers bequests, estates, insurance, memorials, and

other assets that are given. The Trust Fund is additional to and apart from the general operation of the

congregation. The emphasis is support for youth and elderly ministries.

The committee meets quarterly or more often as needs arise. With the advent of e-mail, some immediate

requests or business can now be done in this manner. This year due to COVID-19, business was done

through emails. There were no requests or expenditures in 2020.

The Trust Fund has standing investments in mutual funds with Vanguard Financial and a checking

account with National Bank of Arizona.

Committee members are Janet Pressler, Glen Sanner, Monty Brandes, Becky Randall and Fred March.

EXPENDITURES none

INCOME

SELC General Fund - undesignated memorials 19,116.26

SELC General Fund - memorial Dee Pederson 100.00

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS as of 12/31/2020

Vanguard Funds 208,877.97

National Bank of Arizona 32,269.40

TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS 241,147.37

Respectfully submitted,

Committee Members

39

VISITATION MINISTRY REPORT

Members of the Visiting Team visit people from our church or others recommended who are homebound,

in the hospital, or in one of the rehabilitation centers.

The objective of the team is to have every person on our list visited once each week. This is accomplished

by having a large team so that members can be scheduled to visit each person once during a two-month

period.

Visiting is a time for listening and general conversation which can include church news, experiences of

those visiting and those being visited.

It can also be a time for discussing concerns and prayer.

This past year has seen a big change in our normal visits. We have been visiting by phone instead of in

person. In some cases, we have been in touch by mail. There are currently seventeen members on the

visiting team.

We hope that in the near future it will be possible for us to return to visiting in person.

Ellie Unruh

Chairperson

40

WOMEN OF SELC REPORT

On March 7th, our church hosted the Sunrise/Santa Cruz Spring Gathering with 104 in attendance. Father

Greg Adolf was our keynote speaker and the theme for the day was JUST LOVE.

The Fellowship team was able to buy and serve lunch to Joyce Clark Middle School on February 13th

but was not able to serve lunch to Bella Vista Elementary School for our “Lunch and Love on Lenzner”

project but we were able to hand the BV school $100.00 so that they could buy and enjoy lunch from

our church.

As soon as this virus began spreading, our women and men who owned sewing machines began sewing

facial masks. Our Intern Paul Benz was working with the Navajo Nation in Rock Point, Arizona and

found that they needed masks, so we were able to send 1,503 to be used by the Navajo's. Then we heard

that LWR had sent out a challenge and we sent 565 masks to St. Paul, MN to be distributed around the

world. We heard that the Grand Canyon Synod had set up a drop off point at Spirit in the Desert Retreat

Center in Carefree, Arizona and they would transport quilts to St. Paul, MN to the LWR Warehouse

saving us the very expensive shipping and handling fees. Our church was able to get 24 quilts boxed and

up to Carefree before the deadline.

This year we were able to have a Thankoffering Service and we collected $1,812.00 to send to

churchwide in Chicago. This money helps support our justice and advocacy work which continues to go

on even in a pandemic.

Our circles are challenged and found meeting together difficult. Dorcas has met in the Fellowship Hall

and out on the patio with 3 to 4 in attendance. The Women of the ELCA have had a virtual zoom for the

Triennial Convention and monthly Bible Study helps online. The Grand Canyon Synod Women held a

book study online, discussing “Accidental Saints” by Nadia Bolz-Weber. 4 from our church took part in

this study which included 2 women from England.

LSS-SW put out a request for donations of towels and soap for their clients. When we brought our

donations to our local Sierra Vista office and inquired as to how the Cochise County clients were doing,

I was told that they were cold. The idea arose to give all of our prayer shawls that had been put away

since the beginning of the pandemic as repurposed warmth already filled with the prayers of the people.

35 neck warming shawls were donated.

Our women and men continue to keep in contact with each other and when a need arises, we have willing

and able folks who step in to help out. We may not be organized this year but we continue to study God's

Word and do justice in this world.

In Christ's Name,

Linda Radwick

41

WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE REPORT

2020 has been a different year for this committee. COVID 19 has put a monkey wrench in the plans of

worshipping at Sierra Lutheran Church. This committee has been meeting using ZOOM. Thank you,

Pastor Mark, for setting this up. We have had to come up with unique and unusual ways to worship and

not be together in the sanctuary; ways that would bring comfort, caring, and compassion to everyone.

We have made some difficult decisions. Thank you for your cooperation during this period of change

and decisions. The committee ordered and bought masks, a thermometer, sanitizer and station, and

individual communion cups. We wanted to make sure it is safe for everyone.

Christmas Eve service was a challenge as the church was closed again to all but essential people. I

thought that the committee planned a WONDERFUL service!! We hope that you also liked it. Thank

you, Larry and CJ, for all that work that went into taping and viewing the service. Thank you for all the

people who helped to make this service special: bell ringers, Billie, Pastor Mark, Intern Annela, Linda

Perry and the children, Dan Germaine, Altar guild, and lectors.

I want to thank the Worship and Music committee for all of their hard work and ideas to make our

worship services beautiful. The members are: Pastor Mark, Intern Annela, Mary Alexander, Diana

Galecke, Anna Bratlein, Linda Perry, Linda Radwick, Carl McCourt, Deb Koltveit, and Faye Toto.

Respectfully,

Beth Dechant

Chair of the Worship and Music Committee

42

MUSIC MINISTRY REPORT

2020 was another year of change for us, in the Music Ministry.

Sunny Fichtl, our interim director, purchased and was prepared to distribute the 2020 Easter cantata

(Come to the Cross and Remember, by Pepper Choplin) in early March.

And then, the world changed.

COVID-19 forced churches to close their physical doors and open virtual doors instead.

Our Music Committee (Sunny Fichtl, Deb Koltveit, Billie Hayes, Beth and Vickie) stepped down from

our positions so the church wouldn't have to pay us wages during this time. Billie was the sole exception,

since we (well, I) can't fathom having a service with no music, and therefore, an organist for the services.

At one point, we were able to open the physical doors to up to 40 people at the service. Alas, as infection

rates soared, we went back to virtual services.

We have had one singer at each service singing hymns since music is such a central part of our worship.

While not a perfect solution, it's better than nothing. Paul Gregory, Vickie Kiser, Beth Dechant, and

Doris Randolph were frequent contributors to that effort.

We restarted our handbell choir-since we're not singing or playing wind instruments, we're not

considered super spreaders, so we were able to grace one service a month with our offerings.

Billie Hayes is the current director, with logistical support from Linda Radwick and Lynette Nowlan.

Our sad news is that we lost two longtime choir members this year, Wedge Stewart and Virginia

Wickizer. We also lost our winter visitor member, Connie Olmsted; he was an important part of our

bass section.

It is our fervent hope that the world will return to some degree of normalcy in 2021.

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Koltveit