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First English Lutheran Church
P A R I S H C A L L E R
October 2019
FELC
Mission Statement
By the grace of God First
English Lutheran Church will
grow as one family of faith,
secure in the knowledge of
Christ’s gift of salvation,
proclaiming God’s love for all.
Dr. Stephen and Jodi Swanson,
Missionaries/Tanzania
Nancie Haukos, Youth & Children’s
Program Director
Mari Athey, Parish Secretary
Liz Ketz, Financial Secretary
Office: 839-2527/Fax: 839-3319 Email: [email protected] Website: www.firstenglish.net
Office hours: M/W 8:30 am–3:00 pm, T/TH/F 8:30-12:00 noon Building hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
First English Lutheran Church
9 NW 3rd Street
Ortonville, MN 56278
Return Service Requested
“Show us how to LOVE….and worship” “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is
like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
It is hard to believe that 3 full months have flown by since Pastor Dave’s retirement in
the midst of a global shut down due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Since that
time, we have continued to have services virtually, live in the parking lot on Wednesdays,
and most recently in-house at regular service time. While we do not have an interim pastor
to lead us, our Church Board, Lay Ministry Board, Worship Arts and Music Committee,
Evangelism Board, Christian Education and Youth and Family Boards, Church Properties
and Stewardship Boards, Parish Nurses, our capable staff and many volunteers have continued to step up to provide
worship opportunities and spiritual care to our congregation.
There are now several ways to access our services. You can watch them Live on Facebook or listen live on KDIO
radio at 9 a.m. We have had a couple of technical challenges but, feel like we are getting close to the quality you all
deserve. If you cannot worship Sunday morning, the videos of the services are on the church’s Facebook page and also
the church website: firstenglish.net. A huge thank you to our tech team. Archived music is being retrieved from previous
videos by Terry Kalberg so we can have songs with words during the service. The Gospel, Sermon, Communion and
Benediction are provided by Pastor Renee Tecklenberg from Corsica, SD via video which are recorded on Zoom weekly.
Hopefully in the future, we can meet her in person. We are thankful for her faithfulness and great sermons and she always
has a couple of jokes to share with us. We are always looking for volunteers to be part of this important ministry. Let us
know if you are interested.
Financially we are holding our own. The church was able to apply of the Federal Government back in April for
the Paycheck Protection Plan which allowed us to get a loan for payroll purposes. Our financial secretary Liz is in the
process of submitting the paperwork to have that loan forgiven. It has really helped. As you can imagine, our giving is
down under the circumstances so don’t forget, even if you don’t see the offering plate, your giving is still vitally
important. Thank you all for your faithfulness.
A transition team has been formed to help us get ready to move to the process of calling a new pastor. Our
congregation returned over 100 surveys that were sent out to assess the strengths and needs of our parish. Those results
are being reviewed and tabulated and along with other community information used to create a “Ministry Site Profile”.
This profile lets a potential pastor know what we are about, our area and our congregation’s expectations. Once approved
by our board, this document will go the Synod for approval and then we can move to the call process. The constitution
says, "A call committee of six voting members and the President of the Congregation shall be selected by the
Congregation Council when a pastoral vacancy occurs. Term of office will terminate upon installation of newly called
pastor." If you have an interest in serving in this capacity, please call the church office.
Even in this trying time of a pandemic, we remain hopeful for our future as a congregation, embracing new ways of
worship, continuing to put safety first in our facility and looking for opportunities to share God’s Love to our community.
Peace!
Becky Parker, Treasurer
YOUTH NEWS
October 2020
I hope all the kids are having a good first month of school. Even with the recent change for the older kids. Happy Grandparents Day to all that are Grandparents! I hope you had a great day! I have been working with the Board of Education quite a bit this month on trying to put a Sunday School plan in
place. We have some good ideas in the works, and you should be receiving a letter with details soon. We are still in search of someone to teach Confirmation. You will be notified when we have a plan in place for
this. I am also still working on ways to get Kids Club started. There a requite a
few things to work on with the social distancing and the volunteer aspect.
I have October 7th at 5:30 p.m. set for Youth Group ditch clean-up with a pizza party afterwards. This will be for all 8-12th grade youth that are able to help. If this changes, I will let you know.
There are so many things that are uncertain currently. I am trying my best to get everything running, but it is taking some time.
The Board of Education and myself delivered bibles to the 3-year-old’s and 3rd graders. I hope you saw their pictures during the September 27th worship service. Kids love their bibles!
Thank you to Steve and Lori Strei for their donation to the youth.
Thank you to all that donated for God’s work, Our hands.
You are all such a caring, kind bunch of people! Happy Fall! Stay healthy and happy, Nancie Haukos
Show Us How to LOVE
and worship
First English Lutheran Church- Council Minutes
September 2, 2020 Present: President Kristi Ehrenberg, Vice President Marilyn Chindvall, Treasurer Becky Parker, Amy
Hodenfield for Christian Education Board.
Action Items
The boards were to meet individually prior to this full council meeting. Written reports were submitted by
Church Properties and Youth and Family. The meeting began with a review of the Ministry Site Profile that is
being worked on by our Transition Team. The boards were asked to consider what things we do here at our
church (our stories) that we would consider unique and give a strong message to a potential pastor looking for a
call about the culture of First English Lutheran Church.
M/S/P Parker/Chindvall to approve the minutes of the August Council Meeting, M/S/P Chindvall/Parker to
approve the August Treasurer’s report.
Board Reports
Lay Ministry: Transition Team Report: The team has been working on filling out our Ministry Site Profile
using the information from the 108 congregational surveys received. All things "youth" was a predominant
theme throughout the surveys. The team continues to work with completing the community sections of the
profile as well as the financial information. The Synod has come out with their new recommendations
regarding salaries, etc. Pastor Catherine and Pastor Nissen both have offered their assistance with reviewing
and helping to complete our profile. Pastor Renee will continue to provide pulpit supply, as she has been,
through September. Lay assistants have been lined up for the month of September. Communion packs can be
picked up to have at home for communion Sundays. If in-house, follow the guidance of Pastor Renee as she
blesses the elements during the words of institution and once complete, place used supplies back in original bag
and dispose of upon exiting church. Plans are to complete staff
interviews in September or October, so they are completed by
November council meeting. Still working on confirmation date.
The WAM report was reviewed. M/S/P - Sara/Brent. The
secretary will continue with the 24 hour per week schedule until
a need for more hours arises. The Board of Lay Ministry will
meet again via Zoom on Monday, September 14, 2020, at 7 pm.
Christian Education: Confirmation interviews/Service: No
interviews are setup and we are awaiting a date for the service to
be scheduled. Confirmation Classes are not schedule yet as we
don’t have teachers yet. This is being addressed with a hopeful
starting date in October. Rally day – October 4th At the Refuge
Nature Hunt, will postpone to the next Sunday if weather is not
permissible. Fall SS curriculum/staffing needs/Calendar-
Planning to try large group 1x month in outdoor setting to allow
for Social Distancing. Take out boxed activities from church for
remaining Sundays. At the full board it was discussed that the Sunday School could use the whole basement to
be able to better social distance since we are not anticipating coffee hour any time soon. 3-year-old and 3rd
grade Bibles will be delivered on September 20th and correspond with the children’s sermon that day. First
Communion Update. Amy will hold classes for kids who have not finished on September 27th, TBD
Youth and Family: Their board did not meet, but Nancie indicated she is available and working in numerous
ways to help keep in touch with our youth.
Evangelism: No Report
Stewardship Board did not meet.
Evangelism Board did not meet.
Church Properties: Nitz Construction was contacted to give an estimate on the ridge cap and see if can be
completed by fall. 4 other contractors contacted said they would not have time. Status of the tuck point: still a
50/50 chance of completion this year. Seal the Narthex stained glass window, that’s part of the tuck-pointing
when we get a heavy rain. When they redid the windows, he said the windows are sealed up. Haven’t heard any
updates. It will likely not get done this year. Alley wiring work will get completed once the city completes the
street project. Sealcoating/crack-filling: Checking into this and couldn’t get ahold of anyone at Bituminous.
Not sure that we could get it done yet this year. Can likely get equipment from the highway department next
spring, if we want to wait until then.
Next meeting, Monday, October 5, 2020 with all boards in person, masks and social distancing at the church
beginning at 7 p.m. with council and one member of each board to follow.
Respectfully submitted,
Becky Parker
CHURCH NEWS PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND COMFORT
Marlow Hansen; Bev Jones; Brenda Kafka; Gerry Nypen; Mark Nypen; Gail Olson; Marlys Selvig; Ken
Simonitch; Aaron Smith; Anders Anderson; Paulette Bakeberg; Daryl Bell; Bennett Carlson; Christian Carlson;
Grayson Carlson; Matt Carlson; Clifford Christensen; Paul Erdman; Verden Gerber; Loren Grimm;
Larry Helgeson; Natalie Henneberg; Betty Hoeke; Angela Nelson; Linda Olson; Bella Rademacher;
Janice Redfield; Isaiah Tandoh; Reginae Tandoh; Dorothy Tangen; Vicki Torgerson; Terry Ward;
Kelvin Weber; and Michael Zinski. AT FAIRWAY VIEW NEIGHBORHOODS: Joan Block; Howard
Janssen; Eleanor Nickolauson; Betty Saeger; & Cheryl Wittnebel. ALL OUR MILITARY who are deployed
to areas of conflict. When names are added to the prayer list please include an address for the Day of Love
Ladies to send cards. Please let us know when a name should be removed.
KDIO BROADCASTS (sponsored . . . )
. . . (Sunday, September 6) memory of Donald & Joyce Koch from Kathy Haukos & family.
. . . (Sunday, September 13) in honor of the First English Lutheran Church Women.
. . . (Sunday, September 20) in honor of Donald Tiegs on his 90th birthday on September 16th. Sponsored by
Richard, Elizabeth, and Ross and their families.
. . . (Sunday, September 27) in memory of Dr. Roger and his wife, Evelyn Nolop.
SCHEDULING Keyboard/Organist Lay Assistant Lector Usher Out
October 4 Kathy Haukos Marilyn Hanson Marge Dragseth Vern Nickolauson
October 11 Carol Ydstie Pastor Kathryn Ranet Schmeichel Eldon Knutson
October 18 Lisa Berdan Ehrenberg’s Sara Mattison Darin Ehrenberg
October 25 Amy Adelman Liz Ketz Ellie Helgeson Harley Helgeson
ALTAR GUILD TEAMS –OCTOBER
Sacristy, Sanctuary, Banners & Surplices:
Fair Linens:
Brass Care:
Flower Committee:
Mary Weber, Anne Tonn
Evelyn Olson
Mary Lou Olson & Virginia Wildung
Kris Redfield, Julie Hipple
SCANDINAVIAN FOOD FAIR UPDATE
A sincere thank-you to those of you who have sent checks to the FELCW
for our “Virtual” 2020 Scandinavian Food Fair. It certainly has a different
ring to it, but 2020 has not been the “norm” for any of us. These funds and
any future funds donated to the FELCW in lieu of their donations to our
yearly Food Fair will be used for the gifts given by the women each year
to many organizations. If you desire to make a donation, you can leave it
at the church office, or you can call Ethel at 320-305-0825.
Kathy and I appreciate the support that has been given.
Stay safe…stay healthy. Blessings to all.
Kathy and Ethel
THANK YOU’SThank you for supporting FELCs giving emphasis!
January……………………………………………Technology Fund
February .................................................. Service Trip Scholarship
March …………………………. .. Big Stone Lake Area Food Shelf
April ........................................................ SWMN Funding Initiative
May ........ Global Missions - Companion Synod in South Africa
June .................................................................... Someplace Safe
July ....................................................................... Families in Need
August ................................................................... Baptism Chests
September ....................................................... Endowment Fund
October ........................................... Jaycees Project Christmas
November ................. God’s Work, Our Hands/Service Projects
December ....................................................... ELCA Missionaries
October 2020
Designated Funds
Building (please specify) $______
Operating Fund $______
Other Jaycees Project _ _
Christmas $______
Name_____________________________
First Communion 2020
Sunday September 27th the children who began their
First Communion classes last fall, completed their final
class in the first communion series.
The First Communion ceremony will be on
Sunday, October 11th at 9:00 a.m.
Pastor Kathryn will be leading the service.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions,
this worship service will only be for the
First Communion youth members and their immediate
families. We will be close to the suggested maximum
capacity with all the families and those working the service.
We will still be hosting the worship Sunday at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live,
KDIO, and Channel 3 on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Part of the Board of Lay Ministry’s job description says that the board is to:
Ensure that a pastoral relations committee is active and that it offers verbal encouragement and/or
directions to the pastor(s). Current members of this committee are Garry Swenson, Nancy Nolop,
Scott Simonitch, and Shannon Millerbernd.
If any congregant has an issue and doesn’t feel they can talk directly to the Pastor, they are invited
to speak to one of the committee members. Please consider this an open invitation; both negative
and positive comments are welcome. The committee meets with the Pastor twice each year, more
frequently if necessary. Thank you to those willing to serve in this capacity.
‘As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s
work of restoring and reconciling
communities in Jesus Christ’s name
throughout the world.’
Thank you so very much for all
your cards and calls with Mark’s
passing in late August. Cathy, Joe,
and I appreciated it.
Sharron Johnson
With the increasing number of COVID-19
outbreaks, we ask that you please stay home
if you are feeling ill or showing any symptoms.
If you do happen to come to service and
find out you have tested positive for COVID-
19, you need to call the church immediately
so we can begin calling the other members
who were present that Sunday. If you have
any questions, please feel free to call the
church office 839-2527.
Due to the increase in technology services, we are
asking anyone who has an interest in helping run our
technology desk to please give our office a call. There
are many different types of jobs with all sorts of
different experience levels. We would really love to
have extra help. We will train you!
THE TIME FOR FALL FEASTING IS UPON US
Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting their annual Ol’ Settlers’ Supper
on Saturday, October 3rd from 5-7p.m. This is a drive thru only
event. To-go meals will be available for $10 each.
Menu
*roast beef *mashed potatoes *gravy *sausages
*glazed carrots *sauerkraut *bread *pie (pumpkin or apple).
For meal reservations please call the church
office 320-839-3422 or Betty at 320-305-0353.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 341 Park Street, Ortonville, MN
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
October 2020 ✞ ✞ ✞First English Lutheran Church
Daily Lenten Devotions are available @ www.firstenglish.net - click on “Weekly Schedule & Daily Devotions”
1
2 9:00 am Bulletin Printed
3
4 9:00 am Worship – Communion -
KDIO Broadcast
10:30 am Rally Sunday at Big Stone
Refuge
510:00 am Staff Mtg.
7:00 pm Council (at
church)
6
7 9:30 am TV Broadcast
5:30 pm TV Broadcast
8
99:00 am Bulletin Printed 10
11 9:00 am Worship – First
Communion - KDIO Broadcast
(worship serviced closed to First
Communion families only)
12 10:00 am Staff Meeting
13 14 9:30 am TV Broadcast
5:30 pm TV Broadcast
15
16 9:00 am Bulletin Printed
17
18 9:00 am Contemporary
Worship – Mission Emphasis Sunday -
KDIO Broadcast
19 10:00 am Staff Meeting
20
21 9:30 am TV Broadcast
5:30 pm TV Broadcast
Newsletter Deadline
22 23 9:00 am Bulletin Printed 24
25 9:00 am Worship – KDIO
Broadcast
10:30 Confirmation
26 10:00 am Staff Meeting
27
28 9:30 am TV Broadcast
5:30 pm TV Broadcast
29 30 31