“The Mission of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is to be a place where Christ’s love is proclaimed as we welcome, worship, learn, and serve together.”

Maintenance or Mission? Our Savior’s Lutheran church has never been a place where we simply “get-by”, “go through the motions”, or “maintain”. Our Savior’s has a rich history and tradition of reaching out and reaching forward in mission. I’m not sure where I got this information about the difference between a maintenance congregation and a mission congregation, but I think the information is good and I want to share it with you.

1. In measuring effectiveness, the maintenance congregation asks, “How many pastoral visits are being made? The mission congregation asks, “How many disciples are being made?”

2. When contemplating change, the maintenance congregation says, “If this proves upsetting to any of our members, we won’t do it.” The mission congregation says, “If this will help us reach someone on the outside, we will take the risk and do it.”

3. When thinking about change, the majority of members in a maintenance congregation ask, “How will this affect me?” The majority of members in the mission congregation ask, “Will this increase our ability to reach new people?”

4. When thinking of its vision for ministry, the maintenance congregation says, “We have to be faithful to our past.” The mission congregation says, “We have to be faithful to our future.”

5. The pastor in the maintenance congregation says to the newcomer, “I’d like to introduce you to some of our members.” In the mission congregation the members say, “We’d like to introduce you to our pastor.”

6. The leadership style in the maintenance congregation is primarily managerial, where leaders try to keep everything in order and running smoothly. The leadership style in a mission congregation is primarily transformational, casting a vision of what can be, and marching of the map in order to bring the vision to reality.

7. The maintenance congregation is concerned with their congregation, its organizations and structure, its constitutions and committees. The mission congregation is concerned with the culture, with understanding how secular people think and what makes them tick. It tries to determine their needs and their points of accessibility to the Gospel.

8. When thinking about growth, the maintenance congregation asks, “How many Lutherans live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?” The mission congregation asks, “How many

unchurched people live within a twenty minute drive of this church?” 9. The maintenance congregation looks at the community and asks, “How can we get these people

to support our congregation?” The mission congregation askes, “How can the Church support

these people?” 10. The maintenance congregation thinks about “How can we save this congregation?” The mission

congregation asks, “How can we reach the world?” I’m glad to be in mission with all of you! -Pastor Joe

November, 2015

Steeple Talk Volume 35; Issue 10

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

204 East Caledonia Ave

Hillsboro, ND 58045

PASTORAL ACTS

Baptisms: Colton James Hovey Son of Marcus and Heather Hovey Born: September 2, 2015, Fargo, North Dakota Baptized: October 11, 2015 Godparents: Todd and Kari Carlson Olive Rae Nelson Daughter of Daniel and Sarah Nelson Born: August 25, 2015, Fargo, North Dakota Baptized: October 18, 2015 Godparents: Nick and Abbey Morton Gaven Nelson, Sam Moen Leila Rita Carlson Daughter of Todd and Kari Carlson Born: July 18, 2015, Fargo, North Dakota Baptized: October 18, 2015 Godparents: Marcus and Heather Hovey

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY—NOVEMBER 1

“I am the resurrection and the life. All who believe in me will, even though they die;

whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25

Sunday, November 1st in the Church Year is All Saints Sunday, a time to look back and remember those who have gone before us and now live in the full presence of God. It is a specific time for the whole church to remember the loved ones who were part of your family. Listed below are the names of everyone whose funerals have been through Our Savior’s in the past 12 months.

Hilda Bagstad, Carroll Borke, Ralph Engel, Allen Goshinska, Charles “Chuck” Jones, Mabel Mergenthal, Vernon Olsen, Barbara Prestegord, Violet Skogen, Beverly Sveen, Paula Pearl Swenson, Frederick ‘Kermit’ Bruun

Christmas Poinsettias This year you again have an opportunity to purchase a Christmas Poinsettia to beautify our church.

All gifts will be acknowledged in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Each plant will cost $17.00

Please fill out the order form below and return it along with your payment (checks payable to OSLC) to the church office no later than Friday, November 20th.

A Christmas Poinsettia given in…

Memory of:__________________________________________________________________________ or

Honor of:____________________________________________________________________________ or

Celebration of:_______________________________________________________________________

GIVEN BY:____________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your generosity!

Deaths: Violet Skogen Born: April 26, 1915 Place of Birth: Scobey, Montana Died: October 7, 2015 Funeral: October 12, 2015 Interment: Riverside Cemetery Hillsboro, ND Adult Baptism: Tina Marie Roeszler Baptized: October 11, 2015 Sponsors: Jon and Joy McSparron

OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH

Council Minutes October 12, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call: Pr. Joe Johnson, Pr. Siri Strommen Campbell, Dave Nelson, Beth Christianson-Melby, Darin

Oanes, John Miller, Jason Lovas, Sam Schultz, Fara Nathan, Mia Kozojed, and Randy Lemm 1. Devotions – Pastor Joe led us in devotions from Acts.

2. Call to Order: Noting a quorum, President Dave Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:07p.m.

3. Confirmation of Agenda – Jason Lovas moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Randy Lemm. All in favor, motion carried.

4. Old Business – a. Harvest Party – the Harvest Party will be held on October 18 at Justin & Laura Grinde’s Farm in Kelso, starting at 12:00 noon.

5. New Business – a. Fall Conference Meeting – Nov 1, 2015 @ 3:00 p.m. – All Council members are voting members in

the Mayville Conference. We hope to have a good representation from Our Savior’s.

6. Pastor Joe’s Report – Rally Sunday and the annual block party was again a success. We dedicated the landscaping project, had a meal, and the kids enjoyed the inflatable games. Pastor Siri and I attended the Fall Leadership Conference at Fair Hills Sept 14-16. Wednesday evening programing started September 16 and is off to a great start. We implemented several new safety precautions in an effort to keep our youth and children as safe as possible. We attended the Middle School Castaway retreat September 18-20. This year we only had one middle school student attend, but we had three high school students participate in leadership roles. We participated in See You at the Pole day of prayer at the high school on September 23 and had a turnout of about 50 students. We attended the Sr. High Castaway Retreat September 25-27 and had a total of 24 participants from OSLC. I took three days of vacation October 4-6. On October 11 we attended the 10th grade confirmation retreat to finalize plans for faith statements, presentations, and confirmation Sunday. Faith Statements will be presented on October 21. In the past week I have had a committal service, a funeral and two baptisms. We have four more baptisms scheduled.

7. Pastor Siri’s Report – This Sunday is World Food Sunday, when we take a special offering for ELCA World Hunger. This amazing non-profit gives both immediate relief around the world as well as supports programs for sustainable devel-opment. This work isn’t just for developing countries but right here in America as well. Programs addressing hunger are supported by grants from ELCA World Hunger.

Sunday and Wednesday night programming are doing well, with many children and youth and lots of adult volunteers.

8. Treasurer’s Report – Jason Lovas discussed the statement of income and expense by account, and dedicated accounts. He reported that expenses exceed income by $1,497 (year-to-date). The loan for the landscaping project has been set up at The Goose River Bank. The balance of the Media Fund dedicated account is $3,635. Darin Oanes moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Sam Schultz seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

9. Deacon’s Report – a. Landscaping project fundraising – If anyone would like to donate to the landscaping project, please

contact Pastor Joe.

10. Trustees’ Report – a. A sweeper is on order. b. Sidewalk Crossing Sign – We are working with the City of Hillsboro to clarify the rules on putting a

crosswalk sign in the middle of Caledonia Avenue to keep pedestrians safe.

c. Trustees are ordering two benches in the near future. d. Staff will put together some friendly building use guidelines.

11. Committee Reports – a. Media – Sam Schultz is now the liaison to this committee. b. Parish Nurse – The security system has been installed and staff has been trained. c. WELCA – Looking at how to get younger members involved.

12. Secretary’s Report a. Correspondence – We received a thank you notes from Christus Rex for our participation in the

backpack projects. b. Approval of minutes – Jason Lovas moved to approve the secretary’s report as presented. John

Miller seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

13. Announcements/Upcoming events: a. Sunday, November 1 – Mayville Conference Meeting @ 3:00 p.m. b. Thursday, November 5 – Executive Committee @ 5:30 p.m. c. Sunday, November 15 – Council Meeting @ 12:00 noon

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

OCTOBER 2015 MEMORIAL REPORT

Thank you to all who gave memorials, Tammy Nelson, Memorial Secretary

Dedicated Memorial Accounts – General Account, Resource/Welcome Center, Media Ministry (radio

broadcast), World Missions (700 Mission), Building and Grounds, Capital Improvements, Youth Group,

National Youth Gathering/Mission Trips, Christian Education (Sunday School), OSLC Choir, OSLC

Bands, OSLC Bell Choir, Parish Nurse, WELCA, WELCA- Kitchen, Library or Altar, Our Savior’s

Endowment Fund, Blanchard Endowment Fund, LEAF/Bible Camp Scholarships, Landscaping Project

MEDIA FUND – In memory of Harold Hage, given by Mavis Johnson and M/M Lynn Foss; in memory of Bob

Larson, given by M/M Tom Olsen; in memory of Harvey McMullen, given by M/M Gerald Boeddeker; in

memory of Vi Skogen, given by M/M Bob Hertwig and Mavis Johnson; in memory of Susan Kale, given by Ruth

Siegert; in memory of Hilda Bagstad, given by Ruth Siegert, Naomi Borke, Art Grove Trust, Charlotte Engel,

Elizabeth Hanson, Lois Tweten Hanson, M/M Dave Ferguson; in memory of Joan Reilly (Deb Rathke’s Mom),

given by Mable Hall, Rev./Mrs. Fred Hinkelmann, M/M George Melville, M/M John Reilly

GENERAL ACCT. – In memory of Sharon Baker, given by Blenda Gilbertson; in memory of Hilda Bagstad,

given by M/M Terry Dullum, M/M Floyd Dullum

WELCA – In memory of Hilda Bagstad, given by M/M Lynn Foss; in memory of Vi Skogen, given by M/M

Roger Anderson, Sonia Gullicks and Juliet Thoreson

WORLD MISSIONS - In memory of Hilda Bagstad, given by Eunice Ydstie; in memory of Vi Skogen, given by

M/M Duane Sorum

LANDSCAPING PROJECT – In memory of Hilda Bagstad, given by M/M Edwin Olsen; in memory of Susan

Kale, given by M/M Norman Oie, in memory of Vi Skogen, given by M/M Norman Oie and M/M Duane

Nysveen

NURSE’S NOTES

Brenda Stallman, RN, Parish Nurse

Diabetes: Understand your Risk & Get Screened

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 11 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 29 million people. And another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or are age 45 or older, you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making healthy changes can greatly lower your risk.

Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications & harmful effects of diabetes such as damage to the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nervous system, teeth and gums, feet and skin, or kidneys. Studies show that keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels close to normal can help prevent or delay these problems of diabetes. The only way to diagnose diabetes is through a blood test. Screening tests are available at your local public health department; or a more comprehensive test can be obtained through your doctor’s office.

Spreading Seeds of Kindness Visiting family & friends in a nursing home can be difficult when conversing becomes less spontaneous due to a diminished ability to speak or understand spoken words. While visiting a long term care facility recently, live accordion music and singing drew me to the activity room where dedicated volunteers were leading residents by holding hands, dancing with wheelchairs, or guiding them with walkers to the beat of the music. Happy residents were singing along, smiling, tapping feet and fingers and sharing communication through music that required no words. Residents, visitors, and staff found true joy through the selfless sharing of a talent for and a love of music.

Hospice of the Red River Valley is looking for individuals to join our volunteer team!

The volunteer program at Hospice of the Red River Valley provides essential support in our day-to-day work. Volunteers can choose how they would like to help provide compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families through companionship visits, haircuts, running errands, light housekeeping, massage therapy, fixing meals, pet therapy and many other ways.

Hospice provides a flexible volunteer schedule. To apply to our volunteer program, download the application at www.hrrv.org/volunteer. For more information, contact Nikki Dukart at 701-740-0370 or ndukart@hrrv.org.

Common symptoms of diabetes:

Urinating often

Feeling very thirsty

Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating

Extreme fatigue

Blurry vision

Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

Weight loss - even though you are eating more (type 1)

Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

To help prevent type 2 diabetes: Watch your weight Eat healthy Get more physical activity

WELCA Our Savior’s WELCA met October 1, 2015 with Vice President Ruth Siegert presiding. The meeting was opened with the WELCA Mission Statement.

Treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved.

Thank you’s were read.

Old Business: Reminded of Meatball Dinner on Sunday, October 4th.

New Business: 1) December Luncheon is Saturday, December 5th. Sarah Work Group is serving. Those interested in being a hostess contact Marlene Oie. Also those interested in attending contact Marlene Oie. It was suggested that everyone coming bring a Food Pantry item.

2) December WELCA Meeting will be moved to the second Thursday, December 10th with Potluck.

3) OCC Shoeboxes should be at the church by Wednesday, November 4th.

4) The box for Gifts for Jamestown Hospital is in dining room. There is a list of gift items they would like. Please leave them unwrapped.

5) Wednesday, October 14th has been set to clean kitchen and pantry. We will begin at 9:00am. Bring a pail and rags.

6) There was discussion of those using the kitchen and dining room to leave them clean like they found them. It was suggested if children are using glue, pens, crayons or markers to cover the tables with the old table cloths or paper.

Bible study was led by Pastor Siri on Exodus 3:1-15. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God identifies Moses as a Hebrew. He was to tell them the Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent him.

Thank you’s and assignments were read.

Meeting closed by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Sec Pro tem, Eleanor Holland

Thanks for a Great Meatball Dinner! The Meatball Dinner was a great success. We served 261 meals in the dining room and 447 carry-out/delivered meals. We would like to thank all the volunteers who prepared, cooked, set-up, served, and cleaned up. You are more than 100 strong and we couldn't do it without you.

Thank you, OSLC WELCA, Kathy Evenson and Bobby Svaleson; Co-chairs.

Weekly Yoga with Pastor Siri Yoga is about honoring your body and learning your limits. It’s about laughing at your-self instead of judging yourself when you fall over or struggle with a pose. Yoga builds flexibility, strength, and balance, but it also teaches you to be gentle with yourself, to find what feels good, to let go of competitiveness, and love being in your body. It’s about being in the moment. Yoga is practice, not performance. All are welcome to come weekly to PRACTICE yoga, and grow together. SUNDAY NIGHTS: 7pm. As always, I have mats available if you just want to try it out.

Our Savior’s has been selling Fair Trade items in our congregation for several years. Usually items such as coffee, chocolate and tea are availa-ble for purchase between services on the second Sunday of the month. Fair Trade is a part of Lutheran World Relief and is explained in the article following:

What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade ensures that small-scale farmers—men and women—are given a fair and dependable price for their crops. They gain access to fair credit that helps in creating a more sustainable livelihood. Their cooperatives, democratically run organi-zations, give farmers a stronger voice to negotiate fair prices and make sure children are protected from forced labor.

Farmers reinvest social premiums from Fair Trade into their communities through projects such as clean water systems, disaster response and solar power. Fair Trade uplifts not only the farmers but also entire farming communities!

Fair Trade encourages more ecologically sustainable farming practices, which cares for God’s creation and ensures that the farmers’ land will be rich and fruitful for generations to come.

Why Does Fair Trade Matter to LWR? Lutheran World Relief has been working since 1945 to bring an end to poverty, injustice and human suffering around the world. One of the most powerful ways we do that together is by working with smallholder farmers so that they can increase their ability to provide for their families and communities. We have seen around the world that Fair Trade can be an important tool in that mission, and Fair Trade also provides you and your community with an easy way to be directly involved as conscious consumers.

Why Bring Fair Trade to My Church? Fair Trade delivers delicious high-quality coffee and chocolate that reflects our faith and how we live in community with all God’s children. Whether served at church or purchased by members to use at home or as gifts for loved ones, Fair Trade products offer opportunity to be good stewards for all God’s creation.

Here is a Producer Partner Profile for the Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative Enterprise. We use Fair Trade Coffee for events at OSLC, thus we are using coffee producers as our first profile. The coffee is purchased by WELCA and you are

participating when you enjoy coffee hour on Sundays and contribute your money.

PRODUCTS: COFFEE Coffee farming is a main source of income for farmers living on Mt. Elgon, Uganda’s highest mountain along the Kenya border. Coffee is also Uganda’s most important export crop. Yet low prices, low yields and poor product quality left small-scale farmers struggling to make a profitable living in coffee farming.

Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative Enterprise Limited formed in the late 1990s to help coffee farmers improve the quality of their crop, which would, in turn, increase the farmers’ income.

Now numbering more than 6,000, Gumutindo members participate in quality-improvement seminars and practice traditional cultivation and processing methods to produce the highest-quality coffee. This includes proper pruning, picking and drying techniques, as well as the use of organic fertilizers and terracing to prevent soil erosion and water runoff. Mt. Elgon’s rich, fertile soil and subtropical climate create an ideal environment for growing high-quality coffee, but farmers also “intercrop” with cassava, beans, banana, sweet potato and avocado for their own use. This intercropping helps improve the quality of the land and creates shade for the coffee trees.

Gumutindo is also strongly committed to gender equity and has women serving at all levels of leadership in the organization.

With profits from Fair Trade sales, Gumutindo:

Builds warehouses for securely storing coffee harvests

Distributes farming tools and coffee seedlings to its members

Installs solar panels and water tanks

World Missions

Wish I could give better news from the CAR, but violence and displaced people continues. In fact recently UN Forces were attacked, one member shot dead and another wounded, when armed rebels attacked them on the road near Bangui. Relief supplies have been broken into and some relief workers have been sent out of the country because of security risks. Obviously the UN security forces do not have things under control. I have seen no more info about holding elections. There have been press releases that indicate the Pope will visit Bangui in the near future, despite the security concerns. We must continue to pray for our “brothers and sisters” there and their country.

I have just received the information on the world missions account and find that we have collected $4,088.60 in donations so far this year. We have contracted to pay $4,000 in missionary support for Susan Smith, thus have raised only a little over that amount. This is less than the past several years donations.

We are again printing some of Susan’s blogs, so you can follow her day to day activities. In His Service, Sylvia Hansen World Missions Committee

SUSAN IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Deux Fetes September 26, 2015

Installation Last April Pastor Djidere Nguembe Nestor was elected regional bishop for our area (the East Region). Although he began his work this summer, his official installation was Sun-day, September 20, 2015. An installation is a huge celebration as well as the formal event during the Sunday liturgy. (On a personal level, this event was significant since I have known Bishop Nestor since I came to live in Garoua Boulai a couple of years ago and he was Director of the Bible School.) Here’s a picture of me in the new dress I bought for the two celebrations described here.

As you might imagine, lots of planning and work goes into organizing such a fete (celebration). Relatives and supporters came from all over. The national bishop was here to do the installing.

One of the first big questions was where to hold the liturgy. With a couple of thousand people expected, would they fit in the church? The areas outside the church and by the Bible School were certainly large enough and also considered, but this is the end of the rainy season when the rains are frequent and often intense. In the end, the church was filled with chairs – fancy and plastic – with the benches set up outside the door under tents. In the end over 1,400 people attended! Holding the service inside the church was a good choice as heavy rains came part way through the service. Rain came sideways at times because of the wind and mist even those of us inside and not too close to the windows. I am sure those outside got wet, but at least it wasn’t everyone and the service could continue.

The protocol committee set up seating and directed people to appropriate places which were marked with names on sticky notes. When expecting so many people, it is important to use all available space. I know, too, that being upfront is an honor. And, though honor dictates that I sit on the side upfront, I have to say, it is not my preferred place to be. Unfortu-nately, it is difficult to see much of anything. The sound system was set up (with one large speaker close to my seat) and worked pretty well. (Unfortunately, the huge speakers and the system often generate a fair amount of distortion. At least it wasn’t too loud.)

The liturgy was standard with the addition of the installation. The national bishop installed Bishop Nestor; then the regional bishop installed his assistant. That part was much like I imagine it would be in the USA although in French, of course. The outgoing bishop preached the sermon. Then, time was added into the service for people to bring gifts to the new bishop and his assistant. These people also greeted the newly installed officials. (That took a significant amount of time!) The service ended with various people making remarks. (I don’t think we do that in the US, but I’m not sure… I’m not usually present at bishops’ installations!) The whole service lasted about three hours.

The celebration actually started the night before the liturgy. People from out of town, of course, arrived the day before. I don’t know where they were all housed, but know that the guest houses were full and I am sure members of the congrega-tion hosted people. Many people gathered at the bishop’s house – across the street from me. Music and singing started at about 7 p.m. They used the sound system – turned up very loud; it was at a comfortable listening level for me in my living

room! The celebration continued into the night. At about 2:30 a.m. the rain started and the amplification ended. I thought everyone would turn in for some sleep, but about 10 minutes later the a cappella singing started; fortunately for me, it wasn’t nearly as loud. Celebrate! (Yes, I got intermittent sleep – and it was quiet when I woke up at 6 a.m.)

Now, imagine feeding all the guests after the liturgy. Wow. Women cooked over outdoor wood fires for hours and created a huge spread. Invited guests, mostly from out of town, but including people like me, ate at the EELC Social Center. We could choose from lots of options: beef, fish, chicken, boa constrictor, monkey, plantains, manioc, yams, pasta salad, toma-to salad… They had two buffet tables set up in two different rooms. (One with china plates and one with plastic disposables – imagine all the clean-up required, too!) Local guests were invited to the bishop’s house for sandwiches. (That is what was announced; I didn’t see what they served.) A huge thank you to all the women who worked hard to feed the multitude.

Many participants left Sunday afternoon although some stayed until Monday. We are still settling back into routines after all the excitement.

Fete des Moutons Thursday, September 24 was Eid al-Adha, Arabic meaning Festival of Sacrifice. This Muslim holiday commemorates when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son – and at the last minute God came to him and said not to kill him as the sacrifice was already accepted. Tradition says that the food is to be divided in thirds for family, relatives/friends/neighbors, and the poor/needy. Here in Cameroon, it is often called the festival of the sheep because many people share this meat for their celebration. In GB there is a religious celebration outside of town and lots of celebrations with family and friends. This holiday also marks the end of the traditional time to make a hajj – a trip to Mecca and Medina which is required of all Muslims who are able.

The “Fete des Moutons” is a national holiday in Cameroon so most stores, schools, and government offices are closed.

This year, for the first time, I was invited to share a meal with some Muslim friends. Sani invited me and arranged for his friend to pick me up in his car. (He doesn’t live too far away; the house is at the other end of town.) Food was ready as I arrived about 3:30 p.m. We had mutton, goat, pasta with plantains, salad, tea, Coke, and water. They served me first on three heaping plates. Then they dumped the other food onto a large tray from which they ate. I appreciated the acknowl-edgement of my cultural norms, but assured them I could eat from the tray with them, as is their tradition. (Plus, they had given me enough food for at least three people – by putting it back into the common tray, I could eat my fill and not feel obliged to try to eat more than my share!)

I found the arrangement in the house interesting. On entering the house, there is an entry way with part that leads to the rest of the house. On the right was a room with rugs, a mat, pillows and a television. Beside the hall was a small, room where we ate. It was enclosed by bars dividing it from the rest of the house and had a door – also grill work – that could be padlocked. In the room were four of the ubiquitous plastic chairs with a matching plastic table. There was no room for people to move around the table once we were seated.

During the meal, we chatted – often with me answering questions about the USA and our culture. After we ate, we moved to the TV room and watched the news. Did you hear about the tragedy in Mina, near Mecca? There was a stampede crushing many people – over 700 dead and 800 more wounded. People from all over the world died, including seven Cameroonians. I am told that no one from Garoua Boulai who went was involved. Saudi Arabia has the huge task of preparing for 2-3 million visitors and is trying to plan for up to 9 million in future years. What a very sad occurrence this year. My heart goes out to the affected families and friends.

You might wonder why I participated at all in this festival; I am a Christian after all. I believe that our best chance for lasting peace in this world begins at the local level. We must all be willing to listen to and interact with our neighbors, especially those who are different from us. We must know them and see them as fellow human beings who share the same feelings, problems, hopes, and joys. I don’t expect to convert or be converted in the conversations I have with my Muslim friends in Garoua Boulai, but I do hope to promote understanding, peace, and a strong willingness to work together. (Interesting note: when talking to some of these Muslim friends about the continuing road insecurity in CAR, two of them told me that they would come and get me if ever I were taken hostage! OK... Of course, I am never going to be in a place where hostage-taking is remotely possible, but isn’t it a sign of friendship that these “strangers” or “others” would be willing to put them-selves at risk for me??) Many thanks to Sani and his family for a delightful afternoon and the offer of friendship. SUSAN IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Visitors October 7, 2015

Periodically, we in the "field" are visited by others from ELCA Global Missions. We were pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker, Regional Program Director (based in Chicago), Anne Langdji, Regional Representative based in Yaoundé, and Dana Dutcher, the woman in charge of Synod-local church relations (sorry, Dana, I don’t remember your official title!) who is also based in Chicago. They spent a couple of weeks in Cameroon, but given the continuing (and sometimes worsening) insecurity in the Central African Republic they could not even consider going there.

These visitors visited Yaoundé, N’gaoundéré and Garoua Boulai with a couple of other places in between. I was with them in GB and Nandangue. Lots of visits and conversation.

We went to visit the Bible School Friday afternoon. All the students and professors welcomed us with a couple of hymns in Gbaya. This included the catechists-to-be, their spouses, the Director and both other teachers of the student-catechists as well as their wives who teach the spouses. We had formal introductions and some conversa-tion. Here’s a picture of the teachers and visitors.

Saturday morning, we went to the palm oil plantation that the Bible School has started to help fund the institution. The palm plants won’t produce oil until Year 4. (They are now starting Year 3.) In addition, though, they plant some food crops to help feed the students (and teachers) and to sell.

The team then visited the hospital with Drs. Solofo and Joely Rako-toarivelo. I have been there (living next door!) so I went to the market to get some veggies for lunch. They had a great time seeing chang-es and talking with people there.

During the rest of the day, Andrea met with missionaries individually, including Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Johnson who came for the day from Meiganga. In the evening the hospital hosted a dinner. They gave Andrea, Anne, and Dana a gift of material and we had wonderful food.

Sunday, the visitors headed back to Yaoundé but the plan was to stop in Nan-dangue (½ hour from GB) for the church service. The regional bishop and I went along as did the Mayor of GB. She is a Lutheran and very supportive of the church. (This is also her home village.) What an eventful stop! For this day, the four ELCA women wore “Femme pour Christ” – women for Christ material. Since I don’t own any, Dana lent me a pagne.

First of all, as is usual in Gbaya culture, we were met and invited into the house next to the church (I am not sure if it is for the catechist, evangelist or pastor). We were offered coffee or tea (which I expected), but also scrambled eggs and bread! (We had had some at my house, too…) Church leaders were with those of us coming from Garoua Boulai. What a warm welcome!

The liturgy began, also as usual, with the choirs processing in with church leaders and visitors following behind. Palms were woven with leaves of another plant to form the decorations around the entry. We found out later that 400 people par-ticipated. The service was in a mixture of French and Gbaya. Normally, it would be only Gbaya, but they added the French for us. The church is set up with three groups of benches for the congregation, some benches upfront on the sides for choirs, and chairs further in the front on the sides for important people. The regional bishop and his assistant (who was liturgist) sat behind the altar facing the people. (All of this is typical.)

It is also typical in October to have lots of rain storms. It is one of the signs of the approaching dry season. Still, in GB we have been having heavy rains in the afternoon, night and early mornings. This Sunday, the heavy rains came about 11 a.m. in the middle of our service. The church is beautiful with a corrugated tin roof that ELCA congregations from South Dakota helped fund, but they don’t yet have windows. There are openings, but not shutter type windows. This is an important detail when strong rains with high winds begin. Suddenly the choir on the right of the altar brought a bench and sat on the other side (sharing some benches and using the one they brought). Then, the faithful sitting on the right pews/benches moved to the middle. The rain was coming sideways into the building. Soon after that, the people in the middle all moved to the left! Now people were in the last section and the aisle. Even those of us upfront on the left could feel the mists of rain! In addition, rain on a tin roof is very loud. It was impossible for us to hear in our corner. I think some people could hear; I only know that the liturgist was speaking Gbaya.

After about 20 minutes, the rains abated; now falling straight down at a much slower rate. We could hear again. The children were sent back to the right (wet) benches to clear the aisles and worship continued with communion. After the service we visitors were given gifts of cloth.

After the service as we left the sanctuary, there was a lake outside where there had only been dirt upon our arrival. We picked our way back to the house where we were given lunch. Fish, beef, rice, manioc… prepared by different women of the church. Andrea, Anne, and Dana left for Yaoundé with at least seven and a half hours to drive (somewhat later than anticipated, but they made it safely). The mayor left for GB with her children. The regional bishop and I stayed a bit longer to let the people know that their hospitality was welcome and to chat.

As we left, we discovered a problem. We had all parked under a huge mango tree as is the custom when it is sunny; it provides great shade. Of course, we hadn’t anticipated the storm. The high winds knocked a branch out of the tree onto the Land Cruiser I was driving. There is now a small dent in the hood and a huge network of cracks in the windshield. It will have to be replaced – maybe in N’gaoundéré – three hours away – or maybe in Yaoundé eight hours away. (Yes, we made it back to Garoua Boulai with no difficulty.) And, now the battery in the Cameroonian truck I have has gone dead.

There is a slight chance we can find a good one here, if not, it will again be N’gaoundéré or Yaoundé. Little is easy, but much is possible.

Still, overall, we had a great visit. All is well that ends well. SUSAN IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Rain! October 13, 2015

As I sit down to write this entry a storm is brewing – lots of wind, the beginning of raindrops falling, the scent of wet earth in the air, and there’s the first thunder – still pretty far away. Yep, it’s the end of the rainy season when there is LOTS of rain and thunderstorms! I know I have said this in past years, but it still surprises me that rains increase as the dry season comes. My “common sense” expects the rains to taper off and then stop. Not here! Can anyone explain this weather phenomenon? I need to update my common sense.

I love to listen to the rain and to watch the storms, but first I’d better get ready:

Unplug the microwave – check (I keep it unplugged when not in use anyway.)

Unplug the computer and printer – check (I can still work with the battery.)

Check the windows where rain is likely to come in – check (The curtains are blowing, sometimes straight out! But I shouldn’t get wet because the porch protects these windows.)

Oops. Just heard the front door slam. I forgot to prop it open or close it myself. The back door is propped open so I can better see the rain. (The same porch makes it so the rain doesn’t get in.)

This region of Cameroon and the Central African Republic has one of the highest number of lightning strikes in the world. This storm is just gearing up. Sunday evening, though, we had a serious storm. Same build-up, but a little faster. Then as the lightning and thunder got closer suddenly there was a lightning strike with thunder at the same time. Bam! It made me jump even though I knew it was coming. And, at the same time, the electricity went out. This has happened before.

Fortunately, there is a huge circuit breaker for the house that helps protect me. It popped. (Even with this protection, everything should be unplugged. I have heard stories of a lightning strike travelling down wires and jumping several feet to fry computers. This is strong stuff.) This time, something else popped, too. I don’t know where the lightning hit, but electricity for our neighborhood went out. The next day I found out it went out for most for the whole town, too. Get out the candles and battery lamps.

Sitting in the candlelight watching the storm is inspiring. These storms make me think of the power of God. At times destructive, but not malicious. At the same time, life bringing.

Sunday, the electricity came back at 10:30 p.m. – after three hours. (After the storm passed, I reset the circuit breaker so that when electricity came back on, it came into the house, too. The appliances were still unplugged so they would be no problem if the electricity surges when coming back on.) Then it was out again when I woke up, but back by 7 a.m.

No wonder it is hard to keep the grass cut at this time of year. With daily hard rains that can last hours, grass grows as you watch it (almost) and mud is every-where. Watch out, much of the “dirt” is clay based and slippery when wet.

I started writing this just before 3 p.m., and I thought that I might or might not get to the Bible Study in the student housing camp at 4:30. If it is raining, everyone knows that activities are postponed. We are reading the book of Genesis – Chapter 3 today. Want to join us? Send commentary, comments, and questions. I’ll share them with the students.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT FORUMS (re-scheduled)

As Christians and as caring adults, we are called to understand the disturbing rise of sex trafficking in North Dakota.

We are called to rethink our ignorance of the effects prostitution, pornogra-phy, and strip clubs have on both men and women.

This is not something we want to talk about. But we must. For the sake of the next generation of men and women.

We welcome Windi Lazanko, founder of 4HERND, to come and speak to our youth, parents, and adults on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30pm. She will give us good information, an inspiring message, and hope.

Anyone and Everyone can receive the Steeple Talk

Newsletter via email!

Send your request to:

cindy@oslchillsboro.com

and I will get you on our emailing list.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped put the November Steeple Talk together. The next Steeple Talk Volunteers day will be Tuesday, November 24th at 9:00 a.m.

Like us on facebook! Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

OSLC OFFERING STEWARDSHIP

2015 OFFERING RECEIVED

WORSHIP

ATTENDANCE

September 6 $2,944.06 9:30am 136

September 13 $5,206.51 8:30am 66

10:30am 231

September 20 $5,082.60 8:30am 70

10:30am 178

September 27 $2,060.54 8:30am 70

10:30am 155

Sept. Direct Deposit $4,179.14

September Total: $19,472.85

2015 Total: $191,727.08

STEWARDSHIP REPORT: OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

INCOME AND EXPENSES:

2015 Income received through September 30: $212,388.21

2015 Expenses through September 30: $213,884.88

What to LOOK for in NOVEMBER:

November 1 All Saints Sunday

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall back an hour!)

Mayville Conference Meeting at 3pm

November 15 Council Meeting

November 18 Windi Lazanko, speaker (rescheduled)

November 25 Community Thanksgiving Service @ St. Rose

GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) Book Group This book group is designed to discuss books of faith. All are welcome! The group meets once a month on MONDAY nights at 7:00 pm in the church lounge. November 23: “Accidental Saints” by Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber. The latest book in our “Lutheran celebrity” pastor, who brings an honest and raw look at where the Lutheran faith and life intersect.

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Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

204 Caledonia Ave East

Hillsboro, ND 58045

Address Service Requested

“The mission of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is to be a place where Christ’s love is proclaimed

as we welcome, worship, learn, and serve together.”

Church Office: 636-5701

Hours: M-F 9:00am-12:00pm; 1:00pm-3:00pm

Pastor Joe Johnson: cell—701-430-3787;

pastorjoe@oslchillsboro.com

Pastor Siri Strommen Campbell: 701-430-3879;

pastorsiri@oslchillsboro.com

Office Secretary: Cindy Doeden

Parish Nurse: Brenda Stallman

Custodian: Danny Dougherty, 701-361-1206

Kitchen: 636-5705

Church email address: oslcelca@rrv.net or

cindy@oslchillsboro.com

Church website: www.oslchillsboro.com

Worship Service broadcast on Sunday mornings at 8:30am on KMSR 1520 AM and KMAV 105.5 FM

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Nonprofit Org.

U. S. Postage

PAID

Hillsboro, ND

Permit No. 45

President: Dave Nelson 430-9726

Vice-President: Darin Oanes 636-2225

Secretary: Beth Christianson-Melby 430-2309

Treasurer: Jason Lovas 371-1272

Deacons: Barb Hultin 636-4785

Jill Hebll 636-2569

Fara Nathan 436-3994

Randy Lemm 636-5465

Trustees:

John Miller 630-1851

Ryan Opdahl 218-779-2658

Brad Ydstie 636-4085

Mia Kozojed 636-2070

Sam Schultz

november