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Council
President's Report
As
2010 begins to draw to a close, it seems a fitting time to discuss
what has changed at Grace, what has stayed the same and an update as
to what the future holds.
Grace
has had significant changes in staff in 2010.
In January, Kathy Grossman, our church secretary of over 20
years retired. We wish her the best but she had been a significant
asset and a wealth of knowledge and will be missed.
On May 31, we saw the retirement of our Senior Pastor Craig
Richter. Craig had served
Grace for 15 years and for many in the Congregation left a large void.
Pastor Craig's ministry was a very large attribute to Grace. As
a Congregation, we should continue to hold him, Katharine and his
entire family in our prayers.
So
change has taken place but Grace still continues to provide meaningful
worship, Sunday School, Confirmation, Adult education, Bible Studies,
outreach and fellowship and service to the community, to the synod and
to the world all to the Glory of God.
In addition to the above, Grace's Congregation has remained
committed, focused and begun to prepare for the next called Pastor.
We have an Interim Pastor Pat Ondarko who works together with
Pastor Paul Hesterberg to fulfill all of the Pastoral needs at Grace,
we have Kerry Reif as our administrative assistant/ financial secretary
and many members of the Congregation who have stepped up to the plate
to help at Grace. We are
very grateful to Tootie Henningsen who volunteers regularly in the
church office. The men
from property who give so much time and care to keeping Grace
functioning - Larry Carlson, Ed Holton, Norm Walby and as needed Larry
Atneosen as well as others. Ned Shaffer donates many hours each month
to serve as financial manager and even though cash flow is a challenge
continues to see that Grace meets its financial obligations.
I would once again encourage every member of Grace to consider
an additional financial gift prior to yearend.
What
we are privileged to have at Grace is not just a Congregation, it is a
family. We may have
differences but we share a deep and abiding love of God, a commitment
and sense of belonging and ownership of this building, and a joy in
mission and service to God's people - here, in the community and
around the World. This is
special. This does set us
apart from some of the other churches.
What we have is a real caring of one another and I am often
humbled by what takes place at Grace.
I feel honored to be a part of this Congregation.
As
to where we are going - I will try to bring you up to date.
The Transition team continues to diligently gather information
and prepare an accurate Ministry Site Profile.
The targeted date for completion of the profile will be prior
to the January Council meeting (the 18th) and presented to the
Congregation on or before the annual meeting on January 30. The Call
Committee will be elected by the Congregation at that meeting, also.
The Nominating Committee will be approaching members soon to be a part
of the Call Committee. If you are approached, please prayerfully
consider this honor and opportunity.
A diverse group of members representing the composition of
Grace will be asked to participate.
A Town Hall meeting of the Congregation will be held in
February with Bishop Peter Rogness and Pastor Paul Erickson present to
discuss and decide if the Mission Site Profile accurately represents
Grace and the attributes needed in the next called Pastor.
Please mark your calendar for January 30 Annual meeting and you
will be informed of the February date as soon as it is established.
YOUR INPUT MATTERS. This
is a major decision for Grace - BE PART OF IT.
Sometime in February following the election of the Call
Committee and the Town Hall meeting, Pastor Erickson will meet with
the Call Committee to discuss process, procedures, questioning,
interviews etc. One month
approximately mid March, Pastor Erickson will again meet with Call
Committee to provide the first candidates names for potential Senior
Pastor of Grace. If all
goes well by the end of March the interview process will begin.
As excited and full of anticipation we are to move forward, we
want the Call Committee to not be rushed or pushed into making a
decision which would not serve God, Grace, or the new Pastor's best
interest and plan. We look
forward with hope and joy to the future and having all the members of
Grace secure in the knowledge that God through the Holy Spirit will
lead us now and always.
Sue
Atneosen, President
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