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Executive
Council Minutes
Church
Council News
A
Message from Outgoing President, Kevin Carr
The past year has certainly been one of
change at OSLC. We’ve passed many milestones, including Pastor Meggan
joining us, the building renovation, working through the turmoil created
by the fire, and the establishment of new initiatives. Pastor Meggan has
gotten off to a great start and is encouraging us to grow as disciples.
The renovation is nearing completion, we are providing key support for our
first Habitat for Humanity project, attendance is up, preparations are
being made for the 50th Anniversary, committees are examining
new approaches, and new committees are in place dealing with technology,
personnel, and strategic planning. The energy level is high.
The annual report, which I’d encourage
you to read, gives you a summary of many of the things that have taken
place at Our Savior’s during the past twelve months. Each summary
represents a mere snapshot of the diligent work of committees, staff,
Pastor, and members of the congregation. Rather than reiterate what you
can read in the report, I’d like to take the opportunity to put the year
in perspective.
In a sense, the year has been one of
settling in from two years of transition, solidifying our facility and
administrative operations, calling a dynamic pastor, and reflecting on
where we are and where we are going. In the bigger scheme of things,
however, we are just now in position for continued transition and
transformation. With the last 2+ years of change under our belt, we have
the opportunity to discern our roles as disciples and continue to move out
and about as God’s "hands and feet."
I would like to thank all those who have
supported me in my position, including my predecessor Bruce Krueger, the
members of the council, the committee chairs and committee members, the
staff, Pastor Meggan, and all of you. I’d also like to wish the best for
Tom Padilla and the members of the 2008-2009 council. It will be an
exciting time, and God will guide you as leaders.
When I was called by the nominating
committee to serve on council, I was flattered yet fearful, thinking to
myself "they’ve got to be kidding—I really don’t have much free
time, and I don’t know the first thing about the facilities, budget and
most of the programs—I’ve never even been to a council or committee
meeting." Before accepting, I
consulted with a few past council presidents. They all said basically the
same two things: "This is a calling - God and the people around you
will guide you," and "you will make some great friends."
They were absolutely right. It has been a blessing and I have benefitted a
great deal. So, my message to those of you who might be a little shy about
becoming involved or assuming a level of responsibility is: be bold, trust
yourself, trust those around you, and trust God to guide you.
Our Savior’s has tremendous potential. We
have accomplished a great deal over the years and have not been afraid to
evolve. We are in forward motion. Still, our work has just begun. If we
are to be ultimately successful in making our mission one and the same
with God’s mission, every one of us must accept the challenge. Many
members of the congregation are highly involved, yet there is potential
for many more to play active roles. If we are to be God’s hands and
feet, we must continue to make a personal commitment that fits our
personality, talents and interests. All of us have something to give, and
are called to do so.
Let us be proud of who we are and celebrate
our accomplishments. Let us recognize that there is a great deal more we
can do. May we approach the future with the clear focus on living and
spreading the good news. It has been a pleasure to serve, and I truly look
forward to being a part of the future of Our Savior’s.
Yours in Christ, Kevin
M. Carr
Opportunities
for You
50th
Anniversary News
Invitations
have been mailed to every member of the congregation and to
many of our former members.
Please
note that you, a member of this congregation, must
return
your registration card (and the fee for
the Saturday night buffet supper) by
September
14. You need to mark all of the portions of the celebration in which you
are going to participate in order to have adequate food, seating, etc.
There will also be opportunities for you to help, which you will hear
about later.
The
Saturday night portion also includes a program. Details will follow
later.
Plan
Now to Be Part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration
–
In recognition of Our Savior’s "50 Years of Sharing" with
the community and world, Social Ministries is sponsoring "50
Days of Sharing." Beginning August 9, (50 days prior to
the anniversary celebration), members will have the opportunity to
intentionally give of their time and resources to organizations Our
Savior’s has historically supported or others they wish to choose.
Each week, seven opportunities will be featured. Listed below are a few
ways you may want to participate:
-
Prepare
items for bake sale for world missions
-
Collect
Box Tops for Education
-
Volunteer
in the community
-
Visit
a Homebound member
-
Attend
a fall bazaar work session
-
Use
Free Trade Coffee
-
Donate
items to Doorstep, Topeka Rescue Mission, or Quinton Heights
-
Bring
a friend to church
-
Collect
Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House
-
Volunteer
at church
-
Donate
Blood
-
Sew
or Quilt for Charity
-
Collect
clothing for Doorstep or Topeka Rescue Mission
-
Walk
or support a Crop Walker
Watch
the Social Ministries bulletin board as pieces are added to the
"Sharing" puzzle each week. At the end of the 50 days, we will
all have a great deal to celebrate!
Celebrate 50 Years of Sharing
In commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of Our Savior’s Lutheran, Social Ministries will be sponsoring
"50 Days of Sharing." For 50 years, a major focus for our church
has been sharing our gifts and talents with the community.
So for 50 days, beginning August 9, and
culminating with the anniversary celebration on September 27-28,
each of us will have the opportunity to share in our own way. Each day
will offer a different opportunity to be involved. Our hope is that each
member will be able to participate in some way.
Sharing may include making monthly donations of
items for Doorstep, Topeka Rescue Mission, or Quinton Heights School; care
packages for the military; volunteering at a local school; making items
for the fall Bazaar; bringing a friend to Sunday School; or visiting a
homebound member. This list is endless, but the point is that every member
is encouraged to participate in some way.
Likewise, each group is encouraged to choose
a day to participate. For example, Sunday School may choose Rally Day to
share in a special way. Social Ministries hopes that each group will
consider how to participate in this meaningful project. Please contact
Sandi Kassebaum (862-7499) or Roberta Oestreich (273-0659) with
your ideas, so we may include them in our plans. Watch the Social
Ministries bulletin board as we anticipate
"50 Days of Sharing."
Caring
Ministers
As
members of the family of Our Savior’s we are all Caring Ministers. The
Caring Ministries program is an opportunity for you to reach out to others
at OSLC who may need extra care and attention for one week at a time. The
Caring Ministers are asked to pray for individuals, contact them, and then
respond as appropriate before "passing it on" to the next Caring
Minister. Concerns should be called to the Church
Office or Linda
Willis.
Other
Opportunities for You
Hollis
Art Fair
This
Fair will be held Sunday, August 24, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Participating artists provide a creative day where families can learn
about nature, engage in art projects, and experience all that Hollis has
to offer. Over a dozen artists will participate in this interactive art
fair. For more information call 913-441-0451 or go to www.holliscenter.org.
Mark
your calendars now!
The
Central States Synod Retreat for Youth and Family Leaders will be held January
8-9, 2009. This Spirituality Retreat will be led by Wayne Huston.
Volleyball
Day Camp for Girls
Hosted
by Bethany College
Monday
through Wednesday, August 11-13. There is still time to register!
For more information, contact Roxie Sjogren at 785-227-3380, ext.
8158, or sjogrenr@bethanylb.edu.
Ronald
McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas, Inc. will hold its 6th
Annual Dinner and Auction on Saturday, August 23, at
the Capitol Plaza Hotel. This year’s theme is "A Cinderella
Storybook Ball." Attendees will enjoy an evening of cocktails
and dinner followed by live and silent auctions and dancing with the Bop
Daddies. For more information, email Martha@rmhctopeka.org or call Martha
Hagedorn-Krass at 785-235-6852.
A
free Mexican Fiesta will be held at
Thornton place, 2901 Armstrong, Topeka on Friday, August 22,
beginning at 11:30 a.m. Email shepherdstopeka@yahoo.com or call
785-267-0248 for more information.
Jayhawk
Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is looking for volunteers
to assist during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (November 15
through December 31) to assist customers with comparisons of Medicare
Part D plans, explanation of benefits, and assistance with enrollment in
a Part D plan. All volunteers will receive a free three day extensive
training on Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Long Term Care,
and other health insurance subjects. Training dates are August 26-28.
Contact Janell Collins, SCHICK Coordinator at jcollins@jhawkaaa.org
or call 785-235-1367 or 800-798-1366.
Pastor Dave Fulton
of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Wichita and the
current chair of the Kansas Citizen’s Committee on Drug and Alcohol
Abuse, invites interested individuals to attend the Fourth
Annual Recovery Conference.
The conference will be held in Salina at the Bicentennial Center on September
25, 26, and 27 and is sponsored by the Kansas Citizens Committee on
Alcohol and Drug Abuse in collaboration with Addiction and Prevention
Services. The conference will help participants understand the issues
more fully and the resources available to enhance community well being.
For more information, contact Susan Liening at sliening@kansasfamily.com
or call 1-800-206-7231.
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