|
Congregation Weighs Budget June 23 A semi-annual congregational meeting has been set for Sunday, June 23, at 10:45 a.m. in the Sunset Room. Finances will be reviewed, and there will be a decision made regarding the budget for July through December. There will be a report regarding progress in the work being done by the various FaithWork teams, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. At the January 27 meeting of the congregation, the amended FaithWorks covenant and action plan were approved. This will commit Emmaus to the ongoing work of the FaithWorks process during 2013. There will be an update letter sent to congregational members from our FaithWorks mission council representatives, Art Smith and Melissa Lemke. The congregation approved the proposed six-month budget. Those elected to serve on the 2013 council are:
FaithWorks Team to Form Action Plan by Rev. Warren Williams 2013 is turning into a pivotal year for the FaithWorks partnership. We began the year with each FaithWorks congregation exploring what was central to their particular congregation so that the essence of each congregation could be communicated to the full partnership by way of videos that were shown at our common FaithWorks Lenten services. Speaking of the Lenten Worship Journey, which moved us to each of the congregations for a meal, sharing and worship, there was general praise for the effort. The speakers and programs were great, the videos did provide a glimpse into the life of each congregation, and the food was great. It was wonderful to see the response. Our lowest attendance, at the far edge of a snowstorm, was 125, and most often attendance stayed in the 200 range. Everyone agreed it was fun to be in a big group for Lenten worship. What is more important is that by visiting each site, by sharing conversation with people not in our home congregations, and by seeing the great videos created for each congregation, we did grow to know each other better. There have been several other things happening that are a bit more behind the scenes. First, the ELCA has assigned Dave Daubert, a church renewal guru, to help us on our FaithWorks journey. Dave has met with the FaithWorks pastors to advise and consult and will continue to walk with us on our journey. (Those who attended the FaithWorks retreat last fall may remember Dave.) The ELCA also sent Patricia Dever, a building consultant with the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA to walk through our buildings, and explore with us some of our facility strengths and weaknesses. Pastor Warren Williams from Atonement completed an asset mapping project, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each congregation and seeking to find opportunities for new mission that can be undertaken by the partnership. Several of the FaithWorks pastors have also been exploring other partnerships around the country, which seem to be undertaking similar missional rebirth. In some ways they are ahead of us, in others behind, but we seek to find what has given them life and where they had missteps that we might avoid. So where do we go from here? The next step in our journey of discovery is to discern the future of FaithWorks and how each congregation fits into the partnership. This spring, each congregation is charged with creating a comprehensive plan for the full partnership. The anticipation is that these plans will call for substantial missional change for each congregation, capitalizing on each congregation’s strengths and focusing those strengths on our common mission. The biggest question each congregation is asked to prayerfully answer is “What is God calling our partnership to do to participate more fully in God’s mission in Racine and beyond?” At the same time those plans are being created we are completing an application for a grant to help fund FaithWorks. The ELCA has noticed us! Partnership seems to be one of the “new wineskins” that God is creating in the church to bless the world with God’s love and justice. FaithWorks appears to be a leader in this new way of being. In fact, the ELCA has created a new partnership grant, to some degree or another, for us. We need to have a strong application to fully take advantage of this opportunity. This summer, the FaithWorks Mission Council will appoint a team of people to consider each of the congregations’ plans for mission together and from those plans form a common vision and action plan to move FaithWorks to be the profound partnership that God has called us to be. That plan should be completed by late summer. At that point it will be communicated to each congregation and our members in a variety of ways. Each congregation will then be asked to ratify that plan – likely creating a new reality for each of us – in the fall and beyond.
Each congregation is to be praised for a spirit willing to journey into the unknown seeking first and finally to follow where our Lord leads.
Dine and Donate Fat Tuesday Funds Received
Proceeds for the FaithWorks Dine and Donate program held at a local restaurant netted $174.10. Thanks to all who came out to support our partnership with Mardi Gras food and fun during that day! FaithWorks received 10% of what was sold to those who presented vouchers on behalf of the fundraiser.
FaithWorks to Submit Grant Proposal to ELCA The ongoing work of the FaithWorks congregations as we move forward in our vision of working together as a missional church has gained the attention of both synod and churchwide staff members. Pastor Sandy Chrostowski, ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission in the Greater Milwaukee Synod, has been working as a liaison, providing support, counsel and interpretation as the process unfolds. In addition, Dave Daubert represents the churchwide staff as he consults with and advises our Racine partnership.
The collaborative mission partnership of FaithWorks has led the ELCA to expand their categories for funding. The Racine FaithWorks leadership has been provided with forms for grant proposals, and we are being encouraged to submit a preliminary request for funding by May 7. The FaithWorks grant committee (Pastor Warren Williams, Pastor Mary Janz, Liliana Moncada, Bob Reinders, Lou Barrera and Jan Kasbeer) has met twice, and there will be further discussion regarding the initial proposal at the May 2 meeting of the FaithWorks council. Both Sandy Chrostowski and Dave Daubert will be present at that meeting.
Cluster Assembly Report By Rev. Dana O’Brien Racine Mission Cluster met in April. We elected Marge Puntarec as our lay female representative to the Synod Council. Congratulations Marge! Sue Ruehle spoke about Pan de Cielo, and provided some general financial figures. This food program provides food for approximately 18-20 families who are unable to use the other food pantries in Racine. The cluster currently provides $125 per month to support this ministry and we committed to continuing that monthly support through the remainder of this year. I spoke briefly about our cluster-supported Community meal program at our Saviors. That program served over 4000 guests in 2012 and provides much more than just a meal on Sunday night. Both Betty and Chris, who coordinate the program, have taken a real interest in our guests, and their hospitality makes Sunday night meals look a lot like a large family get-together. A number of churches in addition to those in our Racine ELCA cluster volunteer on Sunday evenings, and a couple of unaffiliated volunteers come on most Sundays. Note that we still need congregations to volunteer for the following Sundays: June 30, July 7, August 18 and December 22. The bottom line financially is that we've been in the red the last two years; however, because we had a cushion from a few years ago, we're still in the black overall. However, we need to receive in contributions as much as we're spending annually if we are to sustain our feeding ministries. Please consider whether your congregation can provide any increase in its contributions to our cluster. It is my understanding that all contributions go toward supporting these ministries. A couple of clergy proposed that we start a monthly clergy meeting. We've decided to meet at noon on Thursday, May 23 at Redeemer to see how many are interested in some type of regular meeting.
Finally, welcome to John Bishoff, who starts a joint call with St Paul's and Zion on May 1. Welcome to Racine John.
Synod Assembly Convenes May 30 The annual assembly of the Greater Milwaukee Synod will be held at May 30-June 1, 2013 at Country Springs Hotel/ Conference Center in Waukesha. The theme of this year’s assembly is “Why?”
Former Bishop Herb Chilstrom will address the assembly with opening remarks on Thursday evening. A ministry fair, general business of the synod and other keynote speakers will be featured throughout the three-day event. Representing Emmaus/ Emaús will be Pastor Mary, Pastor Jhon Freddy and Cathy Meyer.
Water, Water Everywhere The torrential rains during the past month have caused leaks and water damage in several areas of the church. Serious leakage has occurred in the office areas, and many of the water soaked ceiling tiles needed to be removed. The water has also made its way through the ceiling area where the Sunset Room joins the first floor kitchen area. Another area that has been affected is in the area around the landing above the main entrance to the church. Water has historically found its way through the area where the steeple is attached to the roof.
While there was a small insurance settlement for some of the office damage (just under $2,000), that amount will not be sufficient to resolve the ongoing issues throughout the church. Loren Larsen has begun consulting with contractors for their suggested solutions and quotes. The church council will discuss proposals for a plan of action and for potential sources of funding as soon as the needed information is made available.
Welcome Gabriel Marcano Venezuelan native Gabriel Marcano, has committed to spending time working with the Emaús Latino ministry three days a week for three months. A certified secondary teacher and an Anglican priest from Venezuela, Gabriel is currently spending time in Milwaukee studying English at MATC. During these studies and his time at Emaús, he is also discerning whether he will make a move from the Anglican to the ELCA Lutheran faith tradition. Under the supervision and mentorship of Pastor Jhon Freddy, Gabriel has taken some leadership in small groups, has assisted with Sunday worship and also participated in the Gamaliel training for clergy the end of April. Should he choose to be a part of the ELCA, he would then need to be recommended to be part of the ELCA Candidacy process, which involves Synod staff and committee members.
We welcome Gabriel to this important part of his faith journey!
Summer Envelopes Are Here Our offering envelopes for June through September were ordered in April and are in alphabetical order in a tray in the narthex for members to pick up.
To trim costs, we have not ordered offering envelopes for members who generally give "loose" offerings or who contribute by electronic funds transfers. We also plan to mail only those envelopes assigned to members who are not able to attend church regularly; please give the church office a call if you would like your envelopes mailed or delivered to your home.
Outreach for Hope Announces 2013 Grants Outreach for Hope, an arm of the Greater Milwaukee Synod that has as its focus ministries that walk with the poor, has announced the area ministries to receive special grant funding for the coming year. The outreach ministries of Emmaus, including EASY, Wednesday night programming and programming for the Latino community, have received a grant in the amount of $34,000 for the coming year. In addition, Racine ELCA Neighborhood Camp will receive $17,000 in grant monies from Outreach for Hope to be used in the coming season.
To learn more about Outreach for Hope, or to donate directly, check out their website.
On-Line Giving Offers Convenience Do you pay your mortgage or utility bills automatically out of your checking account? How would you like to do the same with your offerings to Emmaus? While this method of giving is not for everyone, there are some benefits for both you and the church. You will not have to remember to make out a check as you hurry out the door on Sunday mornings and the church will realize a more steady flow of income over the year. The way this will work is that there will be a link on our website where you can set up what is called a profile. In this profile you will indicate the amount and frequency of your offering. You will be able to indicate whether you want to have the offering come out of your checking account or have it put on a credit card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nuestra página en Facebook |
|
|
|
|
|
After School |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
