Due to the rising number of members who are fully vaccinated and low positivity numbers, we will be adding more parts of our regular worship back into our Sunday worship in May. We will add back all public recitation, including the Apostle’s Creed. We will add a sending hymn for the whole congregation to sing together. We will also have communion at the rail. This will involve people staying in their pews until it is their turn to come forward and keeping their masks on at the rail until they partake in the body and blood of Christ. Communion will be distributed by those who are fully vaccinated. (Please note: If there is a spike in coronavirus cases in our area this is subject to change.)
 

Liturgical Nerd Notes
Introducing a New Hymnal:
All Creation Sings

 

The ELCA has recently put out a new hymnal supplement for our ELW (red) hymnals. This new hymnal supplement is called, “All Creation Sings”. This is a wonderful purple hymnal supplement that provides 2 new liturgies and an abundance of hymns written in this century. In its own words:
 
“Each Sunday as God’s people are gathered into and sent from worship, All Creation Sings reminds us how we are integrally part of the whole creation, marvels at the gifts of creation. And gives thanks for the grace to join the rest of creation’s song even as the cosmos joins ours.”
 
Thanks to the memorial of Deanna Swanson we were able to purchase eighty of these hymnal supplements. We have actually been using hymns from the hymnal since April. We will be sure to have these hymnals in the pews once we receive them. Let us give thanks and praise for this new worship and singing tool. Let us also give thanks in memory of Deanna Swanson. She was someone who loved liturgy, singing, and the color purple. We honor her memory and she honors us with All Creation Sings.
 

May is the month for growing. The farmers get the seeds in the ground. Little sprouts start to pop up. Leaves on the trees come to full fruition. Flowers get their eye-popping color for all insects and people alike to marvel at. Being growing season reminds us that we as people are called to grow, too.

I will say that most of us are no longer growing vertically (some of us may actually be getting shorter!). When we speak of growth we speak of personal growth. What does that look like? I invite you to read that passage from 2 Peter again. Our goal to grow has nothing to do with financials or body image. Our goal as Christians is to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Growing in grace means growing in compassion and love for all of God’s Creation: people and nature alike. Growing in knowledge of Jesus means embracing Scripture, worship, and even devotions to engage what we know about Jesus. Growing in the knowledge of Jesus can also mean learning more about what Jesus means for you and how you are called to live.
 

All in all, I invite all of us to take this growing season earnestly! Let us all try to find ways in which we can grow together in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we grow in these things we will know to give him the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
 

The meeting was called to order at 11:10 in Luther Hall with a prayer.  Present were:  Kathy Atwell, Bonnie Bandelow, Michael Carlson, Bryan Johnson, Emily Johnson, Linda Papoccia, Pastor Reed, Laura Rickey, Nick Swanson, and Jeannine W.  Jeanine Lees was absent in body but present via a cell phone. 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  The Treasurer’s Report was studied.  The only question was the inordinately high cost of utilities but that was explained by the fact that the boiler malfunctioned for a period of time before it was repaired.  -Kathy motioned that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. Jeannine W. seconded.  Motion carried. 

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT:  Because the Minutes of the 21 March meetings were published in the April Spire, copies of the minutes were not furnished for review. 
-Linda motioned the Minutes be accepted as published. Emily seconded.  Motion carried. 
 

PASTOR’S REPORT:  Council members were happy to have a written report from Pastor that contained statistics of attendance at the services from Palm Sunday thru 11 April.  He reported that in-person worship can include up to approximately 100 people.  He also outlined his proposed vacation plans for 2021.  -Nick motioned we accept the Pastor’s Report.  Kathy seconded.  Motion carried. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:
Spring Cleaning Date – Saturday, 24 April, 8-12.  Rain date May 1. 
 
Synod Assembly Delegates – Because the meeting will be a virtual meeting this year, it was a struggle to find volunteers who would be tech savvy enough to partake in the assembly.  
will be our delegate. 
 
Church Float for 185+1 June Celebration – Michael Carlson had previously volunteered the use of his Orion HS anniversary float.  He indicated that it will need new signage.  He volunteered to bring it to the Parsonage Garage sometime after the village yard sale so that it can be worked on.  He’ll furnish clean hay bales for congregation members to sit on during the parade.  It is hoped that the Luther League and other volunteers will be able to work on the float. 
 
Village-Wide Garage Sale – The dates for the yard/garage sale will be 7-8 May.  The church will be collecting things for the sale.  Anyone having anything that they’d like to donate can bring it on Saturday, 24 April.  Proceeds from the garage sale will be put in the fund for the Luther League trip to Minneapolis in 2022.  

 

UPDATES:  
Church Parsonage – The Property Committee will have a meeting on 24 April to form committees to collect more information, get bids for any expenditures and report back to the Council and the congregation. 
It was suggested that since the Church will be using the parsonage garage for the village-wide garage sale that might be a time for ANYONE who would like to tour the parsonage to be able to do so. 
 
COMMITTEE REPORTS: 
Property Committee – Bryan reported that he’s been in contact with the steeple repair people and they should be here by the end of April.  He reported that the recent heavy rains contributed to some really serious leaks in the balcony.  Bryan had the roofing contractor meet with him today.  The contractor suggested we wait until the steeple people have assessed what work needs to be done on that.  The current roof is 27 years old but due to the steep slant, it should last longer than 30 years.  They did discuss thinking about replacing it (when it is required) with a steel roof.  Bryan also reported that 2 of the air conditioning units in the sanctuary are not working.  The company has been called and will be out soon. The leak in Luther Hall is back.  Bryan went up on the roof Friday and found a couple of suspicious areas.  He feels that roof above Luther Hall should be fixed. 
 
Worship Committee – Is scheduled to meet on the 2^nd of May. 
 
Memorial Committee – Will meet in May.   
 
Outreach Committee – The free meal will be held at the east shelter on Saturday, 1 May.  Sign-up sheets are in the church narthex.  People bringing food need to have it in the church kitchen by 10 AM that day. 
 
NEW BUSINESS: 
Large Screens for Sanctuary - Pastor reported that a congregation member has set aside some money and would like to see it used for large screens in the front of the sanctuary.  Pastor wanted to bring the subject up before the council.  Council members had no objections, just wondered about the cost. 
 
Opening Up Worship More – We all wondered what that means.  Pastor said it would mean communion at the rail again.  If Council had no objections it would mean that the congregation could participate in singing the sending hymn starting on May 2^nd.  We will still be required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer. The Council all agreed that they’re ready for those steps and anxious for returning to other “normal” practices like sharing peace. -Linda motioned that Pastor use his judgment in opening up worship.  Nick seconded.  Motion carried. 
 
Church Mutual Insurance - $686 over budget. 
-Emily motioned that we approve payment.  Laura seconded.  Motion carried. 
 
Parking Lines need repainting – Linda mentioned that the lines are so faint that it is almost impossible to see them.  Pastor indicated that Dan Heir had contacted him about whether the church would be interested in having our front parking area resurfaced this year when the Village Does  street work.  Pastor indicated after that is completed that (usually) Steve Gray uses a machine to do the striping. 
-Linda motioned that we reimburse the  village for resurfacing our parking areas.  Kathy seconded.  Motion carried. 
 
NEXT MEETING:  Sunday, May 16 after worship. 
Kathy motioned that we adjourn, Emily seconded.  Motion carried. 
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 with The Lord’s Prayer.
 
Respectfully submitted,
BONNIE BANDELOW