March 2008 Newsletter

GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH

1290 Thompson Road

Coos Bay, OR 97420

541-267-2347

http://www.gloriadeifamily.org/

office@GloriaDeiFamily.org

Jon Strasman, Pastor

As people of God gathered at Gloria Dei, we believe it is essential that…

· We build and support the whole Christian church as his examples in our families and community,

MARCH 2008 NEWSLETTER

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me... Just as you did it to one of the least of these members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25:35

Do you like to visit? Would you like to take Sunday bulletins to members of Gloria Dei? Do you have a passion for bringing Holy Communion to people who can't get out? Do you want to get more involved in the life and ministry of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church? Then you may want to consider joining a Visitation Pod. If you recall, "Pods" are small group ministries formed around your passions, gifts and a mission. You can form them yourselves and name them like the "Abolitionist Pod". Or they can be natural groupings within the congregation around a ministry like visitation. The idea for pods comes from groupings of whales. Some whale pods hunt and eat in groups of are 12 to 20... others one to three. They also travel and play together.

The visitation pod would be flexible enough for you to do one or more of the above ministries. You certainly don't have to do them all. It is challenge by choice. Choose how you want to serve. And if you don't like to go alone, bring a partner with you. Prior to commissioning this ministry, we would have several weeks of training and discussion and communication to the congregation.

Currently many members of Gloria Dei are faithfully going out into our community and visiting shut-ins and the sick. I thank God for you, because I know we are already living out our calling to visit the least of these. You pray regularly for our people in need. You have been so faithful in sending cards and flowers to people in the hospital and to those who can't get to church. Trust me, people tell me how appreciative they are. Unfortunately, however, some folks are falling through the cracks. These typically are people who are home, relatively healthy, but can't get to church. This pod would try to make sure we are staying connected to all our people.

In our mission discussions that we are having in the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Listening Posts, we are hearing that there is a need to do more regular visitation. Right now, as your pastor, I am working mostly on referral. If you call the church office or let me know in worship or via phone that someone is in need of pastoral care, I go to see them. But often times, I am finding that these more urgent requests limit other visitation. I am currently relying on you to help me prioritize who to see.

So what I am really trying to say is... "I NEED YOUR HELP!" Like Moses who couldn't judge all the cases on his own, I can't keep up with visitation. Moses appointed 70 elders to help him. We are going to have a Pod.

The Visitation Pod certainly doesn't take over pastoral care. It will enhance it. I can see communicating regularly with this Pod. We would meet monthly to start, but more often if deemed necessary. For example, if you went out and visited a shut-in and come back and say, "I really think Sonny can use a visit." I will then go and see Sonny. Or if you say, "I really think Ruth could use a prayer shawl." Then I would respond, "Get one from Corrine and the gang and bring it to her."

As a pastor, when I go out and visit other brothers and sisters in Christ, my faith is strengthened. Often times I am the one who gets ministered too. It is an odd phenomenon. Jesus promises to meet us when we get out and visit the least of these. You encounter God. If you are ever wavering in your faith or in doubt, get out and visit. This is a ministry for men and women alike. God will bless you exponentially.

We have a sign-up sheet in the narthex or call the church office if you want to check this opportunity out. Come to the initial Bible study and training starting Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 P.M.

The “Road to Emmaus Walking and Wellness Campaign” (ELCA) encourages you to reflect, walk, pray and discern how you can focus and center your life in Christ.” This personalized program lets you set your own pace, pick your own method of movement and document your SMART goals. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Trackable) Consider any type of movement for exercise; walking, dancing, running, swimming, bike riding, house cleaning, chasing after children, gardening, etc. be creative, use your imagination. The “Wholeness Wheel” (Road to Emmaus pg.4) illustrates that “wellness is multidimensional – made up of the spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical and social elements of well-being.” This program will help you to explore each area and then encourage you to “pray for God to motivate and surround you with support as you strive for greater balance” in your life. If you have not yet joined us, please pick up a “Road to Emmaus” packet on the Health Ministry table and begin today!

Many thanks for the prayers, cards, gifts, and visits while I was in the hospital and rehab. A special thanks to Pastor Jon for his prayers and visits.

Beginning Monday, March 3, the church office will be open 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need help with anything or have a question, feel free to give Elizabeth a call or drop by during those hours.

NOTE: If you would like to make a change to the prayer chain list, to either add or remove a name or update the list, please contact Gladys Eason (888-8046) or Pastor Jon. We need your help in keeping the prayer list current.

The Central Oregon Coast Chapter next meeting will be March 11th at 6pm at Faith Lutheran Church North Bend. There is still Care in Community funds available. Please have your requests for funding forms completed and turned into the board before this date.

The Congregation funds are available this year. Look for the Thrivent members of Gloria Dei’s planning meeting in the church bulletin.

If you are interested in becoming an associate member family for $10.00 per year, let one of us know. We have the paperwork that is needed to complete.

The weather not withstanding, our class attendance has been holding steady. A few peaks and valleys but generally we are serving about 25 students each week. The rotations are going well as is the opening. We are filled up with adult help through Palm Sunday.

There will be no classes on Easter Sunday. Activity sheets for kids will be available in the Sanctuary.

We have a need for instructors for the Wilderness (story telling) room and Joseph’s Workshop (crafts) for the three week period from March 30 through April 13. By working with the kids, you can bring a great lesson in intergenerational contact outside family life. No one needs to be an expert in teaching. It is EASY. Please talk with Denny about the opportunities available. We are not Uncle Sam but We Need You.

Classes will end and graduation celebrated on Sunday May 18th. We will hold the Rain Gutter Regatta that day as well.

VBS is scheduled for July 14 through 18. We will again present an evening event with meals served. This is a family affair and is titled Rainforest Adventure. It’s not too early to indicate your willingness to help. This year we will ask the Congregation for some financial support for the meals. Let Denny know anytime if you are able to help.

Just a reminder from your Altar Guild…if you have given flowers for Sunday worship and are going to be taking these home with you, please have them off the flower stands by Tuesday morning. If they are still on the flower stands by Tuesday morning we will feel that it is OK to share these with anyone that Pastor Jon might know needs their day brightened. Or you can tell an Altar Guild member what your wishes are. Thank you for sharing these beautiful gifts with Gloria Dei.

We had a good time at Catacombs in February. Thank you to all the guards and guides who turned out to make it a fun evening for our group of young Christians.

We have two things happening in March. The first is a meeting March 9th after the 11:00 service. We would like to invite parents and students to come learn more about the trip we will be taking to New Orleans July 22-26, 2009. Youth participants must be entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall of 2009, or be a 2009 high school graduate. Now is the time to learn about this great opportunity and to get our plans underway and kick our fundraising into gear. Please bring ideas for fundraisers. You can read about the ELCA Youth Gathering 2009 at ELCA.com. It will be an exciting chance to meet and worship with kids from all over the country as well as be a part of service projects in New Orleans.

I bet you can guess the 2nd event for March. Yes, it's Easter Breakfast! We will need lots of help prepping the food on Saturday March 22nd and help serving the food Easter morning, March 23rd. We know it's early but it's always fun too. Think hot pancakes and cocoa with whipped cream. Yum!

One more thing. The Talent Show is coming up Sunday night, April 13th, at 5 p.m. Start polishing up your act.

That's it for now. Keep an eye on the church bulletin or your mailbox for any updates.

Every 2nd Sunday of the month the Health Awareness Ministry will be measuring blood pressure from 9:30 to 10:00 am in Hirpa's Room in the Sunday School wing. Come get your pressure checked for free!

GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CONSTITUTION UPDATE

At the congregation’s annual meeting in January, the congregation was presented a first look at the ratification of a new constitution. This new constitution will bring us in alignment with the constitutions of the Oregon Synod and the national ELCA.

The congregation has (3) more opportunities to learn and give input to this process:

1) Our March 13 Church Council Meeting – The congregation is welcome to come and ask questions or bring proposed changes to be considered in the final draft presented for approval.

2) A special presentation on Sunday March 30 @ 9:45 a.m. to learn how the draft constitution was developed.

3) A special Congregational Meeting on Sunday April 13^th at 12:30 pm called to ratify the constitution.

Changes can be made at this time, but we would like input as soon as possible so all can consider any changes that might be considered.

Thank you for your time in considering this important step in our congregation’s history

We want to thank you for the wonderful gifts given during our baby shower. We received so many cute, cuddly and useful gifts; gifts that will give us a good head start in this new chapter of our life.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the money tree. We hope that those who contributed will read this and understand our appreciation. Unfortunately, the nature of the money tree meant no names were taken. Please accept this as our sincere thanks.

The money we collected will go towards purchasing the remaining baby furniture that is needed. Your donations leave us more prepared for the future.

We appreciate the generous spirit of giving that you showed. We feel happy and secure to know that our Gloria Dei family is supportive and excited about our new family addition.

An informal meeting to review and discuss the draft (amended) constitution is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2008, between the two services. It will start at 9:45 a.m. in the social hall.

The current Constitution of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church was adopted in 1994. It needs to be amended to be in conformity with the current Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, containing changes adopted by Churchwide Assemblies through 2007. You will recall that at the annual meeting on January 20, 2008, there was a presentation of the draft constitution. After some discussion there was one amendment made and passed, but the congregation wanted more time to consider the new constitution before voting their approval. A motion was then moved, seconded and passed to hold a special congregational meeting on April 13, 2008, to vote to approve the new Constitution of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.