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2015 Annual Report St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA Annandale, MN experience, live and share the love of Jesus Christ
2015 Annual Report
St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA
Annandale, MN
experience, live and share the love of Jesus Christ
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE # CONTENT 0 Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s Annual Report - inside cover 1 Cover Page 2 Table of Contents 3 Annual Congrega.onal Mee.ng Agenda 4 2015 Annual Mee.ng Minutes 5 Special Congrega.onal Mee.ng Minutes-October 25, 2015 6-7 Pastor Dave’s Report 8 Pastor Tom’s Report 9 CYF Director Jenny’s Report 10-12 Bishop Jon Anderson’s Annual Report 13 St. John’s Lutheran Church Council Report 14-15 The Year in Review 2015 15 Thrivent Ac.on Team Grants 16-17 Adult DiSCIPLeship Ministry/Small Groups 18-20 Children, Youth and Family Ministry Team Report 21 Precious Gi;s Preschool Report 22 Outreach Ministry Report 23 Support & Stewardship Ministry Report 24 Library Annual Report 24 Visual Arts Team Report 25 Endowment Commi>ee Report 26-27 Worship and Music Ministry Report 28 Property Team Report 29 Matamba Mission Report 30 Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Report 31 Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Treasurer’s Report 32 Cemetery Commi>ee Report 33 Cemetery Treasurer’s Report 34 Altar Guild Commi>ee Report 35 Pastoral Acts for 2015 36 Nomina.ng Commi>ee Report 37 Resolu.on 38 Building (IK) & Memorial Funds 39 Other Benevolence Giving 40-41 Invest in the Kingdom Building Report 42-45 Income and Expense Budget Performance Report 46-47 Proposed 2016 Budget 48 Precious Gi;s Preschool Proposed 2016 Budget 49 Gustavus Adolphus College Annual Report 50-54 Proposed Amendment to Endowment Bylaws 55 Where Your Offering Goes - from SW MN Synod 56 Back Page
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St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Annual Congrega.onal Mee.ng Agenda
January 31, 2016
Annual Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order Council President Denny Abernathy
2. Appointment of Tellers
3. Determination of Quorum
4. Devotions Pastor Dave
5. Acceptance of Minutes of January 25, 2015
6. Acceptance of Minutes of Special Congregational Meeting held October 25, 2015
7. Financial Reports Mark Nelson, Treasurer
8. Invest in the Kingdom: For Centuries of Serving Report Megan Czycalla
9. Endowment Fund Report Paul Hansen
10. Audit Committee Report
11. Nominating Committee Report
12. Nominations from the Floor
13. Balloting (if needed)
14. Pastor Dave’s Report
15. Pastor Tom’s Report
16. CYF Director Jenny’s Report
17. Church Council, Ministries, Committees and other Organization’s Reports
18. Report of the Tellers (if needed)
19. Unfinished Business
20. New Business
a) Amendment to our Endowment Fund Bylaws
b) 2016 Budget
c) Precious Gifts 2016 Budget
d) Resolution – Thanks to Outgoing Council Members
e) Other
20.Announcements
21. Motion to Adjourn
22. Closing Prayer and Benediction
23. Doxology
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St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2015
The St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church's annual meeting was called to order by Council President, Dennis Aber-nathy at 12:10 PM, on January 25, 2015. Volunteer tellers were Marilyn Hallstrom, Dave Holmgren, and Chris Nelson. A quorum was determined. Devotions were led by Pastor Dave Nelson, which focused "We are one body, we all are one in mission." Unfinished Business: * Accepted the 2014 minutes. MSP: Marilyn Hallstrom/Larry Greene * Financial reports were presented by treasurer, Mark Nelson. * The following committee reports were given- * Invest in the Kingdom: Rooted in Faith, A Story to Tell Question was asked what was the remaining amount due on our church mortgage with how many years left to pay? Also how many years have we paid on the Harrison Street assessment and how many more years to pay? Treasurer Mark Nelson said he would look into these questions and get back to the congregation with the answers. * Endowment Fund report given by Linda Dircks- Question was asked how the gifts are determined for distribution and could larger amounts be granted to those that are more in need? Linda said that it would be something to consider. * Audit Committee * Accepted the nominating committee's report. The ballot for the nominating committee consists of Kurt Bruhn, Vicki Greene, Mary Holmgren, Jen Kulm, Mark Nelson, and Gloria Wagner. The ballot for St John's council consists of Dennis Abernathy, Nancy Berg, Bill Berry. Penny Hogberg, Kris Townsend for two year terms and Madeleine Duret to serve a one-year term. * Accepted the close of nominations from the floor. MSP: Irvin Scott/Ardis Nelson * A unanimous ballot was cast to accept the nomination committee's slate of officers. MSP: Vicki Green/Gladys Johnson * Reports given by Pastor Dave Nelson, Pastor Tom Heyd and Children,Youth and Family Director Jenny Aleckson. * Consolidated approval of all reports as they read in the annual report. MSP: Kris Nelson/Linda Dircks New Business: * Moved to approve Churchwide Assembly Amendments to our constitution. MSP: Marilyn Hallstrom/Robin Jacobson * Accepted the 2015 budget as presented by treasurer Mark Nelson. MSP: Diane Barkley/ Robin Jacobson * Precious Gifts report given by school board member Marilyn Hallstrom. Accepted the 2015 budget as presented. MSP: Linda Dircks/Bev Sorenson * Accepted the resolution, "Whereas, we the members of St. John's Lutheran Church wish to extend our thank you to each and every person who, through the good stewardship of God's many gifts to them have furthered the ministry of St. John's. Therefore, be it resolved that each member make a point of saying thank you to those members of our congregation who have helped make the ministry of St. John's be the vital part of our community and of our world. Be it further resolved that a special word of thanks be extended to those persons who have faithfully served and/or completed their services as members of the Church Council: Mary Holmgren, Dan Lemm, Mark Nelson, and Naomi Volden. Approve as it reads. MSP: Maynard Nilson/Kris Nelson * An expression of thanks was given to the church council for the soup and sandwich lunch provided. Accepted the motion to adjourn. MSP: Dan Berg/Irvin Scott Closed with a prayer and the Doxology led by Pastor Dave
Special Congregational Meeting Minutes for October 25th, 2015
Vice President Matt Treichler called the meeting to order @ 9:36 am. A quorum was determined. Motion made by the Executive Committee to support the Property Committee in the recommendation to keep the White's house and complete necessary repairs in the spring with the septic tank being pumped on a monthly basis. Second by Dan Lemm. Discussion on the history of the White's house history, monthly income generated, real estate taxes, repairs that need to be done and cost of those repairs. Calling the question. MSP: Irvin Scott/Mark Nelson. Vote taken and passed. Meeting adjourned.
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Pastor Dave’s Report….
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I really like the following words that are found on our ELCA website: “We are the church that shares
a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. For us, as the ELCA, this faith comes through the good
news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly par-
ticipate in what God is up to in the world.”
I believe this is true of our national Church, but even more importantly, I believe this is true of our
community of faith here at St. John’s. We share a living, daring confidence in God’s grace…
and this faith comes through the good news of Jesus! Every Sunday, when we gather around
Word and Sacrament… we claim this living, daring confidence in God’s grace – we proclaim Christ
crucified and risen! Every time we confess our sins – we do so daring to believe that because of
what God has done for us in Jesus we are fully forgiven and we are always being made new! Every
time we baptize a child or an adult – we do so daring to believe that in Baptism God claims us as
God’s own, seals us with the Holy Spirit, and marks us with the cross of Christ FOREVER! Every
time we come to the Table and receive the body and blood of Christ, we do so because we dare to
believe that we, and all people, by grace alone, are welcome at God’s table, and that Jesus’ body
and blood was given and shed for us and for all people for the forgiveness of sin! Every time we
pray, every time we sing, every time we share the peace of Christ – we do so because we have this
living, daring confidence in God’s grace! Every time we gather for a funeral, we do so with daring
confidence that death no longer has the final word, but rather that word rests with God, and God’s
word is a word of life! Yes, that IS the word we proclaim and live together! We live and proclaim
Jesus! And that has, once again, been true in 2015 as it has been over the long history of this con-
gregation!
And it’s that living, daring confidence in God’s grace through Jesus that provides us the freedom
and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in our world.
We live knowing that God is on a mission to love and bless, heal and restore all of creation; and that
God has invited us to join God in this mission! And that we did – in countless ways – this past year!
Through our offerings – we supported our local mission, as well as countless ministries throughout
our country and world! Through our participation in “God’s Work…Our Hands” Sunday we let the
light of Christ shine out at Camp Friendship! Our youth let the light of Christ shine in Detroit as they
participated in the ELCA Youth Gathering! We continued to partner with our brothers and sisters in
Matamba, Tanzania and together the light of Christ is shining forth and making a difference in count-
less lives! Through donations to our local Food Shelf, the light of Christ is shining as hungry
mouths are being fed. Through prayer shawls and lap blankets – the light of Christ is bringing com-
fort to those in distress. Through food packaging with Food for Kidz people are receiving nutritious
meals and the light of Christ is shining forth! Through the rolling of bandages, global health workers
are bringing Christ’s healing light to people in need. Through donations and visits to Sunset Ridge,
Christ’s light is shining and as a result there is a group of men who know that they are not forgotten,
and that they are loved by God! Through Bible studies and D-Way, through Sunday school and Va-
cation Bible School, through Bible camp and Synod Youth Gatherings, through youth groups, and
circles – we have heard the good news of Jesus’ love and grace – and that Word has taken root in
our lives, and that Word has called and sent us out into our community and world so that the light of
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Christ has shone in and through us at our workplaces, in our homes, among our friends, at school…
and whether we realize it or not … God has made, and is making, a difference in this world, and in
people’s lives, through each of us!
Yes, I truly believe that we are a congregation that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace
in Jesus… and that, therefore, we have the freedom and courage to wonder, discover and boldly
participate in what God is up to in our community and in our world! As our mission statement re-
minds us, God is calling each and every one of us, each and every day, to “experience, live and
share the love of Jesus Christ.” You see, once we experience God’s amazing grace, it impacts and
shapes how we live, and we can’t help but share the gift we have been given! And that’s what I
see happening here at St. John’s! We are a grace centered community that is always seeking out
ways to join the work that God is already doing in our world! And, dear friends, it is a blessing to
be part of such a congregation!
As I look back over this past year I want to say “thank you” to all who have faithfully prayed for
God’s mission in our world and here at St. John’s, and who have generously offered their time and
talents and treasures for the sake of that mission. I want to say “thank you” to all who have been
out front providing leadership as well as all who have worked behind the scenes. I want to say
“thank you” to all who have taken a risk this past year and stepped out in faith – whether it was in
sharing your faith, or increasing your financial stewardship, or serving in a new capacity, or inviting
a friend to worship, or taking part in a Bible study… I pray that God has used those times to
strengthen your faith!
I want to say “thank you” for the privilege of serving as one of your pastors, and for the many ways
that you continue to welcome me into your lives – especially in moments of great joy and deep sad-
ness. It is an honor to serve with and among you! It’s hard to believe that in July I will begin my
10th year as one of your pastors!
I want to say “thank you” to all those who are part of our staff here at St. John’s. It is a joy to serve
with you, and I am grateful for the gifts you bring to our congregation, and for the many ways that
God is at work in and through you.
I want to say “thank you” to the members of the Church Council and all of our various Ministry
Teams. Your leadership has been, and continues to be, vitally important to the life and health of
this congregation! I want to especially thank Lisa Borders, Madeleine Duret and Kris Townsend as
they complete their time on the Council, and to Denny Abernathy as he steps away from serving as
our Council President for the past two years – but continues to be part of our Council. I also want
to thank Mark Nelson for serving faithfully as our Treasurer for the past four years. I am so grateful
that Steve Miller has agreed to serve in that role this coming year.
With joy I look forward to the year ahead – I’m excited to see where God will lead us! Always re-
member: “We are Church together!”
Your Servant in Christ, Pastor Dave
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Pastor Tom’s Report…
January 2016
Tom Heyd
It will soon be three years since I have joined your mission and ministry. My how
time flies. My focus is defined by a job description that includes Preaching, teaching
(Women’s Bible Study, JOLT), home visits, and work with the Stewardship Team.
Most of the work that I do, you can see, but the work with the Stewardship Team is
usually behind the scenes. Together we plan a Fall Stewardship program. We try to
tell the story about our mission and ministry together, educate regarding Biblical
Stewardship, and encourage the congregation’s response with “Estimates of Giving.”
Those “Estimates of Giving” seem so minor, but they are so important as the leaders
of our church plan the scope of our ministries in the next year. It seems to be a diffi-
cult “sell” to get our members to give an estimate. Somehow we just can’t get more
people to do that. Please make that non-binding estimate.
There are now so many ways to contribute to St. Johns. If you want to do it electroni-
cally, it can take less than 30 seconds. You will find a portal to electronic giving on
our web site. We are constantly looking for ways to make that as easy as possible.
A large part of our focus in 2016 will be telling the story about our ministry together.
We want you to know just how far our reach really is.
Thank You for all you do! You are a vital to our work together.
Yours in Christ,
Pr. Tom Heyd
INDNJC
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CYF Director Jenny’s Report…
2015 was a year of many great firsts for me. It was my first full calendar year of being at St. John’s,
it was the first anniversary of my employment here in July, it was my first Taco Booth, it was my first
year experiencing all the love that radiates from this place, and the list goes on and on. With all the
firsts this year, there were also things that either didn’t make the cut or things that were tried and we
then realized they didn’t work. Change is a word that some people are afraid of, including me at
times. But in order for any organization to succeed and grow, change happens. I want to take this
time to thank each and every one of you for the support this last year as we have tried new and dif-
ferent things. And I ask that you continue to support change in the future, if it’s with the CYF ministry
or the way we lead in the church.
This last August, our CYF chair of 8 years, Jill Wrobbel, handed the reins over to me. It’s hard to be-
lieve that she has put her God-given gifts to work for that long! Her dedication and passion for St.
John’s CYF ministry is beyond any words that I could describe. She is truly a volunteer that is capa-
ble of wearing any kind of hat and has been willing to put her time into this program to make it what
is today. You are missed, Jill, and know that your hard work and dedication is truly appreciated by
all.
As many of you know, we sent 21 individuals to the ELCA Youth gathering this summer in Detroit,
MI. And wow, I am still hearing how great the experience was from a lot of the kids. It might not
show all the time, but being able to provide that experience for those kids, is the chance of a lifetime
and it changed them. One of my favorite speakers of the week shared with us many difficult times
that she went through in her life. She shared the ups and downs of her life and how she didn’t feel
worthy of a lot of things. But the one thing she said that I will never forget and I hope the youth do
too, is that she has learned to embrace the fullness of who she is, of who God made her to be; if she
can, we can do the same! I want to personally thank each and every one of you who supported us
through this once in a lifetime opportunity. If it was supporting us financially (all $12,595 of it!!),
prayerfully or listening to our stories, thank you.
Volunteers are a large part of youth ministry and truthfully, a church wouldn’t be able to succeed
without its volunteers. I’m reminded of a story about starfish when I think of volunteers (use your fa-
vorite search engine to look up the starfish story). A lot of people never see the difference they
make because it didn’t affect the larger group. But this starfish story shows that no matter the per-
son’s effort or volunteer work they do, it’s always going to matter to at least one person. Your volun-
teer work here at St. John’s, matters to a lot of different people. Your God-given gifts are needed
here and you are very capable of doing all sorts of volunteer work; it’s just finding the right place to
use those gifts.
Grace and Peace to you,
Jenny
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Page 10
Equip:AlwaysReforming
LUKE 10
Aer this the Lord appointed
seventy others and sent them
on ahead of him in pairs to
every town and place where
he himself intended to go. He
said to them, “The harvest is
plen"ful, but the laborers are
few; therefore ask the Lord of
the harvest to send out laborers
into his harvest. Go on your
way. See, I am sending you out
like lambs into the midst of
wolves. Carry no purse, no bag,
no sandals; and greet no one
on the road. Whatever house
you enter, first say, ‘Peace to
this house!’ And if anyone is
there who shares in peace,
your
peace will rest on that person;
but if not, it will return to you.
Remain in the same house,
ea"ng and drinking whatever
they provide, for the laborer
deserves to be paid. Do not
move about from house to
house. Whenever you enter a
town and its people welcome
you, eat what is set before you;
cure the sick who are there,
and say to them, ‘The kingdom
of God has come near to you.’
+BishopJonV.Anderson-2016AnnualReport
BoldlylivinginChrist’smissionbytakingrisksandchanginglives…
+EngagingMoreLeaders +EquippingMoreCongregations
+ServingfruitfullyinGod’sWorldasGodgrowsmoreChristfollowers.
We are doing synod in new ways. This is what we have been doing in the past
year. In our synod and congregations, as our world changes and our communi-
ties change we will need to grow more committed to innovation and sharing
what we learn with one another for the sake of the Gospel. This $its our identi-
ty as a church that is committed to always reforming to best steward the Gos-
pel we know in Christ Jesus.
Our Equipping God sends the Holy Spirit to blow new life into our communi-
ties of faith and inspire us to create new sustainable structures for our re-
gional expression of church. God surprises us by working in all
kinds of seasons to deepen our faith and life. God agitates God’s people and the
leaders of our church. We need to remember, as William Willimon loves to say,
‘Jesus Christ loved the world…not just the church.” And “Congregational con-
tentment is a $ierce competitor with faithful mission.”
God equips through the work of the Holy Spirit in our personal and commu-
nal lives. God calls us to faith and sends us out into the harvest. God equips
us for ministry – to heal the sick, to announce God’s reign, to proclaim God’s
justice, peace and grace.
I will propose the new words in our vision statement (shown above) to your
synod council. I have put them in bold print. As we move forward we need to
become clearer about what we are doing together in Christ’s name and for the
sake of our neighbors.
We believe we are called to “Embrace God’s Mission � EquipGod’sPeople.”
Wearecommittedtodeepeningcongregationalvitality.Weintendtohelppeo-
pleseetheirassetsandbetterengageintheworkofinvitingpeopledeeper
intothelifeofJesusandthecommunitythatbearshisname.
Wewillbeencouragingcongregationstonoticetheirassetsandseethem
ashintsaboutwhatGodiscallingthemtodoinministryandmission.We
willbeintroducingassessmentstomovebeyond“anec-data(anecdotedata
-thosearethestorieswetell)toactuallygatherdatafromourwholecom-
munitynotjustthosewhospeakmostloudlyandoften. Wewillbework-
ingtodeepenourleadersandcongregationsabilitytocommunicatethe
GoodNewstoourchangingworld.Thatiswhywearealreadydoingexper-
imentswithnewwaystostaffthesynod.OurConferenceMinistersbring
staffenergyclosertoyourcongregation.Wehave$ivepeopleservingin
thisway.Wearethankfulforwhatwelearnastheyengagethiswork.
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We are also committed to enhancing congregational and synodical mission effectiveness. We have
dreamsandplanstodeepenourcapacitytodolocalandglobalmissionmoreeffectively.Godisdoing
greatworkthroughthefaithfulleaders(pastorsandlayleaders)whomakethelifeofour242congre-
gationshappen–proclaimingtheGospel,lovingtheirneighbors,caringforthesick,walkingbesidethe
anxious,supportingtheillanddying.OurlocalcongregationsaremissionstationsinGod’sgreatmis-
sionforthiswholeworld.
WehearGodcallingustosustainourmissionthroughchurchwide,seminarysupport,campusminis-
tries,LutheranAdvocacyofMinnesota,theMinnesotaCouncilofChurches,ourcamps,retreatcenters
andGustavusAdolphusCollege. WehearGodcallingustoequippeopletoengagethedeepeningis-
suesofpovertyonoursynod’sterritory. LiketheearlydisciplesweresurprisedonPentecost,weare
calledtobecomeamulti-ethnicchurchlearningtoreceivethegiftsandengagethelivesofpeoplewho
arenotfromthehistoriccontextsoftheLutheranChristianmovement.
Inthecomingyears,wewillbeobservingthe500thAnniversaryoftheReformation.Don’timaginea
bigbashonOct.31,2017,ratherseeajourneyofexploringanddeepeningourLutheranChristianiden-
tityastheanniversaryoftheeventsofthereformationunfoldoverthenexttwentytothirtyyears. We
haveanimportantvoiceintheChristianchoirwhichwewanttobecomemorecomfortableandcompe-
tentsinging.
Wearecommittedtodevelopingservantleaders. Wearethankfulforalltheprayersandinvitations
thathaveledoursynodtohaveincreasednumbersofcandidatesforordainedleadership. Weare
thankfulforthecourageousreformsofourchurchbodyandseminaryleaderstocreatemorepathsfor
pastorsandotherdisciplestodeveloptheirleadershipabilitiestoserveGod’smissionandGod’scon-
gregations.OursynodincreasinglyfocusesourenergyonequippingChristfollowerssothatthey
mightbetterservetheGospel.Weareanequippingsynod.
ThewaymoneyismovinginGod’sworldandchurchischanging.Thatiswhywearepreparingfora
fundinginitiativewithleadersalreadymeetingtodevelopresourcesandplans.Weknowpeoplelove
toseewheretheirgiftsgointhistime,sowearecreatingadditionalpathsforindividualstojointhe
congregationsofoursynodprovidingmissionsupport.Togethertheseeffortswillcreateenergyneed-
edtodosynodinnewways.
Throughoutthecomingyearandyears,GodwillbeguidingusasweseektoEmbraceGod’sMission�
EquipGod’sPeople. Godwillequipusinallkindsofways.Forexample,weareequippedbyourtradi-
tiontoserveourchangingcultureandcontext.IntheseasonofAdvent,Godworkstostirusuptobe
readyforthecomingofourLordandtohearGod’sdeeplongingforthisworld.IntheseasonofEpiph-
any,GodbringslightintoourdarklivesandworldwiththelightofJesus,ourLord.Intheseasonof
Lent,weareremindedofourbroken-nessandsin. Assomearepreparingforbaptism,Godcallsusto
turnaroundandrepentasbrokenpeopleandabrokenworld. ButwhatGoddoesinthepassionofJe-
susdecisivelybreaksthroughitall. IntheseasonofEaster,God’sresurrectinggracerestoredlivesand
callspeopletofollowourGodwhoselovemakesallthingsnews. InPentecost,theHolySpirtcatches
ourattentionand$iresusupinexcitementforGod’swaysandfuture.Inthelonggreenseason,we
growaswegathertohearthestoryofJesuswithhisteachingsaboutGod,healingandteachinguswho
Godlongsforustobe.Throughthewholeyear,weareremindedGodistheprimaryequipper,notthe
synod,notthepastorandnotthecongregations.Throughthebrokenandbeautifullivesofourcom-
munitiesoffaithandthepersonalwitnessofsinner/saints,Godtransformsourlivesandourworld.
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Thanksforyourgenerosityandyourministryasoneofthebaptized. Everyday,God’sworkisdoneasGod
guidesyourhandstoloveyourneighborsandthiscreation.IgivethankstoGodforeachandeveryoneofyou.
Iknowoursynod’slifewouldnothappenwithoutallthepeoplewhoserveinallourmissionstations.Iparticu-
larlywanttothanktheelectedgovernanceofthesynodandthesynodstaff,Iamblessedtoservealongside.
WesaygoodbyewithgratitudetoPr.JoycePiperandwelcomePr.KathrynSkoglundtoyoursynod’sministry
team.
Theiconbelowliftsuptheworkofyoursynod.Iwanttobeginandendwithourmissionandidentityasa
synod.
BoldlylivinginChrist’smissionbytakingrisksandchanginglives…+EngagingMoreLeaders +Equipping
MoreCongregations +ServingfruitfullyinGod’sWorldasGodgrowsmoreChristfollowers.
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2015 Council Year End Report
The year brought us new council members Penny Hogberg, Bill Berry, Kris Townsend and our second
High School representative Madeleine Duret. Kris Nelson was a mid-year addition. We also welcomed
back Deb Orr and new hires Gabby Lindquist, Grace Hagstrom, Alexis Kemp, and Elizabeth Kemp as
Nursery Attendants.
Two of the major approvals for the year came from the request of the Property Committee. Council ap-
proved of the retrofit of our current indoor lighting systems to higher efficiency LED bulbs in the sanctu-
ary. Nearly half of the cost was covered by grants and the other half of the cost was placed on a 0% in-
terest loan which will be paid back within the fiscal year 2016. Lights cost less to operate and need to be
replaced less frequently resulting in cost savings. The second major approval was for the retrofit of the
parking lot lighting to higher efficiency LED bulbs as well. These lights are the most used and can result
in the most savings for the congregation. After grants, the remainder of this bill will be paid with fifty per-
cent coming from the White’s House Fund and fifty percent from Thrivent Choice Dollars. The pay-back
for the outdoor lights is estimated at just over 2 years.
In regards to the White’s House; the congregation decided it was an asset to the congregation and to
keep the house as a rental. In order to do so the house must be connected to city water and sewer in
2016. The project will be covered by the White’s House Fund.
A special thank you goes to the Property Committee for their work on helping our congregation save
money by becoming more energy efficient and their work regarding the White’s House.
We thank outgoing members for their service on council: Lisa Borders, Kris Townsend, and Madeleine
Duret.
As requested last year, the 2015 council wants you to look forward to the 2016 year as we continue to
challenge our congregation in many ways! We challenge you to invite others to experience the great
happenings at St. John’s. We challenge our congregation to continue fiscally supporting our many minis-
tries by prayerfully considering an increase in your current giving. If you have never given before, we
challenge you to start this year with any amount! If you don’t already attend on a regular basis, we chal-
lenge you to hear the good Word more often by increasing your attendance by just one Sunday a month.
Wherever you may be in your faith, you are welcome here and we challenge you to grow in it. Finally, we
thank ALL volunteers who help make St. John’s operate and we continue to challenge you to volunteer
in one or more of our many ministries.
One of our main goals continues to be increasing our communication to our members about the wonder-
ful things happening at St. John’s and the needs of our programs. If you have any ideas on how to im-
prove in this or other areas at St. John’s please do not hesitate to talk to Pastor Dave, Pastor Tom, or
any of the council members.
Thank you for entrusting us!
Dennis Abernathy (President), Matt Treichler (Vice President), Nancy Berg (Secretary), Penny Hogberg
(Exec. Team Member), Bill Berry (Exec. Team Member), Lisa Borders, Dave Hadler, Kris Townsend,
Kris Nelson (Exec. Team Member), Matt Honsey, Jason Koets, and Madde Duret. The church treasurer
is Mark Nelson.
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The Year in Review...
• Sunday school youth collected funds on SouperBowl Sunday for our local Food Shelf
• Christian Women’s and the Annandale Improvement Club begin holding their monthly meetings
at St. John’s
• Offered a PreMarriage Workshop for couples getting married here at St. John’s
• Held our Valentine's Dinner, for the second time, at Southbrook
• Celebrated a "Spiritual" Sunday during Epiphany
• Held 2 New Member Sundays – welcoming 36 new members.
• Jenny Aleckson, Matt Honsey, Marilyn Hallstrom, Sandy Jerpseth, and Ed Mader shared about
how they lived out their faith in their various workplaces during our Midweek Lenten services
• Applied for Thrivent Action Team grants for a number of congregational ministries.
• The ELCA Youth Gathering youth and parents sponsored our Lenten Soup Suppers
• Congregation collected items for Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
• Participated in the Equipping Leader’s Day in Willmar
• Held 55Plus Gatherings every other month
• Offered “Prayers of Healing” on Fifth Sundays
• Offered a couple of First Communion classes
• Switched our Wednesday Lenten Services to Thursday night TWICE in order to cheer on our
Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams at State
• Participated in “Pack the Pews” Sunday to support Minnesota Foodshare Month
• Received a “Special Offering” in April to financially support Food for Kidz
• Ninth Graders led the Good Friday Service “Stations of the Cross”
• Precious Gifts Preschool sponsored our Easter Breakfast
• Hosted a booth at the annual Annandale Expo
• Members of St. John’s shared the cantata: “The Song of Mark” by Marty Haugen
• Participated in the Crow River Conference Pulpit Exchange
• Packaged food for Food for Kidz
• Celebrated "Celebration of Gifts Sunday" and Recognition of High School Seniors
• Recognized Maynard Nilson for his many years of service as one of our Head Ushers
• Participated in the Annandale Chili Cook-off… many thanks again to our chef: Bob Hesse
• Bishop Jon Anderson was elected to a third term as our synod bishop at our Synod Assembly in
St. Peter
• Hosted the third annual Firecracker 5K Fun Run/Walk
• Staffed the Annual Taco Booth as part of the Annandale Fourth of July Celebration
• Youth participate in local “Youth Mission Days” in June, July and August
• Senior High Trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit
• The Annual Septuafest was held
• Served a Love Inc. Breakfast at Pioneer Park
• Participated in the annual Lutheran Night at the Twins
• 105 youth participated in our annual Vacation Bible School – “Everest: Conquering Challenges
with God’s Mighty Power”
• Teri Jensen and Mona Volden traveled to our sister parish in Matamba, Tanzania
• Our third annual "God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday
Page 15
• Moved to the Narrative Lectionary for Sunday worship and our 7th-9th Grade D-Way Classes
• Raised funds (with a matching gift from the Memorial Committee) to purchase an AED for the CYF Build-
ing
• Held the annual Salad/Hotdish Luncheon
• Celebrated Matamba Mission Sunday
• Memorial Committee purchased “high tables” for the Gathering Area
• Presented Bibles to 3 year olds, 3rd Graders and 7th Graders
• Welcomed new Nursery Attendants: Gabby Lindquist, Grace Hagstrom, Alexis Kemp, and Elizabeth
Kemp; Deb Orr returned to the nursery
• Precious Gifts Preschool began its 15th year.
• D-Way Youth collected food for the Annandale Food Shelf
• Ninth graders served the Confirmation Banquet, Confirmation students shared their “Faith Statements”
• Special Congregational Meeting to approve needed repairs on White House
• Youth and adults participated in the annual SW MN Junior High Youth Gathering in Willmar
• Marge Lundeen, Mary Iverson, Steve Wiltermuth and Tina Honsey shared as part of our fall Stewardship
emphasis entitled: Fearless Generostiy
• Celebrated the half-way mark of our three-year capital campaign entitled: "Invest in the Kingdom: Rooted
in Faith, a Story to Tell"
• Retrofitted our Sanctuary Lights with LED bulbs
• Collected $2590.03 to provide Thanksgiving Dinners to families through our Annandale Food Shelf
• Gathered for a Thanksgiving Eve service, followed by a delicious Pie Potluck – served by our Chancel
Choir
• Hosted “The Brass Tacks” – who provided music for both of our worship services.
• Annual Holiday Fair was held. Proceeds distributed among various charities/ministries.
• Chancel Choir shared their annual “Christmas Fest” Sunday.
• Miracle of Jesus intergenerational event was offered
• Tuesday morning Bible study groups sponsor their second “Sunset Ridge” Christmas Party
• For all that has been….. THANKS! For all that will be…. YES!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2015 THRIVENT ACTION TEAM GRANTS – APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED 2015
Date Held Event Grant Received May 23, 2015 Chili Cook-off $ 250.00 July 1-4, 2015 Taco Booth 250.00 July 4, 2015 Firecracker 5K 250.00 July 23, 2015 Septuafest 250.00 Aug 2-6, 2015 VBS 250.00 Sept. 13, 2015 God’s Work, Our Hands 250.00 Sept 16, 2015 Salad/Hotdish Luncheon 250.00 Dec. 5, 2015 Holiday Fair 250.00 Dec 20, 2015 Miracle of Jesus Event 250.00 Total Received: $2,250.00 Thank You to those who applied for, worked toward, and reported on these events in order for St. John’s to receive Thrivent Action Team Grants in 2015.
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St. John’s Small Group DiSCIPLeship
2015-2016
Ministry of Administra.on
St. John’s Council: members are elected at the Annual Mee�ng. The delega�ng body. Oversee and delegate responsibili�es to
commitees, task groups, and ministry teams for St. John’s expression of ministries. The council is currently: Dennis Abernathy, Kris
Nelson, Nancy Berg, Lisa Borders, Dave Hadler, Penny Hogberg, Bill Berry, Kris Townsend, Ma, Honsey, Jason Koets, Ma, Treichler
and Madeleine Duret.
Execu.ve Commi>ee of the Council: this group includes the officers of the Council (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer)
and one at-large member of the Council, as well as the Lead pastor. Sets the agenda for the Council. This year’s Execu�ve Com-
mi,ee was: Dennis Abernathy, President; Ma, Treichler, Vice President; Nancy Berg, Secretary; Penny Hogberg and Kris Nelson.
Property and Building Commi>ee: oversees the care and maintenance of the church and grounds. Contact the church office.
Cemetery Commi>ee: oversees the care and maintenance of St. John’s Lutheran cemetery. Contact Ron Remington, chair.
Ministry of Support and Stewardship
Support and Stewardship Ministry Team: tasked with helping the members of St. John’s to grow in their understanding and prac-
�ce of “living giving” as a faith prac�ce of DiSCIPLeship.
Endowment Commi>ee: facilitates the development and support of St. John’s endowment fund for the purpose of crea�ng and
suppor�ng ministry opportuni�es both locally and through the greater Church. Contact: Paul Hansen, Keith Jerpseth, Mona Volden,
Sue Nelson, and Steve Niklaus.
Invest in the Kingdom team: oversees the current capital campaign. Contact Megan Czycalla, chair.
Ministry of Worship and Music
Worship and Music Ministry team: oversees and designs impac�ng worship services and music ministry. Contact Mark Nelson,
Becky Unger, Penny Koets or Vicki Greene.
Contemporary Worship Team (Rejoice Singers): leads the congrega�on in praise and worship during the contemporary service, as
well as sharing special music. Contact Becky Unger or Penny Koets, co-leaders.
St. John’s Chancel Choir: leads the congrega�on in praise and singing as well as sharing special music during worship. Contact
Mark Nelson, choir director.
Ushers: assists with the order of worship and invi�ng atmosphere of the worship space. Contact Jim Peterson, head usher for
8:15/8:30 am service; Drew & Donna Jacobson, head ushers for 10:00/10:30 am service.
Worship Assistants: assist in leading the congrega�on during the order of worship through special music, as cantors, lay ministers,
acolytes and Holy Communion servers. Contact Vicki Greene, volunteer coordinator.
Altar Guild: responsible for the upkeep and organiza�on of the worship space for Sunday worship. Primary responsibility for the
sacristy and paraments. Contact Shelly Mikel, volunteer coordinator.
Technology Team: directs and u�lizes technology in worship; such as sound, lights and projec�on. Contact the church office.
Visual Arts Team: assists with beau�fica�on and decora�on of the Sanctuary for special services during Lent, Christmas, and other
projects as needed. Contact the church office.
Ministry of Outreach
Outreach Ministry Team: oversees and delegates responsibility for invi�ng seekers and under-churched into our fellowship at St.
John’s. Primarily responsible for Greeters, Welcome Center, Coffee Teams, and Welcome Callers. Outreach team hosts New Mem-
ber gatherings, New Member Sunday, and represents St. John’s at the Annandale Expo. Contact Marilyn Hallstrom, chair.
Page 17
Matamba Mission Team: St. John’s has built a commitment and fellowship with Matamba Parish, Tanzania. The Matamba Mission
team fosters this rela�onship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Tanzania, plans mission trips to Matamba, and provides op-
portuni�es for people to financially and prayerfully support the Matamba parish. Contact Mona Volden.
Service and Social Concerns: St. John’s is involved with miscellaneous service opportuni�es in the community and support of the
Annandale Food Shelf. We also work with LOVE, Inc. in Buffalo to coordinate support to local individuals. Contact the church office.
Meals on Wheels: brings meals and fellowship to shut-ins and those in need. Contact Diane Barkley, coordinator.
Ministry of Children, Youth and Family
CYF (Children, Youth and Family) Ministry Team: engage in the organiza�on and follow-through for individual age groups. CYF
Ministry covers a large range of leadership and ministry opportuni�es for adults as well as children and youth. CYF Ministry in-
cludes task groups focused on 0-3 years, Preschool-2nd
grade, 3rd
-5th
grade, Middle School and High School Youth. Ac�vi�es include
service events, fellowship events, Sunday School, Wednesday School, Synod Youth Gatherings, and High School mission trips. CYF
Ministry hosts the St. John’s Taco Booth during the 4th
of July celebra�on in Annandale. Contact Jenny Aleckson, chair.
Nursery: provides nursery care during church events including Sunday morning worship, and evening ac�vi�es when nursery care
is needed. Contact the church office.
Precious Gi;s Preschool: preschool educa�on with a Chris�an emphasis. Contact Robin Jacobson, Director and Teacher.
Ministry of Adult Discipleship and Service
Befrienders: engage in lay pastoral care to those in need. Befrienders engage in being Caring Neighbors to young families with
newborns, military families, the sick and injured, and the homebound. Contact Lore,a Peterson, chair.
Prayer Chain: for those in need of prayer, there is a growing chain of individuals praying on your behalf. Contact the church office.
Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Study: ecumenical group of men who meet for fellowship, Scripture, prayer and service every Tues-
day morning at 8 am. Responsible for the summer fish fry! Contact Pastor Dave.
Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study: group of women who meet each Tuesday at 10 am for fellowship, prayer, and to study
the upcoming Sunday Scripture texts. Contact Pastor Dave.
WELCA (Women of the ELCA): Several WELCA Circles currently mee�ng. WELCA Circles meet for fellowship and Scripture study.
WELCA is also involved in several service projects and events throughout the year. Contact the WELCA Team: Gladys Johnson,
Meredith Froehlich, Mary Iverson, Ardis Nelson or Bev Sorensen. Funeral Lunch Coordinator: Bev Sorensen.
Via de Cristo: The Via de Cristo (Way of Christ) experience is a weekend one will not forget! Adults, this weekend experience is
sure to bring a new depth to your faith. Couples are encouraged to a,end. For upcoming opportuni�es and addi�onal informa�on
see the website at www.mnviadecristo.org and talk to either Ardis Nelson or Pr. Dave. The Via de Cristo community at St. John’s
has become dormant. We would welcome new par�cipate to enliven our group once again. Contact Ardis Nelson, liaison.
55 Plus: meets every other month as a fellowship gathering for older adults. Contact Pastor Dave.
Various Small Groups: there are several ac�ve small groups that gather at St. John’s for fellowship, prayer, service and Bible Study.
Contact Pastor Dave.
Garden Group: for those who enjoy tending to the flower beds during the growing season, and some off-season ac�vi�es as well.
Contact Karen Navra�l or Gary Geisinger.
Hands for Hope: meet the 2nd
and 4th
Mondays of the month. Kni,ed prayer shawls, baby caps, and blankets/quilts are made to
be given to those in need. Sheets are made into rolled bandages and are sent to Global Health Ministries. All are welcome!
JOLT! “Joy of Learning Together”: Join us most Sunday mornings during the school year at 9:30 am for adult educa�on. Each week
will bring a different topic of conversa�on.
2015 ANNUAL REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY TEAM
CYF Ministry comprises:
180 students who actively participate in our programs including twice monthly youth group.
We have 18 Sunday School teachers and helpers, 15 D-Way guides, 40 Vacation Bible School teachers and helpers, all who are volunteers.
3 current active members of the Children, Youth and Family Ministry Team. In August, our CYF chair, Jill Wrobbel, stepped down after serving as chair for the last 8 years. Her passion and dedication to the youth is greatly appreciated.
Our 0-3 Ministry sent between 50-60 packets containing faith formation resources to parents for their children. This re-source continues throughout the first three years to help nourish and grow the child’s faith. Throughout the year, there has been talk of re-doing this program and we are happy to announce that new and exciting things will be happening.
January
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants raised $990 in Little Caesar’s Pizza Kit sales.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants raised $500 in Meat Raffle sales at Southbrook.
• D-way students made tie blankets for Lutheran Social Services and care packages for our college students and members in the military.
February
• Sunday School children made Valentine’s Day cards for Annandale Care Center residents and sang during worship.
• $1,123.97 was collected for Souper Bowl of Caring and the funds are donated to the Annandale Food Shelf
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants offered a Valentine’s Day Babysitting for families to enjoy a night out. 15 kids participated and had a blast getting to know older kids in the congregation.
• 35 adults and youth attend our annual Tubing at Powder Ridge on Saturday February 21st
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants prepared and served at the Lenten soup suppers as a fundraiser, over $900 was raised.
March
• Family Movie Night - where we got together to watch Finding Nemo and have fish inspired treats.
• D-Way students attend Lenten Services instead of Wednesday school
• Green Lake Bible Camp representative, Meggie, attended worship and Sunday School to introduce camp and invite kids to attend this summer.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants held a silent auction and raised $940 towards their trip costs.
• Easter Egg hunt for our littlest members of the congregation was held with the help of Annandale High School BPA members.
• Sunday School children sang at both worship services.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants had Pizza Ranch fundraiser where $425 was raised.
April
• 9th grade students perform drama during Good Friday Service directed by Lloyd and Maria Johnson.
• 5th and 6th grade D-Way classes put together the personal hygiene kits for Lutheran World Relief with items that were donated by the congregation.
St. John’s Youth and members of the congregation raised $3,802 which resulted in packaging 25,352 meals for Food for Kidz. This couldn’t have been possible without the help of everyone in the congregation!
May
• 18 high school graduation seniors are recognized during worship and celebration cake is served afterwards.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants had Pizza Ranch fundraiser where $410 was raised.
• Paper drive fundraiser for the ELCA Youth Gathering.
• Sunday School children did special Mother’s & Father’s Day gift and sang in worship and learned that we collected $420 over the last year to sponsor a child, Lakshan, through World Vision.
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• End of the year celebration was held for Youth Group – including games, food and fun.
June
• A year end Lock-In was held where 10 youth, Mike Diers and Jenny stayed the night to celebrate a successful school year.
• Go and Do Likewise Mission Day #1 was held. Youth from St. John’s and St. Ignatius got together and did yard work at the Annandale Care Center. We cleaned up gardens and planted new trees and flowers.
• 5 kids attended camp at Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp and 1 attended Green Lake Bible Camp (both under the Green Lake Lutheran Ministries umbrella). All of the kids had a marvelous time learning about God’s love. As a CYF team, we offset the cost of camp for each individual that went. A total of $450 was given.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants held a stock fundraiser which raised over $1500.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants did a ropes course at Camp Friendship with youth from Bethlehem Lutheran in St. Cloud. This served as an introduction for everyone as we were travel mates for the Youth Gathering.
July
• St. Johns Annual Taco Booth, chaired by Jill Wrobbel and Jenny, sold $9000 worth of tacos and soft drinks. After expenses, $4500 of that went to the 17 kids attending the ELCA Youth Gathering, $1000 of that went to Precious Gifts Preschool and the remaining went into our CYF Scholarship fund. This would have NOT been possible without the help of many volunteers! Thank you!
• Go and Do Likewise Mission Day #2 was held. Youth from St. John’s and St. Ignatius got together and did service work at the Annandale Food Shelf. We cleaned and organized the entire place.
• 17 youth and 4 chaperones attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, MI. We spent the week in service to oth-ers, learned more about ourselves as children of God and grew closer together with 30,000 other ELCA Lutherans. It was an experience of a lifetime for all that attended. A very large thank you to the congregation for helping us raise $12,595 towards our trip. This ensured that everyone was able to attend for little cost out of their pocket.
• Celebrated Jenny’s one year anniversary with St. John’s while in Detroit.
August
• Preparations are done to prepare for the start up of Sunday School and D-Way. Pastor Dave and Jenny re-designed how D-Way was going to look with changing over to a Biblical narrative where the kids will learn, in detail, the stories of the Bible.
• “Everest – Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power” was this year’s theme for Vacation Bible School. The kids were led through an icy expedition to see how God’s love and power brings us through anything. 110 children at-tended and 40 volunteers participated in this event. $196 was raised by the children to put towards Bibles for kids in Thailand. We were able to send 49 Bibles which are written in their native language. Our fearless VBS Director is Michelle Wang and we can’t thank her enough for all she does for this program.
September
• D-Way Parents Night was successful in explaining the new curriculum along with new requirements.
• D-Way Classes begin with Jenny teaching the 3rd through 6th graders, and Pastor Dave teaching the 7th through 9th graders.
• Sunday School open house where lots of new kids came to see what Sunday School is all about.
• Sunday School classes resume using the Rotational Sunday School model. Kurt and Jackie Bruhn are serving as the Sunday School Directors.
• Presentation of Bibles to 3 year olds and 7th grade students.
• 3rd grade students are given their bibles along with helpful tips for using their Bibles.
• Youth group starts up again for the fall with meeting the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of the month.
October
• 20 students were confirmed at St. John’s and attend a banquet served by the 9th grade students. Banquet chair was Jill Wrobbel.
• ELCA Youth Gathering participants had their Stock Holders dinner where we thanked everyone for their support and shared more about our experiences.
• 5-9th graders gather over 800 lbs. of food for the food shelf!
Page 19
• Pastor Dave was downtown for Trick or Treating.
• First Communion class for 17 youth and their parents
November
• 20 youth and 5 chaperones attend the SWMN Synod Jr. High Youth Gathering in Willmar and had a blast! We learned that no matter what, God hears us!
• 16 kids and a few chaperones will be headed to Fairmount, Illinois this summer for a mission trip with Teen Serve. This will be our first time using this organization which has more hands on and hard work for the kids to experience.
December
• Year-End Youth Group celebration was held where the kids baked cookies for the various events that were held throughout December. They also took some home to enjoy with their families.
• D-Way 5-9th grade children went Christmas caroling, along with a few members of the choir, at Centennial Villa and Goldendale.
• Miracle of Jesus Family Christmas event was held. 25 families got to step back in time to experience Bethlehem’s marketplace! They experienced Jesus’ miraculous birth and love all while learning what it would be like to be alive when He was born. A huge thank you for all the volunteers and people who donated items!
2015 CYF Ministry Team
Jill Wrobbel Michelle Wang Laura Eastling Jenny Aleckson
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Precious Gifts Preschool 2015
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.”
- Maria Montessori
Precious Gifts is honored to be part of many of our preschool aged children’s lives in this community.
We are in the service of molding their impressionable brains with the absolute love of God and aca-
demically preparing them for the big step of kindergarten.
We graduated 8 students May of 2015
We enrolled 16 students for the 2015/2016 academic year, 15 of those students being boys.
With state recognition and training we have improved our ECIPs (Early Childhood Indicators of Pro-
gress) learning program that ensures children to not just memorize alphabet and number facts but to
encourage children to think about cause and effect and what ifs?.
With the preschool board in full operation, our goals are being met.
A. Run the preschool without having to use any St. John’s General Fund monies
B. Involve the congregation in various program areas; reading to the class, attending functions
that support the children, transportation.
C. Planning and implementing a minimum of 3 fundraisers a year; spaghetti dinner, butter braids,
Schwan’s sales and the 4th of July Taco Booth (for a day).
D. Spreading the “word” of our program throughout the community; advertising in the community
calendar, advertising in the local newspaper, annual billboard on Hwy 55, Facebook updates
and the St. John’s website.
Three of our students are receiving tuition help that come out of donations from members of St.
John’s, fundraisers and community members who want to help students. We are thankful for the op-
portunity to help these families.
The board started a program this year for families who are members of St. John’s. The tuition for
members’ families is at a 20% discount. We have received positive feedback on this decision.
One major key to the success of Precious Gifts is enrollment. Other success categories are already
inherent. 1) The program has been positively recognized and awarded by the state, 2) the teachers
are experienced, trained and passionate about their work and 3) we have a board of directors who
support and give generously of their time, who are also passionate about the preschool.
We have an outstanding program with the love of God right in the center!
What better preschool education can we have than that?!
Robin Jacobson, Precious Gifts Preschool Director/Teacher
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St John’s Outreach Ministry 2015 Annual Report to the Congregation
St. John’s Outreach has been active in 2015. We have had the privilege to work with the congrega-
tion on the following activities:
• 12 new members and families to St John’s during 2015 New Member Gatherings.
• Nearly 100 people from St. John’s participated in the September Servant Sunday. We shared
our talents and our strength at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN. We received a gracious
Thank You letter from True Friends. They would be happy to have us come to camp again. Par-
ticipants also tied fleece blankets which have been delivered to LWR. No update yet on where
they have been sent.
• Many local residents visited us at our St. John’s Booth at the Annandale Expo in April. We part-
nered with Precious Gifts Preschool for a double booth which afforded us more room and the
ability to have a “game” for the young visitors.
• Outreach team shared a new contact with Senior Dining/Meals On Wheels. We alerted the con-
gregation to the need for donations to assist Seniors with money to buy 445 meals. The funds
were given to Senior Dining for distribution.
• During the Easter Season our congregation provided supplies to create 140 Baskets of Promise
(Personal Care Items). These Baskets have been sent to Jordan for distribution to refugee fami-
lies.
• The Outreach Team helped coordinate and serve the LOVE INC. breakfast at Pioneer Park in Ju-
ly. We had 15 members participate.
• St John’s was VERY generous in collecting over $2,500 for the Food Shelf to assist with Thanks-
giving Turkeys and Christmas Hams.
• Refined a Coffee Server, Welcome Center/Greeter Assignment List to better manage our Hospi-
tality at St John’s.
We continue to look for new ideas to inspire St. John’s to do God’s work outside of our church doors.
Please let us know if you have any suggestions of places or activities where we can share God’s
Love. New members are also welcome to our ministry.
Respectfully submitted:
Outreach Ministry
Dave Boie Toni Boie Marilyn Hallstrom Kris Nelson Diane Barkley Gloria Warner
Page 23
St. John’s Support and Stewardship Ministry
2015 Annual Report
Members of St. John’s:
The Support and Stewardship Ministry at the close of 2015 is made up of members: Trish Town-send, Steve Wiltermuth, and Tina Honsey. The congregational guidelines for Support and Steward-ship Ministry call for six members, and the committee is actively searching for more mem-bers. Pastor Tom Heyd has continued as a Pastoral guide and his expertise is much appreciat-ed. Meetings are tentatively scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month.
The theme for the Fall Stewardship Drive was: “Dancing with the Holy Spirit, Rooted in Christ.” During October several congregation members discussed giving during Sunday wor-ship. Marge Lundeen focused on “Fearless Living,” Mary Iverson on “Fearless Service,” Steve Wiltermuth on “Fearless Giving,” and Tina Honsey shared how to give of “time and talents.”
Members are encouraged to consider giving to the church through Sunday offering or online giv-ing. Thank you to members of the congregation who have given abundantly in the last year.
A special thanks to all the members of St. Johns who responded in one way or another to our re-quests for estimates of giving for 2016. There were 112 responses as compared to 130 last year. The amount pledged was $219419.80 compared to $234867.64 last year.
The Support and Stewardship Team:
Trish Townsend
Steve Wiltermuth
Tina Honsey (Chair)
Pastor Tom Heyd
St. John’s Library Board Report 2015
The Library Board has been quiet for this year----we have made no purchases or completed any updates to our inventory. We con�nue to add books that have been donated by generous members---and this coming year will see some new addi�ons to our selec�ons. We received a generous giN from WELCA in Decem-ber, which we will put to good use. This will give us the means to keep our library current and relevant. Thank you to all who use and enjoy our library. Carol Cassell Sharon Peterson
——————————————————————————————————————————
Visual Arts Team Report 2015
Current team members include: Diane Nelson, Beryl Geisinger, Mary Holmgren, Kim Holmberg and Lisa Dietrich-Blocker.
The Visual Arts Team assists with the beautification and decoration of the Sanctuary for special ser-vices during Lent, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other projects as needed. The Visual Arts team prepared the Lenten and Easter displays in the Sanctuary, including Lenten-colored cloth draping for the large cross in the Sanctuary and lights/tulle draping for Easter. Six window inserts covered in muslin, with Lenten symbols done in black over a color-washed background were prepared in 2014, and were placed in the windows during Lent again this Lenten season.
For Thanksgiving, a display including the bounty of the season was displayed on the Sanctuary steps. Advent and Christmas decorating included putting up the Advent wreath, candles tied with blue ribbon in the windows and behind the altar, as well as putting up Christmas trees in the
Sanctuary.
The Visual Arts Team welcomes new members; please contact Diane Nelson if you are interested in joining the team.
Submitted by: Lisa Dietrich-Blocker
Page 24
Endowment Committee
Members include: Paul Hansen, Mona Volden, Keith Jerpseth, Susann Nelson, Steve Niklaus, Den-
ny Abernathy (Council Advisory Member), and Pastor Dave (Advisory Member)
The balance of the St. John’s Endowment Fund of the InFaith Community Foundation (previously
named the Lutheran Community Foundation) as of the beginning of 2015 was: $54,927.03
In keeping with the practice of gifting five percent of the corpus, and following the guidelines includ-
ed in our bylaws, the Endowment Committee gifted a total of $2746.00 in 2015. The Endowment
Committee was able to honor all of the grant requests we received and more. Those gifts included:
WELCA (Crow River Conference Fall Gathering) - $100 Seminary – Debt Relief for Pastor Kirsten and Pastor Kayla - $300 each Precious Gifts Permanent Signage - $396 Sunset Ridge - $200 Youth First - $200 Love INC. - $200 Timber Bay – Buffalo - $100 Annandale High School F.C.A. - $125 Stewardship Team - $260 Matamba - $315 WELCA (Septuafest) - $250
Mona Volden is completing her first term on the Endowment Committee and was eligible for re-
appointment. She was willing to serve a second term, and the Church Council made that appoint-
ment at their January, 2016 meeting.
The Endowment Committee, with the support of the Church Council, is bringing to the Annual Meet-
ing some recommended revisions to our bylaws regarding our Endowment Fund. These revisions
will streamline and simplify the Endowment Fund and allow it to fulfill its purpose: “to enhance the
ministry outreach of St. John’s.”
During 2015, we received $4397.00 in gifts and memorials. We are grateful for each gift, no matter
the size. Those, and all the gifts contributed to the Endowment Fund, have allowed us to grant
$17,657 since 2008, while, at the same time, seeing the corpus of the Endowment grow. Such gifts
truly are gifts that keep on giving – and they also most definitely “enhance the ministry outreach of
St. John’s Lutheran” – which is the very purpose of this Fund.
The balance of the fund, held by the InFaith Community Foundation, as of December 6, 2015 was:
$52,761.63. Our balance in the Annandale State Bank checkbook was: $4027.05 (including $400
that is designated for grants yet to be distributed).
Congregational members are encouraged to remember the St. John’s Endowment Fund as they do their estate planning, complete their wills, or as they consider special or memorial gifts! A gift to our Endowment Fund truly is a gift that will keep on giving – to the glory of God, and for the sake of God’s mission in our world!
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MINISTRY OF WORSHIP AND MUSIC
The Ministry of Worship and Music has a primary goal to work together with the Pastors in providing meaningful and inspiring worship services. Since September of 2011, a traditional service is held at 8:15 am and a contemporary service at 10:30 am. During the summer months, a traditional service is held at 8:30 am and a contemporary service at 10:00 am. Many volunteers are utilized weekly to serve in the following areas: Altar Guild-Committee Chairperson is Shelly Mikel. Thank you Shelly for your service! Communion Assistants - The cross-wearing communion assistant plan was successful again this year. Thanks to individuals who faithfully pick up the crosses frequently to assist with communion. Ushers-Thanks to Jim Peterson and Drew and Donna Jacobson for their leadership in this area. Drew and Donna Ja-cobson volunteered to be the new head ushers for the 10:30 service this year. Maynard Nilson re-tired as the Head Usher. Maynard was recognized for his many faithful years of service. Thank you Maynard! Rejoice Team-Thanks to Nichole Abernathy, Nancy Berg, Vicki Greene, Carrie Pilgram, Lisa Dietrich-Blocker and Penny Koets for leading vocally. A special thank you to Ardis Nelson and Bev Sorensen for joining the Rejoice Team on Sundays when needed. The Rejoice team was accompa-nied by Becky Unger on piano with Pastor Dave and Matt Treichler on guitar. Orma Lou Jacobsma substituted on piano when needed for the Rejoice Team. Since January 1, 2012, Becky Unger and Penny Koets have co-led the contemporary service.
Chancel choir- The choir is directed by Mark Nelson and accompanied by Orma Lou Jacobsma. The choir sings anthems at the 8:15 am and 10:30 am service. On Easter, Christmas Fest and Cantata Sunday the choir sings at both services.
Technology Team-Many thanks to this tremendous group of individuals that volunteer their time to make sure we can hear and see each service!
Special Music-Thanks to the instrumentalists and vocalists who share their talents. Results to Highlight from 2015 Activities:
• The worship schedule during the summer months was set at 8:30 am and 10:00 am, while for the remainder of the year the schedule was set at 8:15 am and 10:30 am respectively to allow time for adult education between services.
• Children actively take part in the 10:30 worship service with the playing of instruments on the last worship song.
• A Confirmation Service was held on Sunday, October 25th. Twenty youth were confirmed.
• Ash Wednesday services were held at 5 and 7pm. All other mid-week Lent services were held at 7pm.
• The Good Friday Drama was at 7pm. The 9th grade Confirmation Class and their guides worked to make this a meaningful service.
• Mark Nelson organized and conducted the Brass instrumentalists for Easter Sunday. Thank you Mark and Brass!
• On April 19th, Mark Nelson conducted an Easter Cantata called, “Song of Mark” by Marty Haugen.
• Since May of 2012, baptisms have been held in the back of the church at the baptismal font. Many positive comments have been voiced about having baptisms in the back of the church.
• Matamba Sunday was on September 27th.
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• God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday was on September 13th. Some congregation members worked at church with their volunteer services, while others went out to “True Friends” and worked on several projects throughout the morning.
• Starting September 27th, Pastor Dave switched from Common Lectionary to Narrative Lec-tionary for the Discipleship Way program for the 7th-9th graders. The purpose of the switch is to spend more time on the four year biblical story narrative cycle in chronological order.
• In the fall, Becky and Pastor Dave participated in classes that were offered by “The Center for Worship and Music Studies.”
• A Visual Arts Team is still in place since November of 2012. Mary Holmgren, Beryl Geisinger, Diane Nelson, Kim Holmberg and Lisa Dietrich-Blocker are a team committed to enhancing wor-ship through the visual arts.
• In months with five Sundays, a “Prayers of Healing” service was offered on the 5th Sunday.
• St. John’s hosted the “Brass Tacks” on December 6th..
• Christmas Eve services were held at 3pm, 5pm and 10pm with Communion. A Christmas Day service with Communion was held at 10:00.
The Ministry of Worship and Music would like to thank all those who shared their God given time and talents throughout 2015 to serve this ministry and its many volunteer needs. Committed and capable volunteers enable us to provide effective and meaningful worship so that we all can truly Experience, Live and Share the love of Jesus Christ.
Servants in Christ,
Vicki Greene Mark Nelson Pastor Dave Nelson Becky Unger Penny Koets
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Property Team Annual Report 2015
Team Members Include:
Lonnie Baack, Gary Geisinger, Ron Johnson, Dan Lemm, Mike Nelson, Stan Hillestad, Cliff Franzen and Pas-tor Dave
During the year, Dan Nelson, Ron Dircks, Cal Froehlich and Bryan Kulm stepped down from the Team after fulfilling their terms, and we were happy to welcome Stan Hillestad to our Team.
Completed Projects Include:
- Sanctuary Lights - All lights were retrofitted with LED lights at a total cost of $13,354.92. After Xcel re-bates, our cost of the project was $6009.00. They estimate that our energy savings will be $6,313 a year.
- An exterior light above the main entry was installed. We want to thank Ryan Wang for installing the light. - White House - The furnace boiler has been replaced.
- Insurance Policy - The policy was reviewed, along with the Church Mutual Account Manager. Based on the review, the Team recommended that the deductible be raised from $1,000 to $2,500. Also, that the Employment Practices Liability be increased from $100,000 to $250,000.
The carrier also recommended that flammable materials be removed the Electrical Room next to the men's room and that a video inventory of all Church property be made. Both of these were completed.
- CYF Hot Water Heater was replaced and some needed, related electrical work, was done.
- Two Clean Up Days were held to spruce up the Church, inside and out, after the winter. - Many Church lights required new ballasts to be installed.
- Lights in the CYF Building were fixed - bulbs and ballasts. - Insulation in the CYF Boys Bathroom was replaced.
- All paper towel dispensers were replaced at no cost. - The garage was power washed and painted. - Four high tables, purchased by the Memorial Committee, were assembled and placed in the Narthex.
- Handicap Door was fixed at no cost by using a piece of metal (Thanks Pastor Tom) to hold the bar in when unlocked. To replace the electrical boards would have cost $1,221.
- All CYF Building carpet was cleaned.
- As an Eagle Scout project, the areas around the shrubs on the south side of the Church were completely redone. Thanks to Zachary Wrobbel.
- Teams took care of mowing and fertilizing, as well as maintained all equipment. - Sprinkler system was turned on and off, as well as required maintenance performed. - Snow Shoveling Team is in place. A spreader has been purchased for applying salt, as needed. The
snow blowers have been serviced. - All fire extinguishers were serviced. - Spray was applied to kill Asian Beetles and Box Elder Bugs. - Women's Bathroom Handicap Door Lock was fixed. - New AED cabinet was hung in the CYF Building. - Playground swing was repaired.
- Kitchen floor was scrubbed, but may need additional work to keep it clean.
- Wire was strung along the bottom of the playground fence to strengthen it.
- The Property Team recommended that a policy be adopted to prohibit loaning of the new, white tables. The older tables, stored in the White House garage may be borrowed.
- The fasteners on several pews were tightened to prevent them from tipping over.
- A new hose was installed on the dishwasher, as the sanitizer was not being dispensed.
Future / In Process Projects Included:
- White House - The Church Council approved the Team's recommendation to install City water and sewer, when the frost is out of the ground next spring. Estimated cost is $15,837. Also, the basement walls, which are bowing in, will be fixed.
- Outdoor Lights - The Team recommended accepting the bid from Lee Piepkorn to upgrade all exterior lights to LED. The bid, $8,425, would be offset by a $3,900 Xcel rebate and reduce electric bills.
- Garage Roof - Shingles will be replaced in 2016.
- Sound Proof Wall In Jenny's Office. - A list of interior painting needs has been put together.
- Consider a proposal from the Outreach Committee to create a "community garden" on Church property.
Thank You!
The Church wants to thank the Property Team Members and all others that assisted in the various projects and ongoing stewarding of our facilities.
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2015 Matamba Mission Report
The partnership between the congregations of St. John’s and the Matamba Parish in Tanzania East Africa con-
tinues through prayer, relationships and projects. Below, a variety of those that occurred in 2015 are listed.
• Continued ongoing tuition support for orphan students to attend Itamba Secondary School by members and
friends of St. John’s. This sponsorship provides education, supplies, room and board for students that
would otherwise not have this educational opportunity.
• Continued support for St. Monica's Primary School. This is run by Father Mbiche and our sponsorship is for
orphaned children and growth of the school. This provided education, supplies, room and board for these
young children and supplies and facilities for the teaching staff.
• Continued support for St. John’s Hospital. This is run by Father Mligo and provides medical care for people
in and around the Matamba community. This includes such things as medical supplies, equipment and
funds for medications and mosquito nets.
• Communion items and candles were purchased by St. John’s for Matamba’s Easter worship services.
• In August of this year, Terri Jensen and Mona Volden traveled to Matamba and spent several weeks there.
During this trip, they distributed 60 uniforms to students in village schools, purchased and distributed per-
sonal care items to students, attended graduation celebrations at St. Monica’s Primary and Itamba Second-
ary schools, worshiped with the Matamba congregation as well as other village churches, assessed the wa-
ter situation for clean water opportunities, evaluated and learned of the use of items sent for the hospital
and school in the container, distributed shoes and socks to students, and provided medications to the hos-
pital and community leaders. Altar cloths and worship vestments were also presented as a gift from St.
John’s to the Matamba Parish.
• While traveling to Tanzania, Terri and Mona met with a Foundation in Amsterdam which also supports the
work done in Matamba. We discussed ways to work in partnership for continued assistance and work in
Matamba, to not duplicate efforts and to minimize the need for travel from Minnesota to Matamba in the fu-
ture.
• Funds were provided to ensure clean water was piped and available for the students and staff at St. Mon-
ica’s Primary School.
• Fair trade items (purchased at a fair price for the people producing the items) were brought back from Tan-
zania and sold at various times at St. John’s. Profits from these sales are sent back to Matamba to support
ongoing needs there.
• In December, we had our ‘Merry Christmas Matamba’ tree to support some of the orphan student needs –
specifically the handicapped ones which were identified on the trip this fall. A Christmas gift was sent to the
church for their Christmas worship as well as gifts to the priests to support their projects.
• Funds for this mission were provided through WELCA, the St. John’s Endowment Fund and a variety of do-
nations from members and friends of St John’s. Asante sana (great thanks) for your support of this mission.
Through this global partnership, we continue to use the blessings God has provided us to be a blessing to oth-
ers. We follow God’s command to care for our brothers and sisters and partner with them in Christian fellow-
ship. We continue to joyfully support the work begun by Mark and Terri Jensen.
Mona Volden, Matamba Mission Chairperson
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WOMEN OF THE E.L.C.A. 2015
St. John’s Women of the E.L.C.A. continue to hold the organization as a working ministry of the
church under a leadership team. Participating members of the team include: Meredith Froehlich,
Mary Iverson, Gladys Johnson, Ardis Nelson and Beverly Sorensen. We are looking for interested
members to join us. The Team supported the Chairpersons and Committees who carried out the
various events of W/ELCA. These events included a Hot Dish/Salad Luncheon in August and the
Holiday Fair in December. These events were both fundraisers. A Septuafest Brunch was held in
July to honor the women of the congregation who were 70 years or older.
The fundraisers were both very successful with capable and dedicated leadership of the committees.
They were well attended and a good time was had by all. The two fundraisers had a net profit of
6,400.00 and this was disbursed to the following charities:
Lutheran World Relief $500.00 ISD #876 Nurses Fund $500.00
Global Health Ministries $500.00 True Friends –Camp Friendship $300.00
ELCA-Disaster Relief $500.00 Annandale Food Shelf $400.00
Lutheran Indian Ministries $200.00 Sunset Ridge $200.00
LAMP $200.00 St. John’s Library $200.00
Anna Marie’s Alliance $400.00 Precious Gifts Preschool $500.00
Lutheran Social Service $300.00 Matamba Mission $300.00
Youth Mission Trip $500.00 Septuafest $400.00
Annandale Youth First $500.00 =======
$6400.00
Four circles continue to meet monthly for Bible Study, fellowship, mission projects and for financial
support for W/ELCA. There is one morning circle, two afternoon circles and one evening circle. Any
of these circles would be interested in having new members join them. Give this your consideration.
Hands for Hope is another ministry of W/ELCA. This group meets on the second and fourth Monday
of the month at 9:30am. Hands for Hope involves knitting Prayer Shawls, rolling bandages and mak-
ing quilts. The Prayer shawls are available to anyone (member or non-member) who is in need of
comfort and warmth. Rolled bandages are delivered to Global Health Ministries for distribution to
mission fields. The quilts are made for local use and Lutheran World Relief. Hands for Hope invites
you to join us in this ministry.
Several members of the leadership team have attended the Spring and Fall Gatherings of the Crow
River Conference and the Synodical Convention. Interesting programs and speakers are available
at these events. We continue to give our financial support to these extensions of W/ELCA.
Thank you to the staff and congregation for your support of this ministry of the church.
Submitted by: Gladys Johnson
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WOMEN OF THE E.L.C.A. Treasurer’s Report 2015 Beginning Balance—January 1, 2015 1,661.21 INCOME: Circle & Septua Offerings 657.50 Fundraisers: Salad Luncheon 1,470.00 Holiday Fair 5,188.11 Thrivent Ac�on Grant 249.92 Transfer from Savings: Naomi/Lydia & Ruth Circles 284.00 Kitchen Fund 38.61 Received from Endowment Fund: Septuafest-speaker 200.00 Gathering Registra�ons 180.00 Reimburse Change for Events 1,000.00 Hands for Hope: Quilts 25.00 Memorial 10.00 Miscellaneous 281.82 ________ TOTAL INCOME 9,584.96 9,584.96 Total Funds Available 11,246.17 EXPENSES: SW MN W/ELCA (50% of Offerings) 487.75 Gathering & Conven�on Offerings 225.00 Subscrip�ons 48.00 Circle Missions Projects 324.89 Chari�es Payout 6,000.00 Fundraiser Expenses: Salad Luncheon 70.00 Holiday Fair: (Thrivent Grant Rec’d) Adver�sing & Misc. 183.24 Marketplace 98.32 Pe,y Bros. 151.60 433.16 Septuafest Expenses 570.00 Change for Events 1,000.00 Kitchen Supplies 58.43 Gathering Registra�ons 180.00 Cards/Postage/Checks 99.82 Hands for Hope 144.00 Misc. 114.50 ________ TOTAL EXPENSES 9,755.55 9,755.55 Balance on Hand—December 31, 2015 1,490.62 SAVINGS ACCOUNT Beginning Balance January 1, 2015 5,970.70 RECEIPTS: Serving Funerals 1,060.00 Interest 3.49 1,063.49 1,063.49 Lydia/Naomi Circle 177.50 Ruth Circle 195.00 372.50 372.50 7,406.69 Transfers for Circles 284.00 Transfers for Kitchen 38.61 322.61 322.61 Balance on Hand—December 31, 2015 7,084.08 Savings Account Balance includes $4000.00 for Ceiling Fund
Page 32
St. John’s Cemetery Committee Annual Report 2015
The St. John’s Cemetery Committee held their 2015 spring meeting on April 25th and their fall meeting on October 24th. The following slate of officers were re-elected at the October meeting. President: Ron Remington 274-8433 Vice-President: Bruce Bartels 274-3447 Secretary: Deb Craft 274-6049 Treasurer: Frieda Gunderson 274-5384 Head Superintendent: Larry Fieldseth 274-3402 Assistant Superintendent: Jim Hallstrom 274-5641 Assistant Superintendent: Dave Youngquist 274-5180 Advisors: Linda Aronson, Earl Baker, Doug Beckman, Julie Aronson Dehnel, Carol Erickson, Fred Hood, Lajla Hood, Dan Lemm, Elizabeth Olson, Ethel Rudolph, Leighton Aronson, Mary Gunnerson, Barry Schultz (new member), Denise Schultz (new member). The following projects were completed during 2015: 1) New gravesites were leveled and seeded. 2) Fertilization of the grass and weed control were done throughout the cemetery. 3) Spreadsheets were updated at the church and cemetery to display information. 4) Winterization of water lines and the sprinkling system was done in October. 5) Grave stones were leveled as needed. 6) The shed was painted and a new door was added. 7) A motion light was installed on a pole attached to the shed. 8) The flag light was replaced with a more energy efficient light. 9) Weeds under the spruce trees surrounding the cemetery were uprooted. 10) The rose bush under the arbor was taken out and replaced by hardy honeysuckle plants. 11) Cedar trees near the Aronson grave were taken down and the stumps were ground up. 12) The sumac trees on the west side of the cemetery were trimmed. • Grass was mowed and trimmed this past year by Ben Guck with B&B Mowing. • The flowers in the new planters along the front wall were tended by Lajla Hood. • Start-up and winterization of our sprinkling system was done by Carefree Lawn and supervised by Larry Fieldseth.
• Leveling, seeding & sodding of our new grave sites was done by Ron Remington & Larry Fieldseth. • Identification of new burial sites was done by Larry Fieldseth, Jim Hallstrom & Fred Hood. • Computer spreadsheets were updated by Elizabeth Olson, Deb Craft & Dave Youngquist.
• Lawn fertilization and weed control were done by Community Lawn Care of Buffalo. • The shed was painted by Ron Remington. A new door was donated by Joe Bayer and installed by Doug Beck-
man. • Communication was handled by Deb Craft. • Bills were paid by Frieda Gunderson. • New flags were installed by Carol Erickson & Doug Beckman. • A new flag light was installed by Dan Lindquist. The motion light was donated & installed on a pole attached to the
shed by Dan Lindquist also. • Two new honeysuckle plants were planted by Lajla Hood & Fred Hood near the arbor. • Spruce trees were trimmed by Larry Fieldseth & Ron Remington. • Trimming around the sumac trees was done by Bruce Bartels. • Removal of the two cedar trees was done by Ron Remington, Larry Fieldseth & Bruce Bartels. • Stump removal for the cedar trees was done by Korhonen’s stump removal. Interment fees at the St. John’s Cemetery are as follows: Cemetery Lot Purchase Fee: $400.00 Interment Fee for burial in Cemetery A: $125.00 Interment Fee for Burial in Cemetery B: $225.00 The next meeting will be held at the church on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The St. John’s Cemetery Committee is a self-supporting organization and new members are needed and encouraged to join.
St. John’s Cemetery Treasurer’s Report 2015
Checking Account Receipts Paid Out Balance
12-31-14 Balance Forward $ 795.14
Transfer In $4,800.00
Expenses
B & B Mowing/Landscaping $3,000.00
Community Lawn Care $ 800.00
Carefree Lawn Care $ 532.84
Reimbursement for 2 graves $ 550.00
Xcel Energy $ 271.85
Stump grinding and plants $ 100.00
Kaz Hardware $ 19.37
Balance on Hand 12-31-15 $ 321.08
Savings Account
12-31-14 Balance Forward $7,660.29
Memorials $1,578.00
Perpetual Care $1,000.00
Dona�ons $ 340.00
Purchase 3 graves $1,200.00
Interment Fee $ 700.00
Interest Received $ 4.02
Balance on Hand 12-31-15 $7,682.31
C.D. Accounts
12-31-14 Balance Forward $13,317.17
Interest Received $ 94.95
TOTAL BALANCE 12-31-15 $13,412.12
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Altar Guild Commi>ee 2015
The commi,ee consists of 17 dedicated ladies: Joyce Dahl, Shirley Dick, Samantha Duret, Val
Gunderson, Mary Gunnerson, Janelle Nilson, Sue Hadler, Tina Honsey, Donna Jacobson, Kris-
ta Grossinger, Gladys Johnson, Pat Larson, Phyllis LooN, Shelly Mikel, Ruth Mohwinkel, Bev
Sorensen and Mona Volden. They are willing to donate their �me preparing for changes in
the liturgical seasons and for all services held in the sanctuary including Holy Communion,
Bap�sm, marriage, funerals and confirma�on. Three Sundays each month we are responsi-
ble for communion prepara�on – seXng up and cleaning up.
The commi,ee also organized opportuni�es for the congrega�on to purchase lilies for East-
er, poinseXas for Christmas and geraniums for Pentecost.
The annual mee�ng was held on 11/19/15 to discuss:
1) Upcoming coverage for Christmas services
2) Altar Guild savings account has been dissolved as our monthly
balance was not high enough to avoid monthly fees. The money was put into a
Memorial Fund and Altar Guild may request funds if needed.
3) Addi�on of three members to our commi,ee this year – Mary
Gunnerson, Janelle Nilson and Krista Grossinger
4) Serving gluten free wafers at all four sta�ons is now an op�on.
5) Picture guide is available for reference when seXng up for communion.
6) 2016 monthly service sign-up
7) Red altar cloths were hand delivered by Mona Volden and Terri Jensen to the
Matamba church in August, 2015.
RespecYully,
Shelly Mikel
Altar Guild Commi,ee Chairperson
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Pastoral Acts for 2015
New Members Received (36)
Bap�sms (18)
Affirma�on of Bap�sm (20)
Funerals (9) Members (M), (3) Non-Members
Weddings (5)
Transfers (3)
Erik & Erica Achman, Bre, Achman; DJ Welteroth; Jason & Jennifer Flygare, Shay Boos, Mason Boos; David & Heather Jensen, Blake, Halle & Isabelle Jensen; Jennifer Mealey and son, Aus�n Mealey; Dale & Heather Machovsky; Mitchell & Kimberly Uecker, Ruby and Clara Uecker; Caleb Bedner; Daniel & Aleah Edwards, William & Jackson Edwards; Debra Edwards; Tim Hable; Steven E. Miller; Cory & Valerie Nelson; Joseph & Molly Schillinger, Cole & Gabriel Schillinger; Judy Seaberg.
Luca Mariano Bartels Liliana JoAnn Derosier Bryce Paul Seagraves Rocco Will Bartels Brandon Tyler Farris Evere, Thomas Sprague Lillian Viole,e Bayer Haley Paige Farris Aubrey Kay Witherbee Hadley Jo Bronder Benji Alec Lan,o Skylar Morgan Wolters Charlo,e Ruth Caird Grady Ordell Lund Eva Lynn Wuollet Benne, Jerome Czycalla Baylee Lynn Machovsky Bryson Robert Zins Cort Evan Carlson Jay Terrance Lewison Kayleigh Marie O’Brien Samuel Sco, Fleischacker Gabrielle Lee Lindquist Trenton James Peterson Sabrina Marie Gartner Ka�e Violet Merchant Bree Ann Seagraves Grace Victoria Hagstrom Abby Jean Mikel Zachary Michael Sykora Alexis Lynn Kemp Olivia Grace Munson Claire Eryn Tikkanan Elizabeth Ann Kemp Nicole Rebecca Nelson Walker Joseph Weege Ayden Joshua-William Lesnau Ma,hew Steven Nolan Evelyn Elizabeth Carlson (M) Harry Norman Gunnerson (M) LaVerna Rose Rundblade (M) Patricia Ann Dahl (M) Clifford Calmer Hammer (M) Judy A. Strand Russell A. Finneman Helen Myrtle Kangas (M) William James Tobin Charles Orville Fisher (M) Richard Earl Mozingo (M) Richard M. Winchell (M) Kirsten Hogberg & Jay Horner Samantha Nyren & Jesse Hagen Janelle Hanson & Mitchell Jordan Alyssa Lipsiea & Calvin Teubner JeNee Jarvis & Tyler Olson Gayle (Sanders) O’Hern & Jim O’Hern; Erin (Wadman) Olson
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
2014 2015
Average Sunday Worship A,endance 291 276 Easter 830 677 Christmas 767 804
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Nominating Committee Report
Nominating Committee --- 1 year terms
Continuing Council Members (current terms end Jan, 2017): Dennis Abernathy, Nancy Berg, Penny Hogberg, and Bill Berry.
This year’s Nominating Committee included: Jennifer Kulm, Mark Nelson, Mary
Holmgren, Vicki Greene, Kurt Bruhn, and Gloria Warner. Through a process of prayer
and discernment, they bring to the Congregation the following slate of nominees for
election:
Church Council
2 yr. term: Matt Honsey (incumbent – 2nd term)
2 yr. term: Matt Treichler (incumbent – 2nd term)
2 yr. term: Dave Hadler (incumbent – 2nd term)
2 yr. term: Jason Koets (incumbent – 2nd term)
2 yr. term: Kris Nelson (incumbent – 2nd term)
2 yr. term: Shelly Mikel
1 yr. term: Peggy Bodell
1 yr. term: ____________________________
Vicki Greene
Kurt Bruhn
Gloria Warner
Diane Barkley
Joyce Wadman
Lisa Borders
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Resolu.on
Whereas, we the members of St. John’s Lutheran Church wish to extend our thank you
to each and every person who, through the good stewardship of God’s many giNs to them
have furthered the ministry of St. John’s.
Therefore, be it resolved that each member make a point of saying thank you to those
members of our congrega�on who have helped make the ministry of St. John’s be the vital
part of our community and of our world.
Be it further resolved that a special word of thanks be extended to those persons who
have faithfully served and/or completed their services as members of the Church Council.
Lisa Borders Madeleine Duret Kris Townsend
And be it further resolved that a special word of thanks be extended to Mark Nelson for
faithfully serving as our Treasurer for the past four years.
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St. John's Lutheran Church - Annandale MN
Summary of Cash Activity for 01/01/2015 thru 12/31/2015
Asset Account: 1.5.1000 - Annandale State Bank Building Invest in the Kingdom
Cash Balance as of 01/01/2015(at the beginning of the day) $15,676.79
Add Transactions From:
Income $5.18
Donations $113,069.75
Transfers (debit) $0.00
Journal Entries (debit) $0.00
AR Collections (debit) $0.00
Total Additions $113,144.31
Subtract Transactions From:
Payments $115,044.00
Payroll $0.00
Transfers (credit) $0.00
Journal Entries (credit) $175.00
Total Subtractions $115,219.00
Cash Balance as of 12/31/2015(at the end of the day) $13,642.72
Asset Account: 1.3.1000 - Annandale State Bank Savings -- Memorials
Cash Balance as of 01/01/2015(at the beginning of the day) $9,932.11
Add Transactions From:
Income $74.88
Donations $1,045.00
Transfers (debit) $71.70
Journal Entries (debit) $0.00
AR Collections (debit) $0.00
Total Additions $1,191.58
Subtract Transactions From:
Payments $0.00
Payroll $0.00
Transfers (credit) $2,667.00
Journal Entries (credit) $12.96
Total Subtractions $2,679.96
Cash Balance as of 12/31/2015(at the end of the day) $8,443.73
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Other Benevolence Giving 2015 Breakdown of Budgeted Benevolence in 2015 Lutheran Campus Ministry $200.00 Love, INC. $450.00 Lutheran Social Services $200.00 Gustavus Adolphus Church Relations $250.00
Total: $1100.00
Other Non-Budgeted Benevolence Souper Bowl of Caring - Ann. Food Shelf 978.97 Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits 278.82 Pack the Pews 750.00 Food for Kidz 3802.80 Matamba Missions 35,670.85 ELCA World Hunger 1630.75 ELCA Disaster Relief 225.00 ELCA Malaria & Refugees 377.00 Foodshelf Thanksgiving Baskets 2590.03 Senior Dining-Meals on Wheels 1907.00 Total: $48,211.22
Miscellaneous Donations:
140 Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits 142# of Food for “Pack the Pews Sunday” for the Annandale Food Shelf Numerous School Supplies Pop/Water – Taco Booth D-Way Trick or Treat for Food Shelf - over 800# of food for the Annandale Food Shelf Share Your Christmas Gifts – provided gifts for over 40 families God’s Work Our Hands – about 100 people gave of their time Serving Love INC. Breakfast
*Caring Neighbor Fund – $250.69 was given out in 2015 – but came out of 2014 Benevolence Budget
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Summary of Giving January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015
Total giving from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 is $112,690.75 given by 165 individuals and fami-lies (total giving units) including $92,354.75 given by 110 pledging units and an additional $20,336 giv-en by an additional 55 non-pledging units.
Total pledges received to date are $293,139 from 121 pledging units. Pledges received is 85% of the
$345,132 needed to make the 36 monthly mortgage payments of $9,587 from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2017.
Total giving to-date for the campaign from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2017 is $196,981.99 given by 195 in-
dividuals and families (total giving units) including $161,109 given from 120 pledging units and an ad-ditional $35,872.99 given from an additional 75 non-pledging units.
The cash balance in the fund on December 31, 2015 is $13,642.72. The January 2016 mortgage payment
has been made.
The current mortgage on our church building has a 4.5% interest rate and will mature on February 1, 2022.
Campaign Pledge Statistics:
Invest in the Kingdom: Rooted in Faith, A Story to Tell is a three year capital campaign that kicked off May 1,
2014 and will run through April 30, 2017. The campaign raises the funds needed to pay the monthly mortgage
payment on our church building.
Minimum
Pledge
Maximum
Pledge
Mean Pledge
(Average)
Median Pledge
(Middle)
Mode
(Most Often)
$150 $15,000 $4122.35 $1,800 $3,600
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Invest in the Kingdom: Rooted in Faith, A Story to Tell is a three year capital campaign that kicked off May 1,
2014 and will run through April 30, 2017. The campaign raises the funds needed to pay the monthly mortgage
payment on our church building.
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Precious Gifts Preschool Budget - 2016 2015 Actual 2016 Budget
INCOME
Tuition $ 16,204 $ 16,500
Fundraiser $ 4,909 $ 4,500
Donations $ 2,954 $ 2,500
Field Trip $ 473 $ 400
Registration $ 240 $ 300
Transportation $ 503 $ 1,000
$ 25,283 $ 25,200
EXPENSES
PG Lead Salary $ 10,549 $ 10,708
PG Assistant $ 4,554 $ 4,622
PG Staff FICA $ 1,155 $ 1,173
Fundraiser Exp $ 1,951 $ 2,000
Other Exp $ 2,651 $ 2,700
Transportation $ 496 $ 1,000
$ 21,356 $ 22,202
Carryover funds prior year $ 653 $ 4,580
Balance Year End $ 4,580 $ 7,578
In kind contribu�ons Precious GiNs received in
2015 through the general fund –
Janitorial, u�li�es, carpet maintenance,
secretarial and office products –
es�ma�on of $2500
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SAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCH
ANNANDALE,MN
AMENDMENTTOTHECHURCHBYLAWSApproved1/1997
Amended1/2006
Amended___________
Anendowmentfundwhosepurpose,governanceandoperationalproceduresshallbede$inedbyspecialresolu-tionadoptedbythecongregation,shallbeestablished.
SPECIALRESOLUTION
Whereas,ChristianstewardshipinvolvesthefaithfulmanagementofallthegiftsGodhasgiventohumankind,i.e.thecreatedworld,thegospel,life,time,abilities,moneyincludingaccumulated,inheritedandappreciatedre-sources;andWhereas,thescripturalprincipleofproportionategiving,toreturntotheLordaportionofthegiftsthatGodhas$irstgiventohisbelovedchildren,isbothaprivilegeandanappropriateresponseinalltimesandcircumstances;andWhereas,Christianscangivetotheworkofthechurch,duringtheirlifetimesthroughtransfersofproperty(cash,bonds,stocksandrealestate,)trusts,includingcharitableleadandcharitableremainderandtransfersofannui-tiesandlifeinsuranceandupontheirdeathsthroughbene$iciarydesignationsofretirementaccounts,annuitiesandlifeinsuranceandbequeststhroughwillsandtrusts;andWhereas,itisthedesireofSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHtoencourage,receiveandadministerthesegiftsinamannerconsistentwiththeloyaltyanddevotiontoourLordexpressedbythedonorsandinaccordwiththepoliciesofthiscongregation;THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDthatthiscongregationintheannualmeetingassembledonJanuary19,1997ap-provedandestablishontherecordsanewandseparatefundtobeknownastheSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHENDOWMENTFUND(hereaftercalledthe“Fund”)oftheSaintJohn’sLutheranchurchofAnnandale,Minnesota;andBeitfurtherresolvedthattheFundshallbecomprisedoftwocategories,i.e.ageneralministryfundandabuild-ingfund:andBeitfurtherresolvedthatunrestrictedgiftsarethosegiftsthataregiventothefundwithnodestinationdesignat-ed.Thedivisionofunrestrictedgiftswillbeseventy(70)percentforthegeneralministryfundandthirty(30)percentforthebuildingfund.BeitfurtherresolvedthattheFundwillallowindividuals,St.John’sLutheranChurchGroupsortheCommitteetoestablishadditionalnamed(restricted)funds(categories)withintheFundaslongasthefollowingconditionsaremet.
1. ThefundmusthaveapurposeconsistentwiththatoftheStJohn’sLutheranChurchEndowmentFund.
2. Thefundmusthaveaminimumstartingbalanceofatleast$20,000and/or,onitsown,mustsup
portthepurposeforwhichitwascreated.
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Beitfurtherresolved,thatthepurposeofthegeneralministryportionofthisFundistoenhancetheministryout-reachofSt.John’sLutheranChurchapartfromthegeneraloperationofthecongregationandthatnoportionoftheincomegeneratedbytheFundshallbeusedfortheannualoperatingbudgetofthecongregation;and
Beitfurtherresolved,thattheproposeofthebuildingportionofthisFundistoprovideforcapitalimprovements,reducebuildingdebtorto$inancebuildingprogramsforSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHapartfromthegen-eraloperationofthecongregationandthatnoportionoftheincomegeneratedbythefundshallbeusedfortheannualoperatingbudgetofthecongregation;and
BeitfurtherresolvedthattheSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHENDOWMENTFUNDCommittee(hereinaftercalledthe“Committee”)shallbethecustodianofthefund.Theyshallusetheirbestjudgmentfordistribution,ex-ceptastospeciallydesignatedfunds,whichshallbeusedasthedonorintended.NonethelesstheFund,throughthecommittee,shallbeauthorizedtorefuseanygiftorbequestwhenthedesignateduseisconsideredimproperorinappropriatetotheoverallpurposesofthischurch.Theymayalsorefuseanygiftwhatwouldhaveanadverseaffectonthe$inancialwellbeingoftheFund;and
BEitfurtherresolved,thatthefollowingplanofoperationde$inetheadministrationandmanagementoftheFund.
PLANOFOPERATION
TheCommitteeshallconsistof$ivemembers,allofwhomshallbevotingmembersofSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCH.Exceptashereinlimited,thetermofeachmembershallbethree(3)years.Uponadoptionofthisreso-lutionbytheChurchCouncilandthecongregation,theChurchCouncilshallappoint$ive(5)memberstotheCom-mittee:two(2)foratermofthree(3)years;two(2)foratermoftwo(2)years;andone(1)foratermofone(1)year.Thereafterannually,theChurchCouncilshallappointthenumberrequiredtocompletetheCommitteeros-ter.NomembershallservemorethantwoconsecutivetermsontheCommittee.Afteralapseofoneyear,formerCommitteemembersmaybere-appointed.TheleadPastorandThePresidentoftheChurchCouncil(orhisrepre-sentative)shallbeadvisorymembersoftheCommittee.IntheeventofavacancyontheCommittee,theChurchCouncilshallappointachurchmembertotemporarily$illthevacancyuntilthenextannualappointmentdate.NonmembershipinSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHorthreeconsecutiveabsencesfromdulycalledcommit-teemeetingsarecauseforremoval.
ThecommitteeshallreportorganizationallytotheSupportandStewardshipMinistryandultimatelytotheChurchCouncilandthecongregation.
TheCommitteeshallmeetatleastsemi-annuallyormorefrequentlyasdeemednecessarybytheCommitteeinthebestinterestoftheFund.AllmembersoftheCommitteearetobenoti$iedonemonthinadvanceofthemeetingbytherecordingsecretary.
Aquorumshallconsistofthree(3)membersoftheCommittee.Ifandwhenonlythree(3)Committeemembersarepresentatameeting,aunanimousvoteshallberequiredtocarryanymotionorresolution.
TheCommitteeshallelectfromitsmembershipachairperson,recordingsecretaryand$inancialsecretary.TheLeadPastorandCouncilPresidentshallnotbeelectedtoCommitteeof$ices.ThechairpersonoranyCommitteememberdesignatedbythechairpersonshallpresideattheCommitteemeetings.
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TherecordingsecretaryoftheCommitteeshallmaintaincompleteandaccurateminutesofallmeetingsandsup-plyatimelycopythereoftoeachmemberoftheCommitteeandtotheChurchCouncil.Eachmembershallkeepacompletecopyofminutestobedeliveredtohisorhersuccessor.TherecordingsecretaryshallexpresstheCom-mittee’sappreciationinapersonallettertolivingdonorsofgiftsortosurvivingfamilymembersforbequestsfromdeceaseddonors.Unlessanonymityisrequested,thenamesofalldonorsshouldbehonoredandperpetuat-edbyrecordinginaBookofRemembranceorotherappropriateregister.Thebookorregistershouldbedis-playedinaplaceavailabletothecongregation.
The$inancialsecretaryoftheCommitteeshallworkwiththeCongregation’streasurerinmaintainingandcoordi-natingcompleteandaccurateaccountsfortheFundandshallsignchecksandallothernecessarydocumentsonbehalfofthecongregationinfurtheranceofthepurposesoftheFund.Thebooksshallbeauditedannuallybyacerti$iedpublicandaccountantorotherquali$iedpersonselectedbytheChurchCouncil..TheselectedauditorshallnotbeacurrentorpastmemberoftheCommitteewithin$ive(5)yearsoftheauditperiod.
TheCommitteeshallreportsemi-atleastannuallytotheChurchCounciland,ateachannualordulycalledmeet-ingofthecongregation,shallrenderafullandauditedaccountoftheadministrationofthefundduringthepre-cedingyear.
MembersoftheCommitteewillnotbeliableforanylosseswhichmaybeincurredduetoinvestmentoftheassetsofthefund,excepttotheextentthatthelosseshavebeencausedbybadfaithorself-dealing.ThemembersofthecommitteeshallbeextendedtheprotectionsoftheBusinessJudgmentRule.Eachmembershallbeliableonlyforhisorherconductandshallnotbeliablefortheactsoromissionsofanyothermember.Nomembershallengageinanyself-dealingortransactionwiththefundinwhichthememberhasadirectorindirect$inancialinterest.Membersofthecommitteeshallrefrainfromconductinwhichhisorherpersonalinterestdoesormaycon$lictwiththeinterestsofthefund.
AllassetsaretobeheldinthenameofSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHENDOWMENTFUND.Recommenda-tionstohold,sell,exchange,rent,lease,transfer,convert,invest,andallotherrespectstomanageandcontroltheassetsoftheFund,includedstocks,bonds,debentures,mortgages,notes,orothersecurities,asintheirjudgmentanddiscretiontheydeemwiseandprudent,aretobemadebytheCommitteewithsubsequentexecutionbythedelegatedmemberoftheCommittee.
AllassetsaretobeheldbytheInFaithCommunityFoundation,forthebene$itofSt.John’sLutheranChurchEn-dowmentFund.TheEndowmentCommitteeshallhavetheauthoritytodirectortransferendowmentgiftstotheInFaithCommunityFoundationfortheEndowmentFundatanytime.
ANNUALDISTRIBUTIONOFINCOME
ThegoaloftheCommitteeistokeeptheprincipaloftheFundintactaswellasallowingforin$lation.Withthisinmind,theCommitteeshallusethecurrentstandardendowmentphilosophyofdistributing$ive(5)percentofthecorpusoftheFUNDannuallyasitsdistributionpolicy.Thispercentagemaybechangedtore$lectchangesinthisphilosophyandratesofreturnandin$lation,byrecommendationoftheCommitteetotheChurchCouncilandadopteduponapprovalbytheChurchCouncil.Thisprovisionwillnotapplytonamed(restricted)fundswherethedonorhasspeci$iedaspeci$icdistributionrateorformula.
Distributionofnamed(restricted)fundswillbedistributedaccordingtothewishesofthedonor,asapprovedbytheCommitteeandtheChurchCouncilwhenthenamed(restricted)fundwasestablished.
Page 53
DistributionsfromthegeneralministryportionoftheFundandthenamed(restricted)portionoftheFundshallbeavailablefordistributionannuallyatthe$irstmeetingofthenewcalendaryearandatsuchothertimesasdeemednecessaryand/orfeasibletoaccomplishthefollowingpurposes.DistributionswillberecommendedbytheCommitteeandapprovedbytheChurchCouncil.Anymodi$icationtotheCommittee’srecommendationswillbereturnedtothecommitteeforconsiderationandapproval.IftheChurchCouncilshould,foranyreason,failtoapprovetheCommittee’srecommendations,theywillbereturnedtotheCommitteeforreconsideration.
Restrictedgiftsarethosegiftsthataregiventothefundwiththedestinationdesignated.Restrictedgiftsmaybedesignatedtoeitherthebuildingfund,thegeneralministryfundortoanamed(restricted)fund.Withinthegen-eralministryfundtheallocationcanbedirectedtotheELCA(abelow)ortotheStJohn’sLutheranChurchandcommunity(bbelow).
A. GeneralMinistryFund
a. Aminimumoften(10)percentofthedistributionfromthegeneralministryfundshallbefortheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericaand/orthesynodtowhichtheChurchisamember,in-cludingbutnotlimitedtoELCAseminaries,newcongregationdevelopmentinNorthAmerica,pro-fessionalleadership,educationalministries,globalmission,ecumenism,evangelism,socialminis-triesandcapital$inancing.
b. Aminimumofforty(40)percentofthedistributionfromthegeneralministryfundshallbeusedforoutreachforStJohn’sLutheranChurchand/orthecommunityatlarge.Thismayincludebutisnotlimitedtofoodshelves,youthministries,scholarships,andgrantstocolleges,students,socialserviceagencies,specialministryprograms,institutionsadagenciestowhichthecongregationrelates.,andtospecialpersonswithinourparishareawhoareinneedofspiritualand/oreconom-icneed.
c. Uptoforty(40)percentoftheincomedistributionfromthegeneralministryfundshallbeusedforanyoneoralloftheabovedesignatedareasinanyproportionasdeterminedbythecommit-tee,orforcausesandprograms,whichatthediscretionoftheCommitteeareconsistentwiththefundpurposeofenhancingthemissionoutreachofSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCH.
B. BuildingFund
Uptoonehundred(100)percentofthebuildingportionoftheFund,bothprincipalandinterestshallbemadeavailableforcapitalimprovements,buildingdebtreductionorabuildingprogramforSAINTJOHN’SLUTHERANCHURCHatanytimedeemedappropriatebytheChurchCouncilandtheCommittee.DistributionswillberecommendedbytheCommitteeandapprovedbytheChurchCouncil.Anymodi$icationtotheCommittee’srecommendationswillbereturnedtothecommitteeforconsideration.Expendituresover$10,000willneedamajorityapprovalatadulycalledcongregationalmeeting.Unexpendedinterestincomeshallbereinvestedinthebuildingfund.
WithintheFundtheallocationshallbedirectedasfollows:
AtleastTenpercent(10%)oftheannualdistributionshallbedirectedtotheEvangelicalLutheranChurchofAmericaand/orthesynodtowhichSt.John’sisamember,includingbutnotlimitedtothesupportofELCAsemi-naries,ministries,newcongregationdevelopment,globalmissions,etc.
AtleastTenpercent(10%)oftheannualdistributionshallbedirectedtocapitalimprovementsand/orrepairsofourfacilities.
AtleastThirtypercent(30%)oftheannualdistributionshallbedirectedtooutreachforSt.John’sLutheranwith-inthegreaterAnnandalecommunitythatisconsistentwiththemissionoftheChurchandpurposeofthisFund.Thismayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,supportourlocalfoodshelf,projectsthatservetheneedsofchildren,socialserviceagenciesandinstitutionalagenciestowhichthecongregationrelates,andtospecialpersonswithinourparishareawhoareinneedofspiritualand/oreconomicassistance,etc.
AtleastThirtypercent(30%)oftheannualdistributionshallbedirectedtosupportofSt.John’sLutheranChurchministries–inordertoenhancethoseministriesaboveandbeyondthegeneralbudget.Thismayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,scholarshipsandgrantstoseminarystudents,preschoolstudents,supportofcongregationalminis-tryprojects,etc.
Twentypercent(20%)oftheannualdistributionshallbeusedforanyoneoralloftheabovedesignatedareasin
anyproportionasdeterminedbythecommittee.
If the purpose no longer exists for any restricted (named) funds within the endowment, the Committee will rec-
ommend to the Church Council that the fund be terminated. Monies remaining in the fund would be transferred
to another fund consistent with the donors’ intent. If the donor of a named (restricted) fund has speci$ically re-
jected this clause and requested transfer to a speci$ic contingent named (restricted) fund or to a contingent recipi-
ent outside of this Fund, that request will be honored.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRINCIPAL
When, in the opinion of the Committee, circumstances are so dire and of such an emergency nature that the future
of the congregation is at stake, and that the only recourse seems to be the use of the Fund principal, the Commit-
tee may, upon a quorum vote (as previously de$ined), recommend such authorizing action to the congregation.
Named (restricted) funds, where the donor has speci$ically rejected this clause, will not be available for this use.
AMENDING THE RESOLUTION
Be it further resolved that any amendment to this resolution which will change, alter or amend the purpose for
which the Fund is established shall be adopted by a valid vote of the members present at an annual meeting of the
congregation or at a special meeting called speci$ically for the purposes of amending this resolution.
DISPOSITION OR TRANSFER OF FUND
Be it further resolved, that in the event SAINT JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH of Annandale, Minnesota ceases to ex-
ist either through merger or dissolution, disposition or transfer of the Fund shall be at the discretion of the
Church Council in conformity with the approved congregational constitution and in consultation with the bishop
of the synod to which this congregation belongs at such time. Consultation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America may be desirable for the continuation of the Fund obligations. Named (restricted) funds, where the
donor has speci$ically rejected this clause and named a speci$ic contingent recipient, will be transferred to that
recipient.
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Dave Nelson, Lead Pastor [email protected]
Tom Heyd, Pastor [email protected]
Jenny Aleckson, CYF Director [email protected]
Bonnie Schmidt, Office Manager/Financial Administrator [email protected]
Lisa Dietrich-Blocker, Administra�ve Assistant [email protected]
Becky Unger, Worship Support Specialist [email protected]
Robin Jacobson, Preschool Director/Teacher [email protected]
Lara Kjaer, Teacher’s Assistant
Ron Wright, Custodian [email protected]
Nichole Abernathy, Wedding Coordinator [email protected]
Becky Unger and Penny Koets, Contemporary Worship Co-leaders
Orma Lou Jacobsma, Organist
Mark Nelson, Chancel Choir Director [email protected]
Email address: [email protected]
Phone number: 320-274-8827
Fax number: 320-274-7283
St. John's Lutheran Church
331 West Harrison Street
Annandale, MN 55302-9161
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