Worship Times Sunday Morning 8:00 am & 10:30 am Sunday School 9:15am Contact Us Pastor: The Rev. Rick Ohsiek Phone: 865-982-4285 Fax: 865-977-8070 Email: [email protected]Web: www.stpaulmaryville.org Church Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30am-5:00pm Maryville, TN Gathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. To read the complete summary of actions go to; https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8003 • Reelected on the first ballot the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton to a six -year term as ELCA presiding bishop. • Approved the social statement "Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action" and its implementing resolutions. The social statement, in part, names patriarchy and sexism as sins and calls the church to action on a range of issues, including gender -based violence, workplace discrimination and economic inequality. Continued on page 3 under Synod Highlights
Gathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. To read the complete summary of actions go to; https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8003
• Reelected on the first ballot the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton to a six-year term as ELCA presiding bishop.
• Approved the social statement "Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action" and its implementing resolutions. The social statement, in part, names patriarchy and sexism as sins and calls the church to action on a range of issues, including gender-based violence, workplace discrimination and economic
At our recent ELCA Churchwide Assembly, our denomination voted to become a sanctuary denomination. There have been some misleading statements made by some news outlets which have caused confusion about what this means. Below are some highlights from Presiding Bishop Eaton to help you understand what this means for us as the ELCA and as a local congregation. I hope this will help clear up any confusion you may have and answer your questions as well.
Peace, Pastor Rick Visit or click here for full story https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8004
At our May 20th meeting, the council was introduced
to the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program by Sue Tyler. After lively discussion, the council approved a motion to establish a Core Leadership Team to investigate the process to see if SPLC is ready to be a RIC congregation. At our August 19th meeting, Sue reported that the Team had been formed and meet; they prepared a request, to begin the process of intro-ducing what a Reconciling in Christ Congregation is, for council approval. After Sue explained a two page memo describing the process, the Council voted to approve moving forward. Look for more details elsewhere in this newsletter and in other communications to follow.
Last January’s Congregational Meeting, Shari Martin, Mary Nell Bielhler, and Gene Frye were elected to be the 2020 Nominating Committee. They are getting ready to carry out their task to present a slate of candidates for Church Council, Endowment Board, and Columbarium Board elections at the November 17th Congregational Meeting. Please prayerfully consider being one of those candidates. Thank you for wearing your name tag on Sunday mornings. It seems to me that hallway conversations have increased. Please continue to wear them and encourage others to do so. If you don’t see yours on the rack in the hall, contact the church office or a council member.
Yours in Christ –Herb Perry
The St. Paul Church Council will meets monthly on the third Monday ~ 7:30pm
• Adopted the "Strategy Toward Authentic Diversity in the ELCA," which consists of a report and recommenda-tions on how the ELCA exhibits authentic diversity and formulates goals for racial diversity and inclusion.
• Witnessed the presentation of the "Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent," which was accepted by the Rev. Lamont A. Wells, president of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA), and members of ADLA.
• Adopted a memorial that affirms the ELCA's long-standing commitment to migrants and refugees and declares the ELCA a sanctuary church body.
• Adopted a memorial to encourage all synods and congregations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ELCA's ordination of women in 2020, the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women of color in the Lutheran tradition and the 10th anniversary of the ELCA's decision to remove barriers to ordination for people in same-gender relationships.
• Adopted a memorial to support the vision and goals of the Poor People's Campaign that align with the ELCA's social teachings.
• Adopted a resolution that committed the ELCA to support the World Council of Church's "Thursdays in Black" campaign toward a world without rape and violence.
• Adopted a resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance in the ELCA for the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9
• Adopted a resolution to condemn white supremacy, calling all ELCA congregations to engage in a "study of the structures and rhetoric that empower and fuel racism and white supremacy and to take to heart the teaching of Scriptures, so we may all be better equipped to speak boldly about the equal dignity of all persons in the eyes of God."
First, we would like to take this opportunity to thank St. Paul’s membership who, through the Church Council, selected us to be the voting members at the ELCA -Southeastern Synod Assembly. From Friday May 31 to Sunday June 2 we were housed at the Chattanooga Marriott which was attached to the Chattanooga Convention Center – the home of the Assembly. A typical day started with a breakfast, followed by meetings, time for lunch/church service and then back to meetings for the after-noon. We would then finish the day with dinner. The Assembly offerings were designated to the “Campaign for the ELCA”. There was relatively routine business; however, the main thrust of this Assembly was the selection of a new Bishop. We give thanks for the Reverend Julian Gordy who had com-pleted two 6 years terms and is now retiring. The Reverend James Mauney, Bishop Emeritus, Virginia Synod, kept us focused in faith with three Bible studies during the Plenary sessions. Bishop Gordy was honored during the Assembly for his years of service.
The process of selecting the new Bishop was very interesting: formal and very strictly enforced; the objective being for a candidate to receive a minimum of 51% of the ballots. Ms. Mikka McCracken, church wide repre-sentative, guided us through the Bishop election procedures and presided over the Assembly during each phase of the election. On the first ballot which occurred Friday afternoon all voting members were allowed to nominate any rostered leader from any synod – this resulted in a total of approximately 80 nominees. Nominees were allowed to withdraw their names from the process after this ballot. The second ballot was held on Saturday morning, at which time the list of nominees was narrowed to the top 7 – in this case actually 8 due to a tie. Each of those nominees then addressed the Assembly with a short speech. The third ballot was held on Saturday afternoon and the nominees were reduced to the top 3. At this point all voting members met in small groups to formulate questions to be asked of each nominee; we were then divided into 3 groups and assigned to a meeting room. Each room was given a set of questions selected from the groups. Each of the 3 candidates then was allowed 45 minutes to address the members in each of the meeting rooms; with all of the candidates being asked the same questions. We were reminded to prayerfully consider each of the candidates with a 4th vote to be taken on Sunday morning. The 4th vote narrowed the list to two candidates who were given 15 minutes to address the Assembly and a 5th ballot taken. Following this ballot our new Bishop was announced - a very familiar name to us here at St. Paul: our former Pastor, Pastor Kevin Strickland Noteworthy regarding the process was that, the final three candidates consisted of a candidate with a non-traditional marriage, a minority female and a Caucasian female; (all of which were under the age of 55.) We congratulate our own Pastor, Pastor Ohsiek, for being nominated before being eliminated on the third bal-lot. (We were selfishly pleased at this point.) We should note that we were treated to a variety of church services, including a jazz service to conclude the Assembly.
To conclude, the Assembly was led by our strong and qualified national Synod leaders, we were blessed by hearing other synod bishops who both challenged and entertained us, and were able to worship in a variety of settings and instrumentation.
Once again thank all of you for this opportunity and welcome to our new Bishop, Pastor Kevin Strickland. Beth Drane, Merl Krull
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Barb Miller - Coordinator
Wine and Appetizers at Jan and Erika Hanes
Tuesday, September 17th ~ 1:00 pm Bring your favorite drink and appetizer to share. Signup on the bulletin board outside
the kitchen. Contact Tim and Leslie for more information. 865-877-1183, 865-919-3821.
Hanes’ address 852 Scarlet Oaks Road, Maryville.
Ladies, join us Wednesday, September 4th ~ 2:00pm to sew kits for Days for Girls.
Please bring a sewing machine or non-sewers can bring a scissors. Join us for fellowship and a good way to help girls in underdeveloped countries.
Men’s Group Meeting Thursday, September 5th ~ 7:00p.m.
Dr. Drew Crain from Maryville College will provide the program on Science and Christianity. He is author of a book called Science & Christianity: Past, Present & Future. His book is available for
free on the Maryville College library web site. Tom Sims President [email protected]
2021 Holy Land Trip Information Monday, September 9th ~ 7:00pm
Pastor Rick & Jan Hanes have been working to plan a trip to the Holy Land in February 2021 for St. Paul members and friends. This 11 day journey will include many important religious sites including, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Jordan River. On September 9 at 7:00 PM, they will present information on this pilgrimage and answer questions you might have. More information can be found at 11 Days Life Changing Journey to the Holy Land from Knoxville, TN - February 05 - 15, 2021 - Pr. Rick Ohsiek. Pastor Rick also has brochures available.
PASTOR AND CHURCH COUNCIL
What exactly is Stephen Ministry?
It is a mechanism for members of St. Paul to care for each other in intentional ways.
Since 1975, more than 600,000 Christians from all walks of life have trained and served as Stephen
Ministers. They became Stephen Ministers as a way to
help others who were hurting—whether because of
illness, a death of a loved one, loss of a job, a spiritual
crisis and more. Getting through a difficult time is
easier with a fellow Christian to walk beside you.
You probably remember that five Stephen Ministers
were commissioned at St. Paul in February. Each has
been assigned a care receiver to visit and support.
If you want to know more about Stephen Ministry and
how it can help you or others you know, talk to one of
our Stephen Ministers: Charlie Malin, Heather Wright,
Thank you so much, because of your generosity we collected the following
school supplies:
50 dry eraser boards, 52 cookie sheets,
58 notebooks, 38 packs of flashcards,
30 loose-leaf packs of paper,
776 pencils, 117 dry erasers,
13 boxes of crayons, 14 rollers,
2 bottles of glue, 8 Scissors,
36 pencil erasers,
17 binders.
We gave all the donations to Katrina Gravitte (Blount County Schools) Sunday the 11th and she disbursed them on that following Monday. All the teachers were so happy to get the supplies.
Southeastern Synod WELCA CONVENTION September 20-22, 2019 at Music Road Resort in Pigeon Forge, TN. Registration forms are on the WELCA board. If you are not able to go to the convention but would like to join us for the Dinner the cost is $50. Talk with Elaine Fisher or Patty Harmon for more information. During the Convention we have several opportunities to participate in special offerings. St Paul WELCA is seeking donations for these offerings – see list below. Please talk with Patty Harmon, Elaine Fisher, Beth Drane, or Barb Miller about where to leave donations.
Gently used purses - these will be sold for $5 each to benefit Katie’s Fund https://seswelca.weebly.com/katies-fund.html Gift Basket for the Silent Auction The following In-Kind gift will go to the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry $10 Walmart cards - you can purchase these from scrip, check with Lyla. Single-serving pop top canned goods, such as Vienna sausage, canned meat etc.
Finally we are collecting pop tops from soda cans for Ronald McDonald house if you have any please put them in the WELCA bin in the back hallway.
Don’t forget to save the date, December 6, for the Annual Christmas Brunch Thank you, Elaine Fisher secretary WELCA
Barb Miller - Coordinator
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 5:00pm-7:00pm
German Food & Music Musician – Heinz Lips
Tickets Available now!
Sponsored by St Paul Men in Mission and Thrivent Financial. Funds Raised will be
used for The Community Food Connection & MIM Outreach Ministries.
• Hearing Screening • Medical/Prescription Screening • Cardiac Health Screening
Host Week September, 1-8, 2019
Can you help? Imagine everything in life proceeding as normal when all of a sudden you and your family find yourself homeless – can you find a friend who can house you, have a car/van to sleep in, maybe a few nights in a hotel, etc? Where do the kids go to school? Where do I go to help look for work, to do a resume, to have an address where employers might reply?
One answer is Family Promise. While there is no “typical” family at Family Promise, the above issues face those who choose and are accepted in Family Promise. A place for the family to stay: to sleep, to centralize while they look for work, an address to which anyone can reply, an address for the kids who don’t have to change schools, etc.
St. Paul, along with our support church The Vineyard, will host Family Promise families the week of September 1 through 8. Families will be housed here at St. Paul each evening and we will need people to help set up/take down beds, to prepare meals, to be evening hosts, to be overnight hosts, to do laundry etc. Please see Deb Johnson, our coordinator, or Marianne Searfoss, Leslie Walker, Lyla Lindquist, or Merl Krull for further information. As Jesus said “ if you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me”. Can you help? Prayer: May the Lord, who has given so much to us remind us of those who are currently in need, and while you provide so much for us, may we provide a little to them. Amen
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Volunteer Needed- Coordinator
Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community.
In relationships built through outreach and education, ReconcilingWorks shares Christ's message, the Gospel, which is for everyone equally. We advocate for systemic change in policy and practice in church and society, working to alleviate not only the painful symptoms of oppression but also to eliminate its root causes. We are Lutherans working with the recognition that racism, sexism, ageism, able-ism, heterosexism, homophobia, and all the other artificial distinctions that seek to raise one group into privilege and preference over another, conspire together to diminish our world and church. Reconciliation is a fundamental value; it is what the Apostle Paul says we are all called to do. Through our Reconciling in Christ Program, ministries, resources, events and alliances, ReconcilingWorks builds community for worship, education and support; fosters welcome and acceptance in all Lutheran settings.
Our Purpose: To start the conversation, to educate and walk in a spiritual journey with each other so that we can discern if becoming a Reconciling in Christ(RIC) church is where St Paul is being led to make a difference in our community. What does it mean to become an RIC Congregation? That as a congregation we welcome all of God’s children, making the Gospel available to all people no matter their gender, orientation, race, social economic status…
What is required to become and RIC Congregation? Building the Foundation – Leading Intentional conversation and education Living the Journey – Create an inclusive Welcome Statement voted on by the congregation Setting RIC Milestones – Preaching, educational opportunities, Community Participation….
The Plan: Phase One – Open the conversation – Small group meetings Phase Two – Report findings and prepare a Welcome Statement Phase Three – Council and Congregational vote Phase Four – What’s next, if approved – Celebrate! Distribute to all members a copy of the RIC literature that explains the mission of this organization. The literature will include frequently asked questions and conversation starters. You may also explore on your own by visiting their website. www.reconcilingworks.org/about/
Host small group meetings to discuss and answer any questions regarding the Reconciling in Christ program. An-nouncements will be printed in the church bulletin and in the Weekly E News with dates of small group meet-ings. These group meetings may be held:
During Sunday School classes Between and or after church services In off sight locations away from the church such as the local coffee shop
Invite any member of the church community to become part of the exploratory committee. Prepare a new Welcome Statement with inclusive language for Council approval and a Congregational vote. See current statement below. From our website.
St. Paul is located in the heart of East Tennessee, and is a community in Christ that is dedicated to offering a ministry that meets you where you are and walks with you along the journey of life. We are a
congregation of the ever growing and ever changing Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and as our ministry is ever growing, we continue to offer opportunities to engage you and transform you to act for the healing of this world. We welcome you to come home and worship with us, dine with us, fellowship with us, grow in
Christian love toward one another with us. We would like to get to know you. Whether you are a local or seasonal resident, just visiting the area, a life-long Lutheran or someone who has never been part of a faith community, we invite you to drop by the church for a visit and experience the hospitality and support of the folks at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Relax, let us do the cooking, so you can sit down with your family and enjoy a meal together after a busy day of work and school.
Renew, take time to remember who you are, a Beloved child of God, through scripture, song, prayer, and communion
11th, 18th, & 25th
5:00pm - Youth Hangout
6:00pm - Dinner Church
7:00pm - Choir Practice
Wednesday’s @ 6
For a meal and Worship/Holy Communion
Next planning meeting September 4th ~ 6:30pm
PreK-5th Grade to Receive new Bibles Bibles will be given during the Sunday School time.
Whirl All Kids lessons follow a consistent four-part sequence: • Welcome – Start the class with a warm welcome activity in the lesson leaflet
• Hear – Watch the Whirl characters learn about the Bible
• Respond – Apply the message using their lesson leaflets
• Launch – Participate in Scripture-based activities, both inside the classroom and at home with their families
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September Birthdays & Anniversaries
Dorian Caldwell - Coordinator
September 1 Lorraine Geary
September 2 Micah Walker
September 3 Loda Wylie
September 6 Lainey Wilson
September 8 Betty Ludwig
September 8 Alyssa Rundle
September 9 Pam Culross
September 10 Paula Kenworthy
September 10 Steven Pack
September 12 Denny Mansmith
September 14 Scott Wilson
September 14 J.B. Johnson
September 15 Lyla Lindquist
September 16 Ken Hancock
September 19 Linda Foster
September 19 Joe Birdwell
September 20 Marsha Wynn
September 21 Mary Nell Biehler
September 23 Dawn Liner
September 24 Neil Rothe
September 27 Warren Bielenberg
September 27 Jillian Garner
September 27 Sam Joyal
September 28 Courtney Snoderly
September 28 Sierra Nowak
September 29 Tom Gill
September 29 Bob Block
September 30 Elizabeth Anger
ANNIVERSARIES
September 2 Rick & Susan Ward September 3 Ed & Jackie Kreider September 3 Will & Betty Ludwig September 3 Ralph & Liz Boedefeld September 6 René & Kris Zimmer September 10 Bud & Faye Muly September 12 Herb & Carol Perry September 13 Bob & Delores Block September 14 J.B. & Sylvia Johnson September 17 Mike & Pam Culross September 17 Brian & Darla Kaufman
September 20 Joe & Denice Birdwell September 25 Charlie & Jeannine Malin September 27 Karl & Sandi Weber September 30 Neil & Susan Rothe
10:30 Service Fellowship
Teams
Each team is responsi-ble for providing cook-ies or donuts, setting up and cleaning up the Fel-
lowship time after the 10:30 service.
Contact Jacqueline Conzemius for more information.
September 1 Merl & Judy Krull, Elizabeth & Rick Anger
September 8 Denice & Kara Birdwell, Elizabeth Runkle
September 15 Herb & Carol Perry, David & Ruth Silseth
September 22 Tom & Lyla Lindquist, Carla & James McMillion
September 29 Barb & Bob Miller, Tim & Leslie Walker
Sharing Christ’s Love With the World
429 Sandy Springs Road Maryville, TN 37803
Dates of Interest
Check Calendar for times and places
OFFICE CLOSED SEPTEMBER 2nd
Council:
Tuesday, September 16th ~ Ministry Team Night & Council Meeting
DISCIPLESHIP:
Wednesday, September 11th, 18, & 25th ~ Dinner Church
FELLOWSHIP:
Wednesday, September 11th, 18, & 25th ~ Dinner Church Meal
Parish Life:
Wednesday’s ~ Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, September 5th ~ Men In Mission
Tuesday, September 17th ~ SPAM Wine & Cheese Party
Thursday, September 12th & 25th ~ Creative Hands
Worship:
Sunday, September 1st ~ Choir resumes at 10:30 service
