May 2008 ~ CHURCHMOUSE

Greetings in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

In April, Kathy Voigt, Dave Weness and I attended the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Gathering in Rochester. The theme for this gathering was “A Synod at Table with the Hungry.” We discussed many ways of caring for those in need – and were inspired by speakers who are working for/with the ELCA to end poverty in Minnesota.

We voted on and passed Resolution 2008-01: Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible Initiative. The Vision Statement for this Initiative is as follows, “That the whole church becomes more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.” Congregations will be encouraged to make Bible study a part of their daily lives. The Synod will be offering training events to help people become more comfortable with their study of the Bible and the Lutheran understanding that the Bible is the “cradle that holds Christ.” As members of the ELCA, we do not read the bible through a literal lens, we read through a lens of grace.

We also voted on and passed Resolution 2008-02: Advocating for Peace. “Congregations are to pray for peace, support those serving in the military and their families, contact government officials to encourage them to work for legislation that encourages justice and peace in our world, and consider a peace and justice theme for the 2009 Synod Assembly.” Our April/May Cause of the Month is “Operation Gratitude.” We are collecting care packages to support U.S. Troops. This fits nicely with the above resolution.

It was a wonderful assembly and there are so many gifted people working to ensure that all people have a place at the table. May we continue to be such a people.

God’s care,

Pastor Shari

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Family News

In April, we celebrated three baptisms:

4/6/08 – Marshall

Shannon Marie Kiefer – parents Tom and Linda

4/20/08 – Little Cedar

Avery Rose Stroup – parents Jon and Laura

4/20/08 – Little Cedar

Ty Benjamin Voigt – parents Beau and Holly

We also welcomed Laura Stroup – she has transferred her membership to Little Cedar.

Thank you

Thanks to the Social Concerns Committee for arranging for meals to be brought to our home after I returned from surgery. Thanks to all Little Cedar members who furnished food. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful “Church Family.”

Bev and Dwain Vangsness

Little Cedar 150th Anniversary

On Nov. 26, 2009, Little Cedar Lutheran Church will be 150 years old!

We hope to have an Anniversary Committee in place by this summer. Please consider volunteering to be on the Anniversary Committee to help prepare for this celebration.

Friends & Fellowship

Tuesday, May 13 – Little Cedar - Adams

11:00 a.m. program will be J.J.’s Pickup Band - Noon meal to follow - All are invited!

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Senior Bell Choir

The Little Cedar Senior Bell Choir is in need of a director. If that is something you would be interested in, please call the church office.

Junior Bell Choir

Little Cedar Junior Bell Choir meets on Mondays from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. This is for grades 3, 4, and 5. Please contact Tara Mandt (582-3627) if your child is interested in joining.

Little Cedar Senior Choir meets at 10:00 a.m. after the church service. The choir is always open to new members. If you have questions, please contact me – jstephenson@myclearwave.net or 433-7582. Janet Stephenson – Choir Director

Thank you to both the Senior Choir and the Jr. Bells – we continue to enjoy the gifts you bring to Sunday morning services.

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Little Cedar Sunday School/Congregation Celebration Lunch

Sunday – May 4 – 11:00 a.m.

This is a way to say thank you for the Sunday School Students and Teachers.

Also, a thank you to the congregation who has supported this program for so many years.

There is no cost for this event.

Everyone is invited!!

Good Earth Village Summer Camp

Church members are asked to register on line at goodearthvillage.org

Or contact the camp office 507-346-2494

WELCA and the Congregations of Little Cedar and Marshall will help with camp costs.

Full camp scholarships are available upon request – Please talk to Pastor Shari.

Village to Village

Good Earth Village is traveling to Holden Village in July! This is an amazing trip to Washington State. While at Holden Village, enjoy God’s beautiful creation, rest and renew, and continue your faith journey. Cost is $895 per person with senior and children’s discounts available. Cost includes roundtrip train, bus and boat fares, and meals and lodging while at Holden Village. Meals on train are at your own expense. For more information about this trip, please contact GEV 507-346-2494 – there are 9 spots available for the July trip!

Good Earth Village Wildflower Walk

Thursday, May 1 or Thursday May 8

Enjoy an easy hike and learn about the many spring woodland wildflowers found at Good Earth Village. Kathy Bolin, GEV’s Land Management Director, will lead a morning or afternoon walk through the natural spring beauty of camp. Morning hike begins at 9:30 followed by brunch. Afternoon hike begins at 1:00 followed by an afternoon tea. Cost: $18 per person. Contact GEV at 507-346-2494 with any questions.

Calling all Green Thumbs!

Good Earth Village is looking for volunteers to help plant and maintain the various gardens around camp. GEV will provide tools and plant materials. You are welcome to work on your own schedule or coordinate with other volunteers. Contact Kathy Bolin for more information 507-346-2494.

Youth News

Fundraiser – Taco Night at the Legion

May 22 – 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Thank you to the youth and adults who helped clean up at the Fairgrounds!

Job well done!!

LYO Aluminum Can Pick Up

Please bring your aluminum cans to church on June 1^st – if you are unable to deliver your cans, call the church office and we will arrange for someone to pick them up.

Thank you for supporting LYO.

Looking Head

Vacation Bible School – July 28 – Aug. 1

9:00 a.m. noon for children who have completed K-5

May “Cause of the Month” – ITEMS DUE MAY 8^TH

Little Cedar and Marshall Churches

“OPERATION GRATITUDE”

Sending Care Packages to U.S. Troops

Please have your items/donations to the churches by May 8^th

Please provide items from the following wish list (new items only)

• DVDs, CDs, Batteries (all sizes)
• Headsets (earpiece and microphone)
• Beanie Babies, small novelty items
• Disposable Cameras
• Prepaid Phone Cards
• Travel-Size Board Games, Handheld Electronic Games
• Commercially wrapped individual packets of Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Nuts, Energy Bars, Sunflower Seeds, Candy.
• Ready to eat Tuna or Chicken Salad Kits
• Boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, small tins of Danish Cookies
• Packets of Powdered Cold Beverages.
• Commercially sealed Lip Balm, Roll-on Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes
• Individual packets of moist towelettes.
• Travel Size containers of Foot Powder
• Baseball Style Caps
• Unsealed Personal Cards and Letters
• Mini-Battery Operated Fans
• Bandana Coolers/Cool Ties - Directions for making the cool ties can be found at:

www.watersorb.com

We will collect these items at church – then mail them to:

Operation Gratitude – California Army National Guard

Our only shipping cost is in sending the items to California. However, if any one would

like to contribute towards the cost of shipping the packages overseas,

Operation Gratitude would greatly appreciate it.

It costs approximately $10/package to mail them to their destination.

If you are interested in learning more about this organization, go to:

www.opgratitutude.com

May 2008 Calendar

Little Cedar Church Service – Sundays 9:00 a.m.

Little Cedar Choir Practice 10:00 a.m.

Marshall Church Service – Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Thursday – May 1 – 6:00 p.m. at Marshall – Women will be making May baskets.

Sunday – May 4 - 11:00 a.m. Celebration Lunch at Little Cedar – All are Welcome!

Sunday – May 4 - Last Day of Sunday School.

Sunday – May 4 – 1:00 p.m. Communion Service in Maple Room at Cedar Courts Apartments.

Monday – May 5 – 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Jr. Bell end of year party!

Wednesday - May 7 – Marshall Council

Saturday – May 10 – 11:00 a.m. LC Fellowship Hall – Open bridal shower honoring Sarah Uglem, future bride

of Aaron Jax. The couple is registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Sunday – May 11 – Pentecost Sunday – wear red!

Tuesday - May 13 – Friends & Fellowship – 11:00 Little Cedar Fellowship Hall.

Sunday - May 18 – Senior Sunday at Little Cedar.

Sunday - May 18 – Confirmation Sunday at Marshall.

Wednesday - May 21 – Little Cedar Council

Church Mouse deadline – 20^th of the month

Little Cedar Graduates 2008 Marshall Graduates 2008

Matthew Kressin Brandon Kinney

Kody Retterath Ryan Thompson

Casey Roser Adam Voigt

Ashley Smith

Blaire Vogel

Little Cedar Church

Council Minutes

April 16, 2008

The Little Cedar Lutheran Church Council met on April 16, 2008. Members present: Dorothy Bergene, Gayle Bergstrom, Gordy Briggs, Joyce Halver, Earl Orvik, Audrey Schroeder, Marilyn Thorstenson, Dean Tipton, Bev Vangsness, Kay Lewison, Geneva Hamilton, Dave Weness, Roger Weness and Pastor Shari Mason. Absent: Randy Stephenson.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Earl Orvik. A short video and prayer were given by Pastor Shari. The secretary’s report was approved as mailed. Roger Weness reviewed the treasurer’s report. Motion by Gayle Bergstrom to accept. Seconded by Dorothy Bergene. Motion Carried.

PASTOR’S REPORT: April 15 was the last day for high school and middle school release time. Elementary has four weeks left. April 17 is the WELCA Conference at LC. The SE Synod Assembly will be held in Rochester on April 18 and 19. Pastor Shari and Kathy Voigt will be attending. May 3 and 4 will be a Continuing Ed Spirituality Retreat in Dubuque. Theresa Turnbull will be conducting services on May 4 at LC and Marshall. Following services that day, there will be a celebration lunch at Little Cedar. May 11 is Pentecost Sunday-wear RED. Pastor Shari will again be teaching a yoga class for Community Ed. The dates will be - May 5-7-12-14-19-21 from 6:30 – 7:15.

OLD BUSINESS: LC’s 150^th Anniversary coming up in 2009. Could use more volunteers. Michael Sorenson will be working with the Cemetery Committee for his Eagle Scout project. Twelve coffee carafes have been ordered – money taken from memorials. A Pentecost banner has been ordered in memory of Frieda Prescott.

NEW BUSINESS: A council member is needed to present bibles and certificates from the congregation at two baptisms on 4/20/08. Gayle Bergstrom volunteered. Discussed the purchase of confirmation robes, instead of renting them each year. Motion by Dean Tipton that we purchase 10 robes at $24 each, money to come from Glenda Osmundson fund. Seconded by Bev Vangsness. Motion carried.

Discussed the main computer in the office. It is 6 years old and the average life span is 3 years and it is becoming problematic. A motion by Dean. Tipton that we purchase a new Dell with 2 hard drives and a 3 year maintenance program for the amount of $1,116. Seconded by Gayle Bergstrom. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Building Committee met and discussed the possibility of installing a film on the west windows in the narthex to cut down on glare and fading. This was tabled until the May meeting. The cracks in the parking lot will soon be filled with tar again. The Cemetery Committee will be working with Garrett Kiefer and M. Sorenson to make some improvements there. Stewardship Sunday will be April 27. April and May Cause of the Month will be “Operation Gratitude” – care packages for the military.

Youth -11 students went to the fairgrounds and cleaned 2 buildings. The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Lavonne Bergstrom, Secy.

8^th Graders

Alex Anderson

Kelly Gray

Adam Klingerman

Tyler Kressin

Kelsey Poshusta

Kara Sathre

Clint Vogel

9^th Graders

Whitney Bamrick

Tyler Bergene

Camden Hurd

Sarah Nelson

Steven Sathre

Brandi Schammel

Becky Meany

Lindsey Smith

Marshall Church

Council Minutes

March 5, 2008

The regular meeting of Marshall Lutheran Church Council was held on Wed. March 5, 2008 at 7:45pm.

Present: George Struthers, Luverne Hanson, Dale Himebaugh, Eleanore Gordon, Del Anderson, Carie Hanson, Brenda Hanson.

Del Anderson read the Minutes from last months meeting. Eleanore Gordon gave the Financial Secretary’s Report. Carie Hanson gave the Treasurer’s Report. Luverne Hanson made a motion to accept the Council Minutes, Financial and Treasurer’s Reports, 2^nd by Brenda Hanson, motion passed.

Old Business:

It was discussed to have someone go to the bank and check on the Safety Deposit Box. Discussed if the carpet should be repaired or replaced. Put tape or red carpet on bottom of stairs to warn of the last step.

Cause of the month for February “Neighbor in Need” raised $90.00.

New Business:

February offering was $2447.00, Year to Date - $6054.82. Mileage rate was raised for 2008 to 50.5¢ per mile up from 2007 which was 48.5¢. Pay both Kalle Akkerman and Karina Mensink $25.00 each for the Snowy Sunday on February 17^th. Motion by Dale Himebaugh, and 2^nd by Carie Hanson to move $5230.00 out of the General Fund to Thrivent Bond, motion passed. We will check into putting the Road Fund into a Thrivent Bond. Check into adding 7” more of insulation in the ceiling and walls, the cost would be about $1000.00. Motioned by Luverne Hanson, 2^nd by Dale to pay 50% of Camp Tuition up to $200.00, motion passed.

Motioned by Carie Hanson 2^nd by Luverne Hanson to adjourn. Motion passed meeting adjourned. Closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by,

Del Anderson

Marshall Council Secretary

LAYETTES

In refugee camps, hospitals, and villages around the world, gifts of layettes convey a warm welcome to newborns and their mothers.

Your group can also help LWR get layettes to the people who need them by donating a brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza or by making a contribution to the Project Comfort Fund.

Review the General Assembly Instructions before collecting items for the layettes.

Include the following items in each layette:

• Two shirts or Onesies® (or similar item)
• Two gowns or sleepers (with or without feet)
• Two receiving blankets
• Four cloth diapers, flat fold preferred
• One sweater or sweatshirt
• Two washcloths
• One bath-size bar (4-5 oz.) of gentle soap, in its original wrapping
• Two diaper pins

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. Gently used, clean items can be substituted for new ones. Wrap items in one of the receiving blankets and secure with diaper pins. Do not enclose the kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

TIPS

• Sizes up to 24 months may be used. Consider varying the sizes of the clothing items so the layette will continue to be useful as the baby grows.
• Sweaters may be knitted or crocheted from leftover yarn, or made from heavy double knits or fleece. Select a pattern that suits your skill level. Preferred styles have buttons or ties down the front.
• A bolt of flannel can furnish a number of receiving blankets, diapers and gowns. A square cut the width of fabric (usually 36" or 45") easily makes a blanket. Diapers can be made by using a pinking shear to cut pieces 25" X 27" (note: this is a change in size from previous guidelines).
• Use care when making blankets and diapers with flannel. It may be necessary to zigzag edges or sew a hem to prevent raveling.

HEALTH KITS People who must flee their homes quickly often do not have time to pack essential items. Health kits can help refugees maintain personal hygiene while living in exile. Items may also contribute to a new start for those who can return home.

Include the following items in each health kit:

• One hand towel, dark color recommended
• One washcloth, dark color recommended
• One bath-size bar (4-5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in its original wrapping
• One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging
• One comb, wide tooth preferred, remove packaging
• One metal nail file or nail clippers with file attached, remove packaging (do not substitute cardboard emery boards for the file)
• Six Band-Aids® (or similar brand), preferably 1/2" to 3/4"; secure together with a rubber band

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Wrap smaller items in the washcloth; wrap washcloth and remaining items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn. Do not enclose the kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

SCHOOL KITS

A school kit may provide the only supplies for children returning to school after the disruption of war. School kits help parents continue their children's education, even while living in a refugee camp, for example. A school kit may also be used in adult literacy classes.

Your group can also help LWR get school kits to the people who need them by donating a brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza or by making a contribution to the Project Comfort Fund.

Review the General Assembly Instructions before collecting items for the school kits.

Include the following items in each school kit:

• Padded or spiral notebooks of ruled paper approximately 8" X 10-1/2" totaling 150-200 sheets (if using 70-count notebooks, please include three); do not include loose-leaf paper
• One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
• One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
• One pencil sharpener
• Six new, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band
• One eraser approximately 2-1/2" long
• 12 sheets of construction paper in assorted colors (if necessary, fold in half to fit into the school kit bag)
• One box of 16 or 24 crayons
• One sturdy cloth bag approximately 12" X 14" with cloth handles or drawstring closure (see below for downloadable patterns)

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Remove any excess packaging and pack items in the bag, fold the handles over, and secure with two large rubber bands or tie with yarn. Click here for a sample school kit wrapped and ready for shipping. Do not enclose the kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

SEWING KITS

Each year, Lutheran World Relief distributes thousands of sewing kits overseas. Many are used in vocational training programs to teach young men and women sewing skills that they can use to earn an income.

Your group can also help LWR get sewing kits to the people who need them by donating a brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza or by making a contribution to the Project Comfort Fund.

Review the General Assembly Instructions before collecting items for the sewing kits.

Include the following items in each sewing kit:

• Three yards of 44" or 45" cotton or cotton-blend fabric; four yards if 36" (no knits or 100% polyester)
• One package of about 10-15 needles for hand sewing (needles purchased in larger packages can be divided by inserting 12 needles into a swatch of felt or thick fabric)
• One spool of matching thread, 300 yards
• One card of 6 or more 1/2" to 5/8" matching buttons

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Wrap sewing notions inside fabric and tie with string, yarn, or strip of fabric. Do not enclose the kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

SEWING FABRIC

Additional fabric for the recipients of sewing kits provides fabric for extra sewing practice, to make clothing for themselves, or clothing to sell.

Your group can also help LWR get sewing fabric to the people who need them by donating a brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza or by making a contribution to the Project Comfort Fund.

Review the General Assembly Instructions before collecting sewing fabric.

Please follow these guidelines:

• Fabric should be cotton or cotton-blend (no knits or 100% polyester)
• Fabric should have no stains or holes
• Very important: fabric should be cut in three-yard lengths if it is 44" or 45" wide, or four-yard lengths if it is 36"
• Fold each piece separately when packing

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