The July Council was short and action packed. Due to member’s vacations and other summer scheduling conflicts, our time having a quorum was limited. We discussed and acted on many items: our current financial standing, potential strategic planning, maintenance needs, additional new member seminars, funding for the New Orleans Gathering, etc. Many of us (but not a quorum) stayed for an additional 2 hours to review what is being done by our active committees, start planning for the upcoming congregational update meeting (August 30^th) and discuss other needs of our church and the desires we have heard from the rest of our growing    congregation. Please believe and trust that your Council is trying to do what needs to be done and attempting to fulfill your desires and dreams.  With more people we can do more to fulfill your desires and dreams. The Council is asking all of you for assistance. This month we will be taking the “Time and Talent Sheets” and using them to place calls to individuals that we believe are not only interested but will do a terrific job filling the needs for our congregation. Please take time in the upcoming weeks for some heartfelt reflection to prepare yourself for this possible phone call. If you have not filled out a “Time and Talent Sheet” or do not get a call, do not be        discouraged. We may not know your inner strength, your hidden talents or your desire to serve. Please make it known to us by talking to any member of Council, including Pastor Kathy. We have all been given gifts by God and should (and in fact want) to share with others. Doing something you love to do for others is not only rewarding, it is infectious. Be an infectious spirit and make our congregation greater.

Prepared by Jim Simpson, Vice President, July meeting’s Chairperson. Please contact me with any questions or concerns (846-3564, jim.simpson@charter.net)

As I am writing this page, the group going to New Orleans for the church-wide youth gathering, has its first   delay … in Columbus, Wisconsin. We had to arrive one hour before the train was to depart, only to find out upon check-in that the train has to come from Seattle, and it has multiple stops along the way. So, we wait, and hope that our connection on the City of New Orleans train will be easily made.Connections easily made. The concept is easy, but in reality, schedules may be off, and stops along the way may take longer than anyone could anticipate. The man in the ticket office commented to us how frustrating it was for him to know that one train comes from Seattle every 24 hours, and yet, the freight trains have priority. One would think that these things could be figured out, and freight trains and passenger trains could ride on the rails with ease, on schedule. Is it communication, or power struggle, or conflict of interest? Who knows, but for some reason, the situation is one that train people deal with every day. While we are waiting, I am thinking about the congregational update meeting held on May 30^th. Somehow, something happened there, where the train that some people were expecting, never even made it into the station. God, I hope that doesn’t happen to us today. That would be bad.I think intentions were good on behalf of the council, to update people on what was happening, but could have gone farther into detail. Are we running a deficit ministry plan? Yes, we are, and that was mentioned. We have been  running a deficit for the past 6 years. With credit tightening, and jobs less secure than before, it is a little scary. Will the bank continue to lend us money? Should we take our debt and roll it over into long term debt? Should we not only tighten our belts to reduce ministry, but does the congregation really want us to cut staff? That was not spoken at the  update meeting. No one wants to make staff cuts, but do you as the congregation deem that necessary to balance our budget? Or, as I suggested, do we concentrate our efforts on increasing revenue and being more creative in our spending and projects?As for the ministry survey, the executive summary was presented and the feedback is that people wanted to know more details. A variety of individual and small groups opinions were expressed in the survey, and we are working through making sense out of what all this means. It will take some time. It is true that the council is struggling with the issues presented there. One of the suggestions was to get a strategic planning committee together. I am really excited about that. I have wanted to form this committee since arriving at Norway Grove, and it seems that one thing or another has continued to delay this effort. This will be a top priority for me to work on this fall. Are you interested in being on this committee? There will be a selection process to include the diversity of the congregation. A small group will lead the congregation in collecting more information, reviewing our history, assessing what the community thinks of the Norway Grove congregation….how they know of us, and what is it like for someone to come into our midst from the outside. The strategic planning task force will make recommendations to the congregation as to future direction. Where is God calling us to in 2009 and 2010?  What is God’s plan for us?Initially, you may have seen the new mission statement for the congregation. We needed to at least have some interim direction while we get this process under way. I would not be surprised if it got tweaked or changed when the strategic plan is completed. The Grape Harvest festival is also something that I am convinced will be helpful to the congregation. It may not produce a ton of revenue in the first year, but it has huge potential for unifying the congregation, and for producing some income. Both of these things are a priority for me. Please look elsewhere in this newsletter, and keep your eyes open to ways you can help and participate in this endeavor.Lastly, I want to encourage all people to speak up, and let me know when they have an issue, or a concern, or a joy they would like to share. My guess is that it could be a long standing difficulty for some people to speak their minds here at Norway Grove when others have carried a strong position. It saddens my heart to think that people do not feel welcome to share their opinions directly and openly in public meetings. It should always be the case that this happens.This brings me to the announcement of the next congregational update meeting. It is scheduled for Sunday,    August 30^th, following the 9:00 service. I will not leave there until every question, concern, issue has been addressed. As your pastor, I am concerned for your spiritual welfare. All people have equal voice and equal worth. At the same time, we are seeking to follow God’s will for direction in the life of the congregation. This balance sometimes comes out that we do not always get our way, but when we are following God’s way, how can it not be good? I look forward to meeting with you again, for having a second change to hear your voices on behalf of the congregation, and I also look forward to a busy and fruitful fall.Thanks be to God!

Pastor Kathy

~ I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”    Psalm 122:1At January’s annual congregational meeting, members in attendance learned of a Ministry Review Survey that had been developed. The Council felt it was  important that we – as a congregation – review Norway Grove’s ministry and outline opportunities for, and actions to, drive improvement. They asked for input regarding several key areas of the Church, including Council, Committees, Education, Pastor Kathy, and Music, as well as our member’s own current involvement. Council met at their annual retreat to discuss the findings, and on May 31^st, a congregational update meeting was held to reveal the results.It was wonderful to learn that 72.7 percent who responded “extremely like” our praise band, with an additional 20.5 percent answering they “like” the band. The performances by the choir and tone chimes were also lauded, and in general there was a pretty positive feeling about what is happening in terms of music at Norway Grove. There were also many uplifting comments regarding the Youth Rock! event our band members hosted for the youth last fall. Although Elaine Jaeke and I were not shown specific comments from the survey, we were    assured that respondents felt the music we are doing often sets a great tone for worship, and that we are      providing a good variety of music that appeals to a wide variety of worshipers.Thank you, Norway Grove, for your solid support of the music program and the direction we are going! Elaine and I make a good team and enjoy working together while brainstorming new ways to enhance the worship experience. But additional credit goes to our hard-working and dedicated volunteers who show up week after week to practice and perform with our groups. We are a remarkable congregation with much talent, and it’s awesome that so many are willing to share their gifts. Being a part of a music group allows folks to serve in an area where they are passionate, while providing an important connection to the church and its members.Also revealed in the survey is that our members continue to be somewhat divided between preferences for   traditional or blended style in worship and music. The blended service received a 47.6 percent “extremely like” and 38.1 percent “like” result, while the traditional worship had a significantly less 7.3 percent who “extremely liked” the service, but 51.2 percent who said they “liked” it. In response to those numbers, this fall we will introduce a service rotation we hope will appeal to the most people. The band will play at 8:00 a.m. services on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month and will play at 10:30 a.m. services on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays.  The choir and tone chimes will plan their performances for the 8:00 a.m. services on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays and the 10:30 a.m. services on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays. Children will be performing at 10:30 a.m. services throughout the year. Band services will be a more contemporary-blended style, while piano-led services will be a more traditional-blended style. We will hold traditional services on special church days, such as Reformation Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, All-Saints Day, etc. Use of the organ resulted in some our lowest scores, with more than one-third of the respondents “somewhat disliking” and “disliking” it, so organ performances will likely be reserved for these traditional services only.I wish to thank everyone who filled out the survey, as well as those who have provided suggestions and advice over the past couple of years. Your input has been invaluable to Elaine and me. It also allows us to move forward in a direction that encourages participation, both from worshipers and music groups, while hopefully increasing our church’s weekly attendance and membership.

Jill Buchheim, Music Director

When I think of our church I can’t help breaking into a smile. We seem to have so much fun whether we are worshiping with the variety of music and instruments we enjoy, sharing some silliness and stories at coffee hour, or any other time one happens to drop by the church. When we come together on Sunday mornings singing, sharing God’s peace or breaking bread there seems to me to be a genuine caring for each other with plenty of hugs and smiles.Norway Grove is a place where I feel cared for and love spending time with friends, new and old. Whether we are donating some of Gary ’s homemade wine for an auction or partaking of some when the quilters meet, we love being at this church and we love the people here.  We are happy to step up when something needs to be done; an usher doesn’t show up, a new banner needs to be made, cutting down a tree, or any other thing that someone may need a hand with. We hope others here feel welcome to share their talents as well.

We’ve gone through some difficult times with changes in pastors but there was never any doubt in my mind that our church would survive and be healthy again. Pastor Kathy may be “our leader” but we are the church - the many hands of God working in so many different ways.  I invite everyone here to get their hands involved in something here at Norway Grove.                           - Jan Homuth

Saturday, October 3^rd, 6:00 p.m. 

Last year’s first-ever Youth Rock! event at Norway Grove was such a huge success we’re hosting another one! And this year we’ve invited some friends to help us.  Youth Encounter’s Captive Free West Lakes Team is coming. They’re a group of young adults who minister throughout the United States with a faith-encouraging program of music, testimonies, and group-building activities to inspire kids of all ages.

So kids, mark your calendars, tell your friends, and plan to join us for an evening of friendship, faith, and fun!

Dear Friends in Christ,Once again, with your love and support, and “a little help from above,” we’ve made it through round two! Some weeks ago, I told many of you that I was producing ear wax again, and now, while it’s still ‘high noon’ on part of my head, other parts are sprouting a three or five o’clock shadow!On a more serious note, this has been a truly spiritual journey for me, one that hasn’t ended yet. But so many of you have been my partners in it. I wasn’t aware of it, when we came to Norway Grove almost 20 years ago, that this was a healing place. It slowly became apparent that this was a special place for the suffering and the broken.I thought we had perhaps lost that aspect of our identity, but I believe it’s alive and well in the hearts and souls of this congregation and I’m so glad we have been here to be a part of that. Being the recipient of your acts of love have not only been a part of my healing process, but a part of my spiritual growth as well.I’ll say my thank you again with part of another “Unkie” hymn by David Haas, - “Do Not Be Afraid” that was my companion through this segment of my journey.Do not be afraid I am with you, I have called you each by name, Come and follow me, I will bring you home, I love you and you are mine.

I am the word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give, I will call your name, embracing all your pain, Stand up, now walk, and live. 

May each of us embrace our God of love, stand up and walk and live in His light, to be a blessing to each other.

Blessings, Carol Nilsestuen

I live in abject neediness with nothing to give.One of the barriers to generosity is the feeling that one is without resources. There may be times when this is true. However, there are probably more times when this is not true.You may have heard stories from friends about people living in abject neediness with nothing to give. Invariably these people live in literally “dirt-poor” conditions. Yet their generosity has moved the hearts of their visitors. A common phrase that is heard from these visitors is, “They had nothing and they gave us everything.”The widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17) who fed Elijah with the last of her meal and the widow in the temple who gave “all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44) are examples of this deep generosity. These stories indicate such generosity has existed within cultures for thousands of years.Have you encountered the kind of experience described in these stories? Have you ever felt in abject neediness with nothing to give? For some people this might have happened while traveling alone in a foreign country. For others college life might have been their time of doing without. Whatever your experience, remember what it felt like. Remember the struggle. How generous did you feel in those times?Everyone encounters struggles in life. Perhaps reflecting on these experiences of neediness is enough to shake our    comfort zone. Perhaps it is enough to move each of us from a state of complacency to an appreciation for the generosity of others. Perhaps by recalling these struggles each of us can move beyond our current desires and neediness to embrace a new spirit of generosity.Prayer: O God of abundance, remind me this day that I have so much and lack nothing that I need. Help me to embrace a spirit of generosity that moves me to give away that which can help others in their struggles. Amen.

The money Leadership devotion is developed by the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA