October 2024
Created To Be: LWF joins youth gathering in New Orleans
An international LWF youth delegation joins over 16,000 young American Lutherans meeting in New Orleans to share stories of faith and learn more about their church
ELCA brings together young people for five days of worship, workshops, learning and community service volunteering
(LWI) - Created to be brave, authentic, free and disruptive disciples. That was the theme of a huge youth gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) which was held in mid-July in the southern city of New Orleans. A delegation of young women and men from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) took part in the event which had previously been postponed due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.
Over 16,000 young people met together for five days of vibrant worship and workshops, presentations and panel discussion, interactive learning and volunteering with dozens of local community service projects. The 16 to 20 July gathering marked the first time in six years that young Lutherans from across the country had the opportunity to meet and to share their stories of faith. The LWF delegation was part of the first ever ELCA Young Adult meeting for people aged from 18 to 35, a parallel event to the popular Youth Gathering which is aimed predominantly at high school students.
“These regular youth gatherings are an important moment for those inside the church to learn about different ministries and to connect to a wider national and international context,” said LWF Program Executive for Youth, Ms. Savanna Sullivan, who coordinated the group of 20 young delegates representing all LWF’s regions. “There is a great energy amongst participants and a shared sense of identity which helps people to feel less alone.”
Connecting local, national and international contexts
As a former director of ELCA’s young adult ministry, the New Orleans meeting was Sullivan’s third time in attendance, having previously attended as a speaker and as a chaperone to a local congregation. “Taking part as an international coordinator showed me a greater richness, but also helped me to appreciate the broader context and to celebrate the unique contributions that my own church has to offer,” she reflected.
Sullivan facilitated and moderated a panel discussion on Lutheran identity with speakers from Brazil, Chile, Tanzania, Palestine and Norway’s indigenous Saami people. Another LWF-led panel focused on ecotheology and the urgency of working for climate justice with speakers from Indonesia, Bolivia, Tanzania, France and Germany.
Sullivan also coordinated two workshops introducing the LWF Peace Messengers program, which builds the capacity of young people to work for reconciliation and conflict resolution in their own countries. Another member of the LWF team, Rev.Sally Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, addressed the gathering as the first Palestinian woman to be ordained in the Holy Land. She spoke of her experience of being “disruptive” to end injustice in the context of the Israeli occupation and the ongoing war in Gaza.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, a former LWF Vice-President for North America, encouraged the young people on the first day of the gathering saying:“You can make a change: you can be disruptive.” Other presenters spoke about some of the key issues facing young people in the church, including racism homelessness, gender equality and the struggle with mental health issues.
Music and dance were an important part of the event which featured a house band and a host of other performers leading participants in both religious and secular songs. The gathering ended with a closing worship service which included the sharing of Holy Communion among all those present in the packed rena.
A new director of the ELCA Youth Gathering, Deacon Jessica Liles, was also installed during the closing Eucharist. She commented: “The energy in these holy spaces was electric. My hope is that we can carry this spark to local communities, creating a change, inspiring others and helping young people to deepen their faith between now and the next Gathering in 2027.” That meeting will take place from 28 June to 2 July in the city of Minneapolis in the northern U.S. state ofMinnesota. LWF/P. Hitchen
OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS
ACOLYTES SUPPLY
Oct 6 Jaxon Verba Oct 6 – Dr Steve Schwendenmann
Oct 13 Hannah Wharton Oct 13 – Casey Simmons
Oct 20 Nolan Muhlenbruch Oct 20 – Dr Steve Schwendenmann
Oct 27 Jaxon Verba Oct 27 – Pr Gloria Friedrich
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Curtis Dow Linda Dow
David Ziesman Ruth Reingardt
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Jean Swanson Mary Anderson
COMMUNION SUNDAY October 27th at 10:00 a.m.
Reformation & Confirmation Sunday
FLCW QUILTERS October 1st at 1:00 p.m.
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING October 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
CARD SHOWER
Grace Haugen will be celebrating her 94th birthday on October 31st and her family is planning a card shower. Cards can be sent to Grace at the following address:
Grace Haugen Iowa Veterans Home, Malloy 4 South, 1301 Summit St., Marshalltown, IA 50158
Check the attached flyer for more information!!
PRAYER REQUESTS for Kehra Vinsand and Marv Moss who each had surgery in September, Jacob Wharton, all the home-bound members and those who are residing in the local care centers.
Gift of Giving’s 5th Annual Holiday Fundraiser kick-off
BURGERS AND BUNS SUNDAY OCTOBER 13! B & Bs for a good cause… Free will donation Meal Hamburgers or Hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips and dessert bar. at the Dows Legion from 11 am to 1 pm. Eatin or carry-out. Hosted by the Dows Legion and Dows and Untied Methodist Church. Pie and Dessert Auction begins at 12:15 pm.
Calling all pie bakers!! Can you donate a pie for this wonderful event? If so, please drop off at the Legion the morning of the event.
The Gift of Giving program has replaced Spirirt of Dows. Families within the CGD school district are helped thru this program.
Mark you calendars: The Dows Methodist turkey dinner will be held on Sunday, November 10th! More info to follows.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
President, Jean Swanson, opened the meeting. A motion to approve of the agenda was made by Maynard Agena. Jean Swanson needed to add an item after Other New business, so after that was done, a second to Maynard’s motion was made by David Ziesman. Motion carried. A devotion was given by Beth Hurt and she led us in prayer.
President’s Report: Jean Swanson She just needed to add an item to the agenda.
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell
Jeanne read the minutes from the August 14th meeting. Mary Anderson made a motion to approve of the minutes as read. Bev Weidemann seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Beth Hurt
Beth reported that Dan did purchase a computer for $559 on sale and applied an ELCA discount. He will be getting it set up soon. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Craig. Motion carried.
Deacon’s Report: Everyone is being visited and receiving communion.
Trustee’s Report: Weeds around the church were sprayed, Sunday School rooms were cleaned and there are a few chairs in the fellowship hall that need to be fixed. The downspout on the south entrance of the church needs to be looked at and fixed.
Stewardship: Larry & Tammy Klatt Nothing to report.
Old Business:
Constitution – No update
New Computer – done
Youth Meeting – went well on the 8th, hoping for more to come next month. Discussion was held on how to entice more youth to attend on those nights.
New Business:
Keying New Door – New keys will be made for door. – New door will be coming
in October.
Confirmation Sunday – October 27th – Reformation Sunday – the carnations will be ordered and be at the Church that day. A photographer has been secured for that day.
Other New Business: Gerald Rockow’s memorial gift was lost in the mail for the past 3 months. Jean will be picking up the new check Friday at Coonley’s Law Office in Hampton. There was a “stop Payment on the first one. She will deposit this new check with the United Bank and Trust in a 7 month CD at a rate of 4.8% interest. A motion to approve Jean doing this, was made by Bev Weidemann and seconded by David Ziesman. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn was made by Craig and seconded by Bev. Meeting adjourned.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Council Secretary
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
Please join us on Sunday, October 27th for Confirmation Sunday. Three of our young people will be confirmed on this day: Nolan Muhlenbruch, Jaxon Verba and Hannah Wharton. A card basket will be placed in the narthex on this day. Congratulations to all of them!
GRAIN DONATIONS - Did you know that your local NEW Coop has an account set up for First Lutheran Church to accept deliveries of grain? If you are wanting to make a donation of grain, just contact any of the NEW Coop offices and let them know that you will be delivering for First Lutheran. This does not have to be a full load as they will transfer any bushel amount over to the church with your permission. The church is then contacted to price the grain. If you are considering a donation to a different elevator that does not have an account for First, just let the church know and we can get an account open. This is an easy way to help out the church!
COFFEE HOUR will take place each Sunday and we invite everyone to come down from 9-10 for a cup of joe, a delicious goodie and some great conversation! BRING A FRIEND