Council Notes
by Sandra Edwardson
Much of the May Council meeting
was devoted to continued discussion
of how we will know when we are
fulfilling our mission. Our co-lead
pastors led off with a framework
suggesting that we have three over-
arching methods:
1. Providing rich and accessible
experiences,
2. Guaranteeing opportunities for
development of leaders and
stewards, and
3. Opening pathways to deeper
engagement with our internal and
external community.
Council members discussed their
role in achieving our objectives.
Specifically, what are the metrics
of success in these areas that are
appropriate for the council to monitor,
(i.e. those metrics that are strategic
without impeding the creativity and
initiative of the staff and membership).
We learned that Bethlehem Lutheran
Twin Cities has been selected to take
part in the Riverside Innovation Hub
program. During the next two years we
will partner with Augsburg University
and several other local congregations
to figure out how to more meaningfully
engage with young adults both in our
congregation and our community.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Minnetonka Campus
August 27-31
Repairs to the Minnetonka campus
playground will take place while
Sleepy Tigers is closed for summer
break, August 27-31. Replacement of
the pathway, as well as some minor
fencing repairs, will be completed that
week. We’re thrilled to be working
together with their director, Juliet Lee,
on these much-needed repairs.
YOUR GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
by Pastor Bob Wertz, Pastor of Stewardship and Planned Giving
How We Love, What We Give & Who We Serve
A three-week sermon series entitled RIGHTLY MEASURED begins July 15. We
will explore together key parables and stories from Matthew’s gospel which
will help us reflect on our own values and choices. How we love, what we give,
and who we serve are all questions we rightly confront every single day of our
lives. Again and again Jesus invites us to think clearly and act boldly about the
temptation to achieve and acquire, against the alternative set of values he would
have us embrace. Prepare yourselves to be challenged and encouraged! And back
again this summer to add their outstanding musicianship to worship at both
campuses (July 22-Minnetonka and July 29-Minneapolis) Monroe Crossing will
keep our hands clapping and our feet tapping.
Consider Becoming an Electronic Giver
Picture a guy in his swimming suit with sunglasses and hat on, sitting on the
beach, cross-legged and working away on his laptop. Next to that image in big,
bold type are the words: ELECTRONIC DONATIONS DON’T TAKE VACATIONS.
We continue to be grateful recipients of each and every gift that is directed to
Bethlehem in whatever form it comes. At the same time, we continue to invite
and encourage members who might be open to modifying your giving habits by
becoming an electronic giver. One of the reasons to do so is because we know
how positively it impacts the stream of resources the church needs to fulfill
its mission, especially at this time of year when people scatter to cabins and
other faraway locations. A second reason is that we continue to believe that
committing to support the church electronically is equally beneficial to you, the
donor. Why? Because doing so moves the act of giving periodically to a more
regular, committed, and predictable habit, all signs of going deeper into the life of
following Jesus Christ. That’s what is known as a classic “win-win” proposition!
Contact Katy Stenross at [email protected] if you want to learn more
about how easy it is to set up electronic giving.
New Choir Room Coming Soon at Minneapolis Campus
We are on the cusp of having a wonderful, new
choir room at the Minneapolis campus rise up out
the dust, just in time to coincide with the start-up
of all the music programming in mid-September.
Construction will continue throughout July and
August, as will the roofing and masonry work
in Minneapolis. Our hope is that this new and
improved music space will be made available
to the community at large, so that as many as
possible can share in this first-rate resource.
Work on these fronts is made possible by those
members who have contributed to the May 2017—May 2020 Opening New Doors
mission appeal. THANK YOU to all donors who have made or are in the process of
making generous gifts to support it, and a hearty invitation to those of you who
may be interested in doing so! Contact me at [email protected] for
more information.
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