the journey - may 2016

Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability

You may well have seen these words floating around for the past few months and you are probably won-dering what in the world that means. First, it is a pi-lot project, of the ELCA in which around 25 congrega-tions participate nation-wide. Living Faith is hon-ored to be asked to be a part of this major effort to create the church of future.

Second, it is a team of members who have dedicated themselves to two years to work developing and im-plementing a plan for growing leaders, growing mis-sional capacity while pursuing long-term sustaina-bility. Who’s on the team? Mareeka Abbott, Peggy Abbott (not related), Bob Reinders, Liz Kegel, Tom Korabik, Pastor Denise and Pastor Warren.

Why is this important? The church, not just Living Faith, but the whole church is changing. In North America it is becoming leaner and less culturally centered. In other words, in this country there is no expectation that you be a part of a worshipping body. In fact, these days if you are a part of a con-gregation some people assume that you are old fashioned and quaint, stuck in the past. But the Church is not dying, it is, however, changing. The church is distilling into a group of people strongly dedicated to the mission of Jesus. It would appear that in the future there will be fewer ordained lead-ers. Lay leadership is becoming ever more crucial. Leaders need to not only be able to use the skills they have developed in their lives outside of the

congregation to lead the church, but they must have a deep scriptural understanding of the world and a willingness to order their lives and the lives of the congregation according to a theological/scriptural world view.

What is Missional Capacity? The word missional was nearly unknown 10 years ago, but it has become a primary concept for understanding the church as a body dedicated to the mission of Jesus. The emerg-ing church is not merely concerned with worship (though that is important), it is also concerned with being the Body of Christ in the World. To be mis-sional simply means to be on the mission of Jesus. To increase capacity for that mission means to bet-ter channel the resources of the congregation (including congregational members) toward comple-tion of that mission.

Sustainability is an easier concept to grasp, per-haps. In an age of seemingly shrinking resources in the church we need to envision new ways to sustain the incredibly important mission that Jesus is work-ing in the world.

We hope that this project leaves Living Faith with a clear vision towards the future and a plan to imple-ment that vision; a closer relationship with our com-munity; stronger leadership with clear priorities; disciples which multiply, holistic and generous stew-ards and additional sources of income. You will see a lot more about this in the next couple of years.

2 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church

Leadership Team Event

The Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability (BMCS) team is hosting a Cookout/Potluck for the congregation’s leadership. The date of the event will be May 22nd at noon at Wright and Quincy Av-enue. The purpose of the event is to get leadership up to speed on what Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability project is about.

There will be a cookout; we’ll provide hamburgers and brats, buns and beverages. We would be very pleased if you bring a dish to pass.

Who should attend? The event is aimed at our Church Council, the Consolidation Team, and the BMCS team. But, we recognize that there are many other leaders in our congregation who are not a part of those organizations.

So, if you would like to attend, we would love to have you. Please sign up on the long yellow sheet so we have enough food!

Scholarship Available

Anticipating the recreation of the Endowment Fund (Atonement to Liv-ing Faith) we are asking for members to submit scholarship applications to the Endowment Fund. The scholar-

ships will assist Living Faith Members to attend college (or seminary) at an ELCA college.

Scholarship applications may be picked up in the church office and must be returned to the office no later than August 1st, 2016.

Synod Assembly

The Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly takes place on June 2, 3, 4 at Carthage College. Repre-senting Living Faith will be Monica Miller, Laila Youngman, Suzanne Wellhoefer, Pastor Warren and Pastor Denise. Please pray for the assembly’s deliberations this year as we elect a new bishop for our synod.

Congregational Conversation

The Council discussed the idea of having 3-4 con-gregational conversations over the course of the year to focus on various topics that the Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability team and Liv-ing Faith Leadership will be working on in the next year. These conversations will be a time to gain clarification and a time for fellowship.

On June 5 the council would like to host its first con-versation with you the congregation at 11:30am.

The topic of conversation will be the Building Mis-sional Capacity for Sustainability (BMCS) team and what our work is all about. The team will be there so you can meet them and ask questions and get to know what’s going on. Along with the conversation we will have a ‘Salad Cook-off’, with prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The cook-off will be down-stairs in Fellowship Hall, with the conversation to follow. Watch for further details in the weekly bulle-tin. Hope to see you there!

Mission Interpretation Team

In partnership with our Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability project we are creating a Mission Interpretation Team. That team will help to explain the things that God is doing in and through us to the whole congregation. The team will provide information (often during worship) about missional programs of the national church and synod, and more importantly the missional activities of our congregation in our area. We need people to volunteer for the team. We need people who are good at storytelling and capable with media, particularly video. Can you help? Please contact one of the pastors.

Election Day Bake Sale

Thanks for all the help and donations for the election bake sale. There were lots of goodies, and it looked really nice! We raised $600 to put towards the various minis-tries we do here at Living Faith. There weren't many goodies left over either. Custom-ers were very generous and the treats were yummy. The No Price Bake Sale was a suc-cess! Thanks to all of you, Lisa Peters and Vicki Siefert

MAY 2016 ∙ Volume #1, Issue #2 3

At the March Council meeting . . .

The Consent agenda was approved which included previous minutes, pastor’s reports, statistical and financial reports.

Regarding a new exterior sign. Margaret Robinson will contact Craig Schaub at Dig It All signs to set up a meeting.

The “Statue” team will meet on April 6 to discuss options and contact Pontente about ideas.

Endowment Fund: Since Atonement ceased to exist, the endowment fund ceased to exist. This issue will be taken up by the finance committee. Bob Reinders will look at the old by-laws and see if any up-dating needs to be made. The $23,000.00 borrowed from endowment will be paid in monthly install-ments. All Endowment fund monies will be held in reserve until a new Living Faith Endowment can be formed. A new board will have to be elected.

Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability Team went to the first retreat in Sheboygan in March. This is a significant undertaking and focuses on leadership development, worship, outreach, disciple-ship and stewardship. The team will be meeting with our coach from the ELCA on April 9. Living Faith will host the next retreat on September 23. The team was given a vision process to study.

We need to call our Pastors – Bishop Jeff came to two meetings and explained that when Atonement and Our Savior’s ceased to exist the pastors’ calls ceased to exist, so new calls need to be extended.

The Bishop recommended 2 year term calls with option for renewal dependent upon the out-come of the Mission Exploration/Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability process.

Select date for Congregational Meeting: April 17, 11:30am. Special mailing to be sent by April 3. Tentative East time later – at 10am. Consolidation/council will send out congregational meeting letter prior to meeting.

Parking lot concerns/handicap parking spaces – can we add 3 spaces? - move to add 3 spots. Second-ed and passed.

The alley was given to the church by the city as our responsibility to maintain. We will explore options for paving, etc.

Congregation Conversations – Pastor Denise brought up the idea after Pastor Michael did a clarifica-tion conversation meeting that went very well. The intention is to communicate with people and hear their ideas. June 5th first meeting. Subject: BMCS Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability.

A neighborhood Picnic will be planned for June after school is out.

Cathi Webster will be asked to take on more website/social media/publicity responsibilities.

Donating to Our Savior’s Foundation

A memorial gift is an enduring method to perpetuate the memory of

one you hold dear. Gifts and bequests to the Our Saviors Foundation

can be made at any time by friends as well as members of Living Faith

Lutheran Church. Donations should be sent directly to: Racine Com-

munity Foundation 1135 Warwick Way Racine, WI 53406 In the

memo of the check please note: OSLC Foundation Fund. Also indi-

cate if a memorial and the name of the memorialized. Contributions

are tax deductible.

Ministry of Encouragement

Our next M.O.E. (Ministry of Encouragement)

will be on Tuesday, May 24, at 10:00am at the Racine Literacy Council. Mark your calendars and watch the Weekly Journey for more details.


Names in the News

Anniversaries: David & Pat Rannow will cele-brate their 51st wedding anniversary on May 1st … On May 14th David & Arlene LaMack will be cel-ebrating 56 years together … Daniel & Ruth Kane will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 21st and finally Fred and Jewell Marks will be celebrating 68 years together.

WOW! Hoping you enjoy many more happy years together.

Nonagenarian Birthdays: Violet Schoolcraft will celebrate her 91st birthday on May 5th.

Best wishes to you!

Baptisms: CHIMERE MECHAE RILEY-GARRETT, daughter of Vertis Riley was received through adult baptism on Easter Sunday, March 27th with Jody Pease as her sponsor … JAXON JON MOTE, son of Allison Mote was baptized on April 17th with Timothy Mote and Carla Mote as sponsors. Grandparents are Vicki and Dale Barke … OLIVER JAY WILLGER, son of Ryan and Melissa Willger was baptized on April 23 with Kerry and Russell Hull as sponsors.

Welcome new members!

“Seeing your gift arrive truly brightened our day. It is both inspiring and humbling to receive dona-tions from new and old friends alike. Please know how grateful we are to you for your contribution of $30,000.00, which has been added to the Our Sav-ior’s Lutheran Church of Racine Fund.

As you know, the mission of the Racine Communi-ty Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the people of Racine County, and your contribu-tion enables us to do just that!

Without generous donors like you, important pro-grams like the Health Care Network, HALO, Love, Inc., River Bend Nature Center, and Racine Sym-phony Orchestra along with hundreds of other programs would not be able to provide the ser-

vices or cultural arts necessary to make this a vital community.

Thank you for continuing to be a champion for our community and our foundation. Thank you for such a generous gift.

With Gratitude, Elizabeth Powell, Executive Direc-tor Racine Community Foundation.”

“A snowflake is one of nature's most fragile crea-tions, but look what they can do when they sick together. ~ Author Unknown.

Everybody's contribution, from the very smallest to the most grand, adds up to something marvel-ous!! Today, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Living Faith Lutheran Church for your contribution of $5,000.

The services offered at Health Care Network are truly something to celebrate. The mission of bring-ing health and dental care to those who are unin-sured can only happen when everyone pitches in to do what he or she can. There are many volun-teers who share their time and talent and count-less loyal donors who provide financial support and in kind items needed to keep the clinic run-ning. Every bit is one more piece of the pie. Your contribution to our effort helps us deliver health and dental services to those in need, and we thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity.

What a wonderful gift! Thank you for your gener-ous support of our mission! Congratulations on your successful consolidation. Your ministry is an amazing gift to this community.

Sincerely, Alison Sergio, Executive Director”

“Dear Our Savior's Friends,

Thank you for your gift of $5,000.00. Your gener-ous support of this ministry will allow the August mission trip to better serve the people of Ndoom-bo. Our efforts have expanded beyond the medi-cal clinic thanks to gift like yours.

Asanta sana, Elaine Lucht”


Thrivent Action Teams: Apply for an Action Grant Project for 2016!!

So far we have had two grants for 2016 – one for the community meal and one for the Stitchers of Bless-ings - thank you!!

Don’t forget – all Thrivent members are eligible for 2 Thrivent Action Grants this year! This could be very helpful for many groups and projects around Living Faith and in the community. Think of a fund-raiser or small project you might like to do yourself or with a couple other people.

The process is very simple and can be done online.

If you are tech savvy, just log on to your account

with Thrivent and click on ‘my Thrivent’ and then

‘action teams’ and it will tell you what to do. If you

need help I am willing to help you through the pro-

cess – we can even do it in my office. Thank you,

Pastor Denise

Known to be Hospitalized

Home Again: Chris Malik, Jim Braun, Barb Filber, Tayler & baby Benson Freitag, Jancie Blake and Carol Howard

Confirmation Information

Congratulations to those who will be Affirming their Baptism on May 15: James Brei-denbach, Journey Koepke, Alexander Mbise, Anna-Lisa Mbise, Cole Miller, Logan Munoz.

Acolytes - Please pick up your May acolyte schedule from the sacristy.

Bible Study Opportunities

We continue to meet on Monday’s at noon to study the lessons for the upcoming Sunday. We are now a group of 7 seekers, and would love to have more join us. See Pastor Denise with any questions.

NEW! Join us for a new, Wednesday evening Bible study, from 6:30-7:30pm, beginning May 11. Our topic for the first six weeks will be “1 Corinthians: The body of Christ.” We’ll run for six weeks, then take a little time off around July 4th, then start up on a new topic. Watch for details in the Weekly Journey.

Theological Book Study

We will have a one-time meeting on Saturday, May 7 at 9:30 with brunch. We will be discussing “The Message of Jesus Christ” by Mahatma Gandhi. This book was referenced in the book “The Faith Club”.

Condolences

Heartfelt love, sympathy and support to daughters Elizabeth (Daniel) Lewis and Susan (Gary) Obry and family at the death of ARTHUR ORIBILETTI who passed away at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove on March 23rd … brother John (Mary Ann) Miller and family at the death of Mary Thornberg who passed away at Wheaton Fran-ciscan Medical Center on April 11th … and great grandparents Helen and Daniel Zel-inger at the death of Savannah Longley who passed away in Madison, WI on April 13th at the age of 15 months.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15


Segue Receives a Building

Although Segue is not officially a mission of Living Faith Lutheran Church, we have several members who have been involved in its creation and have re-ceived support from many members. Segue is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide overnight hospitality to the homeless in our com-munity.

On April 8th, Segue received a building from Terry and Gloria Pogofsky of Glenview, Illinois. The building, located at 961 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, was built in 1900 and has spent its life here-tofore as a tavern, with an interesting history. (During prohibition it was a speakeasy!)

In the coming weeks Segue will work to gain a con-ditional use permit, gain the trust and partnership of our neighbors, and do some needed renovations on the building. The actual bar will still look quite a bit like a tavern, though, of course, alcohol will not be served (or allowed) on the premises. Instead we will provide tables and chairs and serve food and coffee. Showers will be added to the main floor so that our guests can get clean. The apartment up-stairs will have several bunk beds and be the main sleeping area. There will be some renovations made upstairs to accommodate a good number of overnight guests.

We anticipate that we will need to shelter between 20-40 overnight guests during the colder months.

In truth, depending upon who you count, the number of homeless in Racine may reach well over 2000! That

figure includes people who have lost their homes and have moved in with relatives and friends. There is a smaller number, perhaps around 200 who are suffering more chronic homelessness and who are sheltered by HALO, Safehaven, the Women’s Resource Center and others. What has been lacking in the past year since the Hospitality Center stopped taking overnight guests, is a low-barrier shelter. A low-barrier shelter takes peo-ple who for a number of reasons don’t fit in other pro-grams. (Often due to addiction and mental health is-sues.) That number is again, in Racine fluctuating be-tween 20-40. These are good people, God’s people, but people who have issues that keep them from living lives that are whole. Segue in its shelter named HOST-Homeless Overnight Sanctuary, will focus on that population.

Segue’s mission is to provide overnight hospitality (warm, safe, dry) to the homeless in Racine and journey with them towards a home. We will work with each individual, as we are able to move them toward a permanent home. That will involve coor-dinating with other agencies to provide health care, addiction counseling, mental health counseling and housing resources.

If you wish to help we will need volunteers to reno-vate the building, long-term volunteers to work in the shelter, people to help with food, and financial resources. If you would like to contribute to Segue, you may do so by making a contribution through Living Faith Lutheran Church and designating it for Segue. Your contribution will be reflected on your statement of giving.

Emaus ELCA Hosts Fiesta Mexicana

Emaus ELCA, 1925 Summit Avenue, Racine, invites you to Fiesta Mexicana in the

Emaus Fellowship Hall Saturday, May 7. All proceeds from this afternoon of music,

food and fun will go to the general fund of the church, helping sustain the building

that houses the many ministries offered at Emaus.

Chefs will serve an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Meal tickets are on sale for $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children between 3 and 10

years of age. Children under three eat free. There will be three raffles: $5 tickets buy a chance to win a

cash prize of either $100 or $500. Tickets sold for $1.00 each may go either to the general raffle or to the

individual gift baskets.

For further information, please visit emauselca.org or call (262) 634-5515.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 COMMUNION, AIM PRESENTA-TION 9:15 A.M. SERVICE S Choir Rehearsal - before & after Service 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at Sturtevant Sportsplex 10:45 - 12:45 Confirmation Class 2:00 - 5:00 Girl Scouts 5:00 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.) Travelers return from France

2 9:00 Quilters 12 noon Bible Study 6:30 Dorcas Circle 7:00 OA Group

3 7:00-10:00 Network-ing Breakfast in Fellow-ship Hall 9:30 Stitchers of Bless-ings 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class

4 8:30 Park Transition Group 8:30 a.m. - Women’s Breakfast at DeRango’s in West Racine 10:30 Senior Center 11:00 Staff Meeting 7:00 Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability (BMCS) Mtg. 7:30 Belle City Brassworks 8:00 Selah Practice

5 8:30 Park Transi-tion Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry

6 9:00-2:00 Pep Girls

7 1:00 - 5:00 Family Event in Fell. Hall 5:00 Vespers with Communion 9:30 Theological Book Study and Brunch

8 COMMUNION 9:15 WORSHIP SERVICE Senior Choir Rehearsal - before & after Service 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at Sturtevant Sportsplex 10:15 Coffee Hour East 5:00 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (Living Faith Lutheran Church hosts) (2915 Wright Ave.)

Mother’s Day

9 9:00 Quilters 9:30-3:30 Our Harmo-ny Club (Fell. Hall) 9:30 Ruth Circle Mtg. 12 noon Bible Study 6:30 “Ladies’ Night Out” at Elaine Lucht’s home, 8816 Vona Dr. for “Game Night” 7:00 OA Group

10 7:00-10:00 Net-working Breakfast in Fellowship Hall 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class

11 8:30 Park Transition Group 9:15 Rebekah Circle Meeting 11:00 Staff Meeting 6:30-7:30 Bible Study– Topic is 1 Corinthians-the body of Christ 7:30 Belle City Brassworks 8:00 Selah Practice

12 8:30 Park Transi-tion Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry

13

14 10:30 Caregiver Support Group 5:00 Vespers with Communion

15 COMMUNION –AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM 9:15 WORSHIP SERVICE (AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM) Senior Choir Rehearsal - before & after Service 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at Sturtevant Sportsplex 10:15 Cof-fee Hour East 2:00 - 5:00 Girl Scouts 5:00 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)

16 9:00 Quilters 9:30-3:30 Our Harmony Club (Fell. Hall) 12 noon - Bible Study 7:00 OA Group

17 9:30 Stitchers of Blessings 9:30-11:30 Our Harmo-ny Club Volunteer Training in Fell. Hall 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class

18 8:30 Park Transition Group 10:30 Senior Center 11:00 Staff Meeting 6:30-7:30 Bible Study– Topic is 1 Corinthians-the body of Christ 7:30 Belle City Brassworks 8:00 Selah Practice

19 8:30 Park Tran-sition Group 5:15 Community Worship 6:00—8:00 Caregiver Support Group 6-8:00 Food Pantry

20 9:00-2:00 Pep Girls 5:00 Wedding Rehearsal

21 2:00 Mendez/Volmut Wedding 5:00 Vespers with Communion

22 COMMUNION 9:15 WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at Sturtevant Sportsplex 10:15 Coffee Hour East 12 noon Leadership Team Cook-Out and Pot Luck 5:00 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)

23 9:00 Quilters 9:30-3:30 Our Harmony Club (Fell. Hall) 12 noon - Bible Study 7:00 OA Group

24 10:00 Ministry of Encouragement at the Literacy Council 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class 5:00-8:00 Parent Café in Fellowship Hall 7:00 Council Meeting

25 8:30 Park Transition Group 11:00 Staff Meeting 1:30 “Sundaes on Wednesday” - “DeClutter Today for a Care-free Tomorrow” Speaker Kathi Miller 6:30-7:30 Bible Study– Topic is 1 Corinthians-the body of Christ 7:30 Belle City Brassworks 8:00 Selah Practice

26 8:30 Park Transi-tion Group Gradua-tion Luncheon in Fellowship Hall 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry

27

28 5:00 Vespers with Communion

29 COMMUNION 9:15 WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at Sturtevant Sportsplex 10:15 Coffee Hour East 2:00 - 5:00 Girl Scouts 5:00 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)

30 7:00 OA Group

CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY

31 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class

The Racine County

Senior Citizen Nutrition

Program meets Monday through Friday in

Living Faith Fellowship Hall at noon.

All events in the calendar are at Living Faith on Wright & Quincy unless otherwise noted.

MAY 2016



All That Stuff!

”Spring Has Sprung” and that means it’s time to clean out the garage, shed, basement, office and attic and all those other little places that collect “stuff!”

At a loss on how to say good-bye to certain items you were taught must stay in your family, even though no one seems to want them anymore? Do you own more “stuff” than you can keep track of?

Come join us for “Sundaes on Wednesday”, May 25th at 1:30pm in the parlor to get helpful and hu-morous hints on how to tackle that overwhelming job from our guest speaker Kathi Miller and “De-Clutter Today for a Carefree Tomorrow!”

Kathi has been an educator, mentor, and entrepre-neur who combines her lifelong fascination with ef-ficiency with an unrelenting determination to truly

enjoy life. She loves speaking and teaching – sharing her expertise and motivating others to de-clutter their homes, offices and schedules. Kathi has been described as “knowledgeable non-judgmental and inspirational with a sense of humor.”

We hope you will join us for an afternoon of enter-taining yet useful “de-clutter tips” and enjoy “Sundaes on Wednesday” at our super duper sun-dae bar with all the fixings!“

Please call the office at 637-5671 to make your res-ervation or sign up on the long yellow sheet in the bulletin so that we can save a spot for you! A $5 do-nation is suggested to help offset the speaker fee and can be brought to the event.

Thanks and hope to see you there!

PS. And if you are lucky enough to be un-cluttered...please come and share your "de-clutter" success stories with us!

Living Faith Prayer Chain

We are reforming our prayer chains to include

all who would like to be on it. We will be run-

ning it through social media (Facebook) but will

have a phone chain also for those who aren’t on

Facebook.

If you would like to be a part of the Living Faith

Prayer Chain, please let us know by filling out

the yellow sheet or by calling Cathi in the

church office. Thank you!

Noodle Kugel (recipe from Sandy Levin at Beth-Israel Sinai syna-gogue) 8 oz. broad noodles 2 cups mild 4 oz. butter-unsalted 4 eggs ½ cup sugar 8 oz. cream cheese 8 oz. small curd cottage cheese 2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 Boil water with a drop of oil. Throw in noodles. Turn off flame. Cover. Leave for 12 minutes and drain. Melt butter in warm milk Beat eggs with sugar. Add cream cheese. Add cottage cheese. Add milk/butter. Add vanilla. Mix well. Add noodles. Pour into buttered pan (9 x 13) Bake for 1 hour or until lightly browned. Let set for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Shalom, Joannie Williams

In Search of… Does anyone have any silicone mini muffin pans, flexible ice cube trays in shapes, or can-dy molds you are NOT using? Karin Langlois is looking for some to use for a recycled crayon activity with her child care class. Please let her know if you can help her out!

FaithWorks Food Pantry Needs

While every donation is greatly appreciated, with our new shopping arrangement at Feeding Ameri-ca, monetary donations actually go further than food donations.

Checks can be made out to ”FaithWorks Food Pan-try”; you will still get credit on your contributions statement.

That said, all food donations are welcomed. Our greatest needs right now are: Canned Meals: Spaghetti, Beef Stew, Ravioli,

Beefaroni, etc. Canned Meats: Chicken, Tuna, Salmon, etc. Spaghetti sauce Toilet paper and Bar Soap

Volunteers are always welcomed!

Our Harmony Club

Our Harmony Club is looking for caring people willing to share their time and talent with seniors who have age related challenges. We have Our Harmony Club at Living Faith the second, third and fourth Mondays from 9:30am until 3:30pm in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested or need more information, please contact Dawn Vlach at 262-880-5301 or Sue Pettit at 262-716-1998 or Monica Miller at 262-497-4004.

Volunteers Opportunities

FaithWorks Food Pantry

Volunteers are needed to pack-age produce and bakery on Mon-days from 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Food Pantry. Please sign

up on the yellow sheet or talk to Margaret Robin-son or Jodi Pease.

Tech Team Have you ever wondered how things on the technical side of the worship service work? Here is your chance to learn about it and help us out! We need people to help operate the screen for announcements, etc. Training will be provided at your convenience. If you have ques-tions, please contact Vicki Siefert.


It’s Time to Gather Items for Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits

A Baby Care Kit contains the following new or gently used items in sizes 6 – 24 months:

2 cotton t-shirts 2 pairs of socks

1 hand towel 4 cloth diapers (flat fold preferred)

2 diaper pins or large safety pins 2 bath size bars of gentle soap (in original wrapping)

1 jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt with hood, OR include a baby cap

2 receiving blankets (cotton, flannel, or lightweight yarn, up to 52”)

2 gowns or sleepers (without feet, PJ top/pants sets can be substituted)

*We need the clothing items & receiving blankets the most.*

To quote the Lutheran World Relief website: “A Baby Care Kit from LWR is like a promise. It says to that ba-by, ‘Your needs will not be neglected by this world. You matter to us.’ Sending Baby Care Kits provides en-couragement by welcoming these little ones into an international community that cares. Baby Care Kits are distributed as part of emergency and relief efforts, and they are also given out as part of LWR health initiatives to encourage women to seek prenatal care. One such initiative in Mali provided training for local prenatal health care workers, who were given Baby Care Kits to distribute when they assisted with births. These kinds of programs help more babies in rural, poor areas receive a healthy start in life.”

You can bring any of the needed items on Sunday and leave them in the marked box in the narthex. OR, you can also sponsor a Baby Care Kit for $15, and we will purchase the needed items. Please mark any offering given for this purpose “Baby Care Kit.” Thank you for your support of people in crisis around the world!!

Women’s Breakfast

Please join us for Women’s Breakfast! We meet the 1st Wednesday of the month at 8:30am at DeRango’s in West Racine (6100 Washington Ave.) for breakfast, devotions and conversation. All are welcome! If you have any questions contact Pastor Denise or Rosemary Fritchen.

Please join us on Monday, May 9 for Ladies Night Out. We’ll meet at 6:30 for Games Night at the home of Elaine Lucht (8816 Vona Drive)

Bring your favorite game and a snack to share.

Please sign up on the yellow sheet, so we know how many people to expect.

Hope you can join us!

Senior Friendship Center

May 4 Devotion and Communion Lunch: Jill & Kim are cooking

Chicken Foot Dominoes

May 18 Bingo

Lunch: Pizza Party!

Fun “N Games

Relay For Life of Racine

Who: You and anyone who wants to help fight cancer!

What: The Relay For Life of Racine is a team event to celebrate survivors, re-member loved ones, and fight back

against cancer. Have fun and raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient programs. The event includes games, activities, fundraiser, food, music and more!!

Where: Caledonia/Mount Pleasant Memorial Park

When: Friday, June 10, 2016 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Why: 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society fights cancer through research, education on early detec-tion and prevention of cancer and to make life easier for those diagnosed with cancer with patient pro-grams and services.

How: Make or join a Relay team with your friends, family and co-workers, join the planning committee, register as a survivor, volunteer at the event, or make a donation! Register online today by going to relay-forlife.org/racinewi

Contact: Vicki Siefert [email protected] or 262-634-4154


Neighborhood Camp Scholarship

Racine ELCA Neighborhood Camp leaders, in partnership with the Racine Communi-ty Foundation, are excited to announce a scholarship opportunity for camp alumni.

Applicants must :

Be a senior from one of the following schools: J.I. Case, William Horlick, Racine Lutheran, St. Cathe-rine's, Walden III, Washington Park, The REAL School or The Prairie School

Have participated in the Racine ELCA Neighborhood Camp for at least two summers

Rank in the upper 75 percentile of his/her graduating class

Demonstrate involvement in extra-curricular school and community activities

Pursue an undergraduate education at an accredited college or university, or at a technical or commu-nity college

Demonstrate financial need, including the inability to obtain traditional student loans

Application forms are available in the high school guidance offices.

You Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life!

Racine ELCA Neighborhood Camp fills an important need in our neighborhood during the summer. Camp is a collaborative, creative community outreach ministry to the children of Racine. It was started 16 years ago to provide the underserved children in our neighborhoods a safe, fun and stimulating place to learn and play. There are plen-

ty of summer camps in the Racine area, but Neighborhood Camp is unique as it is provided at no cost to the campers.

Funding for Neighborhood Camp comes from various grants and from generous support of congregation members like you. It is easy to make a financial contribution to camp. Visit the camp website at www.neighborhoodcampracine.org and click on the Donor Information tab. You can make donations quickly and safely online, or you can print out a form and mail your donation in.


2016 Neighborhood Camp

Registration for 2016 Neighborhood Camp is now open! Registration materials have been mailed out to former campers, and forms will be accepted until Friday, May 20. After that date, registration will open up to new campers. (New campers who turn in forms prior to May 20 will be placed in a waiting list.)

Camp will run for five weeks again this summer, from June 20 - July 28 (Monday - Thursday), taking the week of July 4 off.

Themes for this year’s camp include: Going Green, The Olympics: Go for the Gold!, Mad Scientists, Under the Sea and Heroes and Superheroes. Games, science projects, reading, art and other ac-tivities will focus around these weekly themes.

We need your help! We couldn’t hold a successful camp that positively impacts the youth of our neigh-borhood without you. We are blessed to have Karin Langlois returning as our kitchen manager again this summer, but she can’t do it alone. Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen (shifts for break-fast and lunch are available) to help prepare and serve meals.

Volunteers are also needed to help transport the SALT kids to their various activities. If you are able to give some of your time in support of Neighbor-hood Camp, please contact Diane Thygeson.

Camp is greatly enhanced by congregation members who come in and share their time and talents. If you’d like to come in and lead a project, or read a story to the kids, we’ll find a way to fit you in our schedule. Again, contact Diane if you can help.

Keep Saving - A.I.M. Now needs your UPC’s!

Thank you to everyone who has been saving UPCs and beverage/sauce caps from par-ticipating Labels for Education partners for A.I.M. Now Child Care Center. We are now collecting for the Spring Bonus Sheet. Each sheet is worth 50 points and only needs 5

UPCs!! We can earn up to 1,250 bonus points. We need your UPCs by May 8thfor this promotion.

REMEMBER: Campbell’s has announced that, after 43 years, they are winding down the Labels for Educa-tion program. Since we are a registered school with the program, we have about another year and a half to participate. But, the number of participating products will slowly dwindle. So, please, PLEASE continue to send in your UPCs & caps so we can get as much benefit from this program as we can in the time left.

Turn in what you’ve collected by reusing an envelope or baggie, marking it “Child Care,” and putting it in the offering plate. If you happen to be going to the church office, you can also turn them in there.


Think SCRIP for Mother’s Day Dinners

Applebee’s, Olive Garden/Red Lob-ster, and Texas Roadhouse cards are IN STOCK and available for im-mediate purchase. (Living Faith re-ceives a generous 8-9% donation from these restaurants to support our ministries on the sale of these cards.)

Graduation season is also almost upon us! You can use Scrip to get a gift for that special graduate and help our church continue its ministries. Whether you’re buying them a new Dell computer (like we did for our son when he graduated from high school), getting them something fun, or stocking up on sup-plies for a college dorm room, there are Scrip cards for over 100 retailers available.

Something to think about: For every 10 people who buy just ONE $25 grocery card a month, the

Scrip donation coming to Living Faith goes up by $120!

See Dick Langlois at the Scrip table be-fore the 9:15 service and at coffee hour, call Karin Langlois at 672-0635, or email Karin at [email protected] to or-

der your SCRIP. If you attend our West Campus, you can also get order forms from June Klingbeil.

We keep a limited inventory of popular cards in stock. Cards that are ordered by 9 A.M. on Tuesday are usually available by Thursday afternoon by ar-rangement with Karin Langlois or on the following Sunday.

Focus: Cereal Bag Brigade - ANY BRAND!!

Each year, millions of cereal bags are needlessly discarded and end up in landfills. Did you know that cereal bags create 75% less packaging waste than comparably sized cereal boxes? Malt-O-Meal®, Three Sis-

ters®, Bear River Valley®, Isabel's Way®, and Sally's® want to take their commitment to creating less packaging waste one step further and have partnered with TerraCy-cle® to create a second life for their cereal bags. You can help, too! Bring your empty bags to church, less waste will go to our landfill, and we’ll send them to TerraCycle® – we don’t even have to pay for the ship-ping, the sponsors of each brigade (in this case, MOM Brands) cover that expense.

Cereal Bag Brigade accepted waste: Printed cereal bags & cereal bag liners from boxed cereal.

Turning in your collections is easy. A TerraCycle® collection box is conveniently located inside the south entrance. You may also can bring your collections to the church office and tell Jill, Kim or Cathi that you have a “gift” for Karin Langlois.

mailto:[email protected]


Free Blood Pressure Clinic

A free blood pressure clinic will be held the first Sunday of each month following the 9:15 service. Please stop down to Fellowship Hall after the ser-vice and have your blood pressure checked!

Looking to Give a Meaningful Gift?

The ELCA Good Gifts program has everything you need to give a memorable and meaningful gift to everyone on your gift list this year!

Ten little chicks make a big difference! When they are just months old, these chicks begin laying eggs, which make nu-tritious, protein-rich meals for families who are hungry. The many extra eggs are often enough to allow a family to start a small business by selling them for additional income.

What’s the buzz about bees? Bees-wax is used to make handcrafted soaps and candles, and honey and pollen can be sold at the market as well. But that’s not all — their mere presence on a farm means they are

pollinating plants and boosting crop growth throughout the wider community. Bees, hives and training in beekeeping can go a long way for a family in need.

A pig in the pen is like money in the bank. Within months, a tiny piglet grows to weigh over 200 pounds! Should a family have a failed harvest, medical expense or other unexpected financial need, this pig can be sold for much-needed cash at the market.

Goats are known for surviving in some of the world’s harshest envi-ronments — hot temperatures, rocky terrain — you name it! This makes them especially valuable for families living in dry, drought-prone climates where it’s tough to raise

other animals. Fresh milk from a goat provides great nutrition for children who are growing. And as goats multiply in number, families often share the off-spring with neighbors in need, helping lift entire communities out of hunger and poverty.

For other gifts that make a difference, visit: www.elca.org/goodgifts

ELCA Good Gifts

Need a gift for someone who has everything? How about a chick or a pig? Maybe a goat? They probably don’t want that either, but there are people in the world for whom such a gift might be life-changing, who knows, maybe even life-saving.

A gift to the ELCA Good Gifts program can be di-rected toward buying a particular gift (honey bees, pigs, sheep) and can be given in honor of someone you love. You can get a card which you can present to the one you wish to honor, telling them of your gift in their honor. Go to www.ELCA.org/goodgifts to purchase your gift.

Living Faith - 9:15 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29

Reader Joy Webb Fred Marks Joannie Williams Chad Saliscente Cheryl Miller

Acolytes *Alexander Mbise Anna-Lisa Mbise

Cole Miller

*Matthew Clope Logan Munoz

Alexander Mbise

*Aliliywa Mbise Parker Munoz Becca Arnold

*Logan Munoz Matthew Clope

Cole Miller

*Becca Arnold Alexander Mbise Anna-Lisa Mbise

Communion Assistants

Elaine Lucht Gary King Rose Frey

Karin Langlois Fred Marks

Ginny White

Joannie Williams Lika Phipps Barb Elmer

Dick Koch Helen Zelinger

Fred Marks

Rose Frey Elaine Lucht

Gary King

Tech Person Jennifer Miller Chris Simon Open Chris Simon Vicy Arnold

Ushers Ollie Nielsen, Lois Beres, Roger Slater, Rose Frey

Altar Guild Volunteers Needed

Coffee Hour Cyndy King & Sandy Fugate

Ruth & Teresa Therkelsen

Rebekah Circle Barb Elmer Vicki Siefert

Vespers May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28

Reader Marsha Lubecke Ray Venegas Maggie Gruenwald Janet Venegas

Acolyte (*Senior Acolyte)

*Natalie Kegel Journey Koepke

*Natalie Kegel Anna-Lisa Mbise

*Kara Breidenbach James Breidenbach

*Natalie Kegel Journey Koepke

Tech Person Open Open Open Open

Living Faith West May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29

Ushers Lika Phipps

Chad Saliscente Nikki Halbur

Amy Sheppard Steve Blegen Jim Corman

Don Hansen Sandy Hansen

Adam Smith Everett Smith

Greeters Michelle Larsen

and kids Steve Blegen

Kristie Cushman and kids

Kevin Ehnert Pam Ehnert

Lindsey Smith Camden Smith

Tech Person Linda McGee Michael Corman Adam Smith Becca Arnold Linda McGee

Reader Craig Sheppard Kevin Ehnert Melissa Northup Chris Malik Steve Engelstad

Prayer Jeanne Corman Sandi Kuether Jody Pease June Klingbeil Gayle Engelstad

Liturgy Steve Engelstad Carol Hegmann Pastor Warren Pastor Denise Pastor Warren

Communion Assistants

Gayle Engelstad Nyle Kuether Sandi Kuether Tom Korabik Lisa Korabik

Lika Phipps Chad Saliscente

Jody Pease 2 kids

Steve Engelstad Gayle Engelstad Jeanne Corman Ellaina Gorske Tom Korabik Lisa Korabik

Kristie Cushman & kids

Nyle Kuether Sandi Kuether

Carol Hegmann

Michelle Larsen Journey Koepke

June Klingbeil Noah Burton Logan McGee Austin McGee

Fellowship Snacks Michelle Lovely Birthday treats

Lisa Peters Cake provided by

Living Faith Melissa Northup Gayle Engelstad

Linda McGee Lisa Peters

Godly Play All Godly Play

teachers Shirley Blegen Shirley Blegen

Godly Play Presentation

N/A


Service Times

Vespers Service (Quincy) ........................................................................ Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Service at Living Faith (Quincy) ………………………….. ............................... 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Service & Sunday School at Living Faith West Sportsplex .................... …. 10:00 a.m.

Living Faith Church Office Hours

Monday - Friday .......................................................................................... 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Living Faith Staff

Ministers ................................................................. The People of Living Faith Lutheran Church

Senior Pastor ............................................................................................... Dr. Warren Williams

Associate Pastor ................................................................................... Rev. Denise M.H. Mbise

Administrative Secretary ............................................................................................. Jill Steiner

Administrative Secretary .......................................................................................Cathi Webster

Secretary/Book Keeper .......................................................................................... Kim Saunders

Senior Choir Director ..................................................................................... Dimitri Shapavolov

Organist /Pianist ....................................................................................................Jill Wanggaard

Organist /Pianist ........................................................................................................... Tina Perri

Organist Emeritus ................................................................................................... Fred Hermes

Pianist................................................................................................................... Tina Tempesta

Part time Maintenance ................................................................................................ Jay Martin

Part time Janitorial ................................................................................................... Ollie Nielsen

Senior Friendship Center Director ............................................................................ Vicki Siefert

Nutrition Site Supervisor ...................................................................................... Donna Pankoff

Parish Nurse ............................................................................................... Joannie Williams, RN

‘The Journey’ Editor ........................................................................................... Diane Thygeson

Staff E-mail addresses

Rev. Denise Mbise ......................................................................... [email protected]

Dr. Warren Williams ................................................................. [email protected]

Jill Steiner .............................................................................................. [email protected]

Kim Saunders ........................................................................... [email protected]

Cathi Webster................................................................. [email protected]

Joannie Williams ................................................................................joanniecaritas@gmail.com

Diane Thygeson ..................................................................................... [email protected]

General Church E-mail address

Living Faith E-mail .................................................................. [email protected]

Living Faith Website ........................................................................... www.atonementracine.org

Living Faith West Website ................................................................... www.atonementwest.org

Living Faith Facebook .................................................... www.facebook.com/AtonementRacine

May Readings

May 01 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 16:9-15

Psalm: Psalm 67

2nd Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5

Gospel: John 14:23-29

May 08 - Seventh Sunday of Easter


Psalm: Psalm 97

2nd Reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21


May 15 - Day of Pentecost


Psalm: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

2nd Reading: Romans 8:14-17

Gospel: John 14:8-17 [25-27]

May 22 - The Holy Trinity

1st Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Psalm: Psalm 8

2nd Reading: Romans 5:1-5


May 29 - Second Sunday after Pentecost

1st Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43

Psalm: Psalm 96:1-9

2nd Reading: Galatians 1:1-12

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10


Reflect, Pray and Prepare for the Day

Need an on-the-go companion for your faith journey? Daily Grace offers brief reflections every day in which you’ll en-counter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising

grace. Be comforted, challenged, inspired, con-soled and confronted. For more information, go to www.womenoftheelca.org and search for Daily Grace.

If you are not receiving The Journey please call or email the church office to let us know. Thanks!

Newsletter Deadline

Articles to be included in the June issue of The Journey should be sub-mitted to Diane Thygeson (email: dfthygeson@ gmail.com) no later than May 20.

Pastoral Hospital Visits

Strict patient confidentiality rules prevent the hospital from notifying the church if you or a loved one is hospitalized.

The hospitals are no longer keeping church lists, so if you’d like a pastoral visit and/or having your church family praying for you, please let the church office know.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Living Faith Lutheran Church 2915 Wright Avenue Racine, WI 53405-5094 Published Once a Month

Building Missional Capacity for Sustainability

Leadership Team Event

New Wednesday Night Bible Study

Sundaes on Wednesday

Living Faith Prayer Chain

Neighborhood Camp

the journey - may 2016

Documents