October 2020 Council Corner
We made it!!! Hope Lutheran finally reopened its doors on September 6 after an approximately five month hiatus. It took a lot of planning, patience, and prayer to get us to this point. Thank you to everyone who helped us traverse this often arduous journey. We could not have done it without the effort put forth by a multitude of people. Seeing some familiar faces sitting in the pews was incredibly reassuring. Let us hope and pray that we do not have to go through something like this again.
The council further discussed the option of automatic withdrawals for our offerings. Stan will further research a program offered through Thrivent called “Simply Giving.” It is really a simple process with very few bells and whistles attached. Many local Lutheran churches in the area use Simply Giving for their weekly offerings. As mentioned last month, any automatic withdrawal process adopted by HLC will be 100% voluntary. Those who wish to continue their traditional method of giving (offering envelopes) each Sunday will be able to do so. We just want to offer our congregation members another option.
The Dow family attended the virtual Northeast Minnesota Synod Assembly near the end of August. Due to the pandemic, this conference was held via video conference. It marked the end of an era for Bishop Tom Aitken. HLC would like to thank him for his many years of selfless service to our synod. Bishop Aitken will be missed. The newly-elected bishop, Amy Odgren, will take his place and will definitely have big shoes to fill. Her ordination is planned for November 1. Let us keep her in our thoughts and prayers as she transitions into this new position of leadership.
The topic of handling grievances was discussed by the council. It was decided that any complaint process should follow the chain of command of our church leadership. If any member of the church has questions or concerns regarding any aspect of our church, please feel free to contact any of the following executive officers of the Hope Lutheran Church council: Lance Kupka, president; Sharon Rantala, vice president; and Liisa Lamppa, secretary.
Negotiations for the possible installation of an interim pastor are entering the home stretch. Babbitt Evangelical Lutheran Church (BELC) and Hope Lutheran are finalizing an incentive package to get a permanent interim pastor in place at both locations. We remain very cognizant of the budget limitations of both churches, but are also very excited at the possibility of getting an actual pastor in place after over a year of relying on pulpit supply and lay-led services. This will allow us to begin the process of eventually finding someone to take over on a permanent basis.
Finally, as summer transitions into fall, I would like to thank Rocky Roggenbuck for his volunteer service to our church. He has mowed the lawn for the past several years without complaint. It looks so nice as you drive by on the highway. Who knows how it would get done without him?
May God grant you peace until we meet again next month…….
In God’s Name,
Lance Kupka
Council President
Hope Lutheran Church of Embarrass