Congregational Life - The Intercom, October 2017

Immigration: Myths and Realities Immigration is among the most highly polarizing topics of our day. However, immigration-related discourse from both media and politicians can make it difficult to sort fact from fiction.  Join Jennifer Lunder, Ayuda coordinator, and Cari Lee Skogberg Eastman, local author and researcher, for “Immigration: Myths and Realities” on Sunday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m., in the Friendship Room. The forum will offer participants an opportunity to study research-based truths about immigration, recognize myths and misperceptions about our immigrant neighbors, and better understand how members of faith communities are called to respond to immigration-related issues. “Immigration: Myths and Realities” is part of the ELCA’s Ayuda (Spanish for “help”) initiative to promote connections, revitalization, and support among all God’s people.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Foundation Notes: Jubilee Society Event Set for November 5 The third annual recognition event for Jubilee Society members will be held on All Saints Sunday, November 5, in the Friendship Room, between worship services, from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. Light breakfast treats will be available. Invitations will be mailed in early October. The Jubilee Society was established by the OSLC Foundation in 2015 to recognize those members who have included Our Savior’s in their estate plans. These members have chosen to support and build the long-term endowment of the Foundation with a legacy gift. At this time, 109 individuals have made their desires known as to their support of Our Savior’s. The mission of the Jubilee Society is “Helping people turn their personal blessings into Christian significance.” The OSLC Foundation currently has a value of $2.6 million; the account is professionally managed and audited, with board oversight and review. Each year, the Foundation awards four to four-and-a-half percent of its assets in the form of grants to specific projects at OSL. These grants come from staff members and Congregational Council members, reflecting needs that fall outside the congregational budget. Members of the Foundation Board include Dennis Hanneman, Chair; Gerald Beninga, Vice Chair; Carol Oakland; Secretary; Allison Boyd; Jerry Franken; Susan Hauff; Jan Haugen-Rogers; Dennis Jarabek; Cindy Nassen; Pr. Randy Gehring; and Jon Oien, Development Consultant. Board members serve three-year terms, and may serve two terms. For information on the Jubilee Society, contact Jon Oien, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Foundation Planned Giving, (605) 212-5261 or <a shape="rect" href="mailto:joien@sio.midco.net">joien@sio.midco.net</a>. Jubilee Society Members are listed on <a href="http://oslchurch.com/about/oslc-foundation/" target="_blank">the OSLC Foundation page</a>.

By Heart Join Pr. Randy for another round of Adult Confirmation. The class meets on Wednesdays for six weeks (starting on September 13), from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the Friendship Room, starting on September 13. The text for this session will be By Heart, a richly illustrated, in-depth exploration of the Small Catechism. The class will be a perfect way to prepare for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. A donation of $15 will help offset the cost of the book. All are welcome.

The Art of Marriage: A Biblically Centered Study of God’s Design for Marriage Is your busy lifestyle competing with your balance of faith, marriage, family, work, leisure in your daily life? Every marriage is either moving toward “oneness” or drifting toward isolation.  Join other OSL couples for a six- to seven-week small-group series, starting on Sunday, October 8, between worship services (9:45 to 10:30 a.m.), in a place to be determined. A video will be shown with discussion to follow. This series is open to newlyweds through “seasoned” married couples.  Contact Laura Wong, 582-4212, with questions or to sign up.

Theology Tapped Come and join Pr. Randy at Monk’s House of Ale Repute, 420 E. 8th St., for Theology Tapped—conversation, reflection, prayer, and Christian community—on Thursday, October 26, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA 500  In this 500th year of the Reformation, congregations, members, synods and other institutions of the ELCA will be observing the anniversary by a variety of events and activities in the coming months. Many of the local activities will reflect the magnitude of work being done on a national and international scale.  One such event, Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA 500, will be held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, October 31. All are invited to join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as she co-hosts the event, which will include speakers and a service, at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. Bishop Eaton will be joined by co-hosts Bishop Bill Gafkjen of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA Vice President Bill Horne, and Bishop Dick Graham of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod.   The event is open to the public and will be available online via livestream. All are invited to participate and honor the Reformation anniversary as we bear public witness to Christ, who frees us to love and serve our neighbor, and as we look to the future to which God is calling us.   More details will be available in the near future. Visit <a href="http://ELCA500.org/events" target="_blank"> ELCA500.org/events</a> to stay up-to-date on this and other ELCA 500 events.

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Congregational Life – The Intercom, October 2017

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