NEWS

A note from Pastor Suzanne How: American Lutheran Church is coming to the end of our coach-led Vitality Initiative monthly classes and working and learning with other congregations around the Synod. The Vitality Initiative’s purpose is to help each congregation discern their unique vocation as God’s church. Andrew Newcomb will be presenting our vitality vocational “word web” Sunday 2 Feb at the beginning of worship. The word web is a visual depiction of what we have learned from listening to you, to our community, and through other activities such as the church time line. The culminating project is an “experiment” that helps us explore and expand our church’s unique vocation. After 18 months the team (Brigitte Van Houten, Andrew Newcomb, Jaime Wilson, Megan Gerdes and I) have determined ALC’s word is connection . The VI team has an upcoming experiment or two planned that will continue to enhance our ability to use our building and space to bring people together in new ways. We’ll keep everyone informed as they unfold. Thank you to those of you who wrote responses to the questions that were posted on the glass doors outside of the sanctuary during Advent. Here are your responses: When have you felt joy and connection at ALC? Worship – 8 votes VBS Singing Serving others and God’s work our hands – 5 votes During fellowship after church – 4 votes When praying for people in church – 2 votes Family Fun Nights - 4 votes Growing in faith together through service and study of the Bible – 2 votes During passing of the peace, greeting as many people as possible What is your primary source of information for what is happening in Ashland? Facebook – 9 votes church or business website word of mouth How can we practice welcoming without expectation? Limit insider language and practices “You all know…” Name tags for new people? simply smile and say hello “We are the welcome place” Have ways to involve people right away – small groups We are new, we felt welcomed w/o expectation. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming. Just continue what is already happening – 2 votes What new activities could ALC sponsor to bring in more people (inside and outside of church) together? Men’s Group/Dad’s group Young married and parents groups Community service activities – 3 votes Campout at CJH – 3 votes Disc Golf tournaments – 3 votes Music bingo again – 2 votes Community clean up opportunities – 2 votes Golf tournament More family nights There were a lot of great ideas and inspiration gleaned from these answers. Here’s where we need your help and support: Please consider what suggestions or activities call to you or spark your interest. As your Pastor, I do not micromanage, and I cannot lead and direct every activity. It’s not that I don’t care, or don’t think they are important, it’s that as solo Pastor of a growing church I do not have time. My goal as your Pastor is to build up members who want to be part of teams who serve by planning and conducting one-time events. Perhaps the more popular events might become quarterly or annual, and other people who want to serve can take turns planning and leading. Think short commitment with a clear ending. One stumbling block when asking people to serve that all churches face is three practices or habits that we must stop or avoid: 1. The Pastor must lead everything or approve every detail. 2. A service or activity becomes one person’s “baby” and new people can’t or don’t feel welcome to help serve in that way. 3. People fear if they do serve by leading an activity even once, it will become known as their “baby” and then they feel they can’t ever step down or say no. Thriving churches do not have burned-out servants or a burned-out Pastor! This church is filled with gifted and talented smart people. Let’s all use our gifts and take turns leading! Where I will assist is by connecting leaders with other members who are interested in the same thing, helping brainstorm the next step, or by going to the Council to request a financial expenditure if needed. First though, we need people who want to sponsor some of the groups or activities that are listed above. It doesn’t need to be elaborate For only one example, a young married or parents’ group certainly do not need a formal process to get together at (or not at) church! We would need to avoid scheduling conflicts with the church building. AA uses our fellowship hall every Sunday night from 7 – 8, but other than Confirmation night (6 -7 on Wednesdays) we are flexible. I am giving all of you permission to start where you feel called to serve or where you would like to make more connection. Please let me know what you are thinking about, and I will help communicate that to the church, get it on the calendar, and get you connected with other people and resources. The vitality of this church springs forth from the servant hearts of the people who worship here. Please let me know if you’d like to lead or participate in an activity and we will get that ball rolling! In Christ, Pastor Suzanne Important Sunday School Dates 3/16/25- 4/6/25 Holy Communion Training 4/13/25 Kids Sing in Worship 4/20/25 No Sunday School 4/27/25 Last Day Celebration! 6/16/25-6/20/25 VBS! Sunday School In Sunday school we will be reading from First Corinthians 12:12-31a. In whole group we will be using our bodies to make crosses and talking about how we are one body in Christ, with many parts. In small groups we will talk about how we can use our individual gifts to serve God. In March we will be making Holy Week figurines (pictured) and are in need of toilet paper tubes for our craft. Please collect tubes and bring them to the church. There is a bin in the fellowship hall to put them in. We will need about 400 tubes. So we are going to need a lot of help. Thank you!