 council presidents December | 2020 Reports ...... 3  Treasurer’s Report...... 8  Council Connection ...... 10

 Youth & Family highlights ...... 5

 Children’s highlights ...... 6

CHRIST’S LOVE, TRANS FORMING LIVES TO GO! word

Greetings First Lutheran Church! I am so When I came back to church in my mid-20s it was, unbelievably delighted to (re)introduce myself to you all as a fundamentally, because my understanding of Jesus had new partner in our ministry together with Lutheran Campus expanded. I had come to realize that Jesus is not only a safe Ministry (LCM) at Bemidji State University, Northwest and comforting shepherd but also the full and liberating God Technical College, and the wider Bemidji community. Thank who affirms our sacredness, our freedom, our hope AND you for inviting me to be a part of the leadership team that will promises us that that relationship has changed the world. The help guide our church into a deeper relationship with our truth is, I never left Jesus behind, instead I met Jesus in new surrounding community and with Christ. It is an incredible and unexpected places! “Spiritual but not religious” shifted privilege and a gift I receive with gratitude. My spouse, Emily, back to spiritual AND religious because I now know there are and I are happily settling into a new routine here in the so many ways in which church is full of authenticity, social Northwoods and I look forward to beginning work on justice, and spiritual growth. I know that there are many th November 30 . places to seek and meet God in Christ both in our traditional Though many of you know me already, I’d like to churches and outside their walls. share a bit about my faith journey and let you know why I am I am so excited for the openness, creativity and so excited to step into this new call with you. Like many folks possibility that LCM will continue to offer to young adults who my age, I had a wonderful experience as a youth in church, have experienced a disconnect between their faith and their but I began feeling somewhat disconnected in my later teen traditional church experience AND those who want to deepen years. By the time I left for college, I felt like leaving church the spark of faith within them. I am excited to witness the behind entirely. ways the gospel will continue to change lives and open hearts What I now realize is that disconnect happened here in Bemidji with folks who wouldn’t ordinarily feel because I wasn’t experiencing a sense of authenticity in comfortable walking through the doors of a traditional church. church. My worldview was expanding but I felt the church I am excited to explore with First Lutheran, LCM and our wasn’t growing with me. I left to seek authenticity in social ministry partners many more unexpected places where Jesus justice work and the “spiritual but not religious” world. Jesus, is waiting to meet us, including a new potential ministry, “a and the church, were relegated to the comfort, safety and community Called Grace” which will be oriented toward folks familiarity usually reserved for holidays. 18-35 years old who haven’t yet found a church home. Perhaps this perspective seems familiar to you or I grew up in Bemidji and I consider it a great honor someone you love? We, Lutherans, have had a difficult time and blessing to return to my home community as a first call maintaining that connection between young adults and pastor and as your partner in ministry. I’ve been reflecting church, though we’re certainly not alone in that struggle. often this season on the story of Esther and the depth and complexities of our various faith journeys… First Lutheran,

Continued p.2

1 December 2020 Greetings... continued you have discerned that you are ready “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). You are ready to grow outward, to be intentional about reaching out, to form partnerships, to invest in young adults in this community, to actively connect with LCM and others, to explore wherever it is that God is calling you to in this work. I am ready too and it is my joy to step into this call alongside you.

With gratitude, Pastor Emily

What are Benevolences? Church leadership mentioned in November that First Lutheran is running behind in giving its financial benevolences to partner organizations, but what are benevolences and why does it matter? Benevolences are the church’s way of giving an offering beyond the walls of First Lutheran. This is not to say that the ministry, itself, of First Lutheran does not extend beyond the walls of our building. In fact, to a point, the worship ministry of First Lutheran has never extended farther than it currently is through our online worship and Drive-In worship. However, as we are blessed with financial offerings from the congregation, we are called to be a financial blessing to others in need. This is what Congregational Benevolences are. First Lutheran has a tradition of giving away a tithe (10%) of our yearly offerings to impact the greater Kingdom of God around the world. Because of COVID and lower than anticipated offerings in 2020, FLC is currently running behind in its mission support beyond the congregation. This is not how we want to end the year. Please prayerfully consider helping First Lutheran keep its promises to financially support the very important work of our mission partners. Much of their work is vital in serving the “least of these.” Our Mission Support (Benevolence) Partners Bemidji Area Food Shelf—A vital ministry which feeds the financially vulnerable in our community. BSU Lutheran Campus Ministry—Reaches out with the message of Christ to the young adults in our community. Churches United—A partnership of congregations which help out families in need during a financial crisis. Through our donations, they are able to help with overdue bills like heat, electricity, etc. They also help with food, car repair and homelessness. Global Church Missionary Support—Our ministry reaches all the way to Japan, where we are in partnership with other ELCA congregations support a ministry couple in their mission to spread the Word about Jesus on the other side of the world. Lutheran Social Services—An extension of the Lutheran Community which helps out with adoptions, foster care, meal delivery to the homebound and disability ministries. Youth Bible Camps—Did you know that Bible Camps are one of the most important feeder programs to our Seminaries? Many leaders of our church credit their lifechanging Bible Camp experiences as a major influence on God’s Calling in their life to become a pastor. Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers—With the help of dedicated volunteers and qualified caregivers, Northwoods Caregivers provide services such as respite care, homemaking, transportation and grocery shopping assistance to seniors and other individuals living with a disability. NW MN Synod of the ELCA—Our donations are combined with other ELCA congregations to fund the vital ministry of the church beyond the congregation. Nearly 40% is then passed on from the Synod Office to the National ELCA. Often times this money comes back to us in the form of grants like the one we are currently receiving which will help fund our new ministry to the young adults of Bemidji. Peoples Church—A vital ministry to feed and shelter the most financially vulnerable in Bemidji. Village of Hope—A vital ministry to shelter families struggling with homelessness. Wolfe Center—A vital ministry to shelter adults struggling with homelessness in Bemidji. Please help our congregation reach the world for Jesus’ sake, be diligent in your offerings to the church, even when we are not able to gather for in person worship. The ministries listed above are needed in our world today more than ever!

2 FIRST WORD December 2020

President’s Report

I got my first NIV (New International Version) Bible when I went into church work in 1976. It was a study Bible and I finally just wore it out. I had duct taped it up all I could. I got another one in 1995 but I did not wear it out. The day came about 5 years ago when I needed a larger print Bible so I bought one. (Age!) As I read through the Christmas story in Luke, something had changed. My old Bible said that there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn. The new one said there was no room in the guest room! Why the change? Many of our Christian traditions came from a time when the Bible was translated in a way that could easily be harder to understand. Many Greek or Hebrew words, like English words, have more than one meaning. The Greek word Kataluma is one of them; it can mean hotel or guest room. As archeologists have studied and looked at ancient sites, they have found that hotels were only built on Roman roads. Anyone who was from Israel would have family to stay with. Roman soldiers, however would not have anyone to stay with. There are no Roman roads to Bethlehem. Almost every house had a guest room because being a good host was extremely important in their culture. In the parable of the good Samarian, Luke uses a different word for the inn, that being pandokheion. So, where did the idea of a stable come from? Most homes had a lower level where farm animals would stay at night. They were valuable and they were warm! Feeding troughs, mangers, were built into the house for these animals to eat and drink. It would appear that the house where they stayed already had someone else staying in the guest room so Mary and Joseph were in the main part of the house with the rest of the family. With no crib in the house, where better to put a baby than in a manger with clean straw! One other part of the story also needs explaining. Yes, the shepherds were there right away; within a day of so of the birth. They were working just outside of town. The Maji, astrologers, kings however were a long way from Bethlehem. They must have been traveling many months to get to see the newborn king. They, too, went to a house to see Jesus.

David Sauer, Congregational President

“When We Love Deeply: We Grieve Deeply” 8-week Adult Virtual Grief Support Group

Free Community Virtual Event Are you grieving the loss of a loved one in your life and Thursday December 3, 2020 7-8:30 pm finding it difficult to connect with others during this time of

In the midst of Covid crisis, we recognize that social physical distancing? Are you someone who would be connection in the midst of grief is more difficult and interested in connecting with other newly bereaved more important than ever. This virtual event via zoom individuals in a confidential online format facilitated by our will feature Kelly Grosklags, author of “A Comforted trained Essentia Health Grief Support Services staff, heart: an oncology psychotherapist’s perspective on volunteers facilitators, and bereavement coordinators? finding meaning and hope during grief and loss. Join us for 8 consecutive weeks during these extraordinary

This free virtual event is sponsored by St. Mary’s Grief times. This is a closed group and requires pre-registration. Support Services thanks to the generous support of the No new members will be added once the group starts.

Essentia Health Foundation, St. Mary’s Medical Center Contact grief support services if you are interested in Auxiliary and Tree of Lights sponsors. Preregistration is participating in this virtual group option. Call Essential required by November 13, 2020. To register please Health Grief Support Services (Duluth) 218-786-4402 or email [email protected] with “free grief email [email protected] event” in the subject line along with your name and email address. Thanks for your patience as we Free grief materials for youth and adults are available at: navigate this virtual world in the midst of Covid. www.essentiahealth.org/griefsupportduluth

3 December 2020 BeFriender Ministry

A Listening Presence

Advent: a coming into place, view, or being; arrival (Dictionary.com) Advent: a season in the church year of expectant waiting and preparation for Christ’s Birth as well as Christ’s Second Coming. There is so much we are waiting for this year and sometimes waiting includes being especially attuned to signs of what it is we hope for, waiting in hope, and waiting with our ears perked! What signs of God’s presence do you hear this Advent season?

If you would like a BeFriender minister to check in with you over the phone once in a while these days, please don’t hesitate to let us know! You may call and leave a message in the church office with either Pastor Linnea or Pastor Corey.

If you are ill or hospitalized or desiring pastoral support during these days of COVID-19, don’t hesitate to call your pastors or drop an email. While our trips to the hospital have been limiting, we are available to visit over the phone, Zoom or email.

Assisted Living & Elder Care Worship Services Cancelled Worship services are cancelled until further notice at: Windsong, Neilson Place, Trillium, BirchHaven, Havenwood & Tamarack.

Pastoral Check In

I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Ephesians 1: 16

Zoomed out? Too much screen time? Let’s go old-fashioned and pick up the phone! That’s what Pastor Corey and I decided to do this fall as our own sense of isolation from all of you has grown deeper, having not been able to worship in-person for so many months and also realizing that one more Zoom session was not going to reach everyone. We’ve all had our fill of “screen time,” it is not readily available to everyone, and it is not as conducive to a personal one-on-one conversation as a personal phone call. So! We got the most current membership list for our congregation, divided it in half, one starting at one end, and the other beginning at the other end – and we started reaching out over the phone. This endeavor will take several months, but our intention is to simply “check in” with you … and let you know that we remember you, we’re praying for you and longing for the day when we are able to worship together once again. So far, it’s been wonderful to have honest-to-goodness conversations with you friends that we have not seen for such a long time! We are leaving voice messages if there is no answer and we are also finding that some folks have disconnected their landlines, so if you don’t hear from us, please feel free to give us a ring here at church. We’d love to catch up with you! It does all of our hearts good. Pastor Linnea

4 FIRST WORD December 2020

Youth and Family Ministry

2020 - Unique! I think we can all agree this year has been a unique one. It has forced us into pursuing opportunities that we might of otherwise overlooked. These opportunities have been fun to explore and I am excited about seeing what comes of them in the future. Some of these opportunities have been our Confirmation students calling some of our members who they probably don’t know. This then expands the connections that each have as a church body and builds excitement for when we are able to worship together. The High School youth have been working with other youth groups to expand how large we see God. This has been with Shepherd of the Hills in Flagstaff, Arizona and starting in December we will also be working with Calvary Lutheran in Bemidji once a month for youth group. Through these opportunities we are starting to see how big and strong the body of Christ really is.

Dates to Know December 2nd - High School Youth Group with Calvary Lutheran on Zoom December 16th - High School Youth Group with Shepherd of the Hills on Zoom December 23rd and 30 - no Confirmation or Youth Group these nights due to the Christmas Season. We will start again on the last day of Christmas, January 6th.

Mitten Tree In spite of COVID our mitten trees are up in the gathering area again this year. The trees will be up from December 1st - 16th. Socks also accepted. New items only please.

Please mask as you go in and drop off your items.

5 December 2020

Sunday School is available online! Join in at 9:40 a.m. Sundays for Sunday School with Heidi for a Facebook LIVE event or anytime that fits your schedule from First Lutheran’s website, www.flcbemidji.org. The Bible Story that goes with the worship service will be given. We all miss you and hope to have Sunday and Wednesday classes as soon as the restrictions are lifted and we can all come together inside our church building. Stay safe and wash your hands!

Children’s Christmas Program 2020 Our Christmas Program this year will be online. We would like EVERYONE’s input. Record your child’s (children’s) version of the Christmas Story.

Be Featured in FLC’s Online Worship We would like to have videos of your family or child saying the Lord’s Prayer, singing “Jesus Loves Me” or offering a welcome to worship from your family. We all enjoyed your VBS contributions and would like to continue the fun! Record your family at home or on location. November It may even be possible to come in and record First in the Sanctuary! Call ahead so a time can be Communion 22nd scheduled, 444-5302. Questions? Contact Heidi 218-760-1070 or [email protected]

Many of you may remember ‘The Country Parson’. The cartoon was created by Gale Falk’s father. Gale has given us permission to include an occasional cartoon in our publications.

6 FIRST WORD December 2020

A prayer as I put on my mask: Bemidji Community Meals Creator, as I prepare to go into the world, We received notice that the Christmas holiday help me to see the sacrament in the wearing of this cloth - let it be "an outward sign of an inward grace" - meal, has been cancelled for 2020 due to a tangible and visible way of living COVID-19. “We hope this notice helps those love for my neighbours, as I love myself. who attended or received meals at home in Christ, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, the past time to make alternative plans. that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Thanks to the many volunteers who have Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, helped in the past and we will see you next not only with my words, but with my actions. year. Community Holiday Meal Committee”

Holy Spirit, As the elastic touches my ears, remind me to listen carefully - and full of care - to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and each breath that it holds, be filled with your love.

In your Name and in that love, I pray.

May it be so. May it be so.

Posted July 24, 2020 on the blog of Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator, United Church of Canada (a mainline Protestant denomi- nation)

(Edit: All of the prayers I post here can be shared under a Creative Commons- Attribution/Non-Commercial license. Noted again, because of the requests - )

Luminaries for “Christmas Under the Stars” Have you ever made a luminary? They are probably easier than you expect. The congregations of First, Calvary, New Salem and Aardahl are encouraging their members to bring a luminary to “Christmas Under the Stars,” the joint Christmas Even Worships celebrated around a bonfire on Calvary Lutheran’s back parking lot at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM and 9 PM. Luminaries will light the way to our Christmas Eve Worships under the stars. If you are able, please bring an ice or paper bag luminary with votive candle along with you to worship. These will be placed and left for the worshippers to follow throughout the day.

Ice Luminary Instructions: Fill an ice cream pail or similar container with water and place them out in the freezing cold. When the pail is partially frozen, go out and break the thinner center top of the ice and dump out the remaining water. Viola, you are done. You have made your first luminary, take the ice luminary out of the bucket, place a votive candle in it and you are done!

Paper Bag Luminary Instructions: Take a smaller, white paper bag, fill the bottom with about an inch of sand and place a votive candle on the sand. Viola, you are done! If you want to get extra creative, you can decorate the white paper bag before you put the sand and candle in it.

7 December 2020 Treasurer’s Report

2 Corinthians 9:11 "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

That was quite the nice weather for the first week of November 2020! I was enjoying the warmth in the deer stand opening weekend! But being in Minnesota we are accustomed to a rapid change in the weather. As I write my report it is sleeting and 28 degrees and just yesterday it was 70! Here is a quick look at our FLC Financials through the month of October 2020; October Revenue was $34,238.40 which was down $5021.10 from September 2020 2020 Year to Date Revenue; January -October $563,580.76. This figure doe include our PPP Loan of $101,200.00 We are continuing with efforts to have that loan forgiven

October 2020 Expenditures were exceeded in Revenue by - $30,875.43 . We had Benevolences to catch up on and Insurance, Assessments, repairs and maintenance items. Property Taxes, etc. 2020 Year To Date Revenue is a positive $42,714.81 only because our benevolences have been held until after the PPP Loan has been forgiven. Thus, we are actually further behind than things may appear.

Corey Stittsworth, Congregational Treasurer

Financial Stewardship Update

Financial Summary through November 30, 2020

Actual Budgeted Variance YTD Total Receipts $ 517,564.07 $644,385.94 $ -126,821.87 YTD Total Expenditures $ 567,251.50 $644,385.94 $ -77,134.44 Total Net Revenue $ -49,687.43

Memorials Josie Beitzel $654.00 Oct. Sanctuary Revitalization “ “ $320.00 Nov. Sanctuary Revitalization Marty Evenson $33.00 Oct. Undesignated “ “ $230.00 Youth Stock Nov. $45.00 FLCW $25.00 Undesignated Donna Gregoire $133.00 Oct. Sanctuary Revitalization “ “ $155.00 Nov. Sanctuary Revitalization Terry Hegna $20.00 Undesignated Joyce Kleven $171.67 FLCW Nov $200.00 Music Julius Olson $25.00 Nov. Undesignated Jane S $20.00 Oct. Undesignated DuWayne Syverson $30.00 Oct. Undesignated

8 FIRST WORD December 2020

ADVENT THEME: Gifts of Darkness

Can you imagine a world without darkness? What would that be like? Going to sleep at night without the calming effect of the sun going down… Looking up towards the sky to find the Big Dipper and seeing only a blank slate of unending sky from dusk to dawn… How would the bears hibernate and the owls hunt without cover of darkness? Seeds need to be “put to bed” in the dark soil, dreams come to us during the hours of night… inspirations often sprout following a “dark night of the soul.” Too often darkness has been pitted against light – making the light an enemy of darkness rather than that which is part of our created order, that which allows us to “see” the light, and that dimension which God often uses, not only for the good of creation itself, but to contribute to life and wholeness. During these next four weeks of Advent, on Wednesday evenings, (as we sing Joyous Light, the Evening Prayer Service!) we will be exploring God’s Gifts of Darkness. December 2 – The Mystery of Darkness December 9 – The Beauty of Darkness December 16 – The Necessity of Darkness December 23 – The Wisdom of Darkness Please join in – online every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. at www.flcbemidji.org as we explore the Gifts of Darkness this Advent season!

The Second Coming of Daily Devotions Daily Devotions are back for Advent! Check our website (flcbemidji.org) Monday through Friday. Daily Devotions start on Monday, November 30th through Wednesday, December 23rd.

When Visiting the Church Office While the church office is open, your staff here continues to be very cautious - and not only for ourselves, but especially for those who may be coming through our doors. As the number of confirmed cases in our community is currently rising, we want to exercise as much precaution as we can. To that end, we respectfully request that you not come into the church office unless it is essential to do so. If you do have need to stop in:  Please wear a mask  We have a bottle of hand sanitizer on the table outside the office door as well as on the front desk and ask that you make use of it coming and going  If you have an offering to drop off, you may use the Drop Box on the wall just outside of the office door  Call from your car and we can come out to you  We have marked X’s on the floor in front of the desk area and ask that you use these as a marker to stand on to ensure the 6’ distance rule  If you do have need to talk with Karen, please do so, but do not sit down to chat (again, wanting to be cautious of being in a closed office space)  If you have a task that needs to be completed here at church, please call ahead

Please know that we are all continuing to learning during this time and our intention is not to offend anyone. As you know, our preschool is functioning and so we have little ones and their parents coming through our doors every week day. We want First Lutheran Church to remain a place that not only feels safe, but is indeed safe from infection. We are doing our best to keep open-hearted these days, even as our church building itself is physically closed to our usual activities. Thank you in advance for your patience, your good- heartedness and your working together to stay safe!

9 December 2020 Council Connection are behind in our Benevolences as well. The

needs in our community continue – even if it The Church Council met on Tuesday, November 10 feels like everything is at a standstill. We would and Zoom meeting highlights follow. like to get caught up by the end of the year, and

 Our agenda included new hires to our church would appreciate your prayerful consideration of staff. We welcome a new Preschool Director, Eric these needs.

Callagan, and a part-time Preschool Teacher,  Advent starts on November 29th. We are Erickah Peace. We are thankful for their inspired by the theme “The Gifts of Darkness”. presence in our preschool program! We are also It feels like we live in a dark time, but we are

excited to welcome Billy Root as our new assured that the coming light of Christ is even assistant custodian! We are blessed to have our more visible during the dark days. There are open positions filled. We hope that these new plans in the works to have Christmas Eve worship employees find First Lutheran a happy place of services outdoors with Calvary, Aardahl and New work. Salem Lutheran Churches and Lutheran Campus

 There was a significant drop in donations in Ministry on Christmas Eve.

September and October compared to last year, Submitted by Lisa Graefe , Council Secretary which is concerning to the Council members. We

Join Us in a Letter Writing Ministry of Caring and Support

With cases of Covid19 on the rise in Bemidji there is increasing pressure on our friends, neighbors and family members working in healthcare as they put their own lives at risk to help heal us and keep us safe. In gratitude and appreciation for their service to us, you are invited to join a letter-writing campaign of support and encouragement for them. Together, we can express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for all their work and sacrifices during this pandemic.

Feel free to get creative with your messages. Get your children or grandchildren involved. Address letters to a general or specific group as it is the doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, administrators, CNAs, housekeeping, food service workers and so many others working together, saving lives.

Send a letter (or multiple letters) of appreciation to: Chaplain Theresa Gehrke-Herwynen Rt# 10085 1300 Anne St NW Bemidji MN. 56601

Please note on the back of the envelope what group the message is for and Chaplain Theresa will get them to our health care workers.

10 FIRST WORD December 2020

Drive-In Worship in the Parking Lot! As the weather has changed, so has our “Drive-In Sanctuary”! Sundays, December 6 & 13, we will be holding our Drive-In Worship Service in the Calvary Lutheran Church Parking Lot at 1 PM. On December20 & 27 we will move back to First Lutheran. We will continue to rotate on a two week basis between Calvary and First Lutheran. Please follow the direction of the Parking Lot Attendants who will assist you in parking so that you are facing the Worship Area.

 Bulletins will not be handed out, but you may find it on our website: www.flcbemidji.org  Offerings will be received car to car with offering pouches; please be sure to clearly mark your church on your offering envelope  Bathrooms in the church will be open Time Change! “Drive-In” worship will take  Tune your radio to 91.1 FM when you park your car place at 1 pm beginning De- To God be the Glory! cember 6th. We hope this will allow the sun to warm our time together!

Christmas 2020 Worship Schedule:  Christmas Under the Stars – We will be joining with Calvary, Aardahl, New Salem, and Lutheran Campus Ministry to celebrate “Christmas Under the Stars.” This will be a short candlelight worship, standing around a bonfire on the back lot of Calvary Lutheran’s property. Bundle up! Each service will be approximately 30 minutes long with Holy Communion, carols, the Christmas Story and firelight. Six worships will be held at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM & 9 PM! Luminaries will light the way, carolers will bless your journey and the Christ Child’s birth will be celebrated.  Christmas Eve Radio Broadcast – First Lutheran will be broadcast on 94.3 FM & 1300 AM at 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020.  Christmas Eve Online Worship – 5 PM link accessible from www.flcbemidji.org.  Christmas Day Parking Lot Worship – 10:00 AM: Stay in your car, come in your Christmas Morning PJ’s, tune your radio to 91.1 FM and worship in First Lutheran’s Parking Lot. Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Christmas Day Online Worship – 10:00 AM link accessible from www.flcbemidji.org

11 December 2020 First Word a monthly publication

Phone: 218-444-5302 900 Bemidji Avenue North We’re on the Web! Fax: 218-444-5306 Bemidji, MN 56601 www.flcbemidji.org [email protected] Live Radio Broadcast 8:30 Sunday mornings on 94.3 FM , 1300 AM, PBTV channel 951 and PBTV Fusion channel 1051 in audio format only. Find the recorded version at www flcbemidji.org/ministries/radio-ministry. Preschool News The Preschool is excited to be adding new staff to the Preschool Fun program. Eric Michael Callagan has been hired as the Preschool Director and Erickah Peace as a Teaching Assistant. Eric is the father of 3 wonderful children. Raised in Bemidji, Eric has a passion for education, music, theater, and volunteering. Erickah is originally from Flagstaff, AZ. Erickah was recently married to her husband Evan. Erickah has been involved with Lutheran Social Services in Bemidji over the last couple years. We ask for prayers and well-wishes as these two begin their new careers here with the Church.

The new additions to the Preschool are a result of two of our staff leaving. Johannah Furuseth, the previous Preschool Director is returning to college to continue her education. We wish her well and will keep her in our prayers as she further pursues her passion of teaching. Amanda Opsal, a teaching assistant in the preschool, Is continuing her education as well and will be taking on a bigger role in school and student teaching. We wish these two amazing women the best as they advance their careers in education. Please keep them in your prayers as they are in ours.

This month the students are learning about the forest and we will be doing some activities celebrating the Birth of Christ. We will be constructing a large gingerbread church made out of cardboard and decorated by the children. Watch the Preschool Facebook page for updates and photos of the activities and crafts we will be doing this month!

Eric Callagan, Preschool Director

FLC BOOK CLUB IS ZOOMING! Members of the Book Club have decided to discuss our books via zoom until we will be able to get together in person again! Therefore, we have selected the following books: December - A Gilded Hour by Sara Donati January - American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins If you are interested in joining us via zoom to discuss this book, please send Dianne Wilds a note at [email protected], and we will include you in our meeting. It's a fun way to keep up with our book discussions and each other!

12 FIRST WORD December 2020