Northeastern Iowa December 2011 • Volume 24, Issue 11 Star Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Strengthening Mission Christmas Missions Honor the Christ Child by Marcia Hahn

In the same way that the Magi congregation’s participation in of three age categories for a boy brought gifts to the infant Jesus, Operation Christmas Child (OCC), or girl. Gifts can include clothing, Christians celebrate the Nativity an international Christmas project run toys, puzzles, hats, books, personal by bringing gifts to their immediate by the Christian charity Samaritan’s care items, hard candy, and other families and loved ones, and to Purse to send gift-filled shoeboxes to small gifts. The filled shoeboxes those in need. Congregations of the disadvantaged children around the are delivered to a drop-off point in Northeastern Iowa Synod inspire their world. Galilean first participated in Mason City and then taken to the members to embrace a giving spirit OCC about five years ago and is one distribution center in Minneapolis during the Christmas season with of several churches in the synod to where volunteers inspect the boxes mission projects that help struggling take part in the project. and prepare them for delivery. families in their own communities and around the world. “We start announcing it in the Chalgren and a few other Galilean summer because there are so many members reserve a day each year to Marilyn Chalgren of Galilean, Clear good sales for school supplies,” help at the Minneapolis distribution Lake, is so excited about her church’s Chalgren says. center. “It’s a rewarding experience Christmas mission project that she to be part of the whole process,” starts pitching it to the congregation Congregation members are asked Chalgren says. “It puts a smile on our in July. Chalgren coordinates the to fill shoeboxes with gifts for one faces and on a child somewhere too.”

>> Continued on page 2

In This Issue 1 Christmas Missions Honor the Christ Child 3 “Timeless Message” 4 He Came Down 7 Planning for 2012 – Synod Assembly and Annual Meetings 8 Celebrate Ecumenical Week of Prayer 9 Events, Congregations Galilean, Clear Lake, members (left to right) Karen Holm, Marilyn Chalgren, Janeil Olson and Prayer Calendar Joyce Clayton gather shoeboxes filled with gifts to send to Operation Christmas Child. 10 Christmas Missions... angel ornaments that << Continued from page 1 list gift suggestions for families served through Baked goods spread good cheer Christmas trees tagged for giving the Northeast Iowa The Christmas season at Bethesda, Jewell, kicks Community Action off in early December when members gather A lighted Christmas tree sits in Corporation. Some 70 for brunch and bring home-baked cookies to the middle of the fellowship hall at congregation members deliver to shut-ins, widowers and other older Fredsville, Cedar Falls, decorated from Decorah congregation members who don’t get out with angel tags representing youth Lutheran bought gifts much. According to BLCW treasurer Virginia who live at the Bremwood Residential for the families last Dass, the whole church gets involved. Treatment Center in Waverly. year. Congregation members can select “We sing Christmas carols, have games or a tag to purchase a gift certificate, The Junior League and entertainment, and then package the cookies clothing, CD or other suggested gift Senior League youth in the fellowship hall,” Dass says. “We pass the item for the youth. According to buy gifts for Decorah cookies around and fill long-time Fredsville member Carol Lutheran families coffee cans, Christmas Andersen, the presence of the tree through the church’s sacks or plates and helps keep the giving spirit in people’s “Adopt-a-Family” decide who is going minds. program. “The to take them where.” knows of needy “Years ago, before the angel tree, we Dass says that one children within our asked people for cash donations, and year a member own church who that was getting less and less,” she donated a collection won’t have a good says. “We thought this tree would get of small teddy bears, Christmas if they are people more involved. The kids like it so a teddy bear was not ‘adopted’,” explains too.” included with each Pat Gjere, director of delivery of cookies. Christian education at The angel tree at Decorah Lutheran, “One lady was so Decorah Lutheran. Decorah, is part of a community-wide happy and hugged project to provide Christmas gifts The Sunday school that little bear, it brought tears to their eyes,” she to area families in need from children fill special says. “It’s always good to see their sparkling eyes Winneshiek County and surrounding banks during to know someone is thinking of them. towns. The tree is decorated with 100

November and December for their Christmas mission project to raise $5,000 to purchase an ark through Heifer International. One ark provides livestock and training for struggling families worldwide. According to Gjere, the Sunday school children have raised enough funds to purchase one or two arks each year since 2004.

A new project this year is “Meals at the Manger,” in which people are invited to bring nonperishable food items to the manger displayed in the church narthex. The items will be given to the Decorah Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

Senior League youth from Decorah Lutheran, Decorah, wrap Christmas gifts to give to their “adopted families.” >> Continued on page 5

2 Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org “Timeless Message”

Sometimes the world changes more rebellion took place as women great joy rapidly than our ability to adjust to the claimed their full humanity as people for all the changes. We are in one of those times. created in the image of God, and people: to children emerged as something other you is born Within the blink of an eye, the than cheap family labor and security this day global economic center is shifting for the parents’ aging years. But in the in the city from the United States to China and dismantling of what could become an of David India. Our economy is increasingly oppressive and abusive system, we all a Savior, controlled by countries that own our but destroyed the primary community who is the debt and buy our soybeans. No one of civilization—the family. Messiah, took a vote for this to happen. None the Lord.” of us could have stopped it. This is We are now in the process of simply the new reality. reconstructing what it means to be This married and to be family, and we timeless message is our security, our don’t agree with each other. Should hope, our purpose for today and all “Do not be afraid; for see — we return to a romanticized former eternity. I am bringing you good news time or create a new definition while maintaining timeless values of safety, Listen again to the angels singing. of great joy for all the people: love, accountability and nurture? Alleluia! to you is born this day in the There was a time when wars began − Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod city of David a Savior, who is and ended. We gave them names like the 30 years war or 100 years war, the Messiah, the Lord.” though neither lasted the designated number of years. We fought “The Great War” or “The War to End All After centuries of civilization moving Wars.” Then came World War II in Exploring Seminary to create a safe community for order to delineate it from the First Do you know someone who children called “family,” everything World War, or perhaps assuming that is thinking about becoming a changed. We got honest that the there would be more. It was followed leader in God’s church or who façade of “family” was frequently by a police action and a war lost, is discerning a call to public hiding oppression and abuse. A though declared victorious. Now the ministry? If so, please invite them war on terrorism appears to be never to participate in the six-week ending. All the pain, anxiety and fear “Exploring Seminary” online course of any war have become perpetual. to learn more about seminary study and the fundamentals of The days of working for one company theological education. for a lifetime or handing on a family business are all but gone for most The course runs from Jan. Americans. College graduates prepare 2-Feb. 10, 2012, and includes themselves for jobs that have not yet weekly readings and discussion been imagined. Their experience is with other students and very different from mine. I’ve never the professor, Craig Nessan, had to face that much uncertainty. academic dean at Wartburg However, that is the “real world” that Theological Seminary. Cost is now confronts today’s workers. $50. To register or learn more, visit www.wartburgseminary. Nothing is the same….except for edu/template_futurestudents. one thing. “Do not be afraid; for see asp?id=342 or call 563-589-0200. — I am bringing you good news of

DECember 2011 3 He Came Down By Pastor Nancy Larson Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop

ELW Hymn Number 254 is a hymn which I have never and joy are not simple trinkets sung, but I love the profoundly simple lyrics: or glitzy “things.” These gifts of God are powerful and life changing. As we are loved, so Stanza 1: He came down that we may have love (x3) we are empowered to love. (followed by) hallelujah forevermore As God’s light glows in us, we become light for others near Stanza 2: He came down that we may have light (x3) and far. When God’s peace (followed by) hallelujah forevermore fills our hearts, it emanates from us to the world. God’s overpowering joy creates us anew to spread the joyous Stanza 3: He came down that we may have peace (x3) good news in all we say and do.

(followed by) hallelujah forevermore God is a God of and gifts, not as an end in Stanza 4: He came down that we may have joy (x3) themselves, but with a purpose. Our mission, “…should we choose to accept it” is to be the conveyors of these gifts (followed by) hallelujah forevermore to the world. God has given us everything and invites us to join in the great adventure by giving ourselves away for the sake of the world As disciples of Jesus we make use of this season of Advent for God’s gift of Jesus and all that Jesus brings. To download this article or for more stewardship and mission The lyrics of this hymn from Cameroon are clear about support resources, visit www.neiasynod.org/synod_ the magnitude of these gifts from God. Love, light, peace, resources/Stewardship-MissionSupport.asp.

Board of Pensions Name Change

Northeastern Iowa Synod

Bishop Rev. Dr. Steven L. Ullestad - [email protected] Assistants to the Bishop rev. Mark A. Anderson - [email protected] rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts - [email protected] Linda J. Hudgins - [email protected] This winter, the Board of Pensions will start to go by a rev. Nancy J. Larson - [email protected] new name, Portico Benefit Services. The new name is STAR Editors Marcia Hahn - [email protected] intended to help people better understand what the Julie Drewes - [email protected] organization does as the church’s provider of health, The STAR is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod, retirement, disability and survivor benefits and related 201 20th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA 50677-0804; services. www.neiasynod.org, phone 319-352-1414, FAX 319-352-1416.

Send news for the February issue to Marcia Hahn by January 2. Expect to see the new name appear gradually in We welcome story ideas related to the 2012 theme, Strengthening Leaders.

communications over the next year, as they use up Articles in this newsletter may be duplicated for use in synod congregations existing benefits materials. Access to ELCA benefits will and organizations, with credit to the Star newsletter.

not be interrupted during this transition. Please notify the synod office with name and address changes.

4 Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org Christmas Missions... << Continued from page 2 Carrying the Cross for Christmas Last year some 87 families and 216 A is making the rounds in Nashua and Plainfield with a message children from the Belmond area about giving to others at Christmas. Youth from St. John, Nashua, Luther received gifts collected through the League built the five-foot wooden cross and deliver it to St. John members community-wide Belmond Cheer who have not purchased a $10 “insurance policy” preventing it from Fund Christmas Tree. Sponsored by being placed in their front yards. Families can have the cross removed by the Belmond Ministerial Association donating to the “Carrying the Cross for Christmas” benefit to buy Christmas and the local Beta Sigma Phi gifts for children in need from the Nashua-Plainfield area. They can also Society, the Christmas tree is placed choose who should receive the cross next. in a downtown mall area where According to Cathy Haut, who is a Luther League sponsor with Doreen community members can take an Franzen, the cross has already been delivered to more than 20 front ornament tag which lists needed yards in the first four weeks of the project, and generous donations have clothing items for a girl or boy, or a helped keep the cross moving almost daily. Other people in town are suggested toy to give. talking about the project, even collecting donations from neighbors and “We don’t require proof of income members of other churches. from families, but we do ask for an “The youth are having fun moving the cross after school, tracking where estimate of income,” says JoEllen it’s been and how much money it is raising,” Haut says. “They know that the Reynolds, secretary at Trinity, more money we make, the more presents we can buy for the children.” Belmond. “We try to go with trust that they have a need. A family may have a good income, but could have had some large medical bills or other financial difficulties that have put a strain on their budget this year.”

Before the Christmas tree goes up at Bethlehem, Cedar Falls, some 250 stars are displayed on a wall in the church’s social hall. The stars list gift suggestions for North Cedar Elementary School students whose families have been identified by school officials as needing some extra help with Christmas gifts and A wooden cross rests in a St. John, Nashua, family’s front yard as part meals. Bethlehem members buy gifts of the Luther League’s “Carrying the Cross for Christmas” fund-raising project to buy Christmas gifts for area children in need. for the children, and, each family receives a turkey or ham and a box of nonperishable food items and Christmas shopping for their families. household staples. The families pick Free shopping event for parents up their gifts at the church. Struggling families appreciate when The Wartburg students solicit their children receive gifts from financial contributions, which in the “The parents typically have said others, but the Wartburg Holiday past have totaled $10,000, and area they’re so glad to hear their kids are Shoppe takes a different approach organizations and churches sponsor getting something,” says Bethlehem by helping parents give gifts to their giving trees decorated with tags Pastor Gary Hedding. “They don’t own children. Social work students suggesting gifts for more than 540 want anything for themselves; the from Wartburg College work with the children. The students use the cash parents are more interested in things Department of Human Services to donations to shop for appropriate for the kids.” invite some 255 low income families gifts for the children (infants through in Bremer County to a special day of >> Continued on page 6

DECember 2011 5 Christmas Missions... << Continued from page 5

18), in addition to the gifts donated through the giving trees. Redeemer, Waverly, sponsors one of the giving trees and hosts the annual Holiday Shoppe. Redeemer’s giving tree starts with 200 to 300 tags that list age and

Above, social work students from Wartburg College set up the annual Holiday Shoppe at Redeemer Lutheran, Waverly. Left, one of the many giving trees that support the Wartburg Holiday Shoppe.

gender categories of the children who Redeemer’s multi-purpose room need gifts. which opens to families for two days of shopping in early December. Some “It’s always amazing how the tree of the Wartburg students babysit the will be practically stripped bare by children while other students help the congregation members,” says Stephen parents select clothes, toys, games, Main, who coordinates the project for books and other age appropriate items Redeemer. “It’s a pretty neat thing for for their children, all free of charge. parents with kids. The children will ask for tags to pick, and the parents “The room is set up like a big toy can work with their kids to shop for store,” says Lynn Peters, Wartburg the gifts. It’s a good parent/child faculty advisor for the project. “It’s project.” pretty impressive.”

The social work students organize the unwrapped gifts on tables in

Cedar Valley/North Iowa Forum Tri-State Forum Preaching the Lenten Gospels—Year B Jan. 19, 2012 Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 Cruciform Life Abundant, presented by the Rev. Susan 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Briehl, program associate for the Valparaiso Project on St. John Lutheran, Charles City the Education and Formation of People of Faith.

The Rev. Karl N. Jacobson, assistant professor of religion, This program will tap the rich readings and images Augsburg College, Minneapolis, will present this from Lectionary cycle B for preaching during Lent: life overview of preaching Gospel lessons during Lent. found in losing, a temple destroyed for good, beloved Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $25, with lunch darkness pierced by light, a seed of grain fallen and included. In case of bad weather, the event will be fecund, oil poured out for burial and . rescheduled for Jan. 31. For more information or to register, click on the Lifelong To learn more or to pre-register, contact Pastor Irving Learners link at www.wartburgseminary.edu, email Sandberg, 319-352-0181 or [email protected]. [email protected], or call 563-589-0327.

6 Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org Planning for 2012 – Synod Assembly and Annual Meetings

Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregations.pdf Church in America. The executive committee of the synod COMPENSATION GUIDELINES council has approved the following lay To assist your budget planning for congregational representation for the 2012, the 2012 Compensation 2012 synod assembly: Guidelines adopted by the 2011 Synod Assembly are available on the StrengtheningBook of F aithLeaders • The total lay delegation from any congregation be as nearly as synod website at www.neiasynod. possible 50 percent male and 50 org/synod_news/pdf/Comp%20 SYNOD ASSEMBLY percent female. Guide%202012.pdf “Strengthening Leaders” will be the • two voting members elected by theme of the 2012 Synod Assembly, each congregation IRS MILEAGE RATE set for June 8-10 at Wartburg College • plus one youth voting member As of this writing, the Internal in Waverly. elected by each congregation Revenue Service (IRS) has not (must be eligible to vote in their As we prepare to gather in Assembly announced the business mileage rate congregation) around word and sacrament, it’s for 2012. Check the IRS website at important to be aware of the process • plus an additional voting member www.irs.gov for updated information. that brings business items to the for every 750 baptized members, Assembly. All business brought for i.e., 750 = 1 additional, action to voting members of the 1500 = 2 additional, 2250 = 3, TREASURERS MEETING JAN. 21 Assembly is presented in resolution etc. Congregation treasurers will form. Resolutions submitted to You can make a difference as you be gathering to learn and share the Resolutions Committee may elect your congregation’s Assembly on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at come from a voting member of a voting members. And, at your Redeemer Lutheran Church, congregation in the Northeastern Conference Assembly individuals Waverly. Guest speakers will Iowa Synod, a congregation, or a are nominated for synod council, include: conference. A Resolution Submission committees, and churchwide voting Form is enclosed. • Keith D. Oltrogge, CPA, members. As you do so, please pray Denver, on W-2’s and related for the planning and preparation of forms, church payrolls and ELECT SYNOD ASSEMBLY VOTING the Synod Assembly. contributions; MEMBERS • Gayle Haugen, manager, Marketing and Communications Remember to elect synod assembly CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS Special Projects, ELCA Board voting members at your annual A number of amendments were of Pensions, with updates meeting. Constitution *C5.04. states: made to the Model Constitution for including the new on-line bill This congregation shall choose from Congregations of the Evangelical paying capabilities. among its voting members laypersons to Lutheran Church in America by the serve as voting members of the Synod 2011 Churchwide Assembly. A copy , financial committee Assembly, as well as persons to represent of the amendments was enclosed in members, and others are welcome it at meetings of any conference, cluster, the November issue of the Star. They to attend. To register, contact Linda coalition, or other area subdivision of are also available at www.elca.org/~/ J. Hudgins, assistant to the Bishop, which it is a member. The number media/Files/Who%20We%20Are/ 319-352-1414. of persons to be elected by the Office%20of%20the%20Secretary/ congregation and other qualifications Constitutions/PDF/2011%20 − Linda Hudgins shall be as prescribed in guidelines Amendments%20to%20the%20 Assistant to the Bishop established by the Northeastern Iowa Model%20Constitution%20for%20

DECember 2011 7 Celebrate Ecumenical Week of Prayer By Rev. Troy Pflibsen Trinity Lutheran, Belmond

I must admit that I was skeptical. with no previous church affiliation. Lord Jesus When we arrived in the new When I leave town and my Lutheran Christ.” call, church leaders said that the colleague is not available to cover, If you already ecumenical ministerium met for I ask the others in the ministerium participate breakfast every week. My previous because they are the pastors known to in this experience was that we met monthly, Trinity. ecumenical and that required great effort to opportunity, get pastors to come. I attended the This is what we pray for during the great! If not weekly meeting, then skipped a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. this is an invitation to do so, and to couple. I did the same a couple more We pray for a unity of purpose, a build your partnership with others in rounds. Over time I was drawn in unity of ministry. We each bring a your area. both by the level of activity that they distinctive message and a unique shared and by the level of community history to the larger community, but For resources or more information, that developed. the common goals of the proclamation visit the Graymoor Ecumenical & of the gospel and service to our Interreligious Institute website at All of the area social ministry is done neighbor carry us forward together. www.geii.org/wpcu_index.htm. cooperatively through the ecumenical If questions, contact Pastor ministry. We worship together several Please join me in prayer Jan. 18-25, Troy Pflibsen, the Northeastern times each year. Vacation Bible School 2012, that such bonds will grow Iowa Synod LERN Representative was added to the list in 2010. This deeper and richer. The theme for this at 641-444-4149 or year we had far more than the sum annual observance will be “We Will [email protected]. of the parts, with at least 20 children All Be Changed by the Victory of Our

Darrel Gerrietts, assistant to the Bishop, ‘Bread for the Day’ Christmas Blessing the blessing gives “praise for the steadfast The tradition of the evergreen Christmas tree dates back green of this tree” and the “light that centuries and is a centerpiece of Christmas celebrations illumines our darkness.” today. Before Jesus’ birth, ancient Romans brought “It talks about the meaning we’ve always evergreens into their homes and decorated them with had for green representing life, and gifts and ornaments during winter festival to welcome the the evergreen meaning everlasting coming spring and revival of nature’s fruit-bearing season. light,” Gerrietts explains. “That light In the early 16th century, according to legend, Martin illuminates darkness during the 12 days Luther was so impressed with the beauty of the stars of Christmas, all the way through Epiphany. We shining through the snow-laden boughs of an evergreen, welcome the light of Christ in us through faith and prayer that he set up a small fir in his house and decorated it and song.” with candles to symbolize for his children the star-filled sky over Bethlehem. The Bread for the Day Christmas blessing also includes a “Table Prayer for the Twelve Days of Christmas,” and a The “Blessing of the Christmas Tree” on page 405 of the “Blessing of the Nativity Scene.” Gerrietts recommends the 2011 Bread for the Day devotional book is based on these table prayer be used at Christmas dinner and as a daily traditions. The blessing, intended for families to use when meal prayer during the 12 days of Christmas. Families can they put up their Christmas trees or open presents around use the nativity scene blessing when they decorate their them, quotes Psalm 96: 11-13 where trees of the woods homes for Christmas or each time they add a figure to “shout for joy at your coming, O Lord.” According to Pastor their nativity scene through the days of Christmas.

8 Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org New Pectoral Cross Given in Memory of Solveig Gregory

The Northeastern Iowa Synod has received a new Pectoral Cross to be worn as a sign of the Bishop’s calling to serve Christ and his people, and as the sole distinguishing symbol of the office of Bishop. The cross was given in memory of Solveig E. Gregory, who served as a member of the Northeastern Iowa Synod Transition Team more than 20 years ago and who supported and advocated for the mission and ministry of the Northeastern Iowa Synod until her death in January 2011.

At the request of Solveig’s husband, Larry Gregory, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls designated a portion of the gifts given in her memory for this gift to the Northeastern Iowa Synod. The cross is patterned after the pectoral cross of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop. It was presented to Bishop Steven Ullestad Nov. 6 at Bethlehem Lutheran and will be handed on from one bishop to the next throughout the history of the synod.

A formal dedication of the cross will take place at the Synod Assembly in June 2012.