Council Highlights - November 2024

Hello Gethsemane! Awhile back I offered to fill in as Council President because of being familiar with the call process. Since then the duties have become more than expected and was having an effect on me. I realized I was burned out and needed to step aside, and this is what I have done.

Mary Horan has agreed to step in for me and I know she will do an outstanding job. I will stay on the council and will continue to work with the committees I am involved with. I would

Council Highlights - October 2024

Hello Gethsemane,

This past month at Council we heard reports from various ministry teams, Pastors reports and financial reports. We also had updates on progress of repairs to the fellowship hall, a future family fun night, new member Sunday, Confirmation Sunday, Reformation Sunday and possible security updates at church. A new church directory is in the works, please keep an eye out on how to join in on it! Sam Teff, chair of the Call Committee, gave us an update on their

Council Highlights - September 2024

September is always busy, but so good to reconnect after summer.

September 8th, our New Orleans Youth Gathering Team hosted our worship service. Each one shared their personal experience, plus we were treated to highlights of their trip on a slide show at coffee. Thank you to all that contributed to make this trip a reality.

September 15th, Welcome Back Sunday. Sunday School registration took place, we also celebrated the completion of our “Raise the Roof” campaign. Again, t

Council Highlights - August 2024

Hello everyone!

A busy council meeting this month along with the usual reports and business; there were several other things to discuss and plan. Plans were made for Summer Fun Night (already been held by the time you read this) and for Welcome Back/Rally Sunday which will be held on Sunday, September 15th.

Changes in programming in Youth and Confirmation areas were discussed so look for information regarding these areas to be out soon. 

The roof project is nearing an end an

Council Highlights - July 2024

Happy Summer!

Your church council was busy this month with business of Gethsemane. At our meeting we heard financial reports, reports from various ministry teams and discussed old and new business. Lots of things are happening at Gethsemane! 

In August alone we are having Vacation Bible School (held at Our Saviors this year), the Rock the Block picnic and Family Fun night. I hope you and your family can join in with these activities. 

Progress continues with the roof

Council Highlights - June 2024

Hello Gethsemane! 

Reporting on this month’s council meeting seems pretty mundane after the past couple of weeks. I hope that all of you who had water in your basement are progressing with your clean-up. Our church, too, received water. Through the amazing efforts of a number of people, the Fellowship Hall carpet has been removed along with ruined carpets throughout the basement and all other damaged property. Bruce is in contact with our insurance carrier regarding our cla

Council Highlights - May 2024

Hello all!

Your council has been hard at work during this time of transition. Meetings have been held with two Interim Pastors and they will begin work at Gethsemane on June 10th, with installation on June 16th. We look forward to the leadership and guidance of Pastor Mark Holman and Pastor Marion Rova. We are lucky and blessed to have them here. 

I attended the first meeting of the Call Committee as their work begins in the search for a called Pastor. Thank you to the memb

Council Highlights - April 2024

Greetings everyone! A change has occurred in the church council. Due to the time involved with her job and the time involved in a search for a new Pastor, Molly has resigned as council president. Thanks to her for serving as president and her leadership.

The church constitution instructs the council to elect a new president from its ranks. Having been a part of this process before, I have accepted that role. As most of you know, this can be quite a challenging time and

Council Highlights - March 2024

We are truly blessed to have a mild winter. Feels like spring is here in March! I should not speak too soon.

Everyone should be aware that significant work has been accomplished by your council members for excellent pulpit coverage for March through April and likely into May as we continue to work with the Synod in calling for an interim pastor and exploring options for a permanent pastor down the road. Our congregation will need to open our minds to options and be flexibl

Council Highlights - February 2024

We have recently said farewell to Pastor Amy and are grateful for her time and all she has done for our congregation. However, have no fear/worries as God works in wonderful ways and we will continue to thrive. So, let’s move forward and get energized about the future!

The council has been diligently working with Deacon Susan Williams and others from the MN Northeastern Synod, ELCA to search for our interim pastor. In the meantime, we are blessed to have coordinated excelle

Council Highlights - December 2023

December was a busy month for most of us and we honored our tradition to hold a Christmas gathering for the council members. This was a lovely and enjoyable way to end our 2023 year of work/meetings for our congregation.

Blessings to all for the new year, hard to believe it is 2024!

Let us all continue doing God’s work for our church and community.

“But Those Who Hope In The Lord Will Renew Their Strength.

They Will Soar On Wings Like Eagles; They Will Run And Not Grow

Council Highlights - November 2023

Hope everyone had a lovely and Blessed Thanksgiving with family/friends. We are now entering December with the celebrations of Christ’s birth remembering with awe and gratitude of this miracle! 

For Advent, Pastor Amy has made the theme “Pause, Prepare, Praise, Ponder” for each Sunday service focusing on one of these theme words. 

We have had a wonderful couple months of turnout of worshippers at Sunday services which is always invigorating to see our fellow saints i

Council Highlights - October 2023

Happy Halloween to all....we continue to see God's beautiful color/weather changes...cozy/hygge times!!

Ministry teams reports:

Property: Tom Lee reported that we replaced one of our church toilets. We now have a bid/estimate for our leaking roof and will need to proceed but must wait until Spring due to timing.

Generosity: Thank you for your donations to Stock-tober and your loose change/cash for the medical debt relief donation!

Stay tuned as we will have our church's 60th a

Council Highlights - September 2023

Greetings to my fellow Gethsemane brothers and sisters. We had a wonderful Rally Sunday that included the auspicious 60th anniversary celebration of our church, when two Lutheran churches came together to form Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Loved the T-shirts in celebration of this event and soon we will be receiving photos as well !

The Ministry teams reported on the following:

Generosity team is undertaking the serving and making of bag lunches (second Saturdays of each mont

Council Highlights - August 2023

Hoping everyone is enjoying the remaining few summer days before we head into our beautiful fall season.

Children/Youth/Family Team (Char M. & Cindy L.) had an awesome turn-out with children from Our Savior's, Peace United Methodist, and our congregation for the VLM Bible Camp. Huge thank you to all the volunteers from Camp Vermillion, Char, Cindy and Donna Flannigan for help in providing the lodging/hosting of the Vermillion camp volunteers. Look forward to this excell