Tidings 08/05/21

A special letter to Trinity from the Synod office

I began my position at the Synod office in March of this year. It has been enjoyable to get to know the congregations, the communities, and listen in on the many beautiful things that are happening across the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. One of those beautiful things has been the dreaming up of this Associate position at Trinity in Fort Atkinson. Members of your congregation have graciously stepped into a call committee to focus on the needs of Trinity, your community and beyond and it will show in the Ministry Site Profile that they are so diligently working on.

Not only is there an Associate Pastor position that will be filled but a Campus Ministry position as well. We’ve had some ideas on what this position would be like but realized early on that we need as many people as possible in the community involved to make sure not only the candidate is set up well, but the ministry is too. Pastor Amy was able to connect with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fort Atkinson and get them excited about the Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry possibility. Mother Mindy, Rector at St. Peter’s, quickly became ecstatic about this possibility of joining together, which in turn excited Pastor Amy and myself that this really can be a ‘thing.’

Upon digging up some history and looking at what has been done, Mother Mindy found that the Episcopal church has monies that are available and allocated for Campus Ministry that will help grow the ministry. The Episcopal church will be able to create a contract with the support of a steering committee/campus ministry board members that will align well with the associate position being made available at Trinity. This is exciting news for so many reasons. This partnership has allowed us to look at this position in a more ecumenical way.

Once a person is called to the position at Trinity in Fort Atkinson, they will already have support of not only your congregation but your community and ecumenical partners like St. Peter’s. It really is a beautiful thing. Ecumenical partners are crucial in the world we are living in today. It allows us to cultivate relationships with all people, learn from one another, listen differently, and pay attention to the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Members of Trinity, know and trust that we in the Synod office are praying alongside of you all. We are praying for the future candidate for Associate Pastor at Trinity, for the love and care that they will bring to your congregation and community and for the Campus Ministry aspect to flourish, grow and become exactly what God intends it to be.

Together in Ministry,

Marie Leafblad
Associate to Bishop for Leadership

Vaccine Clinic at Trinity

Hi Trinity,

I hope this message finds you well. Thank you for partnering with us on the mobile clinic on Monday, July 26. We enjoyed getting to know your membership. The most heartwarming moment was a young boy with down syndrome who told us he was going to be brave so he could get the shot. Our staff were all in tears. The last person who walked in the clinic mentioned that she was very apprehensive to get the vaccine and did not feel comfortable in healthcare settings. After leaving the mobile clinic, she thanked us for our patience, kindness, and care. It was a great way to end the clinic and we look forward to returning on Aug. 16. We vaccinated 7 people at the clinic. Below is the break down.

1st Pfizer – 6 doses
Jassen – 1 dose

Health experts stress that vaccination against COVID-19 will help us all return to our more normal lives because herd immunity will help protect all of our neighbors and loved ones. COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are increasing in Wisconsin and across the US. In fact, 99% of people hospitalized in the U.S. with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. We appreciate your commitment to helping get Wisconsinites vaccinated!

All the best,
Kesha Bozeman
Vaccine Outreach

Next clinic will be Aug. 16, from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. All vaccine options are available! No appointment necessary.

Coffee Hour

Starting Aug. 22, join Pastor Amy on the patio after worship for a time of fellowship and coffee! All are welcome! Masks are optional, but encouraged.

Semi-Annual Meeting 8/29

On Aug. 29 there will be a semi-annual congregational meeting after worship. Part of that meeting will be electing four council members. Two current members are up for reelection (Jeanne Stark and Eric Lonsdale). The bios for the proposed members are below. Materials for the meeting will be available starting Aug. 15.

Eric Huth

I’ve worked over 30 years as an actuary (achieving the designation of Fellow of the Society of Actuaries) with American Family, Assurant Health and most recently Milliman Inc. My wife Kay and I joined Trinity Lutheran in 2017. I’d like to join the church council to leverage my financial background for the benefit of Trinity Lutheran and because Kay wants me out of the house.

Mark Gustin

Mark grew up in northwest Iowa and received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wyoming. He was a classroom teacher and coach for 10 years, in Iowa then Idaho, where he met his wife Pam, also a classroom teacher.

Mark took a position in educational publishing moving them to the Twin Cities for 3 years. He worked in sales, consultation and professional development, covering all of eastern MN and the northern 2/3’s of Wisconsin. In 2001 he transferred to southern WI with Pam accepting a teaching position in the Fort Atkinson school district.

In 2009, Mark made a career change, following his passion for teaching and coaching into the world of financial planning. He has been with Baird since 2010, loves his job, and especially the opportunity it provides to work with and help a wide variety of people.

Mark and Pam have 3 children, Gracie 18, Gabe 15, and Garrison 13 and have been members of Trinity since 2010 (we think?). Fort Atkinson is their home, where they have raised their children, and where they intend to retire.

Trinity welcomed them with open arms, has supported them through some difficult times, and has been a part of their lives for over 10 years. The church and its members have given much and Mark sees the council as an opportunity to give back.

Eric Lonsdale

Eric is running for his second, 3 year term on the council. He has been a member of Trinity for the last 30 years and has participated in the life of the church as a member of the handbell choir, a Sunday school teacher, Assistant Minister, and a volunteer at numerous events. He is currently the Council President, after taking over as Interim President last year. Eric has enjoyed being a part of the council for the past 3 years and is looking forward to where our church is headed in these post-pandemic years.

Jeanne Stark

I am Jeanne Stark and joined Trinity in 2013. My professional training was as a registered nurse and later in my career as a nursing home administrator. I have been active in Trinity serving on the Ministry Team in the Hospitality role and most recently filling a partial term on Church Council and serving as secretary. It would be a honor and privilege to be elected to a full term and be able to continue to work with a committed group of fellow Council members dedicated to our Christian work and the future of Trinity.

New Member Class Starting Soon

Do you attend Trinity but aren’t a member yet? Are you interested in becoming a member? We will have a new members class coming soon! More information about the class will be available soon!

Thank you!

Thank you to Laurel Ruud, Becky Tuttle, Polly Schull, Stephanie Beran, Meg Kessler, and Wendy Chady for deep cleaning the church on July 28!

Ruth Circle

It has been a year of challenges and changes, trying to find our way back to gathering as people of faith. Ruth Circle would like to invite anyone who would be interested in joining us for Bible Study starting on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. in the Hearth Room.

We hope that you would consider joining us in September. Any questions you may contact Stephanie Beran at sfberan@charter.net or her cell phone 920-723-4867.

This Sunday, Aug. 8

Rally Day 2021

This year Rally Day lines up with the ELCA “God’s Work. Our Hands” Day of Service. Our congregation will soon engage in service work right here in our community. We are one of over 9,100 congregations participating in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, on Sept. 12. Across the country, thousands of members will engage in service work to make a positive change in our communities, build and deepen relationships and share God’s love. Join us as we do God’s work with our hands!

Service projects include:

Painting the porch of the David Gallup House
Cleaning up Haumerson’s Pond
Making tie blankets for Operation Linus

LWR Projects Update

PERSONAL CARE KITS
To date we have collected and packed 36 Personal Care Kits. Thank you. We will continue to accept these kits until Sept. 12, 2021.

SCHOOL CARE KITS
The coronavirus crisis has not slowed down the need for School Kits. In fact, LWR can’t keep up with the demand. At present time we have 30 complete school kits and extra supplies to complete more of these kits. If you would prefer to donate supplies, we could use pencil sharpeners, scissors, notebooks and rulers.

We will continue to collect school kits and school supplies until September 12, 2012. Our delivery date to Madison is on the 18th of September.

So many thanks to you all.

Personal Care Kits

One lightweight bath-size towel (20×40 or 52×27) dark colors
Two bath-size bars of soap equaling 8-9 oz. in original wrapping
One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging
One sturdy comb, remove packaging
One metal nail clippers, remove packaging

School Kits Four

Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled paper
One 30-cm ruler on one side with inches on the other
One pencil sharpener
One pair of blunt scissors
Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers secure with a rubber band
One box of 16 or 24 crayons
One 2 1/2 inch eraser

Pastor Amy Out of Office

Pastor Amy will be out of the office Aug. 9-15. Pastor Dan Dibbert will be preaching on Aug. 12 and 15. Pastor Dan will also be available for emergencies during that week.

REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2021
GRADES 4K – 6

Click to register

Prayers Requested For . . .

Terry Badura, Wayne Behselich, Ron and Marian Capek, Diane Carter, Don Clark, Chris Falk, Ethel Fischer, Nick and Marisa Fluture, Helen Haase, Ron Kemmerling, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lange, Joy Lee, Barb Manwaring, Messler Family, Dan Morrow, Pam Nicholas, Debbie Pierce, Violet Prust, Harold Rumppe, John Sanders, Ruth Smithback, Olaf Stokstad, Bonnie Strege, Nancy Streich, Ken Strese, John Toso, Cheryl Tumberello, Don Wessely, Kay Woods, Keith Woods, Tony and Debbie Zick.

Do you have a prayer concern? Email the prayer force at prayerforcetlc@gmail.com. People will gladly pray for you or your loved one with their whole hearts!