Tidings 12/09/21

A Message from Pastor Amy

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, I had the pleasure of spending time with colleagues at my monthly Conference meeting. We meet at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn. Eight ELCA Pastors from southern Jefferson and Walworth counties meet to learn, talk, worship, and pray. Today one member of the group lead us in a time of Advent devotion and prayer. The reflection he read said something like, “Who we are on the day after Christmas says more about us than the days leading up to it.”

Wow.

Sometimes a simple sentence really gets to the heart of things. I love Advent. I love Christmas! But without a holiday on the horizon, what does my faith look like?

If it isn’t Christmastime, how do people around us know we believe in Jesus Christ? Are we generous with our time and resources throughout the year? Do we decorate in special ways? Volunteer to ring bells or help at the food pantry to celebrate Mother’s Day? Do we pop in on the neighbors with a plate of cookies in August?

Traditionally, non-profit organizations get a boost of volunteers this time of year. Sometimes there are more people than jobs to do! Traditionally, churches and other non-profits receive a financial boost in December. End of year giving saves many a budget! Traditionally, church attendance rises between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s wonderful to see so many dear people!

But what is our year-round faith life like? “Who we are on the day after Christmas says more about us than the days leading up to it.” I’m going to have to figure out who wrote that and then buy the book! Meanwhile, I’m pondering this question and hope you will too.

In this season of Advent, I pray our faith takes root in us in new ways. I pray we enter into renewed practices of generosity and volunteering and neighborliness 365 days a year. In these ways, we will show our faith in Jesus.

In peace,

Pastor Amy

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Little Free Pantry

As of Jan. 1 we will have an opening for the first and third Tuesdays of the month. We also need someone to fill the Little Pantry on the first and third Thursdays of the month for January through April while someone is gone. If you are able to help either or both of those Tuesdays or Thursdays, please contact Becky Tuttle (bjtuttle@charter.net) or Polly Schull (pollya@charter.net).

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign

The Fort Atkinson Salvation Army 2021 Kettle campaign is actively seeking new volunteers to ring this Christmas season. Each volunteer rings for 1 hour time slots. We are looking to fill slots Saturday, Dec. 12, and Saturday Dec. 18. We have a.m. and p.m. slots available. We will be ringing at Pick N Save and Festival Foods in Fort. Please feel free to contact Julie Ihlenfeld at 920-728-3920 or Jill Johnson 262-993-3701 for additional details and to schedule a slot.

In 2020, our volunteers in Fort Atkinson, collected over $6,711.00. Eighty-six percent of all the money collected remains in Jefferson County and is used throughout the year to assist Jefferson County residents who are in need.

Snow Tubing/Fellowship Event

Sunburst Winter Sports Park, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

$18 per Person Group Tubing Rate

For 2 Hours of FUN (Bring Family & Friends)

More Information & Sign-Up in late December

Fellowship Event at Fireside Theatre

We have reserved a group of tickets at the Fireside Theatre to see The Church Basement Ladies in “A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement” on May 15, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. Contact the church office if you are interested in reserving a spot! More information to follow as we get closer to the date.

Hiking/Snow Shoe/Fellowship Event

Sunday, Jan 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., meet at the Dorothy Carnes Park East parking lot on Jones Lane just off of Banker Road, north of Fort Atkinson.

At the entrance, visitors will notice a log cabin restoration project in progress along with multiple farmstead buildings. There are groomed trails with restroom facilities. This is also the trailhead for two walk-in, rustic camping sites. Existing Facilities – Parking lot, trails, shelter, electricity, hand pump, picnic tables, restrooms, benches, observation deck, woods, prairie, grassland and wetland when not covered by snow.

Bring a water bottle, trekking poles or walking stick if you have/want them, snacks in case you need an energy pickup, winter jacket, hat, gloves and/or sunglasses. You may want to bring “Yak Tracks” for your boots or snow shoes.

We’ll be hiking about 2-3 miles in the 514 acre conservation park.

Any questions, please contact Aurelio at callopeAnD86@gmail.com or 262-490-4923.

Reaching Out Respite

Volunteers needed! Training provided. Call Maise at (920) 723-7288 if interested. Respite meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (a.m./p.m. shifts available).

Prayers Requested For . . .

Terry Badura, Jeremy Barnes, Dan Burke, Keith Burrow, Kim and Ryan Clarksen, Jamie Dassow, Janice Garrett, Helen Haase, Curtis Hoffer, Sarah Jones, Linda Keene, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lange, Keith LaPointe, Barb Manwaring, Ken and Doris, Gary and Debbie Neumann, Pam Nicholas, Violet Prust, Jim Rinden, Harold Rumppe, John Sanders, Ruth Smithback, Harley Stokstad, Olaf Stokstad, Roger Strege, Keith Woods, Marilyn Young, Dan 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!