WEST MIDDLETON LUTHERAN CHURCH

ePioneer

JULY 2023

From the Pastor's Desk

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...” and the writer of Ecclesiastes continues to lift up the various times and seasons of our lives.

We have reached a new season here at WMLC and there are some changes which we are going to have to consider and work through.

The first is that we have been approached by The Well Church (formerly Metro Believers) about sharing building space. They would use the Koinonia Room for worship, some classrooms for small gatherings, and would have a dedicated office for the pastor. The Leadership Team has met with leaders from The Well several times during June to discuss what this would look like and how it would work. They have been fruitful conversations with compromise and negotiation by both parties. We have reached the point in the conversation that we want to involve you, members of WMLC.

We are inviting you to a Question-and-Answer session this month to get your input about this opportunity. See below for an article which contains the details of the Q and A session.

Leadership Team feels like this is a ministry opportunity to work with another congregation who needs space to continue to share the gospel to their congregation and the community.

The second change that is coming to WMLC is that our Administrative Assistant, Rebecca, has accepted a new job. She is leaving WMLC to pursue a great opportunity at the University of Wisconsin as an Administrative Assistant. She has been a wonderful asset here at WMLC, and I certainly am going to miss her. Her years of experience, her expertise, and her engaging personality will indeed be missed.

The Personnel Team will be meeting to discuss how we want to fill this hole left by her leaving. There is opportunity for us to refigure the job description and enhance how the Administrative Assistant functions. Stay tuned as we reimagine what this position will look like going forward.

Change brings some anxiety and uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity and the potential for growth. I invite you to continue to pray for the Leadership Team and the whole church as we navigate our future sharing the gospel in this time and place.

Blessings,

Pastor C

Top Ten Ways to Help WMLC during July

Pray!
Don't forget to keep attending church this summer, or watch our livestream on Sunday mornings!
Help out in the church office this summer; more information coming soon!
Attend the congregational forum on July 16 to learn more about the possibility of sharing space with The Well
Put on your best grubby clothes for Grubby Sunday on July 16.
Sign up to serve lunch at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on July 21.
Check out our new fellowship sign up and commit to provide fellowship one Sunday in the next quarter.
Join Pastor Connie at Capital Brewery on July 25 for Pub Theology and enjoy an informal discussion about anything theology!
Pick up some extra non-perishable foods and donate to our Food Pantry box. Items will be divided between WayFoward Resources and St. Mark's Food Pantry.
Remember to generously give so that we can continue to share the gospel in our time and place.

Congregational Forum on July 16

The Leadership Team is calling a congregational forum on July 16 to present a proposal for sharing/renting our building with The Well, another local congregation. This will be a question-and-answer session. If you have any questions before the forum, please contact Tim Harms.

A Farewell from Rebecca

Dear WMLC,

It has been my joy to serve as your administrative assistant for the past eight years. Unfortunately, my time here is coming to a close. I have accepted a new job at UW-Madison and my final day in the church office will be Thursday, July 20. I appreciate the love and support I (and my family!) have received from you, and WMLC will always have a special place in my heart. I wish you all the best as you continue to love and serve the community around you, and I am thankful to have been part of it, even for a short time.

Keep an eye out in the next week or two for opportunities to help out in the church office over the next couple of months. Leadership and Personnel Teams will be meeting and will keep you informed as needed.

Blessings,

Rebecca Carlson

Pastor Connie on Vacation

Pastor Connie will be on vacation July 3-12. If you have a pastoral emergency during this time, please contact the church office. Rev. Jason Hill will lead our worship service on Sunday, July 9.

From the Infrastructure Team: Church Clean Out

It's time to tidy up the church! We have had a dedicated group of members help purge the church building of extra and unnecessary items. We are hoping to rehome as many as possible, and we need your help! After worship on July 2 and 9 you will be able to review the items and decide if you would like to take any of them. After worship on July 9 and 16, you will be able to take those items home. Whatever is left over will be donated.

If an item that you use on a regular basis has been placed in the "to go" pile, please let George Jambor or Carolyn Ridgely know. Please contact George Jambor ([email protected]; 815-354-9932) with any questions.

The church office will be closed July 3-4 in observance of Independence Day. Normal office hours will resume Wednesday, July 5.

Join Us for Grubby Sundays this Summer!

July 16

August 20

September 24

October 15

Support Our Local Food Pantries

With school getting out for the summer, WayForward Resources (formerly MOM) and St. Mark’s Food Pantries will need your help. Many children will be home for the summer so there will be households that will have to provide more meals for their families.

Our food pantry box has been pretty empty for quite some time so next time you go to the grocery store pick up an extra can of soup, box of mac n cheese, ramen noodles, box of cereal or oatmeal or any other non-perishable food item.

Let’s help keep food on the shelves for these food pantries. Also, don’t forget to drop off your extra paper or plastic grocery bags. The pantries use these to distribute food.

God’s Blessings,

Human Concerns Team

Pub Theology Summer Location

Pub Theology is moving for the summer! Join Pastor Connie at Capital Brewery in Middleton on Tuesday, July 25, from 6-8 p.m. Bring your own food and enjoy an informal discussion about anything theology. This gathering will be a less structured version of the gatherings at the Thirsty Goat. Please join us!

Thank You from Triangle Ministry

Dear Friends from West Middleton Lutheran,

Thank you for making last night's Monday Meal a success! What a joy to have a group that is organized, has plenty of good food, and loves to serve!

Everything ran smoothly from the time you arrived until the time you left. It was good to see many of you sitting down with residents and I could tell from the way you interacted with them there and during the serving line that you sincerely enjoyed making conversation and connections. Thanks to Jane for sharing her organizational gifts in planning the evening.

Forty-nine residents signed in last night, so we served at least that many - possibly a couple more - and even had some left for those seemingly inevitable late-comers. The desserts were delicious. The fruit salads were refreshing and beautiful. And although I only got to taste the potato salad and the beans from the scrapings of the empty serving dishes, it was enough to know that they were top notch. Thank you for everything. It was a wonderful evening and we look forward to seeing you back again later this year.

Blessings and thanks,

Deacon Meg Nielsen

Friday Meals at St. Mark's

WMLC has committed to assist with Friday Meals at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church this summer. We are looking for 2-3 people to help on July 21. The time commitment is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A signup sheet is on the kiosk in the lobby. Please contact Karen Zimmerman ([email protected]) with any questions.

Easy Ways to Help WMLC!

Each Sunday morning, a group of volunteers makes our service and fellowship run smoothly. It is a small but necessary part of life at WMLC, and you are invited to join! We are specifically looking for volunteers to run our A/V system, but we can also always use lectors, ushers, greeters, acolytes, and fellowship providers. Contact Rebecca in the church office if you are able to help!

WayForward

Food Pantry Top 10

Mac and Cheese
Hamburger or Tuna Helper
Canned Chicken or Tuna
Basmati, Jasmine, or White Rice
Masa
Noodles (any kind)
Pasta (spaghetti) sauce
Canned Beans (all varieties)
Canned fruit (all varieties)
Condiments (any kind)

WayForward Resources is also accepting donations of seasonal clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, and kitchen items. You can find more information on their website:

Clothing Center Info

WayForward Resources is looking for volunteers to assist in their food pantry, clothing center, and deliver groceries (can be a one-time commitment or recurring). Volunteers ages 12-15 are welcome if accompanied by an adult; ages 16 and older may volunteer independently. For more information, please visit the WayForward website.

July 1

Lindsay Rothering

July 2

Ruth Koberle

July 3

Pastor Connie

July 5

Caleb Johnson

July 6

Scarlet Pentinmaki

Kasey Rothering

July 8

Richard Sachse

July 9

Herb Pikoske

July 10

Duane Kittleson

Sophie Wilde

July 11

Mary Duckwitz

July 12

Paige Plooster

July 13

Tim Griswold

Pat Kusenberger

July 15

Bruce Emden

July 21

Ethel Furry

July 23

Ben Bremer

Maddie Bremer

July 25

Emily Stormer

July 26

Anezka Helmers

July 28

Brad Mueller

Contact WMLC

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Full Monthly Calendar

South-Central Synod of WI website