On Sunday, August 29, 2021, an important hybrid congregational meeting will be held at 10:30 AM. Recommended Council action is a motion to be voted on at this meeting: “To approve moving forward with a loan from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund for the repair and replacement of roof shingles, treatment and painting of the outdoor cross tower and upgrading audio and video technology in the sanctuary.” There will be one worship service at 9 AM on August 29, followed by the meeting at 10:30. Members may attend the meeting in-person in the sanctuary or via a Zoom at home.

 

Your present Congregational Council, when elected in January, was alerted to several “can’t wait” capital projects for the upkeep of the building and the need to upgrade an aging audio and video system. Working closely with the Property Committee and a newly formed Technology Task Force, the projects have been prioritized as to importance, and outdated bid requests re-issued. Underlying the process were intense discussions on how to fund the projects. As we slowly return to in-person gatherings, and beginning ministry with a newly called pastor, the mechanics of a capital fund campaign was not practical or appropriate. We were led to seek funding through the Mission Investment Fund as a “loan” against our future. Being led by the Spirit of God, we anticipate that we will have a capital fund campaign in the near future as we discover our new “normal.”

 

Working closely with the Property Committee and the newly formed Technology Task Force, projects were prioritized from a list of “needs” and “wants.” The most crucial need is to replace an older section of the roof that is at least 40 years old. Because the church is a considered a commercial building, old shingles must be removed. Several bids have been received by the Property Committee; it is hopeful that work can be completed before inclement fall weather. The outdoor cross tower, made of pressure-treated wood, was built to last for many years with the proper sealing and painting. In the past the Property Committee has done the work, but this has become a high risk for this group. Reviewing bids from several contractors, the Property Committee is recommending that the cross tower be power-washed, paint stripped, sealed and re-painted.

 

About 18 years ago an audio-visual system was designed for the sanctuary. During the past few years this system has shown its age with incompatible microphones, assisted hearing devices and speakers unable to function in the worship setting without serious issues. In addition, with the past year of virtual worship services, the need for an enhanced audio and visual system is now crucial to continue to be a hybrid church. Updated, improved technology will allow this congregation to enhance its mission and focus in an exciting way. Thanks to Katie Vaage, Wes Lewis and Matthew Lee for their due diligence in leading and re-visiting prior technology proposals for our new needs.

 

A letter is being sent to all voting families of this congregation outlining the projects and the funding mechanism plans in greater detail. There will also be two informational sessions: Sunday, August 22 at 9:45, between services, in the Bethlehem Room; a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, August 25 at 7 PM.

 

 If you have further questions about the proposals, how it will be funded, or meeting logistics, do not hesitate to contact Mary Rickerd, Congregation President.

 

Many greetings to all women of King of Glory! You are invited to a Quilt-In to be held on Saturday, September 11^th from 10:00 – 3:00 at King of Glory. The quilters have been furiously working to create beautiful quilts and have many, many tops that need to be batted, backed, tied and bound so that they can be shipped around the world through Lutheran World Relief.

Our first community free meal in 18 months was a big success. We served 47 meals between those who ate at the picnic and those who chose to take their food home. Everyone enjoyed being back together. Lots of our regulars showed up and there were several new people including 3 of our gardeners and Carolyn Watts. We set the tables up under the trees and had a cool breeze so no one got too hot. We also had 16 workers helping with the prep, serving and cleanup. This was wonderful since we individually wrapped everything we were serving except the potato salad. That would have been a mess. We want to give a big thank you to the Meridian Food Bank for providing the ham and turkey breast along with the King Hawaiian rolls we made our sliders out of. Nothing was left but some of the turkey breast which the Sandwich Sunday group will use up when they start back up on August 15. Our next free meal will be on Saturday, August 28. I will be posting the volunteer sheet on the bulletin board by the Fellowship Hall.

Please sign up to help. It’s lots of fun!

Update for our group!

Reminder that we will be skipping book club this coming Saturday, Aug. 7th and reconvening on Sept. 11th for A Women of No Importance.

We will resume on Sept. 11th with A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. Lois Wisner is the lead for this book.

The New Americans Task Force is disappointed to tell the generous members of King of Glory that we were not able to send our New American students to Luther Heights this year. With the increase in COVID cases, we were concerned about asking members to drive the students to camp. Some of the students can't be vaccinated because they are under 12 and others are in the process of being vaccinated. Thank you so much, on behalf of the New American students, for your generous donations of items for the camp. You can pick up your items, or we could keep them for next year. We hope to arrange transportation next year for the New American students to go to Luther Heights.

  On Sunday, August 22 we will have a backpack blessing for any youth going to school. Please come at either the 9 a.m. worship or the 10:30 worship for this blessing

   If you are a teacher, please bring your bag or briefcase to be blessed as we start another school year.

   Please come to worship on August 22 and then at 9:45 we will have a Question and Answer meeting about the agenda items for the Congregational Meeting on Aug 29.

   Pastor Connie

On July 18 one of our congregants tested positive for COVID. This person did not attend worship on July 18. However, this person did attend worship on July 11. The person was masked at this service.  Please continue to wear your mask to our In-Person Worship Services.

If you have questions about this situation please call Pastor Connie 970-222-8394.