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Quarantine Fatigue
If you've found yourself no longer disinfecting your hands as often as you once did, or becoming less vigilant about heading outside your home, or even daring to hug your grandchildren, you're not alone. You are suffering from quarantine fatigue. Three months ago, the threat of the corona virus was new and urgent, but now, after experiencing so many losses and unfulfilled expectations, you are weary. You're tired and feeling empty.
That is exactly how the sanctuary of the church feels these days as well. In preparation for the return to in-person
worship services, the pews have been emptied of hymnals, pencils, envelopes and cards. We don't know exactly when service will resume, but we know that some things will have to be different.
The situation across Minnesota in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic, closures, and social distancing are changing. Churches are now allowed to open to 50% of capacity. That is a pretty daunting task when we haven't held a worship service in our space in three months and no changes have been made. This is why the Church Council has chosen to follow a slower, more intentional opening plan. We will continue to embrace the guidelines of both the CDC and the Governor of Minnesota's Executive Order, as well as the recommendation of the ELCA Minneapolis Bishop. One additional principle is equally important for the life and health of the congregation. We need to be able to offer a meaningful on-line alternative to in-person worship.
In the meantime, the church staff is preparing for the possibility of offering a mid-week evening worship service beginning in July. We hope this will serve as a good transition between completely on-line and in-person service- especially for those who will need to remain quarantined for the foreseeable future. Things will have to be different; social-distancing, and disinfecting will have be observed and practiced.
Through all that we have experienced, we are grateful for your resilience and support. We will make it through this together, and one day together, we will praise God's for his faithfulness.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
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ASI Spelmanslag and Guest Musicians
Although midsummer sounds like July or August in the US, it is celebrated in June in Scandinavia. It is the time when the days are long and the colors of sea and forest are vibrant. Traditional fiddlers in costume from the
American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag will perform for our
9:30 am Virtual Worship Service on
Father's Day, June 21st. They will perform traditional fiddle tunes. Soloist
Deb Gilroy will also provide special music, in addition to guest musicians
Marikay and Paul Dahlin.
The Chorus will sing favorite Swedish hymns, including
Children of the Heavenly Father
, and
How Great Thou Art.
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Council Action and SBA Government Loan
As we all continue to grapple with the many impacts of COVID-19 on our lives, the Church Council is doing the same for LOTI, and is paying particularly close attention to the church finances. Along those lines, the Council is pleased to report that LOTI was recently approved for a loan under the new federal Paycheck Protection Program. These funds are intended primarily to help LOTI maintain its current staffing levels and staff pay levels, and the loan itself is forgivable if the funds are used for this purpose in the next two months, which is the council's intention. Like most churches, LOTI faces significant economic uncertainty in these unprecedented times, and we are grateful for this assistance, particularly as we head into the summer months, which tend to be lean even in the best of years. If you have questions about LOTI's participation in this program, please feel free to contact
Pastor Haug
,
Chanda Olson,
Council President or
Ross Bartels,
Council Treasurer.
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LOTI Virtual Worship Services Our virtual services premiere each Sunday at 9:30 am on our YouTube channel. The videos remain for subsequent viewing, as well.
For the corresponding worship service bulletin go to: loti.org > Resources > Worship Service Bulletins
Special thanks to Joseph LaMere for filming, editing and uploading our videos, We couldn't do it without you!
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Virtual Coffee Hour On Sunday, May 31, we launched Coffee Hour on Zoom. If you would like to take part in the future, contact Linda Nelson, Michelle McCreery, or Cindy Huttner. We will break into smaller groups if numbers allow.
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Trevor and Sarah Skorburg, both from Illinois, were married in November. Trevor is a student at Luther Seminary and Sarah will begin a master's program at Augsburg University. They will be serving as our resident caretakers for the next two years.
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Introducing Our New Caretakers ~ Trevor and Sarah Skorburg
In
January 2020, the
Church Council authorized work to begin on the 3rd floor apartment. We were not exactly sure how this space would be used, but it was clear that it needed to be renovated in order to even begin the process of
imagining it use. It was clear, however, that it was a wonderful, bright space and was an important asset for the church. In conversations with the
Luther Seminary in St. Paul, we became aware of the need for affordable married student housing.
Changing demographics and finances had forced the Seminary to sell its married students apartment. For the Church Council, this need for housing, seemed to be a perfect match for the newly renovated 3rd floor apartment. Offering the apartment to a Seminary student seemed like the prefect way of serving the greater church. And then came Covid-19, suddenly we needed someone to clean and disinfect the church to be in compliance with the CDC guidelines. Sara and Trevor Skorburg moved in the apartment the night of the lootings in Minneapolis.
Thank you to
Steve and Paula Hoyt,
as well
Michelle McCreery
for their work,
in organizing the renovation.
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Our Saviour's Housing Meal Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal for forty the first Friday of every month for many years. This has been a wonderful opportunity for families or groups of friends to work together!
Thanks to Paula & Steve Hoyt for June 5th.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
On April 27,
Our Saviour's Housing
notified us that
they are no longer able to receive meals for the shelter from volunteer providers, effective April 29th 2020.
If you would still like to support Our Saviour's Housing during the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the best option possible at this time...convert your meal into a financial donation.
The suggested amount is $250.
Our Saviour's Housing is in need of additional funding for COVID-related costs, such as hazard and overtime pay, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, personal protective equipment, and increased facilities usage.
2020
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SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS
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JUL 3
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Heather Jacoby, Gretchen Robertson, Ruth Lee, & Ellie Holmquist
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AUG 7
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Cathy Carlson, Peter Van Bergen, Dave & Mary Goplen |
SEP 4
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Denise Wilkens & TBD |
OCT 2
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TBD |
NOV 6
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Monica & Andy Schwarm; Andrea & Casey Christy
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DEC 4
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Cheri Moe & Family |
Please consider signing up for October. To do so, contact Cheri Moe, (952) 431-5226 or Linda Nelson (612) 377- 5095.
Thrivent members are eligible to apply for a Thrivent Action Grant to cover the cost of the meal and purchase supplies for Our Saviour's Housing continuing needs. Donation of the grant by Thrivent members, who are unable to make and/or serve the meal is much appreciated! Grant processing is 4-6 weeks.
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Support CES via Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Jim Bargmann,
Coordinator of Neighborhood Ministry of Mount Olive Lutheran Church has informed us that they have formalized an agreement with one of our neighborhood/partner food shelves,
Community Emergency Service, to become a remote distribution site in South Minneapolis. CES will offer food and household supplies such as non-perishables, fresh vegetables and fruit, diapers, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and personal care items. The distribution site will operate until neighborhood primary shopping places (Target, Cub, Aldi, and local shops) are able to reopen.
The site opens at 9:00am each Friday and closes at 12pm or earlier if supplies are depleted.
Mount Olive's address is 3045 Chicago Avenue South.
whose relationships with food suppliers can extend funds further than individuals are able.
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A Season of Hope
Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
During Lent, we joined
Lutheran World Relief
in
A Season of Hope
to announce to the world
the HOPE of Christ.
Personal
Care Kits give people around the world tools to stay healthy in
life's most challenging situations and provide assistance
for struggling families in fragile corners of the world. Our goal was to assemble 75 kits.
This month, cash donations were used to purchase the remaining necessary items. Kits were assembled on June 18 by Ellie Holmquist, Anita Duder, Mary Flynn & Linda Nelson.
Kits include:
- Three bars of soap
- One bath towel
- One toothbrush
- One comb
- One nail clipper
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Pastor Haug will leads a virtual Bible study by Zoom for the regular
10:00 am Wednesday
morning
Bible study group. If you would like to participate, please contact
[email protected].
You will recieve a link and invitation to the group meeting.
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Children's Ministry
Covid -19 Resources for Families
For materials to use at home for the Bible stories and faith activities, please visit:
loti.org >
Resources >
Sunday School for SS age
loti.org >
Resources >
Family for intergenerational
May they be a blessing
to your family
as you practice
faith at home
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is tentatively planning to meet Saturday, July 11 on the Church Patio. Stay posted for further updates.
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Virtual Prayer Ministry Group
All are welcome to join us on
Tuesdays
from 9:15 - 10:00 am
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Happy Birthday!
June
Arlo Grahm
Collins Christy
Mark Duff
Alexei Haug
Tedi O'Brien
Michael Berkland
Jon Sprain
Mary Ann Lisk
Stephanie Amann
Alexander Skold
Janet Stewart
Andrea Christy
Megan Ulland
Ryan Hoel
Susan Melbye
Hendrik Weichelt
Reagan Gusman
July
Susan Einess
Matthew Messerli
Michelle Reisberg
Nicolas Amann
Lorraine Spies
Lucia Nortwen
Carol Arent
Leah Berkland
Bruce Kuehn
Charles O'Brien
Edie Morrison
Chanda Olson
Stephanie Kappel
Ross Formell
Abby Melbye
Scott Gallop
Winnie Ulland
Victoria Hovda
Isabelle Einess
Murphy Kappel
Adeline Frahm
Rebecca Morell
Clayton Nesheim
Andrea Nyhusmoen
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Fellowship Hall Exhibition
Kay Christianson served for over 30 years in executive management at Minnesota corporations and nonprofits, including NCS/Pearson, LearningByte International, and Children's Cancer Research Fund. Throughout her years of employment, her love of photography was always a vital part of her life. From the early days of having her own darkroom and working with black and white images to her current work with digital photography, Kay's work has always been inspired by nature. Now retired, she developed her Enlightened by Nature Photographic Portfolio. This collection has been created from the many kayaking, backpacking, hiking, cross country skiing, and running adventures that she has had and continues to experience. As she says: It is always such a delightful surprise to take a turn in the forest or paddle around a bay and discover the next unforgettable view of nature. Her work has been exhibited and sold at art institutes, galleries and cafes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Her work has received numerous awards including first place in the 2019 Minnesota Parks and Trails Photo Contest.
She is honored to be invited to exhibit at LOTI.
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Upcoming Events
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July 18 - 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting Zoom Meeting
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LOTI |
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Inspired by Christ, living and growing in faith, Lake of the Isles is a loving and open community of worship, witness, and service in God's world
Virtual Worship Service
Sundays
9:30 am
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Staff Members
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Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry Al Aakre - Seminarian Linda Nelson - Office Manager
Tori Reisberg-
Nursery Attendant
(612) 377-5095
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We welcome your input to our newsletter. Contact us if you would like to submit events, schedules or other information to share with the LOTI congregation.
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