Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, May 4, 2023

“For you created me in my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

Psalm 139:13-14

This past week at Calvary, we were privileged to host Dr. Leonard Sax who conducted a series of workshops on parenting and adolescent and teen mental health.  A good deal of Dr. Sax’s presentations focused on the unique differences between boys and girls, between the male and female genders.  His first book, “Why Gender Matters”, published in 2005 and revised in 2017, is about the emerging science of gender differences in boys and girls, and what parents and teachers need to know about these differences and how they relate to how our kids learn, socialize, and receive faith.   

Dr. Sax’s research is impressive.  He argues on many levels that biological sex is unique to each human person and must be distinguished from gender traits and from the modern concept of gender identity.  Sex is a biological reality formed at conception (“the creation of our inmost being…how we are knit together in our mother’s womb” according to the Psalmist). Gender identity is influenced by one’s feelings about their biological sex, a person’s unique “blend” of gender traits (masculine, feminine, etc.) , and increasingly by the culture, Dr. Sax argues.  We are glad we had the chance to host his talks.  The wellbeing of families and children is Dr. Sax’s aim and is ours at Calvary as well.  The talks were attended over two days by about 180 people – one of the largest community events we’ve hosted in my time at Calvary, and most of those who attended were non-Calvary members.   

It was gratifying to have such a large group of parents (and some grandparents) attend an event at Calvary specifically directed to these issues.  It was a wonderful two days. I want to thank the Calvary Endowment Committee, whose significant grant underwrote a large portion of the cost of bringing Dr. Sax to the Brookfield area. I also appreciate the Endowment Committee's commitment to using its resources to make these kinds of events possible in the future, specifically geared toward reaching the wider community and positioning Calvary as a vital contributor to the faith and life of our community.  

I want to thank the members of the planning task force – Marcella Nelson, Jill Voss, Lynnae Douglas, Jim Kalupa, and Duane Tweeten from Brookfield Lutheran Church, as well as our Calvary staff for their countless hours in creating and distributing promotional materials to churches, schools and media outlets in our area.  I want to thank the many Calvary members who volunteered to bring and set out refreshments for our guests, to serve as greeters, registrars, and ticket takers, and to Kyle Jones for his work creating video tapes of Dr. Sax’s talks for future viewing.  

But now we would like to hear from you – the congregation.  This coming Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, Marcella and I will host a one-hour discussion of the Sax Workshops.  Our Faith Formation committee, Council and Call Committee wish to know “where we go from here” after an event of this sort.  If you attended any of Dr. Sax’s talks, including the bonus daytime sessions on "Gender Differences in Boys and Girls" and "Faith Transmission Best Practices with Boys and Girls", please plan to attend this coming Sunday’s session.  Even if you did not attend any of the sessions but would like to hear more of other’s “takeaways” please join us.   

The Council, Faith Formation, Call and Endowment Committees would like to know if this is the sort of thing Calvary should pursue in the future.   It was a large commitment on our part financially.  It brought large numbers of non-members to our congregation over two days.  Is this the sort of outreach event - both in topic and scale - that we want to plan again in the future?  Overall, we estimate about 10-12% of our adult membership participated in this event in some way.  At first glance, that seems to indicate this may not have been what our membership is looking for – but we want to find out.  On Sunday we can discuss what may attract more of our members and elicit a desire on their part to invite acquaintances to attend.  That was the aim of these workshops when I proposed them to the Council, Endowment, and Evangelism Committees in the spring of 2022.  

We are all “fearfully and wonderfully made – we know that full well.”   Our aim in hosting this event with Dr. Leonard Sax was to affirm the unique “createdness” of each of us, and to examine influences and practices of the wider culture. These influences are making that important Biblical truth harder for young people in our culture to hear, with the result that our young girls are more anxious, our young boys less motivated, and their parents perplexed and feeling like they don’t know what to do.   We care about our families at Calvary, and in the wider community.   We do so because God cares about them, too.

I hope to see you on Sunday.

Because of an empty tomb …

Pastor Ken Nelson   

More than 180 individuals from Calvary and the surrounding community attended the Parenting sessions held at Calvary last week. The feedback from participants was outstanding and we are thankful that we were able to share this parenting expert and his knowledge with others.

Special thanks to the Task Force that put together this event: Lynnae Douglas, Jim Kalupa, Ken Nelson, Marcella Nelson, Duane Tweeten (Brookfield Lutheran Church) and Jill Voss.

Join us on Sunday, May 21 at 9 a.m. for a lively worship service. The Dudzik Polka Band will lead our worship for a unique and invigorating experience. A staple of traditional Wisconsin culture, this music will have everyone’s toes tapping. Come and enjoy this summer-fresh alternative musical style. 

Join us and bring a friend!

Four of our youth will publicly make their Affirmation of Baptism on Sunday, June 4 at the 9 a.m. worship service.

William Dudzik

Kyle Gall

Addison Meyer

Ellie Sayas

Celebrate Megan Schatz's high school graduation on Sunday, June 11 at the 9 a.m. service and learn about her future plans.

Pastor Ken's and Marcella's Retirement Send-Off

Saturday, June 10

6 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Invitations are in the mail!

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 6-7, 2023

An Investment Opportunity that Pays Lifetime Dividends!

The Calvary youth announce the Public Offering of Calvary Youth Stock. The Calvary Youth Stock allows you to invest financially and at the same time, reap spiritually. Stock proceeds will be used for youth programs. This iincludes the High School Mission Trip when nine of our youth will travel to Imperial, PA this June to participate in a variety of service projects in the community. They will be joining other youth from across the country for this meaningful week. Stock proceeds will also support our youth who attend Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn, WI.

The purchase of youth stock does so much more than just provide money for summer camp and mission trips. It is a way to have a sense of ownership in the growing faith of our amazing youth. As a stockholder you will receive updates from our youth on their experiences as well as a stock certificate. Not only is your stock purchase tax deductible, it will only appreciate with the growth in our youth’s faith.

Due to high interest in this great performing investment, we will be offering 150 shares for purchase at a cost of $25 per share. Stock will be sold on May 6-7 in the Narthex following worship. You can also purchase your stock share(s) online using the following link: Home | Calvary Lutheran Church (myvanco.com)

Thank you for investing in the enrichment of the faith of our youth.

Handmade Card Sale

Several years ago the youth of Calvary created beautiful handmade cards for all occasions. 

These three-dimensional cards will be available for purchase on May 6-7 in the Narthex.

Packets (2-4 cards) are $6 each or two packets for $10. These cards will be cherished by your recipients or make great gifts. Plan now to get these beautiful cards.

All proceeds will benefit our Youth programs.

First Holy Communion

Several of our youth received their first Holy Communion over the past two weekends. God's blessings on these children as they continue to grow in their faith.

Sophia Peters, Olivia Peters and Noah Ciszewski

Olivia Schlieve with Kyle Jones,

Director of Faith Formation

Join us for a Women's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The devotional message will be given by Marcella Nelson.

Breakfast breads

Muffins

Fruit

Beverages

All ages are welcome -

come and bring a friend!

Women’s Book Group – Monday, May 8

Harnischfeger Room -Brookfield Public Library

12:30 – 2:00 pm

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis



Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, 21-year-old Lillian Carter's life has completely fallen apart. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought-after artists' models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. But with her mother gone, a grieving Lillian is rudderless and desperate --- the work has dried up and a looming scandal has left her entirely without a safe haven.

So when she stumbles upon an employment opportunity at the Frick mansion --- a building that, ironically, bears her own visage --- Lillian jumps at the chance. But the longer she works as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick, the more deeply her life gets intertwined with that of the family --- pulling her into a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels and family drama that runs so deep, the stakes just may be life or death.

Nearly 50 years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career --- and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home --- within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City's most impressive museums. But when she --- along with a charming intern/budding art curator named Joshua --- is dismissed from the Vogue shoot taking place at the Frick Collection, she chances upon a series of hidden messages in the museum: messages that will lead her and Joshua on a hunt that not only could solve Veronica's financial woes, but could finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder in the infamous Frick family.

May Mission of the Month

Compassion International

Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. This is done in a variety of ways. For the Calvary congregation, we are most familiar with their Water of Life and Child Sponsorship programs.

In prior years, our focus has been on the Water of Life program to purchase water filtration systems. Thankfully, this program has been so successful that there is a limit of how many new systems they need each year. The Water of Life program is part of the larger “WaSH” program which stands for Water Sanitation and Hygiene. Donations directed to WaSH might be used for Water of Life but if all the units have already been acquired for the year, the funds would be used for wells, filtration systems, water storage or sanitation facilities.

The focus of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene initiative (WaSH) is to ensure that no Compassion-assisted child has to drink contaminated water or use unsafe sanitation facilities. Compassion provides the resources and infrastructure that help protect each child's health as they make their journey out of extreme poverty.

Safe-water Infrastructure

Children who have access to safe water are protected from waterborne diseases and are

more likely to succeed in school. A nearby safe water source also helps to ensure girls get

an education instead of spending hours each day collecting water for their family.

Proper Sanitation

Providing adequate toilets or latrines prevents open defecation, which leads to the rapid

spread of disease through communities and puts children in physical danger. Combined

with hand-washing facilities, latrines not only protect children’s health but foster dignity

and self-respect.

Hygiene Education

Compassion provides personal hygiene kits and hygiene education so children can form

good habits that will safeguard their health for a lifetime. From basic hand-washing to

dental hygiene, Compassion-assisted children learn to care for themselves and lead by

example.

Every $1 invested in Water and Sanitation Priority Initiative creates a $4 return because whole communities spend less on healthcare and more on education and in the local economy.

The Most Popular Interventions include:

• Drilling wells
• Facilitating waste collection and management
• Providing water filtration systems
• Installing rainwater harvesting systems
• Building water storage and pumping systems
• Providing hygiene education
• Building septic systems
• Training community members on equipment maintenance
• Constructing toilets and washrooms

In fiscal years 2015-18, Compassion’s clean water initiatives impacted more than 170,000 Compassion children and their families through the:

•  Installation of 8,449 toilets, 874 new water-access points near children’s homes and more than 276 hand-washing stations at Compassion church partners.
• Provision of safe water through more than 159 new borehole wells, large water-storage tanks or large-scale water purification systems;
• Distribution of more than 20,400 in-home water filtration systems in 17 countries where Compassion works

To support this important Mission for the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation for Mission of the Month in your online giving.

Just a reminder that contributions to the NALC's 20/20 Vision Campaign need to be designated as "NALC" either on your giving envelope or on your check. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Rooks at finance@calvarylc.com.

We invite you to provide

Hospitality Treats on Sunday

We invite you to stay after worship on Sunday mornings and enjoy fellowship time and a treat/cup of coffee in Fellowship Hall.

If you'd like to provide treats (donuts, bagels, etc.) for Sunday hospitality time, there is a sheet on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.  You may bring the treats (six dozen) and drop them off in the kitchen, or simply add a “P” behind your name, pay $30 to the church office and the treats will be purchased for you. 

The sign up sheet for 2023 has been posted on the bulletin board.  Thank you for your support!

If you watch our services via the Live Stream, please take a minute to let us know. There is now a link called "Online Worship Attendance" on the page where you access each week's service.

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this each week. It helps us know that our Live Stream is being viewed and by whom. 

Thank you!

CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH www.calvarylc.com

Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - noon 262.786.4010

Questions or comments? Email Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com