Tuesday Newsday, October 6, 2026

Council has written and approved a Code of Christian Conduct and Congregational Accountability in collaboration with The Transition Team. Based on the information presented by our Congregation during the listening circles we recognize the need for an improved method of accountability. This congregation is called to be a community shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ—one that reflects dignity, compassion, justice, and mutual respect. Harassment, bullying, intimidation, and abusive behavior contradict our baptismal calling and will not be tolerated in any ministry, meeting, worship setting, or congregational activity.

This policy establishes expectations for conduct, procedures for reporting concerns, and clear accountability when harm occurs.

Code of Conduct

OPERATIONAL OUTLOOK

Dear Church Family,

As we enter the last quarter of our church’s fiscal year, our leadership team wants to ensure we are practicing transparent stewardship with the resources entrusted to us. The donations received each month have not been enough to cover ELC’s monthly expenses. ELC’s net loss through August 31, 2026 is just over ($39,000). The average monthly expenses are approximately $34,000; therefore, ELC needs an estimated $136,000 in donations from September through the end of December 2026 to cover the upcoming expenses. This estimate does not cover the net loss year to date. Donations are vital to support the church staff, maintain our church building and sustain our day-to-day ministries that connect us all.  We are so grateful for your support. We invite you to pray with us over our church’s financial health throughout these next few months and to consider how you might help ELC finish the year financially stable.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity,

Lisa Hansen, ELC Treasurer on behalf of the ELC Council

Thrivent Choice Donations Due 12/31/2026

For those ELC members who are Thrivent Financial members, you may have Thrivent Choice Program dollars in your account that can be donated to the charity (501 3 c) of your choice. (we hope you may consider ELC!) The deadline for your donations is 12/31/2026. Use your dollars or lose them, they do not carry over from year to year. You can donate at Thrivent.com or if you are not an online person, you can call 1-800-847-4836 and when prompted ask for “Thrivent Choice” and speak to a customer service rep who will assist you.

The Financial Seminar on Sunday, September 20, was a success as we had 25 ELC members attend to hear about various aspects of personal finances including RMD's, QCD's, charitable contributions, Legacy giving via wills and trusts, and Thrivent Choice and Action Team Programs. If you missed the program, here is a link to the 20 page informational package that were shared with ELC members:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RuMyHb2tyoufLlFZ1Z5g3TtJvQ_ddyGe/view?usp=sharing

Estate Lawyer, Jody Brammer-Hoelter, presented the information on Legacy giving and if you have questions about those topics, you can email Jody at this address:

jody@heritagelawsolutions.com

Thrivent Financial Advisor with Clarity Wealth Group, Mark Johnson, presented information on RMD's, QCD's, charitable contributions, and Thrivent Choice and Action Team Programs. If you have questions, Mark can be reached at this email:

Mark.Johnson@Thrivent.com

As always, please see your lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor before making any significant financial decisions based on the information presented in this informational package.

Barb Bender Memorial Service

SHARING THE THANKS OF THE BENDER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.



Sharon B lost count of how many Bender family members and friends came into the kitchen on Sunday to say how much they appreciated all the work that went into the reception. Her response to every one of them was the same: she and Dave Gleason asked for help, and over 3 dozen people signed up or simply showed up with food or to help in the kitchen. Community is one of the greatest gifts God has bestowed upon us, and on Sunday, the love and care of our ELC community truly blessed those who most needed its embrace.

Java & Jesus

Java & Jesus is a group of faith-filled individuals who meet to learn more about God's Word and to laugh. We meet in-person at ELC on Thursday from 9:30-10:30 AM and include a Zoom option for those who are unable to join us at ELC. Currently we are reading "Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People" by Nadia Bolz-Weber.  Even if you don't have the book or have the opportunity to review the reading/'homework', please join us for a fun and lively discussion.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84552392806?pwd=VE9tbDZ3RWNROHU1U01jREVYV3JYZz09

Meeting ID: 845 5239 2806 - Passcode: 961099

Quilts and Stitches

A huge “thank you” to everyone who worked on our “Quilts and Stitches” sale last Saturday! I will miss someone if I try to list names, but we had people who did the work in the following areas: creating items for sale, all of the planning, making food and working in the kitchen, helping with the set up, running the sale including handling money, helping with signage and publicity, participating in the clean up and making sure the church was ready for services the next day. All of this help was so appreciated! It was a delightful day and many people from outside ELC attended.

We did not have as big a turnout as we had hoped for but the people who came bought many items. The amount raised on Saturday was just under $4,000. But we still have money coming in and expect the total to reach close to $5,000. We also decided to take part in the Alternative Gift Fair and try to raise more.

As you know, the money from our sale goes directly to ELC to help with our general expenses, to be used however it is needed. 

Thank you again,

Elaine Sohrweid for the Piecemakers

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to our Dave Gleason who was inducted into the first ever Green Mountain High School Hall of Fame, teaching there twenty years.

The remaining years in teaching were in other Jeffco schools, and southern Colorado.

Well deserved Dave!

We've had folks ask for Pastor Sara's slideshow on Transitions and Pastor Dominic's slideshow on his role as the Transition coach. You can find both below.

Evergreen Lutheran Church Care Team

Jesus once declared, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) This simple yet powerful command calls us to actively care for those around us. Whether it’s a coworker who needs a listening ear or a neighbor we share a fence or someone we share a pew with, these words remind us that love is meant to be shared generously.

We are in a period of transition as we seek new leadership, but one thing remains constant, that we care for one another. The areas we would like to focus on are the following:

Home Communion

Home Visits

Hospital Visits

Drivers (Doctor appointments, etc.)

Meals

There are a number of folks who have already volunteered for some of these ministries, but if you are interested in participating in caring for your neighbor, please email me and we will get things organized. If you would like to work in teams, that can be a good way to do visits and also to cover for each other if one of you isn’t available.

Thank you for considering to be a part of this important ministry in our church.

In Christ’s Love, Peggy Fetchenhier

dmfetch@gmail.com

Italisized items are community groups unaffiliated with Evergreen Lutheran Church

Office Hours: 9-2

8:30am

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) All are welcome, click here for more info.

9am

Piecemakers

Office Hours 9-2

8:30am

Evergreen Pathfinders

Office Hours 9-2

9am

Meals on Wheels Pickup in parking lot

6:30m

Worship

9am

Mountain Women AA (Damascus)

10am

Worship

Fellowship Following

Office Hours 9-2

7:30am

Men's Breakfast, Conifer Cafe

6:30pm

Scouts

Please join us for worship on

Sundays at 10am

and

Thursdays at 6:30pm

Please remember that a church leader will never directly solicit you for funds or the transfer of funds. We will only ask for your support of the church through the traditional process of filling out pledge cards and fulfilling that pledge accordingly.

Do you have a special announcement you would like us to include? Please email those with the date you would like it posted to office@evergreenlutheran.org. Please have information sent by Monday AM to add to Tuesday Newsday.

If you would like to donate to Evergreen Lutheran Church Click here