in worship on Sunday, January 13 9:30 AM€¦ · the holidays and will resume on January 30 with Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kim-merer. Discussion led by Joanne Leussing. All

JanuaryJanuaryJanuaryJanuary 2012012012019999

Volume Volume Volume Volume 55552222, Issue , Issue , Issue , Issue 1111

The LeafThe LeafThe LeafThe Leaf – a monthly

publication of GLC

Gethsemane Lutheran ChurchGethsemane Lutheran ChurchGethsemane Lutheran ChurchGethsemane Lutheran Church The LeafThe LeafThe LeafThe Leaf

35 East35 East35 East35 East Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue ♦ Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 ♦ 614614614614----885885885885----4319431943194319

www.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.org

PastorPastorPastorPastor

Rev. June A. Wilkins [email protected]

Music MinistriesMusic MinistriesMusic MinistriesMusic Ministries

Dr. Timothy E. Guenther [email protected]

Mission DeveloperMission DeveloperMission DeveloperMission Developer

Rev. Ipyana Mwakabonga [email protected]

Child Care CenterChild Care CenterChild Care CenterChild Care Center

Brenda Weilbacher [email protected]

Children’s MinisChildren’s MinisChildren’s MinisChildren’s Ministry Assistanttry Assistanttry Assistanttry Assistant

Joel Wildermuth [email protected]

LIC StudentLIC StudentLIC StudentLIC Student

Matt Milbrodt [email protected]

Parish SecretaryParish SecretaryParish SecretaryParish Secretary

Diane Gutgesell [email protected]

CustodianCustodianCustodianCustodian

Brian McLean

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

From the Pastor—P. 2

Adult Education—P. 3

This & That—P. 4

Small Groups—P. 5

Health Ministry—P. 6

Prayer Concerns—P. 7

Council Highlights—P. 8-9

Serving Schedule—P.10

Calendar—P.11

in worship on

Sunday, January 13

9:30 AM

2

FROM THE PASTORFROM THE PASTORFROM THE PASTORFROM THE PASTOR

Sanctuary in January

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to

Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his

mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you;

for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

– Matthew 2:13

We begin the season of Epiphany remembering that

Mary and Joseph and their new born son, Jesus, were

forced to leave Israel and escape to Egypt because of

the violence there. They were refugees fleeing from a

hostile environment to protect their child. We don’t

know any of the details of their time in Egypt, but we

know that they stayed until King Herod died and the

danger was over, which was probably years. This is a

similar story for many immigrants today. They are

living in places where their children are threatened by

gangs and violence. Where they’re plagued by poverty

and hunger. And, wisely or not, they are looking to the

United States for relief. Some have already come here

years ago and are afraid to go back to their countries

of origin because they feel they would suffer the same

fate, and former Americans in Central America are

particularly vulnerable to violence.

Recently two churches in Columbus—the Columbus

Mennonite and First English Lutheran (whose pastor,

Sally Padgett, was confirmed at Gethsemane) have

both taken families in sanctuary at their church.

Immigration and other officials have customarily not

come into churches to apprehend someone, so

churches have long been places where people can live

without the threat of arrest.

Immigration issues are complicated. The laws are

complicated, the way they’re enforced and not

enforced are complicated. The feelings around these

issues are complicated. We are not all on the same

page. We want to see laws enforced wisely, but we

know at the end of each of these laws and

enforcements are people. Mostly good people who

just want to live safely with their families.

During the month of January, we will be talking about

Sanctuary and Immigration. In our Adult Education

classes we will have an opportunity to talk to Sammi

Shivner, the Sanctuary Ministry Coordinator at First

English, and Ruben Castilla Herrera, the Director of

Columbus Sanctuary Collective. Ruben will discuss the

Sanctuary movement and answer questions about it

and immigration. And we will all also have the

opportunity to support Miriam (the woman who is

living at First English), her family and First English’s

ministry with gifts cards and donations.

We welcome immigrants into our community and we

have many friends and members who are vulnerable.

We are asked to treat everyone as a child of God and

everyone with compassion no matter who they are or

where they’ve come from. In my mind, when there is

a question or indecision, Jesus leads us to fall on the

side of love and compassion.

Let us come together in this Epiphany with the same

compassion we would show the Christ child!

Rev. June Wilkins

Miriam Vargas (left), who is taking refuge in First English

Lutheran Church.

To support Miriam and her family, you can go to First

English Lutheran Church Columbus’ Web site

www.columubuslutherans.org and click on the button that

says “Support Miriam”

3

LLLLEARNEARNEARNEARN

LIFETIME LEARNING HOUR Christian Education about life,

for life, and for a lifetime

SUNDAYS at 10:45 AM

January

Sanctuary and Immigration

Discussion led by Sammi Shivner, the Sanctuary

Ministry Coordinator at First English, and Ruben

Castilla Herrera, the Director of Columbus Sanctuary

Collective.

Ruben will discuss the Sanctuary movement and

answer questions about it and immigration. And we

will all also have the opportunity to support Miriam

(the woman who is living at First English), her family

and First English’s ministry with gifts cards and

donations.

Stewardship

Presentation made by Paul Feldman and Paula Sauer

of the Stewardship Committee.

Meets in the library at 12:00 noon every

Wednesday for lunch and study.

Meets in the library the last Wednesday of

the month at 7:30pm to discuss a book.

However the group has taken a break for

the holidays and will resume on January 30

with Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall

Kim-merer. Discussion led by Joanne

Leussing. All are welcome.

Meets every Monday at 8:00am at La

Chatelaine-Worthington to discuss the

lessons for the coming Sunday.

4

THIS & THATTHIS & THATTHIS & THATTHIS & THAT

Faith Mission Benefit Concert

Sunday, February 24

Save the date! Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4:00pm Synchronicity Trio

(Sharon Walton, Dick Reuning and Bruce Posey) will present a

Faith Mission benefit concert titled “Conversations in Sound”.

Together with Denise Spires we will explore various

combinations of our four instruments with music by Rick

Sowash (our favorite contemporary composer), jazz by

Gershwin and several duo and trio pieces.

New Ministries Sought in Dream On Program

The congregation (you!) have turned in your pledges towards our Build Up, Reach Out! (Pledge forms are still

available in the narthex for anyone who would still like to pledge.) Our leadership has been discussing how

the funds for new ministries will be used. We decided that instead of everyone getting together and deciding

on projects that should be done (but that few people will

step up to do.) We would let the congregation (you!) come

up with ideas that you wanted to do, review them to see if

they are a good fit for Gethsemane, and then fund them.

There are some simple parameters, and a form to fill out,

(which was shared at the Congregation Meeting on

November 18th

). The projects will be reviewed by the Mutual Ministry Team and the Council and projects will

get started!

We’re excited to see your ideas! Projects can be small and quick, or large and involved. If you don’t know

how much it will cost, people can help with that, and even if you don’t have a full plan, people can help with

that too! Get some friends together and see what you come up with!

More information and forms are available in the narthex at the Welcome Center.

5

SSSSMALL GROUP MINISTRIESMALL GROUP MINISTRIESMALL GROUP MINISTRIESMALL GROUP MINISTRIES

Small Group

Ministries

Book Group

Sharon Walton

[email protected]

Barbara Ford

[email protected]

Brown Bag Bible Bunch

Bob Davis

[email protected]

Connections:

Faith at Work

Judy Reuning

[email protected]

First Reflections

Monday Bible Study

Paula Sauer

[email protected]

LWR Quilts

Terri Siebert

[email protected]

Men’s Breakfast

Bob Davis

[email protected]

Prayer Shawls

Emilie Hagerdorn

[email protected]

Thrivent Builds

Bill Darlage

[email protected]

Every Monday at 8:00am

at La Chatelaine-Worthington

Second Saturday of the month

at 8:00am at TeeJaye’s

Meets in the library at 12:00

noon every Wednesday for

lunch and study.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and

Saturday from 8-3:00pm.

First Friday of the month at

7:00am at Bob Evans on

Olentangy River Road

Saturdays to be announced

from 9-12:00pm in Trinity Hall

Last Wednesday of the month

at 7:30pm in the church library.

Third Monday of the month at

1:00pm in the church library.

Quilting

6

HEALTH MINISTRYHEALTH MINISTRYHEALTH MINISTRYHEALTH MINISTRY

What’s Happening with Health Ministry?

I sense that most of us think of ourselves as ‘giving’ individuals. Especially having just celebrated Christmas - the

“Season of Giving”. We gave gifts of many varieties to express our feelings to those we care about. It’s the main

time of the year we remember both those close to us, as well as some we rarely encounter face to face (i.e. the

mail or newspaper delivery person).

I ask you to consider those we rarely, if ever, see in church. We pray for them each Sunday as the Home

Communion kits are distributed. But, who are they, what’s their story, what’s their life like? Most importantly,

what ‘real-world’ contact do they experience - ‘one-on-one’, ‘face-to-face’ conversation and interaction with a

caring person? Just because they’re not in the church building doesn’t mean they aren’t a part of the Church.

Last Sunday I spent a few minutes in Atrium Way studying the

pictures of our members. I had recently ‘connected’ a

homebound member with a Caring Contact individual. I

needed to attach a face to the homebound member’s name

and voice. Just as I needed to make a connection to a face,

those not with us in church greatly benefit from visits, calls,

cards, etc., from individuals that have a caring for them. It’s

someone taking the time to think about them, spend time

with them.

The last two Sundays in January the Health Ministry Team will

be actively soliciting for those interested in becoming a Caring

Contact, as well as those who might wish to serve on the Health Ministry Team. We will have a visible presence in

the narthex on those days. Consider getting involved.

By the way, what does the Health Ministry Team do anyway? When asked, I respond - the Team is the ‘think tank’

for health and wellness issues that concern the members of the congregation, and the mission of the church. We

also manage the blood drives twice yearly and are the ‘umbrella’ committee for the Prayer Shawl Ministry and

Funeral Luncheons. Originally part of Outreach, most members also serve as a Caring Contact, but that is not a

requirement. What qualifies one to be on the Health Ministry Team? I normally respond - an interest in health

and wellness issues, a desire to assist in our twice yearly blood drives, being a ‘people person’ with ideas and

interest in becoming involved in addressing the health and wellness needs of those in the congregation.

Again, I urge you to consider getting involved with Health Ministry - either as a Caring Contact or as a member of

the Health Ministry Team. We’ll be there to answer your questions the last two Sundays in January . . . or, at any

time just feel free to ask.

Here’s to a healthy 2019,

Pam Seidelmann RN

Health Ministry Chair

7

PPPPEOPLE NEWSEOPLE NEWSEOPLE NEWSEOPLE NEWS

January

Birthdays

1 David Lagerberg

2 Sue Herner

3 Dick Reuning

4 Joy McLemore

5 Bob Davis

Wendy Luedke

9 Parker Burdette

10 Steve Gutgesell

11 Debby Miller

16 Teresa Perin

18 Christy Feldman

23 Margaret Murphy

24 Lucia Murphy

28 Jon Ankrom

30 Eric Walton

Our Prayers and Concern

Are With . . .

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every

prayer and supplication. To that end

keep alert and always persevere in

supplication for all the saints.”

Ephesians 6:18

New concerns: Sue Jones … Mark

Keller

Our love and compassion to the family

of Carolyn Fergus who passed away

Nov. 14 … to the family of Bob Miller

(former member) who passed away

Nov. 21.

Members with ongoing concerns:

Janice Dunham … Sam Gibson … Elaine

Haines … Sue Jones … David Kibble …

David Lagerberg … Dick Reuning …

Paula Sauer … Eric Walton.

Friends and family with concerns:

Barbara Christel (cousin of Doug Sand)

… Cheryl Fergus (sister-in-law of

Carolyn Fergus) … Bexley Gross

(granddaughter of Tim and Andrea

Mayer) … Janice Lord (cousin of Patti

Nelson) … Sahra Suber (caregiver of

Beryl Cumberland) … David Walton

(brother of Eric Walton) … Claudia

Williams (cousin of Jan Davis).

Homebound: Donna Baer (Laurels of

Walden Park) … Marie Cooper … Beryl

Cumberland … Alice Gerken (Mayfair

Village) … Sue Jones (Mayfair Village) …

Phyllis Nelson … Becky Oldaker

(Bennington Glen) … Joanne Vollrath

(Worthington Christian Village) … Phyllis

Wei … Reva Woodruff (Columbus

Colony).

Would you like to add a name

to the Sunday prayers?

Contact the church office at 614-885-

4319 or [email protected]

before 10:00 am on Thursday to have

the name printed in the bulletin. After

that time, you will have the opportunity

in worship to name those silently or

aloud during the prayers. You may also

have the name sent out to the

congregation via our E-Prayers (email).

8

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTSCOUNCIL HIGHLIGHTSCOUNCIL HIGHLIGHTSCOUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Congregation

Council

OFFICERS:

President

Paul Feldman

[email protected]

Vice-President

Tim Mayer

[email protected]

Secretary

Jane Sieberth

[email protected]

Treasurer

Jeff Luedke

[email protected]

MEMBERS:

Jeff Klukas

[email protected]

Beth Berkani

[email protected]

Jim Siebert

[email protected]

Hugh Geary

[email protected]

Bill Darlage

[email protected]

Highlights of Council Meeting – December 10, 2018

Copies of the Council Minutes and Financial Report are posted in Atrium Way. PLEASE

READ BUT LEAVE POSTED.

Pastor’s Report (submitted to Mike via email)

• The sabbatical team has met and is looking to present a proposal not later

than February but, hopefully, for the January meeting.

• A team has been identified and is expected to meet in January to discuss

improvements in the coffee area. Pr. June has spoken to Bob Davis about

these ideas.

• Outreach has obtained yard signs advertising our Christmas worship.

These will be placed on the church property, and, also, people will be

asked to take them home and put them in their own yards.

• The online donation process is ready for use. The process and instructions

have been tested. Credit cards or bank routing numbers (but no debit

cards) can be used. Instructions will be placed into the bulletin for

Christmas giving.

• Pr. June will be on vacation December 26 – January 1. Pr. Al Debelak will

substitute on December 30.

Officers’ Reports

President’s report

• Mike thanked members of the 2018 Council for their service, and they, in

turn, thanked Mike for his leadership.

Vice President’s report

• Plans, to include an adult education presentation and a guest pastor, are

being finalized for the stewardship emphasis in February.

Secretary’s report

• Jane moved approval of the November minutes as distributed by email,

seconded by Jim; motion passed.

Treasurer’s report

• In Jeff’s absence, there was no Treasurer’s report.

Liaisons’ Reports

• Health Ministry – Minutes of the November meeting were distributed by

email.

• Play & Learn – Minutes of the September and October meetings were

distributed by email. In response to their question regarding payment for

the custodian’s time off, Jim moved, seconded by Jane, that for the

remainder of GLC’s fiscal 2019 (through June 30, 2019), the cost of any

replacement personnel will be allocated to Properties; motion passed.

Paul will communicate this intention to Play & Learn.

continued

9

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS -------- continuedcontinuedcontinuedcontinued

Old Business

• “Build Up, Reach Out!” o The contract has been signed for the project to remodel the downstairs kitchen,

improve security for Play & Learn, and complete some painting. Detailed plans with specific dimensions

will be prepared after the first of the year. On-site work is expected to begin February 18 and take about

six weeks. A meeting was held on December 10 of the various users of those and related spaces to

consider plans for the dislocation period.

o A project to re-lamp the Great Hall with LEDs is being considered.

o Blacktop and concrete work will be completed in the summer.

o No “Dream On” applications have been received at this point.

• Howard Spring Bequest – the money will be used to make some improvements in the coffee service area.

Pr. June has spoken to Bob Davis about these ideas.

• Pastoral Growth and Renewal – It was requested that a preliminary plan be presented in January so that

there is sufficient time to make necessary adjustments for the Pastor’s absence.

New Business

• Appointed Officers – Bill moved, seconded by Pam, approval of the slate presented by the Nominating

Committee; motion passed.

Assistant Treasurer – Don Seidelmann (1/2)

Financial Secretary – Wendy Luedke

Assistant Financial Secretary – Mark Geary

Co-Property Managers – Jim Sauer (2/2), Bill Darlage (1/2)

• Appointed Committee Personnel – Bill moved, seconded by Paul, approval of the members of the

Appointed Committees presented by the Nominating Committee, including new members of the

Nominating Committee; motion passed.

Audit Committee – Dorian Nordstrom (3/3), Dave Reutter (2/3), Rick Langner (1/3)

Day Care Committee – Joyce Geary, Chair (2/2), Diane Langner, Vice Chair (1/2)

Mutual Ministry Committee – Gary Rader (2/2), Karen Obee (2/2), Don Dell (1/2), Paula Sauer

(1/2)

Nominating Committee – Jim Siebert, Nancy Feole

Personnel Committee – Heidi Hiller (3/3), Roland Hornbostel (2/3), Scott Prigan (1/3)

• Staff Compensation o Staff 2019 Compensation – Bill moved, seconded by Jane, approval of Personnel

Committee’s recommendation for a staff compensation package reflecting a 2% overall increase over

current levels; motion passed.

• Housing Allowance Resolutions – Jane moved, seconded by Bill, approval of the attached 2019 housing

allowance resolution for Pr. June; motion passed. Jane moved, seconded by Hugh, approval of the

attached 2019 housing allowance resolution for Pr. Ipyana; motion passed.

• Proposed Constitutional/Bylaws Revisions – Jim Sauer and Joyce Geary have proposed some

revisions/updates to the Bylaws. Jane will distribute copies of the current constitution (November 2018)

and the policy guidelines for staff reviews so that Council can review them before making decisions on the

new proposals.

Announcements

• Paul will announce the date of the January meeting after consulting with members of the new Council.

Jim moved, seconded by Paul, to adjourn the meeting; meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Sieberth, Secretary

10

SERVING THIS MONTH – JANUARY 2019

January 6

9:30 AM

January 13

9:30 AM

January 20

9:30 AM

January 27

9:30 AM

February 3

9:30 AM

Assisting Minister Andrea

McDonough

Andrea

McDonough

Andrea

McDonough

Andrea

McDonough

Bill Seifarth

Projectionist Kreig Spahn Mark Geary Jim Sauer Kate Lutz Paul Siebert

Sound Monitor Brian McLean Mike Siddall Mark Hagerdorn Paul Siebert Kreig Spahn

Readers Dick Lyndes

Andrea

McDonough

Joy McLemore

Elise Meyers

Margaret Murphy

Michael Murphy

Michelle

Castrogiovanni

Brian McLean

Brian Murphy

Ushers

(*Captain)

Jim Siebert*

Brian McLean

GottfriedMaeffert

Joy McLemore

Tim Mayer*

Andrea Mayer*

Mike Siddall

Judy Reuning

Mark Hagerdorn*

Pam Hagerdorn

Jeff Luedke

Wendy Luedke

Imma Lyatuu*

Paul Siebert

Joe Reilly

Dave Whitesell

James Hurst

Bob Abdou*

Kreig Spahn

Deidre Spahn

Jim Driver

Michelle

Castrogiovanni

Nursery

Communion

Bread

Joyce Geary Joanne Leussing Carole Wilkins Brian Lutz Joyce Geary

Communion Care

Barb Driver Barb Driver Jane Sieberth Jane Sieberth Betty Guenther

Diane Langner

Counters Jeff Luedke Scott Conlon

Celia Conlon

Joyce Davis Joanne Leussing

Hugh Geary

Imam Lyatuu

Kreig Spahn

Vision StatementVision StatementVision StatementVision Statement

To empower a servant community

that overflows with God's grace, justice, and welcome.

11

JANUARY 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

CHURCH

OFFICE &

DAY CARE

CLOSED

2

NO Brown Bag

Bible Bunch

6:30-8:00 PM

Food Pantry

3

6:00 PM

Handbell Choir

6:30-8:30 PM

Community

Meeting

7:15 PM

Vocal Choir

4

7:00 AM

CONNECTIONS:

Faith at Work

5

6

9:30 AM

Worship

10:45 AM

Education

4:00 PM

IbadaYaKiswahili

7

8:00 AM

Reflections

7:30 PM

A.A.&Al Anon

8

9:30 AM

P&L Chapel

10:30 AM

Staff Meeting

6:00 PM

P&L Staff Mtg.

6:45 PM

Swahili Choir

9

12:00 PM

Brown Bag Bible

Bunch

6:30-8:00 PM

Food Pantry

10

NO

Handbell Choir

7:15 PM

Vocal Choir

11

12

8:00 AM

Men’s

Breakfast

5:00 PM

Care Group

13

9:30 AM

Worship

10:45 AM

Education

4:00 PM

IbadaYaKiswahili

NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE

14

8:00 AM

Reflections

6:00 PM

Day Care

7:00 PM

Council

7:30 PM

A.A.&Al Anon

15

9:30 AM

P&L Chapel

10:30 AM

Staff Meeting

6:45 PM

Swahili Choir

16

12:00 PM

Brown Bag Bible

Bunch

6:30-8:00 PM

Food Pantry

17

NO

Handbell Choir

7:15 PM

Vocal Choir

18

19

10:00 AM

Swahili

Ministry Team

20

8:30 AM

Health Min.

9:30 AM

Worship

10:45 AM

Education

4:00 PM

IbadaYaKiswahili

21

8:00 AM

Reflections

1:00 PM

Prayer Shawl

7:30 PM

A.A.&Al Anon

22

9:30 AM

P&L Chapel

10:30 AM

Staff Meeting

6-8:00 PM

P&LConferences

6:45 PM

Swahili Choir

23

12:00 PM

Brown Bag Bible

Bunch

6:30-8:00 PM

Food Pantry

24

NO

Handbell Choir

7:15 PM

Vocal Choir

25

26

27

9:30 AM

Worship

10:45 AM

Education

4:00 PM

IbadaYaKiswahili

28

8:00 AM

Reflections

7:30 PM

A.A.&Al Anon

29

9:30 AM

P&L Chapel

10:30 AM

Staff Meeting

6:45 PM

Swahili Choir

30

12:00 PM

Brown Bag Bible

Bunch

6:30-8:00 PM

Food Pantry

7:30 PM

Book Group

31

6:00 PM

Handbell Choir

7:15 PM

Vocal Choir