Statement from ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton

ELCA presiding bishop issues statement on Israel-Hamas war

10/13/2023 12:00:00 PM

​"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?" —Psalm 22:1

Dear church,
As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have led to unspeakable loss of life and hope. At the same time the ELCA denounces the indiscriminate retaliation of Israel against the Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim.

For the past week we have borne witness to the horrors of the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas. We also watch a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel blocks food, water, fuel and medical supplies and as airstrikes continue to cause unbearable civilian casualties ahead of a just-announced ground assault. We see Israelis and families around the world in the agonizing wait for word about the fate of loved ones killed or taken hostage by Hamas. We are in anguish, grieving and praying for all people who are living in trauma, fear and uncertainty.

Among us are Palestinian Lutherans who are fearful for their families, their communities and their homeland. In our communities we have Jewish and Muslim neighbors, who are also facing the horrors of this crisis and its impact on their loved ones.

It is difficult to find words that suffice in the complexity of this moment, and in the web of relationships that bind us together, as church, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and our interreligious partners. Yet God has called us to be a people who stand with others amid suffering.

We must also call a thing a thing. The power exerted against all Palestinian people — through the occupation, the expansion of settlements and the escalating violence — must be called out as a root cause of what we are witnessing. We are committed to our long-standing accompaniment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  

The God who liberates us calls us to be a liberating witness. May it be so.

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Things you can do: 

• Find updated resources and statements from the ELCA here.

• Join our partner Churches for Middle East Peace for prayer every Wednesday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register here.  

• Call your lawmakers today through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to take action to deescalate the conflict and uphold unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Find your member of Congress at govtrak. 

• Support Lutheran Disaster Response here.

You may notice that we sometimes publicize statements and other information from organizations of which we are members. We will never share information that did not go through our internal vetting process, so you should feel free to share such information on behalf of your church.

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For information contact:
Jocelyn Fuller
Sr. Director, Strategic Communications
Jocelyn.Fuller@ELCA.org

ELCA Youth Gathering

ELCA Youth Gathering 2024

WHAT IS THE YOUTH GATHERING? Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.

WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana

WHEN: July 16 - 20, 2024 (with a day or two before and after for travel)

WHO: youth in 8th thru 12th grade (school year 2023-2024)

THEME: Created to Be
We are created to be…
...brave, to show up with an open mind and heart, willing to be challenged.
...authentic, to bring our whole selves and know that we are loved by our Creator.
...free, to be transformed by the gospel.
...disruptive, to work for justice for all our siblings.
...disciples, to be sent out into the world to love our neighbor just as we are loved by God.

COSTS:

• $375 registration if registered by 10/31/23
          ($425 if register 11/1/23-2/14/24)
          ($475 if register 2/15-4/15/24)
  (registration amounts include non-refundable $150 registration fee)

• $175 for hotel

• $70/day for meals (approximation)

• tbd for bus

• ?? for souvenirs
  

DEADLINE: October 31, 2023 for registration with non-refundable $150 registration fee

FUNDRAISERS: Thanksgiving pies, Lenten dinners, Easter Breakfast, Syttende Meatball Dinner, maple syrup sales, others may be added.

OPTIONAL FUNDRAISER: sell shares in the youth program
People who purchase shares receive: a shareholder meal (on a Sunday evening), 1 pint of
maple syrup, pictures of the group and the trip, 2 postcards from New Orleans about the
Gathering experience, a thank you note.

 

EXPECTATIONS FROM PARTICIPANTS:
1. come to worship once or twice a month
2. help with worship before and after for a trip response
3. help with all fundraisers

REGISTRATION FORMS: Turn in to Trinity office by Oct. 31 along with $150 non-refundable deposit.
Click here for ADULT registration form.
Click here for YOUTH registration form.

Want to learn more about the Gathering? Check out this link!

Celebrating Almore “Matt” Mathsen’s Musical Ministry at Trinity

During worship on Sunday, October 8, we will celebrate the impact of Almore "Matt" Mathsen's music at Trinity. Much of Trinity’s deep musical roots were established when Matt was our choir director. He was also a Lay Assistant and Release Time instructor. Matt’s impact was felt over multiple generations.

Do you have memories of how Matt impacted your life? Please share them with us so that we can create a tribute wall for this special Sunday. You can email us your memories, trinityspringgrove@gmail.com.

You can also print out this sheet and fill it out and return it to us.

CHOIR ALUMNI! All alumni of Matt's choirs are invited to sing in a mass choir during worship on Sunday the 8th. Come sing some of his favorite songs!

Following worship on the 8th, we will also have a special fellowship with Matt’s family — his wife, Vivien, and their children and families.

It will be a wonderful, musical, special day! We look forward to receiving memories and seeing you at worship!

We're hiring -- 2 positions!

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
This person will be responsible for developing and leading programs for our children, youth, and families. Qualified candidates will have strong communication and organizational skills and an understanding of Lutheran beliefs. Prior experience working with youth programs is preferred. This is a paid position with benefits.

For more details, email us: trinityspringgrove@gmail.com or call: 507-498-5291.
Or contact our Staffing Team: Betty Dokken (bettydokken8@gmail.com) or Nancy Gulbranson (nancy.gulbranson01@gmail.com).

Position open until filled.

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Wednesday Bible School Leader
We are looking to hire someone to lead the 3rd-6th grade children in Wednesday Bible School. They meet Wednesdays throughout the school year from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm. The first time is Wednesday, September 27. Pay is $20/hour. Wednesday Bible School consists of a Bible lesson, playing games, serving a snack, building community together, and sharing faith with the children. Time in preparation and class is approximately 4-5 hrs per week. This would be a temporary position until a Director of Youth Children and Family ministry is hired.

WELCA quilts for sale

These quilts are available for purchase. They are on display in the Fellowship Hall. If you’d like to purchase one, checks can be made out to WELCA and taken to the office. Thank you for supporting WELCA and their projects and causes.

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Done in ‘30s fabrics, this beautiful quilt measures 90” x 100” and fits either a queen or king size bed. Machine quilted by Yvonne Krogstad. $400.

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This quilt has the state birds hand-embroidered and hand-quilted by Bernice Glasrud. The quilt measures 67” x 90” and will fit a double bed nicely or will also go on a queen size bed and will have a 3.5” drop on the sides. This is a treasure! $400.

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This windmill patterned quilt was completed by Jean Ann Tweeten. It is done in pretty spring colors and hand-tied by WELCA members. It is 60” x 80” and will fit a twin size bed. $75.

Civic Life and Faith

The ELCA is developing a social statement on Civic Life and Faith, the relationship of church and state and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection and shape conscience and to set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life.

An ELCA task force provides primary leadership for the statement’s development over a five-year period, using an established process of study and widespread participation in theological and moral deliberation.

The task force is now offering a six session study curriculum for use throughout our church. It provides a guide into the issues and invites participant feedback for the task force. 

Learn more and find many resources and information here, www.elca.org/civicsandfaithstudy. The study response period is open through Oct. 15.

North Prairie Lutheran Church is offering six sessions for faith communities in the Root River Conference (Trinity’s conference). They begin on Saturday, August 19 from 9-10 a.m. Future Saturday dates will be discussed at this first meeting. To reserve a seat, contact Pastor Sarah Walker Brown, sarahjwalkerbrown@gmail.com.

More information can also be found here:
www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Current-Social-Writing-Projects/Civic-Life-and-Faith

Steeple Repair

After 130 years, the shingles on the steeple have become damaged, and some have fallen off during high winds. The current shingles are heavy, and they also contain asbestos.In order to improve the look of the steeple as well as for safety reasons, the Property Team has determined it is time to reshingle. Earlier in the year the Congregation Council voted to contract with Krause Konstruction, experts in church steeple repair, to do the work. The congregation agreed, voting unanimously to proceed (see below for the motions from the Special Congregation meeting).

We expect the work to begin sometime in late September. The work to repair the steeple includes removing the old shingles, replacing them with new Davinci Single Width Synthetic Slate. It also includes fabricating and installing new copper roof edging, valleys and flashings, ornaments and the cross. The bulk of the project will be paid for with funds from the sale of the second parsonage in 2018, from refunds issued to Trinity from the Employee Retention Credit program, and from donations from the Roger Tollefsrud estate, WELCA, and other donations, for a total of $80,580.

The congregation also voted to replace the 12 copper ornaments on top of the gables. This will cost an additional $12-13,000. We are currently fundraising for that part of the project. If you are interested in “adopting” all or part of a copper ornament (approximately $1,000 each), please contact the office.

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On June 11, a Special Congregational meeting was held to discuss repair work to the steeple.

A motion was made and passed unanimously to hire Krause Konstruction Company of Coon Valley, WI, to replace the steeple roof at the cost of $80,580 with the following specifications:
- Remove all roofing materials from the entire steeple.
- Replace any missing or rotten wood.
- Install High Temp Ice and WaterShield to all roof surfaces.
- Fabricate and install new copper roof edging, valleys, and flashings.
- All flashings will be fabricated from 16 oz. copper.
- Copper joints will be riveted and soldered.
- Fabricate and install copper ridges, ornament, and cross.
- Install DaVinci Single Width (12’’) Synthetic Slate.
- Fabricate and install 4 corner copper cupolas.
- Fabricate and install new white fascia on steeple.

The following points were raised during discussion of the motion:
-The steeple can be lighted for an estimated $4,000 to $6,000.
-The new slate will be covered by the church’s insurance.
-The steeple roof cannot be installed until September.
-The bid includes disposal of all old roofing materials.
-$15,000 is available and set aside for this project.
-$30,000 is available from the sale of the second parsonage.
-$35,000 is available from government Employee retention Funds

A second motion was made and passed unanimously to replace the 12 copper ornaments, an estimated cost of $14,000 to $15,000.

Time & Talent Survey

Everyone has talents….baking, teaching, singing, reading, assisting, smiling, helping, and the list goes on and on! What talent would you like to share at Trinity? Fill out the following survey and let us know! We’d love to have you share your talents!

Click here for a paper version to print out.

Click here for an online survey.

Scan this QR code to go to an online survey.

Stained Glass Window project

Our windows before the restoration.

January 10-11 — The windows are carefully and gently removed and transported to La Crosse.

January 26 — The restoration process has begun! The round window frame has been fixed and all the stained glass has been taken out. A new table had to be built to accommodate the big panels and currently they are taking one apart and cleaning every piece, one-by-one.

February 3 — Work was done on the frames today. When the restoration is complete, the existing "bars" will be removed so that nothing obstructs the view of our beautiful windows..

March 10 — progress continues. Everything is looking good for the Easter deadline!

March 29 — the reinstallation has begun!

April 5 — getting closer to being complete!

May 17 — work on the outside frames

June 7 — storm windows nearly complete including painted trim

Annual Meeting & Annual Report

Trinity’s Annual Meeting  
Sunday, February 5

Stewardship Brunch served at 10:30 a.m.
Annual Meeting follows brunch

The Trinity Center has served Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 50 years. From Sunday School to Confirmation to Release Time to the Beary Patch Preschool, this building has served the congregation well.

In the past year, however, many things have changed regarding our use of this building. The school now offers a 4K program that has been well received and is very successful. We give thanks to Bethany Bergsgaard and the Beary Patch Board of Directors for seeing the preschool through this transition.

During the past year, a youth room was created at the church, which also has been very well received by our youth of all ages. In addition, the Wednesday afternoon Bible School program is now at church. It’s great to see and hear our youth enjoying this space!

Our Release Time program is now at Giants of the Earth Heritage Center. We give thanks for the generous use of this space.

Finally, the boiler at Trinity Center failed late last winter. To repair the existing boiler will cost thousands of dollars. A new boiler will cost more than $25,000.

At the 2019 Trinity Annual Meeting, a motion was made to sell the Trinity Center and the associated storage facility. The motion was tabled. The Congregation Council voted unanimously at the December 2022 meeting to offer the Trinity Center and storage facility properties to the school for $30,000 with the caveat that future Release Time program activities would again be held on the property.

The motion to sell Trinity Center will be un-tabled at the 2022 annual meeting to be held on February 5, 2023.

During the next month, please consider what is the best use of our stewardship resources, what is the best for the school and the community, and what is best for our youth. Please, thoughtfully and prayerfully consider this opportunity.

If you have questions about Trinity Center, please talk to Congregation Council President, Saundra Solum, or Pastor Elizabeth.

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Annual Report for 2022

To download the report, click here.
Paper copies are also available in the office and sanctuary.

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The Annual Meeting can also be attended via Zoom.
Below are instructions for attending that way.

To join the meeting via Zoom:
You can CALL in to the meeting or join via the ZOOM APP. (It is a free app, download it in your device’s app store or visit www.zoom.us/download.)

To call:
- call (312) 626-6799.
- when prompted, enter meeting ID: 854 3677 8921

Via Zoom app:
- type in this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85436778921
- you will be let into the meeting, please be patient as many may be trying to join at the same time.

 

To vote:
- on your device you will need to have your video turned on, then you will raise your hand to vote yes or keep your hand down to vote no.

- if you called into the meeting via phone, you will need to say yes or no followed by your name, you will be asked for your answer so that people are not talking over each other.

Thrivent Choice Dollars

Thrivent Choice is a charitable grant program that gives eligible Thrivent clients with membership the opportunity to influence where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable funds each year. Clients are invited to direct Choice Dollars® among thousands of enrolled nonprofit organizations, including churches, camps, schools, seminaries, campus ministries and more. More than $490 million in Choice Dollars grant funds were distributed to churches and other nonprofit organizations since the program was introduced in 2010. More than 40,000 churches and organizations are enrolled in Thrivent Choice.

Trinity is one of the eligible organizations to which Choice Dollars® can be designated. Not sure how to do that? Contact your Thrivent representative or the Trinity office and we can help.

The deadline to designate your Choice Dollars® is March 31.

Cookbooks

Did you know that the 2007 Homecoming Edition of our cookbook is still available to purchase?!
Have you worn yours out or want to give a copy as a gift?

The cookbooks are $15 and available to pick up in the office.

We are called to bear one another's burdens

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and suicide rates have increased in almost every state since 1999 (some by more than 30%), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide occurs among all demographics and all religious groups. And behind the statistics are individuals–people who live in our families, communities and congregations and whose stories and relationships are unique and important.

Mindful of the lives affected, the ELCA adopted “Suicide Prevention,” a message that calls on members, congregations and leaders to learn more about suicide prevention and what they can do to help. The message calls us to this work as people of faith saying, “We who lean on God’s love to live are called to ‘bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ’ (Gal. 6:2). Our efforts to prevent suicide grow out of our obligation to protect and promote life, our hope in God amid suffering and adversity, and our love for our troubled neighbor.”

At the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, a social policy resolution advocating for suicide prevention research was adopted. Below is a list of resources members, congregations and faith leaders can use to learn more about suicide and how to prevent it.

Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry (suicidepreventionmninistry.org): With an inclusive and interfaith mission, the Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry’s goal is zero suicides for all people, regardless of beliefs. The website includes resources for congregations, clergy and leaders, including lists of trusted faith-based mental health organizations.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org): The Lifeline provides free, 24/7, confidential support for people in distress and advice for professionals. (800-273-8255)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org): The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization provides information on warning signs and risk factors for suicide and resources for helping people with mental illnesses.

ELCA video message on suicide prevention (youtube.com/watch?v=JSjnigqS7sI): Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares a message of hope, saying, “Suicide can be prevented. We are never beyond God’s mercy and compassion.”

National Suicide Prevention Organizations

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
Phone 202-237-2280
Website www.suicidology.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Phone 888-333-2377
Website www.afsp.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Phone 800-826-3632
Website www.dbsalliance.org

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Phone 301-443-4513
Website www.nimh.nih.gov

Additional Resources for Dealing With Grief

“Transforming Traumatic Grief: Six Steps to Move from Grief to Peace After the Sudden or Violent Death of a Loved One” by Courtney Armstrong (Artemecia Press, 2011).

“Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body” by Peter A. Levine (Sounds True, 2008).

“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk (Viking, 2014).

Maple Syrup Project Help Needed

Everywhere a person goes these days they see a sign that says “Help Wanted” or “Now Hiring”. We aren’t looking to hire anyone to help with the Maple Syrup Project, but we are looking for volunteers! It is great because you don’t have to list it on your taxes. We are planning a wood cutting bee September 30 beginning at 9:00 a.m. for anyone who can make it. We will be completely out of wood after next season if we don’t get any put up. If you want to bring a chainsaw, great. If you want to split wood, great! If you want to stack wood, great! Lunch will be provided. Hope you can make it. Questions? Give me a call, 498-5823. ~Pastor Lane

Little Free Pantry

Did you know that Trinity has a Little Free Pantry?

It has just been moved to a new location — the southwest entrance (the entrance farthest from the parking lot) off of Main Street. Look for a sign on the door.

ALL are welcome to use the pantry as needed. Know someone that could use a little help with food or toiletries? Please direct them to our Little Free Pantry. It is open 24-7. There are also new socks and hats

Take what you need, give when you can.

Friday Email using Mailchimp

Every Friday we send out an email with information about what is going on at Trinity that weekend and the following week and beyond. The email also includes a link to that Sunday’s bulletin…..an easy way to access it for using when watching worship online.

If you’d like to be added to our Friday Email list click here to send us an email or give us a call, 498-5291.

If you’re already receiving the email, but can’t figure out why it’s not showing up in your inbox? Here are a couple things to try….

• Add our email address (trinityspringgrove@gmail.com) to our contacts
  

• For Gmail users — Move our emails to your Primary tab
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of our emails from the Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver our emails there…..if you answer yes, it will then teach Gmail where to deliver emails from Trinity.

Listen. Respect. Pray. Pledge.

Listen. Respect. Pray.

The ELCA is providing links to numerous resources for us to learn more about the history of racism and inequality in the U.S. But the best things we can do are to listen to our neighbors, be respectful of their experiences, and pray for guidance.  

Click here for a link to a list of books, movies, TV series, and podcasts.

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ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
~ Colossians 3:17

In 2019, at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer. As church we are called to confess the sin of racism, condemn the ideology of white supremacy, and strive for racial justice and peace. Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices. We invite you click here to visit this page where you can learn more about committing to doing actions to help stop racism.

How to -- YouTube & Facebook

Trying to watch videos on our YouTube channel or find us on Facebook? We hope the following steps will help make that easier!

Click here to go to our YouTube channel.

Click here to go to our Facebook page.

Lend your voice to the choir!

Our choir sings an anthem each Sunday morning September through May. They also present a concert in December. We would love to have you join us! Practices are Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. All ages from 7th grade through adult are invited to come and be a part of this vocal group. Don’t worry if you can’t commit to every single Sunday; we’d love to have your voice when you can be here!

Questions about Choir? Contact Scott Solberg, 498-5472, or sjsol@springgrove.coop.

Trinity Boutique

Trinity boutique gift shop is back! Are you looking for a baby gift? Or bridal shower gift? Or a birthday gift? Trinity Boutique is a great place to shop! The items are hand-made and one-of-a-kind — they make wonderful gifts! The Boutique is in the Fellowship Hall and has a variety of homemade articles and gifts to purchase during the upcoming year. With many members having special talents to make unique items, WELCA decided to offer these items for sale year-round. Anyone who makes an item may drop it off at the church office. Please price items when dropping them off. Anyone can purchase these treasures, simply put the tag and the money in the cash box by the items.  Questions? Contact Boutique coordinators, Yvonne Krogstad, krogstad@springgrove.coop, or Jacque Wennes, jacquewen@aol.com.