A Monthly Newsletter Volume XVI, No. 10 October 2016

Mark Your Calendars

October 4 New Member Dinner at 6:00 pm

Oktoberfest, October 8th @ 5:00 pm

Join us for worship with the Bob Klinger Band at 5:00 pm

followed by an Oktoberfest meal at 6:00 pm.

Tickets are available at the Welcome Center for $15.

October 11 @ 6:30 pm Bible Study Begins...see Page 3

October 16 @ 8:30 am New Members Received

October 16 @ Noon Author Roger Thurow Lunch & Discussion

See page 5 for more information

October 23 @ 10:45 am Confirmation Service

November 6 @ 6:00 pm Hope & Healing Dinner

Join us again this year for St. James Oktoberfest celebration. Tickets are $15 for the dinner ($3 for children). All proceeds will go to Verona Joining Forces for Families (JFF) which helps area families in need. We hope you’ll join us!

October 10 5:00 pm Polka worship with the Bob Klinger Band October 10 6:00 pm Oktoberfest Dinner: German Bratwurst & Weisswurst, Sauerkraut, Potatoes, Bread & Apple Desserts Tickets are on Sale at the Welcome Center Come and Join us for a Wonderful evening!

Sunday, October 23rd from 3:00 pm — 5:00 pm

We will gather at the home of members Jeff and Gail Groy for a tour of their vineyard. Also, the owner of The Fisher King Winery – soon to be located in Verona, will also be with us for a wine tasting. The Fisher King Winery is working with the Groy’s to utilize their grapes for their wines. Fisher King was awarded a silver medal at the New York International Wine Competition and Fisher King was

named the 2015 Wisconsin Winery of the Year. If you have any questions, please con-tact Pastor Kurt. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: 608.845.6922 www.stjamesverona.org Fax: 608.845.6903

WORSHIP Saturday - 5:00 pm • Sunday - 8:30 & 10:45 am

OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday— 8 am to 4 pm

Wednesday — 8 am to 12 noon

STAFF Kurt Billings, Pastor Cell: 235-8122 Peter Narum, Pastor Cell: 469-9625 Michelle Lichty Parish Administrator Emily Jeremiason Office Assistant Barb Roberts Office Assistant Paulette Spoon Adult Choir & Handbell Choir Susan Bubolz Youth Choir Director Rhonda Chalone Marilyn Doerfer, Alex Ford & Jim Erickson Accompanists Barb Rasmussen, R.N. Parish Nurse/Visitation Coord. Heather Pearl Director, St. James Preschool Lynn Hauski, Holly Parker,

Lori Rudy & Stacy Zimmerman St. James Preschool

BOARD OF MINISTRY

Karen Breitnauer, President 848-8297

Elise Taft, Vice-President 437-7954

Kim Feller, Treasurer 845-6425

Sue Martin-Zernicke, Secretary 246-2025

Dennis Beres 845-9305

Lee DeBaillie 848-1012

Jim Rognstad 497-1132

Jill Sommers 845-2693

John Walker 845-8732

FROM THE PASTOR...

Ephesians 4.4-7, 12-15

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

It’s said that in the church we should never talk about politics…but I disagree. But first, I’d like to offer a word about sailboats.

About which I know very little; but I know this much — when we see a sailboat gliding through the water, we see the billowed sail catching the wind. What we usually can’t see is the keel (or fin, or centerboard) underneath. A good keel provides ballast and stability and helps the boat from tipping and swaying. There are many designs, but the physics remains constant. A good sailboat needs a proper keel.

There are many winds blowing in the world today — it’s easy to be “tossed to and fro.” It’s a lot easier when we don’t have a proper keel to keep us on course. (One of the oldest metaphors for the church was a boat — we sail together by the power, wisdom, and direction from the Holy Spirit.) Politics is difficult to talk about because we often identify with our positions so deeply and we close ourselves off from other possibilities. In families, and in congregations, we

often avoid difficult subjects in order to “keep the peace.” The danger is that we fail to bring the insights of our faith to inform our decisions.

Therefore in this political season let us return again and again to the love of Jesus and allow his love to inform and transform our hearts and minds, again and again, over and over, so that he, and he alone, is our rock, our keel.

In times when public discourse turns to fear, anger, and hate, let us remember our call to live in faith, hope, and love. When candidates blame and scapegoat, let us remember our call to seek understanding and offer hospitality. My prayer is that we can talk about difficult issues together — to “speak the truth in love” and “listen in love” as well. Let us continue the work Jesus calls us to — the ministry of reconciliation and the pursuing of justice. — Pastor Peter

October 5, 2016 at 6:00 pm

Join us this month for fellowship and dinner at the Community Meal. We are serving Spaghetti Pie, Salad, Garlic Bread with Pumpkin & Apple Desserts. Join Us! All are Welcome!

Beginning October 2nd We will explore Einstein’s understanding of God, Darwin’s view of evolution, how a scientist can pray, and St. Augustine’s view of time and eternity. Furthermore, we will see how science and religion are not incompatible. Join us starting Sunday Morning, October 2nd at 9:45am in the Conference Room for this discussion.

Beginning Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm

Join us on Tuesday, October 11th as we delve into the writings of the Letters of John. As one scholar says: “Sometimes, as they say, dynamite comes in small packages. Three of the shorter books of the New Testament, 1, 2, and 3 John, are that way. At first their small size gives the impression that they can’t contain much of significance – especially 2 and 3 John, each of which are only one page in length – yet once one dives into them attentively it becomes quickly obvious that there is more here than first meets the eye.” Join the Pastors on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm through November.

Sunday, October 23rd from 3:00 pm — 5:00 pm

See article on Page 1 for details!

OCTOBER EVENTS...

Save the date: Sunday, November 20, 4:00 pm - Community Thanksgiving service at Salem United Church of Christ. Please plan to join Verona area church members and friends as we gather to give thanks and share fellowship time!

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY

We started off the year with two new events:

Kick-Off Sunday

On September 18th, our newest and youngest students were first up. Each three-year-old received a story Bible at the 8:30 am wor-ship service. After worship, children and their families had a chance to reconnect after a busy summer at the Kick-Off Break-fast. Food and conversation were followed by activities designed to help kids get to know their classmates and teachers.

Bring Your Grown-Up to Sunday School Day

The following week, it was time to get down to business. Parents and kids each had a brief orientation—covering opportunities and expectations for the year. After that, students got the chance to

“introduce” themselves through various art projects that will be displayed outside the classrooms. If you have a chance, be sure to check out the self-portraits that our youngest kids created! Many thanks to the families, teachers, and helpers that came together to make both events such a success! Regular class sessions will begin on Sunday, October 2nd at: 8:30 am Play & Learn for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Class begins following the Children’s Time during worship. 9:40 am Sunday School Hour. Classes for Pre-K through sixth grade. Questions? Comments? Email hparker@stjamesverona.org or call/text 608-843-4899.

October 23, 2016 at 10:45 am

For those students who have completed the 2-year program of study, in addition to their service requirements, they will be confirmed on October 23 at the 10:45 am worship service. Please note the following important dates: Confirmation Dinner October 5 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall Confirmation Service Rehearsal October 5 at 6:30 pm Confirmation Service October 23 at 10:45 am

Sunday, October 16th from noon – 2:00 pm

Lunch will be served

Join us for this special event as author Roger Thurow will be with us to discuss his latest book The First 1,000 Days. Through compelling stories of new mothers and babies in Uganda, India, Guatemala, and Chicago, journalist and anti-hunger advocate, Roger Thurow explores the promise of—and confounding challenges to—a transformative worldwide initiative to end early childhood malnutrition in his new book, The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children — And the World.

In the past few years, devastating food crises and new research on the economic and social costs of childhood hunger have inspired an unprecedented international movement to end malnutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, beginning with the mother’s pregnancy. Proper nutrition during these 1,000 days can profoundly influence an individual’s ability to grow, learn, and work. It can also determine a society’s long-term health and prosperity. But, as Thurow reveals, the task of better nourishing mothers and children is easier said than done.

With inspiring and heartbreaking stories of families in four diverse places, Thurow illuminates the science, economics, politics, and progress of the 1,000 days movement, as well as the formidable obstacles and challenges it faces.

Roger Thurow joined the Chicago Council on Global Affairs as senior fellow for global food and agriculture in January 2010 after three decades at The Wall Street Journal. For 20 years, he served as a Journal foreign correspondent, based in Europe and Africa. His coverage of global affairs spanned the Cold War, the reunification of Germany, the release of Nelson Mandela, the end of apartheid, the wars in the former Yugoslavia and the humanitarian crises of the first decade of this century – along with 10 Olympic Games.

In 2003, he and Journal colleague Scott Kilman wrote a series of stories on famine in Africa that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting. Thurow and Kilman are authors of the book, ENOUGH: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty.

In 2009, they were awarded Action Against Hunger’s Humanitarian Award. In May 2012, Thurow published his second book, The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change. His new book, The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – And the World, was published in May of this year.

Books are available at the Welcome Center for $10. If you would like to attend, please signup at the Welcome Center.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The 2016 Operating Budget approved by the congregation at the semi-annual meeting on February 7, 2016 totals $562,500, which represents a 5.6% increase from 2015. $532,000 of the income budget is from Operating Envelopes and/or those contributions received through Electronic Funds Transfer. Increase (Decrease) from Budget August Receipts: Actual Budget Dollars Percent Total $43,188 $43,100 $88 .2% Offering Envelopes $41,309 $ 41,000 $309 .9% YTD Receipts Actual Budget Prior Year (P/Y) Total $326,092 $341,745 $327,860 Offering Envelopes $307,126 $324,000 $306,976 Increase (Decrease) from Budget Increase (Decrease) from P/Y YTD Receipts Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Total ($15,653) (4.6%) ($1,768) (.5%) Offering Envelopes ($16,871) (5.2%) $149 .05%

August, 2016 Attendance: 761 August, 2015 Attendance: 934 YTD 2016 Attendance thru August: 9,562 YTD 2015 Attendance thru August: 9,239 Note that August, 2016 has 4 Sundays vs. 5 Sundays in August, 2015

The following graph shows the Operating Envelope Receipts for 2016 in comparison to the Budget and the Prior Year:

Pledges total $1,370,000 towards the Capital Campaign goal of $1,500,000. The estimated project cost is $3.5 million with up to $2.0 million financed as long-term debt. When construction is finished as planned in 2018, the debt reduction phase of the Capital Campaign will start in order to significantly pay down on the mortgage within the first three to five years after construction is completed.

Pledge dollars received to date as part of the three-year pledge campaign total $405,107 as summarized below:

This past month has been spent working with Findorff, the general contractor, to solidify the finer details of the building project. One positive that has been determined is that the location of the Preschool will remain in its current space until Fall 2018, when it will move to the newly completed building. All interim safety issues will be addressed as they relate to the new construction.

We will also be announcing our project to the Community at large. During the week of October 2, St. James will be sending a press release to local media. We will print the press release in its entirely in the October 1-2 bulletins for our members to view in advance.

As always, members of our Building Committee, Lee DeBaillie, Tim Doyle, Dave Engelke, Jan Eymann-McConville, Jon Schellpfeffer, and Pastor Kurt Billings, are available to answer any questions you may have.

Traditional Norwegian lefse takes a lot of labor to make. But you can taste the love baked into the lefse sold at The Women of St. James Bake Sale. Whether lefse-making was a tradition that you grew up with or you’re wondering “What is lefse?” We have a volunteer opportunity for you. Chloe Circle is searching for volunteers to help make lefse for The Women of St. James’ Bake Sale. You will RECEIVE training from our Chloe Circle lefse-makers in how to mix, roll and bake a round of lefse. This project will GROW your culinary skills and encourage you to meet other church members. Finally, we will GIVE the lefse to be sold at the bake sale to raise money for projects funded by The Women of St. James. [There may be a few leftover lefse rounds for sampling at the end of the day too.] Lefse-making will be held in the church kitchen on Saturday, November 5 (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Sunday, November 13 (Noon to 5 p.m.) All skill levels are encouraged to sign-up on the bulletin board in the narthex for the preferred date of your choice by October 23. Chloe Circle does have some lefse-making supplies, but if you have a lefse grill, rolling board, turning stick, etc. that you are willing to bring – we would appreciate it. Chloe Circle is also searching for volunteers to make and donate riced potatoes to make the lefse dough. Recipe will be provided.

Get ready to shop as once again Mary Circle & WELCA will be sponsoring the Christmas Gift Bags. Members of St. James are so generous and have helped give many kids these wonderful gift bags. These bags will be available at the Welcome Center the 1st weekend in November. Last year we donated 225 gift bags. Questions? Contact Loretta Docken @ Retts@tds.net

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH This is how it works: Each bag is labeled for the appropriate age with a suggested list of gift items. You can wrap a few items or just put them in the bag. Please note how big the bag is when doing the shopping as we would like to have items fit in bag. Return your bags to the Welcome Center by Nov 27th. These Christmas bags will be delivered to the Badger Prairie Needs Network for distribution the 1st week in December (don’t worry, we’ll take more bags over the 2nd weekend of Dec too).

WOMEN OF ST. JAMES

88 Quilts were made in the past year and will be delivered to the train boxcar on Saturday, October 1st

The quilts that were made in 2015 were gladly accepted in the Republic of Georgia! The Lutheran World Relief partner in Georgia is the Union of Investments and Humanitarian Projects, which is a national non-profit agency that provides assistance to disabled individuals, orphans, and other socially vulnerable groups. The quilts are deemed invaluable during the cold winter months and provide a sense of security and dignity to those who receive them. Having these basic necessi-ties allows families to direct slim resources to other essentials like food, clothes, and firewood for heat.

The Quilting Group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 9:00 am. They quilt in the St. James kitchen.

Kids in their Sunday School

classroom during

Sunday School Kick-Off!

FROM THE PARISH NURSE...Barbara Rasmussen, RN.,CPN

October brings beautiful color changes to Wisconsin and the higher incidence of respiratory infections. The “flu season” usually runs from October through May. Remember the vaccine is not effective for 12-14 days after receiving the shot. The flu is caused by influenza viruses and is considered a highly contagious respiratory infection. The flu virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose, or eyes.

When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. You can also get the flu by touching a contaminated inanimate object like a phone, doorknob, counter or desk. The virus lives on such objects for some time. It is very important to remember to cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands often. In public restrooms, remember to use a paper towel to dry your hands, and then turn off the faucets, and finally open the bathroom door before throwing away your paper towel. Please check for the Wash Your Hands signs in all of the church bathrooms.

Flu symptoms include: fever and many times a cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhea and vomiting. If these occur, stay home, drink plenty of liquids and get rest. Protect the health of others by staying away from crowds, covering your cough, and washing your hands often. If you do not improve, contact your health care provider.

Be aware and stay as healthy as you can. Stop Germs, Stop Flu!!

God’s Blessings,

Barb

October 9

Blood Pressure Checks are taken the second

Sunday of each month at 10:15 am in the Church Office.

Save the Date! November 6th

Our annual Hope & Healing dinner and celebration will be held Sunday, November 6 at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm in the Narthex followed by a speaker and program in the Sanctuary. Members, family & friends who have suf-fered a loss of any kind are welcome.

Turn your thoughts toward knitting or crocheting prayer shawls and you will contribute to a very rewarding outreach ministry at St. James. The shawls are prayerfully made and bring comfort by wrapping the recipient in the warmth and hugs of those prayers. The shawls and a prayer card are given to parishioners and others who have a special need for prayer due to illness, surgery, a life changing event or trauma, death of a loved one and various other reasons. A white baptismal prayer shawl and prayer card is given to each baby at their baptism. Prayer shawl workshops are held the first and third Wednesday of every month from 9:00 am — 11:00 am in one of the class rooms at the Sow’s Ear, 125 S. Main Street, Verona. After our opening prayer we spend time chatting and knitting or crocheting over tea or coffee. New participants are always welcome and there is yarn available for your use in the church office. October Prayer Shawl Workshop dates are the 5th and 19th. If you have questions about this ministry please contact Judy Fetherston at 845-6086.

School is off to a great start. The kids are making friends, learning the routines, and are busy playing.

Bucky Books are available for purchase at the Welcome Center for $35. The preschool receives $15 profit for each book sold!! You can also contact Heather at sjp@stjamesverona.org to purchase a book. There are a lot of great coupons in the Bucky Books. In fact you will save more than $35 when using the book. Check out a sample at the Welcome Center to see all the savings!

We were able to purchase a new climber for the playground with fundraising money. Thank you to Brian Bazala for helping us put it together!

We also used fundraising money to give Ms. Lori’s room a “facelift” with new furniture, some new toys, and more for her science center for kids to explore. Ms. Lori’s room is the Nursery at Church so stop by and check it out sometime.

PARISH NOTES

427 South Main Street

Verona, WI 53593-1492

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

W e remember in our prayers — Members of St. James: Harlan Dahlk, Laurie Hambrecht, Kirsten Hansen,

Cheryl Latsch, Lynn Marquardt, Marie Parnow, Carol Path, Monica Pechan, Maureen Rand, Charles & Ruby Reuter, Franklin Schwenn, Amanda Spencer, Dale Thompson & David Thompson. Friends of St. James: Kirsten Curtis, Debbie Loughrin, Heidi Peterson, Julie Rogness & Laura Schurman. Relatives of Members: Helen Abplanalp (mother of Chuck Abplanalp), John Bittrich (father of Elise Taft), Anne Bloomer (Rob Frederick’s grandmother), Eberta DeBaillie (mother of Lee DeBaillie), Janine Gerke (sister-in-law of Red & Diann Chapman), Brad Hafermann, (brother-in-law of Sandy Saether), Hillary Knobloch (niece of Sandy Saether), Don Koch (brother of Cookie Thompson), Al Miller (brother-in-law of Cookie Thompson), Sally Mueller (sister of Susan Mueller), Hank Murphy (great nephew of Jim & Mindy Storch), Terri Mykisen (cousin of Laurie Halminiak), Sandy Opsal (daughter of Burnell & John Morton), Craig Parman (brother-in-law of Sandy Saether), Norman Schroeder (brother of Marilyn LeMoine), Don Waalen (father of Karen Breitnauer), David Wallace (father of Sheri Doyle), Chris Watters (brother of Ben Watters), and Karen Zicke (mother of Shane Zick).

In Residence: Four Winds - Lorraine Crownhart, Robert & Roberta Miller, Dona Nyhus, and Maureen Rand; Girlie’s Manor at Ingleside - Duane Eliason; Oakwood West—Adeline Otterness and Lorine Kahl. The Sebring Assisted Care Residence: LeRoy Dockter; St. Mary’s Care Center — Olga Ascher and Bill Gilbert. Willow Pointe - Betty Burgenske,

Margaret Hendrickson, and Marv & Cookie Thompson. Willow Pointe Memory Care - Vera Schreiner, Doris Stuber, and Dodie Syvrud.

S erving in the Military: Bryan Tordoff, Dan Sullivan, Adam

Jeziorski, Casey Biggins, Mark Nyhus, Ryan Nyhus, Adam Pechan, Casey Pulver, David Pulver, and Shandra Pulver.

S acrament of Holy Baptism: Monroe Emersyn Miller, daughter of Nick &

Tiffany (Ziltner) Miller on September 17.

C hristian Sympathy is extended to the family of Bekah Jonjak as they

mourn the death of her mother, Laurie Ronning; and to the family of Maureen Rand, as they mourn the death of her son, Peter Hegge.