Six task forces have begun to consider goals and action steps. Here's the date of their next meetings:
"The Vision Committee has almost completed the Narrative which sets forth
goals of Our Savior Lutheran Church which were first envisioned nearly two
years ago. Some of these goals have already been reached and others are
still a dream. A special letter will be mailed to each member of the
congregation together with a copy of the Narrative sometime after Easter and
before the Voters meeting in June. Please keep an eye out for this special
mailing. We would like to hear your comments."
The Vision Planning Committee, the Christian Education Committee and all 30 members of the five task forces, Outreach to the Community, Youth, Varied Worship, Engaging Climate and Building and Renovation, attended an orientation meeting on Sunday, September 30, 2001 led by Rev. Paul Huneke and Tony Bracco.
The purpose of this meeting was to acquaint the task forces with each of their mandates, provide a model for setting and prioritizing goals, provide copies of materials to be used in the planning process and provide copies of the Goals and Indicators agreed upon by the participants in the June Planning Event. Each task force then had an opportunity to set a goal and begin the planning process which would culminate in the realization of the goal. The auditorium was filled with the excitement and enthusiasm of people exchanging ideas and voicing opinions. By the end of the meeting, most task forces had familiarized themselves with the planning process and had set a date for their next meeting. Watch future newsletters and the church bulletin for the latest news from each task force.
In order for some of the task forces to proceed, they must have the input of the congregation. After all, we are trying to discovery God's vision for all of the members of the church. Therefore, we need to enlist the congregation's support and help. From time to time a survey from one or another of the task forces may be placed in the Church Bulletin. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FILL OUT AND RETURN THE SURVEY (THAT SAME DAY IF POSSIBLE) SO THAT YOUR OPINION CAN BE HEARD. You may hand the completed surveys to an usher or other designated person after the church service. If anyone is interested, there is still room on the task forces for you to participate. Contact either Pastor Terry or Marlene Pezzuti.
Education Task Force - If you have not filled out a survey with respect to your interest in a Bible study group, it is not too late. Please see Donna Vande Wende or Marlene Pezzuti for a survey. Results are being compiled and will be posted on this home page when they become available. Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete a survey.
BIBLE STUDY SURVEY RESULTS The Education Task Force met February 14, 2002 and compiled the results of the Survey to determine interest in a number of suggested Bible Study Groups. Twenty five people responded to the survey. The top two areas of interest were Crossways, a two year comprehensive study of the Bible, and a lunch Bible study. The other areas of interest in descending order of preference were A Round Robin Home Bible Study, a Breakfast Bible Study, a Couples Bible Study, a Summer Bible Study, A Bible Study with crafts, a
Singles Bible Study and a Parenting Bible Study. Armed with this information, the Task Force has set its goal to have at least two new Bible studies available to the congregation by September 2002 or at the latest January 2003. Watch the Newsletter and Church Bulletin for upcoming announcements!
The Task Force would like to thank those people who said that they would consider leading one of the foregoing groups. We will be in touch with you!
Marlene Pezzuti for The Education Task Force.
On August 2nd, 2002 five members of Our Savior transported and served approximately 70 homeless persons at the walk-in Shelter in Hackensack. After much planning by the Outreach Committee, with the help of Lutheran Brotherhood's financial support, and with the congregation's help, everything went smoothly and successfully.
Our Master Chefs, Paul and Diane Durlacher, prepared delicious roast beef and gravy. Members of the congregation prepared the side dishes and desserts. Others contributed various items that were needed to complete the meal. Bill Boswell helped transport the meal to the shelter. Paul and Diane Durlacher, Louise Boswell and Arlene Rudmann then proceeded to serve the meal.
Even though the temperature was in the 90's while serving the meal, the group left with a feeling of gratification at having been of service to those less fortunate. The homeless people enjoyed every bite, and praised and thanked the group as they went on their way out into the hot street again. None of this would have been possible without the diligent planning of the committee and with the help of these members of the congregation that assisted in this project.
Many thanks go to all that helped organize, cook or donate supplies. These include: Judy Bell, Ruth Bitten, Louise Boswell, Lillian Burrows, Anne Christie, Bev Engelhardt, Annette Evans, Dena Hertel, Christina Insel, Ellie Katsch, Ginger Latyak, Mary Laube, Shirley Loeber, Patti Lux, Birte and Carl Mainardi, Jane
McLaughlin, Charlotte Miller, Roberta and Robin Nielson, Anna Marie Oliver, Marlene Pezzuti, Betty Rosko, Arlene Rudmann, Sharon Sabino, Muriel Sands, Iris Sems, Karen Smith, Pat Socha, Linda Soff, Leslie Thompson, Donna Vander Wende, and Dorothy Weidowke.At the inception of this project many of us were skeptical about various aspects involved in planning and carrying out the feeding of so many people at the shelter. However, our vision became a reality with everyone's help.
Our next endeavor is to feed at the over-flow shelter at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glen Rock on September 29th. Following that we are planning on feeding those at the family shelter at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Englewood on October 7th.
Thank you and God bless.
02/09
Has a goal to have Greeters at each worship service on Sundays to welcome the congregation and visitors. If you would like to be of service in this capacity as one of our greeters, sign up on the narthex bulletin board.
Serving- By Judy Stone
As a member of the Engaging Climate Task Force and trying to meet the challenge that comes with serving on this Task Force. I began to ask the question "How to I serve/help my church (Our Savior) to have a welcoming climate? I sing in a choir, I am a sub SS Teacher, I am the secretary for the Mission Committee.I was on to something here. It was all I, I, I - What happened to the we in welcoming? If I am to serve at Our Savior,
I needed to have a we attitude
Not an I attitude.Leslie Thompson shared her story about being an usher that really makes the we come alive for me. Here's what she said:
"Shortly after I became a member, I was asked if I was interested in serving as an usher. I was unsure, but figured "why not?" I had no clue that this would be a wonderful opportunity to get to know members of my new church family. After service I would go home and, using the Church Directory, look up the face of one person who was particularly nice to me that day and memorize their name. Soon I knew a lot of names and this made me feel even more like I belonged.
I discovered that I totally enjoyed greeting people. Smiling is contagious! I was continually reassured by my "teammates" "You're doing fine" or "There's nothing to worry about you know, you can't get fired from this job".
If I started out the day not feeling well I noticed an amazing thing. By getting involved, by talking and smiling I forgot all about me. The good feeling I had from doing "my job" stayed with me all day."
What a great story! Greeting people and getting to know them makes for an "Engaging or Welcoming Climate" to serve at Our Savior with a we attitude. I am now willing to add my name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex to be a GREETER.I humbly come to serve and be a part of the "we" at
Our Savior -will you join me!!!WANTED: Smiling faces and good hand shakers! Sign up to be a GREETER! A training session will begin soon.
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