Congregational Connector

After the first quarter of our new fiscal year STL is $15,000.00 under the budget projection. Until this situation is remedied, the BOD has set aside its standing motion to disperse $1,000 from the General Fund to pay off debt to the Restricted Account. That debt will remain at $6,263.27 for the indefinite future.

As we say “thank you” for all of the support given for MCREST, we turn our attention to S.A.S.S. which is just around the corner on October 15. On that Saturday we will be serving pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, chili, hotdogs, and with other items to the people of our community. We anticipate a crowd of about 200.

The BOD has approved a request of Rev. Deitrick Gladden, the pastor at Charity and Mount Calvary, Detroit whom we have been assisting, to rent a little office space from STL for Gladden Ministries, which supports places of hope in Africa and other foreign countries, providing Lutheran support to orphanages in the Congo and Haiti.

The June meeting started with a review of the guiding principles (mission, core values, goals, etc.) for the year ahead. Those serving on the Board include:

STL will have reduced office hours from June 20 through August 14. The Church Office will be open 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 P.M., Monday through Thursday. The office will be closed Fridays, starting May 27 and continuing through August 15. This will allow staff to get their vacation time in and also to work throughout the building without being concerned about answering the phone or opening the door.

The Board of Elders is looking back over the faithfulness of our God throughout the many years of STL’s history and how the Mission of God (Missio Dei) continues. Questions like, “Who has been a member of our staff the longest?”, “When and How did the Men’s Wednesday morning FHL get started?”, and “When was the ‘new’ front wing built?” are being asked. Answers – along with key times/events that you wish to add – will help us to remember the joys and the challenges God has led us through over the years. Keep your eyes open – this will eventually become a narthex display.

Though the conversation will continue next month, the Board of Directors initial conversations on congregational goals for the year ahead are focused upon four topics (in no particular order): 1) improve/enhance our work with STL’s electronic community; 2) activities that bridge generations; 3) (re)connecting with people in a post-pandemic world; and 4) Faith Hope Love Small Group Ministry. Thoughts and reactions from the congregation are welcome

Last spring the STL Voters’ Assembly amended the congregation’s constitution, reducing the number of annual Voters’ Assemblies from three to one, eliminating the September and January Voters’ Assemblies. The constitution continues to have provisions for special Voters’ Assemblies to be held as the need arises. The Board of Directors then decided to host two congregational forums – one in the fall and one early in the new year – using the ZOOM format.

We are midway through out 10-week emphasis leading STL into post-pandemic life and ministry. The emphasis carries through mid-September. Under God’s direction and with the prayer-filled support of the congregation, STL will be back in full ministry participation mode this fall.