January 2018
As we turn the calendar from one year to the next, we’re often surrounded by top ten lists. The ten
best movies of 2017! The ten best music albums! The top ten news stories! In true new year fashion,
how about a Red Oak Grove list? This may not be your top ten list and I probably could have gone to
15 or 20. But it’s a start. So here we go –
Ten Things (in no particular order) to Celebrate at Red Oak Grove in 2017
A Strawberry Social! The women introduced a new menu this year – to lots of compliments! – and
you turned out in high numbers to help serve our guests!
We bared the cold weather inside the walls of Red Oak Grove as a new heating system was installed.
It was a month of chills and coats-on-inside but we did it. THEN your generosity kicked in to pay off
the new heating system by year’s end. Thank you!
We continue to call, check in, send cards, and pray for those in our community who are sick, grieving,
or unable to come to church. Let’s keep that up in big ways in the year to come!
We’ve started a new Bible study group that meets on the third Thursday of the month. Those who
attend really appreciate it. Join us! (Read page 4 for more details.)
GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) continues to go strong and welcome new families. We have a blast
being together and growing in our faith.
We introduced a prayground in our worship space. Some Sundays it gets used and loved; others it
doesn’t but that’s okay. I’m proud that we took a risk and tried something new for our young families!
Our Noisy Coin offering reached out into our communities, sharing monetary gifts with the Anyuak
worshipping community in Austin, local food shelves, disaster response, the Youth Club of BP, the
Backpack Program in Blooming, and many others. Thank you!
We made strides to improve our building – from painting to landscaping to plans for future projects.
The Monday morning quilting group continues to gather and sew, tie, and bind up quilts that benefit
people near and far. The fellowship and potluck is good for the soul too!
ALL the way YOU served each other and the communities around us. Those things you do that don’t
get noticed or recognized. Those ways you love your neighbors. Thank you.
May 2018 be another wonderful year of gathering, growing, and going forth to serve together.
Pastor Lindsay
RED OAK GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH – COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Brent Ingvalson. Members in attendance
included; Brent Ingvalson, Jenny Ingvalson, Marilyn Helleck, Tom Harber, Wendy Cadwell, Mike
Hoffman, Holly Ille, Tammy Harber, Anne Rudlong, Pastor Lindsay and Laura Tjomsland.
Highs and lows were shared.
The Pastor’s Report was given. The highlights included; thanks to all who helped to decorate the
Church for Christmas. Confirmation youth will be doing caroling. Times for Christmas worship was
outlined. Two Prairie Manor services, 17 visits with 5 hospital, 3 with communion, and 2 funerals.
The Secretary’s Report was presented. A motion was made by Mike and seconded by Jenny to
approve the report as presented. The motion was passed.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented. A motion was made by Tammy and seconded by Holly to
approve the report as presented. The motion was passed. Highlights from the report included;
opening balance of $24,162.15. Income was $12,264.75, expenses were $10,911.73, leaving a
balance of $25,515.17. The Youth Fund has a balance of $2,817.57, the Improvement Fund has a
balance of $18,569.18 and the remaining balance on the boiler is $503.29.
The WELCA Report was given, they have contributed $1000.00 towards the Boiler Fund. New
officers have been elected and the refrigerator in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
The Deacon’s Report was presented. They are working on activities for GIFT and for a Christmas
program.
Trustee’s Report was presented. They are holding off on the cement work until spring. Removal of
the dead trees is still planning to be completed before the end of the year. The repairs on the roof will
be held off until spring.
Old Business: A discussion regarding a helper to be available when we have a funeral. The
Trustees will look into the needs.
New Business: A discussion regarding the Wi-Fi in the church. A motion was made, seconded and
passed to move forward with this project. A motion was made, seconded and passed to provide
Pastor Lindsay the interest from the Education Fund to be applied to her student loans. A question
was brought up about the communion card holders, they will be inspected and repairs will be made,
as necessary. The Noisy Coin offering was discussed, the Council decided to match the amount to
the Anuack Community and share additional offering with other community programs.
The meeting was adjourned. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
The next meeting will be on January 14, 2018.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Tjomsland, Council Secretary
WELCA Minutes
The December 6, 2017 monthly meeting was called to order by President Joyce Peterson at 1 p.m.
There were 11 present. The meeting was opened in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The purpose was read. Our opening hymn was #279 “O Little town of Bethlehem”. Evelyn Johnson
read devotions from Isaiah “Our Prince of Peace”.
Secretary’s Report of the November meeting was read and approved. Correspondence was read. A
thank you from LCC for yearly donation. Thanks also from Rachel’s Hope, Austin, ARC of Mower
County for Dorcas Circle, Feed the Hungry, Austin-Dorcas Circle donation. A request from the Youth
Club of Blooming Prairie and the BP Education Foundation. Quilts will be given to both requests.
Treasurer’s Report given by Lavonne: Checking balance $1,018.32, Savings $4,642.99. Both
reports placed on file.
Committee Reports: Ardell reported that the next Prairie Manor auxiliary meeting will be February
27th at 1:30. Joyce Peterson will be taking over for Ardell. Quilting – Judy Wambeam. Ten adult
quilts and 16 children quilts were sent to Marie Sandvik. Sold 3 children’s quilts and bought supplies.
Small lap quilts will be taken to St. Marks Craft/Bake sale. Mitten Trees are up. Visitation – Many
had meals delivered, cards sent and calls made to them from our church family.
Unfinished Business: Cooler in the kitchen. Research for a used one. Birthday and Christmas card
to Pastor Lindsay. Thank you/Christmas to Marilyn Blume and Katie Zipse. Installation of 2018
officers – President, Karen Johnson; Vice President, Dorothy Peterson; Secretary, Linda
Christianson; Treasurer, Lavonne Smith; Mission Growth, Ardell Swenson; Mission Action, Judy
Wambeam and Pat Hanson.
Remembered our sisters in Christ who passed away in 2017. Offering was taken and offering
meditation was given by Ardell – “An Old Fashioned Christmas!” and “My Christmas Wish”.
Next meeting will be Sunday, January 7th at 10:15 a.m. Sang “Silent Night” and closed with the
Lord’s Prayer.
Linda Christianson, Secretary
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I wish to thank all of you for your prayers, cards and well wishes as I
recuperate from surgery. God willing, I will return to my home soon. Ardell
Lindquist
Thank you for all the cards, gifts and Christmas wishes this holiday season.
They are noticed and appreciated! Pastor Lindsay
Thank you to the local ditch group (formerly Magnuson Ditch Association) for a generous donation to
the church. The donation is from all current members and in memory of past members. Thank you!
To EVERYONE who contributed to the furnace fund in the past year. Because of your donations, we
are entering 2018 with a heating system that is PAID OFF. Thank you for your generosity!
Your 2018 Offering Envelopes can be picked up in the narthex. If you would like to have a copy of
your giving for 2017, please let the office know.
Any reports to be included in the Annual Report should be in the office by January 16.
In the months of November and December, we collected Noisy Coin Offering and physical food items
for our local food shelves. Thanks to YOU we collected 31 food items, $92 in Noisy Coin, plus a $50
Hyvee gift card. Thank you!
Third Thursday Coffee & Study
We continue to meet in the library at 9:30 on the third Thursday of the month to
study the upcoming gospel texts for worship. All are welcome to join us! Not
able to join but still curious? Let Pastor Lindsay know and she’ll get you a copy
of our guide for that month. We meet this month on January 18.
Children, Youth & Family
GIFT: Wednesday, January 3. This month, we’ll be learning about the book of Psalms in the Bible.
Brave the cold to come eat hot pizza, gather with family and friends, and learn together! Pizza is
served beginning at 5:30; we’ll begin as a large group a little after 6pm. Every one of every age is
welcome!
Confirmation: Confirmation begins back on its regular Wednesday schedule on January 10 and
continues each week through the month of January. Please remember to check your acolyte
schedule and find a replacement if you can’t be here on your assigned Sunday.
On Sunday, December 17, we told the Christmas
story using the ABCs. Many thanks to the
deacons who prepared for this day and to
everyone who read a letter in worship!
