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Mark January 29 on Your Calendar The annual meeting of the congregation is set for Sunday, January 29 immediately following the morning worship service. As we look to the future, be sure to attend this important meeting. The agenda for the meeting includes election of a church council and consideration of a budget for 2012. The congregation will also be asked to weigh a proposal to participate in "Profound Partnership" with Atonement, Our Savior’s and St. Andrew Lutheran Churches. (See next article.) Copies of the annual report will be available the weekend of January 21 and 22. Council members and program coordinators are asked to turn their reports in to the church office by January 13. Members of the 2011 Emmaus council include:
Here are the members of Emmaus' Mission Exploration Team:
Congregations Establish ‘Profound Partnership’ Conversations regarding a profound partnership among leaders of four Racine ELCA congregations — Atonement, Emmaus, Our Savior’s and St. Andrew—will continue the second week in January. Coming out of the RAMS process (Racine Area Mission Strategy), preliminary work is being done to draft a covenant among the collaborating congregations who share a common vision for mission in Racine. Leaders from the four congregations and all members who are interested in joining together in this collaborative process are invited to a working meeting at Atonement Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9. In addition to forming a covenant to be considered by the congregations involved, there will be an opportunity to work in areas where participants have most interest/passion. Some of the interest groups will include: grant writing and fundraising, youth and young adult ministry, entrepreneurial and co-op possibilities, community garden and feeding the hungry opportunities, emerging/alternative worship opportunities, discipleship training, ministry with people of color, healing and wellness ministry, and an emphasis on green/ environmental initiatives.
Participants in the January 9 meeting will be commissioned to bring back information to their individual congregations for their consideration. The January 29 congregational meeting of Emmaus will include a proposal to officially become a part of the Profound Partnership Congregations. Those who would like more information regarding the January 9 meeting or the Profound Partnership process may contact Pastor Mary or Pastor Jhon Freddy.
Council Presents Balanced Budget The executive committee of the church council has been hard at work basing the proposed balanced budget for 2012 on actual expenses together with careful projections for giving and other revenues for the coming year. The budget will be ready for the congregation to review in mid January, prior to the January 29 annual meeting of the congregation. The proposed balanced budget is possible for several reasons:
Additional volunteers are being sought for the upcoming fundraisers. Contact Pastor Mary if you would like to learn more about how you can be involved.
Deficit Is Drastically Reduced As of press time, before Christmas weekend offerings have been officially counted and recorded, the deficit stands at $5,371.00. That reflects a sharp reduction from the all time high of over $27,000 in September. All bills have now been paid, and all monies borrowed internally have also been repaid. The current goal is to fulfill the commitment to our outstanding portion of the synod benevolence, a remaining $5,400.00, by mid January. Benevolence gifts (not an assessed amount, but a pledge made by the congregation and approved as a part of our annual budget) are used to help support foreign missions, seminaries, campus ministries, as well as other synod and national ELCA ministries and staff. How has it been possible to make such a significant turn around in such a short time? When word went out the end of September of our severe financial crisis, there were responses at a number of levels. The Latino worshiping community of Emmaus contributed $2,000 from their checking account and an additional $2,000 from the proceeds of their fall festival. Several people, who increased their pledges for 2012, began contributing the higher amount for the remainder of 2011. Others have designated special gifts for deficit reduction. Scrip proceeds of $3,000 have been deposited into the general fund. In addition, nine households, with gifts ranging from $500 to $5,000, have contributed over $15,000 to the Sustaining Fund. 80% of the one-time Sustaining Fund gifts are used for deficit reduction, and the remaining 20% is put into savings for capital reserves.
Stay tuned… it appears very likely that Emmaus will end the year in the black! Grateful for God’s grace and committed to mission—that’s who the people of Emmaus are. Once again, you have responded generously to God’s abundant grace, ensuring that significant mission will continue in 2012 and beyond! Thank you to all who have shared what God has first given you!
On-Line Giving Offers Convenience Do you pay your mortgage or utility bills automatically out of your checking account? How would you like to do the same with your offerings to Emmaus? While this method of giving is not for everyone, there are some benefits for both you and the church. You will not have to remember to make out a check as you hurry out the door on Sunday mornings and the church will realize a more steady flow of income over the year. The way this will work is that there will be a link on our website where you can set up what is called a profile. In this profile you will indicate the amount and frequency of your offering. You will be able to indicate whether you want to have the offering come out of your checking account or have it put on a credit card.
Sustainability Fund Established With dual goals of eliminating the deficit by year's end and of establishing a nest egg for capital improvements/repairs, Emmaus has established a sustaining fund. Gifts of $500 or more earmarked "sustaining fund" will be divided as follows: 80% for deficit reduction and 20% for a capital improvement reserve savings fund. Gifts of under $500 should be earmarked "deficit reduction" and will go entirely for that purpose. The fund, established less than two weeks ago, already has one-time gifts/commitments of $8,000. Our deficit has been reduced from a high of $29,000 two months ago to the current amount of just under $12,000. With the exception of our synod benevolence and internal borrowing, all of our current bills have now been paid. Those who are able are encouraged to consider an extra-mile one-time gift to the Emmaus Sustaining Fund before year's end. On-line gifts from your checking account or by credit card may be made through the electronic giving link. Gifts made by check should indicate “Sustaining Fund” on the memo line.
Thank you to all who have already helped to move the mountain of our earlier deficit! We now hope to end the year in the black and to present a balanced budget for 2012. Thank you to each and every one of you who will also help make that a reality with you year-end gifts.
‘I Resolve’ Is Stewardship Theme by Emmaus Stewardship team The Stewardship theme for January is "I Resolve." As we enter a new year, you are challenged to make a resolution associated with your stewardship. Resolve to give additional time or offer more of your talents to an organization or cause that is important to you. Write it down and put your resolution in a prominent place to serve as a reminder. We realize that it is often difficult to remain motivated to act on a resolution for an extended period of time, but we hope you will take the challenge and extend more of your time and talents to something important to you.
Give of Your Time — Share Your Talents — Mentor a Child.
RAMS Process Leads to Collaboration Following approximately ten months of conversation and process, the Racine Area Mission Strategy (RAMS) group met on November 19 to make proposals for next steps. Led by Rev. Sandy Chrostowski, Rev. Stephen Bouman and Bishop Jeff Barrow, leaders of ten Racine ELCA congregations were invited to present proposals and visions for the church of the future in Racine. Representing Emmaus, Atonement, St. Andrew and Our Savior’s, pastors from those congregations used song, PowerPoint, scripture, and handouts to help communicate "A Vision of Profound Partnership Among ELCA Congregations in Racine." Driven by mission, the four congregations are working together to form a deep partnership to covenant with one another into the future. The mission goals of the four congregations include:
A November 29 meeting was scheduled for the leaders of these four congregations to talk about next steps, which may include possibilities of sharing staff, using different sites to specialize in specific ministries, new funding possibilities, and the creation of a new worship experience for young adults. Those who would like to be a part of future conversations are welcome and are encouraged to contact Pastor Mary or Pastor Jhon Freddy to learn more. Bishop Jeff Barrow informed the group at the RAMS meeting of the number of congregations in Racine that are either in the call process or currently have an interim pastor. These congregations are: Emmanuel, Redeemer, Bethania, Zion, St. Paul’s, and Gethsemane. Because none of these congregations currently has a full-time pastor, Bishop Barrow indicated the advisability of congregations yoking and sharing a pastor. By offering an incoming pastor a full-time call, Barrow told the group that there would be more of an incentive for pastors new to Racine to establish roots and invest in the community. Leaders from the congregations in transition met together to assess where future yoking and staff sharing might lead. Between now and the end of February, the smaller groups will do work specific to the partnerships and collaborations in which they are involved. Pastor Sandy Chrostowski will be the contact person for the Synod office during that two-month period. The larger group will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church to report concrete action, both completed and in progress. Who Are We? Willing to be progressive, to risk
What’s happening at Emmaus?
Outreach for Hope Announces Grants Outreach for Hope has announced that it has awarded Emmaus Outreach/Latino Ministry $33,000 for the year 2012 to continue to carry Christ’s mission to the poor. "The ministry we undertake should transform people's lives and not give hollow promises," said OFH Director Rev. Jim Bickel. "Thank you for the transforming ministry you engage in as an Outreach for Hope site." The grants were reviewed by an Allocations Committee made up of members of the Greater Milwaukee Synod before being approved by the OFH Board of Directors. The Board has pledged to raise and distribute $335,000 to OFH churches and ministries during 2012. Distribution of funds will come in four quarterly payments, starting April 15, 2012.
2011 Churchwide Assembly Convenes in Orlando
Malaria Campaign Every 45 seconds, a child dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. Now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will join with Lutheran churches in Africa, to work toward a malaria-free future. This effort is part of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, officially launched by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly by a 968-19 vote. A goal of the campaign is to raise $15 million over a four-year period. "Throughout our life as the ELCA, we have focused our work with our global partners around the concept of accompaniment, our relationships with companion churches all over the world," said the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl as she introduced the campaign to voting members. DeGroot-Nesdahl is the campaign’s coordinator. Genetics Statement By a 942-34 vote, the assembly adopted “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility” a social statement on genetics. The statement is one of the first by an American church that develops a comprehensive ethical framework for addressing human power and issues such as medical, agricultural and cultural concerns. Voting member from the Greater Milwaukee Synod Bruce Campbell reported, "My own take on the statement is this: The scientific, business, and bioethics communities are already talking about the potential new technologies swirling around genetics. This statement brings the church to the table." Budget The assembly approved, by a vote of 919 to 33, a two-year ELCA budget which included significant cuts in many programs including campus ministry. As much as the new budget poses a significant challenge to ELCA ministries, Rev. Sue Ruehle notes, "Now when action is proposed, rather than hiring someone to head our response, we will move to take action ourselves." The Assembly also approved the LIFT (Living Into the Future Together) documents which represent a significant restructuring of the national church office. The resolutions from the LIFT cut advisory boards, change the large gatherings from every two years to every three years, and expand the size and duties of the Church Council. Memorials, Other Actions The Churchwide Assembly considered a series of resolutions put forth by the Memorials Committee regarding the expansion of multicultural ministry (adopted by a 917-29 vote); addressing the International Year for People of African Descent (adopted by a 899-55 vote); and concerns surrounding bullying, harassment and related violence (adopted by a 932-23 vote). With a 676-196 vote, the assembly declined to implement changes in governing documents that would increase the number of voting members to Synod Assemblies and Churchwide Assemblies who are non-rostered laypersons. The Greater Milwaukee Synod voting members kept a blog during the assembly. The 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held Aug. 12-18 in Pittsburgh.
We have saved accounts of the churchwide assemblies of 2001, 2005, and 2009 for those who wish to review actions taken at those assemblies.
Pastor Mary to Modify Schedule At the June 12 congregational meeting, Pastor Mary explained that she would like to have more personal time off than in prior years. For the past twenty years, she has had one day off each week. To allow for more personal time "to possibly take an art class, to accomplish some home projects, to read, or to take a short road trip," she requested that she be put on ¾ time status, with the first full week of the month off, to allow her to pursue some of those personal goals. A guest preacher would take responsibility for preaching either the first or second weekend of each month. Pastor Jhon Freddy and other pastors would be on call for pastoral emergencies during that week. The congregation approved the proposal, which modified her salary compensation. She will receive 75% of the minimum base salary recommended by the Greater Milwaukee Synod for a person of her tenure. After the added expense of guest preachers is factored in, the annual savings to the congregation will be approximately $10,000.
Synod Assembly Boosts Anti-Bullying Efforts, Diakonia
Pastor Mary, Pastor Walter, Claranna Vytlacil, Art Smith and Jhon Freddy Correa represented Emmaus. Elected to Synod Council
Consultation Committee
Resolutions Voting members approved a resolution sponsored by Reconciled in Christ calling upon the church to Speak and Act to Prevent Bullying, Harassment and Related Violence: "The Greater Milwaukee Synod [shall] memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to encourage, support and publicize new partnerships in ministry that emerge in our church addressing the prevention of bullying, harassment, and related forms of violence, especially with higher risk populations." The assembly approved a resolution from Luther Memorial Church, West Allis that the Synod "establish a seven member Evangelism Task Force to study the feasibility of calling an individual(s) as a Synod Evangelist(s) to be an 'in house' evangelist for a month per congregation" and that "this task force report back to the 2012 Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly." Voting members approved a resolution sponsored by Diakonia calling upon all Synod congregations to "support Greater Milwaukee Synod Diakonia program by the following actions;
The assembly approved a resolution sponsored by the Milwaukee I Mission Cluster stating that "WHEREAS participation in the Board of Pensions wellness program can also mean big bucks for individual participants ($450 a year) as well as for congregations and organizations in the Synod ($47,000 total for the synod), THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Assembly strongly encourage eligible rostered leaders to get on the stick and sign up for the Board of Pensions’ Wellness program, starting with taking the Mayo Clinic health assessment through the Board of Pensions’ website."
Milwaukee I Mission Cluster also sponsored a resolution "that the Greater Milwaukee Synod shall commit itself to make every effort to defend and restore the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers and shall express this position to the Legislature, Governor, and Congressional delegation of Wisconsin." The resolution was not brought up for a vote, due to passage of a substitute motion "[n]ot to consider Resolution 6 and that, within 30 days, the synod council be directed to establish a team comprised of stakeholder parties, public employees, community, business and theological leadership in our synod, to develop a faithful vision of the need for participatory work places and the dignity and importance of all people and a plan for the church to take the lead in guiding the community into a more careful discussion of collective bargaining and its place in life-giving work places."
Clergy Form BetterPastors.com Group Seven Racine ELCA pastors met at Emmaus on June 15 to establish BetterPastors.com, a Racine ELCA Clergy Cluster group willing to agitate each other to better leadership. The pastors, including Pastor Mary and Pastor Jhon Freddy, represent five Racine ELCA congregations. Those congregations are Atonement, Emmanuel, Emmaus, Our Savior’s and St. Andrew. The group has set their regular meeting time for 1:30-3:30 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The gatherings will take place in homes to assure confidentiality and freedom from interruptions. Each meeting will begin with a half hour Bible study, and the person leading that study will then chair the meeting for that month.
Participating pastors will prepare for their first meeting on July 12 by submitting a list of their leadership goals to their colleagues in the group. A tool known as "agitation" will then be used each month, with at least two of the pastors being agitated and challenged at each of the monthly meetings. Their stated goals will provide the framework for monthly reports and future agitations.
Bethania Love and Charity Endowment Fund Grants Major Gift to Latino Ministry In the last part of a three-step process, the congregation of Bethania Lutheran Church voted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 to make a major gift from their Love and Charity Endowment (LACE) fund to the Latino ministry at Emmaus. The gift of $45,000, the largest in the history of LACE, will be granted in the 2010 and 2011 calendar years, with half of the total sum being given each year. Jacci Young, chair of the LACE committee spoke with Pastor Mary immediately following the Emmaus Spanish worship service on June 13. As worshipers were leaving the service, Pastor Mary announced the wonderful news to cheers and applause from the Latino people in attendance. They then joined in a collective "Gracias!" that Jacci was able to hear as Pastor Mary held her cell phone in the air so that the group could convey their appreciation and excitement. Although a majority of the Latino/as who regularly worship at the weekly service in Spanish are not yet official voting members of the congregation, they made their voices heard through a letter to the members of Emmaus. Dozens of signatures of adults and children have been affixed to a letter strongly endorsing Jhon Freddy Correa, affirming their desire to have him receive a call to serve Emmaus as their pastor. The letter of call drafted by the call committee is for a three-year term, which could be further extended at the end of that term.
A number of Latino individuals are now completing the necessary paper work in preparation for their becoming full voting members of the congregation. Further details regarding the process of membership will be forthcoming. It is anticipated that there will be a significant number of individuals who will be a part of the adult affirmation of Baptism when that opportunity is offered.
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The 2011 Churchwide Assembly convened in Orlando, Florida from August 15 to 19. Voting members from the Greater Milwaukee Synod included John Berge of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church and Rev. Sue Ruehle of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
The Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly was held at Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Waukesha on Friday through Sunday, June 24-26 under the theme "Going Public." 
Voting members approved a 
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