AREA MISSION STRATEGY TEAM (AMST)
The AMST, comprised of clergy and lay representatives from each of the five local ELCA congregations meets monthly to discuss joint mission projects.
All are encouraged to attend the AMST meetings for the fellowship, to meet other Lutherans in the area, and for group discussions on joint mission projects.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Area Mission Strategy Team
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Richland Lutheran Church
Participants: Pr. Dan Rieke, David Baldwin, Dave & Dee Watrous (LoL); Pr. Bill Martens, Rich Barchet, Susan Miller, Bill Venema (RLC); Pr. Keith Hammer (KFLC); Pr. Helga Jansons, Ken Tesch (LCM).
An agenda was distributed; Susan Miller opened the meeting with prayer and provided a great devotional on Luke 10:1-10.
Updates and Happenings
LCM: A going away party was held for Pastor Carl and Ruthann Jensen on August 31. They will be moving to Bellingham in September.
RLC: Pr. Martens announced that Pr. Bill Voris has begun as the Interim Associate Pastor.
KFLC: Pr. Keith reported that the congregation will soon submit its profile to the synod to begin the call process. The congregation has hired Allison Newhouse as the youth and family ministries coordinator. On December 4, the congregation will host a workshop by Eric Law on relating to other cultures.
LOL: Pastor Daniel Rieke will be installed on September 28 at 3pm. The congregation is advertising for a part-time youth coordinator. On October 29-30 there will be a workshop on Bible Book of Faith; details forthcoming.
PFLC: The Lutheran Public Policy Committee will provide a workshop on October 17-18 for churches on dealing with policy and politics.
Mission Surveyor
Pr. Helga Jansons will be funded through the Good Shepherd Mission Endowment Fund, administered by the synod office, for 4 months as Mission Surveyer in the Tri Cities area and has completed a week of training in Chicago. Pr. Helga distributed a summary of what she expects to be doing as the mission surveyor for our area. She asked us to help define who she should contact, what questions she would ask, and how to best share the findings of her work. It was recommended to contact organizations that also serve the community (social service groups, utilities, phone, cable, transportation, etc.) as well as congregations. She anticipates regular meetings with Pr. Martens and Pr. Olson and members of the Lutheran church community in the Tri-Cities to communicate her findings. Interpretation of findings and recommendations based on these findings will be left to our congregations.
Pr. Helga requested that each church provide pictures and information about their congregation for use on one fold of a tri-fold brochure (6 fold-sides) that she plans to give to those whom she contacts in her mission survey work.
Ken Tesch urged that her findings be shared with all of our cluster’s congregations. Pr. Dan asked that all congregations keep Pr. Helga’s mission surveyor work in prayer as she takes in information and as congregations respond to it.
The Missional Leader Workshop
The workshop featuring Alan Roxburgh is planned and set for October 3-4 at Richland Lutheran Church has been given the title “Becoming Shaped for Mission in a Changing World.”
Becoming Shaped for Mission in a Changing World
A workshop featuring the Rev. Alan J. Roxburgh,
world-renowned author and lecturer on the role of mission in our rapidly changing world.
This workshop provides the concepts, tools and resources for developing a mission-shaped small group process in local churches.
Friday, October 3, 6:30 - 9 PM
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, with a light lunch and refreshments
at Richland Lutheran Church, Richland, Washington.
Registration $20 per person for sponsoring congregations, otherwise $40 per person. Registration deadline Sept 26. $5 more for after-deadline registrations.
Overnight accommodations, if needed, are on your own.
To register, call or email Dave or Dee Watrous: 509-628-2967, deeWatrous@aol.com
Cluster Meeting: All Saints Sunday, November 2 at 3 PM; contact Ken Tesch for details.
Advent choir evening: December 13; contact Susan Miller for details.
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 7, at RLC. Dwell on Luke 10:1-11.
The meeting adjourned with a group prayer about 8:30 PM.
Respectfully,
Rich Barchet
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Area Mission Strategy Team
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Participants: David Baldwin, Dave Watrous (LoL); Linnea Hillesland, Pr. Karen Olson(LCM); Pr. John Hergert (PFLC); Rich Barchet, Susan Miller (RLC); Pr. Helga Jansons; Bishop Martin Wells (E-WA/ID Synod).
An agenda was distributed; Bishop Wells opened the meeting with prayer; Rich Barchet provided a devotional on Luke 10:1-11.
Updates and Happenings
LCM: The congregation has hosted ice creams socials, with singing and prayer, on the 2nd Thursday of the summer months (next 8/14 & 9/11) at community parks in north Pasco. These events gave the community and congregation an opportunity to get to know each other. A multigenerational mission and art event was held in June.
RLC: VBS is being done every Wednesday during the summer starting with a family meal and then VBS for children and an adult study as well. Susan Miller led a women’s small group study of 20 in the Missional Leader book.
PFLC:joint VBS with KFLC and LCM was a success. Lutherhaven counselors did a great job. A walk to explore and familiarize the congregation with the neighborhood was conducted with 35-40 members participating.
Lord of Life: Pastor Daniel Rieke began as their new pastor on June 13. He also serves on the Synod’s Outreach Committee. The Mission Possible team spent a half-week mission trip at the Campbell Farm near Wapato to work with Pr. Jillian Ross and Program Director Carman Pimms on supporting their ministry and good work to the Hispanic and native American communities there.
Synod:Bishop Wells reported on many event coming up this fall – Bishops Convocation 10/27-29 at the Kennewick Red Lion Hotel, 10/29 ELCA Book of Faith-Introduction and 10/30 session for Pastors on teaching the Bible. There will be a party on 8/26 at Campbell Farm in Wapato (http://www.winbeam.com/~campbellfarm/) to celebrate the ministry that was begun by Pr. Jillian Ross. This ministry is far from being financially self-sustaining but still has been a priority for the Synod. Pr. Jillian is moving on to pursue other ministries on 9/1. Local leadership by Carman and her associates at Campbell Farm has been developing.
Mission Surveyor Grant
Bishop Wells provided a hand out on the revised grant proposal for Pr. Helga Jansons to serve our area as a mission surveyor for a four month period. Pr. Helga expressed great excitement about this ministry. It was important that all findings that come out of her work be communicated to all of our area ELCA churches, church councils, and pastors, and that all churches have input. The mission surveyor will work under the overall direction of Pr. Darius Larsen, Synod Mission Developer, and Bishop Wells. Close collaboration with area Lutheran pastors will also be needed to identify congregational and community needs as well as to interpret the findings. It was suggested that the mission surveyor team with one or more people from our congregations when making calls/visits to potential mission areas. This grant will be funded out of the Good Shepherd Legacy Fund.
The Missional Leader Workshop
The workshop featuring book author Alan Roxburgh is set for October 3-4 at Richland Lutheran Church has been given the title “Becoming Shaped for Mission in a Changing World.” Funding of the workshop will be through grants from congregations ($1,500 pledged so far) plus a $40/person registration fee. Pr. Karen Olson will check on Thrivent for support. Scholarships should be made available based on need. An e-mail announcement has been sent to area Lutheran congregations. A flyer will be printed and sent to larger set of area churches of all denominations. The Synod Outreach Committee plans to attend. It was suggested to ask the TriCity Herald to do a phone interview with Pr. Roxburgh prior to the workshop. The workshop title has been communicated to Pr Roxburgh’s organization, Allelon, http://www.allelon.org/main.cfm. See workshop details at end below.
Other
The Synod is considering bringing Pr. Dave Daubert on as a consultant to help stimulate the Synod’s clusters to be the focal point of mission within the Synod.
The Coyote Ridge Prison expansion includes a building for a chapel. However, no state (or federal) money can be used to outfit it. Synod is looking for volunteer craftsmen to build and install the chapel. The Synod estimates it will cost ~$40K to outfit and furnish the chapel. Contact Bishop Wells for details.
The Lutheran Public Policy Committee will provide training for churches on dealing with policy and politics on 10/18-19 at PFLC. Contact Pr. John Hergert for details.
Next meeting: Tuesday, September 2, at RLC. Dwell on Luke 10:1-11
.
The meeting adjourned with a group prayer about 9:00 PM.
Respectfully,
Rich Barchet
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Becoming Shaped for Mission in a Changing World
A workshop featuring the Rev. Alan J. Roxburgh,
world-renowned author and lecturer on the role of mission in our rapidly changing world.
This workshop provides the concepts, tools and resources for
developing a mission-shaped small group process in local churches.
Organized by the Area Mission Strategy Team
Friday, October 3, 6:30 - 9 PM
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, with a light lunch and refreshments
at Richland Lutheran Church, Richland, Washington.
Registration $20 per person for sponsoring congregations, otherwise $40 per person. Registration deadline Sept 26. Overnight
accommodations, if needed, are on your own.
To register, call or email Dave or Dee Watrous: 509-628-2967, deeWatrous@aol.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Area Mission Strategy Team
Monday, June 9, 2008
Lutheran Church of the Master
Participants: David Baldwin, Steve Meredith, David Watrous (LoL); Pr John Hergert (PFLC), Pr. Karen Olson, Ken Tesch, Richard Ding (LCM); Susan Miller, (RLC); Pr. Helga Jansons.
David Baldwin opened the meeting and introduced Steve Meredith, LOL Congregation President. An agenda was distributed and the meeting was started with prayer.
Updates and Happenings
Lord of Life: The congregation said goodby to interim Pr Ron Shipmen last Sunday and says hello to new Pastor Daniel Rieke, this coming Sunday, June 15th.
RLC: Susan Miller informed the group that she is leading a 20-women bible study, at RLC, in the book Missional Leader, with all having purchased the book. The study is being well-received.
LCM transformation: The congregation will host ice creams socials, with singing and prayer, on the 2nd Thursday of the summer months at two community parks in north Pasco. These events will give the community and congregation an opportunity to get to know each other. LCM also hosted a fine workshop on Evangelism and Calling, led by Pr Dick Wendt.
PFLC – Pr John said he is on the board of Lutheran Public Policy Office, under the LCS, and they are planning an evangelism workshop Oct 17-18, led by speaker ELCA pastor Paul Benz on How To Do Church, and is designed for Lutherans.
Grant Proposal for Mission Developer: We addressed a grant proposal, from Bishop Wells, for Good Shepherd Legacy funds, to fund Pr Helga Jansons for a 4 month period to do mission development surveying of several target community areas in the Tri Cities. After much discussion, we had consensus for strong approval of the proposal, only asking for some clarification in the written proposal. The position involved interviews with Pr Darius Larsen. The work will start Sept 1 and include mission developer training for Pr Helga in Chicago, and will involve close communication with LCM as well as the other congregations.
The Missional Leader Workshop: The workshop featuring Alan Roxburgh is on, changed date and presently set for Oct 3-4, Fri night and all day Saturday. Location still to be determined.
Summary of planning:
- Funding: we will ask each congregation to provide financial support, from $150 up to $500. $500 has been pledged by LOL. Pr Karen will contact Thrivent. Possible funds from the Cluster. Admission will be charged at $40/person. The sponsoring congregations will provide potluck.
- We decided to give this workshop a different name from the book, better reflecting the content and be more appealing. We asked Susan Miller’s bible study to try to give an appropriate name.
- Dave Watrous was asked and agreed to do registration. Thanks Dave and Dee.
- We must get this asap into the Synod Newsletter. Pr. Karen will do this.
Special Guest: We welcomed Pr Jairo Arauz, pastor of the Spanish congregation operating in LCM. Pr Jairo was a warm individual, terrific speaker, and has a real heart for Jesus and evangelism. He responded to all our questions. His non-denominational church, connected with one in CA, started 6 years ago with 1 family, has now grown to 40-45 families, has a radio bible study in Spanish on 92.5 FM, and is in the pentacostal tradition. He does much outreach with students and their parents, and his whole congregation is planning a theater evangelism outreach in Hood Park on July 5, with youth doing “The Prodigal Son”. He does evangelism in the classic way, earning trust, building relationship, speaking the Gospel, inviting the Holy Spirit, and taking time to do it right. We were all quite taken with him, and asked if he would be further available for more discussion and consultation, and he would be happy to.
Next meeting: Thursday, July 24, at LOL at 7:00 pm. Dwell on Luke 10:1-12.
The meeting adjourned with group prayer. | 
