Interim Grace Notes for October 15, 2021

Critical Tasks and Gifts for Ministry Survey

This is a repeat from last week, and last call. I know that some have completed the paper survey and dropped them in the box. Only 15 online responses so far, even after link in Three Things last Friday and today. Thank you all for your responses!

In addition to our Small Group Meetings, the Transition Team is asking that you complete a brief survey which will ask you to identify the most critical TASKS that our new pastor will need to address, and the GIFTS FOR MINISTRY that our new pastor will need to bring to our congregation. These are "checkbox lists" on the Ministry Site Profile, so the Transtion Team will simply check tasks and gifts that the largest number of Grace members select in the survey. Also, if you are/were unable to attend one of the Small Group Meetings, this survey will give you an opportunity to respond to the questions that were asked at the meetings.

You can complete and submit the online version of the survey online HERE. Do it right now! It will only take a few minutes! Printed blank surveys will be available in the narthex and Baker Street entrance which can be completed and placed in the survey boxes there, or returned to the church office by Monday, October 18.

First Letter for Stewardship Campaign Sent

On Tuesday, members of the Stewardship Team met to process the first mailing for our fall Stewardship Campaign, under the theme "Live Generously." Linda and Tricia ran giving statements for 2021 so far to give members an update on their generosity for 2021 to date. These were placed in window envelopes, and the Stewardship Added an introductory letter and a Generosity Story by Pastor Henry (

Living Generously T-Shirts Available

Something that I forgot to do at Monday's Council meeting was to distribute Live Generously t-shirts. We received a $250 Thrivent Action Team grant to help with expenses for our campaign (spent 100% on postage). We also received the full measure of Live Generously t-shirts, which is actually a Thrivent theme, but one which we have "borrowed" and are using as our Stewardship campaign theme. I will lay these out in the back pew, sorted by size, so Council members and Stewardship Team members, pick one up, and let's plan to wear them during the weeks of the campaign beginning this Sunday.

Wednesday Night Book Discussion Group

On Wednesday nights, following Spirit meal and Dinner Worship, I have been leading a discussion of the book Healthy Churches Faithful Pastors, a book that examines the many expectations that pastors and congregations have of each other. This, I think, is a helpful discussion to have as you will (hopefully) be soon calling a new pastor. For the past several weeks the topic has been what healthy congregations expect of faithful pastors. This past Wednesday we learned that:

Healthy congregations expect faithful pastors....

• to be preparing the congregation for their eventual successors
• not to over function such that the congregation starts to under function
• to empower other leaders in the church
• to take a sabbatical and let the congregation take a sabbatical, too
• to honor both silence and speech
• to make mistakes, to disappoint, and to practice forgiveness
• not to be too proud or insecure to ask for help

Next week we shift focus from what congregations expect of pastors to what pastors expect of congregations, and what congregations can do to help put a pastor in a position to succeed. Pastors arrive at churches equipped to serve; with the support of healthy congregations, they can develop into even better pastors. If a congregation were to set out to put the pastor in a position to succeed -- indeed to thrive -- what would it be sure to do? Our next five sessions will seek to answer this question. Consider joining us. Good supper and quiet reflective worship at 5. Our learning and discussion are from 6-7.

Sympathy to family of Wayne Lieske

We received word of the death of longtime active and faithful member of Grace Wayne Lieske, who died Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Wayne is survived by daughters, Karen (Brian) Fiske, Karol (Greg) Rippberger, Kay (Dale) Reiter, Kathy (Kenny) Franks, and Kim (Joe) Buti. A private family service has been scheduled. "Into your hands, O merciful savior, we commend your servant." You can view the obituary HERE.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on October 14 and entitled "Don't Think Like June," Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the decline in global cases, the effect of boosters on the trajectory of the pandemic, and a new CIDRAP commentary on respiratory protection. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.