- Yes, I understand the strategic plan, am ready to support the plan moving forward, and will hold my congregation accountable for this plan
- I am open to this plan, but need more information to feel comfortable.
- Other: _____________________________________________
- Early bird registration discounts for the Youth
Group summer trip to Houston are due by September 30. Please contact Tara Darling, DCE (tdarling@immanuelrapids.com)
for registration forms and any other questions.
- Immanuel will collect monetary donations for the South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf
(SWEPS) throughout the month of October. Starting next week, a special SWEPS grocery
bag will be available at church for your donations. You mail also turn in your
SWEPS donation at the church office. Please make any check payable to SWEPS.
- You can nominate
a pastor to be considered for our vacancies. Please fill
out this form. Signed forms will be forwarded to the District President for
consideration.
- Join Nancy Starr as part of Project Compassion. Mark October 6 on your calendar to gather with this ministry for a devotion and sharing with one another. Then, help visit the 34 homebound members. Teens, adults, families, individuals. All are welcome to help. Come and love your neighbor!
- Set aside Saturday, October 23 to see Rev. Dr. Michael Ziegler, speaker of the
Lutheran Hour. He is coming to Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E. Glendale Ave.
Appleton, WI 54911. Please contact David Frater for more info at 715-712-0830.
Affirmation booklet handed out in worship
Hopefully, you have received our email showing the video replay of Margie LaBarge’s presentation at our congregational forum. She really did an excellent job showcasing the exciting path forward for Immanuel.
During this week’s services, we will take the next step. You will receive a booklet that again highlights Immanuel’s proposed Strategic Plan. It pulls together the plan in a convenient way to keep and to reference. The booklet will have a blue insert, where we ask each member to indicate where they currently are regarding the plan. You can also find them on the Strategic Planning page. There are three choices are:
You are asked to sign your name. We will follow up with those seeking more information, making sure their questions are answered. If you raise an issue via the “other” box, we will also follow up to discuss your specific concerns.
Let’s move forward together!
Next congregational vote – adopting Strategic Plan, changing voting by-laws
Those of you attending the congregational forum heard Tim Sullivan summarize the “next steps” we will take. We ask for an affirmation of our strategic plan this week, as discussed above. The Board of Directors will meet Monday, September 27, to tie together some final details. Then, it is up to you.
You will be asked to formally vote as a congregation on October 13 & 17 on two issues. First, you will be asked to formally adopt Immanuel’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026. Then, you will be asked to make changes to the by-laws regarding the voting process for pastoral calls. The by-laws would be changed to take the Board of Directors out of the call process. The recommendation for a call would go directly from the Call Committee to the Congregation. The by-laws would also be changed to have a vote on the call occur in the week immediately after the call committee’s forum.
Look for exact wording on these items over the next few weeks. Feel free to contact Tim Sullivan for additional information.
Trick or Treat Event on October 31:
Immanuel will once again host our Trick or Treat event on October 31. Would you or your family like to help organize part of the event? Contact Tara Darling to volunteer! Time is getting short, and we have some important details to work out. The goal is to have the event outdoors this year – weather permitting. We would love to invite friends and neighbors. We look forward to hearing from you!
Remember these important events:
Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 3 SWEPS Donation Drive starts
Oct. 6 Project Compassion meets at church
Oct. 7 Fit For Life Bible class begins
Oct. 16 Ruby’s Pantry
Oct. 23 Lutheran Hour pastor in Appleton
You are welcome to join our Bible classes at any time:
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Discipleship Hour, Discipleship Hour KIDS!, and Youth Bible Study at church
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. God Dreams Book Study in Learning Center
Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. Bible Study Group at Grace’s Restaurant