STEWARD'S CORNER
How Can We Help Our Neighbors in Need?
The ELCA Missionary is one way we as a congregation help our neighbors in need. The Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) supports communities through the cycle of disaster (response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness). The LDR works both domestically and internationally in 53 countries and 36 states and territories responding to hurricanes, tornados, conflict, migration, and more.
The LDR in Action ongoing responses:
• Russia-Ukraine war
• Hurricane Fiona, Ian, Debby, Helene, Milton
• Eastern Africa drought
• Southeastern spring tornados in 2023
• Türkiye-Syria earthquake
• Sudan civil war
• Middle East crisis
• Maui wildfires
• Midwest storms in 2024
• Etc.
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”—Matthew 25:35
You can learn more about this ministry at the following links:
https://www.elca.org/how-we-serve/relief-and-development/lutheran-disaster-response
Peace and Love,
Kathy Evans
Congregational Life Chair
THE PRESIDENT'S OUTBOX
Many of you have seen the buckets in the kitchen. The roof over the original structure is over 65 years old and the additions over the years are also in bad shape. The last major overlay was in 2009 and there’s just no more patching it. The sloped sanctuary roof is fine, but the rest—well, it’s had a good life but needs to be replaced.
Gethsemane has some reserves, though not enough to pay for the whole job. We have some borrowing options, too. A capital campaign will likely to be part of the funding plan. In any event, expenditures like this will come before the congregation at a special meeting, probably in August, and I call on each of you to be generous when you’re given the chance.
This brings to mind how many souls have been fed under these roofs over the years. Only a few of us were here in the early days and a few more members remember the heady days of the 1980s & 1990s. Throughout its history, Gethsemane has been committed to spiritual support of its members and outreach to the Gardenside neighborhood & beyond. Today, we continue to have incredible & committed members whom God uses to make our impact greater than our size.
We are blessed in many ways, not the least of which are our freedom to worship, the strong spiritual leadership and fellow-ship we enjoy, and the building which houses our Christian community. Thank God for these things, for God’s saving love, and for this opportunity to give back to our Lord’s work.
Blessings,
David Leverenz, Council President
