May 2007

Newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church,

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

Well, spring is officially here! At least I hope so, yesterday little fluffy white flurries came down while I was doing yard work. After the quiet time of winter our schedules are gearing up with (do they ever slow down?) graduations, confirmations, baptisms, weddings. Roll out those crazy days of spring and summer!

I would like to suggest that we take a moment or two to pause between ‘social seasons’ and to remember our baptism and the recently celebrated resurrection of our Lord. Take a deep breath and breathe in the life giving spirit that has been poured out for you. Feel the embrace of the arms that were spread wide on a cross for you. Contemplate what freedom from the power of death means to you and for you in your every day life. I’d like to present for your edification the following article. Enjoy. Breathe. Live. Love. Relax.

On Thursday May 3^rd, 2007, the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin will begin the process to elect a new bishop. Bishop Carlson has served faithfully and is not seeking re-election. There are several candidates for bishop and it is important that you know who they are and voice your opinion. For information about the candidates please go to: http://www.bishop-election-scsw-elca.org/Candidates.php

There were two synod wide forums held as ways to meet the various candidates. If you go to http://www.bishop-election-scsw-elca.org/_Forums.php you will find a video of the first forum. The second forum occurred on 4/15 and should be available shortly.

After you review the above information, please feel free to voice your opinion to either Charletta Affedlt, Andrea Garvey or myself (Pastor) regarding whom you feel the holy spirit is calling to serve our synod as bishop for the next 6 years.

The May 6th fellowship will celebrate the graduation of our Beloit College students

Audrey Monroe and Emily Andreae and our Wartburg Seminary student Deena Laird. Please join us for cake and

coffee sponsored by the council.

Mar adults/youth

Apr adults/youth

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Total income for March $ 9,024.00

Total expenses for March - $ 9,151.05

Net income (March 2007) $ -127.05

Due to the new privacy laws regarding health information, the hospital will not release the names of patients. So if you are going into the hospital, or know someone who is hospitalized, please call the church office, or let Pastor Tina know.

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The following items are posted in more detail in the Klingberg Chapel or the hallway bulletin board:

Eternal Candle: The Eternal Candle for May is from Russ & Cheryl Ramczyk in honor of Jennifer & Jacinta’s birthdays and in memory of Rodney Cleveland’s birthday

Altar Guild: Barb Anderson & Diane Boyer

Flowers: from Betty Lou Pearson in memory of Pastor David Archie

Bread of Heaven: Vi & Gary Pankonien

Fellowship: Graduation fellowship for Deena Laird, Audrey Monroe and Emily Andreae sponsored by the Council

Acolyte: open

KidsKorner: open

Bread of Heaven: Doris Betz

Fellowship: open

KidsKorner: Jan Mitchell

Bread of Heaven: Irene Baker & Phyllis Steele

Fellowship: Irene Baker & Phyllis Steele

Acolyte: open

KidsKorner: open

Flowers: open

Bread of Heaven: Vi & Gary Pankonien

Fellowship: Confirmation Sunday sponsored by the Worship &

Music Committee

KidsKorner: open

5/3 Lana Dummer 5/23 Isabel Crowley

5/4 Evelyn Rounds 5/25 Richard Berner

5/14 Sue Engebretson 5/28 Ruth Kilday

5/17 Richard Wallace 5/31 Debbie Perry

5/21 Dolly Berner 5/31 Bruce Johnson

5/23 Archie Perry

Anders Keck Kunny 4/8/07

Freda Leeder has moved to:

Riverside Terrace 9SE

3055 S. Riverside Drive

Beloit, WI 53511

Jade, 6--I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold.

Gregory, 5--I hear angels all the time in my dreams. And I'm sticking with that no matter how many people tell me I'm crazy.

Molly, 8 –Everybody’s got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why but scientists are working on it.

Olive, 9 --It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to heaven then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes.

Matthew, 9 --Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else.

Henry, 8 --Angels don't eat but they drink milk from holy cows.

Jack, 6 --Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The basic message is where you went wrong before you got dead.

Daniel, 9 --When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets our his breath, somewhere there's a tornado.

Regan, 10 --Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter.

Sara, 6 --Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.

Jared , 8 --Angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it.

Vicki, 8 --What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.

The Worship & Music Committee wants to let the congregation know that the new hymnals have arrived, and we hope to have them in the pews on June 3rd. Char Affeldt and Doris Betz are installing the name plates. We plan to have a "moving day" on Saturday, June 2nd at 9 AM. We’ll pick up the old hymnals and put them in the chapel, along with copies of older hymnals. If you want an older hymnal for yourself, either the green or red, feel free to take them. We’ll keep around 20 copies of the old books, and the rest will be recycled.

Also from Worship and Music: In the works is a fundraiser for Hands of Faith in December. David Ramsey has written a Christmas Cantata, with the idea of a performance by a mass choir from all of the Hands of Faith churches. It’s in the planning stages at this point with a tenative date of December 15th at 6 PM.

Following the fellowship on the designated Sunday mornings we will be picking up our portion of Milwaukee Road. It only takes about an hour from the time we leave the church and return. The more hands the better! Wear or bring your old/work clothes to church. Jeans or shorts are appropriate and expected. Bring a pair of gloves and wear comfortable shoes. Following the pick up those who are able can go to a restaurant for a well earned breakfast!

April 22nd August 19th

May 20th September 16th

June 10th October 21st

July 15th

There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent,

and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds

and full of promise.

it was the most graceful thing he had seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and fruitful.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end,

when all the seasons are up.

and better times are sure to come some time.

Pastor Tina will be away at the Association of Professional Chaplains Conference from Saturday, April 28 thru Wednesday, May 2 and at the Synod Assembly from Thursday, May 3 thru Saturday May 5. If you need pastoral care during this time, please call either the church office at 362-8216 or Bruce Johnson at 362-6805.

The Sisterhood will meet at the church on Tuesday, May 1 at 1 PM. Ruth Carlson, director of the Angel Museum will give a talk about the museum. Carole Doubleday will have devotions, and Sally Luety will be hostess.

In April we assembled 12 hospice kits that will be sent to Africa. Pastor Tina will take them to the Spring Assembly. We voted to donate $100 each to three charities-Caritas, Sparrow’s Nest and the Salvation Army from our quilt show funds.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1151 E. Grand Ave, invites you to celebrate May Friendship Day. The gathering begins at 9 AM on Friday, May 4th. They will be honoring the first "Valiant Woman". The Love Project will be personal items for the needy,

The May gathering of the TMO’s (Time Marches On) is scheduled for Saturday, May 5th at 4:30 PM, including program and entertainment (????) Anyone 55 and older are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, call Vi Pankonien at 362-0875.

The W.O.W.’S are trying it again! They will meet at the church on May 10th for shared rides at 11:30 AM and will depart at 11:45 for lunch at Cliffbreakers in Rockford.

The W.O.W.’S Matinee Dinner Theater trip to White Pines State Park is full. Meet at the church for shared rides at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 14th, and depart at 10:45 AM. If you still haven’t gotten your money to Doris Betz, be sure to do so right away.

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Beginning April 11^th and continuing through May 30^th, with the exception of May 2^nd, we will be studying various Biblical passages from the Hebrew Scriptures. Join us at 11:00 in the Klingberg Chapel for the study and then go to lunch.

4/25 Exodus 3 Moses encounters God

5/9 Ruth 1:1-18; 4:13-17 Where you go, I will go

5/16 I Kings 19:1-18 A sound of sheer silence

5/23 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The suffering servant

5/30 Jeremiah 31:31-34 A new covenant

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Communityactioninc. is sponsoring Beloit Community Day on Saturday, May 19 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Beloit Mall. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Food, games, and prizes! 30 area program and service providers will be there with activities and information for the entire family.

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The Worship & Music Committee will meet at 9 AM, Saturday, May 26th.

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Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Caregiving is designed for family caregivers of elders or persons impacted by serious illness or injury. Whether you are helping a spouse, parent, friend, someone who lives at home, or in a nursing home, it doesn’t matter. What is important is that you are interested in learning some tools to help YOU in your caregiving role. You will learn tools to help you reduce stress, relax, take care of yourself, reduce guilt, anger and depression, make tough decisions, set goals and solve problems and communicate effectively with other family members, your doctor, and paid helpers. The total cost for all seven classes is only $10 and includes a How to book to accompany the class content. Classes meet for 2 1/2 hours each week. Scholarships covering the cost of the classes are available, as well as transportation to the classes and respite care for your loved one while you are attending classes. To register, call 758-8455.

Upcoming sessions are:

Date: 5/9/07 -6/20/07

Time: 1 PM- 3:30 PM

Held at Huntington Place, 3801 N. Wright Rd, Janesville

Date: 9/11/07-10/30/07

Time: 9 AM -11:30 AM

Held at HospiceCare, Inc., 3001 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville

Date: 10/1/07-11/12/07

Time: 1 PM- 3:30 PM

Held at 2nd Congregational Church, 657 Bluff, Beloit

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OPEN YOUR HEART AND HOME to a French, German, Korean or Thai exchange student for the coming 2007/2008 school year. Caring host families (with or without children) are needed to provide food, a bed and a loving home for one or two semesters starting in late August. EMF students have medical insurance, spending money for their personal expenses and expect to share their host family's daily life including household responsibilities. They speak English, are well-screened and eager to experience life in America. Their stay here is sponsored and supervised by EMF (Educational Merit Foundation), a non-profit, educational exchange program. it is not too late to apply. For more information on EMF students, please call Marie-Claude Dijoud now at 1-800-467-8363 or visit our web site at http://www.emfusa.org/

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The India Children’s Choir is coming to Beloit!

In chemistry, He turned water into wine.

In biology, He was born without the normal conception.

In physics, He disproved the Law of Gravity when He ascended into heaven.

In economics, He disproved the Law of Diminishing Returns by feeding 5000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.

In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind, without administering a single dose of drugs.

In history, He is the beginning and the end.

In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace.

In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master, had no degree yet they called Him Teacher; had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no armies, yet rulers feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.