September 2007

Newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church,

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

It seems as if it was just February when my Mom and I went on our ill-fated cruise and I was contemplating the renovations in my house. As the saying goes, 'My, my, how time flies." Now we at Atonement are preparing for another fall during which there are a variety of opportunities to be involved in Atonement's ministry.

This newsletter is chock full of interesting opportunities for ministry, for spiritual building up, for emotional support. I would like to encourage you to invite a friend to join us for one or more of these events.

I pray that you enjoy the rest of the summer, that you remember to stop and seek the Holy Spirit's presence in your life and that you knock on the door of the Kingdom, for the door shall be opened. Blessings, Pastor Tina

The South Central Synod of Wisconsin cordially invites you to attend the Festive Worship Celebration and Installation Service for Bishop Bruce H. Burnside at 3 PM, Sunday, September 16, 2007. Hymns and anthems begin at 2:30 PM. A reception at Bethel Lutheran Church will follow the service at 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The liturgical color of the day is red.

The India Children's Choir concert was a wonderful success and bountiful blessing for all who attended. The children's sweet voices created beautiful harmonies and were a great testimony to the power of God in Jesus. You could see the Holy Spirit shinning from their faces as they sang the story of how God's word came to their tribe. We were able to raise $725.00 for Bibles for the World and many lives were touched by the love of Christ through these children.

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Beginning on September 5^th, 2007 and continuing through October 24^th, Atonement Lutheran Church will host a bereavement support group. The group will meet from 6:30-8:30 PM. There is a small fee of $25.00. My colleague and friend, Jennifer Stevens will facilitate this eight-week group. (This fee covers Jennifer’s time and expertise & handouts only, there is no charge for use of the church.) Jennifer has been working in hospice for 6 years and as a counselor in death and dying for 13 years.

Membership is limited to 10 people, so please call the church right away if you are interested.

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* create a measure of comfort and security for others

* honor a friendship

* support your favorite charitable causes

* remember your church

Our congregation is sponsoring a Leave a Legacy for Ministry Seminar to provide you with information about preparing or revising your will. Reverend Larry Westfield , who serves as the regional gift planner for the ELCA Foundation and Lutheran Planned Giving of Wisconsin, will be present to talk about the advantages of having a will, why many Lutherans give to the church through their wills and how they make this happen.

Please join us for this important discussion. For more information, call the church office.

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The missions and ministries that we do together through mission support/benevolence giving to the synod and Churchwide ELCA will be the focus of five "In Mission Together" gatherings this fall. Congregational leaders are invited to hear stories of our ministry through seminaries, campus ministry, lay school of ministry, and other ministries that we do together through our mission support.

Attendees will gather to:

· Receive thanks for supporting synod and Churchwide missions

· Hear a message on stewardship from Bishop Bruce Burnside

· Hear personal stories from people who have been touched by specific ministries

· See examples of how we make a difference in the world—in our synod, nationally and globally.

Congregational officers, stewardship chair people, clergy, lay associates and interested members are encouraged to attend.

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Congregational leaders, pastors and evangelism teams are invited to attend the Outreach event Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30-3:30 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells. The title of the event is "Growing Life-giving Communities of Faith."

The keynote presentation will be offered by Pastor Greg Meyer from Jacob’s Well church in Minneapolis, and will focus on new ways of "being the church" in order to involve more and new people in the life-transforming journey with Jesus Christ.

Throughout the day we will explore how we, as Christians and congregations, can be more missional in our communities. Author Dan Kimball has said, "Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets."

In addition to exploring being missional from the message of Jacob’s Well church, breakout sessions will be offered on the following:

· Visionary Evangelism

· Java, Jazz and Jesus

· Spiritual Leadership

· Contemporary Worship in a Traditional Setting

· Preaching: There Is No "Box"

· Connecting the Gospel with Younger Men

· Natural Church Development

· Alpha Course: Basic Training

Congregations are invited to register a team of three people for $50; single registrations are $20. To register, call the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. For questions on the workshop content, contact Rolfe Nervig at (608) 270-0201, ext. 106.

OPTIONAL: Participants may choose to enjoy relaxation before or after the workshop by staying at the Kalahari Resort on Friday, Nov. 2, or Saturday, Nov. 3, at a special rate of $99 on Friday or $129 on Saturday (includes admission to the water park). Individuals must make their own reservations by calling (877) 253-5466 before Oct. 3 and indicating they are part of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.

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Bea Haagenson from Global Health Ministries in Minnesota has news for those in the synod still knitting and crocheting bandages to send overseas: "The response to the Tropical Ulcer bandage project has been amazing—thousands of beautiful knitted or crocheted bandages have been created. The supply has exceeded the demand by our partners overseas. Unfortunately, therefore, we will now have to discontinue the project for the foreseeable future."

"We encourage our devoted knitters or crocheters to divert your energy and enthusiasm to other projects: baby caps or blankets for infants and toddlers. See our GHM web site (www.ghm.org) for instructions, except for the baby blankets, which should measure 28 to 30-inches-square, using any type of yarn— cotton or acrylic. Thanks for your understanding."

"Constant kindness can accomplish much.

As the sun makes the ice melt,

kindness causes

misunderstanding,

mistrust,

and hostility

Maria Sandess Berryman called after she received our church Newsletter wondering what happened to young David Archie (She said she really appreciates getting the newsletter). As I had not received a phone call or Christmas card from her for two years I was as concerned about her as she was about David Archie’s death. At 86 years old, she is in assisted living at Jones/Hanson Residence, 3700 Cedar Lake, MN 55416. Her husband, Edward (a well-known organist at the biggest LCA Church in the Twin Cities) lives in a different part of the same home, so they are able to see each other.

Karen has her own translating business (Japanese/English and vice versa) in Minneapolis. Paul is a supervisor for Rainbow/Roundy Foods and is located nearby. John, a doctor of occupational medicine, has had a heart attack; he has cut back his hours and has an assistant now.

She has 3 grandchildren-Laura, in college, David 14 and Bryan 11.

-Carolyn Kalk

July adults/youth

August adults/youth

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Total income Jan 07-July 07 $ 62,373.14

Total expenses Jan 07- July 07 -$ 66,018.36

Net income (Jan 07-July 2007) $ -3,645.22

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:

Starting September 23^rd we will be offering The Lutheran Course at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The sessions are described below. This course is for all who would like to become an official member of Atonement Lutheran Church AND for any other member who would like to come. For new members you would be received into membership November 11^th.