Church Calendar of events
Volunteer Schedule 2005

Editor's Note: Pastor Al, CLP Doug and Administor Candi will
alternate newsletter comments each month.
Those of us who have computers and access to the internet have all shared in the stories that are passed throughout
the world. The following is an article that I received in May, 2004.

A few months before I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the
beginning, my Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.
The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later. As I grew
up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind he had a special niche.
My parents were complementary instructors: Morn taught me the word of God and Dad taught me to obey it. But
the stranger? He was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries
and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always had the answers. He
knew about the past, understood the present and even seemed to be able to predict the future!
He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh and he made my cry.  The stranger
never stopped talking but Dad didn't seem to mind. Sometimes Morn would get up quietly while the rest of us
were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say and she would go to her room and read her books. (I
wonder now, if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.) Dad ruled our household with certain moral convic-
tions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home.
Not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long time visitor however, got away with four letter words that
burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush,
My Dad was a teetotaler who didn't permit alcohol in the home not even for cooking. The stranger encouraged us
to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely
(much too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embar-
rassing. I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time
after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked and NEVER asked to leave.
More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not
nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you were to walk into my parents den today you would still find
him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name? We just call him TV.
I watch television. I pray that we can move our whole entertainment world into a society with common morals.
God's peace be with you.
Candi

We did go fly a kite!!
Even if the breeze was very slight, 15 young and older people from Grace Church did go fly kites
at Lake Park on Sunday, April 17. We started the event by having a lunch ofhotdogs, chips, apples and
milk at church. Then Pam Lica gave us directions on how to assemble the kites. By 1:00 p.m.
we were on our way to Lake Park. It was quite an exercise program with everyone running back and
forth trying to have their kite reach an altitude high enough to catch a small breeze! Some of us became
short of breath sooner than others! A few kites did make it high. Runners whose kites stayed up the
longest were: Mercedes Martin, Simon Engstler, and Dave Polachek. It was an enjoyable
afternoon on a beautiful spring day.
Thanks to all the adults who helped
and kids who came!

Recognition Sunday
On Sunday, May 22 the Sunday School will have a special recognition
time during the opening service at 9:15 a,m. We will
celebrate by presenting each youth with a small attendance award.
This will be the last day of Sunday School until we start again on
Sunday, September II.

Vacation Bible School
Children ages 4 - grade 5 should sign up starting May I for Vacation
Bible School. Please sign on the sheet on the Fellowship Hall bulletin board by May 15, This year's theme is Serengeti Trek
where kids are wild about God.
They will have fun learning in a jungle-like atmosphere of Bible stories, singing, crafts. Chatter Chipmunk adventures, games, and
snacks. Invite friends, but sign up by May 15!!!! lf you have any questions, call Kathy Rosendahl at 687-4601.

JOYS

Candi Kohner was given the prestigious Athena Award
for her leadership in the community. Congratulations!
We knew you were special, now everyone knows.

Helen Bundy was one of several residents of Lake
Winona Manor to be honored in the group of residents
over 100 years of age. An article was written about
them in the Winona Daily News.

PW recognized Gayle Amdt and Holly Martin for
their contributions to the church and community. They
were presented with Honorariums from National PW -
a letter and a pin. Money was given in their name to
further Mission work sponsored by PW-USA.
Congratulations!

you are invited to the wedding shower Brunch for Jennifer and Emily Rosendahl on June 11 at 10 am in the fellowship hall.
Please call the office by June 3 if you are planning to come

There will be a bridal shower for Heather Boesch on Sunday May 13 at church following the pot luck luncheon.
Heather and Eric McRae will be married July 2 2005. they are registered at Target.

Can You Help?
We could still use more large jungle-like stuffed animals (like elephants, zebras, lions, giraffes,
snakes and colorful birds). Also, dried grasses and camouflage tarp would be great for our decorating
ideas. If you would like to help create this jungle, please contact Kathy R. at 687-4601 who will be
happy to have your decorating assistance!!

Circle I will not meet in May
see you in September

Circle II Will meet at the church a 1:30 pm on Wednesday
May 11 th

Circle III will meet at the church May 17 9 AM
Emily Krumm will be the host. Leona Theile
will give the lession #4 from the face is familiar
Thelma Weiser will do Devotions.

Thank you
I want to thank everyone for all the card and for all your prayers for me
I also want to thank doug and thelme for comming to Rochester to
give me communion
This means a good deal to me and will be remembered always
Emily Krumm
 

CPC and Habitat for Humanity
Pastor Al and Walt Gilbertson participated in the Habitat for Humanity Clergy/Lay Person Build-
ing Day on April 5. Both had a fun and fulfilling day.
The M & S Committee has been coordinating meals for the Habitat for Humanity workers the
first Saturday of each month. If you wish to donate food or help deliver the meals, there is a
sign-up sheet monthly on the bulletin board. The M & S Committee welcomes your participation

HOME DELIVERED MEALS
April was our month to deliver meals in the Goodview area. This year we only had 4 - 5 stops.
It is a fim and rewarding service. Our volunteers from Grace who each delivered one day a week
were: Tammy Engstler, David Kennebeck, Dorothy and Walt Gilbertson and Elayne Haedtke (sub).
Those who delivered the other two days were volunteers from Sons of Norway, Bev Spande and her 2
helpers and Bob Peterson. Thank you to all of you

MARCH FOOD DRIVE FOR WVS
Again this year the Deacons sponsored the food drive at Grace. THANKS to everyone who contrib-
uted money and/or food. Winona Volunteer Services appreciates our support. $590.00 and 197 pounds of
food were collected and taken to WVS,
 

Concerns
Ellen Mrkvicka had emergency heart surgery
on April 5th. She is at home and improving daily
and is greatfill for the prayers other GPC family.

Homer Jarvis, Sauer Memorial Home,
passed away in January. Grace Church was not
informed at the time. Our sympathies and prayers
are with his family.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
The current total received for OGHS is $870.48
and we know there is more to come. Thank you to
everyone for your generous contributions to help
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hun-
ger Program and Self Development of People.

PENTECOST OFFERING
May 15 we will receive the Pentecost Offering:
for children at risk, youth and young adults. This is one of the four annual offerings of the PCUSA. We
will keep 40% of the total collected to use locally for a ministry that will serve children at risk. The M & S
committee voted to support the garden project sponsored by Women's Resource Center. The garden is at
Redeemer Lutheran Church and is for children "in need" who learn about growing plants and harvesting
their crops as they learn to work together and learn about God's creation and creative works.
A very interesting Journal is sent out at the end of the summer detailing the activities of the group.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS
A list of the special offerings for the year was printed in the February Newsletter. Since we do not
expect everyone to give to all offerings, we hope you study the list and made decisions as to which pro-
grams you want to support. Your faithful giving has been outstanding and we thank you.

Fundraising Committee
The fundraising committee will have a very short meeting after church on May 1st. We will discuss
how we hope to use our proceeds.
Thank, you to everyone who helped in anyway with the Salad Luncheon and the Chow Mein
dinner. Both were a huge success!

Presbyterian Women
The Grace Presbyterian Women's Annual Spring Gathering (formerly the
Mother/Daughter luncheon) will be held at noon on Saturday, May 7th.
A delicious luncheon is planned so we need you to sign up on the sheet on the bulletin
board in the hall. A fun program is planned and thee will be door prizes
given, so plan to come and enjoy the fellowship.

FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM
Save the date, May 15th!! The F & E Committee is planning something special for
the 11:45 worship service.  A potluck dinner will follow. We invite everyone to come to
Invitation Sunday and bring a friend.

CONFIRMATION CLASS
Sunday, May 22, after church, parents and students interested in a confirmation
class are invited to attend an orientation meeting at 11:45 a.m. in the pastor's
office for 20 minutes or less.
Items to discuss are the class format and meeting dates starting next fall.
If you cannot attend but are interested see Pastor Al or Doug or call the church office.

SUMMER HOURS.....
Worship Services will begin at 10:00 a.ni. starting Memorial Day weekend,
May 29, through Labor Day weekend, September 4th.

BOO (Book of Order)
Every month a topic of concern to our church will be addressed in this column.  The topics will come from questions you may have
about the church, the session, or what goes on in church.
The question/topic this month is: Electing and Ordaining Elders and Deacons
G-14.0201 Election Provisions Every congregation shall elect men and women from
among its active members, giving fair representation to persons of all ages and of all racial ethnic members and
persons with disabilities who are members of that congregation, to the office of elder and to the office of
deacon, or either of them, in the mode most approved and in use in that congregation, subject, however, to the
following provisions:
Terms  a. No elder or deacon on a board of deacons shall be elected for a term of more than three years, nor
shall an elder or deacon on a board of deacons serve for consecutive terms, either full or partial, aggregating
more than six years. An elder or deacon having served a total of six years shall be ineligible for reelection to the
same board for a period of at least one year, A particular church may provide for a period of ineligibility after
one full term. There shall always be no fewer than two and no more than three classes of elders in the session
and no fewer than two and no more than three classes of deacons on the board of deacons if the congregation
chooses to have deacons. The classes shall be as nearly equal in number as possible, of which only one shall
expire each year. Terms shall ordinarily be for two years if there are two classes of elders and/or deacons,
and for three years, if there are three classes of elders and/or deacons, except when it is necessary to elect
some elders or deacons for shorter terms in order to equalize the numbers in the classes or to fill vacancies,
provided, however, a congregation may by vote in a congregational meeting choose to elect one or more
persons under twenty-five years of age to the office of elder or deacon, to serve on the session or board of
deacons for a term of one, two, or three years. All other factors of election, ordination, and service shall apply to
such elders or deacons. Terms of elders or deacons shall expire when their successors have been ordained and
installled

Clerks corner
Jennifer Macaskill Clerk of Session

We had a special meeting where we voted to support Tammy Engstler on her mission trip to
Rose Bud Indian Reservation in South Dakota this summer.
There will be a congregational meeting on May 8th for the purpose of electing Elders and
Deacons.
************

Congratulations to the nominating committee
for filling all vacant positions!

The following are being nominated for Deacon:
Dorothy Friedenerger - Class of 2008
Marty Jacobson - Class of 2008
Janet Nustad - Class of 2008

Nominating Committee Members at Large:
Gary Hayes
Cheryl Polachek
Emily Rosendahl
Leona Thiele

The following are being nominated for Elder:
Pam Lica - Class of 2007
Mary Lowery - Class of 2008
Mary Rennells - Class of 2008
Kathy Weiner - Class of 2008
Ben Weiner - Youth Elder 2006

Worship Committee is seeking a Nursery
Supervisor to oversee theAttendent and
keep supplies current. Contact Mickey
Barr if interested.