Befrienders Ministry
Mission Statement: Jesus states:" This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you."
Befrienders are lay men and women who extend the love of Christ from friend to friend through a ministry of listening, caring presence and gentle support. We are active members in the church who have "stepped outside of our own comfort zone" to be a person's friend. Befrienders are trained to connect with people in any life transition. If you or anyone you know needs a friend, you may call Pastor Sackett at the office 763-662-2048.
Women of the ELCA
Mission Statement: As a community of women, Created in the image of God,
Called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Participants (in Women of the ELCA) commit themselves to grow in faith,
Affirm their gifts, support one another in their callings,
engage in ministry and action, and promote healing & wholeness in the church,
the society and the world.
All female members of the church are members of the Women of the ELCA. We have 5 meetings a year; March, June, August, October, and December. We do SECRET PRAYER SISTERS. We draw names at the December meeting/Christmas party and give cards and/or gifts throughout the year SECRETLY. At the December meeting / Christmas party, we reveal our identities while giving a Christmas gift to our prayer sisters. For the August meeting, we have a Ladies night out (i.e.. meet at a restaurant).
Men's Bible Study
Meets Saturday Mornings at 8 am at the church
Family Service Group
The congregation is divided into 6 groups (3 in the 763 area code and 3 in the 320 area code). Each group has a Family Service Coordinator and Head Usher. Each group serves 2 months a year (i.e.: January & July). There is an opportunity to sign-up on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month preceding the service month. You can sign-up to be an usher, work in the kitchen, bring goodies for the coffee hour, to read the lessons, to work in the nursery, to hold communion baskets, to give communion. Please volunteer when it is your month.
Annual Pig Roast
This event is a celebration of the many ministries of our church, a time of fellowship, and an opportunity to connect with the public. We hold an outdoor service followed by a wonderful meal of roast pork, beans, salads, and the works. There is also a raffle, bake sale, and entertainment. All proceeds go to South Santiago Lutheran Church Furnishing Fund. Call the church office at 763-662-2048 if you are interested in donating gifts for the raffle, or if you are interested in attending this fun event.
Sharing Meals Friend to Friend
We have started a new group called Sharing Meals Friend to Friend. This group of volunteers brings meals to families that have had a bereavement, hospitalization, or a new baby, etc. We usually bring a salad, entrée, and dessert. We want people to know they are part of a larger family who cares for them and are here to help when needed. Please contact the office or Dee Holt if you would like to join or have questions.
Mission Quilts
We are looking for new members to help us with the mission quilts for the Lutheran World Relief *(LWR). Please contact the office if you are interested.
An LWR quilt is special! It brings warmth on a cold night, shelter from the sun on a hot day. It becomes a bed, a room divider, a backpack to carry belongings, and at times even a home.
Quilts distributed by LWR to refugees and other people in need were first made by recycling old but good clothes, blankets, and other items. Most LWR quilts are still made this way, although fabric samples, remnants, or other new pieces of fabric are also used. Each quilt is one of a kind, with a beauty all its own, made as a gift of hope by caring people.
Your group can also help LWR get quilts to the people who need them by donating a brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza or by making a contribution to the Project Comfort Fund.
How to make an LWR quilt
LWR quilts are easy to make. Place a piece of fabric measuring 64'' X 84'' right side down on the table. Do not use fabric prints with religious symbols, U.S. flags or military insignia. Place a filler measuring 60'' X 80'' on top, and then place another piece of fabric, also measuring 60'' X 80'', right side up on top of the filler. Tie the layers together, using crochet or similar cord. Bring the edges of the 64'' X 84'' piece over the top, pin and machine-stitch the edge, using a zigzag stitch if possible.
Finished quilts should measure approximately 60'' X 80''. Please keep in mind that the ultimate purpose of a quilt is to provide warmth and choose your fabrics and filler accordingly. Even in warmer climates, the temperatures can drop dramatically at night, requiring a quilt with sufficient filler.
TIPS
• Quilt tops and bottoms can be made from whole pieces of fabric, or in any type of patchwork pattern of smaller squares. If squares are preferred, twelve 21" squares or 48 eleven-inch squares sewn together using a 1/2" seam allowance make a 60" X 80" top for a beautiful quilt.
• Recommended fabrics for LWR quilts include pre-washed cotton, cotton blends, twill, corduroy, polyester knits, and donated upholstery and drapery samples (no fiberglass).
• Use crochet or similar cord for tying. It is easier to thread and pull through than yarn and also is more durable. Ties should be no more than 8 to 10 inches apart.
• LWR quilts are both precious and practical when babies and children can use their special gifts even as they grow older. Please donate full-size quilts (about 60" X 80") only.
Rest Home Visits
at the Lange Home - April, August, December
We encourage 7 or 8 to make visitations to the home; snacks are furnished by the Women of the ELCA.
Prayer Chain
If someone has a prayer concern, call Pastor Jeff at 763-662-2048 or Carol Michaletz at 320-743-5199. Prayer requests are for any need, they are not limited to people hospitalized. Please contact the pastor if you know of someone ill or in need of prayer, in case he isn’t aware of the special need.
Prayers for Confirmands
We have assigned people to pray for a specific confirmation student and to encourage the student throughout the year.
The Priscilla Bible Study meets the third Wednesday of the month at 9am in the homes of the members. The Priscilla Bible Study chairperson is Carol Michaletz, 320-743-5199.
Rachel Bible Study
The Rachel Bible Study meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm at the church. The Rachel Bible Study uses the Lutheran Women Today Bible Study. Please contact the office if you would like more information.
Esther Bible Study
The Esther Bible Study meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the church. The Esther Bible Study uses the Lutheran Women Today Bible Study. The Esther Bible Study chairperson is Holly Klinker, 763-263-2540 / hollystamper@wildmail.com
Friendship Morning Bible Study
The Friendship Morning Bible Study meets the second Tuesday of the month at 8:45am at the church. The chairperson is Jan Nitsch, 320-743-2448.
Friendship Evening Bible Study
The Friendship Evening Bible Study meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:15 pm at the church. The chairperson is Jan Nitsch, 320-743-2448.
Quilts For Graduates
We meet approximately once a month to cut squares, put tops together, and tie the quilts. The quilt tops are usually sewn at home by volunteers. The quilts are given to high school graduates in the beginning of June. The Women of the ELCA finances this project.
