Secretarial Conference

2010 Church Secretarial Conference

Tuesday, September 21

St. Paul Lutheran Church
1100 SE Sharon Drive, Ankeny, Iowa
515.964.1250

Sponsored by Iowa District West

Registration fee is $35.00
(includes all materials and lunch)
Register before September 1
and take $5 off your registration fee!

REGISTRATION

Make check payable to Iowa District West.
Send registration fee of $35.00 ($30.00 if postmarked by September 1)
Julie Moran
First English Lutheran Church
1311 East 18th Street

Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

Please join us at the Retirement Open House
to celebrate the ministry of

CAROL GOLDFISH

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010

from 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Fellowship Hall of Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids.

As Carol has requested, financial gifts may be directed to our Organ Fund, Audio-Visual Fund or to Discover Trinity Program.

If you have stories, thoughts or pictures you would like to share for a memory book, please send them to the church office by June 21^st.

(e-mail to churchoffice@trinitycr.org or
mail to Trinity Lutheran Church,
1363 1^st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405).

We thank the Lord for Carol’s service among us and

pray God’s richest blessings upon her future.

St. James Lutheran Church in Victor

Pictures from St. James Lutheran Church, Victor, celebrating 100 years of being a congregation. The celebration was held Sunday, May 2. The event started with a 10 a.m. worship service, followed with a family catered tent picnic followed with a musical program and games for the children. Special guests, including former pastors, pastor wives, and "two very special guests," former Pastor Dohrmann's wife, Thekla, 97, and her twin sister Irene. A balloon lift-off ended the program, followed by fellowship.

St. John Lutheran Church in Clinton

Adam and Sarah Barkley

Deaconess Sarah Barkley has been assigned to St. John Lutheran Church, Clinton, from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne.

Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Independence

Michael and Jana Holmen.

Michael Holmen received his call on May 19 to serve as Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Oelwein, and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Independence. Ordination/installation will be on June 27th.

May 2010 IDE LCMS Convention Delegate Orientation

Delegates and One Alternate

The Methodical Rev. Gary Sears

IDE's Convention Representatives, Give or Take a Few

The Experienced Rev. Arp and the Optimistic Rev. Saunders.

The Reassuring Presence of Sherry Brendes.

The District President of IDE.

On May 15, many of the IDE delegates to the upcoming LCMS Convention in Houston met at the District Office in Marion for orientation. With presentations from District President Saunders, former District President Arp, Business Manager Sherry Brendes, and Rev. Gary Sears, the delegates learned most of the details they needed to know about attending and surviving a synodical convention.

Rev. Saunders spoke to the convention experience, encouraging the delegates to trust in the Lord, vote their conscience, and represent IDE in Christian love.

Rev. Arp shared with the delegates his experience with the five different men who will be on the ballot for Synodical President in July.

Sherry Brendes reassured the delegates concerning financial and travel arrangements.

Rev. Sears spoke with authority on the single most important topic coming to the Convention floor: the proposed new synodical constitution.

The LCMS meets in convention once every 3 years, though that could change to once every 4 years with the proposed constitutional changes.

IDE Sports News

Sports News: Kickball Results

On Saturday April 24th, students from College Hill Lutheran Church clashed with students from St. Paul Lutheran Chapel on the hallowed athletic field at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. It was the annual take-no-prisoners kickball game. In a surprise strategic move, the College Hill students arrived early. They stoically set about wiping off chairs and mattresses, splitting wood, cleaning the camp van, and creating an obstacle course for campers this summer. While the St. Paul students were resting up for the big game, the College Hill athletes were honing their muscles and warming up for the big game.

At 2:45, the St. Paul students sauntered into Camp. The College Hill team met them with their steely game faces set in place. After introductions, and some competitive remarks, the game was finally on. Even though College Hill was down by 4 early on, the set-back only incited them to dig deeper. By the commencement of the 9th inning, the Panthers were ahead and ready to reach deep to keep it that way. St. Paul surged to score several menacing come-back runs, but they couldn't topple the Panther's lead. When the dust settled, the UNI fans were heard chanting, "PANTHERS WIN, PANTHERS WIN!!!!" The scoreboard read, "15-12."

Following his humiliation, St. Paul's Rev. Mons grilled up delicious brats and everyone enjoyed a cake that featured the logos of both the Panthers and the Hawkeyes.

For a second year in a row the students from College Hill have dominated, taking home the beloved President’s Cup. And though victory is sweat, both teams already have their eye on next year's contest.

St. Paul's Chapel and University Center in Iowa City

Fun at St. Paul’s Chapel

As the school year draws to a close, classes become more intense, papers and projects come due, and finals loom large. In such trying times there is but one course of action: Have some fun already! And that’s exactly what the students at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel have been up to this spring.

The snow was still on the ground when the Chapelites loaded into the van for a hometown tour of Dillion and Marshalltown. Nathan Wolken led the tour which included stops at his home congregation Trinity, Dillion and Taylor’s Maid-Rite.

Midterms and term papers can be real stress inducers. Students have found that stress is quickly calmed by firing a Nerf Gun at your fellow students. Nerf War IV was a night to remember.

CLUE is a great game of whodunit? It becomes twice as fun when come dressed as the characters and use the student center as the board. Death came calling and in the end, the Inactive Member did it in the bell tower with the common cup.

Spring time means spring cleaning. Several students turned out to attack clutter and dirt. The closets and kitchen were no match for our students. They scoured the place from top to bottom. They even cleaned the toaster in which the found, you guessed it, a Nerf dart.

The spring would not be complete without our annual kickball game against College Hill Lutheran. Once again, the Panthers took home the IDE President’s Cup, winning 15 to 13. We’ll get them next year.

We at the chapel give thanks to God for the blessing of this school year. The students have headed home for the summer and we can’t wait for the fall.

IDE New Pastors and Vicars

Concordia theological Seminary Call Night

Placements: Roy Berquist, Vicar, Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampton, Joan Berquist; President Brian Saunders; Dean Christ, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Chariton (Ordination/Installation June 13), Susan Christ; Ryan McDermott, Pastor, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Elma (Ordination/Installation June 20), Emily McDermott. IDE

IDE Campus Ministry

CALLING ALL PANTHERS AND HAWKEYES!

YOUR CAMPUS MINISTRIES ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

All those attending the University of Northern Iowa this fall, please send your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address to:

The Rev. John Wegener

College Hill Lutheran Church

2321 Walnut

Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613-3860

319-266-1274

Email: chlc.lcms@cfu.net

Web: www.geocities.com/college_hill

All those attending the University of Iowa this fall, please send your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address to:

The Rev. W. Max Mons, S.T.M.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel and University Center

404 E. Jefferson Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52245-2410

319-337-3652

Email: stpaulschapel.iowacity@gmail.com

Web: www.stpaulic.com

Incoming freshman - please remember to visit these campus ministries when you are in town for orientation.

IDE Early Childhood Conference

Rev. Korth, Tracie Payne, IDE Early Childhood Teacher of the Year,

from Trinity School in Cedar Rapids, and Peggy Seeber.

If you want it to snow in Iowa just schedule an early childhood conference! Several people did not make the 2009 conference because of the snow in the morning. So for 2010 we scheduled the conference almost exactly a month later. And what happened? A messy snowstorm that prevented some of you from making it to Fairfield. Nevertheless, 27 brave souls gathered on March 20 for an exciting and stimulating conference. A big thank you to the staff of Mother’s Day Out Preschool, Pastor Brase and the members of Immanuel for all the effort they put into the conference. Here is a brief recount of the day’s events.

Sue Kienta, AEA Instructional Technology Coach, discussed digital dossiers. How are you contributing to your student’s digital dossier or shouldn’t this be your concern? Our keynote speaker, Dr. Sue Starks from Concordia University, St. Paul, presented “Keeping Play Alive for Young Children!” She began by presenting the origins of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and how the principles of DAP relate to play. She involved the audience in the presentation through hands on experiences. Dr. Starks noted that today children have less time to use their creativity and imagination.Therefore, early childhood teachers need to be advocates for play. You do this in the classroom and also by encouraging families to do it at home.

Our third presenter was Paula Renard, AEA Occupational Therapist. She presented “Handwriting Without Tears.” The differences between informal and formal handwriting instruction were examined. The schedule was tight, but the participants still were able to walk around and browse through merchandise on display from the 5 venders present. Judging by the evaluations this conference was a success for those who were able to get through the snow.

King of Lings Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

King of Kings Lutheran Church broke ground for their new church building on Sunday, April 18, at 2:30, at their new property in Robin. About 175 King of Kings members and friends loaded 3 busses in the King of Kings parking lot, for the five mile ride to the new building site on North Center Point RD in Robins, IA.

The Groundbreaking ceremony included words shared by King of Kings current Pastor, Rev. Mark Halvorson and Rev. Leon Hauser, the retired King of Kings Pastor, along with prayers and congregational singing, including the Doxology immediately following the actual groundbreaking. Ten King of Kings members participated in the turning of the soil, with Rev. Mark Halvorson using the original gold shovel that was used to turn the soil at the groundbreaking for the current church building on C. Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, over 25 years ago. Following the ceremony, 200 balloons were released in celebration, and a plane flew over the new property taking an aerial photograph of the King of Kings members outlining the foundation of the new church building. The celebration continued with cake for all and ended with everyone loading the busses for the return trip to King of Kings Lutheran Church on C. Ave

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild, Assistant To The District President

Confessing Christ Jesus!

Confessing Christ Jesus is in essence what the life of the Christian is about. The question was posed to Peter and the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew16:15-16. That was Peter’s confession of faith. That is our confession of faith as well.

As the school year comes to a close and congregations are thinking about what they will be offering this fall to help their members to be “confessing Christ Jesus,” now might be the time to think about hosting a Witness Workshop. You can host one of these on either a Saturday or a Sunday.

Why would a Witness Workshop be beneficial for your congregation? The theme verse which I incorporate is I Peter 3:15 where we read: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to every one who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” We are always having to give a defense or explanation for what we believe. This happens not only with unbelievers but also with believers in other churches who no longer are willing to say that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God!

Daily we sin and hence daily to confess our sins and God forgives them. The life of the Christian is one which lives daily from one’s baptism. We are reminded as we begin each day in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, that we were baptized into that name and into the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. What comfort that gives us.

Our lives are complete in Christ Jesus. Jesus has done it all for us. Paul wrote: “For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the heard over all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10. The Witness Workshop connects the completeness in Christ Jesus to that which we have received in our baptism.

When I presented this Witness Workshop at the congregation where I am a member, someone commented that the reference to the two kinds of righteousness was too heavy. There are two kinds of righteousness which I do talk about, “active,” and “passive.” Passive righteousness is that which is “given to us.” It is the righteousness of Christ Jesus received and bestowed through the waters of Holy Baptism. We do nothing but “receive.” On the other hand, the “active” righteousness is the righteousness of God acting through us as we serve our neighbor through our good works. Understanding the differences is helpful and comforting to the believer.

You can call me at: 319-373-2112 or email me at: deanrothchild@lcmside.org to set up a Witness Workshop for you congregation. I am honored to serve you in this capacity.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton

Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, on Sunday, April 18 recieved new Memebers They are: (front) Ariane Geiger, Krystal Hunter, Kaley Hunter (sponsor), Breanna Schutterle, Justin Schutterle and Kali Schutterle. Back row: Kerry Voyles, Jerry Dedrick, James Voyles and Pastor Clarke E. Frederick.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Reinbeck

New Members at St. John's Lutheran Church in Reinbeck. This congregation has added 5.85 new members. (L-R) Marion White, Harriet Schultz White, Pastor Bruce Boyce, Kendie and Josh White, and children Kaylee and Ian. Marion White by Adult instruction, Josh and Kendie White by Adult Instruction, bringing Kaylee and Ian. Josh and Kendie are expecting a child in May. Josh is Marion's son. All live in Reinbeck.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Lutheran Preschool in DeWitt celebrated their first National Lutheran Schools Week in March. The fifteen students and the teaching staff, Deje Jensen and Lorraine DeMoss, began the week by singing at the 11:00 church service on March 7th. Monday the children had crazy hat day. Tuesday was supposed to be pajama day, but inclement weather postponed that activity until later in the month. The children and staff wore their favorite color on Thursday and Friday was school spirit day. Mrs. Jensen and Mrs. DeMoss are busy planning next year’s activities.

King of Kings in Cedar Rapids

Gary W. Thies will be speaking at

King of Kings Lutheran Church Cedar Rapids

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

8am and 10:45am Services

9:30 am Adult class

Having traveled in 75 countries and spoken in more than 1100 churches, Gary brings directly to you and the members of your congregation, an in person Power Point presentation and artifacts direct from the mission field.

God uses Gary's messages to inspire, motivate and encourage us as Christians that God is very alive and powerful; working great miracles. Gary shows how God is allowing us to participate in this!

King of Kings is located at 6621 C Ave NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402

Central Lutheran School, Newhall

It’s the gift that just keeps on giving…

When Central Lutheran School became one of 10 schools across the nation to win $100,000 in US Cellular’s Calling All Communities Contest, it was nothing short of a miracle. The tiny school of 158 students was up against public and parochial schools from coast to coast, vying for a piece of a $1,000,000 pie. The 10 schools with the most votes at the end of the two-month voting period would each receive $100,000.

In early February, US Cellular contacted Principal Jan Doellinger to inform her of the good news, however she was sworn to secrecy until the big day arrived. On February 17, just shortly after a Doug Larson concert ended in the gym, Doellinger took to the stage and thanked Larson for coming to Central. She paused, pulled her cell phone from her pocket and pretended to take a phone call on “my US Cellular phone.” At that point, several adults in the audience caught onto the reference, “Yes, this is Mrs. Doellinger. He is? Well, by all means, send him in…Ladies and gentlemen, Governor Chet Culver is standing in our kitchen and would like to come in to make an announcement.”

Culver then took the stage and made the announcement followed by 75 US Cellular representatives who then stormed the gym tossing out T-shirts and setting off confetti guns. US Cellular CEO John Rooney was also on hand to personally present the oversized check.

After the confetti settled, it was time to decide what to do with the money. Doellinger met with area pastors who suggested tithing the gift. Doellinger and the staff unanimously agreed that the students would benefit from this “teachable moment” to see a tithe in action. As for the other $90,000, the timing couldn’t have been better. In November CLS began a fundraising campaign to build a sorely needed new gymnasium. The Board of Education voted that the remainder of the money should go to the building project.

Here is how the students directed their gifts:

Preschool: $500 Lutheran Bible Translators

$500 LCMS World Mission

Kindergarten: $400 Kids Against Hunger

$600 Atkins Helping Hands Food Pantry

First Grade: $500 Lutheran Bible Translators

$500 LCMS World Mission

Second Grade: $1000 LCMS World Mission

Third Grade: $500 Camp Courageous

$500 Earthquake relief in Chili

Fourth Grade: $250 Good Shepherd Lutheran School

$250 AriSon Records

$500 LCMS World Mission

Fifth Grade: $100 Kids Against Hunger

$900 Lutheran Bible Translators

Sixth Grade: $500 LCMS World Mission

$500 Kids Against Hunger

Seventh Grade: $1,000 LCMS World Mission

Eighth Grade: $500 Juvenile Diabetes Research

$500 LCMS World Mission

The third grade donations to Camp Courageous and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation were prompted by personal connections the students have with the organizations. One student’s brother attends Camp Courageous and an eighth grade student has struggled with diabetes for several years.

The school credits its supporting congregations, St. Stephens/Atkins; St John’s Newhall and St. John’s Keystone, as well as all of the other Benton County Lutheran churches for their success in the contest. IDE

Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha

On Sunday, April 18th, Ben Venteicher was installed as a full-time Director of Christian Education at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha. Ben is a 2007 graduate of Concordia-Seward, Nebraska. Ben has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma and is certified as a Director of Christian Education (DCE)and also serves in the Air Force National Guard. Ben has worked at a Lutheran camp for 5 years and is a member of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (Youth/Adult Evangelism). From August of 2007 through March of 2010 he served as DCE at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. His wife, Michelle, is a graduate of Concordia-Mequon, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages (German/Spanish) and is working toward a degree in Education. Ben will be focusing on Youth and Young Adult ministries at Zion.

IDE District President Rev. Brian Saunders - May Article

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Last edition of the IDE Today I spoke of the need to use the language of the Church for the sake of clarity and continuity with the Church Eternal. There are three places in our lives that using the language of the Eternal Church is of the most importance. The three places are the Congregational Altar, the Family Altar, and the Vocational Altar. Since the term “vocational altar” is not very well known to us, I will write about that one in the Fall edition of the IDE Today. This issue I wish to address the Family Altar as one of the three most important places for the use of the language of the Eternal Church.

The Family Altar is the gathering place in the home of father, mother and children. It is not limited to these mentioned but by the norm, this is the composition of the Family Altar. Edward Koehler comments on the Fourth Commandment from Luther’s Small Catechism saying: “In the home are father and mother and those who may take their place, as step parents, foster parents. Their authority reaches farthest, even into the personal affairs of their children. They are not only to feed and clothe their children, nurse and protect them, but, especially, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In all this they are acting as God’s representatives, through them God Himself does these things for us.”

The Family Altar is led by the leader of the home. Luther prefaced each chief part of the Catechism with the responsibility: “As the Head of the Family Should Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household”. When the family gathers together, around the Word of God, an Altar is there. The appropriate greeting of those present is “The Lord be with you”, responded to with “And also with you.” The Family Altar continues with acknowledge of the Triune God, a hymn that all sing together and scripture reading. A helpful tool for the family prayers is the Small Catechism. Start at the beginning and read the questions and answers. Cover one or two questions per gathering. Follow them with the narrative scripture texts provided in the Catechism and then pray over what has just been read. The confession of faith using the Apostles Creed is of great value in continuing the language of the Eternal Church. A concluding benediction allows all present to be comforted at the promise and presence of God in His Word.

When the Family Altar is exercised on a regular basis, the children draw a proper respect for their parents. When the children hear the Word of God from the head of the household, they honor the role God has given to the parents and allows the children to understand their relationship of respect to authority. The Family Altar reminds the parents of their God given role in His place and keeps in check the flesh that wants to let someone else form the faith life of the family.

Using the language of the Church at the Family Altar informs the home that they are an extension of the Congregational Altar. It also prepares the individual for the “Vocational Altar”. I pray that through the summer each household will make use of the Family Altar and bask in the power and joy of God’s Holy Word together. Next edition of the IDE Today I will spend some time talking about the strange term I used, “the Vocational Altar”. Maybe this new term will spark an interest and you can do some study on your own to prepare for that discussion. Ask your pastor for books on “vocation”. I might suggest an excellent book by Gene Edward Veith called God at Work. Until then, enjoy the summer warmth and the blessings of the Family Altar.