2011 IDE Golf Outing

On Monday June 27, 17 people from across the state gathered for the 2011 IDE Two-Person Best Ball Golf Outing at Tara Hills Golf Course in Van Horne, Iowa. Cloudy conditions gave way to bright sunny skies by mid morning. Winners of the President's Plaque were Scott and Kari Kibby of Cedar Rapids. Kari is a Thrivent Rep and this event was sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The Kibby's are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha. They posted a score of two under par. Runner-up honors were claimed by President Brian Saunders and Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild. They posted a score of one under par. Winning both of the special awards this year: for longest drive and closest to the pin, was Pastor Nick Huelsman of St. John Lutheran in Victor.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Waverly

St. John is happy to receive into membership Mark, Mindy & Rilynn Lawson, Robert & Wendy Lamos, Dave & Robyn Gerleman, Laurie Rogers. Not pictured: Drew Rogers and Orville & Jean Kammeyer.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mt Vernon

Rev. Sean D. Hansen was ordained and installed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon on June 26th.

St. John Lutheran Church in Waverly

On Sunday, June 17th St. John Lutheran Church, Waverly was honored to have Rev. Ted NaThanlang ,a representative of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation and His wife Gunya NaThalang a representative of the Lutheran Hour Ministries as our guest speakers for our Mission Sunday Festival. Rev. NaThanlang delivered the sermon during our morning service and then both spoke during our Bible study hour. This was followed by a pot blessed meal.

Featured in the picture are Al Janssen,& Roger Bauer members of the Evangelism committee, Gunya and Rev. Ted NaThanlang and Rev. Versemann.

Parish Nursing

2011 Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse & Congregational Health Ministries 

The LCMS Parish Nurse District Representatives met at Concordia University, Mequon, WI, May 31 & June 1.  The theme was “Commitment to Serve”.  There were 20 of the 35 district reps in attendance as well as our sister parish nurse from Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Palestine.  We celebrated 5 years of parish nursing in Bethlehem with Raeda Mansour.  Carol Lueders Bolwerk RN, PhD, CUW Director, Parish Nurse and Congregational Ministries is well organized and a great hostess each year for this event.  Lake Michigan and the Mequon campus is beautiful!  Dr. Marcia Schnorr continues to be the LCMS parish nurse coordinator and Maggie Karner, the synod’s Director of Life and Health Ministries.  Each year relationships grow between many of the district representatives, joys and frustrations are shared, ideas and encouragement are given, and “pool therapy” is a great wrap up to each day.

The 19^th Annual Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries was held following our district rep meeting.  “Trust in the Lord” was the theme for this two day     conference.  Nearly 80 parish nurses from 20 states attended.  We heard excellent keynote speakers- Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola, “It’s Not the First, It’s the Second That Matters” and “Esther Moments: Women’s Way of Leading” presented by Sarah Holton.  A Pre-Conference presentation by Dr. John Oberdeck was titled “Spiritual Development Over the Lifespan” and a Post-Conference presentation by Dr. Marcia Schnorr was “Parish Nursing and Serving the Elderly”.  The keynotes were followed by many excellent breakout sessions.  I attended “Eat Healthier, Live Healthier” by Steve Gruenwald, “In the Medicine Cabinet: Over the Counter Medications” by Dr. Joan Nathan, and “Liability Issues in Parish Nursing” by Mary Wolverton.

My function as district rep is to promote, support and educate others about parish nursing and health ministries.  As the Iowa District East rep I have identified 10 parish nurses in our district.  I appreciate the support given from the synod, district and my congregation for me to be able to attend this conference.  Please contact me if I can assist you in learning more about health      ministries and parish nursing.

Ronda Anderson RN, Parish Nurse, Bethany Lutheran Church, 2202 Forest Drive SE,  Cedar Rapids, IA  52403.  319-364-6026 ext 205  nurse.bethanycr@gmail.com 

Parish Nurse District Representative, LCMS Iowa District East

Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday School - Vinton

East Side Mission Church - Davenport Members

Having completed their catechism, five seventh grade students were confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton on Sunday, May 15. They were Amanda Burkey, Abigail Gloede, Kaitlin Isbell, Sarah Kreutner, and Bryce Shaw. We congratulate them, and welcome them as full members of our congregation.

Trinity Sunday School held their closing ceremony, Sunday, May 22. The Sunday School Children sang two songs to open the ceremony, then awards were given. Twenty of the children received Attendance pins. First year pins went to Kelcie Appleby, Abbie Elwick, Drew Elwick, Eli Powers and Weston Powers. Second year wreaths went to Carter Lamont, Brock Shaw, and Bryce Shaw. Third year bars were earned by Kaylie Appleby, Abby Gloede, Elly Gloede, Sophia Kreutner, and Emma Voyles. Fifth year bars went to Amanda Burkey, Ethan Horak, Lillie Larmont and Owen Rhinehart. Six year bars were earned by Sarah and Jonathan Kreutner.

Our newly confirmed seventh graders also received Growing in Christ Pins for the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Creed and the Sacrament of the Altar. Following the pin awards, each class recited their memory verse. Then the eight Sunday School teachers and staff were recognized.

East Side Mission Church of Davenport was chosen to receive our Sunday School offerings this year. We were blessed to have 14 members of the East Side Mission Church come to our Worship Service and Closing Ceremony. Pastor Anderson received our offerings and told our congregation a little about their church and its activities. Our closing ceremony was closed by five year old Braydon Pardun from East Side Mission with an amazing a cappella solo of “My Jesus, My Saviour”.