Introducing Our Call Committee

In February, Council voted to appoint a Pastoral Call Committee, to fill the vacancy on staff following the departure of Pastor Diane Sponheim to become the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church.

Members interested in this important commitment were invited to submit an application to the Nominations Leadership Team before February 22, 2015.

The Nominations Team received twelve applications, reviewed, and appointed eight candidates, including a chairperson. A scoring system was used factoring the following attributes:
SOTV Involvement/Experience; Hiring/Interviewing Experience; Team/Committee Work Experience; Leadership Skills; Flexibility/Reliability; Prior Call Experience; and Motivation for the Work.

The Call Committee is: 
Ellen DeVries, Chair
Arlen Wilson
Bruce Feld
Michael Schaeffer
Nikki Zeches
Eric Bartosh
Cheryl Seely
Kim Schilling

In addition to these members, Pastor Chris Smith, Jennifer Maxwell, Director of Operations, and Jenny Buckley, Council President, will also serve on the committee.

The Call Committee begins its work in March to gather information from the congregation, work with the Church Council, and receive and evaluate candidates from the Saint Paul Area Synod. Prayer, discernment, and SOTV’s vision will be at the heart of the work of the Committee. The Committee will also provide regular updates to the congregation. If you have questions or concerns, please contact council@sotv.org.

Thank you to everyone who applied!

We have openings on many of our leadership teams. If you're interested in joining any of these teams, please complete an application and e-mail it to nominations@sotv.org.

The Nominations Leadership Team is LaVon Dennistoun (Chair) Duane Paetznick, Vern Bloomquist Chad Dahlke, Chris Ice, and Christian Loger.

Take a Walk, God Will Lead the Way

by Laurie Rossin
Capital Campaign Steering Committee Member 

When Tom and I were invited to join the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, I was skeptical. Ask people for money? I'm sure you dread solicitation phone calls as much as I do. In fact, I bet you don't answer your phone unless you recognize the name on your caller ID. So why would I want to put myself and my friends at SOTV through that?

After hearing about the needs here at home and SOTV's dreams for living our vision (Welcome, Transformation, and Sending of Jesus Christ), I realized that even though I worship regularly, attend Bible Study and social events, there is a lot I don't know about our church and many people that I don't know! I said yes to being involved in the Capital Campaign because I see my role as God's feet. My role is to carry the information about the needs and the exciting plans for the future of SOTV to you. This I can do!

Whether we meet here at church over a cup of coffee or at your home, our campaign visits are really about people. We talk about our families, jobs, hobbies or travels and share our stories of how we came to be members at SOTV. We explain the details of the campaign, our excitement for the future of our church and answer your questions. The last step is for you to prayerfully consider your pledge and complete your confidential pledge card. God uses my feet to carry the message, and it is God who places in your heart the desire to give.

I learned in Pastor Mary's study of the book of Joshua that when God was with the Israelites, they succeeded. When they relied on their own plans and their own might, they failed miserably. Thankfully God is leading us in this Campaign to further his kingdom. We are just the feet! So when you receive a call from one of our campaign volunteers, please pick up the phone. You will be greeted by a friendly fellow member who just wants to take a short walk with you and share the amazing plans God has for us here at SOTV.

Please see the list of Campaign Visitors on our website or complete a yellow card available in the narthex.

Choosing Initiatives for Our Vision

By Kari Slotten
Project Manager: Vision Implementation

For the last several months, members of staff, council, and leadership teams have been expanding upon our vision of "Welcome, Transform, Send" by developing a revised mission statement with corresponding initiatives. Below is an update on this progress. You will have an opportunity to give your feedback at one of three upcoming Congregation Dialogues: Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 pm in the Atrium and
Sunday, March 8 at 11:00 am or 12:00 pm in the Chapel.

I’d especially like to hear your feedback on proposed initiatives by March 15, 2015. Council will vote on these at its March 19 meeting. You can contact me at (952) 985-7356 or kari.slotten@sotv.org. 

In February, Council approved our updated Vision and Mission. The Vision is aspirational, and reads as follows:

VISION:  We invite all people to experience the Welcome, Transformation, and Sending of Jesus Christ.

Welcome: We invite people in all stages of their faith journey to experience Jesus through our ministries in Christian community.
Transform: We are changed as we experience Jesus through our relationships and ministries.
Send: We are inspired to apply our faith daily by loving others and sharing the Good News of Jesus.

We will also have revolving focus years of “welcome, transform, and send,” when each component in turn receives special emphasis and targeted initiatives.

The Mission highlights why we exist, and will help us choose initiatives as we live into our Vision.  Our Mission reads as follows:

MISSION:  In community, we discover, grow, and live into our individual relationships with Jesus Christ.  Four core ministries support faith formation:

Worship: We praise God, and are spiritually fed, through God’s Word, music, prayer, and sacraments.   
Learn: We grow our Biblical knowledge, enrich our understanding, and apply our faith to daily life.
Connect: We develop and strengthen relationships in our congregation, local community, and global community through invitation and service.
Care: We offer compassion, companionship, and faith affirmation throughout life’s journey.

These statements come through congregational surveys and discussions, and many discussions with Council, Staff, and Leadership Teams.

Now, the goal is to choose initiatives.  

These are ways to focus our efforts within each area of our Mission, so that we’re working toward common goals.  After discussion with Staff, Council, and Leadership Teams, we’ve drafted some initiatives to share with you.

Recommended WORSHIP initiatives focus on growing worship:

• Explore new ways to promote worship and SOTV, especially Saturday
• Explore new ways to make worship more engaging to all ages

Recommended LEARN initiatives focus on creating goals and identifying gaps:

• Develop goals and strategies for cradle to grave learning
• Offer a variety of experiences to learn in different ways
• Examine Children, Youth, and Family programs and structure
• Identify and address perceived gaps
• Offer progressive courses

Recommended CONNECT initiatives focus on relationships: note this is a new pastoral role, and is under development.

• Within the congregation:
  • Evaluate current fellowship offerings, and explore opportunities to use them for reaching out to the community too
  • Explore ways to foster connections and relationships around SOTV, centering on “invitation” and “service”

• Within our community:
  • Work with civic, non-profit, and business leaders to better understand unmet needs in our surrounding area
  • Identify and strengthen partnership opportunities

Recommended CARE initiatives focus on promoting our offerings:

• Increase awareness and utilization (as needed) of care and support offerings
• Prayer chain
• Care available from lay leaders, parish nurses, and pastors
• Support groups
• Develop intentional connection to Worship, Learn, and Connect

Several initiatives that impact all areas are already in some form of development:

• Website – Especially important in connecting with visitors, and regulars wanting to register for events and classes. Website, database, and social media initiatives fall under the Engagement Team.
• Database – Consistent information that can be accessed by all staff as appropriate is important. Seeking improvement in maintaining current information and interests, promoting events in relevant ways, fostering connection and caring, facilitate volunteer registrations, among other things. The Engagement Team has recently begun work on assessing our database needs.
• Membership – Would like to explore rationale for membership, and promote ways that commitment (through membership or otherwise) can deepen faith and foster connection. Focus on responsibilities (like partners) vs. expectations (like membership). Consider task force, sermon series, etc.
• Simplifying communications and processes – Emphasize visitor-friendly resources, simpler bulletin/newsletter handout, common information for staff and volunteers to guide others, opportunities for cross-promoting worship and programs

What do you think about these initiatives?  Would you like more information?  Does something sound exciting and you’d like to get involved?  You can contact me at (952) 985-7356 or kari.slotten@sotv.org.

A Parent’s Thankful Perspective

Dear Shepherd of the Valley,

Today I am thankful for YOU. Thank you for providing support through your ADHD, Autism and Other Disabilities on the Spectrum support group.

Thank you for empowering me to be a better parent, not only to my child with autism, but to my neuro-typical child. I learn things every month that help BOTH of them. These sessions also help ME (I'm certain that I have undiagnosed ADHD)!

What I love about the ADHD/Autism Support group:

• It's an ongoing event, so I don't have to seek out special speakers/events on my own.
• There is free childcare, so it doesn't matter what my husband is up to that night.
• It's every single month, so I'm constantly learning more about my child(ren).
• It's nearby (we're in Eagan).
• It's a low key set up with low key coordinators (I never feel smothered by too much 'welcoming' or 'getting to know you' hype)
• It's very automated (e-mail reminder, childcare signup online, speaker list online with thorough descriptions, etc.).
• It is truly a service provided by the church, with nothing expected in return.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

-Crista Jeske, mom of Emma and Carter

Our ADHD Support Group next meets on Monday, March 16 from 6:45 - 9:00 pm. This is group is free and open to anyone. Learn more.

Capital Campaign: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is SOTV doing a capital campaign? 
A: Our Vision calls us to invite all people to experience the welcome, transformation and sending of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the campaign is to help us live into our vision.

Q: How will the capital campaign do this?
 A: By addressing the three major priorities identified last fall at the 25 congregational dialogues: eliminating debt, improving our facility, and expanding our outreach.

Q: How is the campaign being conducted? 
A: Through visits with each household. We believe it is important for every SOTV household to receive the same accurate information with a personal, confidential visit conducted by a trained volunteer.

Q: How long will the campaign last? 
A: Our goal is to conclude all visits by the end of May, but the campaign will not end until we make certain every household has been contacted for a visit.

 Q: Why do I need a visit? 
A: To make certain you receive accurate information and have the opportunity to ask questions about your participation.

Q: How long does a visit take? Where can I have my visit? 
A: Visits can be done in 30 – 45 minutes in the privacy of your home or at the church.

Q: Do I need to make a commitment to the campaign during my visit?
 A: Once your visit has concluded, you can either make a confidential commitment at that time or you can take time to consider and pray about your pledge and make your confidential commitment a few days later.

Q: Who will know what I pledge?
 A: What you pledge is entirely confidential. Only the SOTV Finance Office and our campaign consultant will know your pledge, because they are required to track all pledges. Your visitor will not know.

Q: Who should I contact for more information or to schedule my/our visit?
A: You may contact any of the visitors listed on our website, or call the church office at 952-432-6351.

Starting a Tough Day with a Smile

So far this school year, Zone 45 children (in Grades 4 & 5) have packed and donated 600 breakfast bags for Ronald McDonald House. These bags contained a total of 3,000 food items (cereal, juice pouch, granola bar, fruit cup, and a beef stick).

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable, even frightening, to be with a family member who is sick or in the hospital. Families staying at the RMH there can grab a breakfast bag on their way to the hospital or clinic in the morning. Getting through a tough day can be a little easier with a good breakfast!

Each year, RMH serves more than 4,000 families – some from across the region and others from across the globe – at three Twin Cities’ locations. Families are never asked to pay for services at RMH– which include lodging, meals, schooling, and activities – so they rely on the compassion of community efforts like Zone 45’s breakfast bag project.

The Apple Valley McDonald’s provided us with Happy Meal bags, napkins, and spoons for the Breakfast Bags. The rest of the breakfast items came from Zone 45 families! Thank you to all the children and parents for their energy and generosity during this project. Special thanks to the Bachman family for helping deliver the bags last month (Pictured are Lindsay and Brian Bachman).

Serving Opportunities this Month

• There will be one more packing event for 200 additional bags on Wednesday, April 1 during Zone 45 sessions. This week, crew leaders passed out the final Breakfast Bags card. We will need to have all food items at SOTV by Wednesday, March 25.
  
• Zone 45 will also have a Feed My Starving Children service event on Friday, March 6 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Meet at the Eagan FMSC location. Please register online.
  
• Children of all ages can help their families “Pack the Pews” all throughout March for Our Daily Bread food shelf right here at SOTV. Fill a grocery bag with non-perishable food items and bring it to church anytime in March. Or bring a bag every week! See our most needed items this week.
  
• Families and individuals of all ages are invited to our next  ServeTogether on Saturday, March 7 beginning at 9:30 am. We will make 800 sandwiches; assemble Hug Bags and make cards; and do (cold) meal prep for several local charities.

Looking for more? Check out this week's News for the Flock.

Jenni Berg, Zone 45 Coordinator poses with the bags being dropped off at the Ronald McDonald House.

Servants to God Alone

By Craig Bane,
Capital Campaign Steering Committee Member

One of three primary objectives of Shepherd of the Valley’s capital campaign, Together We Can Do More, is the elimination of our existing mortgage. Most of us have used a mortgage to purchase a home or other property because we didn’t have sufficient resources to pay in cash. The same was true for SOTV, dating back to 1985 (the original construction) through the 1998 construction of our current sanctuary and additional infrastructure up to that point in time. Our last endeavor to raise capital, the Imagine Campaign, completely paid for the construction of the chapel, narthex expansion, and additional classroom space.

The current building fund is used solely to pay down our old accumulated mortgage debt, and to complete necessary building repairs. As it stands, most of the building fund goes towards servicing interest on our debt. The church’s tax - exempt status prevents writing - off mortgage interest like a homeowner is able to do. Therefore this means the church mortgage is a 100% expense to the church budget.

No one can serve two masters.
-Matthew 6:24a

When we borrow, the lender puts conditions on the loan and this makes us a servant to the lender. We are to be servants to God and to God alone. As Matthew 6:24 reminds us,

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 

The Bible does not prohibit the use of debt, but everywhere debt is mentioned, there is a call to action to resolve the indebtedness. The main reason for this is because it makes us a servant to someone other than God.

Every pledge made to the capital campaign is significant. The campaign is not about equal giving, it’s about equal sacrifice. Please accept a visit from a campaign visitor to learn more about the campaign. I hope you will prayerfully consider making a pledge once you have the facts. Because, together we can do more!