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!

We're Having a Block Party!

Have you heard we’re planning a Neighborhood Block Party? It will be Saturday, September 6 outside in the SOTV parking lot on from 4-7pm.  Please help spread the word!

Many of you have urged us reach out more to our community. We agree! Connecting to our community is an important way to live out Our Vision to invite all people to experience the Welcome, Transformation, and Sending of Jesus Christ. So let’s do it! We will need your help to come and invite others to join you.

Our volunteer worship band led by Shawn Vaughan will provide live music. Volunteers and staff are donating supplies, setting up tents and helping run games. Dannelle will be cooking hot dogs and brats. This will be a low-cost event, but a fun way to connect with our neighbors. Banners will be up soon at our corner, and an invitational mailing will hit many area homes the first week of September. Invitations that you can give to friends and neighbors will be available at church entrances.

Worship will be inside at 5 pm, and the following week (September 13) we will shift to two service times on Saturday: 4:00 pm (band-led worship) and 5:30 pm (organ/piano-led).  In between services at 5:00 pm is a casual community and fellowship time we’ve dubbed the “Saturday Sampler.” Each week there will be special activities planned – something different each week!

You may have also heard that GodZone Christian education for Age 3 (by 9/1/14) – Grade 3 is now available at each worship time, including Saturdays. Register for fall.

We've timed the Neighborhood Block Party on purpose a week before this new Saturday schedule and fall programming starts, so that people can get connected into the life of Shepherd of the Valley. 

Please come to our Neighborhood Block Party, and bring a friend, or two. All are invited!

Adventures Serving in Haiti 2014

Take a journey to Haiti with the 11 youth and 3 adult leaders who traveled to Pignon July 10-18, 2014. The following are e-mail updates and photos from youth director Sarah Bane. More photos can be found on Facebook.

Thursday, July 10

We've made it to Port Au Prince! After a long day of travel and encountering very long lines at immigration we were treated to a delicious dinner at our hotel and have all turned in for the night.

Tomorrow, we board our propellor plane and head north to Pignon. We have so far been in awe of how different life is here, but equally amazed by God's beauty and grace at work and in abundance among the Haitian people. Thank you for your continued prayers for our group as well as for those whom we encounter -- you are in our prayers, too!

Friday, July 11 & Saturday, July 12
Today was our first day traveling to visit community wells built through Haiti Outreach. It was a long (1.5 hr, one-way) & bumpy ride! Saturday is market day in Pignon. After a bite of lunch we'll go check it out!

Sunday, July 13
Today was church day and a visit to the orphanage in Pignon.

Monday, July 14Today we visited the well near Hinche again and worked alongside the community to make finish in touches. We stopped in Hinche for ice cream and enjoyed practicing our Creole


Tuesday, July 15 
Today was a scorcher! No work to help with, but we got to see a well drilling rig in action, tour a dam, as well as a dairy factory. Oh, and we also got to shop from some local vendors. Watch out MN -- we're coming home bearing souvenirs!

Wednesday, July 16
The well is done and we've made some dear friends. It will be hard to say goodbye tomorrow when we participate in the well commissioning service with the village of Kabayi. 

Bonswa! (Good evening)~

All is well here in Pignon. We've had a hot week full of many adventures and many new friends. Most notably, we've all come to love our trusty translator -- a Pignon resident -- Ben. Today we helped a community in between Hinche and Thomasique, called Kabayi, put the finishing touches on their brand new well. Tomorrow, we'll go back to celebrate with the community for their well inauguration. It's hard to believe tomorrow is our last full day in Haiti!

If you'd like to see some more pictures, please check out Facebook! I've been posting everyday and have put everything on my personal page, and tagging "Shepherd O.T. Valley." Feel free to friend me (Sarah Bane) if you're having trouble finding posts.

All appears to be on schedule thus far for our travel on Friday. Students will have access to their phones again once we reach Miami around 3pm Central Time, so I'll make sure everyone checks in with home! :)

Hope that you are all well and we'll see you soon!

Mon dye va beniou (God bless you)

~Sarah

 

Revisions to GodZone & Confirmation 2014-15

Frequently Asked Questions


Shepherd of the Valley considers it a privilege to partner with families as their children grow in faith. GodZone is our Christian education program for Age 3 (by Sep. 1) - Grade 5. Confirmation is our Christian education program for Grades 6-9. Youth are invited to Affirm their Baptism in the fall of 10th grade.

 

The questions and answers below reference our revised 2014-15 schedule for GodZone, Age 3- Grade 5 and Confirmation, Grades 6-8. The schedule for Confirmation Grade 9 remains unchanged from last year.


How were the revised options for GodZone and Confirmation decided?

• Our Vision to invite all people to experience the Welcome, Transformation and Sending of Jesus Christ, led us to evaluate our worship, education, and supporting programs.
• We listened to feedback from members, administered surveys, sought advice from consultants and similar congregations, and engaged members for further advice and recommendations including a Children’s Ministry Task Force.
• We made adjustments to our initial plans based on this combined feedback and advice.

Why are there new sessions for GodZone on Saturdays?

• Starting in September, there will be a new worship schedule on Saturday with a band–led worship at 4:00 PM and organ/piano-led worship at 5:30 PM.
• There will also be an increased variety of music, hands-on service, food and fellowship on Saturdays for families.
• New GodZone sessions will provide more opportunities for families to be involved in worship, education and service.
• All music groups, including children and youth choirs and bells, will include Saturday performances on a rotational basis.

Why is GodZone divided between grade levels on Wednesday and Weekends?

• Consolidating sessions for each grade level will ensure the enrollments necessary to maintain quality, high-energy programming , effective group dynamics and motivations for student attendance.
• Data from GodZone 2011-14 enrollment and attendance indicates that the majority of PK-Grade 3 are more likely to enroll in a session time aligned with worship and Grade 4-5 are more likely to enroll in Wednesday sessions.
• The curriculum and objectives for Grade 4-5 are more focused on a readiness for confirmation. Aligning this group with confirmation on Wednesdays will provide opportunities to share service projects, parent resources and expectations for involvement in weekend worship.

Why is 3:15 Confirmation no longer offered on Wednesdays?

• 3:15 is inconvenient for students from local schools with the exception of Falcon Ridge students (who can walk across the street after dismissal).
• Immediately after school is not an optimal time for students to be in a structured learning environment.
• Attendance at 3:15 is very inconsistent due to seasonal participation in after school activities.
• It has been a difficult time to recruit youth and adult volunteers, and to establish parent involvement. SOTV believes that forming relationships to peers and mentors is critical to faith formation in young adults.

How will you support families whose children cannot attend the revised session times?

• A GodZone Home Edition will be available for parents to teach their children at home. Packets will be available once a month for parents to pick-up. Children’s Ministry Staff will also be available for specific grade level support.
• In Confirmation, we are excited to offer a weekend retreat + monthly small group option. Following the retreat, small groups will decide the day and time they will meet. Additionally, we are happy to provide you with resources for faith formation at home.

Why make changes at all if it will inconvenience some families?
God continually calls us to innovate and adapt program ministries to enrich opportunities for people of all ages to grow in faith and community. Several factors demanded that we reconsider and revise our options:

• Member feedback for more options that fit a busy family schedule
• Desire for programming at times when volunteers are more readily available
• Matching programming to an expanded worship schedule
• Group size and dynamics for quality programs
• Efficient use of staff resources and facility space

Further questions? Please contact:

Mim Campbell, Director of Children’s Ministry at (952) 985-7350 or Mim.Campbell@sotv.org
Katie Strand, Director of Youth Ministry at (952) 985-7360 or Katie.Strand@sotv.org


View revised 2014-15 Schedule for GodZone and Confirmation.

 

Annual Meeting Summary

Please take a moment to review a summary of the content of our Annual Meeting. Formal Minutes to follow and will be posted via SOTV Council approval. Watch our website for details. There were approximately 162 in attendance. Please direct questions to Council@sotv.org

Presenters

• Steve Mueller, Council President
• Troy Nelson, Treasurer
• Jenny Buckley, Council Vice President
• Lynn Askew, Council Member & Past President

Introduction – Steve Mueller

• Gratitude expressed for our many volunteers who make ministry possible all year long
• Acknowledgment of a great year of ministry at SOTV
• Indication that the meeting will address some financial issues but acknowledge we are a congregation of generous financial supporters
• Thank you and round of applause to Dannelle Bautista, Kitchen Manager and Volunteers for today’s lunch

Call to Order – Steve Mueller

Devotion – Pastor Chris Smith

• Video with SOTV Pastors What is Your Favorite Bible Verse and Why?  With Discussion
• Prayer
• Hymn 641

Approval of 2013 Annual Meeting Minutes

Motion moved to approve by Linda Nelson

Motion second by Gordon Bentley

State of the Church – Steve Mueller
 “We are a congregation of transformation.”

• Vision:  Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church will invite all people to experience the welcome, transformation and sending of Jesus Christ
• 2013-2014 At-a-Glance. We have done some great things!
• New Worship Leader Shawn Vaughan
• New Production Manager Omar Reyes
• Supported Brandon Newton's transition into pastoral ministry
• Invested in worship & technology
• United congregation by moving to one worship space
• Consistent display of American flag in Narthex/Atrium implemented
•  Hosted Congregation Dialogues throughout the year to gather feedback 
• Council authorizes pastors to officiate at same-gender marriages
• Celebrated our Tanzania Partnership with a visit from Pastor John Mhekwa
• Celebrated our Partnership with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem with a visit from Pastor Mitri Raheb.
• Financial review introduction
• Letter shared from member of inspiration to increase personal giving.  

Leadership & Governance – Jenny Buckley

• Explanation of Ballot and Voting

1.     Approval of Council Officers 2014-2015:  Yes or No vote

• Jenny Buckley, Council President
• Paul Keller, Council Vice President
• Steve Mueller, Past President
  
  [Unanimously Passed]

2.    Approval of Council Member-at-Large (Electing TWO) (Candidate Information was provided)

• LaVon Dennistoun  [Elected]
• Michael Kelly
• Ken Syverson [Elected]

• Leadership Team Structures

• We learned from the CAT Survey that our congregation wants a broader representation in decision making at SOTV
• Review of current Leadership teams and an introduction of new Leadership Teams
• Members in attendance of the meeting for each Leadership Team were recognized
• Interested in serving on a Leadership Team contact council@sotv.org
• Leadership Teams

• Council
• Finance
• Capital Campaign Strategy
• Human Resources
• Benevolence
• Building & Grounds
• Kairos
• Stewardship
• Communications
• Welcome

2014-2015 Budget – Troy Nelson

• General Fund Budget

• Presentation and explanation of income, expenses and financial needs 
• Presented deficit budget of -$192,539 
• Expected use of General Fund Balance and minimum balance of $500,000 before implementation of staff reductions 
• Discussion and Q&A

• Building Fund Budget

• Presentation and explanation of income, expenses and financial needs
• Presented use of fund balance in the amount of $60,000 for expenses
• Current Building Fund debt $4,530,362 @ 4.375% Commercial Rate
• Proposal to enter a Capital Campaign 2014-2015
• Discussion and Q&A

• Organ Fund

• Presentation and explanation of income, remaining pledges, payments and financial needs
• Organ has been funded completely separate from general fund by supporters
• Remaining loan balance $144,077
• Funds still needed $121,000
• Discussion and Q&A

 Approval of 2014-2015 Budget

Motion to approve by Gordon Bentley

Motion second by Karen Piehler-Shaw

Capital Campaign – Lynn Askew 
"We don’t want to build more, we want to do more."

• Background

• Last Capital Campaign was 2004-2007 primarily for building of Sanctuary, Chapel, Narthex expansion, and classroom expansions 18- 22
• Capital Campaign Strategy Team formed in 2012

• Purpose of 2014-2015 Campaign

• Debt Reduction (Currently $4.5mm)
• Facility Improvements (Building & Parking Lot)
• Local, Regional, Global Outreach and Benevolence 

• Timeline

• May 2014:  Consultant Selected, James D. Klote
• Summer/ Fall 2014:  Preparation & Feasibility Focus Groups
• Fall/Early Winter 2014-15:  Initial visits with congregation
• January – March 2015:  Heart of the Campaign

Approval of Capital Campaign

Motion to approve by Kathy Larson

Motion second by Gordon Bentley

Adjourn

Motion to adjourn by Pat Buss

Motion second by Betty O’Leary