March 2007 Volume 42 Number 2

Across the Pastor’s desk….

A couple of things are on my mind as we enter 2012.

Epiphany is probably a neglected season of the church year but it probably should be emphasized more than it currently is. It comes after New Year’s secular emphasis and is sometimes lost in it. But, the early Christians hoped to replace the pagan and secular emphasis on renewal ‘that could happen if humans just got their acts together’. The early Christian attempted to emphasize that such trust and hope in human ability to change the course of history or even of individual lives, apart from the power and control of God, was an illusion and kept humans from realizing how desperately they must trust the faithfulness of God.

Epiphany was the season of the church year that stressed the many ways in which God disclosed himself to humans in ways that could become the foundation for lives of faithful trust and response. That Epiphany emphasis is perhaps a good one to assist us in analyzing our journey of faithfulness at St. Paul’s.

Speaking of St. Paul’s, my own perspective is conditioned by the fact that I have now been Intentional Transitional Pastor at St. Paul’s for one year. It is probably not a good idea to attempt to evaluate the pluses and minuses of that year. More to the point would be to try to see the hand of the Holy Spirit’s power and influence during this year.

I’ll attempt to make an Annual Report in preparation for the Annual Congregational Meeting on February 12^th, 2012. For the present, a couple of thoughts might be appropriate.

This year has been, from one perspective, a typical year in the transition process that congregations experience after the loss of a pastor, and it has also, from another perspective, been a year of unique development.

As a typical year, St. Paul has had to find out to what degree they were able to adapt to a ‘new’ pastor, even though one for a prescribed period of time – the time ‘during the transition’.

That adaptation includes not just the feeling of loss and perhaps a kind of emptiness, but also some other feelings that can include things like loss of energy, loss of hope, discouragement, disappointment, even, in some cases, some anger and other strong, sometimes ill-defined, feelings of detachment and loss of focus, and even a loss of the feeling of belonging to the people of God.

For the most part, I can say that, in my mind, St. Paul’s has made the adaptation. I feel accepted as pastor and also find that most of the time, people have begun to feel a sense of newness – new potential, new energy, new hope, and a new beginning.

That it has also been a year of unique development is indicated by a couple of things.

Most analyses I have read of the current state of the Christian church in the USA and its hope for the future stress that the church culture of the 50-60’s is no longer viable. The church is no longer regarded as the social center of people’s lives providing it with opportunities to gather around events and programs that stress interaction and camaraderie. Even the mega-church movement has been often regarded as less than a sign of hope. It is often only an occasion for one congregation to grow by plundering the membership of smaller congregations, often to push a conservative social and political agenda. These types of congregations actually do not help the evangelism movement much. They rather often further the perception of 85% of the population who think, according to many surveys, that Christians are largely hypocritical, self-righteous, judgmental and exclusive. Which has only accelerated the decline of the church culture of the 50-60’s.

Most of these analyses, correctly, I think, see the hope for the church in a new emphasis on things more Biblical – not so much on increased membership as on growing discipleship; not so much on personal piety as on spiritual formation; not so much personal ethical behavior and morality as on the kind of spirituality that views everything from the point of the other person, who is poor, hungry, hopeless, hurting – the kind of life the Bible describes as the life of Jesus. Spirituality has less to do with “me” and more to do with “them”. Even prayer life changes its focus to a concern for “the others” who need God’s care, hopefully found in our ability to love as God loves. Most people today respond more eagerly to opportunities to work together in meaningful acts of love and mercy than they respond to social, political, congregational, or denominational ties. And, the sooner congregations realize that, the better able they become to reverse the trend to decline and loss of meaningful and purposeful existences.

I honestly see this new trend alive, well and growing at St. Paul’s. This Christmas season has been, in some ways, especially indicative of it, and it is an interesting and very hopeful development.

Another indication of the unique development at St. Paul’s is the realistic evaluation that is being made about our situation and resources and an attempt to study options that might be headed in a rather new direction.

Currently, we have begun a study as to the possibilities for the future that might be open to us if we work in partnership with another or other congregations on perhaps many levels. It is a topic that is being studied within the Peconic conference, but St. Paul’s is in the middle of the discussion. Initially, our study involves a study of the potential of partnering with Hope Lutheran in Selden, but it could involve a couple of different topics.

While this is a new thing, it is something that could become very helpful and result in some interesting and helpful ways that we might be the kingdom of God in this place into the future.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks and months about this discussion. For now, suffice it to say that these are interesting times at St. Paul’s and we have much to look forward to in the future.

Pastor Ivan

President’s Message

Now that the hectic activities of Christmas and New Years are behind us, it’s time to focus on fulfilling all of the resolutions you made for 2012. I want to wish all of our members a safe, healthy and happy New Year. Saint Paul's has an exciting year ahead of us as we continue to grow our enthusiasm to serve the Lord. On Sunday, February 12, 2012. at 4 PM we will be holding our Congregation's Annual Meeting followed by a Potluck Dinner. This is an important Meeting as the Congregation will be reviewing the Synod Profile that has been approved by Council. The Profile will be submitted to the Synod right after the Meeting and this will be the first step in the Call Process to obtain a permanent Pastor for Saint Paul's. Subsequent to the Meeting, the newly elected Council will nominate members to serve on the Call Committee. Another Congregational Meeting will then be held to elect the Call Committee. The Call Committee will then start the process of interviewing candidates to fill our Pastoral vacancy. At our meeting on 2/12, we will elect a new Council and Officers, approve our budget and discuss several other issues vital to the future of our Church. Please put this date on your calendar and attend this meeting. It’s your chance to learn about what's happening at Saint Paul's and to answer any concerns that you have about our activities and our future.

We have started a dialogue with Hope Lutheran aimed at forging a closer relationship with our Sister Congregation. The Executive Committees of both churches along with Pastors Gunderman and Hill have met twice to explore sharing services and activities together with the goal of operating more efficiently and having more activities available to the members of both churches.

So far our pledge drive under the excellent direction of Rudy Saviano has produced 47 pledges for approximately $107,500 in pledges. This is the best result we have had in many years, and we expect additional pledges to come in. We need a little bit more to enable us to call an experienced full-time Pastor for Saint Paul's. If we do not receive a sufficient amount of pledges, our budget will not be able to support a full time Pastor. In that case, we might, subject to Congregational approval, enter into an agreement with Hope Lutheran whereby they will pay a percentage of our new Pastor's salary and benefits in return for the Pastor performing some services for Hope Lutheran. The desire of Council is not to share the services of our new Pastor, but we need a few more pledges to make that desire a reality. However, even if we don't share our Pastor with Hope Lutheran, there are many areas where the two churches can share expenses and activities thereby enriching the activities of both churches. The newly elected Council will be continuing these discussions throughout 2012.

I want to thank Laura Marth and her helpers for putting on a successful wine and cheese fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes and a successful Christmas Market and Cookie sale. The Shoe Box Ministry a project spearheaded by Laura and our Sunday School, produced 102 boxes more than three times the amount produced in prior years. Also, once again thank you to David Prosser for completing the wonderful renovation of Remsen Hall.

As this will be my last message to you as President of the Congregation Council, I want to thank Pastor Ivan and all my fellow Council members for their work during the past year. A lot was accomplished and there is a lot more for the newly elected Council to do. I am completing nine years on Council and I thank the Congregation for giving me the opportunity to serve my Lord and Saint Paul's. It was an honor to serve. See you at Church!

Sincerely,

John Reiersen

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Pastor’s Report

The three projects that I have mentioned have continued to take up time and attention and will for the forseeable future:

1. Update data and statistics at St. Pauls;

2. Develop a mutual ministry committee;

3. Develop an organizational manual for St. Paul’s.

In addition, the following events occupied or occupy my time recently:

1. Attended the Bishop’s Retreat in November at Mount Alphonsus Monastary at Esopus, NY – attended by 81 clergy of the Metropolitan New York Synod

2. Planned Advent – Christmas season, etc. and am working on Epiphany.

3. Working with Pastor Richard Hill of Hope Lutheran in Selden on areas of ministry to be part of the discussion of the options for partnering between St. Paul’s an Hope.

4. Met with Kathleen Koran and Jack Hormer, Assistants to the Bishop for Congregational Life and Mission and Ministray about the status of St. Paul’s and the options for partnering.

Pastor Ivan

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Treasurer’s Report - November 30, 2011

December, 2011 was a very good month for us at St. Paul”s Income was $13,913 and expenses totaled $10,567. This left a surplus of $3,345 for the month and brought us into balance for the year. We ended the year with a surplus of $1,435. This is great especially when we had adopted a deficit budget last year. We have started to reverse the trend of less giving each year. This year giving is up and the projection for 2012 also shows an increase. We can be sure that there will still be challenges, but with God’s help, we can overcome them. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Coffee Fellowship

I think that I can speak for all of us in saying “Thank You.” To John Reiersen and Laura Marth for providing all of the coffee and supplies for the past two years to launch this program. Now it is time to see if we can continue this fellowship opportunity. There will be a box on the coffee table where you can place your support for the coffee. We need your support to continue this service. The coffee and supplies are not included in the budget.

Stu Meade

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Property

December was quiet. Except for the fact that the John’s Sehlmeyer found a way to make the sanctuary back chandelier (which has not been working for a long time) to work. Pastor Ivan promised to buy them lunch at Tara’s if they got it fixed, which they did, and which he now owes them.

David Prosser

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Worship and Music

I would like to express my thanks to the many people who have helped prepare the church for the Advent and Christmas season. The Advent pot luck and wreath decorating was so enjoyable. Thank you to June for once again providing the wreaths and decorations. Andy and Jodie Jaye were so happy to see everyone again during this event.

Thank you to everyone who was involved with the purchase of the tree, the wreaths and the flowers and for all who helped with the decorating.

Thank you also to Gladyz for all the decorations that she made they are truly beautiful.

I was not in New York to join in the Christmas services but I heard from many people how beautiful each service was and thank Pastor for his hard work and planning.

All that remains now is to take it down and pack it up for another year!

Thank you!

Ann Mitromaras

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Sunday School and Children Ministries

Shoebox campaign during last fall had this interesting result.

5 of our shoeboxes went to:

Rwanda

Iraq

Botswana

Ghana

Indonesia

Bird House Supplies

The Sunday School kids will be making bird houses out of milk cartons. Please help us collect the supplies needed for this project. Needed supplies are:

· Clean half gallon and quart cardboard milk cartons

· 8” aluminum pie plates

· White hangers from cleaners

· Wooden chopsticks

Recycle the above items in the cardboard boxes under the table in the coffee room. Thank you!

5^th Annual Children’s Christmas Market & Cookie Walk

Thank you for participating in our annual market, cookie walk and fundraiser. This year’s Wine & Cheese Market Preview Party raised money for the Long Island Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). A total of $765.00 was collected for JDRF before matching funds from Thrivent.

Our market and cookie walk along with lunch was very well attended and raised $1,083.64. Thank you to all the volunteers, the cookie bakers, the lunch crew and the entertainment. All of your work and effort was greatly appreciated.

We sold over 66 pounds of scrumptious cookies at this year's very successful cookie walk. A great big thank you to all of our cookie bakers! Surprisingly, we had some leftover cookies!
Festively wrapped cookie trays were made up from the leftover cookies and were presented to the military hospital at West Point for the troops returning from Afghanistan along with their visiting families. Thank you to Carol Fazio's son, Matthew Fazio for delivering the cookie trays to West Point for us.

Please save the dates for next year, Friday December 7^th and Saturday, December 8^th!

Upcoming Sunday school events in 2012 - we invite all to join us

Annual Bowling Outing at Port Jeff Bowl

Saturday, January 21, 2012

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Breakfast Fundraiser at Applebees - Miller Place

Date uncertain - a Saturday in February 2012

50% towards non folding chairs and adjustable height tables for Sunday school

50% for shoebox gift items for our shoebox packing party & shipping costs

Sunday School Stewardship (Stuart’s Ship) Program Kickoff

Sunday, February 5^th

Ice Cream Fundraiser at Friendlys - Miller Place

Date uncertain - a midweek evening in March 2012

50% towards non folding chairs and adjustable height tables for Sunday school

50% for shoebox gift items for our shoebox packing party & shipping costs

Habitat for Humanity Coin boxes

Due Sunday, March 11^th

Shoebox Packing & Halloween Party - Remsen Hall

Saturday, October 27^th

Food Drive Pick ups

Thank you for participating with the Sunday school children in their weekly food drive. A truck from Lighthouse Mission will be at St Paul’s on the second Thursday of each month to pick up our food collection for distribution to those in need. A sign-up sheet for each month of 2012 is on the bulletin board for anyone available to be at the church on the second Thursday of any of the months between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM.

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The Children’s Food Collection is intended to get us all thinking more actively about those who do not thrive. Participate with them. The following is a list of the most wanted items:

Canned items:

Cereal, Peanut Butter, Soup, Instant Oatmeal, Pasta, Tuna, Pop Tarts, Rice, Spam (yes, Spam), Crackers, Mac & Cheese, Vegetables, Ketchup, Egg Noodles, Fruit, Mustard, Cup a Soup, Meats – chicken, turkey, Mayonnaise, Juice boxes, Pasta sauces, Honey, Granola bars, Chili, Processed cheese spread, Nuts, Individually packed applesauce, Juice, Powdered or shelf stable Milk

Non-food items: Diapers (all sizes), Toilet paper, Tissues, Soap, Laundry soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, salt/pepper,

Have the food drive items with you at your seat in your pew. The children will collect the items during the 10:30AM.

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Coffee Hour Supplies

Do you recycle empty ink cartridges? If you have been tossing them out, please save them for our Coffee Hours instead! Staples will give us $2.00 in store credit for each empty ink cartridge we recycle with them. We may recycle up to 20 ink cartridges a month. You may drop off the empty ink cartridges in the bright green shopping bag in the coffee area. So far we have earned $160.00 in store credit and have received over a year’s supply of stationery for Sunday school and Cradle Roll mailings, 650 coffee cups and several boxes of K Cup coffee.

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Reflections on Our Stewardship

As we reflect on the birth of Our Lord and Savior, let us also reflect on the rebirth we have witnessed at St. Paul’s in 2011. A year ago, we were on an uncertain path. We had an Interim Pastor who was to lead us through a transition and determine if we were ready to call a new Pastor. We were in a tail spin that saw our active membership and our resources in a state of steady decline.

Throughout this trial, the Faithful never faltered. Pastor Gunderman began an outreach program that saw former worshipers return to our ranks. We had meetings that clarified our problems, and discussed paths to our solutions. We prayed for guidance, and we came together as a community, and little miracles started to happen. Our outreach programs grew and some of them rendered results we couldn’t have thought possible a year ago. Even as we struggled with our financial resources, we were willing and able to help others with increased contributions through our shoe box program, cookie sale, and other Outreach programs. Remsen Hall was renovated and has given our gatherings a very different feel, and a more pleasant experience for those who are fed here. We challenged ourselves with a pledge drive to show our ability to be a viable entity, and we responded to that challenge with an unprecedented participation. With each step, we all seemed to come to understand what we meant to each other, and what our faith means to all of us.

The year 2011 has taught us that working together with our Worship, Faith, Love, and God, we can truly answer God’s call and continue to grow the Mission that is St. Paul’s. In wishing each other a Merry Christmas, let’s thank God for each other, and thank each other for the gift of St. Paul’s. Thank you, and God Bless You.

Rudy Saviano

Stewardship Chair

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