You usually don’t find congregation meetings to amend constitutions as the subject of the “From the Staff” page of the church newsletter. However, what we will be considering during November is so intrinsic to our vision for ministry here at Resurrection that it really needs to be talked about in this space.

About two years ago, our Parish Planning Council set us on a trajectory that would lead to the eventual restructuring of our ministry. We believe this new structure will serve to unleash the God-given gifts of the people in this place, and we anticipate a multiplication of our ministry. We have now reached the point where we need to amend our constitution in order to allow us to move forward. Therefore, we are urging all members of Resurrection to attend the special congregation meeting on November 21, and then the regular semi-annual meeting on December 5, so that we can begin in January to implement the transition in our ministry structure.

Our vision is for ministry to take place through teams rather than our current structure of Boards and a Parish Planning Council. A ministry team is a small group of people – however many are needed to accomplish the task – who take responsibility for a particular slice of ministry. The team will have the responsibility for that ministry, and the authority to make the decisions necessary to carry out that ministry. The number of ministry teams in our congregation will ebb and flow as the ministry needs change. Ministry teams may form, evolve, and disband as the Holy Spirit guides us.

In order to support and guide the work of our ministry teams, we are splitting the duties of our current Parish Planning Council (PPC) into two groups. Members of the PPC have found their work to be increasingly difficult in recent years. This is largely attributed to what we have dubbed the “two-hat syndrome.” Members of the PPC have been called upon to provide both a) long-term planning and visioning, and b) management of our day-to-day ministry by directing one of our Boards. Few people excel in both of these roles – hence, the increasing frustration.

The new structure we are proposing will separate the functions of the PPC. There will be a Congregation Council which will be elected by the congregation. This group will be responsible for holding the rudder of the ship that is RLC. They will do long-range planning and visioning, and set policies and goals for the congregation. The Council will then appoint a Steering Team to handle the day-to-day oversight of our ministry. The Steering Team will be made up of both staff members and lay persons. They will see to the implementation of the goals set by the Council and they will provide coordination and direction to our ministry teams. Each ministry team leader will have one person on the Steering Team with whom to relate for guidance and assistance.

It is an exciting time to be the people of God in this place. We are anxious to move forward with implementing this proposed ministry structure. Below you will find some more specifics about the special congregation meeting, and opportunities to discuss the new ministry structure and proposed constitution prior to the meeting. I look forward to sharing with you our excitement about what is ahead for us.

In Christ’s service,

November 21, 9:30am

Special Congregation Meeting . . . .

All of our member households have received notice of the special congregation meeting that has been called by the Parish Planning Council for November 21 at 9:30am. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the proposed Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions. This proposal requires that a quorum be present for the meeting, and a simple majority vote for approval. A second ratification vote – requiring a two-thirds majority with no changes permitted – will take place at the regular semi-annual meeting on December 5 at 9:30am.

November 7 & 14 during the Education Hour

Information/Discussion Sessions

Prior to Congregation Meeting . . . .

On November 7, at 9:30am in the sanctuary, there will be a presentation and discussion of the proposed changes to our ministry structure. There will then be a follow-up time for further discussion and questions on November 14. Since the 14^th is part of Consecration Weekend, the discussion will take place in the fellowship hall following the Celebration Meal that is part of Consecration Weekend. If you do not plan to attend the 8:00am worship service on the 14^th (and the Celebration Meal to follow), you can plan to join us at approximately 9:45 for the discussion in preparation for the congregation meeting.

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation’s Board of Stewardship has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year. New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During worship services on Consecration Weekend, we are asking our members and those participating in our congregation’s life to make their financial commitments to our church’s ministries in this community and around the world.

Everyone who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending a worship service on Consecration Weekend. We urge people to attend even if they feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. We will do no home solicitations to ask people to complete cards. During each worship service, our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration Weekend events through the Consecration Weekend team and members of the Parish Planning Council. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend a worship service on Consecration Weekend.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Weekend events.

ChristCare

Small Group Ministry . . . .

A group of prospective ChristCare Group Leaders has embarked on a new model for ChristCare Leader training. During this sixteen-week training program, they will form their own ChristCare group to experience the benefits of being in a group – while at the same time learning to lead a group of their own. The training will conclude in February at which time they will be commissioned during worship as ChristCare Group Leaders and then they will begin leading ChristCare groups. The participants in the training are: Scott & Ann Buie, Chad Frahm, Ed Kistler, Tom Myers, Scott Poore, and Mike & Chris Wise. Pastor Mitch is leading the group. Please keep this group in your prayers as they prepare to take a leadership role in our congregation’s ChristCare ministry.

Many Thanks . . . .

I would like to express my personal thanks for the items you donated to the Damien Center Food Pantry which is very dear to my heart. I volunteer there and very often see empty shelves. Their staff was thrilled with the “great stuff” and the clients delighted to see dish soap, laundry products, toilet paper (yes, t.p.) and really great food. I felt proud of my RLC family – just like a mother whose child brought home a 4.0 gpa. – Margaret Irish

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Wednesday,

November 24, at 7:00pm

Join us for dessert,

following the service

Thanksgiving Pie Feast . . . .

RLC’s annual pie feast will be held Wednesday, November 24, after the Thanksgiving Eve service. Come and enjoy pie and coffee and some great conversation. Let’s take some time before the hectic holiday schedules kick-in and remember one of the blessings for which we give thanks, a loving community of faith. Watch the bulletin for an opportunity to donate pie.

RLC Staff Email . . . .

Pr. Dave. . . . . . . . . . . . PrDave@RLCIndy.org

Pr. Mitch. . . . . . . . . . . PrMitch@RLCIndy.org

Julie Peralta. . . . . . . . . . . . Julie@RLCIndy.org

Sherry Andersen. . . . . . .Music@RLCIndy.org

Susan Garten. . . . . . . . . .Susan@RLCIndy.org

Progressive Dinner . . . .

Attention all adults! You invited and encouraged to participate an RLC Progressive Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 4^th. We will begin with Appetizers prior to our Saturday evening worship with various courses following worship at member’s homes and ending with dessert back at church.

Please sign-up on the yellow response forms in your bulletin for the next few weeks. (This is a must to adequately plan this event.) We need hostesses who can comfortably seat 8-10 people. We also need participants who want to join in the fun, fellowship and camaraderie. Everyone is welcome to come and meet the family of believers that you worship with every week. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, widowed or just friends, come along and have some fun. Groups will be divided up and will be geographically well suited. You will be provided with definitive details, maps and the logistics on Sunday, Nov. 28^th. We hope to have a church-wide participation with this event. Child care will be available at the church.

Feel free to contact Margie Ropp, Penny Welch, Sherry or Brian Richards, Karen Oster, Nancy Menning, Anna Myers, or Connie Risch for more information. Also, watch your weekly bulletins for upcoming details.

QuiltMakers Marathon . . . .

We will be having a QuiltMakers Marathon on Saturday, November 20^th from 9:30am-3:00pm. We have several quilts to tie for Lutheran World Relief and for the Fellowship Hall walls. Come help tie quilts! Bring a brown bag lunch; soup and dessert will be provided. Plan to enjoy a fun-filled day of fellowship and service. If you don’t know how to tie a quilt, don’t worry, we will teach you! QuiltMakers will also meet at Pat Hamby’s on Nov. 8, 15, and 22 from 9:00-11:30am and 6:30-9:00pm.

RLC Book Club . . . .

Be sure to read this month’s selection for the RLC Book Club. On Monday, November 29^th at 7:00pm at Border’s Café we will discuss, The Miracles of Santo Fico, a novel by D.L. Smith. This is a magical story of love and miracles. If you have any questions, contact Lesley McDougal at

lesleymcdougal@yahoo.com. See you there!

Mark your December Calendars Ahead . . . .

Dec. 4. . . . . . . . . Christmas Program Practice

Dec. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Progressive Dinner

Dec. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Congregation Meeting

Dec. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kids Club

Dec. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Men’s Breakfast

Dec. 11. . . . . . . . Christmas Program Practice

Dec. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choral Sunday

Dec. 18. . . . . . . . Christmas Program Practice

Dec. 18. . . . . .Christmas Program & Worship

Dec. 24. . Christmas Eve Services at 5, 7, 9:00

Dec. 25. . . . . . . No Saturday worship service

Jan. 1. . . . . . . . . No Saturday worship service

Women of the ELCA . . . .

Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.

Community – Together women learn to value self and others as created in God’s image and redeemed in Christ.

Growth – Women are strengthened, developed and equipped in variety of learning experiences.

Action – Women articulates and act upon their faith as a disciple.

Last winter a survey was sent out regarding women who had interests in Women of the ELCA and it’s varied programs and subscriptions. From the list we received back, we were able to involve more women to help with the quilting mission projects headed up by Pat Hamby. However, at that time, we were unable to re-establish this ministry. We are ready. Are You?

We are currently in the process of combining our interests, experiences, and desires to embark on renewing this women’s ministry at Resurrection. We would like for you to fill out the short questionnaire at the bottom of this page and bring it to the WELCA table in the narthex.

We would like to host a cookie sale as a kick-off celebration to renew a Women of the ELCA ministry here at Resurrection along with members of our sister congregation, Abundant Grace Lutheran Church in Greenwood. We need volunteers to bake cookies, quick breads, and candies. Watch your bulletin announcement page for more details for upcoming events and times.

Name_______________________________________Phone___________________________

Address________________________________________Email_________________________

Bible Study:_______ Mornings:_______ Afternoons:_______ Evenings:_______

Global Missions:________ Quilts:_______ Layettes:_______ School Kits:_______

Health Kits:_______ Other areas of interests:_______________________________________

_____ Yes, I would like to be involved in the bake sale

_____ I will volunteer to help bake cookies

_____ I am not interested in the renewed Women of the ELCA at this time.