KNOX KNEWS

June/July 2008

Pastor’s Pen

            When ever I teach a new member class and have to explain how Presbyterian Church government (polity) works I describe it as being like the United States government.  We elect representatives called elders who then are expected to make decision that are in the best interest of the church even if they are not popular.  That is what makes us different than Congregationalists who practice a “majority rules” form of government.

            I go on to say that if the Session can be compared to the legislative branch then the pastor can be compared to the administrative branch of government.  While the pastor has sole authority to make certain decisions (selection of scripture, prayer and sermons), most of his or her job is to implement the policies of, and work with, the Session in determining God’s will for the church. 

            However, like most analogies, you can take the comparison too far.  If the congress or the president make an unpopular decision or pass an unpopular law they can get voted out of office.  If a Session or a pastor makes unpopular changes in a dictatorial way they run the risk of members voting by withholding their offerings and their presents at worship.  A citizen of the country has no choice but to pay their taxes.  But the church doesn’t have the IRS to assure a revenue stream. 

            I raise this issue because there have been a few members of the congregation who have wanted the Session to “force” the Indonesian members to worship at the 10:00 a.m. service ever since we reached out to that community almost six years ago.  While it is true that the Session has the authority to establish the worship schedule and they have wanted Knox to feel more like one church, they have also been sensitive to the reality that you can’t force anyone to attend anymore than you can force them to give. 

            So the Session and I have been moving slowly toward one service.  We have always had a joint service on the first Sunday of each month.  In the early years they weren’t well attended by the Indonesian members.  More recently the numbers at both the 12:00 p.m. service and the number of Indonesians attending the 10:00 a.m. joint service have been increasing.  So we thought that the summer months would be a good time to try one service. 

            But we are not trying to force it on anyone.  We asked those who would have to change their worship time if it was worth trying and almost everyone at the late service was willing to try it for the summer.  We didn’t consult those who already worship at 10:00 a.m. because we weren’t asking them to make any change. 

            The Session took formal action at its May meeting to offer only a 10:00 a.m. worship service starting June 1, 2008 on a three month trial basis.  At the Session’s August meeting a decision will be made whether or not to go back to two services in September.  We will NOT be taking a survey or a congregational vote because we have a representative form of government.  But the Session will be looking at attendance figures.  In a sense the members will be voting by choosing to come to church.   Let’s all make an effort to make this experiment successful.     

Pastor Dan

Session Notes

            The Session met for its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2008.  Excused were Wenie Guawan and Longky Chandra.  Absent was Lia Kembaren.  All other elders were present.   

            Combined average worship attendance was reported to be at 74.26 for the year to date. That is an increase over last year’s average of 70.63.  The increase is due largely to increased attendance at the 12:00 p.m. service. 

            Pastor Dan reported that Kate Saumur has agreed to preach on June 8^th while he is out of town.  He also reported driving 192 miles while making 5 shut-in calls and making arrangements of the funeral of Ervin Brask.  The report and the mileage expense was approved.

            It was reported that communion was served on April 20^th to 22, and May 4^th to 58 people. 

            There will be a potluck lunch following joint worship on June 1^st.  Luann and Tom will be in charge of setting up and cleaning up.  They will appreciate all the help they can get. 

            Following discussion it was moved, seconded and carried to go to a single, 10:00 a.m. worship service for the months of June, July and August on an experimental basis.  We will continue to have a joint pot-luck on the first Sunday of each month following the service and the Indonesian Fellowship will host an Indonesian lunch on all other Sundays following worship.  ALL worshipers are invited to the Indonesian lunch. 

            It was reported that the Pentecost/Shoe Fairy Offering has received $581 so far. 

It was also reported that Connie Waworoentoe, who was deported a year ago, has had a re-occurrence of breast cancer.  She has moved to Jakarta to be close to the only cancer hospital in the country.  She needs to undergo six month of chemo therapy but she has to pay $800 per month in advance.  Ingrid Pourwantini has been organizing the Indonesian community and is asking each family to pledge $25 per month to the Connie Fund.  Session not only approved the creation of this fund but also wants to invite all members of Knox to consider contributing. 

            LuAnn Hudson reported that she is in on-going negotiation with the Children’s Center to come up with a new lease that will start July 1^st. Following discussion it was decided to authorize LuAnn to accept their latest proposal of $14,526 for the first year but to negotiate a 10% increase for the next two years and to limit this lease to a total of three years.  She will bring a finalized lease for approval at the June meeting.   

            Steve Tyykila reported that three Euro-American and three Indonesian teachers have been found and that Vacation Bible School will be held in the evening the week of August 4^th.  There will be a light supper each night but the exact time has not yet been set. 

            A special resolution of THANKS was issued to Laurie Reis for making the blue curtains that are under the brass railing in the sanctuary.  They are a lovely addition to our worship space.

            The next regular meeting of the session will be Wednesday June 11^th. 

Financial Report for April 2008

Summer Office Hours

Wenie will be visiting family in Indonesia in June and July.  Laurie Reis will fill in for her in the office.  Office hours will be Monday-Friday 9:00 – 12:00.  

MISSIONS

St. Paul Area Council of Churches

Kitchen Kits Project

This year, even with Kitchen Kits Project overlapping with Pentecost Offering, Knox donated items with an estimated value of between $250.00 and $300.00.  

Department of Indian Works Food Shelf.  Collection Dates:  June 1st  July 6th

Knox received a thank you letter for our contribution to the March Campaign Generous Spirit 2008.  Incentive grants from Minnesota Food Share and the Feinstein Foundation maximized our donations.

Pentecost Offering

The annual Pentecost offering was dedicated on Pentecost Sunday, May 11^th. 

This is the national Presbyterian offering for youth and children at risk.  The total donated by Knox this year is $738.00.  60% will be used for grants that assist children and youth throughout the country. 

This is the fourth year that 40% of the offering will be used to support the Knox Shoe Fairy project.  The Knox Shoe Fairy provides funds to purchase shoes and boots for children at Hancock Elementary.  The majority of the students at Hancock are from immigrant families who do not have the resources to buy appropriate foot-ware for Minnesota.  We were told by the principal of the school that before the Shoe Fairy Project some students shared boots with siblings, resulting in missed school days in cold or rainy weather.  Additional donations may be made directly to Knox Shoe Fairy Project any time of the year.

Box Tops, Soup labels, Kemps Milk Caps

These are taken to Hancock Elementary by Lyn Throckmorton.  Our last contribution totaled $25.70  You can find these things on more products than you think!  A partial list follows.  Collection boxes are on the table outside the office.

Box Tops for Education (General Mills) Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, General Mills, Hefty, Cottonelle, Kotex, Poise Depend, Kleenex, Scott, Yoplait, Fruit Roll-ups, Ziploc, Saran

Labels for Education (Campbells) Campbell’s, Spaghettio’s, Pepperidge Farm, V8, Swanson Broth, Prego.

Kemps Nickels for Schools

Bottle tops from selected Kemps products.

Aluminum Pop-top Rings Kathy Weisner oversees this collection to benefit Ronald McDonald House, a residence for families of children who are hospitalized away from home. If you wish to have your donation acknowledged, please attach your name to the package.

Stamps

Foreign countries, oversized or large denomination US stamps, US stamps at least 40 years old.

SPECIAL MUSIC FOR JUNE AND JULY

Connie Fund

Our sister Constiana Dorothea (wife of Stan, mother of Albert, Jerry and Angel Wawaroentoe), who was deported last year, has had a recurrence of her breast cancer and will require treatment.  She is living with relatives in Jakarta near the only hospital in Indonesia that can treat her.  She will need six monthly treatments at a cost of $800.00 each. 

Ingrid Pourwantini has organized a pledge drive asking families to commit to $25.00 per month, although a pledge of any amount would be welcome.  Money will be wired to Connie once a month.  Please try to get your pledge to Knox by the tenth of each month starting in June.  One-time donations are also welcome.

Annual All-Church Picnic

Saturday June 28th

11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Lunch 12:00 Noon

Roseville Central Park

Foundation Shelter

Bring a dish to share.  Grilled chicken, hot dogs, beverages, plates, cups, napkins and silverware will be provided.  Bring table games and lawn games to play with friends. The shelter has picnic tables with fixed benches but you may want to bring a lawn chair.

Knox will be holding its first annual outdoor plant sale on June 7^th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.   Most of the plants for sale will be perennials, but we will also have some annuals started from seed.

This is a fundraiser for the church general fund.  Here's how you can help:

1.  Donate time.   We need volunteers to help divide plants from the church garden.  We also need volunteers for set-up and the day of the sale. 

2.  Donate Perennials from your garden.  Lynn Throckmorton and Julie Kehne will help divide plants and take them to Knox before the sale. 

3. Plan to buy your spring plants from the Knox Plant Sale and help make our event, and your garden, a success!

If you would like to help with the sale contact Lyn Throckmorton or Julie Kehne.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

   MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES

We’ve Moved:     Tanto Iswanto & Widyawata Santoso

                             (289) 997-1709

Knox Knews Deadline on Tuesday, July 20^th