Parish Administrator - Joan Christensen
The
year 2002 brought many challenges to Bethel as we faced financial challenges,
the grief of losing loved ones who have passed away, as well as saying goodbye
to many members and friends who have moved out of the area. It has been a year of managing resources
carefully, while striving to improve and expand our ministry to INVITE &
WELCOME people into a relationship with God, GROW & EQUIP one another as
devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and CARE FOR & SERVE others by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Many
thanks to our Audit committee, Suzanne Wolf, Euo Menezes and Dave Larsen for
providing a wealth of knowledge of financial practices and a true appreciation
for ministry. This year they have
expanded their time commitment to provide quarterly “check-in” times to observe
our financial processes throughout the year, and to help provide guidance. With Garry Gillette and Dave Larsen on our
budget committee, John Lemons provided a fresh insight into the challenge of
creating a budget with an $85,000 reduction of income. Carol Mahoney continues
to maintain excellent financial records for both the church and school. I would also like to thank the teams who
count our Sunday offerings each week, especially Brad Martinson, who is
retiring from heading that ministry after several years. And many thanks also
to Liz Tribby for keeping our contributions recorded accurately.
This
year we shifted our Council structure, so that Ministry Leaders no longer
attend Council meetings. Our monthly
All-Ministry Nights have been an exciting and effective change as new means of
communication have opened for pastors, staff and ministry teams to share
vision, planning and implementation ideas each month. Robyn Winegardner has brought wonderful leadership to these
gatherings.
Our
web site continues to improve, through the efforts of Tom Barbaro, Dave Arnold,
Chris Christensen, Davis Fields, Phil Kelly and Mary Wedgwood. The implementation of the new calendar
portion allows for much more dynamic content to be included each week. A current project for the web team will
involve a way to allow all staff and volunteers involved in worship each week
to obtain relevant information about any service.
In
our continuing efforts to expand our use of electronic communication we also
hope this year to provide opportunities to request more information
electronically. Currently, the Bethel Beat is available electronically by
request. Mark Weberg continues to
produce our Sunday bulletins and other publications.
Pam
Gruba, our receptionist, continues to greet visitors with a smile and handles
many administrative support needs. I am
so thankful for the many volunteers who work in support areas throughout the
year. Many thanks to Vivian Walz for
keeping our membership records accurate and updated, Liz Tribby and Brad
Martinson for maintaining our office computer systems, Janice Martinson, Carol
Elland and Donna Kuester for keeping attendance records, Merle Sandwisch,
Conrad Bracklein, Virginia and Richard Whitlock and Eunice Larsen for their
faithful help with mailings, and to Judy Xelowski for help covering the
reception desk.
Our
Maintenance Request system continues to provide a means to track maintenance
needs and work completed. Our Monday
Morning Men’s Maintenance Team, including Vern Bolleson, John Liming, Tom Cole
and Tom Hoegel, Sr. have completed many projects this year. Tom Hoegel provided the labor for painting
the west wall of the Sanctuary building during a school/church workday. Liz Barton has continued her work on
maintaining our grounds and coordinating outside workdays. We continue to update our facility use
guidelines to provide clear policies for use of all facilities. We will miss Fred Haber dearly, both in his
leadership in Buildings and Grounds, and as a genuine caring friend. Gene
Palmer and David Sandwisch continue to work hard to meet the demands of
maintaining our facility and grounds.
My thanks to all of our wonderful staff!
Looking ahead to 2003, the economic situation continues to challenge our dreams and goals, but we look forward to carrying out God’s mission for Bethel. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with our staff and the Bethel community to enhance our ministry as we are called to share Christ’s love in this place and beyond.