First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 in Bethany Hall with President Donna Ludtke presiding. Joan Holt provided the prelude music.

Members and guests were welcomed by Ludtke. Joyce Fredin gave the devotions on being servants of God. Don’t put off ways that you can serve, as real servants are faithful. The members then read the FLCW purpose led by Ludtke.

Ludtke called the business meeting to order.

The secretary’s report was approved as printed by a motion made by Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Cheryl Moran. The treasurer’s report was given by Cindy Gandrud. The 2017 yearly FLCW printed report was available at the meeting showing all the expenses, disbursements and committee reports.

Corresponding secretary, Bonnie Trampel, reported an invitation received from Trinity Lutheran Church for their salad luncheon. Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge sent an invitation for their gala in Minneapolis. Thank yous were received from Good Earth Village, Youth for Christ and Mt. Carmel Ministries for monetary donations made. The group received a request for donations to St. Jude and a certificate of appreciation from the Danny Thomas Foundation signed by Marlo Thomas. Bibles for the World sent a newsletter.

Jo Hanson reported we had received $450 to date from the sale of the Herberger’s Community Days’ coupon booklets, and additional funds will be coming from a percentage of books sold in the store. The centennial church cookbook still needs more recipes as reported as well. The group would like to see at least one recipe per family unit, plus specialty recipes and recipes from children and men of the congregation.

Members of the group who are in charge of purchasing groceries or other supplies for a FLCW event, there is a FLCW credit card in the church office to be used for those purchases, rather than signing for supplies as you might have done in the past. Gandrud has notified the managers at Hy-Vee and MarketPlace Foods.

Diane Damerow reminded the group that the personal care kits that will be going on the Lutheran World Relief truck in May. Those who would like to contribute can find a list of the items needed in the office. Also, if you wish to contribute to the healthy snacks, there is a poster in the office with the information and a collection box for the items.

The Blue Earth River Conference of WELCA meeting was April 7.

The group sang, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” during the offering and Fredin gave the offertory prayer.

Ludtke thanked usher, Marge Moine; greeters Marge LaFrance and Julia Tonder; and hostesses chairwomen Lorraine Fjelstad and Helene Westrum and their committee of Susan Hohansee, Marilyn Moe and Karen Westrum.

Caring and Sharing: Co-chairwomens LouJean Nelson and Janice Tukua and their committee served three funerals in February.

The meeting concluded with the table prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

Following the adjournment of our meeting, we continued with the program.

Fredin introduced the program speaker, Chelsey Benz, and several employees of the local Cabin Coffee shop on Bridge Avenue.

Blue Earth River Conference

“All Anew: Growing Faith” was the theme for the Blue Earth River Conference spring event on April 7 at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Members of Central Freeborn Lutheran assisted. Displays in the church narthex were presented by Good Earth Village, The Reach, Women of the Evangelical Church Association and Lucinda Pins.

Registration was from 8 to 9 a.m. and was conducted by Blue Earth River Conference board members Janet Peterson and Jan Jerdee. Alice Goemann produced all the publicity for the event. Coffee cake, fruit and coffee was served by the hosting churches in the church hall. 

Eighty-eight attendees listened to speakers Dianna Parks of Good Earth Village, Tasha Moulton of The Reach and Rose Korman of Lutheran Disaster response. Tim O’Shields, minister of music, worship and the arts at First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, talked about his walk of faith that brought him to First Lutheran Church and Luther Seminary, where he is a student preparing for the ministry.

Convener Gail Ottesen conducted the business meeting. Julie Thrond was elected to serve a three-year term for publicity. Cynthia Gandrud was elected to serve a two-year term on the nominating committee, Candace Pierce was elected to serve a one-year term on the nominating committee and Minnie Dunbar was elected to serve a two-year term on the synod nominating committee.

Retiring board members were recognized and thanked. This included Goemann, Carol Purdy, Mary Slette and Sandra Soli.

The 2019 Blue Earth River Conference spring event will be hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, who will be assisted by East Chain Lutheran Church and United Lutheran Church of Frost.