This month we are celebrating the CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY TEAM! This team focuses on areas that make Congregational Life Ministry possible. The following are the areas of the Congregational Life Ministry Team and the leaders of each area. PLEASE contact the leaders directly if you would like to assist with any aspects of Congregational Life!
Overall Leadership of the Congregational Life Team: Dan Gordon
The activities of the Congregational Life Ministry Team are as follows:
- Stewardship – Pastor Bree is bringing together a team to help us learn more about Stewardship as a way of life. How we live, serve, and give makes a difference. If you would like to serve on this team please contact Pastor Bree.
- WELCA – Women of the ELCA: Immanuel’s WELCA meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.in the fellowship hall. They conduct a business meeting and Bible Study. Shirley Downey is the convener. All women are members of WELCA! The purpose of WELCA is as follows:
“As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.”
- Funeral Lunches – are coordinated by the members of Martha Circle, Mary Circle and Miriam Circle which are members of WELCA.
- Bereavement Team – Would you like to reach invest in and reach out to members who have recently lost a loved one? Volunteer for the Bereavement Team. If you are interested please contact Pastor Bree.
- Homebound Visits – The Care Team makes monthly visits to the nursing homes and homebound members to give communion. The Care Team includes Gerald and Mary Foskitt, Sam Hyland, Joyce Kereven, Betty Clementz, Deb Gonzalez and Pastor Bree. There is room for you to serve on the Care Team! Please contact Pastor Bree if you’d like to help!
- Adult Social Groups – Would you like to co-host a book club at Immanuel or any other adult social group? Your ideas and leadership are most welcome! Visit with Dan Gordon, Pastor Bree or a council member.
- Family – Friendly Events – Breaking Bread Together (BBT) meets twice a month once on Wednesdays, at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and 5:00 p.m. for dinner at a local restaurant. We share life, God’s love and some good food together! All are welcome! If financial assistance is needed, please contact Pastor Bree.
- Seasonal Recreational Activities – Immanuel has a co-recreational winter volleyball team that begins in January. They also have a non-sanctioned bowling league that bowls at Blackhawk Lanes in Sterling every other Sunday night at 6 p.m. All high school age through adult bowlers of all abilities are welcome. Please contact Scott Attig at 815-303-9642 if you would like to participate in volleyball and/or bowling. Join us for this life-giving time with God and each other!
- Members of the congregation are encouraged to join this ministry team in any of these activities. Thank you to the committee members for their leadership and participation and to all the members of the congregation who supported the efforts of the Congregational Life Ministry Team!