CONGREGATION GOVERNANCE

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Church Council      Ministries      Financial Support of Ministries      Membership     Cemetery

The Congregation Council  is the governing body of St. John and acts on behalf of the congregation between annual meetings.  It consists of a maximum of 16 members who are elected at the annual meeting that will be held on the last Sunday in January.   Terms are two-years in length; a member can be re-elected one time in succession but may serve any number of non-successive terms.  Council officers are elected by the Council at its meeting following the annual meeting.  The Council meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M.  Each Council member is a representative to one of the church's ministries.   

CONGREGATION COUNCIL:   (Until February 2010)  

PRESIDENT:    Larry Frazier         VICE PRESIDENT:  Tom Jayne

SECRETARY:     Bonnie Conradt

BOOKKEEPER/TREASURER:   Dale Buettner

FINANCIAL SECRETARIES:  James and Judeen Lauscher  

COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Pat Behrens             Ann Kralapp  
Bonnie Conradt       Cheryl Kruschke
Larry Frazier            Joe Lawler 
Tim Groff                  Sandy Lindstrom
Greg Hohn                Deb Olson
Tom Jayne                Joy Pahl
 

Anthony Lacera (Youth Rep.)   

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MINISTRIES

The Ministries do much of the work and planning at St. John.  Ministries report to and work under the guidance of the Congregation Council.

St. John's Ministries are:            

Cemetery:  Handles all matters related to the St. John Cemetery.

Decor:  Responsible for all aspects of decorating and enhancing the worship space.

Evangelism:  Focuses on welcoming visitors as well as outreach to inactive members and those in the community with no church home.

Finance:  Responsible for preparation of the annual budget and planning and evaluating all aspects of the church's finances.                  

Hospitality: Responsible for the oversight of social and food-related activities.

Kitchen:   Keeps the kitchen organized and supplied; plans funeral dinners. 

Parish Education:  Plans all aspects of the church's education programs.

Property and Management:  Supervises and cares for the church's building and grounds.           

Memorial Garden:  Develops and cares for the Memorial Garden.

Social Ministry:  Addresses social issues in a variety of ways; has a program of forums throughout the year.                                                 

Staff Support:  Functions as the church's personnel committee.                                 

Stewardship:  Works to educate the congregation in all areas of stewardship of time, abilities and resources.  

Technology:  Investigates, evaluates and installs items to meet the technical needs of the church.  

Worship:  Works with Pastor and Birgit to give overall direction to the worship life of the congregation.    

Worship Planning Group: Plans specific worship services throughout the church year

Hymn Pickers:  Selects the hymns used in worship services.

Youth:  Plans and supports the youth ministry programs of the congregation.                          

                     

 

A Nominating Ministry is comprised of four members of the congregation, two of whom are outgoing members of the Congregation Council, and two who are elected at the annual meeting for a term of one year. The Congregation Council President is convener of the group.  

An Audit Ministry of three members is elected by the Congregation Council to serve for three years, with one member elected each year.  They cannot be members of the Congregation Council.  The Audit Committee audits the church's books each year and presents a written report at the annual meeting.  

One male and one female delegate to the Synod Assembly are elected each year at the annual meeting. 

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF ST. JOHN'S MINISTRIES

St. John's budget is approved at the annual meeting.   We have no regular pledge system.   However, we encourage active stewardship and the return of a portion our time, abilities and resources to support our ministries.  Giving envelopes are mailed to members each month.  Envelopes for special appeals are periodically included with the packets.  

Simply Giving is a voluntary contribution program in which gifts to the church are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account.  You determine the frequency of your gift - weekly, semi-weekly or monthly.   

Memorial gifts to St. John may be made to the general memorial fund or directed to a specific item. 

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MEMBERSHIP  

St. John has 900 members; 628 are confirmed members.  According to the church constitution, it is the privilege and duty of members to:

  • Make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and Sacrament;
  • Live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran church;
  • Support the work of the congregation and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through contributions of their time, abilities and financial support as Biblical stewards.  

New members are received into the family of St. John at various times during the year.  Lutherans from other congregations are received by transfer or reaffirmation of faith.  Non-Lutherans are received through instruction by Pastor.

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CEMETERY

   

   

 
 

The St. John Cemetery was established by the church in 1873 and is open to people of all faiths.  It is located in Ashwaubenon at the west end of North Road.  Plots are available for $400.00.  For more information, contact the sexton, Dave Starich, at 498-3603.

 

 

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