Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, August 15
10:30 a.m., Social Hall

Calling Pastor Cornell
The Synod Office has informed Calvary that we need to issue a new call to Pastor Lori Cornell as Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church. Because she and Pastor Chamberlain were Co-Pastors, the church-wide organization of the ELCA needs evidence that she is still serving as our pastor (outside of the co-pastorate with Pastor Chamberlain).

As the first step in the call process, the Council approved extending a full-time call to Pastor Cornell at its July 13 meeting. The next step in the process is to have a congregational meeting with the single agenda item of voting on the call to Pastor Cornell. The Calvary Constitution requires that members be notified by mail and in announcements in the bulletin on the two prior Sundays. So that we can satisfy the member notification requirements, the congregational meeting will be scheduled for August 15 at 10:30 A.M. in the Social Hall.

A Note from Pastor Cornell

Keep Calvary on Your Summer Radar

Paul to the community at Philippi: "I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it." Philippians 4:10

Summer is often a time when we just want to bring a screeching halt to all the frenetic activity that has occupied the school year. If you feel that way, I understand. Just keep one thing in mind: While school is out, and vacations are emerging on your summer radar, Calvary continues to be the church and provide ministry throughout the July and August. So keep the following developments on your horizon:

1) Adult and Youth Education "Under Construction": For the past several years the Adult Education program has depended heavily on Pastor Chamberlain's personal leadership as a teacher. With his departure from staff, we are now looking at how we can create a comprehensive, faithful, and practical program of Faith Formation for all our adults. We anticipate this will still include a more in-depth midweek night-time learning opportunity. But plans are still in the works, with Julia Corbett providing leadership for the Faith Formation Team, so that we develop a plan that can not only challenge you intellectually, but strengthen your faith and devotion to God.

2) Habitat for Humanity: Are you willing to help with a summer fundraiser to support our participation in the construction of a new Habitat House in Pacific? Are you hungry for an opportunity to swing a hammer or lay some sod? Phil Sell is our Calvary contact for the hammer swinging portion of this enterprise. Look for further details about a fundraiser, and don't be surprised when you are invited to bring a friend to enjoy this event.

3) Planning Team: I've written about this team being in the works. Now we have convened a first meeting, and by the time you read this article we will have met again. The members of the team include Mike Ragan (our Facilitator), Karin Johnson, Dave Frost, Duane Sawyer, Shari Winslow, Tim Riddle, Kevin Anderson, Gail Pierson, Waverly Hagen (Council President), and me, Pastor Lori. I hope you will see that this group represents a good cross-section of the congregation in time at Calvary, gender, age, experience and participation in the life of the congregation. Again, the task of this Team is to identify "Who are we?," "Who do we want to be in the future?," and "How might we get there from here?" This Team is NOT a Call Committee. When the Team concludes its work it will make recommendations to the Council about how they think we might want to staff, given the discovered needs; but the Council will determine what kind of hiring team or Call Committee is necessary to move forward.

4) Worship: The Worship and Music Team is diligently consulting with our musicians and musical directors about how best to restructure worship for the Fall. We have also carefully and deliberately discussed the feedback we received from the congregation at the "Worship Matters" event. (By the way, thank you for the incredible turn out that Sunday!) We know definitely that we will make room for Sunday education for every member (in other words, we will not have a worship service occurring at the same time as adult education takes place). The Team is currently praying about and discerning the best course of action for determining what Sundays will look like in the Fall, and will then make a recommendation to the Council for approval as soon as possible.

5) Attendance and Offering: One last note for you. While most schools let out for the summer, it's clear from the above mentioned activities, Calvary continues to be open for worship and ministry throughout these months. Remember that when you're in town and Sunday rolls around—and sleeping in or sitting in bed with the New York Times looks really attractive—your community of faith is looking for you. Remember how good you feel when you've come to worship, heard God's Word, received the Supper, and been in the company of other believers. And, also, remember that even when you are not able to be here, the ministry of the church needs your support through your prayer and financial generosity.

May God bless us, keep us, and shine on every new development in our ministry over these summer months!

In Christ,
Pastor Lori

Ministry Directory

Take a look at this directory of the ministries at Calvary and the contact people. The directory is in PDF format.  If you would like further information from any of the contact people, send us an email and we will respond to you promptly.

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