January, 2022
Happy New Year, beloved in Christ!
I hope that you all had a warm and safe Christmas! Thank you for the well wishes and kindness during this season. It was so wonderful to see so many of you over the Christmas holiday! As a church, we have a few exciting things for you to keep your eyes out for in the coming months. Many of these things are listed in this edition of the LOG, so please read the announcements closely. We look forward to the new year and the new adventures of 2022, hopefully this year will continue to offer good health and safety. I send you all my prayers and blessings.
With God’s Peace,
Pastor Leandra
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Proposed changes to the Constitution of Red Oak Grove are printed in this LOG. Look them over and plan to attend an upcoming meeting (date will be announced later) to vote on these changes.
2022 offering envelopes are in the narthex. Please pick them up.
Take Note – The Blooming Prairie telephone number will be changing to 507-402-9333 effective January 4th. It will still be a local call from Blooming Prairie. The Austin number is unchanged, 507-437-3000.
January 12th is Movie Night at Red Oak Grove starting at 6 p.m. “Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” is the name of the movie and all are invited to attend.
Annual Reports need to be in the office by January 18th.
On January 23rd, WELCA will serve a Fundraiser Brunch for the new flooring after worship. The menu includes egg bake, cinnamon rolls, fruit cup and ham patties (free will donation).
Ladies – There is no Bible Study or WELCA in January. Your next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 2nd with Bible Study at 1 p.m. followed by WELCA.
An online Charity Auction Fundraiser is being planned for late February or March. Date and details will be announced later. Proceeds will go towards the new flooring.
Secretary Notes Council Meeting – Dec 14 2021
Rony Magnuson filled in the role of Secretary.
Holly Ille, Tom Harber, Julie Berg, Gary Ulland, Cathy Kleinschmidt, Joyce Peterson, Pastor Leandra, Rachael Magnuson and Rony Magnuson were in attendance.
- Secretary’s Report for November approved as presented. Unanimous vote.
- Trustee’s Report was presented. Snow blower has had maintenance completed. The snow removal schedule is complete.
- WELCA report presented by Joyce.
- Deacon’s Report presented by Rachael and Pastor Leandra. Cookies & Christmas and December Sunday School were successful.
- Treasurer’s Report for November approved as presented. Unanimous vote.
- Garbage Services will remain on biweekly pick-up. Unanimous vote.
- Holiday\Yearly bonuses were discussed and approved. Unanimous vote.
- Church clean-up is complete and the items in the south half of the large Sunday School room are available for free will donation. Any remaining items will be removed after Jan 1, 2022.
- Book donation for Blooming Prairie 1st Grade is delayed due to supply issues, but still ongoing.
- A form for areas that require custodial attention will be created. The ROG secretary will be asked to consolidate and make available to the Custodian as able. Date and name will be required on the form. Unanimous vote.
- Three Constitutional changes were discussed (listed below). All were approved unanimously. A Congregational Meeting will be scheduled as per Constitutional rules.
- A Fundraiser Auction will be scheduled, organized by Rony and Rachael Magnuson and conducted by Dave Thompson. Unanimous vote.
- A “Letter to the Congregation” will be typed up and reviewed discussing the new flooring and upcoming auction.
- The church will move over to the Verizon OneTalk system for phone services as soon as possible (based on supply and labor issues at Verizon). Doing so will lower total phone costs and fix constant outages on Century Link lines. Unanimous vote.
- 2022 Council Meetings will continue on at 6:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Proposed Changes to Church Constitution
Change 1
Current: C10.01. The Annual Meeting of this congregation shall be held the third Sunday of September. Change: C10.01. The Annual Meeting of this congregation shall be held by the end of January.
Change 2
Current: C11.02. A vice-president shall be elected each year to serve one year in that capacity and to serve the following year as president. This officer shall not be eligible for re-election. The secretary and treasurer shall be elected to three year terms and may succeed themselves for a term of three years.
Change: C11.02. A vice-president shall be elected each year to serve one year in that capacity and to serve the following year as president.
The secretary and treasurer shall be elected to three year terms and may succeed themselves for a term of three years.
Change 3
Chapter 12
Current: At its Annual Meeting the congregation shall elect in a manner provided in the bylaws a Congregation Council consisting of a president, vice-president, two trustees, two deacons, a secretary, a financial secretary and a treasurer, all of whom shall be voting members of the Congregation Council. The pastor and the president of the Church Women shall be ex-officio members of the council.
Change: At its Annual Meeting the congregation shall elect in a manner provided in the bylaws a Congregation Council consisting of a president, vice-president, two trustees, two deacons, a youth representative (as available), a secretary, a financial secretary and a treasurer, all of whom shall be voting members of the Congregation Council. The pastor and the president of the Church Women shall be ex-officio members of the council.
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 