Each year I am surprised at how quickly things come to pass, and with our first full year together, I believe we have had a pretty great year. It is always my honor to care and walk with you all throughout many of life’s changes. One of the best parts of my job is seeing that from the beginning of our lives all the way through to life’s end. It is my hope that each year I approach all of life’s milestones from baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals with faith, empathy, and care. This past year, I ministered over 1 confirmation, 1 baptism, and 6 funerals.
2024 brought our parish students together as they participated in events throughout the year. We had a combined Easter celebration, VBS, family movie night, and Christmas program. It is through these times together that our students learn, along with their individual studies with their teacher and families, that God’s body of Christ includes so many of us and this is one way our faith grows.
As a parish, we held a few combined services as well as shared Lenten meals, which were very successful. Just like with our younger students, gathering as one church every once in awhile reminds us of our connections and that our faith grows together. In 2025, I would expect us to continue these more successful programs and times together.
In many ways, my hope for 2025 is to continue to look towards God’s guidance in our ministry. This would include continuing to look for ways to strengthen ROG’s outreach in the community, continuing to find ways to strengthen connections in our own walls, and to continue to build ministry groups in the church that help us to grow in faith. I look forward to the ways in which our community makes impacts locally and globally in the coming year.
I would like to thank you all for your hard work in our church and beyond. I would especially like to thank all of those serving on our altar committee, as you always ensure the church is ready each and every Sunday. I would also like to thank our Council, especially those who are going off and coming onto Council, it is because of you stepping forward that our church continues to run and continues to grow with fresh eyes.
I fervently pray for all the ways we will be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. I am ever grateful to be your pastor, and am thankful for my call to this community.
With God’s Peace,
Pastor Leandra
PASTORAL ACTS – 2024
BAPTISMS: Krue Francis Coughlin
PARENTS: Ellysienne Coughlin-Magnuson and Kristian Coughlin-Hamersma
CONFIRMATIONS: Charles Hamersma
WEDDINGS: None
FUNERALS/BURIALS: Robert James Johnson, Verna Mae Magnuson, Orlie Caroline Grant, Bradley Jon Hines, Dorothy Elizabeth Phipps
RED OAK GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Seminary Student Endowment Fund Report 2024
The Red Oak Grove Seminary Student Endowment Fund was initiated in 1984 as part of the 125th Anniversary Celebration. The gifts to the fund were considered principle and would be kept there forever. Yearly interest earned would be used as a scholarship on a yearly basis to members of the Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church who are attending a Lutheran Church seminary, if the yearly interest earned was not used it becomes part of the principle.
In December of 2023 it was a decision of the Church Council that Pastor Leandra Anderson met the requirements to receive the yearly gain on this account. The gain for 2024 was $448 on the following accounts.
The fund currently consists of 3 investment accounts.
- Two certificates with Mission Investment Fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The first certificate is for a 6 year term with a balance of $800.00 and earns 3.45% with a maturity date of 09/29/2028. The second certificate is for a 6 year term with a balance of $10,000.00 and earns 4.184% with a maturity date of 08/24/2029.
- Savings Account at MBT Bank of Blooming Prairie. This account is used to deposit interest money that is earned. The balance as of 12-31-24 was $653.70.
The approximate value of the Fund at this time is $11,453.70.
Respectfully submitted,
Ardell Swenson and Nancy Wesely
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Annual Meeting
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Meeting called to order by Council President Laura Tjomsland at 10:51 a.m. with 28 present. Opening prayer led by Pastor Leandra.
Secretary’s Report: Was read out loud. Motion made by Karen Beede and seconded by Mike Hoffman to accept report as is and approved by all present.
Pastor’s Report: Shared pastor with Community Lutheran continues to go well and will continue for another year.
Treasurer’s Report: 2025 Budget passed out to all congregation. Highlighted our CD’s, one retired and was renewed and earned $998.90 in interest. Motion to approve 2025 budget by Dan Sistek and 2nd by Julie Berg.
Trustee’s Report: Discussed upcoming major fix of Sunday School wing roof. Currently it has been patched to fix leaking. Passed out to all congregation members present of quote from Malo Roofing to reroof current rubber roof. The quote was for $118,000. Hoping to find quote to potentially build slant to roof and steel. This expense is expected to need to be done in the near future. Patchwork should give us a little time to plan and save.
Deacon’s Report: Marilyn’s computer has been repaired and restored and working much better for her.
Continue to maintain Facebook posts and Church website. Changed calendar on website to Google calendar to make easier for people to load into their calendar on phone/computers.
Sunday School started last April after Easter and continued again this school year. Have about 8 kids total in program on average have about 4 on Sundays. This school year we purchased teaching lessons from Augsburg Shine Curriculum. Held Summer Bible School this last August at Community Lutheran for 3 evenings and had about 12 kids between the 2 congregations. Continue to try and hold joint events quarterly. Will be having joint Christmas program on December 22 at Red Oak Grove.
Elections: No Counters needed
Synod Assembly: Rony Magnuson, Pete Kleinschmidt Alt: Cathy Kleinschmidt
St. Marks: Laura Tjomsland
Nomination Committee: Rony Magnuson, Laura Tjomsland, Rachael Magnuson
Auditors: Elly Magnuson-Coughlin
Old Business: Reviewed current insurance plan, due to having claim in last year was advised not to change companies. We did see an increase in premiums this year. Will continue to look for new company for coverage.
Contract reviewed and signed for another year with Community Lutheran to share Pastor Leandra.
New Business: No new business
Motion was made by Julie Berg at 11:21 a.m. to adjourn meeting and was seconded by Al Wesely.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Horan, Council Secretary
WELCA 2024 Annual Report
Our purpose is recited together at each meeting. “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.
Our monthly Wednesday meetings had a motion made and seconded to change to Tuesdays at 1:00. Followed with Bible Study with Pastor Leandra. The June and July meetings were held at 9:30 and no meeting in August.
January 3, 2024 A change in our Misson giving was discussed and we will give each quarter to our choice of recipients. The cheer list added a couple new names. New books were updated and will be given out in February. The first quarter Missons was given to Winona Campus Ministry, Mankato Campus Ministry and Good Earth Village. $250.00 divided.
February 6, 2024 Project for this month to discuss new ceiling in Fellowship Room and men’s bathroom. Outdoor spruce up project being worked on by Scott Basness, Karen and Herman Beede. Noisy Coin offering bought mittens for our Mitten Tree. Working on quilts for online auction.
March 5, 2024 Quilting has started for six weeks. Strawberry Social discussed and will be June 11, 2024.
April 2, 2024 Zumbro River Conference was held in Kasson. Four from Red Oak Grove attended. Our last 3 quarters for Missions were sent to Youth Campus Ministry. They were so thrilled to receive such a large donation. Exciting News. Sunday school will start in April and May. Thank you to all the volunteers. Members delivered Meals on Wheels for Blooming Prairie 2 days each week.
May 7, 2024 Quilt ready for raffle for Strawberry Social made by Diana Magnuson. Four Seniors to graduate with quilts given. Anna Haberman, Addison Doocy, Grant Magnuson, and Ben Riley. 92 quilts have been made. Donation of our quilts, 2 Ed Foundation Auction Blooming Prairie, 1 baptism, 2 cancer auctions, Bowling for Cancer,1 Blooming Prairie after prom, 2 Youth Club auction, 4 graduation, 3 Life Auction, 18 Marie Sandvik, 15 Rachels Hope, 19 sold at Strawberry Social. WELCA bought a new sandwich sign for advertising.
June 4, 2024 The Social was successful on June 11, 2024. Good Earth Women’s Day was June 29th. Joyce and Ardell attended and enjoyed.
August No meeting. Outdoor service at Geneva Community Church August 11, 2024. Red Oak Grove delivered Meal on Wheels 2 days each week.
September 4, 2024 Cowboy Sunday was September 8, 2024. Quilting to start again September 30.
16 quilts were made over the summer. WELCA bought 1 new roaster for use at church.
October 1, 2024 On October 26, 2024 a car load of items was taken to the Marie Sandvik Center.
Discussed the repairs of the Church to keep it in good condition.
November 6, 2024 12 Quilts taken to the Mayo Hospital in Austin for babies. WELCA bought 2 new 50 coffee pots to have on hand when the big pot no longer works. Our list of donations has been sent out for a total of $1,225.00 for area groups and special people who do so much for us each year at the church. We had a celebration for Pat Hanson for her 90th birthday and presented her with a beautiful fall arrangement of flowers.
December 3, 2024 Potluck dinner for WELCA was served at 12:00, followed by our monthly meeting. December 22, 2024 our children and Geneva Community children had a wonderful Christmas program for us. WELCA made treat bags for each child at church that day. Quilters are looking at a project to make Honor Quilts for a flight on April 22, 2025. 60 Veterans.
Respectfully submitted by Linda Christianson, Secretary
Red Oak Grove WELCA Treasurer’s Report – 2024
Respectfully Submitted,
Ardell Swenson, Treasurer
2024 Memorial Fund Annual Report
Memorial Secretary,
Holly Ille
2024 Stewardship – Quilting Donations
Judy Wambeam, Stewardship Secretary
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 