DLC UPDATES (10/31 & 11/3)

Dekorra Lutheran Church
Weekly Announcements
October 31st & November 3rd, 2021

UPCOMING AT DEKORRA
Current COVID Response: Updated 9/3/21
When the Council met on August 12th it made several changes to our indoor policy. In the last couple of weeks, COVID activity and infections have gone from low levels in Columbia County to the same high levels as they were at Easter. Since even the vaccinated can spread the virus and we do not want to stop our ministries or visits to the homebound, here are the changes effective August 22nd: 1) Mask (i.e. multilayered cotton or silk masks with no vents, disposable surgical masks, N95 masks) will be required for all indoor activities for anyone 6 years old or older unless there is a medical exemption. We believe this matches the practices of Lodi Schools; 2) We will mostly remain seated during worship, avoid close contact during the sharing the peace, pre-distribute communion elements via the Fellowship Cups (you may bring your own), and return to limited indoor seating and social spacing; 3a) A/C or Heat in Sanctuary turned on 60 minutes before the start of worship; 3b) Engage the HVAC system in Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall 5 minutes before the start of worship only (have the fan running in the Sanctuary at that time) but only open the doors and windows away from CS and Smith Road, this should give us some of the benefits of airflow, keep our sanctuary a little more comfortable, and avoid most of the noise; and 4) Since the most dangerous thing we do is sing indoors as a group, we will stop doing that and rely on a single soloist/cantor once again. We are Christians. Our ancestors in the faith worshiped and experienced God by rivers, in homes, in deserts, and even under the Noon sun with no shade. While it was not the most comfortable option, it was the most faithful option at that time. Your Council believes the same here. Please be kind to one another and know that your Council remains vigilant and is monitoring the county’s weekly COVID report. 

Please Excuse our Mess – Audio/Visual Upgrade Update
Our screens have arrived but the work is not done. In the meantime, we will do little “holy experiments” to try to get the sound a little better. If you struggled to hear this week, then please let a member of the Worship Committee know right away. He hopes to be able to fully use the screens by November, God willing. Training for these new tools is scheduled for Tuesday, November 9th at 5:30pm.
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Just a reminder that County CS road cleanup is Saturday, November 6 at 9:00 am. The fall yard cleanup will begin at 8:00 am the same day and run until approximately noon. Bring your spouse, a friend, or your kids and go out and do some "trash talking"! Please dress accordingly and bring a pair of gloves.

N3099 Smith Rd, Poynette
(608) 635-7200
Pastor Sterling Lynk
dekorralutheran@centurytel.net
www.dekorralutheran.org
Find Us on Facebook & YouTube

           BIRTHDAYS
10/31 Morgan Erdahl
11/02 Sondra Quam
11/04 Jean Michael
11/04 Teaghen Schmudlach-Anderson
11/05 Erick Tomlinson
11/06 Peter Clark

WELCOME FRIENDS, GUESTS, AND MEMBERS!
If you are a visitor, know you are welcome. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you feel at home. We have a gift for you in the basket on the table with the lamb on the wall near the door.

WANT HOME COMMUNION OR PASTORAL CARE? JUST CALL! *DEDICATED PASTORAL CARE OFFICE HOURS ADDED*
Wanting a little Dekorra touch? Need an ear or some advice? Missing Communion? Worried or not feeling well? Pastor Sterling is excited to talk with you and minister to you! We can connect by phone, Zoom, or for a short in-person visit. Call or email the office to schedule a time. If you are having a pastoral emergency, then please get the pastor’s cell phone number off the voicemail. Please do not be shy - the pastor is here for you! Also, starting on October 1st, 2021, the pastor has walk-in pastoral care office hours on Fridays from 10a-2p. No appointments are needed (and no appointments will be made). Just show up or call and he will engage folks on a first-come-first-served basis. If you call and get the voicemail, the pastor will return your call that day.

Christmas Angels! – Supporting the Salvation Army and the DLC Youth Headed to the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2022.   Watch your newsletters.

8000 People are Refugees from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy – Here’s How You Can Help
This has happened so quickly, that the situation will change weekly. The Afghani refugees in our area are at Fort McCoy. At the moment, the Catholic Charities of La Crosse is working to get specific basic needs to these homeless human beings. Eventually, resettlement will begin, with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)/Lutheran Social Services (LSS) resettling 100 families to the Greater Milwaukee Area. Jewish Social Services hopes to resettle 50 more families in the Greater Madison Area. Resettlement will be difficult. These folks will not be allowed to legally work for around 6 months, because that is the time it will take for them to get green cards. They will also not be able to access the social safety net until after that time. That means they will need material and financial support much longer than most refugees that our nation welcomes. If you want to learn how to help specifically, please see the September 9th of the Synod’s “What Matters” e-newsletter at https://scsw-elca.org/news/. 

Needed: Crafters for Prayer Cloth Ministry A prayer cloth is a mini-version of a prayer shawl. The crafter infuses prayer to provide love and comfort to the person who will receive the Prayer Cloth. They are small enough to be tucked in pockets, and purses.  They also can be carried into surgery and taken on vacations. Anyone who needs comfort or wants support in their prayer life could use one. Our Pastor could take them on visits, have a basket available to take, or donate to local community facilities. Are you a knitter, crocheter, or quilter? Just want to help? You can sign up on the bulletin board, and patterns and yard will be in the Fellowship Hall starting in October. Please contact Jill Emmons if you have any questions or details on what these look like – (608) 692-1425 or jillyemmons@gmail.com. 

Save These Dates: Uncommon October, November, and December Worship Opportunities

• You are invited to wear red and bright colors on Sunday, October 31st. This is Reformation Sunday, the day we thank the Holy Spirit for the creation of our confession.
• Sunday, November 7th is All Saints Sunday, where we remember and grieve the people that we have loved but lost to the temporary death of the grave. If there is anyone like that in your heart, no matter how they are connected to you or how long they have been asleep, then please call or email their names to Pastor Sterling by October 31st so we can remember them with you.
• Sunday, November 14th is Thankoffering Sunday – a worship that is led exclusively by the women of our congregation. 
• Sunday, November 21st, plan for worship to be outdoors only, weather permitting. The majority of our Sunday worshipers gather outdoors and I have not seen their faces too long.
• On Wednesday, November 24th at 6 pm we will forgo Intergenerational Worship for a special Thanksgiving Worship. 
• Our worship time on Sunday, December 19th will be the Sunday School Christmas Program.
• On Wednesday, December 22nd at 6 pm we will forgo Intergenerational Worship for a special “Blue Christmas” prayer and healing service for anyone with any hurts or pain during the holiday season.
• Christmas Eve Worship will be on Friday, December 24th at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. 
• COVID permitting, we will have a Christmas Day Hymn sing worship at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 25th. 
• The only planned worship service the week of December 26th will be 9:00 am on Sunday, December 26th. There will not be Sunday School, Confirmation, or Intergenerational Wednesday Worship that week. 

Holiday Photo Sessions and Youth Fundraiser – See Poster in Announcements
DLC Member and professional photographer Sheri Birchler is offering limited holiday mini photo sessions. This is an opportunity to get your holiday cards and support DLC’s mission trip to the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. The sitting fee is being donated to our youth and there are only 10 total available spots. See the included poster for more information or reach out to Sheri at Sheri@SheriB.com or (608) 509-3240. 

Mission Opportunity – Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County
Kinship is a “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” style community-based non-profit and it needs mentors for youth aged 5-14. In their letter to Pastor Sterling, their chairperson asked “Who better than Christian adults to be mentors?” Who better? If you are selected, you will be given the training, support, and structure to make yours and the child’s experience safe and positive. For more information see www.kinshipcc.org or reach their program coordinator Sara McChesney at sara@kinshipcc.org or (608) 697-3260. 
Lutheran Summer Music Program Accepting Nominations Now – A True Music Academy for High School Students
Lutheran Summer Music is a month-long music academy for high school students. During this program, they participate in large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra) and chamber music; receive lessons on primary and secondary instruments; and enroll in electives such as chapel choir, church music, handbells, composition, jazz band, conducting musical theatre, and more. The daily schedule includes morning and evening prayer, classes, recreation activities, and concerts by faculty and guest artists. It is a fantastic month of music-making and worship! See www.lsmacademy.org for more information and how to nominate a music-loving student.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes will be collected for delivery the week of November 15th. If you would like to donate items or pack a box some ideas are…balls, dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars, jump ropes, yo-yo’s, musical toys. Health items include toothbrushes, a bar of soap wrapped in a washcloth in a sandwich bag, comb/brush. School supplies, coloring books, books, sunglasses, flip flops, hair accessories, small flashlights with the batteries. Drop them off at Church or wrap a box and fill it. It is a fun project to do with your kids or as a family. Any questions, call Kathy Pederson at (608) 592-7511 
The Women of Dekorra are planning a Bake and Lefse Sale on Saturday, November 20th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  We are raising funds to help our youth in their plans for attending the Youth Rally in Minneapolis next summer, as well as funds for the missions and work of the women.  It has been many months since we have had a project and hope we will have wonderful participation. 




ONGOING AT DEKORRA 
Fellowship Hour– Sundays after Worship (weather permitted)
AA – Fridays at 8 pm 
All Committee Meeting–is on November 9th at 6:30 pm
Council Meeting– is on November 11th at 6:30 pm
Cristian Ed Meeting–is on November 3rd at 9:30 am 
Bible Study The Chosen: Bible Movie and Study begin on Oct 15th till Dec 10th at 10:00 am (not on Nov 26)
Blood Drive –Next Blood Drive is December 13th, 2021
Registering ahead of time is encouraged. Walk-ins may be limited.
Hope Circle– 1st Wednesdays of the Month, 1 pm
Joy Circle– 2nd Tuesdays of the Month, 1 pm
Faith Bible Study The group will meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 am. Anyone is welcome to attend the Bible study!
DLC Book Club 2021 – Always at 1 pm  

• November 17 – Family Tree

Quilting – Thursdays at 1 pm
Worship Committee – 1st Wednesday of the Month, at 1:00 pm
Constitution Committee –will meet on October 19th at 6:30 pm.  
Hospitality Committee now meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 10:30 am


Yellow Bags Food Ministry – 

• Pick up bags at the shelf on last Sunday of the Month
• Deliver bags to the foot of the altar in the sanctuary on the first Sunday of the Month.
• See the most recent newsletter or www.dekorralutheran.org/news for the current needs of our food pantry partners.          ​

   OUR STEWARDSHIP OF WORSHIP AND GIFTS:
SUNDAY, October 24            WEDNESDAY, October 27                   TOTAL GIVING: $3659.00 

Attendance:  62              Attendance: 27            
General Offering: $2598.00         General Offering: $595.00
Vanco Giving: $276.00          Screens Fund: $25.00
Screens Fund: $70.00            World Hunger: $25.00 
World Hunger: $20.00            Youth Gathering: $25.00
Habitat for Humanity: $25.00

Worship Ministry Sunday, October 31, 2021
Assistant Minister: Barb Beyer; Reading Minister: Dave Kinnunen; Greeters: Dick & Carol Johnston; Sanctuary Ushers: Paul Knuteson & Sharon Kampen; Parking Lot Ushers: Larry Johnson, Mike Keller & Harry Benson; Acolyte: None; Cantor: Merry Seng; Stewardship: Jeff Koch & Sheri Birchler
Worship Ministry Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Assistant Minister: None; Reader Minister: Keira Cartwright; Communion Minister Soren Lynk; Ushers: Olivia Homewood & Fayth Hesselberg; Acolyte: Austin Browne; Video Minister: Briahna Lund; Cantor: None; Stewardship: Sharon Kampen & Judy Brownrigg
Worship Ministry Sunday, November 7, 2021
Assistant Minister: Barb Verbitsky; Reading Minister: Bill Buckley; Greeters: Monte & Mary Thompson; Sanctuary Ushers: LeRoy Riedel & Bill Schleichert; Parking Lot Ushers: Dennis Cunningham, Paul Knuteson & Bob Acker; Acolyte: None; Cantor: Bill Emmons; Stewardship: Sherri Knuteson & Sharon Kampen 
Worship Ministry Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Assistant Minister: Austin Browne; Reader Minister: None; Communion Minister: Briahna Lund; Ushers: Olivia Homewood & Jaylee Busser; Acolyte: Fayth Hesselberg; Video Minister: Soren Lynk; Cantor: None; Stewardship: Sherri Knuteson & Sharon Kampen ​