In October we will have  4 Reflecting Joy Events,

(come to the one that works best for you.)

The events are designed help us reflect on how we have been blessed, and how we might (in return) be a blessing, as part of our core value of generosity.

Instead of just sent out letters asking people to make an estimate of the giving for the coming year (like we did last year), we want to get people together and celebrate
being Joy.  How do we do that?

We want it to be fun, informative,  meaningful,  and done in less than a hour.

Gathering around FREE food is always a good start,
so we will do that (pizza and ice cream sundaes)
as well as having a creative video reflection,
a time to share hopes, dreams, questions,
learning about some new tech available,

having some great fellowship (with fun doorprizes)

and getting the tools to help you make an estimate of giving for 2019

To help us order enough food, we do need you to let us know when you think you can come

Sign up on the board outside our worship center .  Your choices are: Wed.,  Oct 17  6:30pm  right after Wed. Night Supper...since you just ate...  Ice Cream Sundaes served

Sun., Oct 21   11:30am   right after the late worship   Pizza served
Wed.,  Oct 24  6:30pm   right after Wed. Night Supper...since you just ate...  Ice Cream Sundaes served

*thanks to Thrivent Action Team dollars for providing the free food for our events

Our Wednesday dinners are one of our best ministries.   If you haven't tried coming....you really should.  It takes a lot of effort to prepare and clean up a meal for over 100 people each week.  We are blessed to have Kelly Poff as our cook, but we depend on lots of volunteers as well to make it happen.  The more help we have, the easier it goes.  So we need your help.

There are a number of ways to indicate your willingness to help.:
We will pass a clipboard on Sunday morning OR it will be available after worship at the information center OR you can use the online sign-up

Its that time of year, when some of our gardens are overflowing.  If you have produce to spare bring it worship with you on Sunday and we can find a good home for it.

Also, check out the (New) COMMUNITY LIFE bulletin board down the hall...where you can share give-aways (like unused  Ptacek's gas coupons) or post a notice for something you need or something you want to share.

Women Invited to Attend 1st Annual

To read the minutes from the latest Vision Council Meeting, please

 CLICK HERE.   The minutes can also be found in Joy's web page under

'Leadership'.

Our local food pantry is still planning on using some of the Joy property to create The Prescott Area Community Garden.  This year they will be doing the prep work getting the site ready for planting next spring.  If this is project you are interested in please contact the Food Pantry  (715) 441-6909 or check out the new facebook page     https://www.facebook.com/PrescottAreaCommunityGarden/

In conversation with two of our families that have lost daughters in recent years (Ellery Ennenga and Ava Christianson), we have come up with at design for a butterfly memorial garden.  This would be part of an overall plan to better utilize our outdoor space for ministry.  A butterfly garden was chosen because both girls and their families developed a special affinity with butterflies in the grieving process.  So the garden space would be designed with flowers specifically chosen as good pollinators and butterfly habitat.

The first phase would be to put in the sidewalk that creates the perimeter for the garden and get some trees planted to start creating some shade.  A second phase would be to create an outdoor worship area.  If there is interest, there would be possibility of adding a columbarium (place to inter cremains).  Down the road we would also like to see ways to integrate access, playground, shelter, trails, community garden space down the hill on the land that we steward.

There are two things we are looking for now:
    One is your input.  We are still relatively early in the design stage. We have the basic concept but are still working out the details and value your insights.

    The other is funding for the project. It would be great if we could get the first phase started this fall so we would be ready for a spring planting.  We will be creating a designated fund where you can make gifts in honor or memory of loved ones.

There are flags on the lawn indicating where the garden would be to help you visualize the project.  Your comments and questions are important to us. Please share your thoughts.

JOY 2018-2

Video of Pastor Steve and Diane's Trip to Malawi

Now that we have blended together our early and late services for the summer, it is more important than ever that we wear name tags to help us get to know each other.

We have disposable stick on name tags available, or sign up to have a more permanent name tag made for you.

**Updated as of August 2018, directories (both picture and address) are ready to pick up...they are also available on the church web page on a password protected page (please call the office for the password).

If you have corrections please let the office know. 

**If you would like to update or add your picture, please send it to the office at any time.  It will be included in the next print!**

Name Tag s... are a great way to help people remember your name.  We are working on a system to have more permanent name tags available, but for now any time you can wear one helps the rest of us get to know you. Thank you.

and want to catch up or share it with someone who might appreciate it. We record our worship each week and post it on our web page as well as the bottom of this weekly electronic newsletter.  Just click on the YouTube button.                   

ELCA Estate Planning & Giving  

 

Mr. Tim Knutson, of the ELCA Gift Planning Foundation, was here at Joy and gave an informational program on Gift Giving & Estate Planning. He is still available for any questions or information you may want. He can be reached by mail, email or phone:

Tim Knutson, 2625 N. 65th St., Wauwatosa, WI, 53213. (414) 477-9979. Email: [email protected]

If you would like to give electronically you can do so through our web page

  Set up or manage my electronic giving

If you have a QR reader on your phone you can also access the page by scanning here

If you don't have a QR reader and still would like the convenience of working from your phone.  
We also have a church giving app called Give+  available as a free download.     How it works