Happy Friday everyone,

It’s been a great week at Augustana! On Tuesday night, the congregation voted unanimously to call Deacon Stephanie Anderson as the next associate minister at Augustana and she has accepted! Stephanie brings a vast array of gifts and a passion for connecting younger generations to ministry in the church and community. Her official title is Deacon of Discipleship and Community Mission. She will start on March 20. Stephanie’s installation date will be Sunday, April 16, 2023, with Bishop Lull preaching and installing. 

That means that Pastor Deb is wrapping up her service with us. Because of some previously scheduled events in her life, her last day will be Sunday, February 5. We’ll have a farewell and blessing at each of the services, and a congregational reception with treats and coffee all morning. What a joy she has been to work with and a gift to Augustana during this long transition time in the Associate position. We’re going to miss her positive spirit, deep insights, and love for ministry! If you would like to send a card of thanks and well-wishes, you can drop them off in the office or send them to the church address.

In the time between February 5 and March 19, Pastor Bonnie Lomen will serve as a part-time bridge pastor with us. Bonnie is a familiar face around here, as she is an Augustana member, and worships regularly when she is not doing bridge ministry in other congregations. She will work 15-20 hours a week, providing worship leadership, preaching, and pastoral care. She’ll join the staff on February 7. 

In worship on Sunday, you will hear about the next steps in imagining our future ministry together. In February, you will be invited to participate in the Congregational Assessment Tool. This survey is conducted by Holy Cow! Consulting. They have helped over 5,000 congregations across the country discern their future. We are in a different place emotionally, organizationally, and spiritually than we were just a few years ago. This assessment will give us important information from you about the overall energy for ministry, capacity to adapt to a changing world, desired priorities for our congregation, and strengths which can propel us into the future. I’m looking forward to learning about who we are right now and where we see God leading us at this time in our church. Look for information and ways to participate in the coming couple weeks.

Finally, I hope you’ll plan to be at the Annual Meeting this coming Tuesday. We’ll look back on a strong year of ministry, look ahead to what God is up to this year, and take care of some important business, like electing new leaders, passing a budget, and making modest updates to our constitution to keep it current with the ELCA model constitution for congregations.

Peace,

If you were unable to attend the Congregational Meet & Greet, you can view the recorded version below.

Welcome Deacon Stephanie!



Pastor Deb's Farewell Celebration

Sunday, February 5 | Farewell Blessing | Reception with Coffee & Treats

Card of thanks and well-wishes can be sent or dropped off in the office.

Spring New Member Event

Sunday, February 26 | Noon (lunch provided)

If you’ve been worshiping with us or connected with a ministry and are interested in being a member, join us for our Spring New Member Event. Learn more about ways to grow, serve, and live out your faith as part of the Augustana community. Childcare available upon request. New members welcomed into the congregation on Sunday, March 12 at 9:45 am. RSVP to Barb Rolfes in the church office (651.457.3373) by Wednesday, February 22. 

Augustana Annual Meeting

Tuesday, January 24 | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall

We will celebrate the ministry that we accomplished in 2022 and look forward with imagination at what kind of ministry God is calling us to in 2023. Copies of the 2022 Annual Report are available at the Information Center or click on the image to the right.

One important task will be to approve changes to our constitution that will keep our congregation’s constitution aligned with the model constitution of the ELCA. These changes are required for all congregations of the ELCA. Changes include clarification of provision of the termination of a call of pastor or deacon due to disability, edits that provide for more inclusive, clearer language, and edits that align the various parts of congregational and synodical constitutions with the language of bylaws and continuing resolutions. These documents are important in guiding our work as a church. Click below to review a full copy of proposed changes to the Constitution. A desk copy of these changes is also available in a binder at the Information Desk at church. 

Club 56

Sunday, January 22 | 3:00 pm | For youth in grades 5 & 6

Join us for faith, fellowship & fun!

Youth Ski Trip

Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20

We are very excited to have the youth ski trip to Giants Ridge return this year! It is a weekend filled with laughter, fun, fellowship and of course, skiing/snowboarding. This weekend is open to all students in grades 7-12. We can’t wait to have our two villas filled! For more information contact Abby at anorlineweaver@augustana.com. 

Adult Forum | Sunday Mornings at 9:45

This month we will look at the “Power Within” through the lens of embodiment to understand our own emotional experiences, the experiences of others, and how embodiment relates to our Christianity.



January 22 “The Power Within – Persistence” Steve McKinley

Jacob is a great example of persistence. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with an angel and has his hip put out of joint. He would limp for the rest of his life, but some of his most productive years were still to come.

Women’s Coffee & Conversation

Mondays 10:00 – 11:30 am  |   January 23 - February 13

January 23 - How Do We Stay Christian Individually and as a Community?

We will finish McLaren’s book by uncovering new ways to personify our Christianity both individually and as a congregation.

Book Study

The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism

by Katherine Stewart.

Online discussions  |  January 29, February 26, March 26  |   6:30 – 7:30 pm



Many of you have asked for more education on the topic of Christian Nationalism. This online study will tackle this book by discussing only four chapters a month, January through March. Books can be purchased on Amazon. Email Stacy to join the group.

Whole-Person Wellness Screenings (for individuals 60+ years old)

February 2    |    45-minute appointments between 9:00 am and 1:15 pm

If you are 60 years old or older, consider participating in this wellness screening. The screening will include: physical metrics, screening for cognitive changes, or depression on your terms, developing a whole-person wellness plan with individualized goals, speaking to a Registered Nurse about your overall wellness & barriers you face, getting connected to resources in YOUR community that can support your wellness goals, and influencing programming in YOUR community! Screenings will be administered by staff from the University of MN School of Nursing in conjunction with the Faith Community Nurse Network. Take charge of your health and schedule your screening.

Sign up online at https://hipaa.jotform.com/fcnntc/AugustanaRegistration

or contact Joann Arneberg for assistance.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions

Thursdays, February 16—March 23  |  1:00-3:30 pm  |  At ReaLife Cooperative

This wellness class is for anyone over 60 years old. Topics include: nutrition, exercise,

medication use, sleep, pain management, emotions and communicating with medical providers. Led by Joann Arneberg and Rebecca Indahl, Faith Community Nurses. The class is free of charge, but donations are always welcome. Pick up a flyer in the church kiosk or see Joann.  

Family Support Group

Monthly, 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Facilitated by Joann Arneberg, Augustana Faith Community Nurse

 Does your loved one live with a mental illness? NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers family and friends of individuals living with a mental illness an opportunity to meet with others who share their concerns and experiences. The meeting is free of charge and registration is not necessary. 

Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?

Ways to Serve on Sundays

Families, couples, and singles, we would love your help on Sunday mornings! Usher, read the lesson, serve Communion, or be the welcoming face at the Information Center. Contact Barb Rolfes to learn more or sign up.

“You’re Mic Isn’t On!”



You’ve probably heard that in worship more than once over the last several months. We are looking for a few people interested in making the sound in worship the best it can be (and make sure Pastor Jason turns his mic). Training will be provided. Contact Pastor Jason or Nate Thompson, Digital Communications Specialist if you have questions.  

Help with Community Meals

More volunteers are needed for these coming winter months to help prepare our meals each Thursday. Please sign-up below if you would like to help.  

Tasting the Goodness of Guatemala

Sunday, January 29

The Global Missions group has some opportunities planned that you may want to add to your calendar!

Join us for a new cooking series centered around the cuisine of our global mission partners. The series will start on Sunday, January 29 with Tasting the Goodness of Guatemala. For those who want to learn how to prepare the food, we will cook together beginning at 4 pm. If simply enjoying the food is more your style, then come at 5:30 pm. Advanced sign up is required by Monday, January 23. Menu will be posted on the online signup page.

2023 Guatemala Trip Information Sessions

Interested in learning more about our upcoming trip to Guatemala? We will be holding two identical information sessions in the next few weeks:

•  January 29, 3:00 PM (stay for the Goodness of Guatemala event!)
•  February 5, 12:00 PM (immediately following our send-off of Pastor Deb)

Both sessions will be in the Jerusalem Room. If you are interested in learning more but unable to attend either session, please reach out to Matt Howard at matthewhoward09@gmail.com to make other arrangements! 

 Augustana COVID Task Force Update

To help curb the spread of illness, the CDC, county and state health departments recommend the following when we gather to worship:

• If you are experiencing symptoms related to any potentially contagious disease, please do not come into the building until symptoms subside.
• We encourage you to discuss with your doctor about getting the COVID and flu vaccine.
• Masking remains optional at Augustana. To accommodate those who are particularly vulnerable and vigilant, the last three rows on the east side section of the sanctuary have been designated for those who wish to sit with other masked people.

Please contact Joann Arneberg, Faith Community Nurse, for further information. 

Augustana Connect is intended to highlight activities and events coming up in the next few weeks. For ongoing weekly activities, please check the online calendar. 

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