Beginning this Sunday, we will be implementing additional steps to ensure the safety of those attending services. We will block off every other row of chairs to maintain 6 feet of space between worshipers. We also ask for your cooperation in maintaining 6 feet of space between worshipers in each row. The Fireside room will be available for overflow if needed. Please remember to keep masks on at all times and to exit the Sanctuary as instructed. Thank you.

For those of you who were unable to join us last Saturday for “Coffee with the Bishop,” here is a brief summary of what transpired.

Bishop Laurie’s presentation included poetry, scripture, diagrams and a cartoon. All these tools were used to help us think about discernment and how to proceed through the Transition Process. Click here to view the slides used in the Bishop’s presentation. Several of the slides in the presentation were taken directly from the Transition Manual accessible to all on the Synod web page. Click here to be taken to the Transition Manual.

Bishop Laurie pointed out that the Transition Team and Call Committee are generally two different groups of people as different skills are needed for each. Members of the Transition Team need to be good listeners. Members of the Call Committee need to be good interviewers and represent all segments of the congregation. The next step is for Council to select an Interim Pastor. Once the Interim is in place we can proceed with the Transition Task Force portion of the process.

There will be a Congregational meeting in the Fireside Room THIS Sunday, September 19, 2021, immediately following the church service. As of today, the meeting will be conducted both in-person and using Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent in a special email to members on Friday.

The purpose of the meeting will be to approve a budget for the September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022 fiscal year. We will also present preliminary financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 and approve the minutes from the May 16, 2021 congregational meeting. Copies of the proposed budget, May 16 minutes and preliminary financial statements will be available in the narthex and will be sent to all voting members in a special email. Please contact the church office with any questions.

The Book Group plans to meet after church service on Sundays starting this week after the congregational meeting in the Fireside Room. We will resume discussion on the book, "Grounded", by Diana Butler Bass, on chapter 2. There are a few books available for anyone who needs one. As usual, newcomers always welcomed.

A New Study group this fall will be focusing on how to become a Peace-maker. We will use the book, "Shalom, Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World", by Osheta Moore. We will begin by studying the word 'Shalom' in all its fullness, and then spend time on the Shalom manifesto, which is a 12-step guide on becoming a peacemaker.

If you wish to be involved with Shalom Sistas study on peacemaking here is the Zoom Link. We start on Tuesday, September 21, 6:45-8:15. We are growing with three new participants and you are all so very welcome. https://zoom.us/j/93970340166

Please feel free to light a candle before the prelude begins each Sunday. We are salt and we are LIGHT!

If you've been building your car kit weekly, you now have:

• Bottled water    

• Flashlight 

• Protein bars

• First Aid Kit

• A survival blanket

• A list of your emergency contacts

This week, round out this small kit with: masks and wipes. A small towel works great as well. It is so versatile for so many uses. Most especially if you have grandchildren!

This is just a small starter kit. What would you add to make it suit you better? Tell us at oslc@oursaviors.net

The Red Cross offers several levels of car kits.

The ELCA is very involved in providing worldwide Disaster Relief. That's one reason why they also have a strong program for Disaster Preparedness training. To learn more about it sign up below.

Our Region 1 Congregational Preparedness Network has its startup orientation today - September 16, at 6:00 p.m. Registration remains open right up to the bell, so register now and join us!! You will need to register to receive your link to participate.

Evangelism Club Do you have suggestions for evangelism activities or outreach? Please email them to: oslc@oursaviors.net Thank you!

Oregon Synod Day of Learning - Saturday, September 25, from 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Workshops and the keynote address will all be offered via Zoom! Conversations and workshops will follow the theme of the year here in the Oregon Synod - Faithful in the Fray. Register by 9/21. Register here.

House of Zion The School Supply Drive for House of Zion began small but grew to 10 full bags of much needed school supplies. A recent delivery to the mission included the school supplies with a check from OSLC funds designated to HOZ, shoes, clothing, food, and laundry supplies.

HOZ leader, Polo Garcia, may transport some of these gifts to the Texas-Mexico border. He is associated with a Lutheran Church in Del Rio, TX, which aids the migrants at the border. The reach of your kindness is broad. Thank you!

The easiest way to watch the Livestream of upcoming services is to go to the OSLC YouTube page and click on the red SUBSCRIBE button. There's no cost, it's free! When new livestream videos begin, you'll receive a notification to click on and enjoy the live service. Recordings of the livestream will be available afterward.