EMBRACE THE CHANGE
These words from Ecclesiastes work for almost every season of our life. No matter the situation, they seem to fit. However, as we say goodbye to the carefree days of summer and welcome the fall, they seem especially relevant. No matter your age or context in life, the fall marks a time of transition, and often with that transition comes a return to valuable routines. While the relaxed mood of the summer is something that we all treasure, there is something refreshing about the crisp air of fall and the new routines that come with it. Maybe for you that means back to school, or a good time to establish a new creative pursuit. Perhaps you are adopting an innovative practice at the office, or even a change in your fitness routine. Whatever the change, fall is a season of transition.
A couple of weeks ago I returned home to Willmar after a long stretch at my family’s cabin up north. Thanks to my sabbatical I was able to spend a few consecutive weeks there. And while this is not an uncommon situation for many Minnesotans, when I got back to my home it seemed strange and unknown. It was as if I was in someone else’s home. It was honestly a bit disorienting for a couple of days. It took going back to Vinje and a return to my routine to provide a grounding for me. Getting back into the rhythm of regular worship and being surrounded by our faith community was exactly what I needed following a summer of renewal and relaxation. Perhaps that is what we all need.
Far too many of us look at the fall with disdain because of the rapidly falling temperatures that it brings. But as we say goodbye to the lazy days of summer, let’s look forward to the new occasion that God has placed in front of us: a time for routine. Not just tasks to check off a list, but opportunities for growth, improvement, wholeness, and community. Embrace this time of transition from leisure to structure. Our routines can be powerful influences on our lives and the lives of others. So take the time to plan out what your new routine will look like and choose to enhance your life in meaningful, faithful, and fulfilling ways. You’ll find that God has made a time for every matter under heaven. And don’t forget all the ways that Vinje is ready to step back into these routines with you as we seek to embrace change together and find news ways to faithfully serve our community.
Pastor Justin
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 | GOD'S WORK, OUR HANDS SUNDAY!
Join us for worship followed by community service projects (in the fellowship hall) and donuts!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 | WEDNESDAY KICKOFF!
Wednesday Live!, supper, choir, worship, blessing of backpacks, bounce houses, confirmation & high school youth group!
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NEW SERMON SERIES!
SEPTEMBER 10-27
What does it take to have a good life? What is the kind of life that God wants for us? Are you focusing in your life on the things that matter to you and matter to God? This 4- part series is all about the big questions in life—you know the ones that tug at you about finding meaning and having purpose and building a life you are proud of. The questions which seem to have no quick answers but nag on us all the same. Dig deep with us as we explore what exactly is “The Good Life”—what does the Bible say about it, and how can we experience The Good Life in our work, in our play, and in our love.
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WELCOME BRIAN!
We are excited to announce that Brian Brandt will be joining the Vinje staff as a part-time custodian on September 5. Brian recently retired after a long custodial career with Willmar Public Schools. He has also been a key leader for our partners at Saint John’s Lutheran in Raymond for many years. We are looking forward to him working alongside Ron Nordby here at Vinje!
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MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!
And also, speaking of custodial needs, we wanted to take a minute to thank Jerry and Kris Swanson for volunteering to help clean our building! They have been coming in the past few months (and plan to continue coming in) to help with various cleaning tasks. We are so thankful to them for this help!
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VINJE CHOIR
As was discussed in the spring, the Vinje choir will return to rehearsals and Sunday worship leadership this fall. We are looking forward to the first choir Sunday being on September 17. We are excited to welcome Tim Burns as choir director that morning and will gather in the choir room at 8:30 am to practice a simple anthem for worship. Feel free to invite a friend or two to join you!
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VINJE QUILTERS
Quilters meet this month on Thursday, September 14 and Thursday, September 28 at 9 am.
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LOVING ARMS UPDATE
We are excited to welcome Kari Goldschmidt to our Loving Arms team! Kari will begin serving as the Interim Director on September 5. She grew up in Belgrade, graduated from Saint Cloud State, and has worked in nonprofit leadership throughout west central Minnesota. She has previous experience directing childcare centers along with a history of administration, marketing, and development. She enjoys books, camping, and watching the Vikings. Please join us in welcoming Kari as she joins our dedicated admin team of Patsy, Janel, and Melissa along with our many excellent teachers and aids!
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RECYCLABLE FASHION!
Carol Schmiesing’s career spanned 19 years as a recycling coordinator and hazardous waste manager. She took her “reduce-reuse-recycle” message to elementary classrooms across our area. No, we won’t recycle Carol, but we will be recycling her stylish outfit...made completely out of recyclable plastics. Please join her in recycling your plastics at Vinje!
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THANK YOU TO THRIVENT!
Some Vinje members dedicate their Thrivent Choice Dollars to Vinje. Most recently $150 was used to buy backpacks to be donated to the “Stuff the Bus” campaign. The Thrivent Choice Dollars at Vinje can be used for endeavors or purchases not provided for in the budget. A simple one-page application is available from the office or contact one of the Thrivent Advocates: Jody Loseth, Pastor Mary Hovland, Dianne Peterson or Dee Rosenbrook.
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EXPLORING VINJE'S HISTORY
This month, pastor Andrés spoke to Grayson Swalin about his trip to New York City with the Vinje youth group in 1970.
Grayson grew up at Vinje. He was baptized in the downtown church, and he remembers having walked with the congregation on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1963, to the new church after the front door of the old church was ceremoniously closed with a cross.
In August of 1970, he went on the trip led by Ted and Mary Olson to the convention of the Luther League of the American Lutheran Church at Madison Square Garden in New York City. His good friend Ross Handahl was also on the trip. The convention gathered at Madison Square Garden and the Vinje group stayed with many other convention participants at the Waldorf Astoria, within walking distance of the convention arena, Time Square, and Central Park.
Grayson remembers that Pete Seeger was one of the singers who performed for the 16,000 teenagers gathered for the convention. His strongest memories of his first and only trip to New York to date are about walking around the city.
Normally they would wear their name badges with the convention motto “And we Care.” Fortunately, Ross and he had taken the badges off as they walked through Central Park and witnessed how another young participant who was wearing his badge was surrounded by a motorcycle gang. “If you care,” they told him, you should give us all your money. The gang was just trying to have fun, but they scared the heck out of the poor guy.
On another day, they happened to be in Central Park when a popular rock band—Grayson does not remember the name—put on a free concert. Grayson also remembers watching with surprise that many New Yorkers would put vinegar on their French fries. He also remembers that it was not easy to find a garbage can. Often, when they asked for one in a store, they were told to throw their garbage on the street.
The highlight of the trip was going to a Broadway show with the whole Vinje group. They saw “Forty Carats” at the Morosco Theater. Grayson has kept his ticket and his program signed by cast members Zsa Zsa Gabor and Tom Poston in a frame on the wall of one of the bathrooms of his and Karen’s house. They shook hands with the cast members after the play and then went to an Asian place for dinner.
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Here are the highlights from the August Council meeting.
- Received updates on sanctuary lighting project.
- Heard about start dates for new custodian, interim Loving Arms director and Green Lake ministry associate.
- Received update on columbarium: concrete footings and sidewalk are completed, columbarium to be installed in September.
- Discussed endowment distributions to be prioritized around building needs.
- Reviewed new congregational feedback regarding Sunday and Wednesday worship styles.
- Invited interested council members to Calvary Partner Network event on October 7.
- Received update on Circle of Welcome project.
- Approved building usage request from local school referendum committee in line with existing policies.
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Make a one-time contribution or set up reoccurring giving here. Need help? Call the church office!
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VINJE ON THE GO!
RADIO Listen on Sundays at 9:30 am on KWLM, 1340 AM.
INTERNET Watch anytime! (go to YouTube and search Vinje Willmar).
TV Watch local access channel, 180 Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Tuesdays at 8 am and 5 pm.
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