2021 CtK Annual Report FULL

2021 Christ the King Lutheran Church New Brighton, MN

Dear friends in Christ, Through all this, I am so grateful for your generous sharing of creativity, time, talents and resources. All The last year has been one of adapting and good gifts do come from God, and we are called to learning. In many places we have seen vibrant and share and use those gifts. We have and will continue vital ministry spring forth from changes made due to answer that call. There is still much change and to the pandemic. Digital worship opportunities learning to come, but God’s steadfast love energizes have introduced to our congregations people who us for the work God is still doing in the world may never have walked into one of our buildings. through this church. Many congregations have found new ways to invite people to share their generosity through online The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton giving. And many ministries have found just how Presiding Bishop vital they are as they continue to serve alongside Evangelical Lutheran Church in America people in their communities. The rst chapter of James, verse 17, reminds us that “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Yes, this has been a season of change, but Scripture also reminds us that we serve a generous, steadfast God. While we stay rooted in God’s enduring, unchanging promise, God also gives us the gifts of creativity and learning. Across all three expressions of the church we have used those gifts to serve God, love our neighbor and share the good news of Jesus Christ. In this time of change, we have opened our arms wider to meet people where they are, living into the reality that we are not de ned or con ned by the four walls of our buildings.

CONTENTS Council and Pastors’ Reports .............................................................................. 1 Committee and Team Reports ............................................................................ 5 Staff Reports ...................................................................................................... 8

Council and Pastors’ Reports Council President’s Report Diane Shallue, Council President At the end of August, I became president of the Church Council when Brett Kosec resigned. Then I was shocked and saddened, like many of you, when both pastors resigned. In the midst of this challenge, Covid infection rates were increasing at the end of 2021 and our pledged offerings for 2022 significantly declined over 2021 resulting in a deficit budget for 2022. Despite these challenges, the faith community at Christ the King continues to do God’s work caring for others and proclaiming the presence of God in our midst. I am grateful to the members of the Church Council who took on extra tasks to support the ministries at CtK. I am appreciative of the staff who worked extra hard to provide worship and programs for the members. I am thankful for those who agreed to serve on Exit Interview Teams and on Interim Pastor Interview Teams. A special thanks to Pastor Kisten Thompson who agreed to cover pastoral care and pastoral emergencies while the Council was working to find interim pastoral candidates. God has blessed us with many dedicated leaders. At CtK, we have so many things for which to be grateful: members who support CtK with their time, skills and money; a debt free building; experienced interim pastors; staff that steps up and does whatever needs to be done; a diverse congregation; the Community Partnership with Youth organization, Cristo Rey; and ending 2021 in a sound financial position. I am sure you can add many other items to this list. In 2022, we will be calling new pastors and building new bridges into the community. I am confident that Christ the King will refocus and reenergize our outreach ministries to the community here and abroad and deepen its caring for our members, building relationships with each other, the community and with God. “And the one seated on the throne said, ‘See I am making all things new.’” Rev 21:5 The Transition Task Force and its five teams will be making an impact on this congregation. I can not wait to see what God will be up to at CtK in 2022!! 1

Pastor’s Report Rev. Sonja Hagander, Interim Senior Pastor As I’ve shared the past couple of months (I began mid-Advent), I am grateful to accompany this lively congregation as your interim senior pastor. Thank you for your welcome, your conversations, your patience as we get to know one another. I am indebted to the staff and congregational leadership for orienting me to CtK and Cristo Rey. It seems simple enough, that interim time is akin to this drawing. But no interim time is static nor experienced in a vacuum. This pastoral and congregational interim is intersected with the dual pandemics of Covid-19 and racial injustice, employment challenges, heightened deliberations about who we are as a nation, global connectivity, and the personal difficulties and joys in your own households and neighborhoods. Wendell Berry wrote, It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings. The pandemic has ruptured our expectations of being Church. My semi-annual report is not so much a rehearsal of what has been since I began here, but an invitation to wonder “What is our real work?” A number of questions unfold before us as we enter the real work of transition time: 2

-How do we listen better? -How do we best steward our resources? -How do we equip people to ask the right questions? -How do we attend to trauma informed reopening or ministries? -What is CtK’s/Cristo Rey’s response to the social justice imperative? -How do we ensure continuity of mission amidst leadership transitions? -What new practices are necessary to prepare the church in its yearly rhythms? -What does “being with” our neighbors look like rather than “working for or with? -What are we discerning in the quiet and stillness? -How and when can we name God’s faithfulness? -What conventions of “being church” must be left behind? -What new practices of “being church” must we bring into the days ahead? -How must the church confess its role in structural marginalization and racism? And, what difference might that make for how the church lives its mission and vision? -How will participants in this faith community be equipped and nurtured to tend to these questions and answers? I invite you to 1) pray during this time of transition, and 2) consider serving on the Transition Task Force (information is on the website and was mailed to households). One of my all-time favorite scripture passages is found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 43: But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Both Berry and the prophet Isaiah are honest about our shattered times. I hope you hear in these words the promise that God transforms the threats into sources of realignment, renewal, and healing. My prayer for Christ the King Lutheran Church and Cristo Rey is that you delve into these questions with the confidence spoken to you from a God that clings to you. In faith and good courage, Pastor Sonja 3

Pastor’s Report Rev. Kisten Thompson, Bridge Pastor I have been privileged to serve as Christ the King’s Bridge Pastor from November 22, 2021- February 20, 2022. I stepped into this role expecting I would only help out for 2 or 3 weeks until we were able to call an interim senior pastor, but, with Advent and Christmas upon us, I was happy to extend that time until we also had our associate interim pastor. During my time with you, I served 1/3 time: preaching every other week, being present in worship/fellowship every week, calling and/or visiting those on the prayer list, calling all of the Lay Shepherds in our Lay Shepherd ministry, visiting most of the people currently being seen by the Lay Shepherds, and reconnecting with the Lay Shepherds to begin charting a way forward after being disrupted by two years of Covid restrictions. We have some thoughts about the ministry and will be sharing them with Pastor Sarah as she begins her ministry at CtK. Christ the King has a long and rich history of serving the community and people of New Brighton and beyond. I see a future filled with promise, opportunities and hope, building on our foundation and trusting that God is not only with us but providing inspiration, good courage and boldness for us. Let us live into this verse: “Since, then we have such a hope, we act with great boldness.” 2 Corinthians 3:12 Thank you for the privilege of serving with you, Pastor Kisten Thompson 4

Committee and Team Reports Thank you to all who served on these and other committees and teams in 2021. We are blessed to have over 10 committees, teams, subcommittees and working groups serving in many important capacities at CtK. Financial Committee Sheryl Stone, Committee Chair The Finance Committee highlights for 2021: • Reviewed monthly and annual financial statements and recommended approval by the Council • Reviewed accounting for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds received by Christ the King to ensure accounting was appropriate • Supported staff with planning and budget process for 2021 • Considered audit report from Internal Audit Committee and made recommendations to Council 2021 Finance Committee members: Dale Erickson, Eunice Helgeson, Rolland Hokanson, Paul Redlinger, Sheryl Stone, senior pastor Property Committee John Foell, Committee Chair In 2021, the Property Committee made two significant improvements to the infrastructure of CtK: the approval of a new rooftop solar installation and a new gym HVAC unit. Early this summer, the aging HVAC unit responsible for heating and cooling the gym was dying. The Property Committee recommended a replacement unit costing $110,059 that was cost- efficient, energy-efficient and eligible for rebates. The congregation voted to approve this purchase on June 30 and a new gym HVAC unit was installed this fall. After years of deliberation and work, the Property Committee developed a rooftop solar installation for CtK that will replace 45% of the church’s electrical usage with clean solar energy. The rooftop installation costing $204,587 consists of 258 solar panels and takes full advantage of CtK’s newer flat roofs. This innovative solar investment will save CtK money on electricity, will reduce greenhouse gases in the environment and will save CtK approximately $200,000 over the expected 30-year lifespan of the system. The congregation voted on November 7th to approve this project. The Property Committee is very grateful for the support of the congregation and for the CtK Foundation who provided $20,000 of matching funds. Work on the solar array will begin in spring 2022. 2021 Property Committee members: Dick Ashland, David Christensen, Erling Eibs, Paul Escen, Bob Fickle, John Foell, KC Gubrud, Dave Kerkow, Len Krumm, Bob Meyer, Joanne Zenz 5

Elders in Action Vern Rice, Chairperson The mission of Elders in Action is to provide social activities and opportunities for volunteer service, community outreach, educational programs, and spiritual growth for those aged 55 and over. Our leadership group meets once a month for planning and mutual support. When it is safe to do so, we will resume our monthly coffee hour with helpful/entertaining presentations. In the past year we have received monthly reports on our Covid guidelines and supported the congregation’s pandemic relief fund. We have received updates on CPY and supported their work. We worked with Mission Developer Ana Bacerra and provided Christmas baskets for Cristo Rey members. We were early supporters of the Solar Panels for CtK. 2021 Elders in Action rotating leadership members: Georgie Johnson, Jim Benson, Alice Kalkwarf, Vern Rice; Shelly Lausche, recording secretary Global Mission Team Marlys Melius, Chairperson In 2021, the Global Mission Team focused on three major fund-raising activities: Global Mission Sunday, Alternative Christmas Gifts, and writing Foundation Grants. Christ the King members generously donated $8,800 for Global Mission Sunday and $8,810 for Alternative Christmas Gifts. Global Mission Sunday donations are primarily used to provide scholarships at various schools in both the Arusha (northern) area and the Iringa (southern) area of Tanzania. In 2021, some of the Global Mission Sunday donations helped provide school lunches for children in five schools, located in drought areas of southern Madagascar. The Alternative Christmas Gifts provide for a range of activities that we support (e.g., scholarships for secondary students, medical supplies and training, construction and maintenance of churches and schools, and agricultural products and animals). Many of these gifts go to the Nduli Parish, our companion congregation. We applied for and received two grants from the Christ the King Foundation in 2021 – the Madagascar School Lunch Program ($8,000) and construction of the Nebbi Lutheran Church in Uganda ($8,000) (another ($8,000 for 2023). The Global Mission Team deeply appreciates your generous support and we hope you realize what a difference your donations have made in the lives of the various recipients. 2021 Global Mission Team members: Becky Anderson, Linda Aronson, Roger Blomquist, Trish Blomquist, Ann Bollmeier, Jan Cutler, Chris Floss, Gary Floss, Mary Hanson, Courtney Hess, Judy Hill, Deb Kuehl, Marlys Melius, Jean Spong, Tim Van Rooy 6

Local Mission Partners Team Dale Erickson, Chairperson The purpose of Local Mission Partners (LMP) at Christ the King is to engage in God’s mission with the growing diversity of the Twin Cities. We look to promote awareness, evangelism and service to members of CtK, the community around us and our local partner congregations. Our actions in 2021 were curtailed due to Covid, but we were able to participate in the Redeemer Lutheran Church Christmas Store by providing 150 box lunches. Our LMP Sunday in November was successful with Pastor Babette Chatman from Augsburg preaching and leading the SALT session. LMP kept in contact with our partners throughout the year and provided financial assistance to support their operations. CtK and LMP received the 2021 Sunflower Award from Daily Work. The award recognizes people and partners whose loyalty of service has been central to their work. In 2022 we plan to continue our support for our partners, which includes getting back to physical activities like block parties. Stay tuned as egg rolls may be returning to CtK via the youth from Good Samaritan Lutheran Church. See the CtK website for more information. 2021 Local Mission Partners Team members: Ralph Berg, Betty Funk, Karin Larson, Dick Schultz, Cheryl Schrader, Vern Rice, new members David and Sue Kleven from Immanual Lutheran Church in St. Paul Social Ministry Team Priscilla Berg, Chairperson Many of Social Ministry’s typical programs were cancelled due to COVID concerns: • SUNNY • Coat drive (a joint project with neighboring churches) • Habitat project • School tools drive Some regular ministries continued: • Donation drives for Ralph Reeder food shelf in March and November • Participation in “Walk a Mile” fundraiser for the Community Support Center • Financial support for Believer Bible School in Liberia • Funds to Highview for school supplies (Thanks to the Foundation for a grant to Bel Air) We also took on an additional project: collection of boys’ jackets for Como Park Elementary School in St. Paul. IN 2022, WE NEED HELP! The Social Ministry Team is now down to three members. In order to resume and/or continue these ministries, we need to have volunteers for specific short-term projects (no need to attend committee meetings). 2021 Social Ministry Team members: Priscilla Berg, Karen Hillerman, Victor Nyekan 7

Staff Reports Youth and Family Faith Formation Amity Lantz-Treer, Director Highlights of Youth Ministry: • During 2021 we did our best to remain connected as we continued to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. • Despite a few different efforts we were unable to plan out a time for the Youth Musical, but we are already beginning our writing for 2022! • Our Holy Hoops basketball team with Cristo Rey and Galilee Lutheran church, placed 2nd this past spring! CtK hosted a shortened outdoor season that was extremely fun for the teams and churches to participate in. • Five students affirmed their faith in May and there was an additional affirmation late in the summer. • We introduced a new model for confirmation this year focusing on intentional learning during retreats and ongoing Faith Community Engagement centered around the 4 core values we have at Christ the King. Our first retreat took place at Camp Wapo in September. • We loaded up a van full of youth and adult leaders to head out to Christikon in Montana in July! We got to experience God’s incredible creation while challenging ourselves in body and spirit. We had amazing counselors to lead us and enjoyed every second of uninterrupted nature with fellowship, sharing inside jokes and creating memories. • We continued our small group ministries and fellowship time with pizza nights, game nights, and growing together in our faith! I look forward to another year of growing together with the youth of our congregation. Children and Family Ministry Deb Wolterstorff, Director “So greatly do we care for you that we determined to share not only the Gospel of God but our own selves.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8) This verse continues to speak to who we are and what we are called to do – care deeply, care deeply enough to share not only the Good News of Jesus Christ but also ourselves as the Holy Spirit works in and through us to build meaningful relationships. With our 2nd year down of navigating ministry amid Covid, thinking outside the box seems to be the “go to” these days. I will admit that there are times that I mourn what was. I miss seeing families in person and the excitement of having children around. That said, the past couple years have allowed me to think differently about how I do ministry—something I may never have done otherwise. I’ve had to learn to use my computer and phone in ways I never otherwise would have. 8

Here is a recap of 2021: • BAM! (Bible and Me) moved to Zoom at the beginning of the year after meeting outdoors through December 2020. Starting in the fall, when back in person, we decided to have BAM during the worship service. Kids came to worship with their parents, came up for the children’s message, went out of worship for a lesson based on one of the day’s readings, and then came back into worship to help with bringing forward Communion elements and the offering. • For the first part of the year, we did Family Faith Walks—walks designed for families to weave God into their daily lives using all senses and talking about different topics. • Family Time—Wednesday evenings—has been mostly by Zoom. In the fall, we were able to have a few times in person outside along with campfire worship. Family Time is a time for families to come together and have fun/learn/create. We have had guests come and share their passions (Nathan-Science, Joanne, fairy gardens, Lisa – Craft) • Drive through Good Friday was a collective event with the staff putting together stations for people to drive/walk through around the church. Families and youth helped with different stations. While attendance was lower than we had hoped, it was a lot of fun. • Vacation Bible School was held outside. The weather was great (though a little too hot for me). Instead of doing VBS in one week, we spread it over 5 weeks and did one day each week. • The rummage sale returned after missing in 2020. We scaled back a bit and did not serve food from the kitchen, instead food trucks come each day (I loved this). • Advent Rejoice is a wonderful opportunity for kids/youth and adults to come together and tell the story of Jesus’ birth. While we were in person, many families videotaped their part of the story. It is such a blessing to see how creative and excited families are in sharing the story as a part of this service. • Other children’s outings included: Franconia Sculpture Park, Como Zoo, sledding, campfire, sidewalk chalk, Easter Egg hunt (after Easter), Manger Project (making Mangers), Faith Steps (Communion and Bible) and Baptism Sunday. • Other aspects of my personal ministry included: children’s sermons, Extravaganza (a children and youth conference through the ELCA—all online in 2021) and attending many games, plays, concerts and dances. I am also on the CPY board, help with their fundraising and occasionally help downstairs with the kids. There are so many things to be thankful for at Christ the King. Thank you for trusting me in working with children at Christ the King. I love working with them and learning from them as well as working alongside the parents. My hope is to get a parent group together to dream more about what Children’s Ministry looks like at Christ the King going forward. Blessings, Deb Wolterstorff 9

Change and the need for creativity have Sunday. These resources were and continue become constants over the last year and a to be used in congregations across the half in many aspects of life, including the ELCA—even at Sitka Lutheran Church in church. This was the case for Living Christ Alaska, whose members printed and hand- Lutheran Church in Flagsta , Ariz., even delivered “Worship in the Home” resources before a global pandemic caused many of to fellow members without internet access. us to rethink what it means to be church. Generosity from all three expressions of Change and creativity have taught us many the ELCA (the churchwide organization, things. As Pastor Sandra Rudd of Sitka the Grand Canyon Synod and members of Lutheran Church noted, “The pandemic Living Christ) helped turn a congregation was a stark illustration of the fact that the “on the road out of town, near the mall” church is not a building. A lot of people say into an online presence reaching over that, but we didn’t fully know it until we 500 people a week from Phoenix to the didn’t have a building to use. We learned Philippines. (Read more about Living Christ that there are many ways to be connected in the current issue of “Stories of Faith in as the church.” Throughout the pandemic, Action” at ELCA.org/SOFIA.) the ELCA has changed and adapted, doing ministry in new and creative ways, because Many other congregations have found of the generosity of its members. Even now, new ways to connect both when in- you may be gathering in a new way for person worship was impossible and your annual meeting, to discern how you when congregations began to return to will steward the gifts shared generously their sanctuaries. Generosity, especially with your congregation to do ministry in through Mission Support, helped us nd your community and beyond. As you have and support these new ways of being these important conversations, remember connected. Early in the pandemic, ELCA that your gifts of time, talent and resources Worship launched the “Worship in the have helped create new spaces beyond our Home” webpage, with Scripture, hymn walls and buildings where we continue to links, prayers and re ections for each worship, serve and love God and each other. 2021

BUDGET FOR MINISTRY: SUMMARY COMPARISON 2021 Budget 2021 Actual 2022 Budget REVENUE $ 893,229 $ 937,797 $ 822,040 Envelope offerings Seasonal offerings 14,000 8,424 10,000 Loose offerings Youth fees 7,500 2,142 5,000 Other income 2,500 $0 2,500 TOTAL INCOME 12,450 6,426 9,000 $929,679 $954,789 $848,540 EXPENSES $ 669,375 $ 639,423 $ 708,405 Staff 132,106 Property 88,125 113,943 116,886 Mission Support - Benevolence 71,639 Program 40,850 84,905 84,025 Administration $1,002,095 41,425 63,364 TOTAL BUDGETED EXPENSES 43,777 63,000 $923,473 $1,035,680 MINISTRY FUNDING SURPLUS/(GAP) ($72,416) $31,316 ($187,140) RESTRICTED FUNDS USED $41,306 $18,692 $76,490 NET GAIN/(LOSS) ($31,110) $50,008 ($110,650) CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH 1900 7th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 • 651-633-4674 • lifeatctk.org