VINLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH est.1904 PO Box 2134 2750 NW Finn Hill Road Poulsbo WA 98370 Office: 360.779.3428 E-Mail: vinland@vinlandlc.org Web: vinlandlc.org Interim Pastors: Sigi Helgesen & Marty Dasler Lay Associate: Marsha Wright Youth: Karyn Crawford Secretary: Megan Adrig Preschool Director: Janean Moriarty Preschool: 360.865.0510 E-Mail: preschool @vinlandlc.org

DECEMBER 2016

Robbie Taylor and his family will be moving to Italy in December. We knew this day would come and will greatly miss the sound of Robbie’s hands flying along the ivories.. What a gift he has been to Vinland. Decem-ber 4 will be his last Sunday. Be sure to wish him well! AT the same time we say hello to Debra Davis She brings her many musical gifts to us. She plays both piano and organ and will accompany the choir, play at the Contemporary Service and two traditional services each month. We will officially wel-come her on December 18.

Navy Band Sax Quartet Dec. 10 at 3pm

Christmas Cantata Dec. 18 at 9:30

Christmas Eve Worship 4pm and 9pm

Christmas Day Worship at 9:30am

Kelle Horn 12/1

Catrina Stroud 12/9

Marian Rova 12/10

Tammie Rabura 12/11

Bruce Mansfield 12/12

Michael McMahon 12/12

Jen Nelson 12/12

Sarah Nelson 12/12

Heidi Becker 12/14

Lou Puzon 12/14

Florence Paulson 12/23

Marty Dasler 12/24

Ersle Gregersen 12/25

John Brock 12/27

Don & Helen Cole 12/4 John & Glenyce Ross 12/6 Lou & Anita Puzon 12/27 Jon & Jen Nelson 12/28

We have ordered white

poinsettias to be displayed

in the sanctuary on Christ-

mas Eve. Cost is $10.

You may take your poin-

settia home after the 9:30

service on Christmas Day

or leave it for the remain-

der of the season.

Vinland Lutheran Church Dec. 2016 the VINYARD

I was in the fellowship hall after worship and was greeted by a Vinland member who asked, “Pastor Sigi are you looking for a church home?” I have to admit I was a little puzzled with the question. I happened to be at church on a Sunday when I wasn’t preaching, although I was teaching confirma-tion. I think the assumption was that if I was-n’t preaching I probably would not be at Vin-land so I must be looking for a church home.

As I thought more about it I thought what a good question to consider. I think there are many folks who walk through the doors of Vinland who are looking for a church home. They may come to worship on preschool Sunday to watch their child, grandchild, niece or nephew sing a song and stay to meet their prayer partner after worship. Did you know that there were over a dozen pre-school families that came to worship on pre-school Sunday, perhaps some are looking for a church home.

Then there are folks who maybe come be-cause they have been invited by a friend and wonder if this could be a church home for them. Still others are looking for a church home when they move into a new neighbor-hood. What kind of church home are peo-ple looking for? When I ask my friends that question the response is usually, they want a place where they feel welcome. Did you know that it takes the average visitor 10 minutes from they time they walk in the door to decide if this is the place for them?

Someone who is looking for a church home wants to know if the people are friendly. How are folks greeted when they walk in the door? Are the grounds attrac-tive and is it clear where to park and where to go for worship? During a wor-ship service is it clear what you are sup-pose to do? E.g. when to stand up and sit down, when the kids come up for chil-dren’s message and go to Sunday school, who is allowed to take communion and how do you do it? When you are a regular churchgoer, you just take those things for granted. So next Sunday if you see some-one who looks a little lost or you don’t know them, take the initiative to welcome them, offer to sit with them. If they have a child(ren) tell them about Sunday school and that there is a nursery. These little things can go a long way in helping folks to feel welcome.

It’s easy to forget how important it is to have a church home and you never know if someone is church shopping. Try com-ing one Sunday and look at Vinland through the eyes of someone who may be coming for the first time! Even better, in-vite someone to come with you to church and ask how they experienced it.

There are many folks who are looking for a church home, let’s help them find one!

Pastor Sigi- interim pastor ( Vinland is my church home for now)

Are you looking for a church home?

ALL MEN are invited to a great

breakfast on Dec. 3 at 8am at church.

Hearty Food and Healthy Conversa-

tion! Bring a friend along.

DIALOGUE ON

DRAFT Will meet on Nov.

28 at Elmer’s in

Poulsbo at 5pm.

We will use their

back room for our

lively discussion. PLEASE SIGN UP so

we can set up enough tables and give the

restaurant a heads up.

TOPIC: “Coming Together After the

Election of 2016”

Vinland is looking for volunteers to join a committee to promote all of

our wonderful community and church-related events and activi-

ties. If you are interested in public relations and outreach,

please contact Lisa Mansfield at mansfie250@gmail.com or

444-822-6387

Reflections on the Presidential Election

As many of us have been reflecting on the recent presidential election there is one thing that perhaps we can all agree on- Glad we don’t have to watch any more political ads! Let’ admit it’s been a long brutal election season. Now that it’s over and we live into the reality of Donald Trump being our president elect, where do we go from here? The country seems clear-ly divided on a variety of issues so how do we come together post election? Can we find some common ground? I have found several nuggets of wisdom in answering that question, one from Sean Edwards who is a political blogger/ theologian commenting on the belief that the President is all powerful, which he calls the “cult of the presidency”. He writes, “ The problem is not with the system; the problem is the faith, the trust and the hope we place in one individual we think can change the course of our lives”.

As a people of faith we know that our faith is not in one person who becomes president (no matter who would have won the election). Instead we know that only one person is deserving of that kind of faith, trust and hope to change the course of our lives and that person is Jesus whom we claim as our King. As peo-ple of faith we put our trust in God and know that we are citizens of his kingdom and at the same time live in this world and are called to be responsible citizens of this kingdom.

I want to share a wonderful reflection from Timothy Siburg who was just consecrated as a deacon in the ELCA, (some of you may know him from First Luther-an Poulsbo)-Timothy wrote this on the day after the election it is part of a larger blog on “Becoming a “bridge builder” he writes:

“Martin Luther famously wrote, ‘A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to all.” The par-adox Luther points to is that we are called and created to be free, but also servants to one another. This is leadership, and speaks to how we are created and called to be in relationship and community. So this is what I choose to do, but more importantly, feel called to do today, and all the days after.’”

Flapjack Fundraiser! Saturday, Jan 21

8am-10am Buy a ticket for $10 and enjoy breakfast at Applebee’s in Silverdale any-

time between 8-10am. Vinland youth will enjoy serving you and will earn

$5 from each ticket sold. Open to everyone! Invite your friends and family!

Tickets will be sold Dec. 4, 11 & 18 and make

The Transition Team (TT) has been meeting for 3 weeks. We will give the Congregation monthly updates on our progress thru an-nouncements, E-Flash, Church bulletin on Sunday or monthly news-letter. The Ministry Site profile (MSP) is 11 + pages long consisting of es-says, fill in the blanks and check boxes. We are taking our directions from the Synod. This process can take 2-6 months to complete. This week, we were informed that the Ministry Site Profile was being up-

graded and will be UNAVAILABLE for use from December 15 – January 17, possibly delay-ing our process. We will be asking the Congregation for input on some parts. We will do this by having 1-2 TT members attend Small groups and have Round Table discussions for others in December and January. We will give a monthly report to Council before their scheduled meeting. The TT requests prayers for the members and congregation during this process. Trust In Us, Vicki, Amy, Carlos, Terry, Glenn, Barb, Don and Sean

ALTERNATIVE MARKET Dec 4 and 11 and Wed. Dec. 7 during soup supper

There will be a selection of fair traded items for pur-

chase from SERRV. proceeds go to the artisans and

their communities and alternative gift items from Lu-

theran World Relief

VINLAND

CONGREGATION

Wednesday Soup Suppers and Holden Vespers The Weekly Themes are Hope, Peace, Joy, Love Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 & 21. Soup @6pm; Vespers @ 7pm. Youth will provide the meal on Dec. 7. Sign up and bring some soup or bread for the other three weeks. Clean-up help is always needed.

SUNDAYS at 9:30am DEC. 24 4pm & 9pm DEC. 25 at 9:30am JAN. 1 at 9:30am

December Worship

Dec. 18, 9:30 reception hosted by the staff

Poulsbo Community Orchestra Christmas Concert

December 4, 3pm at the NK Auditorium. Family-friendly concert with a sing-a-long. Bruce Mansfield is

conducting and Janean Moriarty plays violin.

CHRISTMAS

Concert in Grace Hall

Navy Band Sax Quartet

Sat. Dec. 10, 3pm

Women of Grace We meet the first and third Mondays of each month at

6:30pm in Grace Hall. We are a group of mixed-age

women who love to laugh, discuss new ideas, share

stories and enjoy a cup of tea. We begin with prayer

and end with a benediction. Talk to Marsha Wright at

621-6983 if you have any questions. Friends always

welcome!

Monday, Dec. 5 we will use

the Advent Devotional and on

Dec. 19 we’ll have our cookie

and memory sharing party.

Vinland Women gather on the third Wednesday of the month.

Annual Christmas potluck meeting will be on December 21. New officers will be in-

stalled, Secret Prayer Partner gifts will be exchanged, a fun program and lots of singing

of carols will be led by Anita Puzon, and a delicious potluck lunch will follow. Our offic-

ers will be hostessing and providing dessert. New officers for 2017 are Jan Hakanson,

President: Susan Gilbert, Vice-president, Willy Stuhlmiller, Treasurer; and Jean Dan-

ielson, Secretary. ALL women are welcome here. Come and join in the fun!

Lefse bake Saturday, Dec. 3. beginning at 9am. If you can roll, bake or package

lefse, you are welcome to join in. The flour will be flying in Haugen Hall.

The Women's group from Bethany Lutheran on Bainbridge has invited us to

their Tuesday, Dec. 6 Christmas lunch and Bible study. !2 of us are going. Any others

interested in going, please talk to Jan Hakanson.

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 8:30 at Envy’s

at the Poulsbo Junction

DEC. PARENT’S DAY OUT SATURDAY, DEC. 10, 1-6pm

An afternoon of fun for kids while their caregivers take a few hours

to shop, eat out, see a movie or window shop. NO DINNER PRO-

VIDED. All donations will benefit LOFT activities.

This nativity set was a 4

-year project (2005-

2008). It was the brain-

child of Barb Erickson.

Bill cut out the figures

and Barb guided the

teens at family camp in

the painting.

This pic was taken in

2008, the year the pro-

ject was completed. It

will make its annual ap-

pearance on Nov. 27.

DECEMBER in the LOFT 6PM-7:45 DECEMBER 7 We are providing the meal for the first soup supper. DECEMBER 10 Rehearsal for the Youth Worship Service at 11am. Pizza lunch for those who stay to child-sit from 1-6. DECEMBER 14 Bring at least $5 and we’ll shop for gifts for kids on the Angel Tree. DECEMBER 21-22 LOFT Christmas Party. Bring some friends, your Ugly Christmas Sweaters and maybe your Christmas PJ’s. We’ll have dinner, games and Christmas fun! 8pm-8am. Come early to worship at 7pm. DECEMBER 28 Spread Christmas Cheer! We will bring and serve dinner to the Emergency Family Shelter in Belltown. ALL YOUTH are welcome. You mst sign up and register by Dec. 21. Meet at church at 3pm— pick up at 9:15.

On December 11, the youth will lead the service and the Kid’s Christmas Program will take place DURING the service. Youth rehearse at 11am on Dec. 10. Kids rehearse at 1pm (at the start of Parents Day Out.

What’s Up with Our

Pastoral Call Process?!? In a nutshell, VLC is like the children of Lake Wobegon –

we’re above average! According to Pastor Kim Latterall, the

associate bishop of the SW Synod, we are making great pro-

gress in part because we have a recent, extensive survey of

the congregation and also because there is an air of excite-

ment and rejuvenation in the staff and leadership teams. So

here’s where we are in the process defined by the Synod

(http://www.lutheranssw.org/wp-content/uploads/2016-Call-Manual-final.pdf) :

Finding and appointing an interim pastor. We are so fortunate to have Pastor Sigi

Helgeson and Pastor Marty Dasler sharing this duty while we go through the steps of self

evaluation and search for our new pastor. They are in place and off to the races – a real blessing of leader-

ship and experience as we engage in introspection and renewal.

Establishing a Transition Team. The next step in the process was to form a transition

team appointed by Church Council. Our team is headed by Vicki Kobeski with Amy

Munns, Glenn Schechert, Sean Carlson, Don Moriarty, Barb Erickson, Terry Beaudoin, and Carlos Gutierrez

as fellow members. The transition team is charged with preparing our Ministry Site Profile, a document

used to define who we are as a congregation, where we want to go, and other information we will put out

to attract candidates to lead our ministry. Although the team just got started, they have been busy – they

first met on October 27th and have had an additional three meetings to date. They plan to hold a series of

round table and small group discussions in December and January to collect input from the congregation.

Stay tuned for opportunities to get in your two cents worth about Vinland Lutheran Church 2025!

Elect a Pastoral Call Committee. The Synod process and our own constitution require that

a Call Committee of six voting members be elected by the congregation.. Our plan is to do

this at the annual meeting in January so the committee is in place when the transition team completes

their task. They will be responsible for identifying and screening applicants and presenting candidates to

the Council and congregation. More to follow in future status announcements. If you are interested in be-

ing considered for election to the Call Committee, or think someone else would be a great candidate,

please submit a written letter of nomination to Megan Adrig, our church secretary. The Council hopes we

can offer a slate with broad representation to the Congregation in January.

"The Transition Team needs and wants your input to complete the Ministry Site Profile to find a new pas-

tor. We will be visiting the small groups and having Round Tables discussions in the near future. Please be

thinking of what it is you want in our new pastor. We want ideas and suggestions from everyone. Ques-

tions??? Thank You, Vicki, Amy, Carlos, Glenn, Sean, Terry, Don and Barb"

Barb’s Backyard by Barbara Erickson

Surrounded by the hush of the forest - firs, cedars, and ma-ples closing in with all their muted glory - I was once again struck by the fragility, yet the stubbornness, of life. Below us in the stream the salmon struggled, their once-glorious bodies battered, tattered, and covered with white splotches of fungus. Theirs was a trip of a lifetime, a one-time journey upstream to preserve their species; a trek marked by danger and tragedy as they wended their way past fishermen, boulders, logs, preda-tors, through culverts, over or around dams and fish ladders. Many

would not survive the ordeal. Those who did would, if successful, produce progeny that might face even greater challenges on their return journey to the sea. It was a risk they all had to take – to choose otherwise would mark the end of their kind. Salmon are driven by instinct, a highly-sensitive sense of smell, and an uncanny ability to detect the pattern of the Earth's magnetic field at the mouth of their native river. They are one of the few fish that can adjust to dif-ferences in salinity, spending part of their lives in both salt and fresh water. Adults live in the ocean where they feed and grow for six months to seven years, depending on the species. At maturity, they return to the stream where they were hatched and literally fight their way upstream to the ideal gravel beds for laying their eggs. During this time, the adults stop eating and their bodies undergo many changes to help them attract a mate and ward off competitors. After the precious eggs have been laid, fertilized, and gently covered, the adults finally give in to the starvation and damage of their bodies and die. But that is not the end of their story – far from it. Some of the dying or dead fish provide food for other animals; their decomposed bodies return valuable nutrients to the water and soil of the surrounding forest. The newly-hatched fish continue to feed on the yolk sac attached to their bellies. Some kinds stay in the grav-el for several weeks before swimming up into the open water of the stream, where they feed on plankton and other tiny aquatic organisms. Some spend one to two years in fresh water before beginning the long journey downstream and heading out to sea. As the current carries the young salmon tail-first to the ocean, their bod-ies undergo physical and chemical changes to enable them to survive in salt water. It truly is an incredible, never-ending circle of life. God provides us with many teachers and there is much we can learn from the salmon. We need to become keenly aware of our instincts and learn to trust in them; as we develop our finely-tuned sense of self and a sense of place, know that those are inexorably linked. We should set our goals and persevere until they are reached, no matter how tough the going may be. If we value the wisdom and knowledge of older people who have amassed a wealth of information, experience, and acumen, we will find it is worth making the time to listen to and learn from them. To live sustainably, so that there is enough for everyone, we need to become fully conscious of our use of the many natural resources this planet provides – carefully buying, using, and recycling; there should be little that we waste or throw away. We must trust that others will carry on after us.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing… ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-5

It is the season of renewal, joy, and hope - CELEBRATE!

Most people have expectations of the church that go beyond our

Sunday Worship Experiences, but it does not often occur to us

that our Church also has expectations of us. Here are the Four

Expectations that I have discussed on Sundays in November.

REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE This is important not just because we think it’s a good habit for you, but we need you here with your prayers, singing and gifts. Our gathering is more vibrant when you are here.

FIND YOUR GIFT AND USE IT Christians believe that every baptized person has been given a gift for the sake of the community. Discover your gift and put it to use. If you can’t find a group that is a good fit for your gifts, create a new one and ask others to join in.

PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH Learn who our leaders are. As Vinland seeks a new pastor this is espe-cially important. Talk to someone on the Transition Team. What about our benevolence? Does this reflect our current idea of what God is call-ing us to do in this place?

MAKE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH The scriptures urge us toward a goal of 10% giving. But you make the deci-sion on what is a meaningful amount for you. Help the church in our finan-cial planning by letting us know we can count on your. Learn more about the Simply Giving Plan.

Advent Resources for YOU! Advent devotionals are here! “Living well through Advent” Practicing simplicity with

all your heart soul strength and mind. It includes daily readings with opportunity for reflection and

discussion. 100 copies ordered to give out first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27th.

Gather a group of friends and meet for coffee once a week to discuss the readings.

We will use the devotional during Wednesday soup suppers and at the Thursday Lecionary

Lunch. Women of Grace will be using the devotional.

November 2016 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, After a long, contentious and often painful election process, we have voted in new leaders at both the local and na-tional levels, including a new president-elect. Most of us cared deeply about this election and so we find ourselves experiencing powerful emotions in these “days after”. Among us there is shock, delight, despair, or numbness, de-pending on how we voted. As I sort through all my reactions, I find myself hearing Martin Luther asking us this question, “What is God calling you to do?” After the shock, the grief or the euphoria subsides, what constitutes right action? One of our callings, said Luther, is that we hold the office of “citizen”, called to work for the health, well-being and justice of our entire community. That is particularly true in our government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” However, along with the many specific issues that we must address as a nation, such as employment and the environment, there is a deeper, fundamental ingredient that we must restore. We are being called to rebuild trust and a sense of community within our cities and country. The election process made clear that our nation is seriously torn apart in so many ways. Many people feel forgot-ten, disrespected and ignored by others. Clearly, workers in the Rust Belt have felt ignored, as do families in small towns throughout America facing soaring unemployment and drug addiction. At the same time, young black men feel dismissed as they are routinely cut down as criminals because of the color of their skin. American Muslims fear for their future, as do LGBTQ people, and young, single mothers who have been abused and abandoned by their husbands. Instead of “one nation, under God”, we are becoming strangers and enemies to each other, divided into warring groups. In the midst of all that, I believe that God is calling us to extend the kind of hospitality and care that Christ offers us. In our current public setting of conflict and debate, such hospitality brings people…all people… together around the table for respectful dialogue, problem-solving and healing, so that all might taste God’s full blessing. Often times, showing hospitality to someone who thinks differently than we do is the most difficult kind of hospital-ity to offer. However, in our country today we are faced with the stark choice of either continuing to insult and shout at each other or following Christ’s way of recognizing each other as sisters and brothers. We will still need to work out our complicated, national problems and disagreements, but we will do so as family rather than enemy. Thankfully, the Spirit of Christ lives within us and among us to empower us in this calling. With Jesus we are able to say,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Therefore, I am moved to hope that the current turmoil may help us us deepen our ability to live as a just, democrat-ic nation. In your prayers this coming week, I offer again this prayer for your use in public worship or private devotion. May God bless us and keep us in the days ahead. God, our refuge and strength, you have bound us together in a common life. Bring peace, wisdom and unity to our nation, as we face internal division and anger. In all our conflicts, help us to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, to listen for your voice amid competing claims, and to work together with mutual forbearance and re-spect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ELW p. 76 modified

Bishop Rick Jaech, Southwestern Washington Synod

On Sunday, December 4, the Poulsbo Community Orchestra has their an-nual Christmas Concert at the NK Auditorium. Don't forget to bring your singing voices for the Christmas Sing-A-Long. VLC will say farewell to Robbie Taylor on Sunday, December 4 after the 9:30 contemporary service. Let's get a "little rowdy," one last time singing some of his favorites. What joy his music has brought to Vinland!! Preschool, Sunday School and Youth will have a service on 12/11 at 9:30 Music and speaking practices are during Sunday School and Kids church with a Dress Rehearsal during Parents Day Out on 12/10 at 1 pm. We have so many

talented kids in the church. On Sunday, December 18, the Celebration Choir will be singing The Winter Rose cantata. It features gorgeous arrangements of Lo, How a Rose 'ere Blooming, and 'Twas In the Moon of Wintertime, along with other original compo-

sitions. All singers are invited to perform this lovely musical work with practices on Saturdays, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 from 10:15-11:45 am.

This year's Sundays at Two concert series begins on SATURDAY, Dec.10 at 3 pm with Navy Band Northwest's Sax Quartet. A guest performer will join the concert, Gerriey Wainaina, a Lutheran Church musician from Kenya. Please

come out a enjoy an afternoon of holiday music to help get you in the spirit of the season!

The Wednesday Advent evening services at 7 pm are looking for special mu-sic performers on 11/30 and 12/21. Please contact Lisa Mansfield to volunteer to share your musical gifts in a service. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, Gerriey

Wainaina will be performing and on Dec. 7, VLC's handchimes will be playing in addi-tion to our talented guitarists, pianist, and singers. These short evening services are important times for reflection and quiet during this hustling, bustling season.

On Sunday, December 18, we will formally welcome Debra Davis to join the VLC music team! Debra is a highly accomplished pianist and organist from Tex-as, who has been a church musician for over 30 years. We are most fortunate

to have her joining Vinland! VLC's Christmas Eve services are at 4 pm for traditional and 9 pm for contem-porary. Let's celebrate Jesus' birth together with lots of music and singing! Christmas Day service is COME AS YOU ARE! Come in your Christmas PJs and ugly Christmas Sweaters for a service overflowing with carols!

DECEMBER MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES