Al l Saints Lutheran Church

Sunday, May 7, one of our readers at worship shared this text from the Book of Acts (see box). It was about the infant church. Jesus had just ascended into heaven. The band of disciples was told to wait in Jerusalem for the burst of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The words that spoke to me were that the people were together with glad and generous hearts. Glad and generous hearts. There it is-a mark of the early church! Glad and generous hearts is a good virus. It spreads. When I think back on my ministry at All Saints, 23 years on August 1, glad and generous hearts speaks to me. We have gladly wor-shipped, served, witnessed, cared, prayed, walked through the valley of the shadow, and sung on the mountaintop at Easter. We have baptized, communed, served meals, packed essential items, sung, acted, taught, and invit-ed guests to worship and other ministries. I am glad for the opportunity to serve as your mission-developer pas-tor in 1994-1996, and then as pastor through June 4, 2017. Not only I, as your pastor, have been blessed with Christ’s love, but our three kids and a bevy of grandkids. We will miss you after June 4 and in re-tirement. It will be a large change! There will be ups and downs for you and me. But know this... God is good and gracious. How do we know? We look at Christ. We look at Christ who is in the boat, the church, the powerful presence, the inner treasure, that speak to us each day. The words of Jesus are the treasure: “Peace! Be Still!” (Mark 4:39). That makes my heart glad. I hope it does yours too in the days ahead. ~ Pastor Rich

PASTOR R ICH ’S LETTER

Special points of interest:

• Vacation Bible School regis-

tration is OPEN!

• Congratulations, confirma-

tion youth!

• First Communion classes

begin May 24th

• Steeple to Steeple Bike Ride

for Hunger 2017

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Voices 2

News & Notes 3

In Thanksgiving 4

MAJM 5

To Know 6

In the Community 7

Save the Date! 8

MAY 15 , 2017 “To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

“Day by day, as “Day by day, as “Day by day, as “Day by day, as they spent much they spent much they spent much they spent much time together in time together in time together in time together in the temple, they the temple, they the temple, they the temple, they broke bread at broke bread at broke bread at broke bread at home and ate home and ate home and ate home and ate their food with their food with their food with their food with glad and generous glad and generous glad and generous glad and generous hearts, praise god hearts, praise god hearts, praise god hearts, praise god and having the and having the and having the and having the good will of all the good will of all the good will of all the good will of all the people. And day by people. And day by people. And day by people. And day by day the Lord added day the Lord added day the Lord added day the Lord added to their number to their number to their number to their number those who were those who were those who were those who were being saved.”being saved.”being saved.”being saved.” Acts 2:46-46.

Summer is the perfect time to try something new! Maybe you will try your hand at gardening for the first time or break out the grill again to test recipes that the winter cold has kept you from. Maybe you will travel for an adventure in a place that you have never experienced. Last summer I was blessed to witness God’s majesty in the glaciers and volcanoes of Iceland: a remarkable opportunity. Maybe you will try a new activity or sport, like ultimate frisbee or bocce or stand-up paddleboard yoga (that’s me!). Maybe you will get time to bask in the heat of the sun’s rays; a warmth you didn’t realize you missed so much until it came back with the spring breezes. Maybe you will take time amidst the summer chores and fun to work on your Christian faith. Take time to find Jesus through your new activities, and He just might surprise you.

Summer will bring transitions and new adventures for us all. How can we each be a positive part of the chang-es? Where is God tugging at your heart? Maybe you will try volunteering for VBS. Maybe you will visit folks that don’t get to be outside in the summer sun as much as they should. Maybe you will invite a friend that is not sure about Christianity to join you at worship one Sunday.

Maybe you will offer your musical gifts to lead worship. The New Song ensemble would love to welcome your adventurous, willing heart to sing or play an instrument. No one is too young or too old. No voice too low or too high. A colleague once encouraged a student by saying, “God needs your sound!” He truly needs all of our sounds, doesn’t He? Each of us can spread Jesus’ light just a little further, especially when we step forth to try something new.

What will your “something new” be this summer? I hope it will bless you and the lives of those you encounter. And I hope, just maybe, that your “something new” might include New Song. We meet Sundays: 9:40AM, prior to contemporary worship at 10:45. Feel free to chat with me after worship or reach out at any time: mela-

nie.wulfekuhle@gmail.com.

God’s Blessings to you and yours this summer! All Saints (my “something new”) has truly been a blessing to me.

Joyfully noisy, Melanie Wulfekuhle

New Song Director

Voices . . . “To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

As you know, Pastor Rich is retiring next month. Council is beginning the process of finding a pastor. Current

progress notes:

Monday, May 8: Council met with Bishop Mary Froiland to discuss the process to call a pastor and the Timeline.

Monday, May 15: Council will meet with Erik Jelinek, Assistant to the Bishop Director for Evangelical Mission, to further discuss the pastoral transition.

Looking ahead:

We will be commemorating and celebrating Pastor Rich and Janet’s faithful service to All Saints on Sunday,

June 4, 2017.

Pastor Rich’s last day in office will be Friday, June 9.

Pastor Mary Pharmer will join us in leading worship on June 11 and June 18.

FROM THE NEW SONG D I RECTOR

U PDATE S ON THE CALL PROCE S S

Al l Saints ’ News & Notes. . .

A.D. meets on most Sunday mornings in Fellowship Hall from 9:45-10:30 a.m. between first and second service. All are welcome, all the time, for one or all of the series of-

fered. Upcoming topics include:

May 14: Service Team Reader workshop—Tips for Readers and Listeners. Five

do’s and not to do’s.

May 21: Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry Panel—Come find out about this vital and growing ministry right in our neighborhood. All Saints is a partner with three other congregations in hosting one of the larger pan-

try’s in the City of Madison.

May 28: Fellowship Time

June 4: First Communion Sunday — Please join us in congratulating our

4th graders with cake and fellowship.

Healing prayers for those hospitalized, home or recovering…Caroll Borgen, Kari Stampfli, Ron Tippett, and Bill Zilisch.

Prayers of sympathy to Eric & Renee Degelau in the passing of their niece, Courtney, in Chicago, IL, last month.

Blessings on the Good Neighbor Personal Essentials Pantry (GNPEP) and the volunteers and guests that are served each Friday and the third Thursday of the month at Arbor Covenant Church…

God’s blessings to mission partner, Sandy Mischke, who celebrated her 80th birthday on May 9…

Thank you to Matt Pearson and Jerry Sieling for repairing and painting the mens and ladies restrooms in the

church building.

All Saints was presented with one of two 2016 Heart and Hands Awards. The award is for “creative and faithful congregational communications connecting members with congregations in our synod and our shared kingdom work.” What an honor for All Saints’ congregation! It speaks to our members’ engagement and wider mission

with the Synod and sister congregations. Congratulations!

ADULT D I S CU S S ION : A .D.

The annual synod assembly was held April 29 & 30 at the Marriot in Middleton. Thank you to voting members Sally Anderson and Steve Timm and youth member Nicholas Quartaro for attending. All Saints Lutheran Church received one of two Heart & Hands awards which is an award recognizing creative and faithful commu-nication connecting members with congregations in our synod and our shared kingdom work. The certificate has been framed and is on display at the Welcome Desk in Fellowship Hall. All Saints is honored to have Steve Timm voted in as a member of the consultation committee. Congratulations, Steve! Resolutions passed at the meeting include: establishing jail ministries in other counties in the synod with support of the Madison Area Jail Ministry, climate solutions and welcoming refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. Read the full resolutions

by visiting the Synod Assembly 2017 Events page on the synod website.

“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

SYNOD A S S EMBLY SUMMARY 2 0 1 7

Don’t want

offering

envelopes? Please contact

Heather in the church office to have your

name removed from our 2018 printing.

Individuals that con-tribute via EFT will not

receive envelopes

unless requested.

We give thanks for our Confirmation youth, who said yes to God’s YESYESYESYES in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Confirmation students make a two year commitment to focus on developing their faith along with attending Wednesday night learning times and Sunday wor-ship. This year’s eighth grade confirmation group saying “yes” includes: Brooke Barakat, Vanessa Carda, Micah Mitchell, Vincent Quartaro, Isabelle Schoohs and Peyton

Traeder. Their faith statements are available in the lobby.

Please join us in con-gratuling them!

We are wrapping up another out-standing Sunday School year! Our program wouldn’t be successful with-out the love and dedication of our teachers. Please join us on May 21st for the last day of Sunday School and at fellowship time. Please join us in thanking everyone who helped make Sunday

School such a huge success!

THANK YOU FOR 9 YEAR S OF S ERV ICE !

CONF IRMAT ION SUNDAY , MAY 7TH

TEACHER A P PREC I AT ION SUNDAY , MAY 2 1 S T

donating food for break-fast or the Lenten potluck and also for keeping these

moms in your prayers. It was a great journey. Addi-tional thanks goes out to our congregational mem-bers who, over the years, supported the group

through membership and administration: Jen Barakat, Lee Hayes, Leigh Luedtke, Julia Miller, Heather Quartaro, Renae Sieling, Suzy Schleeper, Joan Stoikes and Tracy Traeder. We are hoping to begin an intergenera-tional women’s group that would reach a wider range of women in our congrega-tion. If you are interested in starting this group, please contact: Jen

Barakat.

It is with much fondness we say “farewell” to our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. MOPS was started in 2008 by Ronda Beggs, Holly Barnish and Loriann Wunder, all mem-bers of our All Saints’ com-munity. After 9 years, we have decided to close our chapter. Thank you to all who contributed to the group over the years through donating to our silent auction, caring for children in the nursery,

In Thanksgiving . . . “To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

Pictured (clockwise): Pastor Rich, Micah Mitchell, Isabelle Schoohs,

Brooke Barakat, Vincent Quartaro, Peyton Traeder and Vanessa Carda

In Thanksgiving . . .

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORT ING THE MAJM

THANK YOU , PASTOR R I CH , FOR YOUR SERV ICE TO MAJM!

Once again, we celebrate the generous giving of All Saints mission partners and guests in support of the Madison Area Jail Ministry. Donations this year at our Wednesday Lenten services totaled $3889.95$3889.95$3889.95$3889.95, about $1900 more than giving last year. With our support and that of others, Christ will come to our brothers and sisters in jail through prayer, Bible studies, support groups, church ser-

vices, counseling. Praise be to God! THANK YOU!

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence

or quote from the story here.”

“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

In 2015, Pastor Rich joined the Executive Committee of what was then the Madison Area Lu-theran Council, now called the Madison Area Jail Ministry (MAJM). Pastor Rich’s great well of compassion was evident from the first meeting he attended. Through his active participation in all aspects of governing the ministry, Rich has helped keep the Executive Committee fo-cused on our Christ-centered mission of providing spiritual care to incarcerated people

through the work of our chaplains.

Each month, Pastor Rich listens with undivided attention to the ways in which our chaplains extend the Lord’s forgiveness, healing, and hope to our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Over the past two years, his knowledge of the role of the chaplains has grown and deepened, as has his respect for the difficult jobs they do. Pastor Rich has been an ardent advocate for spiritual, mental and physical health of the chaplains while they personally undertake work

that reflects the concern of hundreds of people in congregations throughout Dane County.

Pastor Rich took a leading role on the MAJM Communications Team, arranging for meetings to be held at All Saints and actively engaging in educating people about the ministry. He used every opportunity to spread the word about MAJM, for example, contacting congregations, publicizing events, and speaking to colleagues with an invitation to support the work of the

chaplains through prayer, information, and financial contributions.

Pastor Rich has given the ministry a gift that will continue to have an impact for years to come. He recently led the effort for a Resolution of the South-Central Wisconsin Synod. Due largely to Rich’s efforts, the Jail Ministry was recognized by resolution at the April Synod As-sembly in that: the Synod Council designate a Sunday in October as a local Jail Ministry Sun-day and that congregations are invited to prayerfully consider a special offering for support of

a local jail ministry and include it in their annual budget.

In addition to supporting the chaplains, Pastor Rich has supported the work of our congrega-tional liaisons and his fellow Executive Committee members with prayer, understanding, in-put, and action. He is a man who truly practices the love and compassion to which Jesus calls us. The ministry is blessed by Rich’s presence, his inquiring mind, and clear-headed thinking. Rich’s loving involvement with MAJM sends ripples through the MAJM Executive Committee,

the chaplains, staff, incarcerated people, and out into the larger community.

As he enters retirement, Madison Area Jail Ministry wishes Rich good health and all the joy,

hope and love that his heart can hold. We know that he’ll spread it around.

- Executive Committee of the Madison Area Jail Ministry

All Saints invites fourth graders and their parent(s) for two sessions on prepar-ing for First Communion. These interactive sessions are Wednesday nights, May 24 and 31, 7:00 –8:00 p.m. Questions to be covered include:

What is communion?

Where is this written?

What are the blessings?

How do I know I’m prepared?

Classes conclude with a celebration on Sunday, June 4th at the 10:45 a.m. (New Song) service. Sign up by emailing Pastor Rich at: pastorrich@allsaints-madison.org

Too old for camp, but still want to enjoy the fun? We are also looking youth volun-teers in grades 6-12. Please join us in making this year our

best year ever!

For questions, please contact: Jen Barakat (jenbarakat@allsaints-madison.org)

Mark your kids’ calendars for this year’s Vacation Bible School! Registration is now OPEN!!! The program will run Tuesday through Thursday, June 13-15, 5:30-8:00 p.m. Please join us in learning about God’s love through crafting, games, storytelling and songs. Visit the All Saints’ website to register your Fall 2017 K-5th grade

kids.

To Know . . .

HELP OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL GROW !

VACAT ION B I B LE SCHOOL BEG IN S JUNE 1 3TH

easy to follow lessons and crafts and you supply the love and commitment. Our classes are taught by teams of teachers allow-ing you to teach as little as once a month. Not inter-ested in teaching? We are also looking for indi-viduals to assist with Sun-day School craft prepara-

tion which can be done from the comfort of your home. Please contact: Heather Quartaro (PreK-5 -hkquartaro@gmail.com) or Jen Barakat (Middle School/High School - jenbarakat@allsaints-madison.org) for more information.

We are actively seeking teachers for our Sunday School program with the hope of growing our pro-gram to touch more of our congregation. No experience necessary! All you need is a yearning to share your love of Je-sus with our youngest members. We supply

“You will surely wear

yourself out, both you

and these people, for the

task is too heavy for you;

you cannot do it alone.”

Exodus 18:18

“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

This year’s theme is: “Maker Fun Factory.”

F I R S T COMMUN ION C LA S SE S

PA S TOR R I CH ’ S RET I RMENT

As you know, Pastor Rich will be retiring from pastoral ministry effective June 4th. If you would like to share personal memories or congratulations, please mail all correspondence to:

Pastor Rich and Janet Johnson

5922 Piping Rock Rd.

Madison WI 53711

In the Community. . .

The South Central Southwest Synod of WI is sponsoring a Steeple to Steeple Bike Ride for Hunger on Saturday, June 24, benefitting the ELCA’s efforts to fight world hunger. This event starts and ends at All Saints and offers a morning of biking through rural areas of southeastern Dane and northern Rock Counties, with stops at St. James Lu-theran, Verona, St. John’s Lutheran, Oregon, Christ Lutheran, Stoughton and Cooks-ville Lutheran. Three separate start times and routes will be offered for the ride:

7:00 a.m. 100 KM Metric Century 8:00 a.m. 30 Miles Ride 9:00 a.m. Family Ride (~15 miles)

Visit www.steepleride.com for more information regarding this unique event. Regis-tration is now open! Money raised through the registration will go towards fighting world hunger. For questions about the ride email: steeple2steeple@yahoo.com.

To learn more about ways to help at All Saints’ host site, contact Ministry Coordinator Jennifer Barakat, JenBarakat@allsaints-madison.org.

“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

7TH ANNUAL MALLARDS GAME

STEEPLE TO STEEPLE B IKE R IDE FOR HUNGER 2 017

ders. Games time is 4:05 p.m. with the tailgate be-ginning at 1:00 p.m. Brats, hamburgers and hotdogs will be included with your ticket. Please bring your own beverag-

es and a dish to pass.

For more information, please contact: Ben or Tracy Schoohs at: 441-9728 or email: btschoohs@gmail.com.

Fun for the entire family! Please join us for the an-nual All Saints Mallards game and tailgate Sun-day, July 9th when the Mallards take on the Fond du Lac Dock Spi-

ST . MARK ’ S FOOD PANTRY

The second and third Sundays of each month are designated as “Food Pantry

Days” at All Saints. Non-perishable food items are collected for St. Mark Luther-

an Church’s Food Pantry. Top needed food items include: cereal, canned fruit

and vegetables (especially canned tomatoes), pancake mix & syrup, 100% fruit

juice, meals in a can (ex. soups), meals in a box (ex. taco kits, hamburger helper),

pasta and rice, dried beans, canned meats and laundry soap. Pantry contacts

are Matt & Dawn Gramse.

Four times a year, All Saints helps serve the free Friday noon Madison Community

Meal at St. Mark Lutheran Church. The next serving date is August 4th. Helpers

are needed for all, or part of, the shift from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Please mark

your calendar and consider sharing your time with this ministry to the community.

To learn more, contact Denny Olin at: denny.olin.100@gmail.com.

For a calendar of All Saints’ activities, go to:

www.allsaints-madison.org

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Madison, WIMadison, WIMadison, WIMadison, WI

Permit #559Permit #559Permit #559Permit #559

“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”

All Saints Lutheran Church

2951 Chapel Valley Road

Fitchburg, WI 53711-6410 (608)276-PRAY

E-mail: allsaints@allsaints-madison.org

Published Monthly

Issue No. 371

Save These Dates!

May 13: All Saints’ Clean-up Day: 9:00 a.m.– noon

May 21: Last day of Sunday School &

Teacher Appreciation June 4: 4th Grade First Communion

Jun. 13-15: Vacation Bible School (Grades K-5), 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Jun. 24: Steeple to Steeple Bike for Hun-

ger – Questions? Contact: Jen Barakat

Jul. 9: All Saints’ Mallards Game

(first pitch 4:05 p.m.) and Pot-luck Picnic (1:00 p.m.) – Questions? Contact: Ben or Tracy Schoohs (btschoohs@gmail

Church Staff

Pastor Richard A. JohnsonHHHH.....Phone: 276-7729 Home Phone: 278-0950 E-mail: pastorrich@allsaints-madison.org Congregational Council PresidentHHH...Jeff Cherwinka Phone: 770-6388; E-mail: jcherwinka@psl.wisc.edu Ministry CoordinatorHH..HHHHH.....Jennifer Barakat

(Office Hours: 9:30-4:30. M-W) Ph: 276-7729; E-mail: jenbarakat@allsaints-madison.org Adult Choir, Joyful Noise, and Handbell Choir DirectorH.

Nancy Pokorney, Phone: 827-6426 New Song DirectorHHHH...HHH.Melanie Wulfekuhle

E-mail: Melanie.wulfekuhle@gmail.com AccompanistsH.HHHHHYana Avedyan-Lead Pianist,

Janet Johnson, Nancy Pokorney and Kristin Warner Sunday SchoolHHH...Ronda Beggs and Leigh Leudtke

E-mail: rondabeggs@sbcglobal.net and jimandleigh@gmail.com

Church SecretaryHHHHHHHHH. Heather Quartaro (Secretarial Hours: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., M-R)

Phone: 276-7729; E-mail: office@allsaints-madison.org Childcare Staff Person.....................Chris Carollo-Zeuner

(Sundays, 8:30-11:45 a.m.) CustodianH..HHHHHH.HH..H.H.H.Dennis Ahnen