inside this issuecorrespondence: letter from the bishop thanking felc for pastor judy gifford’s...

First Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 West 5th Street North Platte, Nebraska 69101

April 2013

FELC STAFF

Senior Pastor: Rev. Frank H. Fitch III 308-520-7469 Church Council, President: Dr. Lee Lamberty, 532-3971 Custodians: Wes Thompson Financial Secretary: Rae Gullion Front Office: Amy Lynch Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen, 534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck, 386-8677

O f f i c e H o u r s

Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM - Noon

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 9:00 AM - Noon

Contact Us...

Phone: 308-532-0250 Fax: 308-532-5291 Email: [email protected]

www.firstevlutheran-np.com

Preachers will tell you what an ecstatic relief it is to celebrate Easter, then relax into that blessed rest of Easter afternoon. There was a long held custom that this was the time the Pastor and the congregation would linger in the church to exchange jokes, maybe over some coffee and some saint's coffee cake. Those church basements are places to sink into time, to enjoy the life too detailed to share standing up, and laugh in the lap of resurrection.

Ole and Lena allow us to chuckle at the frailties of our golden years, of human wisdom, and laugh at death--because we can.

Ole called the funeral home, "Hello? Funeral home?" "Yes." "It’s Ole. My wife Lena died." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. We'll send someone right away to pick up the body. Where do you live?" "At the end of Eucalyptus Drive." "Can you spell that for me?" "How 'bout if I drag her over to Oak Street and you pick her up 'der?"

Ole died. So Lena went to the local paper to put a notice in the obituaries. The man at the counter offered his sympathy, then asked Lena what she would like to say about Ole. Lena replied, "Yust put, Ole died." The counter man was puzzled and said, "That's it? Just 'Ole died?' There must be something more you'd like to say about Ole. The first five words are free." Lena thought it over for a moment, then said, "Okay. You put, 'Ole died. Boat for sale.'''

What if the resurrection had us mining life and laughing at death? The church gives us fifty days of Easter because there is so much to enjoy. Blessed Easter.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Greetings 1

Council 2

Church Updates 3

Announcements 4

Flowers/Bookworm/Thank you 5

Prayers/Ministries/Lessons 6

Calendar 7

WELCA 8

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Financials

9

Upcoming Events 10

2013 First Communion ~ March 31, 2013 On Easter Sunday, the following members received their First Communion:

Riley Aloi Charles Aufdenkamp Ethan Bokoskie

Isaac Bokoskie Aubrie Kearney Aubyrne McClintock

Ashlyn Robinson Adeline Russell

Lilli Tobiasson Destinee Toole

Hope Toole

Avg. Weekly Attendance

March

2013 (4 weeks) 159

2012 193

2011 209

First Evangelical Lutheran Church Council Minutes March 19, 2013

MISSION STATEMENT: To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor,

and in worship of God.

Mark Briley (VP), 2012-2014 Christian Outreach, Preschool

Ken Glass (Treasurer), 2013-2015 Finance, Preschool

Andrew Hillertz, 2012-2014 Worship & Music Jerry Jensen, 2013-2015 Worship & Music Melissa Johnson, 2012-2014 Christian Outreach Rick Kolkman, 2011-2013 Stewardship, MMI

Dr. Lee Lamberty (President), 2012-2014 Finance, Foundation, MMI

Frankie Moore, 2013-2015 Claudette Nelson (Secretary), 2011-2013 Christian Education

Dr. Renee Piper, 2011-2013 Christian Education, Preschool

Lynn Riley, 2011-2013 Property, MMI Alee Stout, 2013-2015 Christian Education

Meeting called to order by Dr. Lee Lamberty Opening Devotions: Pastor Fitch Congregational member’s forum: None. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion made and 2nd to approve the minutes from

the February meeting. Motion carried Correspondence: Letter from the Bishop thanking FELC for Pastor Judy Gifford’s

Funeral. Committee Reports:

Finance – Dr. Lee Lamberty, Ken Glass: February 2013: Shortfall for February was $3,463 compared to a shortfall of $6,067 in 2012. Year to date 2013:

Shortfall was $7,402 compared to a shortfall of $13,212 in 2012. Christian Ed/Youth & Family – Claudette Nelson, Alee Stout, Dr. Renee Piper: VBS

is coming together. Christian Outreach – Mark Briley, Melissa Johnson: None Foundation – Dr. Lee Lamberty: None Library: None Mutual Ministry I – Pastor Frank Fitch III – Rick Kolkman, Lynn Riley, Dr. Lee Lamberty: None Preschool – Ken Glass, Mark Briley, Dr. Renee Piper: No meeting Property – Lynn Riley: Carpet is in and looks wonderful. Stewardship – Rick Kolkman: Looking for new ideas for calling, pledges and giving. Worship & Music – Jerry Jensen, Drew Hillertz: None

Old Business: Building Projects Update:

New Business: Funding for the new pew cushions: We will have an “Adopt a Pew” fundraiser for $250.00 a pew or what they would like to give.

Council member’s forum: Goals None

Youth None

Communication None

Meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:05 pm.

Devotions –

Next meeting is April 16, 2013 at 7 pm in the Library.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Claudette Nelson

RED GERANIUM PLANTS for PENTECOST, May 19, 2013

I wish to donate ______ plants at $6.00 each.

Bulletin information as follows: ___to the Glory of God. ___in Memory of… ___in Honor of… ___________________________________________________________________________________

From: ___________________________________________________________Telephone#____________________

~ GERANIUMS ~

Pentecost Sunday is May 19, 2013

Donations for geraniums and bulletin information need to be in the church office by May 8th. The flowers will decorate the church as a symbol of the coming of the

Holy Spirit and then be planted outside to brighten the property for summer.

Forms are available in the front office.

,

C H U R C H

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We ve rolled out the RED Carpet for you,

NOW... Pew Cushions?...

To re-cover 1 pew it will cost $250.

Please fill out the bottom of this form if you would

like to “ADOPT-A-PEW”… or a part of a pew!!

PEW ADOPTION FORM

NAME: ______________________________________________________________

AMOUNT: ___________________________________________________________

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

P AGE 4

F.L.Y. will be serving breakfast the 2nd

Sunday of each month BETWEEN church

services.

April 14th… Pancakes!

Youth Garage Sale

May 18, 2013

It’s time again to de-clutter your

closets and bring any

unwanted treasures to FELC for

our youth garage sale!

Drop off at FELC anytime

before May 18th.

Every Thursday 5:45 p.m. ************

Church Library

All are Welcome!

Please join us for…

Donna Dircksen’s 80th Birthday Open House!

Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

First Lutheran Church, East Dining Hall

High School Graduation

Recognition and Reception

Sunday, May 5, 2013

We will be recognizing High School and College graduates in the May 2013

newsletter. Please mail, email or submit school attended, graduation date, activities,

accomplishments, future plans, etc. to the church office by Saturday, April 13, 2013.

Gary’s 5% Cash Back is Back!

Please save your Gary’s receipts from March 27th-April 2nd

and bring them to the church office!

*Gary’s will give us back 5% of the total amount!!*

Deadline to church: April 14, 2013

~ THE BOOKWORM SPEAKS ~

The Library Committee met for a workday and short meeting. We have had a request from the WELCA to donate some of our older books so that they can be shared with others that do not have library materials. This was done and Tammie Sanford will transport the books for us.

We have some great new books and you all can play hide and seek between the west book shelves, east book shelves, and the book cart. Special books for guys have been added to the window sill. Please request a book you think would be a good addition to the library.

We found a beautiful donation of Lutheran Music CD’s while we were cleaning. This prize was given to us by the Thrivent group. The grouping starts with the 6th Century.

Any magazines donated can be taken home and do not need to be returned.

A monthly feature coming up will be a review of a book that can be a current or new book. Care will be taken to cover most book types.

Rick Kolkman donated a lovely lamp for the reading area and Wes found a way to plug it in. Thank you Rick and Wes.

The Library Committee is grateful for all who read, donate or just generally support our work.

Spring is coming but that doesn’t mean we can’t read. Soon we will be reading outside on the patio. Spray for mosquitoes and read away.

F L O W E R S

~

B O O K W O R M

~

T H A N K

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P AGE 5

If you would like to provide flowers for a “special occasion”, “in honor of”, “in memory of” or “to the Glory

of God”, please pick-up a form in the front office.

The cost is $35.00 for one pair of bouquets.

O P E N S U N D A Y S

April 7 14 21 X X

May 5 X X X X

June X 9 X 23 30

July X 14 X X X

Dear Friends & First Lutheran,

Our thanks to you all for your most wonderful donation of a box of food for our customers

at Grace Ministries Food Pantry! Your continued support means so much to us!

~Leigh Henline, First Presbyterian

Thank you for the pretty flowers for my birthday! ~Jazzy

A huge thank you for the flowers! I am enjoying them! ~Annetta Oden

A HUGE thank you to all of our wonderful Sunday School teachers for all of your hard work

and dedication!

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“The prayer of the

righteous

is powerful

and effective.”

James 5:16

BAPTISMAL STORY BIBLES

Norman & Mary Sue Grabenstein have started a story Bible fund to be given to newly baptized children. Contact the church if you are interested in providing or using a memorial for the Bibles.

BELL CHOIR Holy Harmony: Thursday’s at 5:30 p.m.

BINGO 2nd Tuesday @ 2:00 PM: Centennial Park

CHOIR Choir Practice: Thursday’s at 6:30 p.m.

CIRCLES (WELCA) Board Meeting: First Wednesday at 9:30 AM Adah Circle: Third Tuesday at 9:00 AM Esther/Lois Circle: Third Thursday at 1:00 PM Miriam Circle: First Monday at 7:30 PM Ruth Circle: Third Monday at 6:30 PM

COMMUNITY COMMUNION 3rd Tuesday at Centennial Park @ 2:00 PM 3rd Tuesday at Buffalo Bill Manor @ 3:00 PM

F.L.Y. (First Lutheran Youth) F.L.Y. will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and grades 9 thru 12 will gather together for food and fun!

FUNERALS Bernadine Wachholtz, March 8, 2013

GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3 PM

MEN’S BREAKFAST Friday at 7:00 AM with devotions

PRAISE BAND Meets each Wednesday

QUILTS & W.I.G.S. Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1:00 PM WIGS: Every Friday: 9 AM to 11 AM

SALVATION ARMY SOUP SUPPER First Lutheran Church will sponsor the Friday evening soup supper at the Salvation Army: June 7, August 2, October 11, December 27.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Marie Bonney Hollis Branting Katie Coriell Scott French Tom Gannon Marcelle House Dan Janak Con Janas Amanda Janas Alice Knox Ivan Knox Carol Ludemann Donald Parrish Jon Petersen Sue Phelan & her Family Gretchen Witt

OTHER PRAYERS:

Joshua Blaesi, Ryan Criddle, Aaron Niles, Evan Williams and all in the military.

If you know somebody or would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office or Pastor Frank.

Prayer Chain Call Melissa Johnson, 660-1938, with your prayer concerns to include in private prayers of members of our prayer chain.

1st

Lesson Psalm

2nd Lesson

Gospel

April 7 2 Easter

Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 118:14-29 Rev 1:4-8 John 20:19-31

April 14 3 Easter

Acts 9:1-6[7-20] Psalm 30 Rev 5:11-14 John 21:1-19

April 21 4 Easter

Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Rev 7:9-17 John 10:22-30

April 28 5 Easter

Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Rev 21:1-6 John 13:31-35

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 Easter Monday

6:00 Chr. Ed Mtg. 7 pm Boy Scouts 7:30 Miriam Circle at Peg Fisher’s home

2

6:30 Yoga

3

9:30 WELCA Board 1:00 Quilts/Library Praise Band 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

4

5:30 Holy Harmony 5:45 Bible Study 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Choir

5

7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am W.I.G.S. 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

6 5:30 Worship w/Communion

7 2 Easter

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Fellowship donuts & Coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band

8

10am Prayer 7 pm Boy Scouts

9

2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:30 Yoga

10

1:00 Quilts/Library Praise Band 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

11

1:00 Library Mtg. 1:00 Quilts 5:30 Holy Harmony 5:45 Bible Study 6:30 Choir 6:30 BS Leaders

12


13

5:30 Worship w/Communion

14 3 Easter


9:15 Youth Pancake Breakfast 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band

Siefford Baptism

Sending Communion

15 Tax Day

10am Prayer Noon Cardiac Support 6:30 Ruth Circle 6:30 Interchurch Reserve; East Fellowship Hall 7 pm Boy Scout 7 pm Worship &

Music Meeting

16

9:00 Adah Circle at Airport Noon Finance 2:00 Centennial Communion 3:00 Buffalo Bill Communion 6:30 Yoga 7:00 Council Mtg.

17


18

1:00 Esther/Lois Circle Library 5:30 Holy Harmony 5:45 Bible Study 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Choir

19


20


Donna’s 80th Birthday Open

House! 1:00-3:00 PM

Wedding

21 4 Easter


9:15 Fellowship donuts & Coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band 9:30 Property Meeting

Helgoth/Bachman Baptism’s

22


23

1:00 Hearing Imp. 6:30 Yoga

24


25

1:00 Newsletter 5:30 Holy Harmony 5:45 Bible Study 6:30 Choir Tumbleweed Cluster

26


27


28 5 Easter


9:15 Fellowship donuts & Coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band

Last Day of Sunday School!

29


30

6:30 Yoga

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Turn in

Gary’s

Receipts

Graduation

info to

office

Newsletter

Deadline

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Women of the ELCA Newsletter for March 2013 Duties: March Bingo at Centennial Volunteer list see below

Women’s Board met Wednesday March 6th, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting opened with prayer. Attendance: Adah – 2; Esther/Lois – 3; Miriam – 0; Ruth – 0. Next Board Meeting will be First Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:30 a.m.

February Secretary’s Loretta moved to approve. Seconded by Tammy. Report approved. February Treasurer’s Deanna Moved to approve. Seconded by Loretta. Report approved.

Joan moved we give Carol Mohr $50 from the LWR fund for Layettes. Seconded by Loretta. Approved. Loretta moved we give Chuck Scripter for presenting the program. Seconded by Joan. Approved.

Correspondence: Lutheran World Relief gifts; Registration forms for High Plains 2013 Spring Gathering March 23; Carol Joy Halling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center Quilt Auction 7/27/13; NSWO; Expressions; Faith In Action LWF; Mosaic; ELCA Good Gift catalog; ELCA Malaria Campaign News

Thank you’s from: Judy Gifford family. A special thank you to Ernie Schuster for donation to WELCA.

“WIGS” meets Friday morning between 9:00 and 11:00 in the library. All are welcome. Projects: We will work on repairing banners. Wrap silverware for dinners. Continue working on prayer shawls and lap robes. (Yarn and needles are available.) Anyone can help with one of these easy projects.

Lutheran World Relief: Tie quilts on 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:00. Help is welcome. 35 have been completed.

Bingo at Centennial. Volunteer group #3 is scheduled for March 12th Donna Effenbeck, Jan George, Mary Sue Grabenstein, Norm Grabenstein, and Arleen Petersen

Unfinished business Well fund is $702.50. This does not include evening contributions. Lenten soup and bread lunches.

Board serves March 20th. Serving: March 6, Adah; March 13, Esther/Lois; March 20, WELCA Board. (Joan and Polly will furnish soup; Diana bread for board)

March 20: Pastor asked us to present 12 min talk on the Well. Loretta and Deanna will handle.

Tammy is interested in going to the State Convention. Question asked if you attend just one day? Phyllis Shavlik donated a basket of gardening items and Tammy will deliver to NSWO September 22-23.

Need to purchase 2-3 yard pieces of fleece ok’d February Board meeting.

Spring Gathering March 23 at Lexington. Registration forms available. Must be in March 15. We can send some unused books from our library. Polly will select books.

Quilt kits are ready to be sent to 2013 Joy Holling Sumer Camp for the “Faith Alive through service” project. A wall hanging or quilt will be made for this project.

Clean water project. A well costs $2500. We have $702.50 in this fund. This does not include evening collection. Loretta will put info in April Visitor.

The quilt top which was made by Clara Kolkman and donated by Rick is done. Rick is interested in having the finished quilt .

Shelly sends birthday, anniversary, get well, sympathy cards to members of First Lutheran. She needs help. Call her or the office and report names so we don’t miss someone.

We will not donate to pew cushion fund at this time.

New Business May Mother Daughter Friend luncheon theme will be ‘Hello Dolly’. Will feature favorite dolls.

Example: our childhood doll, a collectable. We also want to encourage the young girls to bring their current favorite doll.

Joan to send report of WELCA current officers to High Plains Board Director.

Next Board meeting: April 3rd at 9:30 a.m. Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Joan Johansen, Secretary

Emily Hansen April 11 Ed Mohr April 11 Chris Guzallis April 12 Sharon Moller April 12 Richard Beza April 13 Bonnie Thanel April 13 Dixie Dahlgren April 14 Dylan Hill April 15 Kitty Shaner April 15 Jill Thompson April 15 LeRoy Branting April 16 Casidee Miller April 16 Debbie Perry April 16 Linda Sukraw April 16 Sandy Gosnell April 17 Emilee Higgins April 17 Dr Thomas Miller April 17 Theresa Sampeck April 17 Edyth Schomp April 17 Jimmy Falcon Jr April 18 Sharon Riley April 18 Sandra Rowland April 18 Kari Stutzman April 18 Brian Gertsch April 19 Maddox Helgoth April 19 Sean Dawson April 20 Andrea Knox-Epps April 20 Georgia Nelms April 20

Norma Huxoll April 1 John Mashek April 1 Marjorie Taylor April 1 Jessica Ferguson April 2 Kaden Gilbert April 2 Kenneth George April 3 Aubyrne McClintock April 3 Sully Orr April 3 Justin Reed April 3 Karlee Johanson April 4 Colby Slinde April 4 Mark Sanford April 5 Tyson Geisler April 6 Tracy Mavigliano April 6 Eric Hansen April 7 Patty Birch April 8 Katie Knox-Epps April 8 Tisha Reed April 8 Phyllis Rice April 8 Donna Dircksen April 10 Aubrie Kearney April 10 Kaitlyn Naylor April 10 Scott O'Rourke April 10 Jamai Reyes April 10 James Aufrecht April 11 Jennifer Barnason April 11 Donna Brase April 11

Danika Reutzel April 20 Garett Schledewitz April 20 Brett Schmidt April 20 Philip Allen April 21 Danaka Jedrzejczyk April 21 Sandra Lundeen April 22 MaKenna DeBraal April 23 Lorene Fought April 23 Dawson Jurado April 23 Larry LaShell April 23 Amy Williams April 23 Kathryn Gannon April 24 Payton Kearney April 24 Kathie LaShell April 24 Patricia Obermeier April 24 Peggy Fisher April 25 Sarah Kleckner April 25 Bob Birge April 26 Jason Bomark April 27 Maurine Cofer April 27 Kari Grigg April 27 Zachariah Saathoff April 27 Scott Beck April 28 Elinor Fletcher April 28 Robbie Fleharty April 29 Jeremy Stoll April 29 Pamela DeBraal April 30 Brecken Glos April 30

Balance 03/01/13 $3,812.47 Thrivent Choice donations: +$ 279.00 Gifts given: Youth Mission Trip - $ 240.00

Balance 03/31/13 $3,851.47

The Thrivent Choice committee has been sharing the gifts given to First Ev. Lutheran Church.

To fulfill the mission and ministry of First Ev. Lutheran Church, as we seek to reach out to others with Jesus, we require $24,008/month in General Budget offerings. 2013 Annual Budget $288,101

WE HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOD FEB 2013

Year to date

General Budget Offering $18,764 $37,004

2012 Expenses $22,227 $44,406

Profit or (Loss) $(3,463) $(7,402)

FEBRUARY 2013 FINANCIALS (PROFIT/LOSS) Report will always be a month in arrears due to the fact the current

month has not ended at the time the newsletter needs to be printed.

FEBRUARY 2013 Month-To-Date summary: Offerings are $5,245 UNDER the 2013 budget. Expenses are $1,782 UNDER the 2013 budget.

February Monthly Summary: (SHORTFALL) of $3,463

Year-To-Date summary as of 2/28/13: Offerings are $11,013 UNDER the 2013 budget.

Expenses are $3,611 UNDER the 2013 budget.

Yearly Summary: Year-To-Date: (SHORTFALL) of $7,402

SUMMARY: Offerings do not support the approved 2013 budget.

Thank you to all members who have designated Thrivent Choice dollars to First Lutheran. We are open to suggestions as to how to use this money. Contact one of the other members of the committee: Walt and Ardith Woolson, Joan Johansen or Betty Knepke. If you are a Thrivent member, you can designate your Choice dollars to First Lutheran Church by logging onto www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or by calling 800-847-4836.

Loss

P

rofit

http://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Non-Profit Organization

North Platte, Nebraska

PERMIT NO. 7

Worship Services

Saturday Evening: 5:30 PM ~ Worship Service

Sunday Morning: 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service

10:30 AM ~ Praise Service

Sunday School

Ages 3 years through High School!

9:30-10:15

Last Day of Sunday School:

April 28!

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a church of the ELCA.

Our mission is “To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God.”

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 305 WEST 5TH STREET NORTH PLATTE NE 69101-3830

Address Service Requested

UPCOMING EVENTS. . . April 1, 2013: Easter Monday – Church Office Closed April 14, 2013: 10:30am Service - Siefford Baptism April 20, 2013: 80th Birthday Open House for Donna Dircksen April 20, 2013: Wedding at Centennial Park Pavilion (Pastor Fitch) April 21, 2013: 10:30am Service – Helgoth/Bachman Baptism April 28, 2013: Last day of Sunday school May 4, 2013: WELCA Mother – Daughter – Friend Luncheon May 5, 2013: Graduation Recognition and Reception May 17, 2013: Setup for Youth Garage Sale May 18, 2013: Youth Garage Sale May 19, 2013: Pentecost, Confirmation Sunday May 27, 2013: Church office closed for Memorial Day May 31 to June 2, 2013: Nebraska Synod Assembly, Kearney, NE June 16, 2013: Luau at Cody Park June 22, 2013: “Shadow Riders” and Dance June 23, 2013: “Cowboy Poet” June 22-28, 2013: 2013 Youth Mission Trip to Dallas, Texas July 4, 2013: Church office closed for Independence Day July 8-12, 2013: Vacation Bible School

2013

inside this issuecorrespondence: letter from the bishop thanking felc for pastor judy gifford’s...

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