Gloria Dei News

New Member Orientation and Reception.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of Gloria Dei is invited to participate in an orientation on April 20 at 9:15 am (between services.) This session will introduce our Lutheran faith and our ministries at Gloria Dei. If you cannot attend but would like to become a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Tabitha or Pastor Jon or contact Marlene Marks at 725-6822. New members will be received during both worship services on May 4.

Join us for Brunch

Brunch on Sunday, April 13th between services for a Fellowship Brunch. We will be serving Breakfast Burritos, Hash Browns, Fruit and drinks. Cost is just $6/adults and $3/ages 6-12, free for those 5 and under.

God's Global Barnyard Update

We finished our fund raising for God's Global Barnyard this past Sunday and our grand total is $562.00, plus an additional $25 that was sent directly to the ELCA in our name so that it would be matched. WOW, with this money we will be able to purchase a cow, a goat and a pig!!! Not only are we able to help someone in need, but we are able to assist them in providing a recurring source of food. Bessie wants to thank everyone at Gloria Dei for their generosity in making our goal a reality. God's Global Barnyard has shown that pennies do add up and we as individuals can make a difference in the lives of others.

Gloria Dei Evangelists!

Thank you for walking the 'hood prior to Easter. We distributed about 2.500 door hangers, had some good conversations, and shed a few pounds in the process. We also braved ice and snowy walks . . . and a few watchful dogs . . . along the way. The results of our work are yet to be known . . . though we received an uptick in calls last week about the Easter Egg event and our Holy Week services. Remember, Jesus and the disciples criss-crossed the Holy Land and retraced their steps many times in their ministries.

We learned a lot about our surrounding neighborhoods and about how to cover them on foot. For instance, we now know that there are about 3,500 homes and apartment units in the areas we walked. We have a better idea of the neighborhoods with children. We know that with 36-40 people we can cover the entire area in a couple of hours . . . which we be our goal the next time . . . maybe prior to Vacation Bible School this summer. If you have thoughts . . . about the process, about the neighborhood, about taking our ministries to our neighbors, please share them with us

Thanks specially to Pastor Tabitha and Pastor Jon for their pastoral leadership . . . and good legs . . . in this effort.

Bob and Members of the Evangelism and Fellowship Ministry

Family Roller Skating Party

will be held on Sunday, April 13. The Education Ministry will be sponsoring this fun event at the Fox Valley Roller Rink, 1215 Gillingham Road, Neenah. We’ll skate from 1:00-3:00 PM. Cost is $4.00/person. Please sign up ASAP on the youth bulletin board across from the mailboxes.

Endowment Request Forms

Forms are now available from committee members: Meril Schultz, Terri Lange, Vicki Uslabar, Gloria Larsen and Allen Borgwardt or the Endowment Committee Mailbox. Gloria Dei's Endowment Fund was set up to disburse monies to worthwhile causes within the church and surrounding community. Anyone can submit a form to request forms for something at church you think a board or we needs, or for community needs. If you would like more information on the funds, please contact a committee member. Submit application forms to the Endowment Fund Board of Trustees by April 28, 2008. Funds will be dispersed in May.

Book Club

April Book Club meeting will be held April 20th at 11:45 AM. We’ll meet for lunch at “Generations” on Commercial Street in Neenah and discuss the book “Blackbird House” by Alice Hoffman. If you need a copy of the book, please check with Marlene Marks.

SCRIP News.......................

Last Sunday we had 15 Orders for a total of just over $3,200, which generates a profit of $117 for Gloria Dei. The number of orders is down a little, but the total amount is up, which means our average order is almost $215. Those who are regularly using SCRIP seem to have settled into a pattern of food stores, gas stations and restaurants. Surely there are others of you who purchase these items, who could assist the Ministry of Gloria Dei by using SCRIP? Why don't you give it a try? If you have questions, please stop by the table and talk to us.
A reminder that Kwik Trip SCRIP is available is either $100 or $20 denominations. Our order blank currently has this listed at $100, because they had run out of the $20 cards, but they now have a new supply, so you can order either. If you want the $20 cards, please write in the $20 amount and make us aware of your choice when placing your order.
A continued big Thank You to those who are supporting this program

Appleton Conference WELCA Spring Event

Spring Conference Event will be held at Lord of the Lakes in Winneconne on Saturday, April 12th. Theme is “Act Boldly: Stand Up, Speak Out, Serve Courageously” with keynote speaker Jennifer Castillo (Kichefski), who is the Women’s Center Director at UW-Oshkosh. Cost is just $10/person and registrations must be paid by April 5th to WELCA – Appleton Conference. See flyer on the kiosk for more information and to signup to attend.

Financial Secretary’s position Opening -

Wanda Dorn, our Financial Secretary, will be stepping down from her position as of June 1st. Anyone who would be willing to serve a two-year term as Financial Secretary, or would like more information on what the job entails, could speak to our Council President Julie Kaland, to Wanda, or to someone in the office. A Job Description is posted on the kiosk.

Senior Citizens Invited

Seniors are invited to the Neenah Middle Schools dinner theatre, which will be held on Thursday, April 3rd at Shattuck Middle School. The drama students will be presenting “Annie Jr.”. Tickets are $8 and include dinner and the musical. Tickets will be available until Monday, March 31st at Shattuck Middle School’s main office at 600 Elm Street. For more info call 751-6850, ext. 136.

Quilting

Reminder that Quilting will be held from 9:00 –2:00 this week. Come for all or part of the day. Soup Lunch will be served.

Shepherd Groups Host Pastors.

In April and May each of our Shepherd Group will host a gathering for our new pastors. These gatherings will introduce Pastor Tabitha and Pastor Jon to our Shepherd Groups and provide them another opportunities to meet and get to know us. Once Shepherd Group leaders establish dates for these gatherings, you will receive an invitation in the mail. Please plan to attend.

Young at Heart With Guest Speaker

Join the Young at Heart group on Tuesday, April 15th for a brown bag lunch with Guest Speaker Attorney Ben Adams. He will be giving us information on living wills, power of attorney, advance directives (telling family land friends how you want matters handled). A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Bring along friends who might be interested!

Teachers Needed for Last Rotation

Jesus Calms the Storm Rotation is our last Sunday School rotation for the year. We are looking for teachers to help with crafts, Video, Food and Drama. Please sign up on the kiosk if you could help April 27, May 4, May 11 and May 18. You would need to teach 3 out of the 4 weeks.

Good Grief-.Walking A Healthy Journey

for those who are grieving and those who companion them. Held Saturday, April 12 at Appleton North High School. See flyer in the narthex for more info.

Senior Ecumenical Potluck

Potluck will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Appleton (326 E. North St.) on Thursday, April 17th at 11:30 AM. Featured Program is “The Fun Lover’s” bringing their musical talent to entertain. Bring a dish to pass and call the First English office at 733-2303 by Tuesday, April 15th if you plan to attend.

$150 for Gloria Dei, just for signing up!

We have a one-time offer from a member who will donate $150 per family when you sign up for the Simply Giving program between now and May 25th.

Simply Giving Challenge

In an effort to keep giving on track, especially during the summer months when so many of us are gone to the cottage or on vacation, the Stewardship Board and your Church Council are promoting the “Simply Giving” program. Simply Giving is an automated giving program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute your offerings to Gloria Dei. You do not need to be a Thrivent member to enroll in this program.

Through Simply Giving, your gifts are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly—the option is yours. Your gift is deposited into our church’s bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account.

Simply Giving is a reliable, safe way to move your own personal stewardship plan into action. And, because your gift is given consistently, you won’t need to play “catch-up” at summer’s or year end or when you miss a Sunday. You’re not the only one who benefits, however. Gloria Dei benefits from steady, more predictable revenues throughout the year, more efficient bookkeeping, and greater confidence in meeting its financial commitments. Plus it’s a free service from Thrivent!

To make this more exciting, we have a one-time offer from a member who will donate $150 per family when you sign up for the Simply Giving program between now and May 25th. So you can contribute in two ways – by helping Gloria Dei have a more consistent giving pattern, and by helping us receive a “match” from our anonymous donor. Please see Wanda Dorn if you have further questions, or just fill out the “Member Enrollment and Authorization Form” found on tables in the narthex.

Considering a Fundraiser at Gloria Dei?

Please fill out a fundraiser worksheet and submit it to a council member so that we make sure the funds get distributed accurately. Forms may be picked up from Marlene in the office.

Welcome Your New Neighbors

Welcome a new neighbor and invite them to worship at Gloria Dei. There are “New Member Packets” available for you to drop off at a new neighbor’s home. The packets are located on the table outside of the church office in a lime green bag. Just pick one up and take it along – or if you would like someone from the Welcome Ministry Committee to drop it off, contact Marlene in the church office with their name and address and we’ll make sure it’s delivered.

Reminder - Office Closed on Fridays

Please make prior arrangements if you need access on Fridays. If the doors are locked, don't give up before trying the doorbell which rings into the office only.

Members/Visitors with Special Needs

A reminder that we have aids for those people with hearing impairment, please ask an usher for assistance.
You will also notice that there are some arm chairs in the last row of the sanctuary for those persons who find it easier to get up and down from a chair rather than the pews Please feel free to use them. For those who use a wheelchair feel free to be seated at the end of any of the pews.

Simple Ways You Can Make a Difference

We Care Program -

Gloria Dei is registered at Pick 'n Save in Neenah for their We Care Program. This means that on each dollar you spend at Pick 'N Save, 1% will be donated back to the church. All you need to do is register at the service desk and ask for Gloria Dei's code number to be put on your form. You will receive a tag and card to be used each time you check out. If you already have your tag for identification purposes, but haven't designated somewhere for your donations to go, or would like to change your designation, just check in at the service desk. Gloria Dei's code number is 280300 and every time you use your key card 1% is credited to Gloria Dei. Last year we received about $500 back on this program.

Box Tops for Education

We are collecting the General Mills Box Tops for Education that are on General Mills products. These box tops are then donated to a local school to help purchase extra items for that school. There is an ice cream pail on the food collection shelf in the narthex near the mailboxes if you'd like to bring your box tops to donate.

Morton Pharmacy Rebates

If you shop at Morton Pharmacy you can enroll in the Morton Members customer appreciation program. Indicate Gloria Dei as your designated local charitable organization and Morton Pharmacy will make a cash donation to Gloria Dei based upon your purchases. This does not include prescription drugs. Stop in at Morton's and see how easy it is to become a Morton Member.

Recycling Toner and Inkjet Cartridges

We collect used toner and Inkjet cartridges which are then sent to Food for the Poor for recycling. Your donation of printer cartridges will help to feed the poor and save the environment by keeping metals and plastics out of landfills. Qualifying inkjet cartridges are valued from .50c to $4 each (toner up to $10). We have developed a formula to demonstrate the value of your donation:

Providing one pound of rice or beans to feed the poor costs 10 cents. One pound of rice or beans provides four (4) servings. So, a single serving of rice or beans costs 2.5 cents. It requires two servings per day to survive. A child can survive on five cents per day! A single $2.00 cartridge provides forty (40) days of food for a hungry child.

For more information, go to their website, www.foodforthepoor.org, or call 954-481-2862. Epson cartridges are not accepted, but many others are. You may drop your cartridges or toner off in the office and we will see if they are eligible or not.