Staff News Henderson Conference Room Dedication April 8
Renee Kirchner, Director of
Administration for the past 7 1/2
years, recently resigned to accept a
new position with a different church.
We're grateful for her work to support
Bethlehem's mission and for her
efforts in helping us navigate the
uncharted territory of shifting from
2 congregations to 1 church with 2
campuses. Renee worked tirelessly to
keep us in compliance with building
codes and best practices. If you'd like
to write her a thank you card, please
feel free to drop one off at the church
office. We'll collect cards until April 15
and then deliver them together. Thank
you Renee!
We're excited to share the news that
Paul Steen has agreed to serve as
Interim Business Administrator. Paul
is a 27-year member of Bethlehem,
who has served in various leadership
capacities including congregational
treasurer, BLC Foundation board, and
an Opening New Doors mission appeal
co-chair. He recently completed
a nearly 2-year commitment at
Holden Village, where he served as
interim business manager during
the conclusion of mine remediation
and their 2017 re-opening. He has
also served as LPGM’s development
director. He remains involved on
Holden’s investment committee and
on LPGM’s board of directors. His ‘first
half ’ career in high tech included
managerial and leadership roles at
Microsoft, 3M/HighJump Software,
and Spanlink Communications among
others. Paul met his wife, Melissa,
singing in Bethlehem’s senior choir.
They have two children, Maya (17) and
Bennett (14). We're incredibly grateful
for the expertise Paul brings to this
position which will insure a seamless
transition for continuing to move
forward. Welcome Paul!
by Gail Nylin
The Bethlehem community lost a passionate leader with a huge heart when Lee
Henderson passed away on April 30, 2015. Since Lee and his wife Polly joined
Bethlehem in 2004 they have provided service and leadership in many ways.
Lee served on the church council for two terms, and was then elected
President. As President of the council, Lee was instrumental in initiating the
consolidation with Minnetonka Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, Lee’s tenure
as President was cut short, due to his death after only 4 months in that
position. Lee was also involved with Ethics in Action at Bethlehem, a
collaboration of members who facilitated conversations to better understand
difficult issues facing our country and church. Polly has been a lead volunteer
with The Gathering, a program for adults in early stages of dementia, for several
years. She plays her flute with the worship ensemble at the 7:00 pm (and
previously 11:30 am) church services on a regular basis. Polly is also a member
of the handbell choir.
In honor of Lee and Polly, the second floor conference room will be dedicated
the Henderson Conference Room. A reception will be held on April 8 throughout
the morning and immediately following the 7:00 pm service. A brief blessing
will be held in the space at 10:15 am and 7:45 pm.
The Henderson family used memorial
money to purchase a wonderful piece
of art for the conference room,
described below by Polly:
The John August Swanson serigraph,
Celebration, is joyous…full of color,
light, music and wonder. That is how
I experience it. After the death of my
husband, Lee, I wanted to give a tangible
gift to Bethlehem in his memory. We had
been blessed with many memorial gifts.
I asked Pastor Chris Nelson if there was
something in the music or art area that the church needed or wanted. Pastor Chris
immediately told me about the Celebration serigraph. He sent me a picture and I was
struck by how deeply it spoke to me and how it reflected how Lee led his life. It has
musicians, including what looks like clarinets (Lee loved and played the clarinet); a
glorious nighttime sky with stars galore and a crescent moon; candles reflecting light
and dancers holding hands in movement. It has color. Lots and lots of color! To me it
also reflects our life in Christ. A true celebration! I asked Pastor Chris how much the
cost would be. Guess what? It matched almost exactly the amount we had remaining
in the memorial fund for Bethlehem. I often go into the conference room on the
second floor, where it hangs, to soak in Celebration. I think of Lee…of Pastor Chris…
of our congregation here at Bethlehem. I always pray and give thanks for the lives we
all have in Christ. Amen.
Pastor Holly Johnson Installation April 15
COME CELEBRATE WITH SPIRIT GARAGE! Pastor Holly Johnson will be installed
on Sunday April 15 during the worship service at 10:30 am at the Hook and
Ladder located at 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis. A reception will
immediately follow the service.
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