From your treasurer...
The end of every calendar year is
an important time for Bethlehem
financially. I wanted to take this
opportunity to give a quick financial
update. For both income and expenses,
we are on par with last year at this
time. Final 2018 numbers are not
available in time to have met the
Connect's deadline. However, special
gifts and year end giving account
for about 25% of our yearly offering
income, we continue to rely upon
generous end-of-year giving to fulfill
our mission and ministry goals. Since
giving this year is on track with that
of last year, I am confident that the
demostrated generosity of Bethlehem
members will continue through the
end of 2018 and the new year ahead in
support of our mission and ministries.
Merry Christmas!
Mike Conover,
Treasurer
YOUR GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
by Paul and Melissa Steen
With snowflakes flying and temperatures in the teens today, we are warmed
by the thoughts of how this congregation has put funds from the Opening New
Doors (OND) mission appeal to work! Now completing our second of this three-
year campaign, we have some wonderful updates to share.
Safe & Welcoming Spaces. If you visited the Minneapolis campus during the
week this summer, you likely experienced the noise that accompanied the critical
roofing and tuckpointing projects. The summer ‘chorus’ of grinding, hammering,
and diesel engines has subsided due to the project’s completion in November.
At the Minnetonka campus, the parking lot was resurfaced making a positive
impact for all-important first impression for first-time guests. Good maintenance
throughout the winter will help improve safety and reduce ice buildup.
Funds from OND made these projects
possible, as they covered our loan to
accelerate this work into a single summer.
Still, your gifts remain as important as ever
as we pay for these essential, well-over-due
facilities projects that have set us up nicely
for years to come!
But that’s not all. The renovation of the
recently dedicated Christopher P. Nelson
Choir Room at the Minneapolis campus is
now complete. It’s in full use by various
choral ensembles and includes a new, more efficient music storage and filing
system. If you haven’t seen it, take a look!
Attract & Connect in Minnetonka. Another key component of OND was to
invest in attracting and connecting with more people at the Minnetonka campus.
Pastor Meta, along with a task force, is bringing new ideas to life. The “Light
in the Night” Santa Lucia celebration, as well as the Winter Movie Nights, offer
wonderful ways for us to invite and welcome friends, co-workers, and neighbors
to experience Bethlehem this Christmas season. OND makes these events
possible!
A New Way to Give
Bethlehem Twin Cities has recently
expanded its giving options to
accommodate those who wish to give
electronically. If you'd like to make
a contribution via text to support
Bethlehem's annual fund, simply
send a text to 612.324.0915 with the
amount you wish to contribute. The
first time you give, you'll be asked to
enter your credit card information. All
future gifts will simply need the dollar
amount you wish to give. We continue
to be grateful for any and all gifts
members direct to support our mission
through whatever means you choose...
THANK YOU!
Outreach Partners. We remain committed to our tradition of tithing 15% of
every mission appeal. So far, through Global Health Ministries we have funded
a project to provide clean water at the Ejeda Hospital, a Lutheran hospital in
southern Madagascar. And through Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM)
your generosity has provided financial support to the Community College
program in Parangepettai, Tamil Nadu in south India – where students, following
secondary school, are able to learn practical skills for future work as auto
mechanics, nursing assistants, tailors, and electricians.
Your Help is Still Needed. A new year is a great time to review your giving history,
continue progress towards commitments, or even make a new pledge to Opening
New Doors. Please consider a generous gift. If you have questions, contact Katy
Stenross, [email protected] , or campaign co-chairs Kathryn and
Gary Schmidt or Melissa and Paul Steen. Thank you so much in advance, and
Merry Christmas.
3