news
The Bethlehem Foundation Staff News
is 61 years strong!
Angie Phillips, Director of Strategy and Analysis
By Jeff Mogush
Early in 1955, Pastor Maynard B.
Iverson felt that we should have
some way to encourage the giving
of endowments and permanent
memorials to Bethlehem. As a result,
the Bethlehem Foundation was
founded in 1957. Today, after 61 years,
the Foundation’s assets have grown
to more than $3.9 million and grant
awards from earnings since 2005 have
reached $1,343,206. We’re thrilled to welcome Angie Phillips to the Bethlehem staff as
our Director of Strategy and Analysis. Angie will working with us
to guide the congregation’s marketing strategy and identify new
opportunities to invite people into our work. She will play a pivotal
role in helping us keep track of, and talk about, how members of
this community are engaging in the life of the congregation and God’s work in
the world. Angie brings a deep skill set and a passion for Bethlehem’s work.
She lives in Minneapolis with her family and has been a part of the Bethlehem
community for six years. Angie spent her career in Finance, HR, and Marketing.
Most recently, she was in Marketing at Target Corp and completed her MBA at
University of St. Thomas. She is excited to bring her professional experience and
passion for BLC together in her new role.
2018 grants awarded totaled $140,188 Erika Storvick, Marketing and Publications Coordinator
»$14,950 (10.7%) in seminary
grants provided tuition
support for three seminarians
»$92,248 (65.8%) went to BLCTC:
Pastors’ Preaching Conference,
David Mennicke’s trip to South
Africa for choral work with
the MN Orchestra and Chorale
African group, Handbells for
BLCTC, HVAC Management
System for MPLS campus,
Church programs - Young
Adult trip to Israel/Palestine,
ALPHA adult learning course
for congregation
»$32,990 (23.5%) helped three
outreach projects sponsored by
Bethlehem members:
Tuition for Luther Summer
Music Program, Together in
Hope Project trip to Rome,
and ZOOM House project to
hire fundraising consultant.
The Bridge Builders Club was created as
a means to recognize those who have
elected to make a gift or provision
for one to the Bethlehem Foundation.
Since the Foundation spends only the
income from its endowment, a gift to
the Foundation is truly a gift that keeps
on giving. We sincerely hope that
you will consider joining us. Please
contact Tom Mulhere at tommulhere@
gmail.com or 612.840.2720 for further
information.
We’re excited to welcome Erika Storvick to the Bethlehem
staff. Erika joined us just before Christmas as Marketing and
Publications Coordinator. She will manage the array of marketing,
communications and media that support staff and the congregation
to ensure that we’re communicating with our variety of constituents
effectively. Erika’s past experience includes working for Wilderness Canoe Base,
Lutheran Social Services, and Young Adult in Global Mission. She is a Luther
College graduate with gifts for writing and communication and enjoys tutoring
as a side gig.
Fond Farewell to Soren and Bob!
Soren Poffenberger, Youth Ministry Specialist
At the end of December, Soren Poffenberger shifts his full-time role
to part-time, remaining on the youth staff in a part-time capacity
for January and February to train his replacement. Then, he is
leaving to continue his education to teaching junior or senior high
school. Soren says, “It has truly been a great privilege and honor for
me to work with and for the Bethlehem Youth and their families. This role has
taught me far more than I could have ever anticipated and I deeply cherish the
relationships that have been fostered and grown over my four years serving in
this role.” We will miss him dearly and send him with hearts full of gratitude and
well-wishes for the next part of his adventure.
Bob Wertz, Pastor of Stewardship and Planned Giving
Bob Wertz, Pastor of Stewardship and Planned Giving, resigned
effective December 31. Bob has faithfully served this congregation
for the past five years. He has brought a steady hand and a
joyful spirit to an incredibly tumultuous period in the life of this
congregation. Bob has cultivated and developed deep relationships
within the Bethlehem community. He has helped this congregation to celebrate
God’s rich abundance and unwavering generosity toward God’s people. Bob
has helped to grow Bethlehem’s stewardship of God’s gifts and for that we are
immensely grateful.
As we move into the future, Bob’s leadership and successes have positioned us
to continue to build on the strong foundation of generosity that exists in this
community. It is our intention to strengthen what has been and seek to develop
new ways to invite and grow the next generation of faithful leaders here at
Bethlehem.
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