CENTERED IN CHRIST UPDATES

Updates from Pastor Rob Carlson, Jennifer Davidson | Operations, Lisamarie Odeen | Communications, & Kelsey Young | Children, Youth, and Families

Last fall, four Stewardship Initiatives were shared with  the people of SOTV to help us be aware of how our  time and dollars are used and to look ahead toward  the opportunities to be in ministry together, making an  impact on the world around us.  

Thanks to your generosity and the gifts of our staff,  Church Council, and congregation members, these  objectives are being fulfilled. Below you’ll find a brief  update to each initiative and the ways we are working  toward the goals we’ve set out to accomplish together.  

TAKING CARE OF OUR HOME: SANCTUARY  LIGHTING  
Have you ever thought about the lighting in our sanctuary? Lighting illuminates space with warmth and  clarity. Recently, our sanctuary received a subtle yet profound lighting transformation. 110 halogen bulbs replaced with LED, two new spotlights carefully positioned for the antiphonal organ project, and a modernized control panel seamlessly integrating with updated programs. The once-power-hungry 500-watt halogen bulbs have been retired, replaced by energy-efficient 32-watt LED lights, ushering in a new era of sustainability and stewardship. 

This lighting conversion was no small undertaking. With a total cost of $54,000, the project was made possible through the generous gifts of the congregation. Your commitment to enhancing the worship experience ensured that the sanctuary would not only be beautifully lit but also economically and environmentally responsible. Expected utility savings of 15% annually, coupled with a 20-year life expectancy of the new LEDs, also means a substantial financial benefit—$10,000 saved every other year in maintenance alone. 

A special thank you is due to our dedicated Facilities staff, Production team, and Properties Leadership Team. Their careful planning and oversight made this  project a reality. Don Dawson, our Facilities Manager, Omar Reyes, Production Manager, and Jim Schultz, a valued member of the SOTV Properties Leadership Team, worked closely with our contractors to ensure  the work was completed efficiently and with minimal disruption. Their diligence and leadership were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. 

We have also applied for a $5,000 rebate from Dakota Electric, further maximizing our investment in sustainable energy solutions. 

As we continue to evaluate the lighting needs for all worship services, we may experience additional updates and enhancements. Technology to support ministry at SOTV is ongoing. 

As we gather in worship, the sanctuary remains a place of peace, comfort, and inspiration. The light that surrounds us is not only a physical illumination but also a reflection of the faith and generosity of this congregation. Thank you for making this important work possible.  

TENDING TO GENERATIONAL NEEDS: SHEPHERD’S KIDS IN WORSHIP, LENTEN MENTORING AND QUARTERLY FAMILY SERVICE PROJECTS  
The Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) team leaned in to supporting the needs of many generations this year through Shepherd’s Kids in Worship, Lenten Mentoring, and Quarterly Family Service Projects.  

Shepherd’s Kids in Worship weekends are special days built into our Sunday School curriculum for the youngest among us to learn about worship and enjoy the service alongside their families with age appropriate activities and invitations to participate. 

These weekends are intentionally crafted by pastors and staff for people of all generations to participate and praise God together, sharing in joyful noise, and giving thanks for our abundant and vibrant community. 

The sense of community that comes from kids and adults gathering across the generations also prompted the addition of Lenten Mentoring to Middle School Confirmation. 126 kids meet with mentors from age 17-  70+ on Wednesday nights through Lent for worship and conversation together to reflect on Experiencing God through the Senses.

With a rise in families seeking out service opportunities  to participate in with children, the CYF team created events for families and congregation members to serve alongside each other packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, making cards for Meals on Wheels, and an outdoor clean up project with Lebanon Hills.

To support these efforts, Children, Youth, and Family staff attended learning opportunities like the Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. The 2024-25 Tiny- Try-It-Out activities and “Liturgical Calendar” theme,  including the take home church calendar and ongoing stickers were directly influenced by workshops at the conference. Speakers like Katie Houts, teaching about the Seasons of the Church Calendar through a Child’s Eyes, and Rev. Teresa Stewart, teaching about Elemental Ministry, gave language and ideas for staff to bring this teaching into Sunday school classrooms and beyond! Continuing education opportunities like this bolster the creative ideas and available resources for staff and connect SOTV with other congregations who are intentionally worshipping and serving across the generations that we can learn alongside.

NURTURING LEADERS: EMPOWERING OUR COUNCIL AND CONGREGATION  
A significant new leadership initiative is underway. Council members are being further invited into their responsibilities, church people have been given opportunities to be creative in their ministries, and the staff is more and more brought together for new creativity for ministry ideas and creative happenings. Particularly with the leadership teaching of Pastor Peter, the Church Council is exploring their particular roles within the congregation, as well as diving into the vision God has for us. So far the exercises they have participated in have expanded the awareness of their positioning in the congregation and what it can mean for the future as others become an essential part of the team. The process has been well-received by the Council, and, as we move forward, the tools they are working with will serve God and the congregation very well. This renewed focus on leadership development ensures that SOTV is equipped with strong, visionary leaders who are ready to guide us into the future, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute their unique gifts.

INVESTING IN OUR MINISTRIES: A MODERN GATEWAY TO SOTV THROUGH SOTV.ORG  
An updated website went live this week so that we can better communicate not only with each other in the congregation, but to the wider community as well. Why is a modern website so important? In today’s digital age, a website is often the first point of contact for those seeking a church home. It’s our virtual front door. 

A modern, dynamic, user-friendly website:  
EXTENDS OUR REACH allowing us to connect with people beyond our doors, including those searching for a church home.  
PROVIDES ESSENTIAL INFORMATION by serving as a central hub for information about our services, programs, events, and beliefs.  
SHOWCASES WHO WE ARE allowing us to share dynamic stories, photos, and videos that highlight the wide welcome and vibrancy of our congregation.  
FACILITATES COMMUNICATION by offering easy ways for visitors to contact us, ask questions, and learn  more.  
REFLECTS OUR VALUES AND PERSONALITY A well-designed website demonstrates our commitment to excellence and our desire to be welcoming and accessible to all.  

This new website will be a powerful tool for building connection and sharing the love of God with our community and beyond.  

Stay tuned in the  weekly email,  future editions of Woven  Words, and the website to hear more and more about the many other ways these initiatives are playing out, including plans for the next year.

“Stewardship is all about how we reinvest further God’s investment in us. As this reinvestment happens, we are co-partnering with God in recreative intentions that benefit the world, our neighborhoods, our congregations, other people, and ourselves."
-Pastor Rob Carlson, Interim Senior Pastor