1. Protocol with Pastor Miriam once she retires. Here is a nugget from Bishop Kevin Strickland:   “No pastoral acts will be done after leaving. I requested that Miriam be away from the congregation for at least one year. This doesn’t mean she can’t attend funerals, when appropriate, but not to lead them. She is to be away especially from worship for that year.”  To read the synod’s official protocol statement for retired pastors, click here.
2. Thank you to all who made our celebration of Miriam possible!
3. Thank you to everyone who came out to install the Beecher's new plants!

1. Council President Bill Grabill, Council Personnel Team Liaison Ben McCumber, and Pastor Fritz met with Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Jonathan, in February about interim staffing.  
2. We’re pleased to announce that Rev. Carla Knobler has been appointed by Bishop Strickland as our Interim Associate Pastor to begin 20 hours per week of service, beginning Monday, April 22.  The longevity of this interim can flex with how long it takes us to call and onboard a new associate pastor. Pastor Fritz and council leadership have interviewed Pastor Carla, with council and Personnel Team approving the arrangement. Does the name sound familiar to you?  If so, that’s because Pastor John Weber had Pastor Carla preach at COS a few times before 2008, when Pastor Carla lived in the area and before she moved to ministry assignments to serve as an interim pastor. More details to come about Pastor Carla.
3. Another key goal for our interim staffing is to have COS enjoy a variety of faces and voices when it comes to guest preachers.  
4. We are also exploring the possibility of identifying key lay leaders who can spearhead various elements of COS ministry in the interim.

1. According to the Bishop’s instructions, now that Pastor Miriam has retired, the Call Committee can be formed and start its work, taking the baton from the Transition Team.  We’ve learned sadly that many congregations who say goodbye to a second pastor realize they can’t afford to call a new leader.  Thanks to your strong stewardship, we rejoice that we’re moving ahead to discern the new pastor God already has chosen for us in our future ministry.  When the Call Committee completes this 6-12 month journey (we’ll be flexible), the council and congregation will vote to approve and welcome the pastoral candidate proposed.
2. The people in the synod office have indicated that in addition to providing candidates for our next associate pastor, they are willing to accept suggestions from COS. But they need to be identified quickly. So, if you want to pass on a possibility to the Call Committee, please contact Pastor Fritz or committee chair, Ben McCumber at [email protected].
3. The Council appointed the following people to the Call Committee at the April 22 meeting:

• Pastor Fritz Wiese (Co-Chair)
• Ben McCumber (Co-Chair)
• Vickie Dauenhauer
• Karen Shelnutt
• Clara Zimmerman
• Chris Riecke
• Ethan Miller (Seminary Observer) Voice, No Vote
• Hope Catlett (Youth Representative) Voice, No Vote

The official installation of the Call Committee is forthcoming.

1. The pews, alter furniture and music instruments have all been cleared out of the Sanctuary. Thank you to all the volunteers, including Paul Talbott and Troop 181, who helped.
2. All of the organ pipes, organ console, AV equipment, air vents, have been covered to prepare the room for remodeling. 
3. Chancel area where the altar and the pulpit sit, has been rebuilt to the new half circle shape. 
4. The old stained glass pieces around the cross are removed, and the company is creating four new colorful pieces the exact same size. 
5. Thank you to everyone who attended a floor signing!
6. Tile work on the main aisle and Chancel area are complete and LVP installation has begun.
7. The new AV Desk has arrived! Hero of the week Larry Peterson drove to Wisconsin and back to get it, and Brad Milburn, Wes Saunders, and Richard King helped unload it. The new AV desk was handcrafted by Dan Argus of Watertown, WI to our specifications, as defined by Brad Milburn and Larry Peterson. It is made out of oak and stained to match the new chairs!
8. Finish of Project.  We are remaining very flexible about the project’s time table.  If all goes right, we’re hoping four months should do the trick, which would put us at the middle of August.  Again, we’re committed to flexibility, knowing to “expect the unexpected.” 

1. The Rejoice and Renew Team includes Chairperson Carol Jensen Linton, Chip Beard, Tom and Delee Rehak, and Pastor Fritz ex-officio. 
2. You’ve seen the two videos prepared, heard the special announcements in worship, and received the overview invitational brochure in the mail. 
3. Thanks to all for considering your own significant gift to this generational opportunity.  With $110,000 already “in the bank” thanks to dedicated funds and special advanced gifts, the goal is to hit the $300,000 mark with $190,000 of supplemental gifts. 
4. As of April 30th, over $280,000 has been donated or pledged, and over $265,000 has actually been received! There are $25,610 in outstanding pledge balances.

1. With all services in the Fellowship Hall, we’ll shift from 3 services to 2, because the praise band needs to practice at the 8:30 AM hour.   
2. After the praise band practices early Sunday, we’ll hold contemporary service at 9:30 (15 minutes earlier than usual) and then traditional at 11:00 AM (same time as usual).  
3. We’ll monitor worship attendance and try to make helpful adjustments, if necessary to the schedule and space. 
4. When the Sanctuary concrete floor is exposed, we’ll hold a special party when members can use markers to write Scripture verses, prayers, and names on the bare floor!
5. Note: contrary to one rumor, our plan is to be back to our regular three-service schedule when the refreshed Sanctuary is ready.