University Lutheran Church

340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281-6612 (480) 967-3543

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Having a great time! Wish you were here!

Dear Partners:

“Having a great time! Wish you were here!” How many times have you received postcards from some exotic place while you were languishing in your normal routine? Now tell the truth: How many times have you written those same words while you were relaxing on some beach or enjoying some exciting new place to some bloke whom you knew was just plodding along at home as usual?

Well, this is my turn to write them to you. In March we had our quadrennial review for campus ministry. It was a very good review of affirmation with some helpful and interesting suggestions for the future. I wish you were here when those words of affirmation were spoken. I wish you were here for those words, because it is to you those words are directed. WE are doing a good job with our ministry. That especially means YOU are doing well. Just over a year ago we merged our ministries into one ministry: following Christ as a community together. This affirmation says we are on our way. Thank you so much for your part!!

I also wish you had been here when ELCA Deployed Director for Campus Ministry asked the 20+ students assembled for dinner, “Why do you come back here?” The sum of their answer was because of YOU. Because of the welcome they receive here. Because we have old and young alike gathered around Christ’s table. Because we have a choir. Because they can serve in worship and/or Sunday School. Because of good food and good friendship with all ages. Because of YOU! Our goal in the merging of our ministry was to move from a community where students were welcome to a community where students were a part. It would seem we are on our way to doing this.

These words also come as challenge. Such ministry is never finished. Ours is constantly a work in progress. Following Christ means always being open to where we are led. And this Christ always leads us into new places. Thank you for your willingness to continue following and doing the work of ministry.

It was a very good review. I wish you had been here. Above all I am glad you are here in this place called University Lutheran Church/Lutheran Campus Ministry!! I’m also very glad that I’m here! Thank you for your partnership!!

Gratefully,
Gary N. McCluskey
Pastor

Treasurer’s Notes – April 15, 2007

TeamworkA keyword assigned to this Screen Bean clip art is teamwork. This theme is especially appropriate with regard to stewardship and finance in the church. There are plenty of ways in which we are involved in this aspect of church life, from our offerings and gifts of time and talent that make the best use of God’s gifts to us in each other and in material resources.

We have been blessed with a fine team over time, from Lori Jensen, to Dan Beeks and Betty Carlson, and Terry Pochert, who served as treasurers before me. Each left his or her imprint on the office. For this I am most grateful.

Our team also includes Carmen Bieber, who serves as financial secretary, keeping track of who has contributed what. We thank Carmen for her continued efforts on this important part of the process, including the preparation of our quarterly giving statements.

Terry Pochert continues to serve in advancing our computerized bookkeeping system through the purchase and installation of an additional computer to house an upgraded Quickbooks accounting software in a secure, password-protected location that will be accessible to more than one person. A later report will explain in greater detail.

Perhaps the most senior member of the team is Bill Wootten, who in addition to serving as treasurer, has continued to serve as a counter, in partnership with Allen Bieber, Terry Pochert, and many others.

Also to be detailed later will be the implementation of different counting procedures, which include counting offering and other income and depositing the funds in our bank account. We will continue our tradition of teamwork, which will include a two or three month counting cycle, where those in the first month of the cycle learn from someone in the second or third month of the cycle and become teachers to those who follow.

We anticipate the process of installing the new computer and implementing new routines to take a few months. We will report on our progress over this time. For further information, contact Elsie Szecsy or Terry Pochert.

Dinner Theater

The dinner theater was a roaring success! We raised enough money to send students to Mexico to build houses this summer. Thanks to all who helped in any way! Thanks to all our students, thanks to all the ULC members, thanks to Desert Cross Lutheran for allowing us to use their facilities, equipment, etc.

Thanks to Deb and Dave Hull, Will and Mary Ann Salz, Mary and Earl Kuntsmanm, and all who placed advertising on our placemants. Thanks especially to : all who bought tickets, to those directly involved: Dan Pugh, Sarah Endres, Tom Schroeter, Betsy Mardany, Anthony Harlan, Casey Jones, Colton Grimmer, Aiko Yamada, Dan Pugh, Todd Hoover, Kelly Vardy, Ashley Pugh, Dan Pugh,Samantha Vancel, Maris Fernandes, Mike Robers, Dan Pugh,  Chris Dickerson, Ashley Paul, Darren Gest, Haley Van Erem, Jenni Goguen, Katie Gorin, Katie Grimmer, Luke Pugh, Dan Pugh, Chon Pugh, Danny Pugh, Maggie Sherod, Matt Collins, Torry Dixon, Theresa Pac, Lori Jensen, and Dan Pugh!!

Lee, Ian

04/13/2007 – BA in Broadcast Journalism, certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies, hopes to work in Middle Eastern journalism