1. Art and Diseño

Shepherd of the Valley invites, nurtures, and
empowers people to serve and praise God and
proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
February
2015
But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who
is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit
together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is
working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
One of the reasons that we went to Malaysia was to explore what welcoming looks
like. There seem to be two models for welcoming folks in the church:
1. You are welcome as long as you behave and think like us.
2. You are welcome and if you have a strong enough personality, then you can reshape our whole community so we don’t recognize it anymore and folks start to leave.
One of the books I read talked about the successful welcoming campaign for the
homeless and hungry. The only problem was that they were not integrated into the
community, the core of the community left. That doesn’t seem successful.
The Shepherd’s Voice
Monthly Newsletter of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
There must be a third way of welcoming that recognizes we are changed by every
meaningful relationship, but when we neglect fostering relationships we get lost and
further isolated.
Part of welcoming needs to be fostering meaningful relationships and I also believe
that part of welcoming is catechizing. When most of us who were raised Lutheran
hear Catechism, we think of sitting through classes where we had to learn the Small
Catechism. Catechism means “to teach by word of mouth, to hear.”
We need space, time, and tools to hear God’s word and to hear each other. We need
space, time, and tools to invite inquirers, whether new or lifelong, into listening to
how God is speaking to them.
On Sunday nights, we are beginning The Way: Connecting Faith and Life. It’s not a
program or a Bible study. It’s not me teaching or asking rhetorical questions. We will
gather for a meal at 5:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. we’ll listen. Mark Kissel and Glenn
Mitchell will facilitate discussions around a Bible passage using Lectio Divina. This is
an ancient tool for listening to scripture together.
It will be messy and delightful and challenging - just like all good life experiences. All
ages and faith journeys are welcome; childcare will be provided for those who need it.
Andy Peterson will organize dinners so we’ll need lots of volunteers. I trust you all. I
trust God’s Holy Spirit. I’m not sure where this will take us, but it will be a fabulous
trip.
Peace,
Pastor Tari
2
Faith Formation
Faith Formation classes for all ages are offered on Sunday mornings following worship. We
hope you will consider joining us for a faith formation class as part of your faith journey.
Faith Formation classes take place Sunday mornings after worship. The schedule looks like this:
10:30 -10:45 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Snacks and coffee served down by the fellowship hall.
Sunday school opening for ages preschool to high school. Adults head to sanctuary
for adult Bible study or to the coffee nook to talk.
Classes conclude.
National Youth Gathering (NYG)
Plans are well underway for our group of two adults and eight
youth heading to Detroit in July 2015 to take part in the ELCA
National Youth Gathering. Attending are: Adam DotenFerguson, Pastor Tari, Erin Wallace, Reilly Sutak, Haeden
Newport, Hannah Harvey, Ali Witt, Kiley Stevens, Nyah Martin and Denny Corson.
Fundraising for the Journey Ahead
Attending the NYG involves raising funds to pay for travel expenses. NYG youth should plan to help at all the fundraisers.
Please mark your calendars and support the youth by attending
and/or helping out at one of the following fundraisers:
Fat Tuesday Follies—Tuesday, February 17—Pancake feast
and variety show. The event is free, but donations are accepted
and will go to the youth group. Details about the event are elsewhere in this newsletter.
Smokin’ Ribs Dinner—Sunday, March 1—Randy Sutak of
Randy’s Ribs is making his popular smoked ribs for dinner.
Tickets will be $15 (six and under eat free). Watch for details!
T-shirt sponsors needed— Every youth needs to have $200 of
sponsors for the SOV National Youth Gathering t-shirts. Sponsor businesses or names will be listed on the back of the t-shirt.
If you are interested in sponsoring, please talk to Pastor Tari or
Becky Corson.
Easter Breakfast
Heads up to middle school
youth and their families! Easter
is April 5—and traditionally the
SOV Easter breakfast is set-up,
cooked, and served by the middle school youth and their parents (and any other interested
helpers). Lots of help is needed.
Set-up and preparations begin
Saturday evening and breakfast
is usually served beginning
about 8 a.m. on Easter Sunday.
If you are willing to spearhead
the breakfast, knowing that you
will have lots of help and that
folks who have done it in past
years will get you started,
please talk to Pastor Tari.
It’s Not too Early to Think about Glacier Bible Camp
Glacier Bible Camp will take place from July 26 - 30 at the Juneau Boy Scout
Camp out the road. Campers entering 5th - 12th grade are welcome to attend; the
early bird registration fee is $200. After June 1, registration is $225. We need
counselors! We also need artists, musicians, and games people to help with
the program. Camper registration forms are available at church. Please mark
your calendars, and if you are able to help with camp, talk to Pastor Tari
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
3
The Season of Lent
Lent is a time of inner renewal and reflection.
It is a time to take inventory, scale back, and look at one's life.
It’s a time for praying and lifting up worries to God.
Ash Wednesday
We begin Lent with a reminder of mortality and God’s incredible gift of renewal. Ash Wednesday is February 18. Worship services will be held at Noon at Resurrection Lutheran Church downtown, and at 7 p.m.
at Shepherd of the Valley.
Give Something Up? Or Take Something On?
Instead of giving something up for Lent, take something on. Try something from the following list, or
come up with your own discipline that will help you make the most of the Lenten Season..
Read Scripture daily for 5 minutes.
Observe two minutes of silence daily.
Worship weekly on Sunday or Wednesday.
Take a 20-minute walk five days a week.
Replace TV time with a family game or activity.
Read the Lenten devotion Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter. Selections include writings by
C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Thomas Merton, St. Augustine, Madeline L'Engle,
Mother Teresa, John Updike, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and many others. Some copies will be
available for loan through the church office.
JCCC Lenten Lunches at Northern Light United Church
The Juneau Cooperative Church Council is gearing up for another inspirational Lenten Lunch
series. The theme this year is “Gathering at the Water." Community leaders will speak about
their experiences where faith and water have connected. Speakers include Sherry Patterson, Fr.
Gordon Blue, Sister Marie Lucek, Sally Smith, and Pastor Tari. Lunches will take place at Noon
on Thursdays, February 19 to March 26 at Northern Light United Church, downtown. Please
join us and bring your co-workers. Homemade soups and breads will be served. Donations go to the
Glory Hole. Shepherd of the Valley is signed up to bring bread on February 19 and soup on March
19. If you can bring bread or soup, or if you have questions, call Pastor Tari at 789-4093.
Hygiene Kits for Juneau Youth Services
This Lent we’re collecting hygiene items for Juneau Youth Services. Each week, we’ll collect a different
needed item that they will assemble into hygiene kits. Following is our collection schedule for the Sundays through Lent. Please help by bringing the requested item on the scheduled day.
February 22—Travel size deodorant
March 1—Combs
March 8—Travel size shampoo and body wash
March 15—Travel size toothpaste
March 22—Tweezers
March 29—Nail clippers
And let everyone who is thirsty come. Revelation 22: 17
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
4
A Few Things Going on in
Choir Rehearsals
The choir rehearses at 7 p.m. Mondays and performs during worship on occasional Sundays and special
events throughout the year. Everyone is invited to sing with them and make a joyful noise!
Fellowship Committee
The fellowship committee meets at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 4 at SOV. All are invited who would
like to help plan and implement events at church. If you have questions, please call the church office.
Men’s Group
The guys are getting together at 7 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings of the month (February 5 and
19) for Bible study. If you have questions, please call Mark at 789-3024 or Kirt at 500-2129.
Boy Scout Sunday
February 8 is Boy Scout Sunday. We invite those involved with Scouts to wear your uniforms to church
that day. Worship will include a special blessing for all Scouts.
Footloose & Fancy Free
The seniors group from SOV and Resurrection Lutheran Churches will gather at Noon, Tuesday, February
10 for their monthly potluck. If you have questions, please ask Sue Trivette or Philis Beran.
Glory Hole Meatloaf
This month SOV cooks and serves for the Glory Hole on Wednesday, February 18. Please look for the
sign up sheet for donations of food and time at church. If you have questions, please ask Roger Birk.
Mom’s Group—Fun with Chocolate
Hey Moms! Let’s get-together at 5:30 p.m., Monday, February 23 for dinner and a chat and fun with
chocolate! Dinner and childcare provided. Please let Pastor Tari know if you can help watch the kids
while the Moms do their thing.
Email Prayer Group (a.k.a. the prayer chain)
Do you have something you would like lifted in prayer? Contact the SOV Email Prayer Group. How it
works: simply email your prayer request to Alice Gates at [email protected]. She will forward your
request to the people in the Email Prayer Group (and the group will keep your request in their prayers). If
you are interested in receiving prayer request emails, please contact Alice at the above email address. She
will add your email address to the group list.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Fred Meyer Rewards Card holders (or folks who would like to be a card holder) are
invited to visit the website www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards and have their
card “linked” to their favorite participating non-profit (such as SOV). Since the beginning of 2014, nine households have linked their cards to SOV and we earned $250
in 2014. Please consider visiting the website and linking your card to SOV (or another non-profit). It’s easy and free to do, and a financial boost for the non-profit.
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
5
The Way:
Connecting Life & Faith
What does it mean to live in our baptismal covenant at Shepherd of the Valley?
That’s a question that we wrestle with
whether we are new to church or we realize that after all these years going to
church we still have no idea what this
has to do with our lives.
Beginning February 8, and continuing
through the time leading up to Easter, all
are encouraged to participate in Sunday
evening explorations. Every Sunday evening we will gather at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and then have small group guided
discussions around a Bible reading, or
part of worship, or teaching of the
church. These are not classes, as much as
they are safe places to ask questions and
explore ideas.
This process is about making grace real
through personal reflection, group conversations and community blessings.
The goal is to connect scripture, worship,
and the community of the church to our
daily lives.
If you would like to help with dinner or
childcare, please sign-up at church or
call the church office at 789-4093.
Fat Tuesday Follies
Pancakes & Variety Show
5:30 to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 17
at Shepherd of the Valley
The event is free; free will donations will
be accepted for the SOV youth trip to
National Youth Gathering in Detroit.
Pancakes served until everyone is full;
Variety show begins at 6 p.m.
Bring your friends and family;
it is always a great time!
If you would like to perform your familyoriented act in the variety show, or if you
are able to help flip pancakes for dinner,
please talk to Pastor Tari or Becky
Corson. Thanks!
The night before Ash Wednesday is often
referred to as Fat Tuesday, referring to
the "traditional" last night to eat fatty
foods before the religious obligations and
fasting associated with Lent. Pancakes
are traditional "Fat" celebration fare (as
they are full of sugar, fat, and eggs and
are oft smothered with butter and syrup).
Mmmmm...sinful!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13: 8
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
6
Family Promise
Update & Meeting
Juneau is in the process of developing a response to
family homelessness. We are working with a national group called Family Promise. Family Promise has developed a religious community-based approach to offering caring assistance to homeless
families.
The INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
program of providing shelter, meals and support for
homeless families is easily developed because it
relies on existing community resources: houses of
worship for overnight lodging, congregations for
volunteers, social service agencies for screening
and referrals, and existing organizations for day facilities.
The planning and educating process began in
Juneau in September and our next meeting is at
6:30 p.m., Monday, February 2 at the Cathedral
downtown (416 5th Street). This is a working
meeting, but we are happy to introduce people to
the program. This is the ideal time to get involved. For more information, please call Pastor
Tari at 789-4093.
Southeast Cluster
Spring Rendezvous
Sitka Lutheran will host delegates
from the churches around Southeast
February 20-22. Becky Corson,
Glenn Mitchell, and Pastor Tari will
represent SOV at this spring’s cluster.
Becky and Glenn, along with the
other SAM candidates from Southeast Alaska, will be commissioned as
official SAMs (Synodically Authorized Ministers). The other SAMs are
Shirley Winberly from Island of Faith
in Wrangell; Bill Bahleda and Randy
Sutak from Resurrection Lutheran in
Juneau; and Mark Kissel from SOV.
The SAM candidates have taken
classes in a variety of subjects over
the last year to help them become
more effective lay leaders in their
congregations. Congratulations on
your commissioning!
A Moment for Prayer
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the
ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go
out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is
leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Lutheran Book of Worship published by Augsburg Publishing House, 1978
Please keep in your prayers our February prayer partner, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
Email us at [email protected] if you would like a prayer request included in the newsletter.
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
7
Help for Family in Nigeria
Since November, when we first asked for help for
Mama Namsi and her family in Nigeria, we have
been able to send her $1300. Thank you for your
generous donations. However, help is still needed.
If you would like to donate, please know that this
money goes directly to helping people escape violence, get medical treatment and basic supplies.
Make the check to SOV and put “Nigeria” in the
memo.
Over the last couple of months, Mama Namsi sent
three updates to Pastor Tari:
Hope you are well with your family. The purchased
food items were successfully distributed and some
of the displaced people taking refuge with us are
planning to visit their houses and see what they can
do about repairs. As we all know it is not easy to
host families for months. Something has to happen
no matter how long it takes. The pregnant mother
had a still birth due to malaria and had blood
transfusion last week Friday. Her husband was nowhere to be found the past two months due to the
insurgence. Please continue to pray for us.
Amen to your prayers and that has been our stronghold. We have surrender to God the creator and
nothing else. There was an attack this morning by
unknown gunmen at a Christian wedding reception
(the newly wedded were killed) which claimed ten
lives and wounded thirty others. The incident happened about 90 miles away from where we live. It is
really shocking but we trust in God for protection
and saving grace. Many thanks to you for your love
to us. May peace return to our nation as many are
praying for us.
And most recently:
Pastor Tari we are living in fear because on Sunday Sekenwas town was attacked by the Islamic
Militant group while he was driving out of the town.
A Church was burnt down many shops were also
destroyed. Please continue to pray for our safety,
we thank God for leading us this far.
Souper Bowl
of Caring
On Sunday, February 1,
the SOV youth challenge each of us to bring
two non-perishable food
items or $2 to church for each electronic device we own with a screen on it. TVs, phones,
cameras...all the screens. All food and money
will go toward the SOV community food pantry. This challenge is part of The Souper Bowl
of Caring, a nation-wide effort of youth to end
hunger in their communities.
In light of their challenge, check out the following information about our food pantry:
Got Groceries?
Our community food pantry is an ongoing and
well-used ministry that is always in need of
food. In 2014 we helped feed 7,428 people—
an increase of 2,239 people from 2013, when
we helped feed 5,189 people. We ask that you
keep the pantry on your grocery list—as regularly as possible! A few of the staples we like
to have on hand every time the pantry is open
include:
* Cans of soup, chili, fruits, and veggies
* Can protein—chicken, tuna, Spam, and beef
* Pastas and pasta sauces
* Macaroni & Cheese
Monetary donations are also appreciated. One
of our food resources is the Southeast Alaska
Food Bank, where we can purchase groceries
for 14 cents a pound. Your monetary donations will help us pay the yearly Food Bank
bill (make sure your checks written to SOV are
designated food pantry).
The Food Bank is a wonderful resource, but as
they are also dependant on donations from the
community to keep their shelves full, they do
not always have a wide variety on hand. A
delicate balance of your food and monetary
donations, and our purchases from the food
bank, keep our food pantry shelves wellstocked.
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
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Birthdays
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7
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15
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27
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Issac Christensen
Michelle Weaver
Dan Hubert
Natalie Teal
Lynn Krauss
Sally Thompson
Greg Weldon
Rick Fritsch
Nancy Davis
Tari Stage-Harvey
Patrick Tassel
Carolyn Rasmussen
Janalynn Doten-Ferguson
Meilani Doten-Ferguson
Willie Anderson
Rachel Sielbach
Carol Shurson
David Teal
Terri Bascom
Jeannie Drapeaux
Helen Mehrkens
Sharon Fishel
Aaron Doten-Ferguson
Baptismal Birthdays
1
13
14
19
22
24
28
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Carol Shurson
Keith Andrews
Kyle Drapeaux
Melissa Fritsch
Erik Thompson
Logan Balstad
Jane Efshen
Judy Marshall
Anniversaries
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22
Fred & Debbie Howard
Megan & Scott Hinton
So Much to Celebrate in...
Newsletter Sponsorship
Thank you to our February newsletter sponsors, the Kissels and the Corsons. They are
sponsoring this month's edition in celebration
of Kirt Stage-Harvey. They wrote: We are
proud of and excited for Kirt, and wish him
all the best as he goes forth to new challenges and adventures at the Public Safety
Training Academy in Sitka. We look forward
to your stories, Kirt. You (and your delightful family) will be in our daily thoughts and
prayers. Godspeed!
If you are interested in sponsoring a month of the
newsletter in honor or celebration of something or
someone, let us know. The suggested donation is
$100. Call or email the church to let us know which
month you would like to sponsor and any special
wording you want included.
Welcome & Thanks!
We welcome Katherine Andrews, Linda Landvick and
Dan Corson to council. A huge thanks to Adam DotenFerguson, Lewis Gates, and William Wallace for their
service. The new members will be installed during worship on February 8.
Thank you everyone who attended our productive annual meeting on January 25 And thanks to council for
providing brunch!
The Shepherd’s Voice—February 2015
Food Pantry Hours
Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm
Saturdays 9-10 am
Pastor Tari’s Office Hours
10 am—2 pm Tues/Wed/Fri
9
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Thu
Fri
5
6
930 am Worship
Sat
7
9-10 am Pantry
1030 am Classes
Don’t Forget
The Souper Bowl
8
130 pm Fellowship
Committee Meeting
630 pm Family
Promise meeting at
Cathedral (downtown)
645 pm SAM class
at Resurrection
530 pm Pastoral
Support Committee
Meeting
7 pm Choir
630-730 pm Pantry
7 pm Prayer Service 7 pm Men’s Group
9
10
11
930 am Worship w/
12
13
Noon Footloose &
Fancy Free Potluck
Installation of Council
& Boy Scout Sunday
14
9-10 am Pantry
1030 am Classes
530 pm The Way:
Connecting Faith & Life
15
930 am Worship
7 pm Choir
630-730 pm Pantry
530 pm Council
7 pm Prayer Service
16
17
18
6 pm SAM class
530—7 pm
Fat Tuesday
Follies
6 pm SAM class
Connecting Faith & Life
7 pm Choir
630-730 pm Pantry
22
23
24
Noon JCCC Lenten
Noon Worship at Lunch at Northern
Light United
Resurrection
7 pm Worship at
Shepherd of Valley
SOV Cooks &
Serves for the
Glory Hole
25
Connecting Faith & Life
530 pm Mom’s Group
7 pm Choir
630-730 pm Pantry
7 pm Prayer Service
21
9-10 am Pantry
SE Alaska Cluster Rendezvous
Friday—Sunday in Sitka
7 pm Men’s Group
26
27
Noon JCCC Lenten
Lunch at Northern
Light United
930 am Worship
1030 am Classes &
Mentoring
530 pm The Way:
20
Ash Wednesday
President’s Day
1030 am Classes
530 pm The Way:
19
28
9-10 am Pantry
Looking Ahead to Sunday, March 1st
Ribs Dinner Fundraiser at SOV
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Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
4212 Mendenhall Loop Road
Mailing Address: PO Box 34859, Juneau, AK 99803
Email: [email protected] Telephone (907) 789-4093
Web: www.sovlutheran.org
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JUNEAU, ALASKA
PERMIT NO. 11
Return Service Requested
Your church family is here for prayers, visits, and encouragement. Please call if
you would like a visit from Pastor Tari, or anytime you can use a kind word.
We would also love to hear from you with comments about or submissions to The
Shepherd’s Voice. If your address has changed, or if you no longer wish to be on
our mailing list, we want to know that too. Please contact us by email at
[email protected] or call the church office at (907) 789-4093.
Rev. Tari Stage-Harvey, Pastor
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer Service: 7 p.m.
Faith Formation Classes for All Ages: Sundays, immediately following morning worship
Pastor Tari’s Office Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tues, Wed, and Fri.
Food Pantry Hours: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays
Shepherd’s Voice: Editor, Becky Corson and Production/Distribution, Alice Gates