Committees

The Council
The council is responsible for the life and activities of Gethsemane.  They lead Gethsemane in stating its mission, doing long-range planning, setting goals and priorities, and evaluating activities in light of our mission and goals.   They give a listening ear to the congregation in matters of worship, learning, witness, service, and support.   They promote a climate of peace and goodwill, and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding

Mission Committee:
The Mission Committee believes that the ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran Church extends to three areas: our church; our community; and our world. We believe that our mission as Christians is to look beyond ourselves and into the wider community beyond our church doors. To this end, our committee promotes and fosters ministry within our church including a Welcoming Ministry; a Mentor Ministry; prayer chains; and a Sunday coffee fellowship time between church services. The ministry we promote and foster in our community includes monthly Community Meals that are hosted in our fellowship hall; the annual Crop Walk in St. Croix County; and the Community Food Pantry in Baldwin which we support financially and help staff. In the world outside of our community, we promote and support Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters campaign each year; the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s World Hunger program through Good Gifts; the Feed My Starving Children organization by volunteering to make up food packs that are distributed to children suffering from starvation all over the world; maintaining a “companion relationship” between our congregation and the Mhkota Parish in the African nation of Malawi; and sponsoring through prayer and financial support an ELCA missionary in the Asian country of Malaysia. Through all of these endeavors, we strive to use the gifts and talents that God has given us to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Education Committee:
This 6-member committee meets monthly with the purpose to coordinate and implement the educational needs of the congregation including: 

1. Sunday School, Confirmation, and Vacation Bible School programs
2. Facilitate the direction of the educational aspects of Vibrant Faith and Milestones Ministries
3. The reading and learning needs of the congregation through the Church Library
4. The supervision and outreach of our church Nursery, which includes staffing, scheduling, and maintaining of the nursery
5. The proper functioning of a youth ministry that encompasses Grades 6-12
6. The adult education opportunities of the congregation.

Worship Committee:
The worship committee is responsible for the worship life of our congregation. We recognize that gathering weekly for worship is the most important aspect of our lives together as Christians. We strive to see that the worship services bring glory to God, spiritually enrich as many lives as possible, and bring us into God’s presence strengthening our faith through the hearing of God’s Word and through receiving the sacraments. As a committee we review worship themes, services, and times. We arrange for ushers, readers, and communion assistants at each worship service and oversee the music committee which arranges for organists and musicians as needed. 

Finance Committee:
The Finance Committee operates under the direction of the Council to assist in financial matters. The members of the committee consist of the church treasurer, the financial secretary, the past council president, a current council member, and a member of the congregation. The committee reports monthly to the Council and quarterly to the congregation. 
 

Gifts & Memorials Committee:
Gifts and Memorials Committee is responsible for overseeing special funds given to the church. 

Building & Grounds Committee:
Building and Grounds Committee is concerned with the upkeep and maintenance of the church buildings and property. 

Spiritual Care Committee:
Spiritual Care Committee is responsible for the spiritual care of our members. This new committee sends cards to our young adults and looks for ways to attend to the needs of our congregation. 

Vibrant Faith Task Force
The Vibrant Faith Task Force is responsible for incorporating our mission of seeking to grow in our faith and sharing that faith with others into the life of the congregation through the 4 keys of Christians discipleship (Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service, & Rituals and Traditions), establishing cross-generational relationships, and seeking ways to engaging the congregation in a vibrant faith.  

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