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St. Martin's Time and Talent Form
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Leadership & Administration
As with running any organization, many administrative tasks are necessary to carry out the functions of the church and make sure the lights stay on in the building. How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Well, first someone has to budget for the lightbulb, then another person decides which bulb to buy, another person purchases the bulb, someone installs it, and someone else makes sure the old bulb is properly disposed of. And of course, someone else pays the electric bill! You get the idea. Administrative leadership has many opportunities for service for a variety of skills and time commitments. Many, but not all, of these roles at elected at the annual meeting.
Council - Elected at the Annual Meeting, council conducts the business and oversight of the church. Council evaluates the activities of the TLC, administers church property management, votes on budgetary matters, and provides oversight of the spiritual life of the church. Members serve a 3 years for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
Nominating Team - Nominating Team is responsible for recruiting and nominating members for various elected leadership roles ahead of the annual meeting. Nominations filled by the Nominating team include Council, Audit Team, Synod Assembly Representatives, and Nominating Team. This three-member elected team has a term of one year. Council Vice President serves as team leader.
Synod Assembly Representatives - Voting members are elected at the Annual Meeting to represent St. Martin’s at the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin annual assembly. Number of representatives is determined by size of congregation. Currently St. Martin's is allowed two adult delegates and one youth delegate in addition to the pastor. This role does require overnight travel to the determined assembly location, usually (but not always) in May and within a two hour drive.
Finance Team - Drafts the annual budget working with the Stewardship Team in monitoring an annual revenue plan. Monitors month to month giving and expense reports. Lead by the Treasurer and three additional members who are appointed by Council/Nominating Team. The Finance Team reports to Council. Term: 3 years
Audit Team - The Audit Team performs an annual internal audit of the past fiscal year's financial reports. The audit team also oversees obtaining an external audit once every three years as laid out in the constitution. Audit team consists of three members who serve three year terms, with one member rotating out every year.
Personnel - works with Pastor on matters related to the lay staff of St. Martin’s, formulates a benefit program for lay staff, hears all matters of concern of lay staff, conducts annua performance reviews and, with the council president and pastor, recruits and hires lay staff for new positions. Term length is one year. Team consists of two at-large members of council and two other congregation members.
Giving Team - Compiles an Annual Gift List of needs from Council, ministry teams, TLC and staff. Works with families to make purchases of items from gifts and memorial donations. They oversee the final selection and purchase of items with Council, Teams and staff, and assure a permanent record of gifts is kept. Three to four member sare appointed by Council for a 1 year term which may be renewed.
Legacy Endowment Board - the purpose of St. Martin’s Legacy EndowmentBoard is to use the by-laws for the Legacy Endowment Fund to execute thedistribution of Interest for those in need within our congregation, communityand beyond. The board invests all contributions to the Legacy Fund with theELCA Endowment Pool A Fund. Only the interest generated with the Pool A Fundcan be distributed annually and the board makes certain those distributionsmeet the funds objectives. TLC Contact: Van Valaskey – veval@tds.net
Stewardship Team - Stewardship team works with pastor to organize annual stewardship drive (usually October or November). Stewardship drive is responsible for getting financial pledges from congregation and overseeing the Time & Talent form submissions. Stewardship team is also called upon when giving is down and fundraising is needed. Stewardship educates congregation about various ways of giving time, talent, and treasure to the church, both at St. Martin's and at large.
FaithfulInnovation Guiding Team - The focus of the Faithful Innovation Guiding Team is to determine ways that we can support God’s mission in our community. This requires listening to scripture, each other and to residents of our community as we gather the information about our community and God’s work in the world through small faith experiments. To facilitate this process, we will collect information from studying scripture together (dwelling in the Word), listen to how members see God working in their lives and in the community, taking prayer walks, and ultimately designing and carrying out simple experiments to help learn more about what God is doing in our community and how the church can participate.
TLC(in conjunction with other ministry teams) - Serves as a liaisonbetween Teams, Staff, Council and Members. Teams are organized under one Team Coordinator (Council Vice President). TLC provides leadership, determines the church activity calendar, submits budget requests and communicates regularly with the congregation through Monthly Manna and/or the weekly bulletin. TLC coordinators meet bi-monthly, or as needed, to report on activities within their individual Teams. TLC is also responsible for organizing church-wide outreach events throughout the year, such as Community Day (Rally Day), Cookie Walk, and God’s Work, Our Hands.
Office Volunteers: Assist Pastor and Office Manager in administrative office tasks, such as answering phones, emails, and putting together communications for mailing.
Worship
Worship is a central element of our lives as Christians. The Worship Planning Team (WPT) meets monthly with the Pastor and music leaders to assist with planning up coming worship services. WPT members coordinate the training of worship assistants, as needed. No special skills are necessary. Leadership of this team rotates annually, with the chair serving as a representative to the Team Leadership Circle. For more information contact Sandy Salvo at spowers28@gmail.com or call 608-469-6039
Reader - An essential part of the worship service is reading the Bible lessons for the day. Readers are asked to come forward at the appointed time and read the lessons. Lessons are sent in advance to allow the Reader to practice. Readers also serve as Communion Assistants, as needed. Readers are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist. For more information, contact Pastor Maggie at pastormaggie@stmatinscp.org or call 608-515-8618.
Usher - Ushers are a vital part of our worship experience at St. Martin’s. Ushers have duties before, during and after the service. Before the service ushers open the doors, hand out bulletins, direct folks to needed areas such as nursery, and bathrooms. During the service, ushers take the offering, count and record attendance, and direct worshippers during communion. After the service, they pick up the worship space, turn off lights, and lock doors. Ushers are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist. For more information, contact Pastor Maggie at pastormaggie@stmatinscp.org orcall 608-515-8618.
Communion Assistant - Communion Assistants help the Pastor serve communion to worship participants. Duties include: coming forward during the beginning of communion with the communion elements, and serving congregants by intinction (dipped wafers) or at the rail (individual cups). Assistants are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist. For more information, contact Pastor Maggie at pastormaggie@stmatinscp.org or call 608-515-8618.
Song Leader - Song Leaders assist the congregation with singing liturgical selections and hymns. This requires a willingness to practice the upcoming worship music with the accompanist. Song Leaders are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist. For more information contact Kristin Warner at music@stmartinscp.org or call 719-963-9136.
Audio-Visual - Each Sunday we rely on the expertise of our Audio-Visual Team to ensure the smooth operation of our projector, sound system, camera, and internet broadcasting during worship. Duties include: coming early to start up the sound board, getting microphones and speakers adjusted, making sure the PowerPoint presentation is properly advanced during the worship service, and monitoring the Zoom broadcast to off-site worshippers. Training provided. AV Team members are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist. For more information, contact Jeff Postle at 608-212-5157.
Liturgical Arts - At St. Martin’s, we rely on a creative group of volunteers to decorate the interior of the church for festival Sundays and unique events. This is accomplished by collaborating with the Pastor and Worship Planning Team. The group meets as necessary with scheduling flexibility. For more information, contact Karen Windels at karenwindels@gmail.com or call 608-798-5031.
Adult Choir - During the school year, Adult Choir sings approximately two times each month during worship, as well as at special church holidays. Choir practices weekly on Sundays before worship. No prior choral experience is necessary. For more information contact Kristin Warner at music@stmartinscp.org or call 719-963-9136.
Hand Bell Choir - Hand Bell Choir performs occasionally throughout the year, especially on holidays. The group practices on an as-needed basis, typically on Wednesday evenings. No experience is necessary! For more information contact Kristin Warner at music@stmartinscp.org or call 719-963-9136.
Special Music - St. Martin’s always welcomes instrumentalists, soloists, or group/ensemble musicians to assist and enhance our worship service. St. Martin’s accompanist will practice with the musician, as needed. For more information contact Kristin Warner atmusic@stmartinscp.org or call 719-963-9136.
Altar Guild - A vital part of Sunday Worship is preparing the altar with the appropriate paraments and setting the communion “table” prior to the start of worship services. Guild members also clean up after communion and make sure the communion cloths are cleaned and ironed. Participants are assigned responsibilities on a weekly rotation and work with the Altar Guild Team Leader on special events. For more information, contact Deb Goplin at dgoplin@charter.net or call 608-219-8624.
Music Planning Team - Meets on a quarterly basis to select hymns for Sunday worship. Works with Pastor and Music Director.
Offering Counters gather in pairs after worship to count and document the offering for the day. Counters may not be from the same family. Counters are placed on a flexible weekly rotation schedule.
Education/Youth & Family
Youth and Family Ministry Team meets monthly, and is composed of lay members and our Pastor. The primary goal of our team is to provide life-long faith formation opportunities for our worshipping community. To achieve this, we plan and execute programs for Sunday School children age 3 through 5th grade, Confirmation students grades 6th through 8th, High School youth, and Christian Education opportunities for adults. Programming for youth includes weekly classes during the school year, summer camp opportunities for Sunday School through 8th grade youth, service learning activities for youth ages 6th grade through high school, and mission trips and ELCA Youth Gathering for High School students. Programming for adults includes weekly Bible study and book study classes. Contact team leader Karen Windels at karenwindels@gmail.com for more information.
Youth and Family Ministry Team - YFM Team Members are expected to meet weekly with the rest of the team to plan educational programs. Team members are also responsible for organizing the annual Children's Christmas Pageant.
Sunday School Teachers - Sunday School takes place during 9 AM worship on Sunday mornings. We use a rotation curriculum with new units every three weeks. For three weeks, students will rotate through different learning stations (for example, story room, cooking, crafts, movies). Sunday School Teachers are responsible for leading students through the same learning station for the three weeks of the unit. After three weeks, teachers rotate out. All curriculum and materials are provided.
Confirmation Teachers - Confirmation lessons take place on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 pm. Confirmation teachers assist Pastor in leading students through Bible reading and discussion questions about Old & New Testaments, Lutheran Theology, Worship, and Discipleship. All curriculum and materials are provided.
High School Youth Group leader(s) (currently on hiatus. Looking for volunteers starting September 2022) - High School Youth Group focuses on faith formation and fellowship for young adults. On an annual basis, students travel together on mission trips or (every three years) to the ELCA Youth Gathering. The group leader(s) will be responsible for organizing regular faith formation activities at least once a month for high school students and coordinating fundraising and planning for annual summer travel. At least one group leader is also expected to attend monthly YFM meetings to provide updates.
Missions
The Mission Team is a Planning Team that meets and reports bi-monthly, or as needed, to fellow TLC members/Council, communicates upcoming events to the congregation and submits reports upon completion. They recruit Action Team volunteers for activities under their area, write a year-end synopsis for the Annual Report, submit an annual budget to Council and collaborate with fellow TLC members to plan the annual volunteer activity calendar. (Contact: Maureen Berghoefer – msberghoefer@tds.net)
Feed Our Children - This Team fills backpacks weekly during the school year with 4-5 pounds of food for children that do not have food security at home. The bag includes shelf stable foods and a fresh vegetable and a piece of fresh fruit. The packs are filled and delivered to Park Elementary School and Glacier Middle School and sent home with the children. This program is funded by an ELCA Grant, fund raising, Second Harvest food bank, food and monetary donations made by church members. Volunteers shop for designated food, pack it and distribute it to the schools.
Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) - St. Martin’s joins ten other local churches comprising the MOM Community Service Council (CSC) who act as liaisons between their congregations and MOM, attend CSC bi-monthly meetings and communicate updates on programs that benefit MOM. Our liaisons report on the MOM calendar of events and volunteer opportunities through the Monthly Manna. Food is collected in designated wooden bins located in the narthex. Clothing and bedding drives are periodically scheduled. In addition, St. Martin’s participates in the MOM School Backpack Drive and the adoption of MOM clients for the Giving Tree program. In addition, there are many opportunities to volunteer in the MOM food pantry ,clothing closet or for special events.
Heights Unlimited Community Service Center - Heights Unlimited provides services and necessities (e.g. food, clothing, and personal/ household essentials) to the community of Black Earth and beyond which enables clients to reallocate monetary resources to cover other basic needs such as rent, utilities and heat. Our volunteers regularly empty the food bins located in the narthex, pack and deliver donations to HU. There are opportunities to volunteer for HU by stocking shelves and distributing food on days the pantry is open.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors - This Team responds to community weather related needs arising from flooding, tornados, wind damage, etc. They serve as the first responders in clearing, cleaning and addressing immediate needs and partner with LUAD in the initial stages of disaster recovery. This Team also responds to seasonal requests for yard clean up, including raking and simple household repairs for senior citizens and those with disabilities. St. Martin's volunteers often provide lunches and snacks for the Team workers.
Global Health Ministries –Newborn Kits - These Kits help mothers celebrate the birth of their child, and provide much-needed needed items to welcome their baby into the world. Healthcare workers who distribute kits also use them to encourage women to seek prenatal care, offering them as gifts if a mother visits a clinic before delivery, or chooses to deliver her baby at a health facility. Prenatal visits provide opportunities to monitor the health of the mother and developing child and help them share information about nutrition, immunizations and care of a newborn. Our volunteers promote and communicate the drive for items that comprise a kit, set up a display in the narthex, assemble the kits and pack them for delivery to GHM.
Lutheran World Relief - Cleanliness may not actually be next to godliness, but it certainly helps a person feel more human. When family homes are destroyed, or residents must flee for their safety, soap and a towel rarely make the cut in what they can carry. Arriving in a refugee camp or other place of safety, they are scared, vulnerable and dirty from the travel. The simple items included in a Personal Care Kit provide much-needed self-care and the chance to regain dignity in situations of fear and uncertainty. Our volunteers help promote, gather items for kit assembly, pack and deliver them with quits, to the Madison train station during Fall pick up.
Quilting Team - This Team creates beautiful quilts in an array of colors. The Team decides where they will be donated. Quilts have been given to Lutheran World Relief, Auctions, disaster victims, and Giving Tree adoptees. They meet the second Monday of the month at 9:30AM in Fellowship Hall fall through spring and all are welcome, experience is not necessary.
Madison Area Jail Ministry - MAJM serves the Dane County jail by providing funding for the ongoing presence of chaplains who serve those incarcerated, their families. This Christ-centered ministry provides spiritual care toall men and women incarcerated. Team volunteers communicate MAJM updates on MAJM through Monthly Manna and bulletins on fundraising opportunities, awareness campaigns and messages. This Team schedules an annual fundraiser to collect items most needed by the incarcerated and organize a Christmas card drive to share Christ’s continued love and our thoughts and prayers during the holiday season.
Butternut Squash Garden - This Team grows squash in a garden located on church grounds. The annual harvest historically exceeds 300 pounds. Volunteers plant, weed, water and harvest the garden finally deliver the produce to local food pantries.
Giving Tree/Stuff A Stocking - This time-honored Christmas tradition for more than 30 years. Since its inception members of our community and beyond have received the generous support and kindness of our members. Hundreds of families have been adopted and thousands of gifts purchased by our congregation over those years. Individuals are adopted from MOM, area social workers and through recommendations from members of our congregation .Volunteers shop, sort, wrap and distribute gifts, wrap gifts, oversee the distribution of stockings for our congregation to fill and greet families a tSt. Martin’s on the day families arrive for gift pick up.
God’s Work. Our Hands (in partnership with TLC) - This Team partners with TLC on this “church together” event that serves the community in sharing God’s love with our neighbors. Several service projects are decided by the Team which are organized and recruited for within the congregation.
Lutherans United After Disaster (LUAD) - LUAD is a synod-wide organization that provides relief after natural disasters. LUAD is able to provide financial relief as well as manual labor to help restore homes and family dignity. Current LUAD representative is Alan Harper.
Congregational Care
Congregational Care oversees areas of fellowship and hospitality in the church. Contact: Karen Seibel – karenseibel1@gmail.com
Congregational Care team oversees finding volunteers to cook and serve at various congregational functions (such as funeral meals, coffee hour, etc.) The team is responsible for making sure that the downstairs kitchen and kitchenette are stocked with coffee and other necessary food items and kitchen equipment. The Care Team also organizes relief for members in crisis with food and prayer, as well as providing support to homebound members.
Coffee Hour Hosts: hosts provide homemade or store-bought treats for serving at the post-worship coffee hour. They are also responsible for making and serving coffee and other beverages.
Funeral Hosts: Assist in setting up, serving, and cleaning during funeral meals. May also provide side dishes for serving. Oversee ordering of catered items.
Lenten Soup Suppers Hosts: assist in cooking, serving, and cleaning up soup suppers before Lenten midweek worship services. Often this is done in conjunction with ministry teams.
Visitations/Communion to Homebound: along with Pastor, these volunteers provide fellowship, prayer, and communion to homebound members or to members who may be recovering.
Community Outreach
Community outreach is responsible for making visitors and potential new members feel welcome. Community outreach also encompasses organizing events and marketing to make sure that St. Martin's is a strong presence in the Cross Plains community.
Community Outreach team - Meets bi-monthly, or as needed, with fellow TLC members. The team is responsible for marketing and communicating upcoming events to the congregation and Cross Plains community. They recruit ActionTeam volunteers for outreach events, write a year-end synopsis forthe Annual Report, submit an annual budget to Council and collaborate withfellow TLC members to plan the annual volunteer activity calendar.
Cookie Walk Action Team (in partnership with TLC): Identifies volunteers who donate homemade cookies and holiday treats, sets up event space, display cookie assortment and monitors their replenishment, establishes check-out procedure and determines holiday music and/or decorations. Promotes the sale throughout the community. The Team names who the fundraiser will benefit.
Community Day Action Team (in partnership with TLC): Coordinates, promotes, organizes the event. The Team selects the date, determines the schedule of the day, plans activities, oversee rental of equipment and determine expenses and income
Christmas Caroling Action Team: Selects music, determines homes to visit, identifies carolers and organizes transportation for volunteers moving from house to house.
God's Work, Our Hands Action Team (in partnership with TLC and Missions): This Team partners with TLC on this “church together” event that serves the community in sharing God’s love with our neighbors and getting volunteers from St. Martin's out into the Cross Plains community. Several service projects are decided by the Team which are organized and recruited for within the congregation.
Greeters: Volunteers are asked to arrive at church about 15 minutes in advance of the service to make sure that all worshipers receive a warm, personal greeting as they walk in. When newcomers arrive, it is especially important to extend hospitality and make sure their worship needs are met. Duties include: greeting all who come for worship, assisting guests with basic information about St. Martin’s, touching base during fellowship and introducing them to other worshippers, and finally, extending an invitation to come again as they are exiting. Greeters are placed on a rotation schedule, with flexibility to select alternative Sundays to assist.
Digital Outreach: Along with pastor and the Office Manager, the digital outreach volunteers makes sure that the church website and social media accounts are up to date and welcoming to visitors. They also make sure that photographs are being taken and shared of community events and create social media posts.
Adult Adventures
TLC Contact: Kathy Graedel – brikathy@chorus.net
Adult Adventures is all about social interaction, to learn more about the communities in which we live, foster Christian fellowship, develop friendships and to just have fun. Our team meets about every two months to work together on suggestions where the adventures can take us. When we decide on our next fun, interesting destination the information is communicated to the congregation and in Monthly Manna. Some destinations we have enjoyed include the 1909 Wine Bar, Olbrich Gardens, a tour of the PI Company, and the Governor’s Mansion at Christmas.
Building & Grounds
Contact: Bill Windels – billwindels@gmail.com
Property Team - At St. Martins, we rely on an industrious group of volunteers to manage our property, both the exterior and interior. The Team meets as needed, and is responsible for assessing the needs of the church property and making sure that those needs are addressed. The Team also oversee many of the contracts and maintenance work that is delegated to outside vendors. They are responsible for organizing clean-up days and often roll-up their sleeves to participate.
Prayer Garden Team - Our Prayer Garden is a great blessing to St. Martin’s members and the CP Community. The Prayer Garden Team spends a day in the spring and again in the fall caring for the garden by mulching, weeding, plant replacement and pruning. They work with the congregation and the Property Team to accomplish these tasks. The Team also takes care of incidental garden maintenance needs throughout the spring and summer months.
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