Mission Statement: “The Fellowship committee seeks to celebrate Christian Fellowship within the congregation by providing a variety of Christ-centered activities and events.”

Present: Pastor Greg and Angela Held, John and Judy Sieg, Kathy Potter, Mary and Dave Whipkey and Dorothy Datemasch.

This meeting was held after the worship service in Luther Hall. Pastor opened the meeting with a short prayer before our delicious meal provided by Kathy and Mary.

Minutes from January 13, 2013 meeting were discussed and approved through email on March 12 by consensus.
This worked well, and committee will continue to approve via email so minutes may be posted on the website in a timely fashion.

Dorothy was welcomed as a new member of the committee.

Old Business:

Bunco Night – completed on April 6, 2013. It was attended by 20 people who had a very good time learning something new from Pat Byford, our volunteer substitute leader in the absence of the Siegs.

Dinners for Eight January/February – completed.

New Business:

Spring Bike Hike and Picnic – The date of Saturday, June 1, 2013 was chosen for this activity, and the location will be Cedar Creek park. Deb Weigold will make a poster and sign-up sheet which will include directions to the park. Angela will coordinate the picnic and provide the meat, buns, drink and condiments, while attendees may bring side dishes. There will also be a sign up for those who may want to come to the picnic only at 12:00.

Board Space in the Narthex – Although it was felt that Fellowship needed to have a dedicated and more visible space with room for several sign up posters without cluttering the narthex area with easels, Kathy compromised by arranging to use the board to the right of the sink area as a sign up spot for our activities. By using smaller information posters and sign ups, the committee felt that this would be sufficient.

Monthly Men’s Breakfast - The latest breakfast was held at the Lamplighter and was attended by 8 men. John confirmed that it is continuing on the third Saturday of every month. There will be a smaller poster and sign up to fit the new bulletin board space.

Continental Breakfast after Outdoor Summer Worship – Carol was not able to attend, but reported to Kathy that Worship and Music gave several dates from which to choose. We narrowed it down to either July 14 or August 11. We will continue to explore which one will work best and once confirmed with Worship and Music, will proceed with planning and advertising.

Dinners for Eight are continuing, but encountered a few glitches. The winter months posed a problem for getting hosts. After discussion of optional ideas, the committee decided to continue with the schedule as it stands, but will remind people that each group may use discretion in how their evening is planned. If they want/need to go to a restaurant, they are free to do so.

The Dinners for Eight Christmas Party for all church members in is tentatively planned for Tuesday, December 10 at the Lamplighter. More details TBA.

Ethnic Potluck Dinner – This event is scheduled for September 29, 2013. It will be held in Heritage Hall to make use of the stage for the entertainment portion of the evening. As a reminder, this event will celebrate our various ethnic backgrounds by having a potluck style dinner where everyone would bring a dish from the background of their family heritage. A talent show will be the entertainment for this dinner and feature the many and various talents of our members. Angela will contact Leanne for ideas, and details will be finalized at our next meeting. Possible name: “Emmanuel Has Talent!”

Mystery Dinner – Angela has been in contact with The Spaghetti and Steak House and has been put on their calling list for upcoming Mystery Dinner dates. They are aware that we are looking for a November event. More details will be communicated when they become available.

Christmas Caroling – The date for this year is Sunday, December 15, 2013, and Angela will take care of the details, which will be announced at our next meeting.

Other Business:

Next Game Night – November 2, 2013
Sight and Sound excursion – discuss in August

Next Meeting Date: Sunday, August 18 after the service. Meeting location will be the Held residence. It will be a picnic, and the Helds will provide the meats and drinks and the committee will bring the side dishes.

Respectfully Submitted,

Angela Held
Secretary

Committee Members: Ernie Carns, Pastor Greg Held, Peg Lewis, Leanne Salava, Carol Schlotter, Judy Sieg, Mary Whipkey, Dave Whipkey, Dorothy Datemasch, Secretary Angela Held, Chairperson Kathy Potter, Council Representative John Sieg, and Special Activities Members Darrel Brednich, Karen Kuczek, and Deb and Howard Weigold.

Mission Statement: “The Fellowship committee seeks to celebrate Christian Fellowship within the congregation by providing a variety of Christ-centered activities and events.”

Present: Pastor Greg and Angela Held, Leanne Salava, Carol Schlotter, John Sieg, Kathy Potter, Mary and Dave Whipkey, Deb Weigold
Guests: Elsie and Darryl Brednich, Stan and Linda Casper, Nicole Held, Jim Kuczek, and Judy Sieg.

Kathy opened the meeting with a short prayer. This meeting was held after the worship service at Hoss’s in Murrysville.

Minutes from the October 6, 2012 meeting were distributed and approved.

Old Business:

Movie Matinee and Lunch – November 11, 2012 - completed
Dinners for Eight September/October 2012 - completed
Dinners for Eight Christmas Party - December 11, 2012 – completed.
Christmas Caroling – December 16, 2012 - completed

New Business:

Kathy announced, with regret, the official resignation of Jack and Betty Ridenour from the committee. The distance is too great for them to commit to a regular attendance since their move. On a positive note, Peg Lewis has expressed an interest in joining the Fellowship committee, and we welcome her today as a member, although she was not able to be at this meeting.

Ethnic Potluck Dinner – Kathy turned it over to John who elaborated on his idea for an ethnic potluck dinner. It was to celebrate our various ethnic backgrounds by having a potluck style dinner where everyone would bring a dish from the background of their family heritage. Several ELC members discussed the idea. Leanne suggested a Talent Show. It could be the entertainment for this dinner and feature the many and various talents of our members. The idea was well received, and it was decided that this would be best for the fall, and a September date will be chosen and announced in the near future.

Board Space and Getting the Word Out – Kathy continued discussion about the present bulletin board space and whether Fellowship could use space in the narthex. It was felt that Fellowship needed to have a more visible space, and room for several sign up posters without cluttering the narthex area with easels. Pastor and John will bring it up at council to see if it would be okay to move the acknowledgements and awards from the church-side bulletin board in the narthex to the spaces outside Heritage Hall, and take over the space it would make available. We look forward to a follow up response.

Monthly Men’s Breakfast - It is continuing on the third Saturday of every month. It includes breakfast prepared by volunteers and served at 8:00 am. There are a variety of programs offered, including service projects for members of the church or community. The sign up is in the narthex. It seems to be going very well with an average attendance of 12.

Dinners for Eight are continuing, with the January/February dinners being planned now. Mary Whipkey has taken over the scheduling from the Ridenour’s. Future dinners in 2013 will be for March/April, May/June, September/October, then a Christmas Party for all church members in December.

Soup Luncheon – since the Youth needed a fundraiser, and the soup luncheon has been so well received by the congregation, it was decided to let the youth plan this event. The Fellowship committee will offer their support in any way requested, and will encourage participation by members. The date selected is January 27, 2013 after the Sunday Worship service.

Lenten Fish Frys – it was discussed and reviewed, and decided that the goal of encouraging participation and raising awareness of local churches was met, and that the Fellowship committee no longer needed to coordinate this activity. Since members may decide to meet and attend on their own, we will consider this activity successfully retired.

Bunco Game Night – Saturday, April 6, 2013 after contemporary service will be a special game night of Bunco. Judy and John will bring the supplies and instructions for the game.

Martin Luther Play and Dinner – There was discussion about possibly having this be a Fellowship activity, but Pastor informed the committee that he is in communication with members of the worship and music committee about having this be the entertainment for the Shrove Tuesday dinner. Our participation is no longer required, and it will be moved from our activity list.

Spring Bike Hike and Picnic – The date of Saturday, June 1, 2013 was chosen for this activity, but the location has not yet been announced. Look for more details coming soon. Deb will coordinate the hike and Angela will coordinate the picnic.

Continental Breakfast after Outdoor Summer Worship – Carol will check with Worship and Music for the date.

Mystery Dinner – Angela will explore possible locations and report via email for a November dinner.

Christmas Caroling – The exact date and time for this December activity will be announced in the future.

Other Business:

Judy Sieg and Darrel Brednich agreed to join the Fellowship committee.

We have reviewed our scheduled events and are happy with the mix of events for both women and men, seasonal, for Sunday and Saturday worship attenders, and mixed age groups. Any suggestions for additional activities may be brought to the next meeting. The goals and purpose of the Fellowship committee were also reviewed, and may need to be clarified more intentionally in the future. For now, the activities that have been planned reflect our present intent.

Next Meeting Date: Sunday, May 19 after the service. Meeting location will be announced.

Meeting ended with prayer by Pastor Greg.

Respectfully Submitted,

Angela Held
Secretary

Committee Members: Ernie Carns, Pastor Greg Held, Peg Lewis, Leanne Salava, Carol Schlotter, Judy Sieg, Mary Whipkey, Dave Whipkey, Secretary Angela Held, Chairperson Kathy Potter, Council Representative John Sieg, and Special Activities Members Darrel Brednich, Karen Kuczek, and Deb and Howard Weigold.

Mission Statement: “The Fellowship committee seeks to celebrate Christian Fellowship within the congregation by providing a variety of Christ-centered activities and events.”

Committee Members: Pastor Greg Held. Leanne Salava, Carol Schlotter, Mary Whipkey, Dave Whipkey, Secretary Angela Held, Chairperson Kathy Potter, Council Representative John Sieg and Special Activities Members Karen Kuczek, Deb and Howard Weigold, Betty and Jack Ridenour.

Present: Pastor Greg, Kathy Potter, Mary and Dave Whipkey, Deb and Howard Weigold, and Angela Held

Kathy opened the meeting with a short prayer. This meeting was held after the Game Night activities concluded. There were 15 members who attended Game Night, playing cards and a variety of other rousing games while enjoying a number of tasty snacks.

Agenda and minutes from the May 16, 2012 meeting were distributed and approved.

Old Business:
Dinners for Eight May/June 2012 - Completed
Fellowship Flyers and Display for Open House May 20, 2012 – Completed
Continental Breakfast after Outdoor Service July 22, 2012 – Completed
Concerts in the Park – Done 8-30-12
Game Night October 6, 2012 - Completed

Bike Hike and Cookout – Not completed. Weather was too hot during the summer. Targeting spring for another attempt.
Martin Luther Reformation Play and Potluck Dinner – Not completed. Rescheduled this event for Shrove Tuesday, which will take it out of Fellowship responsibility.

New Business:

Monthly Men’s Breakfast - October 20, 2012. John Sieg emailed a request for the approval of the formation of Men’s Breakfast ministry. The vision is that it would be held once a month on the third Saturday. It would include breakfast prepared by volunteers and served at 8:00 am. There would be a variety of programs offered, including service projects for members of the church or community. The committee approved this request, with a projected beginning date of October 20. Angela will have a sign-up made, and will contact John about getting something in the various ELC news distribution options.

Board Space and Getting the Word Out – Kathy prompted discussion about the present bulletin board space and whether Fellowship could reconfigure space in the narthex. We will pursue this further after evaluating current usage.

Other Business:

Movie Matinee after Church November 11, 2012 – The movie, “Courageous” was discussed as a possibility, with lunch being available. It would be scheduled immediately following the service for the convenience of members who have attended service in the morning. A sign up will be available.

Dinners for Eight September/October 2012 – Dinners continue to be held for the groups that were formed for this season.

Dinners for Eight Christmas Party – Sign up is available for ALL members of the congregation. The party is scheduled for Tues. Dec. 11th at Jaden's Restaurant at 7 PM.

Christmas Caroling December 16, 2012 – Angela will handle all arrangements for this event, which will include a meal before caroling and refreshments afterward.

It was discussed that because of the number of events being announced, a Blue Sheet should be made and put in the bulletin. It will simplify advertising, and de-clutter the narthex from having so many sign ups. Angela will take care of this.

Next Meeting Date: Sunday, January 13 after the service. We will meet at Hoss’s, Murrysville.

Items to be discussed: Possible 2013 events - February Soup n’ Sandwich after Church, next Dinners for Eight for January/February and April/May, Spring Bike Hike, Potluck Dinner, and Mystery Dinner.

Meeting ended with prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Angela Held
Secretary

www.lutheransonline.com/fellowship

Attendees: Kathy Potter (Chairperson), Karen Kuczek, Jim Kuczek, Mary Whipkey, Dave Whipkey, Carol Schlotter, Bob Schlotter, and Leanne Salava

Minutes of last meeting approved

Discussion – next year Fish Fry, 5 different venues vs. same one each Friday

New Business:
1. Thank Nicole Held for organizing concerts and ask her to do something similar next year
2. Dinners for 8 fits into this committee
3. Possibly have soup and bread lunch after a 2nd service
4. Bike ride outing – ask Deb and Angela to organize
5. Brunch after summer 9:30 service or muffins, fruit, coffee at outdoor summer service – Carol Schlotter will check on having outdoor service
6. Sept. or Oct. after contemporary worship either: game night or movie and popcorn – ex. Soul Surfer or Courageous
7. Road Rally (Dave must have cycle to do it!)