Lamplighter

Randall Presbyterian Church ~ Randall, MN

June 2022

Pentecost Sunday

June 5, 2022

And suddenly from heaven

there came a sound like the

rush of a violent wind,

and it filled the entire house

where they were sitting.

Acts 2:2

Historically, Presbyterians believe we are

commanded to keep the Sabbath Holy, but

don’t believe in other “Holy Days.” However,

there are some days that we recognize to have

special meaning. Pentecost is one of those

Sundays.

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the

disciples as tongues of fire. It is considered the

birth of the Christian Church.

It is one of my favorite services of the year, and

I am planning what will be an extra special

service this year.

Since it is the first Sunday of the month, we will also celebrate

the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Remember to wear red to symbolize the tongues of fire that

came down that first Pentecost.

Message from Michael

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; l

et the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it.

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

(Psalms 96:11-12 NRSV)

I happened to take a Spring Introduction to Psychology class during my time at Community

College. The weather had been quite nice towards the end of the semester, and so the Instructor

decided to take her class outside. For about three weeks, we listened to her lectures in the

beautiful Arizona sunshine, all of us relaxing in the fresh spring grass. The sun was shining.

The weather was perfect.

I almost flunked the course.

First of all, the class was just after lunch, so the urge to take a nap was already strong- and the

instructor was not exactly the most engaging lecturer. And Spring had always been my favorite

time to live in Phoenix. The sun was warm, but not yet hot, and there was usually a gentle

breeze. The smell of the blossoms always took me back to little league games and playing hide-

&-seek in the neighborhood. And of course, there

was

the small fact that in the warm weather,

coeds were discarding the sweaters and long pants of winter, and donning more light and

comfortable clothing to take in all of the sunshine that modesty would allow.

It was not the ideal climate for serious study.

The memories of those sleepy spring classes came back to me as I began preparing for our

outdoor services this Summer. Hopefully, I'll prove a more engaging speaker than my old

teacher. And if not, well— I always have my trumpet.

On the other hand, maybe there's something divinely spiritual in worshiping in the beauty of

God's creation that goes beyond the value of hearing every word of a sermon?

Come join us for our outdoor worship services this summer to find out for yourself.

Michael

So many people enjoyed the experience of worshiping God outside last year, the Session has

decided to move outdoors again this summer. With the exception of the first Sunday of the

month, and weather permitting, the services will be outside in June, July and August. People

are encouraged to bring their own chairs (they are much more comfortable than the church’s

folding chairs).

Communion Sunday, June 5, July 3, and August 7 will be in the sanctuary.

A leader is needed for each of the Job Sites:

• Hard Hat Site (Crafts/Projects)

• Scales (Music)

• Break Time (Recreation)

Blue Print (Bible Activities)

As well as volunteers to help with meals,

snack, and assist in many other ways!

Food Shelf

June 30, 4:30

Have you experienced the Food Shelf? It is

a wonderful opportunity to serve God by

serving the community. There are only

three or four spots open for Randall’s turn

to serve, so talk to Terry soon to reserve

your spot!

Lawn care

The church's lawn

should be mowed

weekly, usually on

Thursday or Friday. A

riding mower is

available. A signup

sheet is at the church, or

on line. Contact Jim Skoog or Dan Thilquist

for more details.

Church Garden

Once again Randall Presbyterian Church

will have a garden. The produce should

benefit both our members and the

community. The

planting will begin

soon, and help is

needed throughout

the summer.

Worship Assistant

Worship Assistants provide a valuable

service to the church and the weekly

worship. Any age, member or not, are

encouraged to participate. Volunteers can

signup at the church or online.

Special Congregaonal Meeng

May 1, 2022

The meeng was called to order at 10:51 a.m. with prayer by moderator Reverend Michael Hartwell.

A quorum was declared by Clerk of Session, Terry L. Con.

The purpose of the meeng is to elect the Elder for Class of 2024 which the Nominang Commiee has

recommended. Session has reviewed the recommendaon and submits to the congregaon for their

approval.

The 2022 Nominang Commiee recommends Sue Fenske as Elder for Class of 2024. Reverend Hartwell

asked if there were any nominaons from the congregaon; no nominaons were put forward so a moon

was made by Geri McLennan, seconded by Carol Saxton to close the nominaons and accept Sue Fenske as

Elder. Moon carried.

Moon was made, seconded and carried to adjourn and close the meeng in prayer.

The meeng adjourned at 10:54 a.m. followed by prayer from Reverend Michael Hartwell.

Respecully submied by,

Terry L. Con

Clerk of Session

Thanks from Sharon Ballou

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with the second “Helping Hospice Rummage

Sale” that I hosted during Randall Rummage Days. Whether you donated items, brought us

tables, gavee cash assistance, helped with set up or

dismantling, or came and shopped, each part was important

and appreciated. Last year we send Hospice $500. This year

we raised the amount to $770. We are looking at a repeat

sale in September or October. There are a number of winter

coats and boots plus holiday items that need new homes.

RANDALL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MINUTES OF SESSION – May 18, 2022

Members present: Terry Coffin, Christi Hartwell, Chris Magee, Marlys Olson and Moderator Reverend

Michael Hartwell. Members excused: Jake Farrow. Members absent: None. Others present: None.

The regular meeting of the Session was called to order at 6:33 p.m. in the basement of Randall Presbyterian Church by

Moderator Reverend Michael Hartwell, who opened the meeting with prayer. A quorum was declared as is shown by

those in attendance. A quick check in was also done to see how everyone was doing and if there were any prayer con-

cern updates.

Approval of Minutes: The April 20, 2022 Session Meeting minutes were previously sent out by email to session for

their review. Session approved the minutes as written; the minutes were included in the May Lamplighter newsletter.

Session also reviewed and approved by email the Special Congregational Meeting minutes from May 1, 2022.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report: Summary of the April 2022 Balance Sheet – Current Total Assets: $145,088.72

(Checking: $1,296.35, Savings: $144,892.37). Motion to receive the Treasurer reports as discussed was made by

Marlys Olson, seconded by Christi Hartwell. Motion carried.

Reports:

• Pastor’s Report: Pastor Cohort Zoom Meeting, Monday, April 18; Presbytery’s Inventive Ministries Zoom,

Tuesday, April 19; Synod Leadership Training by Zoom, Thursday, April 21; Pastor Cohort Meeting in St

Cloud, Monday, April 25: Pastor Cohort Zoom Meeting, Monday, May 2; Presbytery’s Exploring a Call Plan-

ning Meeting Zoom, Monday, May 2; Committee On Leadership, Wilmar, Thursday, May 5; Speaker at the

Presbytery’s Exploring the Call Zoom Workshop, Monday, May 9; Randall Area Business Group, Tuesday,

May 10; Little Falls Area Ministerial Association, Little Falls, Thursday, May 12; Perkins Bible Study, Thursday,

May 12

Vacation:

April 26 – April 29, Arizona trip

• Church Rolls and Register Report: On May 15, 2022, Renee Hegg and Ken Ballou were installed as dea-

cons for the Class of 2024.

• Worship/Membership/Mission Report: Worship is indoors with an average of 49 attending and is being live-

streamed. The service is streamed live at 10:00 a.m. along with being recorded for viewing at a later time ei-

ther on YouTube or the church’s webpage and Facebook.

Reminder: Outdoor worship begins on June 12 through August 28, weather permitting. We will continue to

have indoor worship on the first Sunday of each month (Communion) during this period.

32 were served Communion on May 1, 2022.

72 members; no change.

Monthly church mission is the Morrison County Food Shelf and the weekly church mission is Meals on

Wheels.

May/June Mission: Pentecost

• Fellowship: Morrison County Food Shelf on Thursday, April 28

with one member from church volunteering.

• Christian Education Report: May 15

was the last day of Sunday school for the children until this fall. Vaca-

tion Bible School will begin on August 15 through August 18

;

hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. We are looking for

volunteers to help and teach! See Marlys Olson if you have questions or wish to help.

• Building/Maintenance Report: The faucet in the kitchen has been replaced. Thank you to Al L., Jim S. and

Dan T. for their work. Also, thank you to Gerard W. for hauling away the old refrigerator.

• Presbytery: There will be a Presbytery meeting by zoom on Tuesday, June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Among other business, the new EP of the Presbytery will be installed.

• Correspondence: nothing to report.

• Deacon’s Report: nothing to report.

➢ Motion to approve the committee reports as received was made by Chris Magee, seconded by Marlys

Olson. Motion carried.

Old Business:

a. Morrison County Food Shelf – May 26, 2022 will be our next night for volunteering. Everyone is invited to volun-

teer at the Food Shelf. The hours to work are 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Pastor Michael or Terry

Coffin if you are interested. We need volunteers!!

b. The ordination and installation service of Susan Fenske as Elder will be rescheduled.

c. Session researched when to treat the insect issue and it is best to do treatment in the fall. Session also dis-

cussed the moisture and mold issue. It was decided that the basement windows will be opened during the

week along with running the existing fans. Session agreed on the purchase of two new dehumidifiers to help

remove excess moisture in the air.

d. The storage room downstairs needs to be cleaned out. The balcony also needs to be cleaned so that the

streaming equipment can be moved up by the old sound system area. To assist with better live streaming for

the online worship, the video switcher should be hardwired to the router.

New Business:

a. Officer form for the Presbytery needs to be completed – pended until the ordination/installation of Susan Fenske.

b. The review of Committee chairs is pended until Susan Fenske is ordained and installed.

c. Session discussed the costs for Faithlife/Proclaim/ServantKeeper as the renewal date approaches. It was de-

cided to continue with ServantKeeper and Faithlife website. All other services will be dropped. Currently, the

cost for all services is approximately $1,200.00; the new cost will be about $800.00. ServantKeeper is currently

used for membership, attendance and contributions. The church’s website has access to the calendar, events

and our online worship services along with other important information about our church. Please check it out at

www.randallpresby.org.

d. A concern was brought up regarding the trees that are on the property line to Rob Bellin’s property. Chris M.

will speak with Zach from Environmental Advantage LLC about trimming the trees.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Chris Magee, seconded by Christi Hartwell. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. followed by prayers for the people and the Lord’s Prayer led by Reverend Michael

Hartwell.

Next Meeting date and time: June 15, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m. at the church.

Respectfully submitted by,

Terry L. Coffin

Clerk of Session