Arvid Weflen

Council Treasurer

Karin and I came to Alaska on our honeymoon 36 years ago - I "retired" from teaching aircraft maintenance at UAF this past summer, but so far haven't been very successful at avoiding work.  I enjoy flying the plane I built, cross country skiing, spending time at the cabin, and building all kinds of things.  We have one son who works as an engineer at the refinery.  We joined CLC in 2004 and have been involved in a variety of ways.  I am looking forward to serving as Treasurer.

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Financial Secretary and Representative on the Evangelism Committee

John and his wife Carol are charter members of Christ Lutheran Church, where their 3 children were baptized and confirmed.  John retired from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game after a 32 year career as biologist, pilot, and supervisor.  He and his family lived in Nome for 10 years, although Fairbanks and CLC will be home in future years.

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Council Vice President

and Council Representative on the Stewardship Committee

Born and raised in Fairbanks, I moved back with my family in 2004 after several years in Montana.  I was recently hired as an attorney in the General Counsel's Office at UAF.  When not working, my life revolves around my loving and unbelievably patient husband Karl and our beautiful and exhausting three-year-olds, Juliet and Eyob.  When my children are sleeping, I love to read novels.

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Mike Swenson

A word from our President

Council President

and Council Representative on the Intern Committee

Mike, Leslie, Rachel, Sara, and David have made Fairbanks and Christ Lutheran Church their home community for the past 3 years, having previously lived in Nome, Colorado, and Minnesota.  During the week I work as an internist with Tanana Valley Clinic, and so far have been successful in balancing a busy practice with CLC involvement in council, internship committee, and adult education.  For the past 4 years I have been a member of the program committee for the ELCA's churchwide Program for Church and Society, which meets twice a year in Chicago.  I am also committed to enjoying the great cross-country ski trails, golf courses, and bike trails of Fairbanks!

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Council Member - Youth Representative

Hi! My name is Rachel Swenson. I'm a junior at West Valley High School and I have been going to Christ Lutheran with my family since we moved here about four years ago. My faith, family and friends are a huge part of my life, and I've found all three here at Christ Lutheran. I love spending time with our youth group, hanging out with my friends all over town, skiing, watching movies, going on walks, and I sincerely believe that laughter is the best form of exercise. I love trying new things and meeting new people is always a plus!

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Council Representative on the Finance Committee

I’m an attorney, married and the father of a junior in college.  I hunt, fish, riverboat, camp and cross-country ski.  I’m active in the Fairbanks Concert Association and enjoy classical music.  I’ve been a member at CLC for 5 years.

Council Representative on the Worship & Music Committee and the Internship Committee

John came to Fairbanks from Fort Collins, Colorado with two of his children, Peter and Stephen in 1977.  He worked as a Psychologist at UAF, in private practice and for the Tanana Chiefs until his retirement in 1997.  He is also a retired rostered ELCA pastor, having served Congregations in Fort Collins, Oklahoma City and Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Skijoring, fishing, reading and writing are present hobbies (passions). 

Council Member

Hello, I am Sue Barnum.

I became a member of Christ Lutheran about two years ago.  I am married and have an 18 year old son and an 8 year old daughter.  I was born in Fairbanks and raised in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. I have lived in Alaska for thirty years.  I feel blessed to be invited to serve on the CLC council and will gladly share my gifts to glorify God and  serve the congregation of CLC.

Council Representative on the Finance Committee

Tom is a twenty nine year resident of Fairbanks, married for 26 years with a 17 year old son and 11 year old daughter.  He has a 35 year career in chemistry; in mining, water and environmental applications. In winter cross country skiing is a favorite activity, and in summer, being a dad and husband.  Music is a pastime in all seasons.  Tom has served on council, finance committee, helped with property projects and spends some Sunday mornings with Sunday School classes and as an occasional assistant minister.

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Parish Secretary

My husband, Chris and I moved to Alaska in 1988. We have two children, Alex & Brigitta who try our patience daily as all teens are supposed to, right? We joined Christ Lutheran Church in 1990. I drove school busses for 13 1/2 years in Fairbanks/North Pole and I am in my 4th year as the Parish Secretary. In my spare time I love to read and cross stitch. For exercise I swim, and take walks.

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Recap of the April CLC Church Council meeting

April 14, 2008 Council Meeting Summary

Pastor Susan led a discussion on “The Other,” asking the question “Who is the Other in our midst?” based on a verse from Luke 4.

Discussion of problem of low Sunday School attendance.  Commitment of education committee to tackle the issue, with help from Intern Holly.

Overall the financial situation is stable, income is steady for both current and benevolence and parking lot pledges despite hard economic times.

Committee Reports.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS

Conflict Monitoring – There was discussion of having an article in the newsletter asking for general comments about the church environment.

Adding signers – Currently John H. and Mike are signers.  Chris Z. moved to add Arvid, Brenda, and Amanda as signers.  Tom second.  No objections.

Chris noted that our religious corporate status paperwork has been incorrectly filed in recent years as non-profit status.  He has prepared paperwork to fix the problem with the Department of Commerce.  Arvid will sign a letter to that effect as our registered agent and will file the biannual report.  So moved by Chris, seconded by Tom.  No objection.

Discussion of repayment of money owed to the playground and parking lot funds.  Happy coincidence that our current unexpected excess is nearly equal to the amount we borrowed.  John Coady moved to repay funds, seconded by Luke.  No objection.

Coffee kiosk proposal – Tom mentioned we are already in violation of DOT right-of-way, so do not legally have the space to offer anyway.  Proposal failed with minimal discussion.  Tom moved to decline.  Rachel seconded.  No objection.

Energy audit – Holly mentioned we had an energy audit through GVEA and it reflected a high jump in electricity usage in a short period of time, though it is yet unclear what caused the increase.  An official energy audit would cost between $500 and $1000.   Was discussed to seek in-house electrician to do basic inspection before we spent the money on a GVEA audit.  Moved by Chris, seconded by Pastor Susan.  No objection.

Holly closed in prayer.

 

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Diversity:  Conflict or Opportunity?

Made whole by God’s gift of grace in Jesus, we invite and welcome all people
into our community of faith as we worship, serve, and learn together.

            “...together.”  What do we mean when we say that we as a church community do things (like worship, serve, and learn) together?  Does it mean that we all have to agree to do things in the same way?  That we have to be “like-minded” in the sense of believing the same things, or experiencing things in the same way?

            Not hardly.  As I’ve shared before, one of the things I most value about CLC is the diversity of opinions and viewpoints that coexist within our church.  We each have different experiences and different expectations that we bring to our community of faith.  That diversity gives us a richness of opportunity that is lacking in a group of people who all think and act in the same way.

            But with that richness of new experiences and viewpoints comes the potential for conflict and discord.  Differences are sometimes easier to criticize than to appreciate, and they can lead to hurt and resentment rather than to health and growth in our relationships.  We give those hurts and resentments a chance to grow when we fail to communicate; we can learn from our diversity only when we are willing to share our differences with one another.

            It is for this reason that your church council has committed itself to listening for those differences in our congregation.  We want to hear about differences before they become discord.  At last night’s meeting we talked about different experiences and expectations we have about bringing dogs into the church building:  some experience these family pets as welcoming and comforting, while others experience them as a source of discomfort or threat.  Sharing conversation helped us to appreciate and understand differing viewpoints, and it reminded us of the importance of extending that listening to the entire congregation.  So come and tell us of your differences!  And come prepared to listen to and learn from other perspectives!

            Peace,  Mike Swenson

 

 

 

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Financial Health

From your Treasurer:

            Let's see, I guess I promised that I would keep everyone informed about the financial status as I saw it.  I already got in a little trouble because I missed Laura's deadline - does it count that I didn't know what the deadline was?

            Anyway, the short version is that I'm in a good mood.  I've written quite a few checks but so far income has exceeded outgo.  I know it won't always be that way so I'm sort of hoarding the excess to help tide us over during the summer.

            There were a couple expenses that made me cringe and I'll mention them just so you know what it takes to keep a church operational.

• Every month we have been paying about $850 for the electric bill.  That seems terribly excessive to me but then I always complained about my bill when it reached $70. 

• We have spent about $6500 for fuel oil to heat the building.  Uff da!  I know that will go down in the summer, but I can't help but wonder how much fuel oil will cost next winter...  Hopefully an energy audit can help us lower those numbers.

            We actually spend a pretty big percentage of our total budget on salaries of one type or other.  I guess that just shows how many things are being done at church.  Being a person who could be called a tight-wad (or in more polite terms, frugal), I have always done as much myself as possible instead of hiring someone.  Hint, hint - anyone want to volunteer for any of the positions that we are currently paying for around church?  Hey, I know - how about helping with the janitorial duties?  I'll think of more for next time.

            Well, enough for now - Karin and I are still down in the Midwest planting grain but we'll be back soon.

            -Arvid

 

 

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