ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Administration Committee is responsible for financial and personnel issues. They work closely with other committees to address important tasks that keep the church running smoothly. Each year, this group works with the Executive Committee and the Treasurer to build the annual budget. They also assist with significant financial decisions by evaluating and making proposals to the Congregation Council. The Administration Committee takes a leadership role in creating job descriptions, interviewing and hiring new staff.
ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild is responsible for maintaining and caring for worship items in the sanctuary and sacristy. Some of their tasks include changing the paraments, candles, and hymn numbers, putting up banners, and assisting in preparation for Holy Communion.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Education Committee is very active throughout the year. It oversees program selection and organization, and the volunteers that staff Sunday School, the music program and Vacation Bible School, along with addressing any needs that arise during the year. They plan a teacher appreciation luncheon in the spring to celebrate the many volunteers that give their time and talents towards teaching the children at Our Savior’s.
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
“Realizing that Christian stewardship is demonstrated through faithful involvement and management of all God’s gifts, the purpose of the Mission Endowment Fund is to enhance the mission outreach of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem, Wisconsin.”
The Endowment Committee acts as the custodian of the Mission Endowment Fund. Once a year, after considering funding suggestions, they distribute the interest of the Fund among three categories—synod outreach, missions of the ELCA, and church capital improvements. The mission of this committee is threefold:
- to encourage and receive gifts
- to invest the monies received
- to disburse interest earned from investments
GREEN THUMB COMMITTEE
The Green Thumb Committee works hard to create a welcoming environment in the church by adding live and interesting displays in the Gathering Area, especially during the fall, at Christmas and Easter. They also decorate the exterior by planting flowers in the urns and flower boxes. Once planted, the members make sure all indoor and outdoor plants are well cared for. New members and ideas are always welcome.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Our Savior’s library provides a wide variety of printed materials for children and adults as well as a collection of DVDs and videos. The Library Committee oversees the selection, purchasing and processing of new books. Donated books are accepted if they are in good condition and appropriate for a church library. To recommend books to be considered for purchase, please contact the church office.
MAILING CREW
The Mailing Crew is a group of men and women that volunteer one morning each month for about one hour to assemble the monthly newsletter, Our Savior’s Voice. This event has become a time of working and socializing. Occasionally, there are other projects to do such as preparing the annual report for distribution and various congregational mailings.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The Outreach Committee meets monthly to help plan and oversee activities within the congregation, the local community and the world community. With the mission of “reaching toward God and each other for the sake of the world,” this group actively seeks new opportunities and organizes activities such as the congregational pictorial directory, welcoming new members, community corn roast, and the business expo.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Property Committee is charged with maintaining and improving the church facilities. They plan and oversee major projects, minor repairs and continued maintenance for the church.
RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Rental Management Committee conducts business and communicates with rental property tenants. They are in charge of maintaining and leasing rental properties and the Childfirst Day Care Center, which is located in the church basement.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Our Savior’s Scholarship Program was established to award scholarships to graduating seniors who have actively participated in worship and the life and ministry of our church and who are good Christian examples for our congregation and our community. The scholarship program has grown over the years through the generosity of other members of Our Savior’s.
Each spring, the Scholarship Committee meets to review applicants and select recipients for the Adolph and Esther Marking Scholarship, the Michelson Scholarship, the Dr. Kenneth Kolb Jr. Scholarship, and other scholarships as they become available.
SENIOR MINISTRIES
The Senior Ministry Committee develops ministries to, with, and by senior members of the congregation and the community. It also encourages other ministries which impact seniors, including visitation ministries, worship and education, and OWLS. A special emphasis in on ministries which connect seniors with others, especially other generations.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
The Social Committee hosts several events throughout the year. These events are meant to provide a vehicle to enhance fellowship among church members. They host annual events such as the annual meeting lunch, the Lenten supper, the Gospel on the Green lunch, and the Christmas tree and church decorating. This committee is also responsible for coordinating volunteers and supplies for the coffee hour between services on Sunday. They are always seeking new ideas to connect members and friends of the congregation.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
The goal of the Stewardship Committee is to help God’s people grow in their relationship with Jesus and in their faithful discipleship through the use of the time, talents, and finances God has entrusted to them. The committee works to develop a year round stewardship emphasis that lifts up stewardship in many different avenues, both inside the congregation and in the surrounding community. Among the activities of the committee is planning the fall financial campaign, offering resources for stewardship growth such as the spiritual gifts workshops and Financial Peace University, and providing direction for the “Hungry Jar” ministry for children.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The goal of the Worship Committee is to seek ways to make worship at Our Savior’s spiritual and meaningful for all. They meet regularly to discuss and plan for regular services as well as special services such as the Lenten Services, Gospel on the Green, All Saints’ Day, Easter and Christmas. The Worship Committee also encourages the involvement of a variety of persons in worship leadership.
YOUTH AND FAMILY COMMITTEE
The Youth and Family Committee is instrumental in providing opportunities for the youth of Our Savior’s to live their faith and to share their time and talents. The committee oversees a variety of youth ministries and works closely with the Director of Youth and Family Ministry.
