Greetings Siblings in Christ,

At the First Lutheran Church of Crystal (FLCOC) Annual Meeting on January 26th a change in benevolent giving was introduced. Instead of taking a budgeted dollar amount from the Mission Investment Fund (savings from the building sale), we will have a mission focus each month to raise funds for one of our partner organizations from the fourteen that were previously budgeted.

The Drop-in-the-Bucket offering every first Sunday will begin each month’s focus. We ask that additional fundraising activities in any given month follow the designation for that month. The schedule until my retirement in March:

• January 2025      ELCA/Minneapolis Area Synod                                            

• February             Wildfire Every Meal

• March                  NEAR                                                                                                         

As noted above, the mission focus for February is Wildfire Every Meal. In addition to the Drop-in-the-Bucket offering on Sunday, February 2nd, the Wildfire Every Meal board will host the annual Bingo & Pizza fundraiser on Saturday, February 8th from 12 pm – 3 pm at Holy Nativity (3900 Winnetka). As always, the afternoon will include a bake sale in addition to the pizza lunch ($10 donation includes salad, pizza, and beverages). Those wishing to play Bingo should donate $20 for a 10-game packet consisting of 3-cards per game. Great prizes and fun times! Come enjoy the afternoon for a good cause.

Together, six of the Wildfire congregations sponsor three elementary schools with the Every Meal program. Students receive a meal bag that serves four people each week during the school year. Our fundraising goal is roughly $50,000 which provides a total of 32,000 individual meals for families struggling with the realities of food insecurity. Please consider contributing whatever you’re able to this important ministry.

Peace & Blessings,

Deacon Kirsten Kessel