Leadership

At Our Savior’s “leaders” are not just the folk standing in front.  Our leadership reflects the Lutheran understanding of the “Priesthood of all believers.”  We are all leaders as we carry out our faithful discipleship within the faith community – and then out in the world around us!

To carry out our ministry, we have a number of “leadership teams”…

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 and other opportunities for children’s faith nurture, along with addressing any needs that arise during the year.

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 recommend to the congregation’s Annual Meeting the distribution of the earnings of the Fund among three categories—synod outreach, missions of the ELCA, and church capital improvements.  The mission of this committee is threefold:

1. to encourage and receive gifts
2. to invest the monies received
3. to disburse earnings 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.

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.

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, 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.  They help plan and direct both the fall financial campaign, and our year-round stewardship ministries.

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.