Dear Parents,
First off, I pray that this update finds everyone safe and healthy. The events of the last seven weeks have been unprecedented. Businesses change how they operate, if they can operate at all. Tables at restaurants, where people once sat with family and friends for conversation, sit in silence. Concerts, conventions, and other events have been canceled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our congregation is not immune. School is closed. Teachers, parents, and students are getting used to learning in a digital format. We cannot gather together for public worship. Everyone wonders one thing, “When will life get back to normal?” I wish I had an answer to that question.
We continue to follow the recommendations of our local and state leaders in keeping everyone safe. We also do not want to stop ministry. The pastors offer small group communion every Sunday, 8:00 AM-10:30 AM. We offer YouTube worship services. Daily devotions from area pastors provide an encouraging word from Scripture. Our teachers continue to work hard to provide a quality, Christian education. Our prayer is that we will be able to meet together soon for public worship and educating our students.
I would like to take this time to give an update on our faculty situation as we move forward. The Lord has led three individuals to accept calls for next year. Mrs. Brittany Trimmer will teach 1st grade. Mrs. Karen Cooper will lead a combined 3rd-4th grade classroom. Mr. Tom Zuberbier will serve as our Athletic Director and teach upper grade language arts and physical education. Miss Hensler will go down to part time and help in the lower grades in various capacities. We thank the Lord for leading these teachers to us and pray for them as they make transitions in their ministry.
Our calls for principal have gone unanswered. Teachers can only be called October 15-April 15, so we had to come up with another plan. Since we could not meet as a voting body, the Board of Education and the church Council have approved the following options to help fill out our faculty for next year. They are listed in the order that they will happen.
- We are asking for an assignment from Martin Luther College’s (MLC) Principal Training Program. This is a newer program. A graduate, who possesses the gifts and abilities to serve as a principal in the future, is assigned for three years to work under an experienced principal. After three years these men then go back to the assignment committee to be assigned as principals in schools.
This year two men will be assigned as principals. The good news is that this would make our faculty complete. However, about 15 other schools also will request principals from this program. This means many schools will have to go with other options.
2. If option one fails, we are requesting a 1 year assignment from MLC. This individual would teach upper grade history/geography and serve as 5th grade homeroom teacher. We would then call for a principal starting in October.
This means that the leadership structure of the school would remain the same. Mr. Schulz will continue to serve as Interim Principal. Pastor Dorn will help out as needed.
3. If no assignment is available to fit our needs, we would put out an emergency call for one year to someone in the area. This would be done with consultation from our District President and Commission on Lutheran Schools.
4. If we get this far, it will be all hands on deck. We will have to go with three teachers in the upper grades. We will come up with a plan and share with everyone, if we reach this point.
Even with all this uncertainty, we have confidence that God is in control. This is a Divine Call. It comes from God through his church. God puts the people in the places he desires when he wants. With this confidence we trust our God. Our Christian education will not suffer. God’s little lambs will be fed with his Word. All the subjects will be taught. Our school will continue to function in its mission and ministry.
If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask a Board of Education member, a church Council member, or one of the teachers or pastors.
I ask that you please keep our congregation, school, called workers, and staff in your prayers during this time. All of us are working hard to provide gospel ministry during this time. Also, please keep the Assignment Committee of our synod in your prayers as teachers and pastors will be given their calls into the public ministry. Our God is good! We see many blessings even in the midst of worry and concern. To God be the glory!
May God bless your day!
Pastor Dorn
