The Church year is passing at a very fast pace. In The Wellspring Volume 24, Issue 9 I indicated projects that we would be working on this year. The following is a brief synopsis of what has happened so far.

• Associate Pastor - We continue to search for the right person to fill this position. Since the search began, we have received applications from three individuals. We interviewed the first two candidates but did not find the fit that we were looking for. The third candidate accepted another call before we had the opportunity to interview her. We are continuing to work with the Synod office to find the correct individual and are encouraged by information that we may have another candidate.
• Five Year Plan – Implementation of the Five-Year Plan is currently underway. We have been encouraged by the results of the sections of the plan that have been implemental so far this year.
• Church Council Special Actions – the Council will be discussing the condition of our current Parking Lot, which needs to be repaired in many areas. With today’s high cost of concrete and other construction materials, we face a real challenge of how to solve our parking problems.
• Church Organizational Structure – The Church Council has been discussing ways to increase involvement of Congregational Members in the activities of the church. We are doing this because history teaches us that the most successful churches are those that have their congregation actively involved in the planning and functioning of their churches. We have held two retreats to discuss this activity with more being planned for the future.

While there is still a lot to be completed this year, I believe the dedication of our church members and the council will successfully keep the Church’s Mission and operations on the correct path. A special request is that we all keep our church and its activities in our prayers.

Finally, this will be the last issue of The Wellspring Quarterly Magazine. Rest assured, the same quality of content you've come to expect from us will be maintained in our other communication channels. Subscribe to our weekly E-newsletter, The Living Current, sent every Friday at 9:00 AM; watch for our annual and semi-annual reports to see a recap of events and looking to the future, or follow Bethesda on Facebook (https://www.facbook.com/BethesdaAmes), X (https://www.x.com/@BethesdaAmes), orInstagram (@Bethesda_Ames).

Respectively,
Mif Grotnes
Council President