A Message from Pastor Steve Mindrup

Thanks so much for the very cordial welcome for Kelley and me on our first Sunday.  Your practice of worship is very similar to my own, so I felt at home almost immediately.  The worship space is beautiful, the energy seems very positive, and we are happy to have this interim assignment with you.
 
About us:  I am ordained in the United Methodist Church. Since our two denominations are in full communion with each other, our clergy can serve congregations in either tradition.  I recently retired from full time ministry after 49 years.  I’ve served congregations in Freeport, Rockford, Cherry Valley, West Dundee and Sandwich.  I was also a retirement home chaplain for several years.
 
Kelley and I recently celebrated our 15th anniversary.  She is working on a degree in business and human resources at Waubonsee Community College.  We live in Yorkville at 310 E. Kendall Drive, Apt. 101 (60560).
 
Contacting me:  My email address is pastormindrup@gmail.com.  My mobile phone number is 815-988-4992.  I don’t use Facebook or Twitter or any other social media, but I’m available by phone or email any time.  A good friend and colleague of mine used to put in his newsletter every issue, “Your pastor is as near as your phone.”  I want that to be true of me as well.
 
My schedule:  Other than for Saturday and Sunday worship, I plan to be in Mendota on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Except for emergencies, you should be able to find me in the office Tuesdays from 2pm until 5pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am until 1pm.  The rest of the time will be spent visiting the nursing home and retirement home residents, and calling on our home bound and hospitalized members.
 
Even though an interim pastor is “officially” part time, I want to be available if you need me.  If there’s a need for pastoral care, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone.
 
However long our journey together turns out to be, I pray that it will be fruitful and guided by the Holy Spirit.  Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you.
 
Grace and peace,
Steve Mindrup

Welcome Our Summer Intern,
Grace Brandner

Grace recently completed the first of two years at IVCC. She plans to transfer to Illinois State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.  This is her first summer internship working in the church office where she will be supporting the office staff and Youth Director, filling in for staff vacations, helping with VBS, etc. in order to get a broad view of the ministry at St. John’s.  We are very excited to have her with us!

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An Update from
our Seminarian, Maria Bonine

Maria’s Internship at St. John’s-Evansville comes to an end on August 11th and classes resume at Wartburg Seminary on Tuesday, September 3rd.  Sometime in the fall she will have her Candidacy Approval interview.
 
Maria will be taking classes this fall semester in Lutheran Ethics, Grief & Loss, Leadership in Multi-Point Parishes, Advanced Preaching, Capstone Seminar, Acts of the Apostles, Spiritual Practices, and Contemporary Crisis of Defining & Confessing the Gospel.
 
In late winter, Maria will learn her Regional Assignment, and in early Spring her Synod Assignment.
 
Wartburg Theological Seminary Baccalaureate and Graduation will take place in May of 2020 (probably Sunday, May 17th).  Maria has hopes of receiving a first call and being ordained in 2020 as it is the 50th year anniversary of women being ordained in the ELCA.  (She is the first female seminarian from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota.)

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Pastoral Care

If you find yourself in need of pastoral care while we are without a full-time pastor, we ask you to confidentially speak with our Youth Director or office staff.  We will connect you with a pastor or appropriate ministry person to assist you.

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Help Yourself...

Our quilting ladies have been working on “Walker Bags” for residents of area nursing homes.  They are also making them available to members of our congregation.  You will find a basket full of these colorful and handy fabric bags in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one for yourself or someone you know.

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