June Congregation Matters Meeting Recap

It’s hard to believe that this August marks 10 years since I was called as your Associate Pastor here at St. John’s. When I arrived in 2015 as the Director of Congregational Life, my oldest child was beginning first grade. This summer, we’ll be touring colleges before she enters her junior year of high school! My call to St. John’s was clear enough to uproot my family from the Midwest, moving us even further from extended family, to serve as your pastor. I came to this call with a sense of wonder: might I someday be called to serve as a senior pastor in a large ELCA congregation? Working alongside Pastor Frank, who I often say is the best boss I’ve ever had, has given me a front row seat to the role of Senior Pastor and aided my discernment. Over the past three years, I have gained clarity that I am not called to serve as a senior pastor in a large congregation in this season of life. In fact, I have increasingly felt God leading me in a different direction. Last fall, I asked the St. John’s Church Council to bless my work and time as a chaplaincy student at Sutter Roseville Medical Center as part of my continuing education. This program has affirmed the call that God is moving me towards becoming a hospital chaplain as my next career move. After 15 years as a congregational pastor, I’ve grown immensely and am deeply grateful for all that I’ve learned. However, if I’m honest, this work has always pressed the boundaries of my family life. I have continued to be drawn toward work that honors the best of my pastoral skills, while allowing me to be more present as a father and husband. As such, I will complete my chaplaincy training and apply for chaplain positions beginning in February 2026. I will depart St. John’s as your Associate Pastor upon accepting a new call as a chaplain. St. John’s has graciously supported me in integrating chaplaincy education into my work here. I feel immense gratitude towards St. John’s for this and so many other blessings you have given me and my family throughout the years. As I continue this chaplaincy education over the next eight months, I remain committed to supporting a healthy leadership transition. Only God knows when a new senior pastor will begin at St. John’s, but know that the leadership is committed to remaining a two-pastor church. My hope is to model, with you, a meaningful ending. We trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us! Pastor Jon

Every year, St. John's recognizes outstanding graduating high school seniors who all have one thing in common - exemplary commitment to the St. John's mission of living God's love in the world. 

This past Sunday, May 4, the Church Council and Call Committee gathered the St. John's congregation for a Congregation Matters Meeting. This meeting was divided into two parts - an update from the Church Council and an update from the Call Committee. Here are the key takeaways from the Church Council update: The new Director of Administration, Kat Thorp, has hit the ground running and is working closely alongside new Treasurer, John Bailey. The Church Council recently approved the installation of new HVAC units in the Gathering Place and 3rd floor music room - all of which were in critical condition. The Property Committee is spearheading this project, taking into consideration energy efficiency, cost, environmental impact, and longevity. These needed repairs are possible thanks to a generous bequest to St. John's! The Church Council and Property Committee are in conversation around ongoing maintenance needs for the countless stained glass windows onsite. Following multiple lease violations, St. John's has terminated our lease with Sal's Kabobs & Gyros at the 1725 L Street property. The Church Council is in the process of preparing the space for a new tenant, and exploring shifting property management responsibilities away from current St. John's staff. In preparation for Pastor Frank's retirement, the Church Council is in conversation with the Sierra Pacific Synod office around an Interim Pastor - more information to come this summer! Here are the key takeaways from the Call Committee update: Following a couple months of listening sessions and interviews, the Call Committee is currently developing St. John's Ministry Site Profile (MSP) - a Senior Pastor job description and overview of St. John's. The MSP must be approved by the Church Council, likely to happen in May or June, and then will be made "live" by the Sierra Pacific Synod Office to share with potential pastoral candidates nationwide. The Call Committee is expecting to begin interviewing potential Senior Pastor candidates beginning this summer. Interviews are confidential! Please do not ask a member of the Call Committee to disclose information about the interviews - they won't! As always, both the Church Council and Call Committee have an open ear to hearing your joys, worries, questions, or insights about the mission and ministry of St. John's. If you would like to connect with the Church Council, you can email Andrew Ford, Council President, at thecouncil@stjohnslc.org . If you would like to connect with the Call Committee, you can email them at callcommittee@stjohnslc.org .

As a key part of our discernment process, the Call Committee has been engaging in a series of Listening Sessions with committees, worship groups, members of the staff, and the congregation at large. At each of these sessions, our prompt has been simple: “Please tell us what you think we ought to know about who our next Senior Pastor should be.” We’ve done our best to reach all the members of St. John’s, but if we’ve missed you, please reach out to us at callcommittee@stjohnslc.org . We would be happy to meet you in person, by phone or Zoom, or to receive your input by email. We’ll also have one last congregation-wide Listening Session later this spring. What we’ve heard during these Listening Sessions has told us volumes about the deep love that our members have for our congregation, our community, and our current pastoral leadership. While recognizing the challenges that are part of this transition, we’ve heard your expressions of faith, hope, and optimism that the next chapter for St. John’s will be bright. The task we turn to now is completing the Ministry Site Profile (MSP), a key document in the process of calling a new pastor, which describes the congregation to interested candidates: Who we are, including demographic data and trends of the congregation and of our surrounding community. Our vision for mission within the community and in the Church–our purpose, our values, and our gifts. What we are looking for in the person who will be our next Senior Pastor. As the Call Committee discerns and concentrates its work on the MSP, we will continue to update the Congregation on our progress and next steps. As always, you are welcome to reach out to the Call Committee at any point in the Call Process at callcommittee@stjohnslc.org.

Throughout the Call Process, the Call Committee is committed to transparency and sharing information with the St. John's community. As the Call Process is a deliberative process of discernment, each step is completed in the time it takes, and so it is not subject to a hard timeline. We will be giving updates on its progress through various church communications platforms and during Congregation Matters Meetings throughout the Call Process. Here is a recap and update on the work that the Call Committee has done so far. October/November 2024 Following Pastor Frank Espegren’s announcement that he will retire in September of 2025, the Congregation Council formed a Call Committee of the following members, which will be responsible for finding our next Senior Pastor: Piper Brostrom Chris Dawson Gary Ely-Grisham Lynne Gilbertson Kim Hendricks Joel Kimmelshue Bridget Malme Pam Roberts Karen Ross Pr. Susan Scott (Chaplain) December 2024 The Call Committee met for briefings with the Congregation Council and members of the Transition Committee; envisioned its schedule and elected Chris Dawson as Chair. January 2025 The Call Committee met with the Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines, Assistant to the Bishop, to gain an understanding of the role of the Synod in supporting the Call Process. Ongoing Work & What’s on the Horizon The Call Committee has been meeting regularly to engage its process of study and discernment, as it prepares the Ministry Site Profile for St. John’s, a key document in the calling of a new pastor. The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) is a document that describes the congregation to interested candidates. The MSP describes who we are, including demographic data and trends of the congregation and of our surrounding community. The MSP describes our vision for mission within the community and in the Church–our purpose, our values, and our gifts. The MSP describes what we are looking for in the person who will be our next Senior Pastor. In order to ensure that we accurately prepare the MSP and to ensure that it has heard from the Members of St. John’s on what is important to us, the Call Committee is engaging in an on-going series of Listening Sessions. In each Listening Session, our prompt is wide open: “Please tell us what you think we ought to know as we call our next Senior Pastor.” We have held two congregation-wide Listening Sessions before and between services on Sunday February 9 and 23, with attendance both in-person and via Zoom. We plan to have a third congregation-wide Listening Session on April 27. Please join us then, especially if you have not been able to join our previous Listening Sessions. We are also engaging in Listening Sessions with many of the committees and ministry groups that engage in “God’s Work – Our Hands” in our church and our community, including: Luminaria, Justice Making, Direct Services to the Unhoused, Worship Leaders, and Music. The Call Committee is interviewing key members of the Staff of St. John’s to gain their valuable insight. If you belong to a SJLC-affiliated group, and the Call Committee has not yet reached out to you, and you would like to schedule a Listening Session with us at your next meeting, please contact any of our members or send an email to callcommittee@stjohnslc.org. You are welcome to reach out to the Call Committee at any point in the Call Process at callcommittee@stjohnslc.org .

The leadership of St. John’s is pleased to announce that Katherine Thorp has accepted the position of Director of Administration, effective Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Thorp brings over ten years of professional experience in leadership and accounting, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration. Most recently, she served in a healthcare administration capacity, and we are confident her expertise will contribute greatly to the St. John’s community.  “I am really happy that Katherine is coming to St. John's as our new Director of Administration. Not only does Katherine have all the background experience we could have hoped for to run the small business enterprise that is "St. John's," she also is a delightful person, with strong communication and people skills. I have every confidence that Katherine will continue the excellent administration and financial reporting that keeps St. John's strong, trustworthy and vibrant,” writes Frank Espegren, Senior Pastor. In her role as Director of Administration, Thorp will be responsible for overseeing all Financial and Administrative aspects of the organization, including, but not limited to: Manage purchase orders, invoices, payroll, staff benefits, and monthly financial reports alongside the Remote Bookkeeper, Church Treasurer, and Finance Committee Assist the Senior Pastor and Church Treasurer in the drafting and preparation of annual budget Provide congregation member financial support Manage Property Staff & collaborate closely with the Property Committee, overseeing the upkeep, maintenance, and external usage of the property Support internal operations through calendar management and document and meeting organization Complete purchasing, manage contracts and relationships with vendors and service providers to address the administrative and property needs of the church Maintain, file, and manage access to church-wide policies, procedures, and documents “My goal [in this new role] is to ensure a smooth transition for everyone, while applying my existing expertise and developing new skills along the way. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in welcoming me to this role. I am truly excited to be here and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you!” writes Thorp. Outside of work, Thorp finds joy in spending quality time with her son, singing, writing, meditating, and staying active. She has a passion for creative pursuits, such as painting and experimenting with the guitar, but is still honing her skills. Thorp joins the St. John’s staff as a full-time Director and will predominantly work in the St. John’s office weekdays from 9:00am-5:00pm. Please join the leadership of St. John’s in welcoming Katherine Thorp to the St. John’s community!

Dear St. John’s Community, Over the past few months, you heard Pastor Frank announce his intent to retire in September of 2025. Soon after that announcement, you were updated on planned changes to the administrative staff at St. John’s, sharing that our Bookkeeper, Kat LaTurneau, left at the beginning of October, and that I would be leaving no later than January of 2025. These announcements have left some of you wondering about what this means for St. John’s - and for me. I want you to know that during the last several months I have been in deep conversation with Pastor Frank and Council President Andrew Ford about all of this. These changes have not been without some difficulty and sadness, for sure. And still, I am confident that St. John’s will continue to be strong and thrive in the coming year and decades, just as it always has. It is my hope and prayer that you, brothers and sisters in Christ, will walk in faith going forward, even when it is awkward or challenging, and continue to support one another along the way. I have decided that my last day as the Executive Director of Administration and Resources will now be December 31. This is a personal decision, one made with deep thought and prayer, and one that will allow me a “re-set” time before moving in a new direction. Please know that I am leaving with peace received through the Spirit’s transforming work in my life. Although I will leave the full-time position that I currently hold, I am committed to maintaining the bookkeeping functions through January or until a new Director of Administration is fully trained. The new Director of Administration will have different responsibilities than I had, and I hope for your understanding and patience with them once they begin. I am looking forward to being in worship with you, not wondering what I should be taking care of, but rather to being present in hearing the Word, and present with you, our people. And I am very much looking forward to what God has in store for my “next” in life, and at the same time, thankful for my time serving you. Know that I am more than ok - I am moving forward with grace and peace. Linda Baldwin

Chloe Pop is a senior at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, CA and an avid swimmer, reader, musician, Girl Scout, and volunteer. At Pondersona, Chloe is involved in the swim team, waterpolo team, and the Future Farmers of America, and has received the Golden Star Student Award for the past three years. With a deep desire to attend a University of California school to study biochemistry, Chloe intends to have a future in the medical field pursuing a career as a surgeon or scientific researcher. As a lifetime member of St. John’s, Chloe particularly enjoys the Santa Lucia service. “I think one of the most beautiful aspects of this celebration is the unity of our church. Santa Lucia is a beautiful time of celebration; light floods our church from every corner, filling the sanctuary with a special kind of peace and resilience only found when love is present,” writes Pop. Chloe is thrilled “to embody this expression of light and love in the church” and looks forward to sharing her light with all who attend this year’s festivities. The annual Santa Lucia Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary at St. John’s Lutheran Church, followed by a Festival at 5:00 p.m. in The Gathering Place.

Position Title: Director of Administration Reports to: Senior Pastor Hours: Full-time, weekends as needed Salary: $64,000 annually Benefits: Health, vision, dental insurance, 401K retirement plan with employer match Position Summary: The Director of Administration is responsible for the financial and administrative areas of St. John’s Lutheran Church, including supervising property staff and front desk volunteers, collaborating closely with the staff, Property Committee, Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Council. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Financial Record all weekly offerings to designated funds as well as other income including commercial property payments into membership database. Electronically scan and enter all payments into bank remote system. Weekly preparation and submission to remote bookkeeper of all invoices, manual check requests, Manage staff benefit programs including Pastor’s unique payroll and benefits. Review and submit biweekly payroll to remote payroll processor; submit all payroll changes electronically. Provide reporting and information in support of Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, Treasurer and Church Council Provide all relevant administrative functions for Pledge and Capital Campaigns, updating leadership frequently. Assist the Senior Pastor and Treasurer in preparing monthly financial reports, drafting annual budget for Finance Committee and Council review, and supporting the work related to the Annual Congregational Report and subsequent meeting. Provide financial and administrative support to all units. Review, approve and process all purchasing requests within budgeted framework. Provide congregation member financial support as needed. Administrative Manage the Property staff and work closely with the Property Committee to support the activities and events at the church, address immediate maintenance needs, helping to define strategic long- term plans for the maintenance and management of all property, buildings, and physical assets. Manage front desk volunteers, ensuring consistent training to ensure a welcoming presence to all, in support of our Mission, Vision and Values Compliance adherence to all applicable laws for employees and volunteers. Provide both external and internal users of all facilities with the relevant agreement forms including any applicable fees and requirements. Maintain St. John’s Master Calendar for internal operations and programs. Organize meetings, documents, and all other requirements for planning and executing initiatives. Complete purchasing, manage contracts and relationships with vendors, service providers, and the City of Sacramento to address the administrative and property needs of the church. Maintain, file, and manage access to church-wide policies, procedures, and documents. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Proven experience with cash-based accounting, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, annual budgeting processes, record keeping, and payroll processing. Proficient in analyzing financial data. Experience in process management methodologies. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related experience. Commitment to good interpersonal relationships, teamwork and support of St. John’s internal ministries and community outreach. Commitment to confidentiality regarding all account records of the church, staff, and members. A vibrant Christian faith with 1) an appreciative understanding of the theological doctrines and commitments of the ELCA and 2) a commitment to diversity as a gift from God Provide a sense of hospitality and accessibility. Requirements: Completion of mandatory background screening and applicable online training(s) Able to work long hours at a computer. Valid CA driver’s license Please apply on INDEED or send cover letter and resume to Pastor Frank Espegren - frank.espegren@stjohnslc.org no later than November 30, 2024. For more information about St. John’s, please visit our website at www.stjohnslc.org