A conversation with Bob Dear Friends in Christ, I just got off the phone talking with our Congregation Council president, Bob Uphoff. For a busy guy, he’s amazingly accessible. Whether on the tractor, in the field, in the barn, or hauling a load of pigs to Iowa, Bob almost always answers his phone. If you haven’t met him, Bob’s a fourth-generation member of Luther Memorial. You can usually spot him in the narthex on third Sundays, when he and sons Chris and Brian usher at the 10:30 service. Our conversation went something like this: ME: Bob, you’ve seen plenty of fall stewardship
appeals in your time. From your perspective as council president, what should our congregation know as each of us considers our annual commitment?
Bob Uphoff, Congregation Council president
BOB: Let’s reflect on what’s going on and the exciting things in front of us. As we look around, let’s ask “How have we been blessed here at Luther Memorial? We have tremendous people, good programs, a magnificent facility, devoted leadership — and so much more. Let’s look at that and ask, what does it mean to us? And what is our commitment to keeping it going?
Bob’s term as president began in February, deep into the council’s vocational discernment process. As part of this long-range planning process, our congregation has been pondering the church’s mission in relation to its location and identity, asking “Who are our neighbors and how are we serving them?”
In fact, we are very blessed to discover how many people visit Luther Memorial each year. Some walk through our University Avenue doors. Some connect to us through our church website. Our best guess: combined, a minimum of 30,000 interactions annually. And that number is growing. Bob believes our visitors and members find reassurance, stability and promise at Luther Memorial. Things made possible by a faithful community trusting in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. He remarks on the number of Sunday volunteers and remembers a time when Sunday involvement was limited to ushering and singing in the choir. Today, our collective group of worship volunteers averages around 75 each week. Together, we read the lessons, serve communion, prepare vestments, sing in the choir, serve coffee, care for toddlers, assist visitors, record sermons to post on the website, and more. Our shared commitment to extraordinary worship makes this possible. BOB: I believe things tend to work out in a unique way. We work together, move forward and trust in the promises Christ made to us in baptism. We certainly make our plans, but can always count on God surprising us.
Last year we challenged ourselves to increase pledged giving by 5%, to strengthen our ministry of belonging. And we did it. In fact, thanks to you, we exceeded our goal! Your commitment helped to support a number of ministries. We’ve seen increases in baptisms of children and adults, mentoring, pastoral visits and Sunday school attendance. Additionally, we are developing new opportunities this fall for women’s ministry and senior visitation. Bob points to our outreach ministries as another example of shared commitment. For more than 15 years, your gifts of time, talent and treasure have sustained Luther Memorial’s participation and partnership with The Road Home, Appalachia Service Project, Christmas Gifts for Transitional Families, and our preschool. More recently your prayers and financial support have assisted LM member Jamie Stark in his call to serve homeless and at-risk youth in El Salvador.
BOB: Let’s rejoice in all that is happening at — and through — Luther Memorial. All the great ministries. All the great and amazing volunteers. And let’s keep the momentum going, keep building!
What must it be like to witness four generations of ministry building? Building, for belonging. Unlike Bob, I am a first-generation LM member, more of a transplant. While Bob’s roots run deep in this holy place, mine in comparison are just sprouts (of mixed variety!). Nevertheless, there is plenty of fertile soil and Bob has inspired me anew to rejoice, dig in, and expect surprises. Before hanging up, Bob tells me that people ask him if being council president is challenging, especially amidst a time of future discernment. “No, it’s fun,” he tells me. Fun to have rigorous conversations, fun to explore, and fun to celebrate the past while focusing on the future. BOB: It’s an exciting time to be at Luther Memorial. Let’s participate in the ways we are able, increase our financial pledge as best we can, and move forward together.
Let Bob’s words inspire our stewardship commitment for 2015. To give a gift. To make a pledge. To consider what this place means to each of us — and take part. For then we might do together that which we cannot do alone — be followers of the One who makes all things possible. Thank you for sharing in the life of Luther Memorial.
Suelyn Swiggum Director of Shared Ministry
P. S. Pledges will be received on Sunday, October 19. Your giving makes a difference in what we can accomplish together here at Luther Memorial. Thank you for your generosity!
Let’s work together, move forward and trust in the promises Christ made to us in baptism. Bob Uphoff
Luther Memorial Church Annual Stewardship Pledge for 2015
Luther Memorial Church · 1021 University Avenue · Madison, Wis. 53715 www.luthermem.org