Bega Kwa Bega – Kipanga Parish, Tanzania

By |2023-05-02T13:29:30-05:00March 11th, 2023|News & Updates|

At St. Andrew's Annual Meeting in November 2022, we announced that St. Andrew's has voted to move forward with our Lutheran partners in Tanzania.  We are officially partnering with the people of the Kipanga Parish, our new congregational partner in Iringa, Tanzania.  We will walk shoulder to shoulder ("Bega Kwa Bega" in Swahili) together. Bega Kwa Bega is the name of the St. Paul Area Synod's companion synod program with the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania. This partnership commits us to three things: Prayer – SALC and the people of the Kipanga Parish promise to pray for one another, as sisters and brothers in Christ. Presence – We commit to visiting one another; being present with one another. We are thrilled for the ways that can happen and we’ll have more news eventually about what it will look like for us to travel to Tanzania. Projects – Intentionally third, we are first rooted in prayer/presence, but this partnership commits us to supporting projects alongside the congregation to support their life and ministry in that place. This has been a long journey for St. Andrew's, and we are pleased to take this next step. Many in the St. Andrew's congregation have been advocates for this partnership for years, and it's a blessing to bring it to fruition. An exploratory ambassador trip with a small group from St. Andrew's to Kipanga Parish will occur in July 2023. We ask your prayers for the people of the Kipanga Parish, for the people of St. Andrew's, for the ways this relationship will continue to grow, and for the ways that God will work in and through this partnership.  More information about how we will begin to integrate this partnership into our ministries will be coming soon! Tupo pamoja! [...]

Foundation – Ways to Give

By |2023-03-07T13:30:13-06:00March 7th, 2023|News & Updates|

In partnership with The Foundation of St. Andrew’s, give while you’re living and see your gifts at work and/or leave a legacy that will give into perpetuity. Some ways to leave a legacy through The Foundation of St. Andrew’s: Make a one-time or recurring gift to one of The Foundation’s endowed funds or as an undesignated donation Donate stocks, bonds, or other appreciated assets which can provide significant tax value to you while funding your missional interests If you’re age 70 1/2 or older, make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to The Foundation as part or all of your annual Required Minimum Distribution. Plan an end-of-life gift through your Will or Trust by designating a specific dollar amount or percentage of assets to The Foundation Name The Foundation as a beneficiary or partial beneficiary of your: —IRA, 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan —Life insurance policy or an annuity Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity or Charitable Remainder Trust Both current gifts and legacy gifts must be payable to The Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church to ensure that your intentions are met. Do not shorten to St. Andrew’s or St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Please reach out to Christa Getchell cgetchell@saintandrews.org, 651.762.9102 for assistance in getting started. Gifts to 501(c)3 organizations normally receive favorable tax treatment. Donors should always seek advice from their tax advisors regarding tax treatment of donations to charitable organizations. As you navigate changes in your life, we can help you with your estate planning. You can support both the ministries of St. Andrew’s and your family when you make a charitable bequest, a gift made without using your current resources. The Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church is a nonprofit organization and a separate 501(c)(3) from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. The Foundation is classified by the IRS as a non-operating private foundation (Tax ID# 41-2001369). [...]

Foundation – What We Fund

By |2023-03-07T13:40:28-06:00March 6th, 2023|News & Updates|

Foundation Funds and Focus Areas: NEW FUNDS (2022) Jan Gilbertson Music Ministry - In honor of Jan Gilbertson, who retired from St. Andrew's in 2022after more than 30 years as Music Director Mighty Organ Fund - A generous donor with a lifelong passion for playing and teaching the organ established the Mighty Organ Endowed Fund to help maintain it and ensure that we will enjoy it for years to come! Vision Slovakia - In honor of the Center for Christian Education (CCE) in Slovakia, and to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Paul and Mary Ellen Berg established a new endowed fund for Vision Slovakia to help our partners there achieve their vision. Environmental Stewardship - A group of environmentally conscious members established this fund, which will support a variety of activities including education, outreach, special worship and more. Additional Ministries The Foundation funds numerous ministries through endowed funds that exemplify the passion of donors as well as advance St. Andrew's mission in the world. Mission Jamaica Seminary Scholarships Children, Youth & Family Ministry Youth Bibles Community Resource Center Habitat for Humanity General Operations Pastoral Care

Foundation – Board Members

By |2023-03-06T19:41:06-06:00March 6th, 2023|News & Updates|

Foundation of St. Andrew's Board Members: Christa Getchell, Executive Director, 651.762.9102, cgetchell@saintandrews.org Keith Beckman Bob Cedergren Tom Dosland Chris Glasoe Bruce Langager Cathy Longtin Warren Luckner Raymond Marshall Mark McCormick Chris Ortega Barbara Pagel Tim Torgerson Ex-officio voting members: Pr. Michael Carlson, Lead Pastor Christa Getchell, Executive Director Sharon Pfeiffer, Church Council Liaison Ex-officio non-voting members: Ronda Sowada

Foundation – FAQ

By |2023-03-07T13:24:24-06:00March 6th, 2023|News & Updates|

Frequently Asked Questions  If I make a donation to The Foundation may I designate a specific use for my gifts? A. Yes. Donors may designate where they want their gifts directed. They may also leave that decision to the board’s discretion. Is there a minimum gift amount? A. No, not for a gift to an established endowed fund. However there is a minimum of $10,000 to create a new dedicated endowed fund which will also require approval from the board. If I donate to The Foundation will it be used in the annual budget of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church? A. No. The Foundation of St. Andrew’s is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Is my gift tax deductible? A. The Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is classified by the IRS as a non-operating private foundation (Tax ID #41-20011369).  Gifts to 501(c)3 organizations normally receive favorable tax treatment. Donors should always seek advice from their tax advisors regarding tax treatment of donations to charitable organizations. How do I include The Foundation of St. Andrew’s in my estate plans? A. Please reach out to our executive director Christa Getchell at 651.762.9102 for help in getting started with a bequest to The Foundation. We are here to help you and your attorney formalize your charitable intentions. How should I make out my check? A. Both current gifts and legacy gifts must be payable to The Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church to ensure that your intentions are met. Do not shorten to St. Andrew’s or St. Andrew’s Church. Does everyone need to have a Will? A. Absolutely, Yes! No matter how large or modest your estate may be, the people you love will appreciate formal documents to guide them through the difficulties following [...]

Tanzania Exploratory Trip – July 2023

By |2023-02-28T14:19:31-06:00February 28th, 2023|News & Updates|

  A small group (maximum of 10 people) from St. Andrew’s led by Pastors Sarah Breckenridge and Amy Mihelich Smith will visit Kipanga Parish on an exploratory visit. The trip is currently scheduled for Sunday, July 23 - Saturday, August 5, 2023.   This will be an ambassador trip; the first time that St. Andrew's and Kipanga Parish meet face-to-face, the initial visioning visit, and the foundation of this future ministry. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please contact Pastor Sarah Breckenridge at 651.762.9122. Following are a few details, as we know them in February 2023: The traveling group will be a maximum of 12 people total. This is because two nights of this trip will be in the village of Kipanga, our partner parish in rural Tanzania. It is economically and otherwise very difficult for them to host more than 12 people at a time (overnights will be in homestays). In addition to the Bega Kwa Bega staff,  Pastor Sarah Breckenridge and Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith will be the pastoral leads on this program. Pastor Sarah has led numerous pilgrimages and mission projects throughout the world. Pastor Amy served as an ELCA missionary in Eastern Africa, specifically in Rwanda, which borders Tanzania to the west. They will be an incredible leadership team! The final cost of the trip will depend on airfare, but with a base program cost of $2,500 and flights in that same range, we're asking people to anticipate a total trip cost of $5,000.  Click here for a basic sample itinerary, for reference.  We expect we may offer more trips to Kipanga Parish in the years ahead, as well as other opportunities to walk “shoulder to shoulder” with our partner congregation. Young Adult Scholarships: We have financial assistance available for St. Andrew's young adults who may be interested in [...]

Tanzania FAQ

By |2023-02-28T14:15:17-06:00February 28th, 2023|News & Updates|

Why are we starting a mission in Tanzania? The St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA has had a long partner relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). Many St. Paul area churches have companion congregations in Tanzania, and engage in prayer/presence/projects with those congregations. We are excited to be joining a collaboration that has been underway for decades! The Lutheran church is strong in Tanzania, with vibrant ministries and congregations across the country. The ELCT is one of the fastest-growing Lutheran denominations in the world. Formalizing our relationship with Kipanga Parish is an opportunity for St. Andrew’s to strengthen our role in the global Lutheran church, and to learn from our siblings in Tanzania as we walk together in faith and ministry. After some delays due to the pandemic as well as staffing changes at St. Andrew’s, we are officially making a relationship with a parish in Tanzania (Kipanga Parish – a rural congregation with several locations, located in the Iringa Diocese).  Kipanga is approximately 350 miles northwest of the capital Dar es Salaam. What is our financial commitment, if any, to Kipanga Parish? As part of our relationship we are committed to providing a minimum of $1,000 per year for six years to Kipanga Parish. Will we have an opportunity to visit Tanzania, or to welcome someone from Tanzania to St. Andrew’s? A small group from St. Andrew’s led by Pastors Sarah Breckenridge and Amy Mihelich Smith will visit Kipanga Parish on an exploratory visit during late July-early August 2023. We expect we may offer more trips to Kipanga Parish in the years ahead, as well as other opportunities to walk “shoulder to shoulder” with our partner congregation. How can I get involved with our new global mission partners in Tanzania? While we are getting this [...]

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