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Church Timeline - 2000's

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2000

• 75th Anniversary year celebrations.
• "With One Voice" - hymnal supplement introduced.
• Pastor Dewey celebrates 25th anniversary of his ordination.
• Befriender Ministry begins.

2001

• The congregation approves renovation plans to the Sanctuary.
• New Sunday School format, 'First Footsteps in Faith', begins.
• Lay communion ministry begins.

2002

• Parish Nurse Gail Tomkowiak is hired through a shared program with Agnesian Healthcare (2002-2008).
• Kay Salzman hired as administrative assistant (parish administrator).

2003

• "Benevolence Bazaar" held.
• Joanne Talaska retires from Ministry Assistant position.
• Sherri Bucher hired as office assistant.

2004

• Thanksgiving dinner is held.
• Paul Thompson hired as Senior Choir Director (2004-2007).

2005

• Second Benevolence Bazaar is held.

2006

• $200,000 Line of Credit approved by congregation as short-term solution to budget shortfall and internal borrowing, plus the future need for a new roof.
• Michelle O'Brien, Director of Music Ministries, is hired; contemporary "praise" worship service replaces traditional 10:30 a.m. worship beginning in October. (2006-2008)
• October: Pastor Dewey Wisner resigns and returns to former profession of pharmacy; Pastor Bruce Pangborn begins Interim Ministry.

2007

• January: Paul Thompson terminated as Senior Choir Director; Michelle O'Brien assumes his duties.
• January: $70,000 deficit budget is approved, on recommendation of leadership, to continue covering income shortfalls, subsidize pay raises and support increases in programs and music staff budget.
• Pastor Pangborn terminated in July; Pastor Robert Rosenberg replaces him as Interim Pastor.
• Congregation approves new church roof at a cost of $38,000, half of cost paid with special gifts and remainder funded through Line of Credit.

2008

• Scaled down budget approved by congregation; Parish Nurse, Director of Music Ministries, and paid nursery staff positions are terminated due to budget constraints.
• Church basement extensively damaged by sewer back-up during heavy flooding throughout the region; clean-up and repairs extend into the fall months.
• June: Fondy Food Pantry loses entire inventory in the flooding and decides to vacate the building after 36 years of free tenancy.
• October: Lollipop Park Learning Center is transitioned to Bright Beginnings Daycare, with new ownership and management.

2009

• Flood repairs and renovations completed in April; Open House and rededication of basement combined with a day of appreciation for Interim Pastor Bob Rosenberg.
• Pastor William Gruenstern recommended by Call Committee and approved unanimously by congregational vote to be called as Pastor of Church of Our Saviour. Pastor Bill assumed his duties on May 1; Installation Service was conducted by Bishop Jim Justman and his Associate, Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, on May 28.

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Also see:

Book & Video: Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us -- The 75-Year History of Church of Our Saviour

Pastors / Eras in the Life of Our Saviour's