Hiring Visitation Pastor- In January of 2009, we hired Pastor Nancy Amacher as our ¼ time Visitation Pastor. What a blessing she has been for me and our congregation!

Ministry Grant- In May St. Paul’s applied for a Ministry Grant through the ELCA to help us better serve our growing congregation. In September, we received word that we were awarded the grant- $28,000 for ministry in 2010!

Video Contest- In July St. Paul’s entered the "God’s work. Our hands" ELCA video contest. While our video didn’t win, it did receive the most votes in the nation and it was featured at the 2009 ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly—a great honor!

National Youth Gathering- In July, a busload of St. Paul’s youth joined 36,000 other Lutheran youth at the ELCA’s National Youth Gathering in New Orleans! It was a once in a lifetime experience for all who attended!

Hiring Ministry Manager- As St. Paul’s continued to grow in 2009, it became clear that even more staff positions would be necessary for future ministry. In August, we hired Mike Lindau as Ministry Manager. He’s been a perfect fit, and he will continue to take on new management/leadership roles in 2010.

Sabbatical- In September, St. Paul’s members granted me a one-month sabbatical from church work. Not only was this a good opportunity for me to relax and reconnect with my family, but it also gave St. Paul’s members an opportunity to serve in new ways.

900+ Members- In October, our New Member class topped us above 900 members! This is the largest St. Paul’s has been in its history and it’s an increase of nearly 400 members in a decade.

Future Fund Tops $300,000- In December our Future Fund reached another milestone- $309,000! Will 2010 be the year we actually break ground on our church addition?

75 Kids in Christmas Musical- 2009 ended the same way it began—with the church "hoppin"! What a joy it was watching 75 Sunday school children hopping up and down and singing at the top of their lungs! The future of our church looks great!