Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church Timeline 1981 through 2007
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1981
Several Lutheran lay persons approach their pastors concerning the lack of a Lutheran congregations in the St. John area.
1982
The Lutheran Council, USA, approves St. John as a mission site.
1983
(October 23rd) - The first worship service is conducted on a Saturday night at the St. John Town Hall.
1984
The American Lutheran Church certifies the ministry for development.
1985
The Rev. Barry Chaffee begins his service as the congregation's first pastor, and worship services are moved to Sunday mornings at Lake Central High School.
1986
Pastor Chaffee leaves, and the Rev. Stephen Koch becomes the congregation's second pastor; the congregation is named Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church.
1987
(May 10) - Illinois District Bishop Ehme Ostebur officially organizes Holy Shepherd as a congregation of the American Lutheran Church.
1988
The American Lutheran Church becomes a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Pastor Koch leaves.
1989
The ELCA purchases the church site at the corner of 97th Lane and Keilman Street.
1990
The Rev. Mark Vance becomes the congregation's third pastor, and Sandra DeValk is hired as the congregation's first Music Director.
1991
The congregation conducts the first of five annual telemarketing evangelism campaigns.
1992
Holy Shepherd becomes financially self-supporting, is declared "ready to build" by the ELCA, and conducts a capital funds drive that results in pledges totaling $84,174 over a two-year period.
1993
(April 18) - Ground is broken for the church's initial
6,200-square-foot facility, which is constructed with the assistance of Mission
Builders and volunteers from the congregation.
Sandra DeValk resigns as Music Director and is replaced by Rachelle Kreykes.
1994
(May 1) - Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Ralph Kempski dedicates
the congregation's first building.
The congregation begins holding two worship services every week, Janet
Bates becomes Holy Shepherd's Custodian, a successful mortgage reduction campaign
is held, the first photographic directory is produced, and the first Vacation
Bible School is held.
1995
Saturday evening worship services are offered for the first time during the summer months; due to a special "Miracle Sunday" effort, the full $25,325 needed for a new Allen organ is raised; and Holy Shepherd is awarded a special ELCA grant to add a full-time professional staff member.
1996
Deaconess Christine Bauer begins work as Congregational Involvement Coordinator, and Rochelle Kreykes resigns as Music Director and is replaced by Suzanne Gruoner.
1997
Spiritual gifts inventories and stepping stones are introduced, Jane Russell begins work as Secretary, and a contemporary Saturday evening worship service is offered year-round.
1998
Summer schedule adjusted to allow for Wednesday night services; Jane Russell resigns as Secretary, and Nancy Kramer replaces her with title of Administrator; small group format for Confirmation Program is introduced; KIDS in Action begins; first congregational web page is designed; and Suzanne Gruoner resigns as Music Director and is replaced by two people-Music Director Sally DuBois and Celebration Director Ruthann Russel.
1999
Gene Hoemann becomes the congregation's voluntary Bookkeeper, Pastor Vance goes on a three-month sabbatical funded by the Lilly Foundation while the Rev. Don Bravin serves as Interim Pastor, outdoor sign is installed, mentoring is introduced to Confirmation Program, and Couples' Group begins.
2000
Heather McCulloch becomes the first member of Holy Shepherd to be ordained as a pastor, a contemporary worship service is added to the Sunday morning schedule, youth and adult Sunday School classes are moved to Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home for four years, paid nursery attendants are on duty all Sunday morning, and the congregation's library begins.
2001
Nancy Kramer serves briefly as Congregational Life Director, Nancy Bright is hired as Administrative Assistant, Sharon Dudzik is hired as Office Aide, Jim Winiecki begins as Director of Children's Ministries-a position later upgraded to full time and renamed Congregational Life Director, Prayer Ventures and evening adult education series begin, and Holy Shepherd is one of 6,000 congregations participating in the "U.S. Congregational Life Survey."
2002
Caregivers Team and Marriage Mentoring are introduced, Ministry Mobilization Team is started, Junior and Senior BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) groups are launched, and planning for an expanded building begins.
2003
Holy Shepherd teens begin participating in Lutheran Youth Encounter's Youth Quake and Youth Congress; two annual major mission projects funded entirely through designated giving are introduced; a marriage renewal service is offered; capital funds appeal raises $1 million over three years in commitments for church expansion; Men's Group is launched; and Sally DuBois resigns as Music Director, and Ruthann Russel assumes responsibility for entire music program-a position later upgraded to full time and renamed Worship and Arts Director.
2004
Groundbreaking for 10,000-plus-square-foot building expansion
held on 04-04-04.
Congregation holds first annual major Lenten experience involving everyone
reading and discussing the same book at the same time; youth participate for
first time in World Vision's "30-Hour Famine;" Deaconess Christine
Bauer leaves, and Sharon Dudzik's position is renamed Involvement and Care
Coordinator; Kate Knoerzer works briefly as Administrative Aide then as Executive
Assistant; Congregational Nurse Program begins.
2005
Expanded building dedicated by Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop
Jim Stuck on 05-05-05.
Consultation with Living Discipleship Ministries begins; congregation celebrates
the 25th anniversary of Pastor Vance's ordination; Holy Shepherd Preschool
begins operating with Teacher Michelle Pociask and Aide Jackie Sterling; Nancy
Bright resigns, and Kate Knoerzer is hired as full-time Administrative Assistant;
and Gene Hoemann retirees as Bookkeeper and is replaced by Phyllis Caldwell
as Financial Assistant.
2006
Living Discipleship Ministries concludes with capital gifts campaign; Sharon Dudzik and Phyllis Caldwell resign, and Sue Neilson is hired as Clerical Assistant; Preschool expands to five days with Holly Smolinski as Teacher/Director and Marge Kosaris and Jackie Sterling as Aides; congregation celebrates 50th anniversary of ordination of Pastor Don Bravin; playground equipment set up on property; stained glass windows installed in sanctuary.
2007
Children's and Youth Safety Policy implementes; Natural Church Development consultation starts; Vicar Andrea Roske-Metcalfe begins year of seminary internship; Preschool classes held for third year with Jackie Sterling as Teacher and Kerri Hess as Aide; "Walk thru the Old Testament" seminar held.
2008
Green Team formed to make the congregation more eco-friendly; ten members go to Guatemala on mission trip with Hearts in Motion; Preschool classes held for fourth year with Val Solan as Teacher and Sandy Munday as Aide; Mike Zurek ordained and installed as Associate Pastor (November 22); Jim Winiecki's job title changed to Director of Missions, Children's Ministries, and Fellowship; Cross Fire group from Lutheran Youth Encounter presents concert.