A Word from Pastor Eric
2022 brought Southwood a few steps away from the season of COVID and several steps further into a new season of shared ministry. Much preparation was put into place in recognition of Pastor Greg’s retirement, which allowed for Southwood’s worship, ministry, mission, care and administrative efforts to stay in rhythm throughout a busy year.
As a congregation, we’ve come to recognize our new environment in a post-pandemic world. Sixty-six percent has become a familiar metric with attendance at in-person worship and events at about two-thirds of pre-COVID programming. Online worship is a strong alternative providing opportunities to meet people where they are and even expand our reach around the country and world.
Throughout 2022, Southwood’s Church Council and Call Committee have worked in tandem with the Nebraska Synod on identifying candidates for our Senior Pastor opening. When that will happen appears to be God’s timing. And God’s timing can come in ways we don’t expect, but always in ways which bless.
I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this shared ministry!
—Pastor Eric Finsand, Interim Senior Pastor
Sunday, January 22, 2023, 12PM in the Fellowship Hall.
All confirmed, communing, and contributing members of the congregation are urged to join together for a celebration of God’s blessings upon Southwood, and to conduct the annual congregational meeting. At this meeting, we’ll be making decisions about Southwood’s future, including our 2023 budget and election of our Church Council members.
Worship & Music
Short-term Choirs
Opportunities to sing in the Mixed Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorus with only a few rehearsals provide easy entry-level ways for people to engage in choir.
Children's Choirs
Children in 3rd -5th grade also had the opportunity to sing in a short-term choir this summer and fall. These will continue to be offered in 2023.
Yankee Hill Bells
Southwood began a bell ministry in partnership with Yankee Hill Village (33rd & Yankee Hill) this past summer.
Short-term Handbell Ensembles
Throughout this past year handbells have been used in worship in a variety of ways including accompanying hymns and choir anthems.
Ministries
95 New Members Received
A 70% increase from 2021. Discover Southwood classes offered in April and October.
Life Events:
- 48 Baptisms
- 16 Weddings (Includes off-site ceremonies)
Adult Ministries
Fellowship
650 participants enjoyed the Women’s Spring Retreat, the Fall Festival and the Pride Picnic.
Groups
220 Small Group participants enjoyed the benefits of faith growth through group studies. 200 Fellowship Group participants enjoyed the benefits of social gatherings as part of our Widows/Widowers, Singles, Coffee Chats, MOPS and Seniors groups.
Sunday Morning Volunteers
681 volunteers welcomed attendees on Sunday mornings. A Lunch & Learn event was held to show appreciation and provide updated training.
Children's Ministries
Sunday School & Vacation Bible School
405 children registered for Sunday School
325 children registered for Vacation Bible School
Children's Ministries Volunteers
268 people made a difference in children's lives:
- 60 Advent Festival Volunteers
- 95 Sunday School Volunteers
- 113 Vacation Bible School Volunteers
Multigenerational Playground Project Offering Outreach
- 45 Volunteers built the playgrounds
- $2,500 to fund the project
- 4 Playgrounds built and delivered to deserving families
Gifted to our Third Graders
68 new student Bibles
Advent Festival
200+ children and family members attended
Youth Ministries
Middle School DELVE
220 students and 40 volunteers participated.
High School Youth Group
70 students participated in gatherings and/or retreats and mission trips.
32 students served in Sunday School.
10 students led DELVE groups for our middle school students.
Youth in Service
Between Sunday School, mission trips, and community service, our Youth have served a total of 3,000 volunteer hours for the sake of others.
30 students involved in Sunday Morning volunteer opportunities.
Young Adults
Took our first-ever Young Adult Global trip to our sister church in Honduras in March 2022 with 10 attendees.
2022 Missions
Mission
Serving alongside our community and global mission partners continues to be essential to the life of Southwood.Volunteers gave more than 2,700 hours of their time and talents to serve in our community.
Community Missions
Southwood's impact in our community:
- Giving Trees provided $7,870 in gift cards in July and more than 800 gifts in December.
- New Mobile Food Distribution at Southwood serves more than 300 families every other Tuesday.
- Celebrations!
- Southwood provided meal for a neighborhood picnic to celebrate The Gathering Place's 40th Anniversary.
- Southwood provided matching funds for donations in celebration of Tabitha Meals on Wheels' 55th Anniversary.
Global Missions
Southwood's impact in our world:
Honduras
- Young Adult Team learned about our partners and the community of La Ceibita during their visit in March
- Connected to Bless Church & Ministry in La Ceibita
- 4 homes built in villages of La Victoria and Casitas
- Church is trying new things to engage more people in the community
- Haley Janssen - Proniño Children's Home
- One group of Proniño boys are moved into a new home
- Haley shared a beautiful message with Southwood during Mission Sunday worship
Tanzania
- Uswaa, Tanzania
- Medical Clinic fully operational and staffed
- Averaged 50 patients per day
- Construction has begun on new school building
- Currently have 350 students enrolled in cramped spaces
- Medical Clinic fully operational and staffed
- Education Scholarship Program
- 44 Students attending college or university programs
- 21 Students attending secondary schools
- 6 Students participated in Training for Life courses
- 16 Students graduated college diploma or degree programs
Care Ministry
- Prayer requests shared daily with our Prayer Team.
- Healing Prayer services were offered quarterly.
- Grief support offered through cards, brochures and books to over 65 families this year.
- Care Team worship services offered monthly at 4 assisted living facilities in Lincoln.
12 Funerals
Held at Southwood
Care Gifts Created
161 prayer shawls
66 baby blankets
Speakers
Care Ministry hosted 3 congregational events in the Fall:
- QPR (Suicide Prevention) Training
- Internet Safety
- Mental Health Awareness
Good Samaritan Fund
70 requests received
Supported 11 families
during Thanksgiving and Christmas (consistent with the last 3 years)
Giving to Southwood
Make a donation to Southwood through a one-time gift or as a recurring gift.
2022 Budget
95% of budgeted income received totaling $3.06 million
Lent & Easter Offerings
Over $28,000 received
100% dedicated to our global mission partners
Thanksgiving Offerings
$3,000 dedicated to our hunger mission partners
Christmas Offerings
$26,000 received and dedicated to our community mission partners
Good Samaritan Fund
$12,000 donated by Southwood members to this fund
Used
to help people in financial need in our community
Senior Call Process
Southwood Lutheran is currently calling a new Senior Pastor. This is a special time in the life of our congregation. It is a time filled with hope and expectation, of questioning and consideration. It can also be a time of anxiety. As a congregation, we have the opportunity to work together to identify a leader for our church.