20
21
ANNUAL
REPORT
Looking Back On 2021
Hear a brief word from your Pastors and Intern,
as they share a few highlights of this past year.
Council Report
President's Report
Laura Ramsborg
Council President
This past year was extraordinary in many ways–extraordinary challenges, extraordinary gifts, and extraordinary accomplishments. Through the continued challenges presented by an ongoing pandemic, Westwood has been blessed with skilled leaders and a talented, courageous staff who share their gifts with our congregation and surrounding community. As a result, we were able to make solid financial decisions, maintain our momentum, and keep WECC open. With the support of our congregation, we have been able to continue growing our ministries and fulfilling our key missions.
Specific accomplishments from 2021 include:
-
Prayer of Good Courage Affirmation & Rise Early Childcare Development
-
Securing Grants and receiving gifts to maintain a stable financial picture
-
Development of Pastoral Transition Proposal & Communication Plan
-
Support of Racial Justice & Equity Work
On behalf of the Council, I am thankful to be involved in the meaningful work at Westwood and honored to be serving our Westwood community. Thank you to Westwood staff and each member of our congregation for your vital contributions to our thriving ministries.
​
+Laura Ramsborg, Council President
Nominations Team
Scott Hagen
Scott and his family have been members of Westwood for over 10 years. Both of their kids (Cameron 11; Gabe 8) have been baptized at Westwood and grew up in the Westwood Childcare system. Like all families with kids at this age, Scott and his wife, Sally, stay busy driving from one activity to another. Scott has been involved in St. Louis Park most recently with 4 years of volunteer service at the SLP Fire Department and has coached 15 different youth teams in the past 6 years.
Deb Waldorf
Deb, her husband Mark, and their family have been members at Westwood for 34 years. She currently is the lead for “Westwood Made” for the Holiday Fair. In the past, she has been involved with handbells and the youth program.
Mark Zimmerman
Mark and his wife Betsy, have been members at Westwood for 20+ years. They were married at Westwood and their two daughters, Sophie and Emma were also baptized here. Mark and Betsy both volunteer in Westwood’s Youth Education programs. Sophie was confirmed in 2021 and Emma is in 8th grade confirmation.
Re-Elected for Year 2
Luke Hoffman, Brenda Knutson, and Lindsay Melander
Finishing their Term on Council
Lanica Klein, Kurt Koubal, and Shelby Straus
Thank You!
Council
Nominees
Nate Hanson
At-Large Council Member
My family and I have been members for about 3 ½ years as Westwood just felt like the right community for us and we felt naturally welcome. You’ll find us in the front row of the early service and at family activities.
​
I work at Target HQ (i.e., my basement) in Finance. Outside of work you’ll find me cooking up a storm, in the garden wishing I could grow even more of my own food to cook, or out on bike trails around the city.
​
As I reflect on the past 22 months it has brought so much growth for me as a person. Enduring what this pandemic has wrought, however, has left me wanting to find new challenges and outlets to make a difference. Being a member of the council and this amazing community fits perfectly for me to grow even more as a member of this congregation.
Anna Lovas
At-Large Council Member
I’ve been a member at Westwood for 18 years. I can mostly be found following my 3 boys around to their youth activities!
​
I work in the medical device field in clinical research at Becton Dickinson. I also help coach the soccer teams for the boys and act as a chauffeur for their activities. I enjoy running and baking!
​
I want to serve on Council because I love Westwood! We got married here, baptized all three boys here, were here 6 days a week for many years between the kids learning at WECC and church, and overall, it's a very important community for all of us. I believe in and value this community. I look forward to being a part of the church leadership during this time of change opportunity.
Gina Jacobson
Church Council Secretary
My husband and I searched for a church home for several years, planting roots here at Westwood in the fall of 2018. We couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful for Westwood’s vibrant, caring community; for the friendships, we’ve made, and for the many ways, our faith has been challenged and strengthened by Westwood’s array of ministries and offerings.
It would be an honor to give back to the church by serving on the Church Council. Recently retired, I find that I have the capacity and desire to lend a hand where I can. Serving on the council would give me a chance to do just that. Prior to retirement, I spent over 20 years in the field of education and nonprofit leadership. Thank you for your consideration.
We thank the outgoing Council members for their faithful commitment these past years
David Frank & Dan Aune (At-Large)
LaDonna Reynolds (Secretary)
Thank You!
Jeanne Lutgen
I joined the choir in person this fall. Phillip, Gavin, and long-time members of the choir welcomed me to their community. Singing in a choir again after a ten-year break is like coming home. “Music has a way of piercing into the deepest parts of the soul.” Singing with others is such an emotional lift. Even though spaced and masked singing lifts my spirit and helps me stay positive in our ever-changing world. A lesson I’ve learned from the Pandemic is to do what you love and contribute what you can. I highly recommend it.
Financial
Report
Total Gifts Given
$1,470,831
faith giving for pledgers and non pledgers
Average Gift
$2,603
annually
Household Contributions
565
given to the General Operating Fund
Racial
Equity
Westwood’s Racial Equity Team continues to build on anti-racism education, events, and sustaining engagement. The team has community relationships with CLNE, the MPLS Synod’s Racial Justice Liaison Team, and Adath Synagogue’s Racial Justice Team.
Highlights:
-
Luminary Walk for Equity, February 2021
-
Stand Together for Racial Justice, April 2021
-
JUSTmove Performance, Antiracism Education Through the Arts, July 2021
-
Westwood anti-racism resources, family education, and zoom movie nights throughout the pandemic.
-
All Westwood Staff have taken the Intercultural Development Inventory, are working on Intercultural Development Plans, and meet monthly for racial healing discussions.
-
Created a staff racial equity liaison position- including training as an IDI Qualified Administrator.
LGBTQIA+
In June we held our first annual Pride Parade and resource fair! Local authors and organizations from the LBGTQIA+ community helped to make the first annual Pride Event a great success!