Koinonia: NEXT Newsletter Volume 2 issue 2

Volume 2, Issue 2 - September 2023

Congregations Step up and Commit!

With 9 churches trained, several more in the process of being engaged, and major gifts that continue to come in, we have great hope to meet our challenge by the end of 2023! Look below to read about the 60th anniversary celebration, projects to be funded, and donors to date!

60th Anniversary News

More than 250 people celebrate and marvel at our Capital improvements at our three summer events!

During Dedication Day 2.0, Community Day, and the 60th anniversary celebration, attendees enjoyed worship, fellowship, music, and food. Top comments were on the air conditioning, Wifi, the Sunago Floating Bridge, and the gorgeous new waterfront

– all because of you!

Projects that still need Funds

1. Two New Roofs $40,000

2. Bathroom upgrades in the Conference Center $100,000

3. Generators for all buildings $62,500

4. Phone lines brought to Caritas, 2 Family and the Lakeside $50,000

5. Shower house $100,00

6. Restore seedtime endowment to its last total $237,500

Congregational Campaign

Phase Update!

The Congregational Campaign Team, led by Pastor Richard O. Hill, has been hard at work contacting and visiting church councils to ask for participation in the campaign. Churches are stepping up and sending volunteers to trainings – so exciting! Below are the first participants.

Congregations with leaders trained & beginning their campaigns!

Hope, Selden

Our Saviour’s Atonement, NYC

St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel, Brooklyn

St. Luke’s, Times Square

Christ, Woodcliff Lake

Redeemer, Kingston

Congregations recently trained!

Emanuel, Pleasantville

First Lutheran, Throggs Neck

Redeemer, Seaford

Campaign Donors to date!

Gary & Jean Baumhardt

Bob & Carol Bliefernich

Fred & Janet Bliefernich

Rev. Elise Brown

Harry Chapmann III

Dorothy Criscuolo

Katie Cunningham

Dr. Marianne Dietrich & Bishop Paul Egensteiner Steven & Mitzi Elkes

Pete & Sherry Engh

Shirley Erland

Carolyn Essenberg

Gerard A. Falco

Patsyann Forte

Reynold Chui & Anthony Geraci

Elisabeth Isaksen & Bunky Giddings

Robert & Anita Giddings

Anthony & Kathleen Grieco

Linda Hansen

Robert Hastedt

Lukas Haynes

Steven & Theresa Helm

Carole & Chuck Helvig

Carol Hoffman

Rev. Richard O. & Linda Hill

Robert & Beverly Isaksen

Rev. Paul & Linda Johnsen

George Johnson

Kelly Kandler

Kim & Tom Kearns

Lorraine Keller

Rev. Jeffrey & Sandra Kolbo

Gary & Rev. Kathleen Koran

Charles & Elaine Lada

Dinah & Henry LaRoche

Michael Bruzek & Myrna Lau

Steve Manlove

Dave Matthew

Michael & Elizabeth McGuiness

Paul & Barbara Meberg

Ashley Beasley & Doug Mensing

Herman & Ione Mensing

Rev. Chris & Linda Mietlowski

Jesse & Kari Mygland

Rev. Niels & Andrea Nielsen

Joanna & Kenneth Nilsen

Gary Nordahl

Ruth Nybro

Rev. Eric Olson

Jay Ratto

Donald & Joan Reinertsen

Barbara & Alan Rennie

EJ McAdams & Kathleen Ruen

Edward & Katie Ruen

Rev. Peter & Barbara Rustico

Bob & Carol Safchinsky

Margaret & Richard Sanford

Rev. Christoph & Sheryl Schulze

Stephanie Schwarz

Stephen A. Signorile

John-David & Cindy Struckmann

Rev. James & Eleanore Sudbrock

Tom & Sue Vorstadt

Ruth & Rolf Wahl

Susan Thorsen & Michael Weissman

Denise A. Rempe & Mark L. Wilson

Rev. Robert & Karol Wollenburg

Jeanine Heller Foundation

Russ Hansen Family

Christ Lutheran Church, Woodcliff Lake

Emanuel Lutheran, Pleasantville Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Commack

Hope Lutheran Church, Selden

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, West Hempstead

Our Progress

If you would like to become involved in the capital campaign by joining its leadership teams (Major Gifts, Board Alumni, Congregations, & Staff Alumni), and/or are interested in making a commitment and gift, please reach out to the executive director of Koinonia,

Dr. Kathleen Kristin Ruen kkruen@koinoniany.org

Thank You!

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