Shared Ministry

Immanuel, Orleans, and peace lutheran churches


Dates: January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Review points: Quarterly

Renewal or Decision to End point: early January 2027

Steering Committee:



A committee of nine (9) elected/appointedmembers willserve asthe steering committee for this Shared Ministry, three (3) from each congregation. One elected/appointed member from each congregation shall be a representative from their respective councils. All decisions pertaining to the agreement aremade bythis group. Anything to do with the agreement should be sent to this committee for review. Pastor Nathan Wicks and Pastor Daniel Baldwin will serve on the steering committee ex officio. 


Financials:



Orleans and Peace will pay $21,580.45 each to the Shared Ministry Fund. Immanuel will pay $43,160.90 to the Shared Ministry Fund. The Shared Ministry fund, held by Immanuel, will be used exclusively to pay compensation, benefits, and professional expenses for Pastor Nathan Wicks.


Worship:

  • Sunday Worship Services:
  • Immanuel – 9:00 am
  • Peace/Orleans – 10:30 am
  • Peace and Orleans will rotate location on a weekly basis.
  • Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will lead together at both locations weekly, unless other responsibilities prevent it. Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will rotate preaching and presiding roles weekly.
  • Every fifth Sunday, Peace, Orleans, and Immanuel will have a joint worship service at Immanuel at 9:00 am.
  • Lay leadership in worship services will be encouraged.
  • Immanuel will host a weekly Wednesday evening worship service geared towards children and families as a part of the Wednesday evening God’s Love On Wednesday program at 7:00 pm..
  • Lent Midweek services will rotate between Orleans, Peace, and Immanuel. This includes Ash Wednesday, weekly Wednesday Lent services, and Holy Week worship services.
  • Plans for any other special services will be the responsibility of the Steering Committee.
  • Pastor Wicks will coordinate with lay leadership to plan regular worship services at Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace.
  • Pastor Baldwin will preside at funerals for members of Immanuel.
  • Pastor Wicks will preside at funerals for members of Peace and Orleans.
  • Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will rotate presiding at Funerals of non-members as their schedules allow.
  • Weddings and premarital counseling will be provided by Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin on a rotational basis as their schedules allow. 


Christian Education:


  • Youngest Ages
  • Pastor Wicks will contribute leadership, oversight, and work with lay leadership for Imnanuel, Orleans, and Peace.
  • Peace and Orleans will continue with Growing In Faith Together program the first and third Wednesdays of the month during the program year with mutual invitation to Immanuel to participate in any and all activities.
  • Immanuel will continue with the God’s Love On Wednesday program during the program year, with mutual invitation to Orleans and Peace to participate in any and all activities.
  • Middle School Ages – Middle school ages will continue with current programming at Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace respectively.
  • High School Ages - Pastor Baldwin will provide leadership, oversight, and work with lay leadership for high school activities and programs for Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace.
  • Adults
  • Sunday Evening Adult Education with Pastor Baldwin at Immanuel.
  • Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study at Immanuel at 7:30.
  • Ecumenical Men’s Breakfast Bible Study, Thursday Mornings at Immanuel.
  • WELCA Bible Studies: potential to meet together among Immanuel, Peace, and Orleans for this.
  • Members from all congregations are welcome to any adult study opportunities.
  • Other opportunities will be coordinated by steering committee and pastors.

Pastoral Care:



  • Pastor Wicks will primarily do pastoral care visits for members from Orleans and Peace.
  • Pastor Baldwin will primarily do pastoral care visits for members from Immanuel.
  • Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will provide supplemental visits for Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace.
  • Lay communion visitation will be encouraged. Pastors will coordinate with lay visitors.
  • Emergency Pastoral care will be provided by Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin for Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace. Pastors will coordinate on a case by case basis.

Administration:



  • Pastor Baldwin, Pastor Wicks, and office administrators will work together to compile a monthly newsletter for Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace.
  • Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will rotate writing articles for the monthly newsletter.
  • Newsletter printing and mailing for members of Orleans and Peace will take place in the office at Peace. Newsletter printing and mailing for members of Immanuel will take place at Immanuel.
  • Office administrator for Orleans and Peace will prepare and print bulletins for Orleans and Peace. Office administrator for Immanuel will prepare and print bulletins for Immanuel.
  • Office administrator for Immanuel will prepare and print bulletins for Fifth Sunday shared worship services.
  • Hosting congregation will prepare and print bulletins for other joint worship services.
  • Pastor Baldwin and Pastor Wicks will strive to attend all council meetings (and related planning meetings) for Immanuel, Orleans, and Peace. (Coordination on time and location would aid this goal.)
  • Either Pastor Wicks or Pastor Baldwin would strive to attend other ministry board meetings.
  • Office Hours:
  • Pastor Baldwin: Wednesday morning at Peace Office, Wednesday afternoon at Immanuel Office.
  • Pastor Wicks: Thursday morning at Immanuel Office, Thursday afternoon at Peace Office.
  • Pastor Wicks and Pastor Baldwin will attend to connections with the broader church, including ecumenical relationships.
  • Pastor Baldwin’s official call remains with Immanuel, with the understanding that part of that call is being shared with Peace and Orleans through this agreement. Pastor Wicks’ official call remains with Peace and Orleans, with the understanding that part of that call is being shared with Immanuel.