PIANO DONATED TO CAMP EWALU

On Sunday, July 11th, Our Savior's Lutheran donated their upright Baldwin piano to Camp EWALU of Strawberry Point. Since this piano was replaced by the purchase of a Kawai baby grand in memory of Stacia Peterson, the church was able to give the Baldwin piano to this vital outdoor ministry of the ELCA.

Paul Little, Associate Director of Camp EWALU and three summer counselors from the camp helped lead worship on Sunday. In addition to playing camp music for the congregation, they shared about the importance of outdoor ministry.

Camp helps build skills necessary to prepare youth to assume roles as successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff report growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities, and spirituality. Camp provides growth experiences for youth that can benefit them through adulthood.

In fact, recent studies show that kids who attend camp regularly are more likely to get involved and stay involved with churches when they become adults. Studies also show that there is a correlation between outdoor ministry and church leadership. About 85% of seminarians went to camp when they were children. So by sending kids to camp, Our Savior's is serving the wider church by forming tomorrow's congregations, pastors and lay leaders today.

The children and youth gathered around the piano to impart a special blessing upon it, that it may go on to do more exciting ministry. Following the service, some helpful men loaded the piano into the camp truck.

NEW BABY GRAND PIANO DELIVERED TO CHURCH

At the congregational meeting held on November 22, the people of Our Savior's Lutheran voted to purchase a new, Kawai baby grand piano for the sanctuary. This instrument is being paid for with funds from the Stacia Peterson estate. Therefore, the piano will be dedicated in loving memory of Stacia and will be an enduring gift to the church.

The purchase was made from Martin's House of Pianos and Organs in Platteville, Wisconsin. Because the Kawai GM-12 model, was in stock, they were able to deliver it to the church the very next day. Pastor Laura and her husband, William; Vern Timmerman, and Don Thran were on hand to help at the time of the delivery, which was at 6:00 p.m. Monday night. The following are photos of the event taken by William and Laura.

The Martin's House of Pianos and Organs truck pulled up to the bottom of the stairs leading to the sanctuary. The side door stairway would have been shorter but there wasn't enough height in that stairwell to accommodate the piano on its side.

Jason, the piano delivery assistant, put the ramp out.

Owner, George Martin, prepared to bring the piano out of the truck.

Vern arrived to help Jason, George and William guide the piano up the stairs with the help of the piano-moving caterpillar.

It arrived safely in the narthex.

They pushed it on into the chancel area of the sanctuary.

Just then, Don Thran arrived (just in time to not have to help bring the piano in). He said he worked to time his arrival perfectly.

The legs were attached to the piano and it was put into this upright position.

The piano was prepared by George as Don supervised.

Then, Jason and George did some technical work beneath the piano getting the foot pedals installed.

Vern tried out the new instrument.

Then it was pushed into place while Pastor Laura supervised.

George demonstrated the sound of the piano by playing a bit.

Don and Pastor admired the piano. Notice the dried floral arrangement placed on the piano. This was made for the church by Donna Reed.

Then, the climate control system was fired up and Pastor used the special watering can to put water into it.

Here it is: the beautiful baby grand piano now gracing the front of the church. We all look forward to hearing its beautiful sound on a regular basis.