Fallen From The Desk of Pastor Wayne

The following is information provided to LSS,

nominating our Council President.  We thought you might enjoy knowing a little bit more about our

‘Miss Janet’.......

Nomination for 2006 Lutheran of the Year

Nominee: Janet Lustig

Council President of Faith Lutheran, Canoga Park, CA

 

 A lifelong Lutheran from North Dakota, Ms. Janet Lustig is quick to laugh and is always seen with a huge smile. She is an exceptional ambassador for our congregation within our church, the other Valley Lutheran and religious communities, and the community at large.

 

 SIGNIFICANT MINISTRIES:

       Within Our Congregation:

·          Ms. Lustig is never without a smile and a good word for  everyone.

·          Most faithful in her Worship, Bible study and meeting      attendance (Lector, Altar Guild)

·          In second year of service as Council President having      faithfully served as a Council member in prior years.

·          Miss Janet, as she is affectionately called, is a wonderful role model of leadership for our new Spanish membership.  She is extraordinary in ensuring full participation and inclusion of our new Spanish members in the diverse expressions of our          congregation.  She takes our identity as “One congregation that worships in two languages” most seriously.

·          When she commits to a task, it will be done, both quickly and competently.

·          Often accomplishes tasks no one even thought or realized were needed.

·          Stephen Ministry Volunteer.

·          Chairs our congregation’s Disciples Committee which    manages our extensive Worship and Educational ministries

·          Teaches Sunday Church School classes at both 9 am English and 11 am Spanish services

·          Volunteers as Group Leader for annual Vacation Bible School  

·          Plans and conducts an annual Passover Seder for our Maundy Thursday Lenten worship.

·          Served as one of our Synod Delegates to the Assembly.

·          Integral part of our congregation’s Hospitality Team.

·          Generous with her time, talents and finances to a fault. (I doubt we’ve written many reimbursement checks to Janet for the tons of supplies and services she provides for the ministry of the church.  Thank the Lord for her Costco card!)

·          Serves on our Stewards Committee which handles Property Management and Financial matters.

·          Serves as Garden Chapel Wedding Coordinator, not only meeting with neighborhood couples as they plan their weddings, but assuring the success of their special day by her efforts on the day of the event itself.

·          Has instituted and coordinates an annual Ice Cream Social at our Garden Chapel campus.

·          Volunteers to meet with the plumbers, electricians, and  

·          repair people at our two campuses as these crises arise.  She often flexes her work schedule around church needs.

·          Regularly attends the newly formed Valley Lutheran       Congregation Presidents Committee

·          Represents our congregation and the Garden Chapel ministry on the Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce

 

       Within the larger Communities: 

·          Delivers our congregation’s LSS financial, food and clothing donations to Van Nuys LSS office every week

·          Serves as our LSS Parish Representative, communicating LSS needs to congregation and following up on our responses.

·          Volunteer Supporter of annual LSS Walkathon

·          Staffs our church outreach booth at the Canoga Park Dia de los Muertos community event

·          Coordinator for our annual Oktoberfest Event

Volunteer for our congregation’s Las Posadas community    fundraiser every December

 

 CHALLENGES

Recently widowed after having single-handedly cared for her husband, Gerry who struggled with diabetes and a number of other significant health challenges for many years.  Shortly thereafter, she nursed her daughter, Kathy, back to health for months after a horrific motorcycle accident.  Her own experience of caring and advocating for her own husband’s healthcare needs has given guidance to others struggling through various                bureaurocracies.

 

 Although approaching retirement, Ms. Lustig must still work (in the healthcare field) to make ends meet.   She is virtually like an unpaid staff member.

 

 BRIEF NARRATIVE:

 

 By virtue of her participation in our church leadership, Ms. Lustig will hear of troubles and difficulties experienced by a member or neighbor and she quietly provides for those needs (Diapers, Baby food, Ensure, infant car seats, etc).  Her left hand probably has no idea what her right hand is doing.   I NEVER hear about this generosity directly from her, but from the blessed recipients of those gifts.  Although Janet embodies Christian compassion and professionalism in all that she does, I often think of the lesson available in Jesus’ story of the Widow’s Mite when I witness her self-sacrificing nature within our community.  She teaches and leads by her faithful example.

 

 I have worked at many congregations and with many      excellent council presidents in the past two decades and I believe Janet Lustig to be the best Council President and congregational ambassador I have ever had the honor and pleasure of working with.  She is my nominee for Lutheran of the Decade!

 

 On behalf of the entire membership of Faith Lutheran, Canoga Park, CA, I respectfully submit the name of Janet Lustig as the LSS/SC/SFV 2006 Lutheran of the Year.

 Rev. Wayne R. Christiansen