Safety Planning and Implementation:

The Church Council, in consultation with Nazareth’s Director of Facilities, Marc Rath, has made several updates based on careful analysis and evaluation of current safety practices and protocols.

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1. New signage has been placed around the church regarding tornado safety. These signs direct people to safe spaces throughout the church should a tornado emergency arise. For those in the Worship Center, the safest space is to go directly below the Worship Center into the area underneath.  

2. Off-duty plain-clothes Cedar Falls police officers have been hired to be present on Sunday mornings at both services. The decision for this hire has not been sparked by any past incidents at Nazareth. The Council examined this issue in depth and has made the decision to put a plan into action that they felt was the most appropriate for the safety of all Nazareth members and visitors moving forward.

 

Bylaws:

Last year the Church Council reconvened the Bylaw Committee to restate the Nazareth Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation so that they accurately reflect the changes that have taken place since Nazareth’s disaffiliation from the ELCA and affiliation with the NALC. The Committee’s efforts have resulted in a complete restatement of our Bylaws. The Council would like to thank all members of the Bylaw committee for dedicating months of work to this project: Chair Russ Curtis, John Larsen, Maureen Hanson, Paul Creeden, Council representative Wayne Jacobson, and Pastor Mike Brost. After receiving a draft from the Bylaw committee in January, the Church Council began a lengthy process of review and discernment. The Council will now be meeting with the Bylaw Committee on May 14th for what we hope will be a final review prior to sending the final draft to the congregation. All involved have taken great care to ensure Lutheran doctrine remains a cornerstone and God’s Word continues to prevail as our highest authority. 

 

New Church Administrator hired:

The Council would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to Kristin Swenson, interim Church Administrator, who stepped in several months ago and faithfully served in the position. Beginning on May 1st, the Church Council has hired Kristina McBurney as the new Church Administrator at Nazareth. Kristina has previously served on staff at Nazareth in the position of Youth Director, and most recently has been employed at a congressional office in Waterloo. Additionally, Kristina has served on the Nazareth Church Council since 2023. During that time, she served as Council secretary, Vice President, and most recently President. The Council is very pleased to have Kristina’s continued service in a different role here at Nazareth. 

 

New Council member appointed:

Since Kristina resigned from the Council in order to accept the staff position, this left an open seat for the Council to fill by appointment until the next Congregational Meeting in January, 2026 when new Council members will be elected by the congregation. The Council has appointed Julie Creeden to fill Kristina’s vacant seat. The Council has also elected Nate Greiner to take over Kristina’s office of Council president, and Julie Creeden to take over Nate’s office of Council secretary.