Virtual Congregational Meeting 2020
Members of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church are invited to a virtual Annual Meeting of the Congregation Sunday, November 22, 12:15 pm via Zoom. The Purpose of the Meeting:
- Review and vote on the 2021 Spending Plan for Ministries (available for download below, or by hard copy in the Muhlenberg pick-up box)
- Elect Congregation Council Members: Nominees are Cathy Copeland, Joe Grandstaff, Bruce Hamilton, and Kevin Stees (bios available below)
If you can’t download the app, you can always join by phone. Call the number below 5 minutes before the meeting and provide additional information as prompted:
1-929-205-6099 (Meeting ID: 857 5211 9470 Passcode: 038184)
1-929-205-6099 (Meeting ID: 857 5211 9470 Passcode: 038184)
Meeting Participation Instructions
STEP 1: Zoom Download / Phone Option
First, download the Zoom app. A link to download the app will appear in the Congregational Meeting invite, but you can go to https://zoom.us/download and download in advance - follow the prompts for installation, as with any downloaded program.
If you can’t download the app, you can always join by phone - call 1-929-205-6099 five minutes before the meeting and provide additional information as prompted: Meeting ID - 857 5211 9470 / Passcode: 038184
STEP 2: Attending the Meeting
Once Zoom is downloaded, you’re ready to attend the meeting on Sunday November 22nd at 12:15pm:
STEP 3: Zoom Etiquette
Questions:
First, download the Zoom app. A link to download the app will appear in the Congregational Meeting invite, but you can go to https://zoom.us/download and download in advance - follow the prompts for installation, as with any downloaded program.
If you can’t download the app, you can always join by phone - call 1-929-205-6099 five minutes before the meeting and provide additional information as prompted: Meeting ID - 857 5211 9470 / Passcode: 038184
STEP 2: Attending the Meeting
Once Zoom is downloaded, you’re ready to attend the meeting on Sunday November 22nd at 12:15pm:
- The meeting is on Sunday November 22nd at 12:15pm. Please logon approx. 5 minutes before the meeting by clicking the Zoom link in your invitation. The link for this meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85752119470?pwd=OWthTGUxWXIweDV5dDF6NWRRYjVKUT09
- Follow the prompts to run Zoom, and you will then need to wait for the meeting host to let you in.
- If, for some reason, Zoom doesn’t open, you can always open Zoom manually, select “Join a meeting”, and enter the 11-digit Meeting Code. For this meeting, the code is 857 5211 9470. You will need to enter the passcode - 038184
- Once you are admitted by the Host, select “Join with computer audio”.
- For this meeting, you will be separated into different “breakout rooms” (small groups)for voting. This will happen automatically – there’s nothing you need to do.
- Each breakout room will have a moderator. For voting, please follow the instructions of the moderator so votes can be accurately tallied. You will then be automatically sent back to the main room.
STEP 3: Zoom Etiquette
- To assist moderators, edit your name on Zoom to include the names of all voting members in your home.
- Please mute your audio (click on the “Mute” option) until you are asked to unmute for votes, etc.
- Make sure video is turned on so the host can see you and know you’re still logged in.
Questions:
- If you have questions about Zoom before the meeting, please feel free to contact Communication Minister Christian Perritt at perritt@muhlenberglutheran.org or 540-810-3996.
- On the day of the meeting, Bill Wightman is available for support at 540-435-6868.
2021 Congregational Council Nominees
Below are some brief bios to help you learn more about the current slate of Council nominees.
Cathy Copeland
1st Term
I moved to Harrisonburg in 2010, after growing up in Indiana and living in Maryland and Alabama. My husband, Adam, and I became members of Muhlenberg in August 2011, and both of our children—Latham (8) and Gwendolyn (5)— have been baptized here.
We love our church family at Muhlenberg and have sponsored several new families. Adam and I served as interim campus ministers for nearly two years between 2011-2013. My children are very vocal members for the Cherub Choir. I currently serve as Muhlenberg's Faith in Action representative. I've taught Children's Church, attend the Wednesday evening Book Clubs, and have enjoyed being part of the Mary Martha Group.
On the job front, I have taught Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication at JMU for 10 years. Recently, I also began work as the American Democracy Project Program Coordinator for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that encourages students to be civically engaged with their community. My family and I love Harrisonburg, and we appreciate our Muhlenberg family. I'm honored to be nominated for Council and would be honored to serve.
1st Term
I moved to Harrisonburg in 2010, after growing up in Indiana and living in Maryland and Alabama. My husband, Adam, and I became members of Muhlenberg in August 2011, and both of our children—Latham (8) and Gwendolyn (5)— have been baptized here.
We love our church family at Muhlenberg and have sponsored several new families. Adam and I served as interim campus ministers for nearly two years between 2011-2013. My children are very vocal members for the Cherub Choir. I currently serve as Muhlenberg's Faith in Action representative. I've taught Children's Church, attend the Wednesday evening Book Clubs, and have enjoyed being part of the Mary Martha Group.
On the job front, I have taught Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication at JMU for 10 years. Recently, I also began work as the American Democracy Project Program Coordinator for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that encourages students to be civically engaged with their community. My family and I love Harrisonburg, and we appreciate our Muhlenberg family. I'm honored to be nominated for Council and would be honored to serve.
Joe Grandstaff
2nd Term
I was born in Fort Valley, Virginia and graduated from Strasburg High School in 1973. In 1977 I graduated from Madison College with a degree in Communications.
In 1999, I married Kay Grandstaff, who is retired from Harrisonburg City Schools as a classroom teacher. We have four children: Mark McLawhorn lives in Raleigh, NC; Philip McLawhorn lives in Portsmouth, VA with his wife Kate; Kyle Grandstaff lives in Atlanta, NC with his wife Caroline and grandsons William and Douglas; and Austin Grandstaff lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Lexi. Kids still at home are our dog Zelda and our cat Miss Kitty.
I am semi-retired from the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I worked during my career for the
Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Museum of American Frontier Culture, Virginia Hospitality
and Travel Association and Massanutten Resort. I currently work as a Supervisor and Event Manager for RMC Events at JMU and UVA.
I am a Past President of the Harrisonburg Lions Club and am on the Board of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association. I am an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. I was brought up in the Brethren Church.
I enjoy roaming the back roads of the Shenandoah Valley looking for bargains. I also have a passion for landscaping and restoring old electronics.
2nd Term
I was born in Fort Valley, Virginia and graduated from Strasburg High School in 1973. In 1977 I graduated from Madison College with a degree in Communications.
In 1999, I married Kay Grandstaff, who is retired from Harrisonburg City Schools as a classroom teacher. We have four children: Mark McLawhorn lives in Raleigh, NC; Philip McLawhorn lives in Portsmouth, VA with his wife Kate; Kyle Grandstaff lives in Atlanta, NC with his wife Caroline and grandsons William and Douglas; and Austin Grandstaff lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Lexi. Kids still at home are our dog Zelda and our cat Miss Kitty.
I am semi-retired from the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I worked during my career for the
Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Museum of American Frontier Culture, Virginia Hospitality
and Travel Association and Massanutten Resort. I currently work as a Supervisor and Event Manager for RMC Events at JMU and UVA.
I am a Past President of the Harrisonburg Lions Club and am on the Board of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association. I am an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. I was brought up in the Brethren Church.
I enjoy roaming the back roads of the Shenandoah Valley looking for bargains. I also have a passion for landscaping and restoring old electronics.
Bruce Hamilton
1st Term
I was born and raised in and around Chicago, Illinois. I attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran church, graduating with a BA in political science. Upon graduation I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as an intelligence analyst for four years during the Vietnam war. After my discharge I remained in Alaska to do my student teaching. I accepted a teaching position in Madison County, Virginia.
While teaching in Madison, I used my G.I. Bill benefits to obtain a Master’s degree from UVA. I was an elementary school teacher and principal in Madison County, Orange County and Harrisonburg City. The last nineteen years I was in HCPS serving as principal of Keister and Spotswood Elementary schools and opening Stone Spring Elementary and serving as principal there. During my time there and
after my retirement I served as an Auxiliary Police Officer in the patrol division of the Harrisonburg Police Department.
My wife Wanda and I have three daughters and seven grandchildren. We have been members of Muhlenberg for about four years. I enjoy UVA sports, reading, walking with Wanda and our dog (Rufus), visiting family and traveling, which I hope we can do once again after the pandemic. I look forward to any contribution I can make to the mission of our church here at Muhlenberg.
1st Term
I was born and raised in and around Chicago, Illinois. I attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran church, graduating with a BA in political science. Upon graduation I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as an intelligence analyst for four years during the Vietnam war. After my discharge I remained in Alaska to do my student teaching. I accepted a teaching position in Madison County, Virginia.
While teaching in Madison, I used my G.I. Bill benefits to obtain a Master’s degree from UVA. I was an elementary school teacher and principal in Madison County, Orange County and Harrisonburg City. The last nineteen years I was in HCPS serving as principal of Keister and Spotswood Elementary schools and opening Stone Spring Elementary and serving as principal there. During my time there and
after my retirement I served as an Auxiliary Police Officer in the patrol division of the Harrisonburg Police Department.
My wife Wanda and I have three daughters and seven grandchildren. We have been members of Muhlenberg for about four years. I enjoy UVA sports, reading, walking with Wanda and our dog (Rufus), visiting family and traveling, which I hope we can do once again after the pandemic. I look forward to any contribution I can make to the mission of our church here at Muhlenberg.
Kevin Stees
1st Term
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia. I went to undergraduate school in Illinois (where I met my wife, Rhonda) and graduate school in Arizona. We came to Harrisonburg when I received an offer to teach at JMU in music. It’s been a great place for us to raise our family that consists of three children, Ryan, Brandon and Anna, and it’s a place that we’ve come to call home. We recently welcomed another to our family when our son, Ryan, married Mary Pearson this summer. They met through Presbyterian Campus Ministry and their involvement in music at JMU. All of our children were baptized in the Presbyterian church where our oldest two children were raised and confirmed.
My folks moved to Harrisonburg before we adopted our daughter, Anna. Around that time,
we started looking for a new church to call home. We were drawn to Muhlenberg before my mom passed away, and it was through the loving care of the pastors and people that we became more attached to Muhlenberg. We enjoy being here with my dad, Richard, and our Anna has really appreciated the opportunities through Christian formation.
I’m the tuba and euphonium professor at JMU and conduct the JMU Brass Band. Some of you may have seen me in either capacity at Muhlenberg. I also enjoy tabletop games, particularly with my son, Brandon, and during the pandemic we’ve started a new online endeavor called Brandon’s Game Shelf. Besides my music making and gaming, I enjoy reading and anytime we can spend together as a family. I have been serving on the Gathering Together Task Force and appreciated the invitation to be further involved by serving on Council.
1st Term
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia. I went to undergraduate school in Illinois (where I met my wife, Rhonda) and graduate school in Arizona. We came to Harrisonburg when I received an offer to teach at JMU in music. It’s been a great place for us to raise our family that consists of three children, Ryan, Brandon and Anna, and it’s a place that we’ve come to call home. We recently welcomed another to our family when our son, Ryan, married Mary Pearson this summer. They met through Presbyterian Campus Ministry and their involvement in music at JMU. All of our children were baptized in the Presbyterian church where our oldest two children were raised and confirmed.
My folks moved to Harrisonburg before we adopted our daughter, Anna. Around that time,
we started looking for a new church to call home. We were drawn to Muhlenberg before my mom passed away, and it was through the loving care of the pastors and people that we became more attached to Muhlenberg. We enjoy being here with my dad, Richard, and our Anna has really appreciated the opportunities through Christian formation.
I’m the tuba and euphonium professor at JMU and conduct the JMU Brass Band. Some of you may have seen me in either capacity at Muhlenberg. I also enjoy tabletop games, particularly with my son, Brandon, and during the pandemic we’ve started a new online endeavor called Brandon’s Game Shelf. Besides my music making and gaming, I enjoy reading and anytime we can spend together as a family. I have been serving on the Gathering Together Task Force and appreciated the invitation to be further involved by serving on Council.