40 Days of Giving -- Thank You!
We added to our Lenten journey this year a challenge to live those 40 days learning, thinking about, and doing something about people in our world who lack the most basic need of food. People who are hungry. In week 1 we were challenged to think more about "we" than "I". Week 2 challenged us to be honest listening to the cries of pain, exploitation, injustice and violence that contribute to world hunger. Week 3 encouraged us to to pay attention to issues of justice. Week 4 continued this theme by stressing the importance of investment in creating a just world where all are fed. Week 5 called us to act on what we have learned to help end hunger.
At St. John's one of our "actions" was to give $1, $2, $3 a day for the 40 days of Lent, or any amount to the ELCA Hunger program. We set an initial goal of $1,000, which we met. We set a second goal of $1,500 which we met. We moved the goalposts to $2,000, and I'm happy to report that current total is $1, 985! Thank you for your generosity! And the ELCA Hunger Program also thanks you. I encourage you to read that thank you HERE.
Exit Interview
On Thursday I received an email from Sherry Krieger (NWOS Director of Leadership Development for Congregational Care) asking if I would like to do an exit interview. I said yes, as I have done this once before when I left First in Galion in 2018. I found it to be a helpful process for me, and the congregation leaders at First who participated also expressed appreciation for this conversation. The purpose is to reflect on this interim time with these thoughts in mind:
- to take a final look at "how have things gone;"
- to bring meaningful closure prior to departure;
- to enhance future ministry and congregational life.
This interview will be hosted by Mary Satterfield, the chair of our synod team of Call Process Facilitators (one for each of the six conferences). Also participating will be our new Eastern Conference Dean, Pr. Stacy Lauer. The date has not yet been determined -- Mary is working at find a date that will work for the key participants - right now it looks like either Tuesday, April 20, or Thursday April 22 at 6pm. It will last for 1.5-2 hours, and will happen on Zoom. Once the date is determined, I will let you know so you can determine your availability.
Update on Bridge Pastor
I learned from Sherry Krieger on Thursday that the recently retired pastor she had originally indicated to me as the one who would be the bridge pastor between me and the new called pastor has withdrawn his name from consideration. However, Sherry has found another pastor that is available for this assignment. Marc has received his contact info and will be contacting him soon to begin a conversation hopefully leading to an agreement for him to serve in this bridge capacity. He recently completed an interim in the SE Conference, and is willing to be full-time.
Youth Ministry returns to Parking Lot
The excellent weather we had this week was conducive to doing our children and youth activities outside:
- At 5pm on Wednesday, I did the first of two sessions with our grade school kids who are learning about Holy Communion in preparation to begin receiving the sacrament. We did some activity in the parking lot, and moved to the lawn in the shade for our lesson time. We have one more learning session next week, and first communion Sunday will be April 18.
- At 6:30 middle school youth met for their final confirmation session. For a bit of end of season fun, I set up a darball court in a parking space, and we used beanbags as darts. The boys eeked out a 7 inning victory over the girls. I posted some pics on the St. John's Facebook page, which you can view HERE. We ended with a pizza snack from Marco's, served up by employees Gunnar and Mason. This was the last session for 6th and 7th graders, and 8th graders plus Kaden will use the next two Wednesday sessions to learn about what it means to affirm their faith.
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