Pastor Linda’s Annual Report for 2009
Called together by God’s Love:
We Welcome Joyfully, Grow Faithfully, And Serve Gratefully – in Jesus’ name.
Keeping our Mission Statement always before us; it serves as a marker to refer to when we think and do ministry in this time and place. It has a sense of movement in it, not of standing still. Look at the words: welcome, grow, serve – all action words, not passive at all, but doing. And in the doing; changing. Oh, that uncomfortable word – CHANGE!
This past year has been one of change for me, personally and professionally, and it is good. Our youngest graduated from high school and my husband and I are adjusting to a somewhat fluid “empty nest.” By fluid, I mean, the coming and going of our four children in the various stages and needs of their lives. It is an adjustment though, mostly of our own attitudes and thoughts, after all we raised them to be independent adults and now they are! Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… This is the season for releasing our children as adults to welcome and grow and serve in the world.
Professionally, there have been many changes as well. With increased hours, including summer hours, have come increased responsibility. Our Youth and Family Coordinator position has changed much this past year, we welcomed Sarah Lind and then sadly said good bye, as she moved to new adventures. Her youthfulness and fresh ideas made us think anew about how we do ministry with and for our youth. Then we gladly welcomed back Sandy Spiczka to be our Coordinator. She comes refreshed and energized to do this ministry once again. She is off and running at a furious pace, what else did we expect.
Part of my increased responsibility is to supervise the Youth and Family position, and I am excited to be more involved with the Youth of our congregation, including chaperoning the Youth trip to New Orleans this past summer. I still have a connection to Green Lake Bible Camp and want to increase the ways our congregation can connect with them through retreats and fun activities for families and youth.
Small groups are ebbing and flowing with the times, there really is not limit to the ways we connect with each other. From the Green Team to a new Meal Ministry, to the Quilters and Knitters to supporting those with Aging Parents, the make up of the groups and the different groups is ever changing. Trying to keep up is challenging, but always inspiring.
Another responsibility is Campus Ministry with St. Johns and St. Bens. This is my second year in this role, and I greatly appreciate the continuity of having another year! It is always wonderful to see the way the college students are involved here: Sunday School teachers, Nursery Attendant, Sunday worshippers, and Movie night. In addition, I work with the Campus Ministry of St. Bens on their Faith Communities Team which works to engage all the faith communities represented at St. Bens. A weekly bible study has grown to be one of the highlights of the fall. And being involved with young people has greatly increased my technological skills!
We are excited to be offering a Wednesday night worship, really it’s a full evening of events for our faith community called WoW! Worship on Wednesdays includes a meal, Wednesday School, Worship, Confirmation, and Choirs. It’s been a big change for staff and members, but a welcome change! We are excited to see so many worshipping and being involved in new and exciting ways.
This season is marked by our mission statement to Welcome, Grow, and Serve. Every season is marked so, but each season looks differently. And aren’t we glad! We continue to grow, and change, to welcome new people and ideas, all so that we can serve in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Each season has its own challenges and frustrations and joys. When it’s all about God, its all good!