Greetings People of God,
Every New Year, people around the world make resolutions; resolutions to change their daily habits, improve their habits, or do something they’ve never done before. I assure you, when 2020 began, writing a church newsletter article was NOT on my list of resolutions! Yet here we are, on the cusp of another New Year and I’m writing a newsletter article and many of us are thinking and praying about what 2021 will bring.
At First Lutheran, the New Year will bring us many changes during a time of transitions. As many are aware, Pastor Phil Leer’s final day of call at First Lutheran was December 24, and we have now entered an interim phase where we begin the call process for our next pastor. This brings us to me, hastily yet hesitantly, writing a newsletter article to update you on that process.
In late November, our church council met with Western North Dakota Synod’s Assistant to the Bishop Sherie Heine. Following this meeting, the church council selected a six-person call committee to begin the process of completing a Ministry Site Profile, the first step in our call process. Members of the Call Committee are Tim Huseth, Jared Hanson, Sheena Schneibel, Bret Dockter, Kathy Muscha, and me (Sara Schindler).
While we work through the Ministry Site Profile (it’s 37 pages long!), the Synod will be working to find us an interim pastor as well as candidates for call to First Lutheran. The length of time for both processes is uncertain, but rest assured, our congregation will be still be in good hands. Pastor Pauline Crowder has agreed to serve as Vice Pastor and we will continue Sunday worship services with pulpit supply each week.
While we wade through these waters, we ask one thing of our parishioners: remain prayerful and trusting; and as always, feel free to ask any questions you may have!
In Christ,
Sara Schindler
First Lutheran Council President.
Every New Year, people around the world make resolutions; resolutions to change their daily habits, improve their habits, or do something they’ve never done before. I assure you, when 2020 began, writing a church newsletter article was NOT on my list of resolutions! Yet here we are, on the cusp of another New Year and I’m writing a newsletter article and many of us are thinking and praying about what 2021 will bring.
At First Lutheran, the New Year will bring us many changes during a time of transitions. As many are aware, Pastor Phil Leer’s final day of call at First Lutheran was December 24, and we have now entered an interim phase where we begin the call process for our next pastor. This brings us to me, hastily yet hesitantly, writing a newsletter article to update you on that process.
In late November, our church council met with Western North Dakota Synod’s Assistant to the Bishop Sherie Heine. Following this meeting, the church council selected a six-person call committee to begin the process of completing a Ministry Site Profile, the first step in our call process. Members of the Call Committee are Tim Huseth, Jared Hanson, Sheena Schneibel, Bret Dockter, Kathy Muscha, and me (Sara Schindler).
While we work through the Ministry Site Profile (it’s 37 pages long!), the Synod will be working to find us an interim pastor as well as candidates for call to First Lutheran. The length of time for both processes is uncertain, but rest assured, our congregation will be still be in good hands. Pastor Pauline Crowder has agreed to serve as Vice Pastor and we will continue Sunday worship services with pulpit supply each week.
While we wade through these waters, we ask one thing of our parishioners: remain prayerful and trusting; and as always, feel free to ask any questions you may have!
In Christ,
Sara Schindler
First Lutheran Council President.