At Synod Assembly this year, I noted that there was a gold seal on my name tag with the number 40. I racked my brain to think of what we could be celebrating that was 40 years old. It certainly wasn’t the ELCA. I could think of no synodical ministry. Maybe, it was a national program. In any event, I decided I would discover the secret during the assembly. Later that morning, I was stopped by a colleague who looked at my name tag and offered his congratulations on my 40 years in ministry. How could I forget? I was ordained on June 26, 1977. While I was embarrassed on the inside, I was grateful for his congratulations. Anniversaries can steak up like birthdays.
That encounter gave me pause. Reflecting on 40 years, I can compare my experience of ministry to a great TV series. The story is still unfolding. There are always turns and surprises. There are celebrations and losses along the way. You never know what’s going to happen next, or better, what God has in store. Through it all, you are grateful for every episode and can hardly wait for the next season. For me, it feels as though a new season is just about to begin. On August 6, we will be welcoming our new Director of Youth and Family Ministry. Her name is Courtney Rzeplinski. You will discover more about her in this newsletter. I’m excited about the ministry we can do together. It will be another chapter in the story that is Zion. What a wonderful way to begin my 41st year.
As with all new adventures, there are opportunities and challenges. The opportunities we are just beginning to explore. The challenges are much clearer. The first challenge is financial. The yearly cost is $25,000. We said as a congregation that we wanted this position, but we did not build her salary into the budget. People said they would step up to the challenge once the challenge arrived. Well, the time has arrived. The good news is that we already have a commitment from one family for $7,500 and another for $2,500. This is a great beginning. We plan to build on those commitments and will be making an appeal to the rest of the congregation.
The second challenge is equally important. We will need to support Courtney is her ministry with us. What are the talents and time that we can offer? How do we help to make this ministry successful? On August 6, a partnership begins. I believe that God has great things planned for us. I’m looking for another exciting episode of Zion and I am grateful to be a part of that episode even if I can’t remember my anniversary.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
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