CALLING A NEW PASTOR – UPDATE

Pastor Pam Schroeder has officially ended her ministry at Holy Trinity. Easter Sunday was her last official act. On Passion Sunday we bid her farewell and released her from her service in worship. As I write, I think she is on her way to the Netherlands for a well-deserved vacation. Her office is empty, and her emails are flowing into my mailbox!

This coming Sunday, April 24, right after the 10:00 AM service, we will hold a special congregational meeting to elect a Call Committee of seven members to guide the process of calling a new Pastor for Care & Community. It is crucial that all voting members attend so we have not just the bare minimum of a quorum, but a strong gathering of God’s people. 

This Thursday evening, April 21, the Congregation Council will hear from Pastor Dan Kuckuck of the Southeastern Iowa Synod about the call process. So, things are changing. Things are moving forward. Things are unsettled. Things are in God’s gracious hands. 

In the interim period, Pastor Marcia Kisner will be helping to tend and care for the homebound of the congregation two days each month. No other interim help is available. That means that we will all need to pull together to see that God’s work continues. I am going to humbly ask for your patience as I “fly solo” for a while. I am also going to ask for your partnership. 
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The most important thing to remember during this time is that calling a pastor is something that is born of the Holy Spirit. It is far more about prayer than profiles and paperwork. The Spirit is already at work in and amongst us and in and through the people of God – the Church. How can we trust that God will provide through the power of the Spirit? Well, the Spirit brought us Pastor Pam, right? 
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As we move ahead in faith, I offer a prayer that comes to mind from the Vespers service in our hymnal: 
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

Pax Christi,  
Tim Olson – Lead Pastor