FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
I hope you are enjoying summer, a time of many benefits. Even though some folks do not care for the warmer temperatures of summer, things tend to grow. What has grown or is growing in your life?
At Hope Lutheran, our shared ministry partner, they have taken a breather from Third-Sunday Cookie Fellowship. Have you had time this summer to take a breather—to stop and smell the roses, to sit on a porch, to talk with relatives, to take a walk in the woods? Have you stopped to read or listen to a good book? I would encourage you in these last weeks of summer to do one of these things.
Liturgically, we are in Sundays after Pentecost. It is intended to be a time of church growth—yes, in numbers of persons becoming members, but certainly in growing faith and discipleship. And in this time, as we have learned that Holy Communion is called the Eucharist, our Great Thanksgiving, we think about how we have grown by celebrating many Eucharists this summer (including our Shared Ministry Picnic Worship).
As we enter the season of Fall at Gethsemane Lutheran, there are two scholarships for any parishioners to attend the Enneagram and the Grisly Task of Discernment Retreat, held at the Nazareth Retreat Center, Bardstown, from Friday evening to Sunday noon, Dec. 6–8, with lodging and meals there. The two folks going to retreat would then need to share practices of Enneagram and discernment with Gethsemane folks. Needless to say, any participant will be given practical ways to step aside and breathe in renewal and joy. If you are interested, contact either me 859-230-9012 or Penny Zimmerman 317-416-7187 as soon as possible. Funds for this spiritual renewal opportunity are provided by both the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Pivot Grant and Gethsemane Lutheran.
I am thankful for the opportunity I had a couple weeks ago to attend a ministers’ breakfast at Refuge for Women of Kentucky, a ministry that was supported by Gethsemane Lutheran in the past. It is a ministry from which I had heard a speaker in Frankfort a few years ago while attending that ministerium representing Hope Lutheran. The ministry specializes in empowering sexually exploited women to live a life of freedom through faith-based residential healing programs. I have brought back information regarding this ministry, including books called Purchased: Leaving the Sex Trade, and Integrated: Living Beyond the Sex Trade (which I have placed in Gethsemane’s narthex). These are books that I hope someone will take home and read. There is no need for me or anyone else in the parish to know who has taken these books home. They do not need to be returned. I also have brochures which I have posted on the bulletin board outside my Gethsemane office. Please, if you are interested, take any of these and keep them for your perusal.
I am thankful to give you the opportunity to attend our new Bishop-Elect’s Installation. Bishop-Elect Rev. Timothy Graham of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod will be installed in a worship service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 12, at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers, Indiana. There is a need for folks in congregations to volunteer to be ushers or greeters. If you would like to serve, let me know, and I will get you more information from the dean of the conference.
Green is the color of my favorite pastor’s stole. It is worn during Sundays after Pentecost and also contains sheaves of wheat and crosses. Sheaves typify growth and also Christ’s body for the world. Crosses typify our life as disciples—surrendering ourselves to the hidden work of Christ in us and in the world. Enjoy the remaining bit of summer, being rested in order to be renewed for your faith walk with God.
We are blessed to be a blessing!
With Hope and Confidence in Christ,
Pastor Jerri ╬
