The Hands of God

In worship on Sunday, I felt the hands of God...

I did a double baptism, of a little boy and a little girl. As I held each of their heads over the font and used my hand to cup the water, I had this feeling that my hands weren't my own. The ELCA's missional slogan is "God's work, our hands." But, sometimes I think it's the other way around-- it's Our Work, God's Hands. That's what I felt on Sunday. I was doing the baptismal rite. I was pouring water over these children's heads, but the hands holding these children were not mine. God's hands were holding them, comforting them with the strength and gentleness of God's loving presence.

After the baptism, it is usual for us to walk the babies around the congregation, to introduce them to their new family in Christ. I took the little girl who was happy in my arms. And when I brought her back to hand off to her father, she clung to me with her tiny little fists. The hands of God, there, wrapped around my shoulder. Something about our time together around the font made her feel comfortable in my arms, such that she held me close with her hands. And I didn't want to let her go, to let go of that feeling.

God's hands, holding our own... What a gift!

The Longest Night

On December 21st, the longest night of the year, about 60 people gathered to remember those for whom the holidays aren't happy times, those who truly experience long, painful nights during the winter. December 21st is Homeless Memorial Day, and the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons organized a candlelight vigil to remember those homeless persons who died in our community over the last year.

A pair of boots was laid in the snow for each person who'd died in the streets, each with a tag inscribed with a name and age placed inside. There were 37 pairs of boots laid out that night.

The vigil was attended by shelter workers, faith leaders, concerned people in the community, and homeless persons. One of our small groups, the Man Cave, was there for their volunteer service project. They tended to the fires spread out around the lawn between the Fargo Civic Center and Library. I was glad to be there with them, in the freezing cold, as we listened to friends of the deceased share memories and reflections, and as we were led in prayer by various faith leaders of many traditions.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Christmas season isn't a joyous one for everyone. That many people are grieving the loss of loved ones, worrying over lost jobs, experiencing abuse, and sleeping on the streets... And yet, these are those for whom Christmas matters most. Christ, Emmanuel, "God with us" comes to and for those who need God most. And in that, we can be thankful!

A Christmas Story...

This morning our receptionist shared with me an encounter she'd had on Friday.

It was 5:15pm Friday when she saw her. Ambling down the hallway, the receptionist looked at the clock and thought, "Gee, I wonder how long this is going to take... I wanna get out of here!" As the middle-aged woman came in, she was running through the list of things the woman might be asking for.

But, then the woman began to speak. In fact, she didn't ask for anything at all.

She said she'd been reading lately that it's important to give back to God 10% of what you've been given.

And then the woman began to take out her pack of cigarettes. The receptionist thought to herself, "Oh, now what? Is she going to try to smoke in here? Give me a cigarette?" But instead, the woman pulled out a $100 bill.

This was the 10% she wanted to give to the church.

The receptionist asked if she were a member, and when the woman replied "no," the receptionist quick on the beat asked, "do you want to be?" They laughed.

The $100 was from her monthly social security check. And the woman wanted no recognition for it. No tax form. No name.

And then she left... Gone, but not forgotten... because this woman's simple and humble gift is what Christmas is all about.

Her story reminds me of the woman Jesus points out to the disciples in the Temple-- the widow who gives her only two coins...

Mark 12:41-44
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,[a] which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

To give so much when one has so little. And for no other reason than because she is thankful and because she knows it is the right thing to do. With no gain for herself, no reward... Selfless, joyful giving... that really is the true spirit of Christmas! And when I'm hassled trying to buy gifts for my friends and family, and when I wonder about whether or not I can afford to make end-0f-year gifts to the charities and organizations I support, I will remember this woman and her true Christmas spirit!

Feed My Sheep

I have just come off of two very tiring, exciting, (somewhat traumatic), important, and "controversial" events... And neither was really what I expected...

November was Hunger Awareness Month for Social Concerns at the church. We had a handful of educational opportunities on Sunday mornings, but we also had two events. One was our 16th annual Thanksgiving Meal with our Catholic Church neighbor. The other event was a movie showing of a documentary on sustainable agriculture followed by community discussion.

I knew the movie would garner a lot of mixed feelings. "Fresh" is a film that looks at our food system, from seed to store. And it asks the question, is the current system working. Is it healthy? Good for the environment? Just? Though the film does look at buying options in grocery stores and the scarcity of fresh, healthy, affordable foods in inner city neighborhoods, it mostly examined industrial agriculture. Because this region is so heavily rooted in an agricultural economy, I knew that this would touch a lot of people. And, since there is a lot of conversation in the ELCA right now about whether or not farmers should use genetically modified seeds, I thought that conversation might overflow into our event.

I was nervous. I knew there would be people present who had very different views from me and from each other. Though I thought it might be a risky event to host, still I thought it was an important one to have. No matter how people feel about sustainable agriculture or industrial farms or genetically modified seeds-- the truth is that we have simultaneously a global food crisis AND an epidemic of obesity. We have more cheap food than ever before, but global health is declining. And environmentally we are losing potable water and arable land. Something has to be done about our food system. Someone needs to be talking about it... And we did talk about it. On a night when a severe winter storm threatened to cancel the entire event, 40 people showed up to talk about our food and farming system!

I thought the movie would be the only "controversial" hunger event, but as it turns out, our Thanksgiving Meal generated lots of tension as well. Our meal is advertised as a free meal for those who need one on the holiday. The goal of both churches upon starting the meal was to bring people together in fellowship, over a Thanksgiving feast, who would otherwise have no one to share the holiday with. It was never designed solely for "needy" (aka poor) people. But rather for those who need fellowship and the hospitality of a good, warm meal. This Thanksgiving we served 1100+ meals! About 500 of them were served in our sit-down dining area. The other 600 were delivered/ to-go meals.

The controversy came when many volunteers (and outside on-lookers from the church communities) began questioning whether meals were going to people who didn't really need them. They look so well-dressed-- why are they here? Or I saw their house, they could have had their own Thanksgiving meal. I found myself saying multiple times-- who are we to judge? We say we offer a free meal to those who need one on Thanksgiving, and that's what we're doing. Need comes in many shapes and sizes. Sure it'd be great to get more of those "to-go" meals to be eaten at the church with the others gathered there. Sure there are some who abuse the system. But, it is also true that we provide an extensive feeding and fellowship ministry on Thanksgiving. And that many people who would have otherwise been alone or gone without a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal had company and good food. And that's an incredible gift we can give to the community!

Both events showed me that the need to talk about hunger and food is great. And we in the church need to be having these conversations... We are a people who gather regularly at the Table to share a heavenly meal with one another. We are a people bidden by Jesus to "feed [his] sheep." We know that we do not do it alone, but we are called to be God's hands at work in the world. And it's a great thing to be a part of!

Storied Waters, Shared Community

Today was a beautiful All Saints Day, where we celebrated not only the blessed saints who've lived and loved and touched our lives, saints both living and deceased. But, it was all the more incredible for me because I got to welcome two new saints into the church in baptism.

BAPTISM.

I was really excited to do these baptisms-- my first as a pastor. But though there were the excitements and anxieties of the momentousness of my performing this sacrament on these two children, I was more captivated by the opportunity to be a part of the faith story of these two little ones.

STORIED WATERS

That's what baptism is-- storied waters. Where we become a part of God's story, and God becomes a part of ours. Storied waters that shape us our whole life through, forming, guiding, and supporting us. And I get to be a part of that. What an incredible blessing! But that's not just it... I get to do it in the context of a community.

SHARED COMMUNITY

Leading up to the baptisms, I met with the families in their homes. We got to know each other. They shared with me the story of their families, of the births of these little ones, of their family baptismal traditions. We shared laughs and hopes and prayers. We were able to connect. To build a relationship together, and with the Church. And then at the worship service, I was (as I always am) touched by the significance of the congregation's role in the baptism. Promising to love and support the baptized, and to welcome them into the life of the church. As I walked around the congregation with one of the newly baptized, I said to him, "Meet your new brothers and sisters!"

I am so thankful that I get to tell the great, great story of God's love. That I get to be a part of these storied baptismal waters. And that I get to do so in shared community with other believers. What a gift!

~Pr Alexis

Luther or Not Luther

For the Reformation Party, the small group ministry team at Trinity created a game called Luther or Not Luther. Let's see if you can guess the quotes and if Luther said it or not. How well do you know the great reformer? The answers may surprise you.

1. We choose life, not because we choose to be saved, but that we choose how to live into these promises God has made with us.

2. If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.

3. Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.

4. The more you wash, the dirtier you get.

5. In essentials, unity; in differences, liberty; in all things, charity.

6. In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians.

7. A simple layman armed with Scripture is to be believed above a pope or cardinal without it.

8. The devil should not be allowed to keep all the best tunes to himself!

9. Death solves all problems – no man, no problem.

10. Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive.

11. Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.

12. Thanks for letting me visit. I had a wonderful time.

13. A penny saved is better than a penny earned.

14. The thing I want more than anything else? I want to have children. I used to feel for every child I had, I would adopt another.

15. There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.

16. Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.

17. The fewer the words, the better the prayer.

18. Go home and tell how much God has done for you.

19. And I really do believe that the most important thing is the way you live your life on earth. But I think it's enormously comforting to believe that you're going to see your loved ones.

20. If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.

21. As we drank beer, God’s word reformed the church.

22. If I can change than anyone can change. I promise you that.

23. Clergy are the greatest hindrance to faith.

24. Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection in every newly tapped keg of beer.

25. Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

26. Whatever gives your life purpose, goal, and direction is your god!

27. I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.

28. God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.

29. One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.

30. You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.

Answers

1. Not Luther – Pastor Alexis Twito
2. Luther
3. Not Luther – MLK Jr.
4. Luther
5. Not Luther - Philip Melanchthon
6. Not Luther – Karl Barth
7. Luther
8. Luther
9. Not Luther - Joseph Stalin
10. Luther
11. Not Luther - Albus Dumbledore – Harry Potter
12. Not Luther – Pastor Lew Clefisch
13. Luther
14. Not Luther – Marilyn Monroe
15. Luther
16. Not Luther - Pope John XXIII
17. Luther
18. Not Luther –Jesus (Luke 8:39)
19. Not Luther - Barbara Walters
20. Luther
21. Luther
22. Not Luther – Brett Favre
23. Luther
24. Not Luther – Pastor John Hulden
25. Not Luther - Buddha
26. Not Luther - Phil Baker – Southern Seminary
27. Luther
28. Luther
29. Not Luther - Dietrich Bonheoffer
30. Luther

Baptismal Fear

During our experience as TiM pastors, we will encounter many pastoral firsts. Yet, most of the "firsts" will be repeated on a regular basis, like worship leading, communion, pastoral visits. In fact, most of the regular ministry roles we have done through seminary and internship. But there are other firsts - weddings, funerals, baptisms - for which we are not prepared. Experiencing these firsts is an important part of this program, because we are able to converse with our colleagues, learn from each other, and develop confidence in these ministry roles with which we are not familiar. Learning in a classroom, from a pastor/professor, or out of textbook, just isn't the same as practical experience.

The baptism first came for me last Sunday. I was anxious, excited, and nervous. I thought I was prepared. I reviewed notes from senior worship practicum and looked through the ELW. I walked through the pre-baptism teaching with the family and talked through the rite. I held Carter in my arms. I even was able to practice a baptismal rite with a doll and Trinity 4th graders, as I taught them how to be "guardian angels." (Guardian angels pray for the baptized, watch over him/her, light the candle and read 'Let your light so shine...' at the service.) Yet the fear that came with presiding over a baptism encompassed me.

But why? I have seen many baptisms and assisted in a few. All the words are written down, all I have to do is read the print. But what happens if I drop the baby? Worse yet, what happens if I trip and fall down the chancel steps. (Insert DC Talk here - 'What if I stumble, what if I fall, what if I lose my step, and make fools of us all"). Yes, we proclaim forgiveness, and there is no bigger forgiveness stage than at baptism, but I am not sure forgiveness would be abundant if I rolled down the steps with a baby in my arms.

So during the service, my mind was in another place. I led worship (all but preaching), but kept thinking back to the baptism and visioned what would happen. In sports, we are taught to vision the positive outcome of the game, play, or shot, and it will happen. But I was also taught to vision all of the mistakes that could happen, because then they happen in my mind, and not on the playing field. I am not sure if visioning came from this learning, or if I just worry too much!

Yet, when it came time for the baptism, an amazing thing happened....God intervened. God took over the rite of baptism. My mind no longer thought of the past or future, but God allowed me to be fully present as an active participant in what God was doing. I didn't worry about tripping, or even think about it as I descended the steps. That doesn't mean everything was smooth - we are still sinners after all - but God's presence took center stage, instead of the worries and vanity of an idiosyncratic pastor.

As I reflect on the fear of presiding at baptism, I thought that fear may be appropriate. What God does through us as called children is powerful. Called to forgive and receive forgiveness and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Called to conduct baptisms, preside over communion, preach and teach, in the name of the triune God is scary. If it isn't, maybe we should reevaluate where God is in all this.

As times goes on, I am sure I will become more confident and less fearful in all ministerial roles. I won't have to worry about it being a "first" or count how many I have done, because it will be a normal practice. Yet, each time I stand to preach, give communion, baptize, and visit, my prayer is that God continues to remind me of the fear I felt, because it is a reminder of the awesome presence of God in our midst. It is God doing the work, and not me. May we never forget.

Pastor Rick

The Lingering Scent

Today a woman came in to the church for some assistance. There wasn't anything particularly stand-out-ish about this woman-- she was like any woman you'd see on the street. To be honest, I've even forgotten her name. But something about her has stayed with me...

She came in asking for gas money to help with her son-- his name I remember. He's 16.

But I didn't have anything to give. I offered her a list of other resources to check out, but she already had that list. I felt a little helpless... and guilty. In the end, all I could was offer to pray for her and her son. And so I took her hands, and began to pray for her. For peace and patience, for strength, for her son, and for support and relief to come... And then the nameless woman left, a tear streaming down her face.

I was anxious to move on. To not have to think about NOT helping this woman with what she needed. And yet, I couldn't move on... because she lingered. Her scent, lingered on my hands. In that brief, yet intimate, moment where we held hands and prayed together she left her mark on me. And I could not forget her, nor her story.

It made me think of Mary pouring the extravagent oil over Jesus' head and feet... how the scent must have lingered! The scent of love, of death, of service, of suffering... a reminder of the suffering Jesus was going to experience, an example of simple and pure love of neighbor.

And so it was with the woman I met today. The scent from her suffering hands lingered on mine own long after she was gone. Perhaps so that I am careful not to so easily forget the pain, suffering, and grief of those whom I meet.

~Pastor Alexis

TiM pastors: free installation upon delivery...

Well, this week the three of us TiMs were "put in our place" by Bishop Larry Wohlrabe of NW MN. That's how he described our installation-- a time when we are put in our place. And boy, oh, boy... do we need it! ;) I mean, seriously-- we must have needed some serious work, considering that they had to install us three times! Maybe they were worried it wouldn't stick. After three successful installations, under the hands of about a dozen members of the church who helped, I think we're pretty firmly planted in our place. So much so that two years from now, I bet they'll have a hard time uninstalling us!

But really, the installation service Sunday was an incredible day. Bishop Wohlrabe preached an excellent sermon about where to find our place in life... He advised me, Colin and Rick to "aim low." That is, to humble ourselves and to find our place among the least, the forgotten... to seat ourselves among those with whom Jesus would dine. And with whom would Jesus dine? With those who can't

make it on their own. With those who like to mooch off the Lord's Table. Yes, that means the poor, the outcast, the disabled, the sick, the troubled... but you know, it also means you and me. Because none of us can make it on our own-- we all need Jesus. And aren't we so lucky that we have a God who loves to let us mooch off God's own table of grace?!

Good advice for us new pastors as we begin these two years in this community at Trinity. Aim low, put ourselves where Christ would, remember that we're all in need of God's love and mercy, and to declare as often as possible that we're welcome to mooch at that Table of grace always. WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER! :)

The Changing of the Guard

Welcome to a new wave of TiMer experiences...

Before we begin to regale you with our tales of wonder, surprise, confusion, and satisfaction, I thought we'd better introduce ourselves. But since I wouldn't dare speak for my esteemed colleagues (yes I would-- that's why I'm writing now!) I will just introduce myself and my fellow TiMers as I have come to know them... hehe

Let me first introduce you to Colin. Colin is a MN native, having spent most of his time in the St.

Paul area. He went to high school in Ohio, in a small city that probably isn't on most of your maps. He went to St. Olaf College, but we don't hold that against him. After college he decided to explore the world a bit and moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where he worked in a men's addiction counseling center. While there he met the coolest Milwaukeean ever... me, Alexis! From there he went on to seminary at Luther, where he played a lot. Next he went on to Las Vegas for internship, had a wedding and began married life, and after graduation took a trip around East Africa and Jerusalem for a year. While at Trinity, Colin will be responsible for Young Adult Ministry and Evangelism. Colin loves MN politics, philosophy, reading the newspaper, and his sideburns. Oh, and his wife Jeni-- who is awesome!

Next, there's Rick. Rick is... kinda short. But, once you move beyond that, you come to find out that he's a pretty cool Wisconsinite from Rice Lake. Because he was too small to play football in college (I told you he was short), he decided to go to UW-LaCrosse to be a physical trainer.

Unfortunately for him (but lucky for us) that trainer thing didn't work out. Then, while working at Luther Park Bible Camp in Chetek (not Danbury... this is important) he met some cool folks who told him he should be a pastor. One of those cool people was so persistent, that he decided to marry her... well done, Lindsay! Rick went to seminary at Southern Seminary in South Carolina (yes-- they do have Lutherans there!). He did his internship and field work there in Columbia, SC as well. Now that he's here at Trinity, Rick will be doing Small Group Ministry and Caring Ministry. Rick loves Walgreens, softball (though his shoulder doesn't), football (he played with his seminary against mine... they were better-- but don't tell him that!), kittens who like to play hide-and-seek, and his lovely pregnant wife.

And then, of course, there's me! I am from "Mil-u-wau-kay: the good land." I'm a city girl at heart. This is important: Milwaukee, not Wisconsin. I went to college in Minneapolis at Augsburg College. I figured out right away that I wanted to go to seminary, which freed me up from the typical college angst to do all the things I wanted to. It rocked! I studied in Spain for a semester and it was great. Then after graduation I decided I didn't want to be a grown-up just yet, so I went to Edinburgh, Scotland with the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program. There I worked with homeless adults and I met Colin. (No, he wasn't one of the homeless.) After Scotland I went back to Milwaukee to work as a bilingual teacher and as an HR person before I realized that I was finally ready to do the seminary thing. I moved out to Philly to go to seminary there. At seminary I got into my share of trouble, but had a blast. Now I'm here at Trinity (who'd have thought I'd end up here?), where I will be doing Social Concerns Ministry and Children's Ministry. I love all things green, laughing until I cry, So You Think You Can Dance, and tattoos.

Well, that's us. Soon you will read all about our crazy adventures, our steep learning curves in ministry, and how we understand this whole 'first-call pastor' thing.

Giddyup!

Pastor Alexis (on behalf of and unbeknownst to Rick and Colin)

Pastor Josh Farewell

Transition into Ministry -

For the last two years with a Rev. in front of my name. On internship I was occasionally called Pastor Josh, but during this stay at Trinity that has been my name most of the time. What does that mean? Did I earn that title when I was ordained two years ago? Is it going to be a part of my name for the rest of my life? I don’t know for sure, but I think of it more as something I stepped into a little more each day and week I spent at Trinity. Or maybe this experience at Trinity just helped me understand what the title meant a little more.

We are all ministers. Martin Luther coined the phrase “the priesthood of all believers” about 500 years ago, but we often forget this central, or rather decentralizing, component of our faith. By understanding every vocation as equally pleasing in the eyes of God, Luther democratized a ministry that had separated people into categories and put distance between a priest and their flock. This distance often led to an understanding that clergy were holier and closer to God because of their special calling. But Luther changed that Catholic understanding by holding up pastoral ministry as set apart, but not better than any other calling within the body of Christ.

So what does it mean to be a pastor? What did my time at Trinity teach me about that? Was I transitioning into something that was radically different than my calling as a Christian, or was it an extension of that calling? For me, being a pastor has meant being in a great position to invite people into this powerful story of Jesus Christ and God’s love for us again and again. And I’d like to think I lived out that opportunity to preach the gospel here at Trinity in many ways…some obvious ways, like leading worship and preaching from behind a pulpit (a really big pulpit!), and some not so obvious ones. Those are the ones I will probably remember the most. I have a feeling those memories will come back to me the rest of my life, because they represent such intimate connections with the lives of people here in this community.

I will remember visiting people in the hospital, counseling families after a death or accident, and sharing tears. I will remember scrambling during the flood trying to figure out who to call and what to do, before accepting that some days as a pastor you fill sand bags. I will look back with a smile when I think of the parking lot campfire with college students from different camp staffs leading songs together and making smores. I’ll remember camping in the Boundary Waters with guys from the young adult group, the storms and the sunshine, and the nicknames we came up with for each other. I will remember seeing Stephanie and Nate, through the miracle of technology, looking down at church members, “live” on the big screen, answering questions and talking about their lives as missionaries in South Africa. I’ll remember the unexpected opportunity of making friends with Haitians, especially with school children as we built a kitchen at their school. I told myself that I would preach as if they were in the room as I continue in this calling, and I will remember their faces and names for a long time. I’ll remember the hope I felt when presenting the idea of a new faith community for young adults to an assembly of local retired pastors, seeing the older generation’s genuine care and support for reaching out to younger generations. I’ll be proud if I find out that some of the things I helped with here continue, like gatherings of young adults from different churches and campus ministries, the event for young rostered clergy here at Trinity, that Emmy and I helped plan, the use of the Fair Trade cabinets and photo frames that Trinity members built to give us visual reminders of God’s mission for the world…in all these things I am reminded that I have been invited by God and this community to be among you in this special role., a role that invited me into the many lives and stories of this very special church.

A speaker at one of our TiM events said that what makes being a pastor unique is that we are invited into other people lives in a way that no one else is. That is truly the privilege that rises to the top of all these experiences. I am a pastor because I was called to be a pastor by all of you at Trinity—to walk with you and be invited into your lives in a unique way. I want to thank you for that privilege and these two years as a part of your ministry in this unique place. As I continue to transition into new ministries I pray that each of you might find your role here as part of the priesthood of all believers in a new way, because that is also a unique and special call for each of you. It is those calls that make this church what it is and it is those calls that will take this church where God wants it to go next! Blessings on that continuing transition into new ministries and new callings that help us follow the one who has been so faithful to us through all our transitions!

Pastor Emmy Farewell

When my time began here, many of you said two years would go by quickly. I didn’t believe you, but you were right. These past two years have been filled with learning and growing. You warmly welcomed me and encouraged me during my time in your midst. At a recent retreat, a presenter invited our group to think about experiences using our five senses. As I prepare to leave Trinity Lutheran Church, here are some of sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes I will carry with me.

Trinity Lutheran Church…
• looks like sleepy 6th-8th graders tromping into the building on dark Wednesday mornings for release time, an overflowing sanctuary on Christmas Eve, hands creating quilts and small groups of people gathered together in a variety of places throughout the week.
• sounds like children in the daycare playing, the buzz of caring conversation, laughter, organ music, the Worship, Too! Band with saxophone riffs and two-hundred people praying the Lord’s Prayer in unison.
• smells like Easter Lilies, coffee brewing, 9th graders piled in a bus on the way to Camp Emmaus, fresh winter breezes and warm summer sunshine.
feels like solid handshakes, caring hugs, tears of compassion, soft prayer shawls and baptismal water droplets.
• tastes like Music on the Blacktop ice-cream with many toppings, open faced cheez-whiz sandwiches with a green olive in the middle, Wednesday night pizza with youth and Sunday morning bread & wine.

Through you, the people of Trinity Lutheran Church, I experienced Christian community in new ways. You make the good news of Jesus Christ come alive in vibrant, life giving ways. Words of thanksgiving fall short in expressing my gratitude for the time I have shared in this community. I can simply say - what a joy it’s been to share life with you! I wrap up my time as your pastor in the middle of July. Later this summer, I will begin sharing in ministry with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND as an associate pastor. In these bittersweet days, I give thanks for my time with you and look forward to engaging in mission with a new community, knowing that my experiences created a solid foundation for me as I continue in ministry.

Pastor Emmy

Pastor Marsha Farewell

Dear friends in Christ,

As you all know too well, two years go by quickly! I can hardly believe I am saying farewell to all of my dear friends and colleagues here at Trinity. As I think back on our time together, I think of so many ministries and so many good times we had together. I think of traveling to Haiti, building a Habitat house, selling fair trade coffee, hunger banquets, small groups, meals together, chatting in the hallways of Trinity, worshiping together, and being united with all of you around the communion table each week. With all of that and more running through my mind and heart, I am full of gratitude. Thank you for welcoming me into this community and for helping me figure out what it means to be a pastor. Thank you for your hospitality to me and for your continued hospitality to first-call pastors. Supporting first-call pastors is an important ministry for which Trinity is uniquely suited, and I hope you will continue to nurture young pastors for many years to come.

As for what is next for me, my last Sunday at Trinity will be June 13, and then I will return to Moorhead for the TiM farewell celebration on Sunday, July 11. And on a happier note, I will be married on June 19 to Brian Ballantine. We are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of our life together and to finally live in the same city! I will be moving to Berkeley, CA, where Brian is pursuing an MDiv at the Jesuit School of Theology, and I will serve as a hospital chaplain at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley for at least one year. After that, who knows!

Life is truly an adventure, and I am so glad I got to spend part of my adventure with all of you. Thank you for being a blessing to me and to many others. I carry you with me as I go – full of lessons-learned, joy and struggles shared, and full of the love of our Lord Jesus, which brings us together and then inevitably sends us out to live our faith boldly in new and exciting ways. I will miss you, but I know that whether we are in Minnesota or California, we are there with God who unites us in the body of Christ.

Grace and peace to you all,
Pastor Marsha

A Farewell

On Sunday, July 11th Trinity hosted a Farewell Celebration for us. What a great way to end our two years in ministry here! Thanks to the congregation, quilters and knitters for the special gifts. Thanks to many of you for the many well wishes you shared with us that day. Finally, thanks to the Worship, Too! Band for the special song:

Marsha, Josh and Emmy came to us from the seminary. One from Wisconsin, a Minnesotan and one from somehwere out east.

Emmy's dog named Mable would come to church if she were able. Valley City's, really pretty but winter's still a beast!

Josh is a servant. He can build sandbag dams. He'll miss being (that's a one syllable word in this song) in his office hanging out with the YAMS!

Marsha you now carry a more diverse vocabulary. We must warn ya, in California uffda and yikes won't do. Out in Berkeley you won't need your snow boots!

Ah Ah Ah, etc. Hope you've had a good time here. We've enjoyed having you. And by gosh by golly, we're just so gosh darn melancholy. As you go, we hope you know that we're going to miss you so. But we send you God's blessings as you go.

Thanks for sharing life and ministry with us. Blessings to you.
Your "old" TiM Pastors - Josh, Marsha and Emmy

'Before the Flood'

'Before the Flood' is a live album by Bob Dylan and my favorite band, aptly-named The Band. And I can't help but think of this album's title while we are all waiting for the Red River to crest in the next couple of days.

Many of us have events in our lives that are so significant that we can't help but think of life in two sections: before that event and after that event. Before that death, and after it...before that big move, and after...or maybe, for you, it's before the flood and after it.

I've been reflecting on my own big events during the last few days, and I'd welcome you all to join me in that reflection, if it's helpful for you. What are the big events in your life that marked a signficant change or milestone...before and after?

If last year's flood was one of those events for you, you are being held in prayer by many people in this community, and by our community at Trinity, as we wait to see what this year's flood will bring.

posted by Marsha.

"Chasing the Divine"

Last week, I was out in Berkeley, CA, and I attended a lecture series on the topic, "Spiritual but not Religious: Chasing the Divine." The very first speaker talked a little bit about that tagline "Chasing the Divine." And I couldn't help but think, 'Why the chase? God is here already.'

We talk about following Jesus...and I suppose a chase is a frantic sort of following....trying really hard to be a good disciple.

But what if we just stop.

Take a breath.

There - right there - God in our midst.

We are with God; God is with us.

Yes, we follow, and maybe sometimes it feels a little frantic. But it seems to me that the key is to slow down - to not run so fast - to recognize that God is already with us.

So let's stop the chase and just breathe. And there God is, waiting for us.

posted by Marsha.

Ways to help Haiti

We are in mourning for the people of Haiti - holding them in prayer, as they face this new chapter. And our prayers are also with the service group from Trinity that is trying to get home, and with the medical team from Fargo/Moorhead that is still working in Pignon.

If you are able to help financially, here are some options:

The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.

•UNICEF has issued a statement that "Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them." UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

•Donate through Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti. Text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.

•Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

•Ben Stiller's Stillerstrong campaign will be temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.

•Partners In Health reports its Port-au-Prince clinical director, Louise Ivers, has appealed for assistance: "Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS... Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us." Donate to their Haiti earthquake fund.

•Mercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors. The agency aided families after earthquakes in Peru in 2007, China and Pakistan in 2008, and Indonesia last year. Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR; PO Box 2669; Portland, OR 97208.

•Direct Relief is committing up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Their partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children's Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital, which are particularly active in emergency response. Donate to Direct Relief online.

•Oxfam is rushing in teams from around the region to respond to the situation to provide clean water, shelter, sanitation and help people recover. Donate to Oxfam America online.

•International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. Donate online.