Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I realize it has been a while since I wrote to you. I often plan to, but other more precedent things
have arisen. My apologies for not getting more letters out, but they will be coming as God moves me to
share. Like I was today. As I was working on making plans for the 5–7-year planning commission, I
started thinking about an email I read a while back. In my planning, this email reminded me that Jesus
leaves us an example for doing ministry that we lost throughout the years of church “tradition.” Jesus
did ministry by walking around. Jesus didn’t stay in the temple and expect others to come to him. For
example, when Jesus is walking along the road and encounters Zacchaeus, or when he left Jericho and
happened upon Bartimaeus, just to name a few. Every encounter Jesus had on his walks created a
possibility for him to offer words of encouragement, or other life supporting, life changing acts.
Somewhere we have forgotten that Jesus did ministry out in the world by walking to where others
were. As we continue discerning our way forward in these new times, may we have open minds to let go
of what we might think are traditions. May we look to the scriptures to remember the ways Jesus and
the early church did ministry that was lost to “church traditions.” May this study of scriptures lead us to
keep an open mind as to how we are called to ministry in these times. If you would like to share your
thoughts or ideas that God has laid on your heart, any of the members of the 5–7-year planning
commission would be happy to listen and bring to the commission’s meetings. Those folks are: Rich
Laverdure, Theresa Lawrence, Lisa Menio, Sandy Rydell, Rick Sanker, Judy Schreck, and Tim Swanson.
This group is hoping to conclude our work in the coming months to have something ready to share
with the session and church. Your input and support are encouraged and desired. If we are to move
forward together in new ways, it is important for us to be willing to let go of somethings we think are
tradition.
In His Peace,
Pastor Nicki
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