FROM
PASTOR LARRY CONWAY
Summertime's coming. The season of warm weather, swimming
and vacations is just around the corner. For Trinity, it traditionally is a bit
slower season, aside from Confirmation Camp in June and Vacation Bible School in
July. But this year is very different. We are entering a Strategic Planning
process, seeking to develop a set of 5 to 7 congregationally developed goals for
Trinity by mid October. It's ambitious, to seek to develop these goals that will
be our focus, seeking the Spirit's guidance and at the same time doing so by
means of a bottom up process. Yet it is our goal to do just that. In 2008 and
2009 we developed mission and vision statements. Later in 2009 we developed
value statements that explained the mission and vision in more detail. We
organized the 2009 yearbook for the annual meeting using these value statements.
Now it is time to develop concrete, measurable and specific goals, building on
our previous efforts in the visioning process.
So what does this mean? It means that you can help us
determine what our possible goals should be through the small group meetings in
June and July, along with what you shared with us during the "Afternoon to
Remember" this past month. Also, we plan to have a "norms event"
- name still to be determined - that will identify the "unwritten
rules" of Trinity. Each of these events gives us information that our team
will distill into about 45 to 50 possible goals, that you can help select by
joining us in September for a special voting event. We will vote "Iowa
Caucus style" to select the top 5 to 7 goals that will go to Council for
approval at the October Council meeting.
Pastor Larry
Pastor Laura's "Notes
on the Journey"
For years now I have written these notes once a month.
It was twice a month for a while before that.
Honestly, it hasn’t been hard to do.
Something “comes up” either in my life, my garden or my spirit
that I wonder about.
But this month is different!
This month is the last month for a few months that I’ll be writing
these Notes. During April, I’m
confident that the Adult Spiritual Formation Team will choose some wonderful
“stunt doubles” for me in this particular role.
They will be writing for May, June, July, and August.
Where will I be? Well,
my pastoral sabbatical (time of rest) is just around the corner.
I will be away from the congregation for the months of May, June, and
July. I’ll return on August 1st, just in time for Sunday worship!
A dear member that I talked to this week didn’t
realize that a sabbatical meant that I would be truly away.
Yes, it does. My e-mail
and phone will offer messages that I’ll be back in August.
My Trinity “face book friends” will be blocked -- it is no fair
for me to be watching you, if you can’t watch me!
No calls to me for times of joy, or times of sadness.
I’m thinking that this will be very hard for me, but it is truly
important to have a true separation if we all are going to learn what we all
need to learn during this Sabbath time.
To get the “best” perspective on my travels in the
Holy Land and Germany, I suggest that you pick up one of the “Notes on the
Journey” Sabbatical Journal books, as it follows my “calendar.”
(There are editions for children, and youth/adults.)
Pastor Larry is busy planning some wonderful Sabbath keeping learning
sessions. There will also be
grace-filled guest preachers. The
early steps of our strategic planning process will get underway.
By my nature, I am a very curious person.
I’m very excited to discover what I learn from my time gardening,
my time with family, and my travel time.
I’m also excited to learn what you all learn while I am gone.
We will spend some time sharing stories for months to come, I’m
quite sure.
During the days before the sabbatical and the days
during it I would appreciate your prayers – for safe travel, for my fence
in the yard not to fall over faster than I can repair it, for wonderful time
with my family, for refreshment of my spirit and my pastoral imagination –
and whatever else you think I need. Do
know that I will be praying for you all – and for what ever you need –
and have to offer in service in those months.
Do, please, also, find time to rest.
Refresh your spirit. Rest
in God’s grace.
In God’s grace.
Now that is a good place to begin any journey.
Peace on the journey,
Pastor
Laura
Healthy
Pastors, Healthy
Congregations
A 2002 ELCA report on the health and wellness of clergy
found that pastor’s work habits and work hours contribute significantly to stress
and poor health. Long work hours also lead to insufficient time for family and
recreation. Pastoral activities require a great deal of evening involvement in
addition to daily ministries and weekly worship schedules. It is important that
pastors be recognized as having families , and requiring regular, quality time
for renewal, refreshment and personal business. Pastors need to take care of themselves—so
that they can care for those placed in their care. The Trinity Mutual Ministry
team asks for your support of your Pastors staying healthy of body, mind and spirit.
They are scheduled to have 2 personal days away from the office each week—except
for emergencies, pre-arranged appointments and scheduled special services or events.
These personal days are generally Friday and Saturday. Each week, to prepare for
their sermons, they also need a block of solitary time to pray and reflect on
God’s word. Please respect their need for dedicated sermon preparation time, and
scheduled personal time away from the office. Also, please be flexible if they
suggest an alternative time to speak or meet. Each pastor remains on call, at
any time, to assist members in cases of emergency Mutual Ministry Team
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