
Time passes so fast… twenty-five years ago today I started at First Trinity Lutheran Church. Even though they brought me flowers this morning, the staff care committee is going to mark it in some way in September (they promised: low key), but I can’t let today go by without reflecting a bit. Some random thoughts:
- I remember the installation day in 1984. We only had one service and it was HOT. I remember what I wore and how I was worried my make-up would sweat down my face. I remember Patti Young speaking for the youth of the congregation. My now dear friends Jim and Kathy Passage stayed home because it was too hot, Jim didn’t know what a DCE was, and they had a 2 month old baby (Timothy) which meant they weren’t getting a lot of sleep.
- I remember sitting in my office on July 2 and trying to figure out something to DO. For those first few years my heart was drawn most strongly to youth ministry. Those early youth groups were my training ground for almost all of my ministry. So thankful to those kids!
- My dad died in 1983, a couple months shy of his 25 year anniversary at 3M. I remember thinking that that fact about him meant he was mature, loyal and settled. I don’t think of myself as those things, really.
- Speaking of my dad, he would be APPALLED to think that I am a Bills fan. When he died, Buffalo was only a crazy team in the AFC. Just a blip on the radar for us NFC Central Vikings.
Of course NEITHER team could win the Big One.
- I slept on a fold-out couch for the first two years I was here, until I saved enough money for a bed. Didn’t hurt me one bit. Sure was grateful for the bed when I got it.
- From the beginning, I just fell in love with God’s people at First Trinity. That’s what it is, for me. This particular group of God’s people has a place in my heart that is deep. I have just felt like it was God’s gift to me to be able to be present over the long haul with individuals and families. I have seen God work over and over in the lives of His people. People matter.
- My other big love has been God’s Word…that Word is so dependable and trustworthy and true. It is God’s clearest way of being with us as individuals, as families and as a congregation. I love nothing more than connecting up God’s Word with the people that matter to Him so much and their lives. Children, youth, adults…we all need the roots that the Word provides in order to live lives that matter right here in 2009.
- Church workers often get to be present for the “big” moments in people’s lives: births, baptisms, confirmations, deaths, weddings. That’s because people want to know that God is there in those times. For me, getting to be part of people’s “real” lives…sadness AND joy…is a true privilege. It is celebrating life together. I am honored to be a witness to God’s work in all of our lives. As I write this I am remembering those who have gone before us and part of the big cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12)…Marlene, Ben, Milt, Lenny, Pete, Floyd, Tom, Judy, Betty and more.
- I absolutely LOVE working on a team and the First Trinity Staff is just a great team to be a part of. Pastor Chuck, Jason, Tim, Eric, Sue Brese, Pastor Carl, Conny, Kathy Gibson, Kathy Figini, Dona Trautwein, Beth Vance, Kim Taylor, Debbie Ferrante, Lori Coons, Chris Fennell, Marilyn Sallach, Jim Brese, Dick McKie, Mary Lou Hartnett–you all rock. Also grateful for Ruth Kovach and Pastor Young, who have now retired.
- I will always be grateful for the kindness shown to me during my mom’s illness and death in 1997-1998.
- Being in one place so long has a very wonderful benefit to it in that (much like a long friendship, or I imagine a marriage)–we know very well our weaknesses and strengths and we see God working through it all. It’s His deal, that’s for sure. It really is about Him.








