New Year's Message: Jan 6

The orange ball cap says TED. It doesn't stand for "The Episcopal Dementor" (a la Harry Potter). I like to think of it as "Ted Energizes Development." It's my coach cap for the second half of our transition time together (September 2011 - April 2012). We've done some fine work so far and have good information about Lamb of God from your surveys and focus groups. The Transition Task Force will put that together as a profile to be used by the Call Committee our Board of Trustees will name. Then working closely with Connie Schmucker (ELCA Florida Bahamas Synod) and Michael Durning (Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida), we'll move forward to name a candidate to be the senior minister for this community of faith. The orange cap you'll see during my Transition announcements on Sundays will remind you that the race is on and that each of us has a lap to run. Candidates for the position may be found by using resources of our Synod and Diocese, but it is even more likely that one of you will know someone who knows just the right person. When the profile is available we want to make sure that each of us sends it to every Lutheran and Episcopalian we know.

Sundays Forums at 9, between services, are a key time for the transition moving forward. Each Sunday in January our forums will be working on church finances. In February I'll be teaching BS with Ted, using Bible Study as a resource to talk about best church practices for Lamb of God. In March, we'll be in the final stages of the call process and updating you at the forums each week.

For more information always check the Lamb of God website.

Get out there on the field and start running laps!

Half Way Through: Dec 23

Some are counting days to Christmas, but I mark the calendar today as half way through my time with you as the Transition Pastor.  We started in September and our plan is to conclude in mid April, two weeks after Easter.  We have a lot to do, so enjoy the holiday, eat lots of cookies, and get ready to work it off together in the New Year. 

Real Lutherans: Dec 16

Judy and I are in Dresden, Germany today with our grandchildren and their parents, attending their local historic Lutheran Church ( www.maria-am-wasser.de )  I think the Germans have got this whole Advent/Christmas conflict worked out.  They decorate for Advent, lots of candles, even a tree in the church.  There was an 18 piece brass choir today, and after there was good food, coffee and gluhwein.  But still the lessons, hymns and sermon were of stern Advent material.  It was a good balance. 

More from the Task Force: Dec 9

Our Transition Task Force has already held three Sunday Focus Groups for about 45 people, who spent most of a morning working on our values, core identity, opportunties, and hopes.  While I'm away for two Sundays, one of the team will speak during the Transition moment at the 10 am service.  Marianne and Glenn Whitehouse, George Alexakis, Billy Gunnels and Tom Small make up the Task Force.  They are planning two more Focus events, one especially geared for families with small children (date to be announced), and one for as many as possible after church on Sunday January 13.

Finding the right direction: Dec 2

An old definition of "right" is that when you are facing north, the hand to the east is your right hand.  Of course, first you have to find north.  For our transition process, "north" is being steadily fixed on discovering and describing our values and developing our congregational profile.  While each of us has a part in this, the key people who keep us on course are the Board of Trustees, Staff, and Transition Task Force.  Even during this busy season, they are holding us steady.  Give them your support and your prayers.