Merry Christmas, people of New Journey! While many of my neighbors have begun removing Christmas lights from the exterior of their homes and the inflatable Christmas characters are slowly disappearing from lawns, the western church continues to celebrate the joy and the mystery of God come down in the person of Jesus.

This November, I traveled to Pinerock Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, Arizona to attend First Call Theological Education (FCTE) with six of my first call colleagues, Bishop Deborah Hutterer of our Grand Canyon Synod, and Pastor Jacqui Pagel, Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Faith Formation.

Someone once explained to me the difference between a “busy” calendar and a “full” calendar.

Hope and possibility permeate our celebration of Reformation Sunday.

The Congregation Council has noticed a longing to feel grounded and connected amid a changed church and world. Through conversation and reflection, council members have identified a vision of “getting rooted again” and invite the community of New Journey Lutheran Church to live into this vision over the next months.  

As of last month, New Journey Lutheran Church has spent nearly six months dwelling in Luke 10:1-11.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), of which New Journey Lutheran Church is a member congregation, has set a new mission and vision for this denominational church body. 

“No storm can shake my in-most calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?”

Every first call ELCA pastor is required to attend a continuing education event called “First Call Theological Education” (FCTE) on a bi-annual basis for three years.