Looking Back, Looking Forward

On September 1, it was my 3-year anniversary of serving among you with Grace as your pastor. Wow!! It’s gone by really fast, hasn’t it! Now, three years isn’t a typically recognized anniversary. And yet, it does mark a milestone for pastors in their first call, like me! It signifies that I have completed the “first-call” period, which includes support from the synod, mentors, and colleagues who are also in their first calls. Now is an excellent time to look back with gratitude on these last three years together and to look forward with excitement to the years ahead. 

As part of my reflection, I revisited my introduction to you from three years ago as you were discerning whether to call me as your pastor. So much of what I hoped and dreamed for then is still true today! And, I have also learned so much about all of you – your own hopes and challenges – and so much about sharing in ministry together. 

I am so grateful to be called to be your pastor. What a gift it is to share God’s love with you! To be a part of your lives and to journey together as followers of Jesus. Fellow travelers.  

I truly believe that folks – me, you, all of us, people of all ages and stages in life – need a community of faith and hope in Christ where we are known, loved, supported, and celebrated. Where we belong to each other. Where we hear the good news that we belong to God and where we experience God’s love, forgiveness, and promise of new life. If it’s been awhile since you’ve gathered with us, I pray that you know that you are always welcome!! 

Looking forward, I am excited and hopeful about our ministry together! As we continue to listen and discern how God calls us to be the church – to be Grace in Adel – I hope that you will share your thoughts, insights, gifts, and dreams with us. Because we are the church together. And I pray for you! May God guide and bless and hold you in the abundant love, grace, and joy of Christ! 

With love, Pastor Tania