First Reminder

Mailed May 17th,  2010

Return to www.firstluth.org, or the eReminder page

By the end of May, Pastor Leta Behrens will be finishing up her service here at First Lutheran. It seems that it was a just a “little while ago” that Leta and her family arrived for her required year of internship through Wartburg Theological Seminary. But that was almost four years ago!  In the meanwhile, she did her internship year, finished a senior year of seminary, and for nearly another two years has had a half-time call among us. We were privileged to host

her ordination service in 2008. But now she will move on to a full-time position with Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Littleton. We are truly grateful for her leadership and service here at First, and we pray for abundant blessings in her new call. We also give thanks for her husband Rob, and children Sophia and John, who are also well-loved members of this community in Christ.

 

In June, I am planning to do something that I have not experienced since 1977, that is, to spend a whole month away from church and theological work! I am taking a one-month leave of absence (in lieu of a traditional sabbatical, at least for now), and will be on the family ranch in Lincoln County, Nebraska. I am eager to carry on my parents’ tradition of caring for the land . . .which may include tasks such as fencing, removing musk thistle, and tree removal. While I’m out in the hills, Pastor Paul Judson will be ably assisted during part of the month by Pastor Sally Ponfick, a recently retired ELCA pastor and member of FELC.

 

July will soon come around, too, and now is the time to plan to go up to Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, west of Fort Collins, and in a beautiful location at about 9,000 ft. in altitude. Household camp weekend will be July 23-25. You may sign up to stay in the campground, in cabins, or lodge rooms. This is a great opportunity, and I encourage you to take in a wonderful weekend event at Sky Ranch. [Adults are also welcome to be mentors or workers at camp for a couple of days or more when our students are there July 19-23—see Pastor Paul for further information.]

 

Blessings to you during these upcoming months. Let us pray for one another during these times of transition, and pray for renewal in all of our lives in the power of the Spirit of Christ.

                            In Christ,

 

 

 

 

                            Steve Berke, Pastor