Last month I compared where our church and congregation is currently to looking at the horizon in anticipation of the sunrise and what it will bring. While there are still a lot of questions yet to be answered some things are moving ahead. The Sunday school program is coming together for this fall, staffing vacancies are starting to get filled, the music programs are getting rolling and our Sanctuary project is closer to completion with the news from the contractor that the pew cushions should be done very soon.
All of this is positive news for our congregation. While Pastor Dave’s transition may have many in the congregation feeling a sense of loss we should all be happy for him and his family for the opportunity he has been given to share his gifts with his new congregation. I want to personally let him know that his work here not only helped Zion through this period of transition but was truly appreciated by the people of Zion and those he directly impacted. Best wishes in your new church.
Now, for the main item of my update for this month. I am very happy to announce that we have a new Interim Senior Pastor. Pastor Kari Bahe has accepted the synod’s call to be Zion’s interim pastor while we go through the process of calling a new Senior Pastor for the congregation. We are currently going through the formal process with the Minneapolis Area Synod to complete the formalities but Pastor Bahe will be starting with Zion on September 20. Pastor Bahe and her husband live in Big Lake and she has experience with a variety of churches and roles. She has served small, medium, and large congregations including Mount Olivet. She also served in the Bishop’s office for the Eastern North Dakota Synod. She has experience with congregations in transition and is excited to be able to serve Zion Lutheran as we transition into our new future.
I will close with this. When you are at church on Sunday or at a committee or volunteer gathering and you see a member of the Zion staff. Stop them and say Thank you. They have been going above and beyond to keep things moving forward at Zion and we should all be thankful for the dedication they have shown over the past 18 months.
God bless.
