Well, we come to the end of another year. Perhaps a year that has introduced more of what we remember as “normal”, or at least a large step in that direction. Here are a few observations on what I thing are some very positive moves toward a new normal coming in 2023: We have a senior pastor. Should I repeat that? After literally arriving at the last minute and then helping Zion manage through a transition period over the past

The interesting thing about writing these newsletter articles is I’m writing them a month before you read them. It’s like those movies that jump around in time during the story and you never know if you are in the present (i.e., the past) or in the future (i.e., the present). So, please indulge me as I address events from October and November, as well as thoughts about the congregation as we enter the Christmas season. Why the title of family?

Fall is one of the best times in Minnesota. The weather is great, school activities are happening, the hunting season starts for those of us so inclined, and we enter the “other” part of the church year when all kinds of activities begin. But, there’s a catch. For the congregation to be, we need to be here. We need to be here for Sunday school (which now includes an 8:30 option!) and confirmation. Fall activities such as Harvest of Hands

I think almost everyone has heard the phrase “patience is a virtue.” We are counseled to be patient and good things come to those who wait. Of course, it can be easier said than done. Ask any seven-year-old during Christmas time. The members of Zion have had many opportunities over the past two years to work on this virtue. We have managed through adversity and change far beyond anything our church has ever seen. Throughout, we have asked questions like

Okay, I’m being a little bold to title this as “Spring” considering on April 15 it snowed most of the morning and the forecast has the temperature in the low 30’s but it is still spring. What I really want to talk about is a different kind of spring – “awakening.” We have just celebrated Easter. Now we are entering another very busy time for our congregation, and my message is focused on a need for people. That’s right, people.

On a Sunday in early March, I was chatting with some members of the congregation about various things, as I like to do before and after services. During a couple of these conversations, I heard a recurring theme come up regarding in-person services. The recurring theme was about how these members had realized how much they missed being physically in church with other people. To a person, they basically said “It wasn’t until I was back in the Sanctuary that

I would like to start off by answering what I believe will be a question many of you reading this article will be asking yourself. “I thought he said he would not be serving a second term as council president.” So did I. At the beginning of this year I was given the opportunity to serve on the Buffalo City Council to fill a vacancy for the remainder of a departing councilman’s term. Given the duties of this role, I

I’ve had a pretty obvious theme for most of my articles this year – Change. We continue on that theme for this month. But first I would like to update everyone on some of the things that have occurred over the past year. At the December 2019 Congregational Meeting two items were voted on and passed by the Congregation: The purchase of 3 acres for future expansion of our cemetery The capital campaign fund raising drive to update the Sanctuary

Hello Zion Lutheran Church. In case you haven’t noticed the year is slowly transitioning into fall, and it has been a beautiful fall so far. My segment of the newsletter this month will be short and to the point. We have our congregational meeting coming up along with the Christmas season, and there are a lot of things to get accomplished yet this year. First, let’s start with worship. I’m very happy to say that our Sanctuary services have seen