As you might know, I enjoy traveling, especially in the direction that chases the setting sun. On vacation this summer, I had the opportunity to visit Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, Devils' Tower (Bear Lodge) and Craters of the Moon National Monuments, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Inspired by this journey, I have created a month's worth of Inspirational Images and Prayers.

Imagine my surprise and intense delight. I just came back from two weeks of vacation out West, which followed officiating at a mountain top wedding in Montana for one of St. James young adults (blessings to Andrew and Anna Burgoyne).

Before COVID hit, we were well on our way to becoming debt-free for the first time in over three decades. Although we made progress toward this goal during the pandemic, we needed to hold off on making additional principal payments, which would have finished our mortgage at the end of 2020. The revised plan for the debt retirement became April 2022.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we have an opportunity to retire the debt sooner, saving us thousands of dollars in interest payments.

Last Sunday was filled with a “welcoming joy” as we came together for worship. Our parking lot had twenty-six folks worship at 8:00 a.m. with another seventy-six online at 9:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. over forty-five people came out for our first in-person worship in the sanctuary in over four-hundred and fifty six days. It was a day of many smiling faces.

Whew! When I put my hands on the steering wheel of my car this afternoon, I was reminded of a seasonal truth. It can get hot in Minnesota! Summer has finally arrived and I’m welcoming the warm, bright days.

One of the things that I enjoy about this time of year are the opportunities it offers for us to do ministry in a different way. We can be outside and enjoy the beauty of creation in this corner of the globe.

Not sure exactly where I first heard the phrase or who coined it but it has come in handy in my role as a Lead Pastor. Plan the work, work the plan.

For the past year of our COVID reality, we have been both planning and working. A lot of time, energy, and collaboration has gone into our efforts as a congregation to remain open, vibrant, and innovative. Although for most of the 440 of our COVID response, our ministry has been beyond the walls our our building, we never closed.

There is a wonderful opportunity in the days ahead for us to grow in our faith and establish practices that will nurture our spirit for years to come. As we put pieces together, we have the chance to place our relationship with God at the center. Taking time to reflect, pray, and dwell in God’s Word, will help us not only navigate the uncertainties of this moment of great personal and societal transition, but it will encourage spiritual transformation

It has been four hundred and twenty-five days since the start of St. James Lutheran’s ministry response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By anyone’s estimation that is a long time. From day one, our approach has been guided by wisdom from the medical/scientific community, congregational leaders, state officials, and the larger church. Creativity, caution, and collaboration have helped us navigate challenging and unknown waters. I am grateful for the flexibility and patience of the St. James community which allowed us to be diligent in our efforts to keep folks safe and proclaim the love of Christ in new and innovative ways.

Ever since I can remember I have gone on road trips with my family. As a kid, I was the one in the backseat asking the question, “are we there yet?” I couldn’t wait to get where we were going and to see what we were going to see.

We find ourselves at a time when race is being discussed and debated in a variety of places. Much of this talk is heated as passions and experiences clash. The voices in our social media echo-chambers have escalated tempers and blood pressures.

I am grateful for the ways that we are able to come together in-person and in virtual space. This week is a good example of our creative gatherings. Over 268 people worshiped online, and another 32 folks came out in-person ( 23 drive-in and 8 hybrid).

As we go through this Second Week of Easter, there are three words that I'd like to share with you. Each, in its way, is a tiny announcement of Easter.

1) NEW DEVO AVAILABLE

2) SPEAKING TOGETHER in WORSHIP

3) In-Person Bible Studies Resumes

Current local COVID-19 metrics place us in Phase 3a of our Regathering Plan allowing us to host an annual meeting on April 18 at noon. It will be a hybrid event with both an in-person and online component. You choose the way you feel most comfortable participating. Conducting a hybrid meeting following COVID guidelines requires us to make a few adjustments:

In last week's Ministry Moment, I spoke about St. James Lutheran's ongoing creative response to the pandemic. One year after moving our ministry online, we continue to gather as a church to share Christian love within this community. We are doing this in various (online and in-person) ways, which don't further spread the virus. Lord knows, I can’t wait until we are at a point that we can gather in safety without restrictions. But, sadly, we are not yet at that point.

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

It was on a Thursday night, one year ago, that St. James Lutheran’s Executive Mission Team gathered for an emergency meeting using a previously unknown technology called ZOOM.

On this bright day that is heading in the direction of spring, I write to share with you recent developments regarding the staff at St. James.

If you worshiped online last Sunday, you might have noticed something different as we closed the service. The final hymn, Beautiful Savior, looked different. Inside separate boxes, you saw our Jan Pofahl play the organ, our sign interpreter, Marilu Lackore sign, and Kari Owens sing. Together, they entered virtual space and raised a song of praise.

As a dynamic and vision-focused community of faith, we constantly need leaders who have both the courage, enthusiasm, and humility to ask "where is God wanting us to go as a community". I thank God on a regular basis for these qualities that have been a mainstay among leaders here at St. James with whom I’ve had the pleasure to serve for the past dozen years (last Sunday was my twelfth anniversary.)

Are you thirsty? Does it seem like life is dried up and in need of refreshment? Dehydration is a common enough experience and it not only affects our bodies, but it can also wreak havoc on our souls.

On Friday at 2:00 p.m., I am scheduled to receive my first shot of the Covid vaccine. I am grateful for Augustana Regents in Burnsville, where I am a volunteer. They are looking to get all volunteers vaccinated so that we will be able to resume programming at some point in the near future. This vaccine comes as a gift that will benefit not only the residents of Augustana Regents but also the entire St. James community. Thank you!