Go on your way...

A few years ago, several art friends and I were part of an art project at Rogers Elementary School that helped say farewell to the school. The usage of the school would be shifting to a place of storage and office space and the students would be moving to other locations for classes. Over the course of a month, each student and staff person was invited to create a painting on canvas cloth to mark their favorite aspects of the school: memories, people, classes, and what they learned in their time there.  The image to the left was my painting. The girl in the image is taking a cutting of the plant that grew there and taking it with her as she continues to "change, move and grow."

Over the past three years, I've been in the ongoing process of studying with the Theological Education for Emerging Ministry with Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. This July, I will complete my studies with the program and continue on my journey towards ordained ministry.

In going forward in my process to ordained ministry, I've served as Youth and Family Director and Pastoral Assistant at First Lutheran Church for almost eight years in September. As of August 2015, I will be moving to the Tonawanda area to serve as the Vicar at St. Mark and Good Shepherd Lutheran Churches. It has been my honor and blessing to live and serve here in Chautauqua County and I'm thankful to each and every person that has been a part of my journey to become a pastor. You have all been instrumental in my growth, change and learning. Thank you for your care and support in every step of this journey.

The winds of change sometimes come upon us when we are expecting it, and sometimes when we are not. God's Spirit is at work here and will be the strength that carries each of us in the calling that we have for each of our lives. The image below is an art piece by my friend Shannon Newby. Eight years ago, Shannon traded me this art in exchange for a copy of my music cd. She gave this to me as a reminder that God is with us no matter were we go. God is our home and shelter in the new places and the familiar ones. It seems right to leave this image with you as my family and I move into this time of transition, replanting and change. God bless you and yours on the journey ahead - and thank you for sharing this wonderful stretch of road with us. Go in peace, to love and serve God.

Go on your way...

Luke 10:1-3a

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

 3 Go on your way.