Grieving full time while in ministry full time:

Transcription

1 michigan JANUARY 2018 A publication of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The Lutheran Witness Michigan District, LCMS Supplement IN TOUCH HEALTHY WORKERS Grieving in Ministry by Rachel Stathakis Grieving full time while in ministry full time: a lifestyle that has aged me, broken me, and grown my faith in Jesus. For the past eight months, this has been my new norm. Grieving. Hiring a Children s Ministry team. Grieving. Launching brand-new ministries. Grieving. Renovating our toddler nursery. Grieving. Grieving. February 2017 marked the beginning of an unwelcome journey, one that has now become a part of a story. A story filled with sunset reminders of God s goodness and middle-of-the-night heaving sobs from a hurting, broken heart. My dear brother, John Stathakis, the one I respected more than just about any person is no longer with us. He loved deeply, stressed never, reassured always, and was incredibly loyal. He was the one who called our mom and dad regularly, traveled home to see our parents as often as he could, left my brother and sister-in-law the sweetest continued on page 2 Blake Reynolds/Lightstock, LLC michigan IN TOUCH Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President Debby Fall, Editorial Manager Seth Hinz, Web/Media Director Official Periodical of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod January 2018, Volume 17, No. 1 ISSN: (print) ISSN: (online) Jenna Szpara, Designer Elisa Schulz, Staff Writer/Copy Editor 2018 Michigan District, LCMS, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan In Touch is published monthly by the Michigan District and inserted into The Lutheran Witness and distributed to subscribers 11 times a year. It is also available online at Reproduction of articles is permissible with written permission of the Michigan District Communications Department and should give credit to Michigan In Touch. References to resources and websites for further information are included in Michigan In Touch for the potential use by individuals and congregations. Resources not associated with or published by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod or Concordia Publishing House may contain helpful programmatic information but may vary in doctrine from The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Please use discretion or consult your pastor on doctrinal issues. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). Table of Contents , Healthy Workers Great Compassion Here We Stand Lutheran Laymen s League Church Extension Fund News and Events Special Recognition Calls and Roster Update Calendar of Events Michigan District, LCMS 3773 Geddes Rd Ann Arbor, MI intouch@michigandistrict.org michigandistrict.org michiganintouch.com 1

2 HEALTHY WORKERS continued from page 1 voice message the night their little one was born, called and texted me regularly. And oh, was he ever loved. Tragically (as if that word can even begin to describe the heart-wrenching, earth-shattering day that forever changed my family s life), John died this past February. Seizures. I cringe when I hear that word. My brother is gone, and a part of me is gone, too. My prayer in writing this is to share my story, yes. But even more, dear partner in the Gospel and friend in Christ, I write to remind you of the hope that we have in Jesus and to equip you to support a grieving member of your own staff. Five Notes for a Grieving Heart 1. Take each moment ten seconds by ten seconds. If you can do that, and I trust that you can, you re doing great. Keep going. Holding my brother s hand as he died, watching my parents walk down the aisle during their 25-year-old son s funeral, standing by his graveside instead of on the steps at the chancel at his wedding. I did not know what to do but take things ten seconds by ten seconds. And so I did. God carried me through each moment. 2. Let it all out. Go ahead and cry. And cry some more. If you need to cry at work, go ahead and cry. Call friends over to cry with you. Go to friends homes and let them sit with you as you cry. In our Lord s compassion, He has kept track of all your sorrows. He s collected all of your tears in His bottle, and has recorded each one in His book. (Psalm 56:8). Every single tear is unique to your heavenly Father. As you cry, He will rejoice over you with His singing and quiet you with His love. 3. See a Christian grief counselor. I sought a licensed professional with extensive grief counseling experience who did not work at my church. I wanted to let my pastors be my coworkers and friends. Their families invite me over, check up on me, and remind me that I m going to be OK and my family will be OK. I pray that yours do, as well. I soak in their words and thank God for their faithfulness. But when it comes to counseling, I chose to go the route of talking to somebody not connected to my church or ministry. 2 January You are not a burden. One night when my chest hurt and my shoulders felt like weights were sitting on them, I googled physical effects of grief. I learned that the word grief comes from the French word greve, which literally means a heavy burden. In Galatians 6:2, Paul calls believers to carry each other s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. You are not a burden, dear friend. Your grief is a burden, and you are not meant to carry it alone. Our brothers and sisters in Christ carry us, pointing us to Christ who trades our burdens for His joy. His design is a beautiful one. 5. Easter changes everything. Oh, absolutely everything. Your loved one is with Jesus, face to face. Let that soak in. Your loved one has died, which means a part of you has died, too. You will not ever be the same. But we have this hope: our Savior lives. Heaven is real. Our eternal life is secure. You are without your dear one now, but the most beautiful reunion, one beyond our imagination, is coming. JOY awaits you. Eternal joy. As tears stream down my face while I write these words from my heart to yours, my prayer is that these wash over you and cover you with God s peace. Dear partner in the Gospel, God has called you to your position for such a time as this. He s equipped you with everything you need to love His people and to minister to them in their darkest hour. He goes before you and continued on page 14 Prixel Creative/Lightstock, LLC

3 Whatever You re Doing Keep it Up! by Michael Geml Some people think it started back in February of 2015 when my brother, Larry, died very suddenly. He was only 53 years old and, from all outer appearances, was in very good physical shape. He exercised, worked hard, and ate what he thought was a healthy diet. Sadly, lurking beneath the healthy outer surface was a blocked artery that proved to be fatal. He left a wife, three daughters, a grandson, and eight brothers and sisters. Our family received some comfort knowing he was an organ donor and several people were helped as a result. We were also comforted when the doctor told us my brother probably never realized what was happening in the moment he died. It was that sudden. But it didn t start there. The it to which I refer is my transition from the Standard American Diet to a diet that no longer includes any animal protein, dairy, oils, or any processed foods. I know what you are thinking: It sure sounds like a vegan to me. I know, it sounds like that to me too. But please, don t call me that. I and my wife (and our three children) are eating a whole foods, plantbased diet. The label vegan tends to be associated with a more environmental approach. Believe me, I have no designs on saving the planet. And the only tree I have ever hugged is the one I was climbing to get into my tree stand. It is my family history and the reality of what may be lurking beneath my surface that gave me the nudge toward this dramatic life change. I was introduced to this way of eating back in Ohio where I served a congregation in suburban Cleveland. A pastor friend, knowing my family history of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, told me about a surgeon from the famed Cleveland Clinic who wanted to know if food, without the addition of any medicine, could promote healing. The results were dramatic, bordering on the miraculous. This was not some TV promotion you had to buy. It was not a celebrity-endorsed weight loss program. This was pure medical research that has been documented and repeated over and over in subsequent trials. What had been discovered or better stated, uncovered is the fact that many diseases and chronic medical continued on page 15 marilyna/istock michiganintouch.com 3

4 GREAT COMPASSION Clean Slate Facilitated by A2E 4 January 2018 We love because [Jesus] first loved us (1 John 4:19). On Saturday, September 9, 2017, A2E held its first Expungement Fair at Bethany, Detroit. An expungement is a court-ordered process in which the legal record of an arrest or a criminal conviction is sealed, or erased, in the eyes of the law. When a conviction is expunged, the process may also be referred to as setting aside a criminal conviction. People with criminal records may have difficulty becoming employed. At the A2E Expungement Fair, with the help of volunteer attorneys, 72 individuals were able to begin the process to get a clean slate. Bethany is no stranger to community involvement and service. As part of Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E), the congregaby Elisa Schulz tion hosts summer sports camps/vbs, a Back-to-School event, and has been training people in its Jobs for Life program for years. It was the Jobs for Life program that sparked the idea for the Expungement Fair. Rev. Chris Bodley said, The class often reiterated the need of overcoming obstacles in one s past. Misdemeanors and a felony are very imposing obstacles to employment, so 1.5 years ago I went to an orientation to find out what would be the components for hosting an Expungement Fair. Rev. Bodley contacted one of the women from Outer Drive Faith, whose sorority actively engages in the process, and she connected him to Lake Shore Legal, a

5 firm which assists in such matters as expungements. Rev. Bodley and the firm had a few meetings to talk about their vision and the scope of the fair and, because they shared common desires and vision, a partnership was established. Bethany was a great venue for the fair because it is blessed with classroom space and a gym. Their biggest concern was finding a way to make sure that the message about the fair was being circulated as widely as possible so that people would be able to take advantage of the outreach. They used Bethany s Back-to-School event to pass out fliers. They also shared fliers with their Child Development Program, contacted a city council person to have it placed on the message board, and canvassed gas stations and the community. Rev. Bodley also produced a short video to help publicize the event. On the day of the fair, some of Bethany s members served as greeters; others handed out snacks and water bottles to those waiting in the gym to be seen by boygovideo/istock People with criminal records may have difficulty becoming employed. At the A2E Expungement Fair, with the help of volunteer attorneys, 72 individuals were able to begin the process to get a clean slate. an attorney; and others yet filled out intake forms and sat with each group of ten who had received their ticket. Rev. Bodley expresses his thankfulness for the outcome: I saw the hand of God at work when the Lake Shore legal team informed me that 11 attorneys had contacted them and said they would be available to help. A2E provided lunch for them but the work was pro bono. The attorneys gave up four hours on a Saturday to help people they did not know. I thought that was truly the favor of God. Elizabeth Lewis, one of Bethany s members, shared how one of the residents was in tears because she had been told by the attorneys that they could not help her at that time, since she was short by two months of five years for an expungement to be initiated (there are qualifications that must be met before applying). When Lewis shared, The good thing is that you showed up and now you know that you only have to wait two months and then your life will change, the woman smiled, dried her eyes and said, You are so right. In another scenario, Lewis shared how a couple of residents became irritable and negative because they thought people were trying to take advantage of them. Once they completed the process, they came back, apologized, and thanked Bethany s members for helping them. At the fair, Bethany distributed fliers of its 2nd Sunday service and its upcoming Jobs for Life class. As a result, three people registered for the class. A2E plans to have another Expungement Fair at Bethany in the Spring. michiganintouch.com 5

6 Here We Stand Here We Stand Campaign Year in Review 2017 was an exciting year for the Michigan District s Here We Stand (HWS) campaign, as demonstrated by the numerous successful events that took place and in the substantial financial growth of the campaign itself. Following is a brief snapshot of the past year s successes. Hearts for Jesus/Kids to Camp Through the generosity of many of our Lutheran schools children, families, and staff, $30, was provided to send nearly 200 children to the four week-long A2E Sports Camps/VBS programs that took place in Detroit, Pontiac, and Benton Harbor during the summer. Reformation 500 Challenge this five-month walk/run/bike challenge had many people involved in raising funds for HWS and their respective congregations or schools. Here We Ride Approximately 80 riders of all ages participated in this day-long biking event hosted by Bethany, Charlevoix. These two exercise events (Ref. 500 and Here We Ride) raised $10, for HWS and congregations/schools. District-wide 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation Worship Service On October 15, the Breslin Center in East Lansing was filled with approx. 13,000 people of all ages to celebrate this historic anniversary of the Reformation. As a result of the Worship Service, nearly $60,000 was received in offerings to benefit the initiatives of HWS. Congregational participation We began the year with 52 participating congregations, and as of December 1, there were 101 that made gifts and commitments. Donor participation As of December 1, there were 1,024 individual (non-congregational) donors to the campaign. That is an increase of 604 from the end of Financial growth The HWS campaign grew significantly during the past year. Through December 1, over $2.04 million in new gifts and commitments were received, and over $2.12 million in new cash was received to be distributed among the four campaign initiatives. Church Extension Fund Matching Gifts During 2017, the Michigan District received $200,000 in campaign matching funds. We are grateful for our partnership with CEF and for the generous support of HWS they provide. Crafted by Truth Bible Reading Program The year began with approximately 1,700 participating in the one-year Bible Reading program and ended with about 6,125 participating, a dramatic increase of over 4,425 in one year! To date, over 200 have completed the Bible reading program. As you can see through this Campaign Year in Review, HWS is a broad-based initiative designed to encourage participation and spiritual growth in numerous ways. Please prayerfully consider how you personally, or your congregation, may become involved in Together we can, and are, making a difference for future mission and ministries in the Michigan District and beyond. For information, or to talk about how you or your congregation can participate, please contact Ray Zavada, Campaign Director, at ray.zavada@michigandistrict.org or Linda Ekong, Campaign Administrative Assistant, at linda.ekong@michigandistrict.org. 6 January 2018

7 LUTHERAN LAYMEN S LEAGUE Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday Churches across the Michigan District will be celebrating Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday on February 3, 2018 (your church can also select another date if preferred). Materials for LHM Sunday are currently available at lhm.org. Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is a trusted expert in global media that equips and engages a vibrant volunteer base to passionately proclaim the Gospel to more than 56 million people worldwide each week. Through its North American headquarters and 34 ministry centers on six continents, LHM reaches into more than 50 countries, often bringing Christ to places where no other Christian evangelistic organizations are present. LHM s flagship ministry, The Lutheran Hour, airs weekly on more than 1,800 radio stations and the American Forces Network. People reached through these ministry efforts are encouraged to respond by contacting staff or volunteers. LHM then cultivates relationships with those who respond to ultimately facilitate a relationship between them and a Christian community, thus helping grow the kingdom of God. More than 70 million people hear or read the Gospel each week through LHM programs, services, or materials. There are more than 1 million listeners to The Lutheran Hour each week. More than 490,000 individ- uals intentionally provide contact information for follow up in response to LHM s culturally relevant outreach efforts. More than 58,000 individuals were referred last year to local Christian communities internationally for spiritual growth and nurturing; more than 21,000 individuals became engaged in a Christian community following their referral last year. Nearly 50,000 individuals participated for the first time in Bible Correspondence Courses offered by LHM s International Ministry Centers. Individuals from more than 4,500 congregations of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church Canada are using LHM resources. It is God s mission to rescue people who have become separated from Him, restore relationships with them and renew them for holy living and service to others. His message is simple: rescue, restoration, and renewal are found only in Jesus. In a world now characterized by dizzying change, God has called the church to join Him in His mission and challenged it to make His message of hope known in today s post-christian culture. At Lutheran Hour Ministries, we want to be your partner in calling back the lost and hurting back to the church; back to forgiveness and grace; back to God and His Word. michiganintouch.com 7

8 FOCUSED on funding the needs of Michigan District congregations JANUARY 2018 Christ Lutheran Goodrich, MI Christ Lutheran Revitalizes Look, Mission The new landscaping coincides with the church s New Beginnings mission work; the renewed efforts have helped the congregation grow significantly in weekly attendance. I have never seen the grounds look this nice it is a blessing. Pastor Kelly Todd Christ Lutheran, Goodrich, MI When it comes to renewal and re-energizing congregations, Church Extension Fund has some practical and proven recipes; as well as, the expertise and resources to help visions become realities. Two of their innovative approaches are on display right now at Christ Lutheran Church in Goodrich, Michigan. The congregation, which was established in 1852 and moved to its current site in the 1870s, originally had worked with the CEF to take advantage of an Aesthetics Grant to upgrade the landscaping around the church. The grants are available to congregations to help them perform enhancements to buildings, grounds and amenities, to make the worship experience more pleasant and inviting. Christ Lutheran used the money revitalize the church grounds. And while there was broad agreement that the work was needed, few could have imagined how much of a difference it would make. The general consensus is that we should have done this years ago, says Pastor Kelly Todd. I have never seen the grounds look this nice it is a blessing. The work, much of which was done by church members, included removing some existing yew trees and cleaning up dead brush and old growth that was dated and unkempt. 8 January 2018

9 This made room for the new landscaping elements, which made a huge impact on the church s curb appeal and enhanced the experience of Sunday worship for members. The church has seen weekly attendance rise from 60 to 70 amidst the changes testament to the effectiveness of the approach. The new look dovetails nicely with a period of growth and reinvigoration that the church is enjoying. And that, too, has a CEF flavor. Christ Lutheran is the first church in Michigan to take advantage of the New Beginnings process that CEF has developed. Through the program, which is available to any congregation, the church does a deep dive into its mission, and takes account of its strengths and weaknesses. It involves an assessment, facilitated small group discussions, the development of a plan for the church going forward, and help with the implementation of the plan. Ultimately, the goal is to: help redirect lay and clergy leadership towards the development of a contextually relevant, missional focused congregation within the Michigan District, according to the CEF program outline. Congregation members help brighten up the church grounds. The process seems to be working well at Christ Lutheran they have just wrapped up the small group discussions, and are entering into the implementation phase. Already, the changes are palpable. People started to see that this is not someone else s church it is theirs, says Pastor Todd. We are seeing renewed activity; it is more of an attitude shift, rather than anything physical. CEF s Aesthetics Grant provided funding, and the congregation provided the muscle as Christ Lutheran of Goodrich revitalized its landscaping. When the New Beginning report was shared with the members from Christ Lutheran it was clear that participating in New Beginnings introduced them to their community, says Paul Wills, CEF s Vice President of Marketing, and a key driver of the New Beginnings initiative in the Michigan District. They discovered why they existed and began to see opportunities for ministry and mission they had never seen before. I have learned from years of working with churches that innovation in most congregations doesn t happen naturally, he continues. Churches often keep innovation out. Regardless of the creativity with leadership, most times it takes a special process to create the space where innovation can occur and a church can find purpose again. He emphasizes that the New Beginnings model is not a consultative one, it is a process designed to help congregations discover for themselves what their passion and sense of mission is. At Goodrich Christ Lutheran Church, both the Aesthetics Grant and the New Beginnings process are making a real difference. Contact CEF to see how they can help your congregation grow and serve! Church Extension Fund Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 3773 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI Offices: This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy CEF securities. The offering of CEF securities is made solely by our Offering Circular. CEF will offer and sell securities only in states where authorized. Investments in CEF are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other governmental agency securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular. michiganintouch.com 9

10 News and Events Faithful in a Faithless World DCEs and DFLMs are invited to attend a Tri-District conference at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center in Oregon, Ohio, February 26 28, Hosted by the Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Districts, participants will explore how to be Faithful in a Faithless World. Sessions and Bible study will to grow spiritually and help one to prepare to teach others. Keynote speakers include Dr. Jacob Youmans, Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson, Rev. Mark Kiessling, Rev. Dr. Terry Cripe, Rev. Dr. Daniel May, and Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier. Early Bird registration is $175 and includes meals and double-occupancy lodging. After January 15, cost is $225. For more information, or to register, visit michigandistrict.org/2018dcedflconference. Conference on Witnessing Brings Biblical Insight and Practical Advice Everywhere we go, we go as a witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to be a witness? Can my witness be used to help someone believe? How can I be a witness to people who really don t seem to care about church or the faith? This year s Theological Conference features keynote speakers Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, Rev. Gregory Finke, Rev. Dr. Larry Rast, and Rev. Todd Jones. They will share biblical insight into our calling as witnesses of the Gospel, as well as practical advice on how to do so. The conference will take place at Our Savior, Lansing on Saturday, February 24, Cost is $20/general admission and $15/student until February 1. Register today at michigandistrict.org/theological18. Whether you are a lay member of the congregation or a professional leader in the church, you will gain insights as you join others in this amazing growth opportunity. God s Redeeming Love Shown to a Man Wounded by ISIS In October, St. Paul Community, Pontiac welcomed a man named Haval into the Christian faith through Baptism. But Haval s Emmaus story is not typical. Haval was born a Muslim in Northern Iraq. In the area Haval lived, ISIS was forcefully recruiting men in villages with threat of death. Being a Christian, something we take for granted in the United States, is punishable by death as well. Of all the men in the village, Haval was one of three men lucky enough to just suffer wounds. ISIS cut his feet off with a chainsaw. God looked out for Haval and his life was spared. It just so happened that U.S. military did a sweep in the area Haval was located, just about the time they cut off his feet. The Medical military professionals reattached his feet within time. After two years of therapy, he left that nation and came to the United States. St. Paul Community was able to connect to Haval through a family relationship of a church member working where Haval lives. On the day he was able to truly stand in front of the church and be baptized, he cried tears of joy. St. Paul Community members thank our gracious and loving God and are praying that a way is made for Haval s family to come stateside. 10 January 2018 Faith, Prescott welcomed 20 new members. Pictured (l-r back row): Pastor Jansen, Ken Hickmott, Faith Newbauer; (l-r middle row) Bill Harrington and Janiene Hampton (adult confirmands), Cheyenne and Breeanne Pettingill, Cheryl Waltman, Brooklyn Lintern, Jaidyn Lintern, Braylee Lintern; (l-r front row) Brielle Lintern, Jennifer Lintern, and Joliette Lintern. Not pictured are Tayler Varrette, Sara Leachman, and children: Spencer, Meadow, Noah, Taylor, and Temperance.

11 Silence like a cancer grows That is one of the phrases taken from Simon and Garfunkel s song, The Sounds of Silence. Those words can easily resonate with us today also, for as we well know, when people remain silent, evil flourishes. This is why The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has always been at the forefront of the pro-life battle. We cannot stay silent, not in the face of the atrocity that has taken the lives of millions of our unborn children. Sadly, the same principle applies to the other end of the spectrum as well; for once again we are hearing a clamor for the right for physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. But we speak because we also have something wonderful to proclaim. Our God is the Lord of Life. It is He who considers each and every baby precious in His sight, and every old man or old woman, even though they may suffer from great ailments of mind and body, is a person for whom Christ died and rose again. Hold a little baby in your arms, whether it is your own child or grandchild, or the child of a friend or member of your congregation, and you will know, deep down inside, why we must speak why we cannot be silent for silence like a cancer grows. For when we are silent, bad things happen. We as Christians are called to be the light and salt of the earth. Therefore, we speak the words of the Gospel. We speak the message of Christ crucified and risen for our forgiveness. And we speak the truth that every innocent human life is worthy of being protected by law, as every life is precious to God. Blessed be the name of the Lord the Lord of Life who enables us to speak His truth in love! Lutherans For Life Sunday is January 21, You can download free resources, including bulle- tin inserts, children s messages, sermons, etc. at lutheransforlife.org/store-life-sunday For more information about Lutherans For Life, contact Rev. Paul Clark, Michigan District Life Coordinator and Lutherans For Life President Pro-Tem at St. Andrew, Portland members hosted a Community Coat Giveaway and 230 coats were given to those in need in their community. In addition, another 1,500 coats were taken to the Ionia County Department of Health and Human Services office to be distributed. Students and staff of St. Lorenz Lutheran School in Frankenmuth wore colored shirts and formed a Luther Rose in commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. michiganintouch.com 11

12 Special Recognition Peace, Saginaw Retirees Amass 72 Years of Ministry At the end of the school year, after a collective 72 years of ministry, three Peace Lutheran School staff members have retired. The retirees were: Peace Early Childhood Director Deborah Hauser, School Office Manager Karen Robinson, and teacher Donna Ott. Each of these ladies has touched countless lives throughout their years at Peace, said Principal Joel Keup. They held very different roles in ministry, but their goal was the same to provide quality education while showing students and their families the love of Jesus. Hauser had served at Peace since She taught in Early Childhood at Peace until the school year, when she became director. I ve loved working with (staff) in countless ways to watch them grow into the teachers and aides that they are today extremely fulfilling these past 10 years, she said. Prior to Peace, Hauser taught at Zion Lutheran School, Messiah Lutheran Church s preschool, and in the Ionia County and Saginaw County school systems. Office Manager Karen Robison served Peace school for 24 years. She previously worked as a Protective Services worker for the State of Michigan. I felt (Peace) was my calling, she said. I loved becoming acquainted with all of the students and parents who came to our school. Ott taught at Peace for 22 years of her total 28 years in ministry. Throughout her career, she taught every grade in K-8. The joy of the job was the blessing of the children, Ott said. De Four Joins Wellspring Lutheran Services Wellspring Lutheran Services is pleased to announce Sean de Four has been named vice president and chief operating office of child and family services at Wellspring. De Four comes to Wellspring with a distinguished career in child welfare and family preservation work, mostly recently in a similar role with Samaritas in Detroit, Mich. Prior to that, he served in various roles with Judson Center, Royal Oak, Mich. His passion for children and families has propelled his career, making an impact within the agencies where he has served, as well as contributing to the field in numerous leadership positions. De Four is a dedicated husband and father and resides in Farmington Hills. He began his duties in late November. Deborah Hauser Karen Robinson Donna Ott In August, Christine Gansberg was installed as the 5 6 grade teacher at Our Savior, Grand Rapids where she teaches 6 8 grade public speaking and math. Gansberg is a graduate from Concordia University Wisconsin with a Bachelor s degree in Lutheran Elementary Education with an emphasis in Theology and Mathematics. Prior to serving at Our Savior, she taught grades 5 6 at St. Peter s, Big Rapids. Pictured are the recent SMP graduates from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. Pictured are: (l-r front row): Timothy Selim, Dean Suehring, and CTSFW President Lawrence R. Rast Jr. (l-r back row): Samuel Watters (Living Word, Plymouth), Prof. John T. Pless, and Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II. Not pictured were Daniel Holm and James Neuendorf. 12 January 2018

13 Valley Lutheran high school senior Danielle Behnke has been named a semifinalist in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. Behnke is one of 16,000 semifinalists who will compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships with more than $32 million offered next spring. Finalists will be announced in February and scholarship winners between April and July. Pastors and their wives celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Ministry were honored during the 2017 All Pastors Conference. They are pictured (front row, l-r) Valerie Quardokus, Amy Bayer, Naomi Low, Rev. David and Linda Winningham, Janis Hessler, Beverly Sherouse, Rev. M. Samuel Sherouse, and Paula Mackowiak. (Back row, l-r) Rev. Philip Quardokus, Rev. Robert Bayer, Rev. M. Robert Low, Rev. Roger Straub, Rev. Z. Zerit Yohannes, Rev. William Hessler, Rev. Wayne Wentzel, Rev. Mark and Kathleen Buckert, and Rev. John Mackowiak. Rev. James Blain was not pictured. Rev. Peter W.W. Elliott was installed in November as pastor at St. John, Fraser. Picture (l-r top row): Rev. Bradley Smith, Rev. Thees Hoft, Rev. Peter W.W. Elliott, and Rev. John Merrill; (l-r bottom row): Rev. John Duerr, Rev. Alex Garber, Rev. Fritz Schmitt, and Rev. Dan Howard. IMAGINE Living as God s... Saved and Sent Servants 102nd Michigan District Convention Pastors and their wives celebrating their 25th Anniversary in Ministry were honored during 2017 All Pastors Conference. They are pictured (front row, l-r) Rev. Steven and Susan Thiel, Rev. J. Robert and Lynn Herrod, and Rev. David and Shawna Grimm. (Back row, l-r) Rev. Dean and Theresa Muhle, Rev. Dennis and Bonnie Mann, Rev. Paul and Sally Hinz, and Rev. Craig Bickel. Not pictured: Rev. Paul and Faye Arndt, Rev. Christopher and Shikina Bodley, Rev. Roger and Amy James, Rev. Daniel and Margo Krause. Important Dates January 31, 2018 Deadline for conducting Circuit Forums February 24, 2018 Deadline for all other nominations, reports, and overtures May 12, 2018 Floor Committee meetings June 24 26, 2018 Michigan District Convention For more information visit: michigandistrict.org/convention IMAGINE Living as God s Saved and Sent Servants michiganintouch.com 13

14 Grieving in Ministry continued from page 2 makes your paths straight, pointing you to the cross and to the empty tomb. As you read the following, be at peace. It is God Almighty who works through you. Five Ways to Love a Grieving Person 1. Show up. John spent three days and three nights in the hospital in Chicago near where he lived. Friends and family showed up and held our hands. They held John s hand. His funeral was in Michigan, where he grew up. Friends and family showed up and held our hands. John is buried in Chicago, on the same plot as our grandparents and great grandparents. At his graveside service, friends and family took the day off work to show up and hold our hands. I will always be so thankful for the cards, the texts, and a gentle voice on the other end when I call. My friends, as you seek to love a grieving person, you do not have to have fancy words, gourmet food, or pretty flowers. Just show up. God will do the rest; He has a way of doing that. Prixel Creative/Lightstock, LLC 2. Just because we re not crying doesn t mean we re not grieving. Crying all day, every day, is exhausting. It s draining. It steals our joy and weighs us down. Though work has its ups and downs, it s also an outlet. I get so caught up in the craziness of ministry that most days I don t have time to think about how much I miss my brother. My heart is still hurting, though. I am so thankful for colleagues who, months after John died, acknowledge that I m still grieving. 3. Every heart needs you to point to Jesus. You have been called to minister to the people in your church body. Each precious heart on your staff also needs to be ministered to, especially the hurting ones. You do not need to be that person s counselor; but please do point them to the cross, to the empty tomb, and to God s goodness and faithfulness. My pastors and colleagues know that my heart is still hurting. 4. Just do it. Instead of saying, let me know if you need anything, how about, We would love to have you for dinner tonight. See you at 6? Instead of saying make sure you take time for yourself, perhaps you could say, Go home We ve been helping Lutherans build their futures for over 100 years A Christian Connection to All Generations Stewardship for Individuals and Congregations Since 1901, Michigan Lutherans have put their trust and their dollars into the Church Extension Fund. Their faith in our stewardship has been rewarded with consistent positive returns for themselves and the growth of churches and outreach through wise use of their investment dollars. By investing with CEF you are building a future for yourself, and the Church. The Church Extension Fund makes low-cost financing available to Michigan congregations to buy, build and expand their worship and educational facilities and fulfill their commitment to outreach and service. Your investments support this vital work, while also building a solid future for your family. Visit our website at mi-cef.org for all investment opporunities available to you or call This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy CEF securities. The offering of CEF securities is made solely by our Offering Circular. CEF will offer and sell securities only in states where authorized investments in CEF are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other governmental agency securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular. 14 January 2018

15 for the day it ll all be here tomorrow. Let me know what fun thing you decide to do this afternoon. God continues to care for me through His people so that I can t ever say I m here alone. They don t wait for me to tell them what I need. They stand by my side and tell me they re not leaving. 5. Don t stop asking. Please don t. Grief is ever-changing and never really ends. No matter how uncomfortable you may feel, please don t stop asking about your staff member s dear loved one. Though John is no longer here, he was for 25 years. The amount of life he lived in 25 years is equivalent to what some people would live in 100 years. I want to share the hilarious stories he lived, the wisdom he gave to me, and the lessons he taught me. Please, don t stop asking. Grief is real. It s catastrophic. It s an absolute nightmare and has the potential to ruin us. But, my friends, we do not grieve like the rest of this world does. We grieve with hope. So go ahead. Cry out to God. Cry for what and who you ve lost. But remember that the same God who holds you is the One who holds your loved one. Remember that the tomb is empty. If you are standing by the side of somebody who s grieving, keep standing. Keep loving. Keep sharing the reminder that this isn t the end. Heaven is real, and the day is coming when all of God s children will be there together, standing before Jesus face to face. Rachel Stathakis grew up in Memphis, Tenn. and Shelby Township, Mich. She graduated from Concordia University Chicago and now serves as the Director of Children s Ministry at Hales Corners Lutheran Church, outside of Milwaukee. She loves to travel, try new foods, run, and she just bought her first guitar. Whatever You re Doing continued from page 3 conditions once thought to be not only genetic but irreversible are being slowed, reversed, and even cured simply by changing what one eats. I didn t start this change back in Ohio. I was very skeptical and also very reluctant to give up the foods I loved. But after my brother died, and when my doctor told me that all my numbers were heading in the wrong direction and that I was now officially a type 2 diabetic, I knew something had to change. As a pastor, I have seen what diabetes can do to the human body and I was genuinely scared. When I made the commitment and started eating this way, people made their jokes and witty comments at my expense. This came from people in my own family and my own congregation. That s fine. I can take it. But tell a person marilyna/istock with adult onset diabetes or heart disease, or dangerous high blood pressure that there is hope beyond the pill and the needle and the scalpel, and you can watch a tear form in their eye. As it did in mine when my doctor told me that all my numbers that were once heading into dangerous territory were now normal and healthy, and that reducing or even eliminating medicine was a real possibility. In fact, during the few days it took to write this article, my doctor has taken me off of my diabetes medicine. I am no longer a diabetic and I intend to stay that way. Praise God! If your ears have perked up because you too have a similar family history as I have, I encourage you to look into this further. What have you got to lose? (I lost 35 lbs. and five of the medicines I was taking.) My doctor, who is a dedicated Christian man, has been such an encouragement to me. How I loved hearing him say, Whatever you are doing, keep it up. The fact is that medical research continues to confirm over and over that those who choose to eat a whole foods, plant-based diet live their lives free from many of the aches, pains, ailments, and medicines of those who continue with the Standard American Diet. The bottom line for me was one of stewardship. A pastor s life can be, at times, chaotic and exhausting. If God calls me to do something, I want to have the energy and the physical ability to do it. Continuing to eat the way I had been eating would not allow me to do that. Eating a whole foods, plant-based diet has given me everything my body needs, including lots of great-tasting, satisfying foods. This approach has worked for me and has worked for others. Maybe it is an option for your life? There is so much more that I could share, including recipes and websites, with those whose interest has been piqued. Feel free to contact me. At the beginning of this New Year, I pray the blessings of almighty God be with you all! Rev. Michael Geml serves as pastor of Redeemer, Jackson. In his younger years, he was a culinary arts student. He enjoys sports, has been a successful hunter, and slightly less successful fisherman. Rev. Geml and his wife, Ruth, have three grown children. michiganintouch.com 15

16 Calls and Roster Update ORDAINED Calls Accepted Bruns, Benjamin (Oakland Twp) to Associate Pastor at Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton Elliott, Peter W. (Boyne City) to Associate Pastor at St. John, Fraser Peterson, Russell A. (Sturgis) to Christ, Overland Park, KS. Walworth, Tyler A. (Fenton) to Associate Pastor at Redeemer, Birmingham Werner, Paul G. (Chesterfield Twp) to St. Paul, Amherst, OH Called Home Barkow, Roland R. COMMISSIONED Calls Accepted Moehring, David (Emeritus) to Trinity, Manistee Shirk, Cassandra (Cq. Concordia, Ann Arbor) to Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton Change of Status Kamin, Jonathan (Immanuel, Saginaw) to Candidate Transferred out of District Adams, Joyce (Emeritus) to Florida-Georgia District School Closings Petersburg, King s Kids Christian Preschool A complete up-to-date listing of Calls and Vacancies can be found at michigandistrict.org, click on About. Calendar of Events JANUARY 1 New Year s Day DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSED Pre-Retirement Planning Conference Our Savior, Lansing 23 Board of Directors Concordia University Ann Arbor 27 Faith Family Reunion: Parents of Prodigals Retreat St. Matthew, Grand Rapids 31 Circuit Forums must be Conducted Before this Date FEBRUARY 10 Family Life Seminar: Launch a Parenting Ministry Concordia University Ann Arbor 24 Theological Conference: Take Heart, Take Action Our Savior, Lansing 24 Deadline for all other Convention Nominations, Reports, and Overtures Tri-District DCE/DFL Conference Oregon, Ohio MARCH 20 Board of Directors Concordia University Ann Arbor 25 Palm Sunday 30 Good Friday DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSED michigan IN TOUCHonline Content that Awakens Connects Challenges Inspirits Check out Blogs, Pictures, Videos, and Congregation News & Events online at michiganintouch.com. 16 January 2018 APRIL 1 Easter Sunday The Katie 2018 Doubletree Hilton, Bay City Riverfront 21 Metro West Regional Meeting St. Paul, Ann Arbor 21 West Regional Meeting St. Matthew, Ada 21 North & East Regional Meeting St. John, Pinconning 21 FFPN District Workshop Event 7 TBD 25 Administrative Professionals Day 30 May 1 North and East Pastors Conference Doubletree Hilton, Bay City Riverfront MAY 1-2 North and East Pastors Conference Doubletree Hilton, Bay City Riverfront 5 Metro East Regional Meeting Hope, Warren For more detailed information, visit michigandistrict.org/events.