Northern Great Lakes Synod NOTES & QUOTES

Transcription

1 Volume 25, Issues 6 and 7 Northern Great Lakes Synod NOTES & QUOTES WALKING TOGETHER CHRIST THE TEACHER 2012 June & July 2012 Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes About 310 church leaders from across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northeastern Wisconsin gathered in Marquette for the 25 th Annual Assembly of the Northern Great Lakes Synod. Under the theme Christ the Teacher, voting members and visitors of the 82 congregations of our Synod prayed, discussed, and made decisions. At the Marquette Assembly, held at both Messiah Lutheran Church and Northern Michigan University: +More than 200 people attended Lay School sampler classes as opportunities for learning and growth were given in five important areas of Christian theology and life. +Greeted and heard our Churchwide representative, Mr. Dan Lehmann, the Editor of The Lutheran. Mr. Lehmann expressed the appreciation of the whole Church to our Synod for its work in our part of the Church and throughout the world. +Installed Pastor Katherine Finegan as Assistant to the Bishop and Pastor Tracy Polzin as Camp Director at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp at our Sunday evening Eucharist. +Adopted a revised 2012 and a 2013 budget that reflects our mission support to the work of the Synod and the Churchwide ELCA. While the Synod has experienced a 20% decrease in mission support over the last five years, we have now turned a corner financially and are looking forward to growth in our support of the work of God s Church. +Heard a report from Bishop Skrenes on our work together as a Synod, including our Lay School for Mission, our work with our Companion Synod in Tanzania and our Synod leadership in this Church in seminarian scholarship support, in stewardship and in clergy debt retirement N. Third St., Ste. A Marquette, MI / / fax ngls@nglsynod.org Inside this issue: Bishop s Pages 1-4 Transitions 4 Pastor Katherine Finegan 6 Synod Financials 7

2 Page 2 NOTES & QUOTES Thomas A. Skrenes, Bishop (continued) +Elected Churchwide Voting Members to the 2013 Assembly in Pittsburgh: Pastor David Van Kley (Messiah, Marquette); Pastor Greg Mileski (United, L Anse); Blair Suave (Calvary, Rapid River); Steven Seidel (Good Shepherd, Houghton); Mary Hansen (Zion, Ironwood); Pauline Kiltinen, (St. Mark s, Marquette). +Elected to the Synod Consultation Committee: Pastor Jon Magnuson (St. Mark s, Marquette); and Pastor Norman Peterson (Immanuel, Rhinelander). +Congratulated retiring leaders: Pastor Jon Magnuson and Pastor Devon Barrix. We also celebrated with pastors on reaching milestones in their ordained ministries, including: Pastor James Duehring and Pastor Barb Girod (25 years); Pastor Paul Holmstrom (50 years); and Bishop-Emeritus Harry Andersen (60 years). +Seven Synod Lay School for Mission graduates were recognized: Sharon Babbitt of Grand Marias, Elaine Bodell of Bark River, Lynn Brown of Hessel, Ann Christiansen of Gladstone, Teddy Nelson of Rapid River, Kerry Shimkovitz of Moran and Sally Weingartner of Gwinn. These students have completed the two-year program and join 183 previous graduates of this important leadership education ministry of our Synod. +The 300+ who gathered at Assembly heard God s Word, shared the Lord s Supper and enjoyed fellowship over breakfast, lunch, and coffee. +Received financial offerings for our work together: World Hunger Quarters $19,237 (A new record!) Tanzania Dental Fund $2,485 Lay School for Mission $2,435 A MOMENT AT THE ASSEMBLY It was Monday morning and it was an ah ha moment. I had just introduced all the new Pastors and Licensed Lay Ministers that have come into our Synod, or who had begun new ministries in our midst in the last year. There were 17 of them and they were in a line facing the gathered Assembly. I looked down the row of these men and women who have taken vows to preach and teach and serve God s people here. I was speechless for a moment. What an impressive group! These are our pastoral leaders, these are bright, young, happy people who God has called to serve. These are our pastors today and most will continue to serve long after I am gone from the Synod scene. God is in charge of God s Church. May they have long and fruitful ministries. Thank God! YOUR COMMENTS ON SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2012 We had a great time. That was one person s opinion of the Synod Assembly. Over 100 evaluation forms for the Assembly were received by our Synod office. The results of the evaluations were excellent. The Assembly worship services, scheduling, on-site registration and hospitality were especially highly praised. Here are a few written comments and my response:

3 Page 3 NOTES & QUOTES Thomas A. Skrenes, Bishop (continued) Comment: Taste of Lay School was a great idea. Response: Excellent teachers and interested students make a big difference in any learning experience. This Lay School sampler was a big hit! And we hope many will enroll in our Synod Lay School Program. Comment: Please keep paper registrations. Not all of us are computer literate. Response: Our on-line registration continues to improve. We hope to make it easier each year. Most synods send almost no paper to voting members. Comment: Disappointed that the Augsburg bookstore was not present. Response: So are we. It has been several years since Augsburg has been at synod assemblies. We could not find a church supply store that was willing to come. Maybe we will next year. Comment: Northern Michigan University provided good space for meetings and technology. Response: NMU is a good venue for our meetings. Since it was warm Sunday night, Messiah Church felt uncomfortable for some. The Synod brings in a private firm to do all the technology. The powerpoint Stoles during the Bishop s report was created by Luanne Skrenes. Comment: Exceptional Lunch! The food was good and the time to eat it sufficient to stretch and visit with folks. PASTOR LEE GOODWIN CALLED TO SERVE US AS SYNOD ENDOWMENT FUND DEVELOPER The Synod Endowment Committee is very excited! The Synod Council has Called Pastor J. Lee Goodwin to the work of serving our congregations and their members. Working half-time, Pastor Goodwin begins his ministry as of June 1 st as our Synod Endowment Fund Developer. His mission is to help us all find ways for planned giving. Our Synod is a recognized leader in this work having an established Endowment Fund for over 20 years. Most recently Roger Knuth assisted in this work, and now Pastor Goodwin will be lifting up the ministries of this Church and building our capacity to financially fund the outreach of God s Church around the world and here in our Synod. Pastor Lee Goodwin has served most of his ministry in our Synod, most recently as Director of the Sabbath Project and as Interim Pastor at Bethel in Menominee. He and his wife, Jeanne, live near Marinette, Wisconsin. We expect and hope you will hear more from him as we work to do God s mission!

4 Page 4 TRANSITIONS +Congratulations to Pastor D.J. Rasner as he was recently installed as senior pastor at Gloria Dei in Hancock. A native son of our Synod from Wallace, he and his wife and children return home to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. God prosper this family! +Congratulations to Pastor Breanne Johnson as she was recently installed at Bethel in Cedarville and Zion in Allenville. We welcome her to this new work and God s blessings on her ministry. NOTES & QUOTES +Resignations from the ELCA Roster of Ordained Ministers: Pastor Nicholas Hopman and Pastor Jimalee Jones. +The Northern Great Lakes Synod has a Facebook page thanks to Assistant to the Bishop Katherine Finegan. Find us under Northern Great Lakes Synod and Like Us. +Thomas A. Skrenes, Bishop tskrenes@nglsynod.org ELCA Disaster Funds +The Synod Council has called Pastor Matthew Lamb to a part-time pastoral position as Synod Missioner-Conference 7. He begins his ministry on the eastern end of our Synod in July, and will be installed at St. James in Rudyard on July 15 th. +Congratulations to Pastor Christopher and Heather Johnson (Christ the King, Escanaba) on the birth of a new child - a son, Jack Christopher, born Synod Assembly weekend. +The Bishop baptized a baby recently on Mother s Day - a grandson for Bishop Tom and Luanne Skrenes. Paul Thomas Skrenes is the son of Jeremy and Kristen Skrenes in Yankton, South Dakota. It was a great day! +Bishop Emeritus Dale Skogman is at home recovering from knee replacement surgery. He is still working in his flower garden. +God bless the people of Wainola Lutheran Church as they leave our fellowship. This small Mass City area congregation has withdrawn from the ELCA and joined the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, effective June 1, Immanuel, Negaunee Ascension, Minocqua Pioneer Lake, Conover Grace, Gwinn Grace, South Range Mission United, Pelkie Bethany, Amasa United, Crystal Falls All Saints, Wakefield Salem, Ironwood Lutheran Campus Ministry Immanuel, Negaunee United, Crystal Falls Grace, Gwinn Trinity, Ishpeming Faith, Ishpeming Calvary, Rapid River

5 Page 5 Notes & Quotes Lutheran World Relief St. James, Rudyard Tanzania Grace, Gwinn First, Ewen Zion, Marinette Prince of Peace, Marquette Calvary, Rapid River Pioneer Lake, Conover World Missionary Support Trinity, Rhinelander Mission United, Pelkie Bethel, Ishpeming Messiah, Marquette Calvary, Minocqua Lay School for Mission Trinity, Rapid River Malaria Net Project United, Crystal Falls Calvary, Minocqua Emanuel, Skandia Trinity, Rhinelander Community Lutheran, Palmer Immanuel, Rhinelander Bethany, Mohawk Christ the King, Escanaba Kisarawe/Teacher s Gift John & Joan Lillie Revs. Peter Gundersen & Jimalee Jones Jonelle Collins Rev. Philip & Rene Johnson James & Judith Quirk Ann Christiansen Peter O. Johnson John & Joan Lillie St. Paul s, Mass City Prince of Peace, Eagle River Bethany, Ishpeming Immanuel, Rhinelander Zion, St. Ignace Dental Project/Tanzania Alfred & Lois Rasmussen Robert & Jean Sovey Jamison Orthodontics, Marquette Dr. Brian E. Anderson, Ishpeming Seminarian Support Calvary, Minocqua Skogman Scholarship Fund Paul & Susan Manson Rev. Kevin Kaiser Bethany, Amasa Faith, Ishpeming

6 Page 6 + From the Assistant to the Bishop + Pastor Katherine Finegan NOTES & QUOTES Once upon a time, early on in my life as wife and mother, I had a culinary adventure with tuna fish. I made a rather large tuna fish salad for a church potluck. However, mine was not the only tuna selection, or it s just possible that it was somehow a less appetizing choice than the others; either way, I was faced with a sizeable quantity of tuna fish salad leftovers. Undaunted, I took it home, expecting my family to happily consume it. My husband and I each had a bowlful, the boys each managed a spoonful. And yet, the remaining quantity of the leftover tuna fish seemed undiminished. The following supper saw that tuna fish salad transformed into tuna casserole. Stir in a little cream of mushroom soup, sprinkle with bread crumbs, heat it up, and presto chango! A whole new culinary delight. My husband and I each had a bowlful, the boys barely managed a spoonful, and we still had as much tuna as we ever did. It had become a tuna fish leftover nightmare. No matter what I did to it, I couldn t make it more palatable. Microwave, bread crumbs, soups and spices - nothing could transform the old tuna salad into a hearty, tasty and satisfying meal. It was time to start over. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! That newness includes you personally in your spirit and yourself, that newness includes how you are in the world and how you serve the purposes of God, and I believe that newness includes, and always has included the Church. And that is a scary thing. Because we like things the way they used to be. We remember the tuna salad of yesterday, the crunchy crisp bits of celery, the cold pasta coated in tangy dressing, the fleshy chunks of tuna. Yes, now THAT was a good salad. But that salad of yesterday will not do for today. God has more in mind for the Church, I think, than microwaved church leftovers. No matter how we try to make yesterday s church more palatable and still serve it up, we can see that the Church is changing, and not only the Church, but we as the gathered faithful are being transformed and made new. God is making us new, as individuals, as a people, as the Church. Yes, we remember how it used to be with fondness. But now is the time to look to the new creation that God brings forth in Christ. The new creation is NEW, not the old warmed over, not the old with added ingredients or put on a new plate, but NEW. Together, we turn to welcome the new creation that God is bringing to the table. We can t quite see what it is yet. We can catch only a whiff of its fragrance. But we trust that it will be as hearty and satisfying as ever, even if we don t know yet what it is. Yours in Christ, Pastor Katherine Finegan God is at work to make you new in Christ.

7 Page 7 NOTES & QUOTES Pastoral Vacancies and Interim Pastors Full-time Christ Parish, Ironwood - Pastor Peggy Rose Siloa, Ontonagon, St. Paul & First of Winona, Mass City - Pastor John Autio Grace, Gwinn - Pastor Peter Andersen First, Dollar Bay & Grace, South Range - Pastor Bucky Beach Holy Trinity, Chassell - Pastor Melinda Quivik Bethany, Republic - Pastor Doug Norquist Emanuel, Skandia - Pastor Jim Duehring Shepherd of the Lakes - Pastor Devon Barrix Part-time Bethany, Negaunee - Pastor Rell Spickerman Faith, Rock - Pastor Jonathan Schmidt St. Mark s, Marquette - Pastor Rell Spickerman First, Trenary - Pastor Jonathan Schmidt God has abundantly blessed our Synod s work through the first third of Mission support receipts in 2012 are $27,041 or 12.3% higher than in Our congregations generosity and timely remittance of gifts is deeply appreciated. As we enter the summer, may we do so with hope and trust in God to provide for all our needs, and may we echo the words of Psalm 145: All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your Kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. (Psalm 145:10-12 NRSV) - Betsy Koski, Bookkeeper As of 4/ $ Change % Change Pledged Amount 823, ,074-1, % Amount Received 219, , , % Designated Gifts 64,835 65, %

8 Northern Great Lakes Synod, ELCA Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Marquette, MI N. Third St., Ste. A Marquette, MI Phone: Fax: ngls@nglsynod.org Mail Label Label W E R E O N T H E W E B W W W. N G L S Y N O D. O R G Volume 25 - Issues 6 & 7 June-July 2012 Online Devotions for June & July May 27-June 2 / Denise Laakko, United, Crystal Falls June 3-9 / Christ Lutheran Parish Confirmands, Ironwood June / Jeannette Kuziej, Pioneer Lake, Conover June / Larry Pagel, Messiah, Marquette June / Gisele Duehring, Prince of Peace, Marquette July 1-7 / Pastor Barb Girod, Faith, Three Lakes July 8-14 / Pastor Keith Kolstad, Zion, Marinette July / Tera Kossow, Wartburg Seminary/First, Gladstone July / Pastor Bonny Kinnunen, First, Iron River July 29-August 4 / Sue Hill, Sharon, Bessemer

9 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE 2012 June 2 / Endowment Fund Board meeting at Fortune Lake Camp, 10:00 a.m. CT June 3 / Pastor D. J. Rasner Installation at Gloria Dei, Hancock, 3:00 p.m. ET June 8 / World Hunger Committee meets at Bethany in Ishpeming, 10:00 a.m. ET June 12 / Worship Committee meets at the Synod Office, 10:00 a.m. ET June 27 / NMU Directing Committee meets at the Synod Office 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET June 28 / Stewardship Committee meets at First in Iron River at 12:30 p.m. CT JULY 2012 July 4 / SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED July 9-12 / LIFT at Finlandia University July 15 / Pastor Matt Lamb Installation will take place at St. James, Rudyard July 17 / Evangelism Committee meets at St. Stephens in Stephenson at 11:00 a.m. CT July 19 / Lutheran Campus Ministry meets at Alberta; Synod Executive Committee meets at the Synod Office at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET July 29 / Bishop Skrenes and Dental Mission Group leave for Tanzania

10 A Year of Prayer A Lifetime of Praying! prayfaithfully@nglsynod.org Prayer Calendar - July Pray for those across the synod who will travel this summer keep them safe as they enjoy the beauty of God s creation and may they know their church families keep them in prayer when they are away. 2 Pray for the counselors and those attending L.Y.L.E. II & III and Victory Camp at Fortune Lake these days. 3 Pray for Campground Ministries around the Synod. 4 Pray for our nation as we celebrate independence this day. Ask for God s guidance that our nation may be both faithful and humble. 5 Pray for Seminarian Tera Kossow (Wartburg Seminary First, Gladstone) as she celebrates her birthday this day. 6 Pray for the members of Emanuel, Skandia and Interim Pastor Jim Duehring as they continue in the call process during a pastoral vacancy. 7 Pray for those across the synod who are in need of God s healing touch keep them mindful of God s presence in their lives as they are renewed in body, mind, and spirit. 8 Pray for the members of All Saints, Baltimore MD (Rev Jeff Corson), Christ, Inner Harbor MD (Revs John Sabatelli, Kristin Dubsky, Duke Fries), and Epiphany, Baltimore MD (Rev Keith Hardy). 9 Pray for Pastor Norm Peterson, his wife Mary, and the members of Immanuel, Rhinelander. 10 Pray for those attending LIFT (Living in Faith Together) at Finlandia University this week. 11 Pray for the counselors and those attending Villager, Vagabond, Venturer, L.Y.L.E. II & III, and Music Camp at Fortune Lake these days. 12 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Melinda Quivik (Interim, Holy Trinity, Chassell) 18 years. 13 Pray for the ministry of Shepherd of the Sea in Copper Harbor and Pastor Timothy Johnston as they welcome summer residents and visitors. 14 Pray for our retired pastors and their spouses Pastor Donald & Edwina Wandersee and Pastor Dave & Jane Christenson. 15 Pray for the members of Good Shepherd, Dundalk MD (Rev Vicki Hamel), Holy Communion, Fallston MD (pastor), Lazarus, North Carroll MD (pastor), and Mt Tabor, Keymar MD (Rev Jim Russell). 16 Pray for those children attending and the adult and youth leaders who will experience Vacation Bible School across our synod this summer. 17 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Barry Levine

11 (Faith, Sault Ste Marie) 8 years. 18 Pray for Pastor Mike Mannisto, his wife Michele & their son, and the members of St. James, Rudyard. 19 Pray for Pastor Lloyd Luedeman, his wife Amy, and the members of Prince of Peace, Eagle River. 20 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Gerald Anderson (Sharon, Bessemer) 12 years. 21 Pray for the members of Redeemer, Damascus MD (Revs Ray Scheck & John Bromhal), St Andrew, Baltimore MD (Rev Kevin Guillory), and St Luke, Parkville MD (Rev Lisa Arrington). 22 Pray for the counselors and those attending Villager, Vagabond, Venturer, L.Y.L.E. III, and Nature Camp at Fortune Lake these days. 23 Pray for the spouses of our deceased pastors Betsy Framstad and Lavina Goodrich. 24 Pray for the members of Shepherd of the Lakes, Sayner WI and Interim Pastor Devon Barrix as they begin the call process during a pastoral vacancy. 25 Pray for the members of Tandika Lutheran Church (Rev Kumbuka Pori), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and their NGLS Companion Congregation, Faith, Sault St Marie (Rev Barry Levine). 26 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Jim Duehring (Prince of Peace, Harvey) 25 years. 27 Pray for the members of St Luke, Point of Rocks MD & St Mark, Adamstown MD & St Matthew, Frederick MD (Rev Marina Flores), St Paul, Upperco MD (Rev Melvina Stricklin), and St Stephen, Wilmington DE (Rev Matt Hummel). 28 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Katherine Finegan (Assistant to the Bishop) 10 years; Pastor Peggy Rose (Interim, Christ Parish, Ironwood) 27 years. 29 Pray for the members of United, Crystal Falls and Pastor Michael Laakko as they celebrate the 45 th anniversary of the congregation. 30 Pray for the counselors and those attending Family Camp, L.Y.L.E. III, and Mini Camp at Fortune Lake these days. 31 Pray for the members of Faith, Ishpeming and Pastor Dave Johnson as they celebrate 1 year of ministry together this day. We pray for congregations in the Delaware- Maryland Synod as part of our partner synod relationship.

12 A Year of Prayer A Lifetime of Praying! prayfaithfully@nglsynod.org Prayer Calendar - June Pray for Pastor Norman Peterson and the members of Immanuel, Rhinelander as they celebrate 32 years of ministry together. Pray for Pastor John Kuziej (Pioneer Lake, Conover) as he celebrates his 34 th anniversary of ordination this month. 2 Pray for the members of St James, Marinette and Darrell Diers, LLM as they celebrate the 94 th anniversary of the congregation. 3 Pray for Pastor Jonathan Schmidt and the members of First Lutheran, Gladstone as they celebrate the 123 rd anniversary of the congregation this day. 4 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Francis Strong (retired) 30 years; Pastor Dave VanKley (Messiah, Marquette) 30 years. 5 Pray for Pastor Kenneth Michaelis (Northland Lutheran Retirement Community) as he celebrates his 46 th anniversary of ordination this day. 6 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Peter Andersen (retired) 41 years; Pastor Peter Vorhese (Faith, Calumet) 36 years; Pastor Norm Lund (retired) 61 years; Pastor Tom Lindblad (retired) 49 years. 7 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Warren Geier (Bethany, Ishpeming) 16 years; Pastor Keith Kolstad (Zion, Marinette) 27 years. 8 Pray for the members of Temeke Lutheran Church (Rev Elisha Mdumi), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and their NGLS companion congregation Gloria Dei, Hancock (Rev DJ Rasner). 9 Pray for the members of Abiding Savior, Columbia MD (pastor), Christ, Hagerstown MD (pastor), Emmanuel, Pasadena MD (Rev Bob Stevens), & Good Shepherd, Bel Air MD (Revs Ken Omer & Eric Evers). 10 Pray for the counselors and youth attending L.Y.L.E. I, Vanguards, and Confirmation Camp at Fortune Lake. 11 Pray for our spouses of deceased pastors Kaaren Ness and Diane Shepard. Pray also for retired clergy and their spouses Mary Weinkauf and Pastor Tom & Susan Wickstrom. 12 Pray for the members of First, Dollar Bay & Grace, South Range and Interim Pastor Bucky Beach as they continue in the call process during a pastoral vacancy. 13 Pray for Pastor Erik Heskin (Bethany, Escanaba) as he celebrates his 13 th anniversary of ordination this day. 14 Pray for Pastor Lee Goodwin (on leave from call) as he celebrates his 31 st anniversary of ordination this day. 15 Pray for Pastor Michael Laakko as he celebrates his 32 nd anniversary of ordination this day.

13 16 Pray for the members of Holy Comforter, Baltimore MD (Rev David Eisenhuth), Keysville, Keymar MD (pastor), Mt Tabor, Clear Spring MD (pastor) & Prince of Peace, Rosedale MD (pastor). 17 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Dave Jensen (Ascension, Minocqua) 32 years; Pastor Maxine Gray (Calvary, Minocqua) 18 years. Pray for Dads too! 18 Pray for the counselors and campers attending Women & Kids Week and L.Y.L.E. I at Fortune Lake these days. 19 Pray for the members of Our Redeemer, Newberry and Pastor Jesse Brown as they celebrate the 46 th anniversary of the congregation. Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Rudy Kemppainen (retired) 57 years; George Olson (retired) 57 years; Pastor Jon Magnuson (retired) 39 years. 20 Pray for the members of Good Shepherd, Houghton and Pastor Bucky Beach as they celebrate the 52 nd anniversary of the congregation. Pray also for the members of Trinity, Brevort and Pastor Jeremy Winter as they celebrate the 102 nd anniversary of the congregation this month. Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: D.C. Kalweit (retired) 58 years; Pastor Ingmar Levin (retired) 58 years. 21 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Bob Sutherland (retired) 53 years. 22 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Bob Langseth (retired) 54 years; Pastor Ted Koehl (retired) 16 years. 23 Pray for Pastor Steve Gauger (Calvary, Rapid River) as he celebrates his 23 rd anniversary of ordination this day. 24 Pray for the members of St Abraham s, Beckleysville MD (pastor), St John, Hagerstown MD (Rev Ed Heim), St Luke, New Windsor MD (Rev Anne Durboraw), & St Martin, Annapolis MD (Revs Gerald Miller & Jens Bargmann). 25 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Eleanor Russey (retired) 23 years. Pray also for Jon & Sharon Babbitt LLMs and the members of First, Grand Marais as they celebrate 1 year of ministry together this day. 26 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Dean Marin (retired) 45 years; Pastor Wally Leno (retired) 52 years; Pastor Phil Johnson (Finlandia University) 24 years; Pastor Dave Johnson (Faith, Ishpeming) 1 year. 27 Pray for the counselors and youth attending Veteran Camp at Fortune Lake. 28 Pray for pastors celebrating anniversaries of ordination: Pastor Lauri Maki (Bethel, Ishpeming) 31 years; Pastor Tom Lee (retired) 42 years. 29 Pray for Pastor David VanKley and the members of Messiah, Marquette as they celebrate 4 years of ministry together this day. Pray also for Pastor Paul Raappana (retired) as he celebrates his 43 rd anniversary of ordination this day. 30 Pray for the members of St Paul, Curtis Bay MD (Rev Doug Strachan), St Paul, Rockdale MD (pastor), St Stephen, Baltimore MD (Rev Dick Goodlin), & Trinity, Taneytown MD (Rev Nicholas Brie). We pray for congregations in the Delaware- Maryland Synod as part of our partner synod relationship.