A Newsletter for the Spouse s of the Rostered Leaders of the Virginia Synod, ELCA Inside this issue: 2013 Spouse Luncheon 1 Mark your Calendar 2 Penman Ordination 2 Welcome 3 Book Review by Babs Benson 3 Fall ACTS Course 3 Article by Cathy Mims 4 Meditation by Babs Benson 5 Registration for the Fall Spouse Retreat 6 Email Mailings of Newsletter 6 Clergy Spouse Luncheon, June 8, 2013
Page 2 Congratulations! Calendar of Events September 8 ELCA s day of service- God s Work, Our Hands September 14 & November 9 ACTS Fall New Testament Course September 9 & 10 New Rostered Leaders Orientation September 28 Tidewater Church Media Conference October 5 Roots & Wings Workshop Gail and the Rev. David Penman are very proud to announce the Ordination of their son, Bryan Penman on Friday evening - July 19, 2013. He was ordained at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Devin, PA (his internship site) and will be serving as the Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conshohocken, PA. He is now part of the Southeast Pennsylvania Synod. It was a truly moving and emotional service and attended by over 9 local congregations and several folks from the Virginia Synod made the trip to PA as well. It was a truly glorious day in the Penman Household as David s mother Betty Penman (age 95) was able to attend and see her grandson be Ordained with the handmade stole she got for him as a gift. Thanks to all for the prayers and guidance given to him along his faith journey. Here is just one of the photos of the evening: October 14-16 Gathering of the Ministerium October 17 Pre-Retirement Seminar November 1-3 Clergy Spouse Retreat November 22-24 Lost and Found March 1-2 Seventh Day May 30-June 1 Synod Assembly May 31 Clergy Spouse Luncheon
Page 3 Welcome to any new spouses of Rostered Leaders or maybe you just hadn t heard that we have a quarterly newsletter! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Rev. Cathy Mims at pastorcathy@goodshepherdvb.org or 757-428-4052. If you would like to make sure you are added to our mailings you can contact Lenae Osmondson at 757-622-9421 or synodeast@vasynod.org. ACTS Fall 2013 Course New Testament Led by The Rev. Dr. Brian Peterson We will study content and development of the New Testament. The Gospels provide the foundation for the church by the end of this course the participant will have an increased knowledge of the New Testament and how it sets us free to share our God-given gifts. Come join us on September 14 and November 9! More information is available at vasynod.org/acts If you have any information you would like to share in this newsletter please email it to Lenae Osmondson. The Called Too newsletter gets sent out four times a year as a great way to stay connected with each other. The fall edition will be sent out in November. Also if you items that you would like us to cover in the newsletter just let us know. It Happened on the Way to War - A Marine's Path to Peace by Rye Barcott This book is on the mandatory reading list for college freshman entering East Carolina University. Its also our current book club selection. Author Rye Barcott has impressive credentials as a former marine, Reynolds Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, TED Fellow and graduate of Harvard University. But what makes him extraordinary is his heart for the poor. While an undergraduate at the University of N.C. at Chapel Hill he experienced a summer living in a 10 x 10 foot shack in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. In the midst of unimaginable poverty, filth and despair Rye Barcott was changed forever. As a result he co-founded a non-profit organization called Carolina for Kibera (CFK). Designed to help develop a new generation of leaders in the Kibera slum, CFK has been recognized as a pioneer in the "participatory development" movement by such leaders as President Obama and the Gates Foundation. Rye Barcott's inspirational journey is proof of what passion and purpose can accomplish. Through successes and setbacks, with courage and determination Rye Barcott's true story is required reading for all of us. By: Babs Benson
Page 4 Called, Too Vitamin G: The Grace of Gratitude. By: Rev. Cathy Mims This was my breakfast this morning. I sent all these delicious foods through my juicer and drank heartily and quickly, because in all honesty, it was disgusting. Nevertheless, I got a good dose of those necessary vitamins and nutrients that I needed to stay healthy and strong. While taking a multivitamin is a good idea, most of our vitamins are supplied though a well- b a l a n c e d nutritious diet. Without vitamins, we would be at risk for scurvy, bone disease, loss of vision, birth defects, anemia, and many other diseases. Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation. John Ortberg, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box Vitamins keep our bodies healthy; but what about our spirits? How do we keep our spiritual lives healthy and well-nourished? Certainly we need worship with God s people, the gift of Holy Communion, God s Word to sustain and encourage us. There are many spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, service and alms-giving which fortify our life with God. There is another, that I d like to call Vitamin G, that also keeps our spiritual life vibrant and healthy. Without this important vitamin, our hearts can become burdened and full of worry. We can become bitter, depressed, self-absorbed, or even hard-hearted. What is Vitamin G? When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. G.K. Chesterton Gratitude. An appreciation for what one has. A recognition of the giftedness of life. A remove from the consumerism and materialism so pervasive in our society. A perspective of possibility and hope in the face of challenge or tragedy. An appreciation for the moment. The seed of generosity. Gratitude. So necessary for our spiritual lives, yet sometimes so elusive. How do we cultivate a spirit of gratitude within us? How does gratitude change one s heart? How does gratitude feed our spirits? Can gratitude improve the healthy of my family? What are the sources of this Vitamin G? The theme of our fall retreat this year is Vitamin G: The Grace of Gratitude. We will share with one another those things we are most grateful for, where we find our Vitamin G when we want to skip our daily dose, and how this vitamin nurtures and nourishes our life with God. We will also, as always, eat well, catch up with old friends, make new friendships, and be renewed in our spirits and in our life together! Information to register is included in this issue of Called, Too. I look forward to seeing you there! To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. Thomas Merton
Page 5 Musings of the Mind - a Moment's Meditation by Babs Benson "Sandwiches are beautiful, sandwiches are fine, I like sandwiches, I eat them all the time." This was a silly little song our daughters used to sing when they were little. Not sure how it started or where it came from but the meaning of sandwich is different for me these days. At age 56 I'm in the sandwich generation. You know, caring for adult children and elderly parents. The reality of this has become more evident in the past couple months as my parents, age 81 and 86 moved in with us. They are in transition as their home of 24 years was sold and their new home at a retirement community is not yet available. My mother- inlaw, age 84 continues to decline with diabetes and memory issues requiring our weekly attention as well. At the same time our youngest daughter just went through a divorce and is in need of help with some major home repairs. Add to that our day job responsibilities, regular trips to Richmond to visit our grandson and family, a bountiful garden to take care of and you can imagine I have no problem falling asleep at night. I was reading Ephesians 6:1-3 recently. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - this is the first commandment with a promise so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." It occurs to me that I am very grateful to be in the sandwich generation. Of course there are days when its a little overwhelming and I long for the solitary soft sound of peace and quiet on my screened in porch. I know however plenty of people that are near my age and younger that no longer have the joy of parents in their life and /or whose children are emotionally or physically distant. When asked by someone how its going with my parents living under the same roof I told them its my goal that when they move out we still love and respect each other as much as we did when they moved in. So far I'm happy to report we're on track. I'm thankful we have the space to accommodate them. I'm thankful our adult child ren co m m unicate regularly, offer to help however necessary and want us near to them. I'm thankful we are physically and emotionally healthy. Life is so fragile and in an instant can change or end. It is my hope and prayer that I never take for granted the family I have. I appreciate how fortunate I am to be a slice of home grown tomato between two pieces of cream cheese on rye bread type of sandwich. Yum!
Clergy Spouse Fall Retreat November 1-3, 2013 Mark your calendars and look for more details to come. Please register early as it helps with our planning and ordering of supplies. Invite a clergy spouse or two in your area-share a ride-and or a room! Where: Homewood Suites, 4100 Innslake Drive, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 What to bring: Provided: VITAMIN Snack to share, comfortable clothes and shoes, toilettries, camera, games, personal devotional materials G Rooms with private baths, bedding, linens, breakfast, and Friday dinner Registration Form: See below. If you have any questions contact Lenae Osmondson at synodeast@vasynod.org or 757.622.9421 Name Address City State Zip Best phone ( ) Email Address Home Church City I have enclosed a check payable to the Virginia Synod. Registration Fee will be $200.00 which includes the meeting room space, lodging, and breakfast. Dinner on Friday night will be provided. Please bring money for Saturday dinner and supper. Single Room Double Room, my roommate preference is: Please send your registration to: 520 W 21st Street, Suit J, Norfolk, VA 23517 or email the above information to: osmondson@vasynod.org. You can also register online and make your payment on our website. If you would like to be added to this mailing contact Lenae Osmondson at If you have received this edition in the mail and you have email address contact Lenae so you can be switched to our greener online newsletter!