http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/02/18/mpls-lutherans-elect-1st-female-bishop-in-minn/
I got to know Ann Svennungsen while she served as president of Texas Lutheran University. I admired her creativity and passion, and I am thrilled that she will now be using her gifts for the wider church.
Dear Members & Friends of MacArthur Park Lutheran Church & Preschool:
I wish it were possible to take each of you out for coffee so I could share my news personally, but since I cannot do that, allow me to share a prayer with you which has long been one of my favorites, from the ELW Evening Prayer service:
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Relying on the faith and good courage God grants each of us, I am writing this letter to inform you that Zion Lutheran Church in Houston, TX held a congregational meeting yesterday, Sunday, February 12, to act on a recommendation from their advisory board (congregational council) to call me as their pastor. The congregation has extended this call to me, and I will soon draft a letter of acceptance.
I have been in conversation with Zion in Houston since early October, and I have been assured of God’s leading and presence as this call has unfolded. Since I have served as your Associate Pastor for 4 ½ years, the consideration of this new venture has not come easily. I deeply value the fellowship we have and the experiences we have shared over the years, and Mac Park, as my first church as an ordained pastor, will always hold a special place in my heart. I, however, made a promise on my ordination day that I would faithfully heed God’s call, wherever that may lead, and I feel sure God is now leading me to the people of Zion in Houston.
I do hope that one day you will be able to take pride in what you have enabled me to accomplish. Mac Park has formed me in ministry, and because of your nurturing love and support, I am ready to take on leadership as a solo pastor.
In conversation with Pastor Paul, Mac Park’s congregational council is making plans for how best to continue the programs for which I have been responsible. I trust their judgment and know their leadership will serve this congregation well during this time of transition.
My last Sunday at Mac Park will be February 26. I will preach at both services. My last day in the church office will be Wednesday, February 29. The mutual ministry committee is working on a reception in my honor, and they will soon announce the date and time for this opportunity to celebrate the memories we have made and to give thanks for all that has been. I look forward to spending this time together.
I will take a break between calls and will begin at Zion at the end of March. Chris will remain in San Antonio to prepare our homes for rent and to complete commitments he has made to his clients before he joins me in Houston. We are confident he will be able to continue his work as an architect in this new place.
Trusting that God’s hand is indeed guiding us, I ask you to join me in praying for Mac Park, for Zion, and for the Spirit’s guidance as we take these next steps on the journey together.
May we each be ever-aware that the One who calls us is the One who cares for us.
In Christ,
Pastor Tracey
On Sunday, January 15, I preached a sermon about the kinds of things God dreams about. Some of God’s goals for the world are listed in Isaiah 2. God dreams…
…that people will come to the mountain, or come to encounter the Divine
…of all nations, together, joining in unity and praise of their Creator
…of equality for all
…of the day that people choose God’s ways over their own
…of an end to war
…of the day when people won’t just talk about serving and pleasing God but about the day when people actually go and do these things
When Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his powerful “I have a dream speech,” I believe he was simply stating, in his own words, what God, through the prophets, had been dreaming about for a long time. I believe God still has this dream. A lot has changed in our world, for the better, since the time of Isaiah, and even since the civil rights movement, but there is still work to be done. How do I know this? Because…
…bullying is an everyday reality for many children in our schools, and some of these children have been my confirmation students. As long as people are still being picked on or beaten up or made to feel like they are anything less than God’s child, God still has a dream.
…according to Haven for Hope, 25,000 people in San Antonio experience homelessness each year, and
…as we heard from CAM Director, Dawn White, in her Jan 8 temple talk, CAM is still meeting new clients, each day, who have basic needs like food and clothing. Until there are no longer lines at the shelters and food banks, God still has a dream.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dream. It’s tempting to take an overall look at all the world’s problems and to think, “Who am I to make a difference?” It’s true. One person cannot end poverty. One person cannot end war. One person cannot feed all the world’s hungry. But, too many people become so overwhelmed by the need that they choose to do nothing, and that changes nothing! Imagine the possibilities when each person uses his or her gifts to make a change! Imagine what would happen if everyone did their part, in their corner of the world, in their relationships and communities.
I believe God is calling us to help realize this dream. I believe members and friends of our congregation are already answering this call, and I would love to hear about ways you are living the gospel and changing the world, in big ways and small ones.
Let’s share with one another what a difference one person’s contribution can make, for the sake of the world God loves.
Email me (revtracey@gmail.com) or post your comments on my Pastor Page blog (www.macparkelca.org) to share what you are doing to make God’s dreams come true. I’m dreaming big, with you!
Our congregation celebrated 50 years this last Sunday, December 11. It was wonderful to have Bishop Ray Tiemann as our preacher and to see so many make their homecoming to MacPark. One of the more special moments for me was when Bishop Ray recognized the youngest member of our church (Gwendolyn Rath) and the oldest member of our congregation (Elly Weems) in attendance at worship that day. Their lives and gifts and all the generations between them make up our church, built of living stones (1 Peter 2:4-10).
Our worship was spirit-filled, thanks in large part to our choirs, at the direction of Carla and Leigh Anne, and to our worship & music committee. It was also a treat, wasn't it, to hear Gloria Schwanenberg's reflections on how the church began and to hear from former clergy and Schwanenberg scholarship recipients?
A big event like we enjoyed together is not without its share of anxiety and stress, in addition to planning and dreaming. I am thankful for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, whose work was done mostly behind the scenes. Please be sure to give thanks for those who made Dec 11 a memorable and festival day for all of us: Heather Hansen, Jan Hunt, Suzette Price, Beverly Buchhorn, Carla Lockett, & John Pomykal.
To God be the glory, for the last 50 years, and for the future into which God calls and leads us!
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