Faith stories!

I had the chance to speak to the senior fellowship group last Friday about the one thing I know best... my OWN FAITH STORY... so many people have been asking me about how I was called to become a pastor.... and I would have to give them a quick 3 minute sum up of it... which was fine due to the circumstances of when and where they asked me... but when I was given 30 minutes to tell my faith story... I really had to re-live it all as I prepared it.
Its more than just struggling with 4 deaths my senior year in high school, the influence of my grandfather and all 9 pastors at Mt. Olivet. It was 1 religion class I was required to take in college, a Holocaust trip that made me ask the question "Where is God in all this?" It was a trip to South Africa where my faith woke up and became truly alive in my everyday life. A seminary Seminar, a disucssion with Bishop Craig Johnson. It was the encouragement of friends and family saying, "well duh Moll, of course you should be a pastor". Retelling my story on Friday and being able to explain the details of the ups and downs, the questions I asked myself over and over again, the passion of youth ministry I had experienced... I got to share it all!!!

It felt so good to tell it, for people to hear it, and truly know where I have come from and where I want to go with it now. I realized new things as I told it... so I will continue to tell my faith story as it continues to unfold! I have so much more to experience... this is just the beginning.... but man.. what a beginning!

Apparently I attracted the biggest group yet for senior fellowship... so I may be going back again soon to talk about something else.... that made my day for sure!

What does your faith story look like? Sound like? Tell someone.... write it out! You may realize new things about yourself and your faith if you do so!

"you look so young!"

This is a phrase I get a lot... especially now, as I am practicing my ministry. All summer when I was doing my Clinical Pastoral Education as a chaplain at Fairview Southdale Hospital, I would have a hard time convincing the patients I would visit that I was really old enough, and that they could talk to me, about whatever they wished to...that I was here to listen and minister to them. Some even told me that I was too young to understand what they were going through so there was no need wasting my time! Well FINE.. I wanted to say.... well that or TRY ME.... just TRY ME!.... but you cant force it. My small group spent a lot of time hashing through this issue... and I was able to see that as an opportunity to shine in my ministry journey.. not to be boggled down by it!

Most will say, "you will be grateful for that compliment when you get older"... yes true... but...that doesn't make it any easier now... Its so funny.. I always thought I would have to defend myself more being a woman in ministry, not my age... both which are things I cant really control.

Zumbro embraces it though. They see me for who I am and what gifts I have and how I use them in my ministry. I have never been more praised for being a woman in my life here at Zumbro. I have been told that I am a breath of fresh air... and that my youth adds new dimensions to the church.

My latest "youthful encounter" was when I was leaving hospital visits at Mayo a couple weeks ago. The procedure is to write down your name and church on the ramp ticket, and hand it to the cashier... then you don't have to pay! A sweet deal if you ask me. Well this one time, I hand my ticket to the woman, she looks at it, looks at me and says
" youre a Pastor...at a church??"
My response was " yes, well an intern pastor."
Cashier: "then... what are you doing here?"
Me: "Visiting patients that belong to our church"
Cashier: "Do you have some proof?"
Me: "umm... well I have my seminary ID I can show you." (which I did...rolling my eyes at this whole situation)
Cashier: " Well..... alright.....(looking at the ID)....thank you.

I couldn't believe it! I was so insulted... Why would someone lie about that? Anyway... I know it is a challenge that will continue to show up in my journey... but all I can be is me... not having to prove anything but just continue to minister.

All because of this incident... I was made business cards... so I can leave them with ones who I minister to....or prove to others that I am not lying.... its silly really.

The calm before the storm

Its January 12... a quiet time of the church, where everyone is finding their strength again after a busy, hectic Christmas... but wait... lent is just right around the corner... yes I know it doesn't start until the 25th of February, but there is a lot of preparation here at Zumbro... our 7am Lenten breakfasts...every Wednesday morning with faith story speakers; Lent services every Wednesday night; along with our mid week services (brand new to Zumbro) starting Feb. 4 and continuing on after Lent...I thought my January would look a lot like my Januarys in years past... with one class.. low key... relax.... but I am now starting to see all the work that goes into starting a new tradition, along with following through with the old ones.

Don't get me wrong I am loving the sight of this church growing in so many ways and how blessed I am to be a part of it. As much as the responsibilities are stacking up, I am so grateful to be at a church that trusts me with all of it.. knowing I wll follow through with my duties as intern pastor.

As for this mid week service, called GATHER 2 GETHER, we will have a dinner at 5:15 (catered with free will offering), worship at 6:00 till 6:40- no paper... it is all going to be on screen (brand new concept), more mondern style so people don't substitute Wednesday worship with Sunday, healing service at 6:50, with Enrichment time from 6:50-7:30. Divided up into Adult session, parent session, k-3, 4-6, confirmation, and high schoolers... we will also be setting up our lounge space as a coffee shop-esk environment with hot beverages, real coffee mugs, high top tables, free wi-fi, couches..etc... this is my job.. I am put in charge of this. My job this week is to go out and find good coffee( funny cause I dont drink it) at Caribou, Dunn brothers, starbucks... so it is different than Sunday coffee.

Everything is all coming together so well... and people are really getting pumped up for this to start! Well now that I have gone on and on about my responsibilities, I guess I should get to them!
Have a great day!

A sad day at Zumbro

I am sad to be writing this post but it is something I thought I should share, since it is going to be a big part of my ministry.
One of our very involved members past away Monday night, unexpectedly. His name was Orrin, a very strong Norwegian who was a part of everything here at Zumbro. He was at every event, helped at every healing service, by distributing communion, assisted with the offering on Sunday, attended every bible study, speaker, or event at Zumbro, and was simply a wonderful presence around Zumbro.

I had hospital visits on Monday, and Orrin was there due to high blood pressure. I found out in my visit with him and his wife, Margit, that he had just got out of surgery. They ended up putting three stints (Sp?) in his heart to help with blood flow.
They were both under the impression that this would help significantly and that he would be able to return home in the next couple days! Orrin was still himself.. trying to speak to me in Norwegian (that's the best way to learn), and I was telling him how much he was missed at church, and we hope he hurries back soon before Zumbro falls apart due to his absence. It was a great visit with a good portion of humor, concern, and prayer.

Little did anyone know, when I checked my email the next morning, that Orrin had passed late Monday night. Family was all there, and they had time to say their goodbyes before taking him off life support. As I read the email, I just sat and cried. I have only been at this church for not even 5 months, and yet I feel so connected to the people here at Zumbro, but especially Orrin. I can't believe it... I am still in a state of shock... life at Zumbro without Orrin.. just doesnt seem right.
Death is a hard concept in ministry for me. Especially when it hits close to home... just a few weeks ago I assisted in a funeral of a 25 year old girl, the oldest of 3 girls... I automatically thought of my oldest sister. I couldnt imagine losing her. The family support at that funeral was incredible.

I dont know if I am selfish with death cause I dont want the people in my life to leave me. I dont know if it is because I dont like change, or if I am just not "used to it" yet... I mean, I know you never get used to death, but in ministry I mean, learning my role when ministering to a family, or to myself...when it comes to death.

I am so grateful to have known Orrin! He blessed the lives of everyone he came into contact with. I am just so lucky to have been one of them. His funeral I suspect will be a big one, all the people whose lives have been touched by Orrin and his helpful, genuine attitude!

A couple videos

I thought I would share with you a couple videos! The first is from the Lessons and Carols performance Zumbro had at St. Mary's hospital. It is done every year... all the choirs, the bells, dancers put on a beautiful performance of the lessons and carols telling the Christmas Story! This video was the closing song!

I am so proud to be a part of this congregations celebrations and traditions!



This next video is just of Dave bowling on New years... what a guy

We had a low key new years. Dave and I had dinner with Amber and Chad Kuntz at Kwans... such yummy Chinese. Then we met up with Dena andTommy, and Dave's cousin Jimmy to go cosmic bowling for a couple hours... I did not do so hot... ( I am better at Wii bowling). We ended up abck at Dena's for the count down, some champagne and fun games. We were home by 2:30... and slept till 1PM the next day! So relaxing! As for new year's resolutions... I dont know how I feel about them. I want to say that I would make one and stick to it, but all I really care about is making this year better than the last... in whatever way I can, with whatever is thrown at me!