I can also share the big news: I announced to my congregation on Sunday that I've been offered a call to the University Lutheran Center on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, IA, and when the call officially comes I will accept it. It was a terribly bittersweet moment in a bittersweet week for Beloved and I. We have made many friends here, and we both have good ministry relationships in our congregations and communities. I hate to think of leaving behind the youth groups we both love, the community theater group we've supported in many ways, the school district we think is one of the best in Minnesota.
But this new call brings us three hours closer to my family in eastern Nebraska, and it's a campus ministry call. I've felt that campus ministry was a logical place for me for quite some time, and the pull toward that type of call only intensified after my own campus pastor, Larry Meyer, died in 2005. It seems that most of the people who know me agree: the reaction so far has been very positive and very much "well, of course you'll do well in that type of ministry." Guess I've not been real coy about that particular dream; at least, not as much as I'd thought I was.
So, we're off on a new adventure. My final Sunday in Barrett will be January 6th, and we'll move to Ames the following week, where I'll be in place by the start of the semester on January 14th. It's a big move, and it's complicated by our hope to purchase our first house, but it's exciting and scary and sad all at the same time, as most moves are. Hopefully this will be the last one for quite some time.
Last but not least, don't look for this on my car anytime soon:
I'll be a Cornhusker until the day I die, even in foreign Big XII towns like Ames. Born Red - 'Nuff Said. But if you see me pulling for the local boys when there's no conflict of interest, think well of me - it's hard not to root for the hometown teams.
Allow me to officially congratulate you on your impending Cyclownship. And welcome back to Big XII country!!!
ReplyDeleteCount me as one who figured you'd eventually wind up in campus ministry...you will be a blessing there.
My dad would be proud. So proud.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
My dad would be proud. So proud.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Congrats from both of us here in K-town--of course, we were hoping to pull you in our direction, but we too are not surprised in the least! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd it's Iowa St. It's not like you're going to CU or something. . . *GRIN* (insert school fight song words here, hint hint--I'm sure you remember!)
Britt: Glory, glory Coloradder...
ReplyDeleteThink that's about all I can 'remember' and keep my current mode of employment. :-)
Mariah, your dad's about all I've been able to think about this week. How I wish we could have been colleagues again. But I trust I'll be hearing his laughter in my head while I blunder through these first few years in Ames. You be sure to come see us on your way home to Lincoln sometime.
There's something appropriate about your final Sunday being on Epiphany.
ReplyDeleteSomething about the Wisemen being pulled in a certain direction and eventually finding what they were led to.
I'm sure there's a sermon in there somewhere.
Congratulations and blessings on this new journey.
Congratulations! That's very exciting.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best wishes on your new journey.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! May you be blessed AND a blessing in your new call.
ReplyDeleteHey. I do believe this is my first visit to your blog. That's interesting and exciting stuff; the whole moving thing. Plus, Iowa is a cool place. :) Although, tell me, how does a redbird equate to a cyclone? Hmmm... Maybe that's just my ILLINOIS state roots showing... :) Peace Out.
ReplyDeleteoh my friend congratulations! your time at LSC and CJH have prepared you well!
ReplyDelete