Transitions

 This Day We Say Grateful

A Sending Blessing

It is a strange thing
to be so bound
and so released
all in the same moment,
to feel the heart
open wide
and wider still
even as it turns
to take its leave.

On this day,
let us say
this is simply the way
love moves
in its ceaseless spiraling,
turning us toward
one another, then sending us
into what waits for us
with arms open wide to us
in welcome
and in hope.

On this day,
in this place
where you have
poured yourself out,
where you have been
emptied
and filled
and emptied again,
may you be aware
more than ever
of what your heart
has opened to
here,
what it has tended
and welcomed
here,
where it has broken
in love and in grief,
where it has given
and received blessing
in the unfathomable mystery
that moves us, undoes us,
and remakes us

finally for joy.

This day
may you know

this joy
in full measure.

This day
may you know
this blessing
that gathers you in
and sends you forth
but will not
forget you.

O hear us
as this day
we say
grace;
this day
we say
grateful;
this day
we say
blessing;
this day
we release you
in God’s keeping
and hold you
in gladness
and love.

—Jan Richardson

 “© Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com.” 

There are lots of people moving around now that school is out. 

 Ministry moves, military moves, housing moves,

 career moves, schooling moves, job moves, 

and just plain old moves.

Challenging moves and easy moves.

May anyone in this time of transition- 

walk with hearts full and gratefully wrapped in love.

Thanks to Jan Richardson 

for her beautiful words written for a ministry move.

Allison Burdette- Southern Region

Allison Burdette
 and her 
newly installed husband-

 Rev. Paul Burdette-

 Our Savior Lutheran Church,
Clyde, NC.

Sunday June 19, 2016
When the celebration includes
 church members and family
 and those bringing blessings
 as fellow Circuit pastors. 

And sharing it all with family
 makes it very special. 

In a congregational setting- 
one is ordained,
but both serve.

As you grow to love HIS PEOPLE,
 and seek those who do not know HIM-
may you find rich blessings. 

Allison's family includes Jacob- 20 
and Rachel- 13.
She grew up in Alexandria, VA.
 and attended Northern Virginia Commuity College
studying criminal justice.
Right now her children and church family
 bring her the greatest JOY.

Allison is also a Bible Journaler.
 She looks forward to all the ways
 she might share this with her 
church family and neighborhood.
May the Lord light the next step!

And may Allison always remember -
the Lord is with you ALWAYS.
Welcome to the Southeastern Distirct!

Greater is HE

Greater is He that is in you, 

than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Let’s talk about resilience, that trait that moves us to bounce back, no matter what giant or obstacle or ocean stands in our way­—the gift of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, propelling us forward to look upward and outward.Resilience is a quality in objects to hold or recover their shape, or in people - to stay intact. It’s inner strength.  For example, if you bend a good-quality fork and then can bend it right back, it has resilience.  A car that is in an accident and only has a few scratches has resilience: it holds up and keeps its shape under immense pressure.

Emotional resilience refers to one's ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. More resilient people are able to "roll with the punches" and adapt to adversity without lasting difficulties; less resilient people have a harder time with stress and life changes, both major and minor.How about resilience in the life of a Christian? Where does it start? What does it look like? Spiritual resilience begins with prayer. Prayer inspires us not to look inward but to look upward and outward, and to develop a surrendering posture.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2  Spiritually resilient people remember the promises of God and Who stands with us. Spiritually resilient people stand confident in their identity and security as God’s children and remember that God does what we can’t. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Jeremiah 1:5  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Spiritual resilience moves us to DO something—to act in faith to accomplish all that our Lord asks us to. Resilience is not passive, it’s active.  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:14-16  Spiritually resilient people lean into community—admitting we can’t do it on our own and we don’t live or serve in isolation. A healthy faith community offers help and hope to one another.Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15-17 So what about…

The woman who finds herself alone for the first time in decades after the loss of her husband?  He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.The son who endlessly cares for his mother who has Parkinson’s and repeatedly refuses to take her medicine? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. The young mother who is raising babies with very little help from her partner? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.The military wife whose husband got word he’s deploying again? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.The corporate dad who has to tell his family they are moving, yet again, across the country? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. The teenage son who is suffering from chronic depression and the parents who are tired of the ongoing cycle of emotions? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. The high school graduate who feels uncertain moving to a big university campus and away from all that is familiar? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.The person whose doctor just shared the news that cancer has returned? He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.

The song “Greater is He” by Blanca reminds me that whenever we are in over our head, we can look up, take a deep breath, and walk the next step because we know Who stands with us.What giants or ocean are you facing today? What is causing you to feel “in over your head” some days? Maybe life is good right now and you’re not feeling overwhelmed. Do you know someone who is? Say a prayer, asking Jesus to send a word of hope.And keep clinging to the promises of God: He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 

About the Author

Stacey refers to herself as a “beautiful mess” who is learning to embrace the messiness of her life and live gracefully and authentically within it. She likes to create and enjoys the places it takes her. Stacey is married to Jeff and together they have two beautiful, very independent, strong-willed girls who are also learning to love and give love authentically. Jeff and Stacey are a family fighting for slow in northern Virginia after living in Germany for thirteen years. Stacey enjoys having friends over to her house, spending time with her family at home and on the road, reading, painting, basking in the sun, and encouraging others to move out in courage to live the abundant life Jesus promises.

Rachel Micheel- Southern Region

Rachel Micheel with her husband Ben,

 newly ordained and installed pastor

 at Concordia Lutheran Church, 

Conover, North Carolina.

Their children are:

Addelynn, Jayel, and Elijah.
Their 4th child- Riley is due the end of July.

This young family who on one day

 became a "clergy family"

 and the children became PK's.

and Rachel became a pastor's wife.

Ben here with his new partner
 in ministry- Rev. Mark Schudde.
  Rachel and Ben moved to Oviedo, Florida

 for their vicarage and were part

 of St. Luke's Lutheran Church.

The neighboring clergy 

welcomed Ben to ministry life.

Rev. John Denninger- 

Southeastern District President 

was privileged to participate

 in the wonderful celebration.

This prayer card was given

 to the Micheel family.

 Sermon notes from the Ordination
 and Installation Service 

 Worship into the Week
Time to Meditate 
on the WORD following worship
 Here I am - Send ME!
Sermon-
The Carefully Selected Stones of David

 And above all else- 
Give God Glory 

Rachel grew up in Kansas City, Mo. 
She has an associates degree in Radiology,
She likes cooking and spending time
with her children.
We welcome Rachel and her family
to the Southeastern District.

Our Savior - Laurel, MD.- Beautiful Feet Retreat

Retreat Leader- 

Deb Burma left- shares a smile with Jamie Wilson

Retreat Review-

 Our Savior Lutheran Church-

Laurel, Maryland

April 9, 2016

How Beautiful are the feet

of those who bring good news." 

 Romans 16:1-5

4 sisters meeting for reunion, 

remembering their Mom 

and walking with our Lord.

Approximately 125+ women of 

Our Savior Lutheran and other churches,

 came together for a Saturday Retreat. 

 Led by Deb Burma, 

author/speaker/women's ministry leader,

 the women were nourished 

in His Grace and Word.

Deb Burma and the women lifting the lids

 off shoe boxes to learn 

about our walk with our Lord.

Gentle Yoga for Beautiful Feet serving our Lord. 

The event had 7 break-out sessions 

including yoga and a service project.

A Prayer Walk with Brenda Petito 

was a meaningful session for participants.

Liz DeMik shared 1000 Gifts-A Heart of Gratitude  

and Joen Schultz led Intro to Bible journaling.

Decorating Flip Flops to pamper the feet

 of Philippine women through Orphan Grain Train

 (pictured:  Michelle DeMik & Ellie Ramsey)

 Bible Journaling with Joen Schultz

Bible Journaling with Joen Schultz

 Learning to walk along side others 

(Christine Maconachy with microphone.)

 Giving each other back massages-- 

a great reminder that we NEED each other.

The women were treasured, 

and enveloped in the Love of our Lord.  

Out time together included tap-dancing, 

singing praises, 

and talking with old and new friends.

 Karen Soeken and Jamie Wilson

We kicked up our heels 

and were uplifted as part of God's master plan 

and swept off our feet by our Savior 

as we walked in His Word. 

Thanks to Christine Maconachy 
 for gathering photos 
and the story for this retreat review.

Visual Faith---St. John's, Dover, DE- Part 2

Part Two - The Visual Faith Journey
St. John's Dover, DE.
Melinda Ransdell- Visual Faith Coach

More conversations continue 
about Visual Faith in ministry and family settings.
 I had also mentioned my excitement

 and desire to share Visual Faith

 with our women’s ministry and LWML leaders. 

They agreed to let me set up an informational table

 at our LWML zone rally.

 It peaked several ladies interest. 

I have now taught Praying in Color
 and Bible Journaling

 at the Women’s Bible Study 
on two different occasions.

Also, our youth group hosted a 30 Hour Famine

 to raise money for World Vision 

to help fight global hunger. 

About 26 hours into the event, 

they were very hungry,

 I taught them about Praying in Color.

 My husband and I then walked them 
through a devotion

 and worksheet specifically for the event. 

The kids were actually attentive and focused. 

They really connected with it.

Right now, St. John’s is in a sermon series 

called Powerful Prayers. 

Just prior to its start, 
my daughter and I developed

 a faith tool called Sermon Notes.

 They are customized sheets the size of our 

worship bulletins that contain space for note taking,

 drawing and a margin strip with a drawing

 that can been colored in. 

We were sitting in church one Sunday 

when our LWML president 
was sharing about the zone rally
 mentioned above and how much she enjoyed 

a scripture coloring sheet from the Visual Faith informational table. 

We had been drawing and note taking 
on our bulletins

 in any little space we could find.

 But what if we had an extra sheet 

with a box for notes? 

and a box for your own sketches? 

and then a side margin with picture 
pertaining to the message that you could color? 

That margin could then be cut out and glued 
into a journaling Bible or the picture traced in. 

The sermon note sheets themselves 

are also just the right size to hole punch

 and put in a small binder, 

we call it our Faith Book.

I’m so excited to see what God has in store. 

When the sermon series on prayer is over,

 my husband will be leading a Bible study on prayer,

 one of the sessions will be on Praying in Color. 

We also plan on developing more Visual Faith
 resources

 for the leaders of the congregational ministries, 

the school staff, students and for all members, 

to nurture a deeper connection with our Lord

 in order to walk in His will

 for St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.

Melinda serves at St. John's Lutheran Church,
 Dover, DE.
 where her husband, Rev. Dr. CJ Ransdell is pastor.
 More about Melinda's Visual Faith 
tools can be found on her blog.
unconventionallysteadfast

Visual Faith- St. John's- Dover, DE- Part 1

Part One of the Journey-

Family Life to Congregational Setting
by

Melinda Ransdell- Visual Faith Coach

I was  introduced to Visual Faith;

 Praying in Color and Bible Journaling,

 at a welcome to the SED event for new church workers.

 I immediately had to share it with my family. 

They absolutely loved it.

 It has become a vital part of our devotional lives.

 We now have special Bibles to color in and several

 journals and sketchbooks for faith art expression.

 It soon became evident that this had to be shared even further,

 with our congregation.

It took me awhile to figure out just how to do that.

 I wasn’t sure if a one day workshop

 or a few classes were the best setting. 

I attended the Illustrated Faith event at Prince of Peace 

Lutheran Church in Virginia last November.

 It was amazing. I loved hearing from Lisa Nichols Hickman 

as she walked us through the process she uses to Bible Journal. 

I also got to visit with Connie Denninger 

and learn more about how she shares keeping the faith projects 

with her neighbors. 

What an amazing way to share the love of Christ

 and offer opportunities for people to deepen their faith lives.

After much prayer and personal practice,

 I developed some teaching tools, explanation and worksheets,

 that would help make it easier to share

 these amazing Visual Faith disciplines that have become so important

 to me and my relationship with our creative God.

 Along with this process was much talk with my husband,

 the pastor of St. John’s, about the best time to teach Visual Faith. 

While talking one afternoon, it dawned on us both at the same time,

 my husband was teaching a Bible Study-

 different ways to study the scripture. 

Bible Journaling would be a great practice

 to introduce as a choice to implement

 in their personal bible study time. 

It was definitely a God moment of timing

 that had fallen right into our laps.

Melinda Ransdell serves at St. John's Dover, DE
 where her husband, Rev. Dr. CJ Ransdell is pastor.
More about this journey can be found at Melinda's blog-
unconventionallysteadfast

Visual Prayer Event- St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Havelock, NC

Saturday, June 4, 2016

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

 in Havelock, North Carolina

 hosted a visual prayer event.

This was a multi-generation event

 that included an age range from 5-91.

 There were 24 in attendance

 and that included both men and women. 

There was a time of presentation

 about visual prayer. 

An explanation was given of both

 process and tools. 

This teaching time was followed by lunch.

 After lunch we all gathered

 for coloring bookmarks.

  They all came out beautifully.

Coloring time and praying Scripture.

 What a blessing. 

It was a wonderful event.

We plan on gathering together 

every 6 weeks or so.

We will include lunch, a time of devotion

 and some coloring. 

It is wonderful to see what the Lord
 is doing as His people are called to prayer
 and spending time in His Word.


Thanks to Megan Daub for sharing 
the story of this gathering.
 Megan serves at St. Paul's, Havelock, NC.
 where her husband. Rev. Jim Daub is pastor.