Rev. Mark and Nancy Boriack

On February 10, 2019, Mark Boriack 

was ordained and then installed 

as an assistant pastor at

 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

 in Springfield, Virginia.  

Rev. Mark is a Specific Ministry Pastor 

receiving training from Concordia Seminary, St Louis.

 The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program

 is a four-year state of the art,

 distance education program that prepares men 

for specific pastoral ministries in 

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). 

Rev. Mark’s specific ministry 

is the prayer ministry. 

He will also serve general pastoral duties

 including teaching and preaching.

Rev. Mark and his wife, Nancy, 

have been long time members

 and leaders serving at Prince of Peace.

Rev. Mark was installed by Rev. Dr. Brent Smith 

of Mission Central, Nebraska.

Included in the photo are L to R-

 Rev. Tim Christenson- Associate Pastor at Prince of Peace

Rev. Gary Reuter- Vacancy Pastor at Prince of Peace,

  Rev. Brent Smith and 

Rev. Pedro Lopez.

Rev. Smith Brent interviewed 

Mark and Nancy for seminary 

while he served at the Southeastern District office.  

How wonderful that he ordained Mark!

The Lord often blesses relationship

 and partnerships in ministry.

Nancy's extended family attended the service 

including her parents, 

sister and husband and their daughter.

 They were also blessed with the attendance of their daughter, Anna, son Paul and wife, Kate,

 and the four grand loves. 

Rev. Mark and Nancy with their immediate family

 and grandchildren.

Rev. Mark Boriack and Rev. Brent Smith

The Boriack family gives thanks 

for Mark and for his ordination 

and give thanks for the Body of Christ

 whom he serves with joy!

Aging in Grace

Aging in Grace

Today I feel old after struggling with a bad cold and being treated for pneumonia.  Somedays, I don't feel old  - I go to water aerobics, sing in two choirs, visit nursing homes with my Pastor husband, and enjoy my friends.  But my reality is that periodically my body and my mind remind me with new and sometimes surprising aches and pains -  "Alice, you are getting older.  Life is short.  Count your blessings.  Make a difference. Learn to cope.  Stop whining!"

Almost 40 years ago, I started working in the field of aging and when introducing myself, I would blithely say "I am Alice Hedt, and my goal is to improve services for seniors so that when I am old, I will be able to have quality care and quality of life."   Now, I introduce myself and say "I am a 70 year old woman who is trying to figure out my aging and address issues faced by other older adults."

I have been asked to share information on aging and resources available in this blog for Women of the Southeastern District. So periodically, you will see "Aging in Grace" with links to services available and food for thought on aging that may be useful in your own aging process, and in your relationships with aging family members, friends and church family.

Please send me your questions to ahedt@aol.com and I commit to looking for answers.  My expertise is in long term care. This includes finding and getting good care in nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home delivered services. But, I enjoy researching other aging resources;  and we can seek advice and ideas within our own SED network.

Resource:  ALOA    Adult Lutherans Organized for Action is a national organization with a wealth of resources for individuals 50+ and congregations.  I love their videos that stimulate discussion and Bible Study on aging topics.  ALOA also offers affordable travel and retreats. Sign up on line for a free newsletter for you or a loved one. ALOA's mission is to equip persons in the second half of life as disciples of Jesus Christ for their service to family, church, community and the world.

https://aloaserves.org/

Song for Reflection:   Day by Day      Aging is the ultimate journey for each of us.  We are not alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzrhqjzQCi4

I am thankful for this opportunity to discuss these topics with you. Looking forward to on-line conversations as we age in Grace together.                                                                                                                        

                                                                                      Alice Hedt, Landover Hills Maryland 

We thank Alice for joining the writing staff 

for this blog and appreciate her dedication

 to this topic and welcome her expertise!  

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Joshua and Sammy Rusert

The installation service for 

Rev. Joshua Rusert

 took place at 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church 

on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

His wife Samantha- Sammy 

joins him in Bethesda, Maryland.

Area pastors from the Circuit 

gathered to bless and welcome Pastor Rusert.

Rev. Joshua Rusert (L)with 

SED President- John Denninger

The Ruserts with President Denninger

Always great to be supported by family.
Joined by Joshua's parents- 
David and Mimi Rusert.

And the prayer for Rev. Josh and Samantha

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Eric Bednash

The clergy support for the 

Ordination and Installation of 

Rev. Eric Bednash.

 The Ordination words of blessing.

 The Laying on of Hands-

praying Scripture and blessing over 

Pastor Eric.

The Installation part of the service.

Vows and statements of faith.

Rev. Eric Bednash and 

SED President-Rev. John R. Denninger

 L to R- Rev. Elliot Robertson

 Rev. Bednash 

and Rev. Thomas Foelber-

Emeritus pastor- 
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church

L to R-

Rev. Charles Minitree- Circuit Visitor

Rev. Eric Bednash

President John R. Denninger

Welcome to Rev. Eric Bednash

 to the Southeastern District!
Rev. Eric was born in Parma, Ohio 
and grew up attending Lutheran Schools
 and graduated from 
Concordia University-Wisconsin.
He completed his studies 
at Concordia Seminary- Ft. Wayne.

Rev. Eric is newly engaged to 

Ms. Brooke Stacy from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Pastor Eric with his parents- 

Mark and Jeanne 

and younger brother- Mason.

Pastor Eric and Brooke 

with her grandparents-
Bob and Mary Ruth Epple.

A wonderful gathering of extended family

 for this day of celebration.

Some of the beautiful 

stained glass windows 

from this church built in 1907.

May the Lord bless the ministry of Rev. Bednash

 among the people and community of

 St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church-

Baltimore, Maryland.

And covering this ministry in prayer.

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Kevin and Leslie Barron

 We welcome Rev. Kevin and Leslie Barron 

and their sons-Caleb and Nathaniel

to the Southeastern District.

 Rev. Kevin was installed by 

SED President- Rev. John Denninger 

on Sunday, July 1, 2018 

as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, 

Baltimore, Maryland.

Ministers of the Gospel unite to

 bless the ministry of Rev. Kevin.

What a wonderful group of 

pastors and vicars assembled to bring

greetings and participate in this installation.

Rev. Kevin was presented a 

Shepherd's Staff by 

SED President John Denninger.

It was a blessing to have 

Rev. Kevin's vicarage supervising pastor 

present for this special day.

Rev. Andrew Lissy 

serves at Living Savior Lutheran Church

 in Fairfax Station, VA.

May the Holy Spirit bestow all of these gifts 

to Pastor Kevin and his ministry.

 A Luther's Seal from the 

narthex at Calvary Lutheran.

The lovely reception following the service 

was also graced with floral bouquets

 that had such lovely peonies.

A Visual Prayer for 

Rev. Kevin and Leslie and their family

 and their new church family.

May the Lord bless their ministry.

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Mark and Janise Moretz

 On June 24, 2018, 

Concordia Lutheran Church 

in Hagerstown, Maryland,

 hosted the rite of Installation for 

Rev. Mark Moretz as their pastor.

Rev. Moretz receives a 

Shephard Staff from 

SED President John Denninger,

as Pastor Mark and wife, Janise,

 are graced with a blessing.

 The clergy in attendance for the Installation 

bring greetings and blessings 

for Pastor Mark and family.

L-SED President John Denninger

R- Rev. Mark Moretz

Greetings to the new ministry couple-

Rev. Mark and Janise Moritz-

 in the Southeastern District!

Rev. Mark and Janise and children-

Mary-Kate, Samuel and Evan.

(not pictured are adult daughters- Christen and Anna)

The Concordia Lutheran Church- 

Conover, North Carolina connection-

Pastor Steve Miller, 

Pastor Mark and Pastor Mark Schudde

The service had wonderful young helpers.

With a beautiful reception to follow.

Blessed to be sent!

Our drive back to Virginia included 

fat puffy clouds and blue skies,

a downpour rain event,

suns shining on a building 

that made it look like it was on fire,

and God's promise rainbow.