Dear Partners in Ministry,
Thanks for the welcome.
It is with that greeting that I began every report, E-letter, or newsletter piece I wrote to my synod when I served as a bishop. It is the same phrase I use in writing this first newsletter article to you whom I now serve as pastor for these months we are together. No one, pastor, lay leader, or occasional drop-in attender – does the church’s “ministry” by him- or herself; the body of Christ is a body, not an individual sign-up sheet. For a few months now we are partnered in this part of the life of that body.
Gerry and I are already deeply grateful for the invitation to be among you as you step into this holy journey of calling a new pastor. It is certainly a holy time – the Spirit opens our eyes to see who we are, our ears to hear how others speak of us, and our hearts to stir visions of what we might be. We embrace our challenges and foibles as well as our gifts and hopes. You are indeed an incredibly unique place, blessed with a unique convergence reminiscent of the vision in the book of Revelation, “…every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne….” It is a joy and adventure to be among you…
Call Process
It is a joy and adventure to join you in the great anticipation that is the Call Process. I walked with many congregations through that period in my former call.
Much work goes into planning, analyzing, deciding; it is the faithful stewarding of the congregation’s life through a time of transition to the next chapter. It is also a deeply spiritual time in that ultimately the change that will settle in on the congregation over these next years will unfold in ways that no one might have guessed.
50th Anniversary of Sanctuary Dedication
It is fitting that in the midst of this process we pause to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dedication of this Sanctuary in 1964, six years after the very beginning of this congregation. No one could have foreseen what this congregation would look like when they first gathered in 1958 or 1964. Then it was for American Lutherans living in Oslo. Now it is made up of some from that tradition, but more from other denominations and other countries… but all seeking what was sought then: a place to be nourished in faith and worship of the love of God we know in Jesus Christ.
Through the gift of the ecumenical movement that was just being born about the same time this congregation was being born, Lutherans around the world understand themselves to be ecumenical at our core. All of which means that our tradition serves us as well for the future as it has in the past.
Several months ago, when I wrote my final report to the synod I had served for 12 years, I closed with these sentences:
When Gerry and I first drove around the Norwegian countryside and visited very old cemeteries, we were struck by how often the gravestone gave the name, dates, and simple inscription, “Takk for Alt.” Thanks for All. Each person’s life had its joys and tragedies, but the summary was simple and clear.
For all we have shared these years, for all each of you have brought to this work together that we have shared, for all the ways God has used what we have done, the simple words endure.
Takk for alt.
I thank you for the privilege of serving among you.
I now add this congregation and you, its people, to the list of blessings my journey has brought to me.
Peter Rogness
Read more from the recent newsletter here.