Dear St. Paul’s Family,
As I write this, we are just days away from the beginning of Vacation Bible Camp, an exciting time of learning and relationship-building for young people from St. Paul’s and the wider community. But it’s not just for kids! VBC is a time when we come together as a community to engage in a ministry that is larger than any one of us could do on our own. It is an undertaking that requires buy-in from the whole congregation. I am excited to see how the program plays out this year, and I am especially looking forward to seeing our congregation come together for this ministry.
As our culture changes around us and as the church changes, our ministries begin to look different. Yes, there was a time when VBC was much larger, with many more kids and with more volunteers. However, our team consistently and enthusiastically presents a meaningful and educational program every year, and each year it has an impact on the lives of the children and volunteers involved.
As VBC involvement has changed over time, other ministries at St. Paul’s are also beginning to look different, too. We have determined that it is best for the church to adapt our worship schedule. At this time, the Worship and Music Committee and Council feel it is best to move to one Sunday morning worship service instead of two. We have found, among other reasons, that we are stronger together than we are separately. It is nice to see a larger congregation gathered together each week, it allows visitors to find a more vibrant church community to welcome them, and we are able to draw from a larger pool of volunteers to serve in worship.
Another ministry change we are beginning to see is in the availability of supply pastors to lead worship while I am away. I am so thankful for the ministry of those that led during my parental leave. I am also thankful for Pastor Stoner who has faithfully donated his time on many occasions over the last several years. St. Paul’s has also been blessed to have leaders in our congregation that have been able to fill in during a vacation or pastoral absence. Pastor Mangiante, for many years, was willing to preach and preside. We were also blessed to have Jason Reed available to preach.
Now, we are in a new era at St. Paul’s where we no longer have these leaders available in our congregation to draw upon. Meanwhile, the pool of supply pastors available to fill in has dwindled as well. Later in August, while I am on vacation, we will have two Sunday services that will be led by lay leaders within the congregation. I will be providing them with the full service and an old sermon that they can preach.
However, it would be nice to have leaders within the church that are trained to prepare and preach a sermon in my absence so that we can more easily plan worship when a supply pastor is not available.
This fall, the New Jersey Synod will be offering a class for lay individuals that are interested in learning how to preach. I am looking for members of St. Paul’s that would like to participate in this course to deepen their own faith, gain a better understanding of what we believe as Lutherans, and learn how to prepare a sermon and lead worship. I believe that this course will be beneficial to the individuals that participate, but you will also be a blessing to St. Paul’s and to me, and to the future of the church. If you are interested in learning more about the Lay Preacher Training course, please let me know. Registration is open in August and the course begins on Tuesday, September 9.
As the world around us changes, we also must adapt as a church. I am thankful for this program that the New Jersey Synod is providing to help us address a need in our congregations, and I look forward to walking with the individuals that choose to participate.
Peace,
Rev. Jessica Hahn