Candee Calling- July 22nd

Dear Friends,

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, has been quoted as saying, “change is the only constant in life.” And most of us would agree. Every day there is something new to embrace and

something that we are called to leave behind. The author of Ecclesiastes writes:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

By now, most of you have read Pastor Nate’s letter of resignation. In it, he indicated that now is the time for him to step away from his position as our lead pastor. That news hit me hard as I’m sure it hit you. No one was expecting it. But that is life, isn’t it? It comes with all of its surprises, challenges, ups and downs, sorrows and joys. Life is unpredictable and constantly in a state of flux. We can either accept and embrace it, learn from it and grow or resist, fight and struggle. The choice is ours. One brings peace, the other, turmoil. One leads to life, the other leads to death. Redeemer faces another major change just as the ELCA and other denominations are questioning where God is leading them and who God is calling the church to be now and into the future.

Pastor Nate has made his decision. Now is the time for us to ask God’s blessings upon him and his family as he moves on. It’s also time for us to give thanks for all that Pastor Nate has brought to our congregation. We will miss him as our lead pastor. I will miss him as a trustworthy and devoted friend and colleague, a brother in Christ. I have begun grieving just as I must look forward to the future and all that it promises and holds for us. Leaders will come and leaders will go – none of our calls are permanent! But thanks be to God, the One constant that always remains is Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. With God leading and guiding us through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have nothing to fear and everything to proclaim. It’s never easy, but it is always right and good when God’s will is being done. Jesus said it best, “Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1b

Peace,

Pastor Candee