From Senior Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
I hope your summer has been a time full of opportunities to enjoy God’s creation and feel reenergized. Below are few highlights for August. You will find many others in this month’s newsletter.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, we will have the privilege of hearing a guest preacher who is also a member of the congregation. The Rev. A. Craig Settlage is the Director for Mission Support in the Office of the ELCA Presiding Bishop/Synodical Relations. Rev. Settlage will preach at all three services, as well as lead the Forum which will focus on issues that will be addressed at the Churchwide Assembly. He will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination on August 2 as well.
Sunday, Aug. 9, will be Matt Ley’s last Sunday with us as an intern. His presence and ministry have abundantly blessed Grace and St. James congregations. We gave thanks for his ministry among us on Sunday, July 12. St. James will do so on Aug. 1. Matt went with our high school youth to the work camp in Clare, Michigan in July. On the Aug. 9, they will share with us their experiences during the worship hour and the Forum.
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago asked us to host another intern pastor during the next school year, providing one quarter of the four-year seminary education here at Grace. We will have the privilege to see a future pastor grow in her skills and gain confidence as she participates in ministry with all age groups. Needless to say, we will also be blessed as we receive her wonderful, caring presence.
We have been assigned Dara Schuller-Hanson who will start her internship year on August 21. Dara grew up in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. She went to Luther College in Decorah, IA for her undergraduate degree, majoring in political science. She spent two summers during her college career working as a camp counselor. Dara spent her junior year of college in Nottingham, England and was able to travel around Europe. She was married in July 2007 to her husband, Bjorn, who is attending the Illinois Institute of Technology in their PhD program for clinical psychology. Dara has a particular interest in interfaith studies, ecumenism, and social justice. She is looking forward to serving her internship at Grace this coming year and growing in her skills for ministry. This particular internship will be sponsored and supported by the seminary.
The trip to the Holy Land has a few seats available. It is not too late to sign up for this once in a lifetime trip. Please let me know if you have questions or need further information.
Sunday, August 30 will be a fun day at Grace, which will include a church picnic with games and food for all starting at 12:30 pm. Invite your neighbors, and encourage them to sign-up for any of the programs of the ministries, which will be available this fall. I am excited about a series of short Bible study courses I will be teaching beginning in September. They will focus on seeing Jesus through Middle Eastern eyes. Those classes will meet on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm for one hour and be repeated on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am. Many other offerings will be also available for children, youth and adults through our many ministeries. Your friends and neighbors are cordially welcome to come to the picnic and to participate in our programs. Please invite them to join you.
In Christ,
Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
s.ailabouni@gracelutheran-lg.org
Comments