News

19. April 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

    South Campus News

I wish I finally could tell you: We have a place in South Lyon. But I can’t. That is the bad news.

The good news is that we are getting very close! The location finding team is currently looking at a very nice site which meets pretty much all of the requirements for what we want to do at our south campus. We only need to clarify a few things with the city of South Lyon, and get the permission to hold assemblies at this site.

Another good news is that this place is almost affordable and things are not looking too bad concerning financing. And who knows: By the time you get hand on this article these news may be old news already, and we may have the site.

I am really looking forward to worship with you in this place, to hold bible studies and most important: to meet with you there, and make plans for reaching out to the community. Oh, and I almost forgot: I am very much looking forward to have our first party there – something like a baby shower for our newborn campus maybe!  

We are also currently working hard on a business plan which is supposed to provide some material for a presentation. With the presentation we want to go out and find investors who are willing to support us financially, and help change the world by helping us to reach out to the community!

At this point I want to thank all of you who are supporting this ministry by investing their time, energy, and talents! Without you All Saints Lutheran Church wouldn’t be able to do this! One of our congregation members once mentioned that I scare him when it comes to real estate affairs. And this person was right. This is certainly not something I am very talented in. There is a reason why I am a pastor and not a realtor! You see: we need all the many talents that are out there. God has given us a great variety of gifts, and if we share them we can get a lot done as laborers in God’s vineyard.

Again: Thank you so much for sharing your gifts and talents to make this ministry happen! 

Pr. Pamela

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Pelle’s Thoughts

19. April 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

 

As you can see on the picture above I recently spent some time in Arizona. I know what this looks like, but no: I was not there for vacation! (At least not entirely.) Pr. Pamela went to Tempe / Arizona, for a “Churches Starting Churches” conference. And as a very mission driven teddy bear I felt the need to accompany her . (Although, most of the time I let Pr. Pamela do the work) 

The conference was held at Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe. Desert Cross is a congregation with two sites, and the example of this congregation really impressed me. In one of the conference sessions the senior pastor of Desert Cross told the story of how the congregation ended up starting an additional campus:

Desert Cross had spent a lot of money for some nice buildings. If I recall it correctly they were a few million dollars in debt. But the pastor told us that this didn’t seem to worry the members of the congregation. It was not that they didn’t care but they just didn’t worry. At some point the congregation had outgrown the sanctuary. The debt was down to about one million dollars, and the decision was made to build a new and bigger sanctuary. Desert Cross took on some more debt – again –, and an architect was hired and plans were made. But when they were ready to actually build the new building the pastor sensed that something wasn’t right. He started talking to the congregational council and to the members of the church, and found out that a new sanctuary wasn’t really what the congregation wanted. What they felt called to do was to share God’s love by helping people in need in the community of Gilbert. This was when the idea of an additional campus was born. The money that was supposed to be spent for a new sanctuary should be used for reaching out into the community. But that money wasn’t enough. Desert Cross – again – took on some more debt, and started the additional campus. If my information is correct they are with two million dollars in debt right now but the congregation still doesn’t seem to be worried.

And they did not only invest a lot of money in the community outreach. They also sent their best leaders over to the new campus in Gilbert to start a successful ministry. And you know what: The result was not that the ministries at the Tempe Campus suffered because of the lack of qualified leaders. What happened was, that the leaders who left, made room for new very gifted and very qualified people. Others stepped up an brought some fresh ideas with them.

When I heard this story I remembered one of Jesus’ parables. (Yes, teddy bears do read the bible! At least I do – once in a while…) 

It’s the parable about the talents in Matthew 25: ¹⁴“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

I think Desert Cross Lutheran Church is a great example of trusting in God and of trusting in doing the right thing. It is a great example of using the gifts God has given us – time, talent, and treasure - to invest them in the kingdom of God! Desert Cross is a great example of a congregation which knows that church is mainly about the people out there who are in need. It is about the people out there who are in need of help and who are in need of hearing the Gospel about God’s unconditional love! 

I wanted to share this example with you because I see that we – like Desert Cross Lutheran Church - are doing good in what God is calling us to do. But although we ARE doing good, I think we can do BETTER. We can do better in investing our time, talents, and treasures. We only have to use our gifts wisely. And we have to use them not for our own sake but for the sake of the people out there. It’s for the people who otherwise may not hear the story about this awesome God!  

Yours Pelle

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Have you laughed today?

19. April 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

  Laughter makes you live longer - or so they say.

Two women are shipwrecked on an island. Soon after reaching the island one of the women starts to panic and screams: “We’re going to die! We’re going to die! There is no food, no water, no shelter! We’re going to die!” The other one - propped up against a palm tree - is pretty relaxed. She doesn’t seem to be concerned at all.The first woman is still panicking and screaming: “We’re going to die! We’re going to die!” Then she realizes how calm the other one is and asks: “Why are you so relaxed? You don’t seem to be worried at all. Why is that”

The second woman answers: “ I earn $100.000 a week.”The first woman is confused, and says: “ This is a lot of money, but I don’t see how this can help you right now. Even if you had the money with you, there is no place on this whole island where you could buy fresh water, food or material for shelter. We’re going to DIE!” The second woman answers: “I earn  $100.000 a week, I am a member of a church, and I tithe 10% on the $100.000 to the church. My pastor will find me!”

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News

16. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

           South Campus news

The news is that the South Campus has a name, a vision and mission statement, and its own blog by now. If you made it already to www.slpowerandlight.org this is not really news for you  

And I know that you are waiting for some really important news – the news that we finally have a location. BUT: We have NOT found it yet. We are still looking.Part of the problem is that we don’t have an answer yet from Mission Investment Fund to the question if they will be able to purchase property or a building for us. They would hold it for three years, and we would start paying as soon as we have revenue coming in at our south campus. We would also have 0% interest at least for the first year. That would be a great help in terms of financing. What makes things difficult is the fact that the south campus is a second site of All Saints and not a mission development on its own. This kind of deal is usually not available for multi site congregations, only for a new mission start that is an entity on its own. It is also not so easy to find a location that meets our needs. 

First of all we had to be clear about WHAT we want to do. Then we had to come up with HOW we want to it. The last step is to find out WHERE this is possible. Pastor Dave, the Location Finding Team and I have been working hard on these questions and this is the result: 

 All Saints Lutheran Church – South Campus Mission Statement 

WHAT:

ASLC is establishing a south campus ministry in order to bring the Gospel to people who are not likely to ever attend a church related activity, who otherwise would not be exposed to the Gospel. 

South Lyon Power and Light – Children of the Light, sharing God’s love. 

HOW: 

 Activities which serve the people of South Lyon and offer them a real service, while offering our South Campus ministry the opportunity to form relationships with people who are not involved with any community of faith.

a.      Activities that could happen out in the community: car wash at which a dollar is given away to every person who comes through; yard work for the needy; snow removal for the needy; grocery shopping for the needy; battery distribution for smoke detectors.

b.     Activities that could happen at a South Campus Location: tutoring; ESL classes; parenting classes/support group (free daycare provided); drama classes; music classes (youth choir for South Lyon); motorcycle Safety classes; bible Study for beginners; coffee house; concerts; worship; yoga; karate.

WHERE:

Location requirements:

I.       Welcoming, cozy space.

a.      Bright.   b.     Pleasant.

II.     Space to accommodate 150 people.

III.  High visibility to local residents.

a.      Preferably downtown. 

IV.  Extremely flexible. a.      Office space.   b.     Meeting space for all ages.   c.      Worship space.

V.    Positive reputation in the community.

VI.  Plenty of access to parking.

VII.            NOT a church-like building.

VIII.         $20,000.00 annual budget for lease/rent. 

The mission statement looks pretty impressive, doesn’t it? We have come this far and all that’s left, is to find the place in South Lyon that matches this mission statement. As if it were that easy! Yes, starting an additional campus is exciting and a lot of fun. And yes: starting an additional campus is also sometimes frustrating and even discouraging.This reminds me of a picture on the door of the teacher’s lounge at the secondary school where I used to teach:

NEVER EVER GIVE UP

  And never ever loose trust in God! 

Pr. Pamela

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Pelle’s Thoughts

16. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

How do we know that it’s really spring?

I have been pondering about this for quite a while, and this is what I came up with after evaluating my own experiences:

You know it’s really spring when: 

-         there is no more Christmas decoration at your house because it fell apart during the last snowstorm.

-         your fleece sweaters disappear in the laundry (usually this only happens to single socks).

-         your neighbors simultaneously ignite their leaf blowers and create an ear deafening noise you haven’t heard since last October.

-         the melting snow reveals the outdoor furniture on your back deck (you thought you had stored it in the basement).

-         gasoline prices hit $4,- per gallon.

-        the snow is gone and you can fill more than one garbage bin with dog poop from your backyard.

-         someone in the family insists on getting a new BBQ grill.

-         the roads are more slippery than ever after a snowstorm because contractors have run out of salt by now.

-         a table collapses under the weight of outdoor catalogues and brochures.

-         temperatures drop below 32°F and you realize that you’ve run out of firewood. 

But now seriously:

You know it is spring when you see nature awakening from a long and cold sleep!  You know it is spring when you realize that the sunbeams are more powerful and warming! You know it is spring when everything seems to be much more filled with life! Spring is God’s way of showing us that God is the God of creation and the God of life. 

And this is my wish for all of you during this time of reawakening: May the blessing of God’s soft rain be on you, falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul with the sweetness of summer flowers newly blooming. (Irish Blessing)

Yours Pelle

P.S.: You know it’s spring when someone unexpectedly shows up at your door and gives you a bouquet of spring flowers. Just happened to Pr. Pamela while she was typing this article for me. THANKS!

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Who Is This Teddy Bear?

16. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

Hi, my name is Pelle!

I am the teddy bear of  Pastor Pamela and her husband. I came over from Germany together with them because I was sure: without me, they are lost! I look after them. I am a mascot, a friend, a counselor, a copilot and sometimes even a pillow to them, like every other well trained stuffed animal. I like to be part of everything that is going on in Pr. Pamela’s life including her ministry as a pastor. This is why I transferred from All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland to  the South Lyon Campus. I also enjoy sharing my experiences and thoughts, and so I became Pr. Pamela’s ghostwriter. Or did she actually become my ghostwriter?  Anyway, here I am: the most theologically educated and most mission oriented teddy bear you’ve probably ever met!

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Have you laughed today?

10. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

        Laughter makes you live longer - or so they say.

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners.

At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote “Revelation 3:20″ on the back of it and stuck it underneath the windshield wiper of the car that was parked in the driveway.

The following Sunday after the worship service the pastor left the church and walked over to his car. Underneath the windshield wiper he found the card he had written a few days ago.  Added to his note was another one saying: “Genesis 3:10.” 

He reached out for his Bible to check out the citations. 

Revelation 3:20 says “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Genesis 3:10 reads, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked.”

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First Worship

8. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

                     

  

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Welcome to South Lyon Power and Light!

8. March 2008 by Pastor Pamela.

                      South Campus News

You have been asking me many times during the last few weeks (months?): How is it going at the South Campus? I have heard this question so often that I figured it is about time to start a regular “south corner” in our newsletter to keep all of you updated and informed about how it is going at the South Campus. So how is it going? I give you the same answer I have given many times before: It’s not going fast enough! And there you have a very good example of an excited pastor’s impatience. Yes, I am very excited about what I am doing. I just LOVE it! And yes, I am also not blessed with a lot of patience. I want a campus in South Lyon with people reaching out to the unchurched with all kinds of cool activities - of course with about 2000 people worshipping every week. And I want it NOW! ☺ I know very well that something like that can’t happen within the first four months. And the number 2000 may be completely out of reach. But …, who knows, … But let’s start at the beginning. Our official “birth date” of the South Campus Ministry was November 4th, 2007 when we – All Saints Lutheran Church – voted to launch an additional campus to reach out to people without any church background. That was four months ago. Not a very long time, but to me it does seem long (impatience, remember?). This is what’s been happening during these four months: We got into contact with Holy Family and met some very nice people who will hopefully be involved in our new ministry as soon as we have a place and regular activities going on. On the 4th Sunday of Advent we had our first worship service in a basement which was a great experience. (Reminded me a little bit of the first Christians who came to the US. They didn’t have church buildings either. And pioneers: that’s what we are as well – sort of.) I was surprised that we got 17 people together, what was a little more than we had at our Hartland Campus at the 7:00 p.m. worship service that day. (I know, the South and the North Campus are not supposed to be in competition with each other, but I must confess: it felt good.) The bad news is that we are not worshiping on a regular basis yet. Hopefully this will change soon. We have also been looking for ministry space from the very beginning. There was a horse farm involved, a nice property with Quonset huts - which looked really cool, and storefronts. The most recent locations we are looking at are the movie theater in downtown South Lyon, an Italian restaurant, and a Bistro. I am really curious what God has in store for us. I hope that we know more by the time you have this newsletter on your computer or in your hand. Meanwhile the Big Questions in South Lyon got started: every first Wednesday of the month at the Gallery Café in downtown South Lyon. Although it has been a little frustrating for me because the first time I could not make it because I had the stomach flu. But God provided a substitute host and so the Big Questions did happen. The second time the weather was so bad that I could not make it down there (and neither could anybody else). Whatever: we will try again the first Wednesday in March! We have also been busy getting into contact with community leaders in South Lyon to get connected with Active Faith, the South Lyon Herald (did you see the nice newspaper article on the bulletin board in the narthex?), the Chamber of Commerce, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the city council of South Lyon. Again an opportunity to meet some very nice people. From the very beginning people have been kicking around ideas about a name for our South Campus. Although there were some very good ones – especially from our youth – THE name was not among them, as you can see. The South Campus is still called South Campus. Once more your “south pastor” must prove patient and trust in the Holy Spirit that the right name will show up at the right time. Actually, now as I see all this printed: there has been a lot going on in our South Campus Ministry! And this has only been possible because it is not only the south pastor laboring in this corner of God’s vineyard. Many people stood up and helped. Thank you for all the support and encouragement! I also want to thank the many of you who have offered their help. Be sure: we will need it! Our most recent and most important task is to find ministry space. As I told you before, we are currently looking at some places in downtown South Lyon. The biggest challenge is to find something in a good location and something that we can afford. Please keep praying that we find the right place soon. And in this case the “soon” does not have to do with your south pastor’s impatience. The experience of mission developers shows that it is crucial to find a location soon. An additional campus needs an address. Our South Campus needs a place to be. But I trust in the Holy Spirit that she will show us the way. We only need to keep our eyes open and we must not forget to listen to God’s voice in all of this. Go South! Pr. Pamela

                                 There were a few very promising sites - but we are still looking.

                 

                                    God has something in store for us! We only need to find it.

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