Why Do We Need an Interim Pastor?

Happy New Year! Let’s hope that 2021 will bring us back to something resembling what we consider normal. But I suspect that we will never be the same after the events of this past year. Of course, every year brings change and transition and that will be true of 2021 as well.

Besides what is happening in the world around us, Ascension Lutheran congregation said good bye to Pastor Rebecca and Pastor Wes, which would be difficult in any year. Several members have commented that they were surprised and confused by Pastor Rebecca’s resignation which raises concern in members of the congregation that might not be felt in other situations.

So why do we need an interim pastor? In a time of transition an interim pastor can help a congregation set a fresh course as well as provide pastoral care and leadership between regularly called pastors. It is especially important when a congregation is at a difficult crossroad and it might appear easiest to make quick decisions without fully exploring options or potential outcomes. Having a pastor for the interim allows a congregation in transition time to make a well informed and deliberate decision about the future course of the church.

In the coming months we will have conversations about who Ascension congregation is presently, as well as Ascension’s history, great successes, failures and perception of how the congregation is known in the community. Some of the conversation may be difficult conversations to provide appropriate clarity about past hurts and confusion. We will review the work done by that previous Transition Team. We will prayerfully and even playfully discern about the core values and mission of Ascension Lutheran.

A transition can be a scary time for a congregation, but it is also a time ripe for dreaming and planning for a future of Christ centered ministry that is unique to Ascension Lutheran Church.

Epiphany Blessings,

Pastor Michael

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDED

Dear Ascension Family,

We have had several in-person worship services. These have highlighted some issues that need to be worked on so all can experience a quality worship service that keeps the focus on worship. We have some sound system challenges and other technical aspects that are all correctable, with some work. The Re-Opening Team, along with the Worship Committee and the Technology Committee, are working on these items. It will take time, equipment upgrades, and probably, purchases, to correct these challenges.

We continue to monitor the pandemic in Wyoming and Cheyenne. On October 20, 2020, the Rt rate for Wyoming was 1.26, the second highest state in the US. There were 251 confirmed cases in Wyoming reported that day. These are facts which we need to take seriously. Laramie County is listed number three in terms of cases, behind Albany, and Natrona Counties. The cases are rising and are showing no signs of leveling off or declining. In light of these facts we are going to temporarily halt in-person worship effective immediately.

The reasons are:

• The need to get our technical abilities in line with our worship goals.
• The threat of infection to our staff working at services, especially our Pastor.
• Making worship a safe place for all our Ascension family with proper safety protocols.

We understand that this is frustrating, and some may consider unnecessary. However, we have a responsibility to make worship as safe as possible for all who wish to attend. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and work on our technical challenges; we will re-start in person worship as soon as it is safely feasible. We can all aid in getting this pandemic under control by following the advice from the CDC:

• Wear a cloth mask when in public.
• Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others.
• Wash your hands.
• Stay home if sick or showing any sign of illness.

Thank you for your patience and your prayers during these unusual times.

Morning devotionals

Morning devotionals via Zoom are held three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It opens at 7 a.m. Devotion conversation is from 7:20–7:34 a.m.