Pastor’s Piece: Reading and Writing Chapters

A precocious 6-year-old I know has joined the ranks of “reader” and has done so with gusto, his mother reports, exclaiming, “He’s even reading chapter books!” “Flat Stanley,” “Busybody Nora” and the myriad of intermediate-reader stories await his hungry mind. The stories in chapter books provide readers the opportunity to stop and resume reading if their attention spans are not long enough to finish the book in one setting.

How long does our attention span? Is the congregation of Ascension Lutheran Church, like my young friend, aided by the ability to stop for a bit before beginning the next chapter? I ask that we give ourselves permission as congregation and pastor to linger together and receive what has transpired in recent months. The Pastors Aardahl receive both your hellos and your good-byes this month. In itself, this month is a chapter in Ascension’s story. Let us attend to it and receive what it holds: opportunity for rest, quiet and reflection for us all, especially my husband, as well as opportunity
for the introduction and acquaintance of you and me.

At the June 2 special meeting in which the congregation voted to extend a one-year renewable call to me to serve as your pastor, you made way for this new course and chapter. I accepted this call, and, with the Holy Spirit’s intercessions, we commence writing yet another chapter in Ascension’s story.

May we, like my young friend, be ever-inquisitive and open as the chapters unfold. God’s Spirit is guiding, and we, by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 42:9) are reminded, “See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.”

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Rebecca Aardahl