Clowns

I've never fancied myself as someone who feels called to work with youth and it's never really been on my "radar" to oversee a youth group so I was surprised when I felt called to help direct the new Clown Troupe service. To get started I gathered some other members of the church to help come up with a new service with a few new ideas. Well, after hours of rehearsal time, some lengthy discussions about "change" and a lot of prayer, they led worship last weekend at all 3 services at Hopeful. I am proud of the work they did.

Here are some observations of the past 3 months:

+We have a wonderful congregation at Hopeful for without their vision, trust and faith this type of worship would not be possible. For that I am truly thankful.

+Our youth are not afraid to work, have fun, listen and give their opinions. This service is a combination of work from adults as well as a lot of input from the youth. Many ideas within the service came from them whether they know it or not. They gave it all they had and it showed.

+We have some dedicated parents in our church. Without them this amount of work could not be accomplished. They choreographed, directed, provided food, helped make props and just jumped in where needed.

+This service is still emotional for me even after seeing it over and over during the rehearsal period. It really talks to today's and yesterdays congregational members. After all, the music might be different but the message isn't.

As we prepared for service on Saturday night there were some concerns about how it would all come together and as we joined together in prayer I reminded them to trust God, not fear and all would be good.

And it was.

Greg

Update

I thought I would take a minute or two and update everyone on where the process towards ordination stands as of today since it started in the middle of January.

The application process started with an application to the ELCA (for me it's the IK Snynod). When they received the application they imediately sent a packet to my home church (Hopeful Lutheran in Florence KY) and they confirmed and sponsored my application (thanks council!). I then also had to fill out paperwork for a background check and additional paper work to be sent to the company that does my psychological analysis . I then took psych tests that took about 4 hours to complete. Today I met, face to face, with a psychologist to discuss the results of the tests (which was favorable) as well getting the chance for them to meet with me.

During all of this time the search for a seminary began. After visiting Wartburg in Dubuque IA, Trinity in Columbus OH and LTSS (Southern) in Columbia SC I decided on applying to Southern (again more paperwork). I received my acceptance letter from them earlier this week. Although I have been accepted it is only provisional. I cannot study under the MDiv program without a confirmation from the ELCA.

So the only remaining step in the application process is the formal interview with the IK Synod. That will take place at the end of this month (April). I will learn, at that interview, the decision which will allow me to begin my studies towards ordination.

I would like to thank all of you who have supported me up to this point through your prayer and kind words and for some of you filling out paperwork and referals. It is comforting to know that there are that many people who are willing to stand behind me in this process.

In His name,

Greg