Local Culture

     Growing up in South Dakota I was privilege to attend several Sioux and Lakota pow wows. Last weekend I googled to see what was going on in the area. I found a Ojibiwa pow wow that was open to the public, so I decided to go. If nothing else it would be a fabulous chance to see a new culture to me and to take some pictures (how can you go wrong). It was fabulous! I didn't stay for it all or get there at the beginning, it began around 1 in the afternoon and my guess is it finished long after I left at 10:30pm, darn Sunday morning preaching gets in the way of late nights on Saturday.
     This is one of the pictures I took, the colors that night were amazing on all of their costumes! It was fun to see and I marked next years on my calendar already.

Yesterday

     Yesterday was one of those days that, as seminarians, we have dreamt about since before we even begin seminary. It was reading and research days here on campus and I stuck around campus for the break. The day was as normal as an empty day on campus could be. Most milestones here on campus are marked by: the community gathering, the community upholding in prayer, the community worshipping, and the community rallying around the days events. This one however was semi-unexpected and as I walked down to my mailbox I had no idea what I was going to find. I got to my mailbox and did the normal, squat down and was excited to see that there was something in my box, I am semi-convinced that my mailbox is a black hole for what can feel like weeks at a time.

     I spin my lock to open the box and naturally couldn’t get it to open, so I tried again (3 times) and finally opened my mailbox. I was expecting to find a letter from my mom, my grandma, or another loved one, I could see that it was a larger envelope (the kind that holds a full sheet of paper) and so I was trying to think through what my mom may have mailed me that she wouldn’t have wanted to bend. When I looked at the envelope I realized that it had come from the Northeastern Minnesota synod! I was surprised and anxiously opened the envelop there standing in the hallway, not a person in sight and no one could be heard.

     As I opened my envelope I found a letter from one of the assistants to the bishop describing a bit of what I would find behind the letter, A CONGREGATION’S PAPERWORK! The moment was surreal, I couldn’t believe what I was holding in my hand. A congregation’s paperwork describing themselves and a little bit about what they are looking for in a pastor. The assistant to the bishop has sent my name and paperwork to them and their paperwork to me?! This is a step in the direction of taking a first call.

     I realize that just because this is the first set of paperwork that I have gotten it does not mean that it is the call I will take, but it is still something to discern. I must discern, the congregation must discern, and together we will see what God is calling us to do. Is God calling us to journey together or is God calling another to live and serve amongst these people and calling me elsewhere? Time will tell.

     While this doesn’t really seem like a very big milestone it was one that caught me a little off guard, while I knew the paperwork might be on its way, it was still a surreal experience. It is hard to believe that while I look forward to graduating, it is a little strange to think that my classmates and I are now the candidates being sent out to congregations all across the United States. I am excited at the ways the Spirit is moving and calling us and meets us in all the unknowns that are before us. I am nervous and unsure at the same time. I trust the Spirit’s moving and guiding, knowing that the Spirit is everywhere and I am being called to live alongside God’s people in a new place, and the Spirit is already there working and moving, and will be there while I am there, and will remain when I am called elsewhere. God is present, God is moving, and it is humbling to see the ways God is moving and that God is in fact calling me to love and serve a particular congregation.

    Well its official. I have been assigned to the Northeastern Minnesota synod and it comes by complete surprise. I was under the impression (as were several of my friends who had been assigned to region 3) that eastern Minnesota was not taking any candidates due to a lack of openings. This must not be true, due to being called there. I will also admit that a piece of my heart had committed to either the western side of Minnesota or one of the North Dakota synods or even South Dakota. These preferences were mostly based on the high number of my friends and family in this area. Although I a not opposed to Northeastern Minnesota by any means.
    My synodical assignment comes with mix emotions and feelings (which is true of pretty much everyone who is assigned). I am excited to explore and learn a new area. I am excited by the prospect of living near a lake (I love being out on a lake). I am excited about first call and the ways in which the Holy Spirit moves and works in all people. I am nervous because I am a native South Dakotan who LOVES to see my horizons, NE Minnesota has a lot of trees and while I enjoy camping for a weekend in such locations I have never fathomed living there. It'll be interesting. I am also a little bit sad that I don't have any friends already up in that area and that none of my classmates were assigned to that same synod. I am a little saddened by the distance from my family and many of my friends. In my heart of hearts I was hoping to be close enough to one of my relatives so that I could drive to them on major holidays, while I greatly appreciate people who on internship invited me into their homes for holidays, it isn't the same as being with family, being a guest during holidays is hard for me. I know I will need to develop new traditions and figure out what it means to celebrate the holidays as a single female living in Northeastern Minnesota.
    I trust the Bishop has something in mind for me or knows of some calls opening up. I am anxious to talk to him or one of his assistants. I have my fingers crossed I'll hear from someone this week to let me know what to expect and can maybe grant me a glimpse into what the future may hold.
    "Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and you love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen." (One of my favorite prayers out of the ELW)