In about eleven hours 2009 will be no more. I have finished my first calendar year as a pastor and I can honestly say that I am in a completely different place now than I was this time last year.
I made it through my “second” Christmas. I have to say it felt more like my first Christmas since last year (2008) I had MAJOR back pain and I barely made it through the early Christmas Eve service I can hardly remember anything that happened and I never made it to the late service.
I would be lying if I did not say that 2009 was an adventure. But there were many great things that happened this past year and some not so great things. So listed below are my top ten highlights from the past year:
10. Two Virginia weddings: I presided over my first wedding as a pastor in April. It was the wedding of a friend from childhood – he was also the best man at my wedding. It is hard to believe that we have been friends for more than 24 years! It was a blessing and honor to preside over his wedding.
This past weekend I was a part of another Virginia wedding. Two friends from seminary got married on December 28th and I was a groomsman. It was a wonderful service and reception. It was great to celebrate with them and to watch two people who are hopelessly in love join together as one.
9. 37,000 Teenagers – I was able to join 37,000 Lutheran teenagers in New Orleans this past summer. We gathered together for worship, fellowship and service. I was amazed by the multitude of of people and the high level of energy. I heard amazing stories from that trip and I was blessed to be a part of it.
8. Moving to Church Road – For the last five years we have been basically nomads. We lived in Reading, PA- on seminary campus in Mt. Airy, PA – in Ambler, PA – in Souderton, PA – in Rutland, VT (with my parents for about a month), on Vallingby Circle in Baldwinsville, NY and now our current home on Church road in Baldwinsville, NY. I love our house and I look forward to finally feel settled.
7. Watching my son start school – My son started kindergarten this year. To our surprise he has been doing very good. His teachers love him, he is making friends and he is starting to become his own little man. I love watching him grow and develop. He is also VERY smart.
6. Change in music directors - One of the harder things in my professional life (and hardest thing as a pastor) was losing my music director at the church in May. However, out of it we have hired a wonderful director who is taking our music program to a new level. One of the fruits of this transition was a service of Lessons and Carols on December 20th. It was an amazing service and great for our church and our community.
5. SLIC Group- (Pronounced Slick — Syracuse Lutherans In Conversation) Actually this group doesn’t really have a name but I have to call it something! I have been meeting with a group of clergy on a monthly basis. We talk about the characteristics of God that we see in ourselves. This group is headed up by a wonderful, talented man who has been very helpful in the development of my ministry. He is helping me see all the things that God has blessed me with and he is helping me in the development of ministry at the church that I serve.
4. My wife staying at home with the kids - When we first moved to New York my wife wanted to stay at home with our five-year-old and two-year-old. Eventually she needed to get a job outside of the house…..she stayed at that job for about five months. This summer we started to reevaluate our situation because our son was starting school and our babysitter was starting school as well (so she was not taking any full time kids anymore). So we checked things out and she found some kids that she is watching at our house, which makes things perfect!
3. Road to health - I am not where I thought I would be health wise, or where I want to be. But I have taken some major strides in overcoming some health obstacles. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of health and wellness in 2010.
2. Vacation at Calumet – My family spent a week at Camp Calumet in Freedom, NH this past summer with some friends. It looks like will be an annual tradition. It was something that I really needed in my life. It was a time to reflect, reclaim and reconnect with people that I love.
1. Milestones – 2009 I celebrated five years of marriage with my wife. I also celebrated year one of ordination and my time at St. Mark’s. It marked important milestones in my life. I look forward to many more years at St. Mark’s and many, many more years of marriage with my wife.
Needless to say, 2009 has been a busy, eventful and wonderful year. In the next few days I hope to post some hopes and dreams that may/may not take place in 2010.
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