The Calm Before the Storm
The Calm Before the Storm
by Pastor Jeff Holter
Our family used to take vacations on the many beaches while in Brazil. We
would pack our VW van up with all of our beach stuff and head for the ocean. It
was not “Glamping” like they do today, with fancy hotels to cater to your every
need. We truly did “Rough It.” For the most part, we would set up a canvas tent
on the sands along the shore, hoping that we were not too close to the ocean
when the tide came in and not too far away, which would require one to walk
though the grass loaded with thorns. In the end, we got pretty good about
knowing when to move farther inland to avoid the storms that were pretty
common along the coast.
Everyone in our newly created “Parish” has been very kind. I have been
asked many times; “So, pastor, how are things going?” All I can tell you is that so
far things are going well. The worship schedule is going as well as can be
expected. Then, it has only been a couple of weeks so far. And I am getting to
know a few more names of the people at FOG; with time, that will only feel more
natural. The worship team at FOG even allows me to sing along with them on
Sundays. Boy, are they ever in for an awakening. But… so long as they sing songs
that I am familiar with we will be ok. The storm hits when the music requires me
to actually read music. Bring your ear plugs then! But all in all, this has been a
good transition to “Parish” life and “Parish” identity.
Believe me when I say that the real storm is yet to come. There will
inevitably come days when we will need to have all hands on deck! Preparation is
the key. What will be needed at that time, is everyone working together, because
the difference between a storm that can devastate us and a storm that will draw
us together “is” preparation. I like what I am seeing in the “Parish Council.” We
are going through the calm right now. The financial picture has calmed down for
both congregations and that is a breath of fresh air. Who knows what tomorrow
will bring there. The activities are on auto mode but people have been working on
overload for quite some time now. How will we manage the growing need for
changes in leadership? It is hard to let go when you have been responsible for so
long. Take a breath … it will work out!
My vision right now is that of a parent whose eldest child is getting ready to
go to college his/her freshman year. I haven’t been here for a long time and this is
all new to you as well. Best advice I have is to listen to each other. Listen actively,
and communicate often. We will find the time to support each other even if the
storm hits. Anticipate, celebrate, but don’t accuse or get judgmental. The last
thing anyone wants to hear in the storm is, “Why didn’t you tie down the tent?”
Just start holding on and seeing that everyone is ok. Check and make sure that
everyone is safe. Keep moving, because storms pass and then the sun/son
appears and hope is renewed and peace is restored and God still loves us and we
are still his “children”. And we… well, we are still one in Christ. That is the
message we cling to. In Christ … we are ONE.
Colors Flying
Colors Flying,
by Pastor Jeffrey Holter
“We are just getting started on this journey we are calling a “Parish.’”
This past week, a couple of things happened that I was looking forward to. The first was the engine noise from the race track in Proctor. Every year I anticipate the noise from the Proctor Speed way, and like clockwork, it never disappoints. The engines will begin roaring about 6pm and sometime about 10-11pm it ends. The sound is deafening and I love it.
The other event I enjoy happens on Wednesday evenings during the summer. The sail boats begin lifting their sails and journeying out into the open waters of Lake Superior. It is actually quite magical to watch, especially from the vantage of a hillside in Duluth. The sail boats come in many shapes and sizes, and the sails also come in different sizes and bright and beautiful colors. It is as if all the boats are flying their colors and letting everyone enjoy the freedom of the open water.
There is a familiar story in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 14: 22-33). It’s the story of Jesus walking on the water. As Matthew tells the story, Jesus comes walking on the water and the disciples in the boat think he is a “Ghost.” I get it--ghosts can be pretty scary. But then Jesus speaks to them and says, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
What follows is one of those situations where someone over plays his hand. Like Kenny Rogers says, “You got to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.” Peter gets it into his head that he too can walk on water and kind of invites himself into the storm. Not a good idea! Anyway, so long as Peter keeps his eyes on Jesus, “ghostly” things stay away. But it doesn’t take long before this story takes a turn. The end of the story is classic Gospel. Jesus steps in and takes Peters hand so that the storm does not overwhelm him. So that death does not have the last word.
We are just getting started on this journey we are calling a “Parish.” It actually could be the biggest storm we will face together. We could be treading some pretty perilous waters, and there are potentially all kinds of “ghosts” out there. It’s frightening and we may also want to over play our hand. Perhaps thinking we can control everything, if we just play our cards right. But the truth is the sea is deep and the waters are rough. I suspect that we have become accustomed to doing things ourselves, even when the water is 10 feet over our heads. This story could spell disaster for us unless…unless Jesus just happens to be close. I mean holding our hands close. Really…close enough to call out to us to take ahold of his hand. To stop trying to control everything on our own. Sounds like perfect advice especially when your name is Peter. “The Rock!”
I like letting everyone know what the shape of my sail looks like. To know what are the colors that I fly under. So here goes. Jesus is first, my wife is second, my family comes next and then comes the church. Of course, after church there are a myriad of other things. One more thing; when times have been difficult like the storm in the gospel story I find that holding Joan’s hand gives me strength. Jesus pulls us out of all sorts of difficult situations. We may find that these two churches are one of God’s way of offering a hand. It will take faith to take that hand, but I believe that we can because Jesus is with us. Close, yes, oh so very close. And promises never to let go!
Blessings, Pastor Jeffrey Holter
The New Path Forward
Last month Family of God held two exciting meetings. On Sunday, April 14, the congregation passed a vote to unite in partnership with Kenwood Lutheran Church, creating a two-point parish. On Sunday, April 21, the congregation passed a vote to call Pastor Jeff Holter, current pastor of Kenwood Lutheran, as our new pastor. We have found our path forward.
The church council would like to thank the congregation for your participation in this meeting and throughout this process. The questions asked were insightful and helped us to envision what this next step will look like. We also remain grateful to Pastor Mark Holman as our final interim. His expertise, work with the synod and congregation, and calm demeanor have helped us navigate this process smoothly.
Pastor Mark’s final service with us will be Sunday, May 5. Pastor Jeff Holter will begin on Sunday, June 2, at our new time of 8:45 a.m.
Thank you for your participation, questions, and patience
Your Church Council
Thank you, Pastor Mark!
by Rose M. Fife, Communications Specialist
Churches in need of an interim pastor can often be a holy mess. And Pastor Mark Holman isn’t afraid to walk into places of upheaval. “I credit my mother. She had a rare ability to deal with chaos.”
Family of God’s third (and final!) interim, Pastor Mark Holman began working for Family of God
in February 2024. He has worked as an ELCA pastor, a hospital chaplain, an ELCA Global
Missions staff person, and an interim pastor supporting congregations in conflict. And he keeps
trying to slow down.
“I have flunked retirement four times,” he says. He has served as an interim pastor many times,
including a parish in Jerusalem, and other locations in Duluth, Fargo, and Minneapolis.
While serving as an Interim Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Duluth in 2013, Pastor Mark and
his wife, Marcia, fell in love with the community. Four years ago, they decided to move from a
downtown Minneapolis hi-rise condominium to make Duluth their permanent home. He now
works to facilitate and help congregations with their interim needs while providing pastoral care
and education; along with supporting the process of the Call Committee and other parish
agreements.
Where It Began
Originally from Minneapolis, Pastor Holman met Marcia when he attended Golden Valley
Lutheran College in Golden Valley, MN, 1967. Married for 54 years, they lived abroad for many
years and still enjoy traveling internationally. (They have been to all 7 continents!) Before
retirement, Marcia worked as a special education behavioral specialist, focusing on children on
the autism spectrum.
Pastor Mark provides worship leadership, pastoral care, and guidance for the FOG staff as well
as the church council. He is also an advocate for Family of God as we navigate (the final stages
of) a parish agreement with Kenwood Lutheran Church.
A Calling For the Work
Pastor Holman feels there are needs within the church that he is equipped to help with. “I’m
interested in engaging with staff and leaders to discern how the Holy Spirit is moving us forward
in ministry. It’s a privilege to be used in that regard.”
Focused on building trusting relationships in the churches he works with, he wants to help
others determine their calling in ministry. Whether or not they can define it as a calling, Pastor
believes everyone is called to a life of purpose. “The Spirit is alive here. The task is to discern
how we can yoke with the Holy Spirit so we can be equipped to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus
Christ in the language of today.”
Tennis… but not Dinner
In his free time, Pastor Mark enjoys sports like tennis, pickleball, traveling, good friendships, and
extending hospitality. “But not cooking,” he says wryly.
Pastor Mark Holman will celebrate his final service with us on Sunday, May 5. Thank you for your work with us, Pastor Mark!
