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!