Hello dear friends & family,

This weekend is momentous for a variety of reasons -

Well, first of all it's Pentecost, as we celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not just on Sunday, but every day, especially in our household while discerning hard things, which there's been a lot of lately - "heavy lifting", as Karl says .... 

Secondly, it's prom.  JK - not for Karl (he's still only almost "2yo"), but Claire, who would put that at #1.

Also, it's Karl's farewell at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
Through much discernment over the past year since he's been back at work part-time, he has resigned from his senior pastor position there, as he's decided that he just doesn't have the stamina for full-time ministry at this time.  Otherwise, he's strong & healthy & looks good & still in remission (though still on daily oral chemo), just takes lots of naps.  I told him he should take a sabbatical this summer (since he's never had a sabbatical in 25 years!) and discern next steps for fall, and apparently he's been telling people that he'll do what I say. ;)

Come celebrate Karl in person this Sunday, May 19th - 

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
4801 France Ave South, Minneapolis 
10 am Worship, followed by a program, festivities, and picnic

OR Worship online
https://www.goodshepherdmpls.org/ 
(and then scroll down to the live worship link)

Unfortunately, I will be unable to be there through most of Karl's farewell, as I have been serving as Interim Pastor at Calvary Lutheran near George Floyd Square and they're celebrating their 100th anniversary that same day.  Sigh.  Karl's dad Del had previously advised us never to take a call with a major milestone anniversary.  Ironically, Karl missed Good Shepherd's 100th anniversary celebration during his very 1st weekend in the hospital 2 years ago.  I thought missed it since Calvary's 100th was actually last year, but they were busy with super cool other transformation projects*, so I guess I'm "taking one for the team"!

Blessed Pentecost, everyone!

peace & grace,
Angela

* https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/01/19/aging-minneapolis-church-gets-new-life-as-affordable-housing-near-george-floyd-square

P.S. And some updates on the rest of our family, whom we haven't mentioned in a while - 

- TJ@The Crayola Experience (@MOA)
- Sam@St Andrew Lutheran/Eden Prairie (Media Director)
- Nora@Agnes Scott College & Wilderness Canoe Base/BWCA staff this summer
- Lucy@University California-Santa Cruz & Wilderness Canoe Base/BWCA staff this summer
- Claire@Como High School & Starbucks, plus Wilderness Canoe Base & other adventures this summer (hmmm... do you see a family pattern developing?)