Dear Our Saviour’s Community, I will hold all of you in my heart and prayers as I relish a three-month sabbatical, beginning April 15. I am full of gratitude for the ministry that we do together and for the gift of this time of rest and renewal.

I am excited for you to get to have this special time with Pastor Esther without me around. Please remember to support and celebrate her as she completes her MTh this spring at Luther Seminary! Grant Stevensen will also be providing some extra pastoral support during these months. We have a wonderful variety of guest preachers lined up – some from within the congregation and some from other communities. And of course, do cherish these months with Mary Preus as she nears retirement this fall after decades of vibrant ministry among us!

Several of you have asked me about my plans. My sabbatical will be a combination of reading and reflecting on ministry, travel with family, and doing house and garden projects. Travel will include a trip to Florida to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in celebration of Naomi’s 10th birthday, a trip to Holden Village with lots of family, and a trip to the Winnipeg Folk Festival with Sam as we mark the 12th anniversary of our wedding. I will also complete my Executive Leadership Certificate from Princeton Theological Seminary this May. I have learned so much from this program and will continue to benefit from being part of a robust alumni network with many continuing education opportunities.

I trust I will return to OSLC eager to see all of you and to jump right back into our shared ministry. It is such a deep joy to serve as your pastor. May you glimpse the risen Jesus meeting you over and over again in the meals you share, in the stories you hear and tell, in the songs you sing and in the companions who journey with you in love and faithfulness, forgiveness and care along the road.
I look forward to sharing our stories when I return!
The peace of Christ be with you all, beloved of God.

Pastor Martha