Dear Friends,
A favorite gift for new graduates is Dr. Suess’s Oh! The Places You’ll Go! It highlights the excitement of “the-sky’s-the-limit” thinking during this special time in one’s life, coupled with the reality that there are surprises along the way.
I feel like we’re in the midst of an “Oh! The Places We’ll Go!” kind of moment. So many great things are in the works here at Zumbro. Many of the plans we have set in place in the last year are coming to fruition. We aren’t exactly sure yet what God is going to do with it all. We can only imagine who God will call to be part of our community and what kind of a difference God will make in our lives as we respond to God’s leading.
On January 6, we took the first steps in our building renovation. The front entrance got a new fish-bowl look, as the space where the new elevator is being built is wrapped in plastic. It’s exciting to see the progress already being made.
While this is happening, teams and staff are working together to prepare for the next phase of the building project. As we get ready to move things for construction, I hope you’ll consider sharing some of your time in the next couple of months to help with the move.
This month, we’ll also celebrate our growing partnership with Luther College. Eight years ago, when one of the Luther nursing professors reached out to me to see about bringing their nursing program to Zumbro, I would have never guessed that we’d be exploring a much richer partnership. Today, we are not only sharing space, but building relationships with bright, dedicated young adults, who are eager to make a difference in people’s lives. Over the years, many Zumbro members have had a chance to get to know nursing students through regular conversations as part of the Well Elders class. Some students have been involved in our music program. Others have volunteered with Open Table. One nursing student this year is our nursery coordinator.
This month, our relationship with Luther College will expand further as we welcome the first cohort of the Rochester Semester Program. You can learn more about this new part of Luther’s presence at Zumbro by reading the articles on pages 6 and 7. On Sunday, Feb. 9, we’ll celebrate our relationship with Luther at our 10:30 worship service. Luther’s 80 member men’s choir, Norskkor, and jazz trumpeter, John Ailabouni, will bring music, and Campus Pastor, Annie Edison-Albright, will preach. Please plan to attend this festive worship and be part of the celebration.
Our journey of faith is always being made new as we look for the ways God is calling us to be the church today. Yet, at the same time, we are rooted in ancient practices of worship and ritual. At the end of February, we’ll enter the season of Lent, a time of reflection and spiritual discipline. You’re invited to start this time of reflection by participating in worship and the sacred ritual of the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, at noon, 5:30pm (family service), or 6:30pm.
Peace,
~ Pastor Jason