honoring our recently retired clergy

HONORING OUR
RECENTLY RETIRED
CLERGY
By Rev. Emily A. Carson
This year at the Synod Assembly, we will carve
out time to honor our newly retired pastors! We
give thanks to God for their faithful service to
the Gospel, and we wish them joy and peace in
retirement.
REV. BETSY DARTT
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: The book of Philippians, the
Lord of the Rings series, Les Miserables, Barter
(a poem by Sara Teasdale), Hymns: Immortal,
Invisible and Beautiful Savior.
REV. CHRIS BREKKE
Favorite Bible references, books,
movies, and hymns: Anything by C.S.
Lewis, Shawshank Redemption, the book of
Ecclesiastes, Hymns: O Christ the Same and
Lord of all Hopefulness.
Meaningful ministry memories: My second
call as a mission start in Colorado. I remember
knocking on 11,000 doors as the community was
forming. And building a church building was
very memorable.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Extra time to be with family - especially parents
and grandchildren. Working on a few books.
Learning a new instrument.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: Love the lord, love the people.
Cultivate relationships.
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Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
More time with family, grandchildren, time with
sisters, free weekends, pulpit supplying and other
continued ways to serve, quilting.
Ways you nurture your spirit: Piano and
music, prayer, meditation, taking time to truly
LISTEN to God.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: Love the people, remember how much
God loves YOU - keep trusting and listening to
the spirit.
To view this issue of River
Crossings online and explore our
archives, visit: http://semnsynod.
org/river-crossings/
Continues on page 7
REV. PAUL FORDE
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Carl Barth’s book The Epistle
to the Romans, anything by Fred Craddock.
Movies: Field of Dreams, ET, Schindler’s List.
Psalm 18:30, Gospel of Mark, 2 Thessalonians
3:3, Psalm 51, Exodus 14:13.
Meaningful ministry memories: I
participated in many youth activities and retreats
over the years. Always enjoyed visiting folks at
the nursing home. Bible studies were a big part
of my ministry, and I always tried to facilitate a
meaningful Lenten series.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Spending time with Alexa Lupo, my first
grandchild! Traveling, supply preaching, Habitat
for Humanity and local service activities.
Gardening, golf, and tennis.
Ways you nurture your spirit: Prayer
retreats, daily devotion practices.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: Be sure to take your continuing
education time and opportunities, use your
vacation time, stay intellectually involved. Don’t
let your personal library end with your seminary
training. Avoid neglecting your family.
REV. BOB KAUL
Favorite Bible references, books,
movies, and hymns: I am a student of the
Old Testament, especially 2nd Isaiah and
the prophets with their call for justice and
rightenousness. Romans 8:35-39. Hymns: On
Christ the Solid Rock I Stand and Be Thou My
Vision.
Meaningful ministry memories: A trip
in 1982 to Nicaragua, teaching - especially
Confirmation, providing pastoral care.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Spending time in my wood shop, time with kids
and grandkids, and time playing the guitar.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: Get into really good, deep habits of
spiritual exercise. Find a good spiritual director.
Learn how to deal with conflict; learn as much as
you can about administration.
“Get into really good, deep habits of
spiritual exercise.”
-Rev. Bob Kaul
Continues on page 8
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REV. JOHN TORRIS LOHRE
REV. JOHN PETERSEN
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Team of Rivals, Devil in the
White City. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Hymns:
Borning Cry and Drawn to the Light.
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Telling Secrets by Frederick
Buechner. Galatians, Isaiah 43:1, 1 Corinthians
1:8-9, Hymns: How Great Thou Art, Thy Holy
Wings and Lift High the Cross.
Meaningful ministry memories: Being part
of a team ministry and the collegiality of that.
I learned things from every call. And I really
enjoyed being part of the ELCA.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Continue supply preaching. Read. Golf. Time
with grandchildren is a top priority. Travel.
Words of guidance: There are so many
insights and resources if you’re willing to ask!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be flexible.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
-Rev. John Torris Lohre
Meaningful ministry memories: Music has
always been a huge part of my ministry. I also
have fond memories of distributing communion,
baptisms, and being part of the “ministry of
presence.”
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Time! I have time to do the things that I love.
Bicycling, woodworking, reading fiction.
How do you nurture your spirit? Reading
and study of Scripture, prayer, meaningful
conversations.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: Stay in the Word and bring the Word
to life for people! Take good care of yourself.
Take a regular inventory of what’s working and
what’s not working in your life.
Continues on page 9
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REV. LOUISE STROMBERG
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life
Together. I enjoy writing poetry, too. John 15:16,
John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9. Hymns: My Hope is
Built on Nothing Less, Rise Shine You People
Meaningful ministry memories: Involvements
in the lives of people at significant moments bringing God’s love into situations. Baptisms,
weddings, funerals.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Spending time with grandkids, traveling to Ireland,
time to read, quilt, serve, and use my embroidery
machine.
How do you care for your spirit? I always
set aside a place for quiet time, preferably in my
sunroom.
Words of guidance for new rostered leaders:
Be sure to nurture your own faith and love God’s
people.
“Love God’s people.”
-Rev. Louise Stromberg
REV. DENNIS TIMMERMAN
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Romans 8:28, Gospel of John,
Crossways Bible Study.
Meaningful ministry memories: Habitat for
Humanity, community involvements, serving as an
EMT.
Joys/plans/antcipations about retirement:
Opportunities to spend more time with family,
schedule freedom, time to build and fix things.
Words of guidance for new rostered leaders:
Recognize the importance of having outlets
beyond the church. Find a text study group.
REV. JANE TIMMERMAN
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Poetry of John van de Laar,
Gospel of John.
Meaningful ministry memories: 7-day silent
retreat at Villa Maria, leading grief groups.
Joys/plans/anticipations about retirement:
Nice not to have commitments. I am taking voice
lessons. Looking forward to more jewelry making.
Words of guidance to new rostered leaders:
Have a life outside of church connections. It’s
so easy to get so focused on church ministry. It’s
important to have involvement with people who
aren’t involved in the church.
Continues on page 10
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REV. CURTIS ZIESKE
HELPFUL LINKS
Favorite Bible references, books, movies,
and hymns: Political and sports biographies.
Gospel of John, Luke - Chapter 1, Hymn: The
Church is One Foundation
Churchwide:
• Resources:
http://www.elca.org/Resources
• ELCA Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Lutherans
• Living Lutheran (stories and blogs):
http://www.elca.org/Living-Lutheran
• ELCA Advocacy:
https://www.facebook.com/elcaadvocacy
Meaningful ministry memory: My
Sabbatical experience in the Holy Land - building
relationships there.
Joys/anticipations about retirement: Travel.
The opportunity to be available. More time to
read and enjoy things slowly.
Words of guidance for new rostered
leaders: The stuff I remember is the stuff that
brought joy. Count it all joy. Take opportunities to
pursue your theological interests. Appreciate the
sacraments.
ADDITIONAL RETIREES BEING
HONORED AT SYNOD ASSEMBLY
INCLUDE:
• Rev. Graciela Jortak
• Rev. Lydia Mittag
• Rev. Donald Roberts
• Rev. David Rossow
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Ministry Partners:
• Good Earth Village:
http://www.goodearthvillage.org
• Lutheran Campus Center - Winona:
http://www.lccwinona.com
• Crossroads Campus Ministry - Mankato:
http://crossroadsatmnsu.org/
• Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota:
http://bitly.com/semnlutheranadvocacy
Synod Reminders:
• For the full synod calendar, visit: http://
semnsynod.org/calendar
• Monthly call process & roster updates:
http://semnsynod.org/callprocess/
• Sign-up for the weekly e-news: http://bitly.
com/semnenews