Thank you. . . Auburn and Cupertino

This was my first experience teaching continuing education classes for Concordia Theological Seminary.  It was a first experience but an amazing one!  First of all, the arrangements made by LeeAnna Rondot from the Seminary were amazing and I was well taken care of.  Second, I cannot say enough about the Pastors at both sites.  It was a little taxing (5,000 miles of traveling) but I loved it!

In Auburn, Michigan, Pastor Schian was a wonderful host not only to Grace but also welcoming us to his home.  Thank you Pastor and Ruth!  Also, I enjoyed the help and support of their Cantor, Nathan Beethe, who is not only a wonderful parish musician but also a most gracious and helpful host!  Thanks to the pastors who preached for the services, to the congregation for their welcome and gracious care, and to those who attended for their interest and attention.  It was also great to renew a friendship of some 45 years at the class and visit Zehnder's and Bronners!  Thank you and God bless you all.

Only a few days later, I boarded a plane for Cupertino, California.  It was not my first time near San Francisco but my first time at Lutheran Church of Our Savior.  Thank you to Pastor Bestul for being such a gracious and welcoming host and to his family who put up with me in their home.  God bless you all and I could not have asked for kinder and more caring hosts!  Thank you to Pastor Debner for serving as co-host at LCOS and chauffer and for engaging me in such a great conversation that I was disappointed to arrive at the airport so quickly.  Thanks to them for their preaching and worship also and to their faithful organist for her leadership from the console.  Thanks also to the many who attended (pastors, vicars, and lay) for your kind attention and thoughtful participation.  

In the end it was a learning experience for me -- both in terms of the content of the material and the friendships made and renewed.  I cannot say enough for welcome and support I was given and pray [pun] that the class was fruitful, encouraging, and provided good reflection on the topic.  I have attended some of these in the past, hosted some in my parish, but this is my first experience on the other side.  I can only speak here of the Fort Wayne side of things but the array of classes is amazing and what a blessing to the Church to have this kind of program.  Next time around, why not survey the offerings from the school and sign up yourself!  Believe me, you will be refreshed and renewed by the experience. It has been amazing!