News

The Pastor’s Piece for September 2026

“The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.” Mark 6:30

Grace, mercy, and peace be with you!

As I returned to Emanuel Lutheran church of Skandia on this Tuesday morning during the last week of August to begin my office hours, I took a few moments to first walk around the perimeter of the cemetery. I have been meaning to do this, and since it was a beautiful summer morning, I thought it would be a great way to stretch my legs after the drive here, to fill my body with some fresh air, and to center my thoughts on the writing I needed to do this morning. As I stood on the backside of the cemetery near the woods, looking towards the church building, my gaze was captured by the rows of mature trees and grave markers, and the accent of the little yellow flowers filling the mostly green grass against the back drop of the church silhouette. My mind was filled with the fullness of the scale of memories that are contained in those graves and the lives which they touched while their occupants were living and practicing their faith on this earth. It’s one of the things I most appreciate about performing celebration of life services-the memories that are shared between the people gathered on each of those occasions, and the way in which those memories will serve to hold all of them together in relationship for years to come!  Now, during this last week of August, as I reflect on all of those lives which once, each in their own way, were connected to the larger community here and perhaps were a part of the ministry of this congregation, my mind goes to the ways in which we all will return back to our Fall routines as September comes to claim us. And as I think of the memories of our dearly departed and the ways in which we cling to them so dearly, I wonder what kind of memories we will be clinging to from our summer adventures?  How will those memories hold people together in relationship? In what ways did they teach us about God and the blessings and challenges of this earthly life? How will they prepare us for the future? And other such questions like these. The above verse from Mark’s Gospel tells of the time when Jesus’ disciples returned back to where Jesus was after having been sent out by him in pairs to preach the Good News and offer healing to the people.  It was a time of great enthusiasm for them as they returned to share their stories of ministry with each other and especially with their Lord and teacher Jesus. Imagine the things they shared about their experiences; the people they met, the things that were said, the prayers that were offered, the healings that took place, the food that was eaten, the places they slept, the mistakes they made, the ways in which they kept themselves motivated, and how each of them came to realize in an even deeper way of the depth of love that God has for each of them and the world. What great memories were surely made! What a precious time of transformation and growth it must have been for each of them and for all of them as a whole community.  How many times were those memories shared in conversations with one another and with visitors and new people that came to be assimilated in their groups. This makes me realize how I love to hear stories of people doing ministry. I’m sure Jesus was excited to hear how it went for those he had sent out. The bible is full of stories of the lives of God’s people and how they came to know God in a more personal and meaningful way. Sharing our memories with one another almost always has an immense uplifting effect on us. Even if the memories are not that pleasant there are always things to learn from them. The stories of our faith-the memories of our history serving as God’s hands and feet in the world have a lot to offer besides just the moments in which they were lived.  Now, as we enter into this September, we will all be returning to church in various ways, and what better time to share some of our memories with one another and with our larger community?  Maybe we could find a way to share some of the memories we have made recently about how God has been at work in our lives and ministry with others who might visit our church or social events or media pages? What do you think? What are your ideas on how this could happen? Think of it as a homework assignment and a possible way for others to get to know us better!  See you in church, +LLL.

Project: Keep Kids Warm

Last year over 300 kids received winter jackets, snow pants, boots, hats, and mittens they needed to stay warm. Monetary donations are being accepted to purchase these articles. If you would like to make a donation send to: Wesley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 342, Ishpeming, MI 49866.

Council:
Bill Hartman – President
Gary Parkkonen – Vice President
Bonnie Johnson – Secretary
Keith Polkinghorne – Treasurer

Our quilters are always on the look out for flat sheets of any size for our quilting projects.  They can be dropped off at the church fellowship hall on Wednesdays or Sunday after worship service.  Monetary donations are always welcome also.