Thank you for the warm welcome to Bethany! I have enjoyed meeting all of you, trading stories with you and giving you a hard time about the Cubs!

During these first two months, I have been busy imagining what I call “Big Questions” for the Call Committee, the Church Council, carious committees and for the entire congregation. These Big Questions are intended to help the Call Committee to gather necessary information to bring recommendations to the Church Council for future staffing.

Our Call Committee is approaching their work in a wholistic fashion. What does that mean? Well, we will be looking at our financial resources to help determine how much staffing we can afford, and we will look at emerging ministry needs in our congregation and in our community and how Bethany might respond to those needs.

We will be gathering information to determine what God is calling Bethany Lutheran Church to next, and once we understand that, then we work on a mission statement which will inform what our staffing need is.

For example…in past years Bethany determined a need for an Office Administrator and called Jody McKesson to fill that ministry need; and determined that a Director of Communication and Events would be important position in this ministry and called Liz Quinn to that position; and Dr. Aaron Knodle to be the Director of Worship and Music, Kathy Picard as the Director of Children and Family Ministry and Pastor Katie Mueller too! Ministry needs were identified, and an incredible staff of wonderful and talented people was assembled!

Now…what gifts and skills do we need to add to this wonderful staff? Together, we will listen to God’s calling and to each other as we discern what that might look like…maybe our discernment results in the calling of a second pastor, or it might result in the calling of other ministry staff members with specific skill sets. Every staffing possibility is currently on the table for discussion!

On Sunday, September 14th, the Call Committee will be giving you a first opportunity to provide input into the process through a survey that will be distributed during the coffee hour. If you are unable to stay for the coffee hour, we will be ready to give you a survey form during the announcements. More surveys on different topics will be coming soon!

This is an exciting time for Bethany Lutheran Church! A time for conversations and discernment and planning for the present and future staffing needs for our congregation!

Please continue to hold our Call Committee in your prayers as they begin their work and thank you for your participation in the process!

Shalom, Pastor Paul

paul.petersen@bethanylc.com