The Mission Statement of the Goodridge Area Lutheran Parish is a verse from Ma8hew’s Gospel. We hear Jesus say—Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in Heaven. This month we return to in person worship. I wasn’t prepared for how emoFonal I would be when we gathered at Bethany on the 24th of January. There you were, smiling behind your masks! Gathered in worship and prayer. Hopeful and proud as the light filtered in through the new windows so many of you have worked to put in. It was a giM to be your pastor in that moment. I have heard many of you express a desire to return to normal. Returning to worship at this Fme does offer a normal feeling even with the guidance and care we are called to follow. In truth, I am not excited about going back to the way things were a year ago before COVID became a part of our vocabulary. I think we are called to be and do more. We have an opportunity to reimagine our work and witness. We have a moment to ask ourselves a few hard quesFons about the where, what, why, and when of the ministries we share. You may be tempted to say a conversaFon like this is not necessary. You may be tempted to believe the Parish has existed for all these years and we are doing just fine. You might ask, “Why change something that isn’t broken?” Even the best organizaFons spend Fme discerning how to live and move into the future in new ways. Why should the church be different? God’s people in this place have been called to let our lights shine! We do this not for our glory but for the glory of God. Considering our work together, how are we being called into the future in new ways? What is the next faithful thing? More than ever we need to look to the world around us and focus our a8enFon on work outside of this place. What are exisFng partnerships we are build upon? Are there ways we can share our resources? How might God be calling us out of our buildings and into the world? These are not easy quesFons. They have no easy answers. They require discernment and prayer. If the only reason we conFnue in this place is to keep our doors open, we are hiding under a bushel basket and not le^ng our lights shine. Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman spoke these words in “The Hill We Climb” recited at President Biden’s inauguraFon: For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it. God’s people are never called into the past. We are called forward following our Lord and Savior. Carrying our lights how are we being challenged to live bravely into a new day? If you would like to stop in the Parish Office, please call the Pastor or Secretary prior to make an appointment. All persons entering the congregations of the parish must sign in upon entry providing name and phone number. Contact us Pastor Kristin Ostercamp Parsonage (218) 378-4198 Mobile (218) 684-1155 kostercamp@nwmnsynod.org Pastor’s Office Hours Mondays 1:00-3:00 Wednesdays 9:30-12:00 Secretary, Tracy Johnson Office (218) 378-4191 glparish@gvtel.com Secretary’s Office Hours Tuesdays 8:30-4:30 Thursdays 8:30-12:30 Parish Council President Gary Kiesow (218) 378-4480 www.goodridgeparish.org 1
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