July 2007

From the Pastor

The following letter was read at the annual congregational meeting on Sunday, June 17, 2007. I regret that this will be my last letter to you all as your senior pastor.

June 15, 2007

Mr. Robert Hillegas
Mr. Robert Bozart
Congregation Council

Grace Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On June 9, 2007, by God’s grace, I was elected bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Therefore, I must submit my resignation as senior pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. I do so with sadness and also with joyful anticipation of what God holds in store for future ministry in this place and in the whole church.

My resignation will be effective July 15, 2007.

In my relatively brief time as your pastor I have come to see the Holy Spirit at work in Grace Church and have experienced the joy of serving with so many dedicated, faithful and welcoming followers of Christ. God will be with you in the time of transition ahead, and the ministry of Grace Church will continue to be a strong witness and a humble servant in this community and in the world.

Thank you for the ministry that we have shared over the past five years.

Yours in Christ

B. Penrose Hoover

From the Associate Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I want to share with you some of the ongoing and exciting things that are happening in our ministry with youth.  First and foremost, on May 30^th most of the youth ministry workers in our West Shore conference gathered at Grace to discuss doing cooperative youth ministry.  In our conversation, we realized that our congregations are facing similar challenges regarding youth ministry.  We talked about pulling together our resources, so that we could do some events together as a conference.  Instead of an individual congregation putting together an event and then extending an invitation to other congregations, we came together on May 30^th and talked about how we should plan some events together and that we way we would all have greater ownership in the event.

With that said, we are planning a West Shore Youth Kick-Off event on August 26^th from 3:00-6:00pm.  The event will take place at Kentland and will include games, icebreakers, and team-building activities.  It will include food and fellowship.  It will include a service project.  And, it will include some information and a short presentation for the upcoming Alive Alive event in which we will gather not just as a conference of youth, but as a synod of youth.  I hope your middle and high school age youth will make every effort to come out for this event.  If you plan to attend please sign up on the youth bulletin board.

Second, I want to tell you that our youth committee is directing its attention on establishing space for our youth.  In my estimation this still is one of our biggest challenges.  What space would work best for our youth?  Where would that space be?  What should the space look like?  How might we design the space?  How will the space be utilized?  Of course, ownership is again key.  We need the youth’s input such that they feel they have an investment in the space.  It is the difference between having a dwelling place and a home.  Please keep the youth committee in your prayers during this endeavor.

Third, I want to tell you that we are still seeking a youth director.  In the course of a year’s time, several people have expressed interest in the position.   We have spoken with many candidates, but still have not made a match.  I assure you it is not for lack of trying.  Thus, we continue to pray to God for discernment that we might find the right individual for us.

Praise be to God for the ministry of our youth, in all they do in service to God.  And, praise to be to God for all those who seek to faithfully serve our youth. 

Have a blessed summer!

                                                                                                In Christ,

                                                                                                Pastor Joel 

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