Pastor's Page

Notes from the Interim Pastor

Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
I recently participated in a week at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp – it was great!
The theme for this summer has to do with guides and gifts for our journey of faith. So each day had a different guide/gift: Community, Prayer, Worship and Story. These were the focus for Bible study and worship. I presented the messages on Worship at Wednesday‘s morning worship and evening campfire.

The food was delightful and there was always coffee available. Meal time offered an opportunity to meet the other people on site. There were two affiliates of our congregation serving on the summer staff, a number of fellow pastors, chaperones from a group from Thousand Oaks, California, a volunteer, and the permanent staff. The hospitality was wonderful.

I also got to visit with a counselor who is the son of very good friends of Diane and me. In fact, part of our connection with his parents is through outdoor ministry. I attended camp in Minnesota with his father when I was in Junior High and we were counselors together one summer at the same camp. His mother worked with Diane in the kitchen at another outdoor ministry site in Washington, where I also worked in numerous roles.

Four of the campers on site were from Atonement. I know others have been at camp during other weeks. The campers get involved in lots of activities besides Bible study and worship: swimming, boating, hiking, games, crafts, etc. Since my wife Diane came with, we went on some hikes on the camp‘s land and one along a lakeside road nearby. I also took a dip in the lake, went sailing with the camp Executive Director Gary Cockrell, attended the pastor‘s text study, read, napped (which I don‘t usually do), and otherwise enjoyed this spectacular setting and special community.

There is still time
When I heard talk about backpacks and school supplies recently it indicated that time is moving on and the summer is passing. The time (in about a month) is coming for school to start a new year. But there is still time to enjoy the summer—vacationing and such—even though we know it will come to an end and something new will begin.

I am also aware that the contracted interim period passed the half-way point in June. But, there is still work to be done. The Transition Task Force (TTF) is staying on course. They are putting finishing touches on a survey to be distributed in September. They will be reviewing material from the interviews done with staff and boards. The timeline of the congregation‘s history is still up in the Fellowship Hall and other information will be added for more insight. They will continue to meet to discuss their findings as a group and with the congregation.  Enjoy the remainder of the summer and keep the TTF in your prayers.

Pastor Westby

Last modified:  08/06/2010