May 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her…., “Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (from John 20)
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! This is how Christians greet one another in this joyous season. This is the joy we share. Thank you so much for a beautiful Easter morning together, as we celebrated and baptized and welcomed and were fed well. Now we move out into the world with that joyful message, with the same commission as Mary Magdalene was given by Jesus on that life-changing morning. (This was one of the Scriptures I chose for my ordination service – it has always been one of my favorites.) She heard Jesus speak her name, knew it was him, and she became the first bearer of the good news of the resurrection.
We too move into the world with the saving good news. The search for your next “good news proclaimer” (pastor) is bearing fruit, watch for more information on the call process. We will celebrate with our children and youth the milestone of first Holy Communion on May 5th, and the close of the Sunday School and confirmation year on May 19th. We will celebrate with our graduates and honor our mothers and other special women in our lives on May 12th. We will transition into our summer schedule on Memorial Day weekend, and remember our departed loved ones and especially those who have died in service to our country. All of these events will be placed in the context of worship, of God’s eternity. What a blessing to celebrate these things together as brothers and sisters in faith, in the light of the resurrection! May God continue to bless our interim time; it is a privilege to be working among you.
~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! This is how Christians greet one another in this joyous season. This is the joy we share. Thank you so much for a beautiful Easter morning together, as we celebrated and baptized and welcomed and were fed well. Now we move out into the world with that joyful message, with the same commission as Mary Magdalene was given by Jesus on that life-changing morning. (This was one of the Scriptures I chose for my ordination service – it has always been one of my favorites.) She heard Jesus speak her name, knew it was him, and she became the first bearer of the good news of the resurrection.
We too move into the world with the saving good news. The search for your next “good news proclaimer” (pastor) is bearing fruit, watch for more information on the call process. We will celebrate with our children and youth the milestone of first Holy Communion on May 5th, and the close of the Sunday School and confirmation year on May 19th. We will celebrate with our graduates and honor our mothers and other special women in our lives on May 12th. We will transition into our summer schedule on Memorial Day weekend, and remember our departed loved ones and especially those who have died in service to our country. All of these events will be placed in the context of worship, of God’s eternity. What a blessing to celebrate these things together as brothers and sisters in faith, in the light of the resurrection! May God continue to bless our interim time; it is a privilege to be working among you.
~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
April 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
We have been together for three months! I pray that it has been a good time of relaxing a bit since there is a regular pastor “in the house” for the time being; and that you are finding Lent a meaningful journey of spiritual deepening. I am enjoying the visits to other congregations with our preaching rotation, congregations which I remember from two-plus decades ago; and also the chance to worship at my home congregation, Journey Lutheran, a few times recently – mainly due to better weather in Holmen/Onalaska than up in this more northern part of the synod!
Please remember in prayer those who are struggling due to the flooding, and consider a gift to local flood relief through our synod and Lutheran Disaster Relief, or for world-wide natural disasters through Lutheran World Relief or ELCA World Hunger. North Beaver Creek is a very generous congregation, and I know from personal experience that prayers and love and financial help are a godsend when you are facing the chaos of weather-related damage and discouragement.
In the hymn that follows my Wednesday Lenten sermon, there is a line which says “I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad.” I don’t know about you, but disasters and violence in the world and division and disasters in our own nation, even nearby, have me pretty worn and sad on many days. I feel that there is so little that I can do, and I re-live my own times of trouble. Lent is a time to be honest with God about who we are and what is troubling us, and then to turn around and seek new life. We say in our confession that we are caught in a web of sin and separation, and we need rescue. That’s why Jesus came to this earth. He understands our human joys and sorrows, he faced temptation and testing without sin, he preached good news to those who needed to hear it and spoke truth to the powers of his day, he knelt as a servant and washed feet, he gave his body and blood at the last supper and on the cross.
All these things are not just an example to us (as wonderful as that example is); they are the life-giving actions of a unique human who is able to bring us salvation – which is healing and wholeness – and a return to our Creator when our course is run. We live in promise and hope….because HE LIVES! Jesus lives and brings us abundant life here on earth which is a glimpse and foretaste of life eternal. That hymn verse continues: “I found in him (Jesus) a resting place, and he has made me glad.” Those are Easter words!
That is my prayer for you, that Jesus makes you glad, and that you know rest and renewal to face those things that keep you from abundant life. I am glad that I still have the privilege and responsibility to bring the Word of the Lord in this place, and share the sacraments, and get to know you, the body of Christ at North Beaver Creek. Let’s continue the good work together of being God’s people now and of preparing for the future. ~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
Please remember in prayer those who are struggling due to the flooding, and consider a gift to local flood relief through our synod and Lutheran Disaster Relief, or for world-wide natural disasters through Lutheran World Relief or ELCA World Hunger. North Beaver Creek is a very generous congregation, and I know from personal experience that prayers and love and financial help are a godsend when you are facing the chaos of weather-related damage and discouragement.
In the hymn that follows my Wednesday Lenten sermon, there is a line which says “I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad.” I don’t know about you, but disasters and violence in the world and division and disasters in our own nation, even nearby, have me pretty worn and sad on many days. I feel that there is so little that I can do, and I re-live my own times of trouble. Lent is a time to be honest with God about who we are and what is troubling us, and then to turn around and seek new life. We say in our confession that we are caught in a web of sin and separation, and we need rescue. That’s why Jesus came to this earth. He understands our human joys and sorrows, he faced temptation and testing without sin, he preached good news to those who needed to hear it and spoke truth to the powers of his day, he knelt as a servant and washed feet, he gave his body and blood at the last supper and on the cross.
All these things are not just an example to us (as wonderful as that example is); they are the life-giving actions of a unique human who is able to bring us salvation – which is healing and wholeness – and a return to our Creator when our course is run. We live in promise and hope….because HE LIVES! Jesus lives and brings us abundant life here on earth which is a glimpse and foretaste of life eternal. That hymn verse continues: “I found in him (Jesus) a resting place, and he has made me glad.” Those are Easter words!
That is my prayer for you, that Jesus makes you glad, and that you know rest and renewal to face those things that keep you from abundant life. I am glad that I still have the privilege and responsibility to bring the Word of the Lord in this place, and share the sacraments, and get to know you, the body of Christ at North Beaver Creek. Let’s continue the good work together of being God’s people now and of preparing for the future. ~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
March 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
Lent is a reflective season – an opportunity to go deep and focus on our relationship with God and with others. The forty days of Lent remind us of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert following his baptism, pondering who he was and what he was to do. They also remind us of the forty years that the people of God wandered in the desert following the Exodus from Egypt, learning how to be the community of the people of God. The Old Testament Scripture lessons in this year focus on the covenants or promises that God made with the people of God. Here are the Gospel Lesson themes.
Sunday -- March 10, 2019 -- Focus: First Sunday in Lent: Facing Temptation
Sunday -- March 17, 2019 -- Focus: Second Sunday in Lent: Rebellion
Sunday -- March 24, 2019 -- Focus: Third Sunday in Lent: Turn and Repent
Sunday -- March 31, 2019 -- Focus: Fourth Sunday in Lent: Welcome Home
Sunday – April 7, 2019 -- Focus: Fifth Sunday in Lent: Storing Up and Pouring Out
Sunday – April 14, 2019 -- Focus: Palm/Passion Sunday: On the Road To The Cross
Sunday – April 21, 2019 -- Focus: Festival of the Resurrection: New Life in Christ
Sunday -- March 10, 2019 -- Focus: First Sunday in Lent: Facing Temptation
Sunday -- March 17, 2019 -- Focus: Second Sunday in Lent: Rebellion
Sunday -- March 24, 2019 -- Focus: Third Sunday in Lent: Turn and Repent
Sunday -- March 31, 2019 -- Focus: Fourth Sunday in Lent: Welcome Home
Sunday – April 7, 2019 -- Focus: Fifth Sunday in Lent: Storing Up and Pouring Out
Sunday – April 14, 2019 -- Focus: Palm/Passion Sunday: On the Road To The Cross
Sunday – April 21, 2019 -- Focus: Festival of the Resurrection: New Life in Christ
About the theme for Lent 2019: Letting go and cultivating
Cultivate (verb): to prepare and use for the raising of crops; to foster the growth of; to improve by labor, care, or study; to refine; to further; to encourage.
“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” – Brene Brown. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.
Lent is a season of spiritual gardening; of inviting God to unearth in us what lies fallow, what needs to be tended, and what needs to die for new life to emerge.
Each week one of the pastors in our Lenten rotation
will reflect on one of the “Letting Go/Cultivating” themes.
Please join in the simple meals, fellowship, worship and reflection
When: Wednesday from March 6 (Ash Wednesday) through April 10.
Time: Meals begin at 5:15 PM and worship will be at 6:30 PM
Where: at the white church.
You are invited to read Brene Brown’s book during this season as well.
The Sunday lectionary readings also will offer images and stories with themes of earthiness and grit. You are encouraged to make this Lent a time of spiritual growth and blessing for yourself, your fellow believers, and our families of faith. There are ELCA World Hunger resources for additional Lenten observances in your home. These will be available in the greeting space at the brick church and for your own download on our home page.
Cultivate (verb): to prepare and use for the raising of crops; to foster the growth of; to improve by labor, care, or study; to refine; to further; to encourage.
“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” – Brene Brown. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.
Lent is a season of spiritual gardening; of inviting God to unearth in us what lies fallow, what needs to be tended, and what needs to die for new life to emerge.
Each week one of the pastors in our Lenten rotation
- Pastor Anna Sorenson, French Creek
- Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen, North Beaver Creek
- Pastor Kary Jonas, Living Hope
- Vicar Paul Sannerud, Blair
- Pastor Peter Jonas, Our Savior’s in Whitehall and Grace in Pleasantville
will reflect on one of the “Letting Go/Cultivating” themes.
Please join in the simple meals, fellowship, worship and reflection
When: Wednesday from March 6 (Ash Wednesday) through April 10.
Time: Meals begin at 5:15 PM and worship will be at 6:30 PM
Where: at the white church.
You are invited to read Brene Brown’s book during this season as well.
The Sunday lectionary readings also will offer images and stories with themes of earthiness and grit. You are encouraged to make this Lent a time of spiritual growth and blessing for yourself, your fellow believers, and our families of faith. There are ELCA World Hunger resources for additional Lenten observances in your home. These will be available in the greeting space at the brick church and for your own download on our home page.
February 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. (Proverbs 16:9). This Scripture began the January council devotion. It was a reminder that we certainly make plans for the future, but our gracious Lord is the one doing the directing. I take comfort in the faith that no matter how our human plans go, there are always blessings and good that can be part of even the plans that don’t go quite as we hope or intend. Of course, we have to continue to take our part seriously – watching for what new things God may be doing, praying, working with others, looking at options.
Your planned course here at North Beaver Creek has taken a different path since Pastor Dave Hendrickson’s departure, which happened much sooner than you expected. It has been an opportunity for us to get to know one another, and for me to dive into interim ministry in my semi-retirement. I pray that this will be a fruitful time for all of us, as you discern what further work you can do as a congregation to be the best prepared possible for your new regular pastor…and as I figure out what gifts and wisdom I have to share with you. I have enjoyed my interactions here so far, which have given me a chance to serve again in the North Conference which was my introduction to the Coulee Region and the La Crosse Area Synod thirty years ago.
The first and most important way to do the preparation work, in my estimation, is to start having a focus for prayer each week that will strengthen congregational bonds internally and also with the synod and national and international work of the ELCA. And each week there will be prayer for the leader God is preparing for this congregation, even though the identity of that person is still a mystery to us here!
In the meantime, we will worship and have fellowship and serve and learn in all the ways that churches do! At our annual meeting we thanked those who have finished their time on council, Roland Ekern and Wendell Noren, and rejoiced with the new members who were elected for that core leadership group and also for the meetings of our partner ministries at Sugar Creek and the La Crosse Area Synod. Please continue to share your lives and gifts, joys and sorrows, dreams and concerns with me and one another. Thanks for your welcome to Thom and me. God will continue to work with our plans and guide our steps. ~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
A Few Other Pastoral Notes
We will be having a time in worship on February 10th to make promises to one another for prayer and support in this interim time. It will not be the formal installation which happens with new regularly-called pastors, but a less formal way to recognize and celebrate the ministry we will do together for however long the interim time will be. I am also hoping we will have a time of fellowship that day to celebrate my 34th ordination anniversary and also perhaps to install our new and continuing leaders – always an important day in the life of a congregation.
This year we have a long post-Christmas Epiphany season, as we focus on Jesus being revealed to the world. Lent will begin on March 6th, which is Ash Wednesday this year. Plans are being formulated to have a pastoral rotation at the five Lenten services following Ash Wednesday, focusing on a theme that each pastor will prepare a sermon on and then travel around to the churches taking part. I think I met some of you in such rotations many years ago as I was serving French Creek. Watch for more details!
Please feel free to invite me to your homes and work places or make arrangements to meet for coffee or lunch in your local community, so we can get to know one another better. I am still settling into my schedule, and not too eager to be half an hour from home in the evening when the winter weather is here. But work with me to find a time! ~PKI
Your planned course here at North Beaver Creek has taken a different path since Pastor Dave Hendrickson’s departure, which happened much sooner than you expected. It has been an opportunity for us to get to know one another, and for me to dive into interim ministry in my semi-retirement. I pray that this will be a fruitful time for all of us, as you discern what further work you can do as a congregation to be the best prepared possible for your new regular pastor…and as I figure out what gifts and wisdom I have to share with you. I have enjoyed my interactions here so far, which have given me a chance to serve again in the North Conference which was my introduction to the Coulee Region and the La Crosse Area Synod thirty years ago.
The first and most important way to do the preparation work, in my estimation, is to start having a focus for prayer each week that will strengthen congregational bonds internally and also with the synod and national and international work of the ELCA. And each week there will be prayer for the leader God is preparing for this congregation, even though the identity of that person is still a mystery to us here!
In the meantime, we will worship and have fellowship and serve and learn in all the ways that churches do! At our annual meeting we thanked those who have finished their time on council, Roland Ekern and Wendell Noren, and rejoiced with the new members who were elected for that core leadership group and also for the meetings of our partner ministries at Sugar Creek and the La Crosse Area Synod. Please continue to share your lives and gifts, joys and sorrows, dreams and concerns with me and one another. Thanks for your welcome to Thom and me. God will continue to work with our plans and guide our steps. ~ Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
A Few Other Pastoral Notes
We will be having a time in worship on February 10th to make promises to one another for prayer and support in this interim time. It will not be the formal installation which happens with new regularly-called pastors, but a less formal way to recognize and celebrate the ministry we will do together for however long the interim time will be. I am also hoping we will have a time of fellowship that day to celebrate my 34th ordination anniversary and also perhaps to install our new and continuing leaders – always an important day in the life of a congregation.
This year we have a long post-Christmas Epiphany season, as we focus on Jesus being revealed to the world. Lent will begin on March 6th, which is Ash Wednesday this year. Plans are being formulated to have a pastoral rotation at the five Lenten services following Ash Wednesday, focusing on a theme that each pastor will prepare a sermon on and then travel around to the churches taking part. I think I met some of you in such rotations many years ago as I was serving French Creek. Watch for more details!
Please feel free to invite me to your homes and work places or make arrangements to meet for coffee or lunch in your local community, so we can get to know one another better. I am still settling into my schedule, and not too eager to be half an hour from home in the evening when the winter weather is here. But work with me to find a time! ~PKI
January 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And Happy New Year! Since my first Sunday on December 30th, I have been enjoying meeting and mingling with the people of North Beaver Creek. Let me introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me. I just (semi) retired as I finished 14 years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Viroqua (my fourth regular call). My husband Thom Hunt and I moved to Onalaska in October and joined Journey Lutheran (on the border between Onalaska and Holmen) recently. That is the place we chose as our home church, which it is appropriate to do in retirement – but my main time at church will be spent at North Beaver Creek as the search for the next regular pastor is underway! I took training in interim ministry a few years ago, and this is my first time doing such ministry. So North Beaver Creek will be teaching me as I serve the congregation!
There is information posted at the office in the white church, and perhaps in the bulletin each week or in the entryway at the brick church, about my schedule as I begin commuting from Onalaska. There will be name tags available at worship. Please take a moment to put one on for a few Sundays in January – I am good at remembering faces, but not as much with names, at least not right away. If my face and name seem familiar to some of you, that’s probably because my second regular call was 9½ years (from 1989-1999) at French Creek Lutheran west of Ettrick. My first call was in SE Minnesota and NE Iowa, a two-point parish right on the border on Highway 63 in and near Chester, IA. My third call was 5½ years in NE Minnesota at a two-point parish west and south of Brainerd. I have enjoyed rural and small-town ministry very much. And I look forward to fruitful partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of North Beaver Creek!
Email: kingbritsen@gmail.com
There is information posted at the office in the white church, and perhaps in the bulletin each week or in the entryway at the brick church, about my schedule as I begin commuting from Onalaska. There will be name tags available at worship. Please take a moment to put one on for a few Sundays in January – I am good at remembering faces, but not as much with names, at least not right away. If my face and name seem familiar to some of you, that’s probably because my second regular call was 9½ years (from 1989-1999) at French Creek Lutheran west of Ettrick. My first call was in SE Minnesota and NE Iowa, a two-point parish right on the border on Highway 63 in and near Chester, IA. My third call was 5½ years in NE Minnesota at a two-point parish west and south of Brainerd. I have enjoyed rural and small-town ministry very much. And I look forward to fruitful partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of North Beaver Creek!
Email: kingbritsen@gmail.com
W10767 County Road C, Ettrick, WI 54627
608-525-2406
608-525-2406
