From the Pastoral perspective:

“Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God, our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! What a privilege to be able to hear these words of God that come to us from His written word. What a privilege to be able to speak these words of God that come to us as we begin a new chapter together at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.”

Those are the words that began my first letter to you in the April newsletter. I officially began my ministry among you on May 1, so this is really (as I write these words) only a "one month" report. We are (more or less) finally moved and settled here in Traverse City and are thankful for the outpouring of kindness and welcome you shared with us during my Installation weekend of May 17/18. I look forward to getting to meet you and getting to know you in the coming weeks and months.

My role at Bethlehem is to serve you and lead you as your Interim Pastor. My first letter to you outlined my role among you as follows:

“God has called me through our Synod and your leadership to be among you as your Interim Pastor. I see my role as a catalyst to heal the wounds of the past, as a full-time Pastor to provide you with stability and leadership and vision, and as a guide to help you prepare for your future under new pastoral leadership. Besides my role as your Pastor with all that entails, I also will be working closely and deliberately with your staff and your leadership to provide support and direction, training and vision as we review processes and policies and renew our sense of ministry in this community.”

I will be spending the next several months meeting with and getting to know your leadership and those of you who serve in various capacities as volunteers or committee members. If you do not fall into any of these categories and would like to meet and talk with me, please feel free to call so that we can set up a time for that. My office hours at the church generally will be Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to Noon. I will also be available by appointment Monday-Wednesday from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays for those of you who cannot meet with me during the day.

May God's Grace, Mercy and Peace continue to surround you, nourish you and excite you as we build on the historic ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in this community!

Rev. Dan Deutsch, Interim Pastor

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