February 3, 2010
Dear Family and Friends,
After touching upon the Bishop’s Colloquy in my sermon last Sunday, I have answered a number of questions, mostly
from those curious and eager to learn, what the heck is a “colloquy”. We need to do a little word study here. A Latin
word, “com” means “together”; “loqui” speak; put together, colloquy simply means a conversation or conference. Of
course, when you put Bishop before the word, we’ve got to have some kind of subject as we, probably about a
hundred pastors from our synod, speak together.
I truly want to thank you for sending me there. Not that I learnt a new word, but I had a wonderful time with Bishop
Nelson as a first call pastor. I am proud of to be one of the many, and young pastors and rostered leaders that the
Bishop ordained, consecrated, and installed last year. Speaking with fellow pastors, both old acquaintances and new
friends, surely enhanced my understanding of pastoral ministry as we shared with one another the many joys and
struggles in a parish setting. On top of the heart to heart fellowship, excellent food, and a divine tranquility I loved so
much at La Casa de Maria, we also had two brilliant key-note speakers: The Rev. Susan Briehl and The Rev. Dr.
Timothy Wengert, respectively imparting much insightful experiences, expertise, and scholarship in emerging
generation ministry, Small and Large Catechism, and Lutheran theology. As part of continuing education for pastors, I
greatly enjoyed and benefited from this time of learning and come away inspired, challenged, and refreshed both
pastorally, theologically, physically and spiritually.
So after this mountain-top experience, here I am, diving back into reality: welcoming three adult new members into our
communion at Bethlehem; praying for a member who just lost a lifelong neighbor in a fire as she’s doing everything in
her power to help arrange funeral and reception; visiting another member who’s going through her therapy after
surgery; putting things together for the monthly pastoral and bimonthly newsletter; organizing the Confirmation Class;
apart from weekly worship planning, preparing a whole extra set of messages for the Season of Lent… And, on top of
everything pastoral and administrative, I am also the office secretary. You probably feel your life is just as hectic as
mine. That is good! For here is a time for all of us to slow down a bit. Lent is early this year!
A season of prayer, fasting, and penitence in preparation for Easter, I invite you to join us these forty days recalling
Christ’s suffering, deepening your theology of the Cross, and reshaping yourselves spiritually as we meditate on the
Word, turn our attention to the Cross, and fix our eyes on Jesus. It’s time to renew!
In God’s grace,
Pastor Frank
Dear Family and Friends,
After touching upon the Bishop’s Colloquy in my sermon last Sunday, I have answered a number of questions, mostly
from those curious and eager to learn, what the heck is a “colloquy”. We need to do a little word study here. A Latin
word, “com” means “together”; “loqui” speak; put together, colloquy simply means a conversation or conference. Of
course, when you put Bishop before the word, we’ve got to have some kind of subject as we, probably about a
hundred pastors from our synod, speak together.
I truly want to thank you for sending me there. Not that I learnt a new word, but I had a wonderful time with Bishop
Nelson as a first call pastor. I am proud of to be one of the many, and young pastors and rostered leaders that the
Bishop ordained, consecrated, and installed last year. Speaking with fellow pastors, both old acquaintances and new
friends, surely enhanced my understanding of pastoral ministry as we shared with one another the many joys and
struggles in a parish setting. On top of the heart to heart fellowship, excellent food, and a divine tranquility I loved so
much at La Casa de Maria, we also had two brilliant key-note speakers: The Rev. Susan Briehl and The Rev. Dr.
Timothy Wengert, respectively imparting much insightful experiences, expertise, and scholarship in emerging
generation ministry, Small and Large Catechism, and Lutheran theology. As part of continuing education for pastors, I
greatly enjoyed and benefited from this time of learning and come away inspired, challenged, and refreshed both
pastorally, theologically, physically and spiritually.
So after this mountain-top experience, here I am, diving back into reality: welcoming three adult new members into our
communion at Bethlehem; praying for a member who just lost a lifelong neighbor in a fire as she’s doing everything in
her power to help arrange funeral and reception; visiting another member who’s going through her therapy after
surgery; putting things together for the monthly pastoral and bimonthly newsletter; organizing the Confirmation Class;
apart from weekly worship planning, preparing a whole extra set of messages for the Season of Lent… And, on top of
everything pastoral and administrative, I am also the office secretary. You probably feel your life is just as hectic as
mine. That is good! For here is a time for all of us to slow down a bit. Lent is early this year!
A season of prayer, fasting, and penitence in preparation for Easter, I invite you to join us these forty days recalling
Christ’s suffering, deepening your theology of the Cross, and reshaping yourselves spiritually as we meditate on the
Word, turn our attention to the Cross, and fix our eyes on Jesus. It’s time to renew!
In God’s grace,
Pastor Frank
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| Columns Section: 世紀網站專欄區 世纪网站专栏区: 008-013 王浩 專欄 王浩 专栏 Pastor Frank Wang Column 作者：王浩 王浩 Pastor Frank Wang Frank's Monthly Pastoral: 2010 February 3: "Colloquy and Lent " Pastoral Letter |
