As Seasons Change

I took advantage of a sunny afternoon and mowed my lawn today. The grass was as long and lush as it has been all summer. This, however, was the final mowing of the season and the lawn mower has now been tucked away in the garage for the winter. I cannot say that I will miss mowing for the next few months. This year the lawn has needed attention every week. Even during the usually hot and dry month of August, the grass continued to grow in the ambient cool and wet conditions. There was no break. I wonder where the snow shovel is.

In most parts of the synod we have now had a “good” freeze. There was little good about it, although allergy sufferers may be happy. The farmers’ growing season has been cut short in a year when the longest possible season was necessary. Planting was late across northern Illinois. Our farmers are dealing with crop diseases related to wet conditions and face lower yields due to immature crops. Our prayers are with all who tend the land as their occupation and source of livelihood for a safe and bountiful harvest.

On Sunday, I was out at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center for Autumnfest. It was cloudy and very cool, but it looked like everyone was having a good time. Many people have thought of Autumnfest as the celebration at the end of the camping season. It does, indeed, celebrate the completion of another successful summer program. However, LOMC is a year-round facility, which is capable of accommodating church groups in their diverse needs and desires. Freedom Tree Village continues to be a wonderful asset for adult ministries. If you have never been to LOMC, please make a point of it! This is our ministry, shared with the Metro Chicago, Central/Southern Illinois and Central States Synods. I would be happy to show you around myself. I look for any reason to spend some time there. (http://www.lomc.org/)

The series of four “Coffees with the Bishop” begin this weekend in Dixon, as we continue to engage in conversation about the decisions of the Churchwide Assembly. (www.nisynod.org/bishop/coffee.html) Bishop Wollersheim has been widely using the illustration of the Lutheran Church as a big, old boat. (www.nisynod.org/bishop/five-affirmations.pdf) I had never heard the illustration before, but I like it a lot. It provides a picture of the church that I have always known. It was probably my first week of seminary when I discovered that there was a lot of variety of beliefs and pieties in our church. We are truly richer for that variety.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ --JC