I just returned from Annual Conference. That is the time when pastors and lay representatives from across Minnesota gather to worship, to ordain, to remember and to look forward.

During this time, five different Normandale Hylands UMC people went deeper into formal ministry (either through ordination, licensing or recognizing credentials from another denomination). In each one I could see years, sometimes decades, of rich ministry and discipleship at NHUMC. Of course one, Rev. Erica Koser, is a daughter-in-law but we will claim her anyway.

Also during this conference, I bumped into a 98-year-old physician, a 98-year-old missionary. Dr. Lowell Gess recently discovered that Ebola can reside in the eye. This is something that is being tracked down and researched around the world. He lit up when he saw me. Sakes, that was humbling. He lit up because I come from Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church. He shook my hand so long and told me, “You are from such a Missional church!” He told me how well he was received by us and how the eye clinic in Sierra Leone has been so blessed by NHUMC.

Then, right next to Dr. Gess was a display of the solar oven project. There, Marj -Evens-de-Carpio told of how wonderful it is that folks at Normandale are donating money and oven mitts so that people can cook fuel free and pollution free in Africa.

The joy I met and the joy I meet when people see me…well, it is just humbling. It is joy of more than thankfulness for you. It is joy of faith-filled partnership. Dr. Gess said, “people thank me for their sight and for their healing but it really comes from you!”

Again, I am thankful and humbled to be your Pastor. For the faithfulness demonstrated in new clergy, for the faithfulness shown in Northern Pines leadership, for your hearts that bless through Bloomington, through Minnesota, through Africa and so many other places, for your deep love of Jesus Christ and your desire to serve God faithfully, I am so very thankful.

God Bless you!

Pastor Rhodie