July & August - Vacations, Summer classes, and slowing down.

Good Morning Friends, Family, and Internet Wanderers!

It is hard to believe that we are already into fall, but the changing leaves and lowering temperature are harder to argue with. I trust that you have all had an enjoyable summer and have been able to make the most out of the weather and the longer days.

Thankfulness
Ever since I finished university (the first time) summer has always felt a little weird. When I was governed by the academic calendar summer was a time of rest and of slowing down. So when I graduated and joined the work force it took a while to get used to the idea of summer being just a regular time. However when I started serving with a church all of the sudden once again summer became a slower time, a time when students were away at vacations or camps and I went from having far to much to do, to being able to take half days and spend time on pet projects. This past summer was not one of those.

This past summer I needed to take two classes because the winter classes that had been offered the past year did not work for my schedule or degree. So from May until the middle of August I had assignments and readings to do. Don't get me wrong, in July and August church life slowed down, but this past summer has not been the rest that I once expected. That being said the last couple of weeks of August have been profoundly restful as classes had been completed and I was able to take some vacation time. I did not have a chance to go anywhere, but I spent the time with a few friends I do not see often, and a lot with my lovely lady. It has been just what I needed.

While the above makes it sound like my summer was really busy, that is not so much the case as it was just stressful to have classes when I normally have a break. That being said I also was able to take some time off in July and take in the Fringe Festival, not as much as I had in previous years, but still enough to enjoy it. So all in all I am very thankful for the blessings of time off, and of the cycle of the ministry year.

Prayer
I recently had a conversation with a friend who is a teacher and we both commented on how September feels much more like the start of a new year than January ever does. With the first few days already underway I am beginning to feel the familiar beginning of year anxiety. You see while it is nice that youth, and young adults, and even school slows down for summer, I have essentially fallen out of the habits that are necessary to do all of these things. So over the next couple of weeks I need to get back into the pattern of extended readings, of planning events weekly, and of preparing assignments and talks in between the other more fixed parts of my calendar. Please pray that this process will go well, and that I am able to start these ministries back up smoothly.

As I indicated in an early posting, this is also my last year at the church I am serving. I have been at this church for a little over four years now and am coming to the end of my program of school and service. It is my hope that I find a full time ministry position going forward, but that is far from certain. As I said before I have reached out and had an interview with a church about this, and I left that interview feeling fairly confident that I represented myself accurately. Please join me in praying for direction and wisdom for what comes next for me. Pray that if this church is the right fit that all those who contribute to that decision would come to agreement.

Please also pray for this year and the church I currently serve at as well. In addition to the end of my time here, the lead pastor is also retiring. In the space of about a month both pastoral staff will no longer be serving, and this could potentially be very difficult on the membership. Pray that the search committee will find a good and godly replacement for the leadership of this church. Please also pray for myself and the lead pastor, that we would transition well, and leave our respective ministries equipped to continue growing.


Thank you for your continued prayerful support.

God Bless
- Stefan Klassen