The Church is Alive

The Church is Alive 

2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering

            So often I hear people talk about how churches are dying. I hear those horrible statistics. This week we were all honored by being with the youth in Detroit, watching it on live-stream, or having our Facebook and Instagram walls covered in Gathering messages. Let me say...the church is not dead. When we begin to feel negative or all alone, please remember the images and stories we saw this week. Everyone keeps asking me what I think my favorite moment this week was and it is the same for every gathering....standing in a crowd of 30,000 teens shouting Jesus. What do I constantly learn from our young people....

 
1) Giving hugs are fantastic for the soul (especially to strangers). 
2) Simple eye contact and asking a person where a person lives starts great friendships. 
3) Just showing up is often the key to evangelism. 


Teens who will be going into 9th grade - through just graduates in 2018! I look forward to seeing you in Houston!
 

Reflections from Nature

The strength and beauty of trees draw me towards them. In silhouette there is nothing like a giant Oak. Unlike most trees the Oak is often wide and tall, reaching out over the earth and upwards towards heavens. Poplar trees are a symbol of new beginnings. They are one of the first trees to cover scarred landscape with new growth. They grow quickly because they thrive from light. When they have not competing neighbors they grow quite rapidly. 

There are so many forms of plants and trees in God's creation. Then there is the mustard seed... How small it seems and perhaps insignificant. It seems like an unlikely representation of God's coming kingdom. Jesus however found it perfectly capable of bearing the image of the kingdom just as it is. The tiny mustard seed is an image of faith. It is the faith that God can use the smallest and frailest, the fastest, the slowest, the strongest and the weakest to the kingdom. 

The good news from the parable of the mustard seed can bring us comfort on days we feel low. On days like the willow tree buckled down under pressure. We can have confidence and trust God has come down through the son Jesus Christ to love and care for each and every one of us.

Mark 4:26-34

"Finding Our Voice", Vicar Erin Burns - 12/7/14

I have been blessed to be in Fremont, Ohio! It has been wonderful to see God throughout the congregation. God is working in so many ways throughout the community. It has been an honor to be present during several baptisms, and getting to know the new members. It has been an honor to be present with families during funerals, to visit the sick and home bound, and visit at the hospitals. It has been a great opportunity to serve as worship leader.

            There are many ministry and program opportunities throughout the congregation and community. It has been an amazing journey to work with all our partners through L.I.F.T (5 Lutheran Churches in Fremont working together) and the future Bridge of Hope (Worship Community for Hispanic Ministry with United Methodist Church and ELCA).

            Throughout the last few months, I have been able to be able to be part of the Vision 2025 (Planning where the church can be in 10 years) meetings. I was able to participate in several different committees. It is very difficult to look into the future; however I have been impressed by the planning and analyzing which have happened. God is truly flowing through the church.

            In the short time here, I have had the opportunities to participate in different ways with: Love Your Neighbor Day, Joint Veterans Day Service, Joint staff meetings, synod meetings, Intern retreats, Fremont Ministry Association meetings, LOMO camp planning, Confirmation camp planning, Hispanic Ministry at Hayes Methodist School Supply Give away, and Alpha Leader, St. John’s School Supply Give away, Joint LIFT Worship/Picnic, led Bible Studies, ate meals with guests at Soup Kitchen

            I have worked with the youth and young adults. This includes organizing the youth service in November, sitting in on the Noah’s Ark board, helped with Children’s Choir, serve as Primary Adult Leader for the National Youth Gathering 2015, participated in the LIFT Lock-in, and worked with the confirmation students as they are learning about their vocation as Christians, give children sermons. 

            My family and I both look forward to the rest of the year in Fremont. Thank you for your support through the journey. It has been a wonderful blessing to be present with everyone and see how God is working daily! 

Grace and peace,

Vicar Erin Marie Burns

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

Tis The Season!

      We are getting close to the holiday preparations. I hate to admit it but I saw Christmas decorations in the stores a long time before Halloween. Each year it seems the decorations come out earlier and earlier at the stores. The holidays are a very busy time of the year. We all have to figure out who is going to what house for the holidays, or if we have to work for the holidays, or visit with anyone. It is just a tricky thing to balance all of our schedules.

       This time during the holidays is an important time. It is the time during the year that we get to see loved ones that we may not have seen for a while. However, it cannot be the only time. If I were to only talk to my grandmother once a year, I can guarantee that she would be pretty upset. However, we must work hard to keep the relationship current throughout the year. This is how we show our love for one another. This can be done through phone calls, letters, pictures, and even Skype. 

        It is also essential that we keep our close relationship with God, the power behind the relationship. The power gives us a glow. It is possible to let the relationship go out if it is not taken care of and watched. If we wait till the end of the year to communicate with God and don’t think about him the rest, you will miss out on those precious moments in that relationship with God. We must love and cherish the relationship throughout our lives, in good days and in bad.

       Often we have to remember to call our grandmothers, mothers, and friends throughout the season, we must also maintain the relationship with Christ. Relationships build this world. This is a valuable lesson in today’s times to remember with faith we are able to continue the relationship with God.  The Good news of today’s message is that Christ came into this world to be in a relationship with us. He is the light come into the world. So let us as we head into the season stay open with both our eyes and hearts to the full presence of God’s spirit. Let us see the light of Christ as it joins us this holiday season to remember that it is not about the shopping, or the busyness of this world…the Good news it is the relationships both here on earth and those coming in the heavenly kingdom.

Memories of a Home and a Tribute to Life Transitions

Life is about change. Transitions in life consist of both good and bad emotions. I am currently in one of these transitions as I prepare for the end of the semester. This week is officially the end of my second year at seminary. It has been a grace filled journey over the last two years. I am so excited to be heading home to my loving husband who has bravely been living the last two years in Ohio and me in Gettysburg. I am so overjoyed to go HOME. 

With this transition home are filled with both good and bad emotions. Of course, I am overwhelmed with the excitement to go home to my family. I am also nervous....I have been in Gettysburg for two years, we will have silly transitions to get used to upon my arrival. We will have to relearn how to fold towels the same way (I like them folded three ways, Edward four). We will have to realize and accept that we both load the dishwasher in different ways. The largest of all we will have to adjust to a new sleep schedule as he is a morning person and I find myself enjoying my late nights. This is the beauty of a healthy marriage. The fun transitions you get to learn and grow together. Places where you find comfort in each other and sometimes find a middle ground best for both of you.

Along with heading home, I am leaving many friends behind. I have been living in Gettysburg for two years and have many bonds. I have learned so much from my friends over this year and have enjoyed having such an amazing community at Gettysburg. However, we must all head onto our separate paths. 

Today I reflected on my parents who are also beginning an adventurous journey together. They are officially moving to Ohio, not far from my intern site for next year. None of could have expected this move would occur but I am so proud of my parents following their desires and starting on a new section of life. Looking at the pictures my mother posted today of the house we lived in for 20 years, I am blatantly aware of the good and bad emotions currently.

Our home of 20 years!

Mr. Squiggles in the kitchen where he would always stand where momma would cook.

The empty porch where we could eat, relax, and spend time together. Filled with so many memories of family gatherings, the days I would come home from work to tell my parents ABOUT EVERYTHING which had occurred that day, that sacred spot where family members who have passed away spent time with us.

To the kitchen that used to be an amazing color PINK that my FATHER had picked out :)

The empty dining room that held so many years of holiday dinners.

The now empty living room that saw many of our lives. The room where so many important conversations have taken place. The window that I will always remember in my memory my mother watering her plants in the sun.

Our humble home which somehow has not changed much from the outside in 20 years. However, the inside has grown, changed, and transitioned with all of us over the years.

What amazing memories. The new transitions are so exciting and yet we leave so much behind. It is beautiful. To my parents who are bravely setting foot to Ohio. They go TOGETHER with the love and support from the entire family. I look up to them so much for always making decisions together turning to God for assistance. To the next 20 years and many more stories and phases. 

To my friends and support this year. You have all taught me so much this year. You are a special gift in my life and even though we all head out on separate paths, we are together in Christ. God is with us on the journey, just as the Lord is with my parents. You have all taught me so much that I will carry a part of each of you with me.  

To my husband....I am coming home! I love you. 

 

Paljon kitoksi. (Thanks very much) 

Nähdään pian! (See you soon!) 

One of the small things I have learned this year through a friend from Finland! 

May Lord Bless you and Keep you through the many transitions of this year! 

 

First day of class this morning. What a surprise, Dr Folkemer decided to have class outside the chapel at 8:30am! The sun is reaching the large tree to the left of me. It is so bright and warm. It is amazing how so early in the morning the sun can warm the body.



Some days I forget to pay attention to how beautiful this campus can be. The grass is brilliant green. Even though it is approaching fall it seems like it could be spring for the brilliant colors outside. Just like a bright summer day!



We are enjoying stories in our circle of confidants about our families and memories of music throughout our lifetime's. Stories of joy, happiness, and sadness. As I sit listening to my new friends, I take special pride knowing I am sitting on hallowed ground. I am so honored to be here for another year!