Where is Emily?
Update
The short answer
I am still living in St. Paul, Minnesota right across from the state fair grounds!
Below is a timeline of what has been going on:
I spent all of January at Saint Luke Church and Academy studying the ELCA parochial system. It was great to be with my mentor, The Rev. David Abrahamson and his seminary friend, The Rev. Robert Johnson. Together we spent countless hours discussing ecclesiastical matters. It was also rewarding to worship and visit with Rev. Dr. Martin and Harriet Marty. It was in that month that I was introduced to Bishop Wayne Miller, the bishop of the Chicago Metro Synod.
Worship at Saint Luke
Chatting with Martin Marty
Saint Luke Academy
Ronald James Shimek (1939-2019)
Sadly, on the train back to Minnesota I received the tragic news that my grandfather passed away. His death has taken quite a toll on me.
Ronald James Shimek, passed away on February 5th. He was surrounded by all of his children and his beloved granddaughter, my older sister, Holly, in his home in Arizona when he entered paradise. I was able to skype in from Chicago for a few hours to say my goodbyes and be with him. He was very peaceful and faithful to the end.
His official funeral service was in July at my family's home in Polk County, Wisconsin. He wished to have the same liturgy my grandmother had, so naturally we had to wait until summer. His wit, grace, love of life and neighbor, and overall goodness is missed.
Requiescet in pace, Grandpa.
Call Process
In March, it was announced that the Conference of Bishops had placed me in the Chicago Metro Synod! The news was extraordinary and I was very thrilled! While finishing up my seminary studies, I was asked to interview with one congregation. After much discernment, I made the difficult decision to not accept that call as it was just not a good fit. Months passed by and the Chicago Synod did not have other first-call congregations. In July, the Synod voted for a new Bishop and elected The Rev. Yehiel Curry who started as bishop in September. In September the Conference of Bishops (which only convenes twice a year) met and decided that since there were not any first-call positions for me in the Chicago Synod that it would be best to be reassigned. I have since been assigned to the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, which happens to be my home synod.
I graduated from Luther Seminary in May
Seminary Friends!
The Rev. Annie Langseth and The Rev. Amelia Arthur!
Class of 2019
Grandpa's Banner at Home Church
Parents at Graduation!
Isabelle's Confirmation at Milltown Lutheran
Bridge Pastor
I was asked by Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson (the bishop of Northwest Synod of Wisconsin) to be a bridge pastor for a two-point parish from September 1-November 2. Dallas, Wisconsin is about two hours east of the cities and I made the commute several times a week, occasionally staying the night at Luther Park Bible Camp in Chetek. Dallas Lutheran and New Scandinavia Lutheran are wonderful congregations and it was a blessing to be able to walk alongside them as they transitioned to an interim pastor.
St. Paul-Reformation
My teaching parish, St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran, and confessor patris, The Rev. Dr. Patrick Shebeck, continue to play an influential role in my life. If I am not pulpit supplying (subbing for a pastor at a different church), chances are I am at St. Paul-Ref. The people there are absolutely amazing and the liturgy feeds my soul. I am indebted to them for their support and encouragement!
Below is Easter Sunday!
Prayers Needed
Your prayers are needed as I venture into the end of the year. I will be interviewing congregations and next week I will spend nine days at St. Augustine’s House (a Lutheran monastery in Oxford, MI) to pray about God’s path for me.
I will keep you updated in the coming months!
Contact Information
Email: estelling001@luthersem.edu
Location: 1575 Midway Parkway, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 7154174370