It has been a tough time in our nation over this last year, not to mention all the challenges our world is facing, ranging from ecological concerns to economic disasters, to war and the threat of war. There is much to concern us But it is also right to take time to be grateful for the many blessings that we do enjoy. I am thankful to God for taking me to the brink of 2013 in reasonably good health with so many things to be thankful for:

everyone likes Susan’s smile!

First of all, there’s my wife, Susan: she enjoys her work here in the Twin Cities with Aeon, using her MSW skills.

Jonathan and Erica at my installation service in September, 2012

I am also very thankful for our oldest, Jonathan, along with his lovely wife, Erica, now live in Atlanta, GA. Jonathan is an artist and a social worker. Erica is working on her PhD in Education at Georgia State University.

I am thankful for our next child, Jason. He is a musician and educator, still living in Washington, DC. He writes music, serves at our former church, and works with middle school boys in an after school program.

Jason on the streets of NYC

I am thankful for our third child, Joanna, who recently relocated from Northridge, CA to Brooklyn, NY (a place she’s not lived since she was 6 years old!)

Joanna at my installation in September 2012

She interprets for deaf people, mostly students at Kingsborough Community College.

I am thankful for our youngest, Jessica, who remained in Houston after college and teaches Social Studies and Drama to Middle School students at a Title 1 school.

Jessica at Rice University

I am grateful for you–my  friends and family, and for my new ministry call as the senior pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN. I have the awesome privilege of joining my experience and gifts with those of the wonderful folks in this diverse and talented congregation.We are trusting in the Lord for guidance in 2013. I miss so many people in Washington, DC, as I was a pastor there and adjunct instructor of Bible at two different institutions. But I am look forward to what God has in store for me here in Minnesota.

Along with my pastoral duties I have much writing to do in 2013. I am striving to be more productive by focusing my time and energy better than I have in the recent past.

I also want to grow in the discipline of prayer. Even after many years in ministry there is much more to learn about prayer and its practice.

I sincerely hope that you will have a blessed New Year. Thanks to all of you who keep in touch. It truly warms my heart.