Pastor's Weekly Message

Four (4) Luther Seminary graduates from St. Andrew.

The root word for “seminary” is the same root as for “seminal” and for “seedbed”! God has planted good seed in the rich soil of 4 from St. Andrew, watered that seed, warmed that soil and produced a rich harvest of seminary graduates and pastor candidates in 2008…more than ever before in our congregation!

Bill Helker grew up at St. Andrew and served on our Church Staff after college as Youth Minister. Later he served in the same capacity at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, entered Luther Seminary, interned at Fairview Ridges Hospital and now is our Short Term Youth and Family Minister. He finished his course work last December and graduates in May.

Jennifer Newsome grew up at St. Andrew, attended William & Mary College when her family moved to Florida, and then returned to Minnesota and she entered Luther Seminary, where she met classmate Ben Quanbeck who she married at St. Andrew. They interned in Washington and Oregon and will graduate together in May.

Derek Fossey was baptized and grew up at St. Andrew and then went to Pepperdine University in California. He returned to join our SPIRIT in the PINES Camp Staff the summer before he entered Luther Seminary. His unique internship was in Hawaii before returning this year for his final year at Luther being completed in May.

Our own Program and Staff Minister Gail Bach not only completed her college education at Augsburg College while working, but also her seminary education at Luther. She completes her internship year at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield next month, returns to our staff and completes her course work in December.

St. Andrew’s Churchwide budget includes tuition support for any member who studies at one of our ELCA seminaries! This generous positive encouragement to students is a blessing not only to them but also to the WHOLE CHURCH! We all join in congratulations and prayers for these graduates and all who prepare to serve as leaders in the Church.

Joyfully here in the St. Andrew Seedbed,