Dear Zion Friends,
As I write this last Pastor’s Page I am filled with mixed emotions. I am looking forward with excitement to this next chapter in our family life and the opportunity to do some new and different things. It will be wonderful to be able to spend more time with family and to do some traveling to which we have been looking forward. It will also be good to take life at a little slower pace, although I know the days will be full. Our daughter Anne and her husband Grant are expecting a child around Thanksgiving time so we will have two grandchildren to spoil. People ask me what my plans are for retirement and l have to say that we don’t have it all mapped out but that we are just looking forward to many new adventures.
As I said I have mixed emotions these days. After 33 years as a part of the Zion family I know that Judy and I will miss the day to day involvement with the wonderful people and ministry outreach of Zion. We have always felt the love and support of the congregation throughout all these years. It has been a real blessing for Judy and I to have served in your midst and I want to say a sincere thank you to the congregation for all of the ways you have shared Christ’s love with us and our family. You have welcomed us into your homes and hearts and we are grateful.
I still remember my first day at Zion, July 1, 1974. Many of the days in-between are a blur but that day sticks out. I was about the same age my son Aaron is now as he begins his ministry with his wife Mary in Hanska, MN on September 1. With hair down over my ears, just three years out of seminary, I was a little nervous but ready to start my ministry in this warm and welcoming church. Serving over 25 years as Co-Pastor with Ed Blair, was an exciting time as the church grew and changed in many ways.
Now, 33 years later it is impossible to express completely my gratitude for all that you have done for our family. Where did the years go? Our plan is to continue living in Buffalo. As is customary when a pastor retires from a congregation it is important that he not worship in his former church or be available for pastoral acts such as baptisms, weddings, funerals or counseling. This serves two purposes. It helps the pastor enter retirement without the temptation of continued pastoral work in the congregation and it also sets important boundaries so that a new pastor may establish their own pastoral ministry. I will be taking some vacation days in August and so my only Sunday in worship will be August 19. I look forward to greeting you at the farewell events that day.
Zion is a great congregation with strong leadership and I know that God will bless you with continued growth and Gospel outreach in the years ahead. I want to say a special word of thanks to our fine Zion staff for their untiring efforts in carrying out Christ’s mission in this community. Thanks to Pastor Becky Sogge and Pastor Steve Svoboda for your partnership in the Gospel. It has been a privilege to serve with you. I encourage all of you to support Zion’s leadership team in this transition time as you have supported me. I am grateful to God who has given me the opportunity to be a part of Zion’s ministry these 33 years. And finally, to all the people of Zion, thank you and God bless you. I keep you all in my prayers.
In Christ,
Pastor John P. Folkerds
