May 2024 was an interesting month with some happy times and some sad times.
First, the happy times included events like the annual Sabbath Conference hosted here in Edmonton. This event, which caters to professional church workers like DPS workers and church volunteers, was hosted this year at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton. The event featured pastor and school principal Mark Dressler presenting on trends with children, youth and young adults today as well as LCC Synod President Tim Teuscher as Bible study leader. Attendees at Sabbath were able to join the seminary community (students, professors, support staff) for worship in the chapel, shared meals and snack times, and shared devotion times together. The technology and facilities at the seminary also allowed for some attendees to join us online. It was a good to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones as well. I was able present a brief presentation about the work of LAMP to those in attendance. Here are some photos of worship, Bible study, and a meal shared at Sabbath. Thanks to the organizing committee, the presenters, and our hosts at the seminary for their gracious hospitality.
Happy times continued with the opportunity for me to present an adult Bible study session about LAMP for Pastor Scott Lyons and the good people of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Edmonton. I had attended Bethlehem with my family many years ago as I was working on my first university degree and it was good to see some familiar faces there. It was also good to meet some new ones. Here's some pictures...
Happy times also included the opportunity for many meetings and visits with LAMP staff like Pastor Randy Heide and LAMP volunteer team leaders like Brian and Judi L. Lunch meetings with friends like Andrew C from Hastings Lake Bible Camp, Dr. Bill A from Concordia University Edmonton and Tony M from LCC's National Youth Gathering were also fun times. Visits over coffee / tea / Coca Cola with Pastor Matt Z, Adam B, and DPS intern Samantha N were also a highlight.
On a personal note, it was also made me happy to spend some time with my mother at two special presentations. For our Mother's Day celebration this year, we attended the sing-a-long version of the movie "Fiddler on the Roof", hosted at the Garneau Theatre by the Jewish Film Festival here in Edmonton. It was great to watch this classic film and sing along to the great songs with the folks who had gathered there. We also managed to catch a live performance of the musical "Grease" at the local Mayfield Dinner Theatre. This time, we let the professionals do the singing as we enjoyed the great food and the talented performers.
On a sadder note, May was also the time to say goodbye to a dear friend in Jesus. Emerald S had been a pastor's wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devout Christian. She had also been a good friend and strong supporter to me in my work with youth as well as my new work with LAMP. I'll miss seeing her at church and at other events where she always made me feel like she was glad to see me. I'll miss that big smile!! Here's some pictures of my friend from her funeral...
I'm so thankful for Emerald and for the hope that I have that we will get to see each other again someday. Till then, I'll miss her.
Finally, on a lighter note, our local NHL hockey team (the Edmonton Oilers) continued to play well in May and actually made it to the Stanley Cup Finals (!!!!) We continue to cheer and hope and hope and cheer...go, Oilers, go!!
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