By Deb Soderholm
Director of Children's Ministries
As we prepared for last Sunday and our announcement of multiple retirements in 2019, Pastor Dan suggested that Don and I each take a turn writing the Weekly Memo and sharing our thoughts and feelings with you, so here goes.
First of all, for those of you who possibly don’t know, I and my family came to EPUMC 34 years ago. We were looking for a local church where our daughter, Kristen (then 10 years old), would be with school friends. We shopped around a little and then Kristen mentioned that the dad of one of her classmates was a pastor in Eden Prairie. It was EPUMC. We decided to visit here and we found a home. I joined the Education Committee and after a time became chair of the Committee and later still was hired part-time as Children’s Ministries Director. That was July of 1992. Over the years my responsibilities have increased and my hours increased to three-quarter time.
My time here on staff has been wonderful! I have worked with five pastors over the years and all have been great, but these past few years with Dan have been unique and amazing. The three of us, Dan, Don and I, have been a team like I have never experienced previously. The camaraderie, connection, mutual respect, and vision for the church have been energizing, humbling and FUN!!
Why am I retiring now? By the end of next June, I will be about 68. Its’ time—time to have more flexibility in how to spend my days with family and friends and time to let another person lead our children’s program. By the way I DON’T have a rocking chair yet!!
I am so glad that we shared our news now. It gives all of us a chance to absorb it and to enjoy our time together. For me it is a chance to cherish every moment, every encounter, every occasion, every relationship this year. I’m here until the end of June and will do Vacation Bible School!
The first week of our church year with Celebration Sunday and our first Wednesday Night Live was unprecedented. The atmosphere at each event was so positive and so many people participated. Connect Club was great, too. It is the biggest group I have ever had and they are wonderful! I have been” jazzed” ever since! I have a new a “spring” in my step, new energy and new hope for EPUMC. You will get my BEST this year in everything I do. Not that I didn’t give my best before—this is a NEW best!
I know this church will continue to be vital and be the church home that we all love—inviting new folks in the door as family. This church is my home and my heart. There is a saying that you might have seen around here that says, “Church is NOT a place you go to, it’s a family you BELONG to.” That’s EPUMC!
If any of you would like to talk with me about my retirement, I’m very happy to do so.
Dan spoke of us moving onto a new life cycle. You might ask, “How do we do that?” It’s easier than you think. First, be PRESENT. Be here with your church family as often as you can. Second, be OPEN—to new things, new ideas, new opportunities. The Holy Spirit is in this place. Look for signs—they will be there. Lastly, CELEBRATE all that EPUMC is and look FORWARD with excitement and anticipation for all that EPUMC will become!
With Love and Blessings, Deb
Director of Children's Ministries
As we prepared for last Sunday and our announcement of multiple retirements in 2019, Pastor Dan suggested that Don and I each take a turn writing the Weekly Memo and sharing our thoughts and feelings with you, so here goes.
First of all, for those of you who possibly don’t know, I and my family came to EPUMC 34 years ago. We were looking for a local church where our daughter, Kristen (then 10 years old), would be with school friends. We shopped around a little and then Kristen mentioned that the dad of one of her classmates was a pastor in Eden Prairie. It was EPUMC. We decided to visit here and we found a home. I joined the Education Committee and after a time became chair of the Committee and later still was hired part-time as Children’s Ministries Director. That was July of 1992. Over the years my responsibilities have increased and my hours increased to three-quarter time.
My time here on staff has been wonderful! I have worked with five pastors over the years and all have been great, but these past few years with Dan have been unique and amazing. The three of us, Dan, Don and I, have been a team like I have never experienced previously. The camaraderie, connection, mutual respect, and vision for the church have been energizing, humbling and FUN!!
Why am I retiring now? By the end of next June, I will be about 68. Its’ time—time to have more flexibility in how to spend my days with family and friends and time to let another person lead our children’s program. By the way I DON’T have a rocking chair yet!!
I am so glad that we shared our news now. It gives all of us a chance to absorb it and to enjoy our time together. For me it is a chance to cherish every moment, every encounter, every occasion, every relationship this year. I’m here until the end of June and will do Vacation Bible School!
The first week of our church year with Celebration Sunday and our first Wednesday Night Live was unprecedented. The atmosphere at each event was so positive and so many people participated. Connect Club was great, too. It is the biggest group I have ever had and they are wonderful! I have been” jazzed” ever since! I have a new a “spring” in my step, new energy and new hope for EPUMC. You will get my BEST this year in everything I do. Not that I didn’t give my best before—this is a NEW best!
I know this church will continue to be vital and be the church home that we all love—inviting new folks in the door as family. This church is my home and my heart. There is a saying that you might have seen around here that says, “Church is NOT a place you go to, it’s a family you BELONG to.” That’s EPUMC!
If any of you would like to talk with me about my retirement, I’m very happy to do so.
Dan spoke of us moving onto a new life cycle. You might ask, “How do we do that?” It’s easier than you think. First, be PRESENT. Be here with your church family as often as you can. Second, be OPEN—to new things, new ideas, new opportunities. The Holy Spirit is in this place. Look for signs—they will be there. Lastly, CELEBRATE all that EPUMC is and look FORWARD with excitement and anticipation for all that EPUMC will become!
With Love and Blessings, Deb
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