As I write, there is only a week and a half left in the fall semester. Much of this semester has been review, since I took Old Testament and Systematic Theology while I was in Louisville. My preaching class, however, has been a new and wonderful experience. Throughout the semester, we compose five sermons and a poem and present two Bible readings and a testimony. The class of 33 students is divided into preaching labs; there are four others in my lab. Each week we preach and listen to each other and offer feedback. Afterward we can download videos of our sermons and watch our own work. In addition to preaching in class, I have also served as a supply preacher at five congregations in Kentucky and Ohio.
When I’m not preaching, I am enjoying attending Anne’s church, St. Luke Lutheran. I am doing a little bit of youth ministry and little bit of Christian Education. Right now Anne and I are working on a St. Nicholas Day “Reindeer Games” event and the Sunday School Christmas program, “Christmas in Any Language.”
During the month of January, I’ll be working on an independent study in the area of Christian Education. I’ll be developing an outline for educational experiences for infants through adults about the Sacrament of Holy Communion. I will be drawing on many of my experiences at Christ Lutheran as I work on this project.
I am also looking forward to spring semester, which begins in February. I will be taking New Testament 2, Theology of Mission, Christian Ethics, Building Parish Music Programs, and Biblical Poetry. I am especially excited about the Biblical Poetry class—Dr. Barbara Kaiser, one of my professors from my undergrad program at Wittenberg, will be teaching the class.
Blessings to you all in the new year!
Tom & Anne Pairan
