Christmas Letter 2008

The Twelfth Day of Christmas
Monday, January 5, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
My grandfather has a file folder full of every Christmas letter he’s written since 1961. It is fun to read them and remember the years gone by. 2008 has brought “blizzards” and blackouts, blunders and blessings. Following in the footsteps of Grandpa, this is my recap of the year…

As of this writing, I have finished three semesters at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. I am working toward becoming ordained as a Lutheran pastor, like my grandfather, and my wife, Anne. During the middle part of the week, I stay with my brother Scott near campus. On the weekends I am at home in Crestview, (Northern) Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati.

Anne and I have settled into our house. When we are both home, we enjoy the simple pleasures of cooking for each other, watching movies, and playing on our computers. This summer we attempted to plant a garden—I was quite proud of our harvest of 34 green beans. Anne had more success with her flowers, which beautified our landscape during the spring and summer.

Our house got a little more crowded in May, when we adopted a new cat from Anne’s Mom (who in turn had adopted Tacko from Anne’s brother). Tacko is the most affectionate cat in the world. (Any typos found in this letter can be blamed on Tacko, who is sitting on my laptop keyboard as I type.) Tacko enjoys eating my homework and other important papers, going outside to eat grass, and helping make the bed in the morning. Our other cat Josie, who has a more subdued personality, takes naps on the guest bed and talks to the birds outside.

During the first eight months of the year, I worked part-time at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Ky. In addition I spent the summer months working as a student chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in nearby Fort Thomas, Kentucky. I ministered to the nursing home patients who reside there, including one World War II veteran. During the last four months of 2008, I have been supply preaching at congregations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. When I’m not preaching, I enjoy worshipping at Anne’s congregation, St. Luke Lutheran Church.

The biggest event of 2008 for Anne’s congregation was the move to the “new church.” St. Luke’s final worship service at 3917 Alexandria Pike was in February. During the seasons of Lent and Easter, worship services were held Sunday afternoons at a Baptist church. In May, the first services were held at St. Luke’s new home at 4800 Alexandria Pike. The new building has accessible restrooms, classrooms, a nursery, and an office for the pastor. Anne has ably and gently led the congregation the past four years, during times of anxiety and trust, times of tradition and change.

Anne and I are blessed to have our parents living within a two hour drive north (Tom) or south (Anne) of Cincinnati, but we wish our other family members were closer. We have been able to travel beyond the Commonwealth this year: to Minnesota for Spring Break (complete with snow) to visit Anne’s sister Karen and her family; to Ohio’s Amish Country for a week-long retreat for pastors; an overnight in Hocking Hills in celebration of our first anniversary; a trip to New England with Scott during Fall Break; and a short trip to North Carolina to visit Grandma and Grandpa after Christmas.

We wish you blessings as this Christmas season comes to an end, and as 2009 begins.

Tom and Anne Pairan

Seminary Notes: December 2008

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

Seminary Notes: August 2008

Seminary Notes

Long before I began working at Gloria Dei, I sat in your sanctuary for a workshop introducing the new ELW hymnal. As I sang new and old songs of faith from the hymnal with the other leaders and lay people, I felt God’s Spirit calling me to become a pastor.

I began seminary last September. My journey toward ordination continued as I began working at Gloria Dei and began my Ministry in Context work as well. Over the school year, I was able to observe the workings of a multiple-staff congregation, gain experience in leading worship, and observe the capital campaign and building program.

My journey will take me in new directions this fall. My resignation from Gloria Dei will allow me to focus on my seminary studies during the week and spend more time with my wife on the weekends, as we begin our second year of marriage.

I would like to thank everyone at Gloria Dei who made me feel welcome in a large congregation and those who affirmed my gifts for ministry. I am grateful for the experience. I ask you for your continued prayers and support.

In Christ,

Tom Pairan

Heinlein

I’ve been reading a lot of Robert Heinlein this summer. He is a famous science fiction writer, best known for Stranger in A Strange Land. I’ve read Space Cadet, Rocketship Galileo, Time for the Stars, The Day After Tomorrow, and Spaceman Jones. I liked them all, though Rocketship Galileo was pretty slow. The Day After Tomorrow is a story that reminds me of Moses & Pharaoh from Exodus.

My Birthday

My birthday was July 3, and I was off work for the 3rd and 4th. Anne and I went to Ohio to see my parents and Scott. Scott made me a birthday cake that looked like the American flag, with red raspberries for the stripes and blueberries for the blue part. I got a new drawing pad that connects to my laptop from my Mom & Dad. Scott gave me a variety of presents including a percussion instrument called a "Donkey Call," but Marlowe always called it a vibra-slap. I got birthday wishes on facebook and myspace from most of my former youth group girls—Morgan, Emily, Shelley, Kenna, Brittney, Erica, even Julie Thompson. The boys didn't do as well, but John and Justin called to say hello. One of the high points was meeting my friend Jon (from school) for breakfast at Bob Evans. I love being at home for the summer, but I miss my friends from school too.

2008 Mid-Year Rememberies

2008 Mid-Year Rememberies

January
J-term Class: Greek I, Part II
Saw Christ Lutheran's Middle School Youth at Youth Quake Event
Mom & Dad in South Africa

February
Spring Semester Classes: Ministry of Worship, Care of Souls, Hebrew I, Being Lutheran in America
St. Luke's last Sunday at 3917 Alexandria Pike

March
"Blizzard 2008"

April

May
Mother’s Day with Mom at Boston Market
First Sunday at St. Luke at 4800 Alexandria Pike
Week in Louisville
Mom, Dad & Scott visit
Tacko comes to live with us

June
Clinical Pastoral Education at Fort Thomas VA

Seminary Notes: May 2008

I have finished my first year of seminary at Trinity! It has been hard work, but I have learned so much this year. I have written papers and presentations this semester on the history of Associates in Ministry in the ELCA, the understanding of God in Islam, and the use of anointing with oil in biblical times and in healing rites today. When I return to seminary in the fall, I’ll be taking Old Testament 2, Church History 1, Systematic Theology, and the Ministry of Preaching.

This summer I’ll be living at home in Northern Kentucky and working with the chaplains at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fort Thomas, Ky., to complete my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) unit.