Bridge to the Future is the name of the second phase of our funding appeal for the construction of the new ministry building and narthex, the renovation of the parish hall, and extensive repairs on the nave. These buildings are neither the mission nor the goal of our congregation. They constitute a primary means to that mission. They will enable us to achieve our goals for ministry. When we speak of a Bridge to the Future, we mean the future of ministry at Christ the King Lutheran Church. We are moving forward on several fronts. What does that future look like?
For the last several years the Service and Care Commission has reflected the growth of the congregation's understanding of the gospel. Lay Eucharistic Ministers now assist in the proclamation of the gospel beyond our walls to those members unable to assemble with us. Each Sunday the Holy Communion is taken to homebound and hospitalized members. The Congregational Care Team continues to strengthen its work. The Health Ministry Committee has established the parish nurse program. Our parish nurse, Linda Schoene, has lead the way into this new area of congregational care. Now we are developing new leadership for ministry within and beyond our congregation with the Community of Hope Lay Chaplain program. Nineteen persons from our congregation have completed the extensive, fourteen-week training. We have also joined in CanCare of Houston which is an interfaith cancer support network. Betty Christensen, Charles Claar, Faith Venverloh, Darbe Gosda, and Shannon Gosda have completed the training for this ministry.
Christian education and faith formation are venturing forth into exciting terrain. One year ago Pr. Warpmaeker accepted a new call with the challenge to prepare us for expanded work in "youth and family." The main objective is to implement the "Milestones Program." This program will assist our congregation in supporting the baptized from infancy through senior age to understand and live the Christian faith. The Melanchthon Institute was called upon to offer the "Child in Our Hands" Conference on February 28 and March 1. More than 160 persons from 30 congregations in our synod participated. Twenty-seven members of Christ the King congregation participated in the conference, and they now make up a significant force for implementing these measures. We have established a training room for "Godly Play," a method developed by Dr. Jerome Berryman for teaching the Bible and the liturgical year.
Equally significant for this congregation is the development of a staff position in youth and family. Mike Patterson has been selected to work with our families and youth during the summer. Mike is a student at Texas Lutheran University where he is studying in the youth ministry program..
Music has long supported our worship life, and in the last ten years music education and performance has increasingly included our children and youth. Caryn Wilson has led the effort with the children's choir and the youth choir. Andrea Preisinger added Music Explorers to the curriculum for preschoolers. So many are participating now that the class has been divided (something we could not have done in the old building). We have also expanded the role of Paul Meier, associate organist, who constantly offers organ repertory from the Lutheran musical heritage. Under the leadership of our music director, Carroll Shaddock, and the Bach Choir director, Dr. Robert Lynn, the Church Choir and the Bach Choir have excelled under the demanding artistry of Peter Kopp, guest conductor from Dresden. This has been an amazing musical year. Peter Kopp's presence has demonstrated that we can accomplish much more in the future. After filling the nave, we had one hundred persons in the new narthex quietly listening to Bach's St. John Passion. We had to turn away 150 persons at the door!
Our fellowship possibilities have been opened by the addition of a magnificent kitchen. Beverly Davis has carefully built up groups who have trained under the skillful knowledge of Gunther Klein. We now have teams who are excited about the food service ministry at Christ the King Church. With proper tables and chairs in the parish hall we can now build on that ministry to build the community of faith in life together.
I have mentioned only four areas of our congregational life. It is no accident that these ministries are blossoming just as soon as our new ministry building, narthex, and renovated parish hall were completed. It now remains for us to grow over the coming years. The new buildings give us the opportunity to invite more persons to share with us in the ministry. The opportunity will become a reality if we continue to show hospitality, to strengthen our ability to articulate the faith, and to extend ourselves financially for these ministries. A funded ministry building is the "bridge to the future" we need. We have arrived at the bridge. The question now is, "Will we cross it?"