One Last MobilePack and Pastor Laura Laughlin’s Installation.
One Last Pack
After 12 years, six different packing locations, 85,000 volunteers, and roughly 23.5 million meals assembled, the South Metro MobilePack comes to a close, having fed 62,560 kids a nutritious meal for an entire year.
It was a lofty goal back in 2013, wondering if, in less than a year of planning, 20 or so partner congregations could come together to pack 3 million meals in one week. Not only did it happen, it set in motion a 10+ year event that encompassed not just the South Metro, but the entire metro area and beyond. School groups, community groups, athletic teams, businesses, and organizations joined the local congregation of all denominations and faiths to work together to provide meals for families and children in need around the world.
This partnership with Feed My Starving Children became not just a wonderful, standalone yearly event, but also a way for individuals to learn about FMSC's mission and ministry and to participate at one of their permanent packing sites throughout the year. This event promoted the mission that continues even as this event comes to a close.
Good Shepherd joined this effort during the second year, in 2015, when a small group packed in the back of a warehouse in Burnsville. From there, the momentum built, and every year, Good Shepherd not only participated but also financially supported the effort and held it in prayer. Over the life of this event, Good Shepherd saw more than 450 volunteers roll up their sleeves to help.
In the last few years, while the event still had momentum, excitement, and a wonderful following, it became clear that some partner congregations were beginning to pull away from it. Additionally, while FMSC mobile packs increased nationwide, the number of meals per event declined… Kind of a wash, but mobile packs began to shift in appearance.
It was a difficult decision over the last 24 months to name this year as the last. We wrestled with how to end well, celebrate what has occurred, and encourage people to continue packing in different ways. We also recognize that there is a season for everything.
One of the exciting things to come out of this event is how it has stirred individuals to find their own ways to help others. Later this spring, Good Shepherd College students Hoken and Trygg Opsahl are organizing an FMSC mobile pack at Creighton University, where they both attend. It is the first time it has ever happened at that school.
As we get closer to those dates in April, you will hear more about this event they are spearheading, including ways to support their effort to feed kids around the world. Living out the faith that Good Shepherd has helped them develop, grow into, and act upon to care for others around the world.
Finally… never say never, right? A few years' break for sure, but no one knows what the future holds.
Thank you to all who supported this, participated in this, held this in prayer, and were a part of an experience that changes lives. We are eternally grateful to the partner churches that have hosted, to the leadership that has kept the event going all these years, and to the partnership with FMSC.
Written by Mark Halvorson, Director of Congregational Engagement
The Installation of Pastor Laura Laughlin
“You get to learn another big church word today: Installation!” Tor Johnson told the children during Kids’ Time on Sunday, February 22. The rest of the morning was filled with joyful worship and the wonderful celebration of Pastor Laura Laughlin’s installation as Lead Pastor at Good Shepherd.
Bishop Jen Nagel from the Minneapolis Area Synod began the installation by thanking the Call Committee, Staff, and Congregational Leaders for their hard work over the times of transition and discernment in the past.
Susan Kratz and Renee May from the Call Committee read Scriptures. Pastor Laura responded, “I will, and I ask for God’s help,” to three questions about her call and leadership.
Trygg and Louie Throntveit asked Pastor Laura about fulfilling the pastoral duties of baptism, preaching, presiding at communion, and seeking peace and justice in all the earth.
The entire congregation agreed to receive Pastor Laura as “a minister of word and sacrament, a called and ordained leader in the church on earth” and to “pray, support, and honor her leadership for the sake of the ministry you share and bear witness to our unity in Christ.”
As everyone gathered to lay hands on Pastor Laura, there were prayers, smiles, and a sense of gratitude for her presence and commitment to the call of Lead Pastor. There was much laughter and enjoyment at the brownie fest prepared by the Hospitality Committee.
Let us continue to welcome Pastor Laura, husband David, and son Oliver in the days ahead with much grace and thanksgiving!
Written by Pastor Deb Bergstrand, Interim Executive Pastor