Nearing the end of internship....

Here is the content of my final newsletter article for my internship site. It's hard to believe, but it's now less than three weeks until I take my leave and return to seminary for senior year.

Leave Taking with Gratitude…
Intern Paul Amlin

It's hard to believe that a year has nearly passed since I began my internship with Bethlehem and St. Mark's Lutheran Churches. I recall the first Sunday that my family and I worshipped with all of you and I recall the warmth with which you received us as a part of your extended church family. I still feel that same warmth as I have conversations with you following worship or as we meet at other times during the week. This warmth of welcoming will continue to serve you well as new worship guests join your ranks in the months and years to come.

During our internship briefing our professors and contextual education staff members told us that one of the most difficult things would be our leave-taking at the end of internship. I can confirm that it is a difficult piece of my internship year and one that is being undertaken with the utmost respect and personal regard for the people of Lost Nation and Oxford Junction.

Lorice, Taylor, Uncle Stevie and I would like to extend to each of you our gratitude for all you have done to support us during the past year. We thank you for your kindness, for your gifts, your prayers, your support of all kinds, and your prayers as we move forward in the process of candidacy.

You are officially invited to mark your calendars for Sunday, May 17, 2009 which is set as the day I will graduate from seminary. You should all know that my internship with you has helped to shape who I am and will be as a pastor in Christ's church. Your ministry to and with me will carry far beyond the walls of these churches and into the lives and churches as yet to be revealed in years to come. Each time I call on a shut-in with communion, each time I preach in worship, each time I teach confirmation or a Bible study, there you will be with me.

It takes visionary leadership and a Spirit driven congregation to commit to helping the church to raise up leaders. You may count yourselves among these special folk now, and perhaps one day soon you will have another among you who will go to seminary, or perhaps you will have the chance to walk with another intern. Once again, I thank you for your commitment, your help, and your walk with me toward ordained ministry.

May God's face shine on you and may you be filled with the love of Christ now and always.

Intern Paul, Lorice, and Taylor Amlin, Uncle Stevie