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Gloria Dei ( Glory to God )
3711 Ridge Road
Highland, Indiana

Dear Friends through Christ:

In my “letter of call” some 4-1/2 years ago it says in the very first paragraph that I am to proclaim the Word of God and administer the Sacraments. I have tried my best to fulfill this obligation in 2011. Each and every week, by the Grace of our Heavenly Father, the Word of God has been proclaimed and the Sacraments have been administered to ALL who desire.

Gloria Dei has experienced on Saturday and Sunday a worship service that hopefully touches our lives and the lives of those around us. We have offered special services during Lent, two Healing Services on Ash Wednesday and Thanksgiving. Yet this year the hope and promise of the Gospel was offered most clearly through our ministry to those grieving over the death of a loved one. The hope and promise of Christ Jesus is that all of His children live an abundant life – here and now – and in the future – that future promise was proclaimed to 21 families this year at Gloria Dei. Twelve of those families were members of this Lampstand: Fran Abatie – Mary Street –Donald Gordon – John Kocian – Terry Mauldin – Bob Covault – Chuck Biesen – Dick Schwartz – William Horton – Joyce Popka – Anne Hennig – Nancy Riddell.

While these Saints and Sinners who have gone before us are doing just fine in the arms of Almighty God, please remember their families who are still grieving over the loss of a loved one, and keep them in your prayers!

The Word and Promises of God was also proclaimed at 135 visits to the hospital, 32 home visits, four Baptisms and four Weddings in 2011, along with two youth being confirmed.

Ministry has been offered to the community by meeting with Highland leaders (both clergy and city), School Board servants, serving on the Lake County Ethics commission and offering memorial services at Saint Margaret’s and Community Hospitals. I have participated in most of the ELCA’s clergy ministeriums and conferences, taking part in a ‘think tank’ for Lutheran Outdoor Ministers, spending time with fellow parishioners to work on those camps, and also serving as their Camp Pastor for one week in July.

This year I had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about issues that affect the everyday lives of people through Wabash College, participating in a bimonthly forum with leaders from around the state dealing with topics of leadership, education, economy, health care, and actually traveling to Mexico to witness the problem of immigration first hand.

Finally, I experienced the joy of having nine years worth of work called “Has Your Robe Been Washed,” end up in print – simply another way of proclaiming Word and Sacrament to the community.

I hope and pray that 2012 will afford all of us the opportunity to proclaim the Word of God and invite those around us to a place that offers the Sacraments to ALL whom desire God’s Free Gift of Abundant Life!

In Christian Love,

Rev. David Trexler