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Gloria Dei ( Glory to God )
3711 Ridge Road
Highland, Indiana
Ministry — Vicar Zachary Ostrem
Vicar’s Annual Report for 2010
- Preaching — There are ample opportunities for preaching, including nursing homes, funerals, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Day and weekend, in addition to multiple times each month for Saturday and Sunday services. I have been mentally cataloguing what works well, what holds interest, what seems to “stick” and relate to the situations of others, and what doesn’t. I am improving with preaching, albeit slowly, and learning to really appreciate and take joy in sharing the Good News, rather than approach with personal anxiety. There is no replacement for actual practice! Preaching from the lectionary continues to keep my ears open for what God might be saying through the text, and become more intentional about feeling for the pulse of the congregation and surrounding neighborhood and current events. Though public speaking is one of my all–time greatest fears, God continues to provide each day.
- Worship — I have served in various roles as liturgist, reader, and even last minute acolyte! I have participated in choir, organized bulletins and hymns for the weeks I preach, and helped with the layout the worship space (sanctuary). Practice and comfort with the liturgy allows for more natural worship of God alongside the congregation. Any complacence, however, can result in mistakes or confusion, so worship always “keeps me on my toes.” I appreciate the grace and patience to learn, as if there are any mistakes to be had, I will make them! With that, I’m getting used to “changing it up” with lay participants and the church year. The more I learn to consider the assembly and worship as a whole, and how all the moving parts interact, the more it informs my preaching the Word and understanding how to lead worship effectively.
- Teaching — Continue to facilitate a multi-week course that walks through the stories of the Bible; a “big picture” view, which gauges levels of biblical knowledge and experience, and also encourages participation and reflection. Teaching with confidence as the “subject matter expert” and accessing accumulated knowledge continues to remain an area of growth for me, and just like preaching, regular practice is the most helpful. The input of others is ever beneficial. I taught one confirmation review session in the form of a creative game, and one class on the story of Joseph, as we presently continue to review major stories of the Bible while learning the books and commandments. Efforts persist to capture the attention of this age range. I led one Wednesday night study (which was a lectionary text for that week), and look forward to more opportunities for that.
- Pastoral Care — I have alternated hospital visits with pastor David, providing prayer (before any procedures), fellowship, and Scripture reading with patients and their families. I visited and was introduced to shut–ins and homebound and assisted living facilities with the pastor. A continuation of experience from clinical pastoral education, and an area I feel more comfortable with, considering compassion and pastoral care and ministry of presence a particular strength of mine. I also had my very first experience coordinating a small funeral, becoming aware of and sensitive to the needs of friends and family, the grieving process, and the dynamics of the loved ones. I’m sure there will be more opportunities. Pastoral care also happens “in passing” — meaning, you hardly ever sit down with the intention of having a “session”, it might happen through regular conversation or working on a project together.
- Fellowship —
- I continue to gain appreciation for and understanding from the perspective of the minister of music through involvement in the choir (I have not participated in a church choir since grade school, and I am loving it). I also get to hear about budgetary decisions and stewardship from the finance officers. Anything from mailers to repairs to shoveling snow is handled by staff (and by gracious members who stop by to offer their time and talent). I have never realized the amount of effort that might go into the small responsibilities of the church, in addition to all preaching and teaching and pastoral care, before participating in it myself.
- Being a part of the congregational groups, such as finance committee and council, allows me to observe the dynamics and gain exposure to the inside decisions of the church. I am also able to “drop in” on other groups, such as the women’s Grace Notes and Dorcas, attend men’s breakfasts with rich conversation, and participate in choir. Through the congregational groups, I am able to witness the various talents of members (from handywork to accounting to music to crafts) and see how the body of Christ comes together.
- I have had some wonderful interactions with members on an individual basis so far. One feels immediately invited into relationship within this context. I initiated a “Coffee or Tea With the Vicar”, and it opened the door for getting to know some others in their homes, and in more casual settings outside the bustle of weekend worship. Opportunities for fellowship are numerous, and like I mention above, I find that much fellowship takes place during special events and meetings and drop–ins; simply being with others and sharing in their activities with a certain level of enthusiasm. Members have wisdom and love and the honesty to share encouragement or advice. Pastoral care happens in the form of casual conversations of sharing, standing outside, or in the hallway, or while walking, or around a table or meal. I allow others to teach me their stories, and what I do is listen.
