Over the last two weeks I have attended installation services for two of our newly ordained pastors. Because I walk through the candidacy process with our pastors, I especially love attending these services for our homegrown pastors.
On October 15th, Pr. Cheryl Herreid was installed as pastor at Christ the Servant in Allen. She was a member at Rejoice in Coppell as she went through candidacy. The congregation of Christ the Servant is a healthy and active congregation that waited a long time for their new pastor.
It was a pleasure for me to also hang out for the afternoon with my former Dallas Metro North colleagues. The potluck spread was also nothing to sneeze at. They feed you well in Allen.
October 22nd was the date for Pr. Mallory Morris to be installed as pastor at First United in Dallas. Mallory was a member at Calvary in Richland Hills through her candidacy. This congregation is struggling and in need of redevelopment, but Pr. Morris has gone through redeveloper training and feels up to the task.

She also has the strong support of her Eastern Mission Conference colleagues.  They showed up with good numbers for this celebration and gifted Mallory with a home communion set for her pastoral care visits. They have become a solid group.

I am grateful to their home congregations for raising them up to become pastors in the ELCA. We need more of our congregations to find and encourage those potential pastors in their midst. Send them my way!