This Sunday, the patience of the good people at Preston Meadow paid off as they installed their new Pastor for Group Life, the Rev. Dr. Erin Swenson-Reinhold. This has been a long process as the call committee was searching for just the right pastor. Timing also needed to be right for the family to relocate here from Virginia between schools years. The family was also welcomed into membership at Preston Meadow on Sunday as well.

Even though the installation was at the morning worship, there was good attendance by other pastors from around the synod and the country. Erin’s husband, Nathan, is also a pastor and well-know Coach in the ELCA. He will likely be doing a lot of work for us in the synod in the future too.

There was a definite feeling of joy and the Holy Spirit in this place, evident in the preaching and music. I am thankful to welcome someone who has been a colleague among synod staff members too, as Erin’s previous call was as Bishop’s Associate in the Washington DC Metro Synod. We are blessed to have her and her family here now!