Outer Rim Territories

Summer 2007 Newsletter

For all the pretty pictures and such, open the following PDF, otherwise proceed to the text:

PDF version The Life and Times of a Vicar and His Family Gillespie family 2007 Summer Edition Ethan and the Fish Our annual trip to the upper peninsula (and Wisconsin) was eventful. For the first time since entering seminary I was able to attend. As well, Ethan’s gift for fishing was demonstrated by catching two Northern Pike and a underage Musky! A Day in the Life Time management must be learned in the real world of vicarage. I quickly learned that pastors are on-call twenty four hours a day. I find my schedule erratic at best. Even before school is in session, I find sermon and bible study preparation, regular and emergency hospital and shut-in visits, devotional study, and meetings to be a odd schedule. Finding time for family and hobbies is a challenge. As this year passes, I will learn patience and balance with the schedule so as to not short change my family or the ministry of the Gospel. Vicarage Has Begun In what seems like no time, two years of seminary education has been completed. Vicarage is the time of intensive study into the practical workings of a pastor, his life, and the church. Welcome to Historic Frankentrost Frankentrost was the second colony founded by Wilhelm Löhe in the Saginaw Bay area of Michigan. These Franconians came to settle the “Thumb” of Michigan and minister to the local native Americans. Frankentrost is about 8 miles from Frankenmuth, “Little Bavaria,” known for its chicken dinners and Bronner’s Christmas store. The community is largely composed of farmers and blue collar auto workers. The congregation is celebrating its one hundred sixtieth anniversary this fall. I am blessed to be in a place with such a rich heritage. They have extended kind and gracious support to us, for which we are thankful! The Many and Various Summer Travels In May, Anne and I travelled with seven other students and a professor to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Novosibirsk, Siberia. We experienced life half a world away. The people, food, sites, and church-life there will stick in mind for a long time to come. Even though there are great differences in language and culture, we found that the Gospel of Christ provided a common bond which bridged any divide, uniting us as children of God. For notes on our travels, visit: http://dizzysound.net/blog/novosibirsk-siberia-trip-2007/ Germany On the way back from Siberia, Anne and I left the airport in Berlin and spent nearly a week traversing old East Germany. We visited Erfurt, Wittenberg, Leipzig, Eisleben, Eisenach, and Berlin. We were able to meet up with my cousin Angela and appreciated seeing the Luther and Bach sites. Vermont After packing for the move and completing the coursework for the class in Siberia, we went for a week to visit Anne’s mom’s double cousin and family. With our August vicarage we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to rebuild our family unit after nearly four weeks of kids and parents being separated. It was relaxing and fun! Niagara Falls On the way back from Vermont, we stopped for a day visit of Niagara Falls. The weather was miserable but the experience will be remembered by all. Michigan Move Shortly after the trip to Vermont we moved to our new home in Frankentrost, Michigan. The U.P. Our final trip for the summer was the annual reunion at Lac Vieux Desert on the border of Wisconsin and the U.P. We took one more week of relaxing, swimming, and fishing before the vicarage began. What a blessing to see and experience so much in one summer!