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Message from Tammy Hermanson

A Kaleidoscope of Lovely Patterns

By Tammy Hermanson

One of the few collections I own is housed in our sunroom. Several different styles of kaleidoscopes adorn the coffee table, ready to reveal intricate patterns of shape and color to anyone interested in peering through the various cylinders. Frequently, following my morning jolt of java and a daily newspaper, I hold a kaleidoscope up to the first rays of the dawning light. Beautiful bursts of color and light energize me for the day ahead.

These tubular showcases of changing shapes and colors have always fascinated me. Evidently, I’m not alone in that regard. Known to the ancient Greeks, the kaleidoscope was rediscovered and patented by the Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster in 1817 while conducting experiments on light polarization. Brew-ster engineered rectangular lengthwise mirrors, loose bits and pieces of colored glass and beads, and light to work together to create duplicate images and dazzling displays of color and form. Aptly named, the word “kaleidoscope” comes from the Greek kalos “beautiful” + eidos “shape” + scope “an instrument for viewing or observing.”

Initially intended as a science tool and later copied as a toy, the ever-changing images viewed through a kaleidoscope remind me of the constantly changing patterns of our days and our lives. Much like the colored pieces of glass or beads that shift within a kaleidoscope, our days tumble forward into a variety of shapes and patterns. Life is not static. It constantly moves forward, unfolding into new rhythms, designs, patterns, and routines.

This month, the shape and color of our lives at St. Paul will change significantly. Soon, the three pastoral residents who have served St. Paul congregation during their two-year residency will leave for their next calls. Two years. 730 days. Wow, time flies! Didn’t we just welcome Lorin, Elizabeth, and Lowell to this place? During their days with us, a new sanctuary was constructed, a contemporary worship service style was launched, plans for the Memorial Garden blossomed, Knit-Wits and other small group ministries were crafted, two ordinations and Elizabeth’s wedding were celebrated, and more trips than I can count were made to the local ER by the Michelson family! Much has changed since Lorin, Elizabeth, and Lowell arrived, including the St. Paul congregation. We have delighted in the gifts of these three young pastors, learned from them, practiced hospitality with them, and have grown as a Christian community that shares the love of Christ with one another. Life with Lorin, Elizabeth, and Lowell has taken shape in many beautiful ways. Each day was different in texture and experience, but all of them unfolded within the kaleidoscope of God’s grace.

It is now time to send Pastors Darst, Hiller, and Michelson on to other important ministries in the Church. Bittersweet is the flavor of the month. Here we stand at the crossroads of sadness and joy. There is sadness, of course, for saying “Goodbye” to those we have come to love dearly. Farewells are never easy. But there is also much joy: Joy for the opportunity to share life and love with Lorin, Elizabeth, and Lowell for these two precious years; joy for the gifts each will take to their next calls; joy in watching our trio of pastoral residents grow as future leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As we send these three off with our blessings, with joy we look forward to welcoming three new pastoral residents to the St. Paul community.

Lorin, Elizabeth, and Lowell, as you leave St. Paul, many new patterns of life will color your days. As you journey from this place, continue to hold your lives up to the Lord of Light to guide and shine upon you. You will reflect Christ’s light to create magnificent life designs of beauty, love, and grace for others.

If all of us, as disciples, hold the kaleidoscopes of our lives up to the true source of light, the future will take shape in many beautiful ways. Christ’s pure light will reflect off both the colorful and broken pieces of our days and lives to create intricate patterns of beauty for the world around us. As we shine to the world, Christ will be made known to others. Just think of the rays of color, light, healing, and hope we can reflect to this hurting world as our days tumble forward into dazzling new configurations and patterns. I can’t wait to see the colorful shape of things to come as God’s grace and light unfolds with the dawn of each new day!

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"...Jesus reduced the mark of a Christian to one word: 'By this all will know you are my disciples,' he said: 'if you LOVE one another.' The most subversive act the church can take is consistently to obey that command." ~Philip Yancey

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Source: ELCA New Service