I would like to take a moment and thank the St. Paul Call Committee and Council for the work they did to call me to be your pastor. Calling a new pastor can be a rewarding experience but it can also bring frustration as well and I would just like to thank everyone for their patience and at times stubbornness to help me start my new call at St. Paul.

One of my core beliefs as a pastor is the teaching of the Priesthood of all Believers. This is simply the belief that we all play a role in the world God made. Some of us maybe pastors, some teachers, other nurses or farmers, no matter where God calls you to be as a disciple of Jesus you are called to share the good news of Christ in your little area. You do not need a pulpit or an altar to bring the good news of Christ into someone's life. There is a saying which says, "I would rather see a sermon than hear a sermon". Each one of us have the ability in the places God calls us to be what Martin Luther calls "little" Christs, meaning as a disciple of Jesus we can share God's love wherever we are, whether in a church, or in a school or office setting.

Since starting at St. Paul, I have heard people sharing the different ways they are already being a "little" Christ, whether it is offering food to a neighbor, making mittens for the needy, or simply offering a listening ear. I would encourage to continue to look for ways God could be calling you to share your gifts He has given to you with others.

Pastor Jon Gallatin