Welcome to 20/20 – also referred to as “normal visual acuity” by the American Optometric Association. Well, you might be thinking, what does this mean? It is the clarity or sharpness of vision when measured at a distance of 20 feet. You can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
Visual acuity has been a theme in my life since I was a second grader – probably even before but that is when my eyes were checked for the first time. I have worn glasses and contacts for many years. I now find I must correct my vision in “progressive” ways. The lenses in my eyeglasses have a space at the top for far distance, a middle distance in…the middle, and close-up is down at the bottom. My contacts are adjusted differently for each eye to “trick” my brain into focusing.
Welcome to 2020 when Faith will be in the visioning business. The past years of renewal have led the congregation to the next step – calling a settled pastor. As your renewal/transition partner, I encourage you to use this time to participate in a progressive way of discerning the future for the church. You will have opportunity to participate in discussions that have short, middle, and long-term goals. You will be compiling information and substantial responses to questions found in the Ministry Site Profile – the document prospective candidates are given as they search for their next settled call.
This is an exciting and anxious time! However, just as I trust my optometrist to understand the unique challenges my eyes present, I trust in the leadership, membership, and presence of the Holy Spirit here at Faith to guide this congregation in “sighting” what the future might hold – short, middle, and long.
Blessings,
Rev. Beth Voigt, Renewal Pastor Faith Lutheran Church
See more from Pastor Beth and all things Faith in the January Newsletter. And don’t forget to visit past newsletters and Faith’s calendar also.