This has once again been a memorable and full year, and once again, God has been faithful. He continues to bless Friedens Church with an ever-growing unity and passion for serving Him in the community and world. People further develop in their relationship with God and knowledge of Him as they engage in Christian fellowship, worship, education, evangelism, and service.

This year also saw a dramatic first, as a group of 10 adults (including myself) from the church undertook our first-ever adult mission trip. The team spent approximately a week in the rural Appalachians of eastern Kentucky, serving God and others by teaching a kids' Bible club, working in a local food pantry, assisting our host church, and, mainly, restoring and repairing an old one-room schoolhouse being used as a newly-planted church out in the country. It was a busy week of service, fun, and a little sleep. All the participants of the trip were challenged to go deeper in their relationship with God and developed a true fervor to remain "on mission" for God, whether in Kentucky, overseas, or Port Washington. It is my sincere desire to see this passion for outreach and missions work continue and expand at Friedens. Tentative plans have begun for a possible combined youth and adult mission trip to Kentucky in the summer of 2003.

Another dramatic event of the year was the fire in the sanctuary in July. I still remember my surprise when I found out the day after, having been in the woods of Colorado with our youth backpacking trip on the day of the fire. After our initial sense of relief that no one was injured and expected feelings of shock, we began to have a sense right away that God was going to use this in the life of Friedens. And, surely He has, to His glory! It has been amazing to see the church family unite in the face of tragedy and challenge with many, many people helping in practical ways, with words of encouragement, and with long hours in committee meetings negotiating the maze of issues that arise after an event like this. We were reminded that the church is not a building but instead an eternal fellowship of those who know Christ as their Lord and Savior, something no flames can consume. We learned to value what is truly important and think with optimism about what God can do in our lives and the life of the church, even through a difficulty such as the fire. I am very thankful for these positive developments in the church despite the loss, and I know that the new sanctuary will beautifully and effectively facilitate worship and ministry for years to come while still remaining in touch with the important sense of history at Friedens.

A final major change this year has been the difficult decision Kari and I have made to leave our official ministry here at Friedens. The Lord is leading us to move to Minneapolis, where I will engage in graduate studies in theology and then, Lard willing, doctoral studies, with the intention of pursuing a full-time teaching ministry, possibly even overseas in a missions context. Kari has accepted a position as conference coordinator for a Christian ministry in the Twin Cities. It is with mixed feelings that we move on from Friedens: We are sad to leave the very warm church family and a place that has truly become home to us, but we are also excited to be continuing to follow God's leading in our lives. More than words can say, we appreciate the kindness, encouragement, and generosity of all the Friedens family, and especially that of Pastor Mark and his family. Our 3 years here have been very good ones, full of learning, growth, enjoyment, and fond memories. We have been changed for the better by all of you. We continue to care about the future of the church and plan to keep in touch. Our prayer is that Friedens will continue to be a place where the light of the Gospel shines ever more brightly, as it has for nearly 150 years. May God bless you and the church as a whole in the years to come!