This is my last Communicator column as Congregation President. It's hard to believe that it's been three years - sometimes it feels like much less time than that, and sometimes a lot more! But either way, three years is what it has been; and since our Church Constitution does not allow an officer to serve in the same office for more than three consecutive years, it means that my time in this role is done.

I approach this change in my life with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I have spent a lot of hours and a lot of energy on this position, and now I will have some of that time to spend in other ways. Being Congregation President of Mindekirken for these last three years has sometimes been stressful and difficult. It has also been exhilarating, uplifting, and incredibly rewarding - and the personal rewards have far, far outweighed the costs. It's wonderful for anyone to spend time and energy contributing to an institution that they believe in, and Mindekirken is a church about which I've always found it easy to be enthusiastic. As I've said before and will say again, Mindekirken is a special place - a wonderful church with great people and much to offer to anyone.

Please don't think that the above paragraphs mean that I'm going away, either! Knowing that my time as Congregation President is winding down, I've taken on a couple of other church-related obligations - one as a Committee member for the Leiv Eriksson International Festival, and one as Treasurer of the Mindekirken Language Committee. These are both important areas where I felt that I could make a difference. It occurs to me that I may be just exchanging one type of involvement for other kinds! But that's not a bad thing, because I have experienced the truth of the saying that as you give, so shall you receive.

One major focus of our Congregation Council in the next few months is going to be to try to increase membership. We are a small church, and could benefit in a variety of ways from increased attendance and enrollment. You can help with this in several areas:

I want to thank every one of you who has read these letters of mine over the past few years for your comments, your caring, and your interest. I've had a wonderful time at Mindekirken as Congregation President, and look to continue to have a great time there in the years to come. Please say hello when you come to church - I may have a little more time to talk with you now! I look forward to seeing all of you at Mindekirken!