Woke up to a light frosting of snow today, so I knew all things would go well. Church was awesome and right after, the congregation voted to call me as their new minister. I am jubilant. In the short time I have been here I realized this is a great place to hang my hat. So, at last I can reveal all the details.

Church: UCC, in Wishek, North Dakota

Location, central ND, near the SD border

Distance from Kerry in Denver – 750 miles (good air services here)

The people, church, and community are the number one reason I agreed to stay. However, there are many other reasons, like the location on the Whooper flyway, the abundance of birds, the wildlife preserves, and the proximity to Canada. I have been longing to drive up and into the boreal forest zone and eventually go northwest, all the way to Alaska. Lake Winnepeg is not far, either. You could say that this summer and before, I heard the call of the wild north and have been longing to explore. I hope to see northern lights too.

I didn’t specifically look for a church way up north. I looked within a broad area on this side of the Mississippi and turned down some other opportunities. This one had all the right things–and apparently we are meant for each other. The town is smaller and the church is bigger, with a large Sunday School program and highly-committed members.

Here is where I am:

 

Check out all the prairie potholes–small lakes and ponds left behind by retreating glaciers. I have driven by many of these

 

 

Prairie Potholes make great camping spots:

 

And..heavenly duck habitat. North Dakota is the “duck factory” of the US

 

 

 

Wishek is also the home of Wishek sausage..several kinds of highly- coveted German sausage. Make a soup with it today.

 

Much more later. Time to get the soup going and get ready for the Broncos game! Go Broncos (they know I am a Bronco fan and they still hired me. This is Vikings and/or Green Bay territory)

A not so great photo of the church.