340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281-6612 (480) 967-3543
Will and Mary Ann Salz were recently recognized for their 14 years of volunteer service at Brinton Elementary School in Mesa. Samantha (Sam) Calise, a kindergarten teacher at the school, organized a parade for Will and Mary Ann who have been reading coaches at the school for kinder-2nd grade students.
Several Brinton Elementary staff paraded in front of the Salz residence and gave them cards, gift cards, and posters to thank them for their volunteer work.
Will said that it was quite a surprise.
A recent wind storm damaged the sanctuary roof. When we had the roof inspected we discovered even more damage from a hail storm in December. An insurance adjuster came and came up with an insurance reimbursement figure of over $21,000. The roofing bid council accepted was over $26,000. Replacement of the roof will begin Monday, August 17 and should be completed by the end of that week. New shingles are about the same color as the current roof and will be the “new and improved” type of shingle that should last 30 years or more.
If you would like to make a contribution toward the balance of this roof amount, you may send your gift to the church office (340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281) or go to www.ulctempe.org and click on Give +. Mark your gift “roof fund.” Thank you!!
Mary Ann Salz sent a shawl to a friend who is suffering from severe anxiety over this virus, precipitated by the fact that both of her in-laws died from it. I am sure she is not alone in this scenario. Our prayers are continually with those who receive the benefit of a prayer shawl.
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Luther Seminary supports whole-heartedly for international students to remain at Luther during the coming academic year. A July 6th announcement from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sought to require that resident international students take courses in person during the 2020 fall semester, despite COVID-19 concerns. However, a recent update indicates that the Trump Administration just dropped the policy for all international students to depart to their countries for taking online courses. I have not heard yet from the Seminary the official statement of our status due to this rapid change.
In the meantime, I am continuing to finish my Clinical Pastoral Education by mid August at Lutheran Social Services and praying that I can begin my internship in the Fall. Good news is that I have been hired right before this statement came out, to do a part time for two years a pastoral internship at ComoParkLutheran Church. This position will start in the fall if my Endorsement Interview goes well which is scheduled for Aug 17th, and that the Seminary is able to come up with different models of learning for international students. Please keep me, international students and the Seminary’s administration in your prayers. I just could not imagine if I have to go home to take classes online and my candidacy process as a pastor may be on hold.
These couple of weeks have been overwhelming and stressful. But I continue to find peace and rest in God and in people such as yourselves, the community of Luther Seminary and my CPE cohort that pray and support for our well-being in the US.
So this is the update on my status as a student. Jonah is doing well this summer. We don’t know yet what the school is going to do in the fall, but I find peace and hope in the Lord.
Please stay well and safe.
Thank you and blessings,
esther