From Reverend Don Crissinger-Clark                                                               

      It has been some time since I have written

      a Letter from the Hired Hand to the

      congregation. Frankly, I am embarrassed

      that so many months have gone be without

      a word from me.

      So, first of all, I apologize for my absence

      in the Visitor. Why?  Because much has

      happened since then. On the Sunday of

      Pentecost, Susie graduated from Luther

      College.  It was awe inspiring watching over

      500 graduates receiving their diplomas in

      front of a couple of thousand parents and

      extended families.

      Then, on June 6th, Tory graduated from

      High School. It is hard to believe, come

      September, that Jan and I will have the

      house to ourselves with Tory at Gustavus

      Adolphus and Susie in Decorah. The good

      news is that we are not that far away from

      either one of our daughters.

      But, as with the changes our daughters are

      going through, so are Jan and I. As most of

      you are aware, Jan has been driving to the

      Presbyterian congregation in Blue Earth, MN

      to provide pastoral care, worship and pastoral

      care on Wednesday afternoons and evenings,

      as well as on Sunday mornings. It has been

      exciting to hear of the growth the Blue Earth

      congregation has experienced. New members

      have joined with a new vitality growing within

      the church. For instance, a group of members

      of the church will be traveling to THE DOOR

      in Denver, CO. I am excited for those who are

      going, especially given the memories I have

      from those years, working in soup kitchens,

      painting homes, and simply listening to the

      stories of the poor and the disenfranchised.

      The good news is, the church is alive in

      Blue Earth, and Presbyterians are leading

      the way. Thanks be to God.         Don CC