Susie Grade

I held Stone in my arms and marveled at all his tiny-ness with awe and love. Stone was just born to our good friends Bill and Kate. Stone, just like all the other children in my life, is going to be a big person some day – full of dreams for the future and a drive to achieve. But even when Stone is big, I’ll always remember him as small. I’ll always remember holding those tiny hands and staring at the precious features of him as a newborn.

One summer during college I did an internship at Elmbrook, my home church in Milwaukee, WI. Elmbrook is a mega-church by everyone’s definition and I remember how strong my desire was to do well there, to impress and to achieve. I wanted to show everyone what a professional I had become. So I strode in to the office each morning, head high and heels on, in my most professional clothes, with my Blackberry in hand, eager to please. Head up? Check. Shoulders back? Check. Lipstick on? Check. Laptop loaded? Check.

But having grown up in that church it was inevitable that right in the middle of my making an oh-so-grown-up-impression, someone from the staff would say, “Oh, I remember when Susie was a camper at Camp TimberLee” -or- “I remember when you and your brother were Hippos in the church musical.” Then everyone in the room was thinking of my little girl self rather then my very professional adult self that I was working so hard to present. Author Shauna Neiquist shares of a similar experience in her writing.

I get it now. As much as I’ll embrace Stone at every age, I will also always hold dear my mental picture of him as a 21 incher, just 9 little pounds of baby love.

The pastors and leaders at Elmbrook affectionately remembered me as a child, when my spiritual roots were first growing in their loving, nourishing soil. There, I was safe to try and fail and learn and grow. When I returned to Elmbrook as an adult, the leaders remembered me, believed in me, and trusted me with responsibilities and authority. They gave me a chance to lead.

I love you sweet baby Stone, and I love your future grown up self too. May you never cease growing in God’s love. Whether you become a Platt Park intern some day or an accountant or a software developer or a doctor like your Daddy or a photographer like your Mama, I will be cheering you on each step of the way.

People sometimes ask me, “So what are you reading these days?” I usually have several books going at once, but here is what is on my shelf, in my device, or audibly in my ear these days:

The Power of Starting Something Stupid, by Natalie and Richie Norton ~ I’m reading this because I love how entrepreneurs think, and I am pretty much always reading a book by some entrepreneur.

The Next 100 Years, by George Friedman ~ One man predicts America’s future and life around the globe in the next century.

Happier at Home, by Gretchen Rubin ~ This book recounts one woman’s quest to own her own choices and pave a life of greater happiness.

The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg ~ A theologian turns away from traditional beliefs about God, Jesus and the Bible but still has a relevant, nourishing faith in Christ.

The Happiest Toddler on the Block, by Harvey Karp ~ I’m reading this because Tim and I have a 2 year old, and we have no clue what we’re doing. I’ll tell you right now, Russell is not the happiest toddler on our block most days, but he had better be by the end of this book, or I’m asking for a refund. Enough said!

Surrender to Love, by David Benner ~ I’m reading this slowly, like a good glass of Cabernet, because a mentor friend specifically “picked” this book out with me in mind. Needless to say, I’m paying attention and taking my time.

Galations for You, by Tim Keller ~ I owe thanks to my Thursday morning Bible study leaders for lining up this book for our Fall study. (Thanks, Heidi, Lara, Amy & Carol!)

The Connected Child, by Karyn Purvis ~ Eventually we hope to bring home a little sprout from China, and this book is about bonding and attaching with your adopted child.

Deep & Wide, by Andy Stanley ~ This is a book about strategy for delivering messages (preaching) and arranging Sunday worship gatherings for a “dual audience.” The dual audience is both the already convinced and the not yet convinced of following Christ people.

Books that I flew through this summer and really loved include: Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown; Bread & Wine, by Shauna Neiquest; Escape from Camp 14, by Blaine Harden; Icarus Deception, by Seth Godin; and Bossypants, by Tina Fey.

Our worship pastor Josh came in my office the other day. We chatted for a while, and I had the impression he was working up to something. Finally, he said, “The time has come for us to move back to Minnesota to be closer to family.” I felt myself take a deep breath, the kind I have needed on other occasions when I have received gut-churning news. I love Josh and Kate. The thought of losing them was initially too much to bear. They have been a true blessing to our church. I really cannot imagine Platt Park Church without them. Through song and spirit, and through friendship and serving they have wiggled their way into our hearts, and we will never be the same.

In addition to my personal sense of loss, I also felt brief panic regarding our church’s loss of such a dynamic pair of worship leaders. But God quickly reminded me of this reality, which has been true to my experience every single time we have had great staff move on from our team: God really does provide for his church. Josh and Kate will never be replaced, but God will provide, and as has happened in the past, we will probably step back amazed by the person(s) He brings into our midst.

I thank God for the amazing season of ministry we have shared with Josh and Kate. They have made a forever mark on my life and on the life of our church. They will never be forgotten. Josh and Kate, thank you for serving the Lord with passion, authenticity and commitment. Thank you for your creative spunk and for loving Platt Park Church so well. We will miss you in our faith community, and Denver won’t be the same without you. We bless you, celebrate you, and honor you as you head into the next chapter of life that God has for you.

During seminary, I was instructed to seek out a mentor who could be a wise sounding board as I progressed through my ministry journey. I asked Vaun Swanson to mentor me. Little did I know that Vaun and I would form a friendship that would far outlast my time in seminary. We have since traveled to Africa together with Food for the Hungry, walked together on trails all around Denver, and shared in each other’s families and lives for years.

Because of this rich history, I am delighted beyond belief to announce that Vaun Swanson is joining our staff as Pastor of Community Development. In addition to Vaun’s extensive graduate education (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees), she is gifted at creating environments in which people can move from loneliness to community and grow to be all God intended them to be. She has a unique knack for noticing, serving and walking with people during seasons of transition or struggle. Her love for God and walk with Christ are beautiful and inspiring aspects of her character. Vaun’s passion for biblical equality has taken her all around the world, and most recently to Nepal, where she has been teaching and leading conferences on what it means to be “one in Christ”.