This is a letter I just sent to our ELCA Japan missionaries that STHS is sponsoring
See details at our sths website.

We are also sponsoring ELCA missionaries to Russia, Bradn and Natasha Buerkle.
see details at our sths website.

Pastor Tom





Dear Kevin, Tomoko, and Kaito,

My name is Tom Schindler. I'm pastor of St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. Our name takes too long to explain but we are a mid-sized globally minded congregation. I think you've heard from our retired missionary in residence, Paul Strege. Our diaconal minister, Libbie Reinking, grew up in Hong Kong. Her parents were missionary/teacher/administrators.
My family served as missionaries in the Philippines and Brasil. We do love the world our God so loves.

As our mission partners you will be remembered in prayer each week at our Eucharist. The gathering around our table of the Lord includes you, your precious family, congregation, and students you serve. Although we haven't met, we are family
in Christ. We look forward to meeting you.

We are also sponsoring Bradn and Natasha Buerkle, ELCA missionaries in Novosaratovko, Russia. Bradn is a seminary professor in systematic theology and ethics. They too will be visiting the US this summer.

On July 8th Twila Schock, ELCA mission director (now from Chicago) will be preaching and speaking to our congregation. Wouldn't it be cool to have a great month long mission festival?? I like to dream. I suppose there are financial realities, but I still like to dream! Our church loves to hear stories of what's happening in God's world, especially from folks like you
who so generously share their lives and talents in places we like to dream about touching with God's love.

You mentioned in your letter your need for Japanese/English Bibles. What are the costs involved? Pehaps one of our church groups, Sunday School, or VBS could take that on as a project? Let us know.

For now, let this note serve as a welcome the the St. Thomas/ Holy Spirit family. You're stuck with us. We'll even forgive the Nebraska connection, so long as when you wear red it means STL Cardinal red.

God's Peace Be With You,

Tom


"FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, SHARING GOD'S LOVE AND BLESSINGS!"

Thomas L. Schindler, pastor
St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
3980 S. Lindbergh
St. Louis, Missour 63127
(314) 843 - 6577
www.stthomasholyspirit.org
pastortm@swbell.net