Our congregation used this transition service as we moved from our old sanctuary to the new sanctuary. At the worship service, there were remarks about the memories the old building held - all of the baptisms, marriages, funerals, and events that had been held in this sanctuary, followed by a litany of Thanksgiving. The choir sang, "Thanks be to Thee"...

Our Lord's Lutheran Church is a community of Christians called together by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe God's grace gives each person dignity and value. We witness through worship, education, service, and fellowship to make God's new creation of hope, compassion, community and commitment, a reality within the human family.

Affirming our unity in faith and our common confession as members of the Church; desiring the fruits of the Spirit in our worship, witness, and work; and recognizing the benefits of orderly cooperation, we now adopt the following parish covenant.

This is a parish agreement the Joint councils have prepared for an alignment between the two churches.

An example letter that an Interim Pastor would write to the congregation when they are about to leave.

The Church Council formed "The Transition Team" to help prepare the Church for the calling of a new, permanent pastor. To assist in this important process, YOUR input and ideas are very important and needed!!

Pastoral care to those whose Congregation is closing.

In 1994 the New Jersey Synod began a period of significant retirements. Over a four-year span some twenty-six Synod parish pastors would be moving toward retirement. In the face of such a significant period of transition in our life together, I invited these twenty-six pastors to join me for dinner along with their spouses so that we might discuss what was to take place, share experiences and concerns, and work together for the sake of the mission of the church on this territory. Twenty-two of the pastors were able to be present. What follows is the information that I presented then. I present it now to all of the pastors on our Synod roster as a way to share my expectations of us in this regard, as we continue through these transition years.