Our installation of The Rev. Katie Estes as our pastor has been delayed for too many months, and at least some of us are wondering why we even need to do it at all. What’s the point of an installation when she’s already been serving among us for almost a year? But unlike the standard notification from an appliance store that “your installation is scheduled,” a pastoral installation is the occasion for great celebration, so we need to do it!
The Presbytery of Winnebago is actually the “host” for this event, though in all truth they turn all the details over to us. So what can we expect? A wonderful full service of worship, special music featuring the Griffon String Quartet, an ensemble and a soloist, scripture and sermon, a charge to the congregation and another to the pastor, and then a lovely reception in the Fellowship Room for all our guests. We will have guests here—the current moderator of Winnebago Presbytery as well as several elders and pastors representing the presbytery, plus a few family members and friends of Katie’s from her former congregation in St. Paul. While the service of installation doesn’t change anything about our call to Katie or the relationship we’ve already spent almost a year developing, it does mark the official beginning of this ministry we are doing together, and who doesn’t like an excuse for a party? Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this special occasion. The honor of your presence is requested!
