Pastor Barbara Bornemann
Visitation Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran ChurchA Bit About Myself, by Pastor Bornemann
I first came to this parish as an Interim Pastor in December 1997, then as a part-time Visitation Pastor in spring 1999 to accent the visitation ministry already blooming at ELC. The position grew out of the vision of the congregation to help supplement and expand the existing ministry to meet the needs of the growing church family. What a joy the visitation ministry has been for me. I visit parishioners in a variety of settings; in their homes, the hospital, at rest homes, and sometimes in the work place. Whatever the location, it is always truly been a privilege to hear each person share a chapter of their story and how God's love has touched their lives.My own spiritual journey started after serving in a campus ministry for two years, I then attended seminary at two locations: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. After my ordination into Word and Sacrament ministry in 1982, I served as Parish Pastor and Synodical Assistant to the Bishop in California. In 1995, I left the public ministry for almost three years, hearing God's call to take some "Sabbath time" in my life. During this time of major change and transition, I was involved in the Academy for Spiritual Formation, which is a program for both clergy and laity for spiritual growth. I heard God's invitation for my prayer life to be strengthened and nurtured in this valuable program.
In June 1996, my husband Chip was offered a position at the Federal Highway Administration in D.C. After much prayerful reflection, we decided to pack our bags and head to Maryland. Our son Matthew was four at the time, and he thought the trip was quite an adventure! We now live in Germantown, Maryland.
In November 1997, I was delighted to join Evangelical Lutheran Church as Interim Pastor. In 1999, the congregation extended an official call for me to join ELC as the Visitation Pastor, part-time. In 1999 I also started a Doctorate of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary called, "Spirituality and Transforming Community.
If you are a long-time member of ELC, a new member or a visitor to the church, you have your own story to share. Consider the words written in the wonderful hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story", page 530 in the green Lutheran Book of Worship.
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
I invite everyone to continue to listen to one anothers stories, for we will be blessed. As we hear the joys and struggles, we will hear the story of Jesus and his love.