VOLUME 4 ISSUE 19

Pastor's Blog

Japan Trending

Here are a couple of trending headlines to share with you before flying to Tokyo. In Japan right now trending up is the pollen count, but trending down are the children. Japan's renowned cherry blossoms have been in glorious bloom now since April. But while the world revels in their stunning pink and white splendor, the economic impact on Japan is no trifling matter—$1.8 billion "because of pollen-induced allergies" (www.money.cnn.com/2018/05/04/news/economy/japan-hay-fever-economy/index.html). According to Toshihiro Nagahama, chief economist with the Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute, "The damage comes in several forms. . . . Fewer people want to go out, which hits consumption, and workers suffering from hay fever take more sick days. Or if they do show up to work, they're less productive. And 2018 is looking like one of the worst years on record for hay-fever sufferers in Japan. The pollen count in some parts of the country has more than doubled compared with last year" (ibid.). read more

Feature Announcement

We Say Good-bye to
Two Pastors

In the ebb and flow of life and pastoring, we at Pioneer will soon say "Good-bye and Godspeed" to two of our beloved pastors, Sharon Terrell and Sabine Vatel. One is retiring and the other is plunging into a new professional challenge as a hospital chaplain. And both will be dearly missed here at Pioneer by the congregation and pastoral colleagues alike. Their spiritual and professional giftedness has blessed us all. And so with a sigh of regret (and a standing ovation of appreciation) our church board, last Monday evening expressed its gratitude for the contribution both pastors have made to Pioneer and Andrews.  

After more than 14 years as the Financial Administration/Stewardship Pastor at Pioneer, and with a total of 40+ years of service and ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Sharon Terrell will be retiring in August. Over the last four decades, she recalls the privilege she's had of working with wonderful people at two academies—Cedar Lake and Wisconsin; four conferences—Florida, Wisconsin,  Ohio, and Michigan; and one university here at Andrews. Pastor Sharon reflects, "It has been a wonderful journey and I am excited to see what God has in store for my retirement years." After retiring, she and husband Richard plan to remain in our community for the foreseeable future.

Pastor Sabine Vatel, for over three years now, has served as the Discipleship/GROW Groups Pastor at Pioneer. In accepting the invitation to healthcare chaplaincy through Adventist Health System and the Florida Conference of SDA, she combines her education (DMin, RN, CPE [clinical pastoral education]) with her ministry experience here at Pioneer and previously at Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist church for this new avenue of ministry. Her experience in both hospital and church work will open new avenues to equip and disciple leaders as she extends the healing ministry of Jesus to patients, staff, and families within the Adventist Health System, along with the wider community. Pastor Sabine shares, "My time at Pioneer with an outstanding pastoral team and supportive membership been a time of inspiration, growth, and friendship. While I definitely  look forward to this new God adventure, I'll miss the connections and ministry I've had the privilege of being a part of."

We are planning to express our gratitude, appreciation, and love for both pastors on Sabbath morning, June 2. Watch here for further details about their farewell. In the meantime, we surround Sharon and Sabine with love and prayers, as they begin the transition to their next-chapters with Jesus.

—Dwight K. Nelson

Feature Announcement

The Tent

Please join us on May 11-19 at 7:00 PM for The Tent. For more information please visit www.pmchurch.org/stories/2018/thetent.