We are pleased to announce that Andrea Rydberg, who goes by "Andie," will begin her ministry among
us next Monday, Sept. 18 as our Minister to
Youth & Families.
Leann Thompson, our Director of Faith Formation, has actually developed quite a long "to-do" list for Andie and has already scheduled her for oh, about ten meetings next week! Andie will hit the ground running as we are gearing up for Confirmation Kick-Off, various Senior High ministries, plus doing a lot of work in preparation for next summer's mission trips, including the National Youth Gathering in Houston, TX.
Andie and her husband, Matt, live in Waconia with their two sons, Connor (7) and Isley (3), as well as their dog, Romeo. They moved to our area not too long ago from Bismarck, ND, where Andie had worked as a youth director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In the interview process, it became quite obvious that she has a love for youth ministry. She has worked primarily with senior high and Confirmation-aged youth and has lead summer mission trips, making her ideally prepared for the tasks she will now take up at Family of Christ.
I want to say a thank you to Leann Thompson for all the extra work she has put in this summer continuing to promote youth ministry at FoC and guiding the interview team through the search process. The team interviewed six people and then unanimously chose Andie as the top candidate. Team members were: Laura Oman, Chris Deschneau, Grant Schaeferle, Rachel Rendall, Sue Provo, Leann Thompson, and me, Josh Nelson.
Now we have reached the exciting start time and our congregation gets to embrace Andie and her family and welcome them to Family of Christ. She is excited to meet our youth and is eager to jump in and begin working with our vibrant Faith Formation ministry. We will have an October 1 official 'installation' for her where we will prayerfully help her begin her ministry among us. To all the youth of this church - don't be shy! Come up and introduce yourself to her. Help welcome Andie to our church, and know that she is here for you and ready to be in ministry alongside of you. May God continue to bless and grow the work we do together with children, youth, and adults!
See you in church!
