Thanking God . . . for you
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
The flurry of fall meetings of boards, conferences, councils, commissions, and committees has come to an end. Now that I’ve completed my first round 
of meetings with many of these groups, there is a brief quiet time before the cycle begins again. This quiet time gives me a moment to depart from the “breaking news” format this newsletter to express my thanks.
I am thankful for many things at this time of year. But rising to the top of my list of things to be thankful for is . . . you.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in this position. I’m still somewhat in awe that a clay jar like me would have such a privilege.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. I’ve received literally thousands of messages from people all over the synod—from lay people and called workers, from people I know and from those I’ve never met. In those messages you have given me words of encouragement, and you have assured me that you are remembering me in your prayers. (There have been one or two suggestions and ideas as well.) I can’t tell you how much your prayers and words mean to me. Along with God’s promises, the support of God’s people—people like you—have been a source of encouragement and strength.
I am thankful because you have been demonstrating your commitment to rededicating yourselves to our God-given mission of sharing the gospel. You are doing this in your congregations. You are doing this in your communities. And you are doing this with your fellow believers through our joint efforts as a synod.
No, this has not been breaking news. But I wanted you to know that I’m thanking God every day . . . for you.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
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