The Light of Christ. Thanks be to God.

Jan 21, 2025

By Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership

In mid-September 2024, Pastor Gary Morgan-Gohlke retired after 31 years of ordained ministry. For over 15 of those years, he was pastor of Light of Christ in La Porte, TX. Pastor Gary’s call had been unique as it was bi-vocational. While shepherding Light of Christ, he was also self-employed as the owner of GMG Marine Services. The congregation was accustomed to Pastor Gary’s work responsibilities, and although they would call on him for pastoral emergencies, they learned to be the church, caring for members and strangers, whether or not their pastor could be present. For many years, I heard Pastor Gary speak about the beloved community at Light of Christ. When he invited guest preachers to cover services for him while he took time away, he would say, “You’re the one who’s going to be blessed!”

I first met the Light of Christ community when I participated in Pastor Gary’s exit interview, and then, in early October, I served as their guest preacher. Pastor Gary was right! I was the one who was blessed by my time with them and their welcome of me. This congregation numbers about 20 people when they gather for worship. Some members are housing insecure. At least one lives in their car. Many have found the congregation through their journey of recovery (as Light of Christ is home to multiple AA and Al-Anon meetings). Some members are well-educated and career professionals, and others have not had the same opportunities. Some are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and others have family members who are, so the welcome is wide, and the acceptance is real. The more I got to know them, the more I wanted to find them a good pastor; but, how does one fill a part-time bi-vocational call?

I began praying and poring over the puzzle that is call processes. While seeking a solution, I preached and presided at Light of Christ during the five Sundays in December. Each week, I heard them give a report about their food pantry ministry. [Every Saturday, this small community provides food for about 250 families (or 800 people)]. Each week, after Thursday night Bible study and Sunday worship, they serve a meal. Those who can contribute do so, and there is always enough. This is part of their commitment as a community. (Some of them have meager rations at home, and they count on this sustenance).

Meanwhile, back in August 2024, one of our candidates for ministry, Jaime Morales, reminded me he would need to begin his internship in the new year. Jaime is a member of Christ in Lake Jackson. He was preaching once per month, but the day-to-day ministry has been led by their capable interim, Pastor Brian Gigee. A student really should have the opportunity to do more during their internship year.

Jaime is an engineer (with a full-time job) who has a clear call to ministry. Having been a deacon in the Catholic church prior to his pastoral call and membership in the ELCA, Jaime comes with experiences many do not yet have when they begin internship. I began to wonder if Light of Christ could be an internship site for Jaime. When I talked to him about it, it seemed more than he could juggle, with his full-time work and the drive from his home in Freeport. Just in case, I talked to Jaime’s seminary, Wartburg, in the hopes of having Light of Christ approved as an internship site. Pastor Carrie Greenquist-Petersen, Director of TEEM at Wartburg, and formerly a candidate of our synod, encouraged the idea, recognizing Light of Christ as a grace-filled community where a student could thrive.

A few days after I suggested this internship possibility to Jaime, he contacted me to say he had done some praying and thinking. He had talked with his wife, Rachel, and his family. He wanted to take back the brakes he put on the internship and asked if we could reconsider. We sure could!

Besides the seminary’s support, Jaime would need a supervisor. Pastor Steve Stutz, serving as interim pastor at St Paul’s in Baytown, a short drive from La Porte, agreed to oversee the internship and to support Jaime, even before I had worked out a stipend for him. The lay leaders of Light of Christ met with Jaime in person, and what was supposed to be a simple conversation turned into three hours of making connections and seeing possibilities. Deb Gallington, the council president at Light of Christ, texted me to say this was going to work! Within a few minutes of her text, I received one from Jaime: It’s a match! Let’s do this!

On Sunday, January 19, it was my pleasure to lead a blessing of Vicar Jaime Morales as he began his internship at Light of Christ. As long as he continues his journey in candidacy and seminary, he has the bishop’s authorization as a Synod Authorized Minister, meaning he can preside at communion (so the church doesn’t go without). It was a day of joy and hope for all who witnessed it and for all who have been used by the Spirit to bring us to this point.

In the liturgy for the Easter Vigil, worship begins with an assisting minister who  leads a procession with the paschal candle. The candle is carried to three places, and at each place, the cantor sings, “The light of Christ,” and the assembly replies, also chanting, “Thanks be to God.” I think of this when I reflect on the coming together of this internship and all who have had a part in it. We have seen, known, and experienced the light of Christ. Thanks be to God!

(clockwise) Welcome your vicar!; Vicar Jaime on his first Sunday at LOC; a prayer circle before the meal; Vicar Jaime and me with worship leaders Nancy and Deb