Dear brothers and sisters,
I regret that a prior commitment will take me out of the country on June 1 so that I will have to miss the final service of Christ Lutheran Church in Ghent on June 14 at 1 pm. The congregation is not disbanding. The members have voted to sell their building to a Mennonite congregation which has a school and would like to get started as soon as possible in renovations to ready the building for the new school year.
Christ Lutheran Church is deeply involved with Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Chatham to consolidate the two congregations and form a new congregation. It seems that in voting to sell their beloved building, Christ Church is all but said yes to the consolidation even before all the details are worked out. My observation is that the mood is just as positive at Emmanuel, though they are not selling their building in order to prove it. I am happy to say the level of trust seems to be high in both congregations.
The willingness of Christ's members to sell their building seem to be driven by four factors. 1. They have come to the conclusion that they cannot continue on as a freestanding congregation. 2. They want very much to see their beloved church building continue to be used as a church. 3. They have an interested buyer, which is very important in this market, and that buyer happens to be a church. 4. Christ and Emmanuel have already been worshiping together every Sunday at 10 am in Chatham since January.
In the months since January the church building in Ghent has been used for meetings but not for worship. The people of Christ rightfully desire to have one final service and at its conclusion to carry out certain items which symbolize their life together in that place. These items like the Bible, chalice, cross, membership roster, historic documents like minutes of meetings for over two hundred years will be brought to the Chatham building as part of Christ Church's contribution of its life and history to the new congregation under formation. Other furniture and items specifically used in worship will be moved to Chatham later.
A consolidation of the two congregations is not the end of a ministry that began in Ghent in 1801, nor one that began in Chatham in 1874. These are efforts to build something new on these foundations.
What will be observed on June 14 is the final service in the venerable old building in Ghent by Christ Church. Meanwhile Christ Church continues to worship together with Emmanuel Church in the building on Park Row in Chatham until the new congregation is officially formed. They may choose a name for the the new congregation as early as this coming Sunday, May 31, 2009, the festival of Pentecost, the day on which Christians observe the birthday of the Christian Church.
Come and join the members of Christ Lutheran Church as they say farewell to a church building which has served them so well for nearly a century. Come and celebrate with them and encourage them, and their fellow Lutherans in Chatham as they together take a bold next step in the process of forming a congregation that can position itself for a new and stronger ministry together which will continue to serve the neighboring communities they have previously served separately.
Pastor Bob
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
"Evangelical" explanation by Pr. Bob via Christa
Christa,
Evangelical is for Lutherans -and for Luther- preferable to the word Lutheran. Luther said 'How can we name a church after a bag of maggots like me?' I think Evangelical would continue to be part of our name, but probably not our first name. We are all, with 12,000 other congregations part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There is only one church that I have ever heard of that is simply named Evanglical Lutheran Church, the one in Postenkill, not far from us. Thus, it becomes awkward to describe it as Evangelical Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Also, the word Evangelical has been used by a large segment of conservative protestants to describe their movement. Many of them do not consider Lutherans to be evangelical enough, meaning a strict, conservative, often politically conservative church that expects people to 'make a decision for Christ.' Lutherans, who have used the name since the 16th century, have a theology of Grace that would better say that God has chosen us, rather than that we have chosen to follow him. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America boldly chose to claim the word again in it's name in 1987 when our new church was constituted. We together spend a lot of time and energy trying to to clarify what WE mean by Evangelical. Luther preferred it because it means we are 'of the Gospel'. Some Lutherans would say, we did not form a new church at the time of the Reformation. We claim with most other Christians that we 'believe in the ONE, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Lutherans claim to be part of that one church, but we do it with a radical commitment to the Gospel, the evangel.
Sorry for the long response. I would wish that the word Evangelical be part of our name, but we have a 'first name' that describes this particular congregation of Evangelical Lutherans.
You are probably aware that 'Lutheran' is not necessarily the name that is used to describe the Lutherans in Germany. It is the EKID. Evangelishe -pardon my German spelling - Kirche in Deutchland. Most Lutherans in other countries call themselves 'The Evangelical Lutheran Chuch in ______. In 1987 we decided to do that in naming our newly merged church. Thus we are known like the Germans with a church named with four letters: ELCA.
Pr.Bob
Evangelical is for Lutherans -and for Luther- preferable to the word Lutheran. Luther said 'How can we name a church after a bag of maggots like me?' I think Evangelical would continue to be part of our name, but probably not our first name. We are all, with 12,000 other congregations part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There is only one church that I have ever heard of that is simply named Evanglical Lutheran Church, the one in Postenkill, not far from us. Thus, it becomes awkward to describe it as Evangelical Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Also, the word Evangelical has been used by a large segment of conservative protestants to describe their movement. Many of them do not consider Lutherans to be evangelical enough, meaning a strict, conservative, often politically conservative church that expects people to 'make a decision for Christ.' Lutherans, who have used the name since the 16th century, have a theology of Grace that would better say that God has chosen us, rather than that we have chosen to follow him. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America boldly chose to claim the word again in it's name in 1987 when our new church was constituted. We together spend a lot of time and energy trying to to clarify what WE mean by Evangelical. Luther preferred it because it means we are 'of the Gospel'. Some Lutherans would say, we did not form a new church at the time of the Reformation. We claim with most other Christians that we 'believe in the ONE, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Lutherans claim to be part of that one church, but we do it with a radical commitment to the Gospel, the evangel.
Sorry for the long response. I would wish that the word Evangelical be part of our name, but we have a 'first name' that describes this particular congregation of Evangelical Lutherans.
You are probably aware that 'Lutheran' is not necessarily the name that is used to describe the Lutherans in Germany. It is the EKID. Evangelishe -pardon my German spelling - Kirche in Deutchland. Most Lutherans in other countries call themselves 'The Evangelical Lutheran Chuch in ______. In 1987 we decided to do that in naming our newly merged church. Thus we are known like the Germans with a church named with four letters: ELCA.
Pr.Bob
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cluster Meeting Notes from Pastor Bob
The Lutheran "Cluster Meeting" was held at Emanuel/St.John's in Hudson on May 18, 2009.
Six representatives were present. Pastor Slater, _______ Pultz, _______(Stuyvesant), Linda O'Reilly, Claus Marzahl, Christa Lordi
(sorry don't know all names)
Pastor Slater presented the major agenda item: "An Agreement For Sharing Ministry Among The Congregations of Northern Columbia County"
This paper included categories after a "Mission Statement": Cluster Committee, Shared Ministries, Finances
Discussion and suggestions ensued by the members present:
1.The cluster committee shall consist of two representatives from each church, one elected annually, a second appointed annually from among church Council members. The committee will meet 4 times a year, rotating meeting place at each church: February, May, August/September, November. The November meeting will be designated as time for budget and financial discussions.
The Harlemville Church is also a part of the Cluster, as well as St. Luke's, Emanual Stuv., Emanuel/St.J. Hudson, Emmanuel Chatham, Christ Ghent. The Harlemville Church is a recognized ULCA endorsed church, but a membership list is unavailable. Pastor Vogel officiates there once a month on a Sunday during the summer time.
2.To be added to "Shared Ministries" category: Youth Programs (grades 7-12); Strategies for Information Exchange among the churches. The Cluster Committee may consider undertaking the responsibility for presenting special programs of social importance from time to time such as:
"visitation training", "family and children crises training" --particularly suicide issues, "grieving assistance", "single parent household issues", as well as information of general interest or concern.
3. The finances to be considered annually in November will need to include a re-evaluation of the percentage each cluster church contributes for the shared ministry expenses, which include Secretary and Office Services, education, worship, fellowship and programming. The estimation of the current percentages have evolved with the participation of cluster members over the last couple of years, based on a broad formula of:
attendance in each church, income in each church, pastoral services, secretarial workload for each church.
The financial demands are variable, thus percentages will need annual reconsideration. Pastor Slater will make the revisions to the "Agreement" and send to each church.
****The date for the annual "Cluster Picnic", as held traditionally at Crellin Park in Chatham will be: August 16, 2009.*****
It has generally been a "bring-a-dish" to share event. Pastor Slater will contact Marcia Sarro at Emmanuel Lutheran Chatham for reservations at the park.
The Cluster committee will plan additionally via E-mail.
(The Closing ceremony of Christ Lutheran in Ghent may coincide with this gathering also.)
Six representatives were present. Pastor Slater, _______ Pultz, _______(Stuyvesant), Linda O'Reilly, Claus Marzahl, Christa Lordi
(sorry don't know all names)
Pastor Slater presented the major agenda item: "An Agreement For Sharing Ministry Among The Congregations of Northern Columbia County"
This paper included categories after a "Mission Statement": Cluster Committee, Shared Ministries, Finances
Discussion and suggestions ensued by the members present:
1.The cluster committee shall consist of two representatives from each church, one elected annually, a second appointed annually from among church Council members. The committee will meet 4 times a year, rotating meeting place at each church: February, May, August/September, November. The November meeting will be designated as time for budget and financial discussions.
The Harlemville Church is also a part of the Cluster, as well as St. Luke's, Emanual Stuv., Emanuel/St.J. Hudson, Emmanuel Chatham, Christ Ghent. The Harlemville Church is a recognized ULCA endorsed church, but a membership list is unavailable. Pastor Vogel officiates there once a month on a Sunday during the summer time.
2.To be added to "Shared Ministries" category: Youth Programs (grades 7-12); Strategies for Information Exchange among the churches. The Cluster Committee may consider undertaking the responsibility for presenting special programs of social importance from time to time such as:
"visitation training", "family and children crises training" --particularly suicide issues, "grieving assistance", "single parent household issues", as well as information of general interest or concern.
3. The finances to be considered annually in November will need to include a re-evaluation of the percentage each cluster church contributes for the shared ministry expenses, which include Secretary and Office Services, education, worship, fellowship and programming. The estimation of the current percentages have evolved with the participation of cluster members over the last couple of years, based on a broad formula of:
attendance in each church, income in each church, pastoral services, secretarial workload for each church.
The financial demands are variable, thus percentages will need annual reconsideration. Pastor Slater will make the revisions to the "Agreement" and send to each church.
****The date for the annual "Cluster Picnic", as held traditionally at Crellin Park in Chatham will be: August 16, 2009.*****
It has generally been a "bring-a-dish" to share event. Pastor Slater will contact Marcia Sarro at Emmanuel Lutheran Chatham for reservations at the park.
The Cluster committee will plan additionally via E-mail.
(The Closing ceremony of Christ Lutheran in Ghent may coincide with this gathering also.)
Pastor Bob says: "Wear Red on Pentecost Sunday - the 31st"
This upcoming Sunday is the the final Sunday of the Easter Season. Next Sunday is the great festival of Pentecost. Some have called the day the birthday of the Church. Christians everywhere celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. The color of the day is RED. If you have clothes with red in them, wear them on May 31st. If you have any red flowers, bring them. If you have any plants with red flowers, bring them so we can use them to decorate the church and plant them outside after-wards.
Next Sunday will be the last service led by Pastor Bob Isaksen for two months as he will be serving a short interim in the Stavanger International Church in Stavanger Norway for eight Sundays. He served that ecumenical English speaking congregation for eight months back in 2003. It is a congregation of people from every continent and has members from twenty different denominations. Their web page, if you are interested is sic.no. Our web page address has been shared with them. The Isaksens have promised to send back pictures from their time in Stavanger to our web page chathamlutheran.org.
During the Summer months, you are all invited to send pictures and greetings from your travels to Deb Ulmer our webmaster. debulmer@fairpoint.net
Next Sunday will be the last service led by Pastor Bob Isaksen for two months as he will be serving a short interim in the Stavanger International Church in Stavanger Norway for eight Sundays. He served that ecumenical English speaking congregation for eight months back in 2003. It is a congregation of people from every continent and has members from twenty different denominations. Their web page, if you are interested is sic.no. Our web page address has been shared with them. The Isaksens have promised to send back pictures from their time in Stavanger to our web page chathamlutheran.org.
During the Summer months, you are all invited to send pictures and greetings from your travels to Deb Ulmer our webmaster. debulmer@fairpoint.net
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thrivent - Contributed by Carol Bartel
The Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is asking for donations to REPLACE THE ROOF on the historic Robert Jenkins house (the meeting place and home of the DAR) at 113 Warren Street. Hudson. This building houses an extensive collection of genealogical records and books, artifacts of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as well as history and artifacts of Hudson's own whaling industry. During the months of May and June 2009 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Southeastern NY Chahpter through their Care Abounds in the Community program will match donations received at a $1.. for every $3 collected, Help save these irreplaceable collections DONATE TO:
REPLACE THE ROOF!
NSDAR
112 Warren Street
Hudson, NY 12534
REPLACE THE ROOF!
NSDAR
112 Warren Street
Hudson, NY 12534
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Norwegian Trip
In case anyone is interested, the website of the Stavanger International Church where we will be for June and July is http://www.sic.no. You can get a little flavor of what kind of a group it is. I finally got to speak with the current president this evening. He is a Scotsman working in the Norwegian oil industry and is married to a Filipino. He was a member when we were there. He told me they now have a sizable contingency of Indonesians. That 's new from when we were there. The US chaplain at the NATO base, who just was transferred, was a member.
Sermon-Fifth Sunday in Easter
By Pastor Bob on 5-9-09
Today’s gospel reading is all about tending grapevines.
Last week 60 Minutes featured family vineyard 800 years old.
I’ve read a lot about grapevines. But my only experience with wild vines.
I’ve been cutting down grape vines & pulling them out of trees for years.
These grapes are bitter & in trees they are ‘widow makers’ for foresters.
Actually I’ve had a lot more experience learning to tend our apple trees.
All our apple trees were in the woods, only planted 1. Forget variety.
The was a man named Jack on synod committee who was a ‘pomologist’.
I discussed our trees with him. He volunteered to come & help me prune.
He came in loaded Jeep with ladders, chain saws, pruning saws, etc.
I had always been gentle with the trees, afraid I would hurt them. He wasn’t.
I was shaken when he took to the trees with the chain saw & other saws.
Jack said, ‘The purpose of an apple tree is the fruit.’
He looked at my favorite little tree, the one that I liked the most.
Jack said, ‘That one should be turned into heat!’
Apple trees’re full of suckers & water spouts. Use energy- produce nothing.
I’ve given the trees a hard pruning again this year. Ended up with big pile.
Now when new apples start to grow from blossoms I’ll need to thin them.
Jack said, ‘The purpose of an apple tree is the fruit.’
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Paraphrasing Jack,The Purpose of the Church & of Christians is to bear fruit
Right now seems many churches in America are going through hard times.
Diocese of Albany is in the midst of closing parishes and schools.
Also Lutherans. In Metro NY, 40 congregations can’t afford a pastor.
In Hudson St.John & Emanuel merging, St.Matthew & St.Mark merging.
Here Christ & Emmanuel moving toward merger, selling Ghent building.
We’re discussing new name, what furniture & equipment to use, important
But the purpose of the Church is not to survive and have a nice building.
The Purpose of the Church & of Christians is to bear fruit.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
We have the interesting word Abide. Greek: meno. Used 7x in John’s gospel
Dean Lueking noted 17 uses of word abide listed in the Oxford dictionary,
8 of them are obsolete. The word seems to belong to another time.
Abide is about persevering, continuing, lasting, staying with it.
No wonder we rarely use it.
Much of our experience is temporary: relationships, jobs, homes, churches
But Jesus is clear: You want life? Then stay connected to him.
We’ll sing: From him we draw the juice of life.Amid the world’s bleak wilderness. LBW 378
It’s Jesus & his love that drew us in the first place, usually thru a person.
Life doesn’t come thru our connections, knowing the right important people
But by being connected to the ‘lowly One’ Jesus Christ.
We find him here in humble gathering of the lowly ones in humble spaces
We hear him speak through a Book, thru other people, words & gestures.
We meet him in a simple shared banquet of bread and wine.
We don’t exist for ourselves, to simply grow leaves, no matter how pretty.
Growth alone is not our purpose.
Rose bush doesn’t exist for its canes, leaves or thorns but for its roses .
Apple tree doesn’t exist for its branches, twigs or leaves- delicious apples.
Grape vine doesn’t exist for its shoots, leaves, but for its fine grapes.
Church doesn’t exist for its members, buildings, programs but for Mission
Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love that shows itself in action. 1 Jn 3:18
Our mission is not merely to survive as Lutherans in northern Columbia Cty
But to be a force, an active force where the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
God’s people are engaged in action to confront forces of death in world.
To share ‘the juice of life’ as we work for health, homes for all neighbors.
To announce to our neighbors that Jesus has turned things around.
He brings hope to the hopeless, life to the dying.
Abide [or remain rooted in] Jesus, in his vine the Church.
Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing....If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:4-5, doesn’t exist for its 7-8.
Today’s gospel reading is all about tending grapevines.
Last week 60 Minutes featured family vineyard 800 years old.
I’ve read a lot about grapevines. But my only experience with wild vines.
I’ve been cutting down grape vines & pulling them out of trees for years.
These grapes are bitter & in trees they are ‘widow makers’ for foresters.
Actually I’ve had a lot more experience learning to tend our apple trees.
All our apple trees were in the woods, only planted 1. Forget variety.
The was a man named Jack on synod committee who was a ‘pomologist’.
I discussed our trees with him. He volunteered to come & help me prune.
He came in loaded Jeep with ladders, chain saws, pruning saws, etc.
I had always been gentle with the trees, afraid I would hurt them. He wasn’t.
I was shaken when he took to the trees with the chain saw & other saws.
Jack said, ‘The purpose of an apple tree is the fruit.’
He looked at my favorite little tree, the one that I liked the most.
Jack said, ‘That one should be turned into heat!’
Apple trees’re full of suckers & water spouts. Use energy- produce nothing.
I’ve given the trees a hard pruning again this year. Ended up with big pile.
Now when new apples start to grow from blossoms I’ll need to thin them.
Jack said, ‘The purpose of an apple tree is the fruit.’
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Paraphrasing Jack,The Purpose of the Church & of Christians is to bear fruit
Right now seems many churches in America are going through hard times.
Diocese of Albany is in the midst of closing parishes and schools.
Also Lutherans. In Metro NY, 40 congregations can’t afford a pastor.
In Hudson St.John & Emanuel merging, St.Matthew & St.Mark merging.
Here Christ & Emmanuel moving toward merger, selling Ghent building.
We’re discussing new name, what furniture & equipment to use, important
But the purpose of the Church is not to survive and have a nice building.
The Purpose of the Church & of Christians is to bear fruit.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
We have the interesting word Abide. Greek: meno. Used 7x in John’s gospel
Dean Lueking noted 17 uses of word abide listed in the Oxford dictionary,
8 of them are obsolete. The word seems to belong to another time.
Abide is about persevering, continuing, lasting, staying with it.
No wonder we rarely use it.
Much of our experience is temporary: relationships, jobs, homes, churches
But Jesus is clear: You want life? Then stay connected to him.
We’ll sing: From him we draw the juice of life.Amid the world’s bleak wilderness. LBW 378
It’s Jesus & his love that drew us in the first place, usually thru a person.
Life doesn’t come thru our connections, knowing the right important people
But by being connected to the ‘lowly One’ Jesus Christ.
We find him here in humble gathering of the lowly ones in humble spaces
We hear him speak through a Book, thru other people, words & gestures.
We meet him in a simple shared banquet of bread and wine.
We don’t exist for ourselves, to simply grow leaves, no matter how pretty.
Growth alone is not our purpose.
Rose bush doesn’t exist for its canes, leaves or thorns but for its roses .
Apple tree doesn’t exist for its branches, twigs or leaves- delicious apples.
Grape vine doesn’t exist for its shoots, leaves, but for its fine grapes.
Church doesn’t exist for its members, buildings, programs but for Mission
Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love that shows itself in action. 1 Jn 3:18
Our mission is not merely to survive as Lutherans in northern Columbia Cty
But to be a force, an active force where the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
God’s people are engaged in action to confront forces of death in world.
To share ‘the juice of life’ as we work for health, homes for all neighbors.
To announce to our neighbors that Jesus has turned things around.
He brings hope to the hopeless, life to the dying.
Abide [or remain rooted in] Jesus, in his vine the Church.
Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing....If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:4-5, doesn’t exist for its 7-8.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Online Bible Discussion
Posted for Pastor Bob:
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are reading and discussing the Bible as part of the church's Book of Faith initiative. That discussion is being propelled with Internet technology.
An estimated 2,400 members have signed on to the Book of Faith social network -- http://bookoffaith.ning.com/ -- made possible through Ning, an online platform for users to create their own social networks.
"Ning is really very similar to Facebook," said Bill Huff, assistant director for the Book of Faith initiative, ELCA Vocation and Education, St. Paul, Minn.
"Social networking is one of the fastest growing vehicles for personal communication right now," Huff said. "The essence of Book of Faith is that it's not a program. We don't want it to be a top-down initiative," he said.
"The motivation for a social networking site is to stay in contact with individuals and to be in contact with large groups of people who have similar interests," Huff said. "You'll be able to socialize with your colleagues throughout the country, but also you'll be able to share ideas and be able to see what
other people are doing."
"The Book of Faith tag line is 'Open Scripture. Join the Conversation.' So much of what the Ning site is about is joining the conversation," Huff said. "Once you're signed up you have a profile, and you can tell a little bit about yourself. Then you
can join the conversation."
Someone reading the Bible can find study helps as well as others who may be reading on their own. There are more than 45 videos and other resources on the site. There is an area of the site to find or add events.
Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA, Minneapolis, established the Book of Faith's Ning site.
The initiative is generating resources in congregations across the church, and the Ning site is a means for sharing "what's working in my setting," Huff said.
"If you are a Sunday school volunteer, you can go on to the conversation piece and see what's going on with people as they teach their kids," he said. "People post ideas, but also people post questions or theological concerns."
"The goal is to get people engaging in Scripture, so anything we can do to help that along is meeting the mission and will help the ELCA," Huff said.
---
Information about the ELCA's Book of Faith initiative is at http://www.bookoffaith.org/ on the Web. An audio report of this story is at http://tinyurl.com/ELCANewsAudio on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are reading and discussing the Bible as part of the church's Book of Faith initiative. That discussion is being propelled with Internet technology.
An estimated 2,400 members have signed on to the Book of Faith social network -- http://bookoffaith.ning.com/ -- made possible through Ning, an online platform for users to create their own social networks.
"Ning is really very similar to Facebook," said Bill Huff, assistant director for the Book of Faith initiative, ELCA Vocation and Education, St. Paul, Minn.
"Social networking is one of the fastest growing vehicles for personal communication right now," Huff said. "The essence of Book of Faith is that it's not a program. We don't want it to be a top-down initiative," he said.
"The motivation for a social networking site is to stay in contact with individuals and to be in contact with large groups of people who have similar interests," Huff said. "You'll be able to socialize with your colleagues throughout the country, but also you'll be able to share ideas and be able to see what
other people are doing."
"The Book of Faith tag line is 'Open Scripture. Join the Conversation.' So much of what the Ning site is about is joining the conversation," Huff said. "Once you're signed up you have a profile, and you can tell a little bit about yourself. Then you
can join the conversation."
Someone reading the Bible can find study helps as well as others who may be reading on their own. There are more than 45 videos and other resources on the site. There is an area of the site to find or add events.
Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA, Minneapolis, established the Book of Faith's Ning site.
The initiative is generating resources in congregations across the church, and the Ning site is a means for sharing "what's working in my setting," Huff said.
"If you are a Sunday school volunteer, you can go on to the conversation piece and see what's going on with people as they teach their kids," he said. "People post ideas, but also people post questions or theological concerns."
"The goal is to get people engaging in Scripture, so anything we can do to help that along is meeting the mission and will help the ELCA," Huff said.
---
Information about the ELCA's Book of Faith initiative is at http://www.bookoffaith.org/ on the Web. An audio report of this story is at http://tinyurl.com/ELCANewsAudio on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns
Provided by Pastor Isaksen:
Guidance from the Worship and Liturgical Resources Section of the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
April 30, 2009
When anxiety is high in our culture, worship continues to be a primary location for the proclamation both of the good news of Jesus Christ and of the continuing compassion and care of God in the midst of our humanity. It is a place where we can find solace and reassurance in the midst of our fears. Great care should be taken to continue this central ministry of the church, especially in these times.
Congregations are advised to use common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace. In times of anxiety about the spread of such pathogens as influenza, churches are advised to follow the advice of the CDC with regard to gatherings of people. At this time, it is not necessary to cancel worship services or stop gathering around the means of grace. However, worship leaders should take some time to be well informed of the situation in their local area and to examine worship practices with regard to the spread of pathogens, perhaps making small changes that will help alleviate the anxiety of the gathered assembly.
Passing of the Peace
The passing of the peace is an integral way that the assembly recognizes the presence of the peace of Christ in their midst. It is not necessary to eliminate the passing of the peace from the worship service. However, it may be advisable, based on your local situation, for the presider to suggest how the assembly may greet one another without handshakes.
The verbal greeting paired with a reverent bow may be suggested. Alternatively,
congregations may offer hand sanitizer for use after the passing of the peace in an
inconspicuous way by placing sanitizer bottles at the ends of pews, in pew racks or under chairs.
Holy Communion
Many of our worship concerns in times of fear concerning the spread of pathogens center around the means of distribution of the elements at communion. Consider your local situation and consider if the risk is real or imagined. There may be no reason in your area to alter your communion distribution practices. Some common-sense precautions may be all that is necessary:
· Servers of the meal should wash their hands before distributing the elements.
This can be accomplished by servers leaving worship at the passing of the peace to wash their hands in the sacristy or nearby washroom, by providing hand sanitizer in the sacristy or at another convenient location near the chancel, or by providing on the credence table to the side of the altar a lavabo bowl that contains warm water and a small amount of antiseptic soap.
· Keep in mind that our hands carry more pathogens than our mouths. Use of the common cup is preferable to intinction, especially if sacramental wine with a higher alcohol content is used. Sacramental wine has an alcohol content of 18% and has antiseptic qualities.
· An alternative to intinction or drinking from a common cup may be provided. During times of great fear and concern, congregations may choose to distribute wine by pouring the wine from one common pouring chalice into small cups, thereby maintaining the symbol of the common cup.
· If individuals are particularly hesitant about the communion elements for pressing reasons of health, they may commune under one element (The Use of the Means of Grace, Application 44C). The pastor may assure them that the crucified and risen Christ is fully present in, with, and under this one element.
While our Confessions speak against communion “in one form,” their intent is to protest the practice of withholding the cup from the whole assembly (The Use of the Means of Grace, Application 44D)
Conclusion
Especially in times of need we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. During this time of anxiety around a new form of influenza, the Sunday assembly of Christians around word and sacrament is a particularly important sign of resurrection hope in the midst of fear and trouble. We taste and see the Risen Christ’s presence in the community gathered around word and meal. In this eucharistic assembly we pray for the needs of a suffering world, and from this eucharistic assembly we are sent to care for all our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry.
Further questions may be directed to Worship and Liturgical Resources at 800.638.3522
ext. 2590 or worship@elca.org.
Guidance from the Worship and Liturgical Resources Section of the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
April 30, 2009
When anxiety is high in our culture, worship continues to be a primary location for the proclamation both of the good news of Jesus Christ and of the continuing compassion and care of God in the midst of our humanity. It is a place where we can find solace and reassurance in the midst of our fears. Great care should be taken to continue this central ministry of the church, especially in these times.
Congregations are advised to use common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace. In times of anxiety about the spread of such pathogens as influenza, churches are advised to follow the advice of the CDC with regard to gatherings of people. At this time, it is not necessary to cancel worship services or stop gathering around the means of grace. However, worship leaders should take some time to be well informed of the situation in their local area and to examine worship practices with regard to the spread of pathogens, perhaps making small changes that will help alleviate the anxiety of the gathered assembly.
Passing of the Peace
The passing of the peace is an integral way that the assembly recognizes the presence of the peace of Christ in their midst. It is not necessary to eliminate the passing of the peace from the worship service. However, it may be advisable, based on your local situation, for the presider to suggest how the assembly may greet one another without handshakes.
The verbal greeting paired with a reverent bow may be suggested. Alternatively,
congregations may offer hand sanitizer for use after the passing of the peace in an
inconspicuous way by placing sanitizer bottles at the ends of pews, in pew racks or under chairs.
Holy Communion
Many of our worship concerns in times of fear concerning the spread of pathogens center around the means of distribution of the elements at communion. Consider your local situation and consider if the risk is real or imagined. There may be no reason in your area to alter your communion distribution practices. Some common-sense precautions may be all that is necessary:
· Servers of the meal should wash their hands before distributing the elements.
This can be accomplished by servers leaving worship at the passing of the peace to wash their hands in the sacristy or nearby washroom, by providing hand sanitizer in the sacristy or at another convenient location near the chancel, or by providing on the credence table to the side of the altar a lavabo bowl that contains warm water and a small amount of antiseptic soap.
· Keep in mind that our hands carry more pathogens than our mouths. Use of the common cup is preferable to intinction, especially if sacramental wine with a higher alcohol content is used. Sacramental wine has an alcohol content of 18% and has antiseptic qualities.
· An alternative to intinction or drinking from a common cup may be provided. During times of great fear and concern, congregations may choose to distribute wine by pouring the wine from one common pouring chalice into small cups, thereby maintaining the symbol of the common cup.
· If individuals are particularly hesitant about the communion elements for pressing reasons of health, they may commune under one element (The Use of the Means of Grace, Application 44C). The pastor may assure them that the crucified and risen Christ is fully present in, with, and under this one element.
While our Confessions speak against communion “in one form,” their intent is to protest the practice of withholding the cup from the whole assembly (The Use of the Means of Grace, Application 44D)
Conclusion
Especially in times of need we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. During this time of anxiety around a new form of influenza, the Sunday assembly of Christians around word and sacrament is a particularly important sign of resurrection hope in the midst of fear and trouble. We taste and see the Risen Christ’s presence in the community gathered around word and meal. In this eucharistic assembly we pray for the needs of a suffering world, and from this eucharistic assembly we are sent to care for all our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry.
Further questions may be directed to Worship and Liturgical Resources at 800.638.3522
ext. 2590 or worship@elca.org.
How We Worship: Be a part of God's saving story
ELCA Quick Facts from Pastor Isaksen
For Lutherans, worship matters. In fact, worship lies at the heart of how we understand ourselves together. While some of the approaches to worship may differ from one congregation to another, we hold certain things in common.
There is a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. We gather. We encounter God’s Word. We share a meal at the Lord’s table. And we are sent into the world. But we do not think about worship so much in terms of what we do. Worship is fundamentally about what God is doing and our response to God’s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Think about it like this. God’s Spirit calls us together. God speaks to us through readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, through preaching, prayer, and song. God feeds and nourishes us in a saving way. And God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. Taken together, the Word proclaimed and the sacraments -- both Holy Baptism and Holy Communion -- are called the means of grace. We believe that Jesus Christ is present in these means through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we describe worship as a “gathering around the means of grace.” This is a way of saying that we trust that God is genuinely present with us in baptism, in preaching, and in sharing the bread and wine of Holy Communion. In that sense, Lutherans believe that God’s presence permeates all of Christian
worship.
The cross is the central symbol that marks our worship spaces and when Lutherans worship, singing fills the air. The voices of all the people joined in song and the participation of all the people in the worship is a witness to our conviction that in worship we are being drawn in to God’s own saving story.
Get deeper into worship — including arts, worship, liturgies and lectionary resources. Find it in the Worship section of the website: www.elca.org.
For Lutherans, worship matters. In fact, worship lies at the heart of how we understand ourselves together. While some of the approaches to worship may differ from one congregation to another, we hold certain things in common.
There is a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. We gather. We encounter God’s Word. We share a meal at the Lord’s table. And we are sent into the world. But we do not think about worship so much in terms of what we do. Worship is fundamentally about what God is doing and our response to God’s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Think about it like this. God’s Spirit calls us together. God speaks to us through readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, through preaching, prayer, and song. God feeds and nourishes us in a saving way. And God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. Taken together, the Word proclaimed and the sacraments -- both Holy Baptism and Holy Communion -- are called the means of grace. We believe that Jesus Christ is present in these means through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we describe worship as a “gathering around the means of grace.” This is a way of saying that we trust that God is genuinely present with us in baptism, in preaching, and in sharing the bread and wine of Holy Communion. In that sense, Lutherans believe that God’s presence permeates all of Christian
worship.
The cross is the central symbol that marks our worship spaces and when Lutherans worship, singing fills the air. The voices of all the people joined in song and the participation of all the people in the worship is a witness to our conviction that in worship we are being drawn in to God’s own saving story.
Get deeper into worship — including arts, worship, liturgies and lectionary resources. Find it in the Worship section of the website: www.elca.org.
Problems & Ideas
Hi Patty - I posted the post for Dawn. I think only the owner of the blog can do that. Everyone else needs to comment. Not sure about this either! Dawn is still having trouble posting a comment. So am I! What's your secret?
FUNDRAISING IDEA:
If we ever get this blog thing going we could have a section for people to sell stuff. For instance, Bruce has a great truck for sale. I have a house for rent. Then people would be expected to donate a portion of the proceeds to church - all on the honor system. Thoughts?
See you tomorrow for coffee & brownies in the basement!
FUNDRAISING IDEA:
If we ever get this blog thing going we could have a section for people to sell stuff. For instance, Bruce has a great truck for sale. I have a house for rent. Then people would be expected to donate a portion of the proceeds to church - all on the honor system. Thoughts?
See you tomorrow for coffee & brownies in the basement!
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