A living Lutheran Creed

Lutherans often describe their congregations with words like 'friendly', 'welcoming' or 'hospitable'. Super and probably true, but I consider this to be part of our Lutheran problem. These are lovely but reactionary descriptions of God's people. They all require others to make the first move.

It's hard to initiate - to meet people outside, to tell our story, to be proud proclaimers when our (spiritual) heritage prefers stoicism and quiet humility. But maybe it would be easier and FUN to practice making that first move together.

What if a bunch of Lutherans - I mean a bunch - all make signs stating something we believe in and all stand on corners in our neighborhoods on the same day at the same time? What if church and community leaders got people together with markers and pieces of used cardboard to talk about what we stand for and what our faith means? And what if we all got outside our walls at the same time forming a really, really big creed?

And what if people bump into it? People will drive by, see us and have all kinds of reactions. They might notice that we were holding messages of abundance in spots that usually scream scarcity or that instead of asking for money, we're just saying something that's true. They might be annoyed. Or they might be curious. We might be awkward. Or we might be awakened.

So I'm throwing it out there. Tell your synod office. Put it in your church newsletter. Make it your own - the idea is vague and that's the whole point. This experiment has just two goals:

1) To stretch us. Standing outside inviting other people to notice us because of our faith might feel scary or strange. We might draw a blank when figuring out what to write on our signs...and that might spark important conversations. But if a bunch of us try it together and then share our stories, it could be really really interesting. I'll make sure a blog or Facebook page is born so people can share photos and experiences - perhaps encouraging a second outing.

2) To many non-Lutherans, we are simply potluck people who listen to Garrison Keillor. Showing people driving/walking/biking by that we are more than a culture - we are people of faith - couldn't hurt.

So I propose a date for those who wish to join in. Saturday, September 10th (10am-noon CST). The next morning is Sunday and everyone will be figuring out what to do with the fact that 9/11 happened ten years ago. I can't think of a better way to be 'friendly' and 'welcoming' and 'hospitable' than by meeting people where they are the day before and reminding them that Church is a people and place where we hash this stuff out. Of course, any day will do.

Any takers? I sure hope so.

But if it's just me and my kid standing near a freeway ramp, that's still something. :)

Posted for Pastor Bob

New Page on the blog

I've added a new page to the church blog - Events. (See it in the menu along the top?)

So far I have included our two picnics. I will add the tag sale when I find out the date.

What else would you like to see here?

2011 Upstate New York Synod Assembly

Upstate New York Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God’s work. Our hands.
Service, business, and worship blended as never before when 446 Resurrection People gathered in Rochester for the 2011 Upstate New York Synod Assembly. A large baptismal font and cross welcomed them to the space used for both worship and business. Another 493 visited via the Internet.
Doing justice “God is always sending us strangers to open our eyes to God’s grace and compassion.” Keynote speaker Peter Vogelaar, Executive Director of the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees in Utica, New York urged and challenged the assembly to take a risk by offering hospitality to and accepting hospitality from those who are different from us, right in our own communities.
He brought with him two women, originally from Burma, who demonstrated their mastery of backstrap weaving at the Mission Faire.
Inspiring devotions were offered by people from different conferences engaged in a variety of servant ministries. We heard about an “Iron Chef” competition for ELCA World Hunger at St. John/St. Mark, Canajoharie; a community prayer service after a mass shooting at Redeemer, Binghamton; advocacy on behalf of children by Cherish Our Children; ministry with foster teens and elderly adults at Lutheran Social Services in Jamestown; health-related and neighborhood
outreach by Resurrection in the inner city of Buffalo; energy conservation measures at Redeemer, Scotia; and a new cooperation between Faith, Cicero and Vera House to combat domestic violence.
While many attended workshops and the Mission Faire, some voting members opted for servant
events in the community. One group went to Foodlink, a food distribution center in downtown
Rochester, to label and pack food for various community programs. Another group went to
RAIHN (The Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) to paint, clean, and wash the bus used to transport homeless families working towards sustainable fi nancial independence.
Where there’s a well, there’s a way - Congregation members brought offerings of $47,229!!! (including a gift from Thrivent) to build wells and provide clean water through Lutheran World Relief.
Empowered to Serve Assembly Wrap Up - June 5, 6 & 7, 2011
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Keynote Sp eaker - Peter Vogelaar

Assembly Actions
Adopted the 2012 Mission Proposal and a resolution urging congregations to increase giving for world hunger.
Sent two memorials to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to confront bullying and to decrease cuts to campus ministry.
Assembly attendees do service at Foodlink 110 Hinsdale Road, Camillus, NY 13031 (315) 446-2502
www.upstatenysynod.org
Loving kindness The Rev. Terry Walsh, the ELCA chaplain stationed at Fort Drum, NY, received 2,541 “prayer squares” to be distributed to soldiers. Walsh explained that as soldiers board
planes bound for active duty in a combat zone, the last person to bid them farewell is the chaplain. That chaplain will be giving prayer squares to soldiers as signs that they are loved by God and prayed for by one of our resurrection people.
Ms. Marcia Brown received the Congregational Discipleship Award and former synodical vice-president Mr. David Truland received the Synodical Discipleship Award recognizing their outstanding contributions to the life of the church. The Rev. Charles Greene and the Rev. Norman Heid were honored for the fi ftieth anniversary of their ordinations.
Walking humbly with God The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director for ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, took up the theme of serving the stranger in time of need in his sermon at Monday
evening’s Eucharist. Bishop Marie Jerge presided and Vice-President Thomas Madden assisted. Written prayers swung from the processional cross and the Eucharist was served on ceramic tableware created by a fi rst communion class at Hope, Arcade. Two master carpenters
assembled an altar on the spot as part of the offering for the worship service.

Dr. Robert Lebel of King of Kings, Liverpool led two workshops and a public discussion on Genetics, Faith and Responsibility, the Proposed ELCA Social Statement. The statement will be considered at the Churchwide Assembly to be held this August. Find out more at http://elca.org/genetics.
ELCA Military Chaplain Terry Walsh thanks assembly for prayer squares “Spokes-persons” from across the synod rode their bikes into the assembly hall launching the “Feed the Roots of Leadership” capital campaign. Despite a few crashes and mishaps along the way, their enthusiasm for the cause was contagious. They rode to support outdoor ministry, campus ministry, and seminaries—three key ministries where leaders are developed for the present and the future of the church. Friendship Lutheran Church in Amherst courageously chose to close their congregation and use the proceeds to make a $200,000 gift to the campaign.
Help feed the roots of leadership.

For more information visit http://upstatenysynod.org/capital-campaign today.
CONVO and Y’ALL shared their musical and other talents. Altar being built during service. New Synod Priority in 2011-2012 HEALTH AND WELLNESS We are committed to creating a healthy and vibrant synod, promoting healthy and missional congregations, and forming and supporting healthy leaders.

Resurrection people who pray fi rst, walk together and change lives

Video Contest

Help give your congregation or ministry a financial boost this year!
The 2011 ELCA Video Contest is officially underway. Enter now and you could win a $3,000 ministry grant or a $1,500 cash prize. We also have cash prizes for the most popular congregation and individual video entries.
Grab a camera and tell us what it means to "live Lutheran." It's quick and easy to enter. Visit www.livinglutheran.com/contest for information and tips to help you get started.
Hurry! The contest ends June 30. We can't wait to hear your faith story!
God's peace,

Scott J. Hendrickson
Director of Marketing Communications
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
www.elca.org
www.livinglutheran.com

Upstate New York Synod

Over 40 people from Hudson Mohawk congregations and the deacon committee gathered on May 21 and 22 at St. Luke's, Valatie for the Upstate New York Synod's third Transforming Congregations retreat. The work of the Holy Spirit was evident through the vibrant energy and forthright conversations of those participating. They studied the book of Acts and used what they learned to develop church-specific plans for congregational transformation. The theme of the Transforming Congregation's Team - God changes people, changed people change churches and changed churches change the world - was the retreat's refrain throughout the weekend.

The participants engaged in a variety of large and small group conversations. Learning activities focused on themes such as mission, vision, identifying congregational assets and learning to negotiate change in congregations. All discussions and activities were grounded in prayer, worship, and scripture.

The Transforming Congregation's Team is a ministry of the Upstate New York Synod that is available to all congregations. The Transforming Congregation Team seeks to partner with other conferences throughout the synod and hopes to raise up additional leaders who would be instrumental in bringing this retreat to other settings. To learn more please contact Pastor Dave Preisinger at dpreisinger@upstatenysynod.org or phone 518-331-3416.