For the World is Changing

About three months before what would have been his 90th birthday, my grandfather warned me that I had best be paying attention to life because the years pass ever more swiftly as you get older. I knew his statement to be true then and I am even more keenly aware of its veracity today. Suddenly, it seems, we face a new year, 2014, a new year filled with hope and promise for the optimistic, a new year filled with peril and fear for the less optimistic among us. No doubt it will be a year that passes all too quickly and one year from now we will be scratching our heads wondering where the 365 days have gone.

This past November, we marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. With everyone else who can remember 50 years ago, I recalled where I was when I heard the tragic news. The images of that day and the solemn days that followed came back to my mind easily and perhaps more horrifyingly due to the enhancements of digital technology. I briefly immersed myself in his words and wondered how many of those words he himself had written and how many had been offered by his speechwriters, especially wordsmith Ted Sorensen.

Among the speeches that I read last month was John F. Kennedy's acceptance speech from July 15, 1960, as he accepted his party's nomination for the presidency of the United States.  In it he said something that I feel is appropriate for us as we close out one year and enter another.  He said,

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and sane future. As Winston Churchill said on taking office some twenty years ago: if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future. Today our concern must be with that future.  For the world is changing.  The old era is ending.  The old ways will not do.

The old ways will not do.  In the church, that is, in our ELCA, in our synod and in our congregations, let us make 2014 a year of innovation, creativity, hope, celebration and joy.  Yes, of course, there will be days and circumstances that frighten us.  There will be perilous days.  But, let's not be paralyzed by them.  Let us proclaim Christ in new ways so that we do not lose the future.

Go ahead, light a candle for 2014!  Happy new year!  The peace of Christ be with you all!

Comments?  Go to the blog site or comment on Facebook.  --JC

On This Holy Night

I will readily admit that I am better at preaching sermons than I am at listening to them, so I may not quote the words exactly as Pastor Andy spoke them. He told the story of another pastor's five year old daughter, who was able to put Christmas into bleak but accurate perspective.  She said, as heard by her mother, preached by Pastor Andy and heard then later recalled by me, "Why so much fun at Christmas when he's just going to die?"

Yes, sometimes a PK's (preacher's kid's) theology develops early in life.  Pastor Andy said this is not the message he would choose to share on Christmas Eve.  Neither would I, at least not this blatantly.  But, when you stop to give it a moment's thought, this child is onto something.

What was the news that the shepherds received?  "Don't be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you--wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David's city. He is Christ the Lord."

A savior. Our savior. And yes, as we are reminded by a five year old, to be our savior, Jesus had to die.  But, on this holy night we celebrate, with joy and gusto. We celebrate a birth. We celebrate our savior.  We celebrate good news.  Good Friday can wait.

My prayer is that no matter where you find yourself tonight, no matter what your circumstances in life are, you will hear the news of the Savior's birth and receive the news with joy.  The magnitude of God's gift must not be underestimated.  God's love for us knew no limit.

Merry Christmas!  --JC

Let's Talk

I’m serious.  Let’s talk.

I have the great privilege of traveling all around this synod and I have the opportunity to listen to rostered leaders and congregation members on a daily basis.  This is one of the blessings of my current call to synod work.

What I am hearing right now is a lot of fear.  This isn’t new.  What is different is the level of that fear and the heightened anxiety that accompanies it.  As a result, rostered leaders and congregations are experiencing a lot of pain.

There are common themes.  Congregations are projecting their futures and what they see is decline and death.  Numbers have been sliding for quite some time and the outcome appears to be inevitable.  As a generation of generous and faithful givers fades away, finances become tighter and the focus turns inward.  More money is spent on operating expenses and less on outreach and mission.  Young people are largely absent from the life of the church.  But, truth be told, it was my generation that began to drift away.  Many of my generation’s children have never been part of a church community, yet we expect them to “come back” to a place they have never been.

Worse yet, the church has lost its voice.  No one really seems to care about what we have to say.  The Christian voice is fractured and noisy, so it is lost in the blurriness of background noise.  Rostered leaders, especially our pastors, fear that they are becoming irrelevant or already are.

These are huge issues, but they are symptoms of a massive cultural shift that is much bigger than the church.  Have you noticed?  Everything is changing.  Everything.

During this past August, I marked my 30^th ordination anniversary.  I had thought that it might be fun to reflect on those 30 years for this blog.  But, I never found the motivation I needed to do so.  Of course, it was fun for my wife and me to look back for a few minutes.  But, as I searched for words to write, the more I looked back, the more I was drawn to look forward.  While looking back is informative (we really have to know our history), I think we need to concentrate our efforts more on today and tomorrow.

Recently I had a conversation with one of the synod’s younger pastors.  We were talking about the current conditions in the church.  I told her that my seminary education certainly did not prepare me for what we as pastors are facing today.  I then told her that my consolation is that her very recent education did not prepare her any better for it.  None of us, clergy or lay, is truly prepared. 

I recently attended a continuing education event at which I heard Phyllis Tickle, Brian McLaren, Tom Long and David Lose speak.  The theme was “Preaching at the Crossroads.”  I attended specifically to hear what these voices had to say because they seem to have a handle on some of what we are encountering in the church today.  Let me tell you what I heard in just a few sentences.  The world is changing.  We had better get used to that fact because there is no going back and there is no stopping it.  Things are changing fast and it is going to continue.  In the midst of this change, the church must ask itself if it is going to accommodate the change or help lead the change in a way that will benefit the world in the name of Jesus Christ.  This is a time for courage and innovation.  All of the speakers agreed that we do not yet know where all of this is leading, which is stressful.  But, in these stressful times, the church, you and I, are called to remain faithful.

The problem I see is that we are not talking.  Congregations are not talking about what is happening and putting it into a larger context.  I see congregations grasping at straws in attempts to accommodate rather than lead.  Congregations are not talking to their neighboring congregations to see how they are doing.  I see pastors and lay rostered leaders becoming frustrated and depressed and contemplating just calling it quits.  They feel isolated and alone.  Pastors become the focus of misdirected anxiety in many congregations.  But, pastors are not talking to each other, sharing their own joys and sorrows.

So, let’s talk.  I’m serious.  If you asked me, I couldn’t begin to guess how many unproductive, unmotivated, useless meetings I have attended over the course of 30 years.  Let’s not waste our time with any more meetings that have the goal of just meeting.  Let us ground ourselves in the Word of God and start talking about things that matter.  Let’s start talking to each other for the purpose of mutual support and discovering new ways to share the good news of Christ.

Thanks for reading.  Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Guest Blogger: Deaconess Cheryl Erdmann

The Road

After I came home from the incredible Professional Leader’s Conference, I, true to what I had learned about Digital Pluralism, sat down at my computer to sync my Digital Devices with my computer.  There were pictures taken since the last “sync,” some podcasts and new apps, some new downloaded books – all things that I am told by my children I should periodically sync to my computer, or, preferably they tell me, to the “Cloud” (is that where Jesus or St. Michael are sitting?), so my precious, and not so precious, stuff can be maintained for eternity. Whatever…

As I read my options and decided to download my recent pictures to my computer, the first new ones were pictures that I had taken while walking in a Forest Preserve District park near my home. I often take pictures when I walk, as I have a hobby of drawing nature scenes as a tool of my spiritual practice. Over a year ago, I attended a contemplative art retreat at Ghost Ranch in Abiqiu, New Mexico. I’ve found drawing to be a meaningful way to connect to God since that time.

Back to the photos.  I had taken a couple of pictures as I was walking, of a road that curved so I could not see what would be coming in just a few minutes. I had taken that picture, because the view seemed to be a metaphor for me of what was going on in my life – I was on the “road,” but didn’t know what was coming.

About a week later, I learned that an Assistant to the Bishop position would be opening up with the just-announced retirement of Sandra Musch. I let Bishop Wollersheim know that I would be willing to be considered for that position. After interviewing with the Bishop, I met with Synod Council and was extended the call, which I joyfully accepted.  Wow. Talk about not seeing what might be around that curve in the road.

What was especially interesting to me was that the two pictures that I took of that stretch of the walking trail at Busse Woods Preserve were followed by pictures that my friend Sarah Wilson had taken on my phone during the portion of the Tuesday PLC worship service where I was privileged to promise to serve Christ Jesus in that position as Assistant to Bishop Wollersheim.  Although when I took those two pictures of the road, I really had no idea of what was beyond my sight. And it seemed to me more than coincidental that the photos that followed the trail pictures showed not only what was around that curve, but also how God was both walking with me that day and waiting around the curve.  God can do that, be with me in God’s Kairos time, in two places at once.

I have to draw that scene now. It’s just too good a story to not make it my own in that way. And I tend to take my drawings and make them into note cards, to send to others as a visual reminder of some part of God’s incredible action in my life. It’s one way I tell the story of God’s incredible love for me and for all God’s people. It is how I can let others know how Jesus the Christ has been especially visible to me at times of joy and sorrow. It is how I can show that the Holy Spirit touches me and fills me, guides and helps me to live out the incredible promise made in my baptism: that I would receive new life in that baptism and be an inheritor of God’s glorious kingdom.

Wow, again.

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us the faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deaconess Cheryl's installation

Comments are welcome at the blog site or on Facebook.            

How Was Pittsburgh?

In the past two weeks, the question I have been most frequently asked is, “How was Pittsburgh?”  As glad as I would have been to give a favorable review of the city itself, pastors and friends were asking for my impressions of the Churchwide Assembly.

I have had trouble finding the right words to describe this assembly.  It felt different to me than others I have attended.  The mood was subdued as the assembly began.  Even the opening worship lacked energy.  Of course, this is my opinion.  Others who had never previously attended an assembly did not perceive this.  I think the gravity of electing a presiding bishop and a secretary was weighing upon the voting members.

The ecclesiastical balloting process, which we use to elect the presiding bishop and secretary, is fascinating and can lead to unexpected results.  It is a process that leaves little room for campaigning and a lot of room for the Holy Spirit.  And, as odd as it sounds to say this, the ecclesiastical ballot minimizes the normal “winner vs. losers.”  I believe that we saw the Spirit at work in both of this year’s elections.

It was exciting to see the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton elected as our presiding bishop.  The media has made much of her being the ELCA’s first female presiding bishop, but I did not hear much made of that at the assembly.  I know it was a deeply moving moment for many of our female clergy.  To see a woman elected to the ELCA’s most prominent position was gratifying to many women who grew up without female clergy role models, who have suffered discrimination in finding calls and who at times have endured abuse by congregation members who do not believe women should be pastors.  And yes, you can find those pockets of prejudice even today.

Bishop Mark Hanson was very gracious in all of his remarks both before and after the election.  The process must have been exhausting for him, but his mood seemed to lighten a bit following the elections.  In fact, his own report to the assembly, which came after the election, was filled with his hopes, dreams and passion for the life of this church.

So, with sufficient time for reflection, I would describe this assembly as hopeful for the future of the church, realistic about the difficulties the church faces today, and grateful for the opportunity to speak publicly for the sake of Jesus Christ.

It was a good assembly despite my inability to describe it well.  We are part of an amazing church!

If you would like to know more about the assembly, click here.  Comments?  Go to the blog site or comment on Facebook.  --JC

NIS CWA Attendees with David Swartling

Churchwide Assembly 2013

Bishop Wollersheim describing the election process

The Churchwide Assembly is now just a week away!  Soon, 952 voting members from 65 synods and 9,638 congregations serve on behalf of the 4,059,785 baptized members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Seventeen of those voting members have been elected to serve from the Northern Illinois Synod.

This past Saturday, Bishop Wollersheim met for the second time with our voting members to brief them on what to expect as they gather in Pittsburgh.  This will be a significant Churchwide Assembly as the church will be electing a presiding bishop and secretary to guide us for the next six years.  Bishop Mark Hanson has indicated that he is willing to continue in his office, but David Swartling has stated that he will not stand again for the office of secretary.  There is also a social statement on criminal justice that will be considered.

This year’s assembly will be largely paperless.  All voting members will be using iPads for the assembly materials.  Any voting member who does not have a personal iPad will be provided with one for the duration of the assembly.

Technology also will allow those at home to watch all of the assembly’s plenary sessions and, for the first time, all of the worship experiences as well.  These will be streamed in real time, so it will be just like being there in the convention center, although you may have a better view.  To follow along, simple go to www.elca.org/assembly and follow the instructions.

I am looking forward to seeing some of my synod staff colleagues from across the country.  Travel budgets are very tight, so there may not be many of us in attendance this year.

Please remember to pray for the assembly as it meets and takes care of the business of the church.  Important decisions will be made.  The days are long and may be stressful.  Pray for our voting members.  Safe travel and good health are always concerns.  And, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the church that all we do be for the upbuilding of the body of Christ.

Comments?  Click here to go the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

The Monmouth - Rock Island Connection

First Lutheran Church, Monmouth

In anticipation of my visit to First Lutheran Church in Monmouth, I asked Pastor Keith Killinger if he could share a history of the congregation with me.  I had been invited to be with the people of First on the occasion of their 145^th anniversary and I wanted to know a bit more about the congregation.  Pastor Killinger obliged and sent me a bound copy in the mail.

Like every history, First’s included the story of its founders, descriptions of the pastors who have served the congregation and their tenures, and the story of the construction of its buildings and the debt that was incurred.  In addition to these standard items, there were three other sections, related to 1918, 1932 and 1954, that caught my attention.

In world history, 1918 was a tough year. It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide died during an influenza epidemic.  First Lutheran Church, then in its 50^th year, was forced to close its doors, as were many public venues, for a period during November and December, to protect public health.

The Great Depression was taking a hard toll on First Lutheran Church in 1932.  During that year, its history reports, “208 persons did not contribute anything, 95 pledged and paid a part of the amount, and 112 pledged, but paid nothing.”  By the time of the annual meeting in 1933, the congregation was $13,800 in debt.  “Hard work and sacrifice” eliminated that debt by 1935.  Today’s economic woes, as difficult as they have been, just don’t compare.

Most congregations in 1918 and 1932 would have faced similar challenges.  But, 1954 brought a courageous decision.

First Lutheran Church held a special congregational meeting in May of 1954 and decided “to ‘mother’ a new mission within the Illinois Conference” by mortgaging its own property in an amount not to exceed $25,000.  The congregation that benefitted from First’s risk was St. James Lutheran Church in Rock Island.  According to First’s history, St. James’ cornerstone was laid in November of 1955 and by May of 1959, St. James had assumed the mortgage.

I don’t know how common a story such as this is, but it seems extraordinary to me.  Congregations have often given birth to other congregations and continue to do so in a variety of ways.  But, to go into debt for the sake of a new congregation is a model that would be tough to sell today.  I think.  I don’t really know because I don’t know of any congregation that has been challenged to do it.

I called Pastor Janet Lepp to see what St. James’ own history had to say.  She wasn’t able to quickly locate a written history, but she did tell me that St. James had major fund-raising campaigns in 2002 and 2009.  In each case, a tithe of the amounts raised was given to the synod. In 2002 the gift was designated for a new mission and in 2009 for our synodically authorized worshiping communities.  Pastor Lepp said, “the rationale is that someone took the risk to get St. James started and we should ‘pay it forward.’”

Two great stories!  Now that you’ve read your congregation’s constitution (see previous blog post), dig out your congregation’s history.  Do you have a story to tell?

Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Constitutionally Speaking

I recently read that Sandra Day O’Connor, retired associate justice of the Supreme Court, carries a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America and a copy of the Declaration of Independence with her at all times.  Whenever and wherever she can, she teaches about just how important these documents are to our life together in this country.  She appended the Constitution and Declaration to her book, Out of Order.  Since I had reached the end of the book and had nothing else in front of me on the treadmill, I read completely through these documents for, perhaps, the first time since eighth grade.  I recommend it!

Reading constitutions may not sound like the most fun way to spend an evening.  In the synod office, we spend a lot of time reading constitutions.  We are constantly updating the synod constitution so that it is in line with the ELCA model constitution.  We also read congregations’ constitutions as they come before the Synod Council for approval.  Did you know that we have a small committee that works with congregations on constitutional changes?

David Swartling, the current secretary of the ELCA, has for his entire tenure, referred to the constitutions of the church as missional documents.  Too often congregation councils only refer to the constitution when a crisis is reached or conflict is encountered.  Take a look at your congregation’s constitution.  You will find some fascinating stuff.

I was recently speaking with a pastor whose congregation does not have a particularly good sense of shared ministry.  The congregation seems to believe that ministry is the pastor’s “job.”  Take a look at what the Model Constitution for Congregations says about the pastor:

*C9.03.           Consistent with the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,

            a.         Every ordained minister shall:

                        1)         preach the Word;

                        2)         administer the sacraments;

                        3)         conduct public worship;

                        4)         provide pastoral care; and

                        5)         speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed,

calling for justice and proclaiming God’s love for the world.

            b.         Each ordained minister with a congregational call shall, within the congregation:

1)         offer instruction, confirm, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury the dead;

                        2)         supervise all schools and organizations of this congregation;

                        3)         install regularly elected members of the Congregation Council; and

                        4)         with the council, administer discipline.

            c.         Every pastor shall:

1)         strive to extend the Kingdom of God in the community, in the nation, and abroad;

2)         seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel;

3)         impart knowledge of this church and its wider ministry through distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and

4)         endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to the work of the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and of the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA.

*C9.04.           The specific duties of the pastor, compensation, and other matters pertaining to the service of the pastor shall be included in a letter of call, which shall be attested by the bishop of the synod.

*C9.12.           The pastor of this congregation:

a.         shall keep accurate parochial records of all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, communicants, members received, members dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation;

            b.         shall submit a summary of such statistics annually to the synod; and

            c.         shall become a member of this congregation upon receipt and acceptance of the

letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the pastor shall hold membership in one of the congregations.

*C9.13.           The pastor(s) shall submit a report of his or her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.

*C9.14.           The parochial records of this congregation shall be maintained by the pastor and shall remain the property of the congregation.  The secretary of this congregation

shall attest in writing to the bishop of this synod that such records have been placed in his or her hands in good order by a departing pastor before the installation of that pastor in another field of labor or the granting by the synod of retired status to the pastor.

Are you surprised by anything you read here?  Are you surprised by anything that is left out?  You may not need to carry a copy of your congregation’s constitution around with you all the time, but it is worth taking a look at once in a while.

Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook. --JC

Grace Place Induction

The drama of the moment could have been easily lost from where I was sitting in the back of the room.  The pastor was kneeling on the floor in front of the altar.  No kneeler.  No cushion.  My knees would have been complaining if not screaming.

The installation of the Rev. Amy Fallon as pastor of Grace Place Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University was last Wednesday evening.  As an accommodation to the “older” people who might attend, the service time was set for 7:00 p.m.  The normal worship time for Grace Place is Wednesday at 9:00 p.m.  In spite of it being Lent, there was a good attendance, although few clergy could be present.

Grace Place is a joint ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church.  The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago was the officiant for the installation, or induction in Episcopal terminology.  Our bishop, the Rev. Dr. Gary Wollersheim, presided over the Eucharist.  The Rev. David Hedges, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Sycamore and chair of the Grace Place board, preached the sermon.

Following the renewal of baptism and Bishop Lee’s questioning of Amy, symbols and tools of the office were presented to her by representatives of the community.  She received a Bible, water, her stole, a book of prayers, anointing oil, the keys to the building, a charter, the Canons of the Diocese, and bread and wine.

It was then that the pastor knelt down on the floor to pray.  I am guessing that this prayer is a prescribed part of the induction rite which is copyrighted so I will not reprint it here in its entirety.  From my seat in the back, purposely chosen since I had volunteered to distribute bulletins prior to the service, I could not see Amy, but I could hear her words.  The image was powerful.  The pastor, on her knees in a posture of humility and pleading, in the presence of her congregation and peers, prayed, “O Lord my God…to you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit.”  “Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care….” “In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn in your blessed kingdom.”

As Pastor Amy begins her ministry, let us join her in prayer.  Pray for her work among the young people at NIU.  Check out the Grace Place website, www.graceplaceniu.com.  Grace Place can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GracePlaceNIU.

Comments are always welcome.  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.

Hedges, Lee, Fallon, Wollersheim (left to right)

Mission Strategy Table

Bishop Wollersheim, Bill Bartlett & Bishop McCoid

Our Synod Council meets just four times a year so each meeting’s agenda is rather full.  Even so, business was kept to a minimum at our council’s January meeting to allow for a full discussion of an idea Bishop Gary Wollersheim and synod vice president Bill Bartlett proposed.  Since each congregation of the synod (in fact, each congregation of the ELCA) has been asked to take a look at its own mission plan, the proposal was for the synod to do the same.

The Synod Council approved the idea and got to work right away.  Joining us for the meeting was the Rev. Don McCoid.  Bishop Wollersheim had invited him to facilitate our conversation.  Pastor McCoid currently serves as the Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations in the Churchwide expression of our church.  We, however, were drawing upon his deep understanding of synodical work from his twenty years as bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod.

As a result of this guided conversation, the Synod Council approved the formation of a task force, or Mission Strategy Planning Table, which will be under the leadership of Pastor Gary Erickson, our new Director of Evangelical Mission, and Pastor Kurt Nordby, who just finished his work as our DEM.  Any mission strategy process helps a congregation or synod to take a look at what it is doing, how it is doing it, whether it should continue doing what it is doing, and what it will do in the future.  Folks from across the synod will be invited into the process.

A mission statement provides a measure against which to evaluate what you do.  “Making Christ Known” has been the short version of our mission statement for a long time.  Here’s the complete statement as it exists today:

The Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a gathering of people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world.  Our mission is simple: Make Christ Known.

What do you think?  Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

An Invitation for Youth Leaders

What are you doing next January 31 through February 3?  If you are an adult youth leader in any of our congregations, I would like you to consider this invitation.  Join youth leaders from across the country at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in St. Louis.

The Extravaganza is an event filled with worship, plenary speakers, workshops, music and displays.  It is intended for professionals and volunteers, young and old, urban and rural.  If you are engaged in youth ministry in any way, Extravaganza is for you.  I would hope that pastors would consider attending too.  I have long believed that every pastor is a youth pastor.  How about using the Extravaganza for some continuing ed?

This past weekend I attended the 2013 Extravaganza in Orange County, California.  There were a handful of us from the Northern Illinois Synod including Audrey Adams, our LYO Event Coordinator and part of the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center staff and Rosemary Sibley, one of our synod LYO advisors.  Rosemary and I have attended Extravaganzas in the past.  This was a first time experience for Audrey.  All three of us agreed that it was a great event.

Next year’s St. Louis location should make it easier and more cost effective for people from Northern Illinois to attend.  Extravaganza is sure to be a shot in the arm for you and your work with youth.  You will come home energized.  You will make new friends, hear new ideas, and learn about current trends and resources.

If you are a volunteer youth leader with a limited youth budget, I suggest that you speak to your pastor and congregation council about the possibility of helping pay your way to Extravaganza.  It will be a good investment.

 

You will find more information about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and Extravaganza on its website.  Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Rosemary and Audrey waiting for the first session to begin

The Best Day of My Life

I suppose that when I declare a day to be the best day of my life, or, the worst day of my life, I should qualify it by adding the phrase, “so far.”

A week and a half ago, I surprised myself a bit, when I heard myself say to my uncle, “Today was the worst day of my life.”

It was.  My brother and I moved Mom into assisted living.  We did it with her permission but against her will.  Such is the torture of Alzheimer’s.

The facility is really quite beautiful.  The staff is caring.  But, Mom didn’t understand.  She was confused.  She was scared.  She was somewhat angry, but mostly just very, very sad.  And, the look in her eyes said to me and my brother, “This is your fault.”

Every life has lots of bad days.  This was the worst day of my life.  So far.  The very real possibility of a day in my life far worse than last Wednesday exists.

What has been the worst day of your life, so far?  It can be pretty painful to recall.  Tears can come quickly to your eyes just thinking about that day.

In the life of every individual there will be worst days.  But, let’s consider something more cheerful.  What has been the best day of your life, so far?

Can you recall the date?  I can.  I’ve had some really good ones!

The day I got my driver’s license.  The day I graduated from college.  Of course, it was a really good day on a Saturday in June of 1981.  Perhaps the best day of my life was the Sunday I was ordained.  No, it must have been the day my son was born.

Well, these were all very fine days in my life. What was the best day of your life, so far?  A smile can come quickly to your lips as you think back on that day.

I have had many wonderful days in my life, but the best day of my life was Sunday, July 10, 1955.  There has not been a better day since.  And I don’t have to add, “so far,” because no day will ever be better.

That day was the day that I was baptized the waters of the font of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit.  The best day of my life and I have no memory of it! I was only eight weeks old.

But it was on my baptismal day when God called me by name in the pastor’s voice as he said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  It was the day that I was proclaimed to be then and forever more beloved and worthy.

This past week, the pastors of our Central Conference gathered for their monthly meeting.  As part of the meeting, they gather in the sanctuary and share Holy Communion.  There is always a brief homily but this week it was briefer than most.  It was my brother’s turn to preach.

The sermon went something like this.  Jesus was baptized.  God’s voice said, “You are my beloved child.  With you I am well pleased.”

My brother then asked his colleagues, “Is God pleased with you?”  There was a long pause.

He ended the silence saying, “As a baptized child of God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, God loves you, and God is pleased with you.”

That was it.  A statement of fact.  A statement of our faith.  There will never be a better day in your life than the day you were baptized.

Our church, the ELCA is now 25 years old.  The anniversary year theme is this:  We are a church that is deeply rooted—and always being made new.  It is based upon a passage from 2 Corinthians which begins, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

I really like how this new creation has been described by the ELCA:  We are being made new every day.  In Jesus Christ we are not unchanged.  What God does in Christ is as radical as the death and resurrection of baptism, where new creatures in Christ rise to live “no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.”  God is bringing that new creation to life among us in the ministry of reconciliation.  In that service we no longer see each other as we did before.  We are no longer strangers, competitors, or enemies to each other.  We are beloved companions in one body, restored to a communion where the rich diversity of our experiences, wisdom and abilities serve the common good in Christ.  The new creation in Christ rises to life among us every day.

I was changed on the day that I was baptized.  It was the best day of my life.  In your baptism you were not left unchanged either.  You were forgiven, redeemed, and given salvation.  God called you, named you, and declared you to be beloved.  In Christ you were made new and marked as one with whom God is well pleased.  --JC

Christmas Blessing

⁷Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!  Luke 2:10-14

For lo! The days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and all the world give back the song which now the angels sing.  ELW 282, st. 4

May the peace of Christmas be yours and may the peace of Christ spread anew throughout the world.  Amen.  --JC

Thank You

A few drops of rain were falling as I hastily made my way up the walk of Wethersfield School in Kewanee.  In contrast to the weather, I was cheerfully greeted by Russ, the former president of the congregation, as he approached from another direction.  The mood inside Moss Gymnasium was likewise upbeat and positive.  Energy filled the gym as many were busy making last minutes preparations for worship.

The last time I was with the people of Zion Lutheran Church was the day after the fire that had done major damage to their building.  That evening, with the congregation gathered in a circle on the church lawn, I promised the prayers of the synod in the face of uncertain days.

It was great to return and be with the people of Zion on Sunday, December 9.  The school gym was alive with worship—prayer, Scripture, preaching and song.  It reminded me of the energy of a mission congregation.  Santa Lucia even made her appearance on cue!

On behalf of our bishop and the synod, I was able to present a modest check to the congregation.  It is because of your generosity that this gift was possible.  Following the service, a number of people spoke to me.  The treasurer of the congregation thanked me for bringing the check.  I want to pass that thanks along to you.

I suppose I was a bit surprised when almost everyone else who spoke to me thanked me for just being there and for all of the prayers.  I want to thank you all for that too.  Your willingness to care about your sister congregations is what helps make this a fine synod.

I think it would be great if every congregation prayed for the other congregations in their conference on a rotating basis.  Many already do.  I also think it would be beneficial if each congregation would send visitors to other congregations just to say “hello.”

Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Prayers for Palestine and Israel

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season, I want to extend an invitation to you.  This coming Saturday, December 22 a group of us will gather at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 675 N. Mulford Road, Rockford at 9:00 a.m. for a simulcast of a live worship service from Bethlehem and Washington.

Christians from around the world are being invited to pray for the peace of Palestine and Israel.  Prayers, hymns and readings will alternate between the two locations.  Come a bit early to enjoy some hospitality provided by local supporters of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and to claim your seat for the 9:00 a.m. start.  Among the Lutherans participating in the service are the Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, the Right Rev. Munib Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and the Rev. Richard Graham, bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, ELCA.

I came to a much deeper and more accurate understanding of life in both Palestine and Israel when I traveled there a couple of years ago.  The situation there is complex.  The very least we can do is pray.  This is an opportunity for you to do just that.

For more information, please contact me directly or check the Bright Stars website at www.brightstarsbethlehem.org.  –JC

Come, Emmanuel

“You are not going to follow that bus!”  These were the emphatic words that my wife spoke to me some 23 years ago on our son’s first day of school.  I had thought that it would be a good idea.  There had been no practice run. The school bus would be transporting kindergartners through sixth graders.   I just wanted to make sure that he would get off the bus, enter the proper door of the school and make it to his kindergarten classroom.  He was so little, so innocent, so very precious.

One of the local funeral directors, a parishioner (and now an ELCA pastor), had a daughter who was starting kindergarten on the same day.  I told him about my overly protective plan to follow the school bus.  We had a good laugh when he told me that he actually had followed her bus!

Not long ago, my son discovered that I still have protective instincts.  He was in the passenger seat of the car when I had to make a quick stop.  As my seat belt locked up, my right hand reached across and flattened on his chest to hold him in place as if he were 10 years old.  I was a little embarrassed at my treating him like a child.

If I were sending a child back to school tomorrow, I think I would be tempted to start Christmas break early.  The horrific events of Friday in Newtown, Connecticut are still too fresh and our children seem so vulnerable.  I would have a hard time letting go of a hug and sending a child off to the bus stop.  Of course, common sense would eventually prevail and I would realize that I would have to let go sooner or later.  However, I would make no promises about not following the bus.

As much as we would like, we cannot protect our children or even ourselves from every danger.  We can and must work to make the world as safe a place as it can be.

With much, if not all, of this country, I grieve the loss of those precious children and their teachers and administrators in Newtown.  I hope that grieving parents are surrounded by caring people who know how to speak helpful words when words are necessary and know how to simply be present when silence is better.

In this season of Advent, we sing, “O come, O come Emmanuel.”  Emmanuel.  God with us.  It is wonderful and comforting to know that God truly is with us.  But, for a person who is in the depths of despair, it is a difficult, perhaps impossible, message to comprehend.  “God loves you,” are words that could ring hollow in the ears of someone in pain.  However, we can all bring Christ to another’s brokenness by simply being present with them.  We can be the presence of Christ in the emptiness.

May God be with you as you bear Christ to your neighbor.  --JC

Autumn Update

A friend in Minnesota recently sent an email asking, “Is everything ok down there, or are you just incredibly busy? There hasn't even been a blog post lately.”

I answered immediately to let her know that everything was fine.  I also promised that I would send an update soon, which I did the next day.  Finding a moment or two to work on the blog has been more difficult.  It has indeed been busy.

Final "Coffee" at First Lutheran Church, Rock Island

The bishop has just finished up his eight “Coffees with the Bishop.”  Bishop Wollersheim began each coffee with devotions.  With Karin Graddy’s help, he then showed the synod’s 25^th anniversary video.  This is the same video that was shown at this year’s Synod Assembly.  Each congregation received a copy and it has been well received.  It was a great look back at our history together and a fitting prelude for what comes next.  Following the video, Bishop Wollersheim answered any questions that attendees cared to ask.  Each conference asked different questions, though we did hear that there is a lot of concern over the future of the church.  Generally speaking, congregations are doing well, but declining numbers appear to be common.  Some of our congregations are fairly fragile financially.

This autumn we have also experienced four Discipleship Gatherings.  Pastor Kurt Nordby, our Director for Evangelical Mission, did a fine job talking about the importance of a mission plan to the life of a congregation.  Each congregation is being encouraged to take a look at their mission and articulate a plan.  I have found that there are congregations that do not have a good handle on why they are doing what they are doing.  With Pastor Nordby, our communication director Karin Graddy has developed a set of resources and placed it in a virtual toolbox.  Take a look.  You’ll find it at www.nisynod.org/toolbox.

Bishop Wollersheim has announced that the Synod Council will soon be working on a new mission plan for the synod.  He said that it is only fair that if congregations are being asked to work on a mission plan that the synod should as well.  We will be working with the Rev. Don McCoid of the Churchwide staff and he will join us at the January council meeting.

These are stressful days in the life of the church, but they are days filled with hope and promise, much like this season of Advent.

Comments are welcome.  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com.  --JC

Temporarily Homeless

We teach our children to sing, “The church is not a building.”  But a church building is home for a congregation.  Home is more than a building.  It is a place of considerable emotional significance.  It is heartbreaking when your home is damaged, destroyed, or otherwise violated.  At times, we are left with only our memories.

Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee suffered a fire this past Sunday evening.  Smoke was noticed by a neighbor.  The fire department responded quickly.  Had just a few additional minutes passed, there would be nothing left.  The fire fighters were on the scene for five hours.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.  Both the fire marshal and Zion’s insurance carrier are investigating.  Early guesses lean toward something electrical in the attic.

The people of Zion gathered Monday evening for their first look inside the building.  They walked in the front door just as they have countless times.  This time it was passing under yellow caution tape and through a boarded up door.  The statue of Jesus was in its place above the entry, but now it was darkened with soot.

Folks gathered in front before entering

As Zion members entered the building, the smell of smoke forced some to cover their mouths and noses.  The nave was spared any fire damage, but the carpet underfoot is soggy, the pew cushions are now a darker shade, and the floor tiles are wet.  Water poured from the pastor’s guitar as he lifted it from its case.  The floor of the dining room below is covered with wet debris.  The contents of the offices are destroyed.  Historical Swedish language records are gone.  As people carefully watched their steps, the shock and heartbreak was evident on their faces.

Dining room

Following the walk through, Pastor David Schweppe led a discussion.  A place for worship next Sunday was determined and plans for Sunday school were made.  The pastor prayed giving thanks to God and asking for God’s guidance.  The congregation council met standing in a small circle in the beauty of a late summer evening.  Decisions were made regarding the office and phone.  Plans for outreach were affirmed.  Being “homeless” would not deter the evangelism plan.  Before the closing prayer, a car drove up and a man walked up but did not enter the circle.  He was the pastor of a local congregation offering the United Church of Christ building for weddings and funerals and whatever else Zion should need.

The next couple of months will be challenging for the people of Zion.  But, their spirit is good and their trust in God’s grace is strong.  I have promised the people of Zion that we, as a synod, will walk with them in the coming months as repairs are made and the building is cleaned.  I have promised that we will pray for their pastor and for them.

Looking toward the offices

Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook.  --JC