Best Christmas Gift Ever

As I think back, one Christmas morning was different.  Too large to fit under the tree, there was a single large gift standing in front of our family Christmas tree with a tag indicating that it was just for me.  That was remarkable in itself.  My brother and I almost always received identical gifts, but not this time.  There was only one massive gift in our small front room.

I knew what it was before I opened it.  From its size and shape it could only be one thing.  My very own bicycle.  My first two-wheeler.  It seemed just too good to be true.

I unwrapped the bike with unbridled glee.  It was the most beautiful bicycle I had ever seen.  It was shiny black and had flame decals on the front and back fenders.  The bike was just my size, smaller than an adult model.  The training wheels had already been installed.  It was ready to go.

It was not a snowy Christmas in Detroit that year, so I rode that bike for the first time dressed in a snow suit, knit cap and mittens.  At that tender age, I could imagine no better day in my life.  It was a wonderful Christmas.

There is actually a little more to the story.  What I didn’t know that day was that bicycle represented a great deal of effort and love.  My parents knew that I wanted a bicycle more than anything and even though they didn’t have enough money to buy one, they made it happen.  They bought that little bike used.  My dad sanded down the frame, repainted it in glossy black, applied the decals and greased the chain, all in a neighbor’s garage.  Christmas Eve, after Brant and I were safely asleep, Dad retrieved the bike from the neighbor’s house and he and Mom wrapped it up.

I don’t think that I was ever supposed to know the rest of the story.  I found out years later, when that bike, which had been so special to me, was long gone.  The memory of that little black bike became all the more important to me.

I cannot imagine celebrating Christmas today without knowing the rest of the story.  Oh, the story of the baby in the manger, the shepherds in the field and the wise men with their gifts still moves me.  Deeply.  Profoundly.  Advent prepares me to the point of being desperate to hear the Christmas Gospel proclaimed.  But, it’s the rest of the story that really gets me.  It turns out that the baby Jesus is a gift that seems just too good to be true.  Mary and Joseph may have thought that Jesus was theirs.  If they had looked closely, there was a gift tag addressed to me.  And you.  And the whole world.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).  What an incredible gift.  We dare not forget the rest of the story.  That precious baby born in Bethlehem so long ago, was born for us to die for us.

For me, every Christmas is wonderful.  I can imagine no better day.  I join Bishop Gary Wollersheim and the entire synod staff in wishing you a very Merry Christmas.  --JC

  

Rostered Leader Gatherings

In December, life in the synod office generally gets progressively quieter as we approach Christmas.  With parish life operating at a frenzied pace, the number of meetings and the volume of email and phone calls in our office goes down.  This allows synod staff members to catch a few last vacation days before the end of the year.  Perhaps I should say that is what I do.

The light schedule of this past week allowed me to attend three conference meetings.  The Northern Illinois Synod is divided into eight geographical conferences.  The rostered leaders of each conference get together once a month.  The meetings are all similar in nature.  The dean, a rostered leader elected by the conference, chairs the meeting.   There are coffee and goodies to eat.  The Eucharist is celebrated and a sermon is preached.  Announcements are made.  Some conferences have a program with a guest speaker.  Other conferences use their time for mutual sharing.  Lunch may follow at the church or at a local restaurant.

I am a big believer in collegiality.  Attending conference meetings is one way rostered leaders can be good colleagues to each other.  During the course of a year, I try to attend at least one meeting in each conference.  It helps me keep in touch with what is going on all across the synod.  It also gives me the opportunity to see some folks I do not see often.

I am the synod staff liaison to the North Conference, so I regularly attend its meetings.  Each December the rostered leaders of the North Conference gather at P.A. Peterson Center for Health, an LSSI facility in Rockford.   This past week, we were the guests of Pastor Chuck Olson, P.A. Peterson’s chaplain.  Pastor Denver Bitner, president of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, gave us an update on LSSI.  Following our meeting, we divided into two groups and did a little Christmas caroling for the residents.  I am always surprised at how little effort it takes to bring joy to so many faces.  Our singing was, well, let’s say, not of professional quality.  But, residents took a break from their meal to sing along.  Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner together, as you can see.

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

NIS Youth Ministry

Mary Lasits recently resigned her part-time position as youth coordinator for the Northern Illinois Synod.  Her leadership over the past four years has been well appreciated across the synod.  Mary felt God calling her to do something else in the church, so she is now working with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio as the director of congregational relations.  While we miss Mary, we know that she is serving the church in a significant way.

With Mary’s departure, the synod had an opportunity to reexamine how we do youth ministry.  As we began that process, the leadership team of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center approached me with an intriguing proposal.  LOMC offered to assume the responsibilities of the youth coordinator, maintaining current programs and expanding the possibilities.

I am very pleased to officially announce that we accepted LOMC’s proposal.  From LOMC’s existing staff, Audrey Adams will serve as youth event coordinator and Amy Hoening will be leadership mentor.   George Davis will also be directly involved in providing leadership.

Our LYO board will continue to function as it has been.  Rosemary Sibley (First, Prophetstown), lead LYO adult advisor will continue to serve in that capacity.

For several years, Bishop Gary Wollersheim has sought to strengthen our relationships with our agencies and institutions.  Our youth ministry has already experienced a beneficial relationship with Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University (now Grace Place @ NIU).   This arrangement with LOMC is another great step.

Youth ministry questions may be directed to Audrey and Amy at LOMC, (815) 732-2220.  LYO Board and ELCA Youth Gathering questions may be directed to Rosemary, (815) 537-2758.  Questions or concerns regarding this arrangement may be directed to me, (815) 964-9934.  –JC

www.nisynod.org

www.lomc.org

www.graceplaceniu.com