Zion Life Newsletter November 2009
Friends,
Greetings from your transition pastor. This letter comes as a note of thanks. Thanks to all, and for all, involved in the ministry at Zion and St. Matthew’s.
Thanks to the leadership, and willingness to meet, of your elected Church Council. This is not an easy time. Thanks to Don Alkinburg and everyone else, who need to step up with your concerns and commitments. My prayers are with you.
Thanks to the Sunday school teachers, youth ministry leaders, worship service participants, and the various committee leaders. Thanks to the deacons, especially those who have helped with worship service leadership. Greatly appreciated!
Thanks to Cheryl Bennett in the church office. You depend on her more than you realize. Keep her informed as to what is going on. Communication is most important.
Thanks to the supply preachers, which you see, and hear, each Sunday. This is not an easy task, as each of the three worship services is different. They are a blessing in their ministry.
Thanks to the Thursday morning Bible study group. I really do enjoy the opportunity to be with you, read Scripture, and share our life and faith journeys together.
Thanks. Thankful. Thanksgiving. It is more than a one-day national holiday. It is an attitude to the life and blessings which comes to each of us from God. It is also the way we are challenged to live amongst ourselves.
May God’s peace be with all of us.
Pastor Stef Zehrfuhs
HIGHLIGHTS of the Congregation Council
Meeting of Oct. 8, 2009
Members present: Don A., Dan B., Tom C., Gordon E., John J., Chris T., Frieda T., Sandy T., Ron T., Judy W., Karen W., and Pr. Steffen Zerfhus.
Excused: Nancy D., Andre N.
Meeting called to order by President Don Alkinburg, and Pastor Zehrfuhs led us in prayer.
Ron Trask had devotions, he read from Ecc. 3:3-12, asking us to be patient with all changes that are happening now at Zion, and in the church at large. To take care of the things that need to be taken care of at Zion so we can do what is right for the congregation at both churches. That what ever happens in our lives, that we should make the best of things and enjoy our life.
REPORT OF ELCA and FOOTHILLS CONFERENCE: Received a report from the ELCA to support the financial pledge, in the coming year, that synod made to the Philadelphia Seminary to aid in the cost of building the new learning center. Foothills Conference Fall Assembly report was given by Pr. Zehrfuhs, that 43 members were in attendance, the largest amount in years. That Pr. Paul Messner, Gail Marketer & Bill Siesse gave reports on their views of what took place at the CWA in Minneapolis, Min. That the Social Statement passed by exactly a 2/3 vote and most people in attendance at St. Luke’s that day were not happy with the outcome of the vote. It was suggested that we hold on and take our time in making any decisions, was suggested to all in attendance.
CORRESPONDENCE: A thank you note was received from a David White, to the members of St. Matthew’s who was riding his bicycle through Leesville on the day of the Community Picnic, when he had trouble with his bike. He was given assistance of a phone and Dave Hayner drove him to Cooperstown. It was very much appreciated by him and his family. We received the quarterly dividend check from Bank of Richmondville of $2,500. We received word from ELCA that churches are to pay directly to pastors for their health insurance and they in turn pay insurance company. Payment will no longer goes to Board of Pensions of ELCA. A letter from Global Mission asking for a donation to the missionary fund. Letter from Lutheran Care asking for delegates from Zion to attend their annual meeting on October 18th. We have no delegates at this time. We received annual bill for Web Site yearly fee for October 2009 – 2010.
Minutes of September 9 and September 24 meetings were accepted as written. Approved the use of Hospice on November 21 for Tree Lighting service, also the use of the Assembly Hall following the ceremony.
Approval was given for extra 6 hours pay for the Office Manager.
REPORT OF PASTOR: Pastor Zehrfuhs keeps in touch with office at least two times a week. He reported he hasn’t been given any names of sick or hospitalized members. He is setting up Supply Pastor’s a month at a time. He will be using Deacons on October 11 and 18 at 8:30 services. Pr. Bill Siess will be here for Reformation Sunday. He was given names of members who are ill, they are Hoysli Hathaway, Steve Madison, Helen Schulte, and council secretary will send cards. He reported that we might have an Interim Pastor by January 2010.
CURRENT MISSIONS: Jeanne M. reported that Zion never sent a check to Vanderkamp. We will wait on sending a report to congregation on status. Jeanne is still working with Verizon to get phone straightened out at chapel. Council members are to read through Leadership Committee report for next months meeting. Will consider Philadelphia Seminary pledge at time of budget. Set date of October 19 for meeting with Quirions report on Lutheran CORE. Craig Tennerman from Healthy Congregations will be at November meeting. Need to set date with Pr. Slater. Request for use of Zion for December 13 to have the Messiah performed by Community Choirs was approved. They will start practices on Sunday evenings starting November 8.
FINANCE REPORT: Reported that we are $3,000 behind on balancing the budget. Still no one has offered to do plowing of parking lot. Do have two people that will do sidewalks. It was reported that price of natural gas may go down for winter. Over all was not that far off of budget for the year. Motion to accept the report was carried.
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
St. Matthew’s ministry team, Pumpkin Auction will be held October 24, with a covered dish supper and craft items for sale, monies go to out reach in the community. Sunday November 1, at 4:30pm, Dave Hayner has invited all the Sunday school children and their families for a hayride, from St. Matthew’s to his home, contact your Sunday school teacher if you plan to attend.
FROG: They have been attending Christian music concerts in Albany. They will be making a float for the Christmas parade in Cobleskill on December 5.
Stewardship: Will be doing the passing of envelopes in November with a program called “Make it Simple”.
Worship: Gave a report on the results of the congregation worship survey. Result was that all services stay as is and times. It was recommended by committee to give a give of choice of council, to thank Eleanor Carter for doing the survey (It required many hours of her time). Discussion about a possible Interim Pastor being hired, it was suggested by Pr. Zehrfuhs to wait and see how things work out in next 2 ½ months.
Health Cabinet: John J. will be attending first meeting on CROP walk on Oct. 19. Walk to be May 2, 2010. Have names of homebound for members to send cards for the holidays. One set for congregation and other for Sunday school children.
Property: Dan B. reported that he has spoken with Andre who feels he can do the drainage project before it’s too cold. R. D. Smith was not in favor of installing larger downspouts on just one side of the building. Feels problem can be solved with drainage project. Light fixture on west side of Education Wing needs to be replaced. Andre suggested that Don get an electrician here to install a complete new fixture & wiring, as it’s very old. It was suggested to get solar lights along sidewalk from red doors to front of church. He reported that a deposit had been made on chimney at the parsonage for a new lining. That he expects that contractor to get here soon to finish the job.
WELCA: Reported the group has several items ready to be sent to where they are needed. Fall Assembly is at Trinity on Oct. 24.
Social Ministry: Report from food pantry. We received $500 certificate from S.C.C.A.P. to go to Wal Mart and get the food items.
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
Karen Wilson, Council Secretary
A Note from the Church Office
We just saw the first snowflake in Cobleskill, which reminded me that…Annual Reports from every ministry team leader will be needed in the office by December 31, 2009. I know this is very early to think about but , if you work on it now (you can turn it in early), you will not have to worry about it come the holidays. So, put your winter cap on and start thinking about what you have done in the past year with your team.
Hayride with the Hayners
Sunday, November 1, Hay Ride – for Zion & St. Matthew’s Sunday school students and their parents. The ride will start at 4:30pm, leaving from St. Matthew’s Chapel and end at the Hayner home with hot dogs, a hot beverage and a warming fire. If you plan to attend, contact your Sunday school teacher by October 27.
Advent Tea at Zion
December 5, 2009
10am-Noon
Invite a friend!
Bring an ornament to exchange!
Enjoy our Nativities Display
Refreshments and carols
ELCA NEWS SERVICE – September 27, 2009
Large ELCA Congregation Votes to Leave the Denomination 09-214-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) — Community Church of Joy, Glendale, Ariz., ended its affiliation Sept. 27 with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.
The congregation was the 10th largest in the ELCA with 6,800 baptized members. According to the 2009 ELCA Yearbook, Community Church of Joy’s current operating expenses are more than $2.7 million. It gave more than $207,915 to the ELCA and other organizations in benevolence. By a unanimous vote of 129-0, Community Church of Joy terminated the relationship at a congregational meeting following worship.
“I was praying that (the vote) would be a clear direction from the congregation,” said the Rev. Walter P. Kallestad, senior pastor of the congregation. Seeking to be consistent with the congregation’s decision, Kallestad announced to the congregation his intention to resign from the ELCA’s clergy roster.
Two votes were taken as part of a process to end the affiliation. An initial vote took place June 28, when 185 members voted 174-11 in favor of ending the relationship. Also in June, voting members chose to join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ — an association of 197 congregations in the United States “rooted in the Lutheran Confessions.”
Community Church of Joy’s vision, values and mission are no longer aligned with the ELCA, according to Kallestad. “There is such a different direction that the ELCA has chosen, a path they’re traveling on, and we really believe that it just was not consistent to where God has called us. And so we’re parting,” he told the ELCA News Service.
On its Web site, Community Church of Joy cited three documents to help make clear the reasons for the congregation’s actions. One document is about Israel and another is about Holy Scripture. A third document references the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on the topic of human sexuality.
The assembly approved a series of proposals to change ministry policies, including a change to allow Lutherans in lifelong, publicly accountable, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal ministers. The assembly also approved “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” — the denomination’s 10th social statement, which addresses a spectrum of topics relevant to human sexuality from a Lutheran perspective.
The Rev. Stephen S. Talmage, bishop of the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, Phoenix, spoke to members of Community Church of Joy in early September. He said about 40 people were present, and about 20 of them were members of Community Church of Joy. Kallestad was not present.
“In the meeting I affirmed the ministry of Community Church of Joy,” Talmage told the ELCA News Service. “I lifted up that Pastor Kallestad and the congregation have had a historical reputation of trying novel and creative things. They also, without a doubt, clearly have a heart for reaching the unchurched. They’ve pushed the envelope for the ELCA, having us look at how we do worship, how we evangelize and how we reach out.”
Talmage said he also listed the ways in which Lutherans engage in mission and ministry across the country and overseas. “That will be lost, and that’s sad,” he said. “My hope is that, although they’re leaving, we can still discover ways we can cooperate in ministry and celebrate our common commitment to growing disciples.”
Talmage was not present for the Sept. 27 vote at Community Church of Joy. The Rev. John Q. Cockram, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, Ariz., represented the synod.
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Information about Community Church of Joy is at http://www.joyonline.org on the Web.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE – September 27, 2009
Lutheran Core Leaders, Members Map Organization’s Future 09-212-JB
FISHERS, Ind. (ELCA) — Leaders and members of the Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) began planning for the organization’s future by adopting a constitution, including plans for a “free-standing synod” not directly related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They also suggested ways for constituents to communicate concerns.
With the adoption of its constitution, CORE’s name was formally changed from “Coalition for Reform” to “Coalition for Renewal.” Biblical teaching, the creeds and the Lutheran Confessions are key values of CORE, according to its constitution.
Some 1,200 Lutherans from more than 40 states and three Canadian provinces attended CORE’s convocation here Sept. 25-26 at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist Catholic Church. Approximately 400 congregations are affiliated with CORE, said the Rev. Mark Chavez, Landisville, Pa., CORE steering committee member and vice president, WordAlone Network, New Brighton, Minn.
Much of the discussions centered on responses to actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, which adopted a social statement on human sexuality and a series of proposals to change ELCA ministry policies, including a change to make it possible for Lutherans in lifelong, publicly accountable, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.
Lutheran CORE opposed some parts of the social statement and the ministry policy changes.
“What happened is a catastrophe,” the Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Columbus, Ohio, CORE advisory council member and former ELCA synod bishop, said in a presentation. The choice of whether congregations stay or leave the ELCA “can be a faithful one,” he said. Any decision to leave the denomination “should be done with love.”
He said there are some ELCA synods and bishops who share CORE’s concerns, and the organization must find ways to support them.
God is reforming the churches of the Reformation in North America, said Ryan Schwarz, Washington, D.C., CORE steering committee member and nominee at last month’s churchwide assembly for ELCA vice president. He cited declines in membership in several mainline denominations, including the ELCA. Schwarz predicted that in 20 to 30 years, the congregations of the ELCA will be “more orthodox.” “Congregations that preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ will thrive,” he said.
CORE is committed to finding “a viable church body” for ELCA congregations that choose to leave the denomination. For those who stay CORE will help them to “proclaim faithfully” and provide alternative resources for them, he said.
“We want to be part of the solution with the help of the Holy Spirit,” said the Rev. Paull Spring, State College, Pa., CORE chair and a former ELCA synod bishop. CORE will be an intentional, confessional reforming movement, he said. It will be a “churchly community” and will form a free-standing synod for all Lutherans. It plans to provide resources to strengthen members’ faith and congregations, support global missionaries, develop new congregations and provide theological education, he said. It also wants to work with synods and bishops as they consider candidates for ministry and in the process of calling pastors to congregations.
Spring said CORE wants to be an umbrella organization for other reform movements, and provide an “alternative community” for congregations and reform movements.
CORE does not plan to seek a formal relationship with the ELCA, he said.
“God is calling us to do something,” he said. “The ELCA has fallen into heresy. It is time for confession and time to resist. It is a time for new life.” Those who do not agree with CORE are not enemies, Spring told the convocation. “They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Be gracious in your dealings with them,” he said.
Challa Varo, Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, read a statement on behalf some 120 African national congregations in the United States and Canada. He said it is “a distressing, shocking and confusing time” in the ELCA, and said the assembly actions “fundamentally shattered” global and ecumenical relationships.
The Rev. Eddie Perez, Iglesia Luterana San Pedro, Inc., Miami, spoke on behalf of some Latino pastors in the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, said this is “the saddest and darkest time in the history of the ELCA.”
“We are glad to see that God is using this time of duress to manifest the light,” he said.
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Information about Lutheran CORE is at http://www.lutherancore.org/ on the Web.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE – September 27, 2009
Lutheran CORE Attendees Express Variety of Viewpoints
09-213-JB
FISHERS, Ind. (ELCA) — Some 1,200 Lutherans attended the Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) convocation here Sept. 25-26, united in their concern about the actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on human sexuality. But individual responses to the assembly actions varied considerably.
The assembly adopted the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” by a two-thirds vote. The statement addresses several topics related to human sexuality from a Lutheran perspective. The assembly also adopted a series of proposals to change ministry policies, including a change to make it possible for Lutherans in lifelong, publicly accountable, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.
Lutheran CORE opposed some parts of the social statement and the ministry policy changes. The convocation here was meant to bring like-minded Lutherans together to talk about their future in the church and to help organize CORE.
“The church is in a confessional crisis,” said the Rev. Marshall E. Hahn, St. Olaf, Iowa, in an interview with the ELCA News Service. “The decisions that we made at the assembly were done contrary to our own confessional faith. I’m working with folks in our synod to see what can be done to address that.”
Hahn, who serves two congregations — Norway Lutheran Church and Marion Lutheran Church — said the congregations have not yet considered their future in the ELCA. “I’ve advised them that we just need to take our time, be very deliberative and very careful about what we do in response. Right now we’re working in our synod to see how we can work in opposition to what took place in Minneapolis.”
Hahn, who is also secretary for the ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, said he wrote to his congregations to say he’s contemplating what the decisions mean for his own ministry.
“I see all of this upheaval as God shaking us out of lethargy and lukewarmness,” said Jo Pruett, Rockdale, Texas, a Lutheran for 50 years. She is congregation president at Peace Lutheran Church. She’s most concerned about a lack of “spiritual uplifting” in the ELCA.
In conversations with members, Pruett said a couple of members agreed with the assembly’s decisions. “The majority of people who have contacted me are very much against what happened at the chuchwide assembly,” she said.
Peace Lutheran Church has already started withholding benevolence from the ELCA and is giving the funds to local organizations, she said, although members haven’t made any decision about Peace’s future in the ELCA.
Edgar Corns, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Merrillville, Ind., said he’s dissatisfied with the assembly’s decisions. “If our church (congregation) doesn’t turn independent, I’m leaving. That’s as simple as it gets,” he said.
The Rev. Katherine L. Olson, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Delphos, Ohio, said members of her congregation are asking questions about the assembly’s decisions.
“I think the members of my church want to stay and are inclined to stay,” she said. “However, all options are on the table now. We’re really being watchful, slow and deliberate — and prayerful — as we think about these decisions.”
Olson said the tone of CORE’s convocation was hopeful. “This is an organization that seeks to be a witness to God’s Word, and that really gives me hope,” Olson said.
The Rev. Thomas E. Jacobson, Gonvick, Minn., serves Samhold Lutheran Church and United Lutheran Church. He characterized many members as “upset” with the assembly decisions. “They feel this is a distraction from important local ministry that could be happening,” he said.
“I think that people would be open to a variety of options. I don’t think it is their desire to leave the ELCA. Their hope is that things could be worked out within the ELCA structure,” he said.
Some ELCA churchwide staff attended the convocation, including the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, executive, ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, Chicago.
“I’m here because this is a part of our church — a part of our church in pain,” Bouman said, noting that many are longtime friends from his 35 years as a Lutheran pastor.
“I’m here to listen. I’m here because some of our mission-developer pastors are here and are in pain over what’s happened. I’m here because I want to say to anyone who will listen that we’re serious about mission. We don’t want to lose contact with each other around the mission,” he said.
Synod Response to the actions of the Churchwide Assembly (from the Bishop)
In August I sent pastoral letters to congregations and rostered leaders and encouraged everyone to take a deep breath. I asked Conferences Deans, Synod Staff and Churchwide Assembly Voting members to attend to those who might be upset by the actions taken. Bishop Mark Hanson was with our Synod Ministerium which helped immensely to begin calm and prayerful processing of what has happened. I have had personal conversations with a number of pastors and will be initiating several more. I am aware that some members of congregations have made known their displeasure with the churchwide assembly decisions. This has mostly happened locally within congregations. The responses have run the gamut from asking for pastoral care to calling for public forums to no longer attending worship or supporting the ministries of the church to petitioning congregational leaders to leave the ELCA. Synod Staff and Conference Deans have been offering support to individual pastors, encouraging them to continue to be pastor to all members of their congregations and to listen and pray and listen some more, so that people know that they are being taken seriously and are being cared for pastorally. There are at least 4 congregations that have indicated that they intend to have conversations about the possibility of leaving. As of today, to my knowledge, there have been no votes taken. There are several things that seem to be particularly important at this time.
- Tending to relationships. I would hope that a congregation would invite me and/or a representative of this church to be in conversation prior to taking any votes. This allows us to engage in pastoral conversation, answer questions, raise concerns that the congregation members might not have thought about, etc. We can pray with one another. So far I have one such meeting scheduled in November.
- Having accurate information. In addition to me and my staff, those who served as voting members of the Churchwide Assembly can provide accurate information in regard to what the assembly actually did, what it didn’t do and what this means for congregations. We can also provide accurate information regarding the response of particular groups. There are lots of rumors and some inaccurate information is being circulated. For instance, the African National Descent congregations and ministries have made a statement that clearly delineates where they stand on issues related to the ordaining of homosexual leaders. They believe the actions taken by the Churchwide Assembly allow and encourage them to remain a part of this church. They do not intend to leave the ELCA.
- Taking time to think through possible actions and their consequences – intended and unintended. Leaving a church is complicated business and should not be taken lightly. I believe that pastoral conversations are much more important than legal initiatives, but finally if it comes to that, things must be handled in good order according to the constitutions and legal documents of the church. This involves everything from pastoral leadership to property to tax exemption concerns. Since it will take several months at least before any real changes are implemented, there is no need to rush through difficult issues.
We will continue to attend to those we know are struggling with their decisions and ask your help in keeping your ears open and caring for those near you.
Walking Together isn’t always easy. It takes hard work and an investment in the “other,” but I believe that this is part of what it means to be the body of Christ, valuing, respecting and honoring all the members, each one of whom is a gift from God.
Marie C. Jerge, Bishop
Informational Meeting
October 19, 2009 at Zion
On Oct. 19th over 50 people representing our congregation and at least 3 other area Lutheran congregations came to Zion to hear about Rich and Colleen Quirion’s trip to the Lutheran CORE Convocation on 9/25 in Fishers, Indiana. The following is a summary handout of what was shared and discussed.
What Happened in Indianapolis?
A Summary of the Lutheran CORE Convocation held on September 25 & 26
Background: Lutheran CORE is administered by a nine member Steering Committee. The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee is made up of eight pastors (six male and two female) and one lay person representing various regions from across the country. The Chair of the Steering Committee is Pastor Paull Spring retired bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod. The Executive Director of Lutheran CORE is Pastor Mark Chavez who is also the Vice President of the WordAlone Network. Ryan Schwarz is the lay representative and was a recent finalist nominated to run for Vice President of the ELCA at the Churchwide Assembly. In addition to the steering committee a 20 member advisory council made up of seminary doctors of theology, scholars, retired bishops, pastors and reform movement leaders also provides direction and advice on important matters. Pastor Kenneth Sauer, the retired bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod and former chair of the Conference of Bishops, is the Chair of the Advisory Council.
Lutheran CORE members profess a Common Confession of Faith. Lutheran CORE is a churchly community, grounded in Word and Sacrament, and rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions. In addition, Lutheran CORE confesses a faith statement known as The Common Confession which contains seven common confessions (see page 10 of What Do We Do Now document).
Lutheran CORE is working cooperatively with a number of Lutheran reform groups. Thirteen different organizations currently are in partnership with Lutheran CORE. They are: Call to Faithfulness, East European Mission Network, Evangelical Lutheran Confessing Fellowship, Fellowship of Confessional Lutherans, Latin American Lutheran Mission, Lutherans Reform!, Mt. Carmel Ministries, New Hope Mission Society, Solid Ground Ministries – Canada, The Evangelical Mission Network, WordAlone Network, World Mission Prayer League, and Youth Encounter.
Convocation Facts & Figures: Interest in Lutheran CORE and the Convocation increased significantly following the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The assembly had to be moved from its original site at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church (maximum capacity of 300 participants) in Fishers, Ind., to Holy Spirit Parish at Geist to accommodate the large attendance. Organizers were forced to close registration at 1,200 participants due to space limitations at Holy Spirit Parish. An additional 200 registrants were put on a waiting list and were unable to attend.
Where did the attendees come from? Convocation attendees represented 40 states and 3 Canadian provinces. Two attendees came from as far away as Alaska and one came from Brazil. Most attendees came from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Minnesota. New York was represented by estimated 5-10 attendees primarily from Western and Metro New York. Colleen & I were the only Upstate New York attendees.
What was the percentage mix of attendees between clergy and lay persons? 75% of the attendees were lay persons and 25% were clergy.
Speakers & Message Take A Ways: Introduction – Pr. Mark Chavez
“We are in the first step of a process. We don’t know how long it will take or what the outcome will be.”
Opening Address -What After Minneapolis? – Bishop Kenneth Sauer
“This gathering has been 20 years in the making.”
“Ordination is a privilege not a right.”
“We now have two churches within one organizational structure. One emphasizes Bible and Theology, the other Culture and Experience.”
“The question is whether to stay or to go. Either choice can be a faithful one!”
“If the decision is to leave it must not be done with anger or vengeance. It must be with sorrow and love for those who remain.”
God is reforming the churches of the Reformation – Ryan Schwarz
“We are living in a period of historic opportunity for the Church in North America (including Canada and Mexico).”
“Congregations that preach the classical Gospel of Jesus Christ thrive and often grow, and those that preach another gospel of revisionist theology or personal liberation decline.”
“Looking at the ELCA, we recently compared the membership of Reconciling in Christ congregations with the ELCA as a whole. These are congregations that publicly advocate for the ELCA’s revisionist sexual ethic. Their leadership often asserts that the ELCA’s new teachings on sexuality will bring in many new members engaged by our radical inclusiveness. The facts say otherwise. Since 2001, RIC congregations have shrunk by 11%, twice as fast as the ELCA as a whole.”
“What form a reconfigured Lutheranism will take, we do not know for certain. Whether it will be a church body, a federation, a fellowship or all of the above, these are questions for our collective discernment over the coming year.”
A free-standing synod for all faithful Lutherans – Bishop Paull Spring
“We will be free-standing, not a part of the structure of the ELCA. For us the ELCA churchwide expression has fallen into heresy, as a result of the decisions that were made in Minneapolis.”
“Some of us will decide to remain within the ELCA – for the time being – and for different reasons. Personally, I plan to remain on the clergy roster of the ELCA and to retain my membership in an ELCA congregation. I plan to participate actively in the ministry of my congregation, which is a good congregation, composed of faithful Lutherans and with faithful Lutheran pastors. But that’s as far as it goes for me. The ELCA will hardly notice my participation in the ELCA, or the lack of it. I will no longer attend any more churchwide assemblies or synod assemblies. My wife and I have already re-designated our benevolence giving for causes other than ELCA mission support. My relationship with the ELCA will become paper thin.”
“We will serve as an umbrella for other reform movements. There are now ten of them as partners with us. We hope for more.”
“We will be a coalition, an association, an alternative community – For congregations who choose to join with us.”
“Those who stand against us are not our enemies: they are our brothers and sisters.”
Reflections from Communion of African Lutheran Churches – Challa Baro
“This is a very historic Convocation; it is closely watched by people of all motivations. It is also being watched globally and ecumenically as the decision taken in Minneapolis has fundamentally shattered and deeply impacted our global and ecumenical ties.”
“During the assembly in Minneapolis our voice was totally shunned… Through persistence we were able to get only two opportunities for two minutes each. During those times we tried to voice our plea and humble request to the assembly. Our request was simple and clear, it was asking the assembly to reconsider its drastic action. Our pleas were seen as the unworthy voice of a backward culture. Our voice was diminished to the voice of an unfit person from an uncivilized culture who is not worthy of sharing his/her opinion.”
“Right now our pastors are facing a difficult task of interpreting and explaining things that are biblically, morally, ethically and culturally despicable and very farfetched from what they know. The common counsel they get from church hierarchies is that it doesn’t apply to them. How can a teaching social statement and ministry policy adopted by a given denomination apply to one and exempt the other. Where is the unity in teaching, in faith and in life?”
“We have more that 17 million Lutherans directly impacted by this action in Africa.”
“In the last few weeks we have lost hundreds of our Lutheran members to our neighboring Baptist, Pentecostal and evangelical churches. Our leadership team is doing its best to stop this crisis, which is why we are saying that our presence here is not just for a show of face but in search of a real solution for this dangerous challenge of our day.”
God is demanding a response from us – Pastor Eddy Perez representing Hispanic churches in Florida
“After the decisions reached in Minneapolis, this church is not the same anymore: there is a different emphasis, a different Gospel message, different standards for ministers, and a different approach to Scripture.”
“Last August, Hispanic Pastors serving in Florida signed a powerful response to the 2009 CWA decisions. The response states our renouncement and repudiation to the new policies, declaring them to be incompatible with Christian teaching, the tradition of the Christian Church, and our consciences. It states our rejection to the idea that ANY human being, prelate, council, or Assembly, can rightfully vote to invalidate the teachings of Holy Scripture.”
“Some of our Hispanic Pastors, for instance, who serve as Mission Developers, could be in jeopardy of losing their mission funding, compensation… and even their buildings. Many of our prospective candidates for Ministry have decided not to start their candidacy process in the ELCA. In turn, they are now in an odd situation: feeling the call from God, having the vocation and the desire of responding to the call, but at the same time they are not willing to accept the resolutions adopted by the ELCA at Minneapolis.”
“On the other hand, my advice to the ELCA members is this: the time for hesitation is now over. God is demanding a response from us… through the prophet Elijah, God keeps saying to the members of the ELCA congregations… “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21).”
What do we do now and next? - Pastor Paul Ulring
“Little things we need to do right away need to be done. Read your congregation constitution. What are your options? What have your constitutions obligated you to do… and not to do?”
“Do some careful work on the decision about what you’re going to do with your benevolence dollars. Whatever you do with your money, don’t keep it! Whatever you decide, keep it focused outward. Don’t spend it on heat and lights. It will eat you alive.”
“Get going; movement is needed. Don’t wait. The devil is planning on us to wait – on our anger, our despair and our inaction. People need to sense something is happening. Let them sense your hope and zeal.”
“There is no rush to make a decision, but there is a rush to get people connected to the issues.”
“It’s going to be tricky, I know. But there is a part of this that is terribly exciting, too, don’t you think? We’ve spent all our ELCA years and before, struggling and working against what has now happened. It’s over; it’s done. Let’s be known for what we believe, not for what we’re against anymore.”
“This is about Lutheran orthodoxy and Confessions, and it is about God’s Word. And it’s about mission to people without Jesus. Both point us, call us to be together.”
All of the speaker’s entire addresses are available online at www.lutherancore.org
Convocation Actions: Lutheran CORE changed its name and focus. Lutheran CORE changed its name from a “coalition for reform” to a “coalition for renewal.” This action is more than a name change. It is a change in focus from efforts to reform the ELCA to an effort to enable traditional (orthodox believing) Lutherans to work together whether within or outside of the ELCA. It reflects a recognition that reforming the ELCA is no longer likely and that traditional Lutherans currently in the ELCA need a way to relate to each other. It stands for core orthodox Lutheran values and theology.
Lutheran CORE unanimously adopted a constitution. The constitution is based on the model constitution for ELCA synods. Lutheran CORE will function much like an ELCA synod but without a formal relationship with the ELCA. The constitution as adopted on 9/26 is available on the Lutheran CORE website: www.lutherancore.org. The constitution is a work in progress with many amendments yet to come.
Lutheran CORE will become a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Lutheran CORE will become formally incorporated.
Lutheran CORE is organizing as a free-standing synod. Lutheran CORE renounced its recognition by the ELCA as an Independent Lutheran Organization that officially relates to the ELCA through its Vocation and Education Unit. Instead, Lutheran CORE will engage in mission as a free-standing synod, independent of the ELCA, taking on those ministries that synods typically carry out, apart from a direct relationship with another Lutheran church body. This free-standing synod will represent a coalition of individual lay persons, congregations, pastors, seminaries, synods and other reform movements.
Lutheran CORE unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing conversations among congregations and reform movements “leading toward a possible re-configuration of North American Lutheranism”. This could lead to a formal denominational structure apart from the ELCA. A report and recommendations are to be brought to the 2010 Lutheran CORE Convocation.
Lutheran CORE unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing financial support to ethnic and other ministries that have taken stands of conscience regarding the ELCA Churchwide Assembly decisions and to be a vehicle for channeling contributions to these ministries. Ethnic Congregations in the United States representing African immigrants, Hispanics and Asians are often dependent upon support from the wider church and have received funding from the ELCA and from ELCA synods. Their courageous decisions to stand on Scripture and to break ties with the ELCA –including financial ties–have been significant statements of faith.
Convocation Resources: What Can We Do When We Get Home? – A narrative description of options and questions facing ELCA congregations and suggestions for ways to move forward.
What You Can Do – Organizational & Legal Matters for Congregations – Suggestions to help congregations have the ability to discern their future course in their relationship with the ELCA.
Possible Amendments to Congregation’s Constitution – Amendments addressing significant issues resulting from the actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly which could be included in a congregation’s constitution or bylaws.
What Might We Do? What Should We Do? – Three checklists of things to do based on different congregational situations: 1. For those who choose to remain in the ELCA;
2. For those who would like more time to discern; and 3. For those who want to sever ties with the ELCA now.
Contact Information – The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee members may be contacted for answers to questions or for assistance.
Convocation “God Incidents”: Contact was made with Pastor Paul Hinlicky of Roanoke College. Paul was a former Hartwick Seminary professor while Colleen was in Deacon Training.
Time in the Indianapolis airport to personally meet and converse with Ryan Schwarz.
Seated in our flight from Washington, DC to Albany directly across from us was the Rev. Troy Mulvaine, Dean of the Upstate NY Chapter of the Society of the Holy Trinity of which Pastor Lynn Ash is a member.
W.E.L.C.A. Circle News
Thanks to all who helped in sewing and decorating Christmas stockings for Metro Ministries in Brooklyn, NY. Stacey Craig will be pleased and thankful for our efforts.
Our November 14, 2009 meeting will be from 10am to noon in Zion’s assembly hall (or if it’s too cold, in the conference room). Read Romans chapters 2 and 3 for our Bible study. Bring ideas for the Advent Tea (December 5, 2009). Judy Warner is already picking out nativities to bring. Look through yours for one or more that you would like to share for display that day.
Thanks to all the ladies that attended the October 2, W.E.L.C.A. Fall Assembly at Trinity in Amsterdam. It is always good to gather with our sisters in Christ and share in our faith mission.
Thanks to Adrienne Madison for delivering our preemie hats to Bellevue Women’s Hospital.
Prayer Shawls – Have you finished your prayer shawls yet? Don’t forget there is still a need for these gifts of love. Your finished shawls can be left at our W.E.L.C.A. table in Zion’s assembly hall.
Submitted by,
Sandy Deems, Zion’s W.E.L.C.A. Team leader
F.R.O.G. Youth Group & Social Ministry
Don’t forget that F.R.O.G. youth and the Social Ministry team will be getting Thanksgiving food baskets ready for delivery on November 22.
Thank You to everyone who made a donation to the Metro Ministries Stocking Stuffer collection last Sunday. We collected over $161 in the stockings at the 8:30 and 11 am services! What an awesome response to our on the spot collection! With the addition of over $22 that we turned in in bottles and cans we had a great time shopping for stocking stuffers at FROG. Thank you for your generosity! We will continue to collect stocking stuffers until Nov. 1st, when we will have a stocking stuffing day at FROG.
Transforming Congregations Team
The Transformation Team will be meeting on November 18 at 5:30pm. Come and find out what this team is all about! All are invited.
Sabbath Meditation: SLOW DOWN
| School is back in session. Between hauling children to and from classes, dance lessons, music lessons, sports practice, and church activities, many parents (not to mention their children) are already feeling frazzled. This is just the beginning of the academic year!
Busyness is a problem all of us face. In fact, a 2007 study asked over 20,000 teens and adults if “the busyness of life gets in the way of developing a relationship with God.” The response? Six in 10 Christians said they are too busy for God. Are you? That’s the question which Ann Kroeker poses in her new book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families. Of all the groups most affected by the busyness epidemic—perhaps the American family has been the worst hit. A self-assumed pressure to make sure the children get every opportunity to give them an edge academically, socially, physically, and even spiritually, pushes us to push them. But somewhere in the process—something is getting buried. And it might just be our souls. In her new book, Kroeker quotes Pastor John Ortberg as saying, “For many of us the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so busy and distracted and rushed that we will settle for a mediocre version of it.” It is hurry which, he goes on to say, is the great enemy of the spiritual life. One of the things I appreciate most about Kroeker’s book, Not So Fast, is that she examines the motivations that can get families to this point. They are motivations like: “The best way to keep kids out of trouble is to keep them busy.” They are motivations based in competition like: “An abundance of activities and volunteer work looks good on college applications.” And they are motivations based on keeping up an appearance like: “We feel important and indispensable when we’re busy.” The trouble is when we dig down deeper with motivations like these and others, Kroeker points out, we find that many of them are based on fear, envy, pride, insecurity, and a love of the approval of man. And as we squeeze every last drop out of out of our days, our children are getting squeezed in the process. For the Kroeker family, it took a serious illness for their family to begin to see what a mind- and soul-numbing pace they had been living. That wake up call was what it took for them to slow down. I like the fact that the book, Not So Fast, doesn’t suggest mere cookie-cutter approaches for what families should do to regain balance in their lives. Instead it invites us to examine what’s at the root of these choices, and to repent of the motivations when they are based in sin. And then it offers a variety of suggestions for helping families make much more meaningful connections with each other and with God. As Kroeker says, “For everyone who yearns for the benefits of a slower life, I want to point to Jesus and say, ‘Start here. Start with the One who offers true and lasting peace.’” Start with the One who promises “rest for your souls” not more burdens for each day. Start with the fact that our relationship with God is more important than our daily accomplishments. Daily Digest (with editing and additions by Stan French) |
Submitted by Karen Wilson
St. Matthew’s Matters
The Ministry Board of St. Matthew’s Chapel met at 7:02 PM on Tuesday, October 6. Eight people attended. As usual, we used the round-table format to present information.
The meeting began with prayer led by John Jarvis, deacon. Jean Bakom was on vacation.
Council Member Tom Collins discussed the November farewell dinner for the Boyds and the Leadership Team report on expectations of the pastor, congregation and the Church Council. He also mentioned trying to set up a meeting with Pastor Jim Slater and how the Quirions recently attended a Lutheran CORE conference.
Barb Cousineau asked why the congregation can’t use money in our savings accounts to immediately call Pr. Paul Ferenczy as our intentional interim.
Dave Hayner told us about his plans for a hayride for our Sunday School students and their families on November 1.
The ride will start at the Chapel and end up at the Hayner home, where hot food and drink will await the participants.
Dave also digressed to tell us about a recent “deer accident” that he was involved in. Anyone who wants to hear a real whopper needs to ask Dave about this incident.
Dave Costello told us about lighting problems behind the Chapel. He needs a dry day to work on the light.
Barb Cousineau reminded us that the pumpkin auction and covered-dish supper will be on October 24 with the thank-offering supper and service on November 14.
Janet Lynk reported that her husband became ill from a shot that he recently had, but now he is on the mend.
Jackie Costello reminded us to keep her informed about who does or doesn’t want to read the Sunday lessons.
Tom Collins suggested that we buy bottles of hand sanitizers for the racks in the pews. John Jarvis said that he would check out the price of a case at Dollar General, where the manager is a former student.
The meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer at 7:45 PM.
As members left the Chapel for home, John Jarvis reminded some of them that Advent starts next month!
At St. Matthew’s Chapel there is much to be thankful for, including pumpkin auctions, hayrides and bizarre truck-deer accidents—with no injuries. Thanks be to God!
John Jarvis, Ministry Board secretary
Homebound for the Holidays is coming soon to an assembly hall near you!!
Homebound for the Holidays, originally created by Visitation Deacon-in-training Adrienne Madison, will start in November.
On Thursday, November 12, I will take three-by-five cards to the morning Bible study at Zion. Each card will contain the name and address of a homebound member or friend of the Zion congregation. I will leave those cards under a sign posted by the counter between the assembly hall and the kitchen.
Interested members of the congregation can each take a card and send a holiday greeting to the person named on that card. Greetings can go to the homebound for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. The homebound would probably also appreciate Christmas cards for each of the four Sundays in Advent, which starts on November 29.
I’ll also be taking cards to St. Matthew’s Chapel on November 15.
John Jarvis, Health Ministries
Prayer Partners
We give great thanks for all those who participate in the phone tree for prayers. If you would like to participate in this group, please contact Janice Ashford.
Worship Service Attendance
Date-Sundays Zion 8:30 Zion 11am St. Matthew’s
September 27 46 26 20
October 4 59 21 19
October 11 45 14 28
October 18 45 26 22
“The Most Lethal Driving Mistakes”
by Claire Martin of MSN Autos
Last month we looked at five possibly deadly driving errors that drivers can and too often do make. Martin’s list concludes with this report.
*Failure to yield right of way was the fifth-leading cause of fatal crashes in 2007, reports Martin. This mistake seems to occur most often in drivers age 70 and older. In fact, for drivers in this age group, failure to yield is the top cause of auto crashes.
*Reckless or erratic driving includes many possibly fatal driving errors: weaving between lanes, tailgaiting, driving on the wrong side of the road, exceeding the speed limit by at least 20 mph or driving at least 80 mph even on a super highway like I-88 or the Thruway. More than 1850 driving deaths occurred in 2007 because of this category of driving error.
*According to Martin, 75% of all motor vehicle crashes occur in cities. “Hitting the gas when the light turns red” is the number-one cause of these urban accidents. Running that red light may well cause the driver to hit another vehicle head on. Martin writes that of the 41,059 auto fatalities in 2007, “54% occurred in cars that sustained frontal damage.”
*Not wearing a seat belt can be a deadly decision. Says Martin, “33 percent of people who die in motor vehicle fatalities failed to buckle up.” Martin adds that when people don’t use their seat belts, they are putting themselves at risk for being ejected from their cars and trucks, and “76 percent of the time the ejection results in death.”
*The last potentially deadly driving error is the one that I see most often, inattentive driving, which takes many forms: eating, drinking, adjusting dials and buttons on the dashboard, talking on cell phones, applying make-up, reading maps, texting and talking too intently with passengers. Such behaviors led to 4704 deaths in 2007.
[As a parent and retired teacher, I am very concerned about all the poor parent role modeling that I see every day when distracted drivers have kids of any age in their cars. "If Dad and Mom do it, it must be okay--no matter what the police and public service announcements on TV say," many kids may be thinking when their parents talk on cell phones while driving. No wonder I see so many teens driving with cell phones in one hand and the other on the steering wheel: they see their parents doing the same thing.
We can all understand why so many drivers don't use their turn signals: with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cell phone, there is no free hand for the turn signal lever!]
When I took driver’s ed in the early 1960s, Coach Barber taught us to always “watch out for the other guy.” Now more than ever, that advice can be a life saver.
John Jarvis, Health Ministries
The Lutheran Homes Foundation
Christmas is a very special time of the year and the Christmas spirit abounds at Lutheran Care…with your help.
As we have in the past, we are respectfully requesting the donation of items that would surely brighten the season and bring the Christmas spirit to life for those we care for and care deeply about. This is our ‘wish list’
Personal care items such as unopened boxes of tissue, hand-cream and hair brushes.
- Books both hardcover and audio
- Afghans, throws and comforters
- Jigsaw and crossword puzzles
- VHS video tapes
- Slippers, slipper socks, hats, gloves and mittens
- Candy, artwork and tote bags for walkers
Be assured that these simple gifts, will be long remembered and treasured, by all whom they touch. We deeply appreciate your kindness toward our residents and because they are not able to do so personally, allow me to thank you on their behalf…THANK YOU!!!
Warmest regards & Best wishes,
Karen Anne Ostinett, Director of Development
Please note: Zion will collect these items at the back of the sanctuary. The last day to collect is November 22 so that they can be delivered to Lutheran Care in time for wrapping and gift giving at their party.