PJ’s Page –
The theme for the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ELCA is “Always Being Made New.” The logo is catchy and uses font to express the idea
Very often, in the church, we imagine that it’s the “same old, same old”. Some of you have even told me that… “Pastor….worship/Sunday School/serving on Council/Vacation Bible School/Rally Sunday/You fill in the blank is the same old, same old.”
But it’s really not. In Christ, we are always being made new. Every single day.
So let me back up….
Worship is not the same old, same old….Were you there for the steel drum & piano service? Have you learned a new hymn or song recently? Did you try sitting in a new place?
Serving on Council is not the same old, same old! On the contrary! It’s fun and intellectually stimulating and the meetings seldom last more than an hour.
Vacation Bible School is not the same old, same old…our kids and kids from the neighborhood all enjoyed 4 days of amazing Day Camp, led by counselors from Camp Lutherwood! This allowed our LMLC volunteers to focus on logistics like food and schedules.
And let me look ahead…
Rally Sunday this year will involve EVERYONE as we engage the ELCA national Day of Service: God’s Work. Our Hands. (See details elsewhere in this newsletter). Join us on September 8th!
How can just going for a WALK help end hunger? LMLC will join with other north end Lutherans and Christians on October 6th, as we participate in the CROP Walk around Green Lake. Come get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors and raise a little $ for the work of Church World Society.
Confirmation instruction will begin again this year and we are joining up with our friends from Bethany Lutheran and Maple Leaf Lutheran for an amazing and informative time of preparation to Affirm the Baptismal vows of these young people.
The women of the church are invited to a Fall Retreat… Resting Under the Tree of Life: A Women’s Retreat. We’ll gather at Shirlee Russo’s home, along the banks of Thornton Creek, from 10-3 on September 14th (Saturday).
And finally, in the life of the larger church, we celebrate the installation of the bishop of NW Washington synod, Kirby Unti, on September 15th at St. Mark’s Cathedral.
We celebrate the election of a new Presiding Bishop, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, of NE Ohio synod. And we rejoice with our previous synodical bishop, Chris Boerger, on his election as the Secretary of the ELCA. We wish Chris and his spouse Deedee God’s blessings as they move to Chicago.
On September 8th, we will welcome Vicar Anja Helmon as she begins her year of internship with us…(details elsewhere in this newsletter).
God is indeed at work and things are not ever the same. Perhaps what we need are new eyes to see what God is up to in the world! May we be people who are always being made new!
Faithfully,
PJ+