Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)

I write to you from the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis with official information about the actions of this assembly related to human sexuality. I am grateful for the manner in which this church has engaged in this conversation. The way this assembly has discussed these questions is a continuation of the way this church has deliberated: with deep and heartfelt respect for each other, engaging with Scripture, listening to the faith stories and experiences of one another, and through worship and prayer seeking the discernment of the Spirit.

In my response to the voting members on Friday, August 21, I made this request: we need one another. We need time. We need the voices of those who lament and those who rejoice over these actions, for together we have been called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and engage in God’s mission for the life of the world.

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Rev. Dr. Damon Laaker
Director, Lutheran Metro Ministry
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Lutheran Metro Ministry, following Jesus’ example, ministers to the basic needs of human beings in the city. One of those basic needs is the need for food. Many people in the city and around the world lack adequate food.

The Omaha Food Bank reports that the need for food assistance continues to grow in ways that stretch its resources to the limit. Kountze Memorial reported that at their pantry in the month of July they served up almost 1,650 bags of groceries to those in need. Project Hope and Lutheran Pantry continue to see the requests for pantry assistance grow.

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The following Meeting the Mission feature was submitted by Pastor Tobi White, who served this summer at Hope Lutheran in Columbus.

The “Store of Hope” opened at noon on Aug. 8. But nearly 75 people were waiting in the Sanctuary starting about 10:30 that morning.

By 1:00, more than 100 people had come through to buy school supplies and school clothes. It was remarkable to see so many families getting what they needed. Some families came from surrounding areas. Other families had more than five children for whom to provide.

The ministry that Hope Lutheran provided for these people was more necessary and appreciated than they could have predicted. More than $250 was offered for the school items. By 2:00, most of the supplies were gone!

All in all, the event was a great success.  Dozens of families from the community were helped, and they were incredibly grateful for the ministry. It was a wonderful outreach event for Hope, simply because it was specifically designed NOT to benefit themselves but keep the focus on others.

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During this year’s Synod Assembly, Bishop deFreese asked mission  centers/congregations to share what they do in ministry with and among the poor. Below is just one of the many responses the Bishop has received so far.

From Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington (submitted by Pastor Bob Bryan):

“Trinity Lutheran has planted a “Harvest of Hope” garden in the empty lot next to the parsonage. Vegetables will be available for anyone in need in the congregation and community, no questions asked. It is 40′ x 20′ and planted with donated seeds - we have tomatoes, squash, watermelon, cucumbers, carrots, beets, radishes and beans.

“The seeds were donated, along with two pickup loads of horse manure. We will set up a table in the church and put up a sign outside when harvest begins.”

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Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

I love it when someone offers a prayer before meals that includes gratitude for the people who prepared the food. Some folks even expand their prayers to include the farmers who raised the food before it got into the hands of the cooks. Prayers like these help me remember that food doesn’t just miraculously show up on a plate in front of me without at least half a dozen people intervening on behalf of my dining experience.

Most of you reading this article probably know about Operation IDEA, a grassroots effort of the Nebraska Synod ELCA, created for the purpose of raising leaders for Christ’s Church. I talk with people throughout the Synod about Operation IDEA and how the program reaches out to people to ask them if God is calling them to the rostered ministry. But just as a cook in a restaurant needs the farmers who plant the seed and the workers who harvest it, the over-the-road truckers who haul the produce and the wholesale dealers who purchase the food for the cook to fix, ALL of us need to work together to have caring conversations and journey with people who are sensing a call from God.

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