Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46:1-3)

One year ago, a catastrophic earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, killing nearly 250,000 people and leaving more than one million homeless.

(more…)

Bishop David deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Joyous greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus the Christ!

As 2010 draws to a close, there are so many ministry stories to tell…

Ana Castaneda from the “Welcome Center” in Lexington tells of an immigrant mother and her young daughter she helped escape from an abusive situation. The story is a reminder that immigration is not only about jobs, but about justice, too. Today, that young girl is 15 years old and growing up free and safe.

Our Sudanese brothers and sisters in north Omaha are blessed with the leadership of John Gok Badeng, who we as a church have been able to support so he can become an ordained Lutheran pastor.

Several of our mission centers/congregations have worked closely with members of our Followers of Christ prison ministry to provide a welcoming church family as a steady presence in their lives.

These are but a few of the many wonderful, rich ministry stories coming out of our Mission Field Nebraska sites.

We live in a world today where conflict and division threaten ministry and mission. But when I recall these stories, I am reminded that God is at work in our lives in powerful and profound ways. God wants us to make a difference in the lives of those around us, and that’s what our Mission Field Nebraska ministries do… they do mission!

Thank you for your generous support of these life-changing ministries:

• Lakota Lutheran Center and Chapel in Scottsbluff
• Fontenelle Community Lutheran Church in North Omaha
• Nebraska Synod Prison Ministries … “Followers of Christ Lutheran Church”
• United Asian Ministry in Dakota City
• The Welcome Center in Lexington
• Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in South Omaha
• Sudanese Ministry sites throughout Nebraska
• Todos los Hijos deDios in Beatrice
• Lutheran Metro Ministries in North Omaha

This Christmas, as you and your family create new stories to tell, will you please remember these ministry stories and those the ministries serve by offering a special gift? Lives will be brightened and hope will be known. Thank you!

May God enrich and enliven you this Christmas celebration, and may God use you to express God’s compassion and hope to those in need!

Blessed Christmas!

Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Let me share with you a couple of thoughts left over from our Theological Conference earlier this week.

Thanks to all for the overwhelmingly positive evaluations we received, especially those in response to the presentations by Shane Claiborne and Alexie Torres-Fleming. I continue to be moved by their simple and yet powerful message of the Gospel’s power to help us look honestly at ourselves and our discipleship. I remember clearly Shane’s words that discipleship must be more than just believing - that in response to the world’s skepticism of the church, we must always strive to be able to say, “If you want to know what I believe, watch how I live.”

(more…)