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| Stimulate the economy-
help the poor |
President Bush will be sending out his 'stimulus package' through the IRS, and I can't wait to receive it! I hear he wants to stimulate the local economy.
You may remember God's 'stimulus package' from II Cor. 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
Speaking of the poor, nobody stimulates the local economy like the poor, since their spending is always local. However, they are not receiving the 'stimulus package.'
Lynda and I will be joining with the rest of the Conference of Bishops in giving our first tenth to the poor as one of our first steps to stimulate their family economy which will then be used by them to stimulate our local economy.
I invite each of us to consider how a first gift from our 'stimulus package' might be used to help those who did not receive a stimulus package.
St. Paul writes in II Cor. 9:12: "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expression of thanks to God."
I find that stimulating. | |
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| Lutherans in the news |
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Pastors William Wiecher and his wife, Wynemah Hinlicky, of Redeemer Lutheran, New Paltz, N.Y., have accepted a call to serve at College, Salem, effective Aug. 3. Pastor Hinlicky is a first cousin of the Rev. Paul Hinlicky of the Roanoke College religion faculty. 
Pastor Robert Cosmas of St. Cloud, Fla., (right) has accepted a call to St. Michael, Virginia Beach, starting in July.
R. Homer Anderson Jr. (below left),a retired lawyer and member of First, Norfolk, received the Roanoke College Medal at the annual meeting of the college Society of 1842 on April 18. Anderson, a Navy lieutenant in World War II, was skipper of a landing craft which took 28 troops onto Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1945. After this action, author Ernest Hemingway described Anderson as a hero in a Collier's magazine article, "Voyage to Victory." Anderson's father, the late Dr. R. Homer Anderson was  superintendent of Virginia Synod for many years.
Richard Hogan, former board chairman of Virginia Lutheran Homes, a lawyer and a member of First English, Richmond, died March 8. He was 63.
Carol Pierson, a first-year student at Union Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, is the new Christian educator at Messiah, Mechanicsville. She holds a master's degree from Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tenn., and she has several years of experience in Christian education.
Members of Holy Communion, Portsmouth, decided to fight world hunger by giving up simple pleasures in Lenten discipline to make sacrificial offerings to help stock God's Global Barnyard. In partnership with Thrivent Financial, they raised more than $3,400 in direct donations and $1,600 in matching funds to buy five cows, two fish farms, 17 goats, 20 pigs, 10 turkeys and 31 chickens for people in Third World countries.
Pastor Frank Honeycutt of Columbia, S. C., andformerly of St. John, Abingdon, and Trinity, Stephens City, has written Marry a Pregnant Virgin, a Bible storybook for adults, published by Augsburg Press.
At Luther Memorial, Blacksburg, 64 participants in a Walk to Jerusalem walked a total of 7,271 miles. The walkers were able "to reach Jerusalem" before Easter in a project sponsored by the Blacksburg Interfaith Health and Wellness Network and the Parish Life Committee of Luther Memorial. A total of 441 from all participating churches walked 54,827 miles.
Christ, Fredericksburg, has started renovating its sanctuary by making its altar area more accessible, creating an area for wheelchairs, enlarging the choir area and replacing carpet.
The congregation council of Bethel, Winchester, has approved two quarter-mile loops of a fitness/walking trail, providing a path for spiritual reflection on the church grounds.
The 60-voice Augsburg College choir from Minneapolis will present a concert at Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg, on Thursday, May 8, and at St. Mark, Yorktown, on Saturday, May 10. .
Dr. James A. Davis, president of Shenandoah University, was guest Sunday School teacher at Grace, Winchester, for two Sundays in April. Also at Grace, the Old Church Wall has been stabilized and and boxwood and holly bushes will be placed in a memorial garden and more plantings, historical markers and benches will be placed there "to create a setting of welcome and peace."
The Teen Players at Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg, a new teen ministry, will present "Got Faith," a play written by Lelia and Eric Hedrick, on Sunday, May 18.
Joan Foster, mayor of Lynchburg, spoke about issues facing the city at the Third Sunday program of Holy Trinity, Lynchburg, in March.
Michael Powell, an alumnus of the Lutheran Student Association at the College of William & Mary and formerly of St. Stephen, Williamsburg, is attending Trinity Seminary and his intern assignment is the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.
Jarrod Jabre, a student at Gettysburg Seminary and the son of Patti Jabre, director of Christian education at St. Luke, Richmond, wrote a play about Martin Luther which was presented at the New York International Fringe Festival.
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| Assembly to feature ELCA secretary, Abraham story |
David Swartling (left), new ELCA secretary, will be the keynote speaker and the ELCArepresentative and Cary Mangus will lead a Bible study on the story of Abraham at the 21st annual Virginia Synod Assembly at Roanoke College June 6-8.
Kim Triplett of Glen Allen will be ordained at the Saturday night Assembly service at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Roanoke, in response to a call from the new Faith, Staunton-St. Peter, Churchville, parish in Augusta County. A commissioning for an associate in ministry (AIM) also is expected at the Saturday service.
Swartling, a Seattle litigation attorney for 31 years, is a Navy veteran and former part-time director of the Lutheran Planned Giving Consortium for Western Washington. He has been president of his congregation, vice president of Northwest Washington Synod, chairperson of Region 1 Council, chairman of the ELCA Foundation board and a trustee of the ELCA Board of Pensions. He was elected to succeed the Rev. Reuben Swanson last year. 
Mangus (right), shown in a Guatemalan mission trip photo, joined the synod staff as stewardship coordinator a year and a half ago. A retired sporting goods store owner, he's a member of St. John, Roanoke. His duties are to lead retreats for congregations and organizations, work with stewardship committees, preach and teach Sunday School classes. Mangus said his presentation will be on the life of the patriarch, Abraham, telling how his life has implications on the way we might live our lives today.
Three chaplains will address the assembly theme, "Ambassadors for Christ: Blessed to be a Blessing." They are Pastors James Nickols of Reformation, Newport News, Lucille Mills of Rejoice, Chesapeake, and Jean Bozeman, assistant to the bishop.
Workshops will explore a number of stewardship possibilities and group hearings will be held on the Draft Sexuality Statement of the ELCA.
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| Synod files brief in Episcopalian property case |
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The Virginia Synod has filed a friend of the court brief in a Fairfax County court case over issues involving 11 Northern Virginia Episcopal congregations which left the Diocese of Virginia and want to take church property with them. A case in Fairfax County Circuit Court centers on whether their action violates Virginia's constitution.
The filing by Mark Reed of Luray, synod counsel and former vice president, takes no position on the doctrinal dispute of the Episcopalians. But the brief said the synod believes the case presents "significant constitutional issues involving religious freedom and the manner in which religious bodies are allowed to organize and govern themselves."
The outcome of this case could determine ownership of property in other denominations if congregations decide to leave, according to lawyers familiar with the issues.
Reed's filing stated that the Virginia Code "discriminates against particular religious denominations such as the ELCA; the Code overrides and disregards the express polity, doctrine and organizational structure of the ELCA." The synod brief was filed jointly with the United Methodist, Presbyterian (U.S.A.), African Methodist Episcopal Zion and African Methodist Episcopal churches.
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Breaking down the barriers |
by Kristin Vought
(Kristin Vought, (below, left) daughter of Pastor Joe and Debra Vought of Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg, is spending a year in England under the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program. She is working with Act 4, a Christian charity that teaches social responsibility through Christian values to primary school children. In three months, she talked to more than 5,000 children in school assemblies, youth clubs and other educational programs.)
"Well, I don't think he's a converted Christian," she said as she poured me a cup of tea. The statement took me by surprise, especially since it was made by someone who considers herself a Christian leader in our community. It was also hurtful because the person she was talking about is someone who is very dear to me, and has shown me great kindness and hospitality. I really couldn't think of anything to say but "Oh-right," and simply nod my head.
I walked away from that evening puzzled and very upset. How can we really say who is and who is not a Christian? Is it because one has not given a particular kind of public testimony? Is it because one has not claimed to have 'accepted Jesus as one's personal Lord and Savior,' as others have? 
The 'unconverted Christian' is one of the kindest people I have met in England. He may not be particularly vocal about his faith but he attends worship every Sunday and is a strong financial contributor to the church.
The word 'Christian' is a very popular word for those who associate with the church and declare themselves Christians in the UK. I have heard numerous people use this word in their vocabulary, "He's not a Christian," "When I became a Christian," "I don't think we should go because it's not Christian." Every time I hear these comments, I want to say "SO? Why does it matter if they are Christian or not?"
When I first arrived in England, many people asked me "When did you become a Christian?" and my common response has always been, "Twenty-two years ago when I was baptized as a Child of God."
After living here for six months, I have realized that the use of the word "Christian" is sometimes used as much to divide and condemn, as it is to proclaim good news and bring healing. While much of England's history is associated with the Church, it is not surprising, given this judgmental version of Christianity, that a great majority of people in the UK have no connection with any religion or the Church.
Act 4 is going into schools, teaching children the importance of breaking down barriers and communicating with those who are different. Our message is to make sure that we do not build walls to condemn others or divide ourselves from them, and if those barriers arise, that we do all we can to knock them down. I have a diverse group of friends whom I love. Some are affiliated with a church and many are not.
As I read the Gospel, Jesus often had words of judgment for people who were pious and ready to condemn others; and, more often than not, He built bridges of love and acceptance to people perceived as sinners and the unconverted.
It seems that some Christians who talk the talk, don't always walk the walk, even as those who are not particularly vocal about their faith or claim any faith sometimes act more godly and Christ-like. Maybe St. Francis said it best, "Preach Good News all the time. When you need to, use words." |
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Henrickson, McAfee to speak to 432 Roanoke seniors |
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On the weekend of May 2-3, 432 seniors graduated from Roanoke College after hearing Dean of the Chapel Paul Henrickson preach a baccalaureate sermon and John McAfee, an alumnus and a computer software executive, give a commencement address. McAfee received an honorary doctor of science degree.
McAfee. a 1967 graduate, founded a company which developed the first computer virus scanner in the world. He is developing technology programs for Third World countries. He lives in New Mexico and Belize.
In a brief report to the college's Honor Guard (50-year+ classes) on Alumni Weekend in April, college President Mike Maxey said students are "active, alive and doing good work. We're not done with making this the best college." A freshman dormitory is under construction, college faculty wrote 12 books in the past year, 14 new student organizations were added to make a total of more than 100 on campus and students have raised more than $100,000 in Relay for Life cancer events in recent years, Maxey said.
Meanwhile, the college has named a 15-member selection team to choose a mascot, an image to complement the longstanding "Maroons" nickname. The college has set up a web site, ClassicCollege.com for submission of mascot ideas. Since the proposal was made last month, more than 4,000 people have viewed the web site at least 42,000 times.
Suggestions for a mascot will be received until Oct. 1 and a selection team will narrow the field to five entries. They will be presented to College President Mike Maxey, who will make the final choice.
Student groups worked on a Habitat house in South Carolina and harvested coffee in Nicaragua during their spring break.
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| The weekly miracle |
by Pastor Andy Ballentine
(From The Quill, newsletter of St. Stephen, Williamsburg)
I hope you don't take it for granted how the Holy Spirit assembles us into a worshiping community each Sunday morning. What miraculous things happen! We confess our sins and hear words of forgiveness. We hear the good news of salvation. We respond with our voices, in praise.
For me as pastor, I am often moved to tears as people gather around the altar rail. Each person comes to the altar as a beggar, open hand held out, hoping to be fed, needing to be fed by the bread. the body of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
On a recent Sunday morning, a typical Sunday morning, there was the man anxiously awaiting the tests to be performed on his aneurism; there was the pregnant woman who had felt the life stir within her; there was the man who had just regained sobriety after falling off the wagon; there was the tiny child who worked up the courage to say, "Amen," for the first time when I blessed her; there was the woman praying that this round of chemotherapy will be effective; there was the college freshman having a difficult time with the transition from home to school; there was the woman worrying about her daughter's cancer; there was the couple wondering if their marriage will hold together; there was the woman just beginning to get back out among people following her husband's death; there was the man mourning the death of his mother; there was the woman hoping the cortisone shots will work so she can avoid surgery.
All of these and many more were assembled by the Spirit on a recent, typical Sunday morning, open hands held out, hungering for that bread, that body of Christ, that visible Word of grace that speaks to the depths and hopes of our lives.
What hunger we bring each week. What nourishment God offers in our worship. How the Holy Spirit softens our hearts so that we are open and receptive. What a miracle!
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| Bedford Lutheran plans to buy church site |
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Bedford Lutheran, a congregation under development, has a tentative agreement to buy a six-acre tract as a site for construction of a church in three to five years, according to Pastor Stephen Schulz, pastor/developer. The location is near the Bedford Visitor Center off Rts. 460 and 122.
The contract is expected to be completed by August, Schulz said. An old house on the property may be improved for use as a parish house, An offer for the property was made by the ELCA Division for Outreach. Harvey Olson of the division visited the site and approved the proposed acquisition. The congregation has average worship attendance in the 60s and about 120 names on roll, Schulz said. |
| Cornerstone Society recognizes donors
at First, Norfolk |
First, Norfolk, has a Cornerstone Society which has recognized gifts from 13 estates and other contributions since 1995, as well as those who have made provision for the congregation in their estate plans. Thirty-one households have notified the church that it is in their estate plans.
An Endowment Committee, responsible to the Congregation Council, oversees the Endowment Fund, including monitoring investment managers. Ninety percent of the endowment income is distributed to three funds-capital reserves, music and council discretionary-according to enabling documents.
The Cornerstone Society embraces members of limited means as well as those with significant estates who participate in First Lutheran's mission now and in the future. The Cornerstone Society:
o celebrates the Gospel at work in its many forms
o encourages greater giving through the church
o acknowledges generosity
o gives thanks to donors
o creates a forum so donors can share their stories and motivations for giving
o encourages fellowship among persons who share the vision of the First Lutheran Church Endowment Fund
The First Lutheran Church Endowment hosts an annual luncheon for the Cornerstone Society as a way of encouraging and thanking donors.
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| Virginia Lutherans support the ULA |
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The 2008 United Lutheran Appeal is progressing well. 92 congregations have made contributions of record totaling $84,786.59 as of April 29. That's 55% of the Virginia Synod's 164 congregations.
The goal of the ULA is to have 100% participation--all 164 congregations hearing the stories of the nine ministries of the synod, all 164 congregations responding with contributions in support of those ministries.
By the time of last year's synod assembly, contributions to the ULA totaled $94,992. The current ULA goal is to exceed that total by the time of the ULA report to the assembly at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
If you or your congregation have not yet contributed to the United Lutheran Appeal, there is still time. You can have a part in providing tangible support to the nine agencies and institutions that are extensions of your own congregation's ministry. In so doing, you will be providing healing, help and hope to over 100,000 people across the synod.
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| Funds sought for tornado victims |
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The tornadoes which ripped through eastern Virginia on April 28 injured 200 people and caused significant property damage but left no need for donated clothing or furniture but funds are needed, according to Jan Tobias, coordinator of Lutheran Disaster Response for Virginia.
Financial donations can be stretched further by reputable organizations and denominations, as well as stimulating the economy, he said. To respond to the storm damage, Tobias suggested following this link:
http://www.vaemergency.com/newsroom/disasters/aprtornado08/donations.cfm.
United Way-South Hampton Roads is coordinating volunteer organizations. The main contacft is Heidi Baylor at 757-539-1498. Her website is www.Unitedwayshr.Org/tornado. Lutheran congregations interested in volunteering may contact Tobias at 866-946-4598 or jtobias@LFSVA.org.
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| PNG material available for Sunday schools |
Wantoks for Jisas (Friends for Jesus), a Sunday School curriculum for children and youth about the companion relationship between the Virginia Synod and the Islands District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, has been developed by Mary Short, St. Paul, Shenandoah, and Ruth Haugstad, formerly of Gloria Dei, Hampton. Their project is under the Synod Global Mission Committee.
A persons's wantoks, (pronounced one talks), are relatives, close friends, members of the same tribe on Papua New Guinea. The title relates to the synod theme of Ambassadors for Christ. Short, who formerly taught in Lutheran mission high schools on Papua New Guinea, has been interested in that far-off country since she was in the 4th grade in Gonzalez, Tex.
The curriculum consists of background information for teachers, scripture-based lessons, stories from the viewpoint of a New Guinea child, music in pidgin English, games, crafts and a Power Point presentation about the people and the land. The theme of the activities is to encourage children to think about and pray for fellow Lutherans on the other side of the world, Short said. Her address is: 1049 Riverbend Road, Stanley, VA 22851; email: bmde71@shentel.net. A charge of $25 covers the cost of printing, reproducing CDs and shipping. |
| St. Luke, Woodstock opens community internet cafe |
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St. Luke, Woodstock, has opened a community internet café, sharing its high-speed computer with a connection with a wireless network. Anyone in the community can connect their own computer to the internet anywhere in the Parish Hall, according to Pastor Mary Louise Brown. A new computer was donated to the church for the express purpose of providing computer access to members of the community who do not own a computer. Some parishioners have searched the internet on topics of interest. Refreshments and socializing are always available, Brown said. As news of the computer access spreads, she anticipates increased attendance. For information, Brown may be reached at 540-459-5515. The congregation has a web page at //www.valleylutherans.org/stluke |
| Peter Mayer to play for Hungry Mother Camp |
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A fund-raising concert for Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center will feature the Peter Mayer Group at the Lincoln Theater in Marion on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are priced at $20.
Mayer, lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett, is on tour, promoting his CD, "Still in One Peace," an eclectic collection of songs with a spiritual influence. Mayer, son of missionaries to India, has musical influence from that early life. He taught jazz guitar at Webster University. Ticket information is available from Angie Mucha at 276-783-6521. The camp has registrations for grades 4-12, July 13-18, at a cost of $200, after a donation from the Highland Conference of $50 per camper.
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THE VIRGINIA LUTHERAN
A MONTHLY NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA SYNOD, ELCA
Editor: George Kegley
Voice: 540-366-4607; E-mail: georgekegley@verizon.net
Post: 301 Tinker Creek Lane, NE, Roanoke, VA 24019
Deadline for submission of articles is the 10th of each month.
Any portion of this publication may be reprinted
for use in local church publications with appropriate credit. | |
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