It is a great example of how international organizations are finding greater opportunities to work together through umbrella organizations like the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance. The ELCA is a proud member of both.

To learn more of how these two are working together and to learn how and what their peace-building and psychosocial services are, read the LWF newsletter: Helping People Heal

To better grasp the full extent of the LWF’s work in South Sudan see their webpage: South Sudan

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Gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response allow the church to respond globally in times of need. Donate now.

Colonel Hong Woo Lee, ROKENGCOY Engineering Unit of MINUSTAH, speaking at groundbreaking. MINUSTAH is the UN's stabilization mission to Haiti and helped build the roads and prepare the land for the Gressier Model Village. Credit: LWF-DWS/Haiti

Built with community involvement and depending on community management once up and running, it empowers residents to have an active role in building and owning their future. Built with green technologies, it is finding better ways to integrate people with their environment. Built to be earthquake resistant the building practices, it brings a focus on disaster risk reduction. Built in conversation with the national government, local and international non-governmental organizations, it has support and a common understanding from all concerned parties.

And these are just a few of the amazing benefits why the ELCA has committed $3.5 million dollars to the project and has played a leading role in its creation. As the work in Haiti continues to transition from short-term relief to long-term development, it is projects like this that are leading the way. Makes one proud to say this is our church at work and puts a tangible ring to the phrase “God’s work. Our hands.”

To read more about this project, as well as the amazing work to stave off a cholera epidemic being doing by the ELCA and our partners in Haiti, check out the ELCA news release: Lutherans break ground for a new resettlement village in Haiti.

Western nations reject the idea of equal blame, saying the government is mainly responsible.

Russia had also insisted on dropping a demand that the Syrian government withdraw its security forces from cities, but U.S. and European delegations refuse to include that change.

Please pray for an end to the violence and an outcome that will bring freedom and prosperity for the Syrian people.

For more information and analysis, see:

• Syria crisis: Fear and abandonment in under-fire Homs
• William Hague says UN veto a ‘betrayal’ of Syrian people
• Syria Comment blog by Joshua Landis 
• China and Russia Act To Block a New Precedent for Intervention

Netanyahu points to the 1988 Hamas Charter, which does not recognize Israel and says things like ”our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious” and calls for the eventual creation of an Islamic state in Palestine, in place of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and the obliteration or dissolution of Israel.

However, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal indicated to Robert Pastor, senior adviser to the Carter Center, that the Charter is “a piece of history and no longer relevant, but cannot be changed for internal reasons.” Hamas do not use the Charter on their website and prefer to use their election manifesto to put forth their agenda.

In March 2006, Hamas released its official legislative program. As a United States Institute of Peace report said, “the program’s most significant element was Hamas’s acknowledgment that the “issue of recognizing [Israel] does not concern a single Palestinian faction alone, nor any government alone, but it is the decision of the Palestinian people, wherever found” (page 13). This was a major shift away from their 1988 charter.

Hamas has been responsible for countless suicide bombings and rockets from Gaza into Israel in the past.

Less well known is the charter of the Likud Party, PM Netanyahu’s party.  It is a later document, written in 1999, that says:

On Settlements:  “The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting….”

On a Palestinian state:  “The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel’s existence, security and national needs.”

On Jerusalem: “Jerusalem is the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel. The government will flatly reject Palestinian proposals to divide Jerusalem, including the plan to divide the city presented to the Knesset by the Arab factions and supported by many members of Labor and Meretz.” chance for future peace negotiations because east Jerusalem as capital of a future Palestinian state is non-negotiable for any Palestinian.

However, the party has agreed to the idea of a Palestinian state.

In terms of “partners for peace,” both sides have documents and behaviors in their past which indicate that neither party has willingness to share their space.  Far better than old documents and past behaviors, we must look at behaviors and facts on the ground now to determine the best course of action that will result in a just peace.

Warm-up Question

Have you ever suddenly been told you could no longer do something which you’d always been allowed to do in the past? What was your reaction? Did you continue to do it or did you stop?

Filmmakers Prepare to Lose Capitol Building

It’s an iconic shot that’s used frequently in Washington D.C.-based films and TV shows: the character stands in the foreground, and the dome of the Capitol building looms majestically behind them. Such scenes are often filmed on a little strip of pavement just on the edge of the reflecting pool.  That spot is a favorite of directors and location scouts alike, because that’s the closest to the Capitol building a film crew is legally allowed to get.

But the Capitol Dome may loom no more in films. Last month, Congress took control of that strip of pavement away from the film-friendly U.S. Park Service, and gave it to the Capitol Police.

“The answer from the Capitol is always no,” said location manager Peggy Pridemore. “My entire industry was afraid we are going to lose that special spot to film the Capitol building.”

Washington D.C. is already a notoriously difficult place for filming. More and more D.C.-based dramas are being filmed in Baltimore instead, due to Maryland’s more flexible film council and tax incentives for filmmakers. This change in management for the Capitol Dome shot may serve to drive even more filmmakers—and their money—out of D.C.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think the Capitol Police are so reluctant to let directors film around the Capitol Dome?
• What do you think filmmakers will do in the future if they can’t get permission to film there?
• Do you think a compromise can be reached between filmmakers and the local government of D.C., that will allow them to keep their film spot—and maybe shoot more films in D.C. instead of Baltimore?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, February 12, 2012 (Sixth Sunday after Epiphany)

2 Kings 5:1-14

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Mark 1:40-45

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Jesus’ fame is spreading like wildfire. It’s early in his ministry and already people are flocking to him to be healed. After he’s spent the entire day curing the sick and casting out demons, a leper approaches him.

Now, lepers were considered to be among the most unclean people there were. Leprosy being extremely contagious, they were isolated from everyone else, forced to stay outside the city, and not allowed to mingle with regular people. Yet this leper, cut off from the rest of society, has still heard of Jesus and his miracles.

Not only that, he has faith. He doesn’t say to Jesus, “I’ve heard you can heal the sick,” or “Is there any way you can help me like you’ve helped others?” He tells him, “I know you can make me clean—if you choose to.” The question isn’t one of capability but of willingness. Of course Jesus has the power to heal this man. But will he? The man is unclean, a sinner, an outcast from society. By law, everyone stays as far as they can away from him. Why should he expect Jesus to treat him any differently? But Jesus does. He chooses to heal the man, and make him whole again.

And then Jesus does a very strange thing. He tells the man not to tell anyone what Jesus has done for him. Not so strange, when you think about it—Jesus had been healing people for days. Sure, he was the Son of God, but he was also a human being. Maybe he just needed a rest.

But in spite of Jesus’ warning to tell no one, the leper does just the opposite. He tells EVERYONE. He can’t contain himself. He starts spreading the good news across the city—and then to other cities! Everywhere he goes, he can’t help but tell the people he meets about Jesus, and how he cleansed him and made him whole. The effect is so great that Jesus can’t go anywhere without being mobbed by people. He has to find himself a quiet spot out in the country where he can rest.  Even there people flock to him. Such was the power of this leper’s witness.

The leper’s attitude towards the gospel is what ours should be. Without Christ, our lives are lonely, isolated, broken, sick, and unclean. But Jesus chooses to have mercy on us. He chooses to heal us, to make us whole again—to cleanse us in a way we’ve never experienced before, and bring us into his flock. He gives us life instead of death. That’s good news. That’s the best news. News like that, we shouldn’t be able to keep to ourselves. It should well up inside us and burst forth to the point where the command, “Keep silent” is impossible. What Jesus has done for us, what he has given us, is so amazing, that we should want to proclaim it at every opportunity. Not because we’re told to, but because we cannot do otherwise.

Discussion Questions

•  Have you ever had any news to share that was so wonderful, so exciting, that you just couldn’t help telling people about it?
• Is this your attitude towards sharing the gospel? Why or why not?
• Have you ever been reprimanded for talking about Jesus, or told not to do so? How did you react? What did you do?
• What are some ways that we can share the good news of Jesus with those around us?

Activity Suggestions

Think more about Question #4: Write down some of the things that Jesus has done in your life. Brainstorm ways that you can share this with others in the coming week, and maybe some specific people who might benefit from hearing the good news about Jesus.

Sing “I Love to Tell the Story,” LBW – 390, ELW – 661

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you for all that you have done in my life. Thank you for your wonderful mercy and love towards me. Let me be unable to keep that mercy and love to myself, but make me eager to spread the good news of your salvation to those around me. Show me opportunities in the coming week to share your gospel, that I may help spread your love to the rest of the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

After 43 hours, from Asheville, N.C., to Tana, Madagascar, Tanya and Austin Propst arrived at 2 p.m. local time with no lost bags, very little sleep and hot sunshine to greet them.

Madagascar!  Yes, we have been called to be the coordinators for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program in Madagascar. We will walk with the people of Madagascar, as we work with young adults from the United States who feel God pulling on their heart strings, to experience God on a global level. So what does that mean? Stay tuned and we’ll find out together. We will be in Madagascar, living in Antananarivo (say it, three times fast!), for a four-year commitment, so we’ll have plenty to talk about.

There is a saying in Malagasy, “Tsihibelambana ny olona,” which is roughly translated to mean that all people together are a great broad mat. That to me means unity; oneness that can be felt, enjoyed, and shared by all people. Tanya and I are super excited to be embarking on a journey in Madagascar, where the people understand that we are all from the same mat. We are one.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on our adventures to come!

Austin

Let me start by saying I do not consider myself a blogger, but yet here I am, writing my third blog entry. Why? Because someone saw some potential in me and invited me to write!

Last year, the Altar Guild that I serve on held its second letter-writing campaign in six years to personally invite women of our congregation to join us. Both campaigns yielded about a half-dozen new members, and these women joined simply because someone saw their value as an Altar Guild member and asked them to join!

As I think back even farther, I realize that my years of service on my own synodical board (12 out of 14 years!) was due, both times, to invitations I received from someone to submit my name into nomination. Someone saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen myself, and that was just the push I needed to get involved.

I also serve on the executive board for Women of the ELCA. True, I had to be elected by a majority of my peers to be in this position, but how did my name end up on a ballot in the first place? It is because somebody saw my potential and invited me to submit my name into nomination.

So now, back to the present: I am thinking a lot these days about how powerful invitations can be. I have had a dream for the past year or so to get new women in my congregation interested in Women of the ELCA, and so I have chosen February 26 (Bold Women’s Day) to hold an information session at church for them. There will be a general invitation in the church bulletin, of course, but I will also personally invite about a dozen women from a list I have been putting together over the past year.

It is my hope that the personal invitation these women receive will be just as powerful for them as the ones I’ve received in the past were. The invitations I received gave me new ways to act boldly on my Christian faith. I hope my invitation to these women, to come and explore what Women of the ELCA can offer them, will do the same for them.

Finally, I also remember a survey I took of the women in my congregation a number of years ago. I wanted to find out why they didn’t participate in our organization. The #1 answer as to why they didn’t participate was, “I have never been invited.” So there you go! Get out there, and join me in doing some inviting!

Kris Brugamyer, of Dickinson, North Dakota, is currently serving a second term on the churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA.

Sue Wironen Foster and Doug Foster

It does not seem possible that so much time has gone by since we moved to Japan and now we are planning the reverse move back to the United States.

The second week of January was the start of our last term as teachers at KyuGak. Doug started on his own as Sue developed this mysterious skin infection that required a few visits to the doctors and a few weeks worth of medication. Thanks to fellow missionaries Nathan and Sharonette Bowman the doctor visits were not stressful and Sue is fully recovered.

January is also the start of the Missoula Children’s Theater. This English language play is sponsored by KyuGak every year. Children from the Junior High School at KyuGak and children from various elementary schools try out for the parts. We work with the youngest children and are teaching them their lines and their songs. They are so much fun.

We are also back doing our English Bible study at Murozono Church. We have had as many as 13 students at the class but average eight students each week. What pleases us the most is that we have one gentleman who has been with us since the first day. He is not a Christian and is the most faithful attendee at the class. We hope that someone will continue with this English Bible study class. We have become a very close group and would like to see it continue.

January is also entrance exam month in Japan. We had to stay late with all of the teachers to correct the entrance exams. Students from all over the city come to take the exam to see if they qualify for entry into KyuGak.

Time is going by quickly. We have friends from school and church planning “enkais” (parties) for us to wish us goodbye. I think that is when reality will really hit. There are only eight weeks of school left and then we will be heading home.

“The death of a child is tragic, and the permanent (cognitive and physical delay) of millions of children every year is preventable,” said the Rev. Jessica Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod, who attended the meeting.

Crist said the movement brings together public and private, faith-based and secular organizations “to advocate for focused attention on the first 1,000 days of life. Simple, inexpensive measures like prenatal nutrition, breast feeding, clean water and hand washing can make the difference in the lives of millions of children worldwide. And the difference is not only personal — it affects the whole society.”

The State Department has $95 million budgeted for this work in countries that have agreed to make maternal and infant nutrition a priority, said Crist. “In contrast, Americans spend $1 billion on Super Bowl snacks in one night.”

Organized by Bread for the World, the meeting at the State Department included conversations with staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Global Health Initiative and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Other ELCA members at the meeting were Sharon Heck, Whittier, Calif.; Gaylord Thomas, Chicago; and staff from Women of the ELCA and the ELCA Washington Office.

Women of the ELCA passed a resolution at their 2011 convention that commits the organization to supporting the 1,000 Day Movement. “Women of the ELCA has been working with Bread for the World in leading an ecumenical effort to assist Christians to live out the 1,000 Day commitment,” said Inez Torres Davis, director for justice, Women of the ELCA.