For fifty years, we have stood together as Lutherans, taking action to address root causes of hunger and poverty around the world through ELCA World Hunger, grounded in God’s promise of a time when we will hunger and thirst no more. As part of the long tradition of the church meeting human needs, ELCA World Hunger is a testament to our hope and our commitment for this church to be part of God’s transformation of the world.

Today, we invite you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger at the 2024 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering. The Mary and Howie Wennes Hunger Leadership Endowment supports the gathering, established by the Wennes Family in 2016.

This signature event gathers ELCA World Hunger’s leaders for a time of networking, idea sharing, learning, and planning for our shared ministry to address hunger and its root causes in our local and global communities. Next year’s event, February 1-4, 2024, will center on 1 Peter 4:10 and the theme Embracing Hope – Taking Action – Moving Forward! We celebrate 50th years of God’s faithfulness!

Who is invited?

· Each synod is invited to bring up to three participants to the event.

· To reflect the diversity of our church, synods bringing three participants must ensure that at least one participant is a youth, young adult or person of color. A discounted registration rate will apply for the third representative.

· Former Hunger Advocacy Fellows.

· Big Dream Ministry Partners.

· Invited ELCA World Hunger ministry partners.

 

What is the cost?

All registrations include airfare, all event costs, and room and board for four days, three nights. Rates below are for synod representatives. Ministry partners, Big Dream ministry partners and former Hunger Advocacy Fellows will receive information about their rates in separate email invitations.

 

Standard Registration: $450 | Discounted Rate (for Third Hunger Leader): $250

Registration is NOW OPEN at this link.

Questions? Contact us at hunger@elca.org

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available.

 

U.N. | ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO |KANSAS | MINNESOTA | WASHINGTON |WISCONSIN

 

New York

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org/lowc

Christine Mangale, Director

• LWF Assembly: Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) director Christine Mangale joined more than a thousand participants from around the global Lutheran communion who gathered in Krakow, Poland for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly. It took place from 13 to 19 September 2023 under the theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.” The theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:4 (NRSV). The Assembly was hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP). The Assembly is the LWF’s highest decision-making body which elects a new president and Council and sets directions for the global communion over the coming years. Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær was elected as the new president of the LWF.  Mangale took part in the Assembly with LWF Action for Justice (AfJ) Unit and ELCA Service and Justice colleagues, and supported several events held, including co-leading a session at the LWF Women’s Pre-Assembly in Wroclaw and a Jarmark workshop at the Assembly.  
• U.N. General Assembly: The United Nations General Assembly – High Level Week 2023 marked “a crucial milestone in the journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.” LOWC staff were presence and monitored elements including 
• • SDG Action Weekend (Sept. 16-17) – A call for inclusive collaboration and partnership was a recurring theme. Many stakeholders pointed out the impossibility of progress if specific groups continue to be targeted and excluded. Women, children, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people migrating are at risk of being left behind. 
  • March to End Fossil Fuels (Sept. 17)  
  • SDG Summit (Sept. 18-20) – The year 2023 is the halfway point for the SDGs. Only 15% of the SDG’s targets have been achieved. Covid19, conflict and climate change were named the leading contributing factors for failure to date. While Member States reiterated their commitment to sustainable development, enormous shortfalls remain in funding and actionable political will. Without concrete actions and commitment there is a risk that many will be left behind.  

• • • Finance for Development (Sept. 19) – Official development assistance (ODA) is below commitments and in trending decline. Developing states are increasingly vocal about their nearly insurmountable challenges resulting from a legacy of colonial occupation followed by cycles of increasing debt. States locked in this debt crisis have formed partnerships with increasing numbers of mild income and industrialized states calling for negotiations toward a UN Tax treaty.  
    • Annual U.N. Ecumenical Prayer Service for Children and Young People (Sept. 19) 
    • Freedom of Religion (Sept. 20-21) 
    • PEPFAR-UNAIDS Communities of Faith Initiative Breakfast (Sept. 20)  
    • Climate and Migration Workshop (Sept. 19) – ACT Alliance, Bread for the World, and Open Society Foundations co-hosted a workshop titled:  “Addressing the Protection Gap- Human Mobility and the Climate Crisis in International Frameworks.” 

 

Arizona

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) –  lamaz.org

Solveig Muus, Director

 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) hosted the ELCA-affiliated state public policy office (SPPO) directors, D.C. advocacy staff and Hunger Advocacy Fellows at a retreat at Spirit in the Desert in September – that was an amazing opportunity for learning and sharing! 

 We welcomed our new Hunger Advocacy Fellow, Autumn Byars, to the team for a year of advocacy training, congregational engagement, faith formation and much more. Byars comes out of the Campus Ministry program at Arizona State University, and we’re delighted to have this amazing person working in our office. Thank you to ELCA World Hunger! 

 Following the unanimous vote on our Hunger Resolution at the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly in June, we continue to record congregational responses to a synod-wide Hunger Ministry Survey. To date, 100% of the congregations are involved in at least one feeding ministry. We continue legislative and congregational visits to share updates and invite new folks to join LAMA’s mission, strengthening our network of churches and advocates. 

 LAMA’s annual Summit is on November 4th. Congregational liaisons, synod hunger leaders, clergy, policy council members, staff and community members will gather to explore the theme of Advocacy as a Spiritual Practice.  

 Following a productive Policy Council retreat, LAMA identified its policy priorities for 2024:  

1. Food Insecurity and the root causes of hunger in Arizona 
2. Voting and Civic Engagement, providing education on the intersection of voting and justice and encouraging faithful voter participation 
3. Water as a precious resource in the face of droughts and population growth in Arizona 
4. Housing and Homelessness in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

 

California

Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California (LOPP-CA) – lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

Regina Banks, Director

The deadline for Governor Newsom to sign or veto bills passed on October 14th. There were policy victories in the 2023 legislative session, but there were also notable losses. Here are the results of some bills the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California (LOPPCA) was actively tracking and advocating around this session: 

 Signed- 

SB 4 (Wiener)- This is a huge advocacy win this year! SB 4 will allow faith institutions and non-profit colleges to build affordable housing on their lands despite previous zoning restrictions. 

SB 253 (Wiener)- One of the major climate bills this year, which was a part of the corporate accountability package, SB 253 requires large corporations to report their emissions in all phases of their manufacturing, operations, and supply chain processes. 

SB 616 (Gonzalez)- Expands the required amount of paid sick leave provided to an employee from 3 to 5 days. 

 Vetoed/Failed in Legislature- 

AB 249 (Holden)- Clean school drinking water; lead testing and infrastructure improvements. This is one of our Lobby Day bills that was unexpectedly vetoed. 

AB 1498 (Gipson)- Would have created a minimum value of $300 for the California Earned Income Tax Credit.  

AB 524 (Wicks)- Would have prohibited discrimination against employees based on their family caregiver status. 

 

Colorado

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAM-CO) – lam-co.org

Peter Severson, Director

VOTER GUIDE GOES LIVE: The 2023 edition of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado’s (LAM-CO) annual Voter Guide is now available online! Check out https://www.rmselca.org/ColoradoBallot2023 to see our position and analysis for each of Colorado’s statewide ballot measures, Prop HH and Prop II. 

 CHRISTIAN UNITY GATHERING: LAM-CO Director Peter Severson attended the 2023 Christian Unity Gathering of the National Council of Churches in Nashville, Tenn., representing the ELCA on the Joint Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace Table. The program focused on addressing the role of the church in a public square that is increasingly besieged by extremism and nationalism. The ecumenical gathering was marked by spirited worship, thoughtful conversation and joyful reconnection. 

 

Kansas

Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) – KIFA.org

Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director

Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) is holding a series of panel discussions throughout the state in October and November to explore Christian nationalism: what it is, how it is affecting state and national politics and how people of faith can effectively stand against it. 
 
Christian nationalism has been called by some “the single biggest threat to religious freedom in the United States today.” It holds that the United States is defined by Christianity, and that the nation is and must remain a “Christian nation.” 
 
Called “Countering the Threat of White Christian Nationalism,” these conversations will include an academic to explain what Christian nationalism is and how it is affecting state and national politics; a pastor to talk about how it is a twisting of the teachings of Christianity and why it is important, particularly for white Christians, to stand against Christian nationalism; and Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of KIFA, who will explore how this tendency is being used to push regressive policies in a wide range of areas in Kansas and throughout the nation.  
 
The events will take place in Emporia, Wichita, Salina, Fairway, Newton and Manhattan, Kan., throughout October and early November. Visit KansasInterfaithAction.org for more information and to register.  

 

Minnesota

Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota (LA-MN) – lutheranadvocacymn.org

Tammy Walhof, Director

Energy Tax Credits & Rebates: As director of Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota, I recently attended a full day event to learn more about the opportunities. State programs are just getting up and running, and guidance is still coming regarding federal options. There are exciting opportunities for churches and nonprofits (tax credits for entities that don’t pay taxes). Some homeowner options are geared toward lower and

lower-middle income households so they don’t get left out of energy transitions. I’ve been in touch with colleagues from a partner organization about jointly planning an event (or series of events) to help churches learn what is available. Even before that, it helps to assess if there are actions needed first (new roof or upgraded electric panel). There is some funding to help with preparation, too. 

 COP28 UN International Climate Conference: I am honored to be one of a few people representing the ELCA in Dubai for the upcoming conference. I plan to follow the Land Use track which includes agriculture, forestry, and food issues. Trainings and other preparations are ongoing in anticipation.   

 Homes for All Planning: Our Homes for All Coalition is just beginning planning for the next session. We did get major legislation and funding in the last session, but our legislators and the public need to understand the housing/homelessness crisis was decades in the making, and will require significantly more commitments at the federal, state, and local levels. Please watch your email for federal action alerts this fall. If Congress cuts housing in budget actions, it could wipe out many of our state gains. 

 

Pennsylvania

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) – lutheranadvocacypa.org

Tracey DePasquale, Director

The legislature returned in September to the as-yet-unfinished work of passing code bills needed to enact the spending plan signed in August after a showdown over state-funded vouchers for students to attend private and religious schools.  

 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) welcomed Hunger Advocacy Fellow Quentin Bernhard in September. Bernhard and Director Tracey DePasquale joined ELCA-affiliated state public policy office colleagues for a convening to share legislative updates and effective practices and explore the impacts of Christian nationalism. LAMPa also welcomed four new policy council members, just in time for the annual retreat, which  focused on relationship building and understanding how they and LAMPa fit into the life of the wider church.

 LAMPa co-hosted a convening of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition. Teams presented their priorities for our common agenda for 2024.  

DePasquale participated on state Emergency Food Assistance Advisory Council in making recommendations to the Department of Agriculture for the upcoming budget.  

In other items, LAMPa staff: 

• Gathered reports from hunger ministries to issue an alert regarding WIC funding and collaborated with ELCA federal advocacy staff in preparing for Hill visits on the Farm Bill with Penn. synod bishops.  
• Organized depolarization training. Register here for the Nov. 8 interactive virtual event. 
• Engaged advocates in a social media campaign for Season of Creation.  
• Helped congregations add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

• Worked with partners around upcoming events on gun violence and on drivers’ licenses for all, regardless of immigration status. 

 

Washington

Faith Action Network  (FANWA) – fanwa.org

Elise DeGooyer, Executive Director

 
This month we welcomed Tomo Duke as our ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow for an internship year funded by ELCA World Hunger

with our ELCA Witness in Society partners. Duke brings ecumenical and interfaith experiences to our work to address root causes of hunger.  We also welcomed a new Faith Action Network (FAN) Network Events Manager, Alex Robinson, who brings a background in theater and event production for faith communities.

 As we work on our state legislative agenda, we focused our advocacy attention on food justice this past month. We invited our network to our annual Food Week of Action (October 15-22). Leading up to the week, we compiled and shared this resource of advocacy opportunities for individuals and communities of faith and conscience to plan an action or raise awareness in their time of worship or gatherings. During the week, we also offered an Anti-Hunger Advocacy webinar where we covered anti-hunger policy efforts and the next legislative priorities. We addressed the importance of advocating for federal legislation like the Farm Bill and the WIC program for nutrition access for marginalized populations and state legislation like Free School Meals for All Students. We have earnestly invited and encouraged our network to equip their faith-driven compassion and social services for hungry communities with policy advocacy.  

FAN staff have been setting up regional cluster meetings for our network, from Spokane to Wenatchee, from the Puget Sound region to Vancouver, and listened to their concerns during this interim time between legislative sessions. It is a valuable opportunity for us to hear more about local organizing efforts and how FAN can be supportive.  

 

 

Wisconsin

The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) – loppw.org

The Rev. Cindy Crane, Director

Lutheran Office of Public Policy – Wisconsin (LOPPW) interviewed Christine Moffett who is the ELCA Program Director for Environment and Energy. She discussed her work on climate change, water, and different federal efforts she is working on. She also told us about the hope she has for the future as a young adult. Learn more about the 2023 Senate Bill 312 through this action alert: Hold Polluters Responsible for Contaminants they Produce. It would adjust Senate Bill 312 to help the Department of Natural Resources to thrive in doing their work to address the insidious problem of PFAS (forever chemicals) in our water.  To learn more about PFAS, please see our issue paper from our spring advocacy day:  PFAS Issue Paper 

As was intended, there is a bill to define how the $125 million will be spent.  Senate Bill 312 unfortunately includes limiting the Department of Natural Resources’ ability to hold polluters responsible for the contaminants they produce in our water. Learn more here: 

Expand Voting Access 

Senate Bill 39 and Assembly Bill 38 expand voting access by allowing people to opt-in through email to receive updates via text about their absentee ballots as well as request their absentee ballots this way.  Support this bipartisan effort! Read the bill here: (23-1550/1) (wisconsin.gov). Learn more here.  

Mary Houck, Decatur, GA

Warm-up Question

• Name something you once believed was 100% true that you’ve since learned is untrue. 
• Do you and your friends have any “fun” things you like to argue about (e.g. sports teams or favorite players, favorite musicians, foods you like or dislike, etc.)?

A Matter of Perception

It was almost 9 years ago now, but you may remember a controversy that erupted on the internet in February of 2015. There was a picture of a dress.  Some people swore it was white and gold; others were adamant that it was black and blue. For days, people went around showing the picture to friends and acquaintances who hadn’t seen it yet, asking what color the dress was. 

Depending on the answer, debates ensued about whose perception was correct, both sides passionately certain they had it right. How could it possibly be that two people looked at the same thing and perceived it so differently? Of course, it was not possible for everyone to be correct since it was a picture of a real dress, and eventually the truth was revealed: the dress is indeed blue and black. 

It took vision scientists two years to explain what happened and confirm their findings. As it turned out, the different color schemes had to do with how each viewer perceived the photo as a whole.  Was the lighting natural or artificial? Was the dress in shadow or in light? The colors a viewer sees even correlates to whether they are typically a morning person or a night person— which affects our assumptions about light sources and shadows. Basically, our way of perceiving the world causes certain assumptions when looking at the picture, which affects what colors we see. 

Discussion Questions

• What do you do when a disagreement arises that is not just a difference in taste or opinion (country vs hip- hop), but a difference in understanding what seems to be a clear truth about the world (gravity exists).
• What sources do you go to when you want to find out the truth about something? Is it a person you trust? A news source? The Internet? How do you tell whether a source of information is trustworthy or not?
• Are all opinions equally valid?  What distinguishes “fact” from “opinion”?

Reformation Sunday

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Romans 3:19-28

John 8:31-36

(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 A at Lectionary Readings.)

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

Gospel Reflection

This week we celebrate Reformation Sunday, remembering when Martin Luther started the Reformation movement in Germany by sharing his 95 theses. At the time, the Roman Catholic church dominated all of Europe. It had turned into an organization that often used the faith of the people to accumulate power, influence, and wealth instead of walking alongside them in a life of faith. 

The church had set itself up as an unquestionable authority: anything the church said was the truth. Luther, who was teaching the Bible to men training to be priests, thought he saw discrepancies between the Bible and church teachings.  The 95 theses, based on these perceived discrepancies,  were assertions which Luther wanted to debate with other theologians. He hoped to correct errors which had crept into church teaching and practice.

Luther’s goal wasn’t freedom from the church. He first tried to reform the church from within. His primary concern was to free people from what felt like slavery to sin. Luther felt deeply oppressed by his own sin, never feeling he had confessed enough or been penitent enough. It was through God’s word that Luther found freedom in the truth that we are saved by grace received through faith, not through works (actions we take to try to make up for our sins and earn God’s forgiveness).

Today’s gospel is a perfect one for Reformation Sunday. Jesus tells the disciples that they will find the truth by continuing in his word and that the truth will set them free. In typical disciple fashion, they still don’t understand him and think he’s talking about literal slavery. (I can’t help but imagine Jesus face-palming or at least letting out a big sigh. After all he’s shown them, they still don’t get it) Jesus patiently explains that he’s talking about freedom from sin. 

However, in order for the truth to set us free, we have to be able to identify the truth. In today’s world people assert as truth all kinds crazy conspiracy theories and bigoted opinions about people who are different from themselves. Looking for a way to describe the American popular understanding of truth, comedian Stephen Colbert coined the term “truthiness” to describe “what you feel to be true, rather than what the facts will support.” Others say we are living in a “post-truth” era, when there is nothing more than opinion and appeal to emotion is more important than objective facts. 

So how do we figure out what the truth is? We turn to God’s word, but of course the Bible was written a long time ago and cannot speak directly about current events or issues. There are no Bible verses about whether the dress is blue or gold. And, even more confusing, the Bible can become the dress in a way.  Different people read the same words of the Bible and come to completely different conclusions about the truth.

Just as we all made unconscious assumptions when looking at that dress, our individual ways of seeing the world affect how we read the Bible. Paying attention to our unconscious assumptions about the Bible and truly listening to others with open minds as we study it helps. Martin Luther had another tip as well: Look for what “shows forth Christ.” Does this interpretation look like Jesus? How does it urge me to act like Jesus? Does it reveal to me the love and grace of god in Christ for the whole world? These are the truths that will set us free.

Discussion Questions

• Can you think of a time that the Bible answered a real-life question for you? How did you find the truth in the Bible?
• The controversy over the dress was fun because it didn’t have any bigger implications. People enjoyed arguing about it because it didn’t really matter who was right in the end. However, many disagreements about the truth have much bigger consequences for people’s lives. For example, the recent terrorist attack by Hamas and massive response by Israel has intensified the ongoing debate about Israel and Palestine. Is Israel a peaceful nation that is the victim of terrorism and violence from Hamas? Are Palestinians the victims of an oppressive Israeli government, which routinely takes away their land, homes, water, and freedom? Is there truth on both sides?  Can you think of similar controversies where each side make legitimate arguments ?
• Are there times when knowing the “truth” and being “right” are less important than finding ways to create reconciliation?  How might that preference for reconciliation be related to Reformation Sunday?  What was the great “truth” which Luther thought most important?

Activity Suggestions

• Play Two Truths and a Lie: each player states two things that are true about themselves, and one that is untrue. The rest of the group has to guess which thing is untrue. 
  • Discuss: Who gets to be the ‘authority’ on the truth about us? Does everyone hold their own truth which should be treated as valid, or do we have to fit into the story our culture tells about us? 
• World View Interviews
  • Come up with a list of questions you’d like to ask people to better understand how they see the world. 
    • Choose questions that are open-ended, and which do not pressure someone to answer a particular way. For example, don’t ask “you’re a Republican, right?” Ask, “do you identify as a member of a political party?”
    • When you ask, listen carefully and non-judgmentally. You are there to learn about the person, not judge them. If one of their answers surprises you, however, you can ask follow-up questions to learn more. 
    • Some examples might be:
      • Where were you born?
      • What was your first language?
      • How many places have you lived?
      • What did your parents teach you about money?
      • Have you or your family ever served in the military?
      • Do you have a favorite sports team?
      • What do you like to do with your free time?
      • Do you identify as a member of a political party?
      • What foods do you like to eat?
      • Have you lived through any wars? How did they affect you?
    • Interview each other, other people in your faith community, or even your own family. You are certain to learn new things, even about people you think you know well.

Closing Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for your truth which sets us free, and for the example of our brother Martin. Help us to discern the truth when the world is confusing. Open our minds and hearts when we struggle to understand someone else’s view of the world. Give us the courage to speak the truth even when it is unpopular. Amen.

 

from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: October 2023

IN A TIME OF WAR | NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING REFORMS | COUNTERING GLOBAL CORRUPTION | YOUNG ADULT MIGRATION ADVOCACY | CLIMATE WEEK NYC

 

IN A TIME OF WAR: The devastating loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since Oct. 7 grieve us all.
U.S. churches including the ELCA have spoken on the conflict several times (including 10/7/23 and 10/12/23); the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, issued a statement on Israel-Hamas war (10/13/23); and an Action Alert for all of us to reach out to U.S. policy makers was advanced through the Peace Not Walls network; among faith-based responses to this situation.

Corresponding to calls from Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition in which the ELCA is a member, we are calling on Congress to act in ways that will help de-escalate the violence and stop further loss of life. Specifically, we call on Congress to:

• Publicly call for ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all sides;
• Call on all parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law; and
• Prioritize steps to secure the immediate release of hostages and ensure international protection for civilians.

We implore Congress to refrain from steps that only exacerbate the violence and increase the risk of expanding war into the broader region. Any Congressional effort that is one-sided and rushes to send new weapons to Israel will only intensify the conflict, leading to further deaths and destruction. Congress must work to prevent the spread of more violence, including against Palestinian civilians in Israel and the West Bank.

Find additional resources at ELCA.org/Israel-Hamas%20War.

 

NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING REFORMS: In July, the Senate passed a reauthorized version of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) – the main vehicle of U.S. housing assistance and funding for tribal communities.

The legislation, which has not been reauthorized since 2013, was attached as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which passed by a wide margin of 86-11. NAHASDA block grant funding to tribal communities has remained flat and not risen with inflation since its expiration over a decade ago – making renewal a core priority for many housing advocates. Final passage could be quite possible as the Senate conferences the wider bill with the House of Representatives later this year. Witness in Society staff are tracking the legislation and will be coordinating with partners on the issue in the coming weeks.

 

COUNTERING GLOBAL CORRUPTION: The Biden administration has launched the first ever U.S. strategy on countering corruption. Among other things, the new strategy aims to elevate anti-corruption work as a priority in diplomatic efforts and improve international anti-money laundering efforts.

In 2021 when coming into office, President Biden asked his national security team to take a lead on creating a comprehensive U.S. strategy to strengthen the U.S. government’s ability to fight corruption, combat illegal finance and improve accountability. This development is encouraging for priorities of the ELCA, as the ELCA social statement, The Church and Criminal Justic: Hearing the Cries, says both “This church knows that human evil is prevalent, ancient and often heinous” (p. 6) and “Drawing from the biblical witness to God’s wondrously rich forms of love and justice, we are compelled by a ‘holy yearning’ to address the need for a change in public mindset and for dramatic reforms in policies and practices” (p. 1).

 

YOUNG ADULT MIGRATION ADVOCACY: On Sept. 26 and 27, ELCA Witness and Society and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) staff provided support for the first ever Young Adult Migration Advocacy Day. Constituents met with the offices of 12 members of Congress from six states.

The day brought together 12 young adults virtually from across the nation to return to share their witness and recommendations with their elected representatives after immersing themselves in an educational trip to the border where they met with government and community stakeholders. The day of advocacy (see Facebook post) took place just as Congress was considering key federal spending bills and legislation.

 

CLIMATE WEEK NYC: In partnership with the U.N. General Assembly, Climate Week NYC was held from Sept. 17-24, 2023, and Witness in Society advocacy and Lutheran Office for World Community staff were present. Around 75,000 people took part in a March to End Fossil Fuels on Sept. 17.

Within this march, organized through GreenFaith, diverse people of varying faiths and traditions collaborated to create a “faith contingent” and host a prayer service before the March commenced. Some Lutherans visibly participated. LOWC and D.C.-based advocacy staff joined in conjunction with values of Lutherans to protect creation and promote climate justice.

 

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Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

 

Drew Tucker, Columbus, OH

Warm-up Question

Think of something that affects everyone, that’s often unpopular, and that’s necessary for living in a society. Share with a group or a trusted friend how you feel about that thing that you’ve named. 

Taxing Question

Thanks to the recent threat of a government shutdown, averted by a last-minute stopgap funding bill that President Biden signed into law on September 30^th, 2023, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how we fund living in our shared society. From infrastructure like roads and utilities to people like first responders and postal workers, our taxes pay for many services we utilize frequently without ever having to think about it. Thanks to taxes, I’ve never had to build a bridge to cross a river or put out a fire at my neighbor’s house or pay for disaster relief after a hurricane. In that way, I’m thankful for taxes. 

But  I’m aware that I’ll never even see about 20% of my income because it goes directly to federal, state, and local governments. When I’m being selfish, I think about the vacations I could take or how much more quickly I could afford a new car if so much of the money I earned didn’t disappear into the vacuum of government tolls. And as the recent specter of a government shutdown revealed, even when we pay our taxes, that doesn’t mean that the things we need are necessarily guaranteed! 

Ultimately, I know that taxes are necessary because they help us to connect with one another.  They provide support for those who don’t have the same access to resources that I have and ensure we can weather the literal and metaphorical storms that face our country. So I guess today’s news is this: taxes are complicated.

Trust me, I know that it’s no newsflash that taxes are complicated. Indeed, throughout my life, I’ve vacillated from thinking we all pay too much in taxes, thinking we all pay too little in taxes, and thinking some people should pay more taxes than they do while others should pay less. Amidst all that confusion and imperfection, which is often what makes taxes so unpopular, it’s clear that taxes affect everyone because most pay them and all benefit from them. To live in a society where we share one another’s burdens, taxes are necessary. 

Discussion Questions

• What are your favorite things that taxes provide? 
• How does the possibility of a government shutdown make you feel? 

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 45:1-7

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

(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 A at Lectionary Readings.)

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

Gospel Reflection

How much we pay in taxes and to whom we should pay our taxes isn’t a new question. Ben Franklin once said that “nothing is certain but death and taxes,” a phrase that’s evolved into a popular aphorism for people of all political persuasions. Jesus’ ministry preceded Franklin’s politics by nearly 1,800 years, but as we see in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus also took on the question of taxes. 

The Pharisees didn’t necessarily hate taxes in themselves, but as religious purists, they hated the idea of sending taxes to Rome and its Gentile allies. The Herodians, so named for their allegiance to King Herod and his descendants, accommodated with Rome and generally supported the empire’s efforts, including Roman taxes. In other words, this wasn’t an argument about whether taxes should exist; no one in this passage is claiming that taxation is theft.

Instead, the question is to whom we should pay taxes, about who has the appropriate authority to demand taxes. While the Pharisees and Herodians disagreed on who had the authority to demand taxes, they agreed on one thing: Jesus was dangerous to their power. In asking whether to pay the imperial tax, they tried to frame Jesus either as a rebel to the empire or a traitor to the Jewish people. 

Rather than take sides, Jesus takes this as a teaching opportunity about generosity and identity. The coins in circulation, with Caesar’s image, carried value because the Empire said so. The same is true for money today. When Jesus says, “give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (v. 21), he’s subtly reminding his listeners that, just as the coin’s carry Caesar’s image, so too people carry God’s image. 

To this Hebrew audience, who would all be quite familiar with the Torah, the idea of an image stamped on a coin would deeply resonate with the divine image God gives to people in their sacred creation stories. Jesus encourages his followers to recognize we have a place in a political society, even as we have an ultimate allegiance to God.

The Lutheran tradition adds a layer of reflection to this when it recognizes that God doesn’t exclusively work through the church, but also through the government. This theology of Two Realms (often called Two Kingdoms, though that wasn’t Luther’s language) emphasizes that the political or secular realm serves a purpose in God’s creation.  Ideally, it ensures that civic life promotes the good of all. Giving ourselves to God doesn’t mean we have to avoid paying our taxes.  We live in two realms simultaneously; God is ultimately in control of both. We give ourselves to God in lives lived with grace and we share our wealth with Caesar (or Uncle Sam) because God is at work in first responders who offer care in natural disasters. God is at work in utilities that provide warmth to survive the cold weather.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think taxes have been so confusing and polarizing for thousands of years? 
• Share one way you can render to God what is God’s that makes a positive impact on your neighbors. 
• Share one of the ways you notice God at work through political or civil organizations outside of the church. 

Activity Suggestions

• God’s Image Affirmations – Sit in a circle and have one chair in the center. Take turns having members of the group sit in the middle seat and have every person in attendance share one way that they see God active in that person. Emphasize that the image of God is not necessarily a physical trait prior to beginning the activity. You can also choose to write everyone’s name on paper bags, have participants write their responses, and then deposit them in the bags to ensure participants leave with a constant reminder of God’s work through their lives. 
• BiblOpoly – Yes, this is a real thing, and yes, you should play it. To win, rather than defeat your fellow players, you work to assist them in succeeding as well. It can help players experience the benefits of rendering to Caesar and rendering to God. With the recent resurgence in popularity of tabletop games, consider more broadly how you can use these as tools to teach and apply Christian values and biblical teachings. 
• Making Change – Get a sampling of all types of coins and have everyone choose one at random. Group people by the coin they chose and challenge them to identify whose image is stamped the coin and share as much information as they can about the person. To elevate the challenge, do one round without their phones and another allowing them to utilize the internet. Use this activity as an opportunity to discuss why we celebrate certain people, what values they’re meant to represent, and what values we carry as people stamped with God’s image. 

Closing Prayer

Generous God, remind us that your work is not limited to the church. Inspire us to give generously to your work in all arenas of life, even when we are not in control of the outcome. Remind us that you are at work in all realms of life, and that in those realms you seek justice for all, peace for all, abundance for all. Ground us in the witness of Jesus and empower us to give all of ourselves to you, whose image we bear. Amen. 

 

by William Milner, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

Advocacy is driven by perseverance and connection building. The Hunger Advocacy Fellows, now in its seventh year, is made achievable through the support of ELCA World Hunger. This program spans a year and offers a transformative experience that encompasses leadership growth, spiritual development and impactful advocacy efforts aimed at advancing a just world #untilallarefed.

In the 2023-24 cycle, Hunger Advocacy Fellows are placed with the ELCA D.C.-based advocacy team, with the Lutheran Office for World Community, and in four ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices. This positioning enables them to actively participate in addressing issues that impact both local and national policies and communities. We are pleased to introduce the 2023-2024 Hunger Advocacy Fellows below.

 

Quentin Bernhard (he/him)

Quentin Bernhard is placed with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania. He comes to the work with Pennsylvania roots and global perspective. He grew up in the Lehigh Valley, graduated from Muhlenberg College and just returned from a year in Yeumbeul Bene Baraque, Senegal, where he served with ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission. A 2020 Muhlenberg graduate, Bernhard majored in history and political science and minored in Spanish. He was active with the Student Government Association, orientation, peer tutoring, writing tutoring, and campus chapel and spent a semester studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has worked with community and advocacy organizations including the Allentown School District Foundation, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, the Climate Action Campaign, Conservation Voters of PA, Common Energy, and Action Together NEPA.  He is currently a member of New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania.

 

Erin Brown (she/her)

Before becoming a Fellow at the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), Erin Brown worked at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan as a fellow in cross-cultural ministry. She is passionate about multicultural exchange, language, and the power of storytelling. Brown is a diaconal student at the Lutheran Diaconal Association and completed her diaconal internship as a youth and family minister at Iglesia Sola Fe in San Sebastian, Costa Rica. She holds a BA in Spanish & Global Service from Valparaiso University and an MA in Latin American & Caribbean Studies from Indiana University. In her free time, she loves dancing salsa. Brown speaks English, Spanish and Haitian Creole!

 

Autumn Byars (she/her)

Autumn Byars is the first Hunger Advocacy Fellow placed with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona! She is a life-long Lutheran from the southwest. Her parents taught her that civic engagement, advocacy, and the democratic process are tools that can and should be used to further Christ’s directive to love and protect our neighbors. In high school, Byars took this philosophy as her own, and began participating in small-scale advocacy and grassroots activism. She attended Arizona State University, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Spring of 2023, while working at Maricopa County Voting Centers, sewing masks during the pandemic, and organizing protests and civic engagement with her peers.  After college, she sought work that would allow her to serve her community and dedicate her time and energy to improving people’s lives. She discovered the Fellowship through the Grand Canyon Synod and joined the LAMA team, excited to pursue her long-held passion for advocacy engagement within the professional sphere.

 

Frances Dobbs (she/her)

Frances Dobbs is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow placed with the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin. She is a recent graduate from Marquette University with a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. of International Affairs, and a minor in Theology. She is a Melkite Catholic which is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. She lives in Milwaukee and commutes to Madison for work. She has engaged in a variety of volunteer opportunities including receiving her Girl Scout Gold Award in which she started a library for Amahoro Children’s School in Musanze, Rwanda. She is looking forward to this year.

 

Tomo Duke (she/her)

Tomo Duke serves at Faith Action Network (FAN) in Washington state. She was born and raised in Japan and has lived in the United States since 2014 as a first-generation immigrant. She graduated with a M.Div. from Duke University in 2023 and holds a B.S. in Political Science. Prior to joining FAN, she gained experiences in immigration service from humanitarian relief to policy advocacy for immigrant justice both in secular and faith-based contexts. As a Hunger Advocacy Fellow, Duke is passionate to continue living out her faith in advocacy for marginalized populations facing food insecurity. Through this position, she hopes to gain more skills to mobilize communities of faith and conscience on the path toward systemic changes.

 

William Milner (he/him)

William Milner is serving with the ELCA advocacy staff in Washington, D.C. and is a passionate graduate student pursuing a Master’s in public policy at George Mason University. Raised as an African Methodist Episcopalian, Milner brings a unique perspective and a deep sense of community to the ELCA. Milner formerly taught in both private and public schools and takes the skills he learned there with him everywhere. His academic pursuit is driven by a deep-seated desire to bring about meaningful societal change and empower marginalized communities. A native northern Virginian and baseball player, Milner loves all things D.C. sports, but has a soft spot for the Nationals. Milner’s favorite things include, but are not limited to, the beach, bacon cheeseburgers and fog.

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We also welcome an intern this year with LOWC in New York City.

Naomi Mbise (she/her)

LOWC intern Naomi Mbise is a graduate of California Lutheran University with dual degrees in Political Science and Theology and Christian Leadership. She is from Tanzania and has been a part of the ELCA International Women Leaders Program for the past four years. She is looking forward to serving in a global church through her internship with this Lutheran representation to the United Nations.

By Alex Parker, ELCA Federal Policy Intern 

The people of the Central African Republic (CAR) are in a period of unrest, currently facing a disastrous humanitarian crisis. Part of my job as the Federal Policy Intern with D.C.-based ELCA advocacy staff has been to advance our international policy priorities, including tracking ongoing developments in this nation. The more I learn, the more I ask: What can we do to support and accompany the people of CAR who seek peace?  

Adopted in 1995, the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World notes “we share with people everywhere hope for a more peaceful and just world.” Defining a word, we may take for granted, it “understands earthly peace to mean relationships among and within nations that are just, harmonious, and free from war. It offers direction as we act to keep and to build earthly peace…” (p. 1).  

To be peace-directed is both direct and simultaneously unclear. We are drawn to action – to do something when we recognize harm being done to others. We are also called to pray – “In praying for peace in the world, in interceding for all who suffer from war and injustice and for those in authority, the Church acts for peace” (p. 3). But sometimes it is hard to feel like you can do something when conflict is so far away.  

 

Daily Affronts to Peace 

There are many examples in our daily lives that force us to face this responsibility to be peace-directed. We may witness violations of peace in our communities or current environments, and our commitment to peace encourages us to act through a variety of outreach programs, church groups and more.  

And news filters to us from outside of our immediate community. How can we be active in confronting such conflict? What if abscissions of peace are having impact on communities that we may know little about?  

 

Harms in the Central African Republic 

Since independence, CAR has experienced continuing episodes of violence amongst armed group rivalries and competing government forces. As a result, most of the harm has been inflicted on the civilian population. According to ReliefWeb International, the period between October 2022 and January 2023 saw more than 600 documented and verified human rights violations, as well as estimates of over 1.1 million people currently displaced (over a quarter of the population). 

While the United Nations (U.N.) has deployed a peacekeeping force (MINUSCA) to CAR, the continued efforts have sustained ongoing challenges in fulfilling its goal of protecting civilians and disarming mobilized paramilitary forces. Lack of sufficient funding, unfulfilled infrastructure needs and religiously polarized violence have continued to plague ongoing international stabilization efforts. 

This is further compounded by the Russian paramilitary Wagner group. President of CAR, Faustin-Archange Touadera, first elected in 2016, has worked with Wagner to make advances against various armed groups. With Wagner operating in several neighboring African countries that have followed autocratic trends, political opposition in CAR is fearful of a Russian-backed leadership imposition. Wagner increased their presence before a contentious referendum, which would allow Touadera to amend the constitution and prevent him from having to obey the two-term rule when his Presidency ends in 2024. On July 30th, the referendum was held with a supposed 95% of voters approving of the constitutional change amidst cries of corruption.  

 

Current U.S. Response 

Considering both the ongoing need for U.N. presence and the negative impact of foreign influences, it is critical that the U.S continue its support for humanitarian efforts in CAR. But, as Congress reconciles the differences between their budgetary operating bills, a lingering threat remains. 

In the House version of the foreign affairs budget at this writing, humanitarian support, State Department funding and beneficial social programs that contribute to stabilization efforts in CAR are massively underfunded, and in some instances eliminated entirely. For example, the House version states that CAR is one of 28 countries which are not eligible for many of the programs it would fund (p. 90). As the FCNL notes, these slashed funds include the complete elimination of crucial programs such as the Atrocities Prevention Program, which provides funding for CAR communities to “form local peace committees that devise solutions to local and regional challenges.” The House proposal also eliminates U.S. funding – entirely – for the U.N. regular budget as well as several U.N. departments that would aid the people of CAR. 

 

Present Church Activity 

“The Church is a disturbing presence when it refuses to be silent and instead speaks the truth in times when people shout out ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace,” (p. 5) declares the ELCA social statement on Peace referencing Jeremiah 6:14. So, when the people of CAR shout out “peace” amid violent turmoil and humanitarian need, we as church must be present, even when the conflict seems so distant and complicated to address. We affirm the biblical insight of the “unity and goodness of created existence, the oneness of humanity, and the dignity of every person” (p. 7). 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EEL-RCA) has, according to data from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), 120,000 members. LWF has multiple programs that train EEL-RCA leaders in peace values and conflict management skills. LWF also has used donations to support over 88,000 people in CAR, especially those who have been displaced, lack clean sources of water or are at risk of gender-based violence.  

The ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod is a great model for how one might support the EEL-RCA. “It is our hope that every congregation will find some way of supporting the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EEL-RCA),” it writes of this partnership “in hope.” They have a variety of programs supported through monetary contributions that prioritize medical clinics, women’s health, educational materials and more.   

 

Continued Advocacy Efforts 

As federal lawmakers begin to reconcile their versions of the foreign policy budget, we can pressure our representatives to pursue funding of humanitarian efforts, support for U.N. entities and ensure that our U.S. direct stabilization programs are not erased. Our Action Alert, “Support Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Programs in the International Affairs Budget,” is an opportunity to make your voice heard right now in this federal process.  

Through faith-based advocacy, social media, engagement with interfaith coalitions and using your voice, we can stive toward ending a conflict that damages the oneness and dignity of humanity. We cannot let this humanitarian issue fall to the wayside. 

 

Peace is Presence Not Absence 

As I have worked on understanding what is happening in CAR and thought about what peace means from a Lutheran perspective, I’ve found myself constantly going back to Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. In that work, Luther breaks down petitions of the Lord’s prayer and asks, “What then does ‘daily bread’ mean?” Answer: “Everything included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, farm, fields, livestock, money, property, an upright spouse, upright children, upright members of the household, upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, decency, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors and the like.”  

The people of CAR need a daily bread that provides nourishment, safety and everything that culminates in a life of dignity. Peace is much more than the absence of physical violence, but the continued efforts to uplift those who suffer economically, politically, socially and more. We can share this bread with those who “shout out ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace,” no matter where in the world we are.  

 

 

 

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church.

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Music that Makes Community

Music that Makes Community (MMC) practices communal song-sharing that inspires deep spiritual connection, brave shared leadership, and sparks the possibility of transformation in our world.

Whether you are just starting to think about worship plans for Advent and Christmas or have been actively planning all summer, please join MMC for two offerings over the next month. On Oct. 28, we will gather in Chicago for a morning “Advent Worship Planning and More” workshop. The second session is a virtual Advent Planning Drop-In on Nov. 2 for Advent planners to continue exploring and envisioning worship experiences for this year.

If you missed the online Advent Worship Planning Workshop in late September, you can purchase a video recording and accompanying materials. Check the MMC website calendar for events in your community held by our local practitioners.

What a response to our September survey. If you contributed thoughts and ideas, “Thank you!” Later this fall watch for a call for paperless songs to sing in support of Native Rights in partnership with “The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery.”

We are seeking volunteers to join our Board of Trustees, particularly folks with financial or legal backgrounds. If you’re interested, please send us an email.

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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

ALCM nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.

“From Generation to Generation: Ponder Anew.” This conference provides opportunities for attendees to strengthen their gifts and explore new skills through workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. In addition, the 2024 conference will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion, including a stunning performance led by Dr. Christopher Cock. (Made possible through a generous gift from Pauline and John Kiltinen.) Registration opens mid-October!

 

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Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival

Nominate students for Lutheran Summer Music

It’s not too soon to nominate a student for LSM 2024. With enrollment for next summer already over 50% full, it will be important for interested students to apply early! Know a high school student who would benefit from the life-giving and joyful musical community at LSM? Nominate them today or contact admissions@lutheransummermusic.org for more information. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University from June 30 through July 28, 2024.

 

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Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

An interdisciplinary study and ministry center that promotes the scholarly study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities across North America and beyond.

The Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is designed to foster, strengthen and sustain well-grounded worship in congregations Grants to worshiping communities stimulate thoughtful and energetic work that will result in worship services that exhibit renewed creativity, theological integrity, and relevance. Learn more about Worshiping Communities Grants. The deadline for this round of proposals is October 15. Future dates for submissions include Feb. 15 and June 15, 2024.

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Augsburg Fortress Events and Resources

Augsburg Fortress is an imprint of 1517 Media, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Come, Emmanuel

Explore the Advent season and celebrate the joy of the twelve days of Christmas and the day of Epiphany. Come, Emmanuel includes daily devotions for the first Sunday of Advent (December 3, 2023) through Epiphany (January 6, 2024). In addition to devotions, the book offers household blessings and prayers to enrich your preparations and celebrations.

 

Call to Allyship

How can churches do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call? In belonging to a predominantly white denomination, ELCA members are called to listen and learn from its leaders of color to recognize the assumptions, biases, and harmful actions that result when congregations don’t do the work to become allies. Authors offer wisdom, storytelling, and concrete suggestions for churches preparing to call a leader of color. Call to Allyship is a must-read for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone prepared to do the work of understanding, welcoming, and celebrating these leaders.

Ashes to Action

After the world witnessed the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a passionate uprising erupted, with the intersection of 38th and Chicago at its epicenter. One block away stood Calvary Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation whose members had engaged in racial justice work for years.

In Ashes to Action, Shari Seifert provides her riveting first-person account of the events following May 25, 2020. Shari joined others in the Calvary community to show up, listen, and ask what was needed in the moment. As the lines between her congregation and neighborhood blurred, the way toward a faithful response because clearer. This personal narrative stays rooted in the context of community, immersing readers in the days, weeks, and months following the uprising.

Unscheduled Grace: 40 Reflections and Prayers for College Students

A collection of devotions and prayers. This book can accompany students through the changes, challenges, and joys of college living, including homework, relationships, stress, vocation, and more. Through all its entries, the authors assure readers that no matter what they face, their lives are blessed by the unscheduled grace of God. Authors Matt Marohl and Katie Fick are campus pastors at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

 

Remind Me Again Facilitator Guide

Rev. Jia Starr Brown has developed 41 lessons based on Joe Davis’s poems in Remind Me Again. Each lesson helps you have meaningful discussions about Joe’s poetry as well as helping guide you to form more meaningful connections with your own community.

 

 

 

A. J. Houseman, Summerville, SC

Warm-up Questions

• Who, among those you know, got vaccinated for COVID-19 first? Do you know why they chose to be vacicanted.
• When did you get vaccinated?
• Do you know how many lives the COVID-19 vaccines saved?

Faith and Vaccines

The vaccines for COVID came out rapidly, which helped curb the worst of the threat and saved lives. The more people got the vaccine the less the threat of this virus, to both themselves and others.

When the vaccine came out, it was first offered to the most vulnerable in our society, the elderly.  Then to the first responders who would be out fighting to save lives every day.  Next to those just a little younger who were also vulnerable.  Finally, we were all encouraged to get vaccinated, so that each of us could do our part to help protect everyone else around us—our loved ones, strangers on the train, and all of God’s children.

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their research on mRNA, which led to the creation of the Modera and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. “These laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.” (Nobel Assembly)

They worked for decades without much support for their research and their findings were finally published in 2005.  Many institutions didn’t see any relevance to their research or think it would ever amount to anything.  And because of this, it was hard for them to find funding and support for their research.  Then a global pandemic meant we needed their help.  Their research and findings on using mRNA to make vaccines in record time saved millions of lives. Katalin(Kati) Kariko said, “We were not working for any kind of reward, we were working to make a product that can save lives.”

Discussion Questions

• How did the pandemic change the way you think about vaccines?
• How did you feel about getting a vaccine?
• What were other ways, like vaccines, to care for others during the pandemic?

Isaiah 25:1-9

Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 22:1-14

(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 A at Lectionary Readings.)

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

Gospel Reflection

This parable Jesus tells is directed towards “them”, the same church leaders he has been arguing with for the last few weeks of our Sunday lessons.  He tells them once again what the kingdom of heaven is like. Often when Jesus tells a parable, he uses dramatic exaggeration, so that the point is not lost on the audience.  In today’s text a King throws a great feast and sends out the invitations.  But who responds? Not the church leaders.  In a shocking display of contempt for the king they reject the invitation with lame excuses.  Those who respond and attend are those considered unworthy by those same church leaders.  

What does it mean to respond to this call? Jesus offers us another dramatic image, a missing wedding garment,  because discipleship is more than just showing up.  The person who has no wedding garment is not ready to fully enter into the celebration. The image of the garment is not about clothes, it’s about what we do with our invitation. Jesus calls us to share the good news, to go out in service to the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lonely, and lost. 

We are saved by grace through faith in the gift of salvation given to us by Jesus.  And as Lutherans, we say that our job is to live in response to this gift. You have been called to the banquet, rejoice!  But it isn’t enough just to be called. How we respond to this gift in our actions shows what it means for us to be guests at the heavenly banquet.

A quotation often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is, “Preach the gospel (the good news) at all times and only when necessary use words.”  While scholars say there is no  evidence that Francis actually spoke these words, their meaning still holds.  It’s undeniable that that our lives makes our words more believable.  And actions do indeed often speak louder than words.

Discussion Questions

• How do we respond to God’s call?
• What are ways that we share the good news of Christ with others?
• What does it mean to put our faith into action?
• What do these words by St. Francis mean to you?

Activity Suggestion

Brainstorm ways that we can use science to help our neighbors and our world. Write these ideas out on band-aids and stick them to a picture of a broken globe (or get an actual broken globe and repair it with the band-aids).  Some say that individual actions are indeed just small band-aids on the great problems of our day (global ecological collapse, hunger many, war of all types).  Discuss how the way of Jesus might address the underlying causes of suffering.

Closing Prayer

God of grace and mercy, thank you for the gift of science, scientists, and the ability to save lives through their work.  Thank you for helping us to share the good news of your love and serve our neighbors through scientists like Kati and Drew.  Please be with those who still need healing and care.  Help us to be your hands and feet of love.  Amen. 

 

Have you ever passed a congregation’s street sign and glanced for a symbol – say, that four-color globe overlaid with a cross that indicates “ELCA”? What you see tells you something about what’s going on inside. Or maybe you’ve seen a symbol on a bumper sticker – say, “26.2”, that once you’re in-the-know indicates the person could tell you something about running marathons.

With the launch on October 4 of “One Home One Future”, congregations of many varieties will start popping up with a new symbol that tells you something about what’s going on inside and that can start important conversations. It is a visible effort to invite creation care and climate action.

 

INVITATION FROM BISHOP EATON

“In the ELCA, we are called to care for creation and for each other. The ELCA is proud to be part of ‘One Home One Future’, a multi-faith campaign to strengthen vitality, relevance and community connections across generations in local congregations nationwide. We invite all of our congregations to participate no matter if they have an active creation care program or are just getting started,” said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop, in a campaign launch video. “I look forward to seeing ELCA congregations participate in cities and towns across the country, and I am proud to stand together across faith traditions to protect our given and shared home.”

A banner to hang in front of your house of worship is one of the items in a free congregational toolkit for those that sign up for the campaign, along with free access to trainings, guides and more organized through ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program. (The ELCA is a Blessed Tomorrow partner). Check out onehomeonefuture.org for details.

 

OUR CREATION CARE EFFORTS ARE NOT ALONE

When Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact in the ELCA-affiliated state public policy office network, spoke of her enthusiasm around the new campaign, she said it is easy for local congregations to feel “that they’re the only one in their community who cares about this issue. [Seeing] those signs is going to help them understand it’s not just them, and it’s not just their little congregation… [They] are going to be able to see all over the country, and all over their local community, that there are people who share those values.”

Plus, the resources help. “Our folks know that no organization, no matter how great it is, and no denomination has all of the answers and all of the tools they need. So the access to a library of information from all of our colleagues is really important.”

Explore “One Home One Future” for your worshipping community to strengthen your congregation and care for creation in ways that are inspiring, fulfilling and accessible. Moorhead is excited. “It’s going to bolster [our congregations’] courage and make them take steps they might not otherwise have felt confident to take.”

 

SYMBOL AND HOPE

And maybe wave or honk when you see the new symbol, because it tells you something about what’s going on. It is our duty to be responsible caretakers of God’s creation, motivated by hope. As stated in “Earth’s Climate Crisis,” an ELCA social message: “With God’s help humanity can turn from the present course, take loving and just action, and live more harmoniously within God’s beautiful and verdant creation.”