Ohio’s Legislature has returned from their holiday break with a full calendar in front of them. The Legislature will work on a capital budget over the next few months to allocate resources for building projects. They are also looking at Ohio’s unemployment compensation system. HB 394 will cut benefits to those unemployed and limit many low-wage workers from qualifying for assistance between jobs. The issue of Ohio’s unemployment compensation system has to come to the Legislature’s attention, because we continue to owe the federal government for money borrowed during the Great Recession. HB 394 will hurt families struggling to get by and leave the system short on revenue. The Ohio Legislature should strengthen assistance for individuals and families who are in between jobs.

For more information about HB 394 or other legislation before the Legislature, contact Nick Bates, diaconal minister in the Southern Ohio Synod at Batesyep@gmail.com. 

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Pennsylvania – Tracey DePasquale, Interim-Director

www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

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Virginia – Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

Neill Caldwell, Communications Director

http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/ 

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy held its “Day for All People” on Jan. 20, with about 250 participants who heard speakers on various issues and then attended the General Assembly to meet with their legislators. Legendary preacher Dr. James Forbes was the keynote speaker, talking about America’s ongoing racial divide. Organizers were excited by the attendance of several student groups, including a group of Muslim students from a school in Richmond.

Because the Legislature is in session, Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare, part of the Interfaith Center, is busy attending hearings and advocating to “close the coverage gap.” Virginia is one of 18 states that have not accepted federal Medicaid funding.

Finally, the center will have a new executive director starting Feb. 9. Kim Bobo from Chicago, a nationally known advocate for social justice and interfaith cooperation, who wrote a book on faith-based organizing, has accepted the position.

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Wisconsin – Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

www.loppw.org

HISTORY AND ADVOCACY TODAY: LOPPW Advisory Council Member Venice Williams is the main organizer of an annual celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Body & Soul Healing Arts Center in Milwaukee, where she is the executive director. 2016’s theme was “Coming out of the Shadows of Global Slavery and Human Trafficking. LOPPW’s director led a workshop at the event. To a crowd of about 200 people Venice said, “If the Reverend Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today global trafficking and sex trafficking would be at the top of his list.”

MORE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LOPPW/Cherish All Children’s team has set dates for conferences: June 25 in Wisconsin Rapids, at the edge of East Central, bordering La Crosse Area and South-Central; July 9 in Superior in Northwest; and Sept. 14 in Madison in South-Central for a statewide conference and rally.

The LOPPW director testified on two anti-trafficking bills.

FEDERAL: Advisory Council Member Eric Larson has made the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act known in the Northern Great Lakes Synod. Most recently, Zion Lutheran Church in Marinette is making the legislation and their response to it using Washington, D.C.’s, post cards and the handout, Combatting Childhood Hunger, part of their emphasis during their hunger and poverty education and action.

SYNOD EVENT: LOPPW’s director gave a brief presentation on LOPPW and highlighted 2016’s focus on ELCA World Hunger at Lead and Learn in Milwaukee; she was also part of a panel on social justice.

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Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org ​​

Nuestra relación con el dinero es una cuestión profundamente espiritual.

Una iglesia en el Sínodo del Noreste de Ohio se describe a sí misma como una congregación del “50/50”. Dona la mitad de las ofrendas recibidas. Una parte importante se destina al apoyo a la misión, pero la congregación también apoya ministerios y proyectos locales. Visité la congregación el día en que se iban a aportar ofrendas para un programa especial. Uno a uno, los congregantes con gesto serio se acercaban a colocar sus ofrendas en una cesta ante el altar.

En la parte de atrás de la congregación, me llamó la atención una niña, puede que de 5 años, sentada en el regazo de su padre. Forcejeaba y se retorcía hasta que el adulto le dio su ofrenda y la soltó. Recorrió el pasillo como un tornado, la cabeza en alto y una mirada como si hubiera ganado la lotería. Cuando regresaba a su asiento, señalé la alegría de dar representada en esta pequeña niña. Alguien de la congregación comentó: “No es su dinero”. Esperé un minuto y luego dije: “No, es el dinero de su padre”.

Tenemos una relación conflictiva con el dinero. Por una parte, aseguramos que no nos puede comprar amor o felicidad, pero por la otra medimos nuestro valor y seguridad según su escala. No nos gusta hablar de dinero en la iglesia. Hace años que hablamos de sexualidad humana en esta iglesia, pero no hablamos del dinero. Es totalmente inaceptable.

Recuerdo una entrevista con un comité de vocaciones donde pedí ver los informes del tesorero. Me dijeron: “Oh no, pastora, usted preocúpese de las cuestiones espirituales y nosotros nos preocupamos de las finanzas”. Pero nuestra relación con el dinero es una cuestión profundamente espiritual. Nuestra peculiar relación con el dinero puede mantenernos en una especie de esclavitud. Jesús lo sabía cuando se encontró con un rico que aseguraba haber respetado los mandamientos desde su juventud, pero que seguía sintiendo que le faltaba algo. Cuando Jesús le dijo que vendiera todo lo que tenía, que lo diera a los pobres y le siguiera, “el hombre se desanimó y se fue triste porque tenía muchas riquezas” (Marcos 10:17-22). Tenía muchas posesiones. Era esclavo de sus posesiones.

Dar es una disciplina espiritual. Es la forma que tenemos de aprender a vivir por la fe. Es una forma de participar de la generosidad y abundancia de Dios. Es una forma de ir más allá de nosotros mismos. Es también una forma de conectarnos los unos a los otros. En respuesta a la gracia y amor pródigo de Dios, expresado en la crucifixión y resurrección de Jesús, nuestros donativos son un acto comunal. Dar es tan espiritual como la adoración. Forma parte de nuestra vida unidos. No estoy hablando de los donativos de ostentación y publicidad de uno mismo contra los que advierte Jesús en Mateo 6:2-4, sino de la ofrenda intencional y, en su caso, extravagante de la viuda en el templo (Marcos 12:41-44). El suyo fue un acto público de fe y participación en la vida corporativa de la comunidad.

¿Con qué frecuencia habla su congregación del dinero? ¿En la campaña anual de mayordomía en el otoño? ¿En los foros de adultos? ¿Alguna vez? ¿Cuenta su congregación con educación para la mayordomía y con un programa anual de mayordomía? Sus obispos, el personal de su sínodo y los directores de misión evangélica están listos y dispuestos para trabajar con ustedes. Háblenles por teléfono.

Recientemente, el obispo James Hazelwood del Sínodo de Nueva Inglaterra encuestó a los miembros laicos y ordenados sobre el apoyo a la misión. Descubrió que aproximadamente el 10 por ciento sabía qué era el apoyo a la misión. Es el apoyo financiero que las congregaciones envían a los sínodos para posibilitar y promover la obra de la más amplia iglesia. Un porcentaje se envía a la organización nacional para apoyar la obra de la ELCA en nuestro país y en todo el mundo. Algunos sínodos envían hasta el 55 por ciento del apoyo a la misión recibido. Todos nuestros sínodos son generosos en sus donativos, incluso hasta el punto del sacrificio. Esta es una obra que realizamos juntos: ningún sínodo o congregación individual podría hacerlo solo. Y los sínodos también apoyan ministerios en sus territorios: seminarios, campamentos, universidades, organizaciones de ministerio social, nuevas congregaciones y mucho más.

Han cambiado los patrones para dar. Entiendo que las personas quieran dar a proyectos específicos o a causas locales. Eso está muy bien. Sigan haciéndolo. De hecho, revisen Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA (Siempre siendo renovados: la campaña de la ELCA). Pueden designar para dar a ministerios vitales que lleven en el corazón. Pero formen parte de un apoyo a la misión que significa fe, liberación y creación de conexiones. Puede que no sea glamoroso, pero hace la diferencia.

¿Con qué frecuencia habla su congregación del dinero? ¿En la campaña anual de mayordomía por el otoño? ¿En los foros de adultos? ¿De vez en cuando?

Mensaje mensual de la obispa presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América. Esta columna apareció por primera vez en la edición de julio de 2015 de la revista en inglés The Lutheran. Reimpreso con permiso.

Jen Krausz, Bethlehem, PA

Warm-up Question

What is the last thing you asked Jesus to do for you? Did he do it?

Power Revealed

According to the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), you now have a 39.6% chance of developing cancer in your lifetime. An estimated 14 million Americans have some form of cancer right now, including thousands of children and teens with leukemia.
   Leukemia is a blood cancer. Instead of affecting a part of the body like the lungs or the brain, leukemia makes a person’s white blood cells sick so that they don’t work right. Our white blood cells help the body fight infections. People with leukemia get sick easily and can die from a simple infection if they don’t get help.
Doctors have found different ways of treating cancers, including chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Cancer cells multiply too quickly, which makes tumors grow and spread around the body. Many cancers can be put into remission or cured with the current treatments available, but some cancers are too advanced or aggressive. Scientists are looking for new ways to treat cancers that are easier for the body to handle and can work for even the most aggressive cancers.

In an amazing turn of events, some of the newest scientific advances use other viruses to kill cancer cells. Recently, scientists have exposed the polio virus to a cold virus, then used it to attack cancer cells in the brain where it is too sensitive to operate. Turns out the polio virus isn’t harmful to healthy cells once it catches a cold, but it appears to be quite harmful to cancer cells.

A new treatment for leukemia involves changing a donor’s white blood cells so that they act like an attack dog and go after the leukemia cells. Doctors tested this new treatment on a few patients who basically had no hope of survival even after bone marrow transplants, and they all survived at least 30 months with no new cancer activity. One even went into complete remission.

Discussion Questions

• How has cancer touched your family or friends?
• Why do you think so many more people are getting cancer today than 50 years ago?
• Do you have hope that someone will someday find a cure for cancer? Why or why not?

Transfiguration of our Lord

Exodus 34:29-35

2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

Luke 9:28-36 [37-43]
(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 B at Lectionary Readings
For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

On the surface, the two events described in the gospel lesson couldn’t be more different. In one, Jesus brings Peter, John and James to a mountain and lets them see his conversation with long-dead prophets Moses and Elijah, blowing their minds in more ways than one. In the other account, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after grumbling about his disciples’ lack of faith.
What the two events have in common, though, is that they both reveal who Jesus is in a miraculous way. In the first account, we see the glory of Jesus as he is supernaturally changed and is able to speak with heavenly figures. Not only does he speak with them, but they talk about what is going to happen in the future with his life and death. The Transfiguration shows that Jesus is God’s son and that he shares God’s glory and sovereignty (which means his power over the whole world).
The second account also shows the power of Jesus in being able to do what no one else could do, heal the man’s demon-possessed son. This showed that not only did Jesus have power over the heavenly realms, but that he had more power than the evil spiritual realms as well.
Both of these stories show Jesus’ power over the supernatural realm, and proved to the disciples that he was God’s son. The disciples often doubted and wavered in their faith even though Jesus showed them his power over and over again.
Even now, we find it hard to understand why things happen the way they do in our lives. Why does one sick person get better and another doesn’t? We seek God’s power in our own lives, with varying results. Through God’s word, we see the power of Jesus and we choose to put our faith in him. Then we need to put that faith into action in the world so that others can also see it and be changed.

Discussion Questions

• What evidence do you see of the supernatural in the world today?
• Compare Jesus’ power to the growing ability of science to treat and cure diseases. How does Jesus’ power still surpass anything that people can accomplish?
• What ideas do you have for how to put your faith into action in the world?

Activity Suggestions

If your church doesn’t already have a prayer team that prays for the spiritual needs of the congregation, your class/group can collect information about those prayer needs and pray about them in your meetings. If a prayer team does exist, you can use the existing information about prayer needs to make a calendar for your group so that you can pray for each need on a different day. The calendar can also be distributed to the whole congregation if the pastor/leadership are on board.

Closing Prayer

Sovereign God, your power is displayed in our world today even as it was when your son walked the earth. We ask your Holy Spirit to help us put our faith into action so that your glory is revealed even more each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Mary Minette

After nearly 10 years of service as ELCA Advocacy director for Environmental Policy and Education, Mary Minette has completed her work with the ELCA Advocacy Office and is moving to a new position.

 “Mary has provided tremendous leadership for the whole church in her vocation and passion to care for creation. Her voice and perspective is respected from Washington, D.C., to congregations and synod assemblies throughout the church.” – Stephen Bouman, ELCA executive director for Congregational and Synodical Mission

 We hope you enjoy her final Living Earth Reflection below. Mary’s thoughtful and faithful leadership will be greatly missed by Lutheran advocates and ecumenical partners, but in her new role she continues her work for creation justice. Please join us in thanking God for Mary’s ministry and wishing her the best of luck!

On Dec. 12, 2015, in Paris, nearly 200 nations agreed for the first time to collectively take steps to address climate change. The Paris agreement was the culmination of years of movement building by groups ranging from environmentalists to labor unions, from local governments to the business community. The faith community has played a key role in the U.N. climate negotiations since their beginnings at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, but in Paris faith advocates were present in the highest numbers and had the greatest visibility and access ever.

Under the Paris agreement each country has pledged to set its own greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and to review those goals on a regular basis. As of this writing, 160 countries have submitted national goals, or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC).  The INDC for the United States includes actions across our economy—raising fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and methane emissions from oil and gas production, increasing energy efficiency, and encouraging adoption of renewable energy technologies. Other countries have also stepped forward with ambitious plans. For example, during the Paris meeting in December, leaders of African nations announced a new initiative that will make their continent a leader in the adoption of renewable energy—addressing both climate change and the continent’s need for energy development.

The Paris agreement pledges to keep total human-induced global warming below a 2-degree Celsius increase from pre-industrial levels, which climate scientists consider a key threshold for preventing catastrophic climate change. Although current INDC are not sufficient to meet that goal, the Paris agreement also includes mechanisms to review current commitments and to scale up ambition for reducing greenhouse gas emissions every five years. This creates opportunities for advocates to put pressure on our own governments to make good on their promises and to increase ambition over time; however, it will be incumbent upon all of us to make sure that we keep building pressure on our elected officials to ramp up their goals.

The Paris agreement includes financial commitments to help developing countries adopt cleaner energy technology and to help vulnerable countries adapt to already occurring climate change, including rising sea levels, increases in severe weather, and long-term droughts.

A key priority for faith advocates during negotiations was helping vulnerable countries address so-called “loss and damage,” the term used to refer to irreparable impacts of climate change on lives and livelihoods, including loss of territory. Island nations, such as Kiribati, might soon be completely submerged and will face relocation and sovereignty issues.

The Paris agreement did not provide a final answer to these difficult questions, but it did include a recommendation to continue working for solutions to loss-and-damage issues, which faith advocates can build on in future years.

How can we help support the Paris agreement?

We can support initiatives, such as the Clean Power Plan, to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and rules to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

We can continue our strong support for the U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund and to poverty-focused international development.

This agreement, for the first time, considers local actions as part of what will be needed to keep temperatures within safe boundaries. As advocates, we can work with our cities and counties and states to push for more renewable energy, higher energy efficiency standards for buildings, better land use practices and other things that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We can build on what many of our congregations are already doing—making our buildings more energy efficient, putting solar panels on church roofs and geothermal heating and cooling systems under our foundations.

And we can continue to look at our individual contributions to climate change—driving less, turning down the thermostat, recycling, and prioritizing small and large actions to reduce our carbon footprint.

 And most importantly:

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. – Romans 12:11-12

Ellen Rothweiler, Des Moines, IA

Warm-up Question

What do you do when you experience pain?

The Pain of Rejection

Rejection is something most of us have experienced in our life. But, did you know that the brain experiences rejection as a form of physical pain? So breaking your arm and being rejected by your peers can have similar responses in the brain and can feel equally painful!
Studies have shown that children and teens often experience real and lingering pain of rejection more keenly than others. These feelings of rejection can impact the child’s overall health, both physically and socially. In a study done by Mark Leary, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, 15 cases of school shooters were analyzed and he discovered all but two suffered from social rejection. His research published in the journal Aggressive Behavior says, “Ostracized people sometimes become aggressive and can turn to violence.”
This pain, like any physical pain, can often take time to recover from and cause other issues if not dealt with. It is important that we pay attention to our emotional health and be aware of the impact that rejection can have on others.

Discussion Questions

• Share a time when you have felt rejected.
• Share a time when you have rejected someone.
• Does the relationship you have with someone impact how you respond to being rejected by them? Explain.

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

Jeremiah 1:4-10

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Luke 4:21-30
(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 B at Lectionary Readings
For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

In this passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is preaching and teaching in his hometown. The crowd is full of people who have known him most of his life and see him as the son of Joseph. People’s worth was often measured by their parentage in the ancient Hebrew culture so that was an important part of his identity. The people were proud of him, excited to hear what he had to say. That is, until he said something that was difficult for them to hear. Then, they ran him out of town!
It is funny how precarious acceptance can be, especially with people who think they know all about you. You can feel like a well-liked part of a group and then you share an opinion that is not popular and you find yourself on the outside, rejected.
It is important to take note of how Jesus responded to this rejection. In verse 30 it says “but he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.” Jesus seems unaffected by this rejection. He predicted they would respond this way in verse 24 “….no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown”. Jesus, being both fully human and fully divine may have felt this rejection as we do, but he had things to do. He was on a mission. We too, have a calling in life that God has given us. Sometimes rejection can be that thing that pushes us forward but that does not mean it is not painful. Often the pain of rejection can bring a new sense of identity. Jesus was not only Joseph’s son but the Son of God sent to redeem the world.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think that Jesus said “no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown”?
• List three words that describe your identity.
• What groups/people have an impact on your identity?

Activity Suggestion

As a group share qualities that you see in each other. Have each group member share three things they have noticed about the character of the person to their right. This should be a time of affirmation not criticism. As the leader of the group, take time to reflect back the qualities you hear that you see influencing each participants identity.

Closing Prayer

Lord we thank you for claiming us as your children in baptism. We know that this is our primary identity and that you will never reject us. Please be with us when we feel rejected by others and we pray for those who do not feel accepted by or connected to a community. Help us to welcome them and show them your love.
Amen

By: Fumi Liang, Huntington Beach, CA

I am Fumi Liang from Huntington Beach California and I want to tell you a story about a group of senior citizens who are trying to make a difference in caring for the environment.

My friend Dick started a program called “Paper Rollers” many years ago. About 20 seniors came to church every Thursday to make 20 lbs of newspaper rolls and sell them to a floral company. When Dick passed away, nobody wanted to take over his job to organize this program. As a leader of a senior ministry at my church, I could have moved away from this project, but I didn’t want Dick’s legacy to die. So I took over and I’m glad I did, because I found out how much these seniors care about the land our God created.

The seniors in my church worry about how we’re not taking care of the land we live. They want to continue to do as much as they can to keep our land healthy for their next generation. They taught me, through their action, to be deeply concerned about our environment and the effect climate change will have on my grandchildren’s lives. I sincerely hope that through the Green Climate Fund, government can help combat climate change so we can keep the earth green and clean.

This is the message I gave when I met with the offices of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Scott Peters on Capitol Hill as part of the ELCA’s Advocacy Convening in Washington, D.C. last year.

This convening occurred in the midst of Pope Francis’ visit to Washington. It was the time for the ELCA to get together with the Episcopal Church to share prayers, formation, and practice of our baptismal mandate to strive for justice and peace. This was the first time that ELCA Advocacy invited community leaders from across the United States to attend the event alongside ELCA bishops. I was one of 17 community leaders invited to attend and learn how to become an effective Advocate. Having said that, I was very nervous about participating because I didn’t have any idea about what I would be expected to do.

I knew nothing about ELCA Advocacy; who they are and what they do for what purpose. Everything was new to me. I just had to trust and asked God to give me His extra mercy to guide me through this new challenge.

I was impressed by one of the speakers who emphasized how important it is for us to be truthful when we talk about the issue that matters to us. I always thought that religion and politics should never mix together. However, I discovered during my time in Washington that it could work beautifully if the contact between religion and politics was not for the disputes of powers, money and fame but for the purpose of serving people. After all, people come to church for help and comfort.  They want to find the answer of their needs and heal for their pains. If church cannot do that for them, who else can?

Through my participation in the 2015 Advocacy Convening, I realized that the ELCA’s Advocacy ministry can help provide opportunities to make a difference. While in Washington, we urged Congress to provide appropriate funding for global health and refugee services, emergency food assistance, and other development programs through the international Affairs Account; to promote robust structures that help developing countries adopt clean energy technologies and adapt to climate change impacts through the Green Climate Fund; and to protect children and families in Central America by investing in poverty reduction, human rights, and citizen security.

Prior to meeting with Congress, I received training on how to address your opinion effectively. I practiced and prepared my own story and its relation to climate change and environmental issues. It was a great challenge for me to deliver what I wanted to say within 2 to3 minutes. I was grateful that Bishop Finck, Bishop Erwin, Mark Carlson of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California helped me shape my story and present it during our meetings. Not in my wildest dreams did I think that one day I would voice my concerns on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

After I returned from my trip, I shared my experience with my senior group on Thursday during their “Paper Rollers” time. They were so pleased to know that the ELCA is concerned about our environment and that I was able to give voice to my community’s experience. When I saw their delighted faces, I felt really blessed because I didn’t just attend a fun event in Washington, I was also able to bring ELCA Advocacy home to them by sharing my experience.

Dennis Sepper, Puyallup, WA

Warm-up Question

• What contemporary songs are there that focus on the theme of being “who you are”? (Some examples might be Brave, Shake it Off, This is My Fight Song)
• What contemporary Christian songs have the theme of being “who you are” as a Christian? (Some examples might be I Know Who I Am, Free to be Me, Who Am I)

Living Out Our Identity

 December 1, 2015—In an effort to create programming targeted to its desired audience of 12 to 34 year olds, MTV interviewed more than 1000 young people born after December 2000, seeking to understand what forces are creating their generational identity. This is a generation which has grown up with social media and thus has had earlier access to the world in ways that shape its collective perspective. According to MTV President Sean Atkins, “They have this self-awareness that systems have been broken.” This has tended to make them more realistic and risk-adverse. MTV has given this generation the name “Founders” though other labels exist such as Homelanders, the Plurals, the App Generation and Generation Z.

For the whole article please see: http://time.com/4130679/millennials-mtv-generation/

Our identity as individuals is influenced by a number of things: genetics, family, ethnic background, friends and our generational peers. As Christians we believe that a part of our identity is given to us by the Holy Spirit in the waters of Baptism. We are, like it or not, part of the Body of Christ in the world today.

One of the developmental tasks of growing up is to sort out our identity and answer the question “Who am I in the world?” As we wrestle with that question we are also challenged to “be who we are in the world” and not let ourselves be conformed to an identity that is not true to who we are. In that struggle we are not alone for scripture tells us that Jesus had enter that struggle himself.

Discussion Questions

• So what do you think about MTV’s study and research? If you are under 16 years old, does it resonate with you? In what ways?
• If you were born before 2000 do you see a difference in the “younger generation”? Again, in what ways?
• Have you thought about what things have shaped your identity and influenced who you are in the world? What are some of those things?

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

(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 B at Lectionary Readings
For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Two weeks ago in Faith Lens it was noted how Jesus’ identity was confirmed in Jesus’ baptism and in the voice from heaven saying to Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” That identity is then tested by the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13 which we will consider the First Sunday in Lent). The question Jesus must wrestle with and answer while being tempted in the wilderness is “what kind of messiah is Jesus going to be?” Will Jesus use power and fear or compassion and love? Jesus resists the temptations of the devil who then departs until “an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Thus Jesus is now secure in his identity and begins his public ministry.

The story continues in our Gospel text today. Jesus begins preaching and teaching and soon comes to his hometown Nazareth in Galilee. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus “went to church” and was asked to read the scripture. Jesus was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He located the passage he wanted and then read, “The Spirit of the Lord is up me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

This was a very well known passage from Isaiah and, most likely, surprised no one in the synagogue. But then, Jesus sat down (a significant move because rabbis and teachers taught while seated), all eyes were fixed on Jesus and he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” That was a surprise! Jesus is claiming the words of Isaiah as his own mission statement. It is not “someday” all of this will happen…it is “today” this promised has been fulfilled.

The significance of that should not be lost on us. As the body of Christ in our day the mission of Jesus becomes our mission. That vocational call comes in our own baptisms and is lifted up again when we affirm our baptism. Consider this portion of the Affirmation of Baptism service in Evangelical Lutheran Worship:
You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

Each person responds:
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

The pastor then lays hands on each person and says:
Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm her/his faith, guide her/his life, empower her/him in her/his serving, give her/him patience in suffering, and bring her/him to everlasting life.
Amen

It sounds a bit like Isaiah doesn’t it? Indeed a part of our identity is given to us by God through the Holy Spirit to follow the example of Jesus in our daily living.

How we accomplish that mission differs for each of us, as St. Paul is trying to note in our second reading about the body of Christ. We can’t all be Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King Jr and that’s okay. As Paul notes everyone cannot be an eye or a nose or a foot or the body would not be a body. In fact Paul says that the lesser known members of the body are indispensable and should be treated with great respect (see 1 Corinthians 12:22ff). In addition, carrying out the mission of Jesus is not ours alone but the work of the Church.

Part of our identity is to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and to be a part of the body of Christ in our local congregation and as a part of the ELCA.

Discussion Questions

• Take a look at the promises made in the affirmation service.  How have you lived out those promises?  Where might you grow as a disciple?
• What gift do you bring to the body of Christ to make it stronger in its mission to proclaim Christ?

Activity Suggestions

To begin, as you gather with your youth group or Bible study think about and discuss how the Christian faith and mission is a part of your identity, who you are in your church, family, and community.

Next, make a list of the ways your congregation or faith community is the body of Christ in the place where you live. How does your church carry out the mission of Jesus? Do you have a number of worship opportunities where the gospel is proclaimed? Does your church have a food bank or community garden? Does it support a prison ministry? Remember as you create this list that even the small things are indispensable and contribute to the work of the body of Christ.

Also, if you are a member of an ELCA congregation, do some exploring and research to see how your Synod is carrying out the mission of Christ. Again using Paul’s image of the body of Christ, each congregation in the Synod forms a part of a larger body that proclaims the Gospel and serves a much larger area.

Closing Prayer

Almighty and loving God, through the Holy Spirit you call and gather us into the body of our Savior Jesus Christ. You contribute to our individual identity that we might join with others to carry on the mission and ministry of Jesus. Give us eyes to see ways in which we might proclaim the good news and serve others in your name while making us aware of how with our brothers and sisters in Christ we can do even more that we can by ourselves. To you be all glory and honor now and forever. Amen.

“… and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

Discussing “racism” is difficult for many of us. However, the fears within this word must be addressed. The tragedy in Charleston, S.C., on June 17, 2015 sparked a light that had to be shined for the way the victims’ families and communities responded through love and forgiveness. This was the inspiration behind “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America.”

If you have not viewed “Shining a Light”” already, I highly recommend it. Not only are the songs that were selected by the dedicated diverse artists powerful and meaningful, the hour-long conversations from Charleston; Ferguson and Baltimore open a dialogue on the realities and truth of the current racial struggles we still face in today’s society. The conversations are very black and white due to the open racial hatred that African Americans have been faced with – especially over the last several years – and that has directly impacted their communities. If it had not been for the artists, media and organizations promoting this important topic, the oppressed and voiceless people would still be unheard.

Racism will always be alive and well, but if we want to live in a world of possibilities for all people, let’s continue the conversations with truths – the truth of racial disparities between law enforcement and black males, the truth of racial profiling in black communities, and the truth of the unjust justice system that targets minorities – just to highlight some of the discussion topics.

Today we celebrate the birthday of a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who still has a light burning at his gravesite to remind us of where we were, where we are and where we aspire to be. But the best light of all is that bright star that showed the way to the promised Christ child sent to love us all equally. Where is your light? 

Jackie Maddox, ELCA Advocacy

 

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

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Washington, D.C. – Amy Reumann, Director of Advocacy

www.elca.org/advocacy

Earlier this week, President Obama gave his final State of the Union address to Congress. As lawmakers across the political spectrum prepare their 2016 legislative agendas, we urge our elected officials to ensure that our nation’s public policies embody biblical values of peacemaking, hospitality to our neighbors, care for creation, and concern for our brothers and sisters facing poverty and struggling with hunger. Among other advocacy priorities, we urge Congress to: 

REFORM OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: In early 2015, the ELCA, alongside our faith community partners, demanded criminal justice sentencing reform to restore a common-sense approach to nonviolent drug sentencing. We know that excessively high mandatory minimum sentences over-crowd federal prisons, unfairly punish our brothers and sisters living in poverty, and do little to reduce crime. We are pleased that Congress responded! The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S.2123) is bipartisan legislation that makes modest reforms to the federal criminal justice system by restoring the ability of federal judges to determine fairer and more realistic sentences and by reducing mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenses. This call is shared by both sides of the isle in Congress, and now the president has joined. We are pleased by the momentum this important legislation is gaining, and we will continue our advocacy efforts until common-sense reforms are made.

COMMIT TO REDUCING EXTREME POVERTY: Millions of people around the world continue to suffer from extreme poverty. Food insecurity, lack of medical services, gender-based violence, and humanitarian crises are some of the issues we will continue to focus on this year. The U.S. government plays a critical role in improving the lives of our brothers and sisters in need. It is imperative that we hold our government accountable to its commitments to reducing extreme poverty. A big part of this work is to ensure that Congress allocates funds for existing relief and development programs, as well as to advocate for systemic reforms so that these programs are more efficient.

PROTECT THOSE WHO SEEK SAFETY: ELCA Advocacy will continue to focus on ensuring that U.S. policies protect those who must leave their homes in search of safety. In 2015, we joined with faith leaders across the country to speak out against religious discrimination in our refugee system and asked for a compassionate investment in Central America to address the displacement of unaccompanied children and families. This year, we will continue to urge the U.S. government to ensure that funding recently allocated for Central America is spent in ways that protect those fleeing violence and persecution. In addition, we will work to make sure that refugees coming through Europe receive appropriate humanitarian protections. Refaai Hamo, a Syrian refugee present at the State of the Union, was fortunate to find safety in the United States and a new home through Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, but thousands continue to risk their lives to find safety or live in refugee camps.

FULFILL OUR PROMISE TO CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: In 2015 the Obama administration issued two final rules under the Clean Air Act that restrict carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. Coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the primary causes of climate change. The carbon rules are the centerpiece of the administration’s strategy to carry out pledges made in Paris toward a new global climate change agreement that will go into effect in 2020. Although the carbon rules are now final, Congress has the ability to challenge them under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The House and Senate held a CRA vote on the rules last fall but failed to get enough votes to override a presidential veto. This spring, ELCA Advocacy will take action as Congress again considers use of the CRA to block these rules and will continue to build upon last year’s legislative successes, such as protecting U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund.

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New York, NY – Dennis Frado​, Lutheran Office for World Community

A DISCUSSION ON ‘FORCED DISPLACEMENT, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION’: On Dec. 16, Dennis Frado and Nicholas Jaech with the Lutheran Office for World Community participated in a public consultation on the discussion paper “Forced Displacement, Refugees, and Migration” produced by the Independent Commission on Multilateralism (ICM). This paper highlighted the current migration crisis, citing 230 million current migrants, which includes 59.5 million displaced persons. ICM, which is affiliated with the International Peace Institute, writes that this is the “biggest humanitarian crisis in the history of the United Nations.” This paper also offers recommendations for “an improved multilateral response” including convening a global summit on the issue, strengthening international coordination among key agencies, organizations and U.N. member states, and strengthening the 1951 Refugees Convention. During a question and answer period, Dennis inquired about the negative impacts of climate change on migration and displacement, citing the current and future crises of island nations facing rising ocean levels. He asked about the probably inevitable need to resettle the populations of these island states and its implications for national sovereignty and preservation of cultures.

Two days later, on Dec. 18, International Migrants Day was recognized at the United Nations. During an event held by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing, director general of IOM, stressed the need to recover from the “amnesia” about historic patterns of migration, citing the migration patterns in and out of the United States. At this event, the Population Division of the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs reminded the audience of the connection between migration and the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals, referencing goal 10.7, which calls on countries to “facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.”

A U.N. BRIEFING ON EL NIÑO: On Jan. 7, the Lutheran Office for World Community attended a briefing on “The Humanitarian Consequences of El Niño and the Need for Urgent Action,” organized by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This event informed member states and U.N. organizations about the current and potential effects of this season’s El Niño weather pattern. Consistently reinforced was El Niño’s connection to climate change – El Niño is not a product of climate change, but occurring in a world with a changing climate makes El Niño’s effects more extreme and unpredictable. The 2015-2016 El Niño pattern is already one of the three strongest since 1950, with models predicting that it could become the strongest on record. Various reports were made on the already damaging effects of the 2015-2016 El Niño – major droughts in Eastern and Central Africa, Central America, and the Pacific region, among others. As the rainy seasons return, the risk of flooding, landslides, and waterborne diseases significantly increase in these drought-ridden regions. Key messages issued by OCHA and other speakers centered on two actions: 1) an urgent response by the international community to address the current humanitarian needs caused by El Niño, and 2) investing in long-term risk and vulnerability reduction, which is critical and needs to be increased. For further analysis of El Niño’s effects by region, please click here.

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California – Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy

www.loppca.org​

STATE LEGISLATURE: California’s legislators reconvened Jan. 4 for the final year of its two-year session, and nearly one-sixth of them gathered that afternoon at Mercy Commons (see photo), a newer permanent supportive housing site in the block next to the county jail and Matsui Federal Building, to launch a bi-partisan effort to generate new resources and redirect existing resources to address our state’s homelessness crisis. The focus will be on “housing first” and mental health services, and the proposal becomes part of budget priority debates that are underway following Gov. Jerry Brown’s Jan. 7 release of his fiscal year 2016-17 budget proposal. With healthy growth in revenue, the governor is still wary of future recessions, the expiration of temporary recession-era sales and income taxes, the need to invest in deteriorating infrastructure, and the challenge of paying for MedicAid/Cal, which now covers one-third of Californians and half its children. California’s first Earned Income Tax Credit is funded into its second year, and there is a small cost of living allowance for elderly and disabled assistance, but an LOPP-CA priority, eliminating the CalWORKS/TANF maximum family grant rule that contributes to child poverty, was not in the proposal.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE PRIORITIES: Defending California’s climate change laws and advocating for equitable investment of cap-and-trade funds, now growing into the billions, will continue to be a LOPP priority. We joined a letter initiated by the Trust for Public Land calling for a Community Greening Fund focused on green infrastructure and forestry in urban communities. LOPP also participated in an interfaith post-Paris briefing.

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Colorado – Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado

www.lam-co.org

The Colorado General Assembly convened on Wednesday, Jan. 13, to begin its 2016 legislative session. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado was on hand for the opening ceremonies and is ready to dive in for a busy year of public policy advocacy.

As we celebrate the arrival of the new year, we also reflect on where we’ve been. In the past year, LAM-CO has been deeply involved in congregational-level education about advocacy, with a particular focus on how advocacy fits into the life of discipleship to which we are called as people of faith. Besides visits to Colorado ELCA congregations to preach and teach, presenting at the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly and Theological Conference, addressing the many coalitions in which we participate, and sending e-newsletter updates, LAM-CO is connecting with thousands of people across Colorado and beyond. We hope to see even more of this in 2016, which will be an important election year in our state and nation.

State Sen. Jessie Ulibarri (center, front) visits the RMS Office of the Bishop and staff in December. Sen. Ulibarri represents the neighborhood in which our office is located.

Our priorities remain steadfast in the coming year: a better and more robust social safety net for those living on the margins, improved access to anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs for those who need them, a higher minimum wage that is commensurate with the actual cost of living, consistent shelter and support services for those without a home, an end to denial of dignity and needless taxpayer expense in the criminal justice system, and a higher standard of environmental protection that shows real care for creation.

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Pennsylvania – Tracey DePasquale, Interim-Director

www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

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Virginia – Charles Swadley, Interim President and CEO

Neill Caldwell, Communications Director

http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/ 

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will host the 2016 “Day for All People,” an opportunity to learn about some key issues facing the Virginia Legislature and then speak to delegates and senators about those issues. This is an annual event that invites participation of multi-faith communities in the process of advocating for issues that impact the most vulnerable and voiceless in the state. The theme for 2016 is “Racism, Beyond the Confederate Flag.” The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. James Forbes of New York City, recognized as one of the best preachers in America.

The event will start at 9 a.m. at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University and move to the General Assembly building and the state Capitol. The day will conclude at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 for the event, $15 for students, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Transportation to and from the VUU campus and the General Assembly will be provided. For more information or to register, go to www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/.

Regional legislative public hearings are scheduled for Jan. 7 in Fredericksburg, Wytheville, Chesapeake and Richmond. The hearings will receive comments on the governor’s proposed amendments to the 2016-18 biennial state budget. Gov. Terry McAuliffe introduces his proposed two-year, approximately $100 billion spending plan on Dec. 17. That will be the starting point for the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees, which are tasked with presenting a budget before the end of the 2016 General Assembly session.

Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare staff are thinking of friends and neighbors who still don’t have access to quality, affordable health care. Gov. McAuliffe has included a proposal to take the federal dollars that would fund that access for Virginia’s working poor, including many veterans and/or their families, whose income is too low to qualify for tax credits for coverage on the Healthcare.gov marketplace and who don’t have health benefits through their employers. Taking the federal dollars would pay for 90 percent of the bill. With the savings from covering some state expenditures with these new dollars and hospitals willingness to contribute, Virginia would save more than the 10 percent.

The proposed spending plan does include money for a universal breakfast program for elementary school children, something that is a new advocacy effort for the Virginia Interfaith Center in partnership with the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Virginia Hunger Solutions.

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Washington – Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

www.fanwa.org

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Wisconsin – Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

www.loppw.org

A 2015 REVIEW: LOPPW was the only Wisconsin group to hold a Safe Harbor rally to support legislation and funding to assist youth victims of sex trafficking.

Bishops, grassroots leaders and LOPPW staff visited legislators on the Hill for the ELCA/Episcopal Advocacy Convening.

LOPPW worked with two synods to help initiate a hunger team in one, and a Care for God’s Creation team linked to ELCA World Hunger in the other. We also participated in the Region 5 hunger gathering in Dubuque, Iowa.

LOPPW is a part of People of Faith United for Justice, a group that organized the 2015 statewide Advocacy Day focused on poverty.

LOPPW staff was present at the governor’s signing of an anti-trafficking bill that we supported.

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Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org ​​

Issue 44 of Administration Matters

Church property loss
Disasters are unforeseen and unpredictable. If your property is damaged or destroyed, you will likely have many questions and be faced with many decisions. Concerns about a temporary location, emergency repairs, and the costs of restoring or rebuilding can be overwhelming. >More

10 tips for better congregation announcements
Congregation announcements are an important part of the Sunday morning experience for most members. They often include information about happenings in the congregation that week, upcoming events for the month, and any reminders that members may need to know. >More

Toward a better congregation council meeting
A few good practices can give a council a joy-filled sense of mission, which, in turn, can lead to renewal in the congregation. This article is from the blog of the Northeastern Iowa Synod. >More

Slips and falls on steps and stairs
Slips, trips and falls account for 15 percent of all accidental deaths, second only to automobile fatalities. The risk of falling, and fall-related problems rise with age and are serious issues in homes and communities. >More

ELCA endorsed insurance program for congregations and synods
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)-Endorsed Property and Liability Insurance Program is committed to providing ELCA congregations and synods with quality insurance protection and enhanced customer service. This commitment is reflected in the selection of Church Mutual as the preferred insurance provider by the ELCA Office of the Secretary in consultation with the Office of the Treasurer. No other company specializing in the protection of ministries offers Church Mutual’s expertise, financial strength and record of outstanding customer service. >More

Submit your parochial report!
2015 parochial reports are due on Feb. 15. These reports are vital to the ELCA’s commitment to improving its efforts of spreading the good news and are used in allocating the ELCA’s resources to synods and congregations. Did you know that the information you submit (or do not submit) in your parochial report goes into your congregation’s trend report, which is publicly available online? Seekers looking for your congregation can see not only the information you submit but also whether the congregation has submitted parochial reports. Please submit the report so that visitors can learn more about you. >More

IRS mileage allowance
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. >More