Hello! I’m Brooke De Jong, and I am very excited to join the ELCA World Hunger team as the Program Assistant for Hunger Education and share my diverse work background with the team. I can’t wait to see what new things we can do together. Most recently, I served as the Director for Youth, Family and Community Outreach at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilmette, Ill. Prior to my work at St. John’s, I worked as a chaplain on an adolescent behavioral health unit, a grant writer for Heartland Alliance Health and as the ELCA’s Coordinator for the Observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and German with a minor in Ancient Languages from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D. I am currently working on my Master of Divinity and in the process of becoming a deacon in the ELCA.

I have a passion for faith formation that is culturally sensitive, socially responsive and aimed at creating lifelong, engaged members of the ELCA. I am looking forward to assisting the ELCA World Hunger team in creating resources that foster the growth of a faith that is active in love and seeks justice. I also look forward to hearing from you about how you are using ELCA World Hunger education resources and what your hopes are for the future of these resources.

When I am not in the office, I can often be found doing CrossFit, hiking, backpacking or biking. My last hiking trip was to the Grand Canyon (see photo). The last backpacking trip I took was to Colorado, where I did the Marron Bells Four Pass Loop. I traversed four mountain passes in five days! I am looking forward to exploring Zion National Park or more of the Rocky Mountains next.

What Was?

Throughout my youth, I was very involved in the church. In my home congregation, I regularly served as an usher and a worship assistant. I was very active in our youth group. As high school went on, I became heavily involved in the Delaware-Maryland synod Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) and spent many weekends during the school year at church retreats or meetings. During these times my faith grew deeply as the many resources and support networks for youth in the church helped me to explore my questions and doubts about faith. I deeply loved the community of faith in which I felt a sense of belonging and acceptance from my peers.

What’s Possible?

Then, I graduated from high school and asked myself the question, “What’s next?” While I knew that I would still have the network of friends and mentors who had supported my faith development, I also recognized that my graduation meant that I was no longer a “Youth” of the church. Instead, I was a “Young Adult” of the church.

Other than campus ministries, I didn’t know what networks or resources existed to support young adults in the church. I had always seen many more active youth in the church than active young adults, and I wasn’t sure what sense of community existed for other young adults in the church. I knew of many friends who had not remained as active in the church as they transitioned from being a youth to a young adult, but I knew that I wanted to continue to be as active with my faith as possible.

What’s Next?

I moved into college and started going to the weekly student services of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at University of Maryland. There I discovered a world of opportunities for young adults like me to experience love and support in church communities. In campus ministry, I’ve been encouraged to explore questions and grow in faith with the small, loving group of 30 or so students that regularly gather together for dinner and worship.

The Humble Walk: Lutheran Campus Ministry at UMD

Students from The Humble Walk gather at the end of the semester

Over the past year and a half, I’ve also been blessed with the opportunities for spiritual growth and discernment in the loving and supportive community of Practice Discipleship, a Young Adult Ministry of the Delaware-Maryland synod. In this community, I’ve come to realize that my fears in the transition from being a youth to a young adult of the church are not unique to me.

Every spring, Practice Discipleship hosts a retreat of young adults in our synod. In addition, Practice Discipleship hosts opportunities for community service and fellowship for young adults. Recetly we spent fellowship time with our Bishop playing board games and eating pizza at our synod office.

The Delaware – Maryland Synod Young Adult Group gathers for pizza and fellowship

What’s the Word?

A passage of scripture that has been especially meaningful to me in my experiences with young adult ministries is found in Matthew 18, where Jesus says:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also.”

In this passage, I’ve come to realize that the continuity between communities of youth I was a part of and the communities of young adults that I belong to now. It is the presence of Christ in those communities. With Christ present and active in the communities that we belong to, we are empowered to live as disciples of Christ in whatever our daily contexts we experience as young adults.

As it is recorded in Romans 12:

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Discussion Questions:

1) Where is young adult ministry happening in your community? Your congregation? Your synod?

2) How does your ministry context present a welcoming environment to young adults?

3) Can you think of any obstacles preventing young adults from getting involved within your community? How can your community be inclusive to the various gifts and backgrounds that young adults bring to ministry contexts?

4) How can you connect graduating youth in your context to a young adult ministry?

Adam is a sophomore at the University of Maryland, where he studies History and Spanish. His home congregation is Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster, MD. At UMD, he serves as a Resident Assistant and on the leadership team of Lutheran Campus Ministry. He’s also a member of the congregational council of Hope Lutheran Church and Student Center. He is passionate about community development, service, and interfaith work. In his free time, Adam enjoys to exercise, read, and travel.

Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC

Warm-up Question

• What makes you and your buddies, buddies?  What unites you or holds you together?
• Do you have a symbol for your group – a style of clothes or type of hats?

Being (Not) One

I was officiating at the wedding of two of our Clemson University alumni.  Their friends stood up to make remarks – all of which were glowing and emotional.  Some of these had gone to Clemson, so they included a “Go Tigers!” in their comments.  High school friends started noting their graduations from other colleges.  Then there was the admission from one that she attended a college in the SEC Conference rather than the ACC.  (College football rivalries are important in the South.)

These exchanges were good natured and humorous; some such exchanges are not.  College football is but one place where division and mistrust and hatred boil over into something ugly.  Our country seems to be in a phase were name-calling and belittling have ceased to be taboo.

This is surely a place where the followers of Jesus need to make known a better way.  In the midst of talk which sets one against another, Christians need to share our story and affirm our convictions.  The followers of Jesus have had differences of opinion, but we have a message of unity beyond our personal preferences and styles.

Discussion Questions

• Name the five persons with whom you have the strongest bond?  What brings you together?
• Identify at least two topics or ways of doing stuff which is different among your closest friends.
• Have you ever had to set aside part of who you are for the sake of someone you wanted as a friend?  What benefit did you experience by not allowing that one thing to push you apart?
• Do you think Jesus’ followers are “one”?
• What can you do (what can your group do) to best reflect the oneness we have as a result of Jesus’ ministry and his teachings?

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:16-34

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

John 17:20-26

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

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

Gospel Reflection

These verses are the closing words of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.”  Starting at 13:1, Jesus speaks words to his followers of how they are to understand his ministry and carry on with his mission.  It is clear that being “one” is important to him.

When Jesus speaks of being one with the Father (John 10:30), he means they are of the same nature.  They are one in the way that your foot and your hand are one.  They cannot be separated!  This is the oneness he wants his followers to have.

As is true for the times in which we live, the times in which Jesus lived were full of conflict and contentious parties.  Jesus understood the powerful blessing known as the simple gift of being in sync with those around us.  

To be “one” means we are so firmly connected that we can even risk the challenging work of honest speech.  The hand can expose the splinter in the heel of the foot (which will cause the foot great pain) without the foot lashing out –  “We are no longer connected!”

To be “one” means we know our lives and our futures are connected and so we will act in a way which ensures both of us will experience the fullness God hopes for us.  This is the prayer which Jesus offers.

We are one, with the Christians in Sri Lanka gunned down during Sunday worship.  We are one, with the inhabitants of Marshall Islands whose nation is being lost due to global warming.  We are one, with refugees caught in the cross fire of drugs and gangs. We are one.  Jesus said it was so.  And we will live as one, for the wellbeing of all the creation.

Discussion Questions

• When have you witnessed persons acting as “one”?
• What changes in behavior are likely to happen when we acknowledge the oneness of all God’s children?
• Do you think Jesus was limiting our “oneness” to those who belong to our congregation?  To our denomination?  To Protestants?  To Christians?

Activity Suggestions

• Identify persons in your community (maybe even your youth group) with whom you have had differences.  Speak to them of the oneness you share, regardless of what might seem to separate you.
• Make a list of those with whom you are one, and a list of those with whom you wish to strengthen an awareness of oneness.  Pledge to pray the names of these persons each day for the next two weeks.
• Watch one of many videos in which refugees share their stories.  Here is one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b5H7je4m1A

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have made us one through the words and work of your Beloved Son.  Living as one can be a challenge; living as one is a tremendous opportunity.  With your grace, support us in our efforts to bring to fullness that which you have given to us.  Help to be one, with all your children and with each of our neighbors.  Amen.

Our advocacy in light of disasters intensified by climate change brought together a group of faith and community leaders for an event hosted in Washington, D.C. by ELCA Advocacy in the spring of 2019. The challenge may be seismic, but the Rev. Amy E. Reumann offered insight and guidance on contemporary issues and scriptural and church resources, preparing us to care in this storm.

The sermon is available in text (pdf available on elca.org/resources/advocacy)  and video (message transcends inconsistent quality of available video).

Following are excerpts of the text from which Pr. Reumann preached.

The story [of Jesus calming the storm is] about Jesus’ power and is also a tale of the disciples who are uncertain about their own abilities… Perhaps fear rendered them unable to act.

…But Jesus, after he subdues the seismic event, turns to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

…Facing the full reality of the climate crises is terrifying. It triggers in me flight or fright. When I dwell on the details, it is immobilizing. As ELCA Advocacy, climate cuts across every issue area that we cover and makes it worse, from food security to national security. From increased migration and refugees to heightened international conflict and local violence. From health care to habitat loss. We have a storm, and it is here, and we are perishing.

…What we are facing as a church, as a nation, as a world, demands all of us be sent out. We are focused as a church on vital congregations and building leaders, but we only need them on a planet that can support human habitation. The offense against climate change must be multifaceted, and there is a part for everyone.

…Jesus has given us what we need. My fervent hope and prayer is that we will chart a course as a church together to persistently and resolutely be bearers of God’s fierce love and deep justice. Peace, be still. We got this. Together in the boat – let us go over to the other side.

By Ruth Ivory-Moore, Program Director for Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility

The intricacies and diversity of creation are mind-boggling, a reflection and reminder of the power and glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit expressed through the created order. The United Nations honors creation on May 22 through the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s theme is “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health.” Marking the day increases our understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues in God’s good creation.

Try to trace the biodiversity story of many things you eat and use every day. From a lunch bag apple to ingredients in your cold medicine, our food and health are dependent on biodiversity. 

Biodiversity is the variety and diversity of various forms of life on earth, and particularly that in a specific region that includes various species of plant and animal life, microorganisms and the ecosystems where they exist. It is essential. Living entities support each other and interact with their non-living environment to provide and enhance healthy life for all of creation. As told in Genesis, from chaos came synchronization where all life is valued and interlinked. “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good,” (Genesis 1:31).  

Where do we see the essential role of diversity in our food and health? Crop genetic diversity, for example, plays a critical role in creasing and sustaining production levels and nutritional diversity throughout the full range of different agroecological conditions. Diverse organisms contributing to soil diversity perform vital functions that regulate the soil ecosystem, such as decomposition of litter and recycling of nutrients, converting atmospheric nitrogen to an organic form and reconverting this to gaseous nitrogen, and altering soil structure. Ecosystems support soil formation, nutrient cycling, and primary production; provide food, fresh water, fuel, fiber, biochemicals, and genetic resources, and regulate the climate, disease, water, water purification, and pollination.  

Then there are bees! Consider these truly amazing insects. A one-minute video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations imagines a world without this essential component in the food chain. Threats to biodiversity are threats to us all.  

Havoc imposed on earth and its ecosystems cannot continue unrestrained. While production of basic goods and services are among priorities noted in the ELCA social statement “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice,” our quest for economic prosperity and other human activity threatens global biodiversity. Disregard for life of a certain species or ecological system will negatively impact all of life.  

“The sabbath and jubilee laws of the Hebrew tradition remind us that we may not press creation relentlessly in an effort to maximize productivity (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 25). The principle of sustainability means providing an acceptable quality of life for present generations without compromising that of future generations. Protection of species and their habitats, preservation of clean land and water, reduction of wastes, care of the land—these are priorities,” notes the Caring for Creation statement. 

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, let’s lift all of creation in prayer. 

God of wisdom, showing us your love in the rising sun and waning tide, you grace Earth with life in all its variety. Everything has meaning, is blessing; everyone is charged with care for the smallest creature to the ocean’s depth. Grant us wisdom to know your ways of love and gentle kindness. Give us the mind to learn what we do not know but long to understand so that we may honor and nurture all that makes us one with you. Amen 

Prayer by Diane Lopez Hughes at oikoumene.org  

Additional information: 

• “A UN report says Earth faces ‘unprecedented’ threat to biodiversity” (5/20/19), by Adam Wernick from Public Radio International 
• “Biodiversity on the U.S.-Mexican Border” (updated 5/22/19), from the WorldWatch Institute 
• “The U.S. Biodiversity Crisis” (1/30/17), by Paul Tolmé from the National Wildlife Federation 
• “What the UN Report on Biodiversity Loss Means for the World’s Driest Places” (5/20/19), by Kristina Young at forbes.com 
• “Why bees matter” (pdf file), from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 

Today’s post is by Jennifer Shimota Krushas, Pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in High Point, North Carolina.

During the Sunday school hour each Easter morning, our “kids” (tiny toddlers to young adults home from college) gather in the prayer chapel to bring the pulpit Bible and paschal candle back to their rightful places in the chancel area of our worship space. They had both been moved to the prayer chapel on Good Friday evening, lying there, entombed in that small room, until Easter morning when we gather there to tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection. We light the candle and one young acolyte leads our procession while a young Bible bearer carries the pulpit Bible.

Our shouts of “Alleluia!” fill the nave as we make our way to where the Bible and candle belong. I hold my breath each year as the child bearing the lit paschal candle carefully leads us. Visions of them tripping or tilting the candle seem to overcome me for those thirty incredibly long seconds. And every single year, the young acolyte is laser-focused on the task, honored to be leading the way, and nothing bad ever happens (besides my worrying distracting me from the beauty). Part of the reason nothing bad ever happens is because the bigger kids stay close, encouraging and guiding our little leader.

This year, after our procession was over, I gathered them around to talk about the three short statements we call the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. I wanted them to know why we use these words in the eucharistic prayer and to be ready to shout them when we got to that part of the prayer in worship that day.

Since it wasn’t printed in the worship booklet, I asked our kids to help me teach it during worship at our “Time with the Children.” During the singing of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) the nine children who had held the signs while we had taught it came silently to stand in their places. When I said, “…we proclaim the mystery of our faith,” they held their signs high and the whole room erupted in the proclamation louder than I had ever heard it! The children stayed in their places as I finished the eucharistic prayer and we all prayed the Lord’s Prayer. Then, they returned to their seats and I invited the assembly to the table.

I worried because the Easter eucharist is the highest height of our holiest day of the church year. I didn’t want it to come across as though we were play-acting or being silly in the midst of the Eucharist. As it turned out, the Spirit was blowing and raised our voices to proclaim the mystery of our faith with a unity and beauty that out-shined our usual practice.

inspired by Sylvia Alloway, Grenada Hills, CA 

Warm-up Question

• When you hear the words “made well,” what comes to mind?
• Have you or anyone you’ve known lived with a disability?
•  The website for ELCA Disability Ministries notes, “All of us are disabled in some way as we stand before God.” How might we relate with a person with a disability in ways that honor their gifts and our own?
• What motivates us to help another person, their need or our desire to to feel good about helping?

Circumstances are not Crippling

Most people have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada, the woman who’s arms and legs entered paralysis at 17 after breaking her neck in a diving accident. It is hard to imagine how a young athlete could deal with the fact that she was not going to be healed, but famously, Joni did. Rather than being physically healed, she learned to paint by holding the brush in her mouth. She founded “Joni and Friends,” a ministry that helps persons with disabilities and their families reach independence, physically, financially, and spiritually. 

Does that mean that Joni is spiritually more confident and that her disability no longer leads her to experience sadness or uncertainty?  Not at all. In a meditation she wrote on the 50^th anniversary of her accident she confesses her early despair and the ways she tried dealing with it: drinking and socializing with “dark companions” – and how the memory of those days still haunts her. The efforts of Christian friends, who studied the Bible with her, included her in their social events, and shared words of wisdom with her, saw Joni as a person with many gifts to offer the world and helped her see them in herself as well.

God does not allow personal suffering because he likes giving people pain. Yet God can miraculously bring beautiful results from difficult life circumstances, strength from weakness, and joy from sorrow. The trouble-free lives we sometimes wish we could live would only hinder us from becoming the strong, dedicated people our loving God wants us to be.  Most importantly, God is with us on our life journey through all our days, difficult or easy.

Discussion Questions

• Who are the people in your life who have helped you along your journey?
• What might have happened to Joni’s life if other Christians had done nothing but tell her to cheer up or assure her that “All things work together for good to those who love God,” rather than becoming a part of her life?
• Joni’s experience gave her the desire to help others with similar life experiences. Has anyone ever helped you through a hard time and how did they help you? Or have you have helped another person through a hard time and what did you do?
• Can you think of a way that God has turned a disappointment in your life or someone else’s life into an unexpected gift? What happened?

Sixth Sunday of Easter 

Acts 16:9-15

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

John 14:23-29

John 5:1-9

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

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

Gospel Reflection

The man in today’s Gospel lesson from John 5, may have felt like giving up. His paralysis is said to have lasted 38 years.  His disability had become a way of life.  We may think he had a right to his self-pity, but what good would come from that?  Jesus came and asked him if he wanted to get well. 

What was his response? “Oh, yes!” “Absolutely!” “More than anything!”  No. He answers with all the excuses he has been rehearsing for years for why he can not get in the pool, and not be healed, including blaming others.

Jesus sometimes healed people based on faith, their recognition of their need for him. But not this time. Jesus interrupts the man’s sense of not belonging with a strong command. “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!” The man needed more than a healing of his body, a holistic healing was called for.  He takes his first positive action in 38 years. He gets up. He obeys Jesus’ command and he confidently walks.

Few people experience a life-long disability like Joni’s.  Yet we all have things we believe we are not capable of.  Joni’s friends encouraged Joni and she in turn has helped other people.  Yes it takes courage and sometimes there is risk. Our world would be a better place if we followed Jesus’ example and helped each other walk “well.”  And if we do this, the result might just be miraculous.

Discussion Questions

• What stood out the most for you in the scripture?
• How were you challenged?
• Do we ask someone before we help, as Jesus did?
• Why do you think Jesus healed the paralyzed man, despite disbelief?
• We don’t have Jesus’ miraculous powers, but we can promote and receive healing alongside others. Share some ways in which we can do this.

Activity Suggestions

• Ask students to create a challenge/s in which a friend or stranger might need help and someone else provides that help. Then act it out for the group. 
• Ask for situations in which a person with a disability might invite help from, or provide help to, someone else.
• Give each person a marker and paper plate/or piece of construction paper. Have them write their name in the center.  Take up the plates/papers and redistribute. Ask each person to write positive words of encouragement or a gift/s they see in that person.

Closing Prayer

Dear God, we don’t always understand why you allow your people to experience pain or the inability to change.  It is hard to suffer or watch our loved ones suffer.  Give us the assurance that you are always with us even as we endure difficult times in our lives. Help us to see the needs of others and share your love with them and bring to our attention examples of those who shine with joy even in their sorrows. Give us strength to follow these examples and give you praise for what you are able to “make well” in each and all of us.  Amen.

from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director

DISASTER AID BILL | CENTRAL AMERICAN MINORS PROGRAM | AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET | FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO NORTHERN TRIANGLE | GLOBAL CONFLICT PREVENTION

DISASTER AID BILL:   Lawmakers are close to finalizing a spending deal on disaster aid before the Memorial Day recess (see Action Center to take action at this important time!). On May 1, over 80 Lutheran bishops and faith leaders from across the country voiced on Capitol Hill concern about disaster aid and other concerns related to the impacts of natural disasters, and they shared the need to mitigate the growing effects of climate change. Last month, Congress failed to send a disaster aid deal to the President’s desk, stalling much-needed support for survivors and communities in desperate need of recovery funding. From wildfires and tornadoes, to hurricanes and drought, far too many low and middle-income families are still displaced from the growing number of natural disasters: living with other family members, paying expensive rents, or put at increased risk of homelessness. Churches and other houses of worship are often the first to offer critical assistance for communities in the wake of disasters and are essential partners in helping foster better stewardship and resiliency in our communities. Interested advocates can contact their lawmakers through the Action Center in support of inclusive disaster programs.

CENTRAL AMERICAN MINORS PROGRAM:   On Friday April 12, 2019, the ELCA welcomed the settlement agreement on Central American Minors Program (CAM) by urging the current administration to protect vulnerable populations, especially those 2,700 Central American children that will have a chance to seek protection in the U.S. and be reunified with their family member. In the press statement issued by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition in which the ELCA takes part, the ELCA emphasized on the importance of amplifying the CAM settlement in an effort to hold the administration accountable to actually processing these children fairly and equitably.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET:  As Congress discusses their priorities for the next federal budget, our ELCA ministries are aware that the lack of access to affordable housing limits the opportunities for many of us in our communities and is integral to the success of vital aspects of our lives. These include hunger, affordable healthcare, community safety, gainful education and employment. Houses of worship and other community stakeholders can take part in “Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action” by joining or hosting local events such as movie screenings and neighborhood discussions. Taking place May 30-June 5, the annual week of action brings attention to the needs of addressing the affordable housing crisis, the scandal of homelessness in our communities, and the need for new investments that help these issues.

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO NORTHERN TRIANGLE:  On March 30, President Trump directed the State Department to end foreign assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as the administration indicated that these countries have failed to curb immigration to the U.S. Over 40 U.S.-based faith, human rights, foreign policy, humanitarian, immigrant rights and border-based civil society organizations, including the ELCA, issued a statement to express deep concern over the Trump Administration’s latest actions on Central America including the wholesale cutoffs of assistance to these three nations sometimes referred to as the Northern Triangle. ELCA Advocacy continues to gather information and working closely with organizations such as Bread for the World and Latin America Working group to monitor the situation and the impact it will have on the root causes of migration.

GLOBAL CONFLICT PREVENTION:  Since our last newsletter, the Global Fragility Act (GFA) has moved further in Congress. According to the World Bank, 80% of humanitarian needs are driven by conflicts, posing great challenges to economic development and challenging efforts to end hunger. GFA must pass before the end of the year. The Global Fragility Act of 2019 would improve U.S. capacity to identify and address. A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress have recently introduced the Global Fragility Act of 2019, which would improve the capacity of the U.S. to identify and address causes of conflicts around the world. Among other things, the bill requires the Administration to develop a 10-year strategy for preventing violent conflicts in fragile countries. New reports show that global violence has continued to increase over the last decade, causing tremendous devastation and humanitarian crises. ELCA Advocacy sent an action alert in support of the issue earlier this week. You can call on your lawmakers to take action at the ELCA Action Center.

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 .

Issue 64 of Administration Matters

ELCA Churchwide Assembly observers and volunteers
The 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place Aug. 5-10 in Milwaukee, Wis. Each congregation of the ELCA may register one congregation observer. Congregation observers will be seated in the observers’ section of the plenary hall and have access to the ELCA Guidebook app as well as materials distributed on the plenary floor to voting members.

Are you interested in serving as a volunteer at the assembly? In the upcoming months, the Greater Milwaukee Synod will be recruiting about 600 volunteers to greet guests at the airport, help with worship services and work as microphone pages. Learn more.

Contingency planning for congregations
Your congregation is humming along, and out of the blue — the unexpected happens. It could be a decline in offerings, a long-term bad weather situation, a natural disaster or something else. It’s important to be prepared to respond to the unexpected. >More

Legal issues — background checks
Background checks are part of the screening process for new hires. Make sure to consult with reliable sources to ensure that these checks are a useful tool. >More

Reducing legal liabilities
America is more litigious than ever before. Knowing where your organization stands in terms of its legal liabilities will help you be prepared for potential pitfalls. Liability lurks everywhere, from everyday occurrences to more inherently hazardous activities. While you may not be able to avoid all legal risk or anticipate every legal threat, there are steps you can take to reduce liability. >More

Painting and working with chemicals
Painting may expose you to potentially hazardous situations, such as chemical use, climbing ladders, slippery surfaces and more. The guide below outlines some of the hazards associated with painting and provides information on how to work safely on your project and properly dispose of any waste. >More

The inherent risk of guest Wi-Fi access at your church
With the myriad of wireless devices in constant use, many churches provide Wi-Fi for the convenience of employees and guests. However, it is important that congregations assess the security measures that should be considered when providing this benefit. Should you find the resource below to be somewhat technical, we suggest you contact your IT support person to answer any questions. >More

Bob Chell, Sioux Falls, SD

Warm-up Question

What event has shaped and changed your life more than any other?

Transforming Moments

Yet again the nation is dealing with a school shooting, this time on the campus of UNC-Charlotte.  On May 1, a young man entered a classroom and began shooting.  Two were killed and four were wounded.  Police were unclear as to the possible motives of the shooter.

Discussion Questions

• This event will shape and change the rest of Joshua Ayer’s life.Will this event shape his life for better or for worse? Why?
• How could this event have a negative impact on Josh’s life?
• How could this event have a positive impact on Josh’s life?
• How could this event have a negative impact on YOUR life?
• How could this event have a positive impact on YOUR life?

Fifth Sunday of Easter

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

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

Gospel Reflection

You may know the name Riley Howell. Or perhaps the name is vaguely familiar.  Riley Howell, a student at the University of North Carolina, rushed a shooter, knocking him off his feet as the shooter took Riley’s life. One can’t help but ask, “What would I have done?” or “If I am in a similar circumstance what will I do?” Nearly all of us would begin our answer both questions saying, “Well, I hope I would…” Hopefully, that is a question we will never have to answer.

However, there is a second question we must answer. How will tragic events shape and change my life?  I wish I could tell you it will shape your life in positive ways if you make good choices, or draw positive meaning from an horrific event but this is only partially true.  I suspect there wasn’t much of a decision process for either Riley or Joshua that day and perhaps if the places they were standing or sitting in class that day were reversed their responses would have been reversed as well. We can speculate and imagine and hypothesize all day but we won’t be any closer to knowing.

Initially, all any of us can do is react when tragic events occur and persevere in their aftermath. If the event is across the state or across the world, no matter how tragic it may be, it rarely disrupts our daily lives. But when we are Joshua Ayers, the one who was there, we cannot escape it’s impact.

There may be a day when Joshua will utilize this event to motivate himself to a life of service to others. Or, perhaps he will try to numb his pain with chemicals, or things or experiences and fill his days and his life so full there is no room for the pain.  We can’t know, even he can’t know at this point. He, like all of us, will do the best he can.

So, you may wonder, what does this have to do with Jesus command to “Love one another.”?  The real question isn’t what impact this event will have on Joshua’s life or yours, the real question is the one young adults come to hate. The question that comes from your parents, grandparents, and every relative and family friend over twenty five years old—and nearly every time you see them—“So, what are you going to do with your life?”

Sadly, this brief reflection will not answer that question for you.  But I can tell you there are events and experiences in your life that will bring meaning and purpose into focus, if only for a short time.  When Jesus died scripture says the curtain in the Jerusalem temple was torn from top to bottom. The temple was where people worshiped and the curtain was to protect people from stumbling into the “Holy of Holies,”because confronted with God’s power and majesty they would die.  The significance of the curtain tearing is that God’s power and majesty is most clearly revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now the transcendent is accessible and God is here.

When we celebrate Holy Communion our liturgy speaks of “a foretaste of the feast to come.”  We believe God’s Spirit is present in the water of baptism and the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Yet, God’s Spirit is not shackled to the font and the altar. Scripture compares the Spirit to the wind, blowing where it wishes.

You may have experienced the wind of the Holy Spirit in your life already. Great tragedies or great joys reorient our lives as we suddenly see things as if we’ve never seen them before. The birth of a child or the death of a loved one transforms what we thought important minutes before into insignificance. We realize it was never as important as we thought.  These are times when the curtain is torn in our lives and catch a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven and the true value of things.

Jesus says the words in this week’s lesson to his disciples just prior to his death, his crucifixion, and the tearing of the temple curtain. He is not giving his disciples a final order he knows they cannot fulfill, but an invitation. An invitation to a new way of seeing the world and a new way of being in the world.

No one seeks suffering, yet it comes to each of us. When it comes your way listen for the wind, watch for the the breath of the Spirit leading your through the suffering into God’s good promises.

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean that Jesus has been glorified?
• The author of the reflection above says Jesus gives the disciples an invitation but Jesus says it’s a commandment, which is it and what difference does it make? Can it be both?  How do you hear it for you, as a burden or an invitation to a deeper more meaningful life? Something else?

Activity Suggestions

• Is there someone you know whose life has been shaped and changed by tragedy? Did anything good come out of that event or experience?
• Ask an adult who you have deep respect for, “What was the worst thing that happened in your life and how did it shape and change your life?”

Closing Prayer

Loving God, you have blessed us in too many ways to count, yet we still struggle. We struggle to comprehend evil in the world and why we sometimes say and do hurtful things. Pour your healing Spirit into our hearts when they are broken and give us wisdom to discern your Spirits presence in the midst of deep and unremitting suffering.  Amen.