Star. Strengthening the Church Confirmation Festival Introduces Youth to the Broader Church By: Marcia Hahn

Transcription

1 Star Northeastern Iowa Evangelical May 2010 Volume 23, Issue 5 Lutheran Church in America Strengthening the Church Confirmation Festival Introduces Youth to the Broader Church By: Marcia Hahn On a Wednesday evening last November, more than 200 middle school youth took a break from school activities to gather for an evening of fellowship, worship, communion and celebration at ConFest, the first confirmation festival in the Northeastern Iowa Synod. Confirmation students from 15 churches in the Mason City Conference and their adult leaders attended the event at Trinity Lutheran in Mason City. For most of the students, it was their first experience gathering with Lutheran youth from other churches. We wanted to get all of our confirmation kids together and help them see that we re bigger than our individual congregations, says Pastor Dennis Hanson of Our Savior, Osage. It was a very lively group when you have that many kids together. Hanson coordinated the event with Pastor Tom Martin of Bethany and Elk Creek, Kensett. Dan Baldwin, director of orchestral activities at Luther College, led the music. Dan Meyers, president of the LYO Board, spoke about the Lutheran Youth Organization. Marcy Colvin, director of youth ministry at Trinity, Mason City, coordinated the set up and the meal of beefburgers, bars and chips prepared by youth and parents from Trinity. We were a packed house in the fellowship hall, Colvin says. It was powerful for the students to be with other Christian youth and see that they are not alone. It helps them realize they are part of a family of believers. A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for the youth to meet Bishop Steven Ullestad, who Pastor Dennis Hanson with the Our Savior s in Osage eighth grade confirmation class. preached at the worship service and visited with many of those attending. I heard feedback from the kids that they felt valued that the bishop chose to spend an evening with them, Colvin says. Hanson adds that it was important for the youth to put a face with the bishop and to learn more about the synod and the LYO. The kids were excited about the energy that everyone was all together, Hanson says. Ending the evening in word and sacrament was very important. >> Continued on page 2 In This Issue 1 Confirmation Festival Introduces Youth to the Broader Church 3 Christ s Wounded Body Remains Whole 4 Synod Assembly New Book Focuses on Spirituality in the Workplace 7 ELCA Releases Draft Social Statement on Genetics 8 Northeastern Iowans Help in Guatemala 9 Events, Congregations 10 Prayer Calendar

2 Confirmation Festival... << Continued from page 1 Bishop Ullestad says that he is very grateful to have been included in the event with the church s leaders. This was an evening of joy, he says. The excitement and energy in the room was tangible, and the students listened attentively and respectfully. Helping behind the scenes was Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the bishop. Anderson says that he was amazed at how many youth attended and how attentive they were. Most kids think of the church as their building in their town, he says. This festival was an introduction to the wider church, to think of the synod as 180 churches, part of the ELCA of 65 synods, part of the global Lutheran community made up of hundreds of Lutheran denominations working together. A Synod conference grant of $1,000 covered the costs of food, publicity and music. Hanson says that next year he would like to add a theme and a souvenir for the youth to take home to help them remember the event. If space allows, he also would like to invite confirmation students from the nearby Lake Conference to attend. I thought the kids might have thought it was boring or ask why did we do that, but they wanted to know when they could get together again, he says. They were wowed that there were 200 kids there. Confirmation Youth Learn Lutheran Ways Through the Here We Stand Program The go-to confirmation resource for many Lutheran congregations is the Here We Stand program from Augsburg Fortress, the ELCA publishing house. Here We Stand combines web and traditional print resources in a flexible curriculum that allows leaders to choose what works best for them. Trinity Lutheran in Mason City has been using Here We Stand since 2006 as part of its three-year confirmation program. It gives us more than enough material for planning a weekly session, and we can always add to it, says Marcy Colvin, Trinity s director of youth ministry. The program is offered as an annual membership based on the congregation s average weekly worship attendance. Resources include the leader and student websites. The Lutheran Handbook and Lutheran Study Bible may also be purchased for use with the lessons. Some 150 customizable lessons can be downloaded from the leader website and used as part of a two-year or three-year curriculum that covers the small catechism, Old Testament, New Testament, and Lutheran theology and doctrine. Colvin says the lessons generally start with an opening prayer and an introduction that makes an adolescent and baptismal connection, and they end with a closing ritual and blessing. The lessons make a Bible connection and refer students to The Lutheran Handbook. Faith stories from adults help make the lessons more personal. Other available resources include video clips, PowerPoint presentations, discussion topics, skits, music, activities, and take-home sheets. Trinity s seventh and eighth grade confirmation curriculum involves large group discussions followed by small group time led by adult volunteers called guides. We also make available one Wednesday night a month for service projects or fellowship times with the small groups, Colvin says. In the fall we participate in the local Crop Walk to raise money and awareness for local and world hunger. The students also help the elderly in their homes or visit the nursing home. At Christmas they go caroling and love to ring the Salvation Army bells. 2 Northeastern Iowa Synod

3 Bishop Christ s Wounded Body Remains Whole Rise, transformed, and choose to follow after Christ, though wounded, whole; broken, shared, our lives are hallowed to release and to console. Alleluia, Alleluia; Christ, our present, past, and goal. Susan Palo Cherwein, ELW 548 choose to follow after Christ, though wounded, whole; Since the crucifixion, the Body of Christ has always known wounds. The wounds have sometimes been a result of persecution by others. Other occasions find a part of the Body injured by another part. Whatever the cause, the Body of Christ is always a wounded body. And yet the Body is always whole. Always. Consisting of many parts with unique gifts and functions but one in purpose, Christ continues this redeeming and healing work on earth. Allelulia, Alleluia. Christ our present, past, and goal Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod May 12 is Two-Year Anniversary of Immigration Raid Congregations of the Northeastern Iowa Synod are asked to remember with prayers the second anniversary of the May 12, 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in Postville. A resolution passed by the 2009 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly designates May 12 as a Day of Prayer for Immigration Reform and encourages synod congregations to observe this day or a Sunday close to it with prayer for those who continue to be affected by the 2008 Postville raid. The community of Postville plans to commemorate the raid with a worship service at St. Bridget s Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 12. Organizers intend to keep the service local and private, inviting all those who were affected by the raid workers, family members, church leaders, and volunteers to participate. The worship service will have a hopeful theme, thanking God for accompanying the victims of the raid along their difficult journey over the past two years. Prayers will be offered for families affected by the raid, especially those who have been returned to Guatemala and Mexico, and family members who remain separated after two years. Other communities are encouraged to have their own services to commemorate the anniversary of the Postville raid. Fundraising Project to Help Deported Workers May 12 will also mark the official kick-off of a Food for the Poor project to raise $2 million for direct assistance to two villages in Guatemala where more than 200 of the workers who were arrested during the raid were from, and where most have returned. Organizers of the Food for the Poor project have begun meeting with local leaders and members of the Guatemalan villages to assess their priority needs and ways that Food for the Poor can help with such needs as housing, clean water, sanitation, agriculture, animal husbandry, and possibly building of a school, clinic, community center, and other needed infrastructure. Watch for more information about this project in the near future. Food for the Poor is an international relief and development charity in the United States. Learn more at Many of those deported from the May 12, 2008, immigration raid in Postville have returned to this type of housing in the village of San José Calderas, Guatemala. May

4 Synod Assembly Synod Assembly 2010 The 2010 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly will meet Friday through Sunday, June 11-13, at Wartburg College in Waverly. The assembly emphasis, Strengthening the Church, will be featured in the keynote address by Strengthening the Church Bishop Steven L. Ullestad, along with five presentation opportunities and the forums, seminars, and ministry exhibits. Schedule Events begin at 7 p.m. Friday with a communion service in Neumann Auditorium and conclude at noon Sunday following a closing communion service. The assembly will participate in small group study on Sunday morning. The complete agenda can be downloaded at Churchwide Representative The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Larson, executive director of the program unit for Church in Society of the ELCA, will be the churchwide representative to the assembly. The Church in Society unit has responsibilities in social policy, world hunger, disaster response, social ministry organizations, advocacy, and justice for women. Larson s primary interest is in working with Lutheran churches and ecumenical communities in their response to human suffering and injustice, understanding these experiences theologically, and shaping public policy locally, nationally and internationally. Prior to joining the ELCA staff in 2002, Larson worked for 15 years in Geneva, Switzerland with the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. Larson grew up in Canada, but she has strong ties to Northeastern Iowa. As a child, she spent summers with her grandmother in Allison, where her father grew up. Both of her parents along with 19 other relatives attended Wartburg College. It is personally very, very special for me to be the ELCA representative to this synod assembly, Larson said. I believe that the Northeastern Iowa Synod contributes special gifts to this church, including your strongly held faith commitments and the values and experiences that grow out of rural life and ministry. Strengthening the Church Presentations New to this year s assembly will be five simultaneous presentations on ministries that strengthen the church. Those attending the assembly can choose to attend a Saturday morning presentation by one of the following speakers: Dr. Ralph Quere, professor emeritus of history and theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, who will speak about the office of ministry Dr. Lake Lambert, religion professor and Board of Regents chair in ethics at Wartburg College in Waverly, who will address the vocation of the laity Pastor Darrel Gerrietts, assistant to the bishop, who will speak about geographical parishes Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the bishop, whose talk will be about strengthening the household of faith Pastor Nancy Larson, director for Evangelical Mission and assistant to the bishop, who will present about a life of generosity >> Continued on page 5 Northeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Rev. Dr. Steven L. Ullestad - ullestads@neiasynod.org Assistants to the Bishop Rev. Mark A. Anderson - andersonm@neiasynod.org Rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts - gerriettsd@neiasynod.org Linda J. Hudgins - hudginsl@neiasynod.org Rev. Nancy J. Larson - nancy_larson@elca.org STAR Editors Marcia Hahn - hahnm@neiasynod.org Julie Drewes - jdrewes@mchsi.com The STAR is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod, th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA ; phone , FAX Send news for the June issue to Marcia Hahn by May 2. We welcome story ideas related to the 2010 theme, Strengthening the Church. Articles in this newsletter may be duplicated for use in synod congregations and organizations, with credit to the Star newsletter. Please notify the synod office with name and address changes. 4 Northeastern Iowa Synod

5 ELCA Social Statement Hearing on Genetics The ELCA is in the process of developing a social statement on genetics. When the ELCA drafts a social statement, it holds hearings on the first draft statement. This is a very important step of the process in order for it to remain inclusive. The ELCA takes what people say in response to first drafts seriously. The task force uses the information gathered at the hearings to make changes to the first draft to create the proposed draft, which will be submitted to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly for adoption. Read more about the draft social statement on genetics on page 7. Living into the Future Together (LIFT) Seminar The purpose of the ELCA Ecology Study Task Force is to recognize the evolving societal and economic changes of the 20 years since the formation of the ELCA, and to evaluate the organization, governance, and interrelationships among this church s expressions in the light of those changes. The intended result of the task force s work is a report and recommendations that will position the ELCA for the future and explore new possibilities for participating in God s mission. Learn more about LIFT at Offerings Assembly financial offerings have been designated for the Northeastern Iowa Synod Fund for Leaders in Mission and the Companion Synod Travel Fund. Linda Hudgins Assistant to the Bishop Assembly Tips Comfort Consider walking shoes, a jacket, and umbrella. You will walk from building to building, and room temperatures vary. Orientation Encourage congregations near you to prepare for the assembly together using Ideas for a Pre-Assembly Orientation (see below). Preparation Participants often say they wish they were more knowledgeable about discussions and decisions. Study the pre-assembly materials containing reports, compensation guidelines, and mission goals, which will be mailed to all registered voting members on May 4. Highlight what is unclear, and make notes for questions. Review Parliamentary procedure ensures a smoothly running assembly that is sensitive to participants. The parliamentary procedure outline (see insert) helps you feel confident about discussing, questioning, and debating. Ready Carry your pre-assembly notebook. You ll use it frequently during business. Route Locate on the Wartburg College map (provided in the pre-assembly materials) the registration site, parking lots, and building locations for housing, worship, plenary sessions, forums and seminars, and ministry exhibits. Ideas for a Pre-Assembly Orientation PLANNING Check to see when pre-assembly materials will be mailed to voting members. Hold the orientation after the receipt of pre-assembly information. Invite voting members. Ask a knowledgeable individual who has attended a number of assemblies to review the pre-assembly information and lead the discussion. AGENDA Devotions Introductions Review information contained in the pre-assembly information: agenda - location for worship and plenary sessions General Assembly Information Forums, Seminars, Ministry Exhibits Reports Memo from College Directions location for registration and housing check-in Memo from Assembly Manager Resolutions Who May Submit Deadline for Submission How to Read a Resolution Title RESOLVED s source of the resolution (bottom of the page) Resolution Committee s recommendation (bottom of the page) May 2010 WHEREAS s for more information Discussion of Resolutions Describe microphone setup Chair will recognize speaker; always state name, congregation, city encourage people to speak Voting on Resolutions Describe green card, red card, yellow card process Voting pads Elections - deadline for nominations, elections ballot Parliamentary Procedure in pre-assembly materials Issues - describe the main points of both sides of the issue; encourage people to learn more about them before the assembly. General Question/Answer Time 5

6 New Book Focuses on Spirituality in the Workplace From company-sponsored daycare to on-site workout facilities, employers have become more family friendly and focused on employee health in recent decades. The newest trend, spirituality in the workplace, is covered in the new book Spirituality, Inc. written by Lake Lambert III, a religion professor and Board of Regents chair in ethics at Wartburg College in Waverly. Companies have become more open and hospitable to the religious traditions that people bring to work, Lambert says. They support lunch time Bible studies and prayer or meditation rooms. Lambert s book includes case studies of companies that have incorporated the owners faith into company business practices. According to Lambert, Tyson Foods is an example of a company that supplies spiritual resources to employees, including chaplains on the payroll who walk around and meet staff, and even perform weddings. Other companies incorporate Native American or Eastern religion practices for professional development, such as mediation to relax or team building exercises. Companies recognize that these services can help improve employee morale and improve their bottom line. It s a growing movement of people trying to live more holistically, Lambert says. They want to be a Christian person of faith at work as well as in other parts of life. That type of attitude presents a ministry opportunity for the church to help members understand the relationship of faith and work. Lambert s book suggests ways that congregations can help people make the faith-work connection, such as small group discussions about faith and work, adult forums, and even pastors visiting people in their work place. You have to be careful with that, but trying to understand the context of where Dr. Lake Lambert people work can be of real value, he says. My concern is that when churches don t pay enough attention to helping their members understand the relationship of faith and work, it sends people outside the church to find resources for that connection. Spirituality, Inc, published by NYU Press, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, radio programs, websites, and other media sources. It can be purchased at the Wartburg College book store and online at Lambert will present a workshop on the topic at the Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly in June. Free Vacation Bible School Guide A helpful resource for planning a successful vacation Bible school (VBS) is now available on the Northeastern Iowa Synod website. The free VBS guide can be downloaded at org/synod_resources/youthfamilyresources.asp, or call to request a copy. Created by Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop, the step-by-step guide suggests resources for VBS curriculums and registration. Also presented are ideas to promote VBS beyond the church s own members, such as using incentive ideas for children to invite their friends. Samples of promotional fliers, invitations and a news release to reach the broader community are included. The guide also suggests follow-up evangelism opportunities to invite new families to participate in congregation activities throughout the year. 6 Northeastern Iowa Synod

7 ELCA Releases Draft Social Statement on Genetics The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) released March 18 a 49-page draft social statement on genetics. The draft serves as a framework for discussion on a variety of current topics in the genetics field. It was prepared by the ELCA Task Force on Genetics, made up of a diverse group of agribusiness professionals, clergy, ethicists, physicians, researchers, teachers and theologians. Planned for action by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the social statement was requested by the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Five general themes are suggested in the draft social statement: Christians view genetic developments in light of God s work that is ever creative and steadfast Humans are responsible as imaginative stewards, called to dedicate themselves to the flourishing of the creation Ethics in genetic advances requires respect and promotion of the community of life with justice and wisdom The ELCA is called to be a community that engages public issues intentionally and deliberatively while supporting with care and respect individuals who must make difficult decisions The draft offers broad convictions regarding genetic developments and discusses how those convictions relate to a few particular advances in medicine, stem cell research, and genetic engineering of plants, animals and humans The full text of the Draft Social Statement on Genetics, an executive summary and a question-and-answer document are at geneticsdraft on the ELCA website. Individuals and congregations are invited to study and discuss the draft, and provide feedback to the task force by Oct. 15. Feedback can also be given during the 2010 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly. The draft will be revised based on the feedback, and a proposed social statement is to be released in February Synod Welcomes Namibian Bishop Bishop Johannes Sindano of the Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) and his wife, Martha, will be guests of the Northeastern Iowa Synod from May This will be Bishop Sindano s first visit here since the Companion Synod relationship was ratified in The ELCIN and the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia are the newest Companion Synod Partners with the Northeastern Iowa Synod. The Bishop and his wife will tour extensively throughout the synod during their visit. Any congregations or pastors that would like to host a gathering or be a part of Bishop Sindano s visit in another way should call Pastor Nancy Larson at the synod office, Bishop Johannes Sindano May

8 Northeastern Iowans Help in Guatemala A group of 33 people from Northeastern Iowa returned March 29 from a 10-day mission trip to Reu, Guatemala, where they worked on finishing touches for the new School of the saints, distributed 1,000 pounds of food packages they brought from the Feed My Starving Chidren organization, and connected with school children and families. The trip was sponsored by the Northeastern Iowa Synod s Global Mission Work Group and coordinated by Elayne and David Werges of Charles City. We had people from age 14 to almost 80 years old along, says Elayne. It was amazing to see how the generations interacted with each other and really came together to look out for each other, help each other, and really appreciate each others gifts. Volunteers lay tile in a classroom at the School of the Saints in Reu, Guatemala. The trip started with a bus ride to the airport in Chicago and a Saturday evening meal and worship at Holy Trinity in Dubuque. It was a wonderful sending, Elayne says. We could not have planned that any better. David says that the trip changed lives on both ends those who went on the trip and the Guatemalan people they served. We bring hope and a promise for the future that someone cares, David explains. People are hesitant about doing this kind of trip, but once they have been there, their whole hearts and minds change. Volunteers bring food and gifts to children at a jungle school. To view more photos and learn more about the trip, visit resourses/global%20mission%20work%20 Group.htm. Volunteers check up on a Guatemalan family that has been friends with volunteers from the Northeastern Iowa Synod for a number of years. 8 Northeastern Iowa Synod

9 Perfect Father s Day Gift For Father s Day on June 20, buy the man in your life the perfect gift a registration to the Building Men for Christ workshop set for Nov. 5-6, 2010, at Nazareth Lutheran in Cedar Falls. This 24-hour workshop will help church leaders develop life-changing ministries for their congregations. To learn more, visit the Men s Ministry page at or call the synod office at St. Paul s Quilt Blitz Supports Haiti Wanting some hands on response to the needs in Haiti, St. Paul s Lutheran Church and School, Waverly, held a Quilt Blitz on March 27. The congregation was invited by website, newsletter, bulletin and Facebook posting to spend as much or as little time as they wanted to tie, sew or pack quilts and kits for Lutheran World Relief. Newbie quilters learned from the Do Day experts and finished 23 quilts.