I noticed there weren't many blogs this year and I believe that is due to how packed our Assembly was scheduled. We went from 8:30am on Friday until 10:30pm on Friday night (and probably later if you attended the “Bullied” movie which I had seen already and knew I wanted to blog so I skipped out on it) straight through. During lunch time I was able to get to the invitation to blog and update my profile. And then Saturday, with checking out, the final sessions, and worship, there was very little time to blog. I am home but am still flying high from the Assembly so I thought I would blog about today's sessions.
If my numbers are right, we had a high of 518 people at the assembly, which was more than last year! Bill Horne came up and gave the last TiM grant (to all congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for Mission Insite – see one of my Friday blogs for more details). The total amount of grants given out this time came to $58,940 (domestic) with $32,000 left. (The car for The Lutheran Church of Haiti comes from the Haiti part of TiM). We continue to pray for more people financially supporting TiM so more grants can be given out. You can submit your Letter of Inquiry for the next of round of grants through July 31st. Let's boldly, creatively, missionally dream how we can continue to be freed in Christ to serve one another.
We then heard from the Global Missions team and our Companion Synod Program. That was great! A group from Suriname came to our Assembly. We had the opportunity to speak with them and find out what is going on in Suriname. It is very powerful to put a face to names we have been praying for and financially supporting over the years. The oldest church in Suriname is 270 years old and the main language is Dutch. The montage video of all the Companion Synods (Guyana, Suriname, Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica, although there were no pictures from Jamaica – that sounds like a mission to me), set to the music of Contemporary Christian Band Audio Adrenaline's “Hands and Feet” got me singing. This song has always been a favorite of mine. It speaks to the ELCA's slogan of God's Work our Hands perfectly. You can find the lyrics here... http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/audioadrenaline/handsandfeet.html
I loved Mary Delasin's (Haiti Taskforce and World Hunger) one liner that Jesus says, “Go and do, not feel bad and talk about it.” That's what the Florida-Bahamas Synod and the ELCA. We boldly go and do.
Our Assembly is not only for adults but we also have Youth present as full voting members. Each congregation is encouraged to send a youth along with their other 2 voting members and pastor(s). We need to hear their voice as they are not only the future of the church, they are church right now. Their bold passion for social justice, worship, and ministry is contagious.
We also heard about the Women of the ELCA and their new website (www.flwelca.com). Check it out! W-ELCA is a bold ministry of the ELCA (they even have an I-Phone App, now that's bold).
Voting members voted on Resolutions throughout the Assembly. Deans and Conference chairs now have term limits of 3 consecutive 2 year terms; We have been urged to support homeless ministry; the budget has been passed for this year and a tentative budget for next year; Congregations are urged to support and encourage education ministries for lay people (especially diakonia- a 2 year seminary-like educational program); A memorial to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August to speak and act to prevent bullying, harassment, and related violence, especially in light of the recent media coverage on violence against youth who are gay, lesbian, transgendered, and bisexual was passed; a memorial to the Churchwide Assembly in August asking for a moratorium on future Social Statements was defeated.
We closed the Assembly with Holy Communion worship and installed the elected Synod Council members (Judith Bunker, Lynda Mack, Karen Combs, Pr. Keith Spencer, Todd Anderson, and Jose Perez), Synod Secretary (Michele Hilton), and the Conference Youth Coordinators (sorry don't have all your names). Pr. Ruben Duran preached. Throughout the Assembly he referred to the Holy Trinity as the 3 Amigos which got a laugh every time. He even challenged us that if we are ever eating a restaurant alone to ask for a table for four. And I don't think we will forget his comment that “Jesus has a good reputation,” meaning that his words of promise are secure. The future is bright when we hold onto Jesus' promises in scripture. He promises that he will build his church and that he will be with us always. We hold on to that even when there are times that our hearts are heavy. We know that in the middle of it, God always comes down in Jesus, to change our heavy hearts into burning hearts. I am reminded of our communion liturgy. We pray for the Holy Spirit to come with these words, “Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love,” and may I add, boldly send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.
Thanks be to God for the 2011 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly. Wow. My, how I love this church!!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My, How I love this Church! Part 3
If you noticed the times I posted my blogs, you noticed the later one was around 1:30in the morning. I'm not normally (any more) a person who stays up late. I serve a congregation near The Villages (retirement community) and the streets roll-up at 9pm. (It took me awhile to get used to Publix and many restaurants closing at 9. I used to get excited when I found a restaurant open until 10pm). I don't go to bed extremely early but the only time I'm usually awake at 1:30 in the morning is if I'm preparing a sermon (and I don't even try to do that that often anymore). I vigorously took over 20 pages of notes on the Assembly (it helped keep my attention and kept me more involved as well) – good thing Omni and Thrivent kept giving out the notepads because I was continuously needing more paper. So on Friday night as I was working through my notes and what I wanted to use in my blog, my eyes started to glaze over as it was getting later or earlier however you want to look it. I called it a night. As I was getting ready in the morning, I remembered a few things that I had forgotten to mention.
One of the funny moments for me was when we started singing “Jesus Loves Me” when we needed to take a short break between reports. I started hearing the song and singing and I had this compulsion to start doing the hand motions that go along with it that I learned in Elementary Sunday School Music Class. I was literally taken back to my home congregation church basement when I learned the hand motions for the first time. I felt kind of funny. My eyes were closed and I tried to fight the urge. For some reason I opened my eyes, and everyone around me was doing the hand motions kind of trying to hide it but smirking. I looked around a little more and others who were doing the hand motions were kind of smirking as well. I think they wanted to be doing them too but just couldn't bring themselves to do them. So I jumped in with the hand motions, song book in one hand (because like many others I only know the first by heart and need to look at the words for the rest of the song), and at least nodding along with “Yes” and trying to do the rest of them as well.
I believe in my Friday blog, I didn't even mention the Bishop's report, oops, not intentional. Bishop Benoway spoke passionately about all that the Florida-Bahamas Synod is doing especially being the church in the world as we continue to care and connect with Haiti, Japan, Southeast United States, through their times of trouble. It is a joy to be a part of a church like ours. We are immediate responders to disasters and one of the last to leave. Our Together in Mission initiative is another way to see glimpses of God at work and witness to God's mighty acts. He asked us to turn to someone near us and talk about Jesus in our lives. How do we stay connected with Jesus? What is our favorite hymn? Just simple ways to get us talking (and then wanted us to come back to order very quickly). I heard one person say, “It's like speed dating” in how quick we had to answer the questions. It was pretty comical. Speaking about what Jesus means in our lives isn't necessarily easy for everyone. Before I left for Assembly, I had a person come up to me and say how as a Lutheran she was never taught growing up that speaking about Jesus in her life was something she should be doing. With our theme of “With All Boldness” we could see each person's reports interacted with other's reports. Pr. Ruben mentioned that the Lutheran church unwritten mission statement was “Called, Gathered, and Nourished.” With this mission statement, there is no emphasis to go out and tell others. Our mission statement now needs to read, “Claimed, Gathered, and Sent.” This may be a new thing for many folks who have grown up in the Lutheran church and never heard this emphasis before. A missional church. It's a different way of thinking about the church.
I would be remiss to not mention Pr. Ruben's comments about diversity. We continually need to see who is at the table and who is not. Diversity is a good thing, not a curse. He told the story of when he was in seminary practicing being at the altar. He would start in the middle but by the end, unknowingly he would make his way to the side. He would never be in the middle. He needed to be confident enough to stay in the middle for that's where he belonged. It reminded me of my internship experience. I did the same thing, but I had another reason. In the middle of the altar was a huge cross that I couldn't see around, so I always stepped to the side. My internship supervisor kept trying to get me back in the middle but I refused. I should have just gotten a step-stool or something to make him happy. Pr. Ruben's message was clear though that we are all equal at the foot of the cross.
I couldn't help but smile when Pr. Ruben used the Book of Esther as one of the themes for his messages. Esther was empowered by Mordecai to lead her people and she did. St. John Lutheran Church (where I serve) had a member donate her property and house upon her death to the church in the early 1990s. Her house became the parsonage, our church building was dedicated on her property in 1997. This woman's name is Esther Anderson. The parsonage became vacant as both of us pastors bought our own houses and we didn't know what to do with the parsonage. After much prayer and discernment, the need for a food pantry in our area was brought to our attention. Almost a year ago, the parsonage has now become “The House of Esther” a food pantry, run by volunteers, with the help of the local non-profit, Love In The Name of Christ (LoveINC). We named it not only after Esther Anderson but also Biblical Esther who was empowered to lead her people and change their lives. That is what we hope will happen for folks at the food pantry as well. They will not only come in and receive food, but will know that they are beloved people, no matter their situation, and that with each bag of food, Jesus goes with them. In boldness (or as the joke became, in baldness as well – referring to our new DEM's lack of hair), we pray for their empowerment to live as children of God.
One of the funny moments for me was when we started singing “Jesus Loves Me” when we needed to take a short break between reports. I started hearing the song and singing and I had this compulsion to start doing the hand motions that go along with it that I learned in Elementary Sunday School Music Class. I was literally taken back to my home congregation church basement when I learned the hand motions for the first time. I felt kind of funny. My eyes were closed and I tried to fight the urge. For some reason I opened my eyes, and everyone around me was doing the hand motions kind of trying to hide it but smirking. I looked around a little more and others who were doing the hand motions were kind of smirking as well. I think they wanted to be doing them too but just couldn't bring themselves to do them. So I jumped in with the hand motions, song book in one hand (because like many others I only know the first by heart and need to look at the words for the rest of the song), and at least nodding along with “Yes” and trying to do the rest of them as well.
I believe in my Friday blog, I didn't even mention the Bishop's report, oops, not intentional. Bishop Benoway spoke passionately about all that the Florida-Bahamas Synod is doing especially being the church in the world as we continue to care and connect with Haiti, Japan, Southeast United States, through their times of trouble. It is a joy to be a part of a church like ours. We are immediate responders to disasters and one of the last to leave. Our Together in Mission initiative is another way to see glimpses of God at work and witness to God's mighty acts. He asked us to turn to someone near us and talk about Jesus in our lives. How do we stay connected with Jesus? What is our favorite hymn? Just simple ways to get us talking (and then wanted us to come back to order very quickly). I heard one person say, “It's like speed dating” in how quick we had to answer the questions. It was pretty comical. Speaking about what Jesus means in our lives isn't necessarily easy for everyone. Before I left for Assembly, I had a person come up to me and say how as a Lutheran she was never taught growing up that speaking about Jesus in her life was something she should be doing. With our theme of “With All Boldness” we could see each person's reports interacted with other's reports. Pr. Ruben mentioned that the Lutheran church unwritten mission statement was “Called, Gathered, and Nourished.” With this mission statement, there is no emphasis to go out and tell others. Our mission statement now needs to read, “Claimed, Gathered, and Sent.” This may be a new thing for many folks who have grown up in the Lutheran church and never heard this emphasis before. A missional church. It's a different way of thinking about the church.
I would be remiss to not mention Pr. Ruben's comments about diversity. We continually need to see who is at the table and who is not. Diversity is a good thing, not a curse. He told the story of when he was in seminary practicing being at the altar. He would start in the middle but by the end, unknowingly he would make his way to the side. He would never be in the middle. He needed to be confident enough to stay in the middle for that's where he belonged. It reminded me of my internship experience. I did the same thing, but I had another reason. In the middle of the altar was a huge cross that I couldn't see around, so I always stepped to the side. My internship supervisor kept trying to get me back in the middle but I refused. I should have just gotten a step-stool or something to make him happy. Pr. Ruben's message was clear though that we are all equal at the foot of the cross.
I couldn't help but smile when Pr. Ruben used the Book of Esther as one of the themes for his messages. Esther was empowered by Mordecai to lead her people and she did. St. John Lutheran Church (where I serve) had a member donate her property and house upon her death to the church in the early 1990s. Her house became the parsonage, our church building was dedicated on her property in 1997. This woman's name is Esther Anderson. The parsonage became vacant as both of us pastors bought our own houses and we didn't know what to do with the parsonage. After much prayer and discernment, the need for a food pantry in our area was brought to our attention. Almost a year ago, the parsonage has now become “The House of Esther” a food pantry, run by volunteers, with the help of the local non-profit, Love In The Name of Christ (LoveINC). We named it not only after Esther Anderson but also Biblical Esther who was empowered to lead her people and change their lives. That is what we hope will happen for folks at the food pantry as well. They will not only come in and receive food, but will know that they are beloved people, no matter their situation, and that with each bag of food, Jesus goes with them. In boldness (or as the joke became, in baldness as well – referring to our new DEM's lack of hair), we pray for their empowerment to live as children of God.
My, How I love this church (Part 2)
Friday was a full day but a darn good one. We began with morning worship with United Church of Christ, Rev. Kent Siladi, the conference minister (equivalent to our Bishop) giving the Homily. I am always amazed at our full communion partners as we can stand together with more that unites than divides us. Rev. Kent gave a passionate homily that reminded us that even though we may not be able to get a full hold on what Easter really is, God has hold on us. We will never be separated and that the Easter hope always goes before us.
We continued with the great news that during Worship on Thursday night our offering raised $3,085 for Education and Advocacy for Immigration through the Immigration Outreach Ministries. They Are Us, as we heard later in the evening (through a video on immigration and many of the resource materials and ways to support), and we stand with them and “give grateful witness to our Lutheran heritage of welcoming and caring for immigrant populations” (taken from our Worship Booklet).
Throughout the day, we heard of Together in Mission, the Synod's vision which includes a 2.5 million dollar campaign to raise money for ministries in the Florida-Bahamas Synod and $500,000 for Haiti. I have heard so much about this new initiative of the Synod for a couple years now. I've wondered what it was going to look like. Today, we were given the chance to see a glimpse of what it looks like now and the challenge to dream of what it could look like later. What it looks like now is great. We saw All Saints LC in Lutz receive a grant for their Mother's Morning R&R, a free program to reach out to mothers of all socio-economic levels in the community to provide faith-based mentoring, support and fellowship as well as a safe and loving preschool environment to nurture their children. We saw the Lutheran Church of Haiti receive money for an automobile and the upkeep of the automobile to help grow their church (As Pr. Livenson- the president of the Lutheran Church of Haiti- spoke about how a vehicle will help their ministry, I realized the irony that I just bought a new Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicle in January all the while they had no vehicle for 14 congregations. I visit about 8 hospitals on a regular basis. I can't imagine doing ministry without a vehicle. Even with the differences in culture, terrain, etc, going between 14 congregations without a vehicle is a witness to their ministry). We saw Good Shepherd LC in Hernando receive a grant for SOS (Serving Our Savior) an ecumenical ministry partnership among multiple congregations where they feed and clothe the needy. We saw Hope LC (in conjunction with Rock of Ages LC in Wildwood, FL and St. John LC in Summerfield) receiving a grant for their Growing Witness through Wellness Ministry that will expand the area congregations health care/wellness ministries by providing pastoral, grace-based mental health services through a local satellite of Lutheran Counseling Services, Inc. We saw St. Mark LC in Dunedin receive a grant for The Helping Hands Outreach Mission that will address short needs in the community. We saw Trinity LC in Kissimmee receive a grant for The Community Ambassador Ministry that responds to the spiritual, material, and emotional needs of the homeless, unemployed, abused, or neglected individuals and families in the community. We saw all congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod receive a grant so MissionInsite (a web-based demographic program engaging discussion and application to increase ministry effectiveness) will be available free of charge to all congregations.
I'm excited to see what else is in store for Together in Mission. As Scott Pinkerton, co-chair of TiM, said, TiM is the yearning to bring God here. It is a tool for yearning. Where we (individuals or congregations) come up with an idea and present it. If it's a good idea or not, if it's owned by us, we'll do a better job working at it compared with someone telling us what to do. Let's dream together. The goal for next year is to have every congregation being a part of TiM – either by contributing money to the fundraising campaign or being a recipient of a grant. Scott relates the story of how he became a part of TiM. He was watching the movie “Band of Brothers.” As Easy Company (the story is about the US Army 101st Airborne during WWII) came into a town, it seemed like a normal day, folks were in the bakery, etc, etc, going about their business, all the while a war is going on, but something happened as Easy Company continued to canvass the area. Literally they dropped their guns in disbelief as they saw a concentration camp. With a concentration camp right in their midst, the townspeople went on about their day like nothing was going on. The realization hit Scott that he was going on with his life like nothing was going on as Haiti was rocked with the earthquake. Scott knew the TiM initiative was something in which he needed to be a part. We heard from Pr. Livenson and Pr. Bob Schaefer about how TiM will help Haiti help themselves. They have already started two dairies and a vocational center to become self-sufficient. They do not want the U.S. or the Florida-Bahamas Synod coming in to do things for them but rather to walk with them and ask them what can we do to help them empower themselves. It is an accompaniment model that we try to live out. It is always powerful to hear Pr. Livenson speak. The conviction he speaks with is beyond his years and he even joked around that it was with some hesitancy that other leaders in Haiti have followed his lead in trying to empower the Haitian people rather than just letting the U.S. Come in and do everything as he was the youngest of the leaders.
Rev. Ruben Duran, the Director for Development of New Congregations for the ELCA was both our keynote speaker and our ELCA Churchwide Representative. There is no way to justly summarize his keynote addresses. His Powerpoint Presentations will be available on the Florida-Bahamas Synod Website (www.fbsynod.com) after the Assembly. A few of the highlights...We are a community in mission. God is a missional God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in purpose and mission. God's mission is restoring community. Reign of God is about Shalom, peace. It is here now, but not yet fully implemented. God is at work both in the church and in the world bringing about God's reign. Churches are not gas stations that we pull in when we are empty and complain about the prices, but rather a gym where we exercise the muscles of proclaiming God's word, passing it on in joy. God's mission has a church. God's mission is not the church. God says, Go! Lutherans say, Here we stand! We are equipped and sent from Word and Sacrament (worship) into the world. God put a comma after your name “Ruben, child of God.” We now all are the same as children of the same heavenly Father. We are all priests who are called to follow as Jesus did, to sacrifice/serve, pray, and proclaim. Stay wet (always remember your baptism). Pr. Ruben told a story of The Welcome Church in Philadelphia that was started by Pr. Violet Little. Pr. Violet was a pastor in a suburb of Philly but one day she missed her train and ended up at a bathroom near the train station. The rest room's line was long because the homeless in the area used it to clean up. The professionals trying to catch their trains would be upset with the homeless for being in the way. Pr. Violet was moved to resign her call and start a church mission to the homeless in that area. They not only worship, but also assist the homeless in getting basic necessities, such as medical attention for their feet and proper shoes. This past Holy/Maundy Thursday doctors from Temple University were among the people washing the feet of the homeless and organizing ways to get shoes for them. As Pr. Ruben also brought greetings from Churchwide and Presiding Bishop Hansen, we watched a video that showed congregations in North Dakota, Arizona, and Haiti, always being ever-mindful that what they do in North Dakota, Arizona, and Haiti, we do, too, because of our mission support dollars that we send. We heard about LIFT (Living Into the Future Together) a team of folks asking the questions “What is God calling us (the ELCA) to do and be in the future? What needs to change to do so? www.liftelca.org We also heard about many of the other initiatives that the ELCA is active in (Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Immigration, Youth/Young Adults, Women of the ELCA, The Lutheran magazine and the upcoming Churchwide Assembly that the Florida-Bahamas Synod will be hosting Aug. 15-19 with the theme of Freed to Serve). We heard the numbers of congregations that have disaffiliated with the ELCA but for once we also heard about new congregations being started from the remnants of the congregations who have left. We are moving forward.
Elections were held to fill the Synod Council and Synod Secretary positions. We heard from the Florida Region Thrivent Representative, The Mission Investment Fund, the President of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida, Older Adult Ministry Taskforce, Lutheran Services of Florida. All of these ministries are bold witnesses to the Risen Jesus.
As we heard from Mission Development, our new Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) was introduced (he was installed on Thursday night during worship). Pr. David Anglada comes to us from the Metro-New York Synod and replaces Pr. Jerry Wahl. He is excited to begin concentrating on starting new congregations, renewal of existing congregations, and stewardship.
We celebrated with rostered leaders celebrating anniversaries. The oldest pastor celebrated 70 years of being ordained (he is 91). As I sat and looked at the group of leaders in front, others and I commented, “There is hope for us. They made it so can we.” What amazing group! And we also celebrated congregations anniversaries with one congregation over 100 years old. Thanks be to God!
Vice President Cheryl Stuart gave a powerful address describing what Bold looks like. Bishop Benoway accidentally called her Pr. Cheryl Stuart when he was addressing her once during the assembly prior to her report. After her report, I laughed because she gave a great sermon. Her report ended with a loud round of applause.
We concluded our evening with Evening Prayer. It was a long day, but so inspiring. Tears were shed as we saw the destruction in Haiti, Amens were shouted in praise of a living God who is with us even in the midst of horror and tragedy, and a challenge was heard and accepted to be Bold and joyful in our faith and witness. And there is still another day ahead of us.
We continued with the great news that during Worship on Thursday night our offering raised $3,085 for Education and Advocacy for Immigration through the Immigration Outreach Ministries. They Are Us, as we heard later in the evening (through a video on immigration and many of the resource materials and ways to support), and we stand with them and “give grateful witness to our Lutheran heritage of welcoming and caring for immigrant populations” (taken from our Worship Booklet).
Throughout the day, we heard of Together in Mission, the Synod's vision which includes a 2.5 million dollar campaign to raise money for ministries in the Florida-Bahamas Synod and $500,000 for Haiti. I have heard so much about this new initiative of the Synod for a couple years now. I've wondered what it was going to look like. Today, we were given the chance to see a glimpse of what it looks like now and the challenge to dream of what it could look like later. What it looks like now is great. We saw All Saints LC in Lutz receive a grant for their Mother's Morning R&R, a free program to reach out to mothers of all socio-economic levels in the community to provide faith-based mentoring, support and fellowship as well as a safe and loving preschool environment to nurture their children. We saw the Lutheran Church of Haiti receive money for an automobile and the upkeep of the automobile to help grow their church (As Pr. Livenson- the president of the Lutheran Church of Haiti- spoke about how a vehicle will help their ministry, I realized the irony that I just bought a new Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicle in January all the while they had no vehicle for 14 congregations. I visit about 8 hospitals on a regular basis. I can't imagine doing ministry without a vehicle. Even with the differences in culture, terrain, etc, going between 14 congregations without a vehicle is a witness to their ministry). We saw Good Shepherd LC in Hernando receive a grant for SOS (Serving Our Savior) an ecumenical ministry partnership among multiple congregations where they feed and clothe the needy. We saw Hope LC (in conjunction with Rock of Ages LC in Wildwood, FL and St. John LC in Summerfield) receiving a grant for their Growing Witness through Wellness Ministry that will expand the area congregations health care/wellness ministries by providing pastoral, grace-based mental health services through a local satellite of Lutheran Counseling Services, Inc. We saw St. Mark LC in Dunedin receive a grant for The Helping Hands Outreach Mission that will address short needs in the community. We saw Trinity LC in Kissimmee receive a grant for The Community Ambassador Ministry that responds to the spiritual, material, and emotional needs of the homeless, unemployed, abused, or neglected individuals and families in the community. We saw all congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod receive a grant so MissionInsite (a web-based demographic program engaging discussion and application to increase ministry effectiveness) will be available free of charge to all congregations.
I'm excited to see what else is in store for Together in Mission. As Scott Pinkerton, co-chair of TiM, said, TiM is the yearning to bring God here. It is a tool for yearning. Where we (individuals or congregations) come up with an idea and present it. If it's a good idea or not, if it's owned by us, we'll do a better job working at it compared with someone telling us what to do. Let's dream together. The goal for next year is to have every congregation being a part of TiM – either by contributing money to the fundraising campaign or being a recipient of a grant. Scott relates the story of how he became a part of TiM. He was watching the movie “Band of Brothers.” As Easy Company (the story is about the US Army 101st Airborne during WWII) came into a town, it seemed like a normal day, folks were in the bakery, etc, etc, going about their business, all the while a war is going on, but something happened as Easy Company continued to canvass the area. Literally they dropped their guns in disbelief as they saw a concentration camp. With a concentration camp right in their midst, the townspeople went on about their day like nothing was going on. The realization hit Scott that he was going on with his life like nothing was going on as Haiti was rocked with the earthquake. Scott knew the TiM initiative was something in which he needed to be a part. We heard from Pr. Livenson and Pr. Bob Schaefer about how TiM will help Haiti help themselves. They have already started two dairies and a vocational center to become self-sufficient. They do not want the U.S. or the Florida-Bahamas Synod coming in to do things for them but rather to walk with them and ask them what can we do to help them empower themselves. It is an accompaniment model that we try to live out. It is always powerful to hear Pr. Livenson speak. The conviction he speaks with is beyond his years and he even joked around that it was with some hesitancy that other leaders in Haiti have followed his lead in trying to empower the Haitian people rather than just letting the U.S. Come in and do everything as he was the youngest of the leaders.
Rev. Ruben Duran, the Director for Development of New Congregations for the ELCA was both our keynote speaker and our ELCA Churchwide Representative. There is no way to justly summarize his keynote addresses. His Powerpoint Presentations will be available on the Florida-Bahamas Synod Website (www.fbsynod.com) after the Assembly. A few of the highlights...We are a community in mission. God is a missional God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in purpose and mission. God's mission is restoring community. Reign of God is about Shalom, peace. It is here now, but not yet fully implemented. God is at work both in the church and in the world bringing about God's reign. Churches are not gas stations that we pull in when we are empty and complain about the prices, but rather a gym where we exercise the muscles of proclaiming God's word, passing it on in joy. God's mission has a church. God's mission is not the church. God says, Go! Lutherans say, Here we stand! We are equipped and sent from Word and Sacrament (worship) into the world. God put a comma after your name “Ruben, child of God.” We now all are the same as children of the same heavenly Father. We are all priests who are called to follow as Jesus did, to sacrifice/serve, pray, and proclaim. Stay wet (always remember your baptism). Pr. Ruben told a story of The Welcome Church in Philadelphia that was started by Pr. Violet Little. Pr. Violet was a pastor in a suburb of Philly but one day she missed her train and ended up at a bathroom near the train station. The rest room's line was long because the homeless in the area used it to clean up. The professionals trying to catch their trains would be upset with the homeless for being in the way. Pr. Violet was moved to resign her call and start a church mission to the homeless in that area. They not only worship, but also assist the homeless in getting basic necessities, such as medical attention for their feet and proper shoes. This past Holy/Maundy Thursday doctors from Temple University were among the people washing the feet of the homeless and organizing ways to get shoes for them. As Pr. Ruben also brought greetings from Churchwide and Presiding Bishop Hansen, we watched a video that showed congregations in North Dakota, Arizona, and Haiti, always being ever-mindful that what they do in North Dakota, Arizona, and Haiti, we do, too, because of our mission support dollars that we send. We heard about LIFT (Living Into the Future Together) a team of folks asking the questions “What is God calling us (the ELCA) to do and be in the future? What needs to change to do so? www.liftelca.org We also heard about many of the other initiatives that the ELCA is active in (Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Immigration, Youth/Young Adults, Women of the ELCA, The Lutheran magazine and the upcoming Churchwide Assembly that the Florida-Bahamas Synod will be hosting Aug. 15-19 with the theme of Freed to Serve). We heard the numbers of congregations that have disaffiliated with the ELCA but for once we also heard about new congregations being started from the remnants of the congregations who have left. We are moving forward.
Elections were held to fill the Synod Council and Synod Secretary positions. We heard from the Florida Region Thrivent Representative, The Mission Investment Fund, the President of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida, Older Adult Ministry Taskforce, Lutheran Services of Florida. All of these ministries are bold witnesses to the Risen Jesus.
As we heard from Mission Development, our new Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) was introduced (he was installed on Thursday night during worship). Pr. David Anglada comes to us from the Metro-New York Synod and replaces Pr. Jerry Wahl. He is excited to begin concentrating on starting new congregations, renewal of existing congregations, and stewardship.
We celebrated with rostered leaders celebrating anniversaries. The oldest pastor celebrated 70 years of being ordained (he is 91). As I sat and looked at the group of leaders in front, others and I commented, “There is hope for us. They made it so can we.” What amazing group! And we also celebrated congregations anniversaries with one congregation over 100 years old. Thanks be to God!
Vice President Cheryl Stuart gave a powerful address describing what Bold looks like. Bishop Benoway accidentally called her Pr. Cheryl Stuart when he was addressing her once during the assembly prior to her report. After her report, I laughed because she gave a great sermon. Her report ended with a loud round of applause.
We concluded our evening with Evening Prayer. It was a long day, but so inspiring. Tears were shed as we saw the destruction in Haiti, Amens were shouted in praise of a living God who is with us even in the midst of horror and tragedy, and a challenge was heard and accepted to be Bold and joyful in our faith and witness. And there is still another day ahead of us.
Friday, May 6, 2011
My, How I love this Church (Part 1)
Phyllis Fludd White had it right when she came up to do announcements on Friday afternoon. After beginning Thursday at 4pm with the opening of the 2011 Florida-Bahamas Synod “With All Boldness” Assembly her words today spoke what I was thinking. “My, how I love this church!” Amen Phyllis.
Thursday afternoon and evening was filled with the overview of what Friday and Saturday would bring us. Bishop Benoway opened the assembly as we all sang together in good Lutheran voice, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” We were told that we will be hearing throughout the assembly ways we as a Synod are being bold in proclaiming and living out the Gospel message that we are an Easter people followers of the Risen Christ. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Standing rules were announced and the agenda was passed, introductions were made, and a special point was made that our Prayer Chapel is in the middle of the Town Square/Marketplace just as the church needs to be in the middle of the world.
After the Nominating Committee announced all the position openings for the Synod Council and also Synod Secretary, a special time to honor the outgoing Synod Secretary brought the Assembly to their feet in ovation for Rev. William Yesse as he has served as the Synod Secretary for 16 years (remember the Synod is only 24 years old). He has served with all the Bishops of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He and his wife Jeri were presented with a plaque, flowers, and Resolution 11-7 that the Assembly approved unanimously by applause in honor and appreciation of his service as Synod Secretary for 16 years. Thank you Pr. Yesse!
Phyllis Fludd White, as she has for several years, has brought levity to our Assembly to make sure we are still laughing and awake. This year she has included “Children's Bible in a Nutshell” to make sure we get our daily laughs. You can find this Nutshelled Bible through this link http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/stories/children-s_bible_in_a_nutshell.html
We broke for dinner on our own (Tervi's Italian Restaurant at the hotel is a great place to eat).
We gathered back for Opening Eucharist. As I looked through our Worship Booklet I noticed we were using Setting 3 from ELW (or Setting 1 in LBW). I was kind of disappointed at first. I was used to doing unique worship settings at the Assembly and I thought that worshiping with the setting I grew up with every single Sunday would be disheartening, but I was wrong. It brought back the memories of my home congregation (which is a good thing) and then with the USF Trombone Quartet and the electronic keyboards that could make it sound like there was a full orchestra leading worship, it was a powerfully uplifting worship experience. Bishop Benoway's sermon reminded us that there is power in the Easter message. Power to overcome doubt and fears. This power leads us to boldness. To speak the power of God's word with all boldness. To enter into mission and ministry with boldness. To be bold, loving, and compassionate people. Bishop Benoway used the wonderful quote from Martin Luther,“Sin Boldly and believe and rejoice in Christ more boldly.” Even more powerful is the context Martin Luther spoke those words. He spoke them to Philip Melanchthon as Melanchthon struggled if they were doing the right thing in the Reformation. It is always amazing to watch and be a part of communion at the Assembly. Seeing everyone from every part of Florida-Bahamas Synod walking forward to receive Christ's body and blood. At Christ's table, there is no division. No race, no sexuality, no gender, just children of God, forgiven and freed to love one another. And then we are sent to go in peace and boldly proclaim the good news (and get some rest because Friday is going to be a long day).
Thursday afternoon and evening was filled with the overview of what Friday and Saturday would bring us. Bishop Benoway opened the assembly as we all sang together in good Lutheran voice, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” We were told that we will be hearing throughout the assembly ways we as a Synod are being bold in proclaiming and living out the Gospel message that we are an Easter people followers of the Risen Christ. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Standing rules were announced and the agenda was passed, introductions were made, and a special point was made that our Prayer Chapel is in the middle of the Town Square/Marketplace just as the church needs to be in the middle of the world.
After the Nominating Committee announced all the position openings for the Synod Council and also Synod Secretary, a special time to honor the outgoing Synod Secretary brought the Assembly to their feet in ovation for Rev. William Yesse as he has served as the Synod Secretary for 16 years (remember the Synod is only 24 years old). He has served with all the Bishops of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He and his wife Jeri were presented with a plaque, flowers, and Resolution 11-7 that the Assembly approved unanimously by applause in honor and appreciation of his service as Synod Secretary for 16 years. Thank you Pr. Yesse!
Phyllis Fludd White, as she has for several years, has brought levity to our Assembly to make sure we are still laughing and awake. This year she has included “Children's Bible in a Nutshell” to make sure we get our daily laughs. You can find this Nutshelled Bible through this link http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/stories/children-s_bible_in_a_nutshell.html
We broke for dinner on our own (Tervi's Italian Restaurant at the hotel is a great place to eat).
We gathered back for Opening Eucharist. As I looked through our Worship Booklet I noticed we were using Setting 3 from ELW (or Setting 1 in LBW). I was kind of disappointed at first. I was used to doing unique worship settings at the Assembly and I thought that worshiping with the setting I grew up with every single Sunday would be disheartening, but I was wrong. It brought back the memories of my home congregation (which is a good thing) and then with the USF Trombone Quartet and the electronic keyboards that could make it sound like there was a full orchestra leading worship, it was a powerfully uplifting worship experience. Bishop Benoway's sermon reminded us that there is power in the Easter message. Power to overcome doubt and fears. This power leads us to boldness. To speak the power of God's word with all boldness. To enter into mission and ministry with boldness. To be bold, loving, and compassionate people. Bishop Benoway used the wonderful quote from Martin Luther,“Sin Boldly and believe and rejoice in Christ more boldly.” Even more powerful is the context Martin Luther spoke those words. He spoke them to Philip Melanchthon as Melanchthon struggled if they were doing the right thing in the Reformation. It is always amazing to watch and be a part of communion at the Assembly. Seeing everyone from every part of Florida-Bahamas Synod walking forward to receive Christ's body and blood. At Christ's table, there is no division. No race, no sexuality, no gender, just children of God, forgiven and freed to love one another. And then we are sent to go in peace and boldly proclaim the good news (and get some rest because Friday is going to be a long day).
Boldness Continued (Mid-day Friday of the Assembly)
We learned from Ruben Duran that the learnings from growing churches include knowing and being connected to the community in which you do mission and not working alone. How easy is it to do mission without being connected to your community and by doing it alone? In some ways you might say impossible because if you are disconnected to your community and doing your church life alone you probably aren’t doing mission. You are doing religious things perhaps, but not mission. In other words, in order to do mission it’s not only important to be connected and be doing it in partnerships, it’s part of what the thing (mission) itself is! Good stuff. Thanks Ruben!
Bishop Ed reminds us in his Bishop’s Report that we need to stir up our missional imaginations. Yes!
One of Together in Mission’s guiding principles is Innovation. Yes!
Now then, when we put this connection to community, partnerships, missional imaginations and innovation all together…..what is the result? To me is looks like Jesus Christ risen from the dead! It looks like life breathed back into us. It looks like life itself!
Bishop Ed reminds us in his Bishop’s Report that we need to stir up our missional imaginations. Yes!
One of Together in Mission’s guiding principles is Innovation. Yes!
Now then, when we put this connection to community, partnerships, missional imaginations and innovation all together…..what is the result? To me is looks like Jesus Christ risen from the dead! It looks like life breathed back into us. It looks like life itself!
Friday begins with a Global Mission Breakfast
What a celebration of Global Mission as we were able to dine with the team of seven from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname. This group, led by Missionary Pr Kevin Jacobson, has been visiting Churches within the Florida Bahamas Synod for the past week and has now joined with us in Assembly. Throughout the meal we learned of each persons role in and love for their church as well as their vocation outside the church. History of the Lutheran Church in Suriname was shared along with current joys and challenges they face The team shared the gift a song and closed with a prayer in their native Dutch.
Thank you Suriname Team for being with us in mission!!!
Thank you Suriname Team for being with us in mission!!!
Boldness Now (The Assembly Begins)
You see a colleague at Assembly as you turn the corner near the Registration Desk and you get a bad feeling because you have a history and it's not all good, but you walk up and genuinely greet. And you realize again what this boldness of Christ is about.
You stand in the narrow space between front room and balcony at the hospitality gathering and you actually listen when the person in conversation tells you "how they are doing" after you ask. And you realize again what this boldness of Christ is about.
You hear and see a Resolution on the floor that invites you to see and hear a person on the street in a new way and actually engage them in some way...and you think that maybe because that church in Cocoa Beach did so you can too. And you realize again what this boldness of Christ is about.
You meet brothers and sisters in the faith from Suriname and see the Holy Spirit moving out of them into you as you see their eyes dance with excitement when they tell you of their challenges to being church...and you share your challenges too. And boldness unfolds again.
You approve with green cards the agenda that will shape the next days and then look forward to the Table eucharist that does the formation of heart, body and soul so that the framework of the meetings are anything but formal structures but rather clothed in Christ. Boldness is done to you so you can be that very same throughout these days together. Boldness doesn't wait for you to get home. It will be there for you when you do get there. But for now its given to you here in this Resort on I-4 for to you receive it as a gift to be shared. And you do.
You stand in the narrow space between front room and balcony at the hospitality gathering and you actually listen when the person in conversation tells you "how they are doing" after you ask. And you realize again what this boldness of Christ is about.
You hear and see a Resolution on the floor that invites you to see and hear a person on the street in a new way and actually engage them in some way...and you think that maybe because that church in Cocoa Beach did so you can too. And you realize again what this boldness of Christ is about.
You meet brothers and sisters in the faith from Suriname and see the Holy Spirit moving out of them into you as you see their eyes dance with excitement when they tell you of their challenges to being church...and you share your challenges too. And boldness unfolds again.
You approve with green cards the agenda that will shape the next days and then look forward to the Table eucharist that does the formation of heart, body and soul so that the framework of the meetings are anything but formal structures but rather clothed in Christ. Boldness is done to you so you can be that very same throughout these days together. Boldness doesn't wait for you to get home. It will be there for you when you do get there. But for now its given to you here in this Resort on I-4 for to you receive it as a gift to be shared. And you do.
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