Two months out
These boots are made for blessing L
utherans are “lightly represented” in Ogden, Utah, admitted David Thomas, office adminis- trator of Elim Lutheran Church, “but we try to have an impact greater than our numbers.” And so they do.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Elim takes several opportu- nities during the year to bless what is important to mem- bers. In the fall they bless animals, in the spring they bless bikes. And Labor Day week- end, they bless work
boots—and anything else that repre- sents people’s labors. Last year was the first time the congregation held a boot
blessing, so Thomas said he wasn’t sure how many people would bring a work item to be blessed. He had seen the blessing in the “Sundays and Season” resource and asked Elim’s pastor, DanaLee Simon, about it. As office administrator, Thomas spends most of his time at the com- puter so he brought his keyboard to worship to be blessed. There were also combat boots from a member in the Air Force, cowboy boots, a log book from a trucker, a pager from a doctor and a whisk from a pastry chef. Like the welcome of this small congregation, the door for participation was wide open—retired folks were invited to bring an item representing past careers, and those still studying for a career were encouraged to bring something that denotes their future job goal. Just weeks before the boot blessing, the congregation also blesses school backpacks. At least eight school districts are represented at Elim, which is located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Ogden. The poverty rate at the closest elementary school is 98 percent. So the congregation collects school supplies to give to member children when the backpacks are blessed, but also donates to several classrooms at nearby Dee Elementary, Thomas said.
“One of the things I enjoy most about all the blessings we do is that they connect people’s everyday life to their life of faith,” said Simon (
pastor@elimlutheran.org). “Blessings are a helpful reminder of God’s presence with us all the time and everywhere—not just when we’re at church or with a specific group of people.”
Good one! Girl power
Ziegels Lutheran Church, Breinigsville,
Pa., in April held its second S.E.L.F. (Spoil- ing Every Lovely Female) Extravaganza. The event—for fourth- through 10th- grade girls and their mothers—focused on bullying awareness and improving self-esteem. Participants were also given information about healthy relationships and nutrition. Stylists donated time to give girls a new look and teach techniques. Manicures and makeup application were also part of the day.
Breakout sessions were offered on self-
esteem, bullying, healthy relationships and relational aggression, provided by Turn- ing Point and Crime Victims Council. Local musician Sarah Ayers sang and spoke. For more information, contact Kim McHenry at
Kandefick2@aol.com.
Kina Lieby (left) styles Karly Rex’s hair during the S.E.L.F. Extravaganza.
Send congregational stories—both those for a specific month/holiday or your best timeless idea—to
julie.sevig@
thelutheran.org. July 2013 41
SMIDGE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
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