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News


By the staff of The Lutheran, ELCA News Service and Religion News Service


Lutherans wait out wildfires A


t the beginning of September, one of the largest wildfires in California history was still burning in and around Yosemite National Park. Known as the Rim Fire, it began in mid-August and quickly grew in size. “It’s not good. California has had an extremely dry year. The winds are blowing hot cinders, causing spot fires which spread the blaze to more populated areas,” said Carol Roberts, CEO and presi- dent of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. At presstime, the agency’s pro- grams and services had not been affected, but Roberts and others stood ready to work with the Sierra Pacific Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response and other partners after needs are determined.


Sierra Pacific Synod Bishop


Mark W. Holmerud conferred with pastors at three congregations close to the fire line: Mountain Lutheran in Groveland, Mount Calvary Lutheran in Mi-Wuk Village and


Bishop honorary Cardinal Gerald Mansholt (center),


former bishop of the Central States Synod, threw out the first pitch at the Aug. 24 St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. A lifelong Cardi- nals fan, Mansholt and staff attended the game with 375 members of St. Louis-area congregations to honor his 12 years of service to the synod. After singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” the Lutherans sang their own version of the song written for the bishop and his wife, Anita. Proceeds from group ticket sales for that game went to support the synod’s fund appeal.


8 The Lutheran • www.thelutheran.org


Mariposa Lutheran in Mariposa. “Members of these congrega- tions were under mandatory and voluntary evacuation,” Holmerud said. “All the prayers and sup- port that can be offered would be greatly appreciated.” At Mount Calvary, just across


the street from a fire department, church members welcomed fire- fighting crews to use their build- ing and parking lot as a respite and staging area, said Eric Yochheim, interim pastor. “They have a place to wash off and use a real bath- room,” he said. While some members had evacuated, others remained. Wor- ship was still well-attended at the end of August. “Until we can’t get in [to the building], we’re going to have a place for people to worship, fellowship, and get questions and answers,” Yochheim said. To learn more or support over- all Lutheran Disaster Response efforts, visit www.elca.org/ disaster.


CLU approves merger with PLTS The Board of Regents of Califor- nia Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, in August approved a merger that would result in Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif., becoming part of CLU. The merger will allow the ELCA schools to share resources and enhance one another’s programs and fac- ulty. PLTS will continue to be a full seminary and remain at its current location.


Lutherans on Egypt Outgoing ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, sent an Aug. 19 letter to President Barack Obama, express- ing concern about troubles in Egypt and urging him to define a clear line of U.S. policy toward the Mideast region in light of Islamic extrem- ism. “We hear from fellow Christian leaders and our Muslim friends that churches and mosques are being used as political tools,” they wrote. “Peace-seeking Egyptians, whether Coptic or Muslim, are committed to the well- being of all their neigh- bors and to the promo- tion of democracy and a vibrant civil society.” They urged Obama to encourage all groups to work on reconcilia- tion, with provisions for human rights and fun- damental freedoms.


Proactive clergy in Pa. L a st


ye ar some JIM WILLIAMS


churches and worship- ers in Bethlehem, Pa., were caught off guard when the city closed streets during a running event, preventing folks


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