Letters


Older adults worthy of care and attention Other articles receive a mix of derision and applause


Lutheran OCTOBER 2014 www.thelutheran.org $2.50 Older 24 Shaving inequality


adults: Assets to our church


36 Wine and hymns


Story Page 16


Study guide Page 22


40 Mat ministry ®


Thank you for “Older adults” (Octo- ber, page 16). We need to remember that Scripture does not teach us to write off our elder brothers and sis- ters as obsolete, but rather to honor, care for and learn from them. Gloria L. Evenson Chicago


About time At last—the church is recognizing and valuing older members, possibly the largest group within the Lutheran church, but up to now the least valued. Thanks for the cover story and related material discussing older members. Maybe it’s true our numbers are increasing, but older members have always been the strength and main- stay of congregations. Yes, it’s impor- tant to use our skills and gifts. I also would encourage just appreciating and enjoying having us and our per- spectives that are bound to be differ- ent from those of younger members. Judith Hazen St. Paul, Minn.


64 www.thelutheran.org


Get at the source Thanks for the eye-opening article about El Salvador (October, page 28). Most Americans think mainly of helping refugees once they are in the U.S. It may be generous, but is it helping Salvadorans with what they want for themselves? They want to do more than end the nightmare. They want to create their own dream in their own country. Our drug laws and our peoples’ drug habits fuel the gang violence making El Salvador unlivable. What changes do we as Lutherans and Americans need to advocate for to end the harm caused by these destructive habits? Judy Jensvold Ithaca, N.Y.


Kudos for column I have heard many of my colleagues “rant” about the uncivil communi- cations they receive from congrega- tion members (October, page 4). I know of one colleague who consid- ers congregational council meetings to be good if no one yells or throws things at each other. Perhaps the next editor’s column can include ideas on proactive ways to reverse this in our society. The Rev. David R. Allman Sun City Center, Fla.


A word of thanks A member of the Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod, I subscribe to The Lutheran. It is far more interesting and thought-provoking than the LCMS magazine. I applaud the edi- tors for courage in bringing tough topics into the open for discussion and dialogue. Another member of my congregation began to subscribe


to The Lutheran when I shared some of your study guides. Those of us who are very satisfied and pleased with the magazine need to speak up more often. Keep up the good work. Barb Foster Portland, Ore.


Insulting judgment To have a young woman insult me and centuries of Christianity and Judaism (October, page 34) over her problems with the church is about the last straw. Who does she think she is to pass judgment by calling us “idiots” for believing God is a male, marriage is between a man and a woman, etc.? She is expressing hubris of a very high order. She is reported to be a visiting professor of English at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. Who hires these people? Linda J. Humiston San Diego


Editor’s note: The magazine apolo- gizes for not editing the pejorative from the article.


Pray for all It was disheartening to read ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton say, “All are ‘us’ and all are Christ’s. ... We pray that peace will come to Ferguson (Mo.) and the Brown fam- ily ...” (October, page 9). Is not the police officer and his family part of “all”? Our presiding bishop should be praying for everyone involved. By not doing so, she appears to be cav- ing in to sentiment that the officer is in the wrong. Eric R. Corbet Toms River, N.J.


The


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