Picture this
electricity produced; with no Key- stone pipeline, Alberta oil is trans- ported by carbon-emitting freight trains that have fiery accidents; wind turbines and solar farms kill signifi- cant numbers of birds and bats. The ELCA social statement titled “Caring for Creation” is inclusive: “We must listen to the people who … mine the earth, as well as to those who advance the conservation, protection, and preservation of the environment …. We pray ... that our church may be a place where differing groups can be brought together …” (
www.elca.org/ socialstatements). Eric Olson New York City
Bless the caretakers The cover of the April issue was beau- tiful. It presents the color of opals and aquamarines against an emerald sky. Then commendations followed for those who care for our resplendent earth. Even as we salute them I must
‘God, bless my Harley …’ It wasn’t a typical church event when Good Shepherd Lutheran, Elizabeth City, N.C., hosted the “Poker Run and Bike Blessing” April 25. Harley enthusiast Tim Gray, a biker for more than 30 years, organized the event, which typically has checkpoints for the riders at which they draw a playing card for their concluding poker hand. “Lots of us at Good Shepherd are bikers and we thought, ‘Why not have a party at our place?’ ” he said. Admission to the event was a canned food item and $10 to benefi t an area food bank. Bikers also received a blessing. “This is a great example of meeting people where they are,” said Terry Dorsey, interim pastor. “We have no agenda other than to celebrate bikers and make friends.”
confess that I don’t think it will make a lot of difference. Mankind will be both kind and harsh to this wonder- ful gift God has given us. Bless be the caretakers. May their turnips be ten- der, their potatoes prolific and their solar panels soaking up the sustain- ing power of golden days. Catherine Boone Shealy Atlanta
Being church A hearty amen to Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton’s April column (page 50) that elicited memories from 20-plus years as a pastor in another Lutheran body. She wrote:
XUEYAN GAO
“This is when congregations begin eyeing visitors as ... replacement parts.” That attitude is not new to the ELCA or Lutherans generally. If we are not the church willingly, joyfully and unreservedly, if we feel “put on” by “bearing the weight” of budgets and programs, our need is not for new members to “ease the burden” but a face to face with what God has done in love to redeem (buy back) each of us. That makes us the church, present and future, not programs or niche gimmicks. Raymond F. Winters Jr. Noti, Ore.
June 2015 49
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