Letters
Theologian spot on for mission of church Readers see politics in some articles, with hope and challenge in others
Seeing politics While it might be OK to have soli- darity with people who riot over the death of a drug pusher, where is the solidarity with the police (June, page 8)? As my wife says, it seems like The Lutheran is becoming a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. How about a little more balance? By the way, I did appreciate the “Generosity” column by Peter W. Marty (page 3) and the leaders under 40 cover story (page 16). Good job there. The Rev. John W. Orwig Buffalo, Wyo.
“Shalom church” by Craig L. Nes- san (June, page 14) is a great defini- tion of the church in the world. It is good to get back to the basics of what the real mission of the church ought to be—“equipping the saints for the work of ministry ... engaging in life- giving relationships with others and with creation.” It means following Jesus by feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, providing hospitality to strangers, shelter for the homeless and visitation of prisoners. Hope- fully our Sunday worship leads us beyond the usual prayers and praises, lest they be characterized by God as that of a “noisy gong or clanging cymbal.” The Lutheran’s June issue has many good examples of how con- gregations are carrying out this mis- sion to the world. Powerful issue this time—congratulations. The Rev. M. Laurel Gray El Cajon, Calif.
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www.thelutheran.org
Editor’s note: Six Baltimore police officers involved in the arrest of Fred- die Gray for a weapons offense have been indicted on felony charges in his death.
End death penalty I agree completely with the item in the June issue (page 10) about the death penalty. We are helping a pris- oner who was baptized and converted in prison. If she were condemned to the death penalty, we would be mur- dering a fellow Christian. Where is forgiveness? I read that only two or three innocent but convicted people have been executed. What number of innocent who are executed is accept- able? Let’s end the death penalty now. The Rev. Robert S. Ove Aurora, Colo.
Pray with the world A letter writer urged Lutherans to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer (June, page 48). How about taking a greater part in the World Day of Prayer, which is held the first Friday of March? As its web-
site says, it “is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many tradi- tions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year [in order to] become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation, to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures, to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them, [and] affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and both have immeasurable influence.” Alan J. Watt York, Pa.
A humble, great man During my tenure as treasurer of the Lutheran Church in America, I was privileged to serve with James R. Crumley Jr., and to get to know him well. He was a great leader, but also a humble man (June, page 44). When he was installed at New York’s Riverside Church, we were down- stairs robing for the ceremony when someone told Crumley that the knot of his cincture was not properly tied. Crumley replied, “I’ve held a mule with that knot, and I think it will do fine.” I will miss him sorely. L. Milton Woods Worland, Wyo.
Invest with care “That socially responsible thing” cover story (May, page 16) brought up a point about our stewardship of retirement assets. Since the 1980s billions of dollars have been poured into retirement accounts. Millions of believers empowered companies with their retirement resources with- out knowing a lot about them. Social choice funds, it seems, offer a chance
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