Letters
Ministries of God’s church Thank you very much for the July Living Lutheran. That is the most interesting issue I have read in a long time. I especially appreciated “Proclaiming God’s Love: From Cambodia to Costa Rica” (page 14). Having met Pastor Bradn Buerkle, having been to Costa Rica, and with our congregation helping to support two schools in Tanzania made it even more interesting. Being a Lutheran deaconess, the article “Lay rostered leaders: What’s in a name?” (page 22) also interested me. Many articles in this issue told me about the many diff erent kinds of ministry God’s
church is doing in this country and elsewhere. Sister Ruth Ellen Rebelein Kearney, Neb.
Not losing hope I was immediately struck by how the photo on the July cover of the two playfully smiling children from the Lutheran Church in Cambodia is such a contrast from the dark days of the Khmer Rouge. I’m running with it as a reminder not to lose hope that even the darkest of times can turn around to joy. In that same issue, Pastor William Flippin’s article (page 5) was unsettling, as it should be. As diffi cult and uncomfortable as it may be, we cannot ignore the prison population. However, by its very nature, access to prisons is limited. Supporting those released from prison who we know (or know of) or through organized ex- off ender programs are other ways to “act” in response
to God’s grace and love. Alma Edgerly Alexandria, Va.
Understanding vocation The seminary deans’ refl ections on Christian vocation (May, page 42) were fruit-fi lled words, both enabling us to see their specifi c roles as well as more broadly to comprehend our many callings in this world. For that, though, I was also noticing some of the deepest and most important understandings of vocation failed to be mentioned. They discussed our human sisters and brothers, but didn’t highlight explicitly our most original and primary vocation as creatures, as neighbor to all of creation. Given the harm to the environment and how so much life
LivingLutheran
SEPTEMBER 2016
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On the cover William B. Horne II was elected ELCA vice president at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 8-13, in New Orleans.
14 ELCA assembly elects new vice president 26 9/11 remembered
38 Examining the clergy gap 40 Sunday school shuffle
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6 SEPTEMBER 2016
and well-being are dependent on our behavior, it is necessary that we not neglect this calling for the
good of God’s world. The Rev. Nick Utphall Madison, Wis.
Enjoyed the Alaska feature As a former Alaska resident who lived there for several decades, it was nice to read about Trinity Lutheran Church volunteers in the Palmer area, including the hefty potato harvest (August, page 17). It would be nice to follow up with some background on the Great Depression and the federal government’s Matanuska Colony agriculture program in 1935. The farmers and their families were shipped up from the Midwest and had to start productive farms in harsh conditions. But the pioneers built the community basics, including one or more churches. Researching the Alaska pioneers can be an inspiration for
churches like Trinity. Earl Finkler Medford, Wis.
Monthly delights Reading Living Lutheran as soon as it comes and doing the crossword puzzle are monthly delights for me. I enjoy the community of Lutherans shown through letters, articles and editorials. This, however, is the fi rst time I am moved to write a letter. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s challenge to us to defi ne what being Lutheran means has intrigued me this year, and I found inspiration from Joshua Jerome’s answer on page 12 (August): “I don’t feel diff erent [at church].” In the quest of Mikah Meyer on pages 22-24, I found more Lutheran truth and faith in this simple statement: “Life’s more fun when you talk to strangers.” Those two statements sum up what makes Lutherans diff erent and the same. Thank you. Keep
up the good work. Vickie Beireis Olympia, Wash.
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Living Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our diversity. The magazine:
• Nurtures awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives and the world.
• Shares stories of God’s people living their faith. • Connects us with the global Christian community. • Provides an open forum for discussion. • Challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.
VOICES OF FAITH
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