Letters
Celebrate the full season Interesting cover (December 2016) for the season! Not traditional, and that’s OK. Jennifer’s editor note (page 4), however, left me yearning for a more traditional view of the seasons of Advent and Christmas. She writes: “... on Dec. 26 I collapse, realizing the season has come to an end.” Not so fast. Christmas just begins on Dec 25, and traditionally goes for 12 days—we all know the song. I’ve seen too many Christmas trees on the curb on Dec. 26, and too many radio stations back into the top 40 by Jan. 1, or sooner, to not lament the neglect (regretfully within the church too—must we always do the children’s Christmas program the 2nd Sunday in Advent?) of the opportunity to rejoice in the good news of our Savior’s birth for the full season of Christmas. We too easily let our commercial culture call the shots even for the church.
Maybe next year, along with another helpful article on Advent preparation, we could see an article on
celebrating Christmas at least through Epiphany. The Rev. Glen Bengson Powell, Ohio
Editor’s note: I can see how my note was misinterpreted. I wasn’t neglecting the 12 days of Christmas and Epiphany, but I was noting that sometimes through the hustle of preparation during Advent that I often overcommit and exhaust myself and don’t enjoy the rest of the season. I do love your story suggestion for next year. –Jennifer
Still resonating Enjoyed the article on church theater (December page 22). It brought back a lot of memories from when our congregation had a wonderful interim pastor, Ron Wean, currently serving in Ohio. Even after 25 years I clearly remember his first sermon on the Beatitudes, his updated rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s Silent Night/Evening News, using his book One Must Die for our Lenten services and being volunteered to play Sarah to his Abraham. Clearly his use of theater resonated with many of us and still is a topic of conversation. So many of the
On the cover Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Photo: Danita Delimont/ Alamy Stock Photo.
Looking for stories from this issue on
LivingLutheran.org? Articles from the print issue (as well as other new content) are uploaded daily to the site throughout the month.
6 FEBRUARY 2017
issues we face today can be adapted to some form of theater to help us understand more thoroughly
and be more informed. Sue Novy Batavia, Ill.
“The face of the church is changing,” December 2016 Here it is—we’re famous in the Lutheran world. Thanks to writer Megan Brandsrud, ELCA director for new congregational development Ruben Duran and Living Lutheran for helping us be part of an article about different kinds of worship spaces. New Life Lutheran in Dripping Springs, Texas
God is doing super cool things on this world, like gathering his people in a chicken coop! Check it out! @SMLC_GvilleSC
Wow! <3 @BethlehemEH
“I’m a Lutheran,” December 2016 Thanks for sharing this wonderful story of Greta Grosch. I have enjoyed her “Church Basement Ladies” plays very much. It is even more special to read about her life as her dad is my cousin. Marcia Moeller
“Keep awake, stay woke,” December 2016 Beautiful truth. Thank you for your ministry. Stay woke. Julie Martin Hutson
“Keeping watch,” December 2017 Excellent! Thank you for that inspiring message!
Mavis Schmidt
I loved that article! Judy Farr Rieke
Comments, thoughts, feedback … Our editors would love to hear from you. For email, please include your name, city and state.
LivingLutheran@elca.org facebook.com/ELCALivingLutheran @LivingLutheran.
All letters are subject to editing.
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
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
