Letters to the editor


Faithful reader, learner also pastor’s mentor Simple gifts, pastors’ debts, internships, Alinsky stories stir reaction


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DECEMBER 2011 www.thelutheran.org $2.50


church as a whole. Her study gives her purpose. I will make sure I do a good read of The Lutheran before I visit Shirley next time, but mostly I am so thankful for the mentor I have in her, and the fulfillment she gets from read-


Gifts to remember


Once again God pitches a tent in our midst 14


Wangerin: Half a lung, half a lung onward 30


Churches offer place to pray—and sleep 34


Disaster groups in it for the long haul 36


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She asked me about the creeds and the authority of Scripture. She was particularly interested in “he descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed and what scriptural authority it had.


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When I got to 92-year-old “Shirley’s” house recently she had the November and December issues of The Lutheran open to “Deeper understandings” (pages 20 and 18, respectively). She asked me about the creeds and the authority of Scripture. She was par- ticularly interested in “he descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed and what scriptural authority it had. It was incredible, I felt like I was tak- ing a seminary test. Shirley’s life has changed recently—now homebound— but she has not let that get her down. She is vigilant in her study of the Scrip- tures. The Lutheran is a tool for her and a way she stays connected to the


48 The Lutheran • www.thelutheran.org


Memories show value of simplicity in giving 20 Plus study guide 26


ing and studying with The Lutheran. The Rev. Elisabeth Zant Munising, Mich.


‘Gifts’ were a gift Thanks for the December issue of The Lutheran. It is great. I am grateful for the “Gifts to remember” (page 20) sto-


ries and witness. Inspiring. Real. David Belasic Cheektowaga, N.Y.


Share the memories I asked my children, their spouses and my grandchildren to write me a note about what they remember about dad/ grandpa. Vern Swenson, my husband of 59 years, died in October. Needing no material gifts, I decided after read- ing “Gifts to remember” what I’d most


like/need for Christmas. Thanks. Joyce Swenson Winnetka, Calif.


Making a difference


The November issue of is filled with reports of people making a differ- ence. On college campuses, in con- gregations, through Lutheran World Relief—Lutherans reach out in caring ministries. In these troubled times it’s heartening to read stories of hope and


blessing. We appreciate the magazine. Frederick and Ruth Overdier Traverse City, Mich.


Possibly clueless When I was confirmed in 1947, it was a rite of passage from childhood to a full


communing church member. Confirma- tion and communion meant something. I suspect today’s average 5-year-old doesn’t have a clue (December, page 41).


Elmer R. Olson Whitley City, Ky.


Less is more “Amen” to Peter W. Marty for his “Stockpiling life” (November, page 3). He really hit another nail on the head, challenging us to simplify our lives and trust our creator. May God grant us the courage and faith to grow in our


response to God’s abundant grace. Mark Piel Waverly, Iowa


Big-time payoff


Thanks for lifting up three congre- gations that have launched sons and daughters into ministry (November, page 30). I was delighted to discover myself in two of the three. It was in my home congregation, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Raleigh, N.C., where I first sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry. And several years later I served Zion Lutheran in Gowrie, Iowa, the 17th intern hosted by that congregation. Passing the faith is the job of the larg- est and the smallest congregations. Whether they launch faithful pastors or faith-filled homemakers, farmers who wrestle with genetic engineering, or airline pilots who pray for wise judg- ment, they are answering God’s call to teach the practices of faith. Such min- istry takes time and dollars, patience and determination. The payoff for the life and vitality of all our congrega-


tions is priceless. The Rev. Jennifer M. Ginn Matthews, N.C.


The


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