News
Kalos recognizes giving K
alos, the name of the ELCA Legacy Society, was taken from the Greek translation of the story of Jesus’ anointing at Bethany. In that story, a woman whose actions have been described as “good,” “lovely” and “beautiful,” shared a treasured gift of expensive perfume with Jesus.
The ELCA uses the word “Kalos” to refer to the generosity of donors who remember churchwide ministries through their wills, trusts, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities or endowment funds. “Planned giving allows donors to create a strong legacy within the ELCA,” said Annette C. Shoe- maker, director of the ELCA Foun- dation. “When a planned giving
9
cial “Saying Goodbye” services this fall for people who have suffered miscarriage, early term loss or early infant loss. Organizers Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates wanted the church to provide “an opportunity to say a collective goodbye,” Zoe said. “My husband and I have lost five babies ourselves. … Every life deserves to be recognized.” According to their website (
www.SayingGoodbye. org), 1 in 4 pregnancies end in mis- carriage. In Britain, death before 24 weeks gestation isn’t recorded with a certificate, leaving the parent with no official recognition of the life.
Immigration reform H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the South- eastern Synod, called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals pro- cess for undocumented youth “a good move in the right direction,” but he said the synod would con- tinue to work toward legalization of the DREAM Act. The process halts
10 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
deportation of undocumented immi- grant youth, allowing many who arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and are under age 30 to apply for work permits. The Southwestern Texas Synod will help some of its youth pay the fee to enroll in the process. “This is one small step to help our youth remain active in our ministries and contribute to our society, and we are happy to support them,” said South- western Texas Bishop Ray Tiemann. For more information, visit www.
elca.org/news.
Atheism on rise in U.S.
Religiosity is on the decline in the U.S. and atheism is on the rise, according to the Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism. The poll found that the number of Americans who say they are religious dropped from 73 percent in 2005 (the last time the poll was conducted) to 60 per- cent. At the same time, the number of Americans who say they are atheists
program includes both current and deferred gifts, donors receive the joy of seeing the impact of their stewardship today and knowing that their work will continue past their lifetimes. Kalos recognizes the careful planning of these spe- cial donors.” If you have named a church-
wide ministry (Fund for Leaders, Missionary Sponsorship, New and Renewing ELCA Congrega- tions, Vision for Mission, World Hunger and Disaster Response, or other programs) as a beneficiary of a deferred gift and would like to become a Kalos member, visit
www.elca.org/kalos, call 800- 638-3522, ext. 2299, or see a pro- motion on page 2.
rose from 1 percent to 5 percent. The poll was conducted by WIN-Gallup International.
A Lutheran first Pérsida Gudiel became the first woman to be ordained by the Lutheran Church in Guatemala on Aug. 12. “I give thanks to God for having sent angels who have sup- ported this ‘little lamb’ in everything, who was not wanted to lead any flock because of being a woman,” Gudiel said in her sermon, as reported by the Latin America and Caribbean Agency for Communication.
Methodists’ publishing arm The United Methodist Publish- ing House reported that it would end its 2012 financial year (ending July 31) with $86.1 million in total receipts—$1.7 million more than 2011 receipts, but $4 million short of revenue goals. “Given increased costs, sluggish general economic conditions and trends in several product lines and sales channels,” the publisher said in a statement that it would make spending adjust- ments that include downsizing its 814-member staff. The staff reduc- tions include 12 incumbents and leaving open positions vacant.
Quote
In the end, I’m encouraged by … the recognition that, if I only sat down with people who agreed with me, and I with them, or with those who were saints, I’d be taking all my meals alone.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, writ- ing in his blog to defend his invitation to President Barack Obama to attend the annual Al Smith Dinner, despite his fight with the White House over contraception and abortion.
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