Water, water, and more water

It turns out even Montana is not immune to flooding and all that it entails. From what I could gather from the TV news last night, things here in Bozeman seem not to be getting any worse for now. Unfortunately, that's not the case across the rest of the state. And of course there are so many parts of the country that are dealing with much more extensive flooding, and devastating weather events. Want to help? Consider a gift to ELCA Disaster Response. You can give online or through the congregation (just put ELCA Disaster Response/US Severe Storms in the memo line on your check).

Would you like to help a little more locally? The Rev. Tom Peterman, director of St. John's Lutheran Ministries/Lutheran Social Services Montana, sent in an email to all the pastors in the Montana Synod:

Just wanted to update you on some help that is being given to the residents of the Crow Reservation near Hardin, MT. Due to the flooding they are being directed to boil all their water. We were told that they were in need of water, diapers, and infant formula. We had a truck deliver 600 cases of 1.6 liter bottles of water to the Little Bighorn College (distribution center)today. We’ve also ordered 20 cases of diapers @240 per case, and 20 cases of dry infant formula to be delivered soon. We have put in a request with Lutheran Disaster Response in Chicago to see if there are any funds earmarked for Montana. The cost of the supplies we are sending comes to $5068.00. We figured it was more important to get water, diapers, and formula to the men, women, and children there ASAP and worry about how we’re going to pay for it later. I’m not worried about the money. It will be provided. Please keep the people and animals around our state and nation in your prayers. Water, water, everywhere (almost). God’s peace be with you.

Pr. Tom Peterman

St. John’s Lutheran Ministries, LSS-MT, and Lutheran Disaster Response

PS> If anyone in your congregation wants to assist financially in any way, they could send a check to St. John’s Lutheran Ministries and designate it for Lutheran Disaster Response. Our address is 2429 Mission Way, Billings, MT 59102.

Thank you for your generosity and for holding all those dealing with an abundance of water in your prayers.

May Synod Newsletter

The May edition of the Montana Synod Newsletter came out while we were on vacation last week. It's still got lots of great information!
We had a good vacation in Washington - my nephew Evan was baptized on Sunday and we are his sponsors, so it was great to be there to make all those big promises!
See you in worship on Sunday! Remember, our Sunday schedule changes this week: WORSHIP AT 9:00 AM!

2nd ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE!

Donations are being accepted now! (and the sooner you bring them the easier it is for the "setter-uppers," who really don't want to be here til midnight on Friday getting everything ready.

Need help getting a big piece of furniture here? Call the church office (587-4131).

HELPERS are still needed for set-up, 8am-5pm and 6pm-? today, Thursday and Friday.

BAGS are also needed - have a stash of plastic grocery bags multiplying like bunnies at your house? Drop 'em off! Thanks so much! The Family & Youth Team, and THE YOUTH OF CTK, appreciate all you do to make ministry happen!

Mother's Day Litany

A couple of folks asked me to post the litany we used as part of the prayers of intercession on Sunday. I got it from a pearl downunder, a blog by an Australian pastor. Here it is:

We remember Sarai who was taunted by others in the household because of her inability to have children.

All-encompassing God we pray for those who feel excluded when we emphasis one kind of family as normal.

We remember Esther, who was adopted and raised by her cousin.
God who embraces us all, we pray for those who cannot be raised by their parents, for a short time or permanently.

We remember Jochebed, the mother of Moses, who placed him into a raft on the river.
Saving God, we pray for parents who struggle to raise their children in oppressive circumstances.

We remember Hannah, who loved her child so much she handed him over to another to raise.
Loving God, we pray for parents who have placed their child in another family.

We remember Naomi, who grieved the death of her sons.
God, who grieves with us, we pray for parents who mourn the death of a child.

We remember Ruth, who gave up her family to be family to another.
Inclusive God, we pray for those who choose to be family to those isolated by culture or language or distance.

We remember Elizabeth, who had a child in old age and we remember Mary, who had a child as a teenager.
Ageless God, we pray that as a community we accept people of varying life stages and responsibilities and relationships.

We remember Rachel, crying for her children
God of justice and hope, we pray for those whose children are killed, and look to a time when children can live safely in their communities.

We remember Lois and Eunice, who taught Timothy faith by example.
Faithful God we pray for those who teach us faith by their lives, may we remember that we also teach about you in the way we live.

We remember other people, not named in the Scriptures, like the mother of the prodigal son.
Companion God, we pray for those who wait for a phone call or a visit,
cut off from family and friends by distance and disagreement.

Nurturing God, we give thanks for those
who enrich our lives by their presence
who teach us about your abundant love
who encourage us to journey in faith.

(c) Rev Patty Lawrence

New Issue of Cafe: Stirring the Spirit Within

The latest issue of Women of the ELCA's zine, Cafe is now available online. This month the theme is "Standing squarely in life stage changes." Enjoy!

Find Peace at the Heavenly Harp Concert

Heavenly Harp, featuring harpist, Karin Gunderson, graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, will be giving a concert Wednesday 18 May at 7 p.m. in the worship space. Enjoy a combination of harp solos, inspirational stories from Karin’s work as a hospice harpist and peaceful music featuring vocals along with harp.

A free will offering will be received. For more information, please contact the church office or visit Karin’s website at www.HeavenlyHarp.org.

Lutheran College Fair (and application fee waivers!)

Here's a great event to encourage youth and their families to attend this weekend. The schedule:

2pm = Registration; 2:15pm = Financial Aid Seminar; 2:45-4:00pm = College Fair (Reception & Hors d'Ouvres).

All families attending will receive FOUR APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS (up to a $60 value each), applicable for any Lutheran College/University listed on the fee waiver.

Yes, it's BHS's prom, but if you're a high school student or parent, this event is for YOU!

Lutheran Educational Conference of North America

Lutheran College Fair

Saturday May 8, 2-4 p.m.

Hope Lutheran Church

2152 W Graf St, Bozeman, MT

What student age group benefits from attending a Lutheran College Fair?
The college search process has changed dramatically over the last decade. Families are beginning to plan much earlier in an effort to find the best “fit” for their child. Visiting college campuses can be an expensive proposition if you wait until your high school years to begin familiarizing yourselves with the wide variety of college experiences available. Family vacations now often include stops on college campuses.

If your child is in elementary school, it would benefit parents to participate in the financial aid seminar held in conjunction with the Lutheran College Fair. This seminar is applicable to all families, regardless of the choice of college/university. The financial aid process is much more easily navigated if you get an early start on understanding the process, the system, and how to maximize your opportunity to receive financial aid (scholarships, grants, work-study, loans).

If your child is in middle school, he/she can greatly benefit from discussions with admissions representatives about high school course selection. Parents can benefit from the financial aid seminar and discussions with admissions representatives pertaining to high school course selection. There are specific requirements in the high school curriculum necessary for preparation for college. Attending a Lutheran college fair can be a fabulous motivator for a middle school student. You will have an opportunity to get on the mailing lists for those colleges/universities in which you are interested.

If your child is in high school, the college search process is usually in full swing, so students of all high school grades can greatly benefit from conversations with admissions representatives regarding their potential major, athletic participation, fine arts opportunities, summer plans, and how to go about applying for scholarships. Students and parents should seriously plan several college visits beginning as early as the freshman year in high school. A college fair offers a unique opportunity to begin to establish relationships with counselors at Lutheran colleges/universities nationwide.

Check out more information about Lutheran colleges and universities at http://www.lutherancolleges.org/

On the death of bin Laden

It's hard to imagine that anyone in the English-speaking world has managed to avoid hearing the news that US special forces killed Osama bin Laden over the weekend, and that he has since been buried at sea. Reactions to the news have varied quite a bit - from raucous celebrations in the street to somber reflections on what it means to love your enemies, and not to rejoice when your enemies fall (see Proverbs 24:17). An article in The Christian Science Monitor, titled Celebrating Osama bin Laden's death is anti-American ... and not very biblical notes, "Remember when Palestinians danced on the streets of the West Bank, to rejoice over the World Trade Center attacks? That’s what we looked like last night to many of the very people whose hearts and minds we’ve spent billions to win."
I have a sinking feeling that sentiment may be true.
Do you remember where you were on 9/11? I was in Randalstown, Northern Ireland, just outside of Belfast. And once I was sure that my friends in New York and DC were safe, I was able to start paying attention to the reactions of those around me, who had experienced the threat of terrorist actions for their whole lives. A fairly common sentiment then, was, "I feel bad for those who died, and for those who lost loved ones, but it's about time Americans realize what it's like to live anywhere else in the world."
Ouch. How much we took for granted. How much I still take for granted. We tend not to be very good at putting ourselves in the shoes of others, considering our actions from their perspectives, or at reflecting on just what it costs to "defend our way of life" - in terms of global economics, environmental sustainability, and the burdens it places on the last, little, least, and lost - the very ones Jesus always seems to be hanging out with and lifting up.
May God bless us with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands to do what God would have us do, as individuals, families and communities.

For your consideration: a letter to all members of the ELCA from our Presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson:

May 2, 2011

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

The death of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for solemn remembrance. We remember the lives of all whose deaths resulted from his choosing hatred and violence. We stand with those who continue to mourn the death of loved ones while giving thanks for their lives, their love and their faith. We also continue to hold in prayer all whose service in the military, in government and in humanitarian and peacemaking activities contribute to a safer and more prosperous world.

At the same time we also recall who we are: people baptized into Christ, freed to serve our neighbors. We are people called as Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation with our neighbors, serving God’s work of restoring community. We engage our neighbors of other faiths, including our Muslim neighbors near and far, in respectful, searching dialogue and shared commitment to build a world that reflects God’s will for peace with justice. We pray for our neighbors, even those who are our enemies.

Most of all, in these 50 days of celebrating Christ’s resurrection, joy finds its fullest and deepest expression not over a human death but in God’s promise to unite all things in heaven and on earth, to reconcile the human family and to bring God’s reign of peace. Confident in what God has promised, we witness our resolve against any act of violence in the name of religion and our renewed commitment of service to the neighbors and world God so deeply loves.

In God’s grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America