Messages

1

Your Turn / Re: New CPH Large Catechism

« on: February 01, 2023, 04:29:18 PM »

I still lurk occasionally around here. Nice to see that the forum remains a constant in our ever-shifting world.

 

Donna

Welcome back. We're you leading a congregation through the pandemic? Wondering how things went in your area.

I am still in interim ministry. Have been in my current congregation as interim for 3+ years. For 11 months I managed two congregations, and, thankfully, the churches both were flexible to accommodate the schedule.

Because my congregation during pandemic is very small and not tech savvy, we went without worship for a few months. To those with internet I would send links for area churches that had livestreams, as well as lessons and prayers for the week and also links to YouTube videos of hymns appropriate to the day.

Did the best I could, considering.

Donna

2

Your Turn / Re: New CPH Large Catechism

« on: February 01, 2023, 01:20:24 PM »

I still lurk occasionally around here. Nice to see that the forum remains a constant in our ever-shifting world.

 

Donna

3

Your Turn / Re: St. Paul Lutheran Seminary

« on: July 15, 2021, 08:53:42 PM »

Not sure what to tell you. I served on the Board of Directors some years ago. I don’t think Rev. Julie Smith is on this forum, but she serves as  academic Dean I believe.

I resigned the board when I was elected to the Board of Regents of the North American Lutheran Seminary.

Here is the website:

https://semlc.org/

Donna

4

Your Turn / Re: Another contribution to the endless controversy

« on: June 10, 2021, 05:20:27 PM »

Jeff simply notes:

now 17+ pages of regurgitating the same arguments that have been used by both sides time and again.  Might it be time to shut this one down?  Moderators, what say you?

Please.

Amen.

5

Your Turn / Re: Another contribution to the endless controversy

« on: June 01, 2021, 04:57:55 PM »

I think the point Peter was making is that this not an “endless controversy” but “settled matter” depending. It is absolutely settled for the church historically speaking; and now it is absolutely settled for revisionists or progressives or whatever the current name is. The point is, Donna has no intention of being convinced otherwise. Nor do I. It’s not that we don’t understand each other’s reasonings; but that understanding them, we reject them. To her, I am in error. To me, she is in error. This is never going to change, until the day we stand before the Throne and all error is lost in the light of His shining truth and holiness.

This may sound strange to you, but I have never thought of this as a matter of being”in error” or not. I can live with differences in interpretation and practice. Maybe that is my ELCA roots coming to light. I do realize that, to LCMS folks, “WO” (how I adore that abbreviation - not) is a matter so egregious as to be heretical. Yet the NALC, my church body, has built an amicable and respectful relationship with the LCMS in spite of the presence of many like me within its ministerium. Yes, some matters are non negotiable - we agree about that. Anyway, I am not interested in rehashing the old pro and con stuff, it’s been done to death around here. We all just talk past each other, you’re  right about that too. I leave it to God.

Dr. Phil often asks “Would you rather be right or happy?” when dealing with broken families. Clearly being right is the most important thing in some parts of the church’s broken family, too.

I simply thought it was a worthwhile read, insightful and enlightening. No agenda, hidden or otherwise.

Donna

6

Your Turn / Another contribution to the endless controversy

« on: June 01, 2021, 08:52:53 AM »

A well-stated article, in my view.
Donna

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/may-web-only/womens-ordination-saddleback-jesus-not-female-debate.html?fbclid=IwAR1ilTa1pk9B9DPlm0DVkZA-K05IPXgrhZPTjEUp4DTFNqLcRPG-nJb-J5I

7

Your Turn / Re: A Thread for Sniping at Each Other over Gender Issues

« on: May 09, 2021, 07:02:44 AM »

I have fond memories of presentations by Dr. Dawn at several synod assemblies and also, I believe, at an ELCA Churchwide ( or it could have been an ELCW Convention, I am old), and I have found value in her writings. I really enjoyed “Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down,” as well as “The Sabbath.”

This thread is a great reminder of why I don’t read or post much here anymore.

Mother’s Day blessings to those who celebrate.

Donna

8

Your Turn / Re: Call Day For Pastoral Candidates at St. Louis/Ft Wayne (2021)

« on: May 01, 2021, 05:03:32 PM »

And if that is the first thing you want to tell a congregation, you have seriously lost sight of what that first thing ought to be or what the best thing is. That is a sad introduction. Where I, God forbid, a bishop or an assistant to the bishop in the Synod, that pastor would be in my office the next day. And since most interim calls are under the bishops authority, that call would be rescinded. Not necessarily because of who or what that person is sexually, but because of what importance they attach to it.

Thank you, Charles. I appreciate your response.

Donna

9

Your Turn / Re: The Babylon Bee stings again!

« on: April 19, 2021, 09:25:22 PM »

"Men Demand Reparations From Women Due To Eve Eating The Apple"

"At publishing time, men had withdrawn their request since women pointed out that if Adam had been there to lead his wife as the head of the household, Satan probably wouldn't have been able to trick her."

https://babylonbee.com/news/men-demand-reparations-from-women-due-to-eve-eating-the-apple

Nice to see the Babylon Bee catching up to this forum! 

10

Your Turn / Re: Vaccine Discussin

« on: April 07, 2021, 10:48:16 PM »

I had two doses of Moderna, 1/26 and 2/23. Partly for self- protection and partly to help the cause of stopping the spread. I am grateful to have been able to receive it.

Donna

11

Your Turn / Re: Sem. Prof. Who Impacted Your Ministry?

« on: March 04, 2021, 07:56:17 PM »

Walter Michel, who was my adviser and OT prof. He was amazing in his zeal for Scripture.

Leroy Norquist, who taught NT at that time at LSTC. he was a small man with a mild manner - and an enormous spirit, faith and intellect. The course he co-taught with Joseph Sittler was one of the great experiences of my life.

Frank Sherman, a great professor of ethics and who was a leader in Christian-Jewish dialogue.

Robert Fisher, from whom I learned Church History and polity.

Sorry the list is long, but Jim Scherer was so important to me also. We had shared experience as missionaries to Japan, though he of course had so many rich years of service. I learned so much from him!

Donna

12

Your Turn / Re: Remote ashes???

« on: February 17, 2021, 12:54:29 PM »

The mother told her son on ash Wednesday that “yes, dear, we come from dust and we shall return to dust“
That night the little boy comes running downstairs and says “mommy! Mommy! There’s someone under my bed and I don’t know whether he’s coming or going!“

That was the first thing that entered my mind when I read this! LOL

13

Your Turn / Remote ashes???

« on: February 17, 2021, 12:18:47 PM »

Well, we have all heard of "remote communion." Now, "remote ashes?" This was forwarded to me. (Identifiers are redacted.)

----------------------------------------------
Given the forecast for tomorrow, we are changing our plans.  Instead of a drive-in Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m., we are inviting you to a 'Zoom-in' service instead - still at 6 p.m.  The link is in the attached document.

This abbreviated service will include imposition of ashes and Holy Communion; the full recorded non-communion service will still be available on our website and youtube channel at 5 p.m.

If you would like to participate in the Zoom-in service tomorrow, you may either pick up ashes and communion packets at the church from 4-6 p.m. today (2/16) or from 10-12 tomorrow (2/17).  You may also choose to provide your own communion elements (bread or cracker/wine or grape juice) and ashes - burnt palms from last year or simple household dust will do.  (If you need instructions on burning and preparing palm ash, please email pastor@xxxxx.xxx.)  (If you need to have ashes and communion sets dropped off for you, please contact xxxxxx at xxxx@xxxx.xxx.)

Hope to see you online tomorrow for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of our Lenten journey together.  Today - stay warm and safe and enjoy your pancakes/fastnachts/donuts/or whatever your Shrove Tuesday tradition might be.

In Christ,
Pr. XXXXXXX

------------------------------

"Simple household dust?"

SMH

Donna

14

Your Turn / Re: Rev. Dr. Darold Beekmann, RIP

« on: February 03, 2021, 12:43:40 PM »

Thank you for this, Michael. I do not read the forum as often as I used to and only just now read this news. Dr. Beekmann was Seminary President when I served on the board, and also when Larry and I served as members of the President's Cabinet. Such a wise and wonderful man of faith. May he rest in glory.

Donna

15

Your Turn / Re: The Church's Response to Government and Governing

« on: January 17, 2021, 09:13:27 AM »

I shared this with my congregation.

Prayer on the Occasion of the Inauguration of a Public Official

(This prayer, from the U.S. edition of the Book of Blessings (no. 1965), is an adaptation of the prayer for the Church and for civil authorities which was composed by Archbishop John Carroll for use on the occasion of the inauguration of George Washington in 1789.)

Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed your glory to all nations.
God of power and might, wisdom and justice,
through you authority is rightly administered,
laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
 
For the President:
Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude
the President of these United States,
that his administration may be conducted in righteousness,
and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides.
May he encourage due respect for virtue and religion.
May he execute the laws with justice and mercy.
May he seek to restrain crime, vice, and immorality.
 
For the members of Congress:
Let the light of your divine wisdom
direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed
for our rule and government.
May they seek to preserve peace, promote national happiness,
and continue to bring us the blessings of liberty and equality.
 
For state and local officials:
We pray for  the governor of this state,
for the members of the legislature,
for judges, elected civil officials,
and all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare.
May they be enabled, by your powerful protection,
to discharge their duties with honesty and ability.
 
We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy
all citizens of the United States,
that we be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your holy law.
May we be preserved in union and that peace which the world cannot give;
and, after enjoying the blessings of this life,
be admitted to those which are eternal.
We pray to you, who are Lord and God,
for ever and ever. Amen.

(From the US Conference of Catholic Bishops)