Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church Newsletter
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The Shepherd's Staff
July, 2010
The ELCA still works
“The ELCA is the only denomination that still works.” That’s what a non-Lutheran professional observer of the American religious scene recently said. He went on to explain that his observations are based on how the ELCA deals with two ecosystems.
First, the ELCA speaks of itself as one church existing in three interdependent expressions: congregations, synods, and churchwide. Each expression of the church has certain functions and relies upon the other expressions in order to fulfill those functions. By the way it operates, the ELCA is thus much less hierarchical than are other denominations. Lots and lots of different people are involved in making decisions and in implementing them.
We saw this interdependence at work in last year’s controversial decisions about homosexuality. The issue came up primarily because many congregations asked for guidance. The matter was discussed at numerous synod assemblies, and many asked that the entire ELCA take a stand. The churchwide offices commissioned a study that solicited input from synods and congregations. Acting on that input, the churchwide offices developed a social statement and some ministry policies. The statement and policies were debated by synods and congregations. Though opinions were divided, the majority favored a certain course of action. The churchwide assembly then voted in favor of the course of action that most people wanted. The process was far more interactive than is what takes place in other denominations.
The second ecosystem referred to by this observer is the ELCA’s partnership relationships with many other Christian denominations. We are in full communion with groups as different as the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians, and the Methodists—serving as a bridge between and among people who have historically been at odds with one another. More so than any other Christian denomination, the ELCA is trying to make manifest the oneness that Jesus prayed his followers would have.
We see this oneness in how the ELCA approaches a variety of tasks. Planting new congregations, developing campus ministries, and responding to major disasters are just some of the arenas in which the ELCA actively solicits input from and cooperation with its various ecumenical partners. We do not try to be the church all by ourselves. Rather, we seek to work with the widest possible variety of Christians in making Christ known.
We live in an era that is suspicious of institutions—especially of institutions that are quite large. But, as institutions go, the ELCA is a very good one. It is focused on mission, rather than simply on survival. And I’m proud of the fact that Holy Shepherd is supportive of the ELCA not only in dollars given but also in people serving. For example, three members of our congregation (Kate Knoerzer, Nick Prahbu, and Nancy Walter) will all be members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly next year in Orlando. We have more people going than does any other congregation in our synod.
The Lord be with you,
Mark R. Vance, Jr.,
Pastor
New opportunities to get involved
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”
–1Timothy 6:18-19
Thank you. Summer is well underway. As I was sitting in my office today, I was thinking about all of the areas of ministry we have been involved in this past year and wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you. My time at Holy Shepherd has gone by so fast. I can’t believe it will be two years in October. The most important thing that I’ve learned to this point is that my ministry only works because of your ministry—confirmation, youth events, 30-Hour Famine, Youth Quake, Construction Zone. It is because of your help and dedication to God’s Church that we have the church we have.
Although summer may be a break for the kids from school, in no way has Holy Shepherd slowed down. With the passing of the new constitution here at HSLC, the opportunities for ministries are only going to grow! The new constitution has cut through the hoops one had to go through to partake in a ministry they feel passionate about. If you have that passion to start a ministry, any ministry, as long as it fits into the vision of Holy Shepherd, then you can start it.
One of the new groups that will be starting up is the Ministry Mobilization Team. This group will be responsible for getting people connected to ministry in the congregation. This is an important group of leaders for the life of our church. If you are interested in being part of this team, please let me know.
Finally, I would ask for your prayers for our church as we prepare to transition to a new form of leadership and ministry. May we continue to be open to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. I can’t wait to see what you and the Spirit have in mind for our congregation. Enjoy the rest of the summer, travel safe, and I’ll see you in worship!
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
Visit the Ministry Team Tower
During July and August, there will be a new feature in Holy Shepherd’s lobby. This new feature will be the Ministry Team Tower. On the tower will be pieces of paper representing all of the 100 ministries that Holy Shepherd has, and on each ministry piece of paper will be a list of those who have signed up this year to participate in that ministry.
The ministries will be color-coded. Those that are green will be “ready to go”—that is, enough people have already signed up for those ministries to enable them to function. All will gladly accept more participants; but, even without them, they will do just fine. Examples of “ready to go” ministries are Adult Bible Studies, Altar Guild, and the Children’s Christmas Craft Night. Thankfully, nearly half of all of Holy Shepherd’s ministries are “in the green.”
Those ministries that are color-coded yellow can “proceed with caution.” That is, some people have signed up to participate in them, but they need more support if they are to continue. Examples of ministries “in the yellow” are the Puppet Team, the Sunday Praise Team, and Lenten Soup Suppers. Sign up on the yellow sheets on the Ministry Team Tower to make sure that they will continue.
Those ministries that are color-coded red may need to “stop.” They simply do not have enough people signed up to make them go. Examples include Junior and Senior BASIC, Stewardship Education, and the Community Christmas Tree. Some of these red ministries are ones that most members of the congregation would consider to be crucial to our mission; but, unless people are willing to make them go, they simply will not be done. Sign up for these!
Most ministry team commitments are small and short-term compared to what we were asking people to do under the commission structure with which Holy Shepherd has functioned for the last 20 years. Get involved! Sign up!
Su Casa is mission project
Su Casa Worker House is Holy Shepherd’s Major Mission Project for the second half of 2010. Su Casa is located in Chicago’s “Back of the Yards” neighborhood and provides a home for Spanish-speaking families. Many are women and children fleeing from domestic violence issues. It can accommodate up to five families at a time, and each family is able to stay up to a year.
The Su Casa facility requires constant work and upkeep, and it relies on the support of volunteers to keep its doors open. Holy Shepherd has had a work day at Su Casa each of the past three years. We have also supplied the ministry with hygiene products and other necessities.
Support Su Casa in three ways. First, pray for its work. Second, make financial contributions by using the special envelopes in the pews and in the worship folders. Third, participate in the Sun Casa Workday on Saturday, August 21, when we will be building pantry shelves and seeding the front yard where the children’s playground is located.
Small group training begins July 22
“The Holy Spirit ties us closer to God and to one another.” We say this every time we end worship. This phrase, found in our mission statement, is one of the things we think is important and unique to Holy Shepherd. It speaks to importance of relationships.
Frankly, Sunday is not enough time really to share with each other or with God, for that matter. Imagine a great friend you haven’t seen in a while, sitting in church. You have so much to tell them, to catch them up on, and know they have just as much to share with you. If you were forced only to talk to that person when we passed the peace, lots would need to go unsaid.
Someone once said that Sundays were about worshiping God and the rest of the week is spent in the heavy lifting of building a relationship with God and community. This “heavy lifting” takes many forms but is imperative to having a strong body. Relationships, our ties, are important in our development as Christians. So what can we do to tie us closer to God and to one another? There are many ways, but one of the best is small groups.
Small groups can gather for many different reasons or around different themes (singles, grieving, women/men’s group, young parents, etc.) but ultimately they are a place of acceptance, listening, and prayer. Groups of fellowship and encouragement will support your walk with God, connect you with other Christians facing some of the same joys and challenges you face, and finally create a lasting tie drawing us closer to God and to each other.
If you are interested in small groups, Pastor Mike will be leading three training sessions on Thursdays, July 22, July 29, and August 5, at 7 p.m. Each session will be an hour. If there is even a small part of you that is wondering what this is all about, or thinks this may be what you need, consider that the nudge of the Holy Spirit and come.
Summer Splash is July 9
This year’s Deep River “Summer Splash” will be held on Friday, July 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Summer Splash is definitely a great time to enjoy all of the Deep River’s water rides. It is also a great time to enjoy an atmosphere where your fellow water sliders are your Christian neighbors from the local churches in the Tri-Town area.
Yes, this event is only open to members (plus friends and relatives) of approximately nine local churches. There will only be a maximum of 2,000 tickets sold for this annual “get together.” The cost to participate is $7 per person. Anyone over the age of 12 months must pay the entrance fee of $7. Groups may start arriving at 5 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. start time. If you are interested in purchasing tickets please inquire in the church office during the normal work week hours. You may also purchase tickets on Sunday from Jim Winiecki.
No tickets will be held for more than 24 hours. The deadline to purchase tickets at Holy Shepherd is Wednesday July 7. There will be tickets available on July 8 at Crossroads Church in Schererville, IN. If you have any questions or comments please contact Jim Winiecki at hslcjim@sbcglobal.net .
Puppets reorganize for another year
Holy Shepherd’s Hands to Heaven Puppet Team will have a reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, July 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Anyone interested in helping to plan for the fall is encouraged to participate. Newcomers are welcome.
This meeting comes just after Lisa Gabe returns from “I Fest,” a national gathering of puppeteers in Kanakeee, Illinois. She hopes to come back with lots of ideas and energy for another fun-filled year of working with the puppets, who will be offering the children’s sermon at our worship services the first weekends of October, December, February, and April.
The Puppet Team not only needs people willing and able to handle the puppets, it also needs folks to make props and costumes and to construct sets. Let Lisa know how you would like to be involved in this unique and fun-filled ministry.
Women gather for faith, food
SWIFT (Shepherd Women in Faith Together) will be meeting on Tuesday, July 6, at 7 p.m. for an evening of faith, food, and fellowship. They will be using the Women of the ELCA’s 2010 Summer Bible Study “Pray Always: Persistence, Patience, and Power,” which was written by ELCA Pastor Gladys Moore. Nancy Walter will lead the discussion. Come for good conversation and dessert!
Rotation model Sunday School Considered
Holy Shepherd is considering a new and different approach to Children’s Sunday School this fall. This approach is called the “rotation model,” and it is designed to give children a deeper understanding of the Bible stories being taught.
Under the rotation model, children spend three to four weeks studying each Bible story. Each week the story is presented in a different way. The first week, children read the story or have the story read to them. They learn how to find the story in the Bible, and they memorize a verse from it. The second week, children watch a video on the Bible story and discuss the video. The third week, children have either a craft or a game centered on the Bible story. The fourth week, children watch or perform a skit of the Bible story they have been studying.
The rotation model has been used successfully by many congregations, each of which has discovered that children’s Bible literacy increases with this method. Since children learn in different ways, there is “something for everyone” at some point in the rotation. Teachers like it, too, because they only have to prepare a new lesson every three to four weeks.
If you are interested in being “in on the ground floor” of this endeavor, or, if you have questions or concerns about it, contact Jim Winiecki by calling the church or at hslcjim@sbcglobal.net.
"Guatemala 2010" ready to depart
Four members of Holy Shepherd along with three friends from the area are making final preparations for a mission trip with Hearts in Motion. They will be joining groups from Texas and Pennsylvania to work on various projects in Guatemala.
In trips such as this, the flexibility is the rule. Current plans are for the group to build a playground at H.I.M.’s nutrition center in Gualan, Guatemala; to work with children who have learning disabilities at an area school; and to work in a rehabilitation center. Funding for the playground is from the generous donations of members of Holy Shepherd. Recent rains from Tropical Storm Agatha, however, have caused massive flooding in the region. This may affect the group’s plans.
The group will be leaving early on Friday, July 9, and return on Sunday, July 18. Updates on the trip’s progress will be sent to the church to be posted on Holy Shepherd’s website. Please track the group’s progress and keep them, as well as Hearts in Motion and the people of Guatemala, in your prayers.
Bowling League sign ups underway
The 2010-2011 Holy Shepherd Bowling League will get its season rolling on Sunday, September 19, at 6 p.m., at Stardust Lanes in Dyer. This will be the fourth season for the League, and it is a fun way to bring the weekend to a close. The League bowls three games every other Sunday, and the bowling season has 17 meetings.
The cost to participate is $11 per session. Ten dollars goes to Stardust, and the extra dollar goes towards a Christmas celebration and an end-of-the-year banquet. Shoe rental is extra.
Ours is a mixed, non-sanction league. Anyone high school age and over is welcome to bowl. Those under 21 must have a parent or guardian present at all times because alcohol is served on the premises.
Sign-ups for teams and players who participated last year run through July 26. Open sign-ups start July 27. The sign-up sheet is in the Opportunity Center in the church lobby.
Questions or comments about the Bowling League should be directed to Jim Winiecki.
Book Review
Teaching Kids
to Love the Earth
Looking for ways to keep the kids busy the summer? Teaching Kids to Love the Earth is just the book you are looking for. With over 175 Earth-caring activities, each chapter contains a story, instructions for a main activity, suggestions for a related activity, and a bit of additional resources. You’ll be able to find many of the resources easily listed at the local library. These activities, by an educated group professionals, great for getting the kids thinking and active. Many of the activities require the kids to use their imagination and sense of wonder. With activities such as Abberwocky, where kids must track a fictional creature and Serendipity, an interesting nature trip in which the kids must think about and explore the environment around them, these activities will certainly keep the kids’ minds sharp and active this summer. But this isn’t just going to keep the kids minds active this summer. Many of the activities offer them a much needed opportunity to let out all that pent up energy. The book suggests many physical activities such as Predator and Prey, a hide-and-go-seek-esque game that allows the kids to have loads of fun and learn at the same time, all while being able to enjoy God’s wonderful creation. With this book on hand, never again will your kids have to say that they are bored or have nothing to do this summer.