Let Us Walk with Courage and Love

News Update from the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA

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June 18,2020

e-Spirit

Let Us Walk with Courage and Love

"On June 27, 2019, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted the following declaration as a statement addressed to people of African descent.

"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally.
We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church. We confess, repent and repudiate the times when this church has been silent in the face of racial injustice.

"The ELCA acknowledges that slavery created and perpetuated racism, a truth this nation and this church have yet to fully embrace. The enslavement of Africans was based on a false narrative of the racial inferiority and the demonization of black people by the majority culture. Slavery was supported by white religious, legal, political, and scientific leaders and institutions for social, political and economic gain. During the 246-year transatlantic slave trade, which began in 1619, an estimated 12 million people from Africa were stolen from their native lands, separated from their families, torn from their culture, killed for seeking freedom, tortured through inhumane forms of punishment and subjected to lifetimes of captivity. While the white church stood silently by, people of African descent resisted through acts of rebellion, created new expressions of spirituality and Christian practice rooted in African traditions and organized movements for freedom.

"The ELCA teaches that racism is sin and that racism denies the reconciling work of the cross. Rooted in slavery, racism is manifested through the history of Jim Crow policies, racial segregation,
the terror of lynching, extrajudicial killings by law enforcement, and the disproportionate incarceration of people of color. Institutional racism currently exists in the ELCA through discriminatory treatment
within the call process; inequitable compensation of clergy of color; racial segregation; divestment from black communities and congregations; systemic polices and organizational practices; and failure to fully include the gifts of leadership and worship styles of people of African descent.

The ELCA trusts that repentance begins and ends with the work of a gracious God."

So, grounded in prayer and trusting the Holy Spirit we in the Western Iowa Synod commit to:

Listen - to the voice and experiences of people of color
Learn - the history of racism
Be accountable - commit to work for change
Take a risk - speak out even when uncomfortable
Ask for forgiveness - confess the sin of racism
Try again - change will take time!

It is not enough for us to say -"we are not racist." We must BE anti-racism.
Guided by the Spirit - let us walk with courage and love.

Lorna

Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA

Downloadable PDFs

ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge

Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent

RETIRED PASTORS, YOU'RE INVITED

Thursday, July 2, 10 a.m. -12 noon

Retirement for pastors is about more than financial planning, a pension and figuring out Medicare. Ministry is about relationships, faithfulness and purpose; and retirement involves finding new purpose, and new ways of faithful living and relating.

An email invitation was sent to retired pastors in Western Iowa earlier this week. Or call

Julie at 712-732-4968 to confirm you will come, join a conversation about life and meaning in retirement.

Western Iowa Synod Endowment Grant Recipient

THE BLESSING BOX

A MICRO FOOD PANTRY

St. Luke Lutheran, Sioux City

One of 10 Western Iowa Synod Endowment 2020 Grant Recipient, the Blessing Box, St. Luke Lutheran, Sioux City, is filled with everything from non-perishable food to toiletries.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blessing Box is helping people in need,” said Lisa Franco, one of the many St. Luke Lutheran volunteers on the project. “It’s really all about God’s work, Our Hands,” Franco added, drawing a connection to the ELCA tagline.

“Jesus told us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the imprisoned. With the Blessing Box,” she explained. “We are assisting the masses without reservations.” Endowment Grant funds will help buy supplies from the Siouxland Foodbank for the Blessing Box. Considered an ongoing project, Franco said, “All are welcome to make use of the Blessing Box, which is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Blessing Box at St. Luke Lutheran is open year-round. A volunteer crew at St. Luke keeps the project going, including Larry and Lisa Franco, Paul and Kathy Downing, Pastor Jay Denne, Randy Beck and Vicky Benson.

St. Luke Lutheran, located at 2039 South St. Aubin, also offers a drive-thru pick-up of free food boxes for families in need, monthly on the second and fourth Wednesdays. The drive-thru is open 4-5 p.m. in the circle-round about.

REFLECTIONS FROM

By Rev. Jay Denne, Pastor, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Sioux City

& Soul Companion Spiritual Director

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19). “Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding” (Proverbs 2:2).

God calls us to listen, but you may be asking, listen to what? Our lives are filled with noise, from the continuous 24/7 news cycle to the seemingly endless drone of machines and technology. Tune that noise out. Listen to what God is saying to you through that week’s Scripture readings for worship, or any other passage that speaks to you in the moment. Read it and reflect on it - but don’t stop there. How is God calling you to respond to it? What prayer arises in your heart as you ponder the reading? And finally, rest in the Word. The Word that brings healing to you in the midst of these difficult times. The Word that speaks Law and Gospel so that we may know God’s justice and mercy. The Word that is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, so that you may have life.

Soul Companions is a group of individuals in the Western Iowa Synod trained in spiritual direction and spiritual formation. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather to support each other's spiritual growth. We encourage all rostered leaders, staff and congregants to seek spiritual companionship and growth through spiritual direction, spiritual formation groups, and spiritual retreats. Spiritual direction is currently available through several certified directors in our network.

REGISTER FOR DIGITAL TOWN HALL

ELCA Revision of Definitions &

Guidelines for Discipline

As members of this church, you are invited to participate in a digital town hall,

Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. Central.

Offer your feedback on Revision of Definitions & Guidelines for Discipline. Register here.

LIVING LUTHERN AUDIO

7 TIPS DISCUSSING DIFFICULT ISSUES

Listen here.

FOR NEWSLETTERS

Please include in your church newsletters the "COVID RECOVERY IOWA - FREE COUNSELING SUPPORT FOR ALL IOWANS" information below from Iowa DHS.

PROJECT RECOVERY IOWA - FREE COUNSELING SUPPORT FOR ALL IOWANS

Project Recovery Iowa offers all Iowans assistance with support and learning new strategies to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through the following options:

Call 800-447-1985 to connect with a counselor specializing in rural issues and agriculture 24
hours a day, seven days a week

Call the Iowa Warm Line, 844-775-9276; to connect with a peer counselor or request to get in touch with a COVID Recovery Iowa counselor.

Visit https://projectrecoveryiowa.org/ and complete a contact form and a counselor will get back to you.

To share this information with your congregations, download COVID Recovery Iowa poster and flier.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Brian Campbell

Jim Zuehls, and family, in the death of his wife, Karin Zuehls

Sam and Diane Jacobs

Buena Vista County and its care facilities and all suffering from COVID-19

Farmers

Western Iowa Rostered Ministers and Congregations

"Thinking About Retiring?"

(A gathering for pastors, ages 60-70, who have not retired.)

10 A.M.-NOON, JUNE 25

(Watch your email for an invite!)

Retirement from ministry is on the horizon for all of us. For some of us, the horizon is a distant panorama; for others it entirely fills our camera lens. No matter how it looks to you, please consider joining a Zoom meeting Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. to Noon.

Hear about an alternative idea for equipping yourself and your congregation for retirement.
Bishop Lorna Halaas, Jennifer Prinz from Portico and Pastor Jen Henry, Bethany Lutheran, Spencer, will share some ideas for retirement.
Jen Henry will share a model Bethany is using that intentionally continues the flow of ministry/mission through the transition period to retirement.
Laugh with us, share with us and learn with us.

A small packet of information will be emailed to attendees before the meeting, so please let us know if you can join us by contacting Julie Cook at 712-732-4968 or julie.cook@wisynod.org.

PAST DUE PASTORS' REPORTS

Postal mail completed forms to Western Iowa Synod Mission Center at 318 E Fifth St., Storm Lake, IA 50588

or email completed forms to kay.broich@wisynod.org.

MISSION LETTER OF INTENT

PASTOR REPORT

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Submit the forms below to the ELCA.org* contact provided at these links:

*A&C FORM - Churchwide webpage for A&C forms closes end of June

CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORY - Update leadership by adding, editing, and/or deleting entries. All leaders must have an email address.

Questions?

Call 712-732-4968.

REQUIRED ANNUAL SAM AUTHORIZATION

Registration Open

Synod

Authorized

Ministers (SAM)

ONLINE PREACHING CLASSES*

*Required for SAM Annual Authorization

WHEN:

7-9 p.m., Aug. 5 and

Aug. 12 via ZOOM

WHO:

Current SAM - These classes are required for SAM annual authorization.

Future SAM - If you are interested in becoming a SAM, these classes are a first step.

COST:

Only $25 per person for both sessions.

PRE-READING:

For Aug. 5 class, read "A Lay Preacher's Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon" by Karoline Lewis.

Preaching date(s) will be scheduled during class.

Augsburg Fortress: Race, Religion and Working for Justice

It is past time for us all to name white supremacy as a radical evil in our midst. White supremacy is something found not only on the fringes but in the very bedrock of our society and our nation―and, for those of us who are white, white supremacy is in our hearts as well, even if we do not want it there.

Coming to realize and understand this fact is difficult, but it is also necessary work that involves many steps, including listening to people of color. As people of faith, we understand that we must confess to and repent of our sin before we can move forward. Find more book titles here.

Pictured above: In connection with the observance of the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation events initiated by the 95 Theses, a distinguished group of African descent Lutheran theologians gathered at the offices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

to explore and reflect on Luther's Small Catechism.

Resuming Care-filled Worship & Sacramental Life

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged churches to continue being the Church without gathering In person.....Now churches face another challenge. As states “re-open,” how will we resume worship gatherings in person while the pandemic is still with us? A care-filled response to that challenge is much more than unlocking the church doors and inviting all to come, sit, sing, and greet one another as had been our custom. Here's a helpful best practices for congregations returning to worship in person.

Additional Considerations

As ELCA congregations face difficult decisions regarding when and how they will be able to gather again for worship, this resource offers general guidance. This not a comprehensive, one-size-fits-all resource; it will need to be interpreted and adapted for your local context. In many, if not most contexts, it will not be safe or advisable to gather for in-person worship for some time. National, state and local medical and legal guidelines will need to be consulted and followed. While risk is not avoidable, this guidance is presented with the aim of reducing the level of risk for your community. Your pastor and congregational leaders will want to carefully review these considerations for Return to In-Person Worship from the ELCA.

TELL US ABOUT

YOUR AMAZING MINISTRIES

IN WESTERN IOWA

EMAIL paula.damon@wisynod.org.

WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

The synod staff continues to social distance and for the most part works from home. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon.-Fri. To contact synod staff members, see email addresses below. For staff roles and responsibilities, visit Western Iowa Synod Staff.