Bishop Stephen Talmage 2012 Easter Message
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” ( John 12:24).
“You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (1 Corinthians 15:36).
Our 40 days minus the Sundays come to a conclusion with the observance of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Through worship, special devotions, offerings to stop indulging particular foods or habits, and the gift of gathering in community, we ride the rhythm of the lyrics “From dust you have come, to dust you shall return” to “This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you” to “It is Finished” to “He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell…”
During our Holy week celebrations and our transition from Lent to Easter we ponder the mystery of God’s amazing and awesome commitment to creation and all humanity. We ponder the compassion and depth of love poured out by the one we confess is the Creator of all things, but who lowers oneself through the mess and vulnerability of human birth as well as emptying oneself even to the point of dying on a cross. We ponder like Martin Luther, “What does this mean?” as we listen again, picture again, and experience again the washing of dirty feet, the breaking of bread and the sharing of wine, the distress of betrayal, the polarization between the power of God’s love and the love of power at work within places of politics and religion, the paradox of human brutality embraced by outstretched, nail-pierced arms, and finally, the sense of finality which death brings being trumped by the miracle of resurrection.
In my pondering, I was led to the verses at the top of this reflection. As I write this it was just about a week ago that Barb and I, along with her middle sister and husband, followed a hiking trail in Joyce Kilmer National Forest bordering the Smoky Mountains. We were in search of the infamous last grove of BIG trees in the Southeast, similar to the Sequoias in California. Working our way along the path we came across this scene:
Out of the death and dying of a fallen tree comes evidence of an abundance of new life. From moss, to wildflowers, to seedlings reaching heavenward to embrace the Sun; life, new life, abundant life, hope-filled life is proclaimed. As we gather to listen, to pray, to eat and drink, to sing, and to simply be silent may the Holy Spirit again move us through the witness of Holy Week into the bold and brash season of Easter bearing the fruit of faith and new life that the hope of the cross and the empty tomb offer.
Your Partner on the Journey,
Steve
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2012 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly
Real stories of ELCA congregations becoming "Beloved Communities"
Racist names leave wounds
Anchorage, Alaska
Susie Delgado has heard name-calling before.
An Alaska Native who grew up in Nome, Susie tried high school in Anchorage during the 1970s. Kids tossed racial slurs her way. She felt unwelcome. Unable to bear it, Susie returned to Nome.
In those days, Alaska Native children were reassigned an English name and disciplined if they spoke in their native tongue.
Sadly, not much had changed a generation later. Susie’s three sons heard the same derogatory names at an Anchorage high school.
Susie wanted something different for her family, now that her grandchildren had entered the Anchorage school system. With the help of her community and her ELCA congregation, the Alaska Native Lutheran Church in Anchorage, Susie demanded change.
Finding one’s voice
“Anchorage Faith and Action — Congregations Together gave us a voice,” says Susie. Her congregation is one of 14 local congregations that make up this organization. They use a “one-to-one model” to listen to one another’s concerns and those of the community, working with public officials to create lasting change.
According to Karen Sonray, then pastor of Alaska Native Lutheran, what the community heard was a whole lot of pain.
“Alaska Natives didn’t feel welcome in school buildings,” says Karen. And to make matters worse, their kids were not graduating.
Recent statistics from the Anchorage School District report that 78 percent of Caucasian students graduate, while only 43 percent of Alaska Native children successfully make it through the system.
To address this crisis, leaders at Alaska Native Lutheran partnered with the local Catholic Native Ministry and hosted a public meeting. More than 300 people attended, along with the Anchorage School District superintendent.
At an open microphone, people shared their experiences and their pain.
“It was really powerful to see Alaska Native people speak publically,” says Karen. “Their faith helped them to speak out and find their voice.”
The superintendent was visibly shaken and emotional.
Change happens slowly
Things changed slowly. A pilot program for teachers to visit Alaska Native families in their homes to build relationships started but stalled in two schools. When the superintendent was reluctant to expand the visitation program, congregational leaders went to the school board.
To read the conclusion of this article on the Living Lutheran website click here.
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Host a Buck-a-Chick Sale!
This spring, join congregations from across the nation by hosting a "Buck-a-Chick" sale. For $1, members can purchase and decorate a paper chick for themselves or in honor of a friend or family member. Hang the colorful chicks in a prominent spot - like the sanctuary or narthex.
A dollar is all it takes to provide a family living in poverty with a little chick. Soon enough, the chick begins producing eggs. It's eggs make nutritious, protein-rich meals, and can be sold at the marketplace for income - helping a family escape hunger for good. To download a "Buck-a-Chick" flyer click here. For more information go to www.elca.org/goodgifts.
Additional Resources
ELCA World Hunger Resource Packet - Lent & Easter 2012
2012 Health Assessment – Deadline April 30!
This confidential online tool helps you take stock of your health and lifestyle habits in less than 30 minutes. Through a series of questions the survey will identify your health strengths and risks and will recommend strategies to maintain or improve your health. In addition, taking the assessment will earn you a $150 personal wellness account credit and start you on your way to earn an additional $350 credit. By participating you help our synod come closer to earning a 2% discount on health contributions. Last year our synod earned an $18,000 Wellness Grant that was used to offset expenses for several wellness events for our rostered leaders. Please do your part to help our synod reach the 2% goal in 2012!