December 21, 2006

Dear Partners in Ministry,

I write with a hint of white finally in view, and the hint of peace in a troubled world about to be celebrated in our worship these next days. The audacity of the incarnation—that God would come to be part of our lives in this fallen world—seems especially poignant in a time of war. “Peace on earth, goodwill toward all” is the refrain we hear, the prayer we offer, and the promise we claim.

A few quick words to share in this busy season
A Tanzanian answer to last-minute Christmas shopping (or setting the tone for the New Year) I hope many of you noticed in the latest News and Information e-newsletter from Beth Helgen the information about food shortages in Tanzania. You have received a letter from our Iringa task force about it. Food shortages are severe. Instead of a last-minute I-gotta-get-something-for-John/Jane, a far better idea: send/give a note with Christmas wishes, indicating that you have given $20 that, given the ability of the Iringa Diocese to buy government food commodities, will literally keep six families fed for a month. In two districts, over 16,000 families are without food. We can make God’s love incarnate in people’s lives very simply!

Annual Meetings
I am grateful for the wide array of ministries and the incredible number of people in local congregations who faithfully live out their sense of God’s presence in their lives. The congregation’s annual meeting is one of those places where these stories all come together and are celebrated. I hope it’s not simply a time of passing budgets and hearing reports, but saying thanks to many people, and reminding people of the life of the whole body of Christ that gathers us all. When you thank people, remember to thank them on behalf not only of your own congregation’s leadership, but on behalf of the whole church, which is made stronger because of what they do! A letter from the synod for congregational annual reports is available on the website at www.spas-elca.org. Follow the link from the right side of the home page.

January Events
There are a number of events in January to be sure you’re aware of:

• January 18 - The winter ministerium will be held jointly with the Minneapolis Area Synod on the topic: "Healing the Wounds of War." Speakers will address the re-integration of veterans into their home and church communities. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, (registration begins at 8:45 a.m.), Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley.
•  January 20 - "Come to the Table: Live the Vision," a workshop for congregational members around the synod’s threefold vision. Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., St. Andrew’s Lutheran, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi.
• January 25 (during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) – “A Conversation Among Christians,” broadly ecumenical gathering at Grace Church of Eden Prairie, with morning discussion led by Archbishop Harry Flynn and afternoon discussion led by ELCA Bishop Peter Strommen (NE MN Synod). I’ll be attending a Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service board meeting that day and will be unable to attend, but I encourage any interested to participate. It holds promise of being a wider ecumenical table than is more often the case. If you’re interested in attending, let me know, since they’re looking for pre-registration ($36, includes lunch).

Dr. Larry Rasmussen keynotes February Conference Assemblies
You’ve had the information about the conference assemblies being held February 10. It is always our hope to provide for time spent in reflection on our life and ministry as a church in addition to breaking into conference assemblies to do some work. This year, I’m excited that the first hour will be time spent with Dr. Larry Rasmussen. Larry is a St. Olaf and Luther Seminary graduate who went on to become one of the country's foremost teachers of Christian ethics. In this complex time we need to attend to making carefully considered decisions as we live our faith in the world. Under the title "Some Inconvenient Truths: Earth, Body, and the Church," we will be helped to think about how we live faithfully in this day.

I am always grateful for the privilege of serving with you. I wish for you:
For Christmas, peace. For the New Year, hope. And for all times, confidence in the presence of the God we meet in Jesus.

Peter Rogness