E-Letter from Peter Rogness-1

The Way It Looks from Here: E-Letter from Peter Rogness

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:25:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellspacing="3" width="650" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here...one hour after the Churchwide Assembly An Occasional E-Letter from Peter Rogness August 11, 2007 I am back in my room, set to write a reflection piece on this assembly which I hope� technology cooperating�some of you may see before you gather in your churches for worship in the morning. I�m half amused, half dismayed, and half perplexed by what I already see posted as news reports from this assembly. I�ll try to do some sorting out for you. What happened at the assembly in a nutshell First, contrary to some news postings, sexuality and ministry wasn�t the only thing we talked about by any means. Former bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod, Mark Hanson, was re-elected on the second ballot to a second term, with a resounding 86 percent vote! And in the far more dramatic election, attorney David Swartling of Seattle was elected to succeed the only secretary the ELCA has had in its 20 years, the Rev. Lowell Almen. David Swartling is a delightful, warm, intelligent, deeply spiritual, and deeply involved person of faith. In addition, voting members worshiped; we committed ourselves to a far-reaching emphasis on deepening our church�s immersion in Scripture; we deliberated Iraq and the Middle East; we adopted a social statement on education; and we took on new resolve in fighting the HIV-AIDS pandemic. We celebrated rapid growth in responding to world hunger and disasters and pledged to do even more. In short, we celebrated the vast array of ministries we do together as a church, and it�s a wonderful sight! It was a fine assembly.  The sexuality discussion Now to unpack the sexuality discussion. I said I was amused, dismayed, and perplexed by news reports. Beth Helgen sent me the collection of headlines already posted online. Here are two headlines that were listed: <ul> <li> �Lutherans to Allow Pastors in Gay Relationships�</li> <li> �Lutherans Don�t Change on Gays� </li> </ul> Any wonder people might be confused? Let me set the background, and quickly walk you through what unfolded and what, sound bytes aside, we actually did.  The Background In 2001 the Churchwide Assembly (CWA) set in place a task force to bring back recommendations to the 2005 CWA regarding blessing same-gender relationships and ordaining faithfully partnered gay clergy and to bring a social statement on human sexuality to the 2009 CWA. The 2005 CWA received three recommendations on these issues, and in response (1) voted to �continue to find ways to live together faithfully in the face of our differences,� (might be a paraphrase, but close); (2) let the matter of blessings be a matter of local pastoral care and did not establish such a rite for the whole church; and (3) decided against allowing partnered gay and lesbian clergy to be ordained and serve in the church. The general expectation was that these matters would again be discussed in 2009 in connection with the social statement. However, last winter a discipline committee in Atlanta, in acting to remove a partnered gay pastor, recommended that synods memorialize this assembly to change policy. So it was before us again. Twenty-one synods (including both the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods) took actions asking that the process for such change be set in motion.  What Happened The memorials committee bundled these resolutions together and recommended that they simply be referred as information to the task force in their deliberations leading up to 2009. Not surprisingly, a substitute motion was made on the floor reflecting the 21-synod request to set in motion a change in policy. (Now here�s where you should pay attention if you�re trying to sort out what news sound bytes are saying in different directions!)  After lengthy debate, both in a non-legislative �committee of the whole� and formal parliamentary proceedings, the assembly defeated the motion to change policy, and instead supported the recommendation to simply refer all this to the task force working on the social statement. The motion to change the policy failed 450-581.  Then a motion was made to allow a process of exceptions to the policy for the sake of mission in local situations, patterned after the exception process to the requirement of ordination by a bishop. This exception proposal was also rejected, 472-520.  So it was clear the assembly was staying with the process to come forward with a social statement in 2009, and not to consider any change in policy until such a statement is adopted and policy is made consistent with that statement. So the study process continues. (An amending action was taken to specifically ask the social statement to address these matters.)  Then, on a later set of memorials, the assembly passed a motion which is the basis for the news reports suggesting ELCA policy has changed. An action was taken in which the assembly �prays, urges, and encourages synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those� congregations and pastors that are out of compliance with the existing policy. Bishop Hanson was asked if this was in conflict with existing governing documents, and Secretary Almen explained that it was not.  This is, frankly, where reporters not familiar with the nuances of ELCA governing documents got it all wrong. Our documents regarding discipline have within them a number of possibilities of response to policy non-compliance, including personal consultation, admonition, formal charges, and suspension, with few timelines and no �sentencing guidelines� (to use the secular image). The effect of this action is not to give permission to defy policy, but to ask that as bishops and others ponder responses to these situations, that they lean in the direction of a less harsh rather than a more harsh response.  So What Does This Mean? My sound byte, were someone to ask, would be this: This assembly chose to stay with the process we�ve put in place that will lead us to a far reaching (i.e., much broader than simply homosexuality) discussion of human sexuality in 2009, and in that light we will consider these policy matters. Until that time, the assembly said, let�s stay with current policy, and let�s walk gently with each other.  It was an action, I believe, that honored the most strongly supported action of two years ago: our commitment to find ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements. It was a respectful expression of our commitment to continue to find ways to be a church together.  Which brings me to the final image I want to share. The image comes from the �committee of the whole� open discussion, where long lines of people stood at the microphones waiting to express their views. Since CWA rules indicate we alternate speaking pro-and-con, a set of two microphones stands at each station�one green, one red. I looked at the microphones closest to me and saw Saint Paul Area Synod voting members standing in both lines. I was proud of that. We�ve been together enough to enjoy and respect each other, and we went to different lines. And then we worshiped together, ate together, did other work together. This synod�and this church�is not simply a red line synod or a green line. We are church together. We can commit ourselves to living together, faithfully.  I hope these comments are helpful. You would be proud of the people you sent, for their hard work and good spirit. I am grateful for our ministry together. Peter Rogness</td> </tr> </table>

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The Way It Looks from Here: E-Letter from Peter Rogness

Thu, 24 May 2007 16:08:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="625"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here (with the assembly just eight days away!)</td> </tr> <tr> <td> An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness May 25, 2007  Dear Partners in Ministry, Cacophony is the theme of this assembly, and to sort out the various happenings, I decided to send some observations and reflections in anticipation of these two days together. The Reminders Registration More than 500 of you are registered, but for about 100�well�lots of the workshop sessions are full and the meals are about to be ordered!!! Please register now! Offering from the opening worship is for Lutheran Campus Ministry, by vote from last year�s assembly. This ministry celebrates 100 years and is being celebrated throughout the ELCA this year. Cacophony of the Generations: A Pentecost Gathering is the theme of the assembly. The Pentecost theme of Spirit presence��your young will dream dreams, your old will see visions��and the often bewildering confluence of different generations, traditions, nations, and experiences in the church will surround us. Cacophony? Or something else? Dr. Diane Jacobson (Old Testament, Luther Seminary) will anchor us in Scripture on the first day. Diane has recently been asked to serve as director half-time of the ELCA�s �Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible� initiative, assuming its launch at the August Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Hal Weldin will give the keynote address the next day. Hal is also on the faculty of Luther Seminary, serving as director of the Children Youth and Family Ministry degree program and director for the Exemplary Youth Ministry research team.   So not only will we explore �cacophony� in the mix of the generations in our church, we will add to it an unprecedented presence and experience of... The Global Church! Guatemala For nearly a year we have been planning that this assembly would provide the occasion for the people of this synod to become acquainted with our newest companion synod, the Augustinian Lutheran Synod of Guatemala, and its president, Padre Horacio Castillo. He and his wife, Pastor Esther de Castillo, will be with us in plenary and workshop. Iringa, Tanzania  Then we learned that at a board meeting early this spring, the leadership of Tumaini University-Iringa determined to come and say thanks to this synod in person, namely, in the person of Bishop Mdegella and the provost of the University, Dr. Bangu. The number of voices at this assembly grows! A Global Ordination!! You may have noticed in News and Information, the weekly e-newsletter of the synod, that a few weeks ago the announcement came that there would be an ordination at our opening worship service. Here is the rest of the story. Those of you who have been to Guatemala have met Amanda Olson de Castillo. Amanda was a 2003 graduate of Luther Seminary and was awarded the Preaching Fellowship, given to one graduate annually to spend a year anywhere in the world to expand preaching skills. She went to Guatemala, learned Spanish, and became immersed in the life of the new Lutheran synod in that country�the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala (Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala or ILAG). She didn�t return, stayed, became more involved, and along the way wed the son of the president of that church, Horacio Darynel Castillo They were married in her home church in Northfield. It became clear that she was playing an increasingly important pastoral role in that place, and ordination was the obvious next step. There were considerable conversations and negotiations about whether this would best be done as an ELCA ordination as a missionary or an ordination of the Guatemalan church, accompanied by a commissioning by ILAG�s ELCA partners. The latter route was chosen. So we will have an ordination�Amanda will be ordained by Padre Horacio Castillo, with both Bishop Mdegella and me participating, along with a representative of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA (ILAG�s other companion synod), and ELCA�s Global Mission director of the Latin America/Caribbean Continental Desk, Pastor Raquel Rodriguez. Unlike some ordinations you�ve been at, we aren�t inviting all clergy to vest (I�d never get the plenary started!!), but we are inviting the clergy from those congregations in relationship with ILAG to vest. Observation: Most ordinations have a clear presence of the wider church body, which calls people into ministry and to whom the act of ordination finally belongs. In parts of our church, ordinations have regularly happened at synod/district assemblies, again symbolizing the whole-church nature of the rite. But seldom will any of us have seen as global an expression of the act or ordination�which is as it should be, reflected in the words spoken by the ordaining minister, �Amanda Olson de Castillo is ordained a pastor of the Church of Christ��  An added word, apart from the assembly Many of you watched the reports of the Gunflint Trail fire with a pit in your stomach, knowing those lakes and trails. Some of you�like me�learned of the fire sweeping through Wilderness Canoe Base on Seagull lake, a 50-year old ministry of our church.  I spent five summers in the 1960s on staff there, formative years for me which shaped the life that followed. It was that kind of place for many over the years; others of you have had similarly formative time at other outdoor ministry settings. You know the value of these places.  So you can imagine both the sadness and the resolve to see the ministry continue. In recent years, Wilderness has programmatically been related to the several camps under the Wapogasset umbrella. Dave Holst from Wapo will be at our assembly in the display area; for updates you can check their <a href="http://www.campwapo.org/wcb/">website</a>.   Thank you for your partnership! I look forward to seeing you at the assembly Peter Rogness</td> </tr> </table>

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The Way It Looks from Here: E-Letter from Peter Rogness

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:02:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="625"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here</td> </tr> <tr> <td> An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness March 30, 2007 Dear Partners in Ministry, I have always appreciated Holy Week falling in the midst of a busy time�Lent is concluding, spring events are ramping up, graduations, weddings, and summer events loom. Now, for a week, we are immersed in the central events of our faith. A good Sabbath from the other busy-ness of our lives and our work.  It�s been a while since my last e-letter, and you don�t need one more thing to read in a busy time. But I was moved by an event last Sunday and reminded that I don�t say thank you for this privilege of partnering with you in ministry often enough.  'There�s a church here in the street doing church.' Occasionally church activities get press. Much more often, the work and witness of the people of God gets no ink, but impinge upon lives nonetheless. You often hear me speak of the privilege of partnering with you all as I serve in this office; I get to see your faithful work and witness often. A recent example of that privilege:  Saturday night, March 24, returning from a chamber orchestra concert, one of those few Saturdays where I expect to actually worship the next morning with Gerry at the church where we�re members (Christ on Capitol Hill). Phone message waiting.  Sean Whelan, recent seminarian, is serving as pastor at North Immanuel Lutheran Church on St. Paul�s north end. The message went something like �We�re three blocks from the house where the three murders happened last week, and some of the family have been here in the past. Doesn�t seem right to simply have church as usual. I�ve suggested to the congregation president that we begin worship here, but then all process to the house for the rest of the service. Any chance you�re free and could come with us?� (I�m never sure coincidences are simply that�I�m hardly ever free on a Sunday morning!�but it was clear this was where I was to be.)  As the service began, Sean explained what would happen. We�d worship up until the reading of the gospel, then process three blocks to the house. I said it was just like going to visit someone who had suffered loss, just being with them, trusting that God could use our presence. Weather cooperated, and we gathered in the street in front of the cordoned-off home. The gospel was read. The antiphon verse from the day�s psalm was repeated at the church and again at the home: �Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.� There were prayers, singing, meditation, silence.  Sean, still vested, stood on the curb and led worship. Neighbors began to come out of their homes. In a silent moment, I heard one who had joined us calling someone else on a cell phone, �Come now. There�s a church here in the street doing church.� The tension and pain of the recent events were visible in their tears as they stood around the edges, holding each other. In the passing of the peace, we learned that the murdered woman�s sister and daughter were among those who gathered with us. Sean has been with them again during this week, and helped lead the funeral.  As we walked back to the church one member said �Too bad Channel 5 wasn�t there so that we�d get some publicity for the church!� I said I thought it was better this way�no publicity stunt, just witness and caring, and he quickly agreed. Those people, in pain though they were, hadn�t gone to church that morning, so the church, being the church, went to them.  And that�s just one example of what I mean when I said I am privileged to be with you in so many ways, in so many times, when you as God�s faithful people simply live out your work and witness as the church!  Peter Rogness </td> </tr> </table>

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The Way It Looks from Here: E-Letter from Peter Rogness

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:00:00 GMT

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The Way It Looks from Here: An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:19:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="650"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here</td> </tr> <tr> <td>An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness September 2006 Back from Sabbatical How does it look from here? In a word, familiar! I enjoyed a three-month sabbatical from June 15 to September 15, loved the extended detachment, and was happy to be coming back at the end of it. Just the kind of process of renewal for which such leaves are intended. I didn�t chase around visiting places and listening to speakers (that�s what I do a lot of in this work!), but rather kicked back, took a stack of books, headed to a lake up north. I fell short of the 35 books I read on the sabbatical I took in 1995�I read about 25 this time�but I have four more grandchildren now (four) than I had then (none), and if you added in the books that have very large print and lots of pictures, my count goes way up! One is also supposed to detach, which I did (in spite of pre-arranged weekly contact with the office). The proof: on Saturday, September 16, driving to preach at a Saturday night service at Shepherd of the Valley in Apple Valley, it occurred to me as I got off I-35E onto Cliff Road that I hadn�t bothered to bring any vestments. I�m sure I�ll hit my stride soon! I need to say a word of appreciation to the staff who carried on our work in fine fashion without me. We did consult, but there weren�t interruptions in our work and people continued to receive what they needed from us. Each of the three associates led staff meetings for a month. Beth Helgen, not yet a full year into her role as my assistant for administration (and what a broad title that is!) responded to queries that came looking for me and had things wonderfully arranged for my return. So just what did I do? Gerry and I headed north after her foot surgery in June, and for the first three weeks or so I got into a wonderful rhythm of exercise, work, and reading. My dog and I logged about 200 miles of jogging. On my 1995 sabbatical I built a stone fireplace; this year I built a one-story stone wall behind a wood burning stove. And did some paneling, dry walling, wood splitting, canoeing, and swimming (Are you beginning to wonder why I came back?) On July 8 we got our two grandchildren from Norway (and, incidentally, their parents too), and had them for four weeks, during which time we got our California granddaughter (and parents) for five days, and, later, our Milwaukee grandson for a week. When they left August 7 the previous rhythm returned and, when Gerry came back to get ready for the school year, I entered the final phase�solitude! I have about 12 pages of notes (still pretty sloppy) on my reading. I�d count about 15 books that were non-fiction pieces of substance, another four or five novels of quality, and a half dozen escape novels. In advocating for sabbatical policies in congregations, I urge lay leaders to understand such leave not as a perk, but as a benefit both for the renewal of the minister and of the ministry, i.e., the congregation benefits greatly. I pray that is also the case for our work together in this synod. Two Points of Conversation If we were having coffee, I'd have a lot to talk about. But knowing the way email piles up, I�ve got two matters about which I�d like to comment, one very specific, one a very general musing. The launch of Crossing Bridges I did interrupt �up north� time to join about 140 of our rostered leaders for the St. Croix boat trips to have conversation about the launching of Crossing Bridges, the synod�s mission appeal. There�s been lots of interest. Also lots of concern about conflict or overlap with appeals going on in your congregation. Quick and to the point, here are the things I want to say: <ul> <li>Don�t let this get lost in the shuffle. We�re all inundated with appeals. But the life together that we share as a church doesn�t do this often (one other time in our 18-year history). This is a broad appeal and is aimed at the heart of what we�re called to be and do: start new congregations, train pastors, reach out to the poor, go to other lands�with the gospel at the heart of it all.</li> <li>This isn�t hard sell, arm-twisting. It�s inviting. You all have people in your congregations already sharing these concerns. This is inviting extra-mile giving, in ways that are tailored to your setting.</li> <li>In addition to strong forward movement in specific areas, this gives us and our people positive energy for the life we share together as a church. Whether people are in a position to give or not, when they hear the story they can be proud of this work that their church is doing.</li> <li>Three key, enjoyable, and free events are upon us. We invite you to bring people from your congregation to one of these events�90 minutes, divided roughly in thirds, featuring exquisite desserts (the least we can do for folks rushing off from their supper tables!), some first-rate dinner entertainment (Bob Stromberg of Triple Espresso; Greta Grosch from Church Basement Ladies; Cantus, made up largely of alumni from St. Olaf), and 30 minutes from Crossing Bridges Director Gary Anderson and me in interpreting the opportunities of Crossing Bridges.</li> </ul> There is no cost, but we need to know numbers. Call the synod office when you know who�s coming. Again, times and places: Thursday, September 28, 7:30 p.m., Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview Entertainment by comedian Bob Stromberg of Triple Espresso. Sunday, October 1, 6:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul Entertainment by Greta Grosch who has earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mavis Gilmerson in the hit musical Church Basement Ladies. Tuesday, October 3, 7:30 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Apple Valley Entertainment by Cantus, a professional male vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to the performance of innovative and engaging musical programs. The word is getting around�in the last two days alone registration jumped by over 150. I know fall is a busy season, but please don�t let this slip by! Living our faith Back to sabbatical musings. Most of my reading selections fell into two areas�religion, the world in which I live and work, and history, the story of this world far beyond just my life, but including it. What came into focus early and was often called to mind was the difference between religious zeal (a very good thing) and religious arrogance (a very bad thing). They are often confused. The spiritual life that Henry Nouwen describes in Spiritual Direction, or Mark Alan Powell in Loving Jesus, or even Marcus Borg in The Heart of Christianity is a deep, full, rich life rooted in a relationship with a living God. This God we are drawn to envelopes the whole of life, our whole being. Finding such richness, we are of course drawn to want to share it. Thus, zeal for carrying it to others. But the zeal that turns to arrogance has plagued Christianity for 2,000 years and still does today. Historian Kevin Phillips (Republican architect of Nixon�s Southern strategy) lays out in American Theocracy that the downfall of four previous world superpowers�Rome, the Dutch, Spain, and England�was all shaped in large part by religious arrogance, a presumption of being God�s favored people. This danger echoed again and again in several other things I read: Southern Baptist Jimmy Carter�s Our Endangered Values; Getting on Message, a collection of essays by theologians disputing the politics of the Christian Right, and even one of the novels, Death Comes to the Archbishop by Willa Cather. I loved a pure history I grabbed from my uncle�s shelf�Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Rise of the Modern Middle East (1916-1922). Though written in 1989 it still holds. It�s an account of the Europeans dictating the shape of the Middle East after World War I, decisions arising out of an arrogance and ignorance of the culture and religion of the people that, the author says, has ensured continued turmoil for a long time. My point: we are at our best when we witness to and live from the relationship we have with a living God whom we have come to know in Jesus Christ. And we do that from a posture of humility (one of the biblical virtues, don�t forget!) and openness to what God may be doing in the lives of other people as well. I see much of that happening in our church, among us, and for that I�m grateful. I�m grateful for all of you! I look forward to seeing many of you at the theological conference this coming week. Peter Rogness </td> </tr> </table>

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E-Letter from Peter Rogness

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:29:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellspacing="3" width="650" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness</td> </tr> <tr> <td> June 2006 Dear Partners in Ministry, For last month�s synod assembly I prepared a long (sorry!) written report, at the suggestion of someone who asked what a bishop does. Now, between the assembly and the beginning of summer (and sabbatical leave), I did some similar musing for our synod council meeting on June 1. I share here some of those thoughts looking back on the assembly and forward to our ministry together. Synod Council Welcome to new council members We welcomed at this meeting two newly elected members of the synod council: Carol Hood, the new treasurer of the synod, is director of central services for Catholic Charities and a member of Mount Calvary in Eagan. She is an experienced synod treasurer (!), having served as treasurer of the Metro New York Synod when she lived there. Pastor William Siong serves Hmong Central Lutheran Church in St. Paul, his first call since being ordained (William was serving in youth ministry at Hmong Central prior to ordination as well.) Two �deans-pro-tem� joined us for this meeting, filling in while the permanent deans are on sabbatical: Mark Becker for Ted Vanderpan, and Marty Erickson for Carol Tomer. In addition, three current council members were elected by the conferences in February to full terms: Lynne Nelson, Janel Kuester, and Lynne Lorenzen. And election of new council members The synod council elected two new people to fill vacancies on the council. Roy Henderson, a member of Bethlehem Lutheran in Bayport, was nominated by his pastor, Rich Larson, for the at-large, lay male person of color position that has been vacant for over a year. He can be elected by the synod assembly to a full term next year. Last February, Pastor Tim Nelson was elected to the North Central Conference position on the synod council. Since then Tim has taken a position as a hospice chaplain with HealthEast and has joined a congregation in St. Paul. The synod council elected Pastor Steve Sampson, St. Mark, Circle Pines, to serve as the replacement until the assembly meets next year. Reflections on the Synod Assembly Many of you who read this attended the synod assembly. Others of you didn�t. Our staff and synod council both spent time carefully debriefing the actions, the whole gathering, and the evaluations of all who attended. These are two very important days for our work together, so we treat them that way. Gratitude for those who worked on behalf of us all This year nearly 200 persons from more than 50 congregations were asked and agreed to do something in this assembly effort�shopping for fabric in Guatemala and Tanzania; serving on committees, as hosts, and as worship leaders; registering voting members; stuffing registration packets; and on and on. (Being church is not simply the business of the assembly; it�s woven into the very doing of the assembly!). At the center of nearly everything is the attention and work of the synod staff, which I hope doesn�t go unnoticed or unappreciated: Nancy Maeker carried a key role this year, since she serves as staff for each of the three leadership teams for the synod�s threefold vision. She planned the theme and gave oversight to the road shows and plenary presentations; Nancy Johnson has continued to refine and revise registration to make it more efficient and called many volunteers; Shelly Saunders worked with the nominating committee in the Herculean task of identifying nominees, overseeing ballot preparation, and counting; Cyndi Berg, brand new on staff, flung herself into the arrangements to help with everything from workshops to tick removal (really!); Ralph Baumgartner hosted keynoter Kenn Inskeep and organized the presentations on new mission initiatives; Myrna Lamberton oversaw the financial arrangements and assisted in the tech booth; Susan Miller hosted Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl and gave an extremely well-received workshop on stewardship; Noreen Stevens coordinated hospitality efforts and stepped in to help in other areas whenever asked; Beth Helgen this year took on the role of managing the whole works. I say it often and hope you know it is not gratuitous, that this is a very talented and faithful staff. And if �synod� is at its center simply our life together as church in this place, then permit me to expand this gratefulness for wonderful staff work to the staff at Prince of Peace as well. Their technical and professional competence was matched by exemplary hospitality and helpfulness. They have been a joy to work with these past two years. Crossing Bridges The launch at the assembly seems to have gotten people�s attention. With two congregational commitments and personal pledges from the staff and Crossing Bridges steering committee, we have received commitments of over $200,000 already! Two days after the assembly, we opened a letter with a $5,000 personal check. The mission-focused effort to launch new ministries, prepare pastors for the future, strengthen ministries with the poor, and take even further steps in Africa are all efforts for which many people in this synod have great passion. Now we point to key events in the fall to give energy to local congregational efforts, which I presume will vary widely in their approach and creativity. Such is life in the Saint Paul Area Synod!! Gary Anderson, director of Cross Bridges, is a wonderful gift to us in the leadership he�s giving this effort. Please add these fall events to your calendar and watch for more information: Crossing Bridges Events for Rostered Leaders Tuesday, August 29, 6:30 p.m., dinner cruise on the St. Croix Wednesday, August 30, 1:00 p.m. lunch cruise on the St. Croix Crossing Bridges Events for Rostered and Congregational Leaders Thursday, September 28, 7:30 p.m., Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview Sunday, October 1, 6:30 p.m., Gloria Dei, St. Paul Tuesday, October 3, 7:30 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley Revisiting the threefold vision The language of our synod�s threefold vision is used often. Now five years into this vision, it was fruitful to have our assembly time be an occasion for both hearing and experiencing the work that has been done. Nearly 500 people experienced one of the three road shows that are now poised to be used in congregations or clusters of congregations. The poverty work, which has now gone statewide, became the occasion for LSS breaking with its tradition of honoring one congregation in a synod with the Servant of Christ award, in order to honor all congregations of this synod for our common commitment to end poverty. I picked up comments from some who spoke of the helpfulness of the Inviting road show in giving insight into their own congregation�s culture as a welcoming place. The threefold vision isn�t simply on paper; it�s being lived, in many ways and places. Mission Starts: The power of collaboration It was nice to give much higher visibility and face to the new East Side and southern Dakota County mission starts that are already underway. Both represent promising departures from past patterns. The collaborative model in southern Dakota County will launch not only the work Steve Gartland is doing, but within a year or so another congregation. (Also, we shouldn�t lose sight of the new mission start that is just over our border in the Elko/New Market/Credit River area just west of I-35, launched collaboratively by Prince of Peace in Burnsville and Shepherd of the Lake in Prior Lake.) It will be a Minneapolis Area Synod congregation once organized�a healthy sign that even synod borders not need be a hindrance. (The Minneapolis Area Synod has begun another mission start in Blaine, in which Christ the King, New Brighton, is a key partner.) The East Side Latino start, called Pueblo de Esperanza, is using a model new to ELCA work, using house church and cell-group meetings, rather than door-knocking/meet-at-a-school model that was the former dominant model. That East Side team is an excited bunch. And More Collaborations The power of partnership One of the reasons I�ve tried to give strong encouragement to the mission partner effort in this synod (the topic of one of our assembly resolutions) is that I�ve come to know the power of partnerships, especially as congregations move from their own internal life into the world around them. I name a few that have emerged in the last several months: We noted at the assembly that the ending poverty work of our synod has now been taken statewide through a collaboration with Lutheran Social Service and Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota; and several of the area clusters of congregations are themselves collaborations that are ecumenical. (The Common Foundation document that anchors this work has now become the basis for the creation of a Legislative Commission on Ending Poverty, passed with bipartisan support in the recently completed legislative session.) Lutheran Social Service, Thrivent, four East Side congregations (First, Gustavus Adolphus, Arlington Hills, and Eastside Community) and the East Side Neighborhood Development Company are working on the development of an outreach project around finances for low income people on Payne Ave. These same congregations sponsored a staff appreciation lunch for the teachers and staff of Johnson High School, thanking them for making the community better (many of the 30-plus volunteers from the churches told the teachers of their time as students at Johnson!) North Emmanuel on St. Paul�s north end will call Sean Whelan to do a residency/internship. Pastor Jonathan Zielske of Hope, St. Paul, will serve as Sean�s supervisor and Pastor Sue Tjornehoj, Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill, St. Paul, will give leadership to the intern committee, a collaboration that will draw the seminary and these three congregations into collaboration for the next chapter of ministry there. This list isn�t anywhere near exhaustive, but called to mind from the last few weeks, and, I suspect, can be matched by your stories of collaborations in your neck of the woods. Mission Support Mission support down in the first quarter from last year Strange�the tension level around issues (sexuality, ecumenism, etc.) seems to have lessened. We have fewer congregations in serious conflict than usual (knock on wood, hard!). I haven�t heard dire stories of fuel bills wreaking havoc as many predicted. Recent synod events and ministries have been very well received and appreciated. So why, I ask myself, is our first three months of mission support down a full 13.8% from last year�s first three months? I don�t know. Ideas? But it is, and I trust will begin moving up as congregations play catch-up. Your support helps to support the ministry we do with the whole church around the world and with the ministry we do together as congregations in the Saint Paul Area Synod! Sabbatical Plans On June 15, I will begin a three-month sabbatical. When I brought my request for a sabbatical to the synod council earlier this year, I described what I wanted to do this way: Many parish pastors use sabbatical leaves to do two things: (a) hear speakers and attend workshops, and (b) visit ministry and mission settings different from their own�both wonderful uses of these leaves. In my case, however, I�m blessed to do lots of both in the work I do carrying out this office. What I yearn for most is withdrawal, and, in particular, reading. I had one other sabbatical in 1995 and used ten of the twelve weeks tucked away in the north woods to read 35 books. My list for this year has grown, and 35 might be a lofty goal since this year I�ll have grandkids underfoot for a few of those weeks. Many of you have made suggestions. (I�m still taking them!) Thank you! We have worked out with other staff how coverage will work, and how I will remain in contact with the office and the activities of the synod. I�m grateful for this time away, and am confident I will look forward to returning in September! As always, I am grateful for all you do, and for our partnership in the life of the church!! Peter Rogness</td> </tr> </table>

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The Way it Looks from Here: An Occasional E-Letter from Peter Rogness: Correction

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:46:00 GMT

<table border="0" cellspacing="4" width="625" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td>The Way It Looks from Here</td> </tr> <tr> <td>An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness March 23, 2006 Dear Partners in Ministry, Last year the Minneapolis Area Synod assembly passed a resolution opposing the proposal to put a referendum�commonly referred to as the �Gay Marriage� or �Defense of Marriage� amendment�before the voters of Minnesota. Recently the Roman Catholic bishops of the state went on record supporting such legislation. Even though we haven�t had a synod assembly action, I am often asked if I have any counsel regarding this proposal. Here�s what I think. No one involved in pastoral work in the church questions that the estate of marriage needs all the bolstering it can get. Pastors conscientiously provide for pre-marriage counseling with couples who are often in a romantic swoon and quite far removed from reason! We clergy are often intimately involved in the pain of marriage break-up and its effect on kids, circles of friends, and the wider community. Other clergy and I know well the urgency and importance of strong, stable families and mature, responsible relationships as well as the rampant instability of family life in this culture. Though the proposed legislation claims to address these concerns, in fact it does no such thing. Perhaps the legislation even distracts us from more pressing issues. It doesn�t bolster marriage and family life, but it does create obstacles for stable and long-lasting relationships between same gender couples who seek the same civil rights under the law as other adults. This legislation, in other words, does nothing to protect or strengthen heterosexual marriage, but it does remove certain civil rights from homosexual persons that are available to heterosexual persons. The Christian tradition has always understood marriage as a life-long relationship between a man and a woman, based on Scripture and tradition. Some people are drawn to life-long, intimate relationships with persons of the same gender and will not be drawn to marriage with someone of the opposite gender. No marriage or marriage teaching, is threatened by the possibility of two persons of the same gender desiring to spend their life together in a stable, mature, loving relationship. Not a single male/female marriage will be strengthened by the proposed amendment. Nothing in society is made unstable by a gay couple who decides to spend their lives together. Marriage between a man and a woman is among the highest gifts God has given to humankind. We can and should be strong advocates for strengthening traditional marriage. But we can do that without removing from gay couples the same rights others enjoy. The proposed legislation removes from same-gender couples certain civil rights available to opposite-gender couples. It does nothing either theologically or sociologically to defend heterosexual marriage. It simply negates certain rights for same-gender relationships. It is civil law that is not just or fair. Rather than give in to the anxiety of this cultural moment, I believe we would be well advised to observe the following: <ul> <li> Leave religious bodies to teach religious doctrine and civil bodies to legislate civil law;</li> <li> Use our zeal to mount an assault on our culture�s celebration of sexual titillation and promiscuity;</li> <li> Take concrete steps to counter the stresses on the family, including our addiction to busyness and ambition that leads to frantic and fractured lives;</li> <li> Follow the unmistakable scriptural mandate to be advocates for the poor and the vulnerable, especially the children. Addressing child care, homelessness, early childhood education, health care, and living wage issues will do far more to stabilize the American family than removing civil rights from gay and lesbian persons.</li> </ul> I encourage lawmakers to set this ill-advised legislation aside. A referendum is both an abrogation of the responsibility of lawmakers to attend to the business of making fair and just laws, and a giving in to the emotion of the moment. And I encourage people in our churches to set about the important work of bringing health and stability to all families in this state, rich and poor alike. A few reminders on upcoming events I presume you�re well on your way to having those attending the assembly from your congregation registered. If not, it can be done online from the synod�s website or by using the form you received in the mail. The Inviting leadership team is sponsoring �road shows� in each of the six conferences. Check our website <a href="http://www.spas-elca.org/aboutsynod/Calendar/calendar.htm" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single"> www.spas-elca.org/aboutsynod/Calendar/calendar.htm</a> for the times and places. These are great opportunities for your leaders, evangelism, hospitality, and  outreach. May 18. Youth leaders Ascension Day breakfast, sponsored by the joint synod Children/Youth/Family steering committee. Note corrected date! May 6. Walking the Talk of Welcome event sponsored by the joint synod Inclusivity Task Force, exploring welcoming, reconciling in Christ program.  Details for these and many other events can be found on the synod website.  I am thankful for you all! Peter Rogness</td> </tr> </table>

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The Way It Looks from Here: An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 21:36:00 GMT

<div align="left"> <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="6" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="750"> <tr> <td colspan="2"> The Way It Looks from Here An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="500" valign="top"> Dear Partners in Ministry, Electronic communication is up and running! Finally, the arduous task of switching servers, internet service providers, email database (and probably a host of other things I�m not smart enough to be able to name!) is finished�and this broadcast email letter is proof!! Now that the basics are in place, we will move in coming months to make improvements in the way we communicate electronically with you. In upcoming months, we'll be launching a new listserver and sending you online newsletters on a regular basis in order to communicate with you more effectively and more often. I look forward to that. If you wish to respond to this e-letter, hit reply, and I'll receive your response. If you're having trouble viewing the e-letter in your browser, please contact Beth Helgen at <a style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single" href="mailto:beth.helgen@spas-elca.org"> beth.helgen@spas-elca.org</a>. We're still learning how to use the new software, and we anticipate that we will need to fine tune our efforts...possibly more than one time!  Taking the temperature of our life together I enjoyed the six conversations I had with pastors and lay staff leaders in the six conferences this fall. We talked both about the Orlando Churchwide Assembly and about the importance of support for the ministry we do together as a church. I trust many of you have now had those similar conversations around your own church council tables. In early November, the staffs of the synods in Region 3 (Minnesota and the Dakotas) met in Alexandria. Rollie Martinson gave several presentations, drawing on the research of the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study (see Dec. 1 announcement). As he began, however, he made some comments about his sense of the life of the church since the Churchwide Assembly. He stated that in his view, since August the ELCA is different. I was caught off guard, since on the most difficult issues we had not implemented any changes. But in what he went on to say, he shared some significant thoughts. His observations are insightful, I think, because Rollie travels widely around the church, his work and his interaction with folks have little to do with sexuality or other volatile issues, and he sees a broad cross section of the church from which to draw his conclusions. Here�s what he said (my notes, not his writing or verbatim!):  <table border="0" cellspacing="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="2"> Since August, the ELCA is different:</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%">�</td> <td width="96%"> It knows more fully what it means to be one.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%">�</td> <td width="96%"> It learned it doesn�t need to agree on volatile issues in order to be one.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%">�</td> <td width="96%"> It has learned how to be morally communicative.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%">�</td> <td width="96%"> It now trusts that civility will hold.</td> </tr> </table> I think he�s right. I am full of thanksgiving for all of you! I remember as a kid listing to Perry Como sing �When I�m worried, and I can�t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep�.� I do that, too.  I am normally blessed with the ability to sleep soundly no matter where I am. But occasionally that�s not the case (pizza will do it, among other things!), so I lie in bed hoping sleep comes. For some time I�ve used those dark, quiet moments to mentally begin with the northern edge of the synod, praying for each congregation and pastor, and meandering all through the synod until I get to the southern edge. (Often, of course, I would be asleep by the time I�m somewhere in the metro!) When I first arrived in this synod, I would often become more agitated instead of more sleepy as I knew I was missing some. Lately it�s been a nice feeling to know I can do the whole synod.  But more than simply a technique for falling asleep, I find it a wonderful exercise in being thankful. This is my �parish,� and you my parishioners. I have the privilege of moving among you, sharing both joys and struggles, and often admiring the rich diversity of your gifts and your ministries. I trust it�s not the sin of pride to feel proud of what you are doing.  I hope a time of giving thanks isn�t an annual occurrence, but a many-times-daily occurrence. For my family, my home, my community, my state and country, for knowing brothers and sisters around the world, for the underserved blessings of a loving God, I am full of  thanksgiving this Thanksgiving. And every day of the year.  I will continue to give thanks for you in prayer and if, because for whatever reason I can�t get out of the habit of starting up north and working south, I find myself praying more often for First Lutheran in Rush City than for St. Mark�s in Randolph, well, I trust both you and God will indulge me I am thankful for you all. Peter Rogness</td> <td width="250" valign="top"> Looking Ahead Spirit of Youth Ministry Dec. 1, 8:50 a.m.-12:00 noon, University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. A conference for pastors, youth ministry professionals, evangelism coordinators, church council presidents, and volunteers focusing on the the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study, a four-year research project to study congregations across the United States that consistently establish faith as a vital factor in the lives of young people and discover what accounts for their affective approach to ministry with youth. Join Dr. Roland Martinson and the Rev. Hal Weldin from Luther Seminary as they lead participants through the preliminary findings from the study and help you discern what this research might mean for ministry in your context. <a style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single" href="http://www.spas-elca.org/aboutsynod/Calendar/Mini-Conference.pdf"> Register></a> All-Cluster Gathering Dec. 8, 6:45-9:00 p.m., Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, St. Paul. The advocacy sub-group of the Ending Poverty initiative will launch its 2006 strategy. Julia Dinsmore, poet, singer, songwriter, humorist, and lifelong activist and educator, returns to talk about what it is like to live in poverty. Joint Ministerium Jan. 26, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul. Worship and discussion of just war/just peace principles led by Charles Lutz and Dr. Mary Solberg. If you wish to stay for lunch and visit with rostered leaders from both synods, please call the synod office by Jan. 15 to order a $10 box lunch. Spring Ministerium Mar. 16, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Redeemer Lutheran, White Bear Lake. Worship and a presentation on the Renewing Worship resources led by Martin Seltz, Augsburg Fortress, and the Rev. Michael Burk, director for worship of the ELCA.  Training Event for Congregational Officers Mar. 11, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., St. Mark's, North St. Paul. An event for church council officers featuring an extended conversation with Peter Rogness and workshops geared to specific areas of leadership. Church Pews for Sale King of Kings Lutheran, Woodbury, has 32 quality oak pews ranging in size from 9�6� to 22�6� in length with upholstered seats, wood backs, and bookracks. Contact Ben at 651.436.5335 if interested.   Tempered Glass to Give Away We removed a large piece of �� tempered glass in the synod office, approximately 3� x 7�3�. If you have a use for it, call the synod office at 651.224.4313.</td> </tr> </table> </div> You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <a href="http://www.spas-elca.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/eletter1/">http://www.spas-elca.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/eletter1/</a>

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