The Church Property Resource Hub is here to help you see the abundance waiting to be cultivated. In this issue of our newsletter, you’ll find a new resource to help church councils see their buildings with new eyes and imagine new ways for these places to be a testimony to God’s abundant love in their neighborhoods.
ELCA Church Council Adopts Child Protection Social Message
Christmas Eve as a Missional Moment
An Open Letter to ICE Agents
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You have been granted many gifts that prepare you for your work. You are clearly physically fit for the job. You have been trained to detect vulnerable people who match the profile of those you are charged with apprehending. Most of us never even notice vulnerable people, but you do. This, along with a federal government mandate, makes you well suited for your job.
Bishop's Resource Corner
Nov. 30 marked not just the beginning of Advent, but the beginning of a new lectionary year—Matthew for those who follow the RCL and John for those who follow the newer Narrative Lectionary. For several lectionary cycles, my go-to commentary on Matthew has been ethicist Stanely Hauerwas’ commentary in the Brazos section. In conversation with Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship, it helped me draw on the best of Matthew’s gospel—a vision for the church on earth and clarity about what it means to follow Jesus.
In Preparation - A New Liturgical Year
I am ready for the old, old story. It does not matter that I have heard this story, sung this story, seen this story portrayed by artists from across the globe, or told this story countless times. Jesus, Son of God, will be born in Bethlehem and visited first by shepherds, far from the halls of power. He is coming soon, already here among us, and will come again, bringing the shalom that only God can bring.
United at the Font: Partnering for the Future - Recap
Three one-day events were held at Immanuel Lutheran, Moses Lake (Oct. 25), Our Savior Lutheran, Clarkston, WA (Nov. 1), and First United Methodist, Pocatello (Nov. 15). Our CaSTLE Grant from Wartburg Seminary funded our two professional facilitators, Lauren Hackman-Brooks and Rebecca Hoyt, and paid for lunch at each event. But YOU, all of the participants, made these gatherings so hopeful and life-giving!