FROM
PASTOR LARRY CONWAY
Last weekend was the Northern Illinois Synod’s Annual Assembly, which was held at Augustana College in a newly flooded Centennial Hall. I’m happy to report that the flooding in the basement was minor and that the college was able to get most things back in running order within a day. The Assembly went forward upstairs while the clean up continued downstairs, with few even noticing any problem.... until they wanted to use the downstairs restrooms.
The Assembly itself was a mixture of worship, learning, and service. The worship was varied with Spanish / English dual language worship on Saturday and an inspiring ordination service on Friday night. Learning included presentations by Dr. Diane Jacobson, who is Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, on the new Book of Faith Bible Study initiative. Time for small group meetings and discussions on various topics rounded out the formal learning portions of the Assembly.
But it was in action that we got, well, more active. There were seven resolutions, with one resolution receiving the lion’s share of attention. At one point during one of many votes regarding that resolution, three of our six delegates were in favor of an action while three were opposed. And that is fine with me. For we as God’s people will have our disagreements over issues and how to do things. Some will want radical change while others desire no change. To expect everyone in any community of faith to agree in everything is simply unrealistic. It is also not what God expects in a community of faith.
However, our disagreements do not have to divide us, just as the Synod could debate and not divide. (By the way, the resolution was heavily amended to meet a number of concerns and passed. It was not perfect for anyone but still a workable solution.) We can learn to listen for the voice of the Spirit to see where other God-loved persons differ. We can learn to accept that in Christ we can disagree and still worship together. And it is when we hold our faith as more important than any issue that we can really begin to hear the Spirit’s call to us. Can we really agree to disagree? Can we really put faith before our feelings? This is my hope and my prayer, for we are called to be one in faith if not in issues.
Pastor Larry
Pastor
Laura's "Notes on the Journey"
Lately I’ve been paying special attention to how the stuff I buy is packaged. I’ve been a recycler for about twenty years, but now, with the long-awaited curb side recycling in Rock Island, I’ve stepped up my paper recycling to include paper products beyond my usual cereal boxes and newspaper. When items are part paper and part plastic I even try to take them apart and recycle what I can.
I’m happy to note that one of my favorite mints, the Ice Breakers in the cool mint flavor comes in a recyclable container (a #5). The packaging is something similar to the size and shape of a hockey puck.
What intrigues me even more are the two openings on the top of the package. One is labeled “to share” and consists of a tab that when lifted opens fifty percent of the lid, revealing dozens of the tasty round mints resting inside. The other opening is labeled “not to share” and has the same sided tab but lifts to reveal an opening about the size of my thumb nail. Through this opening, one sees parts of three or four mints at best.
I’m sure that The Hershey Company (whose name is written in print just large enough for me to read with my bifocal contacts) is really most happy when I use the “to share” opening. This would mean that I am going through even more mints, and making them even more money.
Regardless of the corporate take on this packaging, I know that it is good for me when I use the “to share” opening. The “not to share” opening is just difficult to use. It is difficult to get even one piece out. I tend to shake out a little bit of “mint dust” on my hand before I get a mint. The smaller opening tends to clog up until I’ve used up about 80% of the mints inside.
The “to share side” is totally different. The mints are easy to see and easy to share through that big opening. When I open that side, in my head I’m reinforcing an identity of myself being a “sharer” and remembering the call that we all have to share with others. (One of the top 10 things my mom taught me… “share what you have to share.”)
Perhaps that amazing feeling that I get when I carry my hockey-puck-shaped-#5 recyclable container of cool mint flavored Ice Breakers made by The Hershey Company comes from making one more little link to Jesus, and then to the apostles (see Acts 4:32-37 if you are curious for an example). And, I’m sure that I’ll have fresh smelling breath when I tell folks that the best news I have to share is about Jesus.
Minty fresh and sharing on the journey
Pastor Laura
Healthy Pastors, Healthy
Congregations
A 2002 ELCA report on the health and wellness of clergy
found that pastor’s work habits and work hours contribute significantly to stress
and poor health. Long work hours also lead to insufficient time for family and
recreation. Pastoral activities require a great deal of evening involvement in
addition to daily ministries and weekly worship schedules. It is important that
pastors be recognized as having families , and requiring regular, quality time
for renewal, refreshment and personal business. Pastors need to take care of themselves—so
that they can care for those placed in their care. The Trinity Mutual Ministry
team asks for your support of your Pastors staying healthy of body, mind and spirit.
They are scheduled to have 2 personal days away from the office each week—except
for emergencies, pre-arranged appointments and scheduled special services or events.
These personal days are generally Friday and Saturday. Each week, to prepare for
their sermons, they also need a block of solitary time to pray and reflect on
God’s word. Please respect their need for dedicated sermon preparation time, and
scheduled personal time away from the office. Also, please be flexible if they
suggest an alternative time to speak or meet. Each pastor remains on call, at
any time, to assist members in cases of emergency Mutual Ministry Team
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