CtK Conversations

#4: Sunday, February 28, 2010, 12:15pm

Special Guests: Jim Mapstone-Knamm of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arlington MA. He is Region 7 Coordinator for Lutherans Concerned/North America/RIC program and he is also on the NE Synod ELCA GLBT Task Force. Pastor Clifford Gerber and his wife (was pastor of the first church to become RIC), Linda and her son David of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester CT who just became RIC, Ron Gustafson of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Montpelier VT on Churchwide Assembly and the Jeff and Mark Herman-May of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro VT. (Jeff serves on the NE Synod Council). In total, there were thirty present.

Everyone shared the reason they were there. A summary of past three discussions was shared by Heidi, Helen and Tami.

Biggest question from our conversations was “Why do we need a public acclamation?” Most of the hate directed towards GLBTs come from the religious community so why would they feel welcome in a church? We talked about being “intentional” on our outward welcome, so the GLBT community will know they are welcomed at CtK. The rainbow flag hung outside or a RIC logo on our sign is a key sign that it is a safe place for them. Stories were shared.

Linda mentioned two other videos that would be excellent for our process of discernment, “Prayers for Bobby” and “Claiming the Promise”. Their congregational vote was 279 in favor of becoming RIC and 79 against.

Discussion about the scriptures: What do the Scriptures REALLY say about homosexuality? We need to keep in mind the era the scriptures were written. There are many other things the bible says which are never taken literally as written – one passage shared was about not wearing clothes made out of different materials together. The scriptures also state nothing about a women lying with another woman, while a man lying with a man is an abomination. We need to be careful not to read too literally but to discern and derive what the big story is from the lessons.

Comment discussed that if we specifically invite GLBTs, the next step would be opening the door for same gendered blessings and marriage. (Again, this is NOT part of our welcoming statement and would be a separate discussion and decision to follow. Note: The ELCA does not allow marriage of same genders to take place.)

Special thank you to Heidi and Tami for the scrumptious soup they made for our soup lunch!

Chapel School is now state licensed again for another 3 years.  Our licensing visit occurred on Thursday February 18^th.  While these visits can sometimes be a little bit tense, we sailed through the visit with flying colors and no violations.  Thank you to all at CtK that help to maintain a safe building.  Special thanks go out to Ernie Tavela who assisted us with specific projects that increased safety in the classrooms and throughout the building.  I comment our current teaching staff for the incredible work that they do to uphold the highest standard for Chapel School.

Recently, we received an email asking us if we would ask our children the question “What is creativity?”  We had such a good time retrieving the answers from our children that I thought I would share some of them with you.

Creativity is:

It is a kind of game – Ben age 4

Being kind to each other – Lindsay age 4

Hug someone – Samantha age 4

It’s a cow – Sam age 5

It’s about learning – Brielle age 5

Keep the house clean – Hershey age 5

To make something – Erin age 5

I think it’s like you are a scientist – Audrey age 5

And finally creativity according to Annette “I think it means hungry”

Blessings to you all in this season of lent ~

Dee Dee Thurber, Chapel School Director

 YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE . . . . CALUMET SUNDAY is MARCH 21

It is time for Calumet Sunday again! This is the time of year that we highlight the ministry and partnership of Camp Calumet and the many, many programs offered there for children, youth, adults and family. What has your connection to Calumet meant to you in terms of fun and faith?

THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE – choose which works best for you!

• Sun Mar 14 @ noon Planning Pizza Party right after the 10:30 worship service. Bring your ideas and share your camp stories, whether you are a resident camper, a retreat participant, family camper, volunteer . . . or you just like to sit on the beach or attend Summer Worship there! We will put our creativity to work and come up with a short presentation for 3/21. Maybe you like to talk in church OR maybe you just like to share in a smaller setting, there will be something for everyone young and young at heart. Remember the photos and story board last year? Maybe we can do that again. Got Calumet t shirts? Wear them! And bring in your outgrown shirts to share with the next generation of campers. We need everyone – we all have different gifts and different experiences at camp. Bring ideas and let’s see what we can put together – together! Please RSVP so that we can plan for FOOD . . . Joanne 603-883-0562 or joanne@FarEcho.us

• Sunday March 21 at 8 am and 10:30 am Calumet Sunday presentation (from our planning pizza party!)

This is an activity that seeks to discover where we are as a congregation, and to potentially craft a statement of welcome as a congregation.

While the outcome is as yet to be determined, I have been asked by a few people to offer my own thoughts.  I do not expect everyone to agree with them, even as the ELCA’s recent social statement declares as a churchwide expression that we are in disagreement.  We can still live in the unity that Christ brings.

I am in favor of being more inclusive toward those who are GLBT.  I do not find Scriptures to be conclusive on what it means to be homosexual.  I do think that overcoming prejudice toward this societal group is a Christian action that is overdue.

From time to time in my years of ministry I have been asked by gay persons if they would be welcomed by the congregations in which I serve.  I haven’t been sure how to respond, except to assure them of my own desire to have them fully participate in the life of my faith community.

I believe that we will be enriched in our sense of welcome and outreach as we continue to speak and to listen to one another with gentle and loving hearts.

I pledge to be your pastor throughout our process of discernment, and despite disagreement.  And I continue to pray for our continued partnership in the Gospel in this spirited congregation.

In Christ,
Pastor Keyl

http://www2.ctknashua.org/category/pastors-blog/

Captive Free forwarded the following list of needs that can be donated to help them continue their ministry.  In the past we have also recommended purchasing Walmart gift cards so that the band members can purchase items when they need them and not have to travel with extra baggage.  Please place items in the labeled box at church.

NEEDS LIST:

Stamps, Postcard Stamps, Gas Cards, Oil Change, Duct Tape, Gaff Tape, Markers, Acoustic Guitar Strings, Bass Guitar Strings, Batteries, Guitar Picks, Calling cards-National and International, hard shell golf club case, old fashion suitcase (hard shell), sticky name tags, windshield wipers, 9 volt batteries, rubber bands, 1 inch binders, thank you cards, Stain Remover Sticks, Facial wipes, Chap-stick.

HOST THE BAND AT YOUR HOME!! We currently have housing available for only two of the four band members.  We need to find a place for the the remaining two (females) to stay for the weekend (possibly including Thursday night).  If you are interested in hosting or have any questions see Caitlin Porpiglia or Dan Skibba.

If you have any questions please contact Caitlin Porpiglia (PH:  318-5899, email:  caitlinporpiglia@gmail.com).

Thrivent Day on the Slopes

You may have already heard, the NH Chapter of Thrivent is planning a day of skiing for Thrivent members and their families on March 13th. We have arranged a day on the slopes at King Pine Ski Area in East Madison, New Hampshire (www.kingpine.com). The day will start at 9:00 am and conclude at 4:00 pm. The savings off the normal lift ticket price is substantial. The cost per ticket will be $15. Compared to the everyday price of $44, this is a great deal and the NH Chapter will be subsidizing the balance.

Here are the details:

Please RSVP to Kent Freshour either by emailing him at k.freshour@comcast.netor by phone at 603-580-1953. Please include names of all those in your family attending by March 6, 2010. When you arrive at the ski area, go to the ticketing office to pay for your tickets and mention that you’re part of the Thrivent group. They’ll check your name off the list and give you a special lift ticket with the word Thrivent on it. If you need to rent equipment, tell them so and they’ll supply you with a voucher which you can take to the rental shop. This will entitle you to a $20 rental fee for adults and $16 for juniors (ages 6 – 12).

Your lift ticket will be your admission to lunch (compliments of the NH Chapter) to be served in the base lodge at 12:30. Lunch will consist of pizza and soft drinks.

In addition to the above, group ski lessons will be available at a cost of $24 per person. Conditions permitting, the fee for cross country skiing is $5. The rental fee for this equipment is $10. Conditions permitting, you can also snow shoe for $5. Snow shoe rentals will cost $15. Last but not least is tubing for a cost of $14.

This is a great opportunity to spend a day on the slopes with your families and fellow Lutherans at a substantial savings. Please RSVP promptly. This event is limited to the first 130 people to register.

We hope to see you there.

Kent Freshour, President Vicky Pillar, Records Director

Frederick H. Otte, Vice President Helen J. Uurtamo, Financial Director

Raymond D. Holman, Youth Director Sarah G. Dalzell, Communications Director

James A. Chappelow, Community Service Team Director

Tracy A. Jahrling, Director of Congregational Advocates