Newsletter

2010 Joint Synod Assembly

North/West Lower Michigan & Southeast Michigan Synods

For the Lord Loves Justice

The message for this year’s Synod Assembly was Justice – a very timely subject in these times, and a subject that appears many times in the Bible. Many things were different this year: there were three bishops; the vice president of the ELCA was one of the keynote speakers; two synods joined together for one Assembly, and approximately 800 delegates attended. The Lutherans on the Capitol lawn (picnic) was a first – to give us an opportunity to spend some time with our senators and representatives.

Registration for the delegates began at 3:00 pm and then we attended a workshop called L.I.F.T. Bishop Schleicher opened the gathering and VP Carlos Pena talked about Living in the Future Together. It has been nearly 23 years since the formation of the ELCA, and the questions being posed to us are: What is God calling the Church to do? And what is God calling us to be? This was a very busy and informative hour with a large group attending. Many interesting workshops were held during the course of the Assembly. It was hard to pick which one to attend. Some of them were: A New Beginning for the World’s Homeless; Michigan’s Economic Transformation; Healing Communities of the Hope: to those Affected by Crime, The Roof Didn’t Fall In (This was a well-attended workshop presented by SE Michigan Diversity Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression).

The opening of the Assembly began with Thursday’s worship and the Eucharist. Bishop Stephan Marsh from the Southeast Michigan Synod gave a very exciting message that evening. We were very blessed to have the use of a wonderful organ and many talented musicians that helped the nearly 800 delegates feel the presence of the Holy Spirit at our gathering. The ELCA World Hunger Appeal was accepted during the service, in the amount of $4,739.13.

There were many interesting speakers: Bishop Marsh from the Southeast Michigan Synod; Bishop Schleicher; Carlos Pena, VP of the ELCA gave a churchwide greeting and report, and Bishop Margaret Payne, from the New England Synod, was our keynote speaker who shared some of her thoughts about Multicultural Ministries and Racial Justice Ministries.

Three different plenary sessions were held to take care of the Synod’s business and to discuss current issues. The 2010 Synod Assembly closed with the Holy Eucharist on Saturday morning. Bishop Schleicher gave the message, and the meal was given. It was at this gathering that the offering to the Lutheran Volunteer Corps was presented, in the amount of $28,717.47

This is the second year for Frank and me to attend a Synod Assembly, which is a privilege to attend. I would encourage anyone who is asked to attend to give it serious thought. Next year, 2011, the Assembly will be held in Kalamazoo.

Pat Gauerke, Synod Assembly delegate

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Fair Trade Coffee

Beginning in July, the third Sunday of each month will be Fair Trade coffee day. Outreach Ministry will have a variety of coffees for sale between services. We will start with Organic Ethiopian, flavored Hazelnut Crème, and Colombian Decaffeinated. The cost will be $6.50 per package. We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to support Lutheran World Relief through the sale of Fair Trade Coffee!

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If you know of anyone who is in need of healing of body, mind, or spirit, and would like a prayer blanket to give them (there is no charge for the blankets), please call Chris (321-4292, church) or email her at calvary@calvarylansing.org. The blankets are prayed over while being made, as well as on Sunday mornings during the worship services. A booklet of prayers, scripture passages, and helpful hints accompanies the blanket. Anyone who would like to be involved with this ministry (by donating time, talent, or money), please contact Chris Castor, in the church office (321-4292) for more details.

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From Biama Kanasa, Papua New Guinea, who worshiped with us on June 13^th…

Greetings to you all in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ our King,

Really I have no better words to express how thankful I am to you all and for those who gave me a bed to rest my exhausted body at the end of endless exciting tours. Exhaustion from excitement was worth it anyway. My heartfelt gratitude to you all for the food and drink we shared especially at the chain of potluck dinner throughout the Mitten, so much fun and humor I will treasure it forever. For those who shared with us our God’s holy words, thanks so much. That was really better than American food I always requested to have a taste of it. For those who showed me around certain historically significant places as well as in the museums I thank you all for preserving and maintaining your heritage. You could revitalize certain intangible elements of your heritage to give the next generation the sense of identity and common character. My coming here was made possible by the Global Mission Unit and the invitation from the head of N/W Lower Michigan Synod Bishop John Schleicher. I thank God and praise Him for this prestigious and sacred mission which is now accomplished with the signing of our provisional “Eight Point Plan” for our partnership and networking implementation 2010 and beyond between Papua District ELC-PNG and N/W Lower Michigan Synod ELCA this morning. I am now returning home as satisfied man.

Praise God it is a “deal.”

God’s peace and grace to us all.

Biama Kanasa, Lay person, Papua District

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Calvary's Soup Kitchen Schedule for 2010

Good news and bad news about the Soup Kitchen. The good news is there are many more area organizations who want to take part in helping out with these meals. The bad news is there are fewer dates available this year for Calvary to be assigned. The dates we are scheduled to work this year are as follows (all on Saturday): July 17^th, August 7^th and October 2^nd. We are also on the substitute list, so if an organization cannot make their scheduled Saturday, Christ Lutheran will give us a call and we will try to round up a “last minute” crew.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Soup Kitchen, here is a little synopsis: The Soup Kitchen is held in the basement of Christ Lutheran Church at 122 South Pennsylvania, just off of Michigan (near Sparrow Hospital). The main objectives are to serve a healthy meal to people in need and to make our guests feel welcome. We usually start setting up at 9:30 a.m. and are generally finished cleaning up around 1:00 p.m. We are in charge of setting up tables and place settings, preparing and cooking the food (the menu and food are already there and we usually have a kitchen manager there to guide us), serving the meal and clean-up. We serve approximately 100 guests.

This is a wonderful opportunity to serve those less fortunate than we are, so if you think you would like to join us on any of these dates, there will be a sign-up sheet (on blue paper) in the Gathering Space. Or you can give me a call. My work number is 371.8235 and home is 321.9799. Thank you - Janis Jansen

P.S. I have a list of volunteers that is quite old. I will be making calls to see if people still want their name on the volunteer list. And if you would like me to add your name, please give me a call!

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Men, don’t forget ~ Men’s Fellowship is the first and third Fridays of every month at 7:00 am. All men are welcome and encouraged to come to this informal Bible study/get-together. It’s over promptly at 8 am, leaving you time to get to work. Please join us!

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Just a reminder – The newsletter deadline is the 20^th of the the month. If you have an article you’d like in the Parish Visitor, please give it to Chris in the church office by the 20^th. Thank you!