Jazz at Peace continues on the second Sunday night of every month beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a reception following. You do not want to miss even one of these great evenings of jazz. Not one.

2009

• November 8  - Fred Randolph Quintet  - immediate connection
• December 13  - Marcus Shelby Quartet  - the master

2010

• *January 3  -  RHQ  - Richard Howell’s Quintet—sax, harp, piano, bass &                         percussion and vocal  - spiritual AND risky
  
• February 14 - Kat Parra and her Quartet  - sephardic jazz
• March 14 -  Dmitri Matheny Trio - mellow flow
• April 11 - Paul Scheffert Trio  -   heart’s delight
• May 9 - Gerry Grosz Jazz Kitchen  - improv heaven
• June 13 - Anton Schwartz Quartet  -  soul core

* Jazz at Peace with Richard Howell’s Quintet is scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

We are no less if we lead an obscure life unknown to the world.  We are no more if we are famous, if our names are in headlines or on TV.  Our true existence lies in being known by God who is love; whose “knowing” loves us into Beloved Daughters and Sons.  This is why St. Francis so often repeated: ‘I am who I am before God.’  Ernesto Cardenal

Our All Saints celebration will continue to reverberate within our hearts for quite some time.  The Shofar blowing of Dr. Warren Gould was profound (if you would like a copy of the background notes he shared they’ll be available this Sunday); the Shema text and chant from Deuteronomy is always moving; the Prayer Shawls express such love (our thanks to Lois McGee and Pr. Margareta for the Prayer Shawl Ministry); Jeanie and Sue created beautiful music; and the next time you need comfort, come to Communion holding the hand of friend as Daniel and Natalie showed us!

This Sunday our Partnership Committee will share a Temple Talk about our Partnership and present the finest Nicaraguan Mercado (”market”) you’ve seen all year!   The Mercado will be available on November 8 and 15th and will benefit Lutheran World Relief and our Partnership Ministry. Do all your shopping at Peace and make the world a better place.

The Beads for Life are available from Pr. Anita on the next two Sundays during November.   Thank you for supporting these Ugandan women whose lives have been compromised by AIDS. Honey from the Monastery can also be yours.  Keep the monks praying!

Kids Care begins this Sunday! After Children’s Time if the younger ones need time together and the parents would like to focus on the homily, Bob Winter will take the children to the Nursery.  They will return for Communion.  We are hoping at least 8 adults will participate in being with the children so this important responsibility can rotate gracefully.  Please notify Bob if you are willing to assist.

Youth and Family (Yo/Fam) will meet with teens and parents after worship on November 8 to explore possibilities and activities for this year.  On November 15 all the adults of Peace who want to encourage Yo/Fam ministry are invited to meet with Deacon Christine Johansson after worship. for a half hour conversation.  The Junior High Group also meets on November 15 with Ceil McCloy.

The NATS Recital  was indeed a beautiful concert - refreshing for the ear, heart and soul.  Elisabeth Pfeiffer sang wonderfully.

The Shack Book Discussion continues after worship on November 15th with Deacon Gil Jardine.

The Debt Retirement Committee raised over $ 2,335 this past Sunday!  December 15th is our deadline.

It is Finally Here - (and Jasper made his first Announcment at church):  Our ‘Show or No Spaghetti Dinner’ is on Saturday, November 7 at  6:00 PM. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and Susanna’s famous brownies for those that choose to show, or a free night to do with as you wish for the no shows.  $20 per adult, $15 per child 12 and under (4 and under are free).  Pr. Steve and Bev will share highlights from their journey to Israel during dessert. Contact Raddi El Mogazi after church or by email (raddi1@yahoo.com)  - by Friday -  to buy your ticket and reserve your place.  Sign up your friends and bring a bottle of your favorite wine.

Stewarding Sunday will be November 15th.  You are asked to submit your Pledge Cards on or before that day.

The Broadway Chorus sings The Great American Songbook at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton on November 6 and 7 (at 8 pm) and 8th (at 2 pm),.  Please speak with Martha Mantei about tickets and Discount Cards!

Jazz at Peace is this Sunday at 5 pm with bassist Fred Randolph and his Quintet. Make your heart happy!

We have 3 Important Upcoming Dates for your Calendar:

1. Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service, 7:00 pm at Peace:  Job and Jobs - hear the incredible Healing Music of Susan and Dallas Mazer (harp and woodwinds).  Invite friends.
2. The Gingerbread House Decorating Party is on Saturday, December 5 from 10 - Noon.  This annual event is for children (ages 3 through 5th grade) and their parents. There are 35 houses available and 7 have already been claimed so be sure to sign up as soon as possible. Sign up at church on Sundays or send Anita an email to anita@peacejourney.org. Be sure to include the number of children and the number of adults that will be attending. (Anita asks that all those attending make plans now to stay for the entire two hours.)
3. A Christmas Tea will be held in honor of the Women at Peace on Tuesday, December 8 in the early evening.  Please reserve the date now.   Further details to come.

The Women of Peace will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is at Peace on November 11 from10 to Noon.  All the women of Peace are invited.

Core Values/Critical Issues: Green Pathways Out of Poverty
Sunday, November 22, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Peace.
Come to this event cosponsored by the East Bay Jewish Community Relations Council and the Interfaith Council to hear Michele McGeoy speak about Solar Richmond, an organization that has successfully lifted people out of poverty.  The event is free of charge and will include a light buffet.  RSVP by November 18 to Myrna David at myrna@jfed.org or 510-318-6417.

I had the opportunity to share Communion with Ki Altemus last week.  She sends her love and greetings to all of her friends at Peace.

During these next few weeks we will get to celebrate 4 Baptisms!

“In God we are created, in Christ we die, in the Holy Spirit we are resurrected!”

Blessings, Pr. Steve

Late Breaking News Headline!

Abigail Vass (Pastor Elizabeth’s 15-year-old daughter) will appear in Las Positas College’s upcoming production of The School for Scandal, the 18th-century classic comedy of wit and (very bad) manners, set in contemporary times.  Playing the role of Maria, the young heiress and main romantic interest, Abigail is earning college credit for her work in the production.  Performances are November 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and November 22 at 2 p.m.  For advance reservations, call (925) 424-1812.

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In love no action is lost that was performed for love’s sake.  Love always repays, late or soon; love is always the reward of love. - Hadewijch

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day. If you have loved ones who have died during this past year whose names may not be on the church list, please notify the church office.  The Time Change is this Sunday.  The time will fall back an hour.  And this Sunday you will get to hear a Shofar!

Talk about Reforming the Church: The Children’s Choir sang Mozart’s Alleluia for their World Premier and they were magnificent!  (Sue Field hasn’t had this much fun since the London Symphony Chorus.)  Kaelyn Ricci and Lia Warner learned how sweet the Word of God can be. The Faith and Form Architectural Magazine article on reforming design will be distributed online and as hard copies for those who want it.  The presentation of the Mosaic Mandalas in our entrance way is very striking.  Thank you to Erich Malvre for your suspension work!

Youth and Family (Yo/Fam) will meet with teens and parents after worship on November 8 to explore possibilities and activities for this year.  On November 15 all the adults of Peace who want to encourage Yo/Fam ministry are invited to meet with Deacon Christine Johansson after worship. for a half hour conversation.  The Junior High Group also meets on November 15 with Ceil McCloy.

Congratulations to Lori Eichmann who will be ordained at Peace on Saturday, January 16 at 3:00 pm.  All the members of Peace are invited to the celebration.

The NATS Recital, hosted by Sue Field and Peace, is this Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 pm.  Our own Elisabeth Pfeiffer is among the soloists.  Get her autograph now.  You will enjoy this beautiful concert.

The Shack book discussion continues after worship this Sunday with Deacon Gil Jardine. The conversation is off to a good start.  The final class will be on November 15th (and not the 8th).

The Debt Retirement Committee raised over $5,000 this past Sunday!   We will be serving Brats and Beer after worship for the next 4 Sundays.

We will have a ‘Show or No Spaghetti Dinner’ on Saturday, November 7 at 5:00 PM. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and Susanna’s famous brownies for those that choose to show, or a free night to do with as you wish for the no shows.  $20 per adult, $15 per child 12 and under (4 and under are free).  Pr. Steve and Bev will share highlights from their journey to Israel during dessert. Contact Raddi El Mogazi after church or by email (raddi1@yahoo.com) to buy your ticket and reserve your place.  Sign up your friends and bring a bottle of your favorite wine.

The Broadway Chorus sings The Great American Songbook at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton on November 6 and 7 (at 8 pm) and 8th (at 2 pm),.  Please speak with Martha Mantei about tickets and Discount Cards!

Our Partnership Ministry presents the Nicaraguan Mercado benefiting Lutheran World Relief and our Partnership Ministry on November 8 and 15th.  The Beads for Life will also be made available by Pr. Anita the first three Sundays of November.  Honey from the Monastery can also be yours.  Keep the monks praying!

Thanks to Ro for the mulching of our Native Garden. It looks beautiful.

The Holy Convergence was exquisite in its simplicity and prayerfulness.  All of you would have especially appreciated the chants/songs/prayers of Parisa Lo Bianco, Rachel Mazer and Brian Stein-Webber.  Quite a community of prayerful friends has evolved.  And some of our oldest members came through with the Reception:  thanks to Gen Estenson, Maili Malvre, Gun Johnston and Ro who wants to pretend he’s older!

A Christmas Tea will be held in honor of the Women at Peace on Tuesday, December 8 in the early evening.  Please reserve the date now.  Details to come.

The Women of Peace met today and will continue meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (November 11 and December 9) from 10 to Noon.  All the women of Peace are invited.  You’ll be hearing more from them.

Core Values/Critical Issues: Green Pathways Out of Poverty
Sunday, November 22, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Peace.
Come to this event cosponsored by the East Bay Jewish Community Relations Council and the Interfaith Council to hear Michele McGeoy speak about Solar Richmond, an organization that has successfully lifted people out of poverty.  The event is free of charge and will include a light buffet.  RSVP by November 18 to Myrna David at myrna@jfed.org or 510-318-6417.

Beth Chaim invites you to hear Yariv Oppenheimer (an Israeli Peace Activist) as he is interviewed by Rabbi Dan Goldblatt on Wednesday, November 4th at 7:30 pm.  I will participate in a follow up panel discussion with him.

Do you ever get the impression that a lot of things are happening at Peace??

The Wing It! performance was outstanding.  Ask Jeanie Locklear about the inspiration she provoked with a piece entitled ‘Plumbing”.

Keep one another in prayer, especially the wicked like Charlene McPherson.

Blessings, Pr. Steve

The personal journey into God is simultaneously communal and all-embracing.  This in part is why peope who have gone fairly deeply into the contemplative path, become open and vital people however they may live this out.  In this depthless depth we are caught up in a unity that grounds, affirms and embraces all diversity. - Martin Laird

This Sunday we celebrate the Reformation and the ongoing reforming of the church.  To honor the roots of our tradition the Debt Retirement Committee is providing bratwurst, kraut, wheat buns and mustard and serving apple cider for our Hospitality Hour. They may also put a “jug” on the serving table for donations to the Debt Retirement Fund. The smell of brats cooking while singing A Mighty Fortress is not to be missed!

Sunday, Oct 25— Introducing The Shack. Fact or fiction? … what really happened and why?
Three One-Hour Sessions starting Sunday, October 25 in the Youth/Art Room from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. led by Gil Jardine. You will appreciate the amazing messages it conveys about free-will, the human condition, evil, pain suffering, depression, compassion and ultimately redemption.  Join us.

And Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm Peace is once again hosting the Holy Convergence.  This is the 5th year for our Annual Interfaith Festival which is sponsored by I-SRV.  This year we’ll have a simple Prayer Service with a variety of contributions from the participants followed by a Potluck Reception.  Spread the word and join in.

Our thanks again to Tom and Hannah Grossman, the Committee and all who participated in making our St. Francis Animal Blessing Festival such a success.  We raised $3,155 and will receive some Matching Funds from Thrivent Financial.  And the best part is all of the Community Connections that were made.  There were many moments of ministry throughout the afternoon and guests were genuinely moved by the care they and their pets received.  Well done!

We will have a ‘Show or No Spaghetti Dinner’ on Saturday, November 7 at 6:00 PM.  Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and Susanna’s famous brownies for those that choose to show, or a free night to do with as you wish for the no shows.  $20 per adult, $15 per child 12 and under (4 and under are free).  During dessert Bev and Pr. Steve will share highlights from their journey to Israel.  Contact Raddi El Mogazi after church or by email (raddi1@yahoo.com) to buy your ticket and reserve your place.  Sign up your friends and bring a bottle of your favorite wine.”

Core Values: Critical Issues event on “Fighting Poverty with Faith - Good Jobs, Green Jobs,” has been set for Sunday, November 22.  It will still be 5:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara in Danville, and will include a potluck dinner and speaker and panel discussion.  This event is being co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Interfaith Council of CCC.

Please keep in your prayers: Diane Slater on the death of her mother Joyce Gibson, Pr. Anita on the death of her mother, Roy Archuleta, Denise, Sue Shimansky, Mohammed, Rich Collins, Genevieve, Corrine, the unemployed and all in need of healing.

Our thanks to the Healing Prayer Team for the wonderful Healing Prayer Service this past Sunday.

Need Meeting connections for friends dealing with substance abuse?  AA meets at Peace on Monday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings; NA (narcotics) meets at Peace on Tuesday evenings; FA (Food Anonymous) meets at Peace on Wednesday evenings.

Congratulations to Margaret Beeler’s father Ted who was named one of the most Influential People in the history of Valparaiso University in Indiana.  Valparaiso (a Lutheran University) has consistently been named the best of mid-sized universities in the Midwest.  Talk with Margaret for details.  Next time Ted worships with us you can congratulate him as well.

Thanks to those who contributed to our special offering to support Bread for the World.  We raised the $250 necessary to continue as a Covenant Church of Bread for the World.

One stop shopping:  You asked for the best and we will provide it!  Starting in November you will have the finest Nicaraguan items available in our Mercado following worship as well as the Beads for Life which Pr. Anita provided last year.  And as promised - the flavorful honey from the Monastery will meet your sweetest needs.

Blessings, Pr. Steve

At some moment we did answer Yes to Someone or Something and from that hour we were certain that existence is meaningful and that therefore our lives, in self-surrender, have a goal.  To say Yes to Life is at one and the same time to say Yes to oneself.  Yes - even to that element within one which is most unwilling to let itself be transformed from a temptation into a strength.  Dag Hammarskjold

This Saturday from 8:30 - noon we will host a faith based/interfaith Support Group/Workshop for unemployed people. In these difficult times we need encouraging resources.  Please invite friends to attend.  Our thanks to Joan Michel-Lehman for creating this workshop in response to so many heartfelt needs expressed.

Our St. Francis Animal Blessing and Festival Committee if off to a solid start.  Co-Chairs Tom and Hannah Grossman are especially asking for a team of people to coordinate our Silent Auction for the day on October 4.  The event will go from Noon - 3:00 pm.  Reservations have already been submitted by horses, goats, fish, birds, dogs and cats.  We need you to assist with the day, distribute flyers to pet businesses, donate silent auction items and invite friends.  Will be a marvelous day!

Gun Johnston will host a Reception for Wise Ones in her home on Wednesday, September 16 from 10 - Noon.  All are invited.  Your RSVP is helpful.

Please keep Mike Shimansky and Margaret Bender in your prayers.

Founder’s Day at PLTS Seminary hosts Dr. Martin Marty on September 23.  The Keynote Address is at 10 am with worship and lunch following.  You are invited to register at:  www.plts.edu/news.html.  A celebration for Seminex’ 35th Anniversary ( the seminary I attended) will follow in the afternoon.  Check out the Kiosk for details.

This Sunday our Partnership Committee will lead worship with wonderful tales, images and experiences from their recent journey to Nicaragua.  Here are some insights learned while on their trip:

Things I Didn’t Know Before This Trip to Nicaragua

• Grace is good at milking goats; Arlene shows promise. (We have pictures to prove this.)
• Goat milk is dramatically more nutritious than cow milk.
• One woman who lives in Laurel Galan has a goat and people line up to pay a premium for her goat milk.
• Cows cost more and produce less than goats.  Cows eat half their weight per day in forage and produce up to 4 liters of milk per week.  Goats also eat half their weight per day in forage and also produce up to 4 liters of milk per week.
• Most families in Laurel Galan have cows.  These cows were given to them by well-meaning Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) or the Nicaraguan government.
• You cannot buy a goat with the proceeds you would get from selling your free cow.
• Sometimes well-meaning NGO’s and governments hurt more than they help.

What We Have in Common with Our Friends in Nicaragua

• They want their kids to be educated, get good jobs and be better off than they are.
• Within their community there are different levels of affluence.
• They like watching soap operas.  The most popular TV show in Nicaragua has a title that translates to With No Breasts There Is No Paradise. (Seriously.  There is no way I could make this up!)
• 20% of the community will be engaged in any given project and 80% will watch them be engaged.
• Like us, all of the people in Nicaragua who we met, are staggered by the amount that Little Bobby Winter can eat.
• They enjoy a good game of Tug of War.
• They like clowns.
• The 9-12 year old boys in their community are mischievous and full of energy.
• They are as interested in our lives as we are in theirs.
• They like to play baseball.
• They are inclusive and welcoming of different religions and sexual orientations.
• There are differences in political opinion that are held firmly enough that people don’t discuss those differences.

Bev and I leave for Israel this Sunday where we will travel for two weeks.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Below is the Community Letter sent to Laurel Galan which you will appreciate.

Blessings, Pr. Steve

Dear Sisters and Brothers of our Hermanamiento in Laurel Galan,

We greet you with love and fond memories of our time together in July.  It was so wonderful to be with you and your families – to pray together, play together, talk and eat together.  Thank you so much for your always-loving hospitality!

As you may remember from our final dialogue, we from Peace stated that the most important elements that we wanted to bring back to our church congregation were the following:

We wanted to help the congregation understand how the charity model (though from good intentions) doesn’t work as solidarity means a true partnership where each partner contributes to the well-being of the other.  We wanted to share how our brothers and sisters of Laurel Galan have helped us to grow in so many ways – through faith, compassion, understanding of God’s plan for peace and justice, awareness of policies that create injustice and poverty, etc.

We wanted to more fully inform and involve our congregation in our partnership with Laurel Galan and also with AKF.

We wanted our congregation to realize that delegation travel and regular communications were essential to deepening and strengthening our relationship.

Since returning home, all six of us on the delegation have met to plan how to further accomplish these goals.  To this end, we have done the following:

On Sunday, August 3rd, we shared some of our experiences with the entire congregation during worship service at Peace.  Christy explained about the Farm School and Grace told what Fr. Fernando Cardenal shared with the delegation about his conviction to uphold a promise he made long ago (to fight/help the poor and to uphold justice) and how he has kept his promise to this day.  I talked about your secondary school – your commitment to education, the sacrifices you have made to educate both adults and youth, and your pride in accomplishments.

We have made C.D.s and enlarged pictures from our times with you that we are sharing with the congregation.  We will also include articles in our church newsletter.

The Partnership Committee is making plans to do the entire worship service on September 6th.   It will focus on our Partnership and our experiences with you so that people in our church can get to know our brothers and sisters in Laurel Galan.  We will tell you all about this in our next monthly letter.

We are committed to re-energizing our Partnership Program and are inviting many new people to our next Partnership Meeting on September 9th.

Christy writes: “We started a compost pile with the hopes that we can produce good fertilizer/soil and plant some more fruit trees in our yard and have a vegetable garden next spring.  We are not “gardeners” and, frankly, while he’s willing to go along with it, my husband, Bob, is wondering what got into me.  Additionally, I made Gallo Pinto for dinner last night along with our BBQ’d chicken.  My recipe needs work so I’ll keep trying different variations on it.  I think I need to use different beans.  I used pinto beans and they were too big and red.”

Grace and family already have a compost pile and are doing organic gardening and I have this very high on my “To Do List”.  My brother grows earthworms and I plan to do so, too, as we know how important they are to enriching the soil.

We really want to hear how you are doing with your plans.  Have you set any priorities?  Among other thoughts, you mentioned the need for potable water, a communal house for meetings, greater hopes for education, a bakery, etc.   We also are wondering what you thought about the Farm School that Isaura, Aura, and Marvelis visited.

I read in my journal that during our evaluation on our last day together you and we made a commitment to develop our plans, encourage each other to achieve them, and communicate regularly regarding our progress in our plans.

We so look forward to hearing from you!!!  Do know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.  May God’s Spirit nourish you with wisdom, courage, and strength as you work toward the fulfillment of your goals.

Much love to each of you and to your families,

Grace, Elisabeth, Christy, Bob, Allison, and Arlene

And also Pastor Steve and all your brothers and sisters of Peace Lutheran Church in Danville, California.

It’s not enough to have lived.  We should be determined to live for something.  May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of humankind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely?  Leo Buscaglia

Health Care Dialogue: We will meet again this Sunday right after the service. Mark Miller invites you to join the group who will look at arguments for and against health care reform.

Our thanks and congratulations to Christine Johansson who has agreed to serve as our next Deacon of Youth and Family!

Peace Middle School Youth Group: There will be an informational meeting for kids and parents about the Youth Group on Sunday Sept. 15th right after Church.  Ceil McCloy will lead the group and during that meeting we will go over the Middle School Youth committments and also some ideas for the fall.  The St. Francis Animal Blessing and Festival on October 4 where we helped last year, is asking for our help this year too.  Peace has invested in recycling containers and we have voluntered to take them to the recycling center (and keep the proceeds for the Youth Group!).  If there are other Middle School kids (including your friends) that might be interested in joining our Group please pass this information along.

The St. Francis Animal Blessing and Festival Committee meets after worship this Sunday.  It’s already a group of 18 people.  Others may join us - more involvment will mean more fun.  Your ideas are welcomed.

Fr. Carl Gracely’s 100th Birthday will be celebrated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek on Thursday August 27th.  In addition to Fr. Carl’s birthday this is an affirmation of the very successful Pastoral Care programming that he envisioned and implemented in partnership with our Pastoral Care Services Board, community congregations, medical staff and hospital administration of John Muir Hospital.  Our own Chaplain Dwane Michael inherited the mantle and has been serving as the Senior Chaplain at John Muir for the past 20 years.  Congratulations Fr. Carl!

Here’s a note from Tom Grossman about an incident on their “family vacation”: We did have an incredible family service experience while backpacking last week - we came to the aid of a horse rider with a serious head injury that eventually required helicopter evacuation. Sarah ended up walking out a couple of middle-school boys in her party who didn’t have any warm clothes; she hiked the trail three times. Caroline helped signal the helicopters and also spoon-fed the patient and her boyfriend who was holding c-spine with both hands for hours.  (Editor’s Comment: Rescue efforts by members of Peace may not be as dramatic as this one, but I know they are happening week after week!)

Please keep Margaret Bender and the unemployed in your prayers.

Pr. Anita shared a story about moving from seclusion to transformation this past Sunday.  The church at large needs our prayer in this time of transition.  We also recognize this day has been a long time coming for many of us.  Here is an article about the decision made at the national ELCA convention.

ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans

MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) - The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted today to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.

The action came by a vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member denomination. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to “recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships,” though the resolution did not use the word “marriage.”

The actions here change the church’s policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate.

Throughout the assembly, which opened Aug. 17, the more than 1,000 voting members have debated issues of human sexuality. On Wednesday they adopted a social statement on the subject as a teaching tool and policy guide for the denomination.

The churchwide assembly of the ELCA is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is “God’s work. Our hands.”

Before discussing the thornier issues of same-gender unions in the ordained ministry, the assembly approved, by a vote of 771-230, a resolution committing the church to respect the differences of opinions on the matter and honor the “bound consciences” of those who disagree.

During the hours of discussion, led by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the delegates paused several times each hour for prayer, sometimes as a whole assembly, sometimes in small groups around the tables where the voting members of the assembly sat, debated and cast their votes.

Discussion here proved that matters of sexuality will be contentious throughout the church. A resolution that would have reasserted the church’s current policy drew 344 votes, but failed because it was rejected by 670 of the voting members.
Pastor Richard Mahan of the ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod was among several speakers contending that the proposed changes are contrary to biblical teaching. “I cannot see how the church that I have known for 40 years can condone what God has condemned,” Mahan said, “Nowhere does it say in scripture that homosexuality and same sex marriage is acceptable of God.”

But others said a greater acceptance of people who are gay and lesbian in the church was consistent with the Bible. Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod said, “It’s a matter of justice, a matter of hospitality, it’s what Jesus would have us do.” Wollersheim said he had been strongly influenced by meetings with youth at youth leadership events in his synod, a regional unit of the ELCA.

Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, “I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors.”

During discussion of resolutions on implementation of the proposals, Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod asked that the church make clear provision in its policies to recognize the conviction of members who believe that this church cannot call or roster people in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monagamous, same-gender relationship. A resolution that the denomination consider a proposal for how it will exercise flexibility within its existing structure and practices to allow Lutherans in same gender relationship to be approved for professional service in the church. That resolution passed by a vote of 667-307.

Blessings, Pr. Steve

Wisdom asks:  Who is Simple?  Come this way. - Proverbs 9

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love. - Rumi

Wonderful blessings were received through Amar and Sybomar Khalsa this past Sunday.  Chanting, breathing, singing, praying - just as our Ephesians text encouraged.  It is profound how spiritual centering and calm can transform us.

Zhiting is visiting with her family in China this summer.  She sends her greetings.  It is good to have Gun safely back with us.

Flyers for our St. Francis Animal Blessing and Festival on October 4 have been prepared for you to distribute to friends and animal lover agencies and services.  Please pick some up on Sunday.

President Mark Miller invited members of Peace to a dialogue about Health Care Reform.  Half a dozen people have already agreed to participate.  Date and time are to be announced.  Staggering amounts of misinformation are being hurled in many directions.  Though quite challenging it is time for Civil Discourse to become the norm in our nation again.  Please join with others from Peace so we can engage the health care debate in a constructive way based on our faith values.

Myanmar’s military junta extended Nobel Peace laureate and pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s imprisonment by 18 months after finding her guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest.  She has been under house arrest since her democratic election to the presidency of Myanmar 12 years ago.

Please keep the unemployed, Aung San Suu Kyi, the people of Myanmar and Honduras, Troy Davis, Genevieve, Jerry, Roger, Denise, students beginning and returning to college and all our loved ones in your prayers.

You are in for another blessing this Sunday with Jean and Jeanie providing our musical leadership.  Expect a happy heart!

Inspired by the initiative of Pat Thergesen, Property Deacon Everett Sylwanowicz has gotten our new dishwasher installed.  This will contribute to our greening efforts at Peace as well as easing the clean up process for our receptions.

The sunflowers at Peace have been abundantly glorious these last weeks.  I wonder where they came from?  And thanks to all who have been on weeding patrol around the grounds.  Feel free to extract the weeds whenever you wish.

Blessings, Pr. Steve

To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.         Mary Oliver

Our thanks to Jean Sylwanowicz and Jeanie Locklear for assisting Achi Ben Shalom this past Sunday. What a liturgical celebration of Israeli songs and dance with our Interfaith Friends. (They were deeply moved by our Peace Mosaic also.)  Our worship made real our Christian connections with Judaism and the Hebrew Scriptures.  And thanks to Pr. Margareta for being nearly apprehended by the police for praying in the Interfaith Chapel at Heathrow Airport.  What a story.  Keep singing, dancing and chanting the praises of God.

This Sunday Amar Khalsa (perhaps with family and friends) will return to lead us in Sanskrit and English Chants.  I am sure this will be a Eucharistic Service of contemplative joy and grace.  Feel free to invite your friends.

On Tuesday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA.  Art Simon, Founder of Bread for the World will talk about his new book, The Rising of Bread for the World: An Outcry of Citizens Against Hunger. The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP so we can reserve your copy of The Rising of Bread for the World. Art will share the surprising story of how God uses ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of hungry people. In the 1970s, Art served as a Lutheran pastor in New York’s Lower East Side.  He brought together Catholics and Protestants in an organized effort to urge Congress to address the root causes of hunger.  Today, 35 years later, Bread for the World is the nation’s foremost Christian voice against hunger. Under Art’s leadership, Bread for the World convinced Congress to make policy changes that continue to provide help and opportunity to hungry people today.

Matt and Jen Collins would like to offer you an online coupon for Metromint Water - very tasty!  Simply go here to print out your coupons.

Thanks to young Bob Winter for - ascending the heights to change our lights - in the sanctuary.  “He risked life and limb, so we could sing hymns…..”.  Blessings to all the college students who are beginning or returning to school this Fall.

Continue to sing our psalm from this past Sunday:  Libi uv’sari, Yeranenu el eil chai (”My body and soul sing with joy to the Living God”)

Blessings, Pr. Steve

“If we want to learn to ‘thank’ aright we must ‘think’ about the miracle of life that is happening to us.  For thinking and thanking belong together.  Both are worship and they cannot be separted.  Both are an exercise everyday.”  Helmut Thielecke

Achi ben Shalom will contribute Israeli music and songs to our worship this Sunday.  The Chorus got off to a good start.  If you wish to join us you may do so on Thursday at 7 and Sunday at 9 am.  The Sacred Visits Pilot Project (sponsored by the Interfaith Council) are visiting various congregations on an Interfaith Tour during August.  They will be with us on Sunday as well.  Invite your friends.

Amar Khalsa with family and friends will lead us in Sanskrit Chants from the Sikh tradition on August 16.  Amar has been with us before and I am sure you will appreciate his gifts again.

Our Recycling Bins have arrived.  Thank you Ro for ordering and assembling them!

Here is a beautiful letter from Stefan Safsten, the Jarva Roster Choir Director.  I think you’ll appreciate his reflections

“I have been home for several weeks now but my heart and soul are still in California. I understand more and more that the “Words of Realness” experience has been something I will carry in my heart for a long time if not as long as I live. To be involved in something like this, I believe is so much greater than just a composition for a choir or a tour. It has touched my heart in a way that has changed my life. I do believe that faith can move mountains and the power of God is so much more than one can believe or comprehend.

7 years ago I jumped on a train - I did not understand the destination. I still don’t understand. Something in Spoon’s lyrics is so strong and they speak to me in a way that that heals me. I know my own history and to “be real” as Spoon says, is one thing I’ve always strived for. Now I have got a new brother in Spoon so I think that God has planned it all.

I don’t believe in the decree of fate but I do believe that God has a plan for every single human being. I am so happy to have met with people that don’t believe that one must be Pentecostal, Orthodox, Lutheran, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or something else in particular to be in God’s plan. I think God is so much greater than that. Who can ever say what’s right or wrong? Who can ever say I’m innocent? I guess no one can. And who am I to judge?

Maybe this can help Spoon to be free in the future. Maybe he is already more free than any of us who are struggling with our own dilemmas. Spoon always says: Stay real!  I will do my best to keep it real. Thank you for all your support. Please say hello to the congregation in Danville. I don’t think the choir ever before has gotten such a good reception! “

And - Greetings from Phil and George who are resting on a Greek Isle…… and thinking of all their friends at Peace.

Blessing,  Pr. Steve

I am an old man now and have had a great many problems.  Most of them never happened.  Mark Twain

This Sunday our College Confirmands will be confirmed:  Danika O’Neill, Zachary O’Neill and Clark Huddleston.  We will receive the musical gifts of Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff for this special celebration.  They will move you.  Please keep the Confirmands in your prayers during their final preparations at the Retreat this weekend.

Our Nicaraguan Delegation has returned safely.  They will share some stories with us in worship on August 2.  Anticipate great things.

The Rock Harbor Fellowship Dance Troupe was just amazing - no wonder they received a standing ovation for their interpretive dance “Lamb of God”.  And some of their members are heading to Nicaragua so it was a fortunate overlap that they could converse with our freshly returned delegation.  Special thanks to Marshele Wilburn and Bob McNair for making all the arrangements.

We are having a positive response to the Chorus Request/Rehearsal for Thursday, July 30 at 7:30 pm. Achi ben Shalom will be present for the rehearsal (along with Jean and Jeanie) to assist us in preparation for Sunday, August 9.  I have no doubt you will enjoy the Israeli songs and music for the day. Please join us for the rehearsal and invite friends to worship with you.  Friends from the Interfaith Worship Visits Pilot Project will be with us that day too.

Our thanks to Rich Collins for getting all the exterior lighting working again!

Sue Field sends greetings from Paris.

Martha Mantei sends thanks for all the prayers. Her hip has been healing rapidly.  She appreciates all the love and prayers.  She hopes to see many of you at the rehearsal with Achi next Thursday.

Heritage Hospitality continues:  if peanut butter and pickles isn’t your thing, then come to church for carrot cake!

Blessings, Pr. Steve