,

September schedule and theme: our neighbors, our mission

We pastors and the church council would like to invite others into the conversation about goals and the mission of the church. We’ve drafted a statement of vision we’re hoping might give focus to our future efforts and prayers – which can be found here.  We’d like your input.

Coincidentally (providentially?), the bible readings for worship in September connect nicely with themes from this vision. So, during September and into October, we’ll be addressing mission and vision topics in sermons, we’ll be hosting conversation opportunities, and we’ll have a fellowship hall display about our mission.

Schedule
September 6 (Labor Day Weekend) – one worship service.
8:30 conversation: Who is our neighbor?
9:30 Worship, sermon on James 2: church and divisions within society.

September 13 “Rally Day” as Holy Cross Sunday, one worship service, beginning of Sunday School, welcome to Luçik Aprahämian
8:30 conversation: What is our mission?  Craft for kids with Wendy.
9:30 Worship, sermon on Mark 8: Christ the way forward and the processional cross as fitting symbol.
10:30 fellowship and reception welcoming our new music and choir director, Luçik Aprahämian.  Distribution of bibles, meet your teacher.

September 20 – on this Sunday, we’re back to two services!
8:30 and 10:30 sermon on Mark 9: a child at the center, Christ in community.
9:15 conversation: Who is our neighbor?

September 27
8:30 and 10:30 sermon on Mark 9: “Whoever is not against us is for us” – connecting with neighbors.
9:15 conversation: What is our mission?

October 4
8:30 and 10:30 sermon on Mark 10: grace embraces all.
12:00 lunch conversation on vision, please rsvp with a pastor.

About the conversations:

We’re dividing the conversation into two parts “our neighbors” and “our mission.” It’s a lot to cover: for now, we’re getting some ideas out there and beginning to identify questions for future exploration. We’re doing each conversation twice, at different times – so you have 8:30 or 9:15 options. Additionally, we can host a noon lunch conversation October 4th, with childcare, but we ask that you rsvp for this option.

Topics:

Our neighbors: what is FLC’s “parish?” Are we here for fellow Lutherans? Fellow Christians? The neighborhood(s)? How does church life reflect or challenge divisions in society? What can we learn about our neighbors? What if people aren’t looking for the “right” church – or any church? What can’t we know about our neighbors, except through relationships with them? What it’s like to meet Christ in the presence of neighbors?

Our mission: what is FLC’s mission? Maybe we’d like to increase attendance or membership, but is the focus promoting our church or the gospel? (And what about that “e” word – “evangelism?”) Certainly, social action and charity are important – “doing for” – but how do we also “connect with?” We’ll talk about grace, cross bearing, and how it’s God who is in mission before we join in.

0 Comments

FLC to revise RIC statement of welcome

At the semi-annual meeting – June 7, 2015 – our congregation will have the opportunity to vote to adopt a new statement of welcome.

Discussion opportunity beforehand: Sunday, May 24 at 11:45 or so in the library – but PLEASE contact one of the pastors if you can’t make it and wish you could, or if you might want to discuss one on one.  Please note that the original scheduled discussion (May 31st) has been cancelled, as the pastors will both be at synod assembly.

The proposed new statement of welcome (drafted by Margaret Marshall in collaboration with Joe Haletky (RIC rep for Sierra Pacific Synod), the church council and pastors:

We, the community of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, proclaim the message that Christ, in grace, draws all people to himself. We welcome the full participation of people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, physical and mental abilities, educational backgrounds, and economic conditions.  We support marriage equality for all couples, we value families in their many, diverse forms and we embrace Christians from every tradition, and people new to faith.

To replace FLC’s original (1991) statement of welcome:

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of the world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place.  Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness.  Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness, and we are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.   We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female” (Galatians 3:28).  Christ has made us one.  We acknowledge that this reconciliation extends also to those who affectational orientation is toward a person of the same gender.  Because gay and lesbian persons are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, wish to make known our caring and concern.  It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

– that gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;

– that gay and lesbian people are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making the same affirmation of faith that all other people make;

– that as members of this congregation, gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.

Background:  For those of you who are somewhat new to the congregation, Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is a program that recognizes Lutheran communities that publicly welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender believers.  FLC has been an RIC congregation since 1991.  In speaking with some of you Pastor Kate and I have been made aware of how life giving it’s been, to extend and to receive warmly and without reservation a welcome meant for all people.

Why the new statement?  
1. Awareness of bisexual and transgender people in need of welcome has grown since our statement was originally crafted – up to date RIC statements of welcome include this language.
The new statement gives us the opportunity to acknowledge other divisions as well, and the God who continues yet to reconcile and draw us together.
2. Marriage equality is a new reality!  There are three same gender married couples at FLC, and we’d be happy to see more.
3. A shorter statement can be included more easily on bulletins and in other publications.
4. It’s a chance for new pastors and congregation to affirm together where we stand and what we feel is important.
Why does this matter?  What’s a statement of welcome for?
It’s one way we can communicate the gospel (note we say First EVANGELICAL Lutheran – let’s reclaim the “E” word as being about proclaiming GOOD news!).  There’s a general sense in our culture that Christians are the opponents of LGBT inclusion, when in fact the gospel confronts us with Christ’s passionate, yearning love for all people.  A statement of welcome can be a kind of confession: that we, together, as a congregation have known this love and stand united in extending it to all.
0 Comments
, ,

A friend shared this helpful essay by Rachel Held Evans on the church and millenials

A friend shared this helpful essay by Rachel Held Evans on the church and millenials.  It got me thinking.  I would invite others’ comments.

We tend to assume things about people – such as that young adults need church to be hip.  I joke about this with my brother Ivar – a pastor who serves among many young adults in Seattle – that to really be counted an “emergent” ministry one would need to have tattoos and / or clunky 50’s style glasses.   Really, the 20 somethings I’ve known who find their way into church aren’t there because it’s hip, but more likely, because they’ve been listened to and invited.

And they seek a spiritual connection.  I agree with Evans: whatever importance we may attach to marketing, what’s crucial is the faithfulness of our witness.  Evans shares: “When I left church at age 29, full of doubt and disillusionment, I wasn’t looking for a better-produced Christianity. I was looking for a truer Christianity, a more authentic Christianity.”

Evans mentions a study showing young adults prefer a “classic” church to a “trendy” one.  But I wonder if this is too simple a distinction (like “traditional” vs “contemporary”).  The use of drums by a Lutheran church in Africa might be a departure from the classical traditions of European missionaries, but does that make it trendy?  Or isn’t it just engaging in a culturally appropriate way?

And what about twitter?  I have less experience here than the Pope.  But are social networks too hip for use in communicating the gospel?

Besides preferring classic to trendy, apparently young adults prefer community to privacy, quiet to loud, casual to dignified, modern to traditional.  But I’m not sure how I feel about the question the young adults were asked in the study: “which do you find more appealing?”  A church might be appealing because it’s comfortable, or brings up feelings of nostalgia, or its entertaining – but not necessarily because it’s meaningful, challenging, life-changing.

And if even one young adult feels clear that she prefers sanctuary A to sanctuary B on a study, it doesn’t mean she’s ever going to go to either. How do we better meet people where they are?

Research data is of limited help.  When I think of “authentic Christianity” such as perhaps Evans has found, I think of people who have been personally patient with my questions and doubts and who struggle to find the words that will help me know God’s grace in my own way.  I think of those who have helped me to discover the riches of what we might call the “classics” (the writings of Augustine) as well as surprising contemporary experiences of God’s power today (L’arche, Homeboy Industries).

0 Comments

Music and Worship at FLC

Music for worship at First Lutheran Church – WAM committee goals from this process

worshipmusicforum – general principles about music and worship used during forums

As you will have read in previous newsletters, information pills we are in an interim year with respect to the choir / music director position.  As part of this process, pastors, council and Worship, Arts and Music (WAM) committee thought it would be a good idea to revisit a goal identified during the call process: “evolving our worship offerings, as we foresee a need to incorporate a wider variety of high-quality styles and formats, especially in the area of music.”  What was meant by that?  We held two forums and provided a survey.  Around 40 people participated, including some of our youth.  Some had very well developed thoughts, others struggled to articulate feelings or were mostly present to listen.  I must say it was helpful for me, as one of your pastors, to hear your ideas but also what it is you value about music and worship at FLC.  It was one more way to get to know you better.

What now?  We pastors together with WAM committee are discerning ways to articulate some values about our worship and music, what some goals might be (short and long term), what further questions might be ahead of us.  Getting clear on this can help us know what to look for in a choir / music director and what we share with candidates about FLC.

What did people say?  It’s not easy to summarize, but there were some general and interesting ideas that seemed to be emerging out of this process (a few direct quotations below):

People highly value the music and worship at FLC, where we’re able to experience a full and rich liturgy and music that’s sophisticated, interesting, challenging and with real depth for adults and children.  We have a superb organ and first rate musicians who find spiritual meaning in how they serve us.  In our Lutheran heritage, “music per se is theologically important.”  We enjoy a rich artistic heritage, and music connects us to the communion of saints who have gone before us.  The recent use of piano / guitar / mandolin at 8:30 is “simple” and “genuine” and fits that service in its own way.

Let’s be thoughtful about the mission of the church and wary of simplistic answers about the way forward.  In many churches people are told: “get rid of the old hymns and use the new stuff, or you have no future.”  I don’t know if there’s anyone who would say that around FLC.  Some also question the wisdom of splitting into “contemporary and traditional” services, which can be divisive when many have a broad range of musical interest.  You don’t want things “bland” or “boring.”  Maybe it’s OK to be musically extreme, so long as we’re passionate about it.  Music is not a “gimmick” to get people in the door.  But as we get clearer about our mission in neighborhood and world, we’ll get more clear about future direction for music and worship.

One area of growth might be around involving the congregation more meaningfully, or music and in worship that’s more accessible.  Some feel “overwhelmed” or “intimidated” when music is unfamiliar, hard to sing or seems obscure.   It can seem “solemn” rather than “joyful,” helping us to “feel the gospel in our hearts.”  Some people mentioned the idea of doing further education, whether it’s teaching a song at the beginning of the service or explaining the pattern of worship.  How else might we strengthen the connection between musicians and congregation?  Some wonder about new ways to involve the congregation in singing or playing instruments, such as a temporary choir with less of a rehearsal commitment.   Or “jam sessions?  Community band camp?”  A particular area of interest / concern is in worship and music experiences that better involve youth and children.  Youth music group?  Worship experiences that are more child-friendly?

People are very open to using a great variety of music, with some question as to what variety we might pursue and how to do it well.  Some point out the variety of music that has already been in use in choir repertoire and other music.  Others point out that the variety goal wasn’t just about music but worship more generally.  What new worship opportunities can we provide?  More meditative?  More use of technology with appeal to a younger generation?  A wider variety of liturgical settings?  A few mentioned Taize’ – which will be the basis for our Lenten Sunday liturgy.  Also, jazz, gospel, world music, and the music they use at youth conventions – and adding more instruments.  A few people mentioned the possibility of a folk or youth-oriented service once a month or so.  Some say: as we add variety, let’s not sacrifice quality.

0 Comments
, , ,

A key part of the Sunday experience

We may not always realize it, advice but what we call in the church “fellowship time” or “coffee hour” is a key part of our Sunday morning experience together. Or maybe the times we do realize it’s importance it feels more like “party time!’ and we leave church with a high from all the good company and wonder “did that much fun really just happen?’

As a congregation, coffee hour is anything we make it and that ofcourse changes week to week. Will this be a week where we scramble for a box of cookies and some paper cups? Great! People will love it. Will this be a week where we have a beautiful spread including fancy linens and fancy cheeses? Delicious!

What a gift from our volunteers. Maybe I can help a little. But believe it or not, the details of the table settings are less important to what makes coffee hour “coffee hour” than the social interactions around the table and church grounds.

‘Whether you are an adult needing a cup of coffee or breakfast, or a visitor feeling akward and lonely,  or a child eager to see what delicious treats are on the table, fellowship time has become an important ritual for many of us on Sunday mornings. It offers us the chance to catch up with one another, get to know each other, welcome one another, and care for one another. We build courage to talk with those we don’t know and share our thoughts and experiences with them. At what point in our week do we get to do that? We are often so busy in our own lives and doing church business.

I have been so pleased and impressed with FLC and the many coffee hours and occasions we have shared together around food and conversation. Our experience together in worship and socially are so important to nurturing and sharing our experience of God with others around us. I thank you all for all you do and encourage everyone to participate in their fullest capacity!

Blessings,

Pastor Kate

0 Comments
, , ,

Newcomers at First Lutheran Church

Sometimes we refer to new people as “visitors,” “guests” or “prospective members.” But even after a visitor becomes a member, they struggle to find their place. We sometimes forget that they are still new. The word guest can mean someone honored, but also transient and not as privileged or important as established members. Also, not everyone who comes through our doors is a prospective member – they may never “join” and yet their presence to us is vital. Dr. Jessica Duckworth has provided an interesting discussion of these terms in her inspiring book “Wide Welcome: How the Unsettling Presence of Newcomers can Save the Church.” I follow her in finding “newcomers” a helpful word for the wide variety of people who may be new to church.

We pastors have recently been hosting gatherings for newcomers and sponsors. Here are a few thoughts on welcoming newcomers (much of this applies to children, too – who are technically “new” just because they are young!):

The presence of newcomers brings spiritual vitality to the church. I think of the ways Jesus promises to be present with us AS the stranger and outcast (such as in Matthew 25). It’s not just that newcomers come to FLC to meet Christ. Their presence means we who already belong to FLC can meet Christ is surprising new ways! At the newcomer gatherings we share conversation over faith questions, such as “who is Jesus to you?” I think of how the deep faith, insights, questions and needs of newcomers shaped the basic programs of churches we (your pastors) served in the past.  Churches often ask “what existing church committee or ministry can we plug you into?”  but we also do well to ask “what new ministry does your presence here call for?”  As I think Duckworth points out somewhere, it’s not just the newcomers who need to integrate into the congregation; the congregation integrates to the newcomers.

Welcome isn’t just the job of a few, but of the whole congregation. We want as many people as possible to experience the spiritual vitality that new people bring. I am impressed at how many FLC people will approach newcomers during fellowship time or even invite passerby on the streets to church! One other way the congregation can welcome newcomers is to have one person who is a FLC member serve as a faith companion / sponsor for each person who begins to visit. When you are asked to do this, it can mean sending a personal note, showing up at newcomer gatherings, and standing with them as they are baptized / affirm their baptism.

These days, we may be welcoming more people who didn’t grow up in church. It’s one thing if a life-long Lutheran just wants to transfer their membership into a new congregation. Maybe the pastor can just introduce a few people and hand over a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws. But many people in California aren’t from Christian backgrounds, and even if they grew up in a Lutheran church, they aren’t certain how to live the faith in such complicated times. Not that any of us ARE certain! Sharing faith stories, asking hard questions, learning basic spiritual practices and teachings, reading the bible and praying for one another can all be helpful in the process of welcoming one another. One of my mentors used the word “catechumenate” for this process, borrowed from the first centuries before Christianity became the established religion of the Roman Empire. He would say, if the Holy Spirit is bringing people together into faith it’s worth taking some time to notice, listen and explore what God is doing.

There’s much to figure out on how to welcome new people at FLC. Hopefully what I’ve said gives some idea of our approach to this ministry.

0 Comments