As many of you already know, the ELCA voted to be a "sanctuary church body" at the Churchwide Assembly in Wisconsin. You will hear me speak what it means and doesn’t mean in my sermon that follows this note. For a fuller explanation, click on this link: What Does Becoming a Sanctuary Denomination mean for the ELCA? You will likely not be surprised to know that I have heard two different responses to this action. In a nutshell, they go like this: “I am so proud of our ELCA for doing this;” and, “using the word sanctuary was a mistake.” So a couple of words about both responses and then an invitation. I, too, am proud of our denomination for publicly identifying with the plight of immigrants … [Read more...]
Pastor Adele’s Message – July 31, 2019
Often when pastors get together in summer months, they comment on how financial giving has dropped as people take vacation and their hope that once again this year giving will increase in the Fall to make up for the summer. I am happy to let you know that we have experienced no such drop this year. Because of your commitment and faithful giving, our income is slightly ahead of our expenses through the first six months of the year. Please take a look at the financial summary provided by New Journey’s Treasurer, Elaine Pameditis. Thank you for your regular giving that allows us to meet our expenses for the building in which we worship and the ministry that continues year-round. And thank you … [Read more...]
Pastor Adele’s Message – June 30, 2019
At the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly this past week, we learned of an outreach ministry of a congregation in Las Vegas that I’d like to share with you. It is called the Blue Stone Ministry. Here’s how it works: A congregation places little blue stones in their baptismal font. When members pass the font, they are invited to take a couple of blue stones and carry them at all times. When they meet someone, whether friend or stranger, who is having a difficult time in their life, they hand that person a blue stone and say the following: “Please take this blue stone and carry it with you. Let it remind you that God loves you and I love you (or care about you- if you prefer) and I will keep you in … [Read more...]
Pastor Adele’s Message – May 31, 2019
I returned just a couple of weeks ago from a preaching conference in Minneapolis. It’s an annual event geared to support and encourage those of us who are in the parish, preaching week in and week out. Every day, about 1500 of us were able to hear at least a couple of sermons preached by people who teach preaching or who serve in well-known settings. What was particularly delightful was that they preached to us as preachers – they encouraged and supported, they challenged and comforted us. They reminded us of our calling to preach the good news all the while showering us with the good news. I sat with long-time friends from other parts of the country and we sang and prayed and clapped … [Read more...]
Pastor Adele’s Message – April 30, 2019
You will hear in my sermon from last Sunday (see link below) a quote by Brene Brown: “courage starts with showing up and allowing ourselves to be seen.” The person who exemplifies this in striking fashion is Lori Kaye. She is the woman who jumped between the rabbi of the Chabad in Poway, CA, and a shooter, saving the rabbi’s life and losing hers. I can’t help but wonder what acts of courage, large and small alike, were part of her life so that she instinctively moved to save the life of her rabbi. When we look behind a major act of courage by someone who risks all in order to save another, we normally find that there have been all kinds of ways they have shown up and let … [Read more...]