We Tear Apart Prejudices

(Last of six excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

We begin prayerfully, explaining, sharing, upbuilding. We begin everywhere racism sneaks in an ugly word, doubt and fear. We begin everywhere growing Christians open their hearts and minds.

We tear apart prejudices, fallacy by fallacy. We talk. We write. We help. Yes, we march. And when the time for marching slows, with eyes wide open, seeing this world and its people in the Creator’s will, trusting in Christ unafraid, we will continue to let God’s love conquer sin in whatever way God opens to us.

Church as a Redemptive Community

Church as a Redemptive Community

(Fifth of six excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

As a Church we begin each week in repentance, and then having worshipped as the Body of Christ, we begin to be the Church, functioning as a redemptive community. . . to make the Body One.  Love is not easy, but it does not count costs. Tokenism, “middle-of-the roadism,” gradualism, and calculated love have no place. Wisdom does.

We begin each day, not fearing “What might happen”: “We might offend,” “Some might leave the church,” “The Negroes [African Americans] might take over,” “The value of my home might go down.” We begin each day, not despairing: “The White community might not accept me,” “There’s no hope, why ask for trouble?” “Things will never be better.”  

We begin in the most real pessimism, knowing how sinful our hearts are, which no program of social justice, no national tragedy will cure.  And yet we begin with the most real optimism, trusting confidently that Christ has conquered sin and Satan, and the power of the Holy Spirit in the “Sleeping Giant” of the Church can indeed do more than we could possibly dream.

We are Freed from Building Barriers

We Respond to Racism Because We Are Freed from Building Barriers (Fourth of six excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

We don’t respond to the present racial crisis because it is in the news, nor because of America’s image abroad, nor even because “democracy must be preserved.”

We don’t respond out of Christian “responsibility.” We respond as new creatures, freed from the bondage of having to provide for ourselves, having to be somebody, having to judge other people, having to pride ourselves on our accomplishment, having to love only paternalistically.

We are freed to accept people as people, to spend ourselves in love feeding on the means of Grace, so that our old selfishness may be defeated each day. In repentance of our attitudes and words which have built barriers, each day we begin anew to love people as God loves.

Love is Never Easy

Love is Never Easy (Third of six excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

The Christian’s answer to racism will stem from the will of God. And this answer is unmistakably clear—not easy, but clear. Love is never easy.

God created all people to be God’s creation. God created variety to exist together in harmony. God created the personalities of people to live together in love. God saved us through the boundless love of Jesus Christ to be a new creation, that the barriers of pride, hate, fear, unconcern, and sin that separate us from God and each other might be forever gone. God recreated us through the cross to worship and to live together NOW.

Racism has been Laid Bare Before Us

God’s Will – Clear but Not Easy (Second of six excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

The issue of racism has been laid bare before us. Often, we have been so afraid to become involved in social problems for fear that our Lutheranism might be misunderstood, disarranged, theologically distorted, that we have stifled church members, disabling their love and thus disarming the heart of our theology.

We ARE involved. The immensity of articles, books, speeches, while seemingly making research on racism easier, only shows us clearly the complexity of the problem. Now our task, with all the repentant and redeemed wisdom we have, is to study, to work, and to love.

God’s Will – Clear But Not Easy (First of 6 excerpts from an article I wrote in 1964)

There is a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking, and a time for acting. And there is a time when keeping silent speaks and acts. Our eyes, ears, mind, and tongues have been saturated with the topic of race relations.

Ignoring the subject no longer works. At this time our silence speaks. Too often it says, “I am afraid!” Afraid of what? Insecurity, discomfort socially and economically? We can no longer escape into silent inactivity because silent inactivity shouts “unconcern.”

God’s message of love for us is clear. As Christ’s death and resurrection fill us with new life, so too God’s power to be Christ’s action in this world means our love must permeate the world. As real as Jesus’ incarnation, so real must be our action of faith and love. It must dare to take on flesh.

Pandemics: What we DID teach in Seminary

On an Oct. 2nd in seminary we didn’t give directions on how to deal with a pandemic. Nor on an October 17 did we give a detailed lecture on how many sandbags to use when flood waters rise. My friend and I talked recently about what we did do in seminary. We emphasized ecclesial leadership in context. This pandemic is our context in this time and in this place: locally and globally.

I recall year after year, in Church and Ministry/Church Administration class, students writing case studies on their ministry experiences. The hundreds I read and each one we discussed followed a pattern that might serve us as pastors, deacons and congregational leaders now: (I’ll supply some examples)

1. What is happening here? What are the Issues? Global pandemic. Unknown virus. Directives from various levels of government. How and when to “open up.” More. . .

2. Who are the many people involved? What are their various perspectives? The most vulnerable (They are not objects. How do we listen to their voices?) Small business owners. Homeless people. Essential workers. Church members longing to be together. Inmates and refugees. The people of New Zealand and Rwanda. More. . .

3. What are the deeper theological issues? Human uncertainty. The nature of God, e.g. Protector? “Fear,” “Love,” and “Trust” (catechetical questions). What other gods do people follow? What is church (ecclesiology)? Where is the Church as Body of Christ? Did God create disposable people? More. . .

4. What ministry options do we have? Protect my family, and all people. Do nothing and see what happens. Be the church beyond walls. Be creative with technology. Care for the care-givers. Provide leadership in the community. Explore who else needs ministry. More. .

.

I invite you to engage in discussion. too. What ecclesial leadership are you experiencing? What ministry opportunities?

God's Care is Communal

God’s Care is Communal

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph l:2)

Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Ephesians 6:23)

I recently heard someone say, “I’m not afraid to go out during this COVID-19 scare. I trust God will take care of me.” Fear. Trust. Care. I admired her faith. God does care for every single one of us during times of fear. We can trust that. However, God’s care is communal. God’s care in Christ is not just for every “single” one of us, but for the whole community. God’s grace extends beyond my own personal “undying love” for Jesus to the whole world.

Living in Christ, I may not be afraid to die, but neither am I to neglect concern for the lives of everyone else, particularly the most vulnerable.

The Epistle greetings and blessings are always plural. (“You” is a plural “you.”) I have seen it. Haven’t you? People really caring for each other. We will need to continue to take precautions, to really care, today, tomorrow, for all time to come.

Prayer:

Now to the one who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20)

Norma Cook Everist, DeacPost Devotion

Palm Sunday Procession from Coast to Coast

Palm Sunday. This year when we could not physically participate in a procession at church, I was privileged to walk with Jesus on a journey that began with an online service in Northwood Iowa, where husband Burton shares an interim call, to hearing the church bells ring at a Canadian Lutheran Church in Nova Scotia, back to Iowa, to the on-line service at our congregation here in Mason City. Then on to Wisconsin, hearing more about Jesus’ life from the preaching of a pastor/friend, a Wartburg graduate.  My journey-procession concluded at the end of this day with a Zoom conversation, where I talked on the road in San Francisco with a Jewish woman.  I am thankful for these profound events as I, with Christ, enter Holy Week.

How do We Think About God in the Midst of This Global Pandemic?

This thoughtful piece was written by my friend and colleague.

The Rev. Dr. Karen Bloomquist, Oakland, CA, theologian-at-large and pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Americal

In the midst of this global pandemic, how might we think about God or the divine? Not as causing this or saving or rescuing us from this unknown “enemy,” but as empowering compassion, creativity, and innovative human action in the midst of this crisis. Not that we succumb to fear and hopelessness but that we act in the face of such. This is quite different from superficial optimism or turning away from what is occurring, but in ways that are informed by and directed by data, science and good practices. 

God is community, active in and through human communities, as they together stand with those who are suffering, fearful and anxious. This now is done virtually, coming together ironically by staying apart physically. As a theologian-at-large, I am aware that many do not image or think of God in this way, but the essence of the divine is in how this empowers or inspires compassionate reaching out to connect with others, with love and justice. God is creativity itself and inspires human creativity, even for those who are skeptical about “God.”

How might this be sustained after the crisis of this pandemic passes? “Wellness” is more than what individuals do for themselves; it is societal, even global. Embodiment and human touch are crucial. Priority must be on those who are most vulnerable. A new sense of the public good might emerge.

Women's Voices will Persist

Two women, so intelligent, competent and passionate, Elizabeth Warren and Rachel Maddow, sat in Elizabeth’s home last night talking about her taking her name out of the running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. 

Elizabeth was thinking about all the little girls who would have to wait to see a woman as president. So many millions of us have had to wait since Hillary was defeated, not in the popular vote, but in the Electoral College. So many women and men saw such promise in their being six women candidates, and people of color, and a gay man among the 2020 candidates.

As I watched Elizabeth, my mind went back thirty years, to 1990, when there were no women Lutheran bishops in the world. A number of us women had been willing to be candidates in various ELCA synods, so at least people could envision the possibility. I was nominated in a synod in Minnesota; so many people from across the country sent encouraging support. As the balloting drew close, and there was a very real chance I would be elected, with much prayer and discernment, I took my name out of the running, telling the assembly, “I feel clear that I am to continue my calling to be a teaching theologian of the church as a professor at Wartburg Seminary. . . I don’t like to disappoint people. . . There are many extraordinarily gifted women in this church ready and capable of being bishop today.”

I do not mean to equate my situation with that of Elizabeth Warren, except with that piercing empathy I felt for her.  Women and girls would have to wait. 

However, soon after my vocational decision, a Lutheran woman was elected bishop in Germany, and in 1992, April was elected in the ELCA, followed by Andrea, and more, and women of color and then Elizabeth as Presiding Bishop of the ELCA.  And I count it a great joy that some women whom I had been privileged to teach at Wartburg are now synodical bishops.

As Elizabeth Warren and Rachel Maddow talked last night, almost sister to sister, it was clear to me that their gifts will continue to be used.  Their persistent voices will continue to be heard.

Epiphany 2020 and Our Striking Realizations

Epiphany: A manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles 

“Epiphany,” more broadly, is “an experience of a sudden and striking realization.”

This year, we are experiencing the striking images of fires raging in sudden outbursts across Australia. Will we finally realize the global climate crisis?

We have experienced the killing of an Iranian military general by the sudden order of a U.S. president. What will the striking realization be: retaliation, escalation of hostilities, war?

Epiphany, January 6: What is our calling as Christ is manifest again in the world?

Birthday Week Thanks and Thoughts

Surrounded by my loving husband, Burton, family, and friends, I give thanks for a community of care.

I was Born Nov 6, 1938.  A few days later that week, Nov 9-10, was Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Grass, the start of the Holocaust, when Nazis destroyed 250 synagogues throughout Germany, as well as Jewish hospitals, businesses, and schools, and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated. My birth week reminds me to pay attention to the rise of hate.

This year Nov. 4-9 we commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1989 Gethsemane Church in East Berlin became a center for the peaceful revolution for freedom. It was a sanctuary church and a place for public discussions. Within 5 days the non-violent protest grew to thousands and the Wall came down.  I continue to believe the local and global church is called to public theology and prophetic action.

Often Nov. 6 is Election Day. Some notables: In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. Presidents re-elected on Nov. 6^th include: 1940: Franklin Roosevelt; 1956: Dwight Eisenhower; 1984: Ronald Reagan; 2012: Barack Obama. My birthday has always urged me to commit to engage, participate, caucus, vote.

In thinking of my own heritage, Martin Luther was born the same week as I, November 10—just a few centuries earlier, 1483. I am grounded in the grace of Jesus Christ.

This week, the Lutheran Diaconal Association, of which I have been a part since my consecration as a deaconess in 1960, celebrates its 100^th anniversary.  This community of sisters, and now brothers, calls me forth again to ongoing faith and service in a complex world in need of healing and hope.

Finally: Ordination for Deacons, Beyond Classism Toward Partnership

By one little word the ELCA in assembly changed the entrance rite for ministers of Word and Service—Deacons—to “ordination.” I celebrate that decision. The vote wasn’t even close. We have come a long way, but it has taken a long time.

Let me go back before the ELCA came into being. I served on the “Design Task Force on Specific Ministry” (1983-4) We presented a model to the proposed new church on the “Public Ministries of the Church” for the “Office Word and Sacrament” and the “Office of Word and Service.” I remember drawing the parallel chart. The two ministries were to be side by side. The proposal was not accepted

After the beginning of the ELCA, January, 1988, the “Task Force on the Study for Ministry” was formed. I also served on that (for five years) and on the subcommittee which designed diaconal ministry. Diaconal ministers would be called to serve inside the structures of the church and called by the church to serve in the world outside the structures of the church. For many years we had faithful diaconal ministers, associates in ministry and members of the ELCA deaconess community.

Meanwhile I also served on the Anglican-Lutheran International Commission which produced the Hanover Report “The Diaconate as Ecumenical Opportunity.” (1996)

I had the privilege of teaching M.A. in Diaconal Ministry students at Wartburg Seminary for many years, seeing them flourish in their service in the world and yet never quite understood or fully accepted in the church on whose behalf they served. (“Why don’t you want to be a pastor?”) We still had a ways to go to fully catch the vision of the being the church for the sake of the world.

As the ELCA studied uniting the three “lay” rosters into one, I prepared a paper, “Diaconal Ministry from the Open Tomb to the Open World.” Jesus was a diaconal minister. Faithful diakonia is theologically grounded in a theology of the cross, facing the great wounds of the world, and a theology of the resurrection: death no longer has dominion.

I celebrated the ELCA’s 2016 decision to adopt a unified roster of “Word and Service” using the term “Deacon.” Deacons are now serving as hospital chaplains, musicians, congregational administrators, in disability ministries, in urban education and food ministries, as lawyer, college president, and so much more.

Finally, would “Pastor” and “Deacon” be side-by-side in collaborative ministry? However, the word “ordination” remained difficult. It was the entrance rite, not the essence of service, but it would take more time to move beyond systemic hierarchical and classism biases.

Finally, in 2019, the ELCA made a bold “new” and yet very New Testament decision with global and ecumenical support. Within the one ministry rooted in baptism, some are called to the ministry of “Word and Service” and some to the ministry of “Word and Sacrament,” side by side. Partners in the Gospel.

August 6: Hiroshima Day. Today: Catastrophic White Supremacy

August 6, Hiroshima Day, is a day of remembrance of the world’s first atomic bombing in 1945. August 6 is a day of remembrance of baptism in our family, mine, in 1939, and our son Kirk’s in 1969. Death: more than a quarter of a million people perished because of the catastrophic nuclear explosion by the USA near the end of World War II. New Life: being baptized into Christ’s baptism for the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death.

Kirk was baptized outdoors, in the backyard of the church parsonage where we held weekly Wednesday night summer services. Neighborhood children, and some of their pets, came, too. Kirk’s baptismal banner hung on the clothesline. The singing was a sign of joyful life, a public witness to Jesus Christ, alive in the inner city.

I was baptized in the early stages of WW II. Kirk was baptized in the midst of the U.S. war in Vietnam. Kirk’s baptism was fifty years ago today. How do we remember now? We have stockpiles of nuclear weapons. We barely talk about whether a nation has 400 or 4000. Does it matter? But pulling out of the Iranian Nuclear deal matters. And so do North Korean missile tests and meaningful treaties of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We remember Hiroshima by working every day on diplomacy to avoid war.

What do we do today? We remember by acknowledging the catastrophic gun violence inside our own nation. No one brought a gun to Kirk’s Detroit neighborhood backyard baptism. There are more guns in every U.S. neighborhood today, more guns per person by far than any other nation on earth, more guns than there are people. Are we afraid to go outside? We have had 250 mass shootings this year, more than days on the calendar. The belief system of white supremacy and white nationalism is deadly.

Today we must not forget. This August 6 we choose to remember our baptisms into Jesus Christ so that together we might face the challenges that are before us.

Abortion: What Our Church Said 28 Years Ago

“Women and men share equally in the responsibility and accountability for procreation, although it is women who are most intimately affected by decisions about abortion.” The ELCA 28 years ago adopted by more than a 2/3 majority vote in 1991 a Social Statement on “Abortion.” Amazing for its time. Although conversation on issues has changed through the years, I share some quotes from that church-wide teaching I find positive for this time.

“We are moved particularly by the anguish of women who face unwanted pregnancies alone.” “Poverty, lack of supportive relationships. . . oppressive social realities, sexism, and racism can intensify her sense of powerlessness.”

“Our ministry of hospitality to all people ought to include women who have had abortions, women who are considering abortions, children, families, and those who bear and raise children under all kinds of circumstances. This should be reflected throughout congregational life and church policy. Services and shelter should be provided, especially to enable young mothers and fathers to continue their education and care for their children. Members should also be encouraged to become foster and/or adoptive parents. By our policies and practices as a church we need to indicate that we are truly supportive of children through the long years after, and not only before, they are born.”

“Greater social responsibility for the care, welfare, and education of children and families is needed through such measures as access to quality, affordable health care, child care, and housing.”

“We affirm that the goodness of sexual intercourse goes beyond its procreative purpose. Whenever sexual intercourse occurs apart from the intent to conceive, the use of contraceptives is the responsibility of the man and of the woman.”

“An abortion is morally responsible in those cases in which continuation of a pregnancy presents a clear threat to the physical life of the woman. A woman should not be morally obligated to carry the resulting pregnancy to term if the pregnancy occurs when both parties do not participate willingly in sexual intercourse. This is especially true in cases of rape and incest. This can also be the case in some situations in which women are so dominated and oppressed that they have no choice regarding sexual intercourse and little access to contraceptives. Some conceptions occur under dehumanizing conditions that are contrary to God’s purposes.”

“Christians as citizens and this church as an institution should join with others to advocate for and support just laws and to work to change those, which are unjust. In our attempts to influence the shaping of public policy, we should not disregard the rights of others, but work faithfully through the public processes by which justice is sought for all.”

 "The concern for both the life of the woman and the developing life in her womb expresses a common commitment to life. This requires that we move beyond the usual ‘prolife’ versus ‘pro-choice’ language in discussing abortion.  If we are to take our differences seriously, we must learn how to talk about them in ways that do justice to our diversity.”

“Church members must not only be aware of the moral complexity of the situation, but be able and willing to listen and walk with women and men through the process of decision-making, healing, and renewal. . . ”

Blessings for the Entire Easter Season

For the entire Easter Season Christ brings reconciliation, gives us life now and forever, creates community,  and calls us to vocations of justice and peace-making.  

WHY THERE’S NO NEED FOR A HONEYMOON PERIOD IN MINISTRY: Beyond Valentine's Day

God’s Love goes beyond Valentine’s Day. God’s love is more sustaining than any “honeymoon” period in ministry.   It’s not just about flowers, candy, one short day. God’s love is sustaining and unconditional.   

But that “Honeymoon” advice lingers: “Get as much done as you can right away before the normal life sets in with all the complaints and difficulties of really living together.” They loved your paperwork and were impressed with the interview. And you liked the looks of them. They loved the former pastor and will love you, too. Or, maybe they didn’t, so this will be a better “fit.” If we all put on our best behavior for a while, Valentine’s Day can last for a few months. Ah, beware of the “honeymoon” period in ministry and trust that God’s love endures beyond Valentine’s Day. 

Creation:  Before we came, God had created the congregation.  God is still creating—putting us together. Build on those foundations.  Rather than giving in to the temptation to change things quick before people notice, we need to ask and listen and give Valentine-like thanks to the faithful saints at work through the years. Then, together, we can create with the Creating God.  Oh, there will be suspicions that we are going to rip up everything and plant our new ideas. We can bring fresh ideas without totally ripping out what may simply be slow to grow. Creation involves change, but God didn’t rip things up each month and completely start all over.

Beyond favoring those who might seek our favor with Valentine-like flowers or candy, we need to seek out those less known people, those less appreciated.  We can walk around the neighborhood, and as a congregation build new relationships all over the place among those thought to be “outsiders.” We can give valentines to those who don’t usually receive them. God’s love multiplies.  

Christ: God’s love incarnate is among and between us.  Not that we need to fall in love with each other in Valentine-card ways. We are called to love before we even know each other. We are already the body of Christ, now being joined together, even when old congregational wounds need to be healed by the wounded One, Jesus. This will not be just a one-day celebration of being nice, or until the  liking-each-other period runs down.  Christ’s forgiving, reconciling love, which won’t let us down, even when we let each other down, is the forever kind.  

The Holy Spirit:  When I was called to serve a congregation years ago, I had to remind them I was not the coming Messiah. God had not sent me to “save” them. However, we could expect to be surprised by the Spirit. How would God be growing us? By pruning? By transformation? By numerical growth or some other kind of growth? By listening to each other and hearing everyone’s voice? By reaching out in radical hospitality without fear? (Grafting strangers on to the tree?) By building trust and trying new healthier patterns of making decisions? By really incorporating new people (corpus of Christ), and building more trust?

Happy Valentine’s Day all year long, my beloved sisters and brothers, as we live together in the trustworthy, unconditional love of God.

(based on a conversation with Rev. Christopher deForest)

Now as the Year Turns Again, Give us Peace Beyond our Fear

There we were! Don Weber and I happened to be kneeling beside each other at the altar rail as hundreds came forward for healing yesterday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. Years ago I  turned 18 and he 30 when I worked in his family’s carpet business while attending my first two years of college.

 Now I am 80 and he is 92. The years have turned. How many times each of us has heard the Gospel and received communion since then.  I have gathered in churches all over the world. I felt the presence of all those saints as the sign of the cross was made with oil on our heads Sunday.

 Pastor Dan Gerrietts had invited us to come for healing for ourselves, for others, for our nation, our world. Now as the year turns again,  “Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow, give us peace beyond our fear . . . Teach us all your way of healing.”

Remember the Centennial of Armistice Day, not the Glory of Nationalism

Eleven days until Election day. I urge you to vote (if you have not already). Also remember the 11^th hour of the 11th day of the 11^th month of Nov. 1918. This is the 100^th anniversary of Armistice Day, the end of WW I, the “War to End all Wars.” Now called Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada and other nations. French President Macron, hosting world leaders for the centennial, will have no celebration of national triumph. No tanks or missiles in the streets. 

In the U.S. we need peace for our press, freedom of the press--not bombs for them. We need no military at our borders; we need nuclear peace treaties. My father was a veteran of WW I. My uncle was gassed in that war. Remember that war did not end all wars. Nov. 6 is a time for voting. Nov. 11^th is a Sunday, a day of Remembrance, not of the glory of nationalism, but of the Christ who died to end death and of Resurrection: for new together life for all.