Will They Always Be There? - Central Illinois District
Transcription
Will They Always Be There? - Central Illinois District
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod www.cidlcms.org January/February 2006 Spreading Hope to Katrina Victims By Rev. Terry Strom In This Issue... Spreading Hope to Katrina Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 The Great Commission Convocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Official Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hurricane Katrina Relief Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Camp CILCA Pastors’ Retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2006 Camp CILCA Events . . . . . 5 Will They Always be There? . . . 6 Volunteer Teacher of the Year Nominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sunday School Teachers’ Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Good Humor Box . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 St. Paul Lutheran Installation . . 7 Investment Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Jacksonville Zone Celebrates 40 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What would you think? How would you feel if you came home and saw strangers beating holes in your walls and throwing your child’s rocking chair and all his toys out into the street? The servant team from Trinity, Cissna Park, experienced this when a group of volunteers from Trinity and others from Indiana were the strangers throwing this family’s lives out into the street. To hug that mother as she sobs uncontrollably and her husband says “it feels like my heart has been ripped out.” Our group was sent to the community of Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, an area that was hard hit by the floodwaters of Katrina. For two days we “gutted” out a 2-story house (stripped everything out of the house; kitchen cabinets, drywall, everything to the studs). The waters had risen three feet up the second story. The first day a couple of us helped repair a lady’s fence and repair her roof, which doesn’t seem like a very high priority considering all the major damage that was around (the house next door was missing its whole roof). We were sent because the lady that we helped was recently widowed. Her husband was a New Orleans fireman and he was electrocuted two weeks before while working. In the midst of a disaster and losing her husband even the smallest gesture of repairing her fence helped. As important as the physical work was, more important was the need to listen. Listening to their stories and as many thousands of homes were affected there are that many stories, each unique and each very personal. Our mission was to bring hope. Our mission was to share Christ love. Our mission was to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, to support and to serve. To see an ex-marine with tears streaming down his face in gratitude as he tells us “you have given my family hope.” Continued on Page 2. 2 The GatePost • January/February 2006 Spreading Hope to Katrina Victims (Continued from Page 1) Out Servant team consisted of eight people from our church. One couple prepared three meals a day for the volunteers that stayed at the tent city sponsored by Lutheran Disaster Response. They would serve anywhere from 20 – 85 people at each meal. Their day would begin at 4:30 a.m. preparing breakfast. The team slept on cots and, after eating a hearty breakfast, the teams would leave by 7:00 to 7:15 a.m. to the various job sites. This tent city in the past four or so weeks have helped approximately 30 families and as of last week they have over 250 more families pending and the list is growing each day. In my opinion I would estimate that only 10 to 15% of the homes in the areas that we worked have been gutted. Repairing New Orleans is just beginning. The tragedy is overwhelming as thousands of homes were destroyed. We were haunted by the thought, how can I make a difference? But, to that marine and his family, to that widow in Jefferson Parish, to that pastor and his family living on Corrine Drive that had 8 inches of “muck” and snakes in their house, to the retired pastor who is suffering from Alzheimer and his family in Metairie through Christ we made a difference. The mess in the Gulf Coast is so very big and it will take so many years for things to finally be back to normal. But volunteers are making a difference, one family at a time. One family at a time, one story at a time we can make a difference through Christ. Another joy of serving is meeting wonderful Christians from around the United States. We were connected with Lutheran Disaster Response Tent City in Metairie near the airport in New Orleans. This Tent City has been funded and helped by Orphan Grain Train, local churches and churches around the US, Lutheran Church Charities, LWML, LWR and other organizations. Jessica, a member of a local Lutheran Church, and Seth, a DCE from Nebraska who will begin studying at the St. Louis Seminary this summer, manage the Tent City. I cannot say enough about Jessica and Seth, they are so caring and loving for the victims of Katrina, all the while they are trying to coordinate volunteers coming from all corners of the United States. Phil, from Arkansas, is the chef who does a great job and, if you are real lucky, will teach you how to talk proper English. If you want to volunteer, please visit the Web site at www.ldr.org. Telling The Good News About Jesus Participants brought food and other items to share with the needy. Youth from High school and Junior High helped make blankets for local charities. 3 Some of the more than 600 participants register for the Great Commission Convocation. T H E G R E AT C O M M I S S I O N C O N VO C AT I O N Back to Reality: Jesus Christ It Is O C TO B E R 2 9 , 2 0 0 5 • S P R I N G F I E L D, I L L I N O I S Dr. Dean O. Wenthe., President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, preached at the concluding Reformation service. Young children had an opportunity to learn about Jesus with lessons, songs and crafts. The Convocation volunteer choir adds beauty to the service. Dr. Dale Meyer, President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, gives the keynote address to the Convocation Pastors and lay volunteers are commissioned for the CID’s Latvia mission. 4 The GatePost • January/February 2006 Official Notices: Calls Accepted: Rev. James Hennig from St. Peter-Prairietown, IL to Concordia-Springfield Calling Congregations: St. John, Beardstown Grace, Canton Our Redeemer, Forsyth St. Paul, Manito Holy Cross, Moline Zion, Mt. Pulaski $ Hurricane Katrina damage to Faith Lutheran School in Harahan, LA. Photographed by Michael S. Taylor. Hurricane Katrina Relief Response As of November 1, 2005, our Central Illinois District churches have given/committed $21,794.48 to help St. Matthew and Holy Trinity Lutheran Churches, Gulfport, MS. That’s great! Many thanks! Every penny counts! Our minimum goal is $30,000, because LCMS World Relief will match our District’s gifts up to $30,000! Also, thanks to those who have volunteered. Volunteers from our District are now being directed to LCMS World Missions who are coordinating the volunteers. You may, however, request to work in the Gulfport area. Trinity, Urbana Holy Cross, Vandalia Camp CILCA Pastors’ Retreat May 1-2, 2006 Why Do We Confess the Church? Patristic Reflections Guest Speaker: Dr. William Weinrich Cost is $40. Retreat begins at 9 a.m. on Monday and concludes on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Registration includes lodging, two noon meals and breakfast. There will be a cookout and campfire on Monday evening. This activity is sponsored by the Jacksonville and Lincoln Circuits. For more information contact the Rev. Brian Lesemann at banblesemann@juno.com or call (309) 546-2434. Telling The Good News About Jesus 5 2006 Camp CILCA Events Talking to your kids about the “Birds & the Bees” Parenting Retreat January 20-21 • 7 p.m. Friday - 4 p.m. Saturday This retreat is aimed at opening or enhancing communication between parent and child in the areas of sexuality. Do you want your kids to learn about God’s gift of sexuality only from movies or their friends at school? Join with other parents for this challenging, but helpful retreat about teaching your kids about the birds and the bees. Led by Kevin Bueltmann, who has a Family Life Ministry Master’s Degree from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. The $45 per person cost includes one night’s lodging at the Retreat center, breakfast, and lunch. You will each need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bag/pillow) and towels. Camp CILCA’s Christian Scrapbooking Retreat February 10-12 • 7 p.m Friday - 2 p.m. Sunday The pictures are piling up and you’re ready to get away from the distractions at home and spend some dedicated time getting them into a scrapbook! Enjoy a faith-filled time of fellowship and fun with other Christian women. Your $85 fee includes 5 meals and a motel-like room. Bring a friend and save $10! Tawn Bueltmann will be your Spiritual Life Leader and Retreat Hostess. Go to www.cilca.org for more details and to register. “In the Woods . . . In the Word” Men’s Retreat March 3-5 • 8 p.m. Friday - 2 p.m. Sunday Camp CILCA is sponsoring its annual men’s retreat called, “In the Woods . . . In the Word.” The service activity of cutting and splitting firewood will be a significant part of the retreat. Robert Mrosko, who is pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Thomasboro and also chairman of the Camp CILCA board, will lead the Bible Studies. The $48 charge covers lodging in the Retreat Center and five meals. The cost is half price ($24) for those who bring their own chain saws or log splitters. You will need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bag/pillow) and towels. “What to Do, Before ‘I Do’” Engaged Couples Retreat March 31-April 1 • 7 p.m. Friday - 4 p.m. Saturday Spend time getting prepared before you say “I Do.” Learn some important things about communication, gender differences, personality differences, and love languages. Meet other engaged couples just like you. Your Retreat Leaders will be Kevin and Tawn Bueltmann. Kevin has his Family Life Ministry Master’s Degree from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Limited to 16 couples, so register ASAP!! The $45 per person cost includes one night’s lodging at the Retreat center, breakfast, and lunch. You will each need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bag/pillow) and towels. Families with Hope June 23-25 • 7 p.m. Friday - 2 p.m. Sunday Families who have gone through a divorce (recent or otherwise) deal with a unique set of challenges. Kids, for example, often deal with issues of guilt, wondering what they could’ve done differently to keep mom and dad together. Why not learn some strategies and skills that will make things easier in the long run for all family members. Thanks to a grant from CID-LWML, Camp CILCA is offering a camp retreat filled with learning, growing, playing, and hope. Parents and kids will have some sessions together and some sessions apart. LCMS Lay Minister and Parish Nurse, Kim Meyer, will be leading the various sessions. Check our Web site for details about prices and financial assistance available, coming soon about this special opportunity. In the meantime, you may send an email to kevin@cilca.org to let us know of your interest and any special family needs as we prepare. 6 ? The GatePost • January/February 2006 Will They Always Be There? It’s Sunday morning. You get up . . . you eat . . . you go to church. You have done that all your life. When you get to church, the pastor is there to baptize your children. The pastor is there to feed you the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastor is there to feed you the body and blood of Christ. The pastor is always there . . . he has always been there. It’s Monday morning and you rise to take your children to school. The teacher is there to teach them reading, writing, and arithmetic. The teacher is there to teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your children go to Lutheran school, and the teachers have always been there. Will our pastors and teachers always be there? With the cost of education rising rapidly, will they always be there? With our pastors and teachers coming out of school with more and more college debt, will they always be there? Probably not — without our help. This past summer, the Central Illinois District (CID) disbursed over $120,000 in grants to seminary students and undergraduates studying for careers in full time church work. Some of this money came from a grant from the District LWML, some from private individuals, and the bulk of it came from a grant from the Clara and Spencer Werner Foundation. We are so thankful for these blessings. Will our pastors and teachers always be there? CID is in the midst of losing the grant from the Werner Foundation as they redirect their efforts and funds. In order to replace this loss, we must raise between $1.5 and $2.0 million to be placed in an endowment fund for scholarships to our future pastors and teachers. By using only the income from this endowment, the principal will always be there to provide future income. We will be able to continue to provide scholarship grants to everyone in the CID who wants to serve the Lord as a pastor, teacher, DCE, or Deaconess. Will our pastors and teachers always be there? With your help and by the grace of God they can be. With your help and by the grace of God, no one will be left out. If you want to help with this important task, please contact me, Dave Rohe, CID Gift Planning Counselor, and let’s discuss your options for a gift now, a gift in the future, or a gift at your death. All are possible with proper planning. Please call me at (217) 793-1802 and arrange an appointment to look at your options. Will our pastors and teachers always be there? Let’s do our part to see that they are. Good Humor Box A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, “Boys and girls, what do we know about God?” A hand shot up in the air. “He is an artist!” said the kindergarten boy. “Really? How do you know?” the teacher asked. “You know — Our Father, who does art in Heaven . . .” Volunteer Teacher of the Year! Teacher Nominations: Who: Sunday School teachers, Bible School teachers, and other teachers! Where: Forms will be sent out to Pastors and Sunday School Superintendents, January, 2006. When: Nominations are due by March 1, 2006 Why: To give thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who give countless hours doing the Lord’s work. Please consider nominating those special people in your congregation who help out in so many ways! Sunday School Teachers’ Workshop* Saturday, March 18, 2006, 10 a.m. 2 p.m., is the 5th Annual Central Illinois District Sunday School Teacher Workshop at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Springfield, IL. Dr. Dave Ebeling will be leading the workshop entitled “Four Ingredients of a Healthy Sunday School.” CPH items (including the new Sunday School material) will be on display and available for purchase. Cost is $20 per person (lunch and $5 certificate for CPH items included in fee). Registration forms will be sent out at a later date. * This qualifies as continuing education hours for Lutheran teachers. Telling The Good News About Jesus 7 St. Paul Lutheran Installation The Rev. David Bergelin (left), pictured with his father, Rev. Darrel Bergelin (right), was installed at St Paul Lutheran in Lexington on October 16, 2005. John W. Sias has begun his first year of studies in the M.Div. program at Concordia Theological Seminary. His home congregation is University Lutheran Church, Champaign, IL. ✁ CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT CHURCH EXTENSION FUND, INC. INVESTMENT FORM 03-01-04 1850 North Grand Ave. West., Springfield, IL 62702-1626 • (217) 793-1802 Fax: (217) 793-9454 • E-mail cef@cidlcms.org The mission of The Church Extension Fund, Inc., is to make funds and services available to congregations for building efforts in support of The Great Commission (Matthew 28). The enclosed $_________________ investment in CID-CEF should be issued as follows: TERM % RATE* MINIMUM ___Flexible ___1 Year ___3 Year ___5 Year ___6 Months 1.00 3.25 4.00 4.25 Variable $25 (Passbook Savings Account) $100 ___Interest Check Semi-Annually (if over $25) $100 $1,000 ___Accumulate Interest and Add to Note Balance $5,000 *RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM CURRENT INTEREST RATES. __ Individual Ownership - Name (print) Social Security or I.D. Number__________________________________________ __ Joint Ownership - Name _______________________________________________ and/or Name _____________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________ (As joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common) __ Minor Owner- Adult ______________as custodian for Child __________________ (Under the Illinois Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) ____________________________________________________________________ State Zip City Address ____________________________________________________________________ Phone Congregation Apply Investment for Benefit of______________________ Lutheran Church towards meeting its supporting investment requirement: 25% of loan. CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify (1) that the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number and (2) that I am NOT subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Allow two weeks for delivery of note.) USA PATRIOT ACT of October 26, 2001, says we must verify the identity of any person seeking to open an investment account with us. We will follow this law by obtaining picture identification of all new investors. Therefore, if you are a new investor, please include a photocopy of your drivers license or other state issued photo identification. The protection of our customer’s identity and confidentiality is CEF’s pledge to you. We proudly support all efforts to protect and maintain the security of our investors and our country. Jacksonville Zone of the Lutheran Laymen’s League Celebrates 40 Years Pastor Joseph Eckman Members of the Jacksonville Zone and guests sing with the residents at the 40th anniversary service. ▲ ▲ The Jacksonville Zone of the Lutheran Laymen’s League celebrated 40 years of conducting services for the developmentally disabled at the Jacksonville Developmental Center in Jacksonville. Pastor Joseph Eckman led the service. After the service, the Director of the Developmental Center presented the Zone with a certificate of appreciation. The Communications Committee for The Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is published 6 times per year. It is a supplement to congregational newsletters. Submit all articles to the Editor: Rev. Robert L. Bruer 3303 E. Maryland Decatur, IL 62521 Email: gatepost@insightbb.com Layout and Design by: Deverman Advertising Pekin, Illinois Printing and Distribution by: Martin Graphics Champaign, Illinois Deadline for March/April Issue: January 20, 2006 Communications Committee Rev. Rodger Abatie, Chairman Rev. Robert Bruer, Editor Jim Deverman Lisa Dippel Joel Fletcher Rev. Dr. Wayne Hoffman Rev. Wesley Reimnitz, Advisor Mike Smith