Council Happenings August 2009

Every so often I look around at OSLC and feel incredibly blessed to be here. These are a few of the most recent reasons why:

Adult education. I’ve been fired up seeing how many people are taking the courses being offered here this fall. I’m taking a couple of classes myself – one on David and Michal, and one on Biology and Belief – and I’m eager to see what’s being offered next term. I truly believe God wants us to learn all that we can about our faith, God’s word, and the world around us. If you weren’t able to take a class or two this time around, I hope you’ll sign up for the second session. These courses are fun!

PADS. It’s no secret around here that I love the PADS program. If there’s any one thing that the Scriptures make perfectly clear, it is that the people of God must care for those in need. There is no act that’s more concretely Christian than to feed and clothe our sisters and brothers who lack the basic necessities of life, and that’s what we do at OSLC every Saturday night. PADS at Our Saviour’s starts up again on Oct. 3; I hope that in between your nights attending Adult Ed classes, you’ll find time to work a few PADS shifts or bring in a couple of meals. I promise you you’ll feel terrific afterward!

ELCA Assembly Forum. The ELCA dealt with a tough issue last month, and ultimately decided that the most Scripture-based, Christ-like course of action was to allow congregations who wish to do so the option of supporting those in committed lifelong same-sex relationships and/or allowing them to serve as pastors. The following week, we held a forum at OSLC to talk about this decision. So why does this count as a reason I love my church? Because we don’t put our heads in the sand; we acknowledge the tough issues and talk about them. Because I heard people speak from their hearts on both sides of the issue. Because everyone present spoke with love and respect for those on the other side of the issue. And because everyone present agreed that we must above all be faithful to God’s will and faithful to Scripture. I’ll repeat here what I said there: There are many rules set forth in the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) that we no longer adhere to (for example, we mustn’t eat shellfish, women mustn’t wear their hair in braids, we mustn’t wear cotton and wool together, and women mustn’t speak in church); but of course there are many, many more that we do adhere to (including, for example, all 10 Commandments). Our job now is to figure out which category the ancient Israeli and early Christian views of same-sex behaviors fall into. Lutherans use Scripture to interpret Scripture, which means that we must look to the message of Scripture as a whole in seeking to interpret individual passages – which is to say, in all cases we look to Scripture, as ELCA did in making its decisions. I’m heartened to see the members of this church looking in love together at Scripture to seek God’s way of proceeding on tough questions. The conversation will continue, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

We learn, we serve, and we seek God’s will together. That’s why I love my church!

At its August meetings, Council heard a report from the Adult Education task force, discussed reports on Youth Ministry and Stephens Ministry, approved the Administrative and Finance reports, approved changes to and expenditures from the Memorial and Special Gifts fund, approved a procedure for congregational advocacy, discussed ELCA Assembly actions and reactions, took a look at the preliminary 2010 budget and the MRC’s plans for fall, and began work on the Nominating Committee for the upcoming year’s Council. For complete minutes, see Jim Valentine. And if you’re interested in serving on next year’s Council, please speak to any Council member!

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Birner

Council President