Autumn is my favorite time of year. Crisp, cool air….. college and pro football teams to root for…… and the beginning of the formal OSLC programming year! Sunday school, confirmation, adult education classes, PADS, choir, orchestra, and many other programs are in full swing to MAKE CHRIST KNOWN inside our walls and out in the world. Take time to get actively involved in your favorite passions, and pray for all who do God’s work at OSLC.
The Council had a busier summer than usual working through the final process for deciding on the same gender resolutions. As I write this note we are in the middle of the voting period. You can find below the transcript of the temple talk I gave on August 28th as a reminder that the power of this congregation is found in our abundant diversity!
The Council will be working hard this fall prioritizing and developing action plans for the mid and long term goals we developed at our retreat earlier this year. We’re also continuing to develop and analyze a joint program with LSSI to provide group home housing for high functioning adults with autism. Expect to hear much more on these topics in the coming months.
In Christ’s Love,
Dave Timm
August 27/28 Temple Talk:
Beginning next weekend and running through Sept. 18 all confirmed members of Our Saviours are encouraged to vote on the two same gender resolutions adopted by the ELCA Churchwide assembly in August of 2009. The assembly strongly encouraged individual congregations to faithfully deliberate on these resolutions and then make our own decision on whether to adopt the resolutions in the life of our congregation. Over the past two years we have heeded this advice and offered multiple opportunities to educate ourselves on the resolutions and the broader social issue, as well as share our hopes, dreams, and concerns regarding the resolutions.
The voting that begins next week might tempt us to place labels on ourselves or others. Labels like “right”, “wrong”, “winner”, or “loser”. We are misguided if we think in these terms. The ELCA welcomes a rich diversity of theological conversation, Biblical inquiry, and faith expressions. Our Saviours is blessed with an abundance of diversity. I witness this diversity all the time, whether in Council meetings or just chatting with the many friends I have here at Our Saviours. We agree on some things, and disagree on others. But what we share is precious: a love for Christ and a love for Our Saviours. I often thank God for allowing my family to find this passion-filled, dynamic congregation. Think of all the programs Our Saviours is actively involved with. This rich array of opportunity is a blessing that comes from our diverse passions, not our “sameness”.
Our Saviours is a place for all people who love the Lord. I think of Jesus’ great commandment, found in the 22nd chapter of Matthew, beginning in the 36th verse:
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Look around at your neighbors. Let’s show each other the respect and love found in Jesus’ words.
Make Christ Known. Thanks Be To God!
Dave Timm
