The Metro NY Synod invites you to attend Worship Day 2008 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Midtown Manhattan (Lexington and 54 Streets), on Saturday, February 2nd, 9:30 - 4:00. The theme of the gathering will be “Encountering Christ More Deeply in Worship.” The event seeks to amplify the impact of our new worship resource, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

ELW has been published as part of the ELCA’s Renewing Worship initiative. But meaningful worship renewal involves more than placing a new book in people’s hands, requires more than ‘doing the liturgy’, however practiced an individual or congregation may become.

What does it mean, in fact, to worship? What are the qualitative dimensions of worship renewal that allow us to worship in a way through which the Spirit can form, reform and transform us? How,
practically, can we go about renewing the worship in our particular context? As Jesus said to the disciples John1 (Epiphany 2): “Come and see.” Clergy and laity are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

The keynote speaker will be The Rev. Jonathan Linman, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and Associate Professor of Ascetical Theology, The General Theological Seminary. Workshops will be led by Clergy and Lay Leaders of MNYS who have a passion and track record for excellence in worship (you will have opportunity to attend two). They include The Presence of Worship Leaders: Qualitative Dimensions of Worship Leadership; Worship Planning: More than the Mechanics; Enlivening the Assembly’s Song: Building Christian Community through Music; For the Worshiper in the Pews: How to Worship 101.

You may register by calling Branden Dicks at 212-665-0732 (ext. 235) or go to http://www.mnys.org/default.asp?contentID=688 Cost: $15 per person (also covers the cost of a catered lunch).

On Jan. 15, the Metropolitan New York Synod Council voted to appoint the Rev. David Olson, former bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod, as interim bishop for the Metropolitan New York Synod, effective Feb. 1. He has accepted this appointment and will begin his duties on Feb. 4. The interim bishop will perform any necessary functions of the bishop’s office, especially as it pertains to the business and good order of the Synod, preside at the election of a new bishop at Synod Assembly in May, and continue to serve until the installation of the new bishop in August, 2008.

As I write, the light is appearing in the eastern sky… a bit earlier than it did, just yesterday. As Epiphany draws to a close, the world around us becomes (ever-so-slowly) more light-filled.

Light is the subject of God’s first concern for Creation. God’s first words that we receive, God’s first action that we remember? “Let there be light.”

How do we remember that? Where do we receive those words? The Bible.

How do we know? We read it. Or, do we? Do you? Do I?

When I began seminary, I was mightily impressed straight away with my own inadequacies as a reader and student of Scripture. Genesis to Jeremiah, the Gospels to Paul through Revelation, if I thought I knew anything, I soon learned that it was, at best, just about enough to get in trouble. For better or worse, I was not alone in my relative ignorance; many if not most of my colleagues shared my plight.

The three years I spent at Union Theological Seminary certainly made up for some of my shortcomings. I read the Bible through. I occasionally understood parts of what I read. But most importantly, I received a gift: a deep appreciation for life-long, ongoing engagement with our sacred scripture.

In my field studies, in my internship, as I have served as your pastor, and as I minister in a variety of settings beyond the congregation, it continues to concern me how few Christians - including pastors - regularly read the Bible as a part of a daily routine. Yet virtually every program of spiritual practice in the Christian tradition, whether ancient or “emerging,” has at its core a pattern of regular Bible reading.

During the Lenten season we will focus on how we as a congregation can engage more fully with scripture. At Wednesday evening gatherings in the Social Hall we will read and discuss favorite Bible stories as we share a light meal. In my sermons I’ll be talking with you about developing a deeper familiarity with scripture, appreciating its broad themes and identifying some specific pivot points.

I’ll be introducing a Bible reading guide, the “E100 Challenge.” This is a program of guided Bible reading that takes the reader through the complete span of God’s Salvation history in 100 days. Each day’s reading is a selection from your Bible, in whatever translation you choose to read, designed to take about ten minutes to read, presented without commentary.

I’m looking forward to talking with you about this program, doing this program, learning more about God’s Word, God’s light, shining on us, illuminating the Way we might travel, together.

Pr. Parsons

Download the February issue of the Link newsletter here. (PDF format)

Times of the season…

Memories of a wonderful Christmas time at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel are still evergreen-fresh, especially the packed pews on December 23rd as our Christmas Play and two baptisms drew nearly 200 people to Sunday worship. Bravo to all who participated in any way, and to all who helped decorate the church and grounds.

There is barely a moment to languish in that after-glow; the seasons insist. This year, Easter Sunday falls on March 23rd, nearly the earliest date possible (that would be March 22nd). Thus, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 6th, and time is flying. Where is it headed?

For the Sundays prior to Lent we will again, as last year, have a focus on Lutheran Missions. This year we will learn about Missions closer to home, such as Lutheran Disaster Response and Seafarers and International House.

During the Lenten season we will focus on how we as a congregation can engage more fully with scripture. Wednesday evening gatherings in the Social Hall will read and discuss favorite Bible stories as we share a light meal. I’ll also be introducing a Bible reading guide, the “E100 Challenge.” More details on that in the February Link.

Having enjoyed Friday evening gatherings in the Social Hall in November (the Faithful Folk concert) and December (the Advent/Christmas party), we will try and build a new tradition for fellowship: “Fun Fridays.” On January 25th there will be an early-evening event in the Social Hall: possibilities include another “coffee house” and sing-along, or a bingo night, or a movie night, or… what would YOU suggest? Watch the Sunday bulletin for details. We’ll take February off for Lent, and return again on Friday, March 28th.

As we anticipate all this activity, let us pause, give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy as a congregation, and pray that the New Year to come will be filled with renewed faith, good health and, especially, peace.

Pr. Parsons

January 6th

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

January 13th

Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29 (3)
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

January 20th

Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

January 27th

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Memorials were given in loving memory of

Marie Smith, b. 1/3 by Ruth Gerlitz

Lillie Spach, b. 1/24 by Margery Baer

At our annual budget meeting last May, the congregation gave preliminary approval to changes in the Constitution and By-Laws of St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel. Those changes will be presented to the congregation for final approval at the Annual Congregation Meeting on February 3, 2008. A two-thirds vote of those members of the congregation present and voting at the meeting will be required for final approval.

Most of these changes were mandated by our greater Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and primarily are intended to guard against the loss of church property and the prevention of disputes.

In addition to the ELCA changes, your Council recommended, and the congregation gave its preliminary approval to, changes that would:

• Give the Council the power to spend up to 10% in excess of the annual budget without calling a congregational meeting to ask for more. Under the current Constitution the Council can only spend $8,000 in excess of the budget to meet unforeseen maintenance or repair expenses for example without a meeting of the congregation, while with this suggested change that amount would be increased to approximately $22,500 under the current budget.
• Simplify the process of keeping St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel’s mission statement current.
• Correct the date for the annual congregational budget meeting.

Since our May budget meeting, the ELCA has given us more to do. At the 2007 Churchwide Assembly, ELCA mandated additional changes to provision C8.02 and Articles C17 and C18 of congregation constitutions. These changes make it clear that members of the congregation have the right to be heard and to vote at congregational meetings, to propose ELCA-mandated changes to the Constitution and to adopt continuing resolutions of the congregation.

Under our current Constitution (and our Constitution as proposed to be amended), these new ELCA-mandated changes require only a majority vote of the congregation at the February 4, 2008 annual meeting in order to be given final approval. Your Council recommends that these additional changes be made to the Constitution.

To save on postage we are giving you notice, and overview of the changes to be considered at the February 3rd meeting, via this newsletter. Copies of the full amendment as preliminarily approved by the congregation, as well as copies of the new ELCA-required changes, are available at the Church Office or, if you want a copy of these materials mailed or e-mailed to you, please call the Church Office at 718-768-0528. The 2007 ELCA mandated changes are also available on the internet at http://tinyurl.com/ynpp3x.

As we raise money to support the ELCA’s Global Barnyard program, which places animals in communities around the world, and provides education to the recipients, it can be helpful to learn about the “yield” of the seeds we plant. The story below, and many others, can be found at http://www.elca.org/hunger/stories/barnyard.html

The Multiplier

(Kenya) In 1998, gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, through Lutheran World Relief and local partner Farming Systems Kenya, brought Margaret Ngigi a goat. Today, thanks in large part to her remarkably prolific goat, Margaret’s status in her community and her standard of living have increased dramatically.

When her goat gave birth for the first time, Margaret felt blessed to see a litter of three kids. She had one kid to pass along to another woman in her self-help group who had not yet received a goat, and two to sell.

Then, the next time her goat gave birth, it had four kids. Margaret was astonished the third time when her goat gave birth to an astounding five kids.

Since then, Margaret’s goat has consistently given her three kids at a time with each birth. With so many goats to sell, Margaret has had no trouble providing for her family. She has used the money to pay for her children’s school fees, a metal roof for her house, a water tank, and improvements to her five-acre farm. Last year, she was voted the best farmer in her district and received a trophy and a small cash prize. “Now I can even afford to hire someone to help me work the farm,” she says proudly.

December 2007

Barbara continues to serve as Administrator for the ELCA-GM office we have in Madagascar for projects and personnel on the ground. Andrew continues his travels and meetings with our companion churches and partner organizations in the 5 countries with which he works. Michael turned 7 and loves school and arts. Kristian is now 2 and half and continuing to learn Malagasy.

This congregation helps sponsor the Hinderlies, an ELCA Missionary family in Madagascar. Andrew, as regional representative for East Africa, works with national churches and various church entities as they relate to ELCA Global Mission and with GM personnel called to serve in East Africa. He is also the contact and information person for Companion Synods, volunteers, and visitors when needed.

Barbara is the administrator for MELCAM (Missionaries of the ELCA in Madagascar) and the development consultant in conjunction with Andrew. She supervises the office that deals with missionaries, visas, and development projects, and acts as liaison for the office to the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM), other missions, non-government organizations and the government itself.

The family has home leave in May-August, 2009, and we have begun plans to welcome them here at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel. Please keep Andrew, Barbara, Michael and Kristian in your prayers.