Author: Amy Gilgenbach

Latino Ministry News

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. ~Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 4

I found myself thinking of this Bible verse today. Some days it feels as though we experience all of the emotions mentioned in Ecclesiastes on the same day. I was working on my newsletter article and focusing on all of the positive things happening with our ministry at Ascension. With the nicer weather, we have decided to worship every Sunday outside, as long as the weather allows. Although the farmers could use the rain, we have enjoyed the lack of insects during worship on the front lawn.

We are busy planning a quinceañera for the end of July and we are planning another wedding for August. The August wedding is special because it is for a couple that was legally married years ago, but they have been dreaming of a chance to have a religious ceremony and to have a marriage that is officially blessed by the church. They are happy to be a part of a church that has affordable wedding options.

As I was forming my thoughts about all of these joyful things for my article, I received a call that my brother-in-law had unexpectedly passed away. He was in San Salvador visiting his mother. He was only 37 years old. Because of the distance between San Rafael Oriente, our family’s village, and San Salvador, my sister and his mother did not know each other. His mother decided she would take care of all funeral arrangements and that he would be buried in San Salvador. My sister was in shock at all that her family was facing.

Navigating supporting my sister from a distance, determining who from our family in Waukesha will be able to travel to El Salvador and making those travel plans required urgency. Suddenly planning for the happy things was no longer on my agenda for the week.

During these difficult times, I need to remember the words of Ecclesiastes that although my family is once again facing great sorrow, we will heal. I pray that we all find peace knowing that while we are feeling sadness for my sister and nephew, my brother-in-law is free from suffering and experiencing the gift of resurrection.

May you feel the presence of Jesus in all of your moments, good and bad.

Edwin Aparicio
Spanish Language Minister

Moving Forward

Dear friends, how far we have come! We continue to see the pandemic moving towards its close. And although we still recognize the concern for those among us unvaccinated and those unable to be vaccinated, I am grateful to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Singing has returned to the sanctuary in amazing ways with choirs, Praise Band, solos, and the voices of the congregation gathered to worship. Physical distancing in the sanctuary has been reduced to one section to offer continued covid protocols for those choosing just a little more separation. Masks have disappeared for most and the chance to see smiles on faces is worth its weight in gold. The best part has been a return to hugs and handshakes for those that are feeling comfortable returning to the practice. This Pastor will happily offer either to you when you see him. We celebrated baptisms in June and have a couple more to celebrate in July. Always a moment of joy in the life of the congregation. JOLT Adventure Camp was a wonderful return to some “normalcy” in ministry. The students were amazing and the adventures pushed students and the adults out of their comfort zones and into the “leaps of faith” where we trust our faith in God a little more deeply before we climb the mountain or step off the platform to hang on the zipline cable. All-in-all, the summer is shaping up to be a life-giving gift of God after the covid summer of 2020.

Personally, I will share with you that this past year has humbled me in ways that I did not expect. You have been so gracious to tend my father, my family, and to allow me to work through some of my own grief after the death of my mom in very public ways. I have acknowledged the milestones of the “firsts” that so many of you have spoken of in your own journeys with grief. First Thanksgivings, first birthdays, first Easters, first Mother’s Days – navigating each one was more minefield that I expected. So many of you took the time to share with me your own stories of figuring out the way forward after losing a parent or spouse or child. I am grateful for your willingness to share your own experiences so that I could know I was not crazy for what I was feeling and, more importantly, that I was not alone. For every card, every letter, every knowing glance, every half smile, every hug – thank you for your examples of faithfulness to our God that allowed me be reminded of God’s great love for all of us.

Finally, as I have shared with the Mutual Ministry Team and the Church Council, I have encouraged the staff to find time to be away this summer. Intentional time away from Ascension and the responsibilities of ministry, so that we will be ready to launch into the fall program with energy and enthusiasm. As many of you remind me regularly, I am also expected to take my own advice at times. I plan to be away from Ascension for three weeks this month. My family plans to be in CA for some vacation to visit family, walk the beach, and linger over some Starbucks coffee and many some 21-year-old scotch. Regardless of what comes first, I expect to be well-vacationed when I return to ministry at the beginning of August.

My prayer is that each of you will find some time to reconnect with family, old friends, a few of your favorite things over these next couple of months. I, for one, will be excited to see you when you find your way back to worship in-person at Ascension. August will allow us time to prepare for the fall. And September will be a time to witness the new things God is doing at Ascension and throughout the world.

Peace be with you.

Pastor Chris

Challenges

It is inevitable that each one of us will face a variety of challenges throughout our lives. Some of them may feel less significant like having to try a new thing or step out of our comfort zone for a time, while others may feel a bit more life-altering like moving to a new place, facing an unexpected diagnosis or dealing with the death of a loved one.

Often our first instinct is to run away from them, but challenges can be a gift if we allow them to be. Challenges can move us to learn new things about ourselves, push us to see what’s possible, help us to see that we are not alone, teach us the blessing of relying on others, and most importantly show us who God is and how God loves.

Recently, while we were away at JOLT Adventure Camp, challenges in various forms presented themselves to both students and leaders. And while each one was different, all of them shared some common themes – they offered opportunities to develop confidence, shift perspective, gain trust, learn acceptance, reveal strength, experience love, and find faith.

When we face our fears and uncertainties, we open ourselves to amazing possibilities, and when we do all this trusting that God is always with us and surrounds us with all we need to maneuver each step of this life, then we allow ourselves to be transformed into who God is continually creating us to be, and the world to be shaped into the place God desires.

Our time at adventure camp was an opportunity to be challenged but more importantly, it was a time to be amazed by God. But you don’t have to go away to adventure camp to experience this, you need only to be willing to have your eyes and heart opened and trust that God is leading you on a path deeper into God’s love. Challenges are certain – more importantly, so is God’s love.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” ~Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

Pastor Tony

Hawthorne Partnership

Hawthorne School has two areas that were depleted this year that need to be refilled before school starts again in the fall.

Pants– They are in need of spare pants for boys/girls in the smaller sizes. Best would be leggings/sweats/joggers in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and/or XS, S, and M.
Sensory tools — These are used to help soothe children with sensory issues and to help children with attention deficits focus. A quick Google or Amazon search will give you many examples.

Donations can be dropped in West Hall. Online orders can be sent directly to Hawthorn.

Changes in Covid Protocols

Masks are now optional (indoors and outdoors) for those who are fully vaccinated. Physical distancing is no longer required in the sanctuary, although we have set aside one area of seating where physical distancing will be maintained.

We remind people to be mindful of those who choose to mask and/or physical distance, including children, those with health issues or unvaccinated people.

Covid Protocols

Dear Friends – We continue to celebrate the news of the decrease in new covid cases within the state of Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Of course, our prayers continue for our sisters and brothers around the world who are seeing another wave of the pandemic wash over their communities.

At Ascension, we are grateful for your faithfulness to God and our continued partnership to gather for in-person worship inside our sanctuary as many ELCA communities are still only meeting virtually. At the Church Council meeting on Tuesday, May 18, the council made the decision to take an additional step-down in our covid protocols. Beginning May 30, we will no longer require physical distancing in the sanctuary, although we will set aside one area of seating where physical distancing will be maintained. As of May 30, we are ending our limit on capacity for worship. RSVP’s are no longer required but are helpful for planning purposes.

As we continue to tend the safety of our entire worshiping community, the Church Council, in keeping with the data and recommendations from the CDC and vaccine availability for the wider community, made the decision to leave our current mask policy in place through Sunday, June 20, allowing for our young people, ages 12-17, the opportunity to be protected with the scheduled two doses of the vaccine and allotted time period to pass for the vaccine to be fully effective. Ascension will move to masks optional throughout the building for those who have been fully vaccinated beginning on Monday, June 21. Of course, those who would choose to continue to wear a mask to protect themselves and others will be respected and welcomed.

As we move into our summer schedule, our 10 a.m. worship will be outside on May 30^th, June 6^th, June 20^th, July 4^th, July 18^th, August 1^st, and August 15^th. Masks will be optional outside beginning with our first outdoor worship on May 30^th.

We are aware that some have a desire to worship without masks and others would choose to continue to require masks in worship long into the future. The Church Council has heard the opinions and requests of our congregation and believes these decisions honor a balance and a continued direction forward. As always, should you have questions, please reach out to the church office, Council President Jeremy Poling, Pastor Tony, or Pastor Chris. We are grateful for our continued walk together and hopeful for the days ahead to the glory of God.

Please remember to reserve your spot for this coming Sunday, May 23.

Still Celebrating Easter

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

We are still celebrating the season of Easter. It does indeed feel like Easter…maybe not with all the usual moments of celebration. Vocal choir anthems were still silent, but the handbells and organ and brass and Praise Band provided so much of what I remembered from years past – I could actually be led down the road to resurrection celebrations this year. As I said in my Easter Sunday sermon, I know Jesus is raised from the dead whether we are together in worship or not – Pastor Tony reminds me of this fact. ALL. THE. TIME. Yet, being together this year was a beautiful beginning to our full return to life as a community of faith.

I am reminded of the disciples gathering, rather hiding, in the locked room on Easter evening. Afraid for their very lives, unsure of what the emptiness of the tomb means for them, they are longing for Jesus’ full return. And Jesus does not disappoint. He shows up. Though the doors and windows are locked in fear, Jesus shows up. Full body – all the scars – resurrected and returned to the disciples just as Jesus said he would. The disciples had their doubts. Even as the women told their stories. Even as Peter and John saw the empty tomb and reported back to the disciples what they had seen or rather what they had not seen. Even as Mary Magdalene heard Jesus call her name. The disciples had their doubts. And so do we. Yes, we know the resurrection to be true. Story after story of Jesus appearing to the disciples are told in the book we claim as the “living word of God.” In a locked room, on the road to Emmaus, and on the seashore by a campfire – Jesus returns fully to show, rather than share, the good news of the resurrection. Yet the doubts still linger. That is why I am always grateful for Thomas on the Sunday after Easter. For one day in the year, the doubters get a hero to claim as their own. I changed my whole perspective on Thomas not long after I was ordained. He brought confidence to my own questions. I am grateful for his courage. Grateful still more for Jesus offering Thomas the healed scars of wounds to touch to prove Jesus’ full return. If the proof was good enough for Thomas – it is good enough for me.

The full return of life at Ascension, and life in general, is still a little ways off, I believe. Yes, we are moving forward – that is the direction I like most. Sitting still and maintaining “what is” – not so much. We continue to listen to the experts but also to each other in our community of faith. We continue to walk with hope and caution as we take the next step in our worship life with singing with masks indoors beginning the last Sunday of April. I appreciate that not everyone agrees with this next step as we are still living in the midst of the pandemic. However, I am also keenly aware of the need to provide concrete moments of engagement that ground us in our faith far beyond listening to the Word of God and meditating while music plays. It is not the perfect solution, but it does invite us to keep moving in a direction. I believe that is why the season of Easter lasts so long. An opportunity to help us move in a new direction in our faith with 50 days of celebration of the resurrection. Thanks be to God!

There are many new directions at Ascension that are happening even as the pandemic continues to remind us that we are not “there” just yet. Our 2020 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan was forgiven and council is discerning new directions for our visioning. Our Global Partners in El Salvador and Tanzania are inviting us to consider new ways of partnering as we seek their guidance in our support and companionship. Cross Lutheran in Milwaukee continues to minister in important ways with the members of their church and their community through the fulfilling of basic needs of food, medical and mental health care, and the tending of their spiritual hunger as well. Closer to home, we are beginning to see resurrection with our worship life and, if you are ready, we need people to step back into their roles in worship leadership – an email is coming but you don’t have to wait for the email to let Tamie in the office know you are ready to help out as an usher, communion assistant, or acolyte. Sorry we are still only using acolytes in 6-8^th grade. If you are over 14, let me help you find another way to bring light to our worship. Also, small groups are back in meeting mode – some offering a combination of virtual and in-person meetings. Pastor Tony had 23 at his first Spiritual Practices study that began on April 12^th. Our JOLT students have been meeting and will meet one more time before the end of May. First Communion candidates gathered at the end of April. And a Spring Property Day Clean-up is on the calendar for Saturday, May 22^nd. We will to offer our graduating seniors their “toweling” on June 6 at the outdoor service.

Our Spanish language worship has been in full in-person worship mode along side our English-speaking worship services. I am grateful to Edwin who has continued to lead this ministry as he also prepares for his endorsement interview completion on May 6^th, which is the next step in his seminary career as he prepares for ordination. Your prayers are appreciated. Also on May 1^st – Edwin officially begins his 18 months of internship here at Ascension alongside Pastor Tony and myself. We are excited to welcome Edwin into more learning and practicing and participating in the life of the congregation. He will show up along side Pastor Tony and/or me at the hospital, at funerals, at weddings, and in the day-to-day ministry of Ascension. He will also begin preaching at the English services as his schedule allows. So much excitement in these next months at Ascension.

My hope is that the summer will offer more opportunities for resurrection, reconnection, restoration, and return. We are hopefully planning our Kick-Off Sunday on Sept. 12 with activities for everyone – a pig roast, and an experience of activities for kids with inflatables and a return to BLAST ministries. We have much to celebrate as we look to the days ahead and a full return of life by the grace of God, to the glory of God. All we need is a little bit of coffee, a lot of Jesus, and you.

Until I get to see your face – which can be next Sunday, if you are ready. Peace be with you.

Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from the May 2021 newsletter)

From Optimism to Hope

As we inch closer and closer toward the waning days of the pandemic, I’m recognizing more and more that there are many in the church, and throughout the world who continue to struggle with a pessimistic outlook about these days and the foreseeable future.

It is easy to understand though why such a Pollyanna attitude can arise in us and take over our thoughts of hopefulness or joy or happiness when the past year has been filled with a series of cancellations, disappointments, separation, uncertainty, illness, and death. Sadly, none of us can fast forward through these difficult times, but rest assured, God is up to something good in our lives – even if we have trouble seeing it.

And that’s a good thing, because I’ve never been a glass half empty kind of person anyways, and I tend to be overly optimistic to a fault – or so I’m told by my friends and family. So, seeing as how I’m cursed with this “character flaw,” I’d like to challenge you to instead consider looking upward and forward with me because I think in these Easter days, we are surrounded by an abundance of reasons to be optimistic.

Optimism has a way of blooming a little easier when we can once again see renewed signs of life – spring flowers, green grass, warmer weather, widespread vaccine distribution, and increasing opportunities to break from our separation. And while the optimism that these things offer is no doubt wonderful, I believe we have the reassurance in something more powerful than optimism, and that is hope – a living hope grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

I am also reminded of this unimaginable hope which the apostle Paul proclaims in his letter to the Ephesians, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” ~Eph. 3:20-21

So, what are we to do then? Well, I propose that we maintain a courageous spirit as we cling to our hope in the risen Christ. As people of the resurrection, I pray that along our journey we don’t lose faith – faith that God is always and forever with us and for us. The signs of hope are closer than you think.

People of God, there is hope – sometimes it surrounds us and sometimes we are called and sent to be that hope for others. We are all in this together, and together we can help each other. Whether it is helping someone with food, financial assistance, or simply giving them a phone number to call for help. Reach out, lend a hand, volunteer. Be more appreciative, polite, kind. Check in on one another, don’t take a smile or a wave or a phone call for granted. Be a good neighbor, call someone just to cheer them up, offer to go to the store for someone. One of the best things we can do during this time is also very simple – be the sign of hope for one another.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Pastor Tony

(Reprinted from the May 2021 newsletter)

New Beginnings

With the end of the pandemic in sight in the US, everyone is beginning to talk about life after the pandemic. This restart is a good time to decide what from our pre-pandemic life is worth returning to, what can be left in the past, and what new things can we expect.

We are grateful that this year we were able to return to many of our Semana Santa (Holy Week) traditions that are such a meaningful way of expressing our faith. While I know we should be appreciative of the fact that we had technology that allowed us to experience Holy Week virtually last year, it isn’t an adequate substitute for face to face worship.

In the Latino ministry world, we are purchasing another pig, thanks to a grant. These purchases of pigs have supported local farmers while providing much needed support to our families. With this next pig, our families will receive a box of meat to keep for themselves and a box to give to a friend who could benefit from it in a beautiful moment of evangelism.

Our families are busy planning for summer activities. After the death of Fabricio from drowning, all of the Spanish-speaking families are eager to enroll their children in swimming lessons. And after a year of virtual school, many of the families would like their children in summer school to prepare them to return to face to face school in the fall. Many of the families shared their conflicted feelings with me about these summer programs. They know it is best for the children, but they do not always have the means to provide their children with transportation to these classes. I told them to enroll their children in the activities that they felt were best for their children and that I have faith that the people of Ascension will help out with rides. If you are able to help with rides, please let me know.

May also means transitions in my day to day life. I will be changing my side job from substitute teacher to landscaper now that the weather will allow for that. I complete my second year of seminary on May 15 and begin my internship. For some of my fellow seminarians, this is a big change. For me, I will continue the work I have been doing as Spanish language minister, plus beginning to do some preaching and pastoral visits in English. While I have the smallest adjustment of my classmates going into my internship, I might be the most nervous. I hope all of you will be patient with me and my accent as I begin to preach in English.

Finally, in May we will have our first Spanish language wedding. We are excited that our faith community can be a part of the beginning of this new family. May God guide you in your journey to decide what your new post-pandemic life will be like.

Edwin Aparicio, Spanish Language Minister

(Reprinted from the May 2021 newsletter)