New Beginnings

There is a story told of a young boy who lived with his parents in a cottage on a hillside, overlooking a wide valley. His greatest joy was to sit on the doorstep on summer evenings, and gaze across the valley to a house miles away on the opposite hillside, for, just as the sun was sinking in the west, the windows of that house would burst into flame, shining dazzlingly with golden light. How perfectly happy the people must be who live there, he thought! One day he packed sandwiches and set off to find the house with the golden windows, but it was farther off than he expected, and it was already towards sunset as he climbed steeply uphill. To his disappointment the house was a plain cottage after all, and the windows ordinary windows. The good people there offered him supper, and made up a bed in the kitchen, for it was too late now for him to return. That night, in his dream, he asked directions of a girl about his age. ‘The house with the golden windows? Yes, I’ve seen it.’ And she pointed. He woke to the early song of the birds. Drawing the curtain aside he looked out. There far across the valley, was his house – and, wonder of wonders, its windows flashed with gold in the brightness of the morning sun.

T.S. Elliot wrote these words, “And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” September is always a month of homecomings and moments of beginning again. At Ascension, we find ourselves ready to enter into the new possibilities of growing our relationship with God. September always brings excitement. I am excited to renew relationships with those that have been away for the summer; I am excited for the introduction of new liturgies and songs in our worship life; I am excited to see the growth in our ministries with children and youth; I am excited to see what is unfolding in our care ministries and small group ministries; I am excited for new mission opportunities as we seek to expand our vision to walk in our global neighborhood and the neighborhood around our church; I am excited for new opportunities for Bible study and reflection. There is much that is offered inside our walls and outside our walls – where will you find a place to rest and renew?

On Sunday, Sept. 11, we return to our Sunday morning worship schedule of 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with Children’s Ministry (BLAST) and Adult Education from 9:45-10:35 a.m. I also want to invite you to consider another possibility beginning Sept. 14, from 7-8 p.m. and continuing throughout the 2016-2017 school year. I will be leading a Bible study entitled Through the New Testament or TNT for short. Early on in my ministry, I offered this opportunity and found it to be an awe inspiring introduction to the deep, deep love of God for each of us. The idea is that you read seven chapters of the New Testament a week…that is one chapter a day…and then answer four or five questions about what you read. Some questions are specific to the reading – some questions are reflections on your own faith life. You can join us as your schedule allows – but I need to have enough copies of the book in order to provide for everyone. Beginning Aug. 28, you can sign up at the Welcome Center. The cost of the copied book will be $5. We will run from Sept. 14 through May 31. Consider the possibility of reading the entire New Testament with a group of believers. The possibilities are endless. The best part is if you don’t have time in a particular week to read every chapter, someone else will have done the reading, so you can come regardless and share in the conversation. If you have questions, send me an email (pc@ascensionelca.org) or call me. All levels of Bible knowledge and those without any Bible knowledge are welcome. It can be a great introduction or a great continuation of the building of relationships with each other and with the living Word of God.

I am excited for what is ahead. Come and see for yourself! Peace be with you. See you in church.

~ Pastor Chris

(This article was first published in the September 2016 newsletter).

What Are We to Say?

Fabricio leaving for tripWhat then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These are the words of the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. They are also the words read at the June 20th funeral for our brother Fabricio.

When I sit down to plan funerals with family members, I offer this reading from Romans as one possibility but I often encourage the family to choose a reading from Jesus’ own words. “I am the resurrection and the life,” or “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” or “in my Father’s house are many dwelling places.” I am hopeful they will choose a reading in which Jesus’ own words speak to them. My efforts are in part because the Apostle Paul has always been a secondary figure in my faith life. However, after Monday, June 20, my opinion of Paul’s words has changed.

Paul’s opening question has been my question over the past weeks as our congregation, as a community and as each of us as individuals, has tried to come to terms with the loss of a beautiful young man full of life, sharing joy with every smile. “Dear God, what are we to say about these things?” I confess I am at a loss (and many of you know me to never be at a loss for words).

JOLT Adventure Camp Fabricio and TonyA Sunday sermon quoting Fabricio’s own word, “hermosa” (beautiful), brought a little light to our darkness, and the visitation, funeral, and reception, as Ascension offered hospitality in ways I could only have imagined, gave me pause for a moment of deep pride in this community that lives out its brokenness through the lens of the cross of Christ. I have been grateful for countless hugs and words of comfort and prayers. It has been my desire all long to remind all of us that Jenny and Carlos, Edwin and Sarah, and Paul and Shirley deserve that compassion long before the rest of us. I stand in awe of God’s presence and power through the junior high students who loved Fabricio as one of their own – how they have honored Fabricio’s memory and tended to each other. I was grateful for Pastor Walter and Pastor Michelle for their ability to share the promise of God’s love, their gift of interpretation of Spanish to English and English to Spanish, and for Pastor Walter’s tending of a family I was unable to tend in their own language. I am also grateful for Pastor Walter’s care and his tears shed at both the loss of Fabricio and the promised welcome and homecoming for Fabricio at the gates of heaven. I am thankful for the Bishop’s presence to honor the family and the great gift of Pastor Angela who spoke to Jenny and Carlos as only she could, as a pastor to the Aparicio family and as a parent who has lost a child. I am so grateful for her words of faith in God and the explanation of drinking double fisted from a deep well of grief in one hand and a deep source of joy in Jesus in the other. And finally, I give thanks for Tony, who put into words the deep grief felt by Pam and myself. To hear Tony speak of Fabricio as a student he loved as his own son was in some ways too much to bear. Yet, I saw in Tony’s eyes the deep love and pain for this loss and his inability to do anything but love Carlos and Jenny, Karlita, and Johnson.

It will take time for Carlos and Jenny to learn this new world where the voice of their son is no longer heard. And all of you, members of the family of Ascension, give yourselves time to honor this life and your own suffering in the midst of this loss. I have come to understand that Fabricio’s death has touched our congregation in ways I did not comprehend in the days leading up to the funeral. Fabricio and his family attended the early service. Most of the junior high students on retreat and their parents attend the late service. Pam attends the late service but has been a member for her whole life. And who among you does not know Tony or myself? Where the death of any member of the church tears the fabric of the community apart – Fabricio’s life and death have woven the fabric of our community all the tighter for the ways in which we have found a communal suffering in the tragic loss of this beautiful young life.

So, dear God, I ask the question again, “What then are we to say about these things?” Perhaps for now, the words are less important than the touch, the hug, the smile, the tears, the tending to the Aparicio Family and the Wehmeier family and to each other as the family of Ascension. And maybe, just maybe, in the tending, we will begin to see healing, and in the healing, we will see the glory of God.

Peace my friends, deep peace be with each of you; God’s deep peace be with us all,

Pastor Chris Marien

(This article first appeared in Ascension’s July 2016 newsletter).

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Easter Sanctuary Cross Altar Lilies EmptyI am convinced that the work of God at Easter is far more difficult to believe than God’s gift of a baby in a manger. Easter calls us to believe what we have not seen even once, while babies are born every day.

I said those words aloud during a time of reflection and prayer. I decided they were worth writing down. Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless of the ability of those words to inspire, the sentiment is no less true. A baby in a manger is easy…unless your name is Mary. Easter, however, presents a whole host of problems. Resurrection from sealed tombs and beating hearts stopped and started again without medical intervention are much harder for our logical and proof-demanding world to accept, let alone understand. Yet still I believe.

We are an interesting expression of God’s love, we disciples of Jesus. Our holy book tells us to love one another; to pray for our enemies; to remember our Savior; and to celebrate his resurrection from the dead. Is it any wonder that so many have, over time, walked away from a relationship with God? It is much easier to believe we stand alone – this world is all there is and when we die, we are dead. The end.

And yet, somehow, this story continues to be told again and again. Through the words of Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20, the story of the resurrection of Jesus is told. Through the music of Jesus Christ is Risen Today and I Know that My Redeemer Lives, we hear the news of the resurrection. In the creeds of the universal Christian Church, we speak words of belief that have been spoken by generations of Christians from as early as 325 AD. If this story was simply a device to control people, or if this story was used to simply explain the great mysteries of the world at any time, then I would have expected the story of the resurrection of Jesus to just as simply fall away over these last 1,691 years since the first confession of faith was made at the Council of Nicea.

And certainly, as the story – told in hope and faith – has become too great a burden to bear, people have walked away. And yet, the story continues to be told. I am convinced of the truth of the story of the resurrection of the dead because I have witnessed the faith of far too many believers who have passed on the story to me. The resurrection of Jesus grounds me in this world and promises me a place in the next. I know there will be more days of fear than courage. I know I will suffer long days of doubt over belief. I know that there will be days ahead that will cause pain in this life. And yet, still I believe. As I said in my sermon a few weeks ago, the place between fear and doubt is the foundation of Easter and the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Still I believe, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” They are words I heard as a child. They are words I speak over my children today. They are words of power – resurrection power. They are words that promise life.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

~ Pastor Chris Marien

(This article was originally published in Ascension’s May 2016 newsletter).

God is at Work!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Ascension finds itself in a time of expectation! Easter is upon us and with the announcement that the tomb is empty, we find ourselves looking to the joy of spring – the earth coming alive as the edges of winter begin to give way to the warm winds of life – new life. What would God have us do in the world to God’s great glory? How shall we look to the world around us and see the face of Christ calling out to us?

Now that Easter Sunday has come and gone, are you already setting yourself up for summer break – or is there still a hunger that gnaws at you, calling you to something new, something different, something more in your relationship with God? The lilies have bloomed, the trumpets have sounded, the tomb stands empty, and in these days of appearance as Jesus shows himself to the disciples and countless others before he ascends into heaven, there is energy, curiosity, expectation in the air…do you feel it?

I tell you God is at work at Ascension! Do you believe it? Do you feel God’s presence – the Holy Spirit at work? The fruits of our labor in service to God are not in vain, nor do they go unnoticed! God is at work at Ascension and we are beginning to see the work of God all around us. We give thanks to God for the 32 First Communion candidates who celebrated their First Communion on Palm Sunday or will celebrate their First Communion on April 3. What joy to welcome these fourth and fifth graders to God’s altar. Please join me in prayer asking God’s blessing on the journeys before each of our First Communion candidates. We are also grateful for the work of musicians and altar guild who took extra time behind the scenes to prepare for the powerful and moving worship of Holy Week. We have received new members and look to the future where God will invite more people into the midst of our community. God is at work! The Holy Spirit is on the move and we are looking forward to the blessings of God among us in the gifts of each other!

We have traveled the road of Lent to the cross and we are now on the road of the cross that carries us into the future. During Lent, we were following Jesus to the cross. Now, we look to Jesus who leads us within the shadow of the cross into the future. The cross was never an end but a place to begin again and again and again. Where will God in Jesus Christ take us in the days ahead? Where do we want to go as God’s people? Where do you want to go as God’s child? Who cares? As long as we travel together — following in the footsteps of our God!

May God grant you joy in these Easter days!

~ Pastor Chris Marien

(This article is taken from Ascension’s April 2016 newsletter).

In These Days of Lent

lenten-crossThe baptized do not just ‘get together’, they are called and gathered by the Holy Spirit. God’s people do not hear just any word, but the Word of eternal life, Jesus Christ, who changes the heart and enlightens the mind. They do not share just any food, but the very Body and Blood of Christ. Those who have been gathered, enlightened and fed do not just ‘leave’ – but, as disciples of Christ, they are sent forth in mission to speak the Word of God and do the work of God in the world. ~ ELCA Worship Resource, This Far By Faith.

What an incredible description of who we are as the People of God, in Jesus Christ, in the world. Our identity, our calling, our hearing, our sharing, and our sending is enlightened and inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit. I believe, such a description brings both freedom and fear to the hearts of the baptized. So much to experience and so much to live up to as the baptized. What an opportunity for us? What a challenge for us?

Here we are in the middle of Lent. The color purple surrounds our altar and hearts as we live into following in the footsteps of Jesus as he sets his sights on Jerusalem. Whatever he sees on the horizon is too far away for our eyes to see clearly and yet, Jesus continues his steady step to the gates of the city. You and I can only follow—not because we have to, but because our hearts call us to follow the one who has saved us from our sins with holy and precious blood. The journey of Lent continues for each of us.

As you walk into the world each morning do you see how many people are oblivious to the journey we travel during these days? Lent? Church calendar? Jesus? Cross? Good Friday? Tomb? Empty? Have so many chosen to forget the promise and presence of God in Jesus Christ? Have our friends, our neighbors, learned to call on God only in the midst of crisis or tragedy? And where does that leave us? Here we are in the days of Lent, trying to focus on what Jesus sees over the horizon, only to be distracted by those same friends, family, and neighbors who just simply do not understand, or choose not to hear, or really do not care at all about the story we would tell—given the opportunity.

Perhaps, therein lies the real quandary. Have any of us had the opportunity to share our story of faith with anyone in these days of Lent? Has God offered a shoulder, a listening ear, but we have turned away in embarrassment or timidness? Have we looked for opportunities to share our faith in word or in action with those we meet in these days of Lent? Where will this Lenten journey lead us? Where will God enter into our lives and offer an opportunity for us to live out our callings as the baptized? When the Holy Spirit calls and gathers…when the Word is heard…when the food is shared…when we are sent…where will we go? To whom?

May these days of Lent continue to move each of us into the world for the sake of the mission and ministry of God in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Peace be with you.

~ Pastor Chris Marien

(This post was originally published in Ascension’s March 2016 newsletter).

Walk the Road of Lent

Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on February 10 at both 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Ascension. You are invited to gather with your brothers and sisters to worship God and be reminded that God cares about your whole life.

In Lent, we hear God’s promises in new ways…that EVERY end is a beginning; that EVERY night gives way to morning; that EVERY hurt can be healed; that EVERY broken moment can be redeemed; that EVERY life lost can be found; that EVERY cross carried can be given to Jesus; that EVERY prayer spoken is heard.

In my life, Lent is the ground on which I walk the journey of my faith. Sometimes the ground is hard and packed down. In other areas, the ground is dry and cracked. Still other roads are muddy and hard to navigate. And then in the season of Lent, I am blessed – as are you blessed – with soft and fertile ground ready and waiting for the new thing God promises to do in each of our lives…should we choose to be open to what God will do in us and through us. Will you choose to walk the road of Lent? Will you let your journey of faith lead you in a new direction at God’s invitation? The invitation has been made…God waits for each of us…will you come?

I wrote those words last year to share the wonder of God’s promise to be with us. The words were important enough to share with you again as the season of Lent arrives with Ash Wednesday.

After the four weeks of Advent that lead us to Christmas, the 40 days that make up the season of Lent, leading us to Easter, provide the most powerful witness to the events of Holy Week that call us to an empty tomb on Easter morning. God provides everything we need on our journey. You only need to hear God’s call and follow. I know that sounds easier than it is. Our journeys of faith are so often complicated by schedules, careers, children, parents, spouses, weather, and those life circumstances beyond our control. It is true. And then, it is not true.

Our individual journeys of faith are of God’s design. Not one of us travels the same road and yet our journeys provide moments of awareness of the other. I am reminded of the words of the song:

Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

Lent is our opportunity to travel the road together to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. You are invited to join us on this journey through Lent. Come and see the new thing God is doing. Peace be with you.

~ Pastor Chris Marien

(This post was originally published in Ascension’s February 2016 newsletter).

Days of Light

What joy to celebrate the birth of our Savior once again in these Christmas days. It always fills me with wonder and awe to see the body of Christ gather to sing the old songs while experiencing the story and love of God in new ways through the journey of Advent darkness to Christmas light. Even as the world often does not know what to do with the birth of our Savior, you and I hear the call of God to be witnesses to the light of God coming into the world.

Now we find ourselves on the edge of the season of Epiphany – the season of light. I am filled with peace in these days of light – each day a reminder of God’s presence in my life and in the life of the world. When we see the difficult and painful realities of our world, our hope in Jesus gives us strength to face the days before us.

Some of us are experiencing a broken relationship; some of us are living with the consequences of a decision made long ago; some of us are afraid to reach out to someone in need; some of us are wondering how we will get through one more day; and some of us are fearful of the seemingly downward spiral of a world in turmoil. Through all of these fears and worries, the light of God in Jesus Christ shines chasing away the dark night of our fear.

Our invitation is to trust God and follow God from the manger to the temple to the River Jordan to the healing and saving work of God on the cross and through the gate of death to the other side of the empty tomb. The old Norwegian hymn, “I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve” reminds us of God’s promise.

I am so glad each Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus’ birth! Then like the sun the star shone forth, and angels sang on earth. The little child in Bethlehem, he was a king indeed!
For he came down from heaven above to help a world in need.

“He came down from heaven above to help a world in need.” This is not a future promise to God’s creation, it is a promise already fulfilled. Thanks be to God! In our daily lives, our invitation is to trust what God is doing because of what God has already done. Now there is a promise fulfilled that I can take comfort in during challenging days.

After the Advent Concert Worship weekend, a member of the congregation sent a reflection to the office. I found her words full of the faith we are invited to engage trusting that God is at work in the world. Here are her words.

When I attended the Christmas concert on Dec. 13, I was so moved by [the] production and message I received of Christ’s coming to earth to be among us, I felt I had to say something about it. We had the children singing to the glory of God, the choir at its best singing the joy to the world, instrumentalists playing, the Bell Choir ringing their hearts to God, the Folk Choir singing, and Ben and the Praise Band singing for us. The message Pastor Angela read to us was the message that means Christmas to me. I was overwhelmed with joy. As I sat there, I pondered the budget cuts and the many changes in our church in the past several years and I feel that our church is going in the right direction. There is no way we can make changes for the future without stepping on someone’s toes. Unfortunately someone gets hurt.

My prayer for 2016 at Ascension is that we all can work together and we can nd ways to make up the shortfalls in our budget. We all need to listen to our Lord who speaks to us through the holiday season and all year. Remember my favorite Bible verse, ‘I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.’ We can do it, I know we can! ~ Arlene Davis

What I appreciate most about Arlene’s words is her unwavering trust in God. In the midst of worship and praise of our God, Arlene saw the light of a manger overflowing with God’s love for a world in need. We will never know a day in our lives without a deep and definite need for God’s presence. I am grateful to serve among a community of faith where joy is shared; where faith is active; and where our faith finds grounding and strength through the worship of God.

May these days of light in this season of Epiphany bring you joy and peace.

~ Pastor Chris Marien

(This article was originally published in Ascension’s January 2016 newsletter).

A Glimpse into the Future

Two very important moments in the life of your church occur in these November days. First, Sunday, Nov. 1 is All Saints Day. This is the day we spend time in worship remembering those who have gone before us. You will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of loved ones. This day is a gift of God reminding us of the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. Please consider inviting family members to join you in giving thanks to God for loved ones who now rest in the Kingdom of God.

Second, we are incredibly blessed by the committed leadership at Ascension. Church council, staff, wing leaders, and ministry leaders have spent more than 170 hours over the past eight months preparing ARISE 2025, Ascension’s vision for the next 10 years. It is ready for your review and reflection.

We are excited to find ourselves at this moment looking into our future. The next ten years at Ascension will prove to be years that shape the future of, not only our church community but, the world in which we live. How we live out our faith shapes the world around us. I am hopeful that you have had an opportunity to review the vision statements and actions plans for each wing of ministry at Ascension. However, if you have not had the opportunity or are interested in reading them with time to pray over them, I want to make sure that opportunity is available to you as well. As we look towards 2025, these are the visions statements that give us direction, bring us hope, and offer us a path to the future.

JOYFUL WORSHIP ENVISIONED STATE

The sanctuary is bursting at its seams, and every room is filled during the week with a variety of worship opportunities. [There is a] continued variety of music with more members of the congregation sharing their talents. [Ascension provides] regular communication through a multitude of channels in order to engage all generations and styles. [There are] more volunteers than opportunities to serve during worship and through outreach. The makeup of our congregation begins to better reflect the neighborhood and surrounding community.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH ENVISIONED STATE

Our Spiritual Growth mission statement reads: A church family engaging generations through faith experiences. Children’s ministries are experiential, relevant, and multi- generational. JOLT (Journey Of a Life Time) and CRASH (Christians Reaching And Sharing Hope) ministries extend far beyond the walls of our church due to rampant outreach and enjoy extensive investment by the congregation. Faith formation empowers our entire community, regardless of where people may be in their faith journey, to claim their identity as disciples of Jesus. Our stewardship ministries teach the power of God’s presence and work among us and invite all to dream about the next step in our journey as Ascension.

CARING RELATIONSHIPS ENVISIONED STATE

Caring Relationships has a strong foundation of care ministries that require minimal budgets. They are growing rapidly and are open to people of all ages. Passion fuels new ministries, but replenishment of resources for existing offerings stretch the core group of volunteers as they represent only a small subset of our worshippers. As the offerings expand, it is always a struggle to communicate what is available to the congregation and the community. Ascension offers a unique small group experience with a church-wide program every fall; however, while some groups have been together for years, many people feel left out or don’t know how to build groups for themselves. There are also numerous social groups for members to get involved with. Fellowship activities occur throughout the year for special occasions, but the kitchen facilities are limited and hamper our ability to make this a regular occurrence.

MISSION OUTREACH ENVISIONED STATE

Ascension has a vibrant Mission Outreach Wing, with all congregation members finding a way to serve. Mission Outreach is woven into each of the wings so that it is an integral part of the culture of the congregation. Members realize that all Christians have a calling to participate in mission and justice issues. We live out our baptismal promise of following Jesus by serving others, especially those who are vulnerable and most in need. Through our actions and ministries, the good news of Jesus is shared in word and deed. Ascension is a welcoming community to people of all races and backgrounds and actively reaches out into the community through volunteering and hospitality. We have a vibrant Hispanic ministry, and the neighborhood sees Ascension as a place to participate in worship, fellowship, and education events. Our mission partnerships are active, many people engage in trips to visit our partners, and we welcome visits from them. Members seek to include partnership activities in our normal congregational experiences.

Our annual meeting of the congregation is Sunday, Nov. 8, at 12 p.m. We will share in a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to share. We hope you will join us. At our annual meeting, as required by our church constitution, we will approve a slate of candidates to serve on the church council for the 2016-2017 term; we will bless the ARISE 2025 vision for Ascension; we will hear a report on the finances of the congregation through the end of October 2015; and we will approve a budget for 2016. It is my hope you will make time for this important conversation in the life of your church and in the growing of your relationship with our God and this community of faith.

Peace and joy be yours in these days of crisp winds and falling leaves.

Pastor Chris

(This article was taken from the November 2015 newsletter).

Living Faith

Dear People of God,

I take it as pure joy to be sitting outside in the middle of September relishing every moment of 72° and the delight of sunlight and blue skies. I know before too long, the days will announce fall with a new wind blowing and a fresh chill in the air. For now, we rejoice in the gift of the breeze coupled with the warmth of the sunshine to bring mums to bloom and one last ripened tomato from garden to table.

The beginning of fall programming in our congregation brings joy as well. So much to celebrate. So much offered from God’s open hands. There is something for everyone. I am always stunned at the sheer amount of ministry happening in and through the community of Ascension.

Alongside my constant surprise at the number of active ministries moving in and through Ascension walks the almost unbelievable fact that Pastor Angela celebrates her first anniversary as pastor with us at Ascension. She is a gift in so many ways and brings a perspective to the congregation that deepens our understanding, strengthens our faith, and inspires our hearts. I am grateful for her presence among us.

It is no secret that our Children’s Ministries have undergone a significant transformation over the past two months. Our Director of Faith Formation, Tony Acompanado, receives much of the credit for this transition along with the dedicated teachers who have taken a “leap of faith” in walking with our Children’s Ministry in this inaugural year of newness. So far so good. We have spent a good deal of time redefining our Children’s Ministry in the light of experience.

In these days of ministry, I often ask this question, “What does it mean for faith to come alive?” Answers to that question are all around us. However, one moment has stood out, for me, more than any other. In the midst of our Kindergarten Stepping Stone, we revised our activities to make everything we do hands-on. Our kindergarten students had a blast. Playdough brought the story of Noah’s Ark to life. Legos helped to explain the story of Solomon building the temple. Finger paint and candied gel decoration taught the students about the moment where Jesus spoke of himself as the vine and all of us as the branches. Forty-five minutes flew by. Before we knew it, class was over. The best part for me was sharing with the parents and students an opportunity to bless each other at home with the sign of the cross. It may sound simplistic – perhaps it is. And yet, for me, it is pure joy to link playdough and Legos and paint to the stories of our faith. This new stepping stone was like sunlight and blue skies all rolled into one moment of watching parents and students share a moment around the living Word of God. I can’t wait for what’s next!

Peace be with you.

(This article was taken from Ascension’s October 2015 newsletter).

Get to Know the ELCA

Because God has been good to us, we can share that goodness with others, and our church is an excellent vehicle to use. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a four million member church that draws on our rich and vibrant faith that connects us to Lutherans all over the world. Our ministries throughout the nation and the world are extremely efficient and solidly ethical. The ELCA and 300 health and human service organizations participate in an alliance known as Lutheran Services in America, which serves more than six million people each year in the United States and the Caribbean. That’s 1 in 50 Americans every year. That’s HUGE! We Lutherans serve 1 in 50 Americans! As part of this alliance, we support more than 285 social ministry organizations affiliated with the ELCA. Chances are, if you want to start a ministry, the ELCA is already doing it!

The ELCA has so many ministries that there is no way I can list all that we do nationally and globally. So, let’s begin with our home congregation. Through Ascension’s Mission Outreach wing, we embrace our Companion Synods: Tanzania and El Salvador. Companion Synods are a concrete expression of our communion and fellowship with the 140 Lutheran churches of The Lutheran World Federation. There are 65 synods in the ELCA. Each synod has at least one international church companion. We are part of the Greater Milwaukee Synod; therefore, we embrace the relationships that the ELCA has prayerfully assigned to us. Ascension and Cross Lutheran have enjoyed a long history with El Salvador. In fact, churches in our area were instrumental in providing asylum for Salvadorans during their civil war. We also enjoy a deep and abiding relationship with Cross Lutheran in Milwaukee. Ascension focuses on our three partnerships and builds relationships that are mutually uplifting.

We belong to an amazing church that is active in the world. When people are facing a crisis or are at their most vulnerable, we respond with care and compassion, ready to serve and love our neighbor. Here are several examples of how we, the ELCA, serve God and the people of God (descriptions taken from elca.org).

ELCA MALARIA CAMPAIGN

A child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. But we are changing that grim statistic. Since the ELCA Malaria Campaign joined the global movement to fight malaria, we have seen a reduction in the number of deaths from this disease. But we’re not done yet. We are committed to raising $15 million by 2015 to support work in 13 of our companion churches in Africa. We are going to make malaria history!

ELCA WORLD HUNGER

More than 800 million people – that’s 1 in 8 people in our world today – are chronically hungry and cannot lead active daily lives. Did you know that 1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.25 per day? Or that in the United States, more than 50 million people do not know where their next meal will come from? Or that 46.2 million Americans are living in poverty. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. In 2012, our support of ELCA World Hunger totaled $18.6 million. ELCA World Hunger supports projects and programs in 43 U.S. states; 56 countries (including the U.S.); 388 food pantries, homeless shelters and other projects in the U.S.; 239 sustainable development, health and other projects around the world; and 15 education and networking programs in the ELCA.

HIV AND AIDS MINISTRY

AIDS has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people worldwide. The ELCA, along with the international community, has pledged both resources and action.

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

Lutheran Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing, and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. The ELCA is currently responding to U.S. flooding and fires; Middle East and Europe refugee crisis; the Nepal area earthquake; the Ebola outbreak; unaccompanied and migrant children, and the South Sudan conflict.

LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE (LIRS)

We are a church that does God’s work in the world and in local communities pursuing justice, peace, and human dignity for and with all people. In partnership with Lutheran congregations and Lutheran social ministry organizations, LIRS has welcomed more than 379,000 refugees to the United States since 1939. This ongoing partnership and work is driven by God’s love for all people and a vision
for congregations to be welcoming and generous centers for mission and ministry. Now, we are working to resettle immigrants from Syria.

GLOBAL CHURCH

We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world, together. 70 million Lutherans do make a difference! As a member of The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA is one of 142 member churches in 79 countries all over the world. Walking and working together, we seek to accompany our companions. Accompaniment is defined as walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. The ELCA lives out accompaniment in relationships with global companions in the following ways: Mutually: All of us have gifts to support God’s mission. There is no mission to, only mission with and among. Inclusively: We seek to build relationships across boundaries that exclude and divide. Vulnerably: Just as Jesus became vulnerable to us, we open ourselves to others. Empowering: We seek to identify and correct imbalances of power, which may mean recognizing and letting go of our own. Sustainably: To ensure local ministries last, we seek to embed mission in ongoing relationships and communities.

PUBLICLY ENGAGED CHURCH

We pursue justice and seek peace. Our faith and our call to boldly serve and love our neighbor take us into some interesting and challenging aspects of life: advocacy, corporate social responsibility, racial justice, science and ethics, peacemaking, justice for women, social issues, and community organizing. We are drawn into every corner of life, society and its institutions to bring the good news of Jesus Christ and to work for lasting, positive change that upholds human dignity.

PEACE NOT WALLS

The ELCA is working for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel through our campaign, Peace Not Walls. Peace Not Walls connects ELCA members to our companions and promotes dignity, full respect for human rights, healing and reconciliation. With our Palestinian Lutheran companions, we also accompany Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Christians and Muslims working together for peace with justice.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There is a great need for your time and skills for doing God’s work in the world. Locally, God is already doing great things through ELCA congregations, Lutheran social ministry organizations, and projects in our area. Check out our synod’s website: milwaukeesynod.org. Nationally, there are a wealth of volunteer opportunities: ELCA- affiliated camps and retreat centers across the United States; Lutheran Disaster Response sites; Lutheran social ministry organizations; Mission Builders donate their time and technical know-how to help with construction of new churches. There are also long-term service opportunities through Holden Village, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Urban Servant Corps, and Border Servant Corps. We even have short- term and long-term service opportunities around the world through ELCA Global Mission.

ECUMENICAL AND INTER-RELIGIOUS RELATIONS

The ELCA is not an island. We are committed to fostering unity among the children of God for the sake of the world. The ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations team cooperates with partners, such as The Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of Churches and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Our Full Communion partners are the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Moravian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, and United Church of Christ. We are dedicated to living out our baptismal calling to be light to the world. We serve our awesome God in amazing ways.

(This article was taken from Ascension’s October 2015 newsletter).