From the Bishop

Let’s call it Advent Advocacy. I write this column from Washington D.C. where I joined other ELCA bishops and our Washington staff to advocate for persons in poverty and immigrants to this country. I serve on the Immigration Ready Bench and am deeply grateful for the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) as well as the dedicated servants of our Washington staff.

It is Advent when we pray “Come, Lord, Jesus” and light candles beseeching the fullness of God to come with peace and righteousness for all. We pray for the stirring of our hearts, that our trust be rightly placed in the Promise of God, that our hearts be warm with compassion and love for neighbors in need.

My heart was stirred by the humble witness of two men who often have differing perspectives on major political issues. Representative Frank Wolf, conservative Republican from Virginia, spoke passionately of the need for Christian people to pray for their country and make their voices heard in the halls of government. Moments earlier Ambassador Tony Hall, long time former member of Congress (moderate Democrat from Ohio) and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Hunger, spoke of his deep friendship and love for Representative Wolf. They are both Christians and prayer partners and they both spoke of the toxic atmosphere in Washington these days. They often disagree, but their friendship and love for country transcends their differences. They came together on this day in late November, along with Rev. David Beckman of Bread for the World, and Dayna Cade, President of D.C. Strategies, to encourage us to tell leaders to not balance the budget on the backs of the poor, the vulnerable, and the hungry. They told us that while there are differences, the degree of differences are not as great as the 10 second sound bites would have us believe. A way forward can be found when hearts are willing.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has joined with many allies to form a Circle of Protection. The message is clear: funding focused on reducing poverty should be made as effective as possible, but not cut. We in the Church know the names and faces of people who have lost jobs, mortgages, health, partners and family and have turned to assistance as a last resort. On their behalf we advocate.

“We have learned over the last couple of decades the value of advocacy,” said one of my colleagues. Direct assistance through local food pantries is needed and helps a lot of people.
Likewise advocacy that leads to funding development assistance to countries mired in poverty or breakfast programs for school children provides food to millions.

I was struck by the refrain coming from speakers and staffers alike, “these are hard days in the county and the atmosphere in Washington is toxic.” Several of my visits with congressional staffers felt like pastoral care visits as they voiced their deep frustration with the rigidity of positions and the harsh rhetoric, not only from elected officials across the aisles but from various constituents, powerful interest groups. The pressures on our elected leaders are enormous, and they need our prayer. Again and again I thought of our synod’s missional direction of building bridges across the differences that divide.

Advent Advocacy begins in prayer, with intercessions for our country and its leaders, with fervent pleas for wisdom from above, courage to act, compassion for the poor and hungry, and strength to do what is just and right for the common good. I invite and encourage us all to use this time of Advent to pray for our country, our elected leaders, and those most vulnerable.

Advent, a season of expectation, longing and hope. Christmas, the incarnation of the love
of God in Jesus Christ. Epiphany, the Light of the World for all the nations. This is the
Christmas cycle proclaiming the Incarnation of God, the birth of Jesus Christ for the salvation
of the world. God comes in Jesus with the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. May

 MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — December 2011

PRIVILEGES FOR JANUARY

Greeters

1/1      Betty Tuttle & Alice Lindahl
1/8      Tom & June Eagan
1/15    John & Carol Watson
1/22    Chris & Bev Ballew
1/29    Joye Conklin & Linda Darr

Ushers

1/1      David & Yvonne Salmon
1/8      Valerie Trigger & Valetta Lucas
1/15    Tom & June Eagan
1/22    Dennis Schnell & Joye Conklin
1/29    Gabe Newman & Joye Conklin

Lectors

1/1      Sharon Carneal
1/8      Gabe Newman
1/15    Linda Darr
1/22    Merl Teigen
1/29    Jane Newman

Cantors

1/1      Merl Teigen
1/8      Alice Lindahl
1/15    Merl Teigen
1/22    Alice Lindahl
1/29    Merl Teigen

Acolytes

1/1      Sammy Brauer
1/8      Houston Orr
1/15    Jacob Black
1/22    Doug Adolphson
1/29    Sammy Brauer

Altar Guild

            Carol Watson

Offering Counters

If you have been omitted from the birthday list, please contact the Church office at 331-5465 so we can correct our records. JCR

To the Glory of God