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The scope of selfless service is
not limited to great gestures, heroic acts, and huge donations to
public institutions. They also serve who express their love in
little things. A word that gives courage to a broken heart or a
smile that brings hope in the midst of gloom has as much claim to be
regarded as service as difficult sacrifices and heroic
self-denials. A glance that wipes out bitterness from the heart is
also service, although there may be no thought of service in it.
When taken by themselves, all these things seem to be small, but
life is made up of such small things. If these small things were
ignored, life would be not only unbeautiful but unbearable"
--Meher Baba
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From Bishop Mansholt,
Central States Synod, ELCA
December
19, 2008
Dear Partners in Ministry,
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; ... for unto
us a son is given, ... the Prince of Peace. The One in whom these words
of Isaiah are fulfilled is the Child whose birth we are about to
celebrate. Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace and we who walk in the
ways of the Christ are called to be peacemakers.
I write to invite your prayers as Anita and I will be joining other ELCA
bishops and spouses on a peacemaking trip that will take us to Jordan,
Israel and Palestine. The January 2-16 trip is part of the ELCA "Churchwide
Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine," adopted by the 2005
Churchwide Assembly. Also on the trip will be bishops and spouses from
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
The purpose of the trip is threefold: to grow in awareness of what is
happening "on the ground" among Israelis and Palestinians; to accompany
Bishop Munib Younan and the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Jordan and the Holy Land; and to advocate for strategies that lead to
a just and lasting peace for all peoples living in the Middle East.
During the trip we will meet with Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian
religious, community and political leaders, and visit congregations,
schools, and sites of religious significance.
Having been to the Holy Land in 2005, I know the members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land are eager for us
to learn the reality of their lives. We will be worshipping with them in
their churches and meeting with their leaders. But we will also be
advocating for justice and peace in the Middle East, as we meet with
leaders of both Israel and Palestine.
In preparation for this trip, I read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew and
the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan. It is a true story that
illuminates both the depth of pain and the difficult path to peace in
the Middle East. Peace is possible in the Middle East by the power of
God at work in people of all faith traditions. Thus we shall travel in
January, bearing witness to God's deep love and care for all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A Merry Christmas to all of you.
Peace in Christ,
Bishop Gerald Mansholt
Central States Synod
When the Word and Witness Ministry announces a special coin
collection to replenish the Emergency Fund, Unity parishioners responded
with their usual generosity. The Sunday, December 14, worship folder
listed the special collection of -- 3 dollars + 300 quarters + 248 dimes
+ 180 nickles + 534 pennies = $117.14, which was matched by Thrivent.
Thank you, Thrivent! Thank you, Unity!
Pastor Karen has received requests from several families to assist
with their gas or electric bills. With the aid of a special policy, she
will now be able to assist these families.
The Coke bottle will be available every Sunday in the narthex, hungry
for coins.
By Shelly Petersen, MIF Area Representative
Want to purchase another toy for your grandchild's overflowing toy bin,
give your niece another gift certificate that might get lost in the
shuffle, or purchase another savings bond to tuck away in the family's
safe deposit box?
Or would you rather give a gift that lets you tell your
grandchild, niece or nephew in words and action how much you love
Christ's church? The ELCA Mission Investment Fund
offersMissionFuture4Kidz investments, for children from birth to age16,
with a minimum investment of $50. Many families add to the investment at
Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and baptismal anniversaries, but no
additional investment is required. The investment matures, with
interest, when the child turns 18. The money invested is loaned to ELCA
mission congregations and established ministries throughout the United
States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for land, building,
renovations, and additions. Mission congregations depend almost
exclusively on the Mission Investment Fund for loans, as other sources
available to established ELCA congregations generally are not available
to them. For more information, current interest rates, or an
application, visit the Fund's web site at
www.MissionInvestmentFund.org or call the Fund toll free at
1.877.886.3522. Or you may contact Shelly Petersen, MIF area
representative, at 402-916-9174 or
Shelly.Petersen@elca.org.
December
19, 2008
