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St. Francis Times

July 8, 2007
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Presiding Minister    Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher                  Pr. Dawn Roginski
Assisting Minister     Grant Burger
Healing Minister       Pr. Dawn Roginski
Sacristan                 Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Stephen Lawson
Lector                      Barbara Kling
Ushers                     Susan Tucceri & Chuck Hancock
Counters                 Brad Hubert & Scott Beckerley

Flowers are given to the glory of God from Barbara and Jack Kling in honor of their niece, Catharine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda
Coffee Hour Host     James Infusino

First Reading:       2 Kings 5:1-14
Second Reading   Galatians 6:1-16
Holy Gospel:         Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Psalmody:            Psalm 66:1-9

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Gray Hall, hospitalized
• Faye Robinson
• Jane Huey, mother of James Huey, who has health concerns
• Tony Michelini, co-worker of Eric Shifler, under going lung cancer treatment
• Bob Douglas
• James Huey
• Rob Zampetti's father, recovering
• Brian Knittel's mother
• Mary Wiltse, sister of Mari Irvin
• Doug Oakman, brother-in-law of Dave Walda, with recurring cancer
• Bill Hunter
• Ollie Payne
• John Duffy
• Rick Anderson
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare center
• Martha Littlefield (Senior Center)
• Vera Mariani(Senior Center)
• Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, as they ponder their future with the ELCA

Those serving in the world:

• The Rev. Megan Rohrer, Missionary to the Homeless of SF through The Welcome Ministry;
• The Rev. Pieter Oberholzer and his partner, Fanie Zondagh, and the staff at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) in South Africa, serving LGBT people and allies;
• Catharine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda.

ELCA SWATS PR. SCHMELING OFF CLERGY ROSTER

On July 2nd the Rev. Bradley Schmeling received the decision of the Committee on Appeals (COA) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through his attorney. The COA sided with Bishop Warren who brought the original complaint and removed Pastor Schmeling effective that very day. The Discipline Hearing Committee (DHC) had set Bradley’s removal date for August 15th allowing time for the August 5-11 Church-wide Assembly in Chic-ago to consider policy change. The COA also chastised the DHC for suggesting that synods and the Churchwide Assembly take up the matter of policy change. The decision was artless and heartless with appeal only to ELCA rules.

The people of St. John’s, Atlanta are meeting this news with a call to prayer and worship and a resolve to continue in mutual ministry with Pr. Bradley in their community.

But the Rev. Bradley Schmeling said Thursday he will not leave the pulpit of St. John's Lutheran Church, a decision that could open the 350-member congregation to disciplinary action from the ELCA.

''The congregation issued a call to me in 2000 and as far as we are concerned, that hasn't changed,'' Schmeling said. ''I'm disheartened (the decision) gives the impression the church is more interested in rules than in compassion.' Council president John Ballew has encouraged members to be present this Sunday - and to bring a friend - to make witness to the larger church that the ministry of this congregation will not be held captive by our denomination’s bad (and quite possibly unconstitutional) policies.

St. Francis has sent St. John’s solidarity in the form of Sunday flowers with the words "Our Prayers and our Hearts are with you all."

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, Lutherans Concerned/North America, said of the action by the Committee on Appeals, "We are deeply saddened, angry, and more determined following the artless and callous treatment of Pastor Bradley at the hands of the COA. The decision was delivered by email; no pastoral call was made or human contact given.

"Jesus was compassionate and broke the religious laws of his age saying to the Pharisees, ‘you blind guides, you strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.’ Pastor Schmeling has been treated by the church like a gnat to be swatted away and forgotten. Christ would not recognize the behavior of the COA, and by default, the ELCA in this case, as his own.

"We now turn to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August. The Spirit has moved 22 synods of the ELCA to state that the policy of discrimination must be changed. These synods represent a full 40% of the membership of the ELCA. LGBT Lutherans and their allies both clergy and lay will not relent until justice and mercy prevail."

SUNDAY CLASS

We are reading Bishop John Spong’s latest book, Jesus for the Non Religious. As usual for Bishop Spong, this too is a controversial and provocative book. Please join us for an animated discussion about our faith in the 21st Century in San Francisco. Pastor Robert

AIDS WALK UPDATE

Next Sunday is the Walk. We will have a booth in our usual location near the intersection of Kezar Dr. and Kennedy Dr. in the far-eastern part of Sharon Meadow of Golden Gate Park. Try to get there by 8:45 AM. As usual we will have hot coffee and breakfast rolls, etc. Wear you team t-shirt.

As of July 3rd, our team total of on-line donations reached $8,475.00. We now have 9 Lutherans reporting on-line donations, Jane M. Gabriel P. and Max K. all had new donations, and Bob G. and Marilyn J. now report-on-line amounts. So everyone, keep going.

I finally finished mailing out 228 solicitation letters and hope these friends and relatives come through again. (Some may question how I manage to have 228 friends and relatives. Do you know how old I am?)

The spectacular T-shirts are for sale during coffee hour for $12 & 6 other T-shirts are awaiting their owners. One has PMB on it (Paul Brenner?).

We also need to remember that checks are counted for team and individual tallies as late as August 10th.

Max Kirkeberg (aka Little Maxie)

SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETING

The Social Justice Committee will meet on Thursday, July 12, at 7 PM in the Parish Hall. The agenda will include drawing up projects for the church and individuals to consider as well as an update on Michael Petrelis’ organizing for a Global Day of Gay Solidarity, If you're interested in the July 12 meeting, please speak with Michael during coffee hours.

SAVE THIS DATE - SEPTEMBER 23!!

As many of you know, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event raises money for breast cancer outreach prevention and treatment programs as well as funding research grants for work seeking new technologies and treatments to improve survival rates.

Please join the St. Francis & Friends team by registering at www.sfkomen.org or call 415.397.8812. To promote our exciting team effort we are organizing a fundraiser social event at Deb Cote's & Nancy Burns' home and have signed-up to host a St. Francis coffee hour -details for both to follow. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, and we look forward to having you as a part of our great team. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either Barbara Kling (415.584.1568) or Deb Cote (415.933.8108), St. Francis & Friends team co-captains.

BE A VOLUNTEER

Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity are again partnering to construct another home at De Long and Head Streets in San Francisco. There are a number of Saturdays to work at the site. For more info, see the flyer on the bulletin board, see the website www.habitatsf.org, or call Jim Sturm at 415-869-1500, ext. 102.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Lectionary for Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

• First Reading: Deut. 30:9-14
• Second Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
• Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
• Psalmody: Psalm 25:1-10

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Presiding Minister    Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Rob Byrne
Healing Minister      
Sacristan                 
Crucifer                  
Lector                      Lee McCormick
Ushers                     Needed
Flowers                   George McCauslan & Rusty Clyman, St. Savior Church
Coffee Hour Host     Needed
Counters                  Dale Leininger & Nancy Loewe

Please take note of the opportunities available to assist with the worship service. There are open slots for upcoming Sundays. Please sign up on the sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall.

Safeway parking permits are available in the back of the church. The permits allow parking for Sunday services ONLY.

St. Francis Lutheran Church

A Place for Gathering: Memory, Presence and Promise
152 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-1111

(415)621-2635, FAX (415)621-8819

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Deadline for Times material is Wednesday at 2 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate all submissions according to space availability.
 

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