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St. Francis Times

August 19, 2007
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Presiding Minister    Pr. Dawn Roginksi
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Barbara Kling
Healing Minister       Pr. Robert Goldstein
Sacristan                 Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Stephen Lawson
Lector                      Grant Burger
Ushers                     Eric Shifler
Coffee Hour Host      Bruce Jervis & Jim Kowalski
Counters                 Jim Kowalski & Susan Tucceri
Flowers   Today’s altar flowers are given to the glory of God from Ken Hedrick in memory of Hans-Gerd Mehrtens on his birthday

First Reading:       Jeremiah 23:23-29
Second Reading   Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Holy Gospel:         Luke 12:49-56
Psalmody:            Psalm 82

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Faye Robinson
• Jane Huey, mother of James Huey, who has health concerns
• James Huey
• Mary Wiltse, sister of Mari Irvin
• Doug Oakman, brother-in-law of Dave Walda, in treatment for cancer
• Bill Hunter
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare 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 ASSEMBLY ASKS FOR BISHOPS’ RESTRAINT

from Phil Soucy, Lutherans Concerned

The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) decided to encourage its bishops to demonstrate restraint in the discipline of rostered ministers in committed same-gender relationships. While the assembly deferred outright elimination of its policy that prohibits LGBT ministers from living in loving, lifelong family relations with their life partner, the assembly asked the church to prepare for such a decision at its next assembly in 2009.

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, Lutherans Concerned/North America said,

"Today this church moved one giant step from the punitive rejection of partnered LGBT ministers to the willing tolerance of them. We see this decision as interim. Full inclusion and acceptance is still down the road, but the dam of discrimination has been broken. This is a great day for LGBT clergy who will walk into their pulpits tomorrow knowing perhaps for the first time that this church values their gifts for ministry more than the policy that would exclude them. The church is on the road to acceptance. The end of exclusion is in sight. With this decision the voting members signaled a desire for policy change, but the need for two more years to bring more of the church along."

The ELCA policy that prohibits loving, committed, lifelong, same-gender relationships for LGBT ministers remains in effect. Therefore, Goodsoil and its partners and allies will continue the efforts to help the Lutheran church recognize the eternal truth that God has known all along: that LGBT people are part of the wondrous diversity of creation, God's children, followers of Christ, and gifted as are all others to serve the mission of the church in outreach with the message of the Gospel.

Pastor Dawn serving communion at ELCA worship

HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?

Commentary on the ELCA by Pastor Goldstein

Well, is the glass half empty or is the glass half full? I guess it depends on how you see the decision at the ELCA Assembly. Our very gifted and dedicated Emily Eastwood, who led us in our politicking in Chicago, calls the Assembly’s action "one giant step from punitive rejection ...to willing tolerance." It’s half full.

OK, there is progress in that "partnered LGBT ministers" are not totally rejected but tolerated, (Do you really like being "tolerated"?), that the idea of partnered gay clergy and laity is now in writing in the documents of the ELCA.

But, as Emily herself noted, and the re-elected Presiding Bishop emphasized "Let me underscore that this...is not a change in the official documents or policies of the ELCA. Attempts to make such changes were rejected by the assembly."

The glass looks half empty in this most official version. Yes, we assume Presiding Bishop Hanson is supportive, and so are a lot of other people in positions of leadership in the ELCA, as well as regular folk like you and me. But Bishop Hanson’s blunt remarks belie the ugly fact that there are many bishops and many more lay people who regard us as polluting their pure church and are committed to a gender cleansing of the ELCA. Half empty to me.

The sad fact is that the sexual revolution is OVER!! Ask my daughters! Yet the revolution is only slowly, very slowly, revolving in the ELCA with such contradictions as the welcoming gesture of inviting Pr. Dawn to dispense communion at regular ELCA worship and yet the cold, unwelcome stares at me during lunch from some folk when I brought the revolution up in conversation. Why should they change! There aren’t any of those people in their churches. (Perhaps they left long ago).

Half full or half empty? I vacillate. I despair that too many in the churches will never let anything official happen that would freely welcome us. Yet 10 years ago the ELCA could barely name the word "homosexual." I guess that’s why we depend on God’s grace and not even our righteous causes.

AIDS WALK UPDATE

We’ve finally heard from the top honchos at AIDS - Walk. Our joint Lutheran-Geography team collected a total of $50,091, or $51,596. Either one of these is good. Thanks to all who walked, collected, or donated. More details when I return from the Midwest.

STORIES TO TELL! GIFTS TO SHARE!

"Stories to tell! Gifts to share! " is our theme for St. Francis for 2007-2008. Stewardship at St. Francis is becoming much more than just a two-month pledge program - it will include year-round experiences and activities, such as discussions on faith practices, devotions, sharing our personal stories, supporting the development of the Diaconate Program and encouraging worship.

Beginning at worship on Sunday, September 9, and continuing throughout the year, we will hear one of our own tell their story of being involved at St. Francis and why being part of this congregation’s ministry is so important to that person. You will also be invited to share your story of participation in and connection to the life of our congregation one-on-one with a member of the Stewardship Committee, and, if you like, with the entire congregation.

Please contact any of the members of the committee if you have any questions: Jim Asp, Grant Burger, Bruce Jervis, Paul Johnson, Jim Kowalksi, Nancy Loewe, Brandee Marckmann, Susan Tucerri, Pr. Robert Goldstein and Pr. Dawn Roginski.

SUNDAY SCHOOL COMING SOON!!

We are planning to start a Sunday school this fall. We need some help purchasing kid-friendly furniture for the room. Please consider making a special donation so we can have a good looking room. Also, if you are in a store selling school supplies, we could use washable markers, colored pencils, child scissors and glue sticks. Just bring them with you to church and give them to Pr. Dawn. Thanks for your willingness to help.

BRING YOUR CALENDER

Bring your calendar on August 26th when you can select future Sundays for Worship Assistant participation. Persons from the Worship Committee will be on hand should anyone need information on particular positions.

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

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE AFTERNOON OF WINE AND CHEESE EVENT

When: Saturday, September 15, 2007, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: The Home of Deb Cote and Nancy Burns
Parking: Valet
Host: Deb Cote and Nancy Burns
RSVP by September 9 to Deb Cote

Please join Deb and Nancy for this fun event and join the fight against breast cancer. Have a drink, a bite to eat, mingl with and meet new friends, and participate in the raffle or limited silent auction.

If you are unable to come but would like to make a donation, please submit your checks to any team member. Checks should be payable to Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure, or visit the website http://race.sfkomen.org,, and make your pledge to our team on-line. All donations are fully tax deductible.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Lectionary for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14
• Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29
• Gospel: Luke 13:10-17
• Psalmody: Psalm 103:1-8

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Presiding Minister    Pr. Dawn Roginksi
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Paul Johnson
Healing Minister       Pr. Robert Goldstein
Sacristan                 Samuel Aller
Crucifer                  
Lector                      Lee McCormick
Ushers                     Needed
Flowers                   Paul Johnson
Coffee Hour Host     Needed
Counters                  Glenda Lisk & Mike Callahan

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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