Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for October 11, 2009

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sunday's Readings

• Amos 6: 6-7, 10-15
• Hebrew 4:12-16
• Mark 10:17-31
• Psalm 90:12-17

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Richard Copperud
• Jack Kling
• Glenda Lisk
• Susan Tucceri
• Bill Hunter
• Bob Douglas
• Angie Tedder, aunt of Russ Morgan
• Phyllis Frohmuth, great aunt of Russ Morgan
• Les, father of Richard Peterson
• The father of Rob Zampetti
• Sylvia Beckerley, stepmother of Scott Beckerley,
• Sophie Barron, mother of James Barron
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Eileen, the mother of a friend of Ken Hedrick
• Debby Schert, friend of Paster Paul
• our shut-ins
• Those who use our facilities, especially our Seniors, and those attending the 12-step programs that meet here. We pray for their continued health, happiness and success

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 Hope Alive Project in Uganda.
  

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  CHRIS WOGAMAN PREACHING THIS SUNDAY

  

  Chris began his association with St. Francis Lutheran in the summer of 2003, and is grateful to bring the sermon this morning. Chris moved to Minneapolis last year, after completing preparation for ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at Yale University Divinity School/Institute of Sacred Music (M. Div, 2005) and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (Lutheran year, 2007). For over two years, he has been waiting for his first call as a Lutheran pastor. Chris is on the Board of Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities, a singing member of the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, and enjoys genealogy, piano, writing, cooking, and walks around the lakes of Minneapolis.

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  LUTHERAN VOLUNTEER CORPS

  Today the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) community in San Francisco will worship at St. Francis and introduce themselves to the congregation during coffee hour.

  The LVC is a one-year domestic volunteer service program for men and women who want to explore their spirituality while working for social justice, living in intentional community with other volunteers, and simplifying their lifestyles. Please join us in extending a warm St. Francis welcome to these amazing volunteers!

  POSITIVE DIALOG WITH ASSISTANT BISHOP NELSON

  
  

  From the 9:30 AM Open Forum, the sermon at worship and the luncheon meeting with the Congregation Council last Sunday, it was evident that members of St. Francis asked very thoughtful questions and the Assistant to the Bishop responded gracefully, candidly and openly.

  It was also clear that this will be an extended process —a dance, Pr. Nelson described it, between St. Francis and the synod in which the steps have to be learned for both parties. Our thanks to Pastor Nelson and to all who were involved Sunday.

  Photo courtesy of Michael Petrelis

  
  

  UPDATE ON ELCA

  The ELCA Conference of Bishops met October 1st through the 6th in Chicago. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the ELCA Church Council. The ELCA Church Council is a body elected at Churchwide Assembly to act much like a Congregation Council, but on the Churchwide level.

  The Conference of Bishops have been working on filling out the details regarding revisions of both the Visions and Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Ministry. The drafts will be posted on the ELCA website as soon as October 15 for comment. Final form is not expected until late Winter.

  From the ELCA News Service:

  “The Rev. Stanley N. Olson, executive director, ELCA Vocation and Education, said the drafts were the result of collaborative work between staff of the Office of the Secretary, Vocation and Education, and the Committee on Appeals. An implementing resolution in the social statement affects the ELCA Board of Pensions work, he said.

  “The bishops discussed possible revisions to "Vision and Expectations" which informs the church's vision for ministry and the expectations it places on professional leaders; "Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline," which describes the grounds on which the ELCA's professional leaders may be subject to discipline; plus possible revisions to the policies for reinstatement to the church's official rosters. Draft language for manuals to direct committees that work with candidates for ministry, known as candidacy committees, is yet to be done, he said.

  "This consultation with you is critical, vital … very essential," Olson said in introducing the draft changes. The documents are now considered public and will be posted on the Web about Oct. 15, he said. He welcomed comments on the draft changes from throughout the ELCA. "We will be well-served if there are (many) people reading these," he said.”

  Reports from ELM, Goodsoil and Lutherans Concerned state that Bishop Holmerud of Sierra Pacific Synod has been a strong leader in the Bishops’ discussions on these issues and that the bishops have been very solicitous and respectful of our representatives in dialog over the drafts of these ministry documents embracing LGBTI and straight clergy.

  Pastor Robert

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  GALA GIFTS NEEDED

  You should have received your invitation to the Saturday, October 24 GALA this week. Reservations are $50 ($35 for seniors 70+). Reservations by credit card can be taken today by the Sunday School room. It will also be available next week and on the day of the event.

  The deadline for reservations is Friday, Oct. 16. Even if you prefer to pay on the day of the event, please advise Dave Walda at the office so the Planning Committee can adequately prepare.

  Can you go to your favorite vendors and ask for a gift for our silent auction? Please see Sarah Wells, Jim Kowalski or Pastor Robert.

  For more information about the GALA or duplicate RSVP cards, click on the link in the left menubar of this website.

  
  

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  	CROP HUNGER WALK
  	Sunday Oct 18 1:30 P.M.

  
  

  Walk around Lake Merced followed by a Big Rumble Block Party!!

  CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide -- and right here in the U.S. -- to have food for today, while building for a better tomorrow. Each year some two million CROP Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors put their hearts and soles in motion, raising over $16 million per year to help end hunger and poverty around the world -- as well as here in our backyard of San Francisco. Come and be a part of this walk to end hunger on October 18!

  The 2009 San Francisco CROP Walk, our 30th year, will benefit the San Francisco Food Bank, the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter Program, as well as Church World Service, the sponsoring organization that provides a broad range of poverty fighting projects around the world.

  im DeLange will be in the Parish Hall after today’s service to sign up sponsors.

  For more information go to www.cropwalksf.org/CWS/2009_SF_CROP_Hunger_Walk.html

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  HOSPITALITY HOUR IN PERIL

  Due to Chuck Hancock’s retirement, and Rose Woodvine’s new work schedule, new volunteers are absolutely necessary for the Sunday morning Hospitality Hour to continue. This program has been operated by a few members for 10 years, but those few are even fewer now. Two persons cannot do it alone.

  Carl and Max will get to church at 6:30 in the morning, and would like to open doors at 7:30. So two new volunteers are required from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Activities will include covering the front door, and handing out tickets to the guests, serving food, and clean up.

  The early Sunday hour is not ideal for most of our members, but if we cannot find two more volunteers, the program will close.

  If you can help each Sunday, if you can help one Sunday a month, or if you know a reliable person willing to help, contact Max Kirkeberg at 415-282-6022.

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  THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST UPON US!

  As Thanksgiving approaches, we are again handing out the love loaves (boxes) to collect your coins. The funds collected from the boxes help to pay for the Thanksgiving Day Community Meal provided at St. Francis Church

  Boxes were handed out last week. If you did not get one, pick one up on the usher’s table in the Narthex. Please place your coins in it and bring it back on November 22nd.

  We are also collecting the following food items:
  Bags of stuffing
  Cans of cranberries
  Apple juice, canned
  Boxes of mashed potatoes
  Applesauce
  
  Bring any food donations to Sunday worship and place them in the food basket.

  Sign ups will be available starting in November for volunteers who wish to help at the Thanksgiving meal, and persons who can donate turkeys, spiral hams, desserts.

  
  
  

  For information about our choir, go to www.stfrancischoir.org or contact David Schofield

  Concerts this year include:
  
  Jean Richafort, Requiem in Memorium Josquin
  DesPrez
  Annual Carol Concert
  Choral Favorites Concert

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  USHER TEAMS Click here

  
  

  CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MATTHEW SHEPARD AND TO ERASE HATE

  Monday, October 12, 2009, 18th & Castro 7 P.M.

  The vigil will begin at 7pm in front of BofA located at 18th & Castro Streets. Procession will follow to the Pink Triangle Memorial Park.

  ERASE HATE wristbands will be sold for $5 and all proceeds will benefit Matthew Shepard Foundation. This purple wristband features "Erase Hate" on one side and www.MatthewShepard,org on the other side. Show your support for the Matthew Shepard Foundation and make a statement against hate.

  It is requested that you please bring your own candles.

  ABOUT MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION

  The Matthew Shepard Foundation www.matthewshepard.org) was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming on October 12, 1998.

  Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.

  
  
  

  THE GREAT SHAKE OUT

  October 15 10:15 AM

  ShakeoutSF is part of a California State-Wide Drop Cover, and Hold on Drill,- and whether you actually take cover under your desk, or do something else that helps to get you prepared -- we invite your congregation to register at www.shakeout.org/sanfrancisco/ so you can be counted as being involved in the ShakeOut drill.

  Here are some suggested Shakeout drill activities:

  - Take an inventory of your disaster supplies

  - Visit www.72hours.org for tips

  - Update emergency and continuity of operations plans

  - Conduct an evacuation drill

  - Update family and/or agency emergency notification rosters

  - Identify a relocation site for both work and home

  - Take pictures of your assets; make copies of important documents

  Shakeout is part of a weeklong series of Big Rumble events. Big Rumble commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. The anniversary is an opportunity to update our earthquake kits and practice our emergency plans at work and at home!

  
  
  

  HOMOPHOBIA AND PERSECUTION IN IRAQ

  In this week’s New York magazine, journalist Matt McAllester reports on the shocking way gay men in Iraq are being targeted, tortured, and killed—and the unprecedented efforts of Human Rights Watch to build an underground railroad of sorts, reaching out to gay Iraqis and helping them to leave the country. McAllester speaks with the director of Human Rights Watch’s LGBT Rights Program, Scott Long, who calls on the U.S. State Department to publicly commit to “recognizing LGBT Iraqis as among those endangered, and as fitting into the U.S. [refugee] numbers.

  One Iraqi tells of being kidnapped to the Ministry of Interior where he was tortured and raped, and being shown the bodies of five men with whom he had shared a cell. One of his captors told him, “Killing gays is halal,” meaning it was permissible under Islamic law. “We’ll get points in heaven for it.” The man was ultimately able to buy his freedom for $5,000.

  The full story is online here: http://nymag.com/news/features/59695/.

  
  
  

  Early on a Sunday morning in July, Israeli security forces arrived in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem and evicted two Palestinian families from their homes of over 50 years. Almost immediately Israeli settlers moved in to replace them. The evicted families now live in tents nearby.

  This action was widely understood as a response to efforts by the Obama Administration to stop 40 years of Israeli settlement in the Palestinian territories. The State Department called it “provocative.” Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member, immediately organized a strong statement from national church leaders calling this action unacceptable.

  The pro-active leadership of the Obama administration to create a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestinians is beginning to have effects.

  There is good reason to hope that with its influence, patience and steady persistence this administration will prevail in achieving an agreement for peace.
  
  
  
  
  

  • October 15 Dale Leininger
  • October 16 Carl Jech
  
  
  

  Lectionary for next Sunday

  • Isaiah 53:4-12
  • Hebrew 5:1-10
  • Mark 10:35-45
  • Psalm 91:9-16
  
  

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  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

  Contact us:

  Directions to St. Francis: Ext 21
  Worship Service schedule: Ext 20
  Pr. Robert Goldstein: Ext 11
  Pr. Dawn Roginksi Ext 12
  Senior Center Coordinator: Ext 12
  Dave Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: Ext 10
  Clifton King, Sexton
  Brandee Marckmann, Congregation President
  Janet Thuesen, Treasurer

  Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

  General Email: St.FrancisSF - at - sbcglobal.net

  The Rev. Robert Goldstein: RevRGoldstein-at-sbcglobal.net
  The Rev. Dawn Roginski RevDRoginski-at-sbcglobal.net
  Dr. David Schofield StFrancischoir-at-sbcglobal.net
  David Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: St.FrancisSF-at-sbcglobal.net

  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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