July/August 2009 Newsletter

Central Lutheran Church phone: (360) 734-7180 fax: (360) 734-0788                   
925 North Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225
email: office@centrallutheran.net
website: http://www.centrallutheran.net
119 years of Sharing God's love in the heart of Bellingham 

From: Pastor Timothy Whiteman [mailto:pastor@centrallutheran.net]
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 10:49 AM
To: 'bishop@elca.org'
Cc: 'BishopChris'
Subject: RE: Pastoral letter from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

Dear Bishop Hanson:

Thank you for listening. I was very concerned as to whether the state of the church was being kept from you or that you just didn’t care about how people were responding to the leadership of the church. Evidenced by your pastoral letter you have clearly heard that the upcoming assembly is a church dividing moment. Your leadership will be a major factor in determining the outcome. I hope this email will be given to you that I may have your ear for a moment also.

A set of critical glosses have been allowed to stand unchallenged. The primary untruth fostered by the gay agenda is the statement that full church membership, participation, and “welcome” is measured by admission to the role and duty of pastor. Ordination is not the measure of full participation in the church. Church membership is based upon baptism. It is in the sacrament of baptism that God adopts all people into the church family, grants the forgiveness of sin, and bestows the gift of the Holy Spirit. The sacrament of Holy Communion is the gift given to all the baptized. The two sacraments are the only measure of reception and full participation in the church. Gays are not generally excluded from either; certainly not in this congregation. To suggest that ordination is a third measure dictates that all who are not ordained, are not fully members and do not fully participate in the church. Such a concept is a radical departure from Lutheran theology and should be corrected every time it is presented. A second and equally untruthful perception is that exclusion from the clergy is restricted to gays alone. The specific crisis is about standards for gay clergy behavior. These standards, represented by Visions and Expectations, are justified by scripture that pastors may strive for high values and be role models of Christian discipline and faithfulness. There are yet many other reasons for an individual being excluded from the clergy. There are many reasons individuals and whole classes of people are excluded from the clergy that aren’t even in Visions and Expectations. Intelligence, integrity, morality, psychological profiles, spirituality, interpersonal chemistry, financial debt, or just not clicking with the candidacy committee, are all far less definable or measureable than a specific violation of Visions and Expectations. Any of these reasons can easily exclude an individual from even attending seminary where the issue might be addressed and resolved. Homosexual behavior is categorically no different from any other behavior listed above. The Call demands self-discipline to a biblical standard. While we live in grace (as none of us meet the biblical standard) it is not justified to single out a specific sin and ignore. It is also glossed over that homosexuality remains a behavior expressly described only as sin in the scriptures, and challenges the whole of the biblical witness that it should be ignored. It is contrary to every biblical passage that a sin should be promoted and blessed. Another gloss not challenged is allowing anyone not agreeing with the gay agenda to be labeled homophobic. It is not a psychological sickness to recognize homosexuality as sinful behavior and an unhealthy lifestyle. Opposing homosexuality is not an irrational fear; just opposing any sin is not an irrational fear. These intentional misrepresentations and manipulation of the truth for argument sake should be exposed and the arguments dismissed. When an ideology can only be presented by misrepresentation of that ideology, then the church should be the first to seek justice in truth.

The crisis however, is not an issue simply about sexuality. However, the crisis is focused on homosexuality and the standards for clergy and marriage. While I’m told the proposed social statement is about more than homosexuality, the only implementing resolutions extending from the social statement are about homosexuality and gay pastors. The implementing resolutions are unjustified in that the social statement doesn’t support the changes but only acknowledges the deep divisions within the church on the subject. Remembering that the current study is part of a brokered agreement, it remains to be a very thinly disguised smokescreen for a specific agenda. I have watched and been engaged in the conversation since PLTS certified the first three candidates in open violation of Visions and Expectations created by the loophole between their certification and the start date of the newly formed ELCA. It was from my congregation that the challenging resolution was presented to the Northern California/Northern Nevada Synod which acknowledged homosexual behavior to be a sin and opposed the acceptance of the candidates’ certification by Bishop Miller. The resolution did not pass. It was however very successful until now in preventing the church from abandoning its biblical foundation for expectations for clergy behavior and accountability, except for a handful of bishops who have violated their Call as pastors and bishops of this church.

I have always understood this crisis as a matter of biblical authority. I’ve tried to be open to the new studies that challenge both biblical authority and traditional hermeneutics. I’ve been unimpressed as the base line requirement to accept this “new teaching” is the abandoning of the Lutheran biblical heritage I was taught while I was at seminary. As a convert to Lutheranism, it was important to me to discover the distinctive trait of Lutheranism. I attended a Free Methodist University where I was able to test my Lutheran foundation against the conservative church and was surprised to see that conservative theology failed exactly where Catholic theology failed. Both of these theologies base their biblical interpretation on non-biblical a priori presuppositions. The first defines a required personal experience and the second defines authority based on a specific version of historic tradition—neither of which allowed the biblical message to speak for itself. Luther’s gift to theology was the realization that presuppositions controlled the interpretation of Scripture. Lutheranism, and only Lutheranism, seemed to be concerned with scripture interpreting scripture, following Luther’s lead. This allows the scriptures to remain to be the book revealing the Living Word, and not a static list of rules or antiquated set of morals needing to be legalistically maintained or supporting by a supplemental authority. The attempt to develop an “issue specific hermeneutic” to justify acceptance of homosexuality has failed. Modern re-interpretation of the classical passages dealing with homosexuality simply do not justify homosexual behavior, but rather show it as a tragic tool of abuse. The hermeneutic itself, cannot be used on any other issue without then justifying issues such as slavery, bestiality, incest, women as property, and the exclusiveness of the Jewish birthright. Whatever hermeneutic one chooses, it must be applicable to all faith and life issues. Where we see the failure of biblical authority mostly is the failure to proclaim the evangelical message of the gospel, especially to immigrant, the emerging post-modern and non-churched cultures unfamiliar with Lutheranism. “Saved by grace through faith,” with the moral and ethical implications to live responsibly as a child of God freed from bondage to sin becomes little more than one of many equally arbitrary quaint historic mythological systems romanticized by a diminishing faith group. When scripture is understood as the collection of writings embodying the relationship between God and humankind as God reveals the divine nature most clearly in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth defined by the cross and the resurrection, those scriptures bring the authority to proclaim the most powerful force in the universe: the proclamation of the forgiveness of sin; God’s work! Our hands!

What has become clear in this discussion is the failure of assemblies to speak for this church which they are not. They can simply speak for themselves and propose language for those they Call when those so Called are speaking in behalf of the assembly they represent. The hand full of people who gather as independent members of a specific expression of the church who neither represent nor are accountable to the church are just that: not the church. This of course is the inherent risk and possible flaw of the three expressions—independent though interdependent—model of the church created by the CNLC. Because of the abuse of the model by specific assemblies speaking unaccountably for expressions of the church which they are not, this model has failed, and the experiment needs to be quickly ended and this church rebuilt in a more accountable model. The current question of a church dividing issue is thusly complicated by the difference between theological division and just mechanical disintegration.

From the outset in 1986, I have been counseled to “fear not and trust” because in the end, the church leadership will do the right thing. Those voices represented the ideology that the right thing was an affirmation of the traditional biblical standards for the clergy and marriage. Watching the Church Council dismantle the failsafe requirement of super majority has shocked the church. It was never thought that the right thing was whatever the Church Council decided. Because the agenda driven Church Council fears [knows?] there is not the required supermajority support it has chosen to create a wrongly instituted means for doing the wrong thing. A perception has existed for years that the leadership of this church is going to force this issue no matter what the church believes and far too many people have just walked away. Now we have direct intervention by the Church Council to unjustly force this issue. More people will just walk away, voting as the church with their feet and their support of the ELCA. The collapse of the ELCA because of mechanical disintegration from lack of funding further makes this assembly a church dividing moment.

Your leadership is vital in this critical time. You were called to be Bishop, to bring your input to this matter. So I’m very disappointed by the pastoral letter’s emphasis that the Holy Spirit maintains the unity of the church. This is only half the theology. It is equally true that the Holy Spirit does and should bring division and rift. When a church abandons its mission, it should fail. Yes, church unity will always remain. Whether we are a united part of Christ’s church becomes the question. The arrogant pharisaic attitude that because we share in the unity of the sacrament we can thus go and do whatever pleases our agenda misses entirely the point that it should not be our agenda, but Christ’s agenda. The neither hot nor cold, but held in bondage to the will of the assembly is a failure of leadership. Leaders lead, not in fear of losing membership, but because it is the right thing to do. If you are afraid of the consequences of publically declaring the direction which you want the assembly to vote (assuming as a bishop you are the symbol of the continued presence of true apostolic succession) then the agenda needs to be addressed very differently or the church needs to be divided.

Ultimately what is being created here is a constitutional crisis within the churchwide expression. We are a constitutional church. That constitution requires biblical justification for changing this church’s policies. The proposed implementing resolutions are not only not biblically justified, they are contrary to the scriptures. Churchwide will continue to disintegrate. What was left of the Regions has been diverted to Synod offices. Synods will be forced to merge and become efficient in their vital ministry of mobility oversight. While more congregations may leave the ELCA, most congregations will survive no matter what happens at the Chicago assembly. I choose to stay the course. Congregations will continue to be the presence of Christ in the world and will need and be busy about that mission in September just as they are in July. Since my earlier days of front line involvement in this discussion, I have given up hope in the value of assemblies and have chosen instead to concentrate my effort, skills, and training in the work of a congregational pastor. Here is where the work of Christ is done. I also choose the stay the course because too many vital ministries will be sacrificed without careful diligence as the ELCA collapses. Ministries such as Bible Camps and Lutheran Campus Ministries will require our best efforts if they are to survive.

Bishop Hanson, I could be wrong. I pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If I could be convinced otherwise like Paul I’d change my efforts and work equally hard in the opposite direction. But my conscience is held captive by the Word of God. I’ve not seen anything to justify these proposed actions. I have seen intentional misrepresentation and manipulation of the facts, ideologies, and theologies. I remain faithful. I pray for my church, and for you. Please do the right thing, move quickly to end this self-destruction of the ELCA by being a clear advocate for the traditional biblical teaching on sexuality.

Pastor Timothy A. Whiteman
2801 Alabama St.
Bellingham WA

From: Bishop Mark Hanson [mailto:bishop@elca.org] On Behalf Of Info at ELCA
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:04 AM
To: LEADER-LIST-ANNOUNCE@LISTSERV.ELCA.ORG
Subject: Pastoral letter from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

July 1, 2009

Dear colleagues in ministry,

As we approach the churchwide assembly, I am thankful for the thoughtful and respectful discussion at synod assemblies of the proposed social statement on human sexuality and the ministry policy recommendations. I am mindful, however, that we remain a church body that is not of one mind about these decisions, and that these continuing differences have raised concerns among some about whether we are headed toward a church-dividing decision.

I am writing to express my shared, heartfelt commitment to the church’s unity, and, even more, my deep confidence that this unity will not be lost. For this reason please join me in reflecting on the unity of Christ’s church that is the foundation both for our life together in the ELCA and our relationships with other Christians throughout the world.

The unity of Christ’s church is God’s daily work through the Holy Spirit calling, gathering, enlightening and sanctifying us with the gospel. Sometimes, when I hear concerns about division in the ELCA, I worry that they express a fear that unity depends on the actions of church leaders or assemblies. Our unity, however, comes to us because God gives it freely and undeservedly in Jesus Christ. Although everyone in leadership shares responsibility for stewarding our unity in Christ, it will not be won or lost at the churchwide assembly in a plenary session vote. Rather, it will be received as a gracious gift from God when the assembly is gathered each noon by the Word and Sacrament through which God gives us unity, making us one in Jesus Christ.

We hold in common this confession that God makes us one in Jesus Christ, but it is not making this confession that makes us one. Rather, because God unites us to Jesus Christ in Baptism we are also united to each other in one body that transcends any other difference. Paul states this clearly. “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).

A marvelous insight into this unity was made recently during a Bible study as members of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Executive Committee took turns reading Paul’s familiar words about the body of Christ in their own languages. The differences were fascinating. Several read, “all the members of the body, though many, are one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Others read, “all the members of the body, being many, are one body.” Our Bible study leader suggested that “though many” implies that our “many-ness” (that is, our diversity or differences) is a problem that compromises the unity of the body of Christ. But, “being many” within the Body of Christ implies that diversity is unity’s strength, not its weakness. The witness of Scripture is that both unity and diversity are God’s gifts. There is one Spirit, one Baptism, one faith, one Lord of us all, but a variety of gifts and callings are given for the sake of the gospel and the common good.

God’s gift of unity in Christ informs our life and witness together in the community of Christ’s church. Rather than approach the assembly apprehensively, I invite you to see it as an opportunity for faith-filled witness to the larger human family that struggles with division and yearns for healing and wholeness that is real and true. We live in a polarized culture that equates unity with uniformity and sees differences as a reason for division. This moment, and our witness as a church body in the midst of it, deserves something better from us. We have the opportunity to offer the witness of our unity in Christ—diverse, filled with different-ness and differences, broken in sin, and yet united and whole in Christ. This moment deserves the witness of a community that finds and trusts its unity in Christ alone, engages one another with respect, and seeks a communal discernment of the Spirit’s leading.

In recent weeks I have been re-reading Bonhoeffer’s Life Together where he writes, “God already has laid the only foundation of our community, because God has united us in one body with other Christians in Jesus Christ long before we entered into common life with them.” He says that other Christians who may be different and yet live by God’s call, forgiveness, and promise are a gift and a reason to give thanks. He continues with this remarkable insight about all of us and the unifying power of Christ’s forgiveness:
Even when sin and misunderstanding burden the common life, is not the one who sins still a person with whom I too stand under the Word of Christ? Will not another Christian’s sin be an occasion for me ever anew to give thanks that both of us may live in the forgiving love of God in Jesus Christ? Therefore, will not the very moment of great disillusionment with my brother or sister be incomparably wholesome for me because it so thoroughly teaches me that both of us can never live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and deed that really binds us together, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ? (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, vol. 5, pp. 36-37.)
Some may question why I am writing and wonder if this letter is advocating for a particular position on the questions before the churchwide assembly. It is not. Rather, it is an honest expression of my conviction that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s mission for the life of the world, and the members of this church deserve this witness from us: In Christ we are members of one body serving God’s mission for the life of the world.

As we approach the Assembly, I invite you to join me in confident hope, grounded in Christ, where we meet one another not in our agreements or disagreements, but at the foot of the cross. We meet as we hear the Word, confess our faith, receive Christ’s presence in bread and wine, sing our praises to God, make our offerings, and then go in peace, to share the Good News, remember the poor and serve the Lord.

God is faithful. Christ is with us. By the power of the Spirit we are one in him. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:31)

In God’s grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 W Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 800/638-3522 | Home | Privacy Policy | Bishop Hanson Message Archive[click here to view in browser]

School Report

We asked for feedback from a couple of our Sunday school students at the end of the school year. We’ll include one report in this issue and another in the next:

This year Sunday School was a blast! My teacher was Judy Mork. We learned all about Jesus and his life. And to Judy we thank you a million times! The fun part is at the very last day of Sunday School we all get together and have a picnic and barbeque. We play on the play set and play badminton and then much more! We also serve lunch to. Usually it’s hamburgers and hotdogs, then everybody pitches in and brings really good food! And to all the helpers of Sunday School like, Cami Burfeind (music teacher), Marie Little (Sunday School teacher, toddlers) and Judy Mork (Sunday School teacher, older kids) . . . Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

—Maryellen Burfeind (age 7)

Due to the efforts of a group of dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers, Vacation Bible School was a big success in late June. The kids had a great time while hearing God’s message of love for them.

A heartfelt thank-you to the many people who contributed their time and talent. We couldn’t have done it without you!

The Lunch Bunch will meet at noon on August 10. We will meet at Nelda Shick's residence (maps will be on the narthex table). I will provide all the stuff for hamburgers and hot dogs and drinks. Please sign up and bring something to go with the meat. Everyone is welcome to bring quests. Questions - call 360-319-1461. Pray for nice weather. :-) —Nelda

Early Bird Choir is going into retirement! We're tired!! But if you or someone you know would really like to sing, we'll give it another try. For more information, please call Carol Reppun at 671-4221.

From Lutheran Community Services Northwest: June 20, 2009, was the sixth anniversary of World Refugee Day. The world focused attention not only on the plight of refugees and the causes of their exile, but also on their will to survive and the contributions they have made in their host communities. Some of the most vulnerable refugees—refugee youth—settle in the Puget Sound area. Would you open your heart and your home to one of them? We are always in need of loving homes. If you would like to learn more about the possibility of becoming licensed to provide long-term, short-term, or respite care to a refugee youth or sibling group, please contact Erika Berg, (206) 694-5780, with the Refugee & Immigrant Children's Program.

Sunday School teachers needed for 2009-2010 school year here at Central. Training is available. Please call Carol Reppun at 671-4221 for more information.

Interfaith Coalition seeks volunteers for maintenance projects and yard work. Interfaith Coalition relies on volunteers to maintain our nine Interfaith Family Housing units, which provide shelter and case management support to local homeless families. During the summer and fall, there are many opportunities for volunteers to keep our houses in tiptop shape. We have projects for youth groups as well as adults.
Youth Group and Family Activities: We have fences to paint, weeds to pull, and each of Interfaith Coalition’s emergency housing units could use a deep cleaning.
Skilled Assistance: Carpenters and all-around handy men or women have ample opportunities to volunteer their skills for Interfaith throughout the year. We would like to develop a list of volunteers that we can call on for help. We can also use assistance with occasional plumbing, electrical, drywall and general carpentry jobs.
Please contact Interfaith Coalition at 734-3983 to find out how you can help.

Dear Central Lutheran Church:

Thank you for your May gift to ELCA World Hunger. Your gift [will go toward helping] fight hunger in over 50 countries—and in every synod of the ELCA—with a special focus on reaching people most in need and working efficiently and effectively.… To neighbors near and far who struggle with hunger, your gift offers hope. Thank you for responding faithfully to the crisis of hunger.

In Christ’s service,
The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director
ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

Dear members of Central Lutheran Church:

On behalf of the Bellingham/Whatcom Project Homeless Connect, thank you so much for your generous support of this event. We are so grateful.

Sincerely,
Elody Samuelson, Event Co-chair

Dear Central Lutheran Church:

I recently received the evaluation report from the first Whatcom County Project Homeless Connect. I am greatly impressed by how our community came together to support the end to homelessness.… In these times of economic uncertainty, I thank you for your donation to this event. The goods and services that were provided for this event contributed to its tremendous success.… Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dan Pike, Mayor

To Erin, Pastor Tim, Family and Staff

Thank you so much for all of your help with my thesis project on eco-palms. The project is well under way, and I could not have done it without your generosity and support.

Best wishes,
Deidre Peroff

Dear Central:

Thank you for celebrating our graduation from high school with a cake, gifts, prayers, and good wishes. We appreciate your support!

Best wishes,
Central’s graduating high-schoolers

Enriching and energizing Bible study event for women:

Introduction to the 2009/2010 Lutheran Woman Today Bible Study

“To God’s Beloved: God’s Letter to the Romans”

By Dr. Sarah Henrich

August 22, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
12115 Park Ave S., Tacoma, WA (by PLU)
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Henrich
Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN

Cost = $15 (includes lunch)

Register by 8/17; form available on narthex table (for copying—return original to the table)

Sponsored by SW WA Synodical Women’s Org. and NW WA Synodical Women’s Org.

You Can Help Now! Are you ready to renew or order a new a magazine subscription? Do it online at http://www.magfundraising.com/CentralLutheranPreschool, and Central Lutheran Church’s soon-to-be preschool will receive 40 percent! We just launched our online fundraising campaign, and we need your support! With the virtual power of this new online magazine fundraiser, you can help simply by buying, renewing, or extending your favorite magazine subscriptions on our online magazine store. Remember, 40 percent of you purchase amount will go directly to our cause!

Here's how you can help:

1. Go online to www.magfundraising.com/CentralLutheranPreschool and click “Buy a Magazine.”
2. Choose and order your favorite magazine subscriptions from over 650 titles at up to 85 percent off newsstand prices. You can even renew existing subscriptions!
3. Pay by credit card, and 40 percent of your purchase will go directly to our cause!

CLC Council Meeting Highlight- June 9, 2009
Excerpted from the council minutes taken by Diane Ecker, Secretary Pro-Tem

Treasurer’s Report – … We will probably have to move funds out of savings to cover the mortgage. An analysis has been done on giving at Central, noting how we were expecting offerings to go up when in fact they’ve gone down. [Various approaches to increase giving were discussed.]

Pastor’s Report – Pastor Tim reported 193 work hours (including 4 Sundays) and 9 hours of Parish Life this past month.… [He] requested some vacation time, including spreading out vacation days so he's occasionally off 2 days a week. Money for the Shalom Center loan has come through - some generous people stepped forward! … The Block Party/Ice Cream Social is Saturday, September 12, and will be combined with the Rummage Sale.

Connie Fry gave a presentation on the Kids Central Preschool…. A projected start-up date is September 2010. A motion was made that we remove the moratorium on fundraising for the preschool and encourage committee members to move forward with the project with the council's speed and support. [After discussion about making sure the church doesn’t undertake any work that the project doesn’t already have funds for], the motion passed.

Joint Goals & Priorities – Randy asked the council to think about some of the goals established last summer. … Council needs to keep in mind the question – Is what we're doing advancing our mission? We will also be taking a closer look at our membership rosters. …It’s about being committed to what we do as a congregation; it’s NOT about statistics.

Committee-Report Highlights – A volunteer painter is needed for the Rose Street House. Central’s web page is about to take a jump forward to be much more usable! One new item that it will have is wedding info – hoping to encourage young couples to come and be a part of Central. Info about WordAlone & LutheranCore will also be noted on the new site.

Buchanan Productions is seeking actors, singers, musicians, dancers, magicians and other talented performers for this production to be staged at the Mount Baker Theatre on Friday, Dec. 18. Tryouts are Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. in Bellingham. The show will have live orchestration, so orchestra members are needed, as well.

Getting stage fright now? Well, how about performing as part of a small group? Maybe you sing with members of your congregation. Round them up and try out as a group. Or bring the other musicians in the combo you play with or the dancers from the troupe you dance with. You get the idea, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

For more information, contact Judy or Barry Buchanan at 360-734-6639.

Tired of solicitation phone calls—on landlines and cell phones? You can register yourself on the
Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov and can list up to three numbers.

Updated on August 10, 2009

© 2009, Central Lutheran Church