Sunday, May 17, 2009

St. Thomas Lutheran Lenders

Interested in finding a way to contribute to something that really makes a direct difference in individual lives? Interested in seeing and hearing the stories of those to whom your money goes?

Join "St. Thomas Lutheran Lenders" as we make group contributions (loan) on www.kiva.org. You can go online and sign yourself up by clicking the "register" button at the top of the page, then click "lend" and when you choose your entrepreneur it will give the chance to direct your loan via the St. Thomas Lutheran Lenders team. When you set up your account you can choose St. Thomas Lutheran Lenders as your "preferred team." If you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact Dawn Bakken, Shari Rogge-Fidler or Chris Ogan.

We look forward to seeing the blessings from this new mission activity both for the entrepreneurs and for us as a community as we share in this work together.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Note from Missionaries Kate and David

Here is a note from Kate and David. Also check out their newest newsletter posted here and also on the ELCA website.

Dear St. Thomas Community:

We went by the church office the other day and found the Easter card sent to us by all of you at St. Thomas! Thank you so much for remembering us in your Holy Week observation. On Good Friday in our congregation we used the "Latin American Stations of the Cross" which are a series of painting with accompanying text produced by Argentine Nobel Prize winner (1980) Adolfo Perez Esquivel. They relate the Christ's journey to the Cross with contemporary issues in Latin American including human rights, destruction of the environment, and war. They were painted for the occasion of 500 years since the Conquest of the Americas. Here is the link: http://www.adolfoperezesquivel.com.ar/vc.htm.

We are very excited about all the preparations you are doing to receive Francesca! Martha and Jerry have been keeping us abreast of the plans and they sound wonderful!

Thank you for your support and interest in our ministry.

Peace,

Kate

Kate Lawler
Regional Representative -- South America
ELCA Global Mission

Mission Media Series

Join us for our ongoing series of mission related films. Feel free to bring a snack of your choice or just yourself!

May 13 - Renewal: congregations learning and changing their lives to be more faithful in their stewardship of the Earth.

May 27 - Burning Our Future: a heart breaking film about mountain top removal and how we play a part in it.

June 10 - End of the Spear: True story of missionaries in the Amazon which were the subject of famous photographs after many were killed.

June 28 - In God's Name: documentary with many world religious leaders discussing the post 9/11 world and religion. Includes the ELCA bishop. Shown after church. Bring a brown bag lunch or food to share.

Hope you can join us for any or all of these films!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

National Day of Prayer

Here are some prayers for your use today, if you wish to pray for some mission issues on this National Day of Prayer:

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lived and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen

from the Book of Common Prayer