St. Thomas sent an Easter card with our greetings to Kate, David, Emily and Matthew in Argentina.
Check out their current newsletter from March on the link to the right (scroll down once that opens and click on current newsletter).
St. Thomas is hosting a youth from Chile as part of our relationship with our sister synod there and our missionaries Kate and David. She will be spending time with our youth group and in our community before going to New Orleans for the youth gathering. Stay tuned for more details for how to get to know her and be involved while she is with us this summer!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Microfinance Interest Group
Interested in microfinance but don't know how to get started? Come to two exciting opportunities:
1) Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva.org will be at IU Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 pm at the Neil Marshall Black Grand Hall. Sponsored by the Microfinance Initiative at the Kelley School of Business and open to the public.
2) Join us for a discussion about how to connect with people around the world through lending to entrepreneurs in almost every country imaginable! Sunday, May 17 at 9:45 am at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Chris Ogan will be leading the discussion.
1) Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva.org will be at IU Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 pm at the Neil Marshall Black Grand Hall. Sponsored by the Microfinance Initiative at the Kelley School of Business and open to the public.
2) Join us for a discussion about how to connect with people around the world through lending to entrepreneurs in almost every country imaginable! Sunday, May 17 at 9:45 am at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Chris Ogan will be leading the discussion.
Guatemalan Panel Discussion
Why are evangelical churches on the increase in Guatemala? What is it like in Guatemala? What's the healthcare like for most people? What are non profits in Guatemala doing? How can we connect with people there? Do you have questions about Guatemala or Sister Parish?
Come to a panel discussion on April 29 from 7 - 8:30 pm at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Guatemalan refreshments will be served.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Come to a panel discussion on April 29 from 7 - 8:30 pm at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Guatemalan refreshments will be served.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Lenten Prayer for Justice, Mercy and Humility
Prayer for Justice, Mercy, and Humility
Lord, hear our prayer:
Today we face the season of our redemption during a time of global crisis.
During this season teach us to understand the love that drove you to give up everything to save us all.
Give us the strength that only comes in weakness;
The renewal that only comes through death and resurrection.
Today many of us feel weakened, burdened, and overwhelmed by the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
We ask that your strength be made perfect in our time of weakness.
While each of us is hurt by hard times, it is the people around the world living on less than $1/day, facing hunger, thirst, and illness, who bear the greatest burden of this crisis.
Just as your weakest hour proved to be the most generous, most life-giving moment in history,
We pray for that out of our own weakness comes a generosity of justice, mercy, and humility for those who bear burdens greater than our own.
Help us to remember that you are the God who, out of nothing, made everything.
The God who still has the power today to remake us.
So let us be remade, not overcome, by our global crisis;
Let us be purified, and not laid low, by injustice, greed, and inequality.
Let us commit ourselves to:
Act justly,
Love mercy,
And walk humbly with you, and with all those
who suffer or want.
This is our moment to change the world.
Because it is at our moment of crisis where your strength and your light, revealed to the world by our faith, become a force that is stronger than fear or death.
Today, move us to become the answer to our prayers.
Give us the strength to respond, in our own time of need, to the needs of those who have the least in our world.
Lead us to be your agents of hope and renewal during this season of redemption.
For it is only in You that we have
the power to change things;
It is only because of You that we have
the promise of renewal;
And yet is through us that You seek to do all these things.
Amen.
Source: Sojourners
If you feel moved to do something, remember those in need during your Lenten prayers, consider giving to the "ResurrEGGtion" fund raiser for Heifer International at St. Thomas, or to MCUM with the matching Feinstein Challenge during March/April or to Lutheran World Relief. In addition, you could volunteer at one of the many wonderful service groups here in town.
Lord, hear our prayer:
Today we face the season of our redemption during a time of global crisis.
During this season teach us to understand the love that drove you to give up everything to save us all.
Give us the strength that only comes in weakness;
The renewal that only comes through death and resurrection.
Today many of us feel weakened, burdened, and overwhelmed by the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
We ask that your strength be made perfect in our time of weakness.
While each of us is hurt by hard times, it is the people around the world living on less than $1/day, facing hunger, thirst, and illness, who bear the greatest burden of this crisis.
Just as your weakest hour proved to be the most generous, most life-giving moment in history,
We pray for that out of our own weakness comes a generosity of justice, mercy, and humility for those who bear burdens greater than our own.
Help us to remember that you are the God who, out of nothing, made everything.
The God who still has the power today to remake us.
So let us be remade, not overcome, by our global crisis;
Let us be purified, and not laid low, by injustice, greed, and inequality.
Let us commit ourselves to:
Act justly,
Love mercy,
And walk humbly with you, and with all those
who suffer or want.
This is our moment to change the world.
Because it is at our moment of crisis where your strength and your light, revealed to the world by our faith, become a force that is stronger than fear or death.
Today, move us to become the answer to our prayers.
Give us the strength to respond, in our own time of need, to the needs of those who have the least in our world.
Lead us to be your agents of hope and renewal during this season of redemption.
For it is only in You that we have
the power to change things;
It is only because of You that we have
the promise of renewal;
And yet is through us that You seek to do all these things.
Amen.
Source: Sojourners
If you feel moved to do something, remember those in need during your Lenten prayers, consider giving to the "ResurrEGGtion" fund raiser for Heifer International at St. Thomas, or to MCUM with the matching Feinstein Challenge during March/April or to Lutheran World Relief. In addition, you could volunteer at one of the many wonderful service groups here in town.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Upcoming Spring Events
Mission Media Series: Any interest in another installment of the mission media series? We could show "End of the Spear" about a true life story of missionaries killed by an Amazon tribe. I saw the photo journalism display in NYC recently of the real life characters. We could discuss old vs. new models of missionaries. Alternatively, I just ordered a copy of "In God's Name" that has many of the world's religious leaders in it, including the ELCA bishop. This aired on national TV a year or two ago. If you have any interest in either of these or have other ideas, make your view known!
Guatemalan Panel Discussion: We are considering putting together a panel discussion on Guatemala for sometime in the second half of April. Panelists might include speakers on education in Guatemala, non profits in Guatemala and the rise of evangelical churches there. If you have suggestions or are interested in this, please let us know.
Guatemalan Panel Discussion: We are considering putting together a panel discussion on Guatemala for sometime in the second half of April. Panelists might include speakers on education in Guatemala, non profits in Guatemala and the rise of evangelical churches there. If you have suggestions or are interested in this, please let us know.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
We Welcome New Members!
Please consider inviting others to join us on the mission committee! Two of the ELCA phrases are "God's Work, Our Hands" and "What's God up to and how can we help?" These are both good phrases for our committee! We are a small but passionate inter-generational committee and we would love to welcome you or someone you know to join us. If you have questions, feel free to contact Shari Rogge-Fidler or the church office.
Taste of South America
St. Thomas gathered in January for a time of food and fellowship to support our ELCA missionaries, Kate Lawler and David Wunsch. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event special!
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