Pastor's Page

Go Team

2011-08-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson
I was at Ewalu Bible Camp over the weekend. I am on Ewalu’s Board of Directors and we have our meetings on the third Saturday of every other month. It is usually on Rustic Days weekend. Twice now, I have missed the parade. I might have missed this meeting, but I missed the last one because of Synod Assembly and I am taking my turn as Board President.

Every time I visit that place I recall some event, some story, some incident that has happened there over my 48 years of involvement in that place. Ewalu is celebrating 50 years of history this summer. I remember my first summer, Cedar Lodge had just opened, and that particular week when I was a camper, when we took our turn on k.p. duty, for the first time did not have to help manually wash dishes, because the new commercial dishwasher had just been hooked up. I could write a book. But many of you also have memories. Bethlehem has been connected there from the very beginning in 1961 with a member serving on the Board of Directors in 1962. I am proud to continue that tradition at Bethlehem. Many at St. Mark’s have long histories at Ewalu, too. I am so excited that three boys from the parish just had their first experience at Ewalu this summer. This fall we will have some Sunday when we recall our past connections to Camp Ewalu and let some people share stories.

Besides being a board member, and wanting to set a good example for other board members, I also felt obliged to attend last Saturday’s meeting because we are at the beginning of a search or call process for a new executive director. Dale Goodman will be retiring at the end of next summer. For me, as board president, this is a terrifying time. I feel like many of you must feel when you are asked to be part of a call committee to call a new pastor. I want us to get a good director, so 5, 10, 15 or more years done the road, folks can say – “that was a good choice”. In 50 years of camp history, we have had 4 full-time directors and they all have brought wonderful gifts and have built the camp up to be one of the better, stronger camps in the ELCA. I certainly do not want the first bad, problem director called “on my watch”.

I would be almost paralyzed –except for a couple of important truths. I am not alone. There are 17 others on the board – we will appoint a separate search team of 5 – 7 people. We work together. Like the ball player who misses the free throw or field goal at the buzzer – and even the player who gets lifted up on the shoulders of teammates for scoring or preventing the other team from scoring in the final second - all need to remember there was a whole team of other players that scored important points or made important defensive plays the whole game and a whole team of players who also missed points and made mistakes the whole game.

Furthermore, God has blessed the ministry of Ewalu for 50 years. God will not forsake us now. I can trust that God will lead us through a process that will result in a new director. I told the board, that God probably already knows who that director will be – even thought the person who will be director may not even today, know of Ewalu.

Of Fires,Floods and Faith

2011-06-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson
The phone call came on a Sunday afternoon. For a few seconds fear and anxiety gripped Ginger. It was from daughter-in-law Beth. She doesn’t ordinarily call us. Usually son Ben calls. What had happened that she would call? Ben for being almost 35 years old still enjoys “adventure” and what many people might consider “dangerous” activities – climbing up sheer rock cliffs, hiking mountain trials, teaching activities on “high ropes” adventure courses, with training in wilderness rescue. Well nothing had happened to him, but on the first afternoon of summer camp at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, where he is the assistant director, during registration, a forest fire broke out in the mountain forest near camp. He was quite tied up in the evacuation of the camp – relocating over 150 campers, counselors and staff to a nearby high school gym.

We watched the internet all week for news, as firefighters worked to extinguish the fires. Fortunately, the camp was spared and hopefully after being out of the camp for two weeks they will be able to move campers back. On Father’s Day, he called and said he would be running the camp’s mountain backpacking program from the back of his moving trailer he bought back when Beth was attending seminary in Dubuque.

While the fire in the Sangre de Christo Mountains in Colorado did not make the news outside of Colorado, we have spent the last months watching extreme natural phenomena around the world. There was one of history’s worst earthquakes in terms of the tsunami that followed and the Japanese nuclear disaster that resulted; some of the worst tornadoes in recent history, some of the nation’s largest forest fires, some of the worst flooding ever on the Missouri River and other rivers of the upper Great Plains.

These disasters are reason for many people to wonder what is happening. Some wonder if these are signs foretelling the end of times. Still others wonder if these things are a result of climate change that is taking place. I certainly do not wish to read too much into these events. But they do remind us that as human beings, important as we think we are, have little control over the world around us. I am reminded of Psalm 8, where the hymn writer looked up at the sky on a starry night, contemplated the scope of the universe, and wondered how it was that God could care so much for insignificant human beings.

What can we learn from these disasters and even the disasters that have hit eastern Iowa recently – the 2008 flooding, the Parkersburg tornado, the failure of the Lake Delhi Dam? We live in a dangerous world. Rivers flood, forests burns, mountains erupt, tornadoes and hurricanes form, and there is not much humans can do besides get out of the way. In the midst of all these events, we believe that God cares for us. When disaster strikes, God helps us through the events, providing family, neighbors, friends, and governmental assistance. God has created a world that can grow back, regenerated and repair itself. (However after the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, we are learning regeneration will take many many years and the verdict is not in yet how radically that area has been damaged.)

We can never protect ourselves from every danger or disaster that might befall us. Disasters bring terrible loss and grief for those involved. Yet we remain confident that God is with us and will help us deal whatever comes our way, for we are promised that nothing – forest fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, or even death can ever separate us from the love of God.

Pondering at 60

2011-06-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

Over the years, birthdays have come and birthdays have gone. I have had a few significant birthday parties planned by my wife over years, and as a child planned by my mother. My family members have always remembered me and many church members remember me in various ways. But for the most part, I have not paid lots of attention to birthdays as far as reflecting on them, neither dreading them nor eagerly anticipating them (at least not since childhood).

But as I approach my 60th birthday next week I have found myself being more reflective than in the past. I realize I need to think of myself in different terms. I can no longer think of myself as a young person, or even very middle middle-aged. (See, I want to still hang on to the term a while longer.) I know “you are as old as you feel.” But some days I do not feel very young any more. As some friends prepare to move, I contemplated helping them move, but reminded myself I had better be careful what I offer, so told them that I thought my all-day-long furniture-toting days were mostly behind and I would be more helpful standing in the moving van with my tape measure saying, “Bring me something 20x10x10”. While still willing to try most anything once, I find that I “pay for it” later. I have just spent close to 20 hours in the last weeks, on my hands and knees, installing hardwood flooring. I really feel it in my knees, hips, shoulders – well all over. And while most foods look yummy, I have learned to pace myself and to be selective, especially in the evening so as not to keep Ginger awake all night with my burping and belching.

We all age. It is a part of life. Years ago, my internship supervisor used to say that we are all born with a terminal disease. From birth, we begin moving towards death. (Well he said it a few times. He generally was not that gloomy). But as we move through life, we move through many successive stages, each of which has its many joys, blessings as well as challenges. We do not necessarily have to enjoy all of the challenges of every stage of life, but life is so much better for us and for those around us, when we can be accepting of the stage we are. We all recognize in a minute those persons who cannot accept their life stage and make fools of themselves trying to act much younger or much older than they actually are.

This year as I have been a bit more pensive in anticipating my birthday, we were once again confronted with a well-meaning, faithful, but somewhat misguided person predicting quite sincerely the end of the ages in what some Christians believe will be an event called the rapture. While not wishing to be too mocking or joking of what someone considers so important, I was naturally very skeptical and quite unconcerned. While I have not doubted that at some point there will be an end of life, as we know it, I have always thought of that time as being more individual than communal. As I turn 60, I recognize I have a lot less years ahead of me than I have behind me. Yet, I feel like I have always lived to make each day count in some way, able to go to sleep at night without regrets, or at least without too many of them. So whether the world ends in some sort of a rapture moment, or whether it ends like for so many in these past months because of the destruction caused by tornadoes, earthquakes or tidal waves, or whether it ends by simply “passing in one’s sleep”, it will end. And with each passing birthday, we each statistically get closer to that event. But as one reborn a child of God and marked with the cross of Christ forever, it is of no consequence, and I can celebrate another birthday (even though I don’t have to like the creaky achy knees.)

Travelling for Wholeness

2011-05-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

I am looking forward to a vacation. Next week, we are driving to Cañon City, Colorado to visit son Ben and his wife Beth. I visited there 1½ years ago when I attended a retreat at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Bible Camp where Ben works. However, it has been a long time since Ginger and I were there together. It is always fun to see our children, fun to see new places, and fun to get away for a while. I always enjoy road trips, heading down the open highway.

I realize I need to “get out of town” for a while. That is not saying anything negative about my work, the congregations or communities. I have just been focused on work for a while – perhaps that is the danger of late Easters. It has been a long haul since Christmas. I am truly grateful for the vacation time granted me during a year. I wish every organization, every employer knew the value of providing adequate vacation time for workers. I know I will come back home much refreshed, and much more productive.

The Board of Pensions of the ELCA which administers our church’s medical and pension plans recognizes the importance of pastors and all people to care for their bodies, minds and spirits. During the last several years, they have really advocated the concept of wholeness and wellness. How well we care for ourselves has an impact on health care costs for one practical reason. When pastors care for themselves and congregations help care for their pastors another result is longer, more satisfying pastorates.

Wholeness and wellness is a result of many factors. The ELCA has developed the “Wholeness Wheel” http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Leadership-Support/Health/Wholeness-Wheel.aspx . When we take care of all of the aspects in the wheel, we will be lots healthier. I regularly refer to this wheel and do some impromptu assessments. Social/ interpersonal well-being is related to maintaining friendships and attending to relationship with family members and co-workers, neighbors and friends. I will be attending to that by visiting with Ben and Beth and Sam and Heidi while on vacation. Intellectual well-being is related to stimulating one’s brain and learning new things. I have not had a television signal for 5 months now. I do not think I have missed much, but I have read many magazines. The area I need to concentrate on is physical well-being. I know I need to watch my weight, eat better and exercise more.

I would encourage you to work your way around the wheel and ask yourself how you might work to make yourselves whole and well. Do not forget about spiritual well-being that encompasses every aspect of our well-being. Our spiritual wellness is related not only to our worship, prayer and Bible study time, but to what we eat and how much, how much we share, how we relate to others and our work.

So, yes I am very much looking forward to a week’s vacation. But you know what they, that is we, all say about vacations. The best part of vacation is usually coming home again.

To Serve Those In Need - Or Not!

2011-03-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

The call came at 12 minutes before 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. “Pastor, do you have time to talk? I mostly just need a friend,” said an unfamiliar voice after a two-minute introduction where she hinted that she and her family had visited on a Sunday morning recently. (That was the first hint this tale might not be filled with 100% truthful information – yes I was on vacation a Sunday a few weeks ago, but thought someone would have mentioned that a family visited that day.)

I told her it was a bad time, as worship was beginning in a few minutes. It was the truth, but I still felt like the religious leader in the story of the Good Samaritan who passed by on the other side when he saw the man in need on the road. I gave her a number where she could reach me later. She called back on Monday morning. For many minutes she unraveled a tale of woe and miracles – a broken down car in Wisconsin on the way to “Ma-ko-KEE-ta” for a new job with a construction company – a couple of angels who picked them up, towed their car and fixed the car in their own garage and put the family up for 4 nights and days. Finally, she came to the end of the story and was embarrassed to ask, but needed only $150 to get the rest of the way here and if I went to Wal-mart, I could wire money to her at the Wal-mart in Wisconsin. When asked what company her husband would be working for in “Ma-ko-KEE-ta”, she gave me a name of an unfamiliar company and when I paused, she quickly added that it was in Des Moines, but they did business all over. When I asked for a phone number for the wonderful couple who had taken them in for 4 days, I quickly learned that their pregnant teen-aged daughter had run up their phone bill so high they had to discontinue phone service. When I politely said I did not think our congregation was in a position to help, there was an immediate click as the line went dead. I was not surprised.

I am sure this woman needed assistance – but probably not any help I could give her. It is most frightening that she has made this work in the past, or thinks this will work. And maybe I am all wrong. Maybe it was a legitimate need, although I would not bet on it.

A world full of people has needs – legitimate needs – needing food, medical care, education. And then there are a few people, as there have always been, who are willing to take advantage of the kind and generous ones. There were dozens of good reasons why the Samaritan in the story of the Good Samaritan should not have stopped to help the man lying by the road who appeared to have been beaten up and robbed. Giving and sharing involves risk.

Lent is a time to remember those in need. Giving “alms” is a traditional Lenten discipline from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said, “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you.” “Alms” is an ancient word used most often in religious circles meaning charity for the poor, coming from a Greek word related to showing mercy. There are hundreds of legitimate charities. I commend especially ELCA Hunger Appeal and ELCA Disaster Response. Our ELCA passes these funds through (100%) to other agencies working in particular areas, sometimes to Lutheran World Relief (which is supported by Lutheran denominations and does not therefore have extensive fund-raising costs). I also commend, more locally, Lutheran Services in Iowa, which primarily assists families and children. They operate two institutions in Iowa, Bremwood and Beloit, which provide residential treatment for some of Iowa’s most emotionally troubled children (Bremwood for teens and Beloit for pre-teens). Donations this year at our Lenten Soup suppers will be shared with the Domestic Violence Shelter in Iowa City. Alda Buresh, a former resident of Lost Nation and Oxford Junction shared stories of that place and its needs with our women during February.

In the end, when we share with someone in need, we help the other, but we also are blessed and enriched. That is why it is a suggested Lenten discipline. Blessings as you find ways to assist the poor however you decide is good for you.

Pastoral Pondering: Finding Your Seat

2011-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

I worshiped with the people of East Clermont Lutheran Church early in January. That is the congregation where I grew up – the place I was every Sunday morning for 18 years, and where I was for lots of other activities and events during those 18 years. It was indeed a home away from home.

It is a little strange visiting there! I am usually there only once a year or so. I look around and wonder who all those old people are, and then I look more closely and they are my former classmates, distant cousins and folks my age who I grew up with.

It was a little disconcerting to see someone different sitting in my grandmother’s place. All the years I was growing up, my grandparents sat in the same place – the short pew on the right side, second row from the back. It wasn’t really a short pew, but the pillar holding up the balcony made it so it was impossible for more than two people so sit on that end of the pew. Even after my grandpa moved to the care center before he died, Grandpa sat in that pew. But it has been a few years since my grandma has been able to leave her care center, so someone else moved into her pew.

We are all creatures of habit. We get into our comfortable routines. I am so grateful for those who make Sunday worship as part of their routine. And like my grandpa and grandma, most folks have their pew – their spot. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with having one’s place for worship. As long as it never gets in the way of hospitality. There are stories – and I do not know whether they are real, or just the stuff of “urban myth.” But I have heard stories of folks “shooing” visitors out of their pews on Sunday morning.

Life in congregations changes over time. It is good that someone else is sitting in my grandmother’s pew since she can no longer sit there. As people move away or deaths in our congregation occur, there end up being gaps, or big holes. As people’s needs change, they sometimes need to find different places – to see better, to hear better, to be closer to the bathroom doors, to be closer to the elevator doors.

And I have to say, as worship leader, I enjoy leading worship much more when there are not huge empty spaces between me and the congregation. I have heard of all kinds of gimmicks or activities that pastors and congregations have tried to get people to “mix it up” from time to time when it comes to seating. I will not propose any, other than to simply encourage you to once in a while “fill in the the empty gaps” and to be attentive to the needs of folks who may need to be closer to doors, stairs, elevators, speakers and the like. And, for whatever it is worth, when you are all closer to me, rather than farther from me, it gives me more energy and enthusiasm.

See you in worship on Sunday!

A Healthy Diet for a New Year - Humble Pie

2009-12-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Burk just returned from a trip with several other ELCA Bishops to Palestine. Last winter over 40 bishops from the ELCA and Canada visited Palestine. These visits were in part, to show our solidarity with the Lutheran Church and other Christians in Palestine. Palestine, known officially as the West Bank is occupied and controlled illegally by Israel. Israel has erected 20-foot high cement walls around many parts of Palestine. Where there are not imposing walls, there are various barbed wire, sandbag and other barriers. Currently, to visit Bethlehem, a person must pass through one of 3 checkpoints guarded by well-armed Israeli soldiers. While this is not too problematic for tourists, it adds hours and days to travel times for local Palestinian residents of Bethlehem who wish to visit family and friends or do business outside of this walled town. It is choking their livelihoods and their very existence.

But in the heart of Bethlehem is a church built over the site that is the supposed birthplace of Jesus. While one could never prove that this is really the place, for over 1800 years it is believed to be the place, and it certainly must be close to the place. And where it actually happened really is not so terribly important. But to stand in that little underground chapel was an awesome, spirit-filled experience for me as it is for most who visit the place.

Bishop Burk reflected recently on the main door to the Church of the Nativity. The main entrance of this church, which receives thousands of visitors each year, is but a few feet high. Any adult must stoop quite low to enter. Bishop Burk reflected that:

“The entrance to that Bethlehem church requires a change in our physical posture. A humbling reminder of precisely what God does for us in Jesus Christ. Our God stoops down, bends low, and with a love that throws caution to the wind, pursues us. Reaches us. Embraces us,...so that together, we might do the same. So that we might in all humility stand for and with those whose lives are made better by our standing with one another”.

Bishop Burk went on to say that this posture of humility is a good one for all of us to maintain in the new year.

We live in a world with too little humility. Too many people are too sure and certain of too many things, feeling right and righteous, stifling meaningful conversation and discussion. It is only with humility that we can truly engage one another and work for solutions to the complex problems and difficulties in our world.

Yes, the door to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem forces one into a posture of humility. But so does listening to the weather forecast. As I sit in my office on Tuesday morning, December 22, I realize I have very little control. It is frustrating. I so much want to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the people of Bethlehem and Saint Mark Lutheran. But if the roads are impassable, I cannot do anything about it.

The familiar prayer written by Lutheran pastor and theologian Reinhold Niebuhr is a wonderful prayer for all of us to start a new year and a new decade.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

The remainder of the prayer is not quite as familiar but every much as important:

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as God did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that God will make all things right if I surrender to God’s Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with God Forever in the next. Amen. (paraphrased)

Communicating Electronically and In-the-Flesh

2009-12-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

I just started the process of uploading Sunday's sermon to Bethlehem's website. It takes a few minutes, so I need to flip to another screen to work on other projects. In a few minutes, anyone in the world can go to Bethlehem's website and listen to Sunday's sermon. I do not know how many of you ever listen to sermons when you cannot be present, or go back and listen to something you missed – or have told a relative or friend about it. But there have been over 2500 persons who have visited our sermon site in 2 years.

This all is – on one hand – most incredible – and other the other hand – almost a little scary. So much information is available "on-line" these days. Sometimes I wonder why I should ever buy another book because with the click of a few keys I can learn almost anything on the internet. Technology is changing at such a fast pace, one barely can keep up with it. But we grandparents and great-grandparents find we have to be a little bit savvy just to stay in touch. A few years ago, it wasn't even a word, but today how many of us "Skype" with our grandkids?

Last month I signed up for a free service called "Google Voice." If you ever really need to get in touch with me in case of an emergency, you can call 563-447-0652. All of my phones will ring at once – the office phone (in the mornings), the parsonage phone, the Wildwood phone, and my cell phone. If I do not answer, you can leave a message, which will be on my cell phone whenever I am in cell range and it will also be transcribed as a email. (You still will not get in touch with me if I'm in the woods cutting logs, or fishing by the lake, etc.)

My cell phone is just a cell phone. My kids have sent me a few text messages and pictures on it. But many people have cell phone-like devices on which they have instant access to the internet and not only make phone calls but check their emails, catch up with Face Book friends, monitor bank accounts or buy and sell stock, bonds or commodities all by their cell phone. Back when I was a kid, there was a regular cartoon feature – Dick Tracy – a futuristic detective who wore a wristwatch by which he could communicate with others. Well that future is here.

A few weeks ago I was at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Conference on behalf of Ewalu and those of us congregations who own Ewalu. I attended a couple of workshops about how all of this technology ties in with camping. No parents just want to drop their kids off at camp on Sunday and be out of touch until Friday in today's world, so many camps are creating video and picture pages during the week so that parents can go on line and see their kids in action during the week. Advertising and marketing also must take advantage of not only the old-fashioned print ads, also be done effectively on the radio, television, internet, Facebook and Twitter,

And if camps need to be up to date technologically speaking, so do congregations. But it can be a daunting task. While I try to keep up a little bit, it is quite another thing to know how to effectively use all of this technology as tools. Again, it is the case where the larger camps, the larger churches will have an edge because they will have either a bigger pool of volunteers, or will have the resources to hire folks who know how to best utilize these tools. As a parish pastor, I simply do not have the time, nor the ability to become an expert in all things technological, related to communication, advertising and marketing.

Lest we become discouraged, we all have an incredible resource. We have the Gospel. Gospel means "good news". We have good news – the message that God loves us. As we move toward the manger at Christmas, we have news that God's love is born into our lives. Deep down this is what most people want and need to hear – that they are loved – by God and by us. That news is best shared in the same way God shared it with us – by becoming human and living with us. We share the Good News of God's love by telling those about us they are loved and inviting them into a deeper relationship with God – telling and inviting – in person, by phone or text message, on Facebook, or by "Twittering." What better time – than now – to invite that friend or neighbor to get to know God's love better by worshiping with you in Advent or Christmas, or dropping off a plate of cookies and actually meeting that neighbor you have not met.

Time Flies

2009-11-01T17:45:00.001-08:00

Pastoral Pondering

I often recall and share the story of how as a teenager – before I could drive by myself – I would sometimes ride my bicycle down the road and visit my older neighbor Gus Gilbertson. Gus was the brother of my great-grandmother, the one I have told about, who was born on a ship from Norway, and whose parents' hometown and church we visited in Norway last spring. Gus was in his 90's when I visited. We would visit and play checkers. His wife Annie would fix some cookies and lemonade. When I thought about Gus and Annie's life in their old age, it seemed boring to me – a young teenager. I asked him if days went by quickly or slowly for him. He looked at me and he told me, "When I look back, my first forty years passed very quickly. But my next forty years flew by even faster, and after I passed 80, I just don't know where the time has gone."

Well, I thought Gus was an ancient old man then, but I realize that now I am closer to the age that he was then, than I am to that young teenager I was then. And you know what? Time is spinning by for me too. I cannot believe it is November. It took me weeks and months before I finally remembered to change 2008 to 2009. Why it was just yesterday those dates began with 19…, not 20…. And even 2009 will shortly give way to 2010. Wow!! And when we were back at Luther College for Homecoming, I realized that some of those college kids were closer in age to my oldest grandson than to my oldest son.

So time seems to pass very quickly for me. But perhaps it does for all of us. I know people who retire, tell me often, how much busier their lives seems to get once they retire. And young families seem to have to be even busier than we were back in the day, as their children's lives seem even busier today than ours were 25 years ago. And all those "labor-saving" devices and new technological advances don't always save as much time as we thought. How often do we "waste" time booting up a computer that seems to be possessed by demons on certain day?

This time of the year, we are forced to think about time. Astronomically and climatologically, we cannot help it. The days grow shorter and colder. Liturgically we pushed by the weekly lessons to consider time. The lessons push us to look to the end-times and the judgment that God promises. At the same time, the lessons ask us to reflect on our past, to repent – to turn around from a life of self-declared independence from God to a life of dependence on God. All the time scriptures call us to live in the here and now, serving one another with a spirit of love, justice and peace, even as Jesus lived among us and served others.

Time passes quickly when you are having fun, says the old cliché. And sometimes it passes quickly in times of stress and trouble. Yet, regardless, time always passes quickly. It rushes by "like an ever-rolling stream," says the great hymn by Isaac Watts.

Our challenge as bothers and sisters of Christ is to use our gift of time, like all good gifts from God, in ways that honor and praise God and serve the good of all humanity. This means finding ways of living in healthy rhythms of work and rest, play and reflection, prayer and service. It means sharing the gift of time with those around us in life-giving ways. How blessed our lives would be if everyone would make it a priority to spend an hour a week in corporate worship and another hour or two in personal prayer, devotions or Bible reading each week and another hour or two or more in service through the church each week.

During November, you will each be asked to consider how you might share your time and talents through the congregation. In the next few weeks, some of you will get invitations to consider sharing your time in leadership positions on Council and Mission Endowment Committee. We all feel like I have felt lately – that time seems to be getting away from us. But prayerfully consider how to use this gift of time wisely and prudently – what things are really necessary and what are not. What activities will bless others as much as they will bless you? What activities will really bring joy or enrichment to others and therefore make you even more enriched?

May God richly bless all of your days – and hours!

What's A Good Meal Worth?

2009-10-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering

Sunday I went to EWALU for a quilt auction. I have done many things at EWALU in 45 years but I have never been to a quilt auction. Taking my turn on the Board of Directors, I figured I should probably go to a quilt auction. I have always led worship until 11:30 or later. I always had an excuse. Glad to have Barb and Matt to help out this year.

Many of you know that I like auctions. However there are two kinds of auctions – there are the farm sale/ estate auctions where I go and see how much I can get for as little money as possible. I do all right. Some of you know Ginger does much better. Then there are charity auctions. That takes a completely different mindset. There you see how much money you can donate to a good cause and still have some fun and maybe end up with something that might be a little useful. I guess I do alright there. I really like my purple cap that says Lost Nation, Iowa on it. I paid $75.00 for it. (Oh did I say it came with $80.00 cash in it – and no I did not donate the cash back to the Scoop. I bought lots of other "stuff" of lesser value and have spent enough at 7 Scoop auctions to pay for over 20 subscriptions. It would be much cheaper to stay home and buy a subscription – even though it comes free. But then where is the fun in that?)

So I was at the quilt auction. That wasn't so much fun. I do not feel qualified buying quilts – maybe one for me – but not for others. There were some quilts that I thought looked nice and no one bid much. Others quilts were so – so, in my opinion and everyone would gasp and ooh and aah, and they would sell for $800 or $1400.

Well I would have been okay if there were had just been quilts on auction – but I got taken in by a gourmet meal for 10 offered by Assistant Director Paul Little and his wife Director of Food Service Megan Little. I honestly just was bidding because I sensed the group who bought it last year was out to get it again – and they were. And I kept going and finally dropped out and let them get the meal at quite a hefty price. Good for EWALU! But then the auctioneer looked right at me and said, "The donors will provide a second meal, if you will pay the same price." What's the Board President to do at that point? There was a moment of silence and then, "Sure," I said, "why not!" Gulp! Call Ginger soon. Confess to her how much money I spent. Figure out what to cut out for the next 6 months to pay for this binge.

Well when I got home that night, I was a bit stuffed up. Blamed it on being outdoors in the woods all afternoon Sunday. Then by Sunday night, I was really stuffed up. Tuesday I coughed a lot so Wednesday morning I was really hoarse. Now I think I am on the downhill side. Maybe it was allergy related – maybe it was just my annual fall cold. It is really disgusting. I hate it when I do not feel well – even with just a cold. I feel I need to curtail visits, especially to hospitals and care centers when I am coughing and sniffling. Things go slower. I get tired more easily. So I don't like to be sick – even with a cold. I know I should be grateful that I am ill so little. When I am sick – things seem out of my control. I can't simply will myself better. I would rather go to an auction. Things are more under my control there – but maybe some would argue that!

Usually when I start rambling on like this, a great theological connection begins percolating. But no great insights into God's grace seem to be evolving from my reflections on auctions and a common cold. However, I am reminded of Jesus' stories of the man who discovered a buried treasure in a field and spent his entire savings to buy the field, and another man who spent all he had to buy a fascinating pearl of great value. While EWALU is not the kingdom of God, it is certainly a place where God's kingdom has been visible for me. It is worth my auction binge and even an allergy-related cold.

P.S. For those who were concerned about my safety or the safety of others when I drove to EWALU, I was reasonable in my driving. I believe I did set a record for myself – but it was notbecause of excessive speed. I figure on most open highways, law enforcement will allow me 5 or 6 miles over the limit, or maybe even 7 or so. But more than speed, I have to say I was intense – never dawdling. So I made it in plenty of time to meet and have a few words with Leo Greco, someone I have heard on the radio since I was very little boy.

Reflections on ELCA Decisions

2009-09-05T09:28:00.001-07:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

I once again spent several days as a visitor at our ELCA Churchwide Assembly. A pastoral colleague said to me, "You are like an Assembly 'groupie,' aren't you?" I affirmed she was right in her observation. I have been present at many of Assemblies over the years. I value these events somewhat like many of you value Sunday mornings. Bethlehem or St. Mark is your home – you are comfortable there – you know folks there. You come to see them as much as you come for Word and Sacrament. Bethlehem and St. Mark are home for me too. But the ELCA is home, too. I am a pastor of these congregations of Bethlehem and St. Mark. But, I am also a pastor of the ELCA. The ELCA is my home. These gatherings of every two years give a chance to connect and reconnect with people I know and meet folks I do not know. I have had the privilege of connecting with Lutherans around the world and in many capacities in our ELCA so attending an Assembly or other churchwide events is 'coming home'.

This Assembly took historic steps. How that history plays out remains to be seen. Some would have us believe we marked the beginning of the end of the ELCA – that the steps we took were so contrary to God's will we have no future – or the future will be full of division and separation. Others believe we now stand at the door of a new brighter church, more open to the gifts of all, regardless of sexual orientation. Some saw God's Spirit blowing through the Assembly, filling our church with new life. One radio station saw the small tornado that hit the Assembly Hall while we met as a sign of God's judgment on us. But sometimes it takes a while to see how God will work.

I could not help but recall that almost 40 years ago at similar conventions (no I was not at that one) a very controversial radical move was made when the predecessor churches voted to allow for the ordination of women. It passed by 57% vote – hardly an overwhelming majority. People have said that allowing gay and lesbian persons in partnered relationship to be pastors is a very different issue. However, most of the arguments 40 years ago were similar to the arguments we heard at this Assembly. "The Bible speaks clearly against this. It is against God's will." Some people believed then, that the end of the Lutheran church was near. However, that did not occur. Most (but certainly not all) would point how our church has been blessed these last 40 years by the inclusion of women as pastors. Now we have voted by 55% to allow for the possibility of ordination (and "rostering") of partnered gay and lesbian persons. Only time will tell whether God will look kindly on our actions, or whether we will see we did indeed cross the line of impropriety.

I fully agree with another observer at the Assembly from the Quad-Cities who was quoted in the Times and said, "I am confident of two things: One, if you are in a congregation that does not see the need to change your practices in response to these votes, no one will force you to do so. Number two, if you are in a congregation that sees aligning with these changes as an opportunity to grow your ministry, no one will prohibit you from doing so."

As someone who has attended at least parts of many of these Assemblies, I can say that this recent decision has certainly come from the grassroots rather than from the top down. Over the years, decisions made or votes taken have brought our church closer to last week's decision. I was certain that it was just a matter of time, and was not sure whether this year would be the time or not. No one can predict the outcome of these Assemblies, for anyone of the over 1000 voting members can take the floor and say anything or propose most anything "germane" to the business at hand. The fact that this Assembly had proposals presented to them is a result of someone rising two years ago and moving that a committee provide the 2009 Assembly with proposals to vote yes or no on. I commend Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson for his fair, even-handed, helpful pastoral way he presided over the week's proceedings that were contentious and spirited.

Some have already talked to me about your thoughts and concerns on these matters. I am willing to visit with anyone and will respect your opinions and feelings, whatever they are.

Dealing With the “Uncomfortables”

2009-07-29T10:07:00.001-07:00

Last month, at the urging of my physician, I had a colonoscopy. I think the medical community encourages us to have the first one when we are 50. I was only 8 years late. I put off things that are uncomfortable. Actually, the procedure itself is not so uncomfortable. I have had enough church members over the years who had told me that. It is the day ahead of time and drinking the "stuff" that cleans one's insides out. And now, a month later I can say that even that wasn't so bad. No I am not rushing out to sign up to do it again either. Something deep in my subconscious must remember the gallon of "chalk water." But everything checked out so the doc said I do not need to do it again for another 5 years (or may 6 or 7 or 8 yeas if my subconscious still remembers).

That is the way things are in life – the best things sometimes come after discomfort, and even pain and grief. Indeed as Christians, we say the best comes after death. And sometimes we even forget the pain and discomfort. I never gave birth to a baby, nor carried one within me. But I watched my wife do it three times. I think there is a reason why God gave that task to women. It did not seem easy. But most moms soon forget – at least in a way – the pain of that experience once they hold that little bundle of life in their bosoms.

On a whole different level than either medical tests or childbirth, I found myself in an uncomfortable spot. Whenever I am in such a spot, I ask why I submit myself to it. I was sitting in a jet on a transoceanic flight from Chicago to Stockholm and then 10 days later I was on the return flight from Copenhagen to Chicago. Here I am locked inside a long aluminum tube with several hundred strangers. We each are allotted about as much space as the interior of a coffin but in a seated position. The inside of a coffin looks a lot more comfortable although I don't think they are – but inside a coffin the nerve endings in one's bottom side no longer function, nor do one's muscles cry out to be moved and flexed. Being on such a flight that can last 7 to 12 hours, one has other bodily functions that need to be exercised as well. So that means waiting in line in crowed aisles sucking up air, trying to be as thin as a toothpick so the flight attendants can get past with their carts, waiting to get into a toilet no bigger than a phone booth (anyone remember phone booths?) Well every time I am on a transcontinental flight, I ask myself, why I do this. But then I ask myself how else I how else I would get to where I am going. The experiences of the trips have always been a joy and when I get the chance I am ready to go again.

On the way home from Norway in May I had some different thoughts. Yes, I thought that I was uncomfortable – that long flights are a terrible thing to put one's body through. But I thought that the whole ordeal was pretty painless after whet my ancestors went through to get to the United States. My great-grandmother's parents left Norway as expectant newlyweds and spent over three months getting there by boat and my great-grandmother was born on the little ship. Two other babies were also born on the ship and were buried at sea. Another great-grandmother's great-grandparents left Norway for a similarly long trip with 4 little children under 9 year's old – including a 2-year old and an infant. And we wonder how to keep kids occupied for an hour in worship.

Most of our ancestors went through similar ordeals coming to this country – at least those of us who are white-skinned. The ordeals of those who came from Africa were much more horrific and were not voluntary. But would our ancestors have thought it was worth it? I am sure most were glad for the opportunities here and for the new life that they began.

So it is in all of life. New life, new opportunities come primarily after struggle, pain grief, and death. Our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is and will be going through a struggle as we grapple, along with other Christians, with complex issues of how we live as sexual beings in life and ministry. It is not easy to deal with these topics. In many ways, it would be easier if we never got on that plane or boat. But if we do not get on, we will not know what is on the other side. And we trust that God goes with us and God will lead us to a new life on the other side – even though we do not a have a clue what it will be like.

Of Norwegian Maps and the Bible

2009-07-29T10:02:00.001-07:00

We had an awesome trip to Norway in May. A highlight had to be visiting in the towns, churches, farms and homes of our ancestors. Were in the churches and cemeteries of half a dozen ancestors and were actually on the farms of 3 ancestors, including the home where one of Ginger's ancestors lived 150 years ago. All of this coupled with the majestic splendor of the scenery made it an unforgettable trip.

We had to decide how we would get around in southern Norway – whether to use the train and bus system which is really very well-developed – even in rural areas, or to rent a car. After spending a lot of time on the internet before we left, I decided it would be easier for me to navigate by car than trying to figure out how to understand and navigate the public transportation system. (We did pretty much park the car on the edge of Oslo and use buses and trains in that city – even I know my limits.) To say that it would be easier to navigate by car than by train or bus, does not mean that it was easy. It was a challenge. At least folks drove on the same side of the road we do. But the
signs were all different, the rules are different, and they have traffic circles.

Now traffic circles are exciting experiences. No one stops. Drivers yielded – I hoped. Once in the circle you have the right away – supposedly. And these circles are coming to a place near you. There is already a small one on Middle Road in Bettendorf, and a major one is being constructed at this time at the intersection of Iowa Highways 3 an 187 (known locally as Maryville Corner, or Starmont School corner). I actually have grown fond of traffic circles, but they are confusing on Google directions. I had "googled" some directions, but Google directions in relationship to traffic circles were confusing at best and in some cases were just wrong, I think.

In the end, my most trustworthy guides were the road map of Norway I bought at a bookstore before I left – and my patient wife. After 10 days of driving around Norway my road map is well worn, but was well worth the few dollars I paid for it. Give me a road map with highway numbers and mark the highways somewhat reasonably, and I can get around without more than a few "oops! We had better turn around and try that road." The only thing about road maps is that roads are sometimes narrower, curvier, and steeper than they actually appear on the map – especially in Norway and some parts or northeast Iowa (we realized why our ancestors settled where they did in Clayton and Winneshiek counties).

So that trusty map helped us cover 2000 kilometers of southern Norway, through dozens and dozens of tunnels (one was 12 miles long), around hairpin curves, up dirt roads on the sides of mountains, across frozen barren tundra, across fjords on ferries, through breath-taking vistas and challenging terrain and around and about hundreds of traffic circles – sometimes two or three or more times each.

Many have made the connection between roadmaps and Bibles. I can see why. Just as the road map cannot possibly show the breathtaking beauty, the challenging traffic flows or the incredible people that make up a journey, neither does the Bible show specifically every joy and every challenge of life. But both the roadmap and the Bible provide the basic routes for travel and navigation. When using both roadmaps and the Bible there are still lots of choices to make – some better and some – in the end – worse. But they both help you see where you are going and give basic directions.

Lutherans Christians as much as any are people of the Word. Our church has embarked on a "Book of Faith" journey where all are encouraged to red and study the people more frequently. Watch for many opportunities to study this "roadmap for life's journeys" this fall in our congregations.

It's A Small Small World After All

2009-05-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

We attended the President’s dinner at Wartburg Seminary last Sunday night. An international student led the table prayer. Toromare Mananato is a student at Wartburg from Madagascar. I visited with her afterwards. Her hometown is southern Madagascar where we lived. I mentioned I had just missed a reunion of missionaries in St. Paul last week. She started naming missionaries who had taught her in bible school in the years past. She mentioned one couple quite fondly. They were the parents of some of my students. I just connected with one of them this last week. She currently lives in Norway. I told Toromare I had just exchanged notes with their oldest daughter, and Toromare said, “Oh Marta! When I was married, I wore her wedding dress.”

Earlier at the same dinner, we were sitting next to a couple from Ohio. He was a recently retired pastor. We were talking about places we had been and I said I had been pastor in Pontiac, Illinois and he said his bother had been pastor in Pontiac too. Ginger and I looked at his name tag, and together we said, “Oh, you are Gabe’s brother.” Gabe was pastor in the neighboring church who drove out into the country to visit me on my first day in my office as a new pastor. He “took me under wing” as a new young pastor, became my pastor and later I literally became his pastor when he resigned at his congregation and joined our congregation. As I spent days this week sharing with other intern supervisors recalling ministry experiences, I was glad to have had a chance earlier to fondly remember Gabe.

I constantly am amazed at how small the world is. Wherever I go, I run into people who know people who I know. It reminds me even more that when we were baptized, we were baptized into a family significantly larger than the family of our birth, significantly larger than even our congregational family. I have been blessed with the chance to live in many places and have had opportunity to develop deep connections with many people as pastor, teacher, co-worker and fellow community member. But it is the same for each of us. In baptism, we become intimately connected with new brothers and sisters throughout the world. Even if we do not know them personally, we become yoked with them in their joys and sorrows, in their hopes and in their dreams. That is why story elsewhere in The Star, about the Lutheran woman in prison in Iran is significant. We may not know her personally, but somehow, just knowing she is a graduate of one of our Lutheran colleges, she becomes much more like us and our children and grandchildren.

It is indeed a joy and a privilege when the term “brothers and sisters in Christ” means indeed what is says and we can count a world full of people as our brothers and sisters.

About My Truck and Resurrection

2009-03-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

Many have asked about my old truck. When all was said and done, and after I looked at dozens of cars and trucks (in the papers, on line and actually “in the paint”), kicked some tires and drove a few, I had a long conversation with the dealer/ mechanic from whom I originally bought my pick-up. I decided to let him have a chance at fixing up the old Chevy. It needed “major surgery,” but I am once again driving it. When I drove into the lot of the mechanic and saw it sitting there ready to go, it was almost like seeing an old friend again.

The promise of resurrection and new life that is message of Easter is something more significant and of infinite more importance than a “resurrection” of an old truck. But for me, the situation of being without reliable transportation was a terrible feeling, a feeling of helplessness and inadequacy. So to drive my truck again is to have a new lease on life. In the same way, the hope, the renewal that comes from being outdoors on a warm spring day, to see the robins, to clip the new pussy willows, all give us hope for the future after a cold hard winter. All these are little tastes and glimpses of the new Easter life God promises daily.

Thanks to Pauline, Dennis and Joan for loaning me their cars, to Elmer and Evelyn for offering theirs and for shuttling me about, and to all who were patient when I had to postpone or cancel visits when I was without wheels.

About Face Book and Human Relationships

2009-03-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

I took a bold and somewhat frightening step a few weeks ago and set up a Face Book page for myself. For those who are not familiar, Face Book is touted as a social networking tool on the internet. I began only a few years ago as a way for college and high school students to stay connected and become connected with each other. It has mushroomed in popularity and usage. People who work with high school and college students say that it is an important way to stay connected with this age group since they do not e-mail anymore. Apparently a few other “adults” have taken the plunge because I have “seen” lots of you – although the crowd still tends to be younger adults. One of my own sons was a little disgusted with me, saying, “all of you old folks will ruin it for the rest of us.”

So far, my time on Face Book has been helpful as well as interesting. I know I will be able to connect with people in a completely new way. This will never replace, I hope, good old-fashioned face-to-face, sit down and talk to one another in the flesh conversations. However, I will learn more about many of you in ways I cannot otherwise, just in passing on Sunday mornings, or even by sitting in your living room for 45 minutes.

I have decided to set some guidelines and rules for myself. A whole lot of time can be gobbled up real fast if I don’t maintain a lot of discipline for myself. I will agree to be a “friend” to any member who asks, but I will try not to request of you to be a “friend” in case you do not wish to be. I will not use Face Book to play games with others and do not accept Easter eggs, fuzzy bears, or other such things, or join Face Book “causes” as a rule. It will usually be better to contact me personally or by e-mail that is more private if there is something you want to be sure that I know, as I cannot daily check Face Book and even when I do I have learned to is easy to miss some things. It is also very easy to hit a wrong button that quickly changes a message from very personal to very public.

As I said earlier, Face Book, My Space and other internet networks are probably around for a long time in some shape or form. Please use them to supplement and enrich your relationships with one another. But in the end, nothing is better than one-on-one face-to-face human conversation and interaction. It is part of sharing God’s love in the flesh to lend a listening ear, to share a word of congratulations or sympathy, or a to offer hug of appreciation or encouragement.

Our Daily Bread - A Midweek Lenten Sermon

2009-03-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

The following are lessons and a sermon preached by the Rev. Keith Larson at a midweek Lenten worship and learning event at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on March 18, 2009. This was the third in a series on “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Matthew 5:45b

… for God makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

Luke 12:22-34

He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

John 6:8-13

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.

Grace to you and peace from God our creator and our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,

Give us today our daily bread.

We have prayed this prayer thousands of times. It rolls off our lips without so much of a thought. Oh, if we think about it very long, we have to say “thank you God” for God has not only provided us with bread today, but cookies, cake, a home, with at least one television and may two or three or more, and a car and maybe a truck and on and on, and probably a savings account and a retirement plan and some insurance policies. And even though the times are troublesome and worrisome, we can all look at what we have – our daily bread – and we can say “God has been good – Very good!

But like I said, we pray those words with hardly a thought. But let us look at the words mare carefully. Give us this day – give us today our daily bread. Give us today what we need today.

There is no story that better illustrates this than a story from Exodus. You remember God’s people were slaves in Egypt. Life was hard and difficult. They were the slaves who built the great Egyptian cities and pyramids. When they thrived and survived in spite of being worked almost to death, the Pharaoh instigated a genocide – calling for the killing of the all the little Hebrew baby boys. We know how Moses’ mother saved in a basket she put in the water, how Moses grew up, and by God’s hand led the people from Egypt. They crossed the sea and started into the wilderness towards freedom, and they were so happy and so thankful, right? Not!

Listen to the story.

(Exodus16:1) The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. (2) The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. (3) The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

(4) Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. (5) On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” (6) So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, (7) and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaining against the LORD. For what are we, that you complain against us?” (8) And Moses said, “When the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the LORD has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the LORD.”

(9) Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.’” (10) And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. (11) The LORD spoke to Moses and said, (12) “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”

(13) In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. (14) When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. (15) When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. (16) This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.’” (17) The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. (18) But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. (19) And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over until morning.” (20) But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. (21) Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

(22) On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, (23) he said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD; bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.’” (24) So they put it aside until morning, as Moses commanded them; and it did not become foul, and there were no worms in it. (25) Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. (26) Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.”

(27) On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. (28) The LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and instructions? (29) See! The LORD has given you the sabbath, therefore on the sixth day he gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.” (30) So the people rested on the seventh day.

(31) The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (32) Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” (33) And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the LORD, to be kept throughout your generations.” (34) As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant, for safekeeping. (35) The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

From the beginnings of the story of God and God’s people, God’s people – our forebears and we have often lacked trust in God’s promise to care us each and every day. The people who had been enslaved under cruel taskmasters soon forgot their hard days of slavery and oppression and complained about life as free people. One of my most memorable experiences as a teacher was as a grade school teacher where we had daily bible classes. We had been working our way through the story of the Exodus, the story of the Hebrew people leaving Egypt and traveling through the wilderness. For about the 5th time we read how they complained to God and Moses about something. A 9 year-old boy rose up out of his chair and pounded his hand on the table and said, “Those stupid Israelites. After everything God did for them, and they keep complaining. God should just smash them.” “Michel, Michel, Michel,” I said (he was part French), “You are right. God should have been angry. But this is more than a story of people long ago. It is our story. And getting mad and punishing is not God’s way”.

Instead God provided food for them – daily bread – something that appeared on the ground each morning and they asked “what is it?” or Manna? in their language. So they had manna each morning and game birds each evening. Just enough for the day. If they took too more manna than they needed, it spoiled and turned nasty for them.

And so it is for us. God promises to provide for us what we need each day. And has God not done that for you? Have you ever been in want? Have you ever gone more than a day without food? I know some lived through the depression or have heard stories of the depression. Things were not good. But I have heard more stories of wonder and awe at God providence from those days. “Time were tough, I’ve heard many say, “but we always had something to eat”. I have heard stories of grad students form the 50’s living on macaroni for 3 years. I have been with families who have gone bankrupt, families whose main income earner has lost a job. And in all those cases people have told me, that somehow God provided.

And today we face some of the most dire financial times that many remember. And we become frightful and fearful. I am not immune to some of those fears. I hate to open those quarterly statements about my retirement account. It nags a bit in the back of my mind that my wife’s job ends in three months. I fret more about my kids and their jobs. One son works in a zoning office, of all places, in a county where construction has dried up in the past months.

But at the same time I have to ask myself, “Keith why would you doubt God’s goodness, God’s promises?” Why would we doubt? Why would we question or wonder that God might quit providing for what we need in our life, in our family’s life, in our congregation’s life next week, or next month or before the year is over. Bethlehem has been here in Lost Nation for 128 years and St. Mark has been in Oxford Junction for 148 years. And God has always provided what we have needed. Oh, there have been some lean years – to be sure. But we are still here. And we are not in too bad of shape – as far as our physical structures, our programs for ministry and our service to the community and world. In fact, when I look around and hear stories from our neighbors in our community, in our synod – we are thriving!

How has that been possible? God has provided. God has continued to raise up generous givers. And how could that be? In each of our congregations, no matter what has happened – in the Great Depression, during two world wars, in the farm crisis of the 80’s , after September 11, God has always provided. Oh I am sure there are plenty of times when the treasurers over the years may have wondered how he or she would write checks next week. But we have never had to close our doors.

Do you think God will quit providing what we need next week or next month?

We pray “give us today our daily bread,” as we have prayed it for years. But today we pray it in the midst of times of financial uncertainty. We pray it before we have to decide whether we should provide an opportunity for a seminary student to finish one of his or her requirements needed to become a pastor. We pray it before we decide at Bethlehem about the importance of a church basement fix-it at St. Mark before we need to make individual decisions about supporting our camp. And we have to ask as we pray, if we think God will quit providing what we need and what our Church needs.

I have to take a deep breath and gulp a bit before I continue, because I do not like the implications of what I need to say, next. This story about manna, Jesus’ sayings about the birds of the air and flowers of the field, and many other parts of scripture ought to raise for us serious questions about savings accounts and insurance policies. Now I will never say those things are bad. They are part of being financially responsible in our culture, in our world. I have them. But if we really trust that God will provide what we need each day, where is the point at which we stop fretting and fearing every potential calamity or misfortune? Where do we say, enough is enough. God will have to provide, because right now there are neighbors with needs, there is the people of God seeking to serve others through the greater church that is in need.

Each one of us will have different answers to those questions. And each time we pray the words, “give us today our daily bread,” we ought to reconsider again answers to those questions. For each one of us, the answers to those questions are related to how we have seen God at work in our lives, and how we have been shaped by experiences with money, and the attitudes about money we have learned from those before us. (I have placed on the table in the back, some questions that some of you may wish to consider in the weeks ahead and in the process develop a little money autobiography.)

And while we may come to some conclusions, as a matter of faith, others come to different conclusions because their faith has been shaped in different ways. Therefore, the big challenge for us in congregations is to come to corporate decisions when we all have differing levels and experiences of faith. May God give us all openness to one another and to God in the days ahead as we prayerfully consider these matters.

Give us today our daily bread. They may be so familiar that they just roll off our lips. But those 6 little words challenge us in just about every decision we make each day.

Let us pray. O God, when we pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” help us see your gracious abundant love and the needs of those around us, and give us the faith you live in the promises of your care. Amen.

Lenten Reflections on My Old Truck

2009-02-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

I had a fun little “last trip” in my little red pick-up. Camp Ewalu has a horse program and owns a couple of horses that need to be fed over the winter. Being a good board member, I found some hay for sale and picked up 11 bales near 0tter Creek. I delivered them to Ewalu and continued on to Elgin. We had a gathering of my brother and sisters and two of our spouses at my parents’ home. It was the first time we had all been there in quite some time. We had a fund day catching up on each other’s lives, and families, reminiscing and celebrating my sister and mother’s birthdays.

The trouble started on the way home. The temperature in my truck started to get colder, the temperature gauge started up, and I was about ready to turn around and head back to the last little town when all of a sudden the gauge started down and the temperature inside got warmer. Fluctuations up and down continued on the way home. I made it to OJ on Sunday morning, went to a Food Pantry board meeting in Elwood on Monday and by the time I got to the mechanic, my exhaust was blue. The mechanic said there was no hope without expensive surgery, or perhaps an engine transplant (head gasket replacement or cracked head). By the time I got back to my garage, a huge blue cloud followed me.

Some people grow attached to pets; some grow attached to clothes; some grow attached to furniture or other possessions. I get attached to my vehicles. My vehicle is an extension of me. I was proud of what I could haul in my pick-up and where I could go with it. A year ago, when the four-wheel drive wasn’t working, I felt helpless. Hauling hay bales on that last trip connected with farming in my roots.

Now I have to look for a different vehicle. It throws my schedule way off kilter, taking time to do that when I already had lots to do. But looking for a different vehicle is also a time to take stock of my life situation. What do I need? What are my resources? What don’t I need to do any longer? What can I do better? What could I do more of?

In a more spiritual, soul-searching way, this is also the task of lent. Lent is when we take stock of our lives. What is going well? What needs improving? What are our resources? What liabilities do we carry? What changes can we make to improve our relationship with God, with others, with our environment?

Tools to help us in this Lenten task include worship and gathering regularly with other Christians during Lent. Be sure to see the schedule for worship in the church newsletter.

Inaugaration Thoughts on Christian Hope

2009-02-21T11:09:00.001-08:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

I watched the inauguration of President Obama today. I have watched inaugurations with fascination for many years. I have a bit of politics in my blood, it seems. I was not very old when John Kennedy was inaugurated. But that inauguration, like the one today, seemed to capture the imagination, wonder and awe of millions of Americans and people around the world. The day of inauguration, then and today, seemed instill hope for new beginnings and a better world for many people – even across partisan lines. For so many of us who grew up in a nation and world divided by racial barriers, tensions and unrest, it is indeed heartening to see some of that begin to crumble.

I too am hopeful about the future. That is more of a faith statement than a political statement. There are too many wars in our world. There is too much poverty – too many children going to bed hungry – too many children and adults dying because of the lack of food or appropriate medical care. There are too many people out of work. Too many people are fearful of the future. I am not so naïve as to believe that one man – even though he is President of the United States of America – can completely fix all that is wrong in the world. I am not so naïve as to believe that we have completely broken down the racial barriers that divide. For much racial prejudice and bias still needs to be overcome, even as there are gender and cultural biases to overcome.

But I am hopeful because I am a Christian. As Christians we believe that God is ultimately in charge – that God is working relentlessly against the forces of evil that cause hatred, division, violence, greed, and all that works against God’s intentions for a peaceful just world where all enjoy a life of health and fullness. And we believe that in the end, the power of God will over-come. However, I am also hopeful as more and more people work on God’s side to bring about wholeness and healing in our world. I am proud of our congregations when we financially support causes that improve the lives of others. I am grateful for all in our congregations who serve on boards or committees or work in groups to bring positive change in our neighborhoods, community and world – providing adequate food resources, educational opportunities, health care and even warm quilts for those in need.

The needs of the world are great and complex. A new President may be able to influence some important changes. But the biggest changes happen when hundreds, thousands, millions of individuals clamor for change and do whatever they can in their power to bring about change. And that begins with me and you. May we not tire or waver from doing our parts to care for one another around us.

On inauguration day, I was also fascinated by the pageantry, the pomp and circumstance. Certainly, a President could be “sworn in” with less fanfare, in simpler, less expensive fashion. The President would be no less a President. But it is also is important from time to time for all of us to be reminded of the grander, bigger picture – and of our connection to the past and to the future. That is the function of rites and rituals, pomp and circumstance.

In the same way when we receive the bread and wine, the body and blood or Holy Communion, in some way it matters not whether the wine is in a beautiful expensive cup or in a plastic mug. It is still what God says it is. We would still receive God’s grace and forgiveness. But the familiar words that have been recited for 2000 years, the cup that was used by our parents and grandparents, all these remind us, necessarily that we are connected to something much bigger, much grander than anything routine.

At this time of another new beginning in our nation’s history, may we all commit ourselves to praying for our President and for all leaders of government in our land and in the world. Also may we commit ourselves, as God’s people, to do our part to make the world a better, safer place for all.

On Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions - Not!

2009-01-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

Every year at this time people ask about New Year’s resolutions. “What are going to be your New Year’s resolutions?”

Well some years back I made a resolution that I have always kept since. That was to make no more New Year’s resolutions. That does not mean I have quit making goals or given up on trying to improve myself. I have a long list of things to improve or change. I want to keep trying to get more and consistent exercise and to lose more weight (I am proud that I have reduced my pant waist size from 46 to 42 in a couple of years). I always want to get out and visit more often (you can help with that by inviting me for coffee sometime – but no cookies – see above). The list could go on and on for some pages.

The beginning of a new year is probably one good time to set some new goals. Another time when we can take stock of where we have been and where we want to go is on our birthdays. Married couples can do this on the anniversary of their marriage. For me the anniversary of the beginning of our ministry together is December 1 so it coincides with the beginning of the calendar year – sort of.

The reality for Christians is that each week, each day is an opportunity to start new, start fresh. That is what we mean by the forgiveness of sins. We can begin each day fresh with a clean slate. God’s forgiveness erases away yesterday’s failures and shortcomings. Every time we as a congregation say together, “We confess that we are captive to sin … forgive us, renew us, and lead us,” we are saying we want to make some changes. Every time we hear the words, “your sins are forgiven,” or “I declare to you the entire forgiveness of your sins,” it is a new start for us. In Christian faith, each day is literally, as the old adage says, the first day of the rest of your life.

So if you choose to make the beginning of the new year as a time to take stock and resolve to make changes that is okay and fine. If you choose other times or numerous times during the year that is good too. Whenever you take stock and make resolutions consider your spiritual disciples – are you satisfied with your involvement in the Christian community? Are you satisfied with your prayer and devotional life? Are you doing what you are able in terms of service to God, family, neighbor, the world and creation?

God’s richest blessings to you at the beginning of a new year.

2008-12-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas Gifting in a Time of Financial Uncertainty
Pastoral Pondering by Pastor Keith Larson

It’s been happening in our family for a few years now. Some of you have talked about it happening in yours. And it will be happening in many more families this year out of necessity and the changing economic times. People are evaluating the role of gift-giving at Christmas. Gifts will always be a part of Christmas. After all, the magi or Wise men brought gifts for the Christ-child. And the baby Jesus is seen as God’s great gift for humankind.

But in recent years – well for most of our lifetimes, Christmas has been ruled by commercial forces. Christmas has been the time when many retailers actually made profits during the year. Advertising and commercialization linked Christmas with buying and giving things. It has been in November and December that new toys have been touted and long lines have waited and even fought over artificially scarce “in-gifts.” All of this really has little to do with the gift of God’s gracious and forgiving love for all of humanity that was born in Jesus.

Our gift-giving ought to reflect that love – so gifts ought to be life-giving - reflecting the unique gifts and personalities of our children and grandchildren. Gifts ought to encourage interaction and relationship with others and exploration of the world God created, rather than causing others to become focused only on themselves. Gift-giving also ought to reflect a care and love for creation. A really great invention has been reusable gift bags (they are a lot easier for folks with clumsy fingers who end up taping themselves to wrapping paper and gifts). A great sadness for me has always been seeing curbs piled high with garbage the day after Christmas.

As we consider our lives, many of us look around and see that we have all that we need. We look at our children and grandchildren and see that often times they have all that they need. Some families have made pacts with themselves to limit gifts or even eliminate gifts and use the time at Christmas to be together in other meaningful ways. Some families pool the money or some of the money normally spent on gifts to help people less fortunate. Some actually go shopping together to buy gifts for angel tree projects or other agencies that provide gifts for families. Our ELCA Hunger Appeal provides funds for people in need around the world. The ELCA website has a list of Good Gifts for persons who want to contribute to special projects. The local food pantry reports increasing numbers of new people using it each month.

Christmas is a time of sharing gifts – even as God shared the gift of Jesus. May our gift-giving reflect God’s love for all people and all creation.

From Fear to Hope and Community

2008-10-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just when we think the world cannot get any more complicated, that there can be any more problems, we hear stories of being on the brink of world economic collapse. On one hand, we fret and worry. On the other hand, we wonder how much is news “hype.” But we see the stock market wildly fluctuating up and down. We notice world leaders frantically meeting together. Those who keep track of pension and retirement funds see them losing ground instead of increasing in value. And more and more, we learn of people losing their jobs or homes.

What are we to do in such troubling times?

First, we continue to be mindful of the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities and world. We look at our own financial situation and quickly recognize there are many who live in much more desperate situations than we do. We continue to share our resources with those in need.

But more importantly we learn about the complexities of the economic and political systems that seem to keep some people poor and allow others to seemingly take advantage of others. If nothing else, in the last month we have become more aware certain business practices which at best seem unfair. Being aware of these inequities and questionable practices, we work as God’s people to reform our systems so that all people can live and work on a more level “playing field.” Our ELCA Conference of Bishops recently released a statement “On the Current Financial Crisis” (October 7, 2008). They wrote, “Any economic system should be measured by the degree to which it serves God’s purposes for humankind and creation. Those who have been blessed by the fruits of the economy are called to be generous in giving to those who have lost much and to advocate for accountability and appropriate regulation in this system.”

We do not despair. God “calls us out of fear into hope and community” (Bishops’ Statement cited above). We recall difficult times we have experienced in the past and know that God has not forsaken us. I am certain we can all say that we never have known a time when God has not provided what we needed. Even those who lived through the Great Depression or those who have weathered bankruptcies can often speak about how God has provided.

God “calls us out of fear into hope and community.” We are not in this alone. God provides us with community. We have each other. If indeed, economic life as we know it changes significantly, we can assist one another. Some remember the Great Depression and many others were shaped by that era. Many of us know how to live quite simply and can even “live off the land,” if needed. We can provide guidance and assistance for those who do know about some of these skills. In community, we can share resources when necessary. And living together in faith we can remember one another in care and prayer.

Finally, if you or your family personally experience financial difficulty, I invite you to share that with me. While I am not a financial counselor, and while our congregation has a few, but limited resources for assistance, it is important that we learn not to suffer alone. Know that I will always help you maintain your anonymity if that is important, but I will also seek to connect you with people or groups that can provide assistance. However, mostly I will seek to help us find God’s presence in the midst of whatever we experience in life.

The full text of the statement by the ELCA conference of Bishops is found at
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Synodical-Relations/Conference-of-Bishops/Pastoral-Letters/

Children of God Meet Children of the Corn

2008-09-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

I have been “hanging out” on Main Street this week watching them film a movie. I agree with the person who said that watching them film the movie was about as exciting as watching paint dry – to a point. The times I watched, they shot the same 5 – 15 second scene 6, 7, 8 or more times. Over and over again. When they finally got one scene right, they set up for the next scene. Moving all of the equipment even 20 yards seemed to take up to an hour. So yes – that part is boring. Things promise to get more exciting when the battered vintage car will be “exploded” on Main Street.

But what I have enjoyed is seeing the process. Some of the routines are as old as movie-making itself. From someone calling out “Quiet on the set,” followed by “Ready. Action. Roll.” And the person holding the little click board saying, “Scene 23. Take 6.” And then he clicked the board together and jumped out of the way. But other processes are much more technical. One man told me he was the computer tech person who was going to digitally replace Union Presbyterian Church which was in the background of many shots and replace it with something else. Dozens of people worked with the set and props. Corn stalks were perpetually being moved from one scene to another. I think some of them were going to have more mileage on them than if they had been turned into ethanol.

I also have very much enjoyed visiting with the people – some as local as the Quad-Cities and others all the way from Hollywood. One person talked to me as if he knew me, and finally said, “You don’t remember me, do you?” I said, “No, I don’t.” And he said, “I visited with you at the Synod Assembly. Pastor Lynn (Thiede) is my pastor.” So there are even Lutherans in the movie business.

Members from both churches have introduced me to people they had met in pre-planning. Lots of folks have done “business” with the movie folks as our communities have fed the cast and crew at both the OJ and LN Legion halls, as various community boards have granted permission to use property and equipment, and local citizens from our churches have loaned buildings and space. Our communities’ racial balances became a little more diverse for these weeks. We certainly became more diverse as far as clothing styles, and hairstyles and hair colors definitely were more varied than we usually see on the streets of Lost Nation and Oxford Junction.

But what I really noticed was the same thing I noticed during the Olympics closing ceremony as athletes from around the world jubilantly entered the stadium. As human beings, we really have a lot more in common with each other than is different. While some of the movie people are in Iowa for the first time, we have so much in common. They, like we, enjoy talking about what they are doing and how they enjoy what they are doing. They like to have a good time. They are polite, considerate, and grateful. They enjoy a good meal when they are hungry – even though some Californians had never experienced scalloped corn. I have to say I have not had so much fun on Main Street since RAGBRAI rode through. I’m glad we got to share our good local hospitality with a bunch of other neat human beings.

Some have asked, “Pastor, what do you think about them filming that movie in our town?” Well, if we could have had a choice of movies set in the middle of a cornfield, “Field of Dreams” would have been preferable to “Children of the Corn.” I do not enjoy horror movies. I also believe to some extent regular heavy exposure to anything violent, whether in real life or in the media can be harmful to some people. So if you let your children watch this movie when it comes out, it prob-ably will not do irreparable harm to them unless they want to see it over and over again. But you may have to deal with them having nightmares for awhile.

I am also aware of the conversation Jesus had with people about whether eating certain kinds of food could harm one spiritually. Jesus replied that what comes out of a person’s mouth is more important than what goes into a person’s mouth. In other words, what we say and do counts for more than what we eat, in a spiritual sense – or the kind of movies we watch. I know I will much longer remember with joy some of the people I met during the filming of the movie than I will enjoy watching the movie.

After Internship - What's Next?

2008-09-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson

We did it! We were the teaching site for an intern for one year! Moreover, I believe we were a good site for an intern, if I may say so myself. So how did it go? We have talked about it at Council meetings. Others have shared their thoughts with me. Some have started out by saying, “I wasn’t very much in favor of it to start with, but I changed my mind during the year.” I now offer my public reflections.

Although I was the first contact when the seminary asked if we could be a site for an intern with special circumstances, and although I was open enough to bring it to the Councils, that does not mean I too, did not have qualms and misgivings. I certainly knew always that we didn’t “need” an intern. And from the perspective of a pastor, I wondered if I might not be too much of an “old-style” pastor to have anything valuable to share with an energetic seminarian. I wondered if we would have enough variety of experiences for an intern to get a good taste of what it was like to be a pastor.

Many have said that it turned out fortuitous that we had an intern for the year, given the fact that Pastoral Associate Barb’s recovery from hip surgery took her longer than she expected. And I am indeed grateful I had someone to share the workload with during those 5 months. Apart from the help Intern Paul provided when we were shorthanded, I am very glad we were an internship site, for many other reasons.

I am proud that we rose to the occasion of serving the greater church in this special way. I firmly believe that we at Bethlehem and St. Mark have something important to share with the church and with future pastors. Many new pastors will likely serve congregations like ours. But even if Intern Paul never serves a congregation in the heartland or in a congregation in small towns or rural areas, his perspective of the ELCA is enriched because of his time with us. And any congregation is enriched when there is a variety of voices proclaiming God’s Word and when there are a variety of personalities available for conversation and counsel. We were indeed blessed. I often was reminded of a frequent comment made by Herb Rehmke of St. Mark’s when he was living. Many times, he would say following worship when both AIM Barb and I were involved. “Many times we wondered if we could keep this church open and have a pastor, and look at us now. We have two ministers. Who would have thought?” And if Herb had been alive this last year, he would have been incredulous – with three ministers.

I am grateful for the chance I had to be a supervisor because I feel I also learned a lot in the process. I have never been opposed to technology. I was one of the earlier pastors to have an e-mail address and I have been part of a “cyber” church community for over a dozen years, but it was e-mail based as opposed to web-based (there’s a difference). Intern Paul encouraged me to become a little savvier about the ”web.” And I now know a few things about blogging and podcasts. I also now own a gadget called an mp3 player (I-pods are one brand most are familiar with, but mine is a Zen) that I find it hard to be without.

But an intern also, necessarily ought to help keep a supervisor somewhat fresh and current with what’s new in theology and church resources. Although, I have always tried to keep up and keep abreast of what is new, it can be easy for me or for anyone who does the same thing year after year to get stale. Having an intern helped keep me fresher and more on my toes.

I was aware, somewhat, that internship would not be just a year with an “extra pair of hands.” But I don’t think I fully comprehended how much time needed to be involved in teaching, supervising, evaluating, and the like. Incredible amount of time and energy also needed to go into communication when there was a professional staff of three besides secretaries and organist. All that was “new” territory for me.

Would I want to be a supervisor again? Sure! Why not? But I am glad for a break. I admire congregations and supervisors who have one intern after another. I think the fare welling and welcoming all in a matter of weeks or days would be an incredibly difficult emotional task. I also am aware that we were fortunate to have a most capable and mature intern. I am also aware that some interns sometimes are more of a challenge for supervisors and/ or congregations.

What next? There are a couple of possibilities.
• We can thank God for a good year and that we had the opportunity to experience internship, once.

• We can be open to the possibility of being of service to Wartburg Seminary when they have need for placing an intern with special circumstances. This would take no action now but the councils and congregations need to be ready sometimes to make decisions on rather short notice. “Special circumstances” might mean the intern needs a site close enough for the intern to live in Dubuque or some other area location for some special reason, or might need to be placed close enough to Dubuque so a spouse could commute there for work. Often when interns request special placement, they forego a housing benefit, saving the internship site the cost of providing housing for a year, but also they miss the aspect of living in the community of the congregation. If you have thoughts regarding this option, of being open in the future, share your thoughts with council members. The actual decision to be a supervising congregation always involves a congregational vote.

• We could decide that we should regularly request an intern from Wartburg or some other seminary as an important part of our mission and ministry. If this were an option we need to be aware that such a request on our part would mean that we normally would be expected to also provide housing for a seminarian (and family when applicable) for the year, significantly increasing our financial obligation. Such a decision would be a matter of many months of serious discussion and deliberation.

2008-08-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Trip That Wouldn't End

It is good to be back home after vacation. I think it is a successful vacation when I can have a delightful time away but then to be happy to be home. But this was a trip from which we wondered if we would get home. It seemed like it was never going to end.

We flew to northern California for a gathering of Ginger’s family at her sister’s home near Trinidad. You have heard many say that flying is not what it used to be. The seats are tiny, the planes are usually 100% full, and they seem to go more when they want to rather than when they are scheduled. We began the trip by arriving at the Moline airport at 5:00 a.m. for a 6:05 a.m. flight, only to learn the flight had been canceled and we had been rescheduled on the 3:00 p.m. flight. Somehow, after a flight of 3 legs we still got there by midnight.

We had a delightful time with Ginger’s family – with her parents, sisters, some nieces and nephews, their kids, and our own grandkids. Lots of conversation, time on the beach and walking in redwood forests.

Then it was time for the trip home. The flight from Arcata to San Francisco was fine – as far as flights on noisy twin propeller planes go. However, when we got to San Francisco we learned the next leg to Denver had been delayed. I believe our flight got into Denver about the same time our flight (the last one) to Moline left. We still dashed (well at least as dashingly as a 57 old guy with a backpack can dash) 20-some gates to see if by chance the plane was still there – but alas just an empty gate. Then it was back to the customer service counter so we could stand in line behind half a plane full of folks trying to get to places like Moline, Cedar Rapids, Fargo, and the like. The delay was airline-related instead of weather-related so they put us up in a hotel in Denver (without our luggage, of course) and off we went to the hotel bus stop for some more waiting. There were so many folks that we did not all fit in the first van so we had to wait for the next one – getting to the hotel about the same time we should have been getting to Moline – just past midnight.

The next day there was no room on the Denver - Moline flight so we were routed to Moline via Chicago. As we began our descent into O’Hare we encountered some turbulence significant enough to cause a collective audible gasp from the passengers. After circling and bouncing for a while, the plane started up and the captain announced that O’Hare had to shut down and we were going to Ann Arbor, Michigan for some more fuel – and to wait out the storm. So we had afternoon pretzels (5 tiny ones come in the little bag) and water in Ann Arbor – now our 4th time zone in 24 hours. Then it was back to O’Hare a few hours late and then to Moline – only about 19 hours late.

That trip home and I think flying in general these days is a lesson in patience. One can get angry and holler and scream at the attendants at the service desk or at your spouse. I heard people do that. Or you can sob and cry. I saw people do that. I overheard one man telling an attendant that he simply had to be to Rochester, New York by 7:00 or it would be the end of the world. He wasn’t and it wasn’t.

With a little patience and kindness, a bit of community can develop among strangers. A young woman and her mother were in line with us at the service counter in Denver. They remembered us getting on in Arcata and we ended up going with them to the hotel. They were on their way to Fargo. Another young woman was waiting in line for the hotel shuttle with her tiny baby. She was on her way to her mother’s funeral in Arkansas and was worried she might not get there in time. We made sure she got on the first shuttle bus to the hotel.

Not to be trite, but vacations by air are a lot like life. There is much to celebrate – families and friends to enjoy, a wonderful world to explore. But life, like air trips, also has its delays and unexpected stops and unscheduled nights in hotels or airport lounges. We like to have our life planned out, so all of the reroutings and delays and unscheduled stops of life can be frustrating. But we can make the most of those unexpected times remembering we are not alone, but in the end God will get us home. In the meantime, we work hard at treating fellow travelers of life with love, care and forgiveness. A kind word, a word of thanks, asking a question out of genuine concern goes a long way in developing community even in the middle of the night in an international airport. These actions can do even more in our neighborhoods and congregations.

2008-06-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

Last night was a “perfect” summer evening. I went for a bike ride and riding into Rustic Park, I realized there was an elementary girls’ softball game. I stopped and visited with folks under the shade trees while parents, grandparents and friends got excited about base hits and great defensive plays on the field. When I got home, Ginger and a friend were sitting talking together on the front porch swing. Later another friend dropped off a some books for me and together the 4 of us sat in good conversation on the porch for another 90 minutes. That was an idyllic evening of picture postcards and the “good old days.”

All of this was in stark contrast to a trip I made to Iowa City on Thursday, June 12. I can only describe that day as surreal. Driving through rain, thunder and lightening, the radio station was in “emergency” mode. There was one announcement after another about evacuations and road and street closures. A short distance ahead of me, the flashing lights of an ambulance headed towards Cedar Rapids added to the direness of the day.

I met with other conference deans and the Bishop. This was our last regular meeting with Bishop Hougen. Most of the meeting was reporting about the effects of flooding on all of us. The conference dean from the Cedar Rapids area is pastor in Vinton, so talked to us by phone as the Cedar River was cresting in Vinton as he was on the streets with his members. We spent more time on the phone with our local representative with Lutheran Disaster Response. When I headed for home, they closed Highway 1, just as I approached the Cedar River and reports and rumors were that others roads were closing. So for a short while I actually wondered how I was going to get home. (And that is amazing as I pride myself in knowing more routes to Iowa City than most anyone else around knows. In another 24 hours, there literally were no routes between here and there – well there was one “short cut” on gravel roads on high ground between the Cedar and Iowa Rivers that no one talked about).

We wish all our days could be like Monday summer evenings on the front porch, instead of Thursdays in the midst of disasters. Yet we live in a world that has as many Thursday disasters as Monday evening porch times. I am reminded of our brothers and sisters on the Palestinian side of the wall in the Holy Land who live with constant road closures enforced by soldiers not because of natural disasters but because of political decisions. Losing home or business or crops to floods is indeed horrific, but millions daily live with the fear of missiles, bombs, and gunfire destroying their homes, businesses, and lives.

Many of us know people who were severely impacted by floods and tornadoes, and some in our church family have been temporarily displaced and have difficulties enough. While we do not know people in other parts of the world who suffer from disasters – natural and human-generated, each of them shares with us the same core of humanity that would prefer the comfort and joy of a relaxing evening on the front porch with friends. May God provide for us enough calm front porch time to give us strength to face the hard times when they come and to provide aid, support, and comfort to those who face the hard disaster times of life.

2008-06-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

I have been terribly distracted for the past several weeks – I mean really distracted. The source of the distraction was the election of bishop in our synod. Our system of electing a bishop involves each of the almost 500 voting members being able to vote for any pastor in our church. In the last months, several people had asked my wife if they could nominate her. Ginger consented.

People always ask, “Did she want the job?” There is no easy answer to that question. One would hope that one would not say yes to being nominated if the person did not in some way want the job. To consent to being nominated is to also consent to serve if elected. Once a person consents to being a part of the process, that person necessarily must begin thinking about what is important, what one wants to accomplish, all the time knowing that one may not be elected, but could be elected. The person needs to be confident of his or her gifts and talents, at the same time recognizing that if God’s Spirit brings about an election, the same Spirit will also provide the other gifts needed to do the task. At the same time, one also knows the task of synod bishop is a daunting one with high demands and a very public face. I do not know if she could have been pinned down to a simple yes/no answer to that question. She agreed to be a part of the process and would have considered it a call from God to be elected.

Well when Ginger consented to be part of the process, I became part of the process. I am perhaps my wife’s biggest fan – along with her parents and our sons. I have the highest regard for her gifts and talents as a pastor and leader in the church. I have thought (and still think) she would be good bishop. But if she necessarily had to begin thinking about the possibility of being a bishop, I, also, had to imagine what that would mean for me. And I have a vivid imagination. The upshot of it was that for some weeks now it was difficult for me to think concretely beyond May 17.

The whole process exacts an enormous emotional toll on the candidates (and spouses). Retiring Bishop Hougen, in thanking everyone who allowed themselves to be considered (over 60 persons were nominated – including me; 34 persons allowed their names to be considered – not me), reflected on cost of being in the process said, “It messes with peoples’ heads.” Ginger and I both have a ways to go to get ourselves “back in the groove.” It will take me less time because I was not as personally involved – I didn’t have to address the Assembly and in 5 minutes spell out my dreams for the synod and tell them who I was – even still I still hardly slept the night before.

The synod Assembly is past. We have a new bishop. We all look forward to getting to know him. It is not particularly common for synods to elect someone they barely know. And I can begin thinking more concretely about the future.

We each get asked in many ways to serve God in the church and community – whether it is to be nominated for congregation council, to teach Sunday school or Bible school, to serve as an Women of the ELCA officer, to be an usher, to run for city council or school board. Just being asked takes an emotional toll as we weigh the costs and responsibilities. But we are grateful for all who say yes. God’s kingdom needs willing workers to perform a variety of important tasks in the church and in the world. Thanks to all who seriously consider serving when asked, and thanks especially for those who agree to serve in many ways.

2008-03-25T14:40:00.001-07:00

Pastoral Pondering

by Pastor Keith Larson

Every day we notice how much fuel and grocery prices go up. Those people counting on interest income or money from investments don’t have as much to count on. The endowment committee realized when they began working on a budget for 2008-09, that Bethlehem probably has about $10,000 less to give away this year. We regularly read or hear about companies going broke or people being laid off. We see so many pressing crushing needs and at the same time realize how many millions of dollars are spent each day now for 5 years on a seemingly never-ending war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It can be scary times.

But at the same time, we look back at the past and we realize we probably have all faced some difficult times in the past. Some are still living who remember the Great Depression. Many more remember stories told by parents and grandparents about those days. Others remember rationing and other difficulties during World War II. Still more remember the farm crisis of the 70’s and 80’s. And just about all of us can say with certainty and conviction, “How blessed we are! God has not forgotten us.” Indeed when we stand together on Sunday and say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty…” we are saying in part, “I believe that God has created me together with all that exists… God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, fields, livestock and all property – along with all the necessities and nourishment for this body and life” (from Luther’s Small Catechism, meaning of 1^st Article of the Apostles’ Creed).

Even while this is happening in our lives, many are filing income tax returns. Some realize they have paid too much in taxes and are getting a refund. Our government has promised most people will receive some amount of “economic stimulus” later this spring. Some are beginning to make plans about how to use this money. Have you considered sharing a portion – 10% or more with God through the church or some other worthwhile agency of the church?

Some members also must consider how to dispose of their assets at the time of their deaths. Some want to leave all or a portion to God’s work. Our congregations have been blessed many times over by persons who have made bequests – large and small. Almost 40 years ago, in the congregation where I grew up, a woman left a portion of her estate to the congregation. The endowment was quite substantial then. I was the beneficiary of some of that gift as my congregation helped support me as a missionary in Madagascar and then assisted in paying my seminary tuition. However, as interest rates are currently very low and prices of many things so much higher, their endowment fund now seems quite modest. While it might seem hard to believe, it is possible, even Bethlehem’s Endowment could seem rather modest in another 40 years.

As we all consider not only our current giving to God through our congregations, we can also consider how to plan our final or ultimate giving. Do we want to remember our congregation by giving to an endowment fund or general fund? Do we want to remember some institution or agency special to us? EWALU, for instance is still looking for 1 or 2 or 3 major donors to complete the 2^nd or “bonus” phase of the “All Are Welcome” Appeal. Wartburg Seminary can always use major gifts to endow certain teaching positions or scholarships. The ELCA has a “Fund for Leaders,” that if grown sufficiently could provide assistance or eventually full tuition for all seminarians. These are but a few examples. Many of your financial advisors can assist you in planning such gifts so they help the agency and institutions as much as possible and still provide for your final years or for other family members. Agencies and institutions also have representatives who can help you. If you are uncomfortable with any of those options, I can at least help you get started making some of those plans and perhaps suggest some people who could be helpful.

After a long hard winter – a winter of cold, snow, and ice, but also a winter of difficult economic news and events, we celebrate the joy of sunshine, warmth, spring, and new life and declare again, “How blessed, I am. Thanks be to God.”