|
|
|
|
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Comes to the MassMutual Center
Crafted by loving hands and woven together with blessings, prayer shawls are a unique way of bringing comfort, care and warmth to those who wear them. Inspired to "wrap" others in the embrace of God's unconditional love, members of ELCA churches throughout New England have started their own prayer shawl ministries. Now, some of them are about to pack their knitting needles and take the show on the road!
Vicki Bassett - who is a graduate of the School of Lay Ministry - and her mother, Joyce Toney, plan to bring some prayer shawl books and about 200 patterns to synod assembly. Those who attend their workshop on Saturday afternoon will receive a basic set of crocheting and knitting patterns. Beginners are welcome. As Vicki says, "when my mother started this ministry, I didn't know how to knit or crochet. But when I left that day, I had three inches of a shawl started."
The prayer shawl ministry at Good Shepherd in North Quincy, where both women are members, plays an active role in the community. Providing prayer shawls as well as baby blankets to a shelter for survivors of domestic violence, Vicki and Joyce find that unused yarn rarely goes to waste. "One woman cleaned out her attic, and we ended up with about a dozen prayer shawls from all the yarn," Vicki says.
Those who are planning to attend synod assembly are invited to bring along any extra yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks they wish to donate. Vicki and Joyce will make sure they are put to good use. How to locate them at assembly? That's no problem. "My mom and I are easy to find," says Vicki. "We're always knitting."
|
|
"Doing What Doesn't Matter": Going ga-ga at Synod Assembly
There will be plenty to see and do at 2011 Synod Assembly. But if you should find yourself with a little extra time on your hands, be sure to stop by the Doing What Doesn't Matter room. Here, you will find like-minded attendees engaged in various trivial pursuits. Not to be confused with the singer of the same name, "ga-ga" is a game where players remove their shoes and then use their hands to whack a small ball around the floor...while running around the room bent over from the waist.
"This is, needless to say, played in a large group," says Synod Council member, Sam Allison, a member of Emanuel, Hartford, Conn. He is quick to add that folks who would prefer not to increase their blood pressure or work up a sweat can find things to do that will exercise their minds instead. "For those who would rather stay put and meditate on Luther and Zwingli's conflicting views on Christ's presence in the eucharist, there will be Bananagrams. And other games, too." The Doing What Doesn't Matter room will be open and available for recreation (but never business) whenever Important Things are not happening elsewhere. "Plus Saturday at midnight for dinfast. That is, dinner-breakfast. That is, cookies," says Sam.
Register now for the 2011 Synod assembly
|
|
"Youth Matters" Registration Deadline May 15th
An event for 9th-12th grade youth Friday Night, June 3rd through Saturday, June 4th. at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Springfield, Mass. Great activities with other synod youth and a day of service on Saturday to the Springfield Community. Register your Youth Group now!
|
|
Faith Stories
Click here to read how the writing groups Mary Mortimore Dossin leads help women (and Dossin) witness to their faith. Dossin is the wife of Ernie Dossin, former synod treasurer. Got a faith story? Send it to sisterv@nesynod.org.
|
|
Bin Laden death calls for 'solemn remembrance,' says ELCA presiding bishop
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Responding to the May 1 news of Osama bin Laden's death, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said bin Laden's death "is an occasion for solemn remembrance."
Hanson addressed his May 2 statement to ELCA members. He focused his comments on those who died because of bin Laden's choices "of hatred and violence," and those who continue to mourn the deaths of loved ones.
Hanson also said "joy finds its fullest and deepest expression not over a human death, but in God's promise to unite all things in heaven and on earth, to reconcile the human family and to bring God's reign of peace."
The full text of the ELCA presiding bishop's statement:
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
The death of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for solemn remembrance. We remember the lives of all whose deaths resulted from his choosing hatred and violence. We stand with those who continue to mourn the death of loved ones while giving thanks for their lives, their love and their faith. We also continue to hold in prayer all whose service in the military, in government and in humanitarian and peacemaking activities contribute to a safer and more prosperous world.
At the same time we also recall who we are: people baptized into Christ, freed to serve our neighbors. We are people called as Christ's ambassadors of reconciliation with our neighbors, serving God's work of restoring community. We engage our neighbors of other faiths, including our Muslim neighbors near and far, in respectful, searching dialogue and shared commitment to build a world that reflects God's will for peace with justice. We pray for our neighbors, even those who are our enemies.
Most of all, in these 50 days of celebrating Christ's resurrection, joy finds its fullest and deepest expression not over a human death but in God's promise to unite all things in heaven and on earth, to reconcile the human family and to bring God's reign of peace. Confident in what God has promised, we witness our resolve against any act of violence in the name of religion and our renewed commitment of service to the neighbors and world God so deeply loves.
|
|
|
|
|
