I have what I think of as a guilty little secret: I watch "America's Got Talent". Why "guilty secret"? I don't know. I guess it seems like I ought to be spending my time with something more substantive, more thoughtful, more deep .... I mean, Heidi Klum and Howard Stern (two of the judges) are hardly nobel laureates (not that that always guarantees quality, but ...).

A few weeks ago, as I eagerly anticipated watching the show, I got to wondering why. I came up with two reasons: first, I like that people of all ages and talent level show up to try out and as a result I get to see a 96 year old woman sing and dance (pretty well, actually) and 2 young brothers dance a mix of hip-hop, breakdancing and "smooth moves" (whatever those are!). Last year there was even a 90+ year old guy who pulled a car with his teeth (not sure I'd call that a talent, but there you go ... grace abounds!). Second, I like the judges! They are funny, kind, enthusiastic and seem to genuinely like what they do and who they get to meet as a result. The show makes me smile, laugh, and occasionally wince and after watching it, I feel better.

There's probably a third reason I like the show: it isn't about real life. Real life, especially lately, is a little hard to face. Racism is rampant. Sexism is ubiquitous. Homophobia continues. War is constant. Greed wins. And children kill. And innocent people are killed ... at church ... in bible study.

Last Sunday, I heard a seminarian (aka Kaitlin Winter Eulberg) preach an amazing sermon about what happened in Charleston. In the midst of calling us listeners to look in a mirror and face our own racism and entitlement, she also spoke a word of comfort and proclaimed the Gospel as she called us to hear Jesus' words of "Peace! Be still!" as a message to us in the midst of our chaos. She called us to move from being immobilized by our own self-protective numbness to being active doers of the Word. It heartened me for the day and encouraged me for the future of our church in the hands of preachers like Kaitlin.

I'm hopeful you, too, spent time considering the events in Charleston as part of your worship this past week. Another opportunity presents itself this coming week. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has called us to a day of repentance and mourning. She writes: "The members of this church, no matter where they are located, must think about, discuss and deal with this crucial issue of justice and compassion. It is the church's work. God's intention for all humanity is that we see the intrinsic worth, dignity and value of all people. Racism undermines the promise of community and fractures authentic relationships with one another. We need to talk and we need to listen, but we also need to act and speak out against inequity. Look with newly opened eyes at the many subtle and overt ways that racism infects and affects our communities. Above all pray - for insight, for forgiveness, for courage."

As residents of this country and as members of the Body of Christ on earth, we are called not only to seek comfort and hope in the Word, but to BE comfort and hope living the word. America may have talent, but as ELCA Lutherans, as Christians, we have grace...amazing, abounding grace.

Click here for more information about the litany provided for this Sunday.

Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson

Bishop's Associate