Posted on

Collaboration – or changing the world?

“So, I guess we’re at ‘your place’ this week?” the smiling man from one of the other churches said to me yesterday. Three churches here in Salem, Oregon are doing something different – we’re trying to ‘up our game’ when it comes to collaboration. We are all three members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – a denomination that was formed in 1988 out of 3 predecessor church bodies. Back in 1988, the ALC, the LCA and the AELC got together to create a denomination that would better serve the neeeds of the folks who come to church, but, in my opinion, more importantly, to better serve the world that God has charged us to serve.  That’s the real story of Lutheranism, if you ask me. Martin Luther said, “God does not need your good works. Your neighbor does.” Can I get an AMEN? So, what is the purpose of collaboration between churches in general, and with these three churches in Salem, specifically? Continue reading “Collaboration – or changing the world?”

Posted on

Blessing of the Animals in the Gym tomorrow!

Friends, it looks like our streak of good weather for Blessing of the Animals is over! Please join us in the gym tomorrow, Sept 22 at Holy Cross Lutheran as we bless all the leashed and crated pets you bring to us!

Also, bring pictures of pets you cannot bring that day, won’t you?

We have worshipped in the gym before with our pets, and it works just fine!  We will also have a children’s message featuring Daniel Tiger and welcome new members of Holy Cross! Don’t miss it – see you at 9:30 am in the gym at 1998 Lansing Ave NE, Salem, Oregon, 97301. – Pastor P+

 

Posted on

Blessing something is an action verb

I love giving a blessing. It felt funny, I’ll admit, in my first years as a pastor. It felt a little bit like I was a fraud – who was I to offer blessing to another? Well, that’s just the point. Nothing at all. If the blessing comes from me (or from any clergy person) we’re pretty much out of luck. When I am privileged to bless someone, or a pet, or even an object, like a cross, that blessing better come from God. Continue reading “Blessing something is an action verb”

Posted on

Bilingual Worship at Holy Cross

Holy Cross Lutheran Church enjoyed their first bilingual service today, with Manuel Borbon, as our special guest preacher and presider.  The choir sang in both English and Spanish , and the Mariachi band was amazing!

IMG_4198IMG_4197IMG_4199IMG_4200IMG_4201IMG_4202IMG_4205IMG_4196

Posted on

Tenderhearted

 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I know where I was on 9/11/2001. I bet you do too. My husband, Gary Hoenshell, and I were getting ready for work in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Today show was on the TV in the background. We stopped getting ready and focused on the TV for what seemed like hours. Then we went to work. I was the Sexual Assault Educator at Northern Arizona University, and I had an important committee meeting that day. We had it anyway, mostly because I thought we ought to be together, in solidarity. I had been a seminarian (part time) for about a year at that point, and I remember thinking “I ought to know what to say to people – from a God perspective” But I didn’t really know.  Continue reading “Tenderhearted”