July Note

From Pastor Mark

50 Year Celebration of ELCA World Hunger Appeal

July is going to be wonderful here at SOTP.  Vacation Bible School kicks off on July 8.  Our missionary from Tanzania, Daudi Msseemmaa, will be joining us for worship on Sunday, July 21 and throughout July we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger with Christmas in July.  Please know how thankful I am for your spirit of generosity which wells up through this worshiping community.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes about the generosity of the Macedonian churches. He uses the Macedonian church as an example of joyous generosity which overflows in the manner in which he experienced in their living out the Gospel.  Paul points out that they pray first and then, despite their poverty, offer gifts and service to the church in Jerusalem.

Paul is writing to the Corinthians, who (despite their plentiful resources) are not so quick to make a donation. Paul tells them that the Macedonians’ overflowing joy has welled up in rich generosity. They have given as much as they’re able, and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own. They really want the privilege of sharing.

Why do they want so badly to share the little that they have with strangers? Where does that impulse come from? How can prayer help?

Paul goes on to write that it’s as important to excel in the grace of giving as it is to excel in other areas of faith, knowledge, earnestness, and love.

If our spirit is willing, writes Paul, our gift is acceptable according to what we have, not what we do not have. In other words, it’s not about the amount.

It’s about your heart. Where is your heart?

Can you give of yourself freely, because you want to? Not because you ought to?

Have you ever sought out people in your family or your neighborhood that you can help? Taken part in “random acts of kindness”? Do you take inventory of what you possess that you can share with others? Where can you invest your time and talent?

There are many places in the world that need our generous giving.  As we have done in the past we are celebrating “Christmas in July.”  ELCA World Hunger appeal is celebrating 50 years of a wonderful partnership in caring for those who are hungry.  This is one of the many ways you might experience the joy of giving as our Macedonian siblings exampled to the Apostle Paul long ago.

Imagine that Paul is writing directly to us, instead of the Corinthians, saying, “Hey! You are blessed to be a blessing! Open your heart, and give freely what has so freely been given to you!”

Blessings to you this month as we are blessed to see beyond the walls of SOTP and experience first hand the work of the larger church!

Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark:  pastormark@sotpmail.com

July Note

From Pastor Ryan

On June 14 and 15, 5 elected voting members from SOTP and I participated in the worshipful, fun, and educational Northern Illinois Synod Assembly. SOTP is one of 140 congregations that make up the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA. The Synod Council meets four times each year to conduct the business of the church, but once each year, the Synod calls together clergy and voting members from each congregation to vote on some of the more significant items of business.

You may recall that, at our annual meeting, we elected Marcia Ball, Andrew Behm, Tim Bueschel, Julie Leonardi, and Josh Symbal to serve as our four adult and one youth voting members. The six of us made our way to Augustana College in Rock Island (Josh and my alma mater) accompanied by Donna Kelly who reported to the Assembly as chair of the Synod Nominating Committee.

I have been asked a few times if any important decisions were made at the Assembly. We always pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, elect people to synod positions, and other general orders of business, but when I’m asked that question, I know people are wondering if there were any big resolutions passed. As it turns out, there were some significant resolutions passed this year, and I want to share them with you all.

The first resolution is related to the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger. SOTP’s very own Becky Wright serves on the Synod World Hunger Subcommittee. A resolution was put forward and unanimously approved to encourage our congregations to increase our support with a giving event and intentionally include World Hunger in our directed giving. SOTP will be having a Christmas in July event beginning on July 6. The World Hunger Subcommittee will also be publishing new fundraising ideas for congregations on the Northern Illinois Synod website.

The second resolution is to have the synod appoint a task force to begin a year-long process of exploring what it will mean for the synod to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Synod. The task force and the Synod Council will generate a Synod Welcome Statement to be presented to adoption at the 2025 Synod Assembly for the purpose of applying for RIC recognition.

For a bit of background on this resolution, Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, since 1974, has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community. They have created resources for congregations, synods, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations to engage in the process known as Reconciling in Christ (RIC). Through the RIC process, congregations and synods begin a journey to create a more authentic welcome, customized to each community.

The resolution was approved with 90% support from the Assembly. It only applies to the Synod and not to its congregations. Each congregation will still have to complete its own RIC process if it chooses. Several of our congregations have already completed this process or are in process. The same is true for many synods.

The third resolution is related to a topic Pastor Roy has covered in his Sunday morning Bible study. Through the resolution, which passed with 94% approval, the Northern Illinois Synod absolutely repudiates Christian Nationalism, commits to upholding the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, encourages the congregations and people of the Synod to use the resources We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism from the ELCA Advocacy Network and explore the ELCA’s Social Statement: “Civic Life and Faith.”

Christian Nationalism has roots that go back to post-Civil War America but has gained a new momentum in that past few decades, especially with the emergence of the Moral Majority in 1979. Christian Nationalism is a broad political ideology that includes beliefs such as: the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired and enjoys godly status, that Christianity should be a privileged religion in the U.S., that the U.S. holds a special status in God’s eyes, and that good Americans must hold Christian beliefs. This leads to antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, xenophobia, racism, and more. It doesn’t reflect the love that Jesus demonstrated or that he extends to us daily.

If you would like more information on Christian Nationalism, I encourage you to check out the resources listed above, and I also lift up a documentary, Bad Faith, streaming for free on tubi.

As you can see, Synod Assembly is a powerful event that not only lets you see how the church works. You become part of church decision-making that can have lasting effects far into the future. I encourage you to consider serving in this role next year. Simply let me know if you’re interested!

Peace,

Pastor Ryan

Email Pastor Ryan:  pastorryan@sotpmail.com

Wellness Team

Active & Healthy Summer

3 Keys to an Active and Healthy Summer

• Drink Water: Drinking water is even more important during the summer because we are sweating more. Bring a reusable water bottle with you, everywhere you go.  Add fresh fruit or a splash of 100% juice to give your water flavor!
• Be Active: Move your body for at least 10 minutes at a time and aim for at least 30 minutes each day.
• Eat Well: All kinds of foods can fit into a balanced diet. Make half of your plate your favorite fruits and vegetables.  Choose whole grains like “whole wheat” foods and popcorn.  For lean protein sources, try fish, skinless chicken or turkey, eggs, tofu or beans.

Summer Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad

Summer is a time when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful.  This is one easy side salad you’ll want to serve at all your summer BBQs.

Prep time: 20 minutes   /    6 servings: 9 cups

Ingredients:

• • ½ cup-red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 14 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 English cucumber, chopped
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, cut into ¾-inch cubes

Directions:

• • Whisk vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl; gradually whisk in oil until completely incorporated.
  • Combine watermelon, cucumber, feta and onion in a large bowl.  Gently stir in ½ cup of the vinaigrette.  Refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  • Just before serving, gently stir in mint; drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.

ALSO:  we are organizing some education opportunities on dementia and Alzheimer’s .

LINK TO ARTICLE ON DEALING WITH DEMENTIA: www.bit.ly/SOTPdementia

Contact: Jamie Patel at jamie.patel@nm.org