| John M. Gorder, Pastor | gorderj@augustana.elca.org |
| Dan Schwandt, Director of Music Ministries | schwandty@hotmail.com |
| Christine Laughlin, Secretary | secretary@augustana.elca.org |
September is, in many ways, a new beginning. The academic year gets underway (though it never seems to stop for graduate students.) The church enrolls students in its education classes. Worship schedules increase. Campus ministry receives new leadership. The summer is over.
New beginnings are filled with choices. Luther continually applauded the “freedom of the will,” the responsibility of choice. The energy around choice reflects priorities, ambition, discernment, controversy, and excitement.
Bookstores bustle with students flipping through syllabi, procuring the materials that will fill their minds and form their “discipline.” Choices lead us forward. They are important.
Choices are both intentional and consequential.
Each week we assemble as God's people to reflect on God's marvelous gift of life…and God's courage to give us the power to choose. Each week we gather to reflect, not only on our will, but on God's will. We strive to “include” God's wisdom and God's Spirit in the course of our lives. I encourage you all in the discipline of worship. It is your choice…and from that choice God will help you make difficult choices each day brings.
A place like Augustana also depends upon your choices to serve. Join the choir, teach a class, participate in an education program, serve on a committee, lead in worship, clean an area that could use attention, prepare food, commit funds to ministry. All these are choices…your choices.
The tragedy is, of course, to be fearful of choice…to balk for some reason; to withdraw. Isolation happens…even in a city full of people.
God invites us to choose. Choose to live in the covenant of your baptism as God's child. Choose to live in communion with God's people. Choose to serve. And when the choice is made, new opportunities arise, asking us to choose again. In the end, we look back and say, “I did it, with the help of God.”
It is an exciting time.
At the congregational meeting on Sunday, August 21st, the call committee and Council enthusiastically recommended to extend the call for the Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry to Pastor Robert O. Smith. In the meeting led by synodical representative Pastor Larry Clark, the congregation voted to accept the recommendation and to extend the call to Pastor Smith.
In 2003, Pastor Smith graduated from Luther Seminary with an M. Div., as well as his Masters degree in Islamic studies. While in seminary, Pastor Smith did his internship year at the campus ministry site at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln, where he served with Pastor Larry Meyer. After graduation, Pastor Smith began his Ph.D. course of study at Baylor University in Religion and Politics. Pastor Smith was ordained in 2004 and is currently serving a half-time call at St. John Lutheran Church near Waco, Texas. Please keep Pastor Smith, wife Carrie and two sons in your prayers, and his ministry at St. John as well.
There's an exciting change with Sunday School this year! Instead of the traditional format, we are moving to an experiential Sunday School setting for 3-year olds through sixth graders. In this setting, children will focus on one topic or story for 4–6 weeks by working in a different “experience station” for each of those weeks. The first story will be Noah's Ark and the stations will include Art, Science, Games, Stories, and Music and Movement. So, for example, in Art everyone might work on building an ark for Noah and in the Music and Movement station “Rise and Shine” might be sung and acted out.
Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 11, at 9:30 am sharp! Encourage kids to be on time so they don't miss any of the fun! The Noah's Ark session will run from September 11–October 16. Session 2 will run from October 23–November 6 and will focus on Communion for children and parents together. The third session will begin on November 13 and will run through Christmas with lots of fun activities that will focus on the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Station leaders are needed for each of these Sessions. We are looking for volunteers to share their talents and skills with the kids of the congregation. It's a great way to get involved for a limited period of time (although we need those year-long volunteers, too)! If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about Sunday School, please contact Pam Maxey (jpmaxey@sbcglobal.net) or Laura Wilhelm (lwilhelm@lstc.edu).
While the younger kids are being experiential, the Junior and Senior High students will be sharing their experiences in a different way. The Junior High/Senior High class this year will use episodes from the “Joan of Arcadia” TV show to launch their discussions on faith and life. Laura Wilhelm and Aaltje Baumgart will lead this group.
They say that the best way to understand and appreciate your own language is to study a foreign language. On September 11 and 18 Doug Larson will share what he has learned about Russian and American culture after his third trip to Russia in conjunction with his wife Jan's third biannual Russian-American Nursing Conference. Doug will explore the difference in Russian and American spirituality and mindsets and the importance of connecting the two. He will also explore the thought that the reason that the Russian economy and democracy hasn't progressed as anticipated despite the institution of major political and economic reforms, is that while the structures and freedoms have changed the mindset hasn't. Furthermore, that while Russia has a rich spirituality as witnessed by their contribution to the arts during very trying times and the existence of many very inspiring churches and cathedrals with their icons, frescoes and sacred vocal music, this spirituality has not carried over into day-to-day life as witnessed by the open corruption despite the freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly. Doug will conclude by exploring the thought that only when the inspirations of the heart inform the mind can they motivate the body. Or to paraphrase Paul “While through belief of the heart we discover acceptance, its through talking about our heartfelt convictions that we are delivered from our demons” (Romans 10:10). Despite freedom of religion, speech, and assembly, Russians are encouraged to experience their spirituality but do not talk about it. We will talk about some potential reasons through our own experience as a country and individually and explore what we can learn from this.
| September 11 | Russian and American Spirituality | Doug Larson |
| September 18 | Russian and American Mindsets | Doug Larson |
On September 25 Esther Menn will talk about the Christians and especially Lutheran Christians she met in Israel/Palestine, as part of the “World of the Bible: Ancient Sites and Contemporary Struggles” travel seminar that she co-hosted with Barbara Rossing last January. She will introduce members of Augustana to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), reporting on conversations with Bishop Munib Younan, Reverend Mitri Raheb (Christmas Lutheran Church of Bethlehem), Ms. Rana Khoury (General Director of the International Center of Bethlehem), and Mr. Zoughbi Zoughbi (Director of the Wi'am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center). Topics will include the schools and social services provided by the ELCJHL, the medical mission of Victoria Augustana Hospital, and the cultural programs at the International Center in Bethlehem. She will also describe the inspiring work of Father Elias Chacour (Melkite) to provide educational programs in the Galilee and the effective networking accomplished by Naim Ateek (Anglican) through the Sabeel Palestinian Liberation Center in Jerusalem.
| September 25 | Living Stones: Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land Today | Esther Menn |
The first meeting of students (seventh and eighth graders) and parents will meet at the church for a brief introductory meeting at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, September 28 — immediately following choir rehearsal. We'll look at the curriculum; talk about expectations; and give students and parents a chance to meet one another.
It looks like a great year for learning! Aaltje Baumgart, a second-year Master of Divinity student at The Divinity School, The University of Chicago will team-teach the class with Pastor Gorder.
Confirmation (affirmation of baptism) classes will meet each Wednesday afternoon (beginning October 5) at 4:00 PM for one hour. This year we'll study the Gospel of Mark; review the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Sacraments; discuss matters of justice; invite several Augustana members to help teach us; and serve the community in a project.
On Thursday September 8th, the Parish Choir will resume its regular rehearsal schedule from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. We hope to continue our expansion of last year (we have more room in the choir loft!) as well as our continued growth in musical diversity and excellence.
The central activity of Augustana is its worship life. The hearing of the Word of God and the sharing of the Eucharistic Meal is what grounds our faith week in and week out. Music, a gift from God, guides us in a unique and powerful way to a deeper understanding of the Word and a richer experience of the Eucharistic mysteries. The role of the choir within the Lutheran tradition is unique among the protestant and evangelical catholic denominations. It is not merely present for edification and performance, but rather is a particularly effective leader of congregational song and prayer. Such is the case at Augustana.
Augustana takes its worship seriously, but if we take for granted the importance of strong and graceful leadership in worship (“somebody else will do it”) then we are not as strong as we can be. I urge each member to consider making the commitment to the music and worship ministry of Augustana. Membership in the choir has no prerequisite except the desire to grow musically, spiritually, and in the understanding of the liturgy. (A good sense of humor is nice too!)
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a smaller family within our larger parish community. However, if you are unable to be in choir because of time constraints, please contact Daniel Schwandt if you can sing on occasional special events or festivals. If you can't be in choir at all, please spread the word to your friends and neighbors that Augustana worships well. We take it seriously and we do it joyfully. Our music is grounded in the Lutheran tradition and is always evolving beyond our borders. Our experience is unique to Hyde Park and the south side, and our doors are open to all. Share the news!
Don't let the Latin scare you off! On September 14th, the Schola Cantorum (Singing School) returns to learning, singing, and praying on Wednesdays from 5:10 to 6:00. (Note the five minute earlier start time!) This choir is open to all children from the 4th through 9th grades. We sing for worship at the 10:45 AM liturgy about once a month. We learn traditional hymns, music, and liturgy of the church and also explore music and anthem s from around the globe appropriate to the church year. Membership is open to Augustana members and non-members. A commitment to regular and prompt attendance is all that is necessary. Bring a friend!
A permanent and fruitful solution to the music ministry needs of Kindergarten through third grade-aged children has yet to be reached. Watch the Grace Note and Sunday bulletin for an announcement soon!