Sunday, August 30, 2009

Cyberbrethren � The Lutheran Study Bible has arrived! First look.

Cyberbrethren � The Lutheran Study Bible has arrived! First look.

I read the entire Lutheran Study Bible this summer, from Augsburg Fortress, and I think I will order this one also, from Concordia, to compare. Strange that both publishing houses came out with a bible with the same title at the same time...

The Mediocre Multitasker - NYTimes.com

The Mediocre Multitasker - NYTimes.com

Turns out multitaskers are worse at everything, not better at doing lots of things simultaneously. They're just convinced of the opposite. Revolutionary.

p.s. While typing this blog, I was also eating blueberry pie, talking on the phone, and combing my hair. :)

Sweet Georgia Brown with a tractor

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Christianity, Capitalism, and the Crash

Christianity, Capitalism, and the Crash

We've now been in a recession for almost two years. As we have hit certain key points along the way--the collapse of many banks, the burst of the housing market bubble, the fast increase in unemployment, and the dramatic restructuring of our auto-making industry--I have spent time, like many of us, trying to make sense of it all. Specifically, I have wondered, "What should I preach during this time?" I have also wondered, "How are Christians called to care for each other during this time?"

I'll admit that I don't have a lot of easy answers. Some basic tasks come to mind: pray for and comfort those who have lost their jobs; volunteer in the community to help those adversely affected by the economy; help people realize that their dignity and value as a person isn't in their work, but in the love God has for them as a child of God. Our family also increased our benevolence, assuming that the church, and many needy and poor people, needed even more assistance during a recession than during times of relative prosperity.

However, as a pastor I felt (and still feel) ill-equipped to relate biblical faith to the larger economic and global dynamics that are in play. How does our faith shape our response to the current economic crisis? All of us started reading articles in the paper and hearing news on television that offered analysis of market forces, and many of us have come to support or oppose the way our government has taken action in relationship to the crash. Suddenly even regular newspaper articles mention economists like John Maynard Keynes or Adam Smith, and we're all supposed to know who they are. We're all economists now, and we're called to relate our faith to these issues.

I imagine we've all been on a steep learning curve through this time. Not only have we had to change some of our habits, maybe reducing our expenses in order to live as a one-income household. We've also had to make decisions about our generosity, how we will help our neighbors in need. And we've been forced to learn some of the intricacies and complexities of a global free-market system.

I have decided to be intentional in study and prayer in this area. I'm convening a study group that will meet at the synod office every other month. The focus of our study will be on this question, "How do you as an intentional-theologian respond to the current economic crisis in your speaking, spending, and caring?"

Here's the description of the course:

The economic crash of 2008 needs no introduction. It does, however, require a theological response that critically examines the underlying causes and charts a Christian response informed by faith seeking understanding. Christian ethicist Mark Douglas helpfully describes the economic dynamics that precipitated the crash as two opposite-spinning spirals. One spiral surges upward. As competition increases and profits are shared and reinvested, wealth is distributed. Or so it should. Then there is the downward spiral that spins out of control once credit tightens, consumer debt piles up, loans default, and the stock market falls, resulting in untold misery. The crash reveals just how precarious the current global economy is. Does biblical faith have anything to do with the financial “laws of the household” (Greek oikos + nomos, the basis for the term "economic")? Does its vision of peace imply an altogether different economic order? If so, is it one that improves upon or rejects entirely current economic practice and its theoretical foundations?

The foundering economy presents a propitious opportunity to consider the place and purpose of the so-called free-market economy in all its complexity from the perspective of faith. Doing so broaches such issues as sin, the “life abundant,” wealth and poverty, stewardship, materialism, and the purpose of life, indeed creation.

The meeting dates for this conversation are September 9th, November 18th, January 13th, February 3rd, May 12th, and July 14th. So far, the group includes many lay people and clergy in the synod, and I'd love to have a few folks from EKLC join the conversation. I can send you a copy of the syllabus if you're interested. We're reading really interesting books, like Paul Krugman's The Return of Depression Economics, a lively history of the development of economic theory, books on the relationship between giving and forgiving, and of course, lots of bible study.

As a congregation, we are also trying to minister during the economic downturn in caring ways. On Labor Day, we are are praying for the unemployed, and petitioning God for blessings on all those seeking work. This will include a time for laying on of hands and annointing. Consider joining us for that special service.

WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

The WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL featured East Koshkonong and its history on the front page today. Check out this article, which includes links to additional photos, as well as a short video.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Richard Poirier - A Man of Good Reading - NYTimes.com

Richard Poirier - A Man of Good Reading - NYTimes.com: "An advocate of “reading in slow motion,” Mr. Brower asked, simply: “What is it like to read this?”"

And here is a devotional approach to reading a text. When reading the bible, simply ask, "What is it like to read this?"

Richard Poirier - A Man of Good Reading - NYTimes.com

Richard Poirier - A Man of Good Reading - NYTimes.com:

Rest in peace, Richard Poirier. A great literary critic!

Consider this quote as an indicator of how one should read Scripture as a literary genre, as both immediately beautiful, and yet increasingly strange and imponderable. "Mr. Poirier’s most important contribution came in his criticism, which tried to convey why the act of reading is — and should be — so difficult. The most powerful works of literature, he insisted, offer “a fairly direct access to pleasure” but become “on longer acquaintance, rather strange and imponderable.” Even as readers try to pin down what a writer means, the best authors try to elude them, using all the resources of sound, rhythm and syntax to defeat any straightforward account of what they are doing."

Crossroads - Theory and Morality in the New Economy - Series - NYTimes.com

Crossroads - Theory and Morality in the New Economy - Series - NYTimes.com

The New York Times is offering a series of essays on the final page of the book review each week, and this is the most recent excellent example.

Provides helpful comparison of the philosophies of Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes, and quotes a couple of books we're reading for our year long study of theology and economics, including Paul Krugman's The Return of Depression Economics.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

'Pride And Prejudice' Heroines Battle The Undead : NPR

'Pride And Prejudice' Heroines Battle The Undead : NPR

This gives all-new meaning to the term "mash-up"!

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin | Health Care

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin | Health Care

Health Care

Healthcare expenditures account for $2-1/2 bill. of US annual GDP. Most of the $1 trill ($650 bill.) for healthcare reform will be spent over 10 yrs; the balance over shorter periods of time. Private health insurance industry collects at least $500 bill. yrly in premiums, at least 10-20% of which goes to profits and management expenses for these investor-owned providers. Overhead costs for govt run Medicare are about 3%; when private companies provide coverage for Medicare patients it costs the govt about 13%. The base of the healthcare problem is the fee-for-service, profit-driven system of delivery.

The Health Insurers Have Already Won - BusinessWeek

The Health Insurers Have Already Won - BusinessWeek

Why are we once again caving to the interests of big business rather than the concerns and needs of the poor and uninsured?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Les Paul, Guitar Innovator, Dies at 94 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

Les Paul, Guitar Innovator, Dies at 94 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him.

faithasawayoflife: U2 live: the spectacle really is unbelievable

faithasawayoflife: U2 live: the spectacle really is unbelievable

Labor Day Anointing

Pastor: In the waters of baptism, Christians make the passage through death to the new life of the resurrection. Each day of our lives is shaped by this baptismal journey. Within our lives, we know the importance of work, employment, and vocation.

On this Labor Day weekend, gathered by the Holy Spirit around Jesus Christ, the Word of salvation, we pray for God's guidance for all, and especially for those who are unemployed and seeking employment, as well as for each of us in our daily vocations.

Assistant: Let us pray. God of justice, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our wealth and resources that all people may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Intern: Let us pray. Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Guide us with your justice in the workplace, so that we may never value things above people, or surrender honor to love of gain or lust for power. Prosper all efforts to put an end to work that brings no joy, and teach us how to govern the ways of business to the harm of none and for the sake of the common good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Pastor: Sisters and brothers, I invite you to come and receive a sign of anointing and vocational calling in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Those who wish to receive laying on of hands and anointing approach and, as conditions permit, they may kneel.

The blessing: In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, be guided and strengthened by God's grace, that you may know the dignifying and sustaining power of the Spirit.

After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands.

Intern: Living God, through the lay on of hands and anointing, grant comfort and strength in our daily vocations. When we are afraid, give us courage. When afflicted, comfort us. When dejected, give us hope. When alone, assure us of the support of your holy people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor: Almighty God, who is a strong tower to all, to whom all things on heaven and on earth bow and obey, be now and evermore your sure defense, and help you to know that the name given to us, to do God's work with our hands, is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Service continues with the sharing of the peace.

(litany adapted from resources in Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary just launched a new resource, Enter the Bible that helps folks study the bible on-line! Cool.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Lutherans Prepare To Vote On Accepting Gay Clergy : NPR

Lutherans Prepare To Vote On Accepting Gay Clergy : NPR

And here we go, it will begin to be in the media this week. So we pray for those who gather, that they might centered in Word & Sacrament. I continue to advocate for full parity for ALL rostered leaders in the church.

I pray also that attention will be given to the agenda items less currently in the limelight, like the HIV/AIDS and Malaria initiative.

For my own essay in preparation for churchwide assembly, see Thank You, but No Thank You.

Book of Faith - Open Scripture - Join the Conversation

Book of Faith - Open Scripture - Join the Conversation

The site is now cleaned up and improved!

Preaching a Gospel of Cash, and Reaping Plenty - NYTimes.com

Preaching a Gospel of Cash, and Reaping Plenty - NYTimes.com

An example of how Jesus gets made into whatever image people want him to be made into... Lord have mercy.

Monday, August 10, 2009

We’re Underway!


We’re Underway!


Saw these guys tonight at their Madison stop, and made our donation to world hunger. You can make a contribution on-line. Do it today!

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Welcome! | lutherancolleges.org

Welcome! | lutherancolleges.org

If you're planning that college visit tour, etc., make sure and check out some of the ELCA Lutheran colleges, especially my alma mater Luther College. Great places to study and live for four years!

Crossroads - Pop Culture in the Age of Obama - Series - NYTimes.com

Crossroads - Pop Culture in the Age of Obama - Series - NYTimes.com

This is a spectacular series the NY Times is running in the back of the book review each week. There may not be "pop" culture anymore, in the sense that everyone consumes it. Reflection on pop and high culture is always of interest, and this is a solid analysis in relation to our current pop icon, Barack Obama.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Gratitude for the Lutheran teens who visited New Orleans - The Kindness of Strangers - News & Views - Commentary - Gambit - New Orleans

Gratitude for the Lutheran teens who visited New Orleans - The Kindness of Strangers - News & Views - Commentary - Gambit - New Orleans

Praise God for the opportunity to be a part of this! This article rocks!

165th Anniversary Outdoor Worship at Anderson Farm

Press Release

165th Anniversary Celebration at Amund Anderson Homestead

On August 30th, 2009 at 10:30 a.m., East Koshkonong Lutheran Church will host an outdoor worship service at the farm of Ronald and Shawn Anderson, 279 Hwy A, Cambridge, WI 53523. This farm was homesteaded by Amund Anderson (Ron Anderson is a direct descendant), and August 30th, 2009 marks the 165th anniversary of an outdoor worship service at the site, the first service of Word & Sacrament conducted on the Koshkonong Prairie for the Norwegian settlers. There is a large granite monument on the farm, in both Norwegian and English, commemorating the event.

A potluck lunch will be served following worship, and all are invited to attend. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Lemonade will be provided. Electrical hookups are not available, so bring food in hot or cold containers. Historical or Norwegian dress (like bunads) is welcome and appreciated but not required.

The guest speaker for the day, Walter Sundberg, is Professor of Church History at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Local legends The Hill Prairie Singers will perform, as will the East Koshkonong Lutheran Church Choir.

Although the event is not handicap accessible, Ozee Cars of Stoughton will be providing free shuttle service via electric cars from the parking area to the gathering space.

Please call East Koshkonong Lutheran Church, 608-423-3017, www.eastkoshkonong.org with questions.

Submitted by The Reverend Clint Schnekloth

Sunday, August 02, 2009

EKLC Web Site

Visit us at 454 East Church Street Road C in Cambridge, WI, but now you can also check out the new and improved web site...