Downtown
A Quarterly Publication of The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches
c/o Historic First Lutheran Church, 808 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
DowntownChurches@aol.com Downtownlutheranchurches.org
Issue #5 – June, 2009
WELCOME!
A warm welcome to this issue of “Downtown,” a quarterly newsletter full of interchange and exchange between downtown Lutheran churches across our great country! As your editor, it’s my hope you’ll find this a helpful, powerful resource to further equip and empower your ministry in the great downtown. As your editor, I can only accomplish that goal when you respond to the content of this newsletter and feed me information about what’s going on with your own particular ministry. Responses, comments, constructive criticisms, etc. can be directed to DowntownChurches@aol.com
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches celebrates the mission and ministry of the Lord through congregations in downtown neighborhoods, sharing and developing ideas and programs by communicating, networking and encouraging one another.”
TIME IS TICKING: REGISTER ELECTRONICALLY!
As our total transition to electronic format is just months away (these paper copies will largely disappear by the end of this year), please take a moment right now to send an email to DowntownChurches@aol.com requesting your email be added to our e-distribution list. Please include your name and church that you represent in your email.
Please note that the above request is different from the past. Due to the revamping of the Center for U.S. Missions, they will no longer be distributing “Downtown” for us. If you have previously registered with the Center, there is no need to re-register as we have all your information already.
ANNOUNCING OUR NEXT GATHERING
As part of its 170th Anniversary during 2009, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis (Rev. David Marth, Senior Pastor) has extended a gracious invitation to host a gathering of downtown ministries in October, 2009. As promised, the dates are here being announced. We hope that you will all join us from Friday (late afternoon) 16 October through Sunday (early afternoon) 18 October. At the time this issue of “Downtown” goes to print, we have confirmed that The Rev. Dr. Tom Zehnder, newly appointed Executive Director of LCMS World Missions will be a presenter. In addition, an invitation has been extended to The Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission at the ELCA International Headquarters to also be a presenter. There will be a modest registration fee, which will cover program costs and some meals. There will be a block of room at a downtown hotel close to Historic Trinity where you can book rooms. Registration information will be mailed you shortly with all the details.
PLEASE DO US A FAVOR!
If your congregation publishes a printed newsletter, would you please add us to your mailing list? Please address them to Rev. Christopher Schaar, Historic First Lutheran, 808 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104-4317,
If your congregation publishes an electronic newsletter, would you please add us to your e-dis list? Please send them to DowntownChurches@aol.com. If your e-news requires an email address to subscribe to receive your newsletter, please send notice of that fact to DowntownChurches@aol.com and we will make sure we subscribe.
This favor will enable us to know better what’s going on in our downtown Lutheran ministries and include spotlight features in future issues of “Downtown.” Thanks!
CROSS-CULTURAL MISSION OUTREACH
One of the many characteristics of downtown churches identified by veteran downtown church pastors many years ago is that downtown churches “often face or need to face cross-cultural ministry issues.”
Almost every week, newspapers and news magazines remind us that the “melting pot” nature of the United States of America continues. Most of that “melting pot” diversity is finding its way into our downtowns, with downtown churches being forced to face new neighbors who speak different languages and practice different cultural traditions, but who are no less in need of and no less deserving of receiving the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Have you faced the challenge of cross-cultural ministry in your downtown? How have you responded? What obstacles have you faced that have seemed insurmountable? What cross-cultural ministry success stories are out there? What’s your cross-cultural ministry? Do you effectively reach-out to your Hispanic or Asian or blind or deaf neighbors? We want to hear from you! Please send your challenges and your successes to DowntownChurches@aol.com.
SPOTLIGHT ON RICHMOND, VA
Reminding us of the fact that not all downtown Lutheran churches have passed their century mark of existence, Resurrection Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA will celebrate its 46th Anniversary on 14 June 2009 with The Reverend Lloyd Gaines, one of the Mission and Ministry Facilitators of the Southeastern District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Resurrection also recently hosted a “Join Hands Day,” serving lunch to 65-70 needy and senior individuals, also opening their food pantry to them and providing blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Health kits were also given to all who attended. Resurrection has scheduled a summer Vacation Bible School for 27- 30 July from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
A member of the LCMS, more information about Resurrection Lutheran Church and its outreach to Richmond can be found by contacting 2500 Seminary Ave., Richmond, VA 23220.
SPOTLIGHT ON CHICAGO, IL
First St. Paul’s Church, located at LaSalle and Goethe in downtown Chicago, hosted the formative meeting that led to the establishment of The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States (now the LCMS) in 1847. First St. Paul’s knows, though, that it can’t just stand on its past history. In addition to a wonderful music ministry, First St. Paul’s sponsors an active 50+ Luncheon Group. Recent activities included a movie afternoon (“Singin’ in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds), a presentation by the Chicago Uptown Ministry (reminding folks that “whatever you did for the least of these brothers of Mine you did it for Me”) and a presentation by Gunter Nitsch, the author of Weeds Like Us, an autobiography about his experience as a 7-year-old refugee following World War II. In addition, the group has taken upon itself a fund raiser to benefit “Wunder’s Cemetery,” the church cemetery named in honor of a former pastor. The luncheons cost $8.00 and advance sign-ups can be made on the church bulletin board.
A member of the LCMS, more information about First St. Paul Lutheran’s outreach to Chicago can be found at www.fspauls.org
SPOTLIGHT ON MADISON, WI
While many downtown churches have been forced to close their elementary schools (in the history of many Lutheran churches, the establishment of schools actually preceded the establishment of congregations) or are wrestling with funding options to keep their schools open and vital, “The Capital Times” of Madison, WI recently carried an article about Bethel Lutheran Church pondering the feasibility of a school to provide a faith-based culture and moral compass for raising children. Matthew Kussow, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools was quoted as saying that “if Bethel identifies a need and believes it can get enough kids to start the school, in the long run, a church school is usually very successful.” Church leaders are also wondering if a school could help them be successful in maintaining their membership in the years to come. With 6,000 members, its not so much that Bethel is having problems with membership, but for them to be sustainable over the long term, they need to keep growing and maintaining their membership and that includes being able to serve families. To serve families, a school would be a wonderful amenity. Not only would it benefit Bethel parishioners, but it would be convenient for people who work or do business downtown. Aside from just a school, committee members studying the idea are also studying the need for before and after-school programs, musical venues, recreational space and additional parking. The school would theoretically be built on the church’s adjacent surface parking lot, with parking built underground.
A member of the ELCA, more information about Bethel Lutheran’s outreach to Madison can be found at www.bethel-madison.org
CLOSING
In closing, my sisters and brothers in Christ, my wish for each of you is simple: KEEP PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON FOR HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
As you preach Jesus, may He bless you in all ways, enabling you to continue to bless those around you!
Joined with you serving Christ and His people,
The Reverend Christopher Schaar
Editor
Senior Pastor, Historic First Lutheran, Pasadena, CA