Evangelical Lutheran Conference and Ministerium

Our ELCM Ministerium met via our Conferencing Mechanism Yesterday. This was a resumption of our meetings after a break for December. The previous meeting was held in early November. It was a joy to have face to face fellowship, albeit Virtual, with one another again. The Ministerium has meetings scheduled through this Medium for the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:00 P.M. EST. That allows our folks in the West to access the meetings at a reasonable time but for our Past...ors in Overseas locations it can mean a very late evening or very early morning hour. One of our Chaplains Currently in Germany was able to join us and One of our Chaplains in Japan was also able to join us. It was great to see them and to hear word directly from them. Hopefully as the 3rd Thursday in February arrives we will have more of the Ministerium members able to join us. Im hoping we can begin holding perhaps a quarterly Conference meeting by leaders from the ELCM Congregations in the not distant future just so all can be updated and keep in touch on the Ministry of each Congregation. Again it was a joy to have the Ministerium again meeting yesterday and I look forward to the 3rd Thursday of each month. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Roy

The contrast in Calendar year beginnings - For Christians the New Calendar year began with Advent (end of November beginning of December in the Secular reckon...ing). The Secular Calendar begins the New Year on January 1. Are the differences just in date beginning dates? Or is it a difference on focus? Truly and indeed it is a difference in focus! The one Calendar begins with a focus upon hole on the midst of growing darkness. The darkness is of course Physical or solar as the Winter Solstice approaches but the darkness is also understood as spiritual. Hope is placed in the coming of the light - the need for the return of the SUN in the one sense. The desperate need of the SON in the spiritual sense. So on this Calendar there is expectation (hope) but also the sense of self examination and repentance which is the admission that human beings are in darkness in good measure because of human shortcomings. The focus is that a Savior - Rescuer - Redeemer - bringer of spiritual light is needed. Now in contrast the New Year of the Sevular Calendar does not focus on any of the above mentioned items. It’s focus is primarily humanistic - good fortune, good luck, good health, good results from human efforts to produce a better year. The material and the physical is the emphasis. Thus there is quite a contrast. So where should our trust be placed ? On extensions of ourselves, In humanity, in human individuals or in human collectives, in derivations of all Homo sapiens sapiens things? Your main calendar focus truly makes a difference. Those blend the two begin with a very different orientation and thus when observing the secular dates put matters into a different order. A Blessed New Year to us all and May we have a right perspective this day and in all the new days ahead!

This Memorial service for 9/11 was held in the Mave and Chancel of St. James, Philadelphia. The Video shows not only the Chancel area but also the Nave and the Balcony areas.

ELCM Polity regarding member congregations and member pastors. In our Polity the individual Congregations are given freedom to decide how to proceed with their congregational life and ministry. That includes their Official Call and continuation of a Call to a Pastor. A congregation, even in a Parish arrangement has this right and freedom to decide its own affairs....Continue reading

It was sad to read of the death of this wonderful Apologisst (defender) of Christianity. We rejoice on this Ascension day at his Victory through the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus but mourn his presence here on this side. Life Eternal grant Ravi, Oh Lord and let Light Perpetual shine upon him! Amen #FoxNews

The 9 member Executive Board of ELCM has approved rescheduling the First Week in August Triennial General Conference Synod from 2020 to 2021.