The Bishop's Blotter
reflections from Bishop Bill Gohl
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Then one of [those healed], when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. –Luke 17:15-16
For the last few months, I have been assisting with the interim at Good Shepherd (Bel Air); one of my responsibilities is working with the Stewardship Team. As part of that work, I interviewed twelve members and friends of Good Shepherd around themes of thanksgiving and generosity, and compiled their sharing into these short vignettes, some of which are conflated when they were around similar themes. My sense is that they will strike a chord with you and the faith community in which you give thanks, too!
+ When I crossed the threshold of Good Shepherd for the first time, Lowell Repp, now of blessed memory, was there and recognized I was a newcomer, and showed me the way to the sanctuary and introduced me to three other people along the way. I had never before felt so seen and welcomed in a church. I knew I was home. And now my spouse and I, as well as our extended friends and family, worship and serve here at Good Shepherd.
+ I came to Good Shepherd when my former congregation split over a political issue, and that first Sunday, I was amazed that the congregation prayed for both the president and governor by name, and it seemed the earnest prayer of the community. Even when those names and parties have changed, Good Shepherd has fearlessly continued to “name names” and it reminds me that God so loved the world, not just my party. I don’t participate in the Racial Justice Team here, but I appreciate that there’s space for that here at Good Shepherd, and space for us to agree to disagree.
+ I left Good Shepherd for a season, after raising my kids here. When I returned, nearly 10 years later, I was received as if I had never left. Friends came and sat beside me in worship. Some of the leaders invited my participation in activities I had once been a part of without pressuring me into jumping back into the deep end of the pool. Even now, I don’t do all that I used to do, but this is my other family – and it feels so good to be home, to worship, count my blessings and give thanks.
+ I grew up in Bel Air and, though I used to belong to another denomination, I came to Good Shepherd because of the tremendous generosity Good Shepherd has shown to some of the organizations I volunteer for and support. I was surprised when I came to Good Shepherd, every time there was a need – from the ASPCA to our own young people to go on a mission trip – the congregation always comes through. Always. My previous church experience was always about scarcity – there isn’t enough, we don’t have that kind of money, our people won’t support that and keep up their offerings – and here, even when the church has struggled financially, every real need is met with “Yes, yes we can!” I love that about us!
For this Samaritan man, the most important thing seems to be thanking God for what God has done through Jesus. That seems right. We are grounded in our gratitude for what God has done for us – and now through us – in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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Here's what's happening in our synod!
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Christmas In DEManD
Is your congregation or ministry hosting a Christmas-themed event this holiday season? All such events will be listed in a special edition of our weekly newsletter, In DEManD, to be released on Friday, November 4. You can submit them on the special form on our website (look for the same Christmas tree graphic you see here!) by Tuesday, November 1.
Christmas events hosted by congregations, ministries, and other organizations will not appear in the regular weekly newsletter. Please note that we are unable to include Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship services.
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World Food Day
On Sunday, October 16 at 5 p.m., ELCA World Hunger will be going live on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Facebook page for a special event in honor of World Food Day. Host Rick Steves will speak with several special guests and visit an ELCA World Hunger grant recipient in the Southwestern Washington Synod. See your generosity in action through creative and sustainable solutions to ending hunger and learn something new about the complexity of the food crisis our world faces. Make sure you "like" the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America page so you're notified when they go live on October 16.
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Faithful Green Leaders Training
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake is providing free online learning opportunities through their Faithful Green Leaders training program to help congregations acquire the knowledge, skills, tools, and support they need to lead their communities in being good stewards of the waters of the Chesapeake region. The first session begins on October 13. Participating congregations may qualify for a $500 grant to use for their projects. You can learn more and sign up here.
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Transitional Foster Parents Needed
Due to a broken immigration system, children are still being separated from their families at our nation's borders. As a result, there is an urgent need for transitional foster parents to care for these children on the road to reunification, particularly in Baltimore. Learn more about this need and how you can help by watching the webinar from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, downloading these FAQs, or visiting their website.
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Webinar for Women in Ministry
Women in ministry are invited to join Dr. Crystal Hall on Monday, October 24 at 12 p.m. for a webinar titled "Compassion, Not Sacrifice." This workshop will show you, step by step, how to create more compassion and let go of the expectations of sacrifice holding you back. You’ll learn actionable coaching tools you can apply right away to create more compassion and less sacrifice in your life and ministry. Claim your spot today with complimentary registration online.
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Holiday Grief Seminar
The Living Legacy Foundation will be sharing their "Handling the Holidays" seminar at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (1601 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD 21502) on Thursday, November 17 at 6 p.m. Helpful tips for navigating the holiday season while grieving the loss of a loved one are provided. Family and friends are welcome. Please RSVP to Wendy Upchurch at 301-697-5444.
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Ecumenical Institute Courses
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute offers an exciting range of graduate-level courses and programs, including the CONNECT: Faith, Health & Medicine Graduate Certificate program, which will run again in 2023. This cohort-based program integrates faith traditions and medical practices into a holistic understanding of healthy persons, congregations, communities and institutions. You can learn more online or by contacting Galen Zook for more information.
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Ordinations
Ellen Krich will receive the Church’s gift of Ordination to Word and Sacrament Ministry on Saturday, October 22 at 5 p.m. The Liturgy will be celebrated at Epiphany Lutheran Church (4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206). Pastors, Deacons and Members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process, red stoles. Ellen has been called to Christus Victor (Parkville).
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Installations
The Rev. Charlene Curtis will be installed as Chaplain of The Village at Rockville (9701 Veirs Drive, Rockville, MD 20850) on Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m. Pastors, Deacons and Members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process, red stoles.
The Rev. Dr. Paul Baglyos will be installed as Lead Pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church (31 E Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701) on Saturday, October 29 at 5:30 p.m. Pastors, Deacons and Members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process, red stoles.
The Rev. Matthew Pensinger will be installed as Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church (21 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD 21157) on Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m. Pastors, Deacons and Members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process, red stoles.
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Your Neck of the Woods
events happening in local congregations
St. John's Lutheran Church (8808 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234) will hold a Pet Blessing on Friday, October 14 at 6 p.m. at the labyrinth. They will also host a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 22 at 6 p.m. For more details, you can download the flier.
On Sunday October 23 at 1:30 p.m. Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church (4605 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21206) invites you to celebrate their 180th Congregational Anniversary. Bishop Gohl will preach and the Maryland State Boychoir will be performing, as well as other special musical guests. A free Italian dinner will be served in the Parish Hall following worship.
You are invited to join St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (1301 N Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806) for their annual Peace Week event, Peace of Pizza, featuring music by the Dave Mattock Trio, on Friday, October 14 from 5-8 p.m. All will enjoy pizza, dessert, and music from 5-6:30 p.m. At 6 p.m. join a conversation with Pastor Mark Walters and Peace Week Delaware organizers. Then at 6:45 p.m. enjoy a concert by Cab Calloway high school students. This event is part of Peace Week Delaware, a statewide series of events and actions raising awareness and hope for peace in our communities, nation, and the world.
Salem Lutheran Church (1530 Battery Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230) will host their second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 15 from 12-4 p.m. on the 1500 block of Battery Avenue. There will be German food, beer, live music and stuff for the kids! You can learn more online.
The Colgate Community Ministry @ St. Peter and New Light Lutheran Church invite you to celebrate Reformation Day with Beer and Hymns at Dundalk's favorite brewery, Key Brewing (2500 Grays Road, Dundalk, MD 21222), on Sunday, October 30 from 3-5 p.m. An offering will be collected to support ongoing disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Florida. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided. You can learn more and RSVP on the Facebook event.
The Colgate Community Ministry @ St. Peter (7834 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224) will also host a carry-out Sour Beef & Dumpling Dinner on Saturday, October 22 from 4-5:30 p.m. The cost will be $15 for a dinner of sour beef, dumplings, braised cabbage, applesauce, and a dessert. There will be limited seating in the Fellowship Hall for those who prefer to eat their dinner on the premise. For reservations or information contact the church office at 410-288-0537, and learn more from the Facebook event. To pick up meals, please use the Bank Street entrance.
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Building Puentes
We are so grateful for your support of Building Puentes in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. Bishop Gohl is requesting that a special offering be taken by the congregations and worshiping communities in our synod for this special need on Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Building Puentes is a partnership with the Metro D.C. Synod and the Caribbean Synod to give support, aid and relief to the people and ministries who need financial support now more than ever. Not one penny of this special offering will stay within our synod - every bit of the total gifts collected will go to the Building Puentes ministry fund. Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting our siblings in Christ in the Caribbean Synod.
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We pray together...
for domestic and global COVID infection rates, frontline workers; for the people of Ukraine, Russia, and the surrounding countries receiving refugees, for relief workers and refugees, the witness of the church, and our service personnel that are deployed or on alert; for the people of Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Belarus and the Church in the Holy Land – particularly Jerusalem, for all who pray alongside family and friends who are living in the midst of fear and uncertainty;
for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran World Relief after Hurricane Fiona caused devastating damage in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and after the very large earthquakes in Taiwan, and for the devastation in Florida after Hurricane Ian;
for Deacon Nicole Roop, Coordinator for Youth + Family Ministry in the Delaware-Maryland and Metro DC Synods, who received the church’s gift of ordination on Saturday;
for Sarah Adams and Pastor Ed Kay (St. Paul’s, Lutherville), who will be married on Sunday;
for Pastor Jim & Lindsay Hamilton (Church on the Square, Canton), at the birth of their daughter Magnolia – and for a difficult situation that the Hamiltons are experiencing around the physical wellbeing of their home;
for Tony Magturo (Youth Director, Good Shepherd, Frederick), hospitalized for a significant infection;
for Marilyn Hembrock, spouse of Pastor Richard Hembrock (retired), recovering from a surgical procedure;
for Theresa Carr, spouse of Pastor Andrew Carr (St. Mark’s, Hampstead), undergoing testing;
for Wallace Swanson, father of Pastor Daniel Swanson (Christ, LaVale), receiving hospice care;
for Bob Sutliff, Edna Rau, and Pastor Richard Stewart (Professor Emeritus, United Lutheran Seminary/Philadelphia Campus), receiving palliative care at home;
for Fern Sudbrink, mother of Pastor Eileen Kelley-Warner (Chaplain, Carroll Lutheran Village), who died in Christ late last week, arrangements are in the care of Duda Ruck in Dundalk;
for the people of Luther Chapel (Petersville), who are in a time of discernment;
for the ELCA Conference of Bishops, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, for Pastor Amy Thoren and the St. Andrew’s Chapel and Student Center, for Pastor Nelson Rabell and the Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina Community, for Pastor Hazel Salazar-Davidson, for Pastor Megan Rohrer, for the Sierra Pacific Synod and Bishop Claire Burkat;
and for the ongoing health, peace and healing of Matthew, Abby, Grace Planalp, Debbie, Casey, Ryan, Sallie Gartside, OSSD, Gail Wilson, OSSD, Alexa, Debbie, Pastor Lura Groen, Ana Porres, Lindsay, Linda Asplin, Matthew Herzberg, Kathy, Cora King, Lee, Sam, Pastor Harry Wolpert, Thomas, Tybron, Patricia Magwood Gambrill, Alex, Virginia, Lee, Pastor Gordon Narveson, Alicia, Bobbie, Ashley Brocious, Joshua Lafferty, Elfriede Kiesling, Doris Anderson, Eli, and Deacon Laura Heller..
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