Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church

Bishop's Reflections

By Andrew Miller

With a focus on the light and hope we find in the cross, Bishop Bolick took the opportunity of his bishop's reflections to share his honest and humble assessment of the North Carolina Synod and the ELCA. This last year has been one of joy and sorrow for the NC Synod. Our church has experienced financial struggles due to a difficult economy and decisions made at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Fractures to our unity have caused division and pain.

Bishop Bolick first reminded us not to lose sight of the positive results of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. As voting members from the North Carolina Synod and from synods across the ELCA gathered, they approved a full communion relationship between the United Methodist Church and the ELCA. The assembly also provided a new HIV/AIDs strategy for our church, began a Malaria Initiative and affirmed the need for quality health care access by all.

These positive actions of the churchwide assembly were, however, quickly drowned out by the focus on the social statement on human sexuality and the ministry policy changes approved by the gathered assembly. Bishop Bolick was frank in sharing that the fallout from the 2009 Churchwide Assembly has resulted in many different responses from the congregations in the North Carolina Synod. Some members approve and rejoice in the changes, while there are others within our synod that disagree and are pained by the decisions and the changes. The bishop reported that within our synod, there have been 20 churches that have adopted declarations against the churchwide actions regarding human sexuality. There are 15 congregations in our synod withholding mission support from the synod, and 15 more designating their mission support. Many congregations have lost families, and four North Carolina congregations have disaffiliated from the ELCA.
Bishop Bolick asked the assembly to continue to pray for the congregations that have left the synod, but also asked that we not to lose our focus and remember that there are well over 200 congregations still affiliated with our synod and the ELCA.

"The unity of our synod is challenged," he said. "And we disagree, but yet, we still gather at the table in the presence of Christ." Where we are at times fractured, in Christ we are yet bonded together as one body.

In the midst of his frank assessment of the NC Synod, Bishop Bolick reiterated his focus in calling to serve our synod in love and to walk with our churches through these challenging times. He took the opportunity to reflect on the gifts of ministry he so dearly appreciates from our synod staff, and also to thank our synod's many ministries and churches for their support over the last year. He too offered special thanks to his wife Rita for the strength and support she has so graciously given him as he continues to serve us in Christ.

Choosing to conclude his remarks with a focus on the many positives within our synod, Bishop Bolick turned the assembly toward the joy we find together in the light and hope of Christ. Five ministry goals have been adopted to guide the synod, including continued focus in prayer and worship, the Book of Faith Initiative (born out of the NC Synod), the raising up of new leaders within the church and the many strong congregational ministries of our synod. These goals, led by the work of the Holy Spirit, serve as God's guide for the continued proclamation of God's love through and by the NC Synod, and invigorate us daily to remember our own baptism and serve Christ as one synod and one body united in Christ.

In a final editorial word by this author, we in the North Carolina Synod are quite a blessed people. Through the difficulties of this last year, our synod's leaders, led by our bishop and his staff, have walked with us hand in hand. The courage and conviction in Christ which the Holy Spirit has given our bishop and his staff is an ever present gift to each of us and our congregations. We have needed leadership, and they have led. We have sought unity in the midst of conflict, and they have shared the peace of Christ with us and reminded us again and again that we are each precious members of the body of Christ. My thanks and our thanks again to our dedicated and devoted bishop and man of Christ, Leonard Bolick, and our synod staff and leadership. We are indeed blessed.

Super Apostles 2.0

By Kate Garrison 

The Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore opened her presentation with a reminder of this year's assembly them - God's Work. Our Hands: Light and Hope in the Midst of Brokenness. This was the thread running through her discussion of the Apostle Paul, his relationship with his brothers and sisters in Corinth and with God.

"We've all experienced the perfect storm," said Dr. Shore. The "perfect storm" is when lots of problems seem to assault us at once and we fall apart. Paul details his experience with this very phenomenon in 2 Corinthians. Paul had physically left the church in Corinth; at the same time, members of the church became divided among themselves, new leaders arrived touting impressive credentials, and gossip abounded that Paul was no longer fit to lead the church after his previous disastrous visit. Dr. Shore pointed out how crushed Paul was by this perfect storm of trouble that he even "despaired of life itself." Yet, the brokenness that resulted from his hardship resulted in a renewed reliance on God and a new appreciation for the prayers of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dr. Shore went on to talk about how, as we all have experienced at one time or another, Paul forgets the lesson he learns and gives in to his fears and feelings of inadequacy. Paul felt threatened by the new "super apostles" who had come to the Corinthians. Rather than acknowledging the beauty of his brokenness, Paul feels the need to defend and build himself back up. Eventually, he realizes his mistake and recalls the rejection and brokenness Christ experienced on the cross for our sakes. It is Jesus' death that brings the treasure of life and light to the world through "jars of clay."

Dr. Shore closed her reflection on Paul's experience with the Corinthians by talking about the hope he held out that his brothers and sisters would hear the call of God in him. After all the tribulation and even humiliation he experienced, Paul mustered up the courage to ask the Corinthians to raise money to support the Church in Jerusalem. Paul persisted in his hope that the Corinthians would give, not because he demanded it, but because they wanted to.

As we reflect on the experiences of Paul, Dr. Shore encourages us to remember that for Christians, brokenness, life and hope are always mingled together.

*Dr. Shore is an associate professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Dwelling in the Word with...

Pastor Greg Williams

By JoAnn Spees

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...and now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13.

A flower garden, a vegetable garden, a neighbor's living room, an ancient worn Bible, and an elderly pastor are images which connect Pastor Greg to his past and the Word. As a child of 7, he chose this passage as his favorite. As an adult he acknowledges that passage remains in his heart, his life, and his relationships as he walks in the Word.

Pastor Damaris Chajon

By Andrew Miller

The work of the Holy Spirit is often surprising and exciting. Several years ago, as she prayed the prayer of Jabez, Damaris Chajon asked God to guide her in her ministry. She was serving at that time in an orphanage in Guatemala, and met Pastor Craig Bollinger, who was working ministry in Guatemala through a mission trip. Pr. Bollinger shared with Damaris the calling of his church to begin a new Latino ministry in North Carolina, and welcomed Damaris to pray about being a part of this new ministry. In the years that followed, Damaris left Guatemala and came to North Carolina, led by the Spirit, and now serves at Iglesia Cristo El Rey in Charlotte. She rejoices in the new path in ministry God has given to her and invites us to be fearless as we live in the Word and share it with others.

Carolyn Powell

By JoAnn Spees

Carolyn Powell shared the happy story of her campfirmation experience at Lutherock--not so many years ago. The middle school-age youth in her group had the opportunity to make ice cream the old fashioned way--using a crank ice cream maker. Once the ice cream was finally finished, the teens rushed to the coolers to consume the good stuff. But Carolyn waited. She knew there was plenty to go around. As she spooned her ice cream, the guy in charge, "who was probably a pastor," came to her and quoted Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first and the first will be last."

This passage continues to be a model for Carolyn's life. From it she has learned to have patience, realizing that there is enough in the Kingdom of God for everyone. She has learned humility, realizing that self-gratification, which is so common among her peers, is not the way of the gospel. She has learned servanthood, realizing that by serving others she uplifts her role as a follower of Christ.

Pastor Rosemary Peek

By Stephanie Grantham

When everyone was given the opportunity to mark their favorite Bible verse in the Lutheran Study Bible that was being passed around at assembly, Rosemary immediately knew she would select Isaiah 43, but then she started thinking. She thought of her father and his favorite passage - Psalm 121. She recalled how it captured the man he was and how she was filled with such joy as it was read at his funeral. She kept thinking and recalled sitting around the kitchen table with her mother discussing her favorite versus - the first chapter of John and talking about what it meant that Jesus is the Word, the light and the life.

She thought on and on and remembered how the faith of others has affected her life. She thought about how scripture was not only a part of her life but was that which surrounded her and kept her and her whole life together.

"Perhaps the Word in which we dwell is not just for a moment," Rosemary said.

She shared how so many threads of scripture are woven through her life tying together all of the moments, all of the people and tying her to the whole body of Christ.

Janet Meisenbach

By Kate Garrison

After her mother began to need the use of a walker to get around, Janet and her husband felt it was important for them to learn how to get her safely in and out of their car. They sought help from a physical therapist at a local nursing home.

Janet recalled that during their first meeting with the therapist, an argument arose during which both she and the therapist fought over who knew the best way for her mother to hold her walker. In the midst of her anger, Janet remembered a passage from Galatians 5 which talks about the fruits of the spirit.

"The fruits of the spirit," said Janet, "are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Being right isn't in there!"

The recollection of this Word from God helped Janet to realize that righteousness is more important than being right.

"I am both sinner and saint," said Janet. "And I am continually blessed by the Word of God."

A Partnership

By Miji Bell

Myrna Sheie, assistant to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, gave an encouraging overview of the role of the NC Synod and its partnership with the ELCA on the opening day of the NC Synod Assembly. She stated being thrilled to have been invited to address the assembly for several key reasons: a deep respect for the ministry and mission of the North Carolina Synod; the Book of Faith Initiative, which has helped so many across the ELCA; and, most of all, the opportunity to eat NC barbeque!

Sheie continued by offering thoughts about how we can collectively work together as a body of Christ and reminded assembly attendees that, "in the midst of challenging times, God is at work through all of us, both across the synod and in congregations."

In that respect, said Sheie, "our ministry is broad, diverse, and cooperative. We can boldly declare that we are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and that the Holy Spirit is among us."

Sheie presented a video that offered an introduction by Bishop Hanson and gave an overview of the work of the ELCA featuring individuals and congregations who are evangelizing in word and deed. In addition, she presented the NC Synod with a gift of the new Lutheran Study Bible, signed by Bishop Hanson, which she circulated through the audience, encouraging assembly attendees to write their names next to their favorite Bible verse, as a means of marking their time at the gathering.

In recognizing the important work that the NC Synod is doing, Sheie emphasized that it has been a particularly faithful and generous partner with the ELCA. Specifically, the NC Synod is a leader in seminary education, with 100 students currently in seminary. In additional to synodical efforts, Sheie also acknowledged the generous public service of congregations in North Carolina who provide care for troops serving in the military, develop companion relationships such as partnerships with the church in Papua New Guinea and conduct outreach to local communities through joint efforts with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

Sheie publicly thanked Bishop Bolick and others for their ministry and ongoing commitment to serve the NC Synod, stating that, "you provide hope in your discussion of issues that are difficult, such as the decisions at Churchwide Assembly and ongoing challenges surrounding the economic downturn." She encouraged the entire assembly to continue to be faithful in its commitment to the church body adding, "You are all the bearers of light and bringers of hope."

Book of Faith Report

By Stephanie Grantham

As of May 2010, approximately 70 congregations have registered as Book of Faith congregations. The Book of Faith Initiative has reached congregations, children, Sunday school classes, synod staff, individuals and much more.

"Individuals and groups of all ages are studying the Bible," said Pr. Bill Mims. According to Bill, the Book of Faith Initiative is needed now more than ever in this time of crisis and controversy. We are attempting to change the culture of our congregations.

"Biblical illiteracy is inexcusable," Bill said. However, he also illustrated that people are finding more and more reasons to open the Bible. Congregations are starting meetings with Bible study. They are also challenging their members to read the bible all the way through.

Language of the Heart

By Stephanie Grantham

Brenda Rivera, a visitor from the Costa Rican Lutheran Church, doesn't speak English, but she 　says that the images at this year's assembly speak to her and tell her this is a place that walks. That this church offers solutions in the midst of many problems. "It is something that gives me joy to see that you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus," she shared.

Brenda and Pastor Justo Espinoza are visiting the NC Synod for a couple of weeks and will

conclude their visit after the NC Women of the ELCA Gathering (June 11-13).

"Believe me that when I was in Costa Rica and the bishop was speaking I didn't understand much of what he said, but I knew it was good," said Pr. Espinoza. "And, I feel the same way here. When Jesus touches our hearts there is not time to sit down and there is not time to wait, but rather to gather your strength and to face and take on problems that present themselves."

Brenda and Pr. Espinoza presented Bishop Bolick with two gifts saying," Thank you for welcoming us and making us a part of your family of faith."

Election Results

 The 2010 NC Synod Assembly elected synod officers and council members, 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members and individuals to serve on boards of agencies, institutions and organizations. For a complete list of those elected, please click here.

A Special Thanks to...

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans whose generous gifts made possible the name badge wallets and the refreshment tent for the assembly.

The following congregations which provided valuable support and resources: Calvary, Concord; St. Mark's, Claremont; St. Stephen's, Hickory; and Bethlehem, Hickory.

And, last but not least, the communications committee and volunteers who put in long hours for this year's assembly. An extra-special thank you to our tech team Jack Miller, Rick Godby, Jonathan Boynton, as well as those who stepped up and helped provide some of the blog posts and stories: the Rev. Andrew Miller, Tammy Jones West, Miji Bell, JoAnn Spees, Kate Garrison, and Sabrina Goins.

Contact Information:

Stephanie Grantham, Editor

Rick Godby, Technical Support