From the Pastor
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is a Lutheran, a professor and a seminary graduate who has written more than a dozen books about religion and politics. This summer he was also a candidate for the U.S. Senate. His Senate bid ended, however, after Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor party picked Al Franken as its nominee. Reflecting on his candidacy he said, “I became a candidate because I believe that the political arena is too important to leave to special interests and because I feel a profound sense of urgency…We have to choose a different path. But I also believe that this urgent time can be a hopeful time if we face problems with honesty and courage, with a different kind of politics rooted in honesty, hope and a call to action. I was very clear that this election was not about how bad someone else was. The election had to be about us: what we are willing to do, our vision of the future and how we are willing to work toward that future.”
Right now, I suppose it is anybody’s guess if the fall elections will give us the opportunity to reflect on our future as a nation, on new visions and new directions; if this year truly will be a call to hope and action. Or will we spend our time discussing who is playing the race card, who is most patriotic and who is the biggest celebrity? Recent ads featuring Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears are not encouraging.
But Nelson-Pallmeyer’s words about the political scene might also apply to our church scene. As September begins and with it a new church program year, it is a time for us to think about our future as a community of faith. What are our hopes and what are we willing to do to make our hopes a reality? What is our vision of the future and how are we willing to work toward that future? The replacement of Pilgrim House comes to mind. But there are other hopes, other visions. What is our vision for church hospitality and growth, for youth and Christian education, for outreach within and beyond our community, for opportunities for worship, study and spiritual growth? These are some of my September thoughts. Let me know yours.
Gene
