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Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church, It's important that we address the elephant in the room. The pandemic has changed us - as individuals, as families, as congregations. We have all been affected and are recovering from a common, shared trauma - the pandemic. The events we've walked through over the past eighteen months have caused many to question their livelihoods, their safety, their relationships, and what is or isn't important in their lives anymore. Those are deep, thought-provoking questions that I said in my sermon last week, are the kind of questions all should feel safe to ask at church. Some of you have brought such questions to me and we try to find answers together. I'm grateful for these opportunities. Because if the church isn't offering some kind of answers to our deep pandemic-related questions of faith and life we really need to begin doing so. An article I recently read refers to what we are all experiencing as "spiritual trauma" as a result of the pandemic. It challenges churches to become spiritual trauma centers. I understand this. It's important that you can come to me and to your church to find healing for the wounds the pandemic has opened in your life. I've decided to speak more often about this "elephant in the room" and acknowledge the affects it's had on our lives and on the life of our congregation, and I encourage you to do the same. I've decided this because all too often you and I become overwhelmed with the current ways of the world when instead we need to focus on the overwhelming love, grace, and power of God and our need to just breathe. Below are two YouTube videos. I encourage you take about eight minutes of your time to watch and listen to as a way of focusing on God and breathing in his Holy Spirit. Let's start here. Please reach out to me if you would like to talk about how the pandemic has impacted your life, the life of your family, or the life of our church. See you in Church! Pastor Dale
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Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
I read a Facebook post on a Chisago County Community page recently about a person looking for a new church home. The post simply said, "We are looking for a progressive, modern church in this area! What are the best ones to check out?" Of course, there were over a hundred comments on the post - all inviting this seeker to their church of choice. As they should! Well done, to them all! However, the problem with the initial post were the words, "modern" and "progressive." These words mean different things to a lot of people. So of course, several commenters asked the person to clarify or define what they mean by "modern and progressive." After reaching out to the person it was discovered they are looking for a church that believes in, and practices, equal love, treatment, and acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and race. They also would like a church that is committed to keeping their neighbors safe by encouraging vaccination and safe Covid practices. Well, as much I commend all the commenters for promoting their individual churches on this Facebook thread, the reality is not all of their churches match this person's definition of "modern and progressive." But we, I'm grateful to say, at St. Paul Lutheran, do. At St. Paul Lutheran Church, and as a member of the ELCA, we do believe in, and practice, a joyful welcome, love, and acceptance to all of God's children - with no exceptions. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, we continue to display love and concern towards neighbor by masking and distancing when indoors, and by worshipping outdoors every other week. I posted a link to our church's Facebook page on this seeker's Facebook thread, and I hope they come and visit. And if they do, I know you'll warmly welcome them as the Child of God and brother/sister in Christ that they are - without exception. Thank you for being a church of grace. See you in Church! Pastor Dale Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
[Mary said,] "He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty." - Luke 1:52-53 As I write this, news is breaking of a large explosion causing many casualties, outside of the Hamid Karzai International Airport In Kabul, Afghanistan. My heart aches, once again. After spending the past week moving our daughter, Annica, into her dorm at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and spending much time in Washington DC for the first time, I came to realize the immense power that exists in that city, on behalf of our entire country and world. As we visited and reflected at each of the sites of well known monuments including, JFK's grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington Cemetery, MLK's memorial, Lincoln's memorial, WWI and WWII memorials, Korean War memorial, Vietnam Mar memorial, Washington's Monument, Jefferson's Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and even Ford's Theater, I stood in awe and wonder, with so many historical images, both during and before my lifetime, passing through my mind. I felt so powerful standing in those places where people of such power stood, or lived, or led, or died at another time. So much power. And yet, as wars and injustices and hatred and discrimination and violence continue to exist in our local, national, and global communities still today, I wonder how far we've really come and powerful we really are. We, as a nation, I was reminded this past week, have endured and thrived again, and again, following some pretty horrific events in our nation's and our world's history. We will always endure and thrive again, but when will the pains and injustices that cause our hearts to ache so much, cease to happen at all? Is that a naïve question? I don't think so. Citizens of every country and followers of Jesus and most religions of the world, have been asking that question for generations - Why doesn't God fix things? In his book, "Just Wondering, Jesus", Tom Ehrich addresses such a question, suggesting that one answer to it has to do with freedom. "God has left us free to choose life or death, blessing or curse. We can get along or we can get a gun. The only lasting peace occurs when we rise above hubris, find better ways to express fear, master our bloodlust, and give up our triumphal claims. But the question remains: what is God doing to help us make better choices? Our venue for discerning peace of war, fulfillment or abandonment, hope or despair apparently isn't the large stage where affairs of state are determined. That is the realm of power, greed, and control - sometimes exercised with grace, more often not. There power corrupts, and the outcome tends to warfare. God, it seems works a different venue, closer to home, closer to life as we actually live it. It was no accident that messiah (Jesus) and herald (John the Baptist) came to common folk, not to the grand. God's working for peace happens far from the throne of worldly power (Washington DC). God's peace isn't the absence of war headlines from Baghdad (Kabul). God's peace is one soul laying down sword and shield." -Thomas L. Ehrich, Just Wondering, Jesus: 100 Questions People Want to Ask (Harrisburg, Pa.: Morehouse Publ., 2005), 102. Ehrich's wisdom is causing me to reflect again today - not on the steps of a grand, carved, marble monument known to all the world, but in the quiet confines of my humble office, in our humble church, in our humble city. The power lives within me. Will I continue to want peace, but make war? Will I continue to yearn for love, but sow hatred? What is it that I want? What is it that I will make happen? These are really important questions for all of us to reflect on today. I invite you to do so. And please, pray for all who are suffering in Afghanistan and in countries and communities around the world. I look forward to being with you all in worship this Sunday, as we again, come together in love, to be equipped to go out in love, to share Christ's love - with joy! See you in Church! Pastor Dale  Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church, It was a beautiful Saturday - May 22 - when your Church Council and I gathered at the home of Chris and Kim Clark from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for our annual planning retreat. The theme of this year's retreat was "Everyday Spirituality: Discovering A Life of Hope, Peace, and Meaning" based on the book written by ELCA Bishop of the New England Synod, James Hazelwood. Our congregation will be diving into this book this fall as it will also be the theme of our annual stewardship appeal. This will be fun and meaningful for our congregation! Feel free to purchase the book now and get a head start on reading it. More to come on that. For the sake of our planning purposes at the retreat, and given our recent years of conflict and uncertainty, we re-phrased the subtitle of the book to "Re-Discovering A Life of Hope, Peace, and Meaning - at St. Paul Lutheran!" This was helpful as our main goal of the retreat was to set both short and long-term goals for us as a congregation, using a two to five year timeline. I'm excited to share with you that we came up with an exciting list of goals that will certainly help us, as a congregation, re-discover a communal life together that offers the hope, peace, and meaning that we all long for and hope to find at our church. Some of these goals will be relatively simple to achieve without much commitment from you, while other will be more challenging and will ask more from you. This is how goal-setting works. Goals should be designed to stretch and challenge us in ways that may not always be easy or comfortable (like losing weight or breaking bad habits), but are so rewarding and beneficial upon completion. Now that I've teased you with that introduction, I need to say we are not ready to share our list of goals with you yet. They first need to be shared with Pr. Justin Grimm, Bishop's Assistant at the St. Paul Area Synod, as part of our congregation re-development plan that he is assisting us with. They will be sent to him today! As soon as they are approved, they will be shared with you and we can immediately begin efforts to make them reality! I think you'll be excited as the Church Council and I are. Until then, I want to remind you of two banners that hang in the narthex of our church. You've likely seen them before. If not, I've provided images of them here for you to see. One (above) reminds us that "We Are the Church" (an image of a cross surrounded with people), and the other (below) is calling us to "Look To Our Future" upon a background of a limitless star-filled nighttime sky. As ongoing reminders, these two banners will remain hung, as we move forward in faith as the Church, looking to our vast and limitless future together. You're invited to gaze into that future with us! See you in Church - outside at the Amphitheater - this Sunday! Pastor Dale  Dear Friends,
Our Church Council is meeting for their Annual Church Council retreat at the home of Chris and Kim Clark on Saturday, May 22. In addition to talking about our theme of "Everyday Spirituality: Discovering a Life of Hope, Peace, and Meaning" a significant portion of our time together will be spent on compiling a list of short (immediate - 2 years) and long (2-5 years) term goals for our congregation. This is an important part of the process for obtaining congregational re-development funds from the Saint Paul Area Synod and ELCA, which was introduced to our Council and Call Committee as an important and necessary key to calling me as a full-time, experienced pastor. As the Church Council prepares to make decisions about congregational goals, your input is important and would be appreciated. Please, if interested, take a few minutes to answer the following questions and share them with the Church Council. Click here to email to entire Church Council and Pastor
I'll never forget the wooden decoupage wall hanging that hung next to the sink in my grandma's bathroom. The centered text amidst the flowers and beneath a rainbow simply read, "We don't know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future." All these years later, that image, and those words still resonate with me, and I hope with you now also, as we look forward in faith - together - as a congregation united - trusting in the one who knows our future. The Council and I look forward to hearing your responses. Thank you! We'll see you in church! Pastor Dale Dear Friends,
What's on my mind lately? Baptisms and Funerals! My two favorite parts of being a pastor. In a period of four weeks I will have officiated at three baptisms and three funerals. The baptisms will be for Brooks Allan Buccanero, Elizabeth Mae Brainard, and James Greyson Scheuerell. The funerals will be for Marilyn Louise Buck, Steven Charles Graves, and Janet Mae Brainard. Though each has been given a beautiful earthly name, each are also named and claimed at baptism as a Child of God, and ultimately each is received as a Child of God into that eternal home that the Lord has gone ahead to prepare for them. (John 14) I love reminding families of these promises. We are so blessed to have the gifts of, and assurance of, forgiveness and resurrection as we journey through this often difficult and treacherous wilderness of faith. There is always hope and love within the united Body of Christ. I will say, also, that I am continually honored when invited to participate in these sacred and holy times of family's lives. It will never cease to amaze me. It is such a privilege. Please join me in your own personal prayer time, in lifting the families of these saints - these Children of God, up in prayer. God's good work is being done all around us, all we need to do is stop for a moment, be reminded, take notice, and live life as the Child of God we are. We'll see you in church! Pastor Dale  Dear Friends, It seems we're turning the corner. This is how I feel every year at this time as Winter turns to Spring. There is new pep in our step as we begin to transition with the season. This year, however, it seems we are turning the corner in multiple, and more significant, ways. First, and most notably, when on Tuesday this week, former Mpls police officer, Derek Chauvin, was found guilty on all three charges brought against him for the death of George Floyd. There was a communal and palpable feeling of relief and burden lifted that I could feel as I wept alone in my office upon hearing the verdict read. I could not ignore or discount this feeling, nor did I wish to. The words to a favorite Irish hymn of mine, Canticle of the Turning (ELW 723), immediately popped into my mind as they became real to me like never before. I encourage you to click here to listen to the hymn and the lyrics closely. The words to the chorus say, "My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn." God's burning justice, peace, and mercy, at the moment at least, feel within reach. Today, and every day, is a new dawn as the world continues to turn. Hold on to that hope as our own tears, and the tears of our communities, state, nation, and world are wiped away, and all begin to heal. On another significant level, COVID-19 is still very present in our local and global communities. However, with the vaccination rollout increasing, it seems that with the pandemic too, a new dawn draws near. We continue to do our part, be smart, care for one another, and hold onto hope for a semblance of life as we knew it pre-Covid. We'll get there, together. On a smaller, but no less significant, scale, it feels we are turning a corner at Saint Paul Lutheran, as well. A new dawn has come and our congregation has begun to turn the page into a new chapter. Plans by our Church Council and Covid Response Team have been made for the re-opening of our church building and sanctuary. You can read all about them here. Weekly worship continues to be exciting and inspiring with many reasons to rejoice, give thanks, and celebrate, seemingly on a weekly basis. Recent weeks have included Easter Sunday, a Hymnsing, and the Church Council's and my official installation. Looking ahead to this Sunday and beyond we have two baptisms, the Rite of Confirmation, Janet Brainard's Celebration of Life, Graduate Recognition, Volunteer Recognition, New Member reception, and the kick-off of an eight-week intergenerational preaching, teaching, and service oriented series, entitled, "Journey Together" beginning on Sunday, July 11. So you can see why this year, especially, there is new pep in our step. You can see why the words to this favorite hymn of mine have struck a new chord within me. A chord, which on many levels, hasn't been struck in awhile. For that, I am grateful. I pray a similar chord has been struck within you, and within our congregation, as well. We'll see you in church! Pastor Dale Dear Friends,
I am so grateful to be your new pastor and am so looking forward to my official installation this Sunday, April 18. I know you will warmly welcome Pr. Justin Grimm from the St. Paul Area Synod as he officiates my installation and preaches the sermon. I am also grateful for the positive energy and enthusiasm I have witnessed and felt among many of you throughout this new beginning and fresh start at Saint Paul Lutheran. I commit to doing all I can to keep that positive energy and enthusiasm front and center as we continue to move into our future together. I invite you to make that same commitment. Thank you. Yet while my heart is full of joy and anticipation of and for what God has in store for us at SPLC, this week it has also been filled with pain and despair over what we have witnessed again in our state that has caused such civil and racial unrest. The death of Daunte Wright as a result of a routine traffic stop in nearby Brooklyn Center has shined a light once again on how far we have to go to achieve the unity Jesus prays for in the Gospel of John's seventeenth chapter. This is a lengthy prayer (the entire chapter) of Jesus', often referred to as his high priestly prayer. As you and I are so readily willing and able to commit to continuing positive energy and enthusiasm at church, I pray that we can each also commit to such positive energy and enthusiasm within our broader communities, nation, and world. It's our calling and responsibility as disciples of Christ Jesus. I'll remind you, as I have reminded our ninth graders recently, who will be affirming their own baptismal promises in two weeks, of the vows we've made at our own confirmations. A portion of our confirmation promises say this: "Do you intend to continue your baptismal promises by living among God’s faithful people, reading and listening to the Word of God, taking part in Holy Communion, proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ through word and deed, serving all people and striving for justice and peace in our world?" I again, invite you to please join with me, and our ninth graders, in committing to living out our baptismal promises - especially as we seek to serve all people while striving for justice and peace in our communities, in our nation, and in our world. And please, pray for the community of Brooklyn Center and all affected by this week's tragic and disheartening events. Yet, I am still grateful, and I still have joy, because I know you'll join me in being the change that needs to happen. We'll see you in church! Pastor Dale |
Pastor Dale StilesA Weekly Check-In Archives
March 2023
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St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wyoming, MN
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