| October 2011 |
The Good News |
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Consider serving worms for Halloween
But why worms? That idea originated after years of teaching confirmation class where each fall would lead to the following exchange: “A Diet of Worms? That’s disgusting!” And the kids would make faces and giggle until I explained that I was not talking about food. “Diet”, I would say, is a fancy word for assembly, and “Worms” is the name of a city in Germany where this assembly took place. The Diet of Worms was held in the spring of 1521and lasted four months. (Imagine those imperial princes serving on jury duty for four months!) The purpose of the Diet was to deal with the controversial writings of Martin Luther. Luther had to appear twice before the Emperor, and each time he was told to take back his teachings. Luther responded: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." In response the Emperor declared Martin Luther an outlaw. That meant anyone could kill him without threat of punishment. Fortunately, on the way home from Worms Friedrich the Wise, a defender of the Reformation, arranged to have Martin Luther “kidnapped” and taken to the safety of the Wartburg Castle. During his time in hiding, Martin Luther was able to deepen and strengthen his theology while the Reformation spread throughout the country. Eventually the number of followers became large enough and the political situation favorable enough for the Reformation to stabilize. And the rest, as they say, is history. These days there are no confirmation age kids at our congregation, and so I don’t get to talk about the “Diet of Worms.” Or about any other aspects of the Reformation history which I find so fascinating. Yet, reformation happens all the time - often in small ways and through ordinary people: “Wisdom renews all things, and in every age she enters into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets.” (Wisdom of Solomon 7:27). And so, in recognition of the many ways in which the Spirit renews the church, you might a) share a bowl of candy worms, b) raise a stein of beer as Martin Luther did, or c) offer prayer of thanksgiving. So—Happy Halloween/Reformation Day—however you celebrate! Committee chairs and your budget Council Nominations At the Congregational Meeting coming in November, we will be electing four Council members to three-year terms, and a Treasurer to a one-year term. While nominations from the floor are possible, our constitution establishes a Nominating Committee to make sure that qualified candidates are identified in advance. This year's Committee members are Shirley Woods, Wanda Roszel, Dorothy Simi, Adolfo Ramirez, Dio Dandoy, and Randy Presuhn. Our goal is to have a slate of names by mid-October, so that we will be able to introduce the candidates to you in the November issue of The Good News. If you have any questions about service on the Congregational Council or would like to run for Treasurer, please contact any member of the Nominating Committee. October Second Mile Giving is CLU It is a lovely campus that hosts over 2500 undergraduates and almost 1400 graduate students taught by a faculty of 154 full time and 202 part time staff. US News and World Report has consistently ranked CLU among the top 20 of regional universities in the West -- this year at number 18. Those of you who remember Pastor Tim may remember he was a CLU graduate. Yet it is not cheap to provide a high quality education these days. CLU receives virtually no funding from the Synod, but relies on tuition and the gifts of those who appreciate the value of Lutheran higher education in today's world. This month, please consider supporting our local Lutheran university. Homecoming Sunday Launches our 40th anniversary celebration Thank you to everyone that made Homecoming Sunday a great start to our anniversary celebration! In particular: Pastor Bea, Laura Rinde, Marty Olson, Suzanne Barnes, Cherle Stephenson, Dio Dandoy, Rey Lambatin, Janet Keeley, Jean Hope, Esther Rechenmacher, Joan Byron, David Simi, Dorothy Simi, Shirley Woods, Steve Weirauch, Phil Boyer, Laurie Gaumer and Lois Hagebusch. In addition, a special word of thanks to Pete Moen for designing the 40th anniversary logo. Faith in Action Speaker series by Theo O.
It's beginning to look a lot like... Advent! All-Church Pre-Advent Workshop Begin your pre-advent by joining with others for a time of crafting and fun. Create decorations, cards, calendars and a special project for senior citizens. Invite your friends and neighbors to join in the fun. All ages welcome. Please register online or the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Help needed for Pre-Advent Workshop
History Night Potluck-November 12
Calling all Parents!- Education Panel Discussion-October 9
New members received! Dale hails from Denver CO and has been here in CA for about a year. He lives here in SJ with his partner Mauricio. Dale likes tennis, hiking, biking, traveling abroad, cooking, movies and plays. He is an ordained Pastor with the ELCA and will share his gifts of teaching, worship leadership, youth ministry and pastoral care to our congregation. Anna-Lena lives here in San Jose with her mom and step-dad; she moved here 12 years ago from Washington. She likes being with her friends, traveling, learning languages, playing word games and learning about technology. She will bring to CGS her commitment to the church. Ted is a native Californian, being born and raised in the San Francisco area. His local family includes his daughter Emily, a law student at SCU and his brother and sister-in-law. Ted likes swimming, gardening and traveling. He will bring to CGS his abiding faith in God. We welcome you all the CGS family!
Dear friends at CGS You made us feel so at home and so welcome. A special thanks to Marty Olson and Pastor Bea. And congratulations to the committee for putting together such a special event. I hope to celebrate some upcoming events with you.
Blessings, with much love
Know anyone who loves to work with kids? Sound like something you want to explore? Then check out this for more information so you can apply.
Mutual Ministry Together in Christ, Birthdays
Anniversaries
Calendar of events
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October Good News In this issue: Consider serving worms for Halloween |
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The Good News e-Version October 2011 If you wish to subscribe to this newsletter, email us here. Our mailing address is: 1550 Meridian Ave San Jose, CA 95125 Our telephone: 408-266-8022 Copyright (C) 2011 Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church All rights reserved. |
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Consider serving worms for Halloween this year. I don’t mean actual worms, but those colorful candy ones which taste like gummy bears. It would not only add to your Halloween decor, but help you celebrate Reformation history as well. Because October 31 is not just Halloween, but also Reformation Day. And this is no accident: Martin Luther picked this popular medieval feast day to post his “95 Theses” on the church doors to give them maximum exposure to the crowds who usually showed up for Halloween (which in medieval times was not a trick or treat event, but a sacred worship time in preparation of the Feast of All Hallows/All Saints). 
CGSLC’s 40th Anniversary kicked off Sunday, September 18 with Homecoming Sunday. The festivities began with a wonderful worship service that included a procession of stoles from some of our former pastors. Lunch was catered by Just Catering, allowing time for everyone to visit and reflect. Children of all ages also enjoyed the face painting. A short program followed that included a quiz show on CGS trivia and a slideshow of pictures representing CGSLC through the years. Among our special guests were Louise Carlson, daughter of Pastor Carlson; Marti Lundin and family, wife of Pastor Lundin; Pastor & Mrs. Roy Hoch, former Campus Minister at SJSU; Warren & Terttu Gilbert, building architect. 
In celebration of CGSLC’s 40th anniversary a special speaker series, Faith in Action, will take place from October 2011 - April 2012. The speakers will explore how we live our faith in action (vocation), the role of faithfulness in the work of social justice, and challenge us to think about how we are “Shaped by Love, Built for Grace”. Watch for the list of guest speakers and dates coming soon. 
Advent starts the liturgical year for the Church. It marks the four Sundays before Christmas when we prepare with mounting expectation for the coming of Christ. But just like stores and malls, we’re going to start early at the
The education panel invites you to a panel discussion Sunday October 9th at 11:45 in the Fireside Room. We will be having a discussion about Halloween-its origins, why the kids wear costume, how it ties to All Saints day and what Halloween looks like in the schools. All parents are encouraged to participate in these interesting discussions. Refreshments will be served.
On September 25th, we received 3 new members. Please take some time to get to know them. This will get you started:
God, in partnership with CGS, has planted and is growing a Sunday School ministry. We desire to spiritually nurture the children that are part of the immediate CGS family and also to reach out and share God's love and peace to the children within our community. At this time our most active group are ages 2-11 yrs old.
In my bookshelf sits a lovely book. Its title is: “The Pastor and His People”. It gives practical instructions for the clergyman on how to conduct his ministry. It is clear, concise and thoughtful. It is also 50 years old. Ministry has changed a great deal in those 50 years. Not only are there now clergywomen as well as clergymen, but the expectations which are being brought to most pastors on a daily basis are growing evermore complex. How a pastor best spends his/her time is no longer as clear as it was 50 years ago. For starters, there are now many divergent views of what worship should look like. And then there is the internet which is both a great tool as well a great consumer of time: e-mails need to be answered, and communication has to be kept up to date. Other tasks remain similar to what pastors did 50 years ago: preparing weekly sermons; visiting the sick and homebound; connecting with newcomers; instructing children, youths, and adults in the faith; planning worship and special events; training leaders; preparing for weddings and funerals; helping the congregation to discern its mission; providing pastoral care and counseling; engaging in acts of social justice; supervising staff; carrying out administrative tasks and record keeping; participating in parish and synodical events; connecting with other Lutheran ministers; and connection with local clergy of other denominations; keeping up-to-date with current theology. Clearly, all of these tasks are important. But are they equally important? And who decides which are central and which are less so? In many instances I have a good sense of what you expect from me as your minister; I also have a sense of my call from God and my responsibility to the Lutheran Church. All these help me order my priorities and my days. But occasionally I am not sure. Occasionally I need to ask someone: What do you think? And that’s where the Mutual Ministry comes in: a group of trusted and faithful leaders who gives me guidance and insight. They (Chelsea Mathis, Michael Flanagin, and Barbara Malaspina) are here for me – but they are also here you. After all, it is your ministry to which I have been called. Therefore I hope you will take a moment and acquaint yourself with the outline of the Mutual Ministry tasks found 
