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July 2013 Newsletter

Summer 2013 Sunday Worship Schedule:
Sunday, July 7 - Aurora Sun., July 14 - at BP Gun Club-10:30am (Comm.) Sunday, July 21 - Trinity Sunday, July 28 - Aurora Sunday, August 4 - Trinity Sunday, August 11 - Aurora (Communion) Sunday, August 18 - Trinity Sunday, August 25 - Aurora

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be held on Saturday, July 27th. It will be from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $10.00 per child. Please contact Jerrianne Hendricks at 507-456-2614 to sign up!
Newsletter Information Deadline
Please have all information for the August newsletter and calendar to Lisa by Friday, July 19th. Send your information to: auroratrinityoffice@gmail.com or you can call 507-456-0740.

June Monday Night Worship Schedule:

Monday- 6:30 p.m. at Aurora ***No Service on Monday, July 1 Council Meeting: The next Aurora Council Meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 17th at 6:30 p.m.

Joint Worship Service/Potluck Picnic

The Annual Joint Worship Service is on Sunday, July 14th starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Blooming Prairie Gun Club. Following the service, there will be a potluck picnic with activities for the whole family. Please bring a large dish to pass and your own eating utensils.

Food Shelf Sunday

The next food shelf Sunday at Aurora is Sunday, July 7th! Please give to this worthy cause, as we Feed Bodies with the Love of Jesus!

Confirmation Student/Parent Meeting July 9th

There will be a Confirmation Student/Parent Meeting on July 9th at Aurora at 6:30pm. We will gather to talk about the upcoming year of Confirmation (times, curriculum, expectations, etc.) If you are not able to attend, please contact Pastor Jon prior to the meeting. Pastor on Vacation
Pastor Jon will be on vacation on July 1st through July 7th. If there are any pastoral emergencies, please contact Pastor Lindsay Stolen at 507-440-3716. No Monday Night Service on July 1st
There will be no Monday night worship on July 1st. Pastor Jon will be out of town on vacation. Monday night worship will resume on July 8th.

for an informal conversation on

July 21 Ghosts, Spirits, and

these popular topics.

Christianity

July 28 To Heaven and Back: Near Death Experiences

Aurora Diner 2013 Work Schedule

Here is the 2013 Diner Work Schedule, be sure to mark your calendars: Wed., July 17 Cleaning of the diner 6:00 p.m. Wed., July 24 Pie Making 6:00 p.m. Wed., July 31 Pie Making 6:00 p.m. Wed., Aug. 7 Pie Making/Meatballs 6:00 p.m. Fri., Aug. 9 Meat Roasting All Day Sat. Aug. 10 Meat Slicing 9:00 a.m. Steele County Free Fair: Aug. 13 Aug. 18 Mon., Aug. 19 Cleaning of the diner 6:00 p.m. The board will be up soon please be sure to sign up.

Faith and Life Conversations

Ever experienced a ghost in your has? Have you read any recent experiences of heaven? Do you Christianity? Join Pastor Jon after church on the following Sundays wonder how all of this fits into books on peoples near death life? Or heard of someone who
FAITH 5 for July
Week of July 1st
+ SHARE Share highs and lows with one another +READ - Luke 10:1-20 +TALK Talk about the Scripture reading and what you liked or didnt like, or how it relates to the highs and lows. +PRAY O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. +Bless Make sign of the cross and say, God bless you and give you peace.

Week of July 8th

+SHARE Share highs and lows with one another +READ - Luke 10:25-37

+TALK - Talk about the Scripture reading and what you liked or didnt like, or how it relates to the highs and lows. +PRAY Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. +BLESS - Make sign of the cross and say, God be with you, Child of God

Week of July 15th

+SHARE Share highs and lows with one another +READ - Luke 10:38-42 +TALK - Talk about the Scripture reading and what you liked or didnt like, or how it relates to the \ highs and lows. +PRAY God, our creator, by your holy prophet Jeremiah you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. +BLESS - Make sign of the cross and say, Child of God, you are loved

Week of July 22rd

+SHARE Share highs and lows with one another +READ - Luke 11:1-13 +TALK - Talk about the Scripture reading and what you liked or didnt like, or how it relates to the highs and lows. +PRAY O God of all, with wonderful diversity of languages and cultures you created all people in your image. Free us from prejudice and fear, that we may see your face in the faces of people around the world; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. +BLESS - Make sign of the cross and say, May God watch over you all of your days

A Message on Same-Sex Marriage Legislation in Minnesota Bishop Harold Usgaard

Partners in Ministry: Last Tuesday, May 14, Governor Dayton signed into law the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. It will officially take effect on August 1, 2013. Such a change in the legal understanding of marriage in this state has obviously led many in our church to ask the Lutheran question, "what does this mean?" I would encourage you to refer to the ELCA Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Note in particular section IV, Sexuality and Social Structures that Enhance Social Trust. There you will read that "the historic Christian tradition and the Lutheran Confessions have recognized marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman." And you will also read that "it must be noted that some, though not all, in this church and within the larger Christian community, conclude that marriage is also the appropriate term to use in describing similar benefits, protection, and support for same-gender couples entering into lifelong monogamous relationships." This section also continues by referring to the reality of which we are only too aware, "differing and conscience-bound understandings about the place of such relationships within the Christian community. We have come to various conclusions concerning how to regard lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships, including whether and how to publicly recognize their lifelong commitments." In addition to the Social Statement, I would refer you to the resolutions addressing these different understandings also passed during the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. One resolution reads, "the ELCA commit itself to bear one another's burdens, love the neighbor, and respect the bound consciences of all." I have heard this resolution misinterpreted in a number of ways. What it refers to is respect for decisions that other faithful Christians make on these topics, especially if they differ from ours. It is not about me getting my way, but seeking to understand the other. Any conversation that is going to be helpful must begin there. A second resolution passed at the same assembly, resolved "that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships." Note that nothing is mentioned about individual pastoral decisions; decisions take place in the congregation. Note also that the word is "recognize" not "bless" or "marry." The ELCA in fact has no rite for same-sex marriage. Again, "what does this mean?" I believe: Now is the time for congregational leaders to discuss what it means to "recognize" people in their midst who are in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships. I do not believe our social statement supports marriage or even blessings of such relationships. But that social statement does speak of recognition. Some of our congregations will be very supportive of such opportunities. Other of our congregations will not. I hope such conversations can lead to decisions reached by consensus. Congregations do not need to be again divided by taking votes in which there are winners and losers. Prayer needs to be at the very center of such a process. Pastors, remember that we also need to be part of such conversations. We serve under call to communities of believers. We need to facilitate discussion and direction as to what those communities expect of their pastor in these matters. I suspect pastors are going to receive requests to lead or participate at a variety of occasions both in the church building and outside of it. I would think it helpful if the congregation and the pastor would make policy decisions before such requests demand hurried and anxious decisions. The synod office is always willing to consult with pastors and congregational leadership, but remember that these decisions are congregational in nature. There will not be synodical policies proposed. We have dealt with similar issues in recent years. My prayer is that we have learned much in the process about respect and trust and love. I believe that is how the Holy Spirit works among us. Shalom, Harold Usgaard

Bishop Aurora Lutheran Church Council Meeting June 9, 2013 The regular monthly meeting of the Aurora Lutheran Church Council was held on June 9, 2013. The members present were Jeanne Pichner, Mark Prestegard, Jodi Keck, Sara Pichner, Paul Korbel, Curtis Jenson, Pastor Jon, Brett Paape, and Nathele Beadell. The meeting was called to order by President Jeanne Pichner and Pastor Jon lead us in prayer. Ryan Williams has reviewed the portion of the insurance policy we have on hand. We will be requesting a copy of the full policy for review. With this initial review it looks like we are well covered. Secretarys report: The minutes from the May 16, 2013 meeting were approved as read. Treasures report: The reported financials are as follows: General Fund $-1,312.11 (this was just timing of the report.) Building Fund $5,004.60 Memorial Fund $7,274.96 Parsonage Fund $1,462.75 Cemetery Fund $10,358.44

Pastors report: Pastor Jon reported on a bible initiative that we will be looking into further. We will also be discussing the new same sex marriage law that was pasted in Minnesota. Old Business: We are still working to get the speaker system completed. The windows for the parsonage have been ordered. When we know the installation date. The work to move the vent and outlet will need to be done. Lighting for the parking lot has been checked.

New Business: The annual safety check of the elevator needs to be completed. The picture of the pastors needs to be updated with Pastor Jons picture.

The meeting was adjourned. The next council meeting will be held on July 17 th, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nathele Beadell

Same-Sex Marriage and The Church

As many of you know, on May 14th, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage. On August 1 st, couples of the same gender will be allowed to be legally married in the eyes of the state. I imagine there are many mixed feelings in our congregations regarding this new law. When the law passed, some people felt an overwhelming sense of joy and affirmation. Others felt hurt and confused, disappointed and angry. Indeed, the feelings are great and diverse. Especially among Christians. This is such a hard conversation for us because faithful people who worship the same God and read the same Bible come down on different sides on this issue. Yet, we are one body of Christ, and in the body of Christ, there is room for all. Now is the time for us to come together with mutual respect and love for one another on this topic. With the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota, we must begin having the conversation about what this means for ministry of marriage in our congregations. Let me be clear: no congregation or pastor can legally be forced to perform a same-sex marriage. It is up to each congregation and pastor to decide how they will respond to this new law. The reason we need to talk about this now is so that decisions are not made in a rush when there is a request for a same-sex marriage. I want us to take the time to have this conversation well. Lets talk about what that looks like for us. In the midst of this, we need to keep our eye on the mission work that God is calling us to do: Feeding Body, Mind, and Spirit with the Love of Jesus. How might our mission statement fit into this conversation? I have spoken with each of the councils about the need to move forward on this. Together, we will explore this conversation and find the best way to invite your thoughts into it. You can expect more information in the coming months.

I invite you to read the letter (included in this newsletter) that Bishop Usgaard sent out to the synod regarding same-sex marriage. If you have questions or concerns, or would simply like to have some conversation about this topic, please do not hesitate to contact me. I continue to be in prayer around this topic and how we move forward together. I invite you to do the same. With love and gratitude for the ministry you do each day,

Pastor Jon