I moved from Minnesota on purpose just over 22 years ago.  Hard to believe it's been that long since I'm still so young.  I sat with Seminary students this afternoon and helped them do some 'theological reflection' on specific ministry situations they are dealing with.  That was pretty clever of me I thought, since the group I was facilitating was called a Theological Reflection Group.  This evening I am at Chapel on the Ave for dinner and a movie night.  Where are all of you?  Why not show up some Friday night and just shock the socks off of these college students?  Tonight you are missing pizza and Battlestar Galactica.  Ah, now you are sorry, aren't you?

Do you ever engage in theological reflection?  The correct answer is 'yes.'  Not because it "should" be yes.  Rather, because in fact you do engage in theological reflection.  Anytime you wonder, 'Why God?' or 'Why not, God?' Every time you pray.  Every time you open the Scripture.  Every time you answer a question your child asks you about God, or the church, or the Bible.

So, who trained you to do this theological reflection?  When you reflect, whose image do you see?  Do you see yourself as the focus of said reflection?  Or, do you see Jesus?  How confident are you in the results of your theological reflection?  Is that a false confidence?  Be honest.  Hubris parades as theological certainty all too often in the history of the church, and in the acting out of the church in the present day.

I left Minnesota on purpose just over 22 years ago.  My family went with me.  That move eventually led to our tenure in Seattle.  That move has me here, freezing in this cold weather, and I left Minnesota ON PUROSE nearly 22 years ago.  Now that has nothing to do with the Lord per se, but I can make it have something to do with him.  We can twist events to make them God's fault, or at least to fault God for not acting to prevent certain things, or for not acting not to prevent certain things.  That last clause is there to see if you are still awake.

At times when I think, 'I left Minnesota on purpose and so I don't want the snow,' or some other inane moment of expedient self-centered 'poor-me-ness,' the Lord reminds me that I left Minnesota to continue following him.  What if I remembered THAT purposive movement from time to time?  Now there is a reflection for you, and a theological one at that. "

Holy, Holy Lord, lead me to Jesus over and over again.  I will follow Him."

Will you come with me, on purpose?  Or, do you have to reflect on your answer for a while?

February Blessings,
Pastor Don

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Thank You!
Trinity has some nonmembers and former members who are very generous to us and deserving of our thanks:

An anonymous donor helped pay the insurance deductible for the stained glass window repairs and the additional cost of the front door windows.

Nelson Electric did the electrical for the refrigerator and range as well as added extra outlets. They also did the electrical for the ascending screen and built the frame. A big thank you to Marv Nelson for all that and lending his expertise and his time to check things out when he is at Trinity for FFF. Laura Nelson donated the money to pay for all the electrical work. We are very appreciative and thankful for making this all possible.

Dave Rice, Pat Brunner's brother, is building cupboards for next to the refrigerator and the stove to improve storage in the kitchen. He spent lots of time on the Habitat for Humanity house and is volunteering his time and skills for us. A big thank you from all of us.

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A big "Thank you!" to Helen & Paul Chyz, who folded the Christmas weekend bulletins in record time.

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"Thank you!" to Pastor Don, Andrew Potsko, Mark Meyer, and Carol Kosche for their efforts in cleaning up the water which flooded the basement during the mid-December storm.

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Thank you to Chris Sherman, Ruth Patterson, Karl Brunner and Mark Meyer for renting a truck and moving pianos, one of which was donated, as well as moving the old upright piano from the basement.  This was an all afternoon job on a rainy day, and they saved the church a lot of money by not having to hire a moving company.

***

Thank you to Andrew and Philip Schatz for helping move one of the pianos up and around the stairs to the balcony where it will be used to accompany the choir.  I understand that Karl was considered the miracle worker for making work what was nigh unto impossible.  The other piano is in the fellowship hall. 

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Thank you to those who helped put up and decorate the Christmas tree...Chris Sherman, Sharon and Bob Heckel, Joanne Welty, Barb Nelson, and Ruth Patterson. Thank you also to Lois Schatz for making the Advent wreath.

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Thanks to all of the knitters, crocheters, and stitchers - and to those who purchased new hats (67 total!) - for the Compass Center, including: Pat Brunner, Connie Colgan, Mary Hansen, Melva Jensen, Cheryl Krogh, Anna Lehner, Joanne Matson, Mary McFarland, Louise Torseth, and Joanne Welty

Upcoming Events

An Invitation to Join Us
Chaplain Bill and Susan Clements have planned a mission trip to New Orleans March 18th through the 24th. We would like to extend this invitation to the Seattle area Lutheran Community to join in this effort to “Restore” hope in the New Orleans community. You can call Pastor Bill with questions at 206-232-1711 or Pastor@redeemerlutheranchurch.us.

Camp Restore is a Southern District Lutheran Church camp, managed by Laborers for Christ, partnering with World Relief & Human Care and Orphan Grain Train. It is based at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in New Orleans East, which suffered severe hurricane damage. Laborers for Christ have refurbished the church for use as a volunteer camp. Once the facility is no longer needed for volunteers, it is expected to serve again as a church and school. Camp Restore will focus on the needs of LCMS churches and members but will also serve the community at large.

When fully operational in October, Camp Restore will offer housing for 240 volunteers in air conditioned/heated dorm style rooms, supplemented by another 2 mobile dorm units on site, plus 24 sites for RV's with complete electrical, water, & sewer hookups. No tents will be used at the camp. 

Camp Restore offers clean, well-maintained personal hygiene facilities with showers, sinks, & toilet stalls. 

Nutritional meals will be provided three times per day from a new stainless steel mobile kitchen unit built by Orphan Grain Train. This kitchen is capable of feeding ~ 300+ volunteers per day with dining provided in an indoor air conditioned/heated area. 

Rev. Ed Brashier will serve as the camp chaplain/director. He will conduct worship services in the Prince of Peace sanctuary and offer Bible studies. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Camp Restore, please call 1-888-248-2636 or e-mail us at camprestore@yahoo.com.

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Concordia Lutheran School

Meyer Minutes
Did you see the game? Unbelievable turns of events that propelled our Seahawks into the next round of the playoffs. Even if you are not a football fan, you have to be amazed at the things that needed to happen for them to become victorious. The play that ended the game to the favor of the Seahawks was supposed to be automatic, but it turned out to be far from routine.

I have heard so many coaches in my life state, “This is why you play the game; anything can happen.” It is true and we all witnessed this on Saturday. Concordia is here playing hard; there have been so many things that have needed to happen to put this ministry in the position it is today. Donors, church togetherness, and students walking our halls have all participated in the process. We need to move into recruitment with the thought that nothing is automatic, except His love, and share the stories of this place with friends to broaden our community.

Remember, that’s why we play the game; anyone can join our community, but we need to invite them. Did you see the game?

In Him,
Dave

Upcoming Events
Jan. 12 Home Basketball Game vs. Hope Lutheran, 3:45 PM
Jan. 24 Chapel on Wheels at Messiah, 11:15 AM
Jan. 26 Home Basketball Game vs. Zion Lutheran, 3:45 PM
Feb. 6 Home Basketball Game vs. Holy Trinity, 3:45 PM
Mar. 7 2nd Semester Cookie Dough Sale
Mar. 10 Concordia Auction

Notices
Thank you for your generous support of Concordia’s Annual Appeal! With your help, we far exceeded our fundraising goals for this project.

Concordia seeks a driver for our morning van route. Please contact the school office at 206-525-7407 or admin@concordiaseattle.com if you are interested.

Members of association congregations are invited to enroll their children in Cardinal Care, Concordia’s before and after school childcare program.

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Thrivent

More funding available for Care Abounds in Communities activities in 2007

We are pleased to announce that the total amount of Care Abounds in Communities program funding for 2007 is increasing $2 million from 2006. This means all our 1,362 chapters should see more funds available compared to last year, unless they had a substantial decrease in households or congregations.

The increase is a result of Thrivent Financial's good financial performance in 2006, which makes it possible for our chapters and members to touch more lives and make an even greater impact in their communities.

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Northwest District - LCMS

Pirates Dinner Adventure
From your National Youth Gathering District Coordinator, Krissa Zander:

Back by popular demand, we will again attend Pirates Dinner Adventure! This National Youth Gathering District Event is Wednesday, August 1, 2007, after the National Youth Gathering concludes. Cost: $35.00 each. Visit the Educational Services Youth section of the District website (http://www.nowlcms.org) or email Krissa (KrissaZ@nowlcms.org) for more information .

Good Samaritan Grant
March 1, 2007: Grant Application DeadlineLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), in partnership with Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, IL, is offering financial assistance to Lutheran churches to encourage the development of new programs and services for immigrants and refugees. Applicant congregations will be expected to contribute at least 25% of the project cost, either through cash or in-kind support. Funding priority will be given to projects that demonstrate at least one of the following services to immigrant communities: social ministry projects, joint projects between community members and new residents, public education or advocacy, and leadership development within the ethnic groups served.

Interested applicants may download the application packet or review grant guidelines at www.lirs.org. For more information on the Good Samaritan grant program, please contact Pam Bloom, LIRS Senior Consultant for Organizational Capacity Building, at 410/230-2875 or pbloom@lirs.org.

Concordia University Job Posting
Concordia University Portland is searching for a full-time Director of Church Relations. Qualified candidates should be rostered with the LCMS, have a passion for and understanding of Lutheran education, and have experience in fundraising, program development, public relations or related skills. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and references to the Director of Church Relations Search Committee, Concordia University Foundation, 2811 NE Holman St., Portland, OR 97211. Two Postings at NW District OfficeThe Northwest District - LCMS is currently recruiting to fill two vacant administrative positions located in the District Office, Portland, OR.  The two positions are: 

• Administrative Assistant to the District President (will be vacant March 2007)
• Administrative Assistant to the Vice President, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)

Each position provides administrative and clerical support to the responsible Executive and, at a minimum, requires good communication skills - both written and verbal, good computer skills and expertise with the Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, etc.), and the ability to work independently with general instructions and guidance.  In addition, there are additional gifts and/or skills that are required and specific to each position.

We believe that our best resource is our congregations when it comes to filling vacant positions here in the office. 

If you have questions or need further information, please contact our Business Manager, Martha Conboy, at (503) 288-8383 or e-mail at MarthaC@nowlcms.org.

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