July

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I write this letter I cannot help but think of Paul’s words in the book of 1 Corinthians.

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one out- side the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Since our synod assembly I have become more aware of the fact that there is much I need to learn, much I need to hear, if I am to be a part of God’s plan to make a place at God’s table for everyone. Lately I have been trying to more actively listen to people from all different places in life.

I have been spending time with people of different gender identities and sexual orientations because I want to hear how they have encountered God in their journey. They have pushed me to new understandings. I have been trying to be more open to the experiences of people from different Christian experiences by worshiping with people at various congregations including Missouri Synod, Catholic, Episcopal, and those suspicious of the organized church. I am trying to hear the voices of people from different racial and ethnic understandings. I have struggled to hear the voices of those with different political understandings than myself.

It is never easy to really listen: to really try to understand people who see the world through different eyes. I know, try as I might, I still struggle. We are so quick to want to defend our perspective. But as Christians we are called to embrace those who are claimed by God and yet are so different from ourselves. If we are to live into the vision we have at Trinity then this needs to be our constant work. As you move through these summer months, traveling to new places, attending new places of worship, or just listening to the news from around the world- truly listen to those around you. Let others share their experiences, their hopes, their dreams and their struggles. These are important- even precious- to our Lord, and they must become important to us as well. If we are truly to share the love and promise of God, then we need to meet people where they are, praying that God frees us from snap judgements and unfounded prejudices. Again quoting Paul:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Let us live into this vison.

The main message of the assembly was that all are welcome at the table of Christ. Whether you are old, young, divorced, gay, lesbian, here in the US legally, or just trying to make a better life for your family, with a home, or without a home (the list could go on as we know from our mission statement); we are all children of God and deserve to feel loved and welcomed in the ELCA. This was the main focus of the Synod Assembly and they challenged us and encouraged us to find ways to incorporate all people from all walks of life into our own church communities.

It was great to hear what other ELCA churches throughout the Milwaukee area and the country are doing in order to encourage this message. It was also extremely interesting to hear about the different issues the church as a whole feels needs to be addressed in our area such as the heroin epidemic or the recent deportation of another pastor within the synod.

It was a really informative and interesting experience!

Thanks, Haley Kordosky