Have you read the nonfiction book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson? It
has been on the best-seller list pretty much nonstop since it came out in
2003. I'm deeply into its sequel, Stones into Schools, which was
published last year. It is so timely on so many levels. The author
builds schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, yes in this very decade, and
for girls yet, while a war is going on! The schools are built stone by
stone and in Taliban country.
Greg Mortenson's actions go beyond bold!
This is not a book review; this is not a plug for a book sale. But if you
ever find yourself losing faith in humanity, if you ever think that
nothing you do makes a difference, even if you think that God has gone to
some other galaxy and has no interest in earth anymore, do get a copy of
one or both of these books and build some time into your schedule.
Prepare to be awed. Prepare to be inspired. Prepare to wonder. Prepare
to be glad you are a human being. On this earth. Now. Prepare to sing
praises to our Lord.
And the books are not religious. The work they describe is not described
in religious terms. There is no God-talk.
Don't go looking for a paean to Christianity. You won't find it.
What you will find is a brilliant treatise on priorities. What do we
learn, over and over, as we grow in wisdom? What do we learn or some do
but most certainly not all, as we age?
We learn the vital importance of relationships.
We as Christians learn that God is relational. We as Christians learn
that we are relational. God wants us to love Him and God wants us to love
each other. That is relationship.
We learn that we really can't sleep right when we know that others around
us are cold.
We learn that we really can't eat guilt-free when we know that others
around us are hungry.
We learn that we are relational, communal beings. We want others to be as
comfortable as we are. We want life to be fair.
Greg Mortenson learned these things early and did something about them.
We can too. In fact, on a much smaller scale, we do too. What comes to
mind is our own church's Food Pantry. It is supported by church members,
who faithfully bring in bags of food or send in checks so someone can shop
(and we have shoppers too) to restock the shelves. And when we asked if
people have children's books just sitting around at home not being used,
and if so, would people bring them in to give to our Food Pantry children
for their very own, we have had books to give ever since. When school
started a month or so ago, our Pastor asked a local school if there are
any children who might be hungry over the weekend. Sure enough, four
children were identified right away. With family permission, we got
backpacks and loaded them with good food, pancake mix & syrup, soup,
spaghetti, canned fruit and vegetables, bread, peanut butter and jelly,
and took the backpacks back to school for the children to pick up after
school. Did we build a school? No, but we know that four families are
eating. We know that over this four day weekend we have coming up, four
families won't sleep more to stave off hunger. We know that four children
won't stay inside and not have energy to play due to hunger. Now we have
a Backpack Ministry!
We know that the more we intentionally strive to be God's hands in this
achingly beautiful world of ours, the better we are at being relational,
at being God's people. The more we align our will with God's, the surer
we are of our place in this world, God's world. It doesn't get any better
than that.
Amen.
Judy Bergeson, Diaconal Minister
Salem Lutheran
UPCOMING EVENTS:
This Sunday between services, you are cordially invited to the Fellowship
Hall for a "Davey & Goliath" film episode and conversation. All ages are
welcome!
A New Member supper and class will be held Sunday at 5 PM, October 17.
Please call the office if you are interested in learning more.
The Confirmands continue to sell pies between services for pickup right
before Thanksgiving. This is a win-win situation! The students make some
money to help finance their service projects and we bakers have one less
thing to do before Thanksgiving!
A team of dedicated people leave Saturday, October 16 for Ocean Springs,
MS again. They know that even five years post-Katrina there is so much
work left to be done. We pray for them, their work, their safe travels,
and their compassionate hearts.
Sunday, October 17 at 3 PM, the fourth year of Grief Support begins again
every Sunday until mid-January. The idea is to help people in grief from
the death of a spouse, child, sibling, someone special in their life, get
through the holidays with a warm and safe groups of others who understand.
We meet in the Chapel Lounge, which is to the right and all the way to
the end of the wing as one enters the church. Call the office at
815-895-9171 for more information.
Women's Bible Study meets the fourth Thursday each month in the Chapel
Lounge at 9:15 till 10:30. This year we are studying "God in the Golden
Age" by Dr. John Prabakhar. Come!
Bring your Bible! Have a cuppa coffee and learn together with friends old
and new.
Salem's October Fest is coming up! Dinner and entertainment will be served
Saturday evening,
October 30. Don't miss this fun family event!
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