Paul Manz Enters Final Rest
Dr. Paul O. Manz, a child of God, organist and composer loved by legions in the pews, entered his eternal rest on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the ripe age of ninety in Saint Paul, MN. Paul’s music renewed and invigorated church music throughout the world and has been a prime inspiration to countless church organists.
He was particularly well-known for his organ improvisations and “hymn festivals,” where he would he would musically enhance each stanza of a series of hymns, which were gathered under a common theme and interspersed with appropriate readings. He also brought back the ancient practice of alternation during the singing of hymns. Many of his improvisations were published for church organists and recorded. They continue to be popular and cherished works.
For most of the second half of the 20th century, he was widely considered the “dean” of American organists and the “poet laureate” of the Lutheran church. He was the organist and cantor at Mount Olive in Minneapolis (Pastor Jaster’s home church) for 37 years and a dear friend of the Jaster family.
Some of his music can be heard online at pipedreams.publicradio.org/articles/manz/manz.shtml
Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Rocky Time for the ELCA
It’s a rocky time in the ELCA largely because of responses to decisions on sexuality issues by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly and economic stresses, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson told the Conference of Bishops in early October. Hanson said there are ELCA members who disagree with the sexuality decisions and wonder if they will be able to find a place to stand with integrity and safety.
Because of current economic conditions and uncertainty about mission support funds, the churchwide organization will continue a partial hiring freeze and under spend its budget by 5 percent if necessary. The bishops reviewed and discussed drafts of revisions to ELCA ministry policies. They asked for another opportunity to review updated revisions, which means that final action on new policy language won't occur before April 2010. Working drafts of the proposed changes are posted at http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Ministry-Policies.aspx#drafts.
ELCA, LCMS Continue to Cooperate
Leaders of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod agreed they would do all they can to continue their longtime cooperative ministries despite ELCA Churchwide Assembly decisions making it possible for rostered leaders to be in publicly accountable, life-long monogamous, same-gender relationships. Leaders of three cooperative ministries—Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Services in America and Lutheran World Relief—also attended the meeting. LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick said his church disagrees with the ELCA action, but the LCMS has ” a real concern...for doing everything we possible can do deliver ministry” to people in need. ”We believe that working together with other partners can enhance the ministry that is delivered to the recipients,” he said.
The “Nones” Are Growing
The number of American adults who don't identify with a particular religion is growing and may comprise more than 20 percent of the population in two decades, according to ”American Nones: The Profile of the No Religion Population,” a study by Trinity College, Harford, Conn. More than 50 percent of the Nones believe in either a higher being or a personal God. Only 7 percent are self-proclaimed atheists, the study says.
ELCA Wittenberg Center Staff Ends Service Nov. 30
The directors of the Wittenberg Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will end their service in Germany Nov. 30, the result of “harsh budget realities,” according to the Rev. Robert O. Smith, ELCA Global Mission. The departures of the Rev. Stephen E. and Dr. Jean Godsall-Myers leave the future of the center uncertain.
The 10-year-old Wittenberg Center is a unique ministry located in the city where Martin Luther, a German monk, nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in 1517. His writings were instrumental in the Protestant Reformation. The center and its staff provide educational programs, including study programs for college students, continuing education and sabbatical opportunities for professional church leaders, and assist Christian groups visiting the city. "Even with the creative ideas for new financial partnership that have been shared in recent weeks, it is clear the ELCA will not have the resources to place full-time staff in Wittenberg in the future. Given the budget realities the ELCA is facing, we have needed to move far more quickly than we would have desired to restructure our engagement in Wittenberg," Smith said.
In September 2008 the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop and LWF president, and German church leaders initiated the ”Luther Decade“ in Wittenberg—a series of events and observances leading to 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The ELCA Wittenberg Center staff had hoped to play a significant role in the observance. Hanson wrote to leaders of the Evangelical Church in Germany and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany to assure them “that the ELCA is exploring ways to deepen our companionship and continue our presence in Wittenberg.”
1 in 4 are Muslim
Nearly 1 in 4 of the world's population practice Islam, according to a report from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The estimated number of Muslims is now 1.57 billion. The report also tracked where Muslim live. Most live in Asia (60 percent) and not the Middle East, although most of the Middle East is Muslim. About 2.1 to 2.2 billion are Christian.
Grow in Giving
A stewardship mailing has gone out to every home inviting you to “count your blessings” and to “grow” in your giving for God’s work through our hands at Emmanuel. Included in the mailing is a response card and a Growth Giving Challenge. Please return the response card immediately (either by placing it in the offering plate on Sunday morning or through the mail). Don’t let it sit for a couple of weeks. Act now. Also, included in the packet is a Time & Talent card. Please return that as well. We encourage you to venture into one new area of fellowship, learning, or service this year to keep your love of Christ fresh and vibrant.
Loans for Lutheran Students
Lutheran students who need financial assistance and who will be enrolled full time in a four-year undergraduate program in any accredited college or university are eligible to apply for an interest-free loan through the Pierstorf Memorial Loan Fund administered by our good friends at Messiah Lutheran in Fairview Park. Applications are taken annually. For forms and more information go to www.pierstorf.org.
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
At its latest churchwide assembly the ELCA acted to adopt a long awaited Social Statement on Human Sexuality and its implementing resolutions. It also opened up its roster to persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships; agreed to participate in a project of the Gates Foundation and United Nations to wipe out malaria in Africa, and entered into a full communion with the United Methodist church. Texts, videos and actions of the assembly can be viewed at elca.org/assembly.
Lutheran Malaria Initiative
The United Nations Foundation has approached Lutherans and Methodists to join in a project to wipe out malaria. This is because of our excellent track record in delivering services in Africa to those who most need it.
For Lutherans, the project will require the full engagement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and Lutheran World Relief. The goal is to raise $75 million over five years which then will be paired with an even greater amount of Gate Foundation dollars channeled to LWR through the UNF.
ReStore & Helps Habitat for Humanity
ReStore raises funds for Habitat for Humanity by recycling and reselling materials that typically get thrown away during the course of home renovation or sits unused for years in attics, basements and garages. Buy a tool from their list, clean out your basement or empty your garage to help keep Habitat for Humanity on the Job. They take kitchen cabinets, fixtures, windows, doors, lumber, tile, tubs, sinks, furniture, tools, etc. For a complete list of what is available, visit www.clevelandrestore.org. The store is located at 2110 W. 110th Street in Cleveland. The phone is 216.429-1299.
Hot Off the Press: Lutheran Study Bible
The Lutheran Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version) is now available in both hardcover and paperback. It is designed to invite readers to experience the bible and its message through background material, Lutheran insights and faith reflection. It's part of the Book of Faith iniative of the ELCA and Augsburg Fortress to increase bible literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. Order from www.augsburgfortress.org; 800-328-4648; hardcover $34.99, paperback $24.99.
Master Builders Bible for Men, 2nd Edition
Another good bible alternative for men is the Master Builders Bible for Men designed for Lutheran Men in Mission. This New International Version Bible features the Men's Ministry Leaderes Supplement and 20,000 study questions written into the text that assist participants to get to know each other as they get to know God. It also features six courses for men each with six beginner and six advanced sessions. The courses include: Masculinity: Will the Real Jesus Stand Up?; Accountability: Beyond Football and the Weather; Discipleship: Being a Man After God's Own Heart?; Attitude Adjustment: Down But not Out; Men at Work: Performance Anxiety; For Men Only: issues Men Face, 200 Bible Stories with study questions and much more. Order from www.augsburgfortress.org; 800-328-4648; hardcover $20.00
LCCC’s Transitions Job Network
With a sluggish economy and layoffs, many area business professionals find themselves in the midst of a career transition. The best jobs are usually found through a network of personal contacts. To help jobseekers expand their base of contacts and support them in their job search, Lorain Community College has established a free networking group specifically for business professionals. The group called Transitions, meets every Second and Fourth Monday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC) Room 132 A/B. For more information or to register call (440)366-4076 or register on the web at www.lorainccc.edu/careers.
Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA
Earn interest while you build the church. The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA offers a number of different investment products at competitive rates. Some work like CDs. Others like a money market checking account. Through your investment, the Fund provides loans to new mission congregations for purchasing land and the initial construction, and to established congregations for renovations, additions and relocations. Call (877) 886-3522 or visit www.MissionInvestmentFund.org for the current rates and offerings.
Pronouncing Biblical Words
Are you having a tough time pronouncing biblical words as a reader during worship. Visit the Netministries web site to HEAR pronunciations of those unfamiliar words or names.